Christmas in Florida.

Jim and I are in Florida helping my sister Patti

 during a couple of surgeries. 

 

 Over Christmas Melinda came to visit

and we all went to the Cocoa Beach.

 

Gorgeous weather...sorry...I know it's been

pretty cold and wet back at SPR.

 

Sunny, breezy, warm sand.

 

Had to indulge at a beach side café. 

Rum drinks, wine,  beer, oysters, clams, yumm!

 We are laughing as Jim tries to not scrape his knuckles while hand grating potatoes for a Lithuanian specialty...potato kugula.

And yes, we look alike!

We will find out Patti's next surgery date soon, then we'll be able to plan the next few months. 

 

 Also, daughter Liz is having baby Max (due date is Feb 1st)

 so must visit New Orleans, too.

 

Busy winter!

Can You Help with a Tote Donation?

The Quilters have been gifted with a lot of wonderful fabric to use in making quilts for the children of our Adopt A Families. 

 

 Now we are asking for donations of extra-large storage totes with a lid so we may keep this fabric stored properly.

 

We have a great room to use, thanks to Karen,

but we want to keep it organized. 

 

 If you have large storage totes to donate,

 see Bernie at lot 36 or Mary at lot 5

or stop Jakz on Monday or Thursday from 9 am to 11:30 am.

 

 Your support is greatly appreciated

Creative Journaling Seminar-Jan 22

CREATIVE JOURNALING SEMINAR

 

Marsha Nelson, PHD, is making a return visit to SPR to present a seminar on creative journaling

in Flip Flopz,

Wed. Jan. 22, 7-9PM.

 

She will demonstrate how by using your dominant and non-dominant hands you can access the more creative side of your brain. 

 

This has always been a popular event at Sandpipers-you won't want to miss it!

 

Snacks will be served.

Seating is limited to 60.  Please let the office know if you are planning to attend.

 

Handwriting Seminar-Jan 8

HANDWRITING SEMINAR

JOIN HANDWRITING EXPERT, JAMES DUNN, ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, FROM 7 PM – 9 PM IN FLIP FLOPZ AND DISCOVER WHAT YOUR HANDWRITING SAYS ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU CAN MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES IN YOUR LIFE BY MAKING CHANGES IN YOUR HANDWRITING.

 

 SNACKS WILL BE PROVIDED.

 

WE ARE LIMITED TO 60 PARTICIPANTS SO LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Turtle Power! News from Tom B.

Below is a note from Kat Lillie of Sea Turtle, Inc.

This is a unique opportunity for those interested in sea turtles.  The recent cold snap has resulted in several hundred sea turtles being beached (stranded on land) as a result of their body temperatures dropping with the cooler water temperatures.  Being reptiles, when their body temperature drops their muscles become unresponsive and they can not swim.  They drift with the tide and are eventually washed up on shore.  If left, they will die in the cold air.  Sea Turtle, Inc. on South Padre Island rescues these turtles and keeps them until the weather and water temperature warms.  That day has arrived and some of the rescued turtles will be released on Wednesday afternoon.  The public is invited!  I encourage everyone to enjoy this special event.  I am committed to another project so will miss this event.  Tom Butler, Lot 44

From: Kat Lillie <klillie85@gmail.com>
Date: December 16, 2013 at 8:04:38 PM CST
To: Kat Lillie <klillie85@gmail.com>
Subject: Cold stranded turtle release

The cold stranded turtles are all warmed up and we are preparing to release them. As many of you remember, we release these cold turtles off the Gulf side of the island since it is a few degrees warmer than the bay. 

We will have a public release for the turtles on Wednesday, December 18th at 2pm. It will be held in Isla Blanca Park at the SOUTH pavilion (closest to the jetties). We will be releasing about 100 juvenile green sea turtles. Feel free to come and watch and pass the word to your family and friends! :)

--
Kat Lillie

Sea Turtle, Inc. Assistant Curator
6617 Padre Blvd.
South Padre Island, TX
78597
(956) 761.4511

Gloria's Goodies!

At the  'Craft Show' on Saturday morning 

there will be a table set up with my

 'nude wardrobe' (pareos, sarongs, etc)

and

some household items

for the benefit of the Edinburg Food Pantry. 

 

 Contributions can either be cash (you decide the amount) or grocery items e.g. peanut butter, boxes of cereal, canned tuna/chicken, boxes of mac and cheese etc. etc.

