Parks

Since residents are returning to Grand Horizons to start a new season, a new activity has been added to the agenda. Paul Williams, who is a two-time CGMA (Country Gospel Music Association) winner, has volunteered to perform once a month along with his wife, Freda, who works the computer and music, while Paul sings. Freda Williams was also nice enough to help me with the titles of some of the songs.

The first performance was Nov. 4, and everyone who came had a good time.

Paul sang several songs and, along with him, John Rock also sang a few gospel tunes.

The show ran a little over an hour and 60 people attended.

Paul sang such gospel tunes including “I Don’t Regret a Mile,” “Jesus Takes my Burdens Away” and others.

He did a fine performance of “Uncloudy Day,” and closed out the show with “Amazing Grace.”

John Rock also did several songs such as “Two Shoes,” “Right on Time,” and “Will Thou be Made.” They both did a fantastic job.

Along with the gospel songs, a few country songs were performed, too.

It is an open mic evening, and if you want to sing, now is your chance. As time progresses, I am sure we will have several people who want to try the open mic and sing.

Approximately 80 plus people met at the community center for a potluck on Nov. 5. This was arranged by Nancy Huey.

Before people went for the food, Jim Leitzke said grace.

Everyone brought a dish and there was a huge variety. There was ham with pineapple and a cherry (it was delicious), along with string bean casserole with mushroom/chicken soup, deviled eggs, corn casserole, breads, boiled potatoes and much more.

There also were several desserts, including cakes, brownies, etc. All the different varieties made for one special meal.

When we get together, you can hear all types of discussions.

Once again, our thanks go out to Nancy Huey and all her helpers.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Published November 15, 2017

Grand Horizons had a Halloween Bash in the community center on Oct. 29, hosted by Gary Wilcox. There were 66 residents and guests, and everyone appeared to be having a great time.

Karl Sapp, who entertained for three hours, performed a variety of country and rock ’n roll songs. There was many a slow dance thrown in, too, such as “Waltz Across Texas” and other slow songs. There were also several line dances, which are always a hit to the crowd.

The community center was decorated with ghosts, witches and other Halloween décor.

Many of those attending wore costumes, and the community center was filled with happy partygoers.

Each couple brought a dish to share.

Needless to say, everyone had their fill, and enjoyed themselves, too.

Our thanks go out to Gary Wilcox for arranging the event.

After our coffee/doughnut hour on Nov. 1, there was a social club meeting. This was very informative and you heard, first-hand, the activities that the club is working on.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Published November 8, 2017

Residents are returning to Grand Horizons on an almost daily basis.

You can certainly tell, as restaurants are starting to fill up, health fairs are popping up in several locations, and more and more activities are going on in the park.

Besides the usual weekly activities such as the coffee/doughnut hour, card games, sewing and more, there was a lunch connoisseur get-together on Oct. 13 at Coyote Rojo III. Chris and Jerry Buckley were the hosts for the afternoon.

I spoke with Chris, and she told me that the food was excellent, and the help was terrific. She went on to say that 38 people attended, and it seemed that everyone had a good time.

Before the meal started, Galen Parker said grace.

The restaurant was nice enough, as they supplied a separate room with a long table.

Even with the amount of people attending, all were served at the same time, and the food was hot and tasty. Coyote Royo served a large variety of delicious foods, for which we say, a big “‘Muchas Gracias.”

The restaurant is located in Dade City, so I am sure several people went shopping afterward.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Published November 1, 2017

Marty and I left early in the morning on Aug. 25 from our home in East Hartford, Connecticut, for a leisurely drive to New London, Connecticut, where we took a mini-cruise.

The cruise was absolutely delightful and was narrated the entire two hours that we were on board.

The trip included several islands that were explained to us thoroughly, and three forts.

One fort was Fort Wright, which was built in the early 20th century; and, another was Fort Griswold, which is a tall granite monument honoring those killed defending the fort during a battle.

The third fort was Fort Trumbull that was built in 1777, and was attacked and captured by British forces under the command of Benedict Arnold.

We got to view the General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, where the first nuclear-powered submarine was built and where subs continue to be built today.

Also on this tour, we got to view the New London’s historic waterfront, which was once the third busiest whaling port in the world. It is now home to the United States Coast Guard Academy and home port for the Coast Guard’s tall ships.

We also got to see, up close and from the water, nine different lighthouses. Some of them we had seen previously from taking a land tour but somehow, from water, it seemed more picturesque.

The very first one we saw was the New London Harbor Light, which is the oldest lighthouse in Connecticut. It is privately owned to this day.

We also saw the Avery Point Lighthouse, which was the last lighthouse in the state built as an official navigational aid and wasn’t lighted until over a year after its 1943 completion, due to concerns about a possible Nazi attack during World War II.

We then saw the New London Ledge Lighthouse, which is uniquely shaped for a lighthouse and also it is reportedly haunted by the ghost of an early keeper.

We then viewed several others, including the North Dumpling Light. During Prohibition, the keeper of the Light was accused of signaling to liquor smugglers.

On to the Race Horse Light that was built on a ledge, where fast current and conflicting seas are the norm. The foundations alone took seven years to build. This lighthouse is also said to be haunted.

When we were in this area, the seas were rougher than usual, and winds were quite fierce.

The next lighthouse that we viewed was the Little Gull Light. It was destroyed by the hurricane of 1815, and this lighthouse is said to have a colorful past. The tower that stands today dates from 1868.

We then took a long look at the Long Beach Bar (Bug) Light. This charming 1870 Victorian structure was set ablaze by arsonists in 1963 and restored by the East End Seaport Museum in 1990. They say it looks like a bug walking on water.

