Meeting Minutes of March 18, 2019

Congratulations to our “YOUR LUCKY DAY” winners.

The winners of the Scavenger hunt were, Alice Moore, Myrna Nanson and their driver, Ron Molter.
The winner of the Poker Run was Sue Bauscher. She won $30 and a Panda Express Gift Basket.

Thank Yous:

Lee and I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped us with the St. Patrick’s Day Events: Tom and D’Esta Crouch, Maynard and Caroline Edwards, Jim and Sondra Plowman, Dick and Mary Lou Klinger, Harold and Judy Zimmerman, Bill and Elaine Austin, Bob and Connie Carlson, Josie Zepeda and, of course, our sidekick, Marlene.

GOLF CART PARADE: 

We heard from many of you that waited for the St. Patrick’s Day parade and finally had to give up. We really are not sure what happened. We heard from someone that there were only five carts that showed up. I don’t know if they just didn’t do it at that point or if they just went around Country Sunshine. I think it was probably the weather but I am sorry that we were not able to let you know. I asked Debbie if they were going to cancel it because of weather and she said they only cancel because of rain so that was the best information I had. 

It is hard to be successful with outdoor activities when the weather will not cooperate. We didn’t get a lot of participation in our outdoor activities but from what we gather, those that did participate had a great time. The green beer seemed to be a hit in the Hall and Carlos did a great job, as usual. Hopefully, next season we’ll have better weather! 

CHARITABLE GIVING:

Border Patrol Project: We brought in a total of $827 for 64 meals which meant $379 was donated over and above the meal. Thank you all for your contributions to the Explorer Post. This will help them send the troop to Washington D.C.

The Aurora House:  The Bake Sale at our March 12th Craft Show brought in $386 for the Aurora House. Thank you for purchasing some sweet goodies that helps the people at Aurora House.

OTHER  BUSINESS:

PHOTO DIRECTORY: If you haven’t had your picture taken for the Directory, please stop in the office and see us. We will be finished taking pictures for the Directory on March 22nd as we have to get them to Rod so he can get to work on the directories.

ACTIVITY INFORMATION SHEETS: If you haven’t completed an Activity Sheet for next season yet, please get it to me this week. I am starting next season’s calendars now. I won’t be finalizing them, of course, but what has been scheduled thus far will be on them.

Riverside Cruise:

There are still a few seats for the Riverside Dreamer Cruise which is scheduled for March 23rd. There is a signup sheet in the back of the hall with the details. This is our last trip for the season.

RECOGNITION:

Lee and I have been amazed at the number of prizes that have been awarded during this season thanks to our clerk, Marlene Duke. She keeps track each year of how much those prizes are worth. This year Marlene’s efforts have resulted in free meals, coupons, gift certificates and other gifts amounting to approximately $8000. Let’s not contact the IRS! Her prizes and coupons were used for every Monday morning meeting, every dance, and larger prizes for New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day. Whenever I said I needed something special, she went out and found someone to give it to us. Not everyone can schmooze and do what Marlene does and I think she deserves a big hand for all she does to make our park a happier place. 

THIS WEEK AT SOUTHERN COMFORT:

Tomorrow at 11:30 AM Peter Piper Pizza

Also tomorrow from 2-5 PM Meet & Greet Bash with new Residents w/MC Express. Wear your badges and prepare to have fun!! Note that this is a time change from what is on the calendar. We decided we needed a bit more time for this event. 

March 20th, Wednesday, 11:30 Shuffleboard Luncheon in the Hall

March 22nd, Friday at 8:30 AM Friendly Shuffle.

March 23rd, Saturday, Boat Trip on the Riverside Dreamer and Lunch (sign up at the back of the Hall). If you haven’t paid for your Riverside Dreamer tickets, please stop in the office this week.

March 25th, Monday – Last Monday Morning Meeting.

March 26th,   at 1:30 PM: We will have a Summer Club Meeting here in the Hall to discuss what we want on the calendar for this summer. I have some ideas and I would like to hear yours.

