Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The holiday season continues, and on Dec. 7 we had our weekly donuts and coffee hour. Even though several people could not join us (as they were on a cruise), we still had a nice turnout. We celebrated birthdays and anniversaries that were being held the following week, and we heard recent news. There was much conversing, and everyone had a nice time.

On Dec. 10, Marty and I took the Tour De Clay 2016. The event consisted of visiting and touring four pottery studios. It was very interesting and included several demonstrations.

Each place had a kiln and had objects in it that were fired. The items that we saw were beautiful and nicely made, such as vases, cups, magnets, bowls and so much more.

Sandy and Al Lindke hosted a block party in the cul-de-sac on Dec. 15, and they were prepared with campfire heaters, if necessary. It turned out to be a beautiful day, so they didn’t need them, but it was nice to know the heaters were there, just in case.

There was a nice crowd of 50 people, and each brought something to share. There was an assortment of dishes that consisted of finger sandwiches, pizza, deviled eggs, chips, dips, cake, cookies and more. Again, because several people were away on the cruise, this was a very nice turnout.

They also collected canned goods and gift cards for the United Methodist Church food bank. It was a collection of many types of foods and food cards. The church food bank helps mostly the elderly.

On Dec. 16, a “Yankee Gift Exchange” was held at one of the homes in the development. This was our third annual Christmas Cookie Exchange. Approximately 15 women attended this function and had a very good time eating, conversing and exchanging gifts.

We each brought with us some cookies and a gift that was “Christmassy.” As each person opened up their gift, the appropriate “oohs and ahs” were heard around the house. This party, or cookie exchange, was hosted by Sharon Blair and Rox-Anne Lamphere. It was done to perfection, and we all had a variety of cookies to munch on. We all went home filled to capacity.

On Dec. 17, we had an egg n’ bag breakfast at the community center where a really large crowd of 90 plus people gathered for a good meal to start the day. This function was hosted by Jim and Judi Leitzke and several helpers. The helpers were Ed and Eileen Goldstein, Sue and Galen Parker, Carol and Clayton George, and Bill and Ginny Sarver.

Considering the fact that the cruise had just ended, it was an extremely big crowd. There was so much conversation going on. In addition to the omelets, there were hash brown potatoes, biscuits and gravy, butter, orange juice and coffee.

On Dec. 21, we had something special, which was done for the first time and hopefully for years to come. It was caroling around the development with a cute dance step included. The people who all joined in wore Santa hats, and they did a marvelous job of caroling.

This was started by Barbara Livingston, and it sure looked like everyone had a nice time.

There were approximately 12 carolers. The people who did the caroling were Chick and Annmarie Shackewyc, Gary and Carol Wilcox, Tony and Nadine Guetti, Dave and Barb Livingston, Sam and Pat Allen, Cheryl Leone and Joan Fisher.

The caroling included a variety of songs, and they went in the community center and performed, in addition to houses around the development.

We were only spectators, but we loved it.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published December 28, 2016

 

That beautiful time of the year is upon us once again, and Grand Horizons is celebrating it in style.

We had our Friday Connoisseurs on Dec. 2 at the Black Rock Grill in Tampa. There were 26 of us in attendance and, being that there is much going on during this time of year, it was a pretty good turnout.

I can’t speak highly enough about this restaurant, as it not only had a varied menu and something for everyone’s taste buds, but it is also known for the black stone. This is an 8-inch square stone that is super-heated and placed on your table so your steak is prepared the way you like it. Ginny Sarver hosted the outing, and we all enjoyed this restaurant.

The following morning, there was a pancake breakfast. It included all the pancakes, French toast and sausage that you wanted, plus coffee.

There were approximately 50 people in attendance. The breakfast was hosted by David and Mary Heim, and their helpers included Linda Rogers, Diane Taggart and Tom Carter. Before the breakfast started, Jim Leitzke said grace.

That night, there also was a Christmas party. It started off with a golf cart parade of 22 golf carts. All of them were decorated in some way, shape, or form, while several of them were decorated all over and made for a beautiful sight, while going through the development past each individual house.

After the parade, everyone from the parade met at the community center where others already were gathered. There were about 100 residents attending this party.

We had hot chocolate and cookies. The table was full of all sorts of cookies, cake and candy.

There was also a Santa Claus who gave out candy canes to the women, and everyone got to socialize.

Joyce Bell presented donations collected from throughout the community to Beth Akers, a representative from Meals on Wheels. Beth was very appreciative and offered a few words in thanks.

The party was hosted by Joyce Bell with several helpers and was absolutely beautiful. The helpers were Chris Fulton, Rosemary Semian, Karen Donlon, Terri Satterlee, Lynne-Rae Dyson, Robbie Lockard and Ron Bell. All the people who worked on this Christmas Party did a fine job, and everything was done to perfection.

The following day, the Ladies Lunch Bunch had their luncheon at the Cheesecake Factory.

The 25 women who attended had a marvelous time. I spoke to Joyce and she told me that they each had a delicious meal, and most of them had cheesecake. Quite a few took their pie home to “relive” the afternoon. She also told me that many women went earlier to go shopping or did their shopping after lunch. It was a fun and friendly group.

The outing also was hosted by Joyce Bell.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published December 14, 2016

There was a fashion show on Nov. 17 at the community center, with many women and men viewing clothing presented by Bon Worth.

