Here comes Summer

 I attended the coffee at the clubhouse this morning and was surprised by the good number of people present.  

The Ballroom is already decorated for the upcoming Cinco De Mayo Fiesta lunch being held this Saturday, May 4.  It should be a great time as the entertainment will be the children's fiesta dancers.  Our lunch will be catered since the kitchen is closed this week as they transition away from the Bistro for the season.

Our Food, Beveridge, and Activities Director (Greg Von Uebbing) will be very busy as he covers the Activities for summer and works with planning and scheduling events for the upcoming season.

**Reminder to summer residents:  Purchase your $10 tickets for the Mother's Day breakfast to be held on Friday, May 10.  Breakfast will include pancakes, sausage, and Mimosa!  While you're at it, pick up tickets for the monthly coffee on May 14.  

Barb Poole mentioned other events coming up this summer.  

May 7, small bingo game

May 7 at Cottonwood pool.  Jan Waters will lead line dancing class

May 8 & 9 silk scarf painting class

May 10 Mother's day breakfast & movie matinee (Mothers Day)

May 15 is Bunco (new rules available in Activities)

In addition, we're still conducting Swoop games on Monday and Friday afternoons at 12:30.  Avis is running the popular card bingo on Saturday nights.  Mahjong is held Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 12:30.  As you see......there's lots to keep us entertained in the summer season.

*************

Baby owls have left the nest but are still in the park.  Bruce McClain spotted this one roaming on the golf course before it managed to flutter up to a pine tree.

AJ Dove heard a "hoot" and spotted one in a nearby tree.

I love watching the birds and wildlife found in the park and really appreciate our avid photographers who manage to capture some photos.  Thank you to EVERYONE for sharing.

**************

Deb Lindenmuth (Facilities Manager) announced  that Weed Co will be here with full weed spray procedures for the pre-emergent on May 15.  Be patient people.  Winter rains and plenty of sunshine encourage weeds to grow wherever and whenever they can.  This is a problem we encounter every year. I looked through the blog history this morning and see announcements about weeds every year.  No one is being "lazy" or not doing their job.  It is an expensive operation and takes time.

 

 ***********

Update from the Hepler household:

After my recent surgery, I'm happy to report that my new knee is magically healing rapidly!  I'm able to go out without a walker or cane and manage to do so almost without pain.  After listening to reports from others who have gone through the surgery, I feel VERY fortunate.  My second knee will be replaced in July so by the time you snowbirds return, I shouldn't be limping at all.  Yahoo!!

Unfortunately, our beloved cat named "Mouse" has not been fairing so well.  He's been in and out of the Animal Hospital this past week and is now home with a load of meds to help him.  I figure by the time we are done with the vet bills, the Animal Hospital can build a new wing on their building.  😖

I'm certain all you pet owners understand.

Here are Kat and Mouse together in my favorite comfy chair.

Wildlife Update & Boat Regatta

 Wildlife photo opportunities.  The most popular stars are the owls we see nesting in one of the palm trees.  We see them each year but this summer they've picked an open view and can be easily spotted.  They're nesting in a palm tree just north of the statues by the waterfall.

I copied these great photos from AJ Dove who posted them on Nextdoor.  (Thank you, AJ, for sharing.)  Almost any time of day, there will be spectators at the base, watching for the little chicks to pop up. 

We had a new event added to our calendar!  Today was the First Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta held at the main pool.  How FUN!  The event proved very entertaining and popular drawing a huge audience.  Congratulations to all the participants who put so much effort into their creations.

When I first heard about the event, I envisioned small miniature cardboard creations being pulled across the pool on a string.  Was I surprised to read the rules and guidelines.

Dusty Brown and his avid Karaoke followers won first place with "The Wobble" taking only 32 seconds to paddle down the length of the pool over to the announcer's stand.

The Black Palm must have won for the most awesome design.  

The hardest part of the whole event was getting into the boats and staying afloat.  Many laughs and cheers for ALL participants.

Thank you to John Ross for providing photos.  You can see there was a huge turnout of spectators.  I guarded my new knee by sitting back in a comfy chair in the shade.

We enjoyed burgers and hotdogs grilled at the Bistro.  Food service will soon be switching over to Ballroom 1 for the summer schedule.  Here's the newest posting:

This Monday we look forward to a new Bunco game.  Sign up in Activities and bring $5 for a buy-in for prizes.

Our weather is warming up!  Those that are still here had better dig out that sun screen!

Hello Again

 

I have been away from this keyboard for a while as I'm healing from a recent knee replacement surgery.  Ouch!  I'm happy to report that I'm healing nicely as expected and should be off the pain meds long enough to be clear headed and able to write again.  The last week has been pretty much a blur.  😖

I haven't been up to the office or the bistro to confirm this but it appears we are done with the weekly bistro specials.  They will still have sandwiches and salads available but no special dinners as they will slowly be getting the ballroom kitchen ready for summer use.  

I'm working on an email service once again so I can alert readers whenever I post.  Should be able to announce something soon.  I plan to post more frequently once our summer season starts as I think readers check the blog in summer searching for news while they are away.  So stay tuned.  😀