April 8th, Monday – First Summer Club Meeting – I’m giving myself a week off for good behavior! LOL

This week at Country Sunshine:

March 20^th  Lunch will be served from 11 to 12:30 PM.

"Your Lucky Day" St. Patricks Day Celebration

We started our day this morning with a Scavenger Hunt. Those that were interested arrived in the Hall and received a sheet with pictures of items that were on various lots around the park. They had an hour to find them and the first one back with all of them correct won 1st place. A three-person team of Myrna Nanson, Alice Moore and Ron Molter won prizes which was awarded at the party later in the day.

Country Sunshine had a St. Patrick's Day Golf Cart Parade, however, the weather was kind of miserable and so the parade didn't happen.

Later we had a Poker Run. The contestants checked in at the Hall and received a map of the homes that had the cards for the game. They drew a card and then wrote it on their entry slip. After getting their card filled, they returned to the Hall. Since they drew 8 cards, their best hand was picked from what they drew. 

Later at the party, Sue Bauscher won $32 and a Panda Express Gift Basket.

 Lee registering people for the Poker Run.

 Carlos Canas entertained us! Some danced and some listened.

 Mary mixing green food coloring into the beer for our Green Beer

 Marlene filling glasses to hand out free green beer.

We also had a Coupon Scavenger Hunt in the Hall. Many people got various coupons for across the Valley. We may still find some coupons in the Hall in the days to come!

 There's some Line Dancing going on!

Meeting Minutes March 12, 2019

Thank Yous:

Lee and I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped us out putting the tags on the chairs for the concert and also to those who stopped in to help remove them and put them in order. Your help is greatly appreciated.

We’d also like to thank the volunteers who helped us at the Garage Sale. Connie Carlson and Penny Berry cleaned out all of the Activity drawers under the stage for us. Thanks to Marlene who spent days sorting and tagging things for us in the Activity Office. And, finally, thanks to Marlene, Maxine Johnston, and Roxanne Schnicker for assisting us during the Garage Sale. We were able to clean out a lot of stuff that we haven’t used for awhile and so we have room now to do some cupboard cleaning in the Office. We also made enough to purchase a desk for Marlene. I don’t know if she’ll be able to adjust to having an actual desk instead of a small table with practically no work space.

Calendar Changes:

If you haven’t yet changed your calendar, then add March 16th, Golf Party in the Hall from 1 to 6 PM. 

On March 14th, add Trivia to your calendar from 2 PM to 4 PM. You can play Trivia and then stay for the Soup Supper.

Texas Citrus Pest and Disease Management Corporation:

Eduardo Chavez who is the FSMA and Compliance Officer for the Texas Citrus Pest and Disease Management Corporation stopped in to see me last week. The Ag officials are concerned about citrus greening disease. We are almost to a quarantine situation here in the Valley and if we get there we will not be able to take any citrus home with us. Citrus greening can kill citrus plants and the disease is spreading throughout the Valley. Once a tree is infected, the fruit may become inedible. 

Teams of federal, state and industry inspectors have been searching for signs of the disease in the Valley, in some cases by going door to door to test trees in backyards as well as at the recreational vehicle parks.

Mr. Chavez will be here in the park on Thursday at 8:30 AM. He will be taking the fruit off of your trees and gathering the fruit off the ground. If you want to keep your fruit, please put a container for your picked fruit. If you have already picked your fruit and would like to know if it is edible, leave a basket of oranges out on your driveway. He will remove the inedible fruit that is not safe to eat. He will also leave you with written information regarding citrus tree diseases and what to look out for.

St. Patrick’s Day Festivities:  

March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day and we will be celebrating “Your Lucky Day.” We have a lot planned for the day.