Gloria (Site 43)

Cold Enough for Soup!

 

Soup Night, Tuesday, Dec. 10th. at 5:30 p.m.

At Flip- Flopz

$5.00 donation to support our Adopt A Family program

Soups: Lentil and Taco

Delicious dessert

Come for soup, come for fellowship and come to support AAF.

Mary 

Too Cold to Ride!

The weather forecast for Tuesday is

 highs near 50 and winds 10 to 20 MPH from the north

 so I am canceling the bicycle ride

for Tuesday, December 10, 2013. 

 Please put the word out by all means possible to let everyone
know that our next bike ride is planned for

December 17, 2013 on the Mission Bike Trail. 

 We'll hope for better weather then!

Tom Butler
44

Florida Bound

OK my lovely peeps.

After several days of travelling I-10 I have several observations.

 

Jim & I are on our way to Melbourne, FL to give some TLC to my sister after she has had major surgery.

 

 

We've noted hundreds, HUNDREDS, of line trucks heading west into the storm zones.  fortunately we've had pretty good weather...a little drizzle, but warm temps.

 

Diesel isn't too much of a surprise...$3.50-$3.80, so far!

We are staying tonight at Suwanee Valley Nudist Resort just north of Lake City.  VERY nice. Very friendly.  Would recommend!
It's Passport America!

A carpet of pine needles and leaves with squirrels scampering...and an absolute bargain at $18.00 a night.  Free ground fees the first night.  AND they only have one small page of rules-common sense, giving credit to adults.


I am getting a new computer...my portable died a screaming death!

Robert's Needs

NEEDED

ROBERT, LOT 220, NEEDS YOUR WINE BOTTLE CORKS.  SO AS YOU’RE OPENING THAT BOTTLE OF WINE,  DON’T THROW AWAY THE CORK. GATHER THEM UP AND TAKE THEM TO ROBERT AT LOT 220.

************************

FOR SALE

ROBERT, LOT 220, HAS SEVERAL CRAFTSMEN TOOLS THAT HE WANTS TO SELL; A 3/8 DRILL; A 19.2 VOLT BATTERY AND A ONE HOUR CHARGER.  IF YOU NEED ANY OF THESE TOOLS, SEE ROBERT AT LOT 220.

**************************************

LIP SYNC

ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, JOIN ROBERT AND LOUISE, LOT 220 IN THE PAVILION FROM 3 TO 4 PM TO LEARN ABOUT HIS LIP SYNC PRODUCTION.



Assorted Announcements for Early December

GRILL NIGHT

 

TUESDAY DECEMBER 3 FROM 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM AT FLIP FLOPZ IS GRILL NIGHT. 

 

BRING A DISH TO SHARE AND SOMETHING FOR THE GRILL FOR YOURSELF. 

BYOB (BRING YOUR OWN BEVERAGE). 

TABLE WARE PROVIDED.

SEE NANCY AT LOT 212 WITH QUESTIONS.

 ********************************

 

BIKE RIDE

THE BIKE RIDE IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 TO ANZULDUAS PARK AND DAM AND LA LOMITA MISSION ALONG THE RIO GRANDE.

BRING A BICYCLE LOCK.

LUNCH IS AT DANNY’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

 IN MISSION.

BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD DRIVE, THE BIKE RIDERS WILL LEAVE AT 9:30 AM.

THERE ARE NO ADMISSION FEES FOR THIS RIDE.

ALL RIDES DEPART SANDPIPERS GATE AT 9:00 A.M. TOM AT LOT 44 SAYS THE RIDE IS CANCELLED IF NO ONE SHOWS UP. IF PEOPLE SHOW UP WE GO!

TOM SUGGESTS SUN SCREEN, BUG SPRAY, WATER, CAMERA, BICYCLE LOCK, BINOCULARS, AND A SPARE INNER TUBE FOR YOUR BICYCLE.

TOM CARRIES A SET OF TOOLS INCLUDING A TIRE PUMP AND PATCH KIT ON ALL BICYCLE RIDES.

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE TOM OR CHECK OUT THE SPR CALENDAR.

***************************************

 

 

 MOTORCYCLE RIDES

 

THE MOTORCYCLE RIDERS WILL BE HEADING OUT  TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3.  THE MOTORCYCLE BIKERS WILL RIDE TO SAN BENITO.  LUNCH IS AT LONGHORN.  RIDERS MEET AT THE SANDPIPERS GATE AT 10:30.   IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, SEE LOWELL AT LOT 601.

