HEART - O - TEXAS SAMS
November/December 2008
Charles Williamson, Pres.,1315 Quail Run, San Marcos, Texas 78666 (512)353-1233
Linden Shanahan, Vice Pres., 1070 Ilka Road, Seguin, Texas 78155 (830) 303-2813
Janis Shanahan, Treasurer, 1070 Ilka Road, Seguin, Texas 78155 (830)303-2813
Shirley Koehler, Secretary, 101 Red Bird Trail, Kyle, Texas 78640 (512)295-3349
Here it is....November already...Thanksgiving and Christmas will soon be here. There are two holidays to celebrate in November. Veterans Day which is very important as it honors those that have served or continue to serve in the military defending our great country. Please be sure to include our military in your prayers. And then there is Thanksgiving. We all have a lot to be thankful for...our faith in GOD, family, friends, good times, etc. I would like to wish each and every one a very blessed Thanksgiving.
October campout was held at Sonny's RV Park in Lexington. Jean Smith along with the Koehlers were hosts and we owe them a big THANK YOU for a good time. We had 8 member rigs and 2 visitor rigs. Al's daughter, Margie and her husband, John joined us. Also, visiting for their second time were Tony and Joyce Holtermann. Joyce is Charles' cousin. We look forward to all of these folks coming back to visit. Maybe they will join our chapter.
Our chapter lost one of our charter members and a very dear friend.....Velda Stuart passed away recently. We hadn't seen very much of her lately, but it was always a treat when she did come to spend the day with us. We will miss her.
On a brighter note, Ron and Gayle welcomed a new granddaughter on November 5th. Gayle said Kaylin weighed 7 lbs. 13 oz. and was 19" long. She also said that their daughter, Jennifer, had a very easy delivery. The Weirs will be spending a couple of weeks in Houston with the new baby and family.
P.E.T. report: About a year ago, Jackie and Rufus approached me and asked if I could get them all the information about how PETs came into being. I asked Jake and Gwen for the information and gave it to the Alexanders who in turn gave it to their daughter and son-in-law. They have an organization that regularly gives donations to worthwhile charities. I talked to Jackie about 2 weeks ago and she told me that it had been decided to donate $3,000.00 to PETs. This is a really great donation.....it is enough to build 12 PETs as it takes $250.00 for one. Thank you to the Alexanders for their part in getting this donation for PETs.
Gwen had told us that we could no longer pack clothes, shoes, toys, etc. with the PETs. However, when we were at PETs today (the 12th) , Gwen told us that she had checked with several sources about the new packing rule and was told to keep on packing the PETs as we have in the past. Gwen told me that they always need paint. And if anyone has stuffed animals of any size, she can use those. She is also asking for "stuffed" plastic bags. What are "stuffed" plastic bags you ask.....let me tell you. You take a plastic bag and stuff it with wadded up (not folded) plastic bags until it is "puffy". Then you tie a knot in it. These are used as padding in packing. They can always use monetary donations. There are some things that they no longer need....medicine bottles and plastic bottles. If you have some that you have been saving to bring to me to take down to PETs, please do so, but do not save anymore until Gwen tells me that they need more.
The weekend of November 8th and 9th, Janis and Linden took a trailer with 44 adult PETs and 5 child PETs down to Brownsville for distribution. They were able to visit with their son and daughter-in-law while down there.
Colleen's PET report: Grace Memorial Church has a check for $274.00 for P.E.T. Our pastor Rich announced from the pulpit Sunday that we have bought one PET as they cost $250.00 to build...plus $24.00 for other supplies. I think this is very good for our small church.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS:
November 4....Jackie........................You're someone special!
November 17...Jean Smith..............You have such a good heart!
November 20...Ralph........................This is your time to shine!
November 28...Ron...........................Life is what you make it. So make it great!
November 29...Linden.....................Make today a good one for you and someone else. Smile!
NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARY:
November 25, 1954.....Ruben and Barbara Thrash...WOW..54 years. Fantastic
There are no December birthdays or anniversaries.