There were six models in all, and each model wore three different outfits. The models were Terri Satterlee, Pat Mc Kain, Elaine Hilton, Mim Gardner, Joyce Bell and Rosemary Semian.

About 40 people attended the show. Cookies and brownies, along with coffee and tea, were served.

The fashion show was hosted by Rosemary Semian, and our thanks go to her for a lovely show.

A pancake breakfast was held on Nov. 19 at the community center and was attended by 71 residents, who enjoyed the breakfast.

Jim Sinner said the blessing before the meal of pancakes, French toast, sausage, orange juice, coffee and/or tea. There was also regular syrup in addition to sugar-free syrup. You could have all you cared to eat, and it was hosted by Mary and David Heim.

There were also many volunteers that included Linda Rogers, Rosemary Semian, Tom Carter. Diane Taggart, Rosemarie Weingartz and Walter Barr. They did a very nice job, and our thanks go out to all of them for a lovely breakfast.

Later that night, there was a show/dance at the community center. The name of the show was the Skip Frye Group, hosted by Gary Wilcox. I spoke to Gary and he was nice enough to tell me a little about it.

He said that all who attended had a very good time. He went on to mention that more than 65 people were there that night to enjoy the music and dancing. Also mentioned was the fact that Skip and his wife, Nancy, put on a wonderful three-hour concert, playing a variety of songs from yesterday to today.

Frye is a professional guitar player with styles like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Thanks goes out to all our volunteers!

A day of thanks
There were 104 people, including residents and guests, at the community center on Nov. 24, to observe and celebrate Thanksgiving Day. The dinner was hosted by Margaret and Andy Castonguay, and several helpers.

Before the dinner even started, grace was said by Cookie. He did a fine job. The dinner consisted of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, squash, green beans, cranberry sauce, pickles, rolls, butter, and dessert of apple and pumpkin pies with a dab of whipped cream. The meal was delicious and the turkey was moist. They served either white or dark meat – your preference.

There were several helpers, and they consisted of Carol and Clayton George, Mim and Terry Gardner, and Vic and Lynne-Rae Dyson. Everybody had a specific job to do, so everything ran smoothly.

In addition, I found out that the entire crew met the previous night to set up tables, clean the turkeys and put them in the oven to cook. Everyone outdid themselves and put on the perfect meal. After the dinner, we sat around and talked for a while.

Later that night, several people returned for a game of euchre. I used to play this game, and I can truthfully say that it is a fun game, and it definitely keeps you on your toes. Of course, during the game, the people who are playing kept up a friendly conversation with much banter.

We had dominoes on Nov. 28, and, as always, it was loads of fun. There were several of us that joined in on this lively and fun game. Seeing that it was during the holiday season, quite a few of us showed up.

As the game progressed, you can hear people saying things like “My train just fell off the track,” “I have a mighty small train” and more.

One thing was for sure, everyone had a good time.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published December 7, 2016

 

 

Fifty-four residents from Grand Horizons gathered together on Nov. 11 for a lunch connoisseur outing at Texas Roadhouse, hosted by Sandy Lindke. The people that attended all met outside the restaurant, and mingled and talked. They were well supplied with peanuts, so time just literally flew, and before we knew it, the time came for us to be seated. There was such a crowd from Grand Horizons that we occupied many tables. More conversation went on, and lots of pictures were taken.

If you ever were in a Texas Roadhouse before, you probably know about the jukebox that is located in the front of the restaurant where you can play any song you desire. Therefore, while eating our fabulous lunch, songs were being played on the jukebox. Whether you heard them or not was the question, as there was much discussion going on.

There is such a large selection from the menu, that I honestly do not think anyone had any trouble ordering. Sandy somehow got each couple to receive an appetizer for their next visit. She did a marvelous job in hosting this event, and our thanks go out to her.

The next day, on Nov. 12, we had an egg n’ bag hosted by Jim and Judi Leitzke. The volunteers were Andy Castonguay, Galen and Sue Parker, Jim and Judi Leitzke, Carol and Clayton George, Ron and Joyce Bell, George and Sue Richardson, Phyllis Jones (who played the music) and Dan McDuffie (who took the pictures of the vets for the wall).  As usual, there was a big turnout. There were 132 residents that joined in on this event.

A breakfast was given to all veterans, which was a very nice touch. Before the tables were called, Galen Parker said the blessing. Breakfast consisted of omelets (stuffed with your choice of toppings), orange juice, potatoes, and biscuits with gravy, jelly or butter. After each table was called, Jim presented a video about America, freedom and the American flag. It ended with fireworks surrounding the Statue of Liberty.

Then flags were brought forward for each individual service. These flag bearers were Ernie Rice, Tom Carter, Bill Donlon, Dave Molinek, Frank Fogle, Bill Taggart, Irwin Smith and Rich Fulton. Bill Sarver played “Taps.”

There are 132 vets in the Grand Horizon development, and they were recognized on this day. Each branch was called, and when called the veterans who were in that particular branch stood, and were recognized. There was the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force and Merchant Marine.

Gary Wilcox then presented and explained the POW/MIA table. When you looked at this table, you remembered your friends and loved ones. The volunteers that brought items to this table were Skip Jefferis, Bill Elliott, Lamar Lawson, Al Simpkins, Galen Parker, Ed Goldstein, Jack Eastwood, Alan Slade, Terry Gardner, Bill Sarver and Ed Sexton.

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

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

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published November 23, 2016