There have been some changes made!

We have a whole new look for now. One of the biggest and best additions is that you can go to the bottom of this entry, at the very bottom and find a place that says email. If you put your email address in the slot and hit submit you will receive an email and be asked to verify and when you do every time a new entry is made on this blog you will receive it in your email inbox. Wa la! you will not miss any of the newest news.
If you have some nifty pictures or other news you would like to share you may send it to me Barbara Brooker keep.movin.on@gmail.com or Deon Spangler deonsp43@gmail.com. Both Deon and I are fairly new to Trophy Gardens however we both have considerable experience blogging. Lynn has asked us to help her by keeping the blog active and up to date.
You might say that Facebook is enough but one of the big differences is that years from now you will be able to go back and see what was happening on any given date in Trophy Gardens. Have you ever tried to find something on Facebook from a month ago? Or perhaps even an hour ago!
As an example, I took this photo in the RGV a few years ago and if you visit my blog wwwbrooker3.blogspot.com and do a search for parrots you will find several parrot pics.

Another aspect is that our friends and relatives up north are welcome to check in on us at any time so if you find yourself featured on the blog for whatever reason and you would like to share it with your friends and family you can send them the address https://trophygardens.blogspot.com/. And if they sign up their email address in the place at the bottom they too will get automatic emails of new entries. Deon and I will probably be prolific for awhile. We have many pent up blog entries in us!

Yard Art

I am Deon Spangler and my husband is Jim. We are new residents in Trophy Gardens and live at #201 which is a pretty handy spot to have as it is close to the hall, the laundry and the pool hall among other things. Even though we are new here I was asked if I would be interested in working with Barb Brooker on your blog. We worked together for many years on the Magnolia Park blog which is where we both lived for a lot of seasons as Winter Texans. Jim and I are from Neillsville WI and Barb and Butch are from Jefferson IA

I am in the habit of going for an early morning walk most days and quite often I lug my camera along with me which is what I did this morning. It was pretty foggy out when I started but did lighten up before I finished. This morning for some reason I noticed some of the yard art around the park so started snapping photos. Here are some that I found today.

These first two were both in the same yard. I actually am not sure exactly where I saw any of these creations but they all impressed me a lot.

Betsies Bits and Pieces 12/3/2019

Bits & Pieces
12-3-19

Mobile home for rent - Jan, Feb, maybe Mar.  Two bedrooms. Large bathroom with double sinks and washer and dryer.  Large screened-in porch.  Lot 308, just south of the clubhouse on the main entrance. We just found out Sharon needs another back surgery, so we can not make it down this year.  Please contact Gary Aitchison at 563-370-4480

Need prayers for Sharon Aitchison for having back surgery again. Get the prayer wheel going.



***If you didn't go to the park meeting today you missed the elves, snowman, Christmas tree with skinny legs, and more!!!! What a riot!!

From the Hall meeting today: Lynn reported that there are 339 people on 193 sites ad 61 pets.                   The office needs to know if you are leaving the resort for a period of time. The office gives the greeters a present list.                             
    Looking for dog sitters!! Several guests have requested a dog sitter. Maybe for a day or a few days. If interested please let the office know.                         
   If you spill something be sure to clean it up or let someone know.                 
   The couplings for the Advent wreath is missing. If you borrowed them, please return them.                 Everyone is welcome to attend our church activities. The same goes for Winter Ranch.



There were 92 people having Thanksgiving dinner in the hall.                             

See Jason to get your picture scheduled for the free online printable directory for Trophy Gardens.    This directory will be visible to Trophy residents only.



Marion told us of the “ Brown Bag “ Christmas party on Wednesday, December 11th Look for the posters to see the times and activities going on that afternoon. There will be games, Brown Bag exchange ($5.00 gift), Trivia and Happy Hour, and top it off with Soup & Bread and snacks. Get your free ticket in the activities office for a headcount for the soup. You are asked to bring a snack or appetizer to share.



There is a bus trip planned for Hidalgo to see the lights. Check the bus trip board for details.  If you haven't been to Hidalgo to see the lights before it is worth the trip.             
Stephanie asked that if you sign up for a trip, please plan on going on it.