 

***********************************************

 

LADIES LUNCH

 

 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5,

 THE DECEMBER LADIES LUNCH WILL BE AT

VICTORIA TEA ROOM IN MISSION.

 

THE LADIES WILL HAVE A GIFT EXCHANGE.

IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE, BRING A GIFT THAT COSTS BETWEEN $5 - $10.

SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE SOMETHING HANDCRAFTED, A GIFT CARD, A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT.

 YOU GET THE IDEA.

 

 IT’S IMPORTANT THAT YOU RSVP TO NANCY, LOT 212, BY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, SO SHE CAN NOTIFY THE TEA ROOM THE NUMBER OF LADIES TO SET UP FOR.

 

 MEET AT THE FRONT GATE AT 11:30 AM AND CARAVAN TO VICTORIA TEA ROOM.

 NEED A RIDE? JUST COME EARLY TO THE GATE AND WE’LL FIND YOU A SEAT.

 DIRECT QUESTIONS TO NANCY AT LOT 212. 

Back From Italy

 

I'm back from spending Thanksgiving week in Florence & Rome with daughter Melinda.

What a whirlwind!

 

Here are some of the high-lites and low-lites.

 

Low-lites:

26 hours of travel one way, not including the 4 hour delays for the outbound leg. Jet Lag!

 

Freezing...I mean bone-chilling, howling wind and spitting rain chilling! Had to buy wool to live.

 

High-lites:

Many!

* I got to travel first class and am now spoiled forever.

 

*A marathon run amongst the monuments and statues of Florence.

 

*Our wine tasting mini-class being photographed for brochure and advertising purposes.

 

*The tourist thrown out of the Sistine Chapel for ignoring the no photos rule...with a flash yet!

 

*The street vendors selling illegal knock-off designer bags, who on a hidden signal, scurried to hide their wares from police.

 

* After touring the coliseum we lunched at a cute café.  Sitting next to us another Mother/Daughter duo.  During chit chat turns out they were from Anchorage, Alaska...we volunteer my nephew works as a teacher there.  She asks his name.  She is his principal!!!

 

* Major high-lite-THE FOOD & WINE!

 

 

Romans love white wine but in Florence, especially with this famous steak, you just can't beat a Brunello! 

First Wine Appreciation Event

The first Wine Appreciation Event will be

December 8th in Flip Flops at 3:00 PM.

 

 This a free event to those who bring a bottle of their favorite or recently discovered wine. 

 

 Please bring a wine snack. 

 

 Enjoy the wine others bring as well as your own with fellow vine enthusiast.

 

We are filling up the registration for the three wine appreciation classes, but still have some places and some who have expressed interest and have not paid.  Please secure your place in the classes by paying us as soon as you can. 

 

The classes for 2014 are:

 

January 12th:  Wines of the Venice area of Italy.

 

February 9th:  Wines for the American Picnic

 

March 9th:  Party wines - lots of bubbles

 

Note:  This is the last season that Bob and Bernie will be doing wine classes as we will not be coming to Sandpipers due to health reasons.

Bob and Bernie, Lot #36

Volleyball & Blood!

WATER VOLLEYBALL Q&A

TOMORROW (Thursday, Nov 21) AT 1 PM KAREN WILL BE AT THE POOL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND TAKE COMMENTS FOR THIS YEAR'S NEW TWIST ON THE WATER VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE.

THINK OF THE LEAGUE AS A COMBINATION OF TOURNEY GAMES OR THE NUDE OLYMPIC COMPETITION. 

 PLAY DATES ARE FROM JANUARY 4 TO MARCH 15. THE NUMBER OF TEAMS DETERMINES THE NUMBER OF WEEKS OF PLAY.  

PLEASE COME DOWN TO THE POOL ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON AT 1 PM AND GET THE LOW DOWN ON THE NEW WATER VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE.

***************************************

 

 

BLOOD DRIVE REGISTRATION

Okay so one vampire retired and another took over.

  But we still need your blood.

The 1st of two drives will be on 12/3

beginning at 8:30 am.

 

THE SANDPIPER BLOOD DRIVE WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3.  PLEASE SEE SHARON AT LOT 25 TO REGISTER TO DONATE.