LOOKING AHEAD...
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER CAMPOUT: December 5, 6, 7 at Oakwood RV Park in Fredericksburg. All members will be hosts. Cost is $24.00 per night. This is the Rally rate. If you plan to go a day or two early OR stay more than the two nights, the cost for those nights will be $29.70 (regular rate less 10%). Please call the campground and ask to talk to Judy (Rally coordinator) and let her know if you will be coming early. Please stop at the office on your way in. I am told that the campground will accept cash, checks, MasterCard or Visa for payment. If you have not already done so, please let Linden know your plans about attending (or not) this campout. His phone number is (830)303-2813 or their e:mail is: ljans@swbell.net . Linden will be collecting the camping fees.
DIRECTIONS TO CAMPGROUND: 2 miles south of U.S. 290 on HWY. 16 at Tivydale (Airport) Road. (As you are going west on 290 through Fredericksburg, turn left on HWY. 16 (Tivydale Road).
As you know this is our Thanksgiving/ Christmas campout so it is a special campout. Lots of fun, games, singing, etc. and it is always so much fun. And, as always, we remember the reason for the season. Make plans now to attend. As of our last campout, we have 13 rigs signed up to attend., but I am sure that more will be coming. I believe that Linden asked for 22 spaces.
We will probably go out to eat on Friday night and then go into downtown Fredericksburg to enjoy the annual Christmas parade. Breakfast on Saturday morning is on our own. Business meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. as usual. Our Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner will start at 12:30 pm.
OUR MENU:
Turkey/dressing/gravy Ham
Stuffed squash Green beans Sweet potatoes
Potato casserole Corn on the cob Green bean Casserole
Cranberry sauce Cranberry salad
Custard pie Pumpkin pie
Bread/butter Punch
The above menu is what members have already signed up to bring. If you were not at the last campout to indicate what you are bringing, please feel free to bring whatever you wish. This is one group that enjoys good food.
If you have table decorations, etc. that you would like to bring, please do.
Cups, dessert plates and napkins will be furnished. As in years past, remember to look on the bottom of your dessert plate ....you may win something.
We will, once again, be collecting toys. This year we are collecting for Brown Santa (Hays County Sheriff's Office). If you wrap your gifts, make sure you indicate whether it is for a boy or girl and the age.
Another fun thing is the White Elephant gift exchange. EACH person that wants to participate in this should bring a WRAPPED gift. This will probably be done after we eat leftovers on Saturday evening.
Installation for our 2009 officers will also be done at this campout.
Those elected are:
Robert Gaertner President
Linden Shanahan, Vice President
Janis Shanahan, Treasurer
Shirley Koehler, Secretary
Our ASDs, Mickey and Woody Holder will be joining us for the day on Saturday. They have agreed to do the installation of officers.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Charles for all his hard work and dedication this year as our president. With Mary's health issues, he could have just written us off, but he did not. So...thank you, Charles and Mary. We all appreciate you.
JANUARY CAMPOUT: January 30, 31, February 1: Canyon Trail RV Park just south of San Marcos. Stay tuned for more information.
FEBRUARY CAMPOUT: February 27, 28, March 1: Schulenberg RV Park with the Shanahans and Dottie as our hosts. More information as the time gets closer.
Please do not forget to bring card fronts, cans, aluminum tabs, food/money for the food bank. With the $84.00 that we collected for the food bank at our last campout, the food bank was able to purchase enough food for 4 Thanksgiving baskets of food for the needy. They told me that it takes $20.00 per basket. Their goal this year is 1400 baskets.
Did you know....
.....Having a place to go is Home. Having someone to love is family. Having both is a blessing.
......We are too blessed to be stressed!
.....Find joy in each and every day.....don't waste time wishing for tomorrow....OR you will have a lot of empty yesterdays.
.....The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between you r knees and the floor.
.....The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever.
Until next time,
Shirley
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
