NELSON'S NOTES #35

Fun N Sun, San Benito, Texas

May 25, 2004

COUNTDOWN

We're going on the road on June 1 in 7 days. This will be the last San Benito news we'll be sending for a while.

See our Web page for before-and-after photos of the changes Bruce made in our motorhome (click here). He also did important things that don't show such as installing a new water pump, installing a new motor for the automatic step, revamping the access to the scads of computer cables on the desk, and getting up on the roof and sealing it with Eternabond tape. Also, the motorhome spent a week at Knapp Chevrolet for a new starter motor, an air filter box, a suspension airbag replacement, and routine maintenance work.

NEWS ABOUT FUN N SUN

The flash of red we've been seeing here lately is Randy and Betty Tope's new fire-engine red Bronco. It replaces their tan Saturn which looked just like ours. Betty loves to drive the Bronco because she sits up high and can see everything.

On Friday, May 14, it appeared that a UPS truck rammed a van on ZIllock Road at the Barbour Road intersection causing the van to hit a utility pole. The pole was hit with such force that the top was sheared off; it landed in a tree top. Some residences, including ours, lost electricity for a couple of hours while others lost cable service only. A family was in the van and all were taken to the hospital in ambulances. It looked like the driver might have been seriously hurt because the windshield was smashed, probably from the impact of a head. The UPS driver was unhurt.

The manager announced that the park hopes to host a SMART rally of 500 people in April, 2008. The plans are contingent on installation of handicapped-accessible showers and air conditioning in the Rec. Hall. (SMART is a travel club for Special Military Active and Retired.)

The palm trees in front of the pool were trimmed last week. A crew hired by the manager climbed up the trees and belted and hooked themselves in, like line repairmen do. Then they used machetes to hack the palm fronds. The trees lining the entrance are being pruned today.

We saw two more free movies--Mona Lisa Smile and Calendar Girls. Madeline Adams has volunteered to show more movies on the park's new projector this summer. Miracle is scheduled for next Monday.

As of May 25, 293 residents are in the park. Many showed up at the going-away pool party for Dana Willingham on May 21. She received a nice send-off and cards and gifts including silver Texas-shaped dangle earrings made by Bob Shock and a crystal serving plate. Residents loved having Dana as their Activity Director and she loved her job. She left to be with her husband at the Marine base in Quantico, Virginia, where he's been transferred.

Marianna

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