The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Parks

Sundance Park

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(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

 

Dressed for the tea
Nearly 60 residents attended the women’s club February meeting and potluck luncheon at Sundance Park. Ann McDonald, the women’s club president, shared details for the donations to local charities. Next month’s meeting with be a ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’ theme. There will be prizes given for the prettiest, most creative, funniest and craziest hats.

 

 

(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

A little bit of country
Sundance resident Smokey Greene entertained the crowd at the Sundance Park February meeting/luncheon with country music and a patriotic song. You can visit his website at SmokeyGreene.com.

Published Feb. 19, 2014

Spaghetti and fun at Grand Horizons

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We started off the week at Grand Horizons with several activities, including a lively game of shuffleboard, card games, Wednesday’s coffee and doughnuts — which included checking our blood pressure — and so much more.

Helene Rubenstein, left, sees a move she can take during a game of dominoes. (Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)
Helene Rubenstein, left, sees a move she can take during a game of dominoes. (Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)

On Jan. 13, some 20 of us got together for a game of dominoes. This was so much fun, and after several years of playing, gets to be more enjoyable each time. Eugene and Nancy Martin originally brought the game to us. They sure picked a winner, as more and more people come to learn this fun game and usually end up sticking with it.

As Nancy and Eugene would say, “Reserve your seat for next week,” and they also mention, “Let us punch your ticket.”

There was a homeowner’s association town hall meeting at the community center the following day. Several people attended this meeting, which was quite informative, and there was an open discussion after the meeting.

Also, at this time, there was a book club at Nancy Martin’s house with several residents from Grand Horizons and a few residents from Spanish Trails. Once at the book club, we discussed portions of the very last book that we read, “Cross Roads” by William Paul Young. This was a good book, and Nancy Martin led the discussion.

Before the discussion, desserts were served, and there were quite a few. We also decided on a book for the next month, “A World Full of Strangers,” written by Cynthia Freeman.

Jan. 15 came upon us, and as usual, every Wednesday we have coffee and doughnuts. Rich Fulton brings us the birthdays and anniversaries that are to be celebrated during the week. We also hear updates on different activities that are going on at Grand Horizons.  All in all, it is a great time to socialize and greet people who you haven’t seen during the week.

This was a busy day, as later on we had our writing group at Nancy Martin’s home and prompts were given to the people who attend this group to write on.  Some of the prompts really get you to think, and I for one love this group.

Then later on we had a lively game of hand and foot in the community center. This is a game that flows so easily and can become exciting at certain points.

There was anticipation for Jan. 16 to arrive with a spaghetti dinner put on by Andy and Margaret Castonguay. The community had been looking forward to this for a good time, and they definitely were not disappointed when the day eventually arrived. There were approximately 110 people there to enjoy this dinner.

It started off when Cookie said grace before the meal started and did a splendid job of it. As each table was called forward to get their spaghetti, a crisp salad was served along with some garlic bread. Upon completion of the meal, cake also was served to everyone.

The people who helped out in preparing and serving the food were Dudley and Carol Newvine, Jack and Pauline Gadbois, and Ken and Cheryl Leone.

There were many other volunteers who helped clean up. Our sincere thanks go out to all of them. One thing that Grand Horizons has is many volunteers.

Our next dinner will be Feb. 6, and we are looking forward to a taco dinner that also will be hosted by Andy and Margaret.

On Jan. 17, several people were in the community center for a game of Rummikub. This also is a lively and fun game that can become very addictive. Before we knew it, we realized it was time to leave. I am telling you, we become so engrossed with the game that time just flies by.

We are looking forward to our next big show called “Ireland’s Happy Man” by Cahal Dunne. Terry Gardner will be the host for this show that I will tell you about next time.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published Feb. 5, 2014

Activities are heating up at Happy Days

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If the normal weekly activities did not drag the warmth lovers out into the park, such as sports, crafts, card games, health activities, or tours, then the current ones certainly had.

Bill Wellivere, left, awards Ron Howe his prize for first place in the inaugural turkey shoot of the season. (Courtesy of Ron Graham)
Bill Wellivere, left, awards Ron Howe his prize for first place in the inaugural turkey shoot of the season. (Courtesy of Ron Graham)

Our second open-mike karaoke was a huge success arranged by our resident karaoker Nancy Warren. Nancy is the spark plug that gets this going. Altogether, more than 70 people left their inhibitions at home and filled the two-hour session with song, to the delight of all. This solidifies the karaoke nights into our calendar in February and may become a regular event. Stay tuned, or was that in tune?

The first turkey shoot and hot dog lunch of the year was, as usual, a big success. Winners were Jim Howe, Ontario, 134; Don Goyette, Massachusetts, 114; Mike Bilak, West Virginia, 106; Pauline Thibault, New Hampshire, 105; and Ray Henderson, Ontario, 98. It sounds more like reading a vacation road map with all the territory covered than where our players hailed from.