11:00 AM We will have a Scavenger Hunt. You’ll need to have a bike, golf cart or car for this event. Meet in the hall to find out about the event. You don’t have to leave your cart or car for this event but you might need some help spotting the items that you are looking for. We’ll explain more when you arrive at the Hall. The winner or winners of the event in case of at tie will win prizes which will be awarded at the Lawn Party.

1:00 PM Golf Cart Parade. Decorate yourselves and your carts or bicycles. We will meet in the Bull Pen and join Country Sunshine or a ride around the two parks. Bring candy to throw to the spectators. I’ll get more information from Debbie this week.

3:30 PM Poker Run. Meet in the Hall at 3:30 PM and bring $2 per player. We’ll have several homes who have agreed to hand out cards. You’ll travel to those homes taking any route you want and at each place you will choose a card from a full deck of cards. When you return to the Hall, you’ll turn in your sheet that will show the cards you picked and the best hand will win the whole pot. In case of a tie, you’ll have to share, however, we have never had a tie before. The money will be awarded to the winner at the Lawn Party.

Lawn Party: The Lawn Party will start at 5 PM about where we set up for the Party Under the Palms. You can bring you own picnic meal and we will provide Green Beer, Soda Pop and Water. Carlos Canas will be playing for our entertainment on the patio right outside the shed. We will bring out the giant Jenga and the Pick Up Sticks Games. 

OTHER  BUSINESS:

Photo Directory: If you haven’t had your picture taken for the Directory, please stop in the office and see us. The cost for adding a picture that Rod didn’t take is $5 so it will cost $20 for taking the picture and your Directory. You will receive these next fall when you arrive or sooner if you are a full time resident.

Activity Information Sheets:

I have received a slug of Activity Information Sheets back and I appreciate that. There are still a few of the weekly activities that I have not received. I put a list of those on the Bulletin Board in the back. Please get a sheet to me as soon as possible. The Activity sheets are right below it. If you are planning a one time event, see me as soon as possible if I don’t have a sheet. The calendar is filling up fast. 

And, to our new residents, if there is an activity that you enjoyed in your last park and you would like to see it at Southern Comfort, come and see me in the Activity Department. We may be able to make that happen. Please fill out a card and make a request. 

BINGO:

There has been an ongoing conversation among the Encore Parks in the Valley about Bingo, the rules, the payouts and what is and is not allowed. Victoria and I will be speaking to Tony on Tuesday afternoon to get clarification on whether we need to make any changes. The one thing we know for sure is that we need to start wearing our badges to Bingo. A person that is not wearing a badge that shows that they are a resident of an Encore Park in the Valley is not allowed to receive any winnings so please wear your badges to Bingo tonight. 

Also, just to be on the safe side of things, our pots will be limited to $10 this week. We hope that after our meeting with Tony, we will know exactly where we stand on the rules and regulations and how we should proceed. We will not make any changes that are not necessary we can assure you.  

TRIPS:

Riverside Cruise:

There are still a few seats for the Riverside Dreamer Cruise which is scheduled for March 23rd. There is a signup sheet in the back of the hall with the details. This is our last trip for the season.

THIS WEEK AT SOUTHERN COMFORT:

This afternoon at 1 PM there is a new resident meeting here in the Hall with Marlene. Cookies and Juice will be served along with a lot of information.

March 12th, The Craft Show will start at 8 AM. 

March 12th, Trip to the Monza Chocolate Factory.

March 12th, HH at 4 and Potluck a 5 PM in the Hall. Bring a dish to share with 6 to 8 people, your own plates and silverware. There will be iced tea and coffee. If you want something else to drink, it is BYOB.

March 13th, Wednesday, 2 PM, is the Port Of Brownsville Boat Trip. This trip is now closed. Please gather in the Hall at 12:15 to arrange ride sharing and plan to leave at 12:30 PM. Lee has maps available in the office if you need them. 

March 14th, Thursday, Dummy Rummy Tournament from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the Hall. 

March 14th, Thursday, 2 PM, Trivia in the Hall. I believe Myrna will give you more info on this.

