Let's Dance!!

December Bicycle Ride

The December issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine is dedicated entirely to the Rio Grande Valley.  In commemoration of their 75th year in publication they decided to focus on a single area of Texas and the staff decided that focus had to be on the RGV.  They sent the entire staff to the RGV, housing them at Estero Llano Grande State Park south of Weslaco.  Every article in this issue of the magazine is about the RGV.  A one year subscription (10 issues) costs just $18.00.  There are regular offers in the magazine for $12 per year and 2 years for $20.  You should be able to purchase this issue at any of the State Parks in the RGV.  You can read any or all articles in this issue at:  https://tpwmagazine.com/

Our next bicycle ride will be at Estero Llano Grande State Park on Tuesday, December 5.  We will ride some of the trails in the park.  We take a short walk to visit the alligator pool.  Along the way we will visit the most photographed bird in the world, a Pauraque (a relative of nighthawks and whip-por-wills) which sleeps alongside the trail.  We will also see a variety of other wildlife.  The wetlands in the park host an amazing variety of water birds.  We'll also take a look a the floodway which guides flood waters of the Rio Grande to the Gulf of Mexico.  Another interesting feature of Estero Llano Grande State Park is the RV and mobile home park which became part of the park several years ago and is now returning to the wild.  Our final stop for the morning will be at Fat Daddy's for lunch.  Lunch is optional but if you like BBQ, Fat Daddy's is legendary.  Just a few miles south on International Boulevard from Estero Llano Grande is Progresso, Mexico, a popular spot for Winter Texans.  You could make a stop there on your own following our trip and lunch.  As of November 28, the forecast for our next bicycle ride looks like temperatures will be in the 60's and low 70's with partly cloudy skies.  Perfect weather for a bicycle ride.

We meet near the gate at 9:00 a.m. Please park along the road from the office toward Pizzazz.  We will travel in a caravan to our destination.   Many of the places we ride were featured in Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine.  The bicycle rides are excellent for Sandpeeps who are new to the RGV.  Explore the valley from one end to the other.  We always advise bringing sunscreen, water, and insect spray.  If you want to see the birds up close, bring binoculars.  If you want to capture a few of the moments, bring a camera.  We carry tools to make minor repairs and fix flats.  As we are often some distance from our cars, it is a good practice to carry a spare tube in case of a non-repairable failure.

Our last ride was on South Padre Island.  The ride was pleasant.  As with most of our rides, there are few or no hills.  We ride at a relaxed pace, stopping often to  sip some water or look at one feature or another.  South Padre Island is making some great strides, we enjoyed a very new bicycle trail along Gulf Boulevard.  The trail is so well done, smooth, wide, numerous parking areas with beach access,  that it made riding a real joy.  We also enjoyed riding along the beach front in Isla Blanca County Park.  The beach was brimming with sunbathers and swimmers.  Fishermen and kite surfers were enjoying a beautiful warm day.  We enjoyed lunch at Blackbeard's Restaurant.  Following the ride, Louise and I spent several hours walking the boardwalks of the South Padre Island Birding Center.  As sunset approached, the birds were very active and we saw many beautiful birds at very close range.

Questions?  Bicycle ride leaders:  Tom and Louise Butler, Lot 44

Christmas Open House.CANCELED!

Canceled!

Xmas Open House 

To all of Sandpipers.  Join your friends and neighbors Sat. Dec.9, 4-6 PM for

 Holiday Cheer at

 John & Sue's Holiday House (#37). 

 

 I have heard that ugly Xmas sweaters, Elf clothing,  Santa hats and more... are all encouraged.

 

You are all invited to a

Christmas Open House

at John and Sue's fantastically decorated house-#37

Sat. December 9,

4-6pm

 

Do NOT bring chairs,

(circulate, drink a little, find the mistletoe,

 flit from one goodie tray to the next.)

 

Do BYOB,

 

Do break out your special recipes

(it's Christmas!) to impress and amaze.

 

This is a holiday meet and greet for all Sandpeeps

 to wish a Very Merry to one and all.

 

As for the parking...remember the NovemberFest parking rules?  Park on the side of the road, do not even consider parking on the grass or Santa will leave a lump of coal in your stocking! 

 Don't block the road.

 

So save the date, mark your calendar, enter into your iphone:

 

Sat. Dec. 9, #37, 4-6pm

Bring your holiday cheer!

 

The Potato Princes Summon You!

Hear Ye, hear ye, one and all...

 

November 29, Wednesday

4 of the clock

 

Report to Castle number 424

 

To attend a roasting of potatoes. 

 

Bring your chairs and mead,

all toppings and utensils will be provided by

 Prince Richie and Prince Jon (the prince without the "H")

 

100 spuds will be burned at the stake-one has your name on it!

 

Pink Pumpkin Woes!

Picked up our Pink Pumpkin fight cancer at the office.

*It made appearances at October's pub night,

 *it was in the office

*and at the Holloween Dance.

This year it was empty!

 

Over the past few years you all have given over $750.

 

  This last year we have lost many a dear one to CANCER and in our circle of friends we have several who are fighting with all they have to beat this menace.  Please help.

 

I will be collecting at Thanksgiving Dinner,

and at my lot 434 through the weekend.

 

 Checks can be made to

MD Anderson or The American Cancer Society.

 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 

Karen Hazlett 434

Bicycle ride November 21

We are anticipating fine weather for the bicycle ride tomorrow, November 21, at South Padre Island. 

Temperatures are forecast to be in the low 60's when we depart Sandpipers at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. 

On the Island, the high temperature will be around 80 with winds 10 to 15 MPH from the South.  That means a little headwind on our way to Isla Blanca County Park at the southern tip of South Padre Island.  It also means a friendly tailwind for our return to the Convention Center.  We will stop during the ride to eat lunch at Blackbeard's Restaurant.