The hot dog lunch, with Dave Lalonde and Don Temple grilling and a gaggle of volunteers inside, served 182 dogs (actually, it was people) with condiments of chili, sauerkraut, onions and the regular stuff, served with chips and a soda for $1.50, or two dogs for $2. What a deal.

The annual chili supper, as Chef “Boy r Phil” says, becomes a two-day pot extravaganza, with a 32-gallon pot in the kitchen and another pot the next day. The recipe is fairly simple: meat, beans, veggies, tomatoes, and anything else that cannot walk in the door.

Volunteers donate all the makings under the chef’s supervision. Meat is browned and everything is dumped in.

It is an all-day process, but never boring with Phil’s sense of humor stoking the fires and the Saturday open jam entertaining the chefs.

Approximately 122 people scoffed it down and many took a baggy home, but not in paper bags. Phil has worn his apron well at this function for 18 years and promises to bring a surprise into the mix for next year.

The annual pie auction again was a huge success for sugar lovers. Well, some were sugar-free, but the list is mouth watering anyway. We hit an all-time record with 45 pies baked and donated. The hall had that bakery smell when we arrived for coffee hour.

We had cream pies: lemon meringue, coconut, peanut, candy bar, rhubarb, kumquat, banana split, strawberry cheesecake, cherry cheesecake and pecan. We also had fruit pies; apple, Dutch apple, pear, lemon, key lime, cranberry raisin, pumpkin, chocolate; and of course berry pies: strawberry French glaze, strawberry, mixed berry and blackberry.

Yum, Yum. I am assured that was a no-calorie day.

On another topic, prepping for the second annual Goofy Golf Tournament started for the team at the end of December and really started heating up as January progressed. The format has now expanded to 18 holes, covering every street in the park.

Signups are way ahead of last year at this time, and will beat this by about 15 percent on game day. Volunteers have also stepped up to guarantee an 18-hole track.

Boy, are activities heating up. By the time the magic northern migration begins, we will be ready to head home for a rest, that is if the snow has melted.

By Ian Marwick

Published Feb. 5, 2014

A stitch at a time at Leisure Days

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The quilt show is just around the corner, but the Leisure Days quilters already are preparing their 2015 park quilt.

Members of the Leisure Days Quilters stand proud with their 2015 quilt. Guests can see demonstrations of hand quilting at Leisure Days’ upcoming quilt show. (Courtesy of Anne Astles)
Members of the Leisure Days Quilters stand proud with their 2015 quilt. Guests can see demonstrations of hand quilting at Leisure Days’ upcoming quilt show. (Courtesy of Anne Astles)

The quilters of Leisure Days RV Resort are getting ready for their ninth annual quilt show on Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Several visitors last year said the Leisure Days quilt show was the “best in the area.”

Visitors are invited to view the numerous quilts on display, have fun at the raffle table, watch a hand-quilting demonstration, and enjoy visiting with other quilters and friends.

A very special drawing will take place at this year’s show. Gertrude Dupuis of Midland, Mich., was an avid quilter, but unable to finish her last quilt. At her daughter’s request, the Leisure Days Quilters accepted her beautiful hand-pieced quilt as a group project to complete.

The quilt, appraised at $2,300, was presented to Gulfside Regional Hospice for fundraising. The drawing for the quilt will be at the annual quilt show on Feb. 8. Tickets will be on sale at the Leisure Days park-wide sale on Feb. 1.

Leisure Days is at 33543 Leisure Days Drive, off Morris Bridge Road and State Road 54, in Zephyrhills.

By Anne Astles

Published Feb. 5, 2014

Kicking up their heels at Rainbow Village

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January was a very busy month for Rainbow Village. Most of the snowbirds had arrived after Christmas and ready for all the activities ahead of them for this month.

The Rainbowette Red Hat ladies enjoy an outing at the Whistle Stop in Plant City. (Courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel)
The Rainbowette Red Hat ladies enjoy an outing at the Whistle Stop in Plant City. (Courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel)

Our board member Maggie Stewart organized a welcoming coffee for all the new residents of Rainbow Village. She had help from Polly Ollie and Sue Phillips.

Each board member shared what events they were in charge of and explained how things get done at our resort. The security committee also explained how we all help to secure the park. Our manager also explained rules and activities of our resort. It was a great turnout for this event.

Our annual bean soup dinner, chaired by Les Mallery, was a big success. They used those great Michigan beans. A lot of planning goes into making this dinner, and Les had a great group of helpers. Great job, Les and helpers.

It was a cold Friday morning for our second yard sale of the season. The weather didn’t keep the people from coming to our resort. It is always fun to see what our neighbors have for sale that maybe we could use. Thanks to Emil Ruhlig for organizing this event.

