Art in the Park!

Calling all Sandpiper artists,

come and show your talents on

Jan 18,  3 to 4:30 pm

 

Call Karen @412-848-3305, or visit @ Lot 434.

Demonstrations would be a plus!!

More Culture for Sandpipers!

We are looking into group ticket for a concert

From Broadway to HOLLYWOOD,

on Saturday January  31st, 2015,

at the McAllen Civic Center, at 8:00 pm.  

 

  Anyone interested, please contact

BILL and Jocelyne, Lot 326,

or  ph# 956-319-8766.

 

  If enough people are interested, it appears the rate will be either $12. or $20., depending of the seat location.   

 

Thank you very much.

Jocelyne Merry

Ladies Day Out for Jan.

On Jan 22,  I have made arrangements to go to

Christmas House in Falfurrious, TX. 

 

  We need to have at least 6 reservations, no more than 15. 

 

 If you have never been the house is owned by three school teachers who decorate the inside of their home.

Each room has a different theme, even the closets,

 it's beautiful. 

 

Give Karen Hazlett a call by 15th of January.  If we don't have enough interest we can pick another venue for our Ladies Day out. 

 

Contact me at 412-848-3305.  If we do Christmas house we will meet at 8:30 at gate and go to IHOP for breakfast, it's an hour to the Christmas house.

Book Club idea...and More!

Merry Christmas ladies!

 

  I think I've got a fun idea for a book club ad-on activity.  As you know, this month is, The Art Forger. 

 

 How about a session of wine, cheese and painting at The Tipsy Canvas in McAllen?

 

  They have a day and time available on Friday, Jan. 16th from 3-6 p.m.  They give step by step instruction on how to recreate a painting that is on display at the front of the gallery.  They provide all the materials and instruction, we provide the talent (some more than others, I realize).  We can bring all the food, wine and beer we want (no hard liquor allowed). 

 

The cost is $35/person. 

 

 I have never been to this studio, but have done a similar activity in Denver with my sister and our daughters for Mother's Day.  It was a hoot!  They had stretched canvas ready for us and a palette of acrylic paints.  We were encouraged to take the picture and instruction and change it in any way we wanted to make it ours. 

 I assume this is much the same.

 

   If you would like to join in, let me know and I will make the reservation and take care of the down payment. 

 

It looks like they can accommodate as many as sign up. If anyone has been to this studio, please provide feedback. 

 

 Happy Holidays to all.

Love and hugs, Louise

An Evening at the Theater- Casting Call

Casting Call information for

An Evening at the Theater, 2015

Presented by the Sandpiper Players. 

Those interested in joining this year’s cast are invited to come to the pavilion on either Monday, January 13  at 10am or Wednesday, January 14 at 2:30 pm.

Participants will be asked to read a variety of roles.

There is a need for 3-5 men and 4-6 women..

Those interested in serving as stage or technical crew should also come on Monday or Wednesday. 

One two act play and a number of vignettes will be produced. Choices will be dependent upon interest.

Cast list will be posted January 19.  Rehearsals begin January 21 and take place each Monday and Wednesday at 10 am and 2:30 pm prior to the performance date of February 20 and 21.

A HUGE Thank You!

Adopt a Family

First, we must thank all of the Sandpiper members who assisted us in our deliveries on Saturday. It was a great joy to see the faces of the children. One of the residents who helped in the deliveries was able to meet the child for whom they shopped. She remarked how good a feeling it was to put a child with the name for whom they purchased clothes and toys. 

For all who helped it was interesting to see and meet the children who are being raised by their Grandparents, the family of three pre-teens whose mother is awaiting a lung transplant and the family living in a rented house on a desolate ranch. 

Without the help of many of Sandpiper residents, the ones who shopped and wrapped gifts, the ones who helped deliver, the ones who contributed goods and those who contributed monetary support, the Adopt a Family program would not be the success that it is. 

Secondly, the funds generated during the last auction have been wisely spent. It is now time to replenish the kitty. 

Our third annual Adopt a Family – From the Heart - auction will be held on Saturday January 31, 2015 at 3:00pm in the pavilion. We are seeking donations to auction. Please let Mary or John at Lot 5 know of your donation by latest January 25^th so we may put together a catalog of items to be auctioned. 

Merry Christmas and a Peaceful and Happy New Year.

