Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The time has come! Do you recall me saying that we have an “Egg in a Bag” (formerly Egg N’ Bag) once a month? Well, this was the last one of the season. I guess all good things must come to an end.

Because of the fact that the season is starting to wind down, and many of our residents have already returned to their summer homes or have taken extended getaways, the attendance is starting to dwindle. Still, for the last “Egg in a Bag” on April 1, more than 80 people were served.

It started with Galen Parker saying grace, while the rest of the people bowed their heads and observed a moment of silence.

Tables were then called to make their omelets from various ingredients on the table. There was bacon, ham, cheese, onions, mushrooms, green peppers and Jalapeno peppers.

The breakfast also included sausage gravy, biscuits and hash-brown potatoes, plus coffee and orange juice.

The ingredients that you chose were added to the eggs or egg beaters already in a cup.

At the end of the line, the entire contents of the cup were put in a bag, and the bag was then sealed, and you took it to the cooks to prepare it.

Several minutes later, a delicious omelet was presented to you.

The helpers and kitchen helpers included Sue and Galen Parker, Clayton and Carol George, Jim and Judie Leitzke, and Doris Sutfin.

Our sincere thanks go out to all of them. They did a wonderful job on this particular day, and the entire season.

Ten residents met at the community center April 3 to play a game of Mexican Train.

It may have been a relatively small group, but we all had loads of fun and, as usual, we had a nice conversation among us.

We had two tables of five, and it was a nice little group.

We always have fun at dominoes, which is held once a week on Mondays.

This particular game was introduced by Eugene and Nancy Martin, and it is one of our favorite activities at Grand Horizons.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published April 12, 2017

Our fourth annual Appreciation Luncheon was held March 25, at the community center. I wasn’t able to go because of a previous commitment, but I spoke to Joyce Bell, and she gave me the following information.

She told me the people were greeted with posters saying “Thank you” hanging in the clubhouse and there were quite a few signs.

It was a lovely afternoon and was quite festive.

She went on to tell me that she thanked the many volunteers for their time and services, and mentioned the fact that Grand Horizons is what it is today because of the many hard working and dedicated volunteers in the community.

The menu included ham, baked beans, Cole slaw, potato salad, breads and many condiments and fixings. Beverage and dessert were also included. The dessert was ice cream and mini turnovers.

The luncheon started with Galen Parker saying grace before the meal.

After grace, the tables were called upon for their food.

Everybody left fully satisfied, as they were also able to go back for seconds, after everyone was served. If anyone left hungry, it was their own fault, as there was plenty to eat.

The hosts were Chuck and Shirley Carlson, Mim and Terry Gardner, and Ron and Joyce Bell.

Many pictures were taken, and our thanks go out to the ones who presented this luncheon. It was very nice, and I am sure that all who attended had a very good time.

From what was also mentioned, the crew is already starting next year’s event.

There were 65 people in attendance, and considering that many people already went back to their winter homes, it was a nice turnout.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published April 5, 2017

We had close to 90 people in our community center March 16 for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration that was hosted by Margaret and Andy Castonguay. Tickets were sold entirely by Pat and Fred Mengel, and they did a fine job of announcing it at our coffee/donut hour every Wednesday.

Before tables were called to receive their food, grace was said by Galen Parker, and he did a fine job of it, while the people in attendance observed a moment of silence.

We also had a “special” treat when a St. Patrick’s Day poem was presented on our TV screen. This was provided by Rae Rice, and it was a nice touch. Our thanks go out to her, as it was a cute poem and kept our attention.

The tables were then called and people went up to get their delicious meal, which consisted of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, turnips and onions. There was also a nice bread basket on each table, and for dessert we had an apple turnover.

The helpers in the kitchen were Bill King, Linda Rogers, Ron and Joyce Bell, along with Pat and Fred Mengel, and Andy and Margaret Castonguay. Once again, they did a great job, and everything ran smoothly.

As usual, conversation was flowing, and several people were dressed in hats, stockings and/or ears, and all, or most, of the people were wearing green.

A few days later, on March 18, Mary and David Heim had a pancake breakfast for 55 residents and guests.

Before tables were called, Jim Leitzke said grace.

Then the breakfast was served, as each individual table was called upon.

The breakfast consisted of pancakes, French toast, sausages, coffee, tea and orange juice. If someone wanted seconds, they could get seconds, as long as everyone else was served.

There were several helpers in the kitchen, and they were Dave and Mary Heim, Pat Bond, Tom Carter, Diane Taggart, Rosie Semian and Linda Rogers.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published March 29, 2017

The monthly Ladies Lunch Bunch met March 7 at Papa Joes, and the women that attended seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves with all the conversation among them. Carla Jones was the hostess of this function, and she did a very nice job.

I spoke to Carla, and she told me 14 people showed up, and the restaurant supplied them with a separate room. Carla went on to say that there were two waitresses who took care of their group, and they were very attentive.

The menu was varied, and some of the dishes consisted of a Cobb salad (tremendous); a sample plate, which included several foods; seafood dishes; and, even a seafood pasta delight.

Their “special” drink was strawberry sangria and several women had this.

Everyone seemed to enjoy their lunches, and because some plates were so large, there was food to take home, so they could reminisce about the good times.

A few days later, on March 10, the lunch connoisseurs went to Shells Seafood Restaurant, and it was hosted by Karen and Bill Donlon.

Of course, a giant shell on the outside of the restaurant told us that we were in the right place.

There was a nice crowd of 40 people who enjoyed being with their friends and neighbors.

Once again, there was a variety of food, including chicken with veggies, clam chowder (that I heard was absolutely scrumptious), pasta and various seafood.

Before dinner was served, Galen Parker said grace, while the rest of the people observed a moment of silence.

We always have the lunch connoisseurs once a month, and most everyone looks forward to it. It is a nice way to get together.

In the meantime, back at Grand Horizons, we are getting ready for our new resident phone directory. This directory, in addition to phone numbers, will have pictures of residents. This is good, as we can now place a face with a name.

Nancy Martin is making the appointments for the pictures to be taken, and Karen Donlon is heading up the committee.

It is always nice to have a fresh directory.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published March 22, 2017