Remember the Donation Station will be open for sales on Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00. Get your Christmas decorations there and more!!



That is all for now!!!

Betsie Brown

Betsies Bits and Pieces

Bits & Pieces
12-1-19

From Church yesterday. There was 125 present. Pastor announced that Carl Cannell passed away in the park. There is a Church Board Meeting on December 22nd at 10:00 am in the chapel. Anyone is welcome to come.

Entertainment on December 15 at 7:00 pm. And concessions—popcorn, ice cream and more!! ***Ralph Custer will present a "Country & Traditional Christmas program!!"

Betty Johnson would like to ask for prayer for Tom as he is not doing well.   He has been in a hospice house since October. He has developed pneumonia and is on oxygen.  He is not eating very well either.  And coughing a lot.  He is very uncomfortable.  Thank you so much. Keep Tom in your prayers!!

Pickleball schedule for this week. Pickleball is played in the Main Hall and anyone that wants to learn the game is welcome.

12/2 Mon 11AM-3 PM,  12/3 Tue 3:30PM-5:30PM,    12/4 Wed 11AM-3:00PM,   12/5 Thur 3:30PM-5:30PM  12/6 Fri 11:00AM-3:00PM  12/7 Sat 11:00AM-3:00PM

Cooler weather bought 10 Teams into the Pool Hall on  Sunday, December 1st each playing 9 games.  Join the fun on Sunday's at 1:30 in the pool hall.

With 7 wins Teri Thibodeau & Alex Stinson took 1st place,   3 teams tied for 2nd place with 6 wins each they were: Wilma Weeks & Paul Kelleher,  Renie Stinson & Jerry McEnaney, and Sally Kelleher & Don Wulf.

 The Nikki Rowe’s tickets are now ready for distribution. On Tuesday, December 3rd after the park meeting, please see Eva Murphy or Janet Hofmaster to pick-up your reserved and prepaid tickets. The musical play is called Into the Woods and will be presented on Sunday, January 19, 2020, at Nikki Rowe High School.   If you have any questions, please call Eva Murphy @ 701-792-8595 or Janet Hofmaster @ 319-329-8144. Thank you. ~ Eva Murphy

Add Bob Carlson's birthday December 24th to your calendar.

That is all for today!!
Betsie Brown

Life is all about change

Some people like change and I am one of those. Lynn has given me a green light to post things on the Trophy Gardens Blog. A little background- I have had a couple of blogs for the past 20 years or so and if you want to see what mine is like you can find it here: brooker3.blogspot.com The admin of the blog has control over what gets posted however if you have things you would like to see here or things you know would be of interest you can email them to me at keep.movin.on@Gmail.com. Make sure your name is on the message. Anonymous and/or controversial items will not be accepted.

There will be lots of changes in the days ahead. 😇

2019-2020 Season

The season has begun!  The weather is beautiful in the Rio Grande Valley.  We are waiting for your arrival.  Safe travels and we look forward to see you.

Jason and Stephanie, Activity Directors, are prepping for all the activities for the season. And they are working on new activities for this season.  Steph is looking at different bus trips to send you to and they are going to have "dive in movies" offered poolside bi-monthly.  Schedule will be posted on the activity board.

If you haven't made your reservations yet please do, call 956-787-7717.

See you soon!

Summer Fun at the Gardens

Hi Everyone:

We are in the middle of the summer!  The weather is awesome.  Sun everyday and the temps are in the 90's.  The wind blows to help the heat.

Everyone is doing great.  We are continuing to get the resort ready for our family and friends return in the fall.

The flower gardens are growing, growing, growing, Gail is here for acouple of weeks so she is cutting them back.  We will be putting in another garden in the front for the butterflies this fall.  I can't wait for Gwen to get here so we can get started.

Summer Activities:

Mondays:      Mahjong, pinochle, and Dominos
Tuesdays:      Our meeting, pitch, bridge
Wednesdays: Penny bingo, Out to eat at an area restraunt
Thursdays:     Dominos
Fridays:          Mahjong, Happy Hour, card bingo
Saturdays:      Euchre, Dance
Sundays:        500. Bridge