 

Mary and John

Christmas Potluck

Join your friends and neighbors on Christmas Day for a scrumptious pot luck dinners potluck

at 2:00 P.M. in Flip Flopz.

 

Karen is providing the turkey and ham, but you can bring a dish to share, and of course, BYOB.

 

Please let the office know by the 24th if you are able to attend.

From the Official Sandpiper Resort Chatter,
by Sue Ross:

Yep, I raised my hand again and said I would head up a Christmas Day dinner, but as usual at Sandpipers, I already have people stepping up to help, so my job isn’t really all that difficult. Barb and Jim, #418, have already volunteered to co-host, and Gary and Lisette have already stopped by and volunteered to fry and roast turkeys. We’re keeping this simple so everyone can relax and enjoy the afternoon. OK, here’s the scoop:
If you plan on joining please let one of us know so we know how many people to expect.
Gary has volunteered to prepare the turkeys but a small donation from everyone attending will purchase them.
This is potluck so bring a dish to share and your own table service (plates, silverware, glasses, etc). Barb is making a non-alcoholic Christmas punch, and you are also welcome to bring wine, beer, coffee or whatever else you might want to drink.
We decided that we would keep the kitchen closed (your three hosts don’t want to clean the kitchen) so all food should be prepared at home.
Dinner is at 2:00 – we actually hope to start eating about 2:15. We hope you will come join us, not only for dinner but plan to spend the afternoon visiting, playing games and all those other things families do on Christmas – except no arguing!!
We will try to communicate through this message board, so if you have questions or want to let us know that you will be joining us you can message here or stop by Barb and Jim’s at #413 or see me at #418. Oh, and if you you have any suggestions, feel free to make them.

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Gracias

Feliz Navidad!

Wed. Night Informal Book Club

We meet the third Wed. night at 7:00 in Flip Flopz

 to discuss books we have been reading.

 

Elsie discussed "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn.  She loaned me the book and I read the entire thing the next day.  Very good mystery with lots of twists and turns.

Elsie also mentioned a novel, "Treat Us Like Dogs and We Will Become Wolves" by Carolyn Chute.

Last, she mentioned "Home Town", a non-fiction by Tracy Kidder who won a Pulitzer Prize for "House."

Patsy is reading "Brotherhood", a true story by brothers Dopak and Sanjiv Chopra. It tells of their medical education in India, their immigration to the U.S., and their introduction to transcendental meditation which greatly affects their lives.

 

Karon read "Murder at the Honeysuckle Hotel" by Rose Pressey.  She said it is a cute, fun, fast read.

She also read "Loose Screw" by Rae Davies,

part of Dusty Deals Mysteries.

 

Pam's favorite read was "The Condition" by Jennifer Haigh, who also wrote "Faith."

She mentioned "The Valley of Amazement"  by Amy Tan, the story of 3 generations of women courtesans in China.

She liked "The Burgess Boys" by Elizabeth Strout, which is stories of real people.

She mentioned 2 books by Stephen King, "Revival" and "Dr. Sleep",  which she didn't like.

 

Thanks, Patsy

Adopt a Family – Update

Adopt a Family – Update

Well it almost that time again – no, not for Santa’s visit.

It’s time to deliver the bags of gifts, the perishable and

non-perishable food to the five families and thirteen children we have accepted for our support this year.

 

The gifts and family items have been purchased, wrapped and bagged. The non-perishable food has been purchased and the totes used to transport this food are loaded and ready to go. 

The only items not obtained are the perishable food items which will be bought on Friday the 19^th of December.

Delivery is scheduled starting at 8am at John and Mary’s lot 5. A group of Sandpipers have volunteered to provide the transport. Anyone who would like to join this parade is welcome. If you don’t have a vehicle we will find you a seat with someone. We will leave SPR at about 8:30 am and expect to complete deliveries by 10:30. We could not complete our deliveries without the unselfish help of these hardy souls. 

Our budget for 2014 is just about exhausted. We have noticed that costs this year for all of the items purchased are between 10 and 12 percent higher over 2013. 

Please mark your calendars – our funding for the

 2015 Adopt-a-Family program will be held on Saturday January 31^st 2015 at the pavilion. We are seeking donations from the heart. Dinners, pies, knitted and crochet items and anything handmade and from the heart will be auctioned for this very worthwhile cause. Please let John or Mary know of the items you wish to donate. We would like to have all donations in by January 25^th so we may put together a brochure. 