We then had the opportunity to view the Orient Point Lighthouse, also known as the Coffee Pot Lighthouse. The cast-iron clad and brick-lined lighthouse was marked for demolition by the Coast Guard in 1970, but was saved by public outcry.

The final lighthouse we saw and heard about was the Plum Island Lighthouse. It is also known as Plum Gut Light. This 1869 historic granite lighthouse was decommissioned in 1978 in favor of an automated light that now sits a short distance away.

This marked the end of the tour, but while going back to port to leave, we saw many sailboats, schooners, floating restaurants and wildlife in the water.

Once we got back to shore, we went home.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published Oct. 4, 2017

Grand Horizons’ Social Club furnished hot dogs for 100 residents on Labor Day. The “Pot Luck Lady,” Nancy Huey, hosted the event at the community center. It definitely was a cheerful crowd, and there was much positive conversation and laughter.

You had your choice of a “naked dog” or one with chili sauce. Then you moved on to the condiment table to load or dress it up. As this was also a potluck, there were also tables of side dishes, salads and desserts. Some people needed to go home for a nap, but a few stayed to visit to prolong the afternoon.

Nancy had plenty of help, as there are always volunteers to pitch in and help at Grand Horizons. It is like a “family.” Some of the helpers were Don and Ginny Jennings, Ron and Joyce Bell, Jim and Judy Leitzke, Susan Johnson and Sandy Lindke to serve the hot dogs, and other jobs. Ray Weicks kept the trash under control. Many hands make the job easier and faster.

Jim Leitzke was master of ceremonies, and he asked the residents for blood donors for the morning of Sept. 6, when the Big Red Bus was to come to the community center. He went on to say that our neighbors in Houston (and other parts of Texas) have depleted the local supply of ready blood.

Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone victimized by the terrible rain, wind and flooding. Jim also asked the Lord’s blessing for the people of Texas and Louisiana, and on the meal that everyone was about to partake in.

A Lunch Bunch outing was held Sept. 5, at ABC Pizza. It was hosted by Joyce Bell.

I wasn’t there to attend, but Joyce told me that all went smoothly, and the lunch was terrific.

There were several women who attended and considering that it is still the summer, and weather was a factor, I feel it was a good turnout.

Joyce went on to say that most of the women had the delicious buffet, and then sat around and talked. This was the first Lunch Bunch event for the fall/winter season, with more to come.

I have gone to the ABC pizza previously, and they have a variety of pizzas. Here again, if you walk out still feeling hungry, it is your fault.

From what I read in the newsletter, bingo started up again on Sept. 5. From past experience, I know that everyone has a good time.

The bingo hall is usually full of friendly conversation, but when the game starts, you can literally hear a pin drop. They do have a variety of games, and Terry Satterlee, Cathy Hepp and Diane Taggart, the ones who host it, keep it interesting.

Some winners walk home with a bright smile on their faces, while others think to themselves, “wait for next week.”

Twenty-two Grand Horizons residents drove to Lakeland on Sept. 8 to enjoy a late lunch at Lings Chinese Buffet. Al and Sandy Lindke hosted the outing, and they did a very nice job of organizing it.

A few who would have liked to join them stayed at home or evacuated because of the impending storm.

It was a very good turnout considering they knew the storm was coming.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Published September 27, 2017

A Ladies Lunch Bunch was held July 11 at the Sunrise Eatery. Even though it was in the midst of the summer months, there still were 11 women who attended and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

My husband and I have gone to the Sunrise Eatery several times before, and they have an extensive menu with something for everyone. The staff is delightful and happy to help if you if you have a question.

The restaurant supplied two orders of appetizers for the group as a thank you for attending. From what Pat McKain told me, there were enough appetizers for every woman to have some.

Our thanks go to Pat for organizing this luncheon, and I look forward to it being one of the restaurants that we go to when I return.

During the month, Grand Horizons had other functions and several get-togethers in the community center, including the coffee/doughnut hour that is held every Wednesday morning. I understand from talking to Sandy Lindke that the turnouts were quite large for coffee and doughnuts.

At the event, you can get the news of the latest happenings, and hear the birthdays and anniversaries that are coming up the following week, over a nice warm cup of coffee.

There are also card games that people like to join in on, as they are not only fun, but the people are cooler in the community center.

I realize several of the activities are put on hold during the summer, but Grand Horizons still keeps everyone busy with different functions, such as the ice cream and cake that was at the community center hosted by Barb Holmes and Sandy Lindke.

Sandy gave me the following news that the party was on Aug. 5, and since this was a double birthday celebration, 46 residents were treated to cake and ice cream.

The cake was cupcakes made to look like a sheet cake, and decorated in shades of blue and white.

As Sandy went on to mention, since she and Barb were both turning 79, it was a big practice for the following year when they will be 80.

Way to go Sandy and Barb, and we all wish you the best!

Besides the fact that ice cream is pure heaven on a hot and humid day, quite a few stayed in the cool community center to visit and entertain each other telling stories. Everyone had a very pleasant time.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Published August 16, 2017

An Independence Day luncheon was held in the community center on July 4, and 110 people celebrated the holiday.

The dinner consisted of fried chicken, potato salad, macaroni salad, cole slaw, baked beans and cupcakes for dessert, and it was hosted by Sandy and Al Lindke. The social club provided the free meal.

There also were many willing hands to help with the setup and cleanup. Helpers were Chris and Jerry Buckley, Barb and Bob Williams, Barb Holmes, Judy and Jim Leitzke, Pat McKain, and Sonya and Mitch Mitchell.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, and there was a lot of visiting and laughter.

Sandy Lindke was nice enough to supply me with the information provided, and she added that the Pledge of Allegiance started the event, and Jim Leitzke blessing the meal with prayer.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published July 12, 2017