Parks

Grand Horizons hosted its first Appreciation Day on April 6 with hopefully more to come.

I wasn’t able to attend because of a previous engagement, but I heard from Joyce Bell that all had a great time.

Ken Leone was the emcee of this event that had about 85 people in attendance. Along with Ken, the following people were on the team that worked very hard to get this appreciation day flowing smoothly: Cheryl Leone, Ron and Joyce Bell, and Chuck and Shirley Carlson.

There were several thank you signs in the community center and there was a big banner also with “Thanks” on it. The menu consisted of a pulled pork sandwich that Cheryl worked very hard on. There also were beans that Shirley Carlson, Joyce Bell and Sandy Lindke provided.

In addition to the above, they also had coleslaw, potato salad, condiments, pickles and cupcakes for dessert. Many pictures were taken and several discussions occurred among the people attending.

About 37 people attended our lunch connoisseurs April 11 at Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant in Brandon. Del O’Hara and Andy Gisondi, along with Tom and Laurie Carter hosted it.

They did a marvelous job of reserving the place and getting there early enough to greet everyone as they entered the room.

Buca di Beppo has many individual rooms and just the right size was set aside for the people of Grand Horizons. The restaurant not only had a large and varied menu, but the atmosphere was super. All the walls were covered with pictures and information about the place.

Once a month we have lunch connoisseurs, who try to go to different restaurants. This place hit the spot, and we thank the four people who worked on this gathering. We had a terrific time and look forward to many more.

Several women went on a luncheon to the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant on April 17. This is a restaurant that is located right in Zephyrhills and was hosted by Judi Davis. I heard from Judi that 11 women attended this outing and everyone had a great time. There was a special at the restaurant, and several people took advantage of this, plus other items that were presented on the menu.

All in all, everyone had a good time. We look forward to many other outings where the women get together for a good time.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published April 30, 2014

On March 14 about 50 people met at Texas Roadhouse to enjoy a great meal.

The menu was filled with a variety of choices, and along with all the peanuts you care to eat, everyone was sufficiently fed. Many doggie bags were taken home as the meals were quite large.

Appetizers were given to every couple because of a slight mix-up. Al and Sandy Lindke, who hosted this meal, were able to get the appetizers for us. In addition to having the lunch run smoothly, our thanks go to them for the extra mile they went in obtaining this extra treat for us.

Then, on March 17, about 86 people enjoyed a St. Patty’s day dinner that included corn beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, and roll and butter, with all the accompanying condiments. Desserts also were served, and there were two kinds of cake. All was delicious.

Vivian Sturdevant gave grace before the meal. Wayne Bloomfield was the host, and the helpers were Jeanne Bloomfield, Andy and Margaret Castonguay, and Chuck and Shirley Carlson. The people who attended this dinner had plenty to eat and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

On March 20, there was a lovely luncheon at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. Helen Hardardt hosted this, and all who attended had a very nice luncheon.

From what Helen told me, approximately 15 women went to this function and they sat in the dining room overlooking the golf course. What a fantastic view they all had!  Helen also went on to say that there was a drawing for three lucky winners.

There was a variety of gifts that were given out including a stuffed rabbit. That means that three women went home with a memento of their luncheon. I had a previous engagement that day but have gone to Lake Jovita before, and every time is a pure pleasure.

During the week, residents were busy donating their rummage to the community center for the sale on March 29. The bakers also were busy getting goodies ready for the bake sale and the people who wanted something sweet to eat.

Once the day arrived, there were many homes that had sales plus a book sale, bake and rummage sale in the community center. There were a variety of treasures to browse through, and everyone seemed to have a good time. If you were too busy shopping to go out for lunch, you could purchase a bite to eat in the center.

On April 2, pool exercises have started once again. The instructor is Judy Ellsworth. They had these exercises last year, but when the cold weather came, they had to stop. Now that the weather looks to be promising, exercises have started once again.