The auctioneers are warming up. It will be a fun time for all. Most important the funds raised will assist us in making sure some very worthy children will have a better and memorable 2015 Christmas. 

Mary & John (Lot 5) 

S.N.O.W. Results

Thanks to all who participated in the

S.N.O.W.  Petanque tournament.

 

Results are as follows: 

 

3rd place the team of Doc, Linda, Judy and Ken

 

  2nd place the team of Chris, Bob, Paul and "J"

 

        1st place the team of Dorothee, Sue, Tom, and Ken

 

The championship game was close one

 in a playoff to 13 points.  13 to 10

Quilt Raffle

Ladies Tea & Cookie Exchange, plus Blue Man Group info...

Ladies Tea & Cookie Exchange

 

Dust off  your rolling pins, Ladies, we are about to enter

The Christmas Zone!

 

Thursday, Dec 18, 2 PM, Flip Flopz

 

Bring a dozen cookies

 (only a dozen-no show offs)

and take a dozen home.

 

To benefit The Wounded Warriors

 we are asking for an $8.00 donation.

 

Please RSVP by the end of business on Tuesday, Dec 16th

(what business?)

 

to Karen H. site # 434 or 412-848-3305

 

------------------------------

AND, Karen H. is looking into group rates for the Blue Man Group coming in February...check back for more info soon.

S.N.O.W. Petanque tournament

S.N.O.W. Petanque Tournament

 

Tournament to held on Sat. 12/13  from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

  and continue in the afternoon from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

 

   If more time is needed, play will continue on Sunday at 1:00 PM.

 

AND.....

 

A big THANK YOU  to everyone who helped celebrate my birthday. It made my day to have everyone come for cake and ice cream.  The hugs and kisses were good too.

 

 

Dakota Bill

 

 

 

A Texas Roadtrip Anyone?

From Patsy....

As a native Texan, I thought I'd suggest some places you might consider visiting while in Texas.

 

      KING RANCH

 

King Ranch

2205 W. Hwy. 141

Kingsville, TX 78363

(361) 592-8055

 

 

For more information or reservations, contact King Ranch Visitor Center:  Mon. - Sat. 10 am-4 pm

Sun. 12 pm - 5 pm.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To reach this 825,000 acre ranch, you take Hwy. 281N to Falfurrias; E. 285 to Riviera; N. 77 to Kingsville.

It is 103 miles and should take about 2-1/2 hrs.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Make reservations for the tour of the ranch on a bus.  The cost if $15.00 pp and $12.00 for srs.  Seating is on a first-come basis.  Tours are offered from Monday through Saturday at 11 am and

1 pm.  The tour is given on Sun. at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. 

The length of the tour is 1-1/2 hrs.

The ranch is closed on major holidays.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Among the sights to be seen are the Plomo pens, auction arena, Horse cemetery, colony (home of the Kinenos {the King's men}), Mrs. King's Carriage House, and the Commissary.  The home was built in 1912 by Capt. King's widow.  The King Ranch is also home to much wildlife and plant life.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is also a King's Ranch

Museum in Kingsville and a boot/saddle shop.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

       FOOD

 There is an iconic place to eat at a restaurant called King's Inn in Riviera (which the natives pronounce Re-ver-a.)  This restaurant is just a few miles south of Kingsville (and on the way back to Sandpipers).

King's Inn (on Baffin Bay)

1116 S. County Rd. 2270

Riviera, TX 78370

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am - 10 pm

(361) 297-5265

--------------------------

This is truly a unique restaurant and has been around since 1945.  Don't judge it by the outward appearance.  There are no MENUS.  Food is served FAMILY STYLE.  Specialities include sliced avocado salad, onion rings, oysters, shrimp, and fried fish.  The tartar sauce is a well-guarded family secret and used to be made in wash tubs.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Famous past diners include George Strait, Gov. George W. Bush, Matt Dillon, Nolan Ryan, and then-Gov. Ann Richards who used to fly down on Friday with a group of friends to eat.  I personally have driven with a group of friends in a motor home from San Antonio to eat at King's Inn.  We drove back the same night!     

Elves Report for Duty!!

 

Bring your nimble fingers and your Christmas spirit,

it's time to decorate our HOME for the holidays!

 

Tuesday, Dec. 9th

2 PM, Pavlion

Please come help hang garland, decorate the tree(s) and let's gussy up this place!



