Special to The Laker/Lutz News

There was a pancake breakfast on Nov. 18 in the community center with 80 people in attendance. It was a fun gathering, and Jim Leitzke said grace before the meal.

There were pancakes and French toast, along with sausage and coffee or tea. If you wanted more, you could get seconds.

The hosts for the breakfast were Mary and Dave Heim. They had helpers who do a marvelous job, and everything ran smoothly.

The once-a-month egg in the bag was on Dec. 2. We usually attend, as the breakfast is delicious with eggs or egg beaters with green pepper, cheese, onions, ham, bacon and more. The end result is a perfect omelet, and there are home fries and biscuits and gravy, along with orange juice and coffee. This was run by Paul and Freda Williams.

Later on, at night they had, in the community center, an “open mic” with gospel songs. We went to the one they had last month, and my husband and I enjoyed it a lot. It is held once a month and because we were going on a cruise the very next morning (bright and early), we missed this one. But, I am sure it was still fantastic.

A lunch connoisseurs was held Dec. 8 at Texas Roadhouse. It was hosted by Sandy and Al Lindke. We happen to love this restaurant, but were unable to attend, so Sandy told me a little about it. This is what she said: “Forty-three residents descended on the Wesley Chapel Texas Roadhouse for a late lunch of their choice. The roadhouse buzzed with lots of chatter and laughter. A good time was had by all, and no one went home hungry. We happened to be celebrating Jim Holmes birthday, so he got on the saddle while they sang the roadhouse version of ‘Happy Birthday.’”

There was a potluck on Dec. 10, also in the community center, hosted by Nancy Huey. I spoke to Sandy Lindke, and she told me that there was more than enough food for the 50 people in attendance. She also told me that Paul Williams provided the Christmas music.

Also mentioned was the fact that Santa (Bill Sarver) and Mrs. Claus (Judi Davis) passed out the gift exchange packages.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Published December 20, 2017

The Sally Langwah show was presented on Nov. 10 in the community center. This was a veteran tribute hosted by Gary Wilcox.

The stage was decorated nicely with miniature flags placed several inches from each other and little bottles with a flag in the center, and blue and red surrounding it.

The show started off when Gary Wilcox introduced Roy Langwah.

Roy said a few words and then presented Sally Langwah who started the show singing “The Star Spangled Banner.” This was followed by “A Salute to the Armed Forces.”

Because this was a patriotic show, she continued on with a song from each branch, such as the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, Merchant Marines and the Air Force. These songs were sung while the ones who served in that particular branch stood to be recognized.

Roy Langwah then came on dressed as Willie Nelson, with his signature pigtails and bandana. He sang his hit “All of Me,” plus “The City of New Orleans,” and he did a marvelous job.

Sally then came back on stage in a long brunette wig and a red dress as Crystal Gayle and sang the hit tune “Don’t it Make my Brown Eyes Blue” and a Cristy Lane song entitled “One Day at a Time.”

There was audience participation, and one cute segment when Barbara Livingston and Joan Fisher (both residents of Grand Horizons) joined Sally in performing a couple of songs by The Andrew Sisters, including “Beer Barrel Polka” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”

All three had the moves, and kept the audience swinging and clapping in their seats. It was some performance.

Rich Fulton, Paul Oi, Dave Lawrence and Rick Huey were called up as war vets while the song “When I Dream” was sung by Sally. They were each presented with a pin, which was a lovely touch.

Roy came out as Elvis Presley and shook hands with most of the audience while singing “I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You.”

Sally came back on stage as Marilyn Monroe, told some jokes like only Marilyn could, and sang “I Want to be Loved by You” to Bill Sarver and “Happy Birthday” to Freddie.

We also got treated to the hit song by Louis Armstrong called “What a Wonderful World.”

Charo, the “coochi-coochi” girl came out to perform. This was a cute performance, and she called on Jim Leitzke to dance. Sally was dressed in a long blond wig, and in a lovely white and blue dress.

Toward the end of the show, she had several people come to the front of the room to perform the “Electric Slide,” a line dance.

The show ended with Sally singing “God Bless America,” and the entire audience sang along.

This would have marked the end of the show, but then Sally and Roy outdid themselves by continuing another half an hour with more singing and dancing. Everyone left on a very high note.

The following morning, we had an egg-in-a-bag breakfast, and 114 people were served.

It was hosted by Paul and Freda Williams, and they had several volunteers, including Jim and Judi Leitzke, Sue and Galen Parker, Carol and Clayton George, and Doris Sutfin.

Phyllis Jones provided the music, and everyone did a fabulous job.

Before breakfast, Galen Parker said grace, while everyone bowed their heads in a moment of silence.

After everyone enjoyed a hearty breakfast, Jim Leitzke presented a veterans program. The program started with the Pledge of Allegiance, and the entire audience stood.

Jim then presented a special video entitled “My Name is America” by Todd Allen. The POW/MIA table and each item on the table was thoroughly explained. This table remembers all the military lost.

Flags were then brought forward for each individual service.

There are many vets from Grand Horizons, and as each branch was called, the vets who were there stood to be recognized.

Thanks to the vets that served and gave us our freedoms.

The afternoon ended with all singing “God Bless America.”

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Published December 6, 2017