March 14th, Thursday, Residents’ Soup Supper Fundraiser, HH at 4 PM and Soup at 5 PM. Please make sure you sign up at the back of the Hall. You do not want to miss out on the great company and the wonderful soups!

March 15th, Friday, Kitchen Band Get Together in the Outback from 3 to 6 PM.

March 16th, Saturday, Golf Party in the Hall from 1 to 6 PM.

March 17th, Sunday, It’s St. Patrick’s Day and “Your Lucky Day.

This Week at Country Sunshine:

You can take advantage of these events at Country Sunshine this week. 

On March 13th they will be serving lunch from 11 – 12:30.

On March 9th, there is a Dance with The Coins at 7 PM. Tickets are $7 at the door.

On March 10th, Men of Accord are the entertainers at 7 PM. Tickets are $6 at the door. 

COMING UP SOON AT SOUTHERN COMFORT

March 19th, 11:30 AM Peter Piper Pizza

March 19th, 3-5 Meet & Greet Bash with new Residents w/MC Express

March 26th,   at 1:30 PM: We will have a Summer Club Meeting here in the Hall to discuss what we want on the calendar for this summer. I have some ideas and I would like to hear yours.

March 20th, Wednesday, 11:30 Shuffleboard Luncheon in the Hall

March 22nd, Friday at 8:30 AM Friendly Shuffle.

March 23rd, Saturday, Boat Trip on the Riverside Dreamer and Lunch (sign up at the back of the Hall)

March 25th, Monday – Last Monday Morning Meeting.

March 26th,   at 1:30 PM: We will have a Summer Club Meeting here in the Hall to discuss what we want on the calendar for this summer. I have some ideas and I would like to hear yours.

April 8th, Monday – First Summer Club Meeting – I’m giving myself a week off for good behavior! LOL

Meeting Minutes from March 4, 2019

Bocce Tournament on March 2nd, 2019

I know several of you have been wondering about next season’s Encore Tribute Concert Tickets. Debbie is here today to fill us in on the process. I know we are all ready to hear what we need to do to either keep our seats or get tickets for the first time. Give a big welcome back to Debbie.

Thank Yous:

Lee and I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped us out with the RGV Activities Directors Association’s Activity Director Appreciation Party. Everything ran as smooth as butter because of you. So, a big Thank You to Connie Carlson, Mary Lukkes, Marilyn Rounds, Joan Gleason, Gerri Laing, Sher Blomster, Pat Munchiger, Charlene Fox and Fran Zilersky.

Also, a big thanks to Ava Nelson for taking pictures of the event for us.

Another Big thank you to Marlene Duke who has really stepped up to help us whenever we have needed anything. She has helped beyond her paid hours on many occasions and she is very much appreciated.

Mark and Highlight Your Calendar:

On March 19th, we will be hosting a Meet & Greet Bash here in the Hall. It is your opportunity to meet the new residents that have moved in or will be moving to Southern Comfort very shortly. MC Express will be entertaining us. Please mark it on your calendar. It is a way to start getting to know our new residents and for them to start recognizing us. Plan to wear your badges!

Calendar Changes:

Daylight Savings begins on March 10th so adjust your clocks on  before you go to bed on Saturday night. Otherwise, you will be late for church

On March 16th, add the Golf Party in the Hall from 1 to 6 PM. I somehow missed it when I was putting the calendar together.

On March 14th, please add Trivia to your calendar from 2 PM to 4 PM. You can play Trivia and then stay for the Soup Supper.

ACTIVITY OFFICE BUSINESS:

Photo Directory: We are continuing to take pictures of those of you who were not able to get your pictures taken by our photographer, Rod Graham. So, if would like to be in the Photo Directory, please stop in the office and make arrangements to get it done. We have Rod’s photo background set up at the back of the Hall so that your pictures will have the same background as the others in the Directory. The cost for adding a picture that Rod didn’t take is $5 so it will cost $20 for taking the picture and your Directory. We hope that all of you will get your picture taken and be in the Directory. It will be a huge help to us as Activity Directors and to all the new people that are coming into the park.  We already have taken pictures of several of the new people that are coming in and we are trying to catch all of them as they arrive.