It's Party Time!!!

Help Dakota Bill celebrate his 70th, yes, I said 70th birthday.    Cake and ice cream  on Sunday, Dec 7, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at lot #430.   Please bring your own drink and chair.

A Thank You From the Heart!

A very special thank you for all of our wonderful and generous Sandpiper friends who made our Thanksgiving feast exceptional to nearly 300 hungry Edinburg patrons.

  So many of you gave money and/or donated food as well as your time to make this a successful feast of nutritious food and great fellowship. 

Many heart-warming situations were shared and even a couple of family photos were taken!  You guys are the greatest and your warmth and generosity are greatly appreciated. 

 May God Bless each and every one of you, and we wish your Holidays will be everything you want them to be!

Your friends from the Edinburg Food Pantry

My Monday ....

Jim and I went shopping with Bob and Catherine this morning.  There was Xmas gift at Costco they were interested in and since they don't have a card and we do...you get the drift.

 

  Had no gift success at Costco but they still found lots to buy,

as did we. 

And we had a snack...they have the best pizza by the slice.

 

 Next stop...Feldman's liquor store.  Yes, Costco has liquor but only the good stuff and Jim prefers rotgut, it's cheaper. 

Me, I like cheap wine from Costco so I am easy to please.

 

Then a stop at HEB for all the things Costco didn't have...and Bob popped over to Home Depot looking for a TV cable. I have only seen HEB more crowded once.  It was a zoo.

 

Next stop, Wal-Mart for all the things HEB didn't have.  Didn't buy much but did lose the car.  Picture this:  four adults of a certain age aimlessly wandering the lot.  Bob in his cowboy hat took one aisle, Catherine in her bling took another, til they realized they really didn't know what our car looked like, so they reverted to reading license plates.  Finally made it home.

 

My other besties had quite a story to tell.  While the lost souls were shopping, John & Sue went to Mexico for meds and lonches.

 

Have you been to Arturo's pharmacy?

They have a piano player, bar, all the comforts of home. 

 

Piano player played La Bamba...

John volunteered Sue to sing...

cameras were produced, a crowd gathered, a video was made.

 

Our La Mamba sang La Bamba to a sold out crowd, people were clapping, her autograph was requested...look out you tube, a new International singing sensation has been discovered.

 

So what did you do today?

 

Christmas is comin' y'all!

 

Many Sandpeeps over on Facebook are showing pictures of their Xmas trees and décor...not to be outdone, I offer you this.

 

My 2014 Merry Christmas Tree.

 

 

Cute, you say.

How...what is it made of?

 

Let me tell you a story.

Sue P saw a plunger (yes, bathroom plunger!) Xmas tree for sale for  not quite a gazillion dollars. 

 Said to herself, Sue, old girl,

I think I can make that.

 

A gazillion and a half later she has a  plethora, an avalanche, a huge ol' pile of bathroom plungers. 

So I got one.

She got 23.

But this one is mine.

See the plunger?

Reflect on it's glory.

 

My front door is adorned with a gift from my kids, circa 199ish.

Love it.

It's rustic, well painted and wonderful.

 

Thanksgiving Tradition from K-Nude!

 

K-NUDE - 92.1 FM

Thanksgiving Tradition

 

Hear the complete

Alice’s Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie

at 12 Noon, Thursday, Nov. 28^th

Happy Thanksgiving from

K-NUDE, 92.1

What's for Thanksgiving Dinner?

Jim and I are going to celebrate Thanksgiving in an unusual way...no turkey, cranberries or stuffing!

The first Thanksgiving lasted probably a week and fed more than 100 people, both Wampanoag Indians and settlers.

 

 

(From epicurious.com)



For most people, enjoying turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin for Thanksgiving is as traditional and American as, well, apple pie. But how did the Pilgrims really celebrate on what we now regard as the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621? Is our celebration—and traditional menu—truly akin to that enjoyed by the Pilgrims and their Wampanoag Indian guests?

 

In a word, no. The only written record of the famous meal tells us that the harvest celebration lasted three days and included deer and wildfowl. Beyond that, culinary historians such as Kathleen Curtin at Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts rely on period cookbooks and journals, Wampanoag oral histories, paintings from the time, and archaeological evidence.

