Parks

About 100 people were at the community center on Feb. 12, to see the Dukes perform, and eat dinner.

The dinner included chicken cordon bleu a la orange, rice pilaf, string bean almondine, and valentine cupcakes which were prepared by Ed and Eileen Goldstein. There were quite a few helpers, and they were Tom Carter, Nancy Huey, and Robbie and Doug Lockard.

The Dukes were booked by Gary Wilcox, and the helpers for the dance included Chick and Annmarie Shackewyc, Cheryl and Ken Leone, Barb and Dave Livingston, Ed and Joan Fisher, Bill and Donna Quinn, and Gary and Carol Wilcox.

This was the first dinner and dance presented at Grand Horizons and, from what I understand, it went over very well.

It was Germaine Marion’s birthday, and Jerry Raffa brought along a sheet cake to celebrate her birthday. I understand she was quite surprised. Good going, Jerry!

Since we were unable to attend because of previous commitments, we sure hope they have it again.

The dinner started off with Gary Wilcox saying grace.

After the dinner, the dance began and, with the Dukes playing, everyone had a great time. The Dukes played old rock ‘n’ roll tunes, while there was line-dancing on the floor. There were various songs and tunes that the Dukes did, and it sure kept things hopping.

In addition to dancing and dinner, from what Eileen Goldstein told me, they had a drawing for a basket that was put together by Cheryl Leone. Since I happen to know that Cheryl is pretty good at crafts, I can just imagine the basket.

I spoke with Cheryl, and she told me the basket that was awarded to a lucky winner included several scratch-off tickets for the lottery and some cash. So, all in all, it sounded like it was a good night.

A pancake breakfast was held at the community center on Feb. 25, and 81 people attended.

Before breakfast was served, grace was said by Jim Leitzke.  Afterward, the tables were called up for pancakes, French toast and sausages.

This breakfast was hosted by Dave and Mary Heim with lots of helpers in the kitchen, including Pat Bond, Tom Carter, Linda Rogers, Rosie Semian and Diane Taggart.

There will be another show at Grand Horizons on March 4. Rich Wilson will be coming. We have seen him previously and know that we are in for a treat. Residents, along with guests are welcome.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published March 1, 2017

While several activities were going on in our community, on Feb. 3, a few of us that live at Grand Horizons decided to attend a Johnny Ellis show at the Elks Club.

It was a great show and, while he played a variety of music, it was mainly country. We have seen him several times, and it almost seems like it is a different show each time. He has a very good band called “The Has Been Band,” and each one in the band has a different talent and plays so well.

Chester Cuttshall, who plays the steel pedal guitar, has played with several major performers. He sang some solos and sings quite well.

The drummer, who was excellent, had played with Elvis.

There are also a few women performers who sing rather well alone and also when singing a duet with Johnny.

The week was filled with many activities, some that I have previously mentioned, but on Feb. 10, about 40 or more people attended the Friday Connoisseurs at Lings Buffet, in Lakeland.

When we entered Lings, beautiful chandeliers and several fish greeted us.

We started off with Galen Parker saying grace before the meal, and after this, we all went on the buffet line to get our soup and/or select from the many Chinese dishes.

There was quite a variety — too many to list, but some of them included pineapple chicken, fried rice, ham, chow mein, orange chicken, shrimp, lo mein and so much more. If anyone was hungry when leaving Lings, it was their own fault.

It was a nice crowd, and we had fun conversing and taking pictures.

This outing was hosted by Sam and Pat Allen, and they did a lovely job. Rudi Lawson volunteered to help out and also did a splendid job.

Before closing, I want to mention to everyone what is coming in the future.

On Feb. 25, Grand Horizons is having a rummage sale at the community center and at some individual houses. The hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be hosted by Andy and Margaret Castonguay.

In addition, Linda Tutin will be selling books, and Brian Heidman will be selling CDs.

Mim Gardner will present a bake sale, and Chuck Carlson and Ron Bell will be cooking hot dogs and fries.

