Volume 12:  No. 6, March 2008

Sit back and close your eyes

            Now, picture a Veteran’s Hospital with all the disabled Vets, the guys who have given their arms, legs, and other parts of their bodies to defend us and allow us the opportunity to be free. Also, note that many of those Vets, those who have crippled legs, are wearing pants known as “Fixator Pants.” The intent of the pants are to allow easy entry for the Disabled Vet while he is undergoing treatment for injuries that require the bone to be held rigid by a large cast. Have you ever wondered where the pants come from?  They come from a project called “Sew Much Comfort” with it’s distribution center in Dayton, Ohio.

            The project was started by a lady whose son had bone cancer and was being treated with an apparatus on his leg. He couldn’t wear regular cloths, so she made him a pair of pants to go over the fixator apparatus with Velcro and snaps. The pants worked great.

            Later in her life, she visited a Veteran’s Hospital and saw many of the Vets being treated for leg wounds with the same apparatus, but no pants that would fit. She made some contacts, got some folks together, and started the project.  One of her disciples is Mrs. Pat Kelley, lot 386, right here in Sunscape.

            Pat is the wife of Air Force Major George Kelley, who is a retired pilot. The Major flew many types of Aircraft over his career, logging probably the most time in a KC97 Refueler.  They currently have their home in Colorado Springs and travel part time. They are currently renting a lot in Sunscape.

            Pat pointed out the Fixator Pants they make are all Denim or Twill and only in certain colors. The pants are made so one leg is regular and the other has Velcro from the top to the bottom for easy entry. Once completed, each pair is inspected before being sent to Dayton to insure there are no flaws or parts that don’t fit and match.  Pat sews with three other women at her home in Colorado Springs and they were able to complete and send 110 pairs of pants from the 1^st of May through October 1^st of 2008. Once the pants arrive in Dayton they are sent to the U.S. Military all over the world.

            The ladies must fund their own costs. Each pair cost $12.00 to make and ship. They manage to raise funds by getting direct cash donations, generally in amounts from $20 to $100. They are not able to accept donations of cloth since the military standards require just certain types of cloth be used.

            It’s an amazing feat when good people see a need and step forward to fill that need.  But, that’s what this country was built on, and that is our future.

Easter is early this year.            Easter is always the 1^st Sunday after the 1^st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which this year is March 20), making the date March 23. This dating is based on the lunar calendar the Hebrews used to identify Passover.

                This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see, and it has only been seen by those 95 years of age or older.  And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts.

                1) The next time Easter will be March 23 will be in 2228.  The last time it was this early was 1913.

            2) The next time it will be March 22 will be in 2285.  The last time it was this early was in 1818.  

Desert Oasis . . .

God Knows Your Heart

Luke 16:15

            We struggle with aging because we believe we will lose the ability to “do” as we age.  I read a plaque recently that sums it up well.

“By the time we get to greener pastures,

 we can’t climb over the fence.”

            No matter what our age, we want to do the things we have always done, and much of our opinion of ourselves is dependant upon those abilities.  Senior may become discouraged and depressed because “they can’t do what they used to do.”

            I’m glad it’s not what I do that counts with God, but rather it is what I am.  He is looking for a loving, growing relationship, rather than a Power Packed Performance.

            God wants us to know Him and His Son.  He wants to be our very best friend.

“What a goal with which to finish our years.”

            IYQ & IYQ2               Love,   

                                                G. H.

From the Desk of Sunscape Sunny

Advice Columnist

Dear Sunny,

    Where does our water come from? From a well? How deep? How much does it cost?

                                       Still Water Runs Deep

Dear Still Water,

            That name sounds Indian. I once knew an Indian Princess named Still Water… She was Sioux. Are you an Indian Princess of the Sue Tribe? Oh, I mean Sioux Tribe?

            But, on to your question:  Are you asking where water comes from? If so, I’d suggest you ask “someone who is smarter than a 5^th grader.”

             If you are asking about Sunscape Park, I sure hope it’s not surface water!!  And as for how deep, it’s about “that far” down.  To find the cost, go to the annual budget and you will find it… that is, if you are smarter than a 5^th grader.                                            

                                          Sunny Sunscaper

My wife and I went to a restaurant where the “senior’s special” was:   two eggs, bacon, hashbrowns and toast for $1.99.  The following is between my wife and the waitress.

            “Sounds good, but I don’t want the eggs.”

            “Then I’ll have to charge you $2.49 because you’re ordering a la carte.”

            “You mean I’d have to pay for not taking the eggs?”

            “Yes!”

            “I’ll take the special then.”

            “How do you want the eggs?”

            “Raw and in the shell.”

She took the two eggs home.

             Don’t mess with seniors!!!!!!!

Here is an exercise suggested for adults over 45 and seniors, to build muscle strength in the arms and shoulders. It seems so easy, so I thought I'd pass it on to some of my friends. Just don't over-do it.
            Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a

 5-LB. potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides, and hold them there as long as you can.
            Try to reach a full minute, then relax.
            Each day, you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.
            After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-LB. potato sacks. Then 50-LB. potato sacks in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.
            After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks.

Mary’s Musings

Which way is home?

            Everyone is saying good bye because they are “going home.”  Hey, excuse me, isn’t there a sign on the Welcome Center that says, “Welcome Home”?  I am getting very confused.  Which way is home?

            I went onto the internet and found lots of quotes for saying goodbye, but none fit our situation here at Sunscape.  We leave to go home, but then, we come back home.  I did find a little  poem, author unknown, and it goes something like this.

Goodbyes are not forever.

Goodbyes are not the end,

They simply mean I’ll miss you

Until we meet again.

            That kinda says what I want to say to all my friends here at Sunscape.  And I have to say I have not met anyone here who is not a friend.  This is such a special place, a place I am proud to call home.  People here get to know you and always welcome you back home.  That makes you feel truly at home.  We all have different backgrounds and different beliefs. We all keep coming home and we all are welcomed.  As Richard Bach put it: A farewell is necessary before you meet again; and meeting again, after moments or a lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.”

            You know there are so many quotes of wonderful things you can find in books, and now with the internet so handy, it is unbelievable what you can find.  People who are way more talented than I am have said all the right things and have put into words goodbyes that can bring tears to your eyes. 

            But I have a special little angel who keeps reminding me of a woman who brought tears to my eyes, not only with her switch, which she used to set all twelve of us on the right path, but with her wisdom and love of her family.  My mother never met a stranger and, to some extent, she shared that gift with me.  I wish you all could have known her, but maybe by knowing me, you do know a little bit of her.

            So, friends, I wish you all a safe trip back to your other home. I give to all of you one of my mother’s special Irish blessings.

May you all have warm words

 on a cool evening,

A full moon on a dark night,

And a smooth road all the way to your door.

A smile is the magic language of diplomacy

that even a baby understands.

Welcome!!!  Welcome Center

            The new Welcome Center is about ready to open for business. The newly tiled floor shines brightly with the delicately inlayed brown diamonds in the tan mix of color. The walls give off a cheery desert taste, while the new and reused furniture and cabinets give the reception and offices a taste of grace and usefulness. While there still might be some questions and disagreements about where certain furniture will be located, the building is just about ready for use.

            By the time this story goes to press, the new sidewalks, from the front door to the back door will be completed

            And, once again, Sunscape RV Park will enjoy a new building at probably one-third the cost of the actual value. What a DEAL!! Sunscape owners need to stand and give a big HIP-HIP-HOORAY for the work done by the group of volunteers who built the Center and for adding more value to each of our shares in our park.  There are just too many workmen to name here, but most of you Sunscapers know who these guys are. Give them a pat on the back!.

God went to the Israelites and said, “I have commandments.”

They said, “How much are they?”

God said, “They’re free.”

They said, “Good, we’ll take ten.”

Thanksgiving in March?

Thanks to:

ü   these dedicated people who have so graciously delivered The Sunscaper to you:

Denis & Lenore, Virginia, Damon & Lorna, Pat, Marilyn, Louise, Marcy, Marlene, Doris, Rowena & Leo, and, Leona.

ü   Don, Mary,  G. H. and Sunny Sunscaper who have contributed to each paper.

ü   .Gene and Jeanne for their efforts in taking pictures for the new Picture Directory which will be out next fall.

ü   Terry Kehler and all his helpers for putting on another great Park Party. Wasn’t the weather gorgeous!

ü   all those who have given of their time and talents to entertain us.  I won’t even attempt to name names.

ü   Kathy Gordon for the many years she has given of her time as chairman of the finance committee, as well as other capacities.

And my personal thanks to:

ü   friends who transported me to the doctor and the hospital when I was ailing.

ü   my neighbors who zap my weeds, and did I have a “bumper crop on my east 40.”

ü    another neighbor who has been a great fixer-upper on just little things.

General Information

Remember to get your Summer Address Book before you leave, and thank Denis Coutre for a job well done.

Let’s say that it is July and you are wondering what is going on at Sunscape.  There is an easy way to find out.  Just go to your computer and log into www.sunscapervresort.info.  The latest news is usually updated each month.  From that site you can go to the “dot com” site and get the latest information on rental fees, as well as to what is available for rent or sale.  Dick and Lois Emmel have put together a professional-looking web site which we should be proud of and use. Thanks to them for a job well done.

Another source of information which will be “knocking on your door,” or should I say, “flying into your Inbox” comes from Charlie Fender.  Be sure that Charlie has your e-mail address, and keep it updated, and he will send you information as soon as he has it.  It may be that Jim in New York has a broken toe or that all the board members have resigned,  (now those were the most ridiculous things that came to my mind) but you will know about it.  Charlie deserves a big thanks for his dedication to promoting communication in the park. 

It’s getting time to come back?  Remember to notify the mailroom to stop forwarding your mail about a week before you are leaving.  If you have a computer just e-mail them at:

            mailroom@sunscapervresort.com   

No computer?  Just call 1-866-678-6722 and give your info to the Welcome Center.

(If you forget this information and have lost The Sunscaper, remember that you can go to the website www.sunscapervresort.info  (or .com) and The Sunscaper will be there.  How did we survive without all these gadgets?

The reason a dog has so many friends is because            he wags his tail instead of his tongue

Talking about the mailroom.  Tom and Ona Mae do a fantastic job keeping our mail flowing.  It is mind boggling to think about what they do. With almost 500 boxes, they know where and when to forward mail and when not to forward mail.  That is why it is so important to let the Welcome Center know when you leave and when you return.  They have a method of communicating!  I know nothing more than that.

When you see them, tell them you appreciate their efforts.

We do not stop playing because we grow old.

We grow old because we stop playing.

.These are just a few things that I thought might be of value as the season comes to a close and we head out for the summer.. I hope to see you all next fall. – Millie