 

"Most of today's classic Thanksgiving dishes weren't served in 1621," says Curtin. "These traditional holiday dishes became part of the menu after 1700. When you're trying to figure out just what was served, you need to do some educated guesswork. Ironically, it's far easier to discern what wasn't on the menu during those three days of feasting than what was!"

---

     On and Off the Menu

So, popular myths aside, what can be ruled out of the equation from the English transplants' table? Potatoes—white or sweet—would not have been featured on the 1621 table, and neither would sweet corn. Bread-based stuffing was also not made, though the Pilgrims may have used herbs or nuts to stuff birds.

(In addition to duck and venison, the diners likely enjoyed seafood, cabbage, onions, corn...in the form of a corn pudding or perhaps a fire roasted cake, and squash)

 

Instead, the table was loaded with native fruits like plums, melons, grapes, and cranberries (NOT SWEET, tho), plus local vegetables such as leeks, wild onions, beans, Jerusalem artichokes, and squash. (English crops such as turnips, cabbage, parsnips, onions, carrots, parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme might have also been on hand.) And for the starring dishes, there were undoubtedly native birds and game as well as the Wampanoag gift of five deer. Fish and shellfish were also likely on the groaning board.

 

There is no concrete way to know if they had any roast turkey that day, but we do know there were plenty of wild turkeys in the region then, "and both the native Wampanoag Indians and English colonists ate them," writes Curtin in Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving Recipes and History from the Pilgrims to Pumpkin Pie. That doesn't explain why the big, ungainly bird has become the de facto traditional centerpiece around which the entire meal is built, but at least it gives us a feeling of authenticity to imagine that America's forefathers might have been gnawing on a crispy turkey leg, just like we do nearly four centuries later.

(There is only one written account of the first Thanksgiving, and turkey isn't mentioned...we are doing lobster!)

 

As for beverages to wash down the feast, Curtin says the Pilgrims likely drank just water. "In their first year, the English colonists had grown a few acres of barley, so it is possible that some beer or ale may have been brewed by the end of harvest time—but given how long it takes to brew and ferment beer, this seems unlikely.

"Wine, considered a finer beverage than beer, may have been brought across by some travelers on the Mayflower. It was frequently mentioned in later accounts of supplies to the colonies. By the mid-1600s, cider would become the main beverage of New Englanders, but in 1621 Plymouth, there were not any apples yet."

(Don't know about you but I intend on drinking wine! Hell with tradition!)

Cooking Techniques of the 17th Century

While modern Thanksgiving meals involve a lot of planning and work, at least we have efficient ovens and kitchen utensils to make our lives easier. Curtin says the Pilgrims probably roasted and boiled their food. "Pieces of venison and whole wildfowl were placed on spits and roasted before glowing coals, while other cooking took place in the household hearth," she notes, and speculates that large brass pots for cooking corn, meat pottages (stews), or simple boiled vegetables were in constant use.

"The meaty carcasses from one meal no doubt were simmered to yield broth for use in the next. In the English tradition, the meats may have had sauces accompanying them—perhaps something as simple as mustard (a very popular English 'sauce'). And contrary to conventional wisdom, 17th-century English cuisine revealed through cookbooks of the time was anything but bland, making skillful use of a variety of ingredients including spices, herbs, dried fruits, and wine or beer."

 

Appetite whetted?

I know of at least one other couple who is forgoing turkey for duck!  Now THAT'S tradition!

Whatever your menu, give Thanks!

Blood Testing Info from Ken H.

I could say this is a gory subject, but given the age of the folks in this park it may well be very relevant. But first a little history.

 

 

In 2009 I suffered a Deep Vein Thrombosis in my left leg.  This has the propensity to be totally lethal but I was lucky to have caught it before it migrated to my heart.  Not so my father and his brother who died very quickly as a result of a DVT.  I was immediately put on Warfarin therapy by Dr. Billie Marek of the Cancer Center in McAllen and I am still on it and will be until I die.  For some 8 months I went to see Dr. Linda Villarreal for monthly testing of my INR, or coagulation factor.  In November I discovered that Medicare are advocating a weekly testing at home procedure, usually via a Cardiac or Blood testing service at a cost of about $29.95 per month. Via Villarreal and Remote Cardiac Services, RCS, I obtained my own test meter, a HEMO-SENSE in December 2009 and used it until January 2014.  Beginning 2014 several thing s happened.  The blood testing company RCS was bought out by XYZ(?) and Physicians Health Choice, our HMO was bought by Universal Health Care.  These 2 companies did not work together and I was unable to get supplies because of their incompetence during the merger processes.  Worse, I suspected that the test strips used for this test were defective and on the 4th week I went to Villarreal for a venal blood test.  Indeed the results were wrong and my INR had entered a lethal range!  

