The Friday Flyer A Biweekly Newsletter of Blue Skies East December 5, 2014 NEWS FROM THE STAFF NOTES FROM THE DIRECTOR OF RESIDENT SERVICES By: [email protected] STAFF Happy Birthday to our December Centurions– Gerry Schriever celebrates his 102nd birthday Dec 10 and John Compton looks forward to celebrating 101 on Dec 26. From all of us at Blue Skies of Texas – Happy Birthday! Children’s Christmas Party – The annual Children’s Christmas Party is Friday, Dec 12 at 4pm in the Legacy Room. Please see Ed Waples’ article under Residents Corner for full details. Holiday Schedule Thursday, Dec 25, is Christmas and a Federal holiday as well as a Blue Skies of Texas holiday. Please make note of the following: Mail delivery – suspended Transportation – No Transportation services scheduled BST staffing – minimal as on weekends Broadway Bank – closed (ATM machine in the BST East Store is available 24 hours) Thursday, Jan 1, is New Year’s Day and a Federal holiday, as well as a Blue Skies of Texas holiday. Please make note of the following: Mail delivery – suspended Transportation – No Transportation services scheduled BST staffing – minimal as on weekends Broadway Bank – closed (ATM machine in the BST East Store is available 24 hours) Other Holiday Transportation Please make note of the following transportation changes over the Holidays: WHMC is closed on Friday, Dec 26 and Friday Jan 1. There will be no BST East transportation to Lackland (WHMC/Comm & BX) on those days. 1 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] Housekeeping - If your regular housekeeping day is one of the BST Holidays listed above and you desire make-up service, please contact Delia Guerra at 568-5101. NURSING SIMULATION LAB OPEN HOUSE By: Executive Director of Health Care Operations [email protected] Thursday, Dec 11, 2:45-5pm at BST East across from the old Guard Gate. Blue Skies of Texas Health and Wellness Services are proud to host an Open House for the newly developed Nursing Simulation Lab (formerly the HCC Training Suite). The Simulation Lab will provide opportunities for all BST nursing staff to enhance their skills through simulated training and return demonstration techniques. The Simulation Lab was made possible through the generosity of The White Elephant, The Thrift Shop and Mrs. Anne Bowbeer. The donations made possible a renovation of the old training rooms to what is now a bright and airy education suite for nurses to learn and practice. Donations also made possible the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment for real life, hands-on simulation skills training. Nurses will also receive additional instruction related to disease processes, nursing assessment and treatment. The Open House will recognize our donors during a private ceremony, followed by the open house for all starting at 2:45pm with presentations and tours every thirty minutes. THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN By: The Mission Activities Coordinator, [email protected] Well it’s that time of the year to spread your holiday cheer! Once again The Mission is asking for your help. Please donate any of the following items: Blankets, scarves, socks, men’s cologne/body wash, women’s perfumes/body wash etc. Please wrap and label the gift with “lady” or “gentleman.” If you are unable to wrap the gift, please bring the gift to us, and we will wrap it for you. Drop off locations are; the Front Desk at BST East Campus or The Mission Admin office. Last day to donate is Tuesday, Dec 23. If you have any questions, contact Vanessa Jackson at 568-5165 or Monica Villa at 568-5162. Thank you and Seasons Greetings! 