Special to The Laker/Lutz News

While the season is starting to dwindle down, Grand Horizons still has some activities going on.

One such activity is the lunch connoisseurs which is held once a month. So many of us look forward to it. This is when some residents and/or guests get together the second Friday of the month and go to a specific restaurant that someone chooses. This month, we all gathered at the Fresh Country Café in Zephyrhills on April 14. We had 36 people at the restaurant, and we were given a separate room.

The waitresses were very nice and helped out if someone had a question. Marty and I hosted the luncheon, and we all had a delightful time.

There was much conversation, and pictures were taken.

Before the orders were taken, Galen Parker was nice enough to say grace, while a moment of silence was observed by the rest of the attendees.

The menu consisted of a variety of foods, including appetizers, salads, sandwiches, seafood and Cuban specialties. There was also a dessert at the end of the meal of ice cream or pudding.

We then took our leave and made the short trip home, as the restaurant wasn’t too far from our development. All in all, it was a nice afternoon.

There was entertainment at Grand Horizons on April 15. It was hosted by Gary Wilcox, and it was a bon voyage/tax day dance in the community center.

There was a very good turnout of residents and friends.

The Double Density Band performed for three hours with a wonderful variety of music.

Ralph and Sandra McCarthy are two very talented performers who have been entertaining people since 1996. Ralph is a professional guitar player and performed hit songs from B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Carlo Santana. Sandra handled the keyboards and many of the vocals from rock and roll, bluegrass, country and standards.

This was the final entertainment function at Grand Horizons until October.

Since we were not there, Gary was nice enough to supply the above information.

There were close to 50 people who enjoyed the dance, and we look forward to going in the future.

I spoke to Eileen Goldstein and she added that the place was decorated in pastel tablecloths with centerpieces. She mentioned that everyone had a great time, and the band played until 10 p.m. From what she also said, the band ended the evening with a Connie Francis song.

Now, we just wait until the next season starts.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published April 26, 2017

Several women attended a luncheon April 4 at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse that was hosted by June Weinle. This was a nice gathering considering that many people have already left for their winter homes.

We all sat at a long table. There were 16 of us, it was a lively group and we all had a great time.

The menu was varied, and everyone had a tempting dish. There was much conversation going on and friendly bantering.

Pictures were taken, and there were two women who were celebrating their birthdays the following week.

The restaurant was lovely. Some women had desserts, and they sure looked yummy.

Our thanks go to June who organized this luncheon.

At our community center, we had a coffee/doughnut hour on April 5. There was a crowd gathered for this and conversation was heard throughout the center.

We also heard the highlights of the week to come and any birthdays and/or anniversaries that were coming up.

After the meeting, the social club met and discussed the activities that we can expect for the summer, like ice cream socials, which are always fun. It sounds like everyone will have a fun time, and we will be with them in spirit, as we are going to Tennessee for a week and then home to Connecticut.

Residents gathered in the community center on April 10 for a weekly game of dominoes. We had quite a crowd there on Monday night. There were several tables of either four or five players.

Again, there was much discussion, and at times, when we accidentally knocked the train over, we mentioned that our train was out of commission.

We always have fun at Mexican train, and this day was no exception.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published April 19, 2017

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