SUMMER NEWS LETTER #13
SENT SEPT. 5, 2007
From The Activity Office:
Back in the Spring, there was a lot of conversation regarding our not being able to use the mailboxes for items not sent thru the Post Office. In April, the Bobzeins, Stansberrys and myself went out to lunch. The lunch conversation was about the residents not being able to use the mailboxes. Thru this discussion, we came up with a plan we think will work. Build a wall about 5 feet from the current mail boxes, then we will each have a mail box for our in-park use. We can put the weekly schedules, the B.G. Mirror, electric bills, rules & regs book, and that type of information in the boxes. Also, everyone in the park can use these boxes to send Birthday Cards, Christmas Cards, and other notes to anyone they choose. Since Ron Ayers is in charge of maintenance, I ran the information past him, and he agreed this would work. Also, due to some negative comments from outsiders regarding the condition of the North Hall, I also told Ron that the hall needed a paint job and some general clean up. He has agreed to get this done before the new season starts. So when you return in the fall, take a look at the North Hall and check out the improvement.
There are several new entertainers coming to the valley this season, and we have taken advantage of them being here for the first time and booked them. Two of them are performing this summer in Branson. For those of you who remember Delene (she passed away last summer) from Branson, her husband got in touch with these two young entertainers and they will be performing at Bentsen Grove. Watch the "Coming Attraction Board."
There will be some fun nights also. Lots of entertaining by the people and for the people of Bentsen Grove. As always I deeply appreciate all of the volunteers and all they do to make everything work. If you have some free time and would like to help out by volunteering come by and see me, PLEASE.
And to the several folks from up North who have called me, YES, I am having a great summer- health is good, having fun and looking forward to another great season. See ya soon! Bonnie
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From Betty Skillings (A28, MINN):
What a great time we had together at the golf outing. Sixty of us gathered in a meeting room at the casino. It was so good to see everyone. It really was a "family reunion". The weather was perfect everyday. It started out cool but warmed up fast when the sun came out. We golfed three days and of course we had a good meal each evening. Rena Kaiser [D37] won the "I love golf" clock that was made and donated by Conrad Bohmet (B23) Thanks Conrad. It was a very nice gift. Some of the women went shopping Wednesday. Of course they found some real bargains Thursday night there were still thirty people gathered at "headquarters" to eat. 5 sliders for $4.95, including aujuice, waffle fries with sour cream dip. Thanks to everyone that came. It made it all worthwhile to have such a good turnout. Next year will be our tenth anniversary. Let's have another great gathering. Something special is in the works. Same week in August. Keep those dates open. --------Friday I had volunteered to sell brats at a grocery store in Garrison. We were just closing for the day when there was a bad accident right on our corner. Two pick-ups collided. One ended up about 5 feet from my parked car. One man was thrown clear but had a bad gash on his head, the pick-up ended up on the other man. The most horrible thing I have ever witnessed. A warning to everyone, even if you are in the back seat of a vehicle, fasten your seat belt. Both of those thrown out were in the back seat with no seat belts fastened. The one pick-up was an extended cab so there were three people in the back and three in the front. I was only a witness but I was really shaken up. One dead and seven injured. A bad closing to a wonderful week. Betty Skillings
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From Dale & Jan Riggins (513) Il
. We visited last weekend with Ed and Myrt Walton (C35) at Sublette, Il., and attended the Amboy Depot Days at Amboy, Il. Jan's uncle was the last agent to work in the depot and she used to visit them when they lived upstairs over the depot. We also visited Joe and Marie McGrath (550). Today we attended the progress farm show at Decatur, Il., and also stopped by Harold and Lil Doddek (C11) in Decatur. This weekend we will camp with our Decatur camping club at Lake Shelbyville and we are hosts for the weekend. Won't be long before we will pack up and head for Bentsen Grove in October. We may go to the covered bridge festival first in Indiana. Thank you Barb for keeping us all informed over the summer. Dale & Jan Riggins
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From Marlene Kranz (A5 MN): We had our Annual Bentsen Grove- MN gathering during August 13th through the 16th. About 60 people attended. There were golf tournaments for three days, also dinners together in the evening at different locations It was held at Mille Lacs, a resort area in east central MN. Mostly everyone stayed at the Grand Casino, adjacent to the lake. We had lots of opportunities to visit and enjoy the surroundings. Some apparently were lucky at the slots too. Fortunately the weather was great. It was fun to see everyone again. Betty Skillings sets up the arrangements with the golf courses and with the Casino. Next year will be our 10th anniversary of the tournaments, so we hope to make it another special event!
Marlene Kranz
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From Mary Erickson (233) MN):Greetings to all my friends at Bentsen Grove! My plans are to come down after the holidays and will be renting at 233. I am looking forward to seeing you all again. It was great to golf with the crew at the Mille Lacs golf outing. Thanks Betty so much for all the work you do for the occasion. A group of us from Hoyt Lakes went to Barron Wisconsin to attend Joan Anderson's (422) funeral. She was 72. She will be sadly missed by all of us. We have had a very nice summer in northern MN, but very dry and finally had a downpour yesterday. Mary Erickson
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From Wilma Mueller, A47. Well, we got our first Winter Texan back, Jerry & Dottie Nolte, 518. They said it was to HOT where they were. I thought it was worse here. Anyway guess it won't be long till everyone is back. Will be glad to see them. Bill Hermann, 745 is still in the hospital. Betty Hamel, A16, who had back surgery had a little setback & they took her to the hospital, but is doing good now. She is taking some therapy. Kent & Jane Ann Stierwalt, W7, just got back from Indiana. Their son, only 37 had a heart attack. That is so young. Joy Gerstner, D12, just got back from a trip to the Panhandle. Poor Connie Block, W224, had a battle with the ironing board & lost. She was ironing & guess the ironing board somehow fell on top of her. Has several fractures & is in the hospital. She probably will have to have surgery & may have to go to San Antonio to get it done. We have some new people in the park. Bill & Cynthia Britton(A31). Welcome to the park & glad you are here. Charlene Mapes, 614, is redoing the picture board & let me tell you - be prepared to have you picture taken again if it isn't up to date. She is on a mission. Anyway it looks so pretty. I wonder how many people look at it, I know I do almost every time I am in the hall. Barb & Jim Elliott, W186, got back after a 2 months trip. Marvin Nuttall & Evelyn Walters, A51 are back. Certainly nice to have our card players back. Take Care! Wilma
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From Barb Goff (A26):
More than 50 residents here at Bentsen Grove enjoyed a pot luck dinner on Labor Day. Bonnie told us that we have a lot of exciting programs to look forward to this season. So you Northerners better hurry back so you don't miss all of the fun. Two new residents were introduced – Bill and Cindy Bratton have moved into A 31. They are from IN. Carl and Janet Shubert from upper Texas have moved into E 48. Be sure to give them a warm welcome when you return.
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