2 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] AIR FORCE VILLAGES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION We offer our sincere thanks to The Estate of Mrs. Nancy J. Bassett which provided a generous charitable gift of $10,000 or more this month. We are also grateful to the following donors who provided generous support in November! AFV CHARITABLE FUND Mr. and Mrs. John J. Allen Mrs. Carolyn H. Anderson Myers Maj and Mrs. Kenneth Andrews Mrs. Charlotte L. Autery Lt Col and Mrs. George N. Backus Col and Mrs. William D. Baxter Col and Mrs. Johan E. Bayer Capt and Mrs. Pasquale M. Benigno Mrs. Patricia B. Berry Mr. and Mrs. James P. Bigham Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bosma Mr. Harold R. Brand Lt Col and Mrs. Jamey T. Braun Lt Col and Mrs. John E. Britton Col and Mrs. Roy W. Browne Dr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Burke Gen and Mrs. Duane H. Cassidy Col and Mrs. Don Christian Lt Col and Mrs. Melvin V. Corley, Jr. Lt Col and Mrs. Thad W. Crooks Maj Gen and Mrs. Lewis G. Curtis Maj Harry C. Davis Col and Mrs. James E. De Zutter Mrs. L. Kelly Dixon Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Dixon Maj Gen and Mrs. Abraham J. Dreiseszun Mr. Richard Driemeyer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Driemeyer Gen and Mrs. Ralph E. Eberhart Lt Col Bernard F. Ellrodt Col and Mrs. Wayne Erwin Brig Gen and Mrs. William A. Free Col Sharon Freeto and SMSgt Bill Irwin Brig Gen and Mrs. Frank L. Gailer 3 AFV CHARITABLE FUND (continued) Mrs. Barbara Garrett Col and Mrs. Max Giovannini Maj and Mrs. Donald L. Hamilton Lt Col and Mrs. William C. Hayden Mr. and Mrs. John R. Hegener Mrs. Jeffie Hill Col and Mrs. Richard D. Hoover Lt Col Richard G. Hurlburt Mrs. Elizabeth G. Ivy Lt Col and Mrs. Robert J. Joyce Brig Gen and Mrs. George J. Kertesz Maj Gen John W. Kline CAPT and Mrs. William Knehans Lt Col and Mrs. James D. Kniker Lt Col Robert W. Lamb Mrs. Virginia K. Lengnick Col and Mrs. Joel E. Lichtenstein Brig Gen William E. Lindeman Lt Col Bill Linn Mrs. Margery J. Locke Dr. and Mrs. Ford L. Lockett Maj Gen and Mrs. Don Logeman Lt Col Donald K. and Dr. Eleanor Longer Gen and Mrs. William R. Looney III Maj John E. Lyle Rev. and Mrs. David C. Marx Maj and Mrs. Louis W. Matamoros Lt Col and Mrs. Thomas Maxwell Gen and Mrs. William V. McBride Mrs. Joyce McCollough LCDR Wesley L. McCollough Mrs. Katharine D. McNicholas Mrs. Clio L. Merkel Col Barbara L. Metz deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] AFV CHARITABLE FOUNDATION REPORT FOR NOVEMBER (continued) AFV CHARITABLE FUND (continued) Mrs. Marjorie M. Miller Lt Col Arthur W. Murphy Col and Mrs. William G. Neubrand Lt Col and Mrs. Edward J.C. Orbock Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Parker Col and Mrs. Gordon W. Parkhill, Jr. Col and Mrs. Herbert J. Peck, Jr. Lt Col William and Mrs. Renu Pollock Col and Mrs. Frederick B. Porter Col and Mrs. Robert Provines Col and Mrs. Theodore W. Quandt Lt Col Jose L. Ramirez Col Jerre B. Richardson Mr. and Mrs. Foster C. Rinefort Maj and Mrs. Mark R. Sabey Col and Mrs. Laird F. Schaller Col and Mrs. Danny C. Schuyler Lt Col and Mrs. Joseph M. Senyk Dr. and Mrs. Fred Seymour Col John C. Shahbaz Brig Gen and Mrs. William M. Shaw, Jr. Col and Mrs. Robert K. Simm Col and Mrs. Robert E. Smith Maj and Mrs. Robert T. Smith Mrs. Hellen F. Steadman Mrs. Eva M. Stein Lt Col and Mrs. Victor E. Swanson Capt George J. Thompson Col Yale F. Trustin Lt Col and Mrs. Samuel A. Tucker Mrs. Patricia L. Upchurch Maj and Mrs. Gustave R. Vanderneck Lt Col and Mrs. Porter W. Venn CDR and Mrs. Donald Walker Col Walter R. Waller Lt Col and Mrs. Richard H. Weir Col Dave Wise Capt and Mrs. Robert L. Yanke 4 WIDOWS IN NEED ENDOWMENT Mrs. Jean H. Bruce Dr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Burke Mrs. Irene L. Carson CAPT and Mrs. Ralph D. Comer Maj Gen and Mrs. Lewis