Dec. 13th Newsletter

 RVE CLUB MEETING – Chair Sharon Sprague called meeting to order. We recited “Pledge to the Flag” & sang “God Bless America”. Meeting closed by singing club song, ”We Love Our Valley Home”.

Accompanist – Jan Delashmit

Invocation – Phyllis Branstetter “New Kid in Town”

Secretary Report – Dana Daves

Treasurer Report – Sandy Olson

Welcome to new & returning residents who arrived this week.

MANAGEMENT REPORT .. There was none today. Website for park is riovalleyestates.com

Dana Daves gave Secretary report & it was approved.

Treasurer Sandy Olson gave report & it was accepted.

Sandy gave Properties report. The board has volunteered to do breakfasts (biscuits & gravy) on Jan. 8 & 15, Feb. 5 &12. Ed Tice & folks from Iowa will prepare our breakfasts (menu not announced)  Feb. 19 & 26. Thanks. We look forward to our Saturday breakfasts again. Serving is from 7 to 8:30 a.m.

If you don’t have an RVE name tag, check with Donna Gabbert who makes these. We encourage folks to wear these.

Donna Gabbert puts cards in office area for your signature. If you know of someone needing card due to illness or death in family, call her at 956-968-6684.

A card was placed in the hall for Donna Gabbert whose dog Heidi died this week. Sorry to hear this, Donna.

Craig Daves, dance co-chair, reports first dance is Jan. 3. Admission is $7 pp. Second floor cleaning will be done after next Monday meeting. Volunteers to clear hall?

Marylyn Mason, urges all to come enjoy Christmas music by the kids from Cleckler Elementary School this Friday, the 17th, 6:00-8:30 p.m. Admission of $5 pp will go back to them. Ladies who are filling bags for the children should be in hall Wednesday, at 8 a.m.

Some folks, even those who are vaccinated, may be concerned about spread of Covid. Feel free to wear mask to any event/activity.

Thank you .. Mark Kunkle & crew for meatloaf dinner; Linda Palermo for decorating stage; Harold & Shirley for providing donuts today. If you have been in Friendship Hall, I’m sure you have seen the beautiful decorations in every window. We have Dianna Bruce and Catherine Gibbs to thank.

PLEASE SUPPORT ALL PARK ACTIVITIES.

Thanks to Patty Lamp & Phyllis Branstetter who served coffee & donuts prior to today’s meeting. There is a sign up sheet if you wish to provide in honor of special occasion. If no one signs up, club will pay. Bring donuts by 8:15 a.m.

Donna Gabbert keeps us informed with a blog. Find it at www.donnasramblingsatrve.blogspot.com Her email is bodogabby@aol.com.

Club website by Judi DeKoning is RVEWTC.com .. for “members only”, the password is riovalley.

Upcoming Events:

Dec. 14 – Ladies Wine Party, 3 p.m., Judy DeKoning chairs

Dec. 16 – Men’s Party, 3 p.m., Kathy Cochran chairs

Dec. 17 – Christmas Program by children from Cleckler Elementary School, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Dec. 18 – Santa Claus will be at Lot #420 for pictures with your doggie. Cost of $5 each

Dec. 23 – Golf Cart Parade with old fashioned Christmas & white elephant exchange, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 25 – Christmas Dinner at noon, Gonnermans & Jones

Linda Palmero has placed two large boxes in Friendship Hall for residents wishing to donate items for RVE park workers. These should be non-perishable. It was voted & approved to give the two park workers $50 each for Christmas gift from the Club.

We talked about Weslaco Police Dept. Toys for Tots & Judy DeKoning reports a box is located in the card room, unwrapped toys please. It was decided to donate $100 each to Weslaco Police & Fire Departments.

There are many beautiful Christmas displays & decorations throughout our park. We voted club pay out $100 to top 3….$50, $30 & $20. Maybe Nate would get someone from outside park to judge?

We nominated, voted & elected a new club chair & vice chair for calendar year (Jan. thru Dec.). Judy Nordquist will serve as chair; Sharon Sprague as vice chair.

For residents’ information, code to unlock all doors is 7157. Last one out locks up.

Chair Sharon announced to prevent conflicts all activities in big hall should be cleared through Club Secretary’s Calendar. Info will then be given to Judy DeKoning for calendar she posts on back bulletin board.

Editor Mary Lou Benson sends info to news media to announce activities that are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Get written info to her 3 weeks before event please.

Dave Johnson at Lot #93 needs your name & phone numbers for the next park directory. He’s gone over Christmas but I’ve heard he plans to work on the directory while he’s in Illinois 😊

Wednesday Happy Hour is in card room through December. Bring snacks & your own beverage, 4 p.m.

Have you played Card Bingo? “It’s fun, come try it!” says Bill Jones. Bring 25 cents Sundays at 2 p.m.

Judy Shively chairs Hand & Foot Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Judy Shively will lead Couple’s Line Dancing with plans to begin in January.

Dean Ricke announced twice monthly Pizza Parties begin in Jan. These are held 11:30 a.m. 2nd & 4th Wed. at Peter Piper Pizza. Bring Peter Piper mugs for free soda. Prizes are given.

Bean Bags are being played at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays & Wednesdays with Jose Ponce as chair. Due to prep for wine party, this will be held outside tomorrow.

Euchre players are needed says Mark Wieners.

How about Pinochle players? Saturday, 6:30 p.m. in back room.