The Snow Ball dance with Travis Golden was a sold-out event. Travis had almost everybody out dancing to his music. He played music that we could line dance, chicken dance, slow dance, jitterbug, twist and waltz to. He even danced with the crowd. The decorations were really nice with lit up snowmen on the tables as centerpieces.

Thanks to Carol Halliday and Sue Larkin, and their committee, for a great dance.

Congratulations go out to Jeannine Beland and her sister, Claudette Poulin, for coming in third in the Carefree Shuffle tournament. It sure was a long day for the ladies and quite an honor because there were lots of shuffleboard teams from the Carefree parks. Rainbow Village is so proud of both of you.

Magician Chuck Frankie performed some card tricks, rope tricks and money tricks. It was an enjoyable night of magic at our Sunday night ice cream.

Rainbow Village performers put on some funny skits at our ice cream social. Mary Jo Gorsch was in charge. It was fun to watch our residents perform.

From the time Joe Wright started his show, he had us all in stitches from his stories, to the crazy faces that he makes. He is a great steel guitar player that played with Charlie Pride for many years. Jimmy Frable played in the band that backed up Joe.  Jimmy has been playing his music in Dollywood this past year and starts up again in the beginning of May. The show was great.

Our next show is Sarah Getto, a musician and songwriter, who will perform Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. Call Sue Flynn at (813) 782-5075 for tickets. Cost is $8 each.

We look forward to more great events in February. The way at Rainbow Village is you can participate in all the activities or not participate in anything. That is your option.

By Sandra Gilbert-Abel

Published Feb. 5, 2014

Sundance Park puts health and wellness first

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(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

Residents of Sundance Park take part in free health screenings during the Health & Wellness Expo on Jan. 21. A variety of brochures also were available with valuable health information. The event included refreshments, door prizes and giveaways.

 

 

 

(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

Sundance homeowners association representative Sara Lawson and Bayfront Health Dade City’s Patty Richter put together the annual Health & Wellness Expo at Sundance Park. Vendors included Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services of Florida, Heritage Park Health & Rehabilitation, Meridian Acupuncture Center, Pasco County Health Department, North Tampa Behavioral Health,  and Westbrook Manor Assisted Living & Memory Support, as well as others.

 

 

 

 

 

(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

The signup table was a busy place during the Sundance Health & Wellness Expo on Jan. 21.

 

Residents awarded for beautiful landscape

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(Courtesy of Jo Ann Buley)
(Courtesy of Jo Ann Buley)

The Timber Lake Estates Beautification Committee awarded Ray and Marlene Bedell of 3210 Moonlight St., Home of the Year on Dec. 16. They received a certificate, a winning flag, and a cash award of $150. The Beautification Committee is noting many improvements within the park and is encouraging residents to keep up the good work. The committee is now in the process of selecting the Home of the Quarter for 2014.

Let the entertainment begin at Rainbow Village

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Rainbow Village residents started out 2014 with meals that are to bring them good luck in the new year.

Entertainer Rich Wilson snapped this photo of the audience during his show at Rainbow Village. With front row seats are Dave and Donna Sherman, and Dick and Sandy Abel. (Courtesy of Rich Wilson)
Entertainer Rich Wilson snapped this photo of the audience during his show at Rainbow Village. With front row seats are Dave and Donna Sherman, and Dick and Sandy Abel. (Courtesy of Rich Wilson)

In Pennsylvania, we have pork and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes. In the south, some have pork jaw and green eyed peas, or corn beef and cabbage for good luck. Whatever tradition you follow, it’s always been the way to bring in the new year.

You don’t always get to hear about the nice things people do at Christmas time, especially businesses. Our Rainbow Village residents were very generous at Christmas and collected enough money to purchase 18 big bicycles for the needy children in Zephyrhills.

Our manager, Sue Flynn, went to Walmart, and the assistant manager there, John, went above and beyond helping them select and purchase the 18 bikes. Thank you, John at Zephyrhills Walmart. Residents also collected many toys and games for the children, too.

Denny Ellis entertained us at a Sunday night ice cream social with a lot of country songs, especially Merle Haggard songs. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Jimmy Smith performed his gospel show at a recent Sunday night ice cream get-together. He did some of his Elvis gospel songs and some Vince Gill and other artists’ gospel songs. Jimmy has a beautiful voice and he closed out his show honoring the veterans.

We were very privileged to have Rich Wilson for our first show of the season. He has performed in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and many other places. His unique brand of interactive comedy, along with his great vocals, was a perfect combination for Rainbow Village to love his performance. He sang many songs of yesteryear that most of us grew up on. We sure would welcome him back to our resort.

We started off the state dinners with the Multi-State Dinner. These are the states not from Michigan, Canada and New England. Dick Elliott and his committee did a great job of planning this event. There were raffle prizes, and entertainment by Doug and Mary Sawyer, and Jan Peyton, singing country songs. It was very entertaining.