Come one, come all to this rummage, bake, book, CD and lunch sale. I am sure you will find a treasure somewhere among everything.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published February 22, 2017

The first Saturday in February rolled around, and approximately 106 people gathered at the community center for an egg n’ bag breakfast. It definitely seemed like a large crowd, and everyone was socializing. The breakfast was hosted by Jim and Judi Leitzke and many helpers, which included Galen and Sue Parker, Joan Lawrence, Doris Sutfin, Vic and Lynne-Rae Dyson, and Clayton and Carol George.

I know I have said it before, but without all the people volunteering, we wouldn’t have things run so smoothly and efficiently.

It started off with Galen Parker saying grace before the meal, and you could literally hear a pin drop.

Once grace was said, tables were called up so guests could prepare their omelets. This is done from an assortment of ingredients that includes bacon, ham, cheese, onions, mushrooms, green peppers and Jalapeno peppers. Once you get all the ingredients you desire and everything is put in a bag, you go over to another counter where the bags are cooked.

The end result, sometime later, is a delicious omelet. There also are hash-brown potatoes, sausage gravy and biscuits, plus coffee and orange juice.

In addition to the lovely breakfast, Gary Wilcox and Chick Shackewyc showed us two promotional videos of the acts that are coming to Grand Horizons. In other words, it was a taste of what’s to come.

The first video was of Rich Wilson, and he will be coming to Grand Horizons on March 4. The other video was of Eric Kearns, an impersonator, who will be coming at a later date.

The videos looked good, and we sure hope Marty and I will be available to attend both of these shows.

We had our usual entertaining game of dominoes on Feb. 6. Once again, there were several tables and much fun. We always look forward to this night.

Twenty ladies from Grand Horizons attended a luncheon at Ford’s Garage, in Brandon, on Feb. 7. This luncheon was hosted by Rosie Semian.

The restaurant was quite unique, as it has cars to greet people as they enter the parking lot, and tires that were lined up on a top shelf inside the restaurant.

The menu was quite varied, and since a birthday was being celebrated, ice cream on a brownie was served to June Weinle. It was so good that she ate most of it.

Everything was delicious, and everyone went home happy and content.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published February 15, 2017

Andy and Margaret Castonguay hosted a Taco Bowl Dinner at the community center on Jan. 19.

They always put out a great meal, and this is one of the favorites at Grand Horizons. There were approximately 120 people who attended this scrumptious dinner.

There were volunteers to help them out and, once again, everything ran smoothly. The helpers were Carol and Clayton George, Linda Rogers, and Fred and Pat Mengel.

Margaret made the shells herself and, from what I heard, she did a magnificent job.

We weren’t there to experience it, but from what I understand, they were all deep fried and delicious.

The condiments were on a separate table, so you could add them to your taco and meat, according to your taste. There were diced tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, olives and onions. The meal also included a dessert.

Before the meal even started, Galen Parker said grace and did a fine job.

Everyone had a good time along with a great meal and went home very satisfied.

The following day, there were more than 70 people at the community center for an evening of entertainment and dancing with The Good Stuff Band, featuring rock-and-roll legend Ken Brady, of The Casinos. Tony, Jen, Tricia and Ken Brady made up The Good Stuff Band. The event was hosted by Gary Wilcox.

A wonderful variety of music was performed, including The Casinos’ big hit, “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.” This song was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, as one of the top 100 songs of all time. Brady, now 72, performed this wonderful tune perfectly to a standing ovation of the crowd.

In addition to the dancing and the music, there was a prize-in-an-ice cream theme that consisted of certificates to Publix (for ice cream), plus individual jars of toppings that included chocolate syrup, nuts, whipped topping, etc., in a basket.

Our monthly pancake breakfast was hosted on Jan. 21 by Dave and Mary Heim. You could get all the pancakes, sausage and/or French toast with coffee that you wanted. It is a great way to start off the morning, and people always look forward to it.

There were several volunteers to help out during this breakfast, and they were Pat Bond, Tom Carter, Bill Donlon, Dave and Mary Heim, Linda Rogers and Rosemary Semian.

Volunteers help keep different activities running for Grand Horizons, and they certainly are appreciated.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published February 1, 2017