 

  ONE PINT OF YOUR BLOOD CAN SAVE THREE LIVES.

 

SO WHETHER YOU ARE A SEASONED GIVER OR A FIRST TIME DONOR BE SURE TO SEE SHARON AT LOT 25 TO DONATE.

In Loving Memory

In Memory of Sharon Ramsey

 

Next Tuesday, Nov. 26th, at 4 pm,

at Nature's Resort

There will be a memorial for our dear friend Sharon.

 

All are invited to Nature's to remember her kindness and spirit.

 

Just push the button at the gate and you will be let in.  The service will be at the gazebo near their memorial garden.

Let the Bowling Begin!

We have 11 teams ready to begin bowling on

 Friday morning, December 6,
our usual start time is 9:30 at Flamingo Bowl,

3301 N 23rd Street in McAllen. 

 

 All bowlers should arrive well before the start time.

 Flamingo Bowl opens at 9:00 so try to arrive shortly after that.

 

 The fees remain the same, $8.50 per person,

 $17.00 per couple each week. 

 

Our bowling league runs for 14 weeks

ending on March 7 with a break during Christmas week. 

We will not bowl on December 27.

We would like to add an additional team if anyone is interested in
getting a group of four people together to bowl.

 

 We are also looking for Sandpeeps willing to be

substitute bowlers for regular bowlers who
are injured or absent!

Contact Bill or Annie Waugh, Lot 28

 or

Tom or Louise Butler, Lot 44.

Upcoming Activities-Nov 20 & 21

Coffee with Karen

 

Next Thursday, November 21, come have coffee with Karen Willis and learn about the happenings in the park.  That’s Coffee with Karen at 8:00 am in Flip Flopz. Breakfast will be served beginning at 8:30.

****************************

Informal Reading Group

 

Sex, murder, and mayhem are often the themes for the books discussed at the informal reading group that meets next Wednesday in Flip Flopz at 7:00 pm.

 This group met over the summer to discuss books they were reading and to get recommendations for books to read.  We’re continuing this informal get together where favorite authors, books, and genre are discussed over wine, tea, and food.  

Come tell us what books you’ve read over the summer at Flip Flopz Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00 pm.

**********************

Pilgrim Crawl

 

The annual Pre-Thanksgiving Pilgrim Crawl event on the 400 row will be next Thursday, November 21, from 4:00 – 6:00 pm.

The party street is hosting an evening of food and libations celebrating thanksgiving and being at sandpipers. Come as your favorite pilgrim, Native American, or nudist and enjoy this evening of fun next Thursday on the 400 row from 4 – 6 pm.

A Little Help Needed....

Mary B is asking for help loading her pod today starting at 10:30. 

 

 Any one who can lend a helping hand would be

 greatly appreciated.

 

  Dollies would be most useful so if you have one

 please bring it with you!  

Veteran's Day

It's hard for me to write this as I was not in attendance, but I've heard so many glowing reports it is worth noting on the specialness...is that a word?...of this event.

 

 

Jim & I could not be there but had timed our return to the park so as not to interfere with the ceremony. 

We miscalculated...along with several other peeps. 

 We all queued outside the fence, waiting, and wishing we were inside with everyone. 

 

After the ceremony was over we heard such accolades, such glowing enthusiasm about the Veteran's Day ceremony that I figured it was certainly worth a mention here.

 

Forgive me if I miss a step here or there...remember, I wasn't there.

 

Barry...you did an absolutely masterful job of organizing everything. And Thank you for remembering Bev.

 

Karon...women in military roles should never be/will never be overlooked. 

 

Louise...a wonderfully stirring poem.

 

Stan...The Tootsie Roll Patrol....why doesn't everyone know of this?

 

Steve....you pulled it all together with great technical expertise.

 

Jay & Karen, a rousing thank you for helping develop this amazing Flag Garden of Memories.



Soup, We Want Soup!

A gentle reminder!

 

Tuesday, November 12th. is Soup Night.

 Come for soup night and support our 

Adopt-A-Family project!

TOW VEHICLE FOR SALE

NICE RV TOW VEHICLE FOR SALE

 

1999 GMC 3/4 ton standard cab long bed PU truck, Strong 300HP 6L Vortec V8, Auto Trans, Cold AC, Stereo, 5th wheel & standard trailer tow packages, 108k EZ miles, never wrecked, never any engine or trans problems, no rust, perfect mechanical condition, nice interior, $4900 OBO. 

