MARDI GRAS AT VALLE DEL ORO
RON WAS NAMED VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK
ANOTHER GREAT PLACE TO CAMP
THOMPSON ARBORETUM STATE PARK
FOOLS FOLLIES
THIS N THAT

MARDI GRAS AT VALLE DEL ORO

One of the things we love about this park is the activities and how they celebrate events. Mardi Gras was no different. Early on Tuesday, February 16, we went up to the pool area and enjoyed hot, fresh begneits (ben-yeas)and coffee au lait (just like they serve in New Orleans) while the jazz band from a  local high school entertained us. What a treat that was.

At 1:30 p.m. on the same day, there was a big parade here in the park and what fun that was. Different clubs decorated floats and paraded through the park. Our site here was right on the parade route so we had a front row seat and I took pictures which I have posted in What’s New on our web page. The tennis club won first prize with their entry. They were all smartly dressed in white shorts with bright pink tops and marched in drill-team fashion. It was a bright sunny day and everyone was in a festive mood.

After the parade, we went up to the pool to enjoy chicken wings and shrimp cocktail along with the great sounds of our own jazz band. Every Tuesday afternoon (at happy hour time) here in the park, those who play musical instruments gather together in the ballroom to play while park residents bring snacks and beverages and gather to just listen or dance. It is called a “jam session” and that is exactly what it is. On Mardi Gras day it was no different. And they are so good and without a single sheet of music too.

The day ended with a costume ball in the evening which we did not attend, but we heard that it was terrific. We expect the same type of festivities on St. Patrick’s Day. Any excuse for a party.

Ron was named Volunteer of the week in Mesa complete with an article in the local paper. What a celebrity he is. He continues to love his work with the second grade at Stevenson Elementary School and you can find him there Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons.  The teacher he is working with treats him as an assistant teacher and he works with the students right in the class room along with her.

Speaking of volunteers, our park just had its annual volunteer dinner and I was able to attend because of the computer classes I teach. I was amazed at the number of volunteers in this park. The dinner had to be held on two nights to accommodate everyone and 620 were in attendance at each dinner. That is 1240 volunteers in this park. Wow! I think that one of the reasons this park is so popular is that we all participate and it is like taking an ownership in the park.

We have discovered another great place to camp in this area. After the Camp Out, Toni and Teresa Taddei, along with several others moved out to Usery park (a multi use park just north of us). We went out to visit them one day, and were amazed at how big that area was and the sites were super. (I have a few pictures on the What’s New page.) The sites are so big and wide that it made for almost private camping. They have water and electric along with a dump station and many wonderful hiking trails. The rate is $15/per day.

We have also discovered another great place to visit if you are in the area. Thompson Arboretum State Park is full of desert wonders and some of the most beautiful cactus I have ever seen. The Arboretum is located just west of Superior on U.S. route 60. By the way, when we were there we noticed a sign that they were looking for work campers. It would be a wonderful place to spend several months in the winter or the whole winter. They provide a full-hook up site and since there is no campground, the duties are mainly working in the visitor center, gift shop and maintaining trails. Call John at 602-689-2723 if you are interested. I have a few pictures of the Arboretum on the What’s New page too.

I think I have mentioned before that I (Barb) am having a great time directing the Fools Follies, our variety/talent and comedy show here in our park. If you are going to be in the area I’d love to have you attend. Just let me know and I can get tickets for you. The date for the two performances is Sunday, March 28 at 1 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Tickets should be available at the door also, but you might want to get yours ahead of time in case we sell out. The tickets are $3 and that is a bargain for such a great show. There are a lot of wonderful hams in this park. 

I put some pictures of Toni and Teresa’s Mountainaire motorhome on the What’s New page so you can see their wonderful office arrangement.

The weather has been terrific this winter. We love the sun and low humidity. We also love the fact that we can keep our windows and doors open without worrying about bugs flying in. If we see a fly it is a rarity.

We finished first in duplicate bridge on Friday February 26. What a surprise!!! We were last the week before. Then on Sunday at a bridge pot luck we came in third and actually won money again. It is not the money that is important (it is often only a couple of dollars), but we feel that we have really accomplished something.

We just returned from our park's annual choir concert and it was terrific. The average age of the 60 plus member choir is 69 and they are from many states and walks of life. They certainly looked and sang like they were having the time of their life. Ron commented that those folks will never get old. Such is life in this resorts such as this.

That’s all for now. Happy St Patty’s Day.