Activity Information Sheets:

I have received a slug of Activity Information Sheets back and I appreciate that. There are still many more to come, however, so if you are the Coordinator for a game or a single event, I need to have this sheet filled out.  Please pick up a green activity sheet, fill it out and return it to the Activity Office – one activity per sheet. I intend to have the 2019-2020 Calendar for next season completed before the end of this month. If I don’t have a sheet for your activity, the activity will not be scheduled – NO EXCEPTIONS. This is a process that we will follow for as long as we are your Activity Directors. This may sound kind of harsh but in reality, it is the only way to make sure that we know who to contact and when the rooms are being used. 

I had the question last week if this also applied to the activities on the top of the calendar and that would be a yes. I have heard from several people that some of the things that are listed in the Outback are done in the Hall and vice versa.  I need to know what games are played where and who the contact person is. Every event or game needs a contact person. I can tell you from my experience working the last few months that requesting an activity by e-mail or phone did not work. 

And, to our new residents, if there is an activity that you enjoyed in your last park and you would like to see it at Southern Comfort, come and see me in the Activity Department. We may be able to make that happen. Please fill out a card and make a request. 

TRIPS:

Mozna Chocolate Factory Tour:

On March 5th, tomorrow, the Mozna Chocolate Factory Tour takes place. This trip is full. Please meet in the Hall to arrange ride-sharing at 12:30 PM and leave at 12:45 PM to get there on time. Lee has a map to Mozna so stop in the office if you need one. Please take cash $8 per person.

Vipers Game: 

On March 6th the second Vipers Game bus trip will go out and the trip is now closed.  Those of you that have not picked up your t-shirts, please stop in the office. The bus will pick you up here at 3:30 PM and we’re not going to let them leave until3:30 PM.

Port of Brownsville:

Then on March 13th there is an Osprey Port of Brownsville Trip which is now full. We still have a few people that have not paid for the trip. Please stop in the office this week. We can take checks made out to Osprey Cruise or cash. 

Riverside Cruise and Lunch:

A Riverside Dreamer Cruise has been scheduled for March 23rd. This deal is for a boat tour and dinner price.  Seniors are $22 and adults 13-61 are $23 per person. This price includes a meal choice, a soft drink, tax and gratuity. Ron Moser will be playing in their Ball Room so when you finish eating you can stay and enjoy the music or dance some before you head home. We need 25 to get this pricing but we can book up to 40. The boat cruise is at 11 AM, the Meal is at Noon and the entertainment starts at 1 PM. This will be a private ride for just Southern Comfort although the entertainment is for the public. If you have family or friends here, you can invite them also. There will be a signup sheet at the back of the Hall as soon as I verify the date. We planned this one for a Saturday so that those of us in the Office can attend. Vickie and he daughter, Lee and I and Jeanette have already signed up. Please join us. It should be a fun day.

OTHER INFORMATION:  

HEB is offering a free lunch to seniors as an appreciation gift. It will be held at the HEB on Texas Boulevard on March 6th at noon.

THIS WEEK AT SOUTHERN COMFORT:

March 5th, Tuesday, 1:30 PM – If you signed up for the Mozna Chocolate Factory Tour in Hidalgo that we talked about a few minutes ago, note that they would appreciate exact change - $8 per person. They do not keep cash around. Again meet here in the Hall 12:30 PM. You can then leave at 12:45. Remember maps are available in the Activity Office. Please see Lee.

March 6th, there is a trip to the Viper’s Game. The bus will pick you up in front of the Hall at 3:30 PM. 

March 6th, Diego will be playing for our Happy Hour from 3 to 5 PM.