Call Bob & Ann

(956) 287-1614 or 587-1254.

 

Craft Sale at Nature's Resort

Nature's Resort

Craft & Bake Sale

 

Tuesday, Dec. 3rd

10:00-1:00- Clubhouse

 

The Perfect Place for Christmas Shopping!

 

Come out to see the handiwork of your neighbors.  We have some very talented and ambitious members that have been working hard making crafts of all kinds.

Baked goods and candy will be available.

 

  The coffee pot will be on if you want to enjoy some of these goodies in the clubhouse.  Donations are accepted to go to the Monte Alto Community Fund Drive.

 

Sandpiper's members are welcome.  If interested in exhibiting: Please see Vicki Burt #22.  If you would like to come over to shop you are more than welcome.  We ask that you don't follow someone into the gate.  Please buzz the office and they will let you in. No grounds fees or check in required unless you choose to stay and enjoy our facilities for the afternoon.

 



Karaoke

 

LOU AND ALMA ARE HOSTING A Karaoke Sing Along ON SATURDAY NIGHT, Nov. 16, FROM 7:00 PM TO 10:00 PM IN THE PAVILION.  COME EARLY AND START CHOOSING THE SONGS YOU WILL SING.

 THERE ARE NO BAD SINGERS OR BAD AUDIENCES HERE AT SANDPIPERS.

But What Do I Know?

Karen & Jay have turned a nice RV park into a gorgeous destination resort.  It is just beautiful everywhere…OK maybe not the pot-holed roads near the front office, but everywhere else.  I am proud to live here.

However…

There are problems with water volleyball.  I’m sure they will be worked out eventually but here is some feedback:

A few players have had real trouble with the floor surface of the volleyball pool to the point of dripping blood from shredded toes onto the concrete.

Some can’t play at all because of the no-shoes rule, for a variety of reasons.

Some can’t play in the sun for extended periods due to skin cancer concerns.  My dermatologist is horrified over the “no skin protection shirts” rule.  I have had several chest and back cancers removed and don’t want any more…and those shirts are designed for water use, do not shed, and will not clog filters.  Yes, yes I know…nudist park.  But this is SOUTH TEXAS peeps and I am not stupid.

And League play…really? 

Where is the fun to get clobbered by a hand picked,  super strong team?

But what do I know?

And while I am on a rant.

Somewhere in this lovely park is a self appointed Gestapo type who is looking for rule infractions then scurrying, rat-like, to the office to tattle.  What’s up with that?

If suspicion, nervousness, unease and bitterness is the goal…well, you’ve succeeded!  Surely that isn’t necessary.

But what do I know?

We are a bunch of curmudgeons, getting older by the day, and sometimes find change hard to swallow.  But with time I believe we will all agree that most of the rules (not all) make sense and/or are out of management’s hands…vis a vie the trash situation and the Edinburg water restrictions.

All in all Sandpiper’s is a lovely place to live.

That I do know.



Let's Bowl!

We will have a meeting

to organize bowling teams and substitutes on
Friday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m.,

In JAKZ.

 

The bowling league will begin on

Friday, December 6, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. at
Flamingo Bowl in McAllen.

Team Captains or other team representative should attend.

  Anyone who wants to join a team

or be a substitute should attend. 

 

 If you are unable to have a representative at this meeting,

 please contact:

 

 Annie Waugh, Lot 28, 612-501-4636

or

Tom Butler, Lot 44, 314-374-5889.

What A Deal!!!!

See Jon (H-Less) for more info!



Immediately Available

Lot #221 Concrete

 &

Improvements

$3,650

 

Extra Large Concrete Pad

1,248 square feet (26’x48’)

10’x48’ is 6” thick re-bar reinforced for the extra weight of an RV

16’x48’ is 4” thick re-bar reinforced

Shed

48 square feet (6’x8’) Black & Decker

Treated 2”x4” lumber and plywood base

20 amp service in shed (2-circuit sub-panel)

Florescent lighting

8’High 4’x4” Satellite Dish Post with underground cables to RV parking spot

Steps & Porch

4’x6’ steps and porch for the motorhome or RV

Heavy duty construction with 4”x4” vertical supports

Thompson water sealed (2 coats) November 2013

 

“Ready to move onto!”