This is a good way to get into shape once again, and it is very relaxing and good for your health.

On April 3, there were several residents in the community center for a monthly social club meeting. This is the place to go to discuss your concerns that are within the community.

I would like to mention there was a luncheon on April 10.  Sam Sage, who is the coordinator of this group, said, “The greeting card ladies of Grand Horizons have been invited to a volunteer dinner hosted by Zephyr Haven Rehab center. We have been making greeting cards for Zephyr Haven for about four years now. We also send greeting cards to our service personnel in the Middle East, as well as two other nursing homes in Zephyrhills.”

Good going to all who participated, as everyone is doing a good service, and I am sure the cards are appreciated.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published April 16, 2014

On March 7, 138 people were treated to a show in our community center called “Frank & Dean … and Then Some!”

It is a Vegas-style show based in Cleveland, and they tour the Gulf coast of Florida from mid-February through early April.

Scott Brotherton — who played Dean Martin — and Damion Fontaine, who played Frank Sinatra, put on one heck of a performance. They included several antics and facial expressions that are so very familiar in the three-hour show.

Dean (Scott) was dressed in a tuxedo with a black bow tie and a cummerbund, while Frank (Damion) had on a dark jacket and trousers with a black bow tie and donned a white straw hat. The show started off with Damion singing, “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You,” “Fly With Me” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

A walk through the community center and down the aisles added to the show as Scott and Damion mingled with the audience.

They also both did their share of jokes, and were real funny. There was one particular joke that was quite cute. It pertained to an “Aunt Judy” who was 95 years of age and the doctor says that she had the body of a 30-year-old. The punch line had everyone laughing.

Some of the other songs that Damion sung were such hits as “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Young at Heart,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and so much more. When Scott got up to perform, we noticed that Damion was taking pictures of people in the audience.

Scott performed such hits as “The Lady is a Tramp,” “As Time Goes By” from Casablanca, and “Something’s Gotta Give,” a song usually sung by Sammy Davis Jr. They also performed many hits such as “King of the Road,” which was written and originally recorded by Roger Miller, and “Blueberry Hill,” which is best remembered as a rock ‘n’ roll hit by Fats Domino in the 1950s. We were laughing so hard at certain points in this song as Scott reversed the hat the other way on Damion’s head, and that is when Damion changed his voice with the sounds of Fats Domino or Louis Armstrong.

Damion also performed “L-O-V-E,” a Nat King Cole song, and did a very good job at it. Scott performed the hit by Marty Robbins called “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation” with backup by Damion.

Damion performed a lovely song called “Summer Wind” and did an excellent job. Both Damion and Scott performed the song “The Best is Yet to Come,” and everyone enjoyed it.

This marked the end of the first set, and the people from Grand Horizons were treated to other performances by some residents. Loris Weber played the piano in a tribute to servicemen. She did a fine job, and then Mim Gardner did a recitation for the beginning of “God Bless America.” This was followed by Jim Leitzke leading us in “God Bless America,” and then Andy Gisondi did a lovely performance of “Taps” on his trumpet.

The second segment started off with a fine rendition of “Luck Be a Lady Tonight” performed by both Scott and Damion. There was a sing-a-long when Scott performed “Volare,” and of course, arms were swaying and toes were tapping. Several Elvis Presley songs were performed with all the shaking and other movements. During this segment, several couples got up to dance.

The song by Nat King Cole, “When I Fall in Love,” was performed beautifully. Several Neil Diamond songs were sung such as “Forever in Blue Jeans” and “Sweet Caroline.” Of course, this resulted in more dancing and arms swaying. It was nice to see some couples take advantage of the dance floor.

Both entertainers sang, “How Lucky Can One Person Be,” and Scott sang, “Ain’t That a Kick In the Head,” plus “Beyond the Sea,” a Bobby Darin hit. He then went on to some Johnny Cash hits such as “Ring of Fire” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”

We weren’t through yet as they went on to some Alabama hits such as “Play Me Some Mountain Music,” along with some dance steps by Scott. Damion and Scott then did an imitation of the Blues Brothers where they were dancing and singing while sporting the signature sideburns and sunglasses.