Thanks to Jan Delashmit who is playing piano for us during December. She will alternate after that with Cathy Probst.

Women's Wine Party is tomorrow, Dec. 14, at 3 pm.  Chair Judy DeKoning reminds those who wish to attend .. sign up so we have count for tables. Invite a friend and/or new park person.  Bring a bottle of wine, a wine glass in a gift bag & $3. 50/50 will be held. Dip making volunteers may drop off at #89 or in kitchen after noon.

Men's Party will be Thursday, the 16th, 3 pm.  Come and enjoy the comradery!  A drink, a bite, & fun on menu!  Please sign up so tables can be planned!  Bring your drink of choice, your own glass or container & $3.00. Chair Kathy Cochran said we need more numbers in order to hold this party .. so fellows .. please sign up!

Do you know “Santa Claus is Coming to Town?” Bring your doggie this Sat., Dec. 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to Lot #420 to have his/her picture taken with Santa. Cost is $5 for professional picture of your fur baby with Santa. You may pick up picture at Christmas party or after.

Marylyn Mason invites residents to a Golf Cart Parade on Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m. Following parade, an old-fashioned Christmas will be held in Friendship Hall with Jan Delashmit playing piano & Marge Reishus leading in song. There is a sign up sheet for attendance & residents may bring cookies. We’ll have white elephant exchange which though not mandatory, should be a lot of fun. Bring $5 (or so) gift. You get a ticket for drawing of a gift. After all names have been drawn, they will draw one more time & you can take gift from someone else. Gifts may be new or regifted items 😊

We have a committee for NOON Christmas Dinner! Chuck & Nancy Gonnerman and Bill & Jan Jones have volunteered. HAM, water, lemonade, plastic table coverings are provided. Each table of 12 should confer & bring whatever they wish to contribute…veggie, salad, relish, dessert. Each table should bring 2 meat platters & 2 meat forks for ham & their own place settings. You may bring a tablecloth/decorations after 9 a.m on the 24th. Sign up by Dec. 20 at the back of Friendship Hall.

We’ve received word from Vic & Judy Greenlee that all is well with them following the devastating tornadoes in Kentucky this weekend. Prayers for all affected.

News editor requests WRITTEN notes for articles or items you wish printed in newsletter. Some items may be edited for content & size.

Newsletters are available mid-afternoon on Mondays by back door in card room. A few may be found in office area.

There are activities across the Valley all season .. but especially at Christmastime. One is the Hidalgo Festival of Lights. This is the 30th year this has been held. It is held Dec. 1 thru Jan. 2. There are live performances & train tours…or you can drive thru to see over 500 lighted displays. It’s worth the drive to Hidalgo.

South Padre Island’s lights are beautiful. Thru Jan. 16, the Holiday Light Show is on display 6-9 p.m. at the SPI Convention Centre. Watch from the comfort of your car.

GAME RESULTS: Place scores, winner names, complete info on dates & name of game in plastic container back of Friendship Hall. WRITE LEGIBLY!

BEAN BAG – Dec. 8 Margarita Ponce, Dave Cochran

BOWLING – Pins & Cues

CANASTA – Table of 4 –

Dec. 6 – Jewel Kruckman, Fran Hryniw 31267

Table of 6 –

Dec. 8 – Beverly Yancey, Patty Lamp 46804

CRIBBAGE – Dec. 9 – Jewel Kruckman 672

DOMINOS – Mexican Train – Dec. 5 – Darlene Bryant, Ann Johnson, Janel Baker, Marge Reishus, Catherine Donovan Dec. 7 – Ann Johnson, Jean Stamp, Mary Lou Sirovy, Jan Jones, Virginia Baker, Mary Lou Benson Dec. 12 – Mary Lou Sirovy, Jean Stamp, Janel Baker, Donna Gabbert, Ann Johnson, Darlene Bryant, Nancy Gonnerman

DUMMY RUMMY – Dec. 11 –

1st – Denny Argo 237 2nd – Tom Benson 246

3rd – Pam Brustkern 252 4th – Mary Lou Benson 257

EUCHRE -

GOLF – Executive –

PINOCHLE – Single Deck –

SHUFFLING – Dec. 7 – Henry Hryniw, Larry Pierstorff Dec. 8 – Henry Hryniw, Al RainH2O (sp?) Dec. 10 – Henry Hryniw, David Johnson

TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER - Dec. 10 -

1st – Lynn Stamp 2nd – Judy Nordquist 3rd – John Quail

TIC – Dec. 8 –

1st – Darlene Bryant 133 2nd – Lynn Stamp 159

3rd – Dana Daves 171 4th – April Walling 183

Contributed from Fran Hryniw ..

Just a line to say I’m living, that I’m not among the dead.

Though I’m getting more forgetful & mixed up in my head.

I got used to my arthritis , to my dentures I’m resigned.

I can manage my bifocals, but God, I miss my mind.

Sometimes I can’t remember when I stand at the foot of the stairs.

If I must go up for something or come on down from there.

And before the fridge so often, my mind is filled with doubt.

Have I just put food away or come to take some out?

There is time when it is dark with my nightcap on my head,

I don’t know if I’m retiring or getting out of bed.

So, if it’s my turn to write you, no need for getting sore.

I may think I have written & don’t want to be a bore.

Remember that I love you & wish that you were near.

But now it’s nearly mail time so I must say goodbye dear.

There I stand beside the mailbox with a face so very red.

Instead of mailing you my letter, I opened it instead