The November activities in Gem Estates really geared up with the heavy influx of our residents returning to the park. It was great to see lights on in the houses, and the yards and flower beds being tended to.
We had a lot of compliments on the Veterans Day decorated tree and celebration, in the form of a free-to-residents pancake and trimmings breakfast. Jim Nagle was the chef, and his committee responded with lots of help and good food.
(Courtesy of Lee Heffelfinger)
We have certainly had our share of sickness, surgeries and bad health problems. Our president, Al Bennett and wife Deanie — who recently returned from their home in Massachusetts — are finally on the road to recovery.
Prayers and good wishes are being said for Betty York, Norma Monsulik’s daughter Bonnie, Ginnie Zepp, Bill Weiss, George Held, Jim Phillips, Jim Pardee, Helen Springer, Joanne Clate, Randall Smith, and Neva Roy. Best wishes and speedy recovery to all. Please, if you have a chance, go visit these folks that are here in Zephyrhills.
November birthday wishes were sent out to Sharon Krenz, Tess Stacey, Dea-Ann Burgess, Ken Mann, John Raab, Elaine Mercer and Earl Sprague.
The clubhouse was the scene of the wedding reception of one of our residents, Eugene Leibrook and his bride, Judy. Best wishes to you both. The decorations and food were displayed very elegantly, and the honeymoon cruise to the Bahamas followed the reception.
Randall and Lee Smith celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on Nov. 27. Best wishes for many more anniversaries.
There was a good turnout for the Tuesday craft class with Dea-Ann Burgess instructing the class on how to make pocketbooks out of men’s neckties.
Ron Raymond is chair of the maintenance committee, and had a meeting scheduled for the volunteers that were helping him on Dec. 4. Several projects need our volunteer help.
Some of the committee chairmen have announced the upcoming games and activities. Loretta Green is once again chairing line-dancing classes with a new instructor with only a $2 hourly price. Mary Kay Lynch is hosting the euchre games on Monday nights, and also will head up the bingo volunteers when we start again in January.
Ann Casey is coordinator of the marbles games on Tuesday evenings, as well as hosting the potluck suppers and yoga instruction. Karen Wyant is starting a chair exercise class.
A new Bible study class called “The Back Porch,” hosted by Tom and Barbara Cleavenger, will meet on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
This year, Maine residents hosted and prepared — along with other states — the Thanksgiving feast, and it involved lots of good help and lots of good food. The table decorations, and of course the Thanksgiving-decorated tree, were a terrific asset to the festivities. About 130 residents took part in this fabulous dinner.
We have had many speeders coming in and out of the park. If you see these speeders, feel free to holler and tell them to slow down.
We owe a big thanks to vice president Richard Burgess and wife Dea-Ann for hosting the coffee hour socials every Thursday morning. Great job, Richard.
We are still looking forward to the Panama Canal cruise, and you can still enjoy going with us to see Jimmy Fortune, the tenor with The Statler Brothers, when we go in February.
By Lee Heffelfinger
Published December 10, 2014