They ended up going full circle by performing what they started with, a Dean Martin song called “That’s Amore” and a Frank Sinatra tune called “I Did It My Way.”

The show ended with both singing “New York, New York.” This marked the end of a very enjoyable evening and it seems that the shows are getting better and better. Thanks goes out to Terry Gardner for one terrific performance.

Also at Grand Horizons, we started a craft club. Several residents from Grand Horizons met at our community center March 11. The coordinator of this event was Cheryl Leone, and from what I understand, about 20 people attended.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published April 2, 2014

On Feb. 20, we attended a luncheon at Beef O’ Brady’s in Dade City.

The 11 women who attended seemed to have an enjoyable time. There was much to choose from the menu, and we had an area in the restaurant much like a private room.

Barb Sullins hosted the luncheon, and she did a splendid job. There were two door prizes, which made for a delightful time. Our thanks go out to her for arranging this luncheon.

Later the same day, we had a meeting in our community center for new elections to update our homeowners association members. At this meeting we elected one new person, while the others were re-elected. We also verified that we have the appropriate numbers to be considered a 55-plus community.

On Feb. 22, we had approximately 60 residents enjoy a potluck meal. This also was hosted by Barb Sullins, Terry Satterlee, and assisted by Judy Ellsworth. Once again, all had a lovely time. Barb said grace before the meal, and it was a fine grace, as she said what needed to be said.

The potluck then started, and there seemed to be enough of a variety to choose from. If you didn’t like one dish, there was always another. Enough food was out there to accommodate seconds.

After the meal, about half of the people remained for a game night that consisted of dominoes, euchre, a marble game, and a game of jokers. It was a fun night, and people had a chance to learn some new games.

Our weeks continue with our regular activities like mahjong, hand and foot, poker, pool, pay me, and many other games including crafts.

Then, before we knew it, March 4 rolled around where we not only have bingo (which is an absolute delight and where everyone thinks that it may be their night to win), but we also have fun with art where we create many kinds of paintings. I find myself trying to create different kinds of outlines. It has gotten to the point where I look at completed paintings in a different light.

On the same day, some of the ladies went out to lunch for the Lunch Bunch. It was a mystery tour that day, and eight women joined in. It turned out that they went to Hooters.

This is the place that the guys go to once a month, and on this particular day the men were so surprised that the women were there. Some of the guys made cracks like, “I sure hope this won’t become a habit,” and other things. The men always come back in good humor. I wonder if it is the food that is so good or what?  What do you think?

Tuesday is not complete yet as we had pinochle in our community center. Jim Leitzke is the head of this group and also is an excellent teacher. It is a fun game and keeps you thinking. We are starting to build up a little group, so if you are a resident and are interested, come on down and join us.

The following day, March 5, found many of us at our community center for coffee and doughnuts. In addition we had a guest speaker, Robert Dragan, on the topic of physical therapy. He offered us tips on how to avoid common injuries for the 55-plus population, as well as give us advice regarding dealing with lifting a fallen person, balance problems and much more.  This was an informative discussion and we look forward to more like them.

We also had our blood pressure checked earlier in the day, and this is something important to keep track of. We usually have it done two times a month.

On March 6, it was pouring outside, but a nice size crowd showed up for our social club in our community center. Once here, we discussed many subjects that were being worked on. This is a good opportunity to find out what is happening in Grand Horizons and also to voice your opinion.

One of the things that we discussed was our yard sale on March 29. In addition to sales at some of the individual homes, we are going to have a rummage sale, book sale and bake sale in our community center, plus lunches will be sold. The time is from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Try to remember this event and circle it on your calendar, and come on down. You may find exactly what you have been looking for.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published March 19, 2014