The food was great, and there was so much of it. Thanks, Dick and your committee.

Our next Rainbow Village show is the Steve Jeffris’ one-man band variety show, with guitar and vocals, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.

On Feb. 19, Sarah Getto, a musician and songwriter, will perform.

On March 5, our last show will feature Jimmy Smith Remembering the Legends and Gospel Show.

These shows all start at 7 p.m., and the price of the tickets is $8 each. Call Sue Flynn at (813) 782-5075.

So far the season has been great and we’re looking forward to a very eventful February.

By Sandra Gilbert-Abel

Quilters finish what Gertrude Dupuis started

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When Gertrude Dupuis began sewing her last quilt in Midland, Mich., she didn’t know that it would be completed by a group named the Leisure Day Quilters and used to benefit hospice patients like herself in Pasco County.

Quilters take care of unfinished business The Leisure Days Quilters finished this quilt started by Gertrude Dupuis before she passed away under hospice care. The quilt is now being awarded in a drawing with all proceeds benefiting Gulfside Regional Hospice.(Courtesy of Regional Gulfside Hospice)
Quilters take care of unfinished business
The Leisure Days Quilters finished this quilt started by Gertrude Dupuis before she passed away under hospice care. The quilt is now being awarded in a drawing with all proceeds benefiting Gulfside Regional Hospice.(Courtesy of Regional Gulfside Hospice)

Dupuis was an avid quilter and loved her hobby. When she passed away on Feb. 18, 2013 under hospice care in Michigan, her daughter, Marilyn Rindle, knew she could not leave her mother’s last piece unfinished.

Rindle gave the unfinished quilt to Donna Agle, a volunteer for Gulfside Regional Hospice and a member of the Leisure Day Quilters. Agle brought the pieces to the quilters, and they completed the hand-pieced quilt as a group project.

The quilt, appraised at $2,300, is now being awarded in a drawing with all proceeds benefiting Gulfside Regional Hospice, at Rindle’s request.

“Marilyn thinks the world of what hospice did for her family,” said Agle.

She is 100 percent behind hospice and what they did for her mother while she was in her last days.”

Tickets for the drawing are available now for a donation of $2 per single ticket, or $5 for three tickets. The drawing will be on Feb. 8 at 9 a.m., at the Leisure Days Quilt Show, 34533 Leisure Days Drive in Zephyrhills. Contestants do not need to be present to win.

Tickets can be purchased at Gulfside’s administrative office, 6117 Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey; Gulfside Center for Hospice Care, 5760 Dean Dairy Road in Zephyrhills; and each of Gulfside’s five thrift shop locations.

For more information about the quilt or tickets, call Erin Cleary at (727) 845-5707, or email .

The high days of winter at Happy Days

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It was called “polar vortex,” but in truth it was cold. Almost too cold to think about our first ice cream social of the New Year.

Socializing before one of the many park activities at Happy Days are, from left, Jim Weaver, Steve Warren, Nancy Warren and Judy Weaver. (Courtesy of Ron Graham)
Socializing before one of the many park activities at Happy Days are, from left, Jim Weaver, Steve Warren, Nancy Warren and Judy Weaver. (Courtesy of Ron Graham)

In the middle of those freezing days, the most amusing site at the local store was Ron and Heather Graham pushing a cart loaded to the brim with frozen ice cream. Boy, that was a topic of conversation for their fellow shoppers. Our chairperson, Heather, felt like the mailman — we must deliver in sleet or snow.

As she noted, all we have to do now to get ready is slice it into squares. Brrrr.

The ice cream social always is a popular event, and luckily the temperature rebounded enough for the 6 o’clock serving to bring more than 110 into the hall. For $1 you got a cupcake and ice cream. What a deal. Cold cash gave you an equally cold dessert, on an equally cold day.

On Jan. 11 we all headed down to the hall again for our first park breakfast of the year. Jim Grant and his cracking (egg) team again plated their mouth-watering breakfasts of pancakes, eggs, sausage, toast and coffee for $3. All you had to do was bring your silverware, coffee mugs, and a big appetite. And, of course, three bucks. Last count was 104 happy eaters.

Jim probably wished he had that many on KP duty. Not being deterred, he is planning the next one for the first weekend of February. He may have a special addition to his menu, so stay tuned.

And, since we seem to overdo our feasting frenzies sometimes, on Sunday evening we finished the week with our first potluck dinner of the new year. Since our official capacity counter had the weekend off, association president Linda Jenkins defined the crowd, equally as large as we had this week. Cleanup crews as usual are many and anonymous, but still thanked for their service.

There is no doubt that the high days of the winter season are upon us. Now the sports venues are heating up, the crafts, hall activities, bus tours, etc., are active. It will now be a few busy months.

By Ian Marwick