On March 7th, the Encore Piano Man Tribute will be held here at Southern Comfort. There is a matinee at 3 PM and the evening performance is at 7 PM. If you do not have tickets for this yet, please check with Debbie Stout at Country Sunshine to see if there are any tickets left to purchase.

Lee and I will be out of the office attending the Encore Games wrap-up meeting so we will not be here to assist her. The Maintenance guys will have the chairs set up but Marlene will need help putting the chair and row numbers on. It would go a lot faster is you could help her out.

On March 8th, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM there is Golf Signup in the Outback.

Also on March 8th, we will be setting up for the Garage Sale at 4 PM.

On March 9th, the Garage Sale will start at 7 AM. At 4 PM on the 9th, there is a Happy Hour. Then at 5 PM there is a Cookout and at 7 PM, the Horse Races. Bring lots of change.

On March 10th, Worship Services will be held at 9 AM. The potluck brunch has been moved from March 17th to Sunday March 10th after church. For the potluck bring a dish to share and your own table service.  Remember the time change!

Also on March 10th, there is an Ice Cream Social at 6 PM in the Hall.

This Week at Country Sunshine:

You can take advantage of these events at Country Sunshine this week. 

On March 5th, there is a Happy Hour with Regan James. Happy Hour starts at 3 PM.

On March 9th, there is a Dance with The Coins at 7 PM. Tickets are $7 at the door.

On March 10th, Men of Accord are the entertainers at 7 PM. Tickets are $6 at the door. 

COMING UP SOON AT SOUTHERN COMFORT

March 12th, The Craft Show will start at 8 AM.

March 12th, Trip to the Monza Chocolate Factory.

March 12th, HH at 4 and Potluck a 5 PM in the Hall.

March 13th, Wednesday, 2 PM, - Port Of Brownsville Tour, $36, see brochure at the back of the Hall above the Signup Sheet.

March 14th, Thursday, Dummy Rummy Tournament from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM in the Hall. 

March 14th, Thursday, 2 PM, Trivia in the Hall. I believe Myrna will give you more info on this.

March 14th, Thursday, Residents’ Soup Supper Fundraiser, HH at 4 PM and Soup at 5 PM.  

March 15th, Friday, Kitchen Band Get Together in the Outback from 3 to 6 PM.

March 16th, from 1 to 4 PM Texas Hold ‘em in the Poker Room.

March 16th, Saturday, Golf Party in the Hall from 1 to 6 PM.

March 17th, Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day – “Your Lucky Day” – More Details Next week.

Southern Comfort Bocce Tournament

Today was the last Bocce of the year and the Southern Comfort Tournament that ends the Bocce Season! It was a beautiful day for it. I couldn't help but take this picture of the blooming trees in the front of the Hall.

It takes a TON of volunteers to pull off this tournament and celebration!

And there are just as many spectators!

Linda Cesario giving us information on the timing of the rest of the day.

There was a break in the middle of the event and then we met back in the Hall for the rest of the event.

This team won the "Nice Try" Award which is sadly Last Place but we know they had fun getting there! 

Here are the 4th Place Winners: 

These are the 3rd Place Winners:

 These are the 2nd Place Winners:

And the All Women's Team won 1st Place: Barb Soregaroli, Pat Bremer, Karen Wilberding and ?

                 The Ladies and their Trophy. Congratulations!! 

 The Referees - It's a tough job but someone has to do it!

 The winner of the wooden bowl and the guy who donated it

Our Dinner, Chicken and Pork, Cole Slaw, a Baked Potato with all the fixings, a roll. Then for dessert ice cream bars.

We had a stand in singer for awhile tonight because Stephen May was late to perform, however, our stand in - a friend of Linda and Ugo's, Dennis Muth. He did a great job!

Stephen May arrived and played for the rest of the evening! We took some pictures of the dancing but for some reason they just didn't turn out. 

It was a great evening. Thanks to Ugo and Linda for hosting the event. Thanks to all the many volunteers that it took to make this event run so smoothly and thanks to all the participants in the games.