 

 UHC were unable to give me the name of another company that did this INR testing...yes several names were given but nobody even knew about INR testing.  So I determined to acquire my own machine confident that I would get a 80% reimbursement from Medicare via UHC.  This I did in March 2014, buying a COAGUSENSE meter at a cost of $792 plus a years supply of test strips for $198.  In April I submitted a claim for the above.  As of today I have not received a reimbursement from the United Health Care AARP Medicare Advantage Plan, notwithstanding 5 phone calls, resubmitting my claim four times and a complaint to Medicare. 

 

After much research today I have learned something very serious that I wish to pass on. 

 

The HEMOSENSE test meter that I was using has been withdrawn by Medicare.  The problem that I encountered with this device this year was quite common, a result of which three people died.  That is the machine gave an in-range INR reading, that is 1.5 to 3.5; in one of the cases the INR was actually 12.5 and the over medication caused the death of the patient. 

 

Medicare will only reimburse for a monthly program via a blood testing service. 

 

I was advised today that I will get a $124.99 refund from UHC. 

 

There are currently 2 models of meter on the market.  The COAGUCHECK and the COAGUSENSE.  I have the latter.  I learned that the Coagucheck is available via UHC now but according to one adviser this meter is not much better than the type withdrawn from service in that it does not measure coagulation directly but only derives it by resistivity measurement. 

 

I am told that the Coagusense meter measures true INR and is the most accurate and reliable on the market.  Hooray for some good news! 

 

The best vendor that I have found for the Coagusense meter and supplies is QUICK-MEDICAL, who can be found on the Internet.

 

Finally I was told today that one should not use the new anti-coagulant drugs as they too can cause over medication and very high INR readings...but they have NO antidote...but warfarin does!

 

 

Ken Howton

Cirque Dreams Holidaze Correction....

I made a little mistake... my phone number... it's 412-848-3305.

 

And for Cirque Dreams Holidaze the reservations need to be made by 11/25/14.

 

Thank you, sorry about the confusion.

Karen H.

Brrr...Bike Ride Cancelled!

With a forecast low of 40 Monday night and a chance of rain on Tuesday with a high only in the 50's we are cancelling the bike ride for Tuesday, November 18. 

 

We have put the scheduled ride for this week on
the calendar for December which should be posted on the Sandpipers calendar now.

Tom Butler

Bike Rides for December 2014

This is the schedule for the December Bike Rides. 

  The tentative schedule for the rest of the year follows the December listing.  Only the destination and the restaurant for lunch are given for the remainder of the year.  I have one date listed as to be scheduled with a canceled ride from earlier in the winter. 

I'll provide details on rides as each month comes up and may shuffle the schedule slightly depending on which rides are canceled.

Thanks,

Tom Butler
Louise Butler
Lot 44

Bike Rides for December 2014

When:  December 2, 2014, Tuesday, 9:00 am

Where:  The Old Hidalgo Pump House

Description:  The Old Hidalgo Pump House pumped water from the Rio Grande to the irrigation system in the early days of agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley. Originally run by steam powered pumps, it was later converted to diesel pumps.  Much of the old equipment remains and we will take a short tour the facility.  The ride is along the Border Wall for a short distance, past the retention ponds, along the canal system and through the town of Hidalgo. There is an admission charge or $3 per person. The ride will be about 3 miles on paved and gravel trails and city streets in Hidalgo. There is a short climb to the top of the levee at the Pump House. Lunch will be at Republic of the Rio Grande in McAllen. Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire.

 

When:  December 9, 2014, Tuesday 9:00 a.m.

Where:  South Padre Island

Description:  South Padre Island and Isla Blanca Park are featured on this ride.  The ride is on level, paved city streets.  We ride about 12 miles from the Convention Center to the southern tip of SPI in Isla Blanca County Park and return.  On the return we will stop for lunch at Blackbeards Restaurant, bring a bicycle lock to secure your bicycle during lunch.  There are no admission charges on this ride.  Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire.

 

When:  December 16, 2014, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.

Where:  Bentsen State Park & World Birding Center

Description:  Bentsen State Park near Mission has water features, scrub forest and grasslands.  The Hawk Tower is handicap accessible and gives us a nice overview of the area near the Rio Grande and Mexico.   There are bird feeders with blinds for observers which make bird watching extraordinary.  We will ride about 8 miles on level paved park roads with a short walk to the Hawk Tower.  There is a $5 per person entrance fee for those who do not have a Texas State Park Pass.  We will eat lunch at BJ’s Brewhaus near the McAllen Convention Center.  Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire. 

 

When:  December 23, 2014, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.

Where:  La Lomita Mission and Anzulduas Park and Dam

Description:  These two locations combine to make an interesting ride right along the Rio Grande River.  La Lomita Mission is one of the missions begun by the Oblate Brothers.  The original chapel has been restored recently.  Anzulduas Park is a Hidalgo County Park adjacent to the Anzulduas Dam.  We will also see the floodway which directs floodwater from the dam to Laguna Madre on the coast.  We will ride about 5 miles on a little used public road and park roads.  There is one hill as we leave Anzulduas Park and we will also climb the levee going to and from La Lomita Mission.  There are no admission charges on this ride.  We will eat lunch at Danny’s Mexican Restaurant in Mission following the ride.  Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire.

 

When:  December 30, 2014, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.

Where:  Sandpipers to Edinburg and return to Sandpipers

Description:  Happy New Year – Join us for the first annual Sandpipers Tour de Donut.  Decorate your bicycle or wear a costume.  This will be a zany ride around the city of Edinburg in search of donuts.  Be ready to show us where you find the best donuts in Edinburg!  We will ride from Sandpipers into Edinburg.  Once there, we will ride the bicycle lanes where possible and will be on city streets at other times.  We should return to Sandpipers by 1:00 p.m.  Don’t eat breakfast before this ride.  There will not be a lunch stop scheduled for this ride.  Bring money for donuts!  Also, bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire.

 

Coming up: 

 

January 6, 2015 – Mission Bike Trail/McAlister’s Deli

January 13, 2015 – Port Isabel/Dirty Al’s Seafood

January 20, 2015 – Bicentennial Boulevard Bike Trail/Johnny Carino’s

January 27, 2015 – Delta Lake/Boot Company Restaurant

February 3, 2015 – Estero Llano Grande State Park/Fat Daddy’s

February 10, 2015 – Hidalgo Pump House/ BJ’s Brewhaus

February 17, 2015 – McAllen Bike Trail/Gatti’s Pizza

February 24, 2015 – Bentsen State Park/Republic of the Rio Grande

March 3, 2015 – Open – Will use to reschedule a canceled ride.

March 10, 2015 – Edinburg Wetlands WBC/Willie B’s

March 17, 2015 – La Lomita & Anzulduas/Danny’s

March 24, 2015 – Mission Bike Trail/ McAlisters Deli

March 31, 2015 – Laguna Atascosa/Bag Lunch

April 7, 2015 – South Padre Island/Dirty Al’s

April 14, 2015 – Resaca de la Palma State Park/ ?? Harlingen

End of Spring Season for Bike Rides, Sandpipers Resort

Soup Night Changes

I checked the calendar on the Sandpipers Resort website

and found this...

Thursday, Nov 20, 5:00-6:30pm

 

Please join us for soup and salad plate served with a bread. 

 $6 pp (no sharing) as a portion of the price $3 will be a donation to a selected cause.

 

BYOB

 Each person is served all of the items listed below as a small sampler portion. 

 We will not be serving any water/drinks.

 

HOT:

Caldo Tlapeno Soup – Chicken, garlic, onion, celery, mixed vegetables, chipotle pepper, garbanzo beans, rice

 

Split Pea Soup – Peas, Bacon, Rosemary

 

Mini Turkey Pot Pie – Biscuit dough, turkey, peas, carrots, potato, celery, onion, milk

 

COLD:

Pasta Salad – Tri color spiral veggie noodles, tomato, cucumber, onion, sweet pepper

 

Spring Mix Salad – with shredded mozzarella, black & green olives, light balsamic vinaigrette

 

Chicken Salad – chicken, craisins, almonds, onion, celery, mayo, cream cheese

 

Green Bean Salad – red onions, olive oil

 

Five Cup Salad – Pineapple, mandarin oranges, small marshmallows, grapes, raisins, sour cream, cool whip

 

Bread, crackers, margarine