We make a brief rest stop at the State Travel Center at the junction of US 83/I-2 and US 77/I-69E.  We normally arrive at the Convention Center between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m.  If traveling independently, we advise you to be very conscious of the speed limits along Hwy 100 to South Padre Island.  Strict adherence to the speed limit will save you money and time.

Our ride usually ends about 1:30 or 2:00 p.m. after our lunch. There are many attractions to see following the ride.  You are welcome to stay and enjoy South Padre Island and Port Isabel.  We return to Sandpipers independently.

Bicycle rides are led by Tom and Louise Butler, Lot 44.

It's Wine Time!

Sip'N'Dip

 

 

 

 

A wine sampling experience

Dec 10

3pm

Flip Flopz

 

Bring a bottle of wine and a dish to pass...

(no crockpot or plug in available)

 

Sip some vino and sample some finger food.

Plates and glassware will be provided.

 

Just bring your hungry and thirsty selves,

(and your bottle and delicious yummies)

and socialize with your friends and neighbors.

 



December 'Ladies Day Out' (more info)

December 2, Saturday

at 11:30 we will have a delicious lunch at the

 Spanish Room, Casa De Palmas

101 Main St, Mcallen, TX. 

Meet at 11am at the gate.
 

After lunch we can join the Christmas in the Park,

 over 30 craft and art booths,

two stages with carolers and musician. 

All happening in the square.

Must reserve by Nov. 27, 2017

by calling Karen 434 Hazlett @  412-848-3305  

Come join us for great food and a

unique Christmas shopping experience.

 

Recycle!

This is a reminder for some, new info for others.

Sheryl (#11) has, for years, been collecting packaging materials and recycling them to Mailbox Depot.

 

  Many leave the materials on her porch or in her golf cart but those "not in the know" have been dumping into our already overburdened dumpster.

 

  Previosly she actually went dumpster diving but health issue (not to mention ewww!) have forced her to stop.

 

PULEEESE! Take a moment to deliver to #11 (porch, golf cart or just knock on the door) any:

1. Styrofoam

22. Bubble wrap

3. Air bags (those little bubble bags)

4. Bubble wrap envelopes

5. peanuts

6. most packing materials, but NOT boxes.

 

You will be not only recycling for the planet but also reducing the load on our dumpster.  Do you know how much it costs to have that monster emptied?

Plus saving Sheryl from diving headfirst into the dumpster to rescue packing materals.

 

The Earth thanks you, Sandpiper thanks you and Sheryl REALLY thanks you.

Veteran's day luncheon

Hello Peeps!
Still need responses for the Veteran's day luncheon. 

 Deadline is tomorrow who will be attending.

 Veterans eat free, spouses accompanying their veteran will have a reduced price of $5.00. Everyone is welcome to attend. 

Non Veterans/spouses price is $7.00 per person.

 AGAIN PLEASE LET US KNOW BY TOMORROW! (Nov 9)
LEAVE ME A RESPONSE on Facebook OR PRIVATE MESSAGE ME OR CALL THE OFFICE OR COME BY!!! 

 

  Menu is:

 Pulled Pork served on a bun, coleslaw and beans,

 dessert is peach cobbler

 thanks
maria

Book Club Starting!

Hoorah, the first book club of the season is next

 Tuesday, November 14 at 11:00 am at Flip Flopz. 

 

We will be discussing The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin, an author not unknown to us, but in a completely different genre. 

 

 Brush up those recipes and bring a small salad or dessert. 

 

  I can't wait to see all of you again. 

My best, Louise

Ladies Day Out Reminder

November 15th at 8:15,

tour Quinta Mazatlan Hacienda and birding center,

  lunch at Republic of Rio Grande,

10th st, McAllen. 

 

 RESERVATIONS BY 

Friday Nov 10th.

Tour is $5.00

. 

Call Karen Hazlett at 412-848-3305. 

 If I don't get 10 resevations I will cancel Ladies day out. 

 Thank you, hope to hear from you soon.

   big HUGS,

 Karen

Don't forget!!!

Nov. 8...a Wednesday.

A spectacular, much anticipated event here at Sandpipers.

THE Beer Fest!

Sites 36 & 37

4 pm

Everyone is invited! The whole park-tell your friends!

*1. Bring 2 unusual, unique, or foreign beers (per person). Travelers, show us where you've been thru beer! If you don't drink come anyway, just bring yourselves some cola or tea or somthing.  We don't judge...much.

 

*2. Bring your own chairs. Apartment dwellers-chairs will be reserved for you!

*3. This is a Super Happy Hour so bring incredible and delicious food...from appetizers to main dishes, even desserts! (electricity is available for crock pots).

*4. Parking golf carts is limited so park only on left or right side of the road leaving a car pass-thru...and for Heaven's sake, don't park in the field or you'll disappear forever!!!!!

Tasting of all beers will be in 2 oz. cups while you acquire vast amounts of skilled beer tasting knowledge

Bowling Info from Bill F.

Hi all you SPR Bowlers,

I've a couple of inquiries about bowling,

 so I thought I send out an early reminder.

 

Our first day of Bowling will be Friday Dec 1, 9:30AM. 1917 at the Flamingo bowl.  We will have an organizational meeting one week before at the Flamingo bowl at 9:00 AM.  We'll bowl for fun after.

Get your teams together,  let me know if you have any changes.  Also I have a list of subs, several new ones so should be able to fill out any team that might be short.

 

 

  I know Bob Burt will be out  untill after the first of the year as he taking treatment for Non Hodgkins Llymphoma.  I talked to him yesterday and he doing quite well.

 

We wish him all the best for a full recovery.