G. Curtis Col and Mrs. John W. Hinds Lt Col Richard G. Hurlburt Col and Mrs. Carl S. Kelley Maj and Mrs. Robert B. Knapp Dr. and Mrs. Robert M. Kruger Col and Mrs. Knute Lawson Dr. David Leas and Dr. Maria Leas Lt Col and Mrs. James D. Martin Lt Gen and Mrs. Michael D. McGinty Mrs. Clothilde A. Metz Lt Col and Mrs. Phillip M. Morris Mrs. Dorothy W. Nicholson Col and Mrs. Carl W. Rawie Mrs. Betty A. Robertson Lt Col and Mrs. James B. Ross, Jr. Col and Mrs. Bobby Rutledge Gen and Mrs. Thomas M. Ryan Dr. and Mrs. Fred Seymour Capt George J. Thompson Mrs. Penny Warren Lt Col and Mrs. Norris S. Wynne WIDOWS FELLOWSHIP FUND Mrs. Connie S. Bacon Columbus AFB Spouses' Club Maj and Mrs. Michael P. Gam Mrs. Shirley C. Hecht Lt Col Robert D. Inghram Mrs. Theola K. Lenarcic Maj and Mrs. Louis W. Matamoros Minot AFB Officers' Spouses' Club Offutt AFB Officers' Spouses' Club Col and Mrs. Allan J. Perry deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] AFV CHARITABLE FOUNDATION REPORT FOR NOVEMBER (continued) WIDOWS FELLOWSHIP FUND (cont’d.) Mrs. Dorothy A. Reed Lt Eugene W. Robbins Col and Mrs. Anthony L. St Amant The Maida Davis Turtle Charitable Trust Tyndall AFB Officers' Spouses' Club FREEDOM HOUSE FUND Maj John P. Carr Mrs. Toni Collins Maj Gen and Mrs. Lewis G. Curtis Col and Mrs. Max Giovannini Maj Frederick Glauner Lt Col Charles W. Hodgson Maj Gen Ralph T. Holland Lt Col Robert D. Inghram Maj and Mrs. Louis W. Matamoros Mrs. Emily H. Myers Novartis Pharmaceuticals Mrs. Helen F. Posniak Lt Col and Mrs. James B. Ross, Jr. Ms. Stephanie D. Routh Travelers Cybergrants Inc. Truist Employee Giving Col and Mrs. John E. Tucker Lt Col and Mrs. Robert M. Wilson Ms. Alta Wisdom FREEDOM HOUSE RESEARCH FUND Maj Gen and Mrs. Abraham J. Dreiseszun Lt Col Tokio Harada Lt Col Robert D. Inghram Mrs. Emily H. Myers Col Dave Wise Lt Col and Mrs. Norris S. Wynne 5 HOSPICE CARE FOR HEROES Mrs. Anne M. Balog Mrs. Anne A. Bowbeer Dr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Burke Lt Col Carolyn J. Friedle Col and Mrs. William T. Kemmerer Lt Col and Mrs. John B. Merryman Mrs. Alice H. Morgan Brig Gen and Mrs. William M. Shaw, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Albert P. Simms Col Charles C. Tatum BLUE SKIES EAST FUND Maj Clara C. Johnson White Elephant at Blue Skies East Lt Col and Mrs. Norris S. Wynne THE MISSION at Blue Skies East Capt and Mrs. Richard B. D'Elosua Mrs. Elizabeth C. Lucas Col and Mrs. Robert Stuart Capt George J. Thompson Lt Col and Mrs. Norris S. Wynne Maj and Mrs. John W. Yingling ARNOLD HOUSE at Blue Skies East Mrs. Shirley C. Hecht LIBERTY HOUSE at Blue Skies West Mrs. Jeffie Hill Lt Col Charles W. Hodgson Dr. and Mrs. Robert A. L'Hommedieu Mrs. Elizabeth C. Lucas Mrs. Rita Sparks Lt Col Glenn W. Taylor Col Thomas D. White deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] AFV CHARITABLE FOUNDATION REPORT FOR NOVEMBER (continued) BLUE SKIES WEST FUND Lt Col Rodney H. Howes Mrs. Geri Martin Lt Col and Mrs. Edward J.C. Orbock Mrs. Elizabeth Wood THE VISTA at Blue Skies West Mrs. Shirley A. Benner Dabblers at Blue Skies West Maj Gen and Mrs. Abraham J. Dreiseszun Lt Col Robert D. Inghram Mrs. Virginia K. Lengnick Mrs. Dixie Lee Miller Maj Cliff Turner HIGH FLIGHT CHAPEL FUND Mrs. Scottie M. Bridges Col and Mrs. Jack P. Bujalski Mrs. Jo Dobbs Col and Mrs. Max Giovannini Col and Mrs. Knute Lawson Gifts Through Protestant Church: Maj and Mrs. Kenneth F. Andrews, Jr. Mrs. Wanda Asbury Lt Col and Mrs. Harold D. Bonath Col and Mrs. John R. Brooks Lt Col and Mrs. Thomas H. Curtis Mrs. Kelly Dixon Col and Mrs. Wayne Erwin Mrs. Gayl Ganskow Mrs. Eileen Hubp CAPT and Mrs. Hal Lutz Lt Col and Mrs. Paul N. Shull Maj and Mrs. Kenneth L. Wells CAPT and Mrs. Edward W. Wilson MARY OPAL WOLANIN ENDOWMENT Col and Mrs. Allan J. Perry Lt Col Anthony F. Santacroce Maj and Mrs. John W. Yingling EMPLOYEE EMERGENCY FUND Mrs. Shannon Albers Lt Col and Mrs. George N. Backus Ms. Donna Bird Mrs. Anne A. Bowbeer Dr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Burke Mr. and Mrs. Mark Carpenter Ms. Marla Casanova Mrs. Ann Christie CAPT and Mrs. Ralph D. Comer Maj Gen and Mrs. Lewis G. Curtis Lt Col Kathleen and Mr. Jesse Estrada Mrs. Sandra Gonzalez Lt Col Rodney H. Howes Ms. Vanessa Jackson Maj and Mrs. Louis W. Matamoros Ms. Nona McElroy Ms. Audrey Ramsbacher Mr. Peter Stasker Mrs. Patricia L. Upchurch Lt Col and Mrs. Norris S. Wynne Mrs. Cynthia Yanez CONCERT SERIES Lt Col and Mrs. Thomas P. Craig, Jr. Mrs. Catherine W. Duncan Col Herbert W. Ladd Col and Mrs. Knute Lawson Col and Mrs. Rollin S. Siefken We make every effort to prepare a complete and accurate donor listing. Please accept our apology for any error. If you detect an error, please contact the AFVCF office (568-3211) so that we can correct our records. Thank you. 6 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] MAINTENANCE PEST CONTROL SCHEDULE By: Director of Maintenance, [email protected] Thursday, Dec 11: Hi-Rise – Floor 8 Mid-Rise – Floor 5 Cottages – 1751-59 The Hills – Dallas Thursday, Dec 18: Hi-Rise – Floor 9 Mid-Rise – Floor 6 Cottages – 1741-50 The Hills – Austin WELLNESS AND LIFE ENRICHMENT EVENTS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER Wellness is the balancing of mind, body and spirit to achieve a state of health and happiness. Blue Skies of Texas understands that the pursuit of wellness is a lifelong commitment, and Life Enrichment is an important component of Wellness. With a focus on the seven Dimensions of Wellness, Blue Skies of Texas takes a holistic approach that enriches the quality of life for every resident – in independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation, skilled nursing and memory care. WELLNESS & LIFE ENRICHMENT STAFF BST EAST SCHEDULE Shari Proctor, LBSW, Wellness & Life Enrichment Director - Tues & Thurs Marla Casanova, RN Liaison - Mon & Wed Shirley Clay, Resident Counselor - Mon, Wed, Fri Medication Pick-Up Times Medications picked up at Reid Pharmacy and HEB Pharmacy are available for pick up in the Wellness Center 1pm-4pm Monday-Friday only EVENTS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 7 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] LIFE ENRICHMENT Life Enrichment Manager, [email protected] Activities Coordinator, [email protected] December Exercise Schedule Tuesday, Dec 9 - 1:30pm Yoga Cancelled (Correction) Thursday, Dec 11 - 1:30pm Yoga Cancelled (Correction) Monday, Dec 22 through Friday, Jan 2 - All Classes cancelled, except for the following: Monday, Dec 22 -11:00am Tai Chi Monday, Dec 29 - Regular scheduled classes will be held Tuesday, Dec 30 - Regular scheduled classes will be held Wednesday, Dec 31 - Classes Cancelled Thursday, Jan 1 - Classes Cancelled Friday, Jan 2 - Regular scheduled classes will be held Sunday, Dec 21, 93rd Air Force Squadron Caroling with Cookies, Main Lobby, 2pm - Under the direction of Airman Bigler we will have a special treat. The 93rd Air Force Squadron enjoyed visiting with residents last year and is delighted to add singing this year. Join us in the Main Lobby for some Christmas caroling as cookie goodie bags are passed out. RESIDENTS’ CORNER ANNIVERSARY AND BIRTHDAY PHOTOS STAFF By: Norris Wynne and Sonja Williams Dig out your favorite old picture for sharing with your Blue Skies neighbors. Send your photo through the front desk internal mail to Norris Wynne Apt 709, prior to the 27 of the month before your Birthday or Anniversary. We will post it on the Birthday and Anniversary display in the lobby as well as on the in house television channel. Please write the name and the date as well as your apartment number on the back of the photo. The original will be returned to you. Remember the deadline is the 27. Thank you, Norris and Sonja. 8 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] NEW BOOKS ORDERED FOR LIBRARY By: Anne Bowbeer The following large-print, hardback books have been selected by Friends of the Village Library: Jussi Adler-Olsen, The Purity of Vengeance; Kate Alcott, The Daring Ladies of Lowell; James Lee Burke, Wayfaring Stranger; Catherine Coulter and J. T. Ellison, Lost Key: A Brit in the FBI; John Ford, Suddenly the Cider Didn’t Taste So Good (non-fiction); John Grisham, Skipping Christmas; Lisa Jackson, Deserves to Die; Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen, Sight Unseen; Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, Killing Patton: The Strange Death of World War II’s Most Audacious General (non-fiction); Brad Thor, Act of War; Lis Wiehl and April Henry, A Deadly Business; Elie Wiesel, Hostage; and Dee Williams, The Big Tiny (non-fiction). Please also look for new-to-us, donated books displayed in the Main Library. It’s not too early to pay Friends of the Village Library dues ($25) for 2015 or to make other donations. This is the only source of money for the library. Checks may be addressed to Sharon Rider, #1207, and deposited in Internal Mail. MILITARY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (MOAA) By: Bill Knehans For most of us the acronym DEERS is so commonplace that it has almost become a household word. Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is a database of military beneficiaries, maintained by the Department of Defense, who are entitled to TRICARE benefits. Sponsors are automatically registered in DEERS, but family members must be enrolled by the sponsor. Your DEERS eligibility is verified whenever you seek to use TRICARE benefits. Mistakes in the database can cause problems with TRICARE claims, so you should ensure that your information is up-to-date and accurate. Any changes that affect your family should be reported. You can check the accuracy of your information by going to milConnect, the subject of a previous article, contact the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office (800-538-9552), or go to www.tricare.osd.mil/deers. O-CLUB APPRECIATION NIGHT – LACKLAND GATEWAY CLUB By: Ken Wells There will not be an "Appreciation Night" in November and December. It will resume in January and it will then fall on the fourth Tuesday of each month. AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE By: Gene Kircus Friday, Dec 5, 12:30-5pm, in the Roadrunner Lounge, is the last chance to take the Driving Safety class this year. AARP has dedicated considerable time and resources to creating the best possible Driving Safety course using extensive curriculum 9 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] research. The new course features the most informative and relevant content from previous editions – updated to reflect the latest driver safety and transportation innovations – bundled with fresh information based on new research, expert recommendations and volunteer and participant insights. Most auto insurance companies give a premium discount to those who complete the course. You must attend the course once every three years to be eligible for the discount. The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers. Sign-up sheets are in CC1. AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS By: Jenona Whitlach, Village Voices Familiar songs and carols - this is what you will hear at the Village Voices Christmas concert. Please join us on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7pm in the CC rooms at BST East. Punch and cookies will top off the evening. See you there! EMPLOYEES’ CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY By: Ed Waples The 6th Annual Employees’ Children’s Christmas Party, sponsored by the White Elephant and Activities Coordinating Council, will be Friday, Dec 12, at 4pm in the Legacy Room. The traveling Angel Tree at Blue Skies of Texas for the employees’ children started Monday, Nov 10. If you would like to donate a gift of $20 or less, please choose an angel from the tree. The deadline for the gift was Monday, Dec 1. There will be refreshments, Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, music, and a photographer from Walgreens to take pictures with Santa. Please plan to stop by and see the smiles on the children’s faces as they receive a gift. For more information, please call Ed Waples 401-6075, Debbie Zazeela 5685200, Hope Santos 568-5076 or DeAdra Harston 568-5028. JEWELRY BY BRENDA By: Pam Westwood Friday, Dec 12, 1-4pm in CC2 at BST West. Beautiful gifts by Brenda Tobey, USN (Retired), for that special someone on your list. Exquisite handcrafted, beaded jewelry and one-of-a-kind pieces by a veteran. Don’t miss this chance to bring a smile to someone’s face with that perfect Christmas gift. Only cash or checks accepted. THE SINGALONG STRINGS UKLELELE BAND By: Verna Mae Roberson Everyone enjoys Christmas music and we’ll be doing our part to bring it to the Villages! Our schedule for BST East: Friday, Dec 5, 3:30pm at The Mission Don’t forget our monthly Singalong in the Legacy Room on Saturday, Dec 13, at 7pm. Merry Christmas! 10 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] LOSC DECEMBER LUNCHEON By: Lee Wells & Jean Thatcher Our December Lackland Officers’ Spouses’ Club (LOSC) Luncheon will be on Tuesday, Dec 16, 11am at the Lackland Gateway Club. The price is $17, $15 if you are also a member of the Gateway Officers’ Club. See your December LOSC Lowdown for more program and menu information. You must make your reservation by noon on Thursday, Dec 11. BST West members must call Kaye Duncan to make a reservation. BST East members must call Jean Thatcher for their reservation. Everyone must sign up for the bus in the Activity Signup Booklet in your CC room. The bus will depart at 10:30am from BST West and 10:45am from BST East. Return pickup will be at 1pm. There is no transportation charge for this event. JOINT CATHOLIC-JEWISH COMMEMORATION OF HANUKKAH LUNCHEON By: Rose & Abe Dreiseszun On Thursday, Dec 18, at 11:30am the Celebrate Hanukkah will take place at the San Fernando Cathedral Hall. The theme this year is: “Catholic-Jewish Relations Today.” Presenters will be Raul Rodriguez and Laura Ehrenberg-Chesler, two prominent leaders of our Catholic and Jewish communities, respectively. Cost of the luncheon is $25 and will be charged to your account. Transportation will be provided by Blue Skies of Texas. Please contact Abe Dreiseszun if you have any questions. The sign-up deadline is Friday, Dec 12. The bus leaves BST West at 10:15am and BST East at 10:30am. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDELIGHT SERVICE By: Rose Reagan Wednesday, Dec 24, 6pm, at Lackland Baptist Church. Celebrate the Christmas season by attending the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at the Lackland Baptist Church. Come and hear the Christmas Story as told in the Scriptures, sing Christmas Carols, receive communion/Lord’s Supper and enjoy fellowship and refreshments. There is no charge for this event or transportation. Sign-up sheet is in Activities Book in CC1. Sign-up deadline is Friday, Dec 19. The bus leaves BST East at 5:30pm. AFRICAN SAFARI PRESENTATION By: Don Hallager On Thursday, Jan 8, at 3pm Linda McMillion will share her African Safari adventure with pictures in the Roadrunner Lounge at BST West. Linda is a new resident who will be moving into Garden Home 862 during the month of January. Please plan to come and welcome her, and enjoy her presentation of the safari she took this year. 11 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] CALLING ALL BIRD LOVERS By: Sharon Freeto Thursday, Jan 15, we will be visiting Mitchell Lake Pelicans on Mitchell Lake at Sunset Audubon Center, the prime birding and overall natural area not far from Texas A@M, off Morsund Blvd right here in San Antonio! The day will begin with a presentation by Interim Director, Jason St. Sauver about the history and mission of the Center followed by a motorized tour of the area. Cost is $5 per person if you are not a member of Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. Wear comfortable clothes that you can layer and bring your binoculars and bird books if you have them. We will stop for an inexpensive lunch on the way home. For more information contact Blues Skies resident and Audubon Center Docent, Sharon Freeto at 830-613-1007 or at [email protected]. Sign up in Activity Book. Cost will be: $5 per person for Pelicans on Mitchell Lake at Sunset Audubon Center, bus transportation and your lunch. Sign-up deadline is Monday, Jan 5. Bus leaves BST West at 9am and BST East at 9:15am. THE HAM BAND NEWS By: Bill Overacker Is that a clothes line on Towers 3 and 4 roof, or maybe it’s a wire for perching birds to view Blue Skies West activities? No! This is a G5RV all band high frequency antenna erected during June 2013 to support BST’s amateur radio club. This versatile “T” shaped wire antenna was invented by Louis Varney, a British Ham, over 40 years ago. He named his invention with his call sign-G5RV. This antenna is connected to a coaxial cable located within the elevator shaft, and descends into the Ham Radio Room connecting to the ICOM transmitter/receiver unit. A ground strap connected to the rig protects the station from electrical atmospheric impulses. These lines were installed by the former ham club, and finding them above the ceiling tiles was a challenge! With the G5RV antenna approximately 120 feet above ground, communication is enhanced in both signal and range. The antenna is an essential component of any ham station, and BST West has a quality set-up thanks to the support of the management and residents. The Ham Club will not meet during December, but will continue its third Thursday monthly meetings in January with the next meeting on Thursday, Jan 15, at 11:30am in the Roadrunner Lounge at BST West. All are welcome to attend. 73 (Best regards in Ham language) HOBBY SHOP By: Fred Potter/Bob Knapp At Tidd’s Tinker Shop, we repair items for residents of the Village. We do not expect to be paid for the work, but request that you make a small donation to the White Elephant, as they provide the monies for our supplies. We repair lamps and small appliances, as well as repairing, 12 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] painting, and refinishing furniture. We work mainly with wood, but have done some work with other materials. If we can help you with any of these items, please call us at the Hobby Shop: (210) 568-5297. We do not have regular hours each day, so please call our home numbers if you don’t catch us at the Hobby Shop. ART STUDIO By: Brooks Frederick The Art Studio, located in Main Street, is open 24/7. There are plenty of supplies at this time just waiting for your talent to put them to good use. I will be in the studio on Wednesdays from 10am-Noon and will be available to teach drawing to anyone interested during those hours. BINGO WANTS YOU! By: Esther Wright All residents are invited to play Bingo every Tuesday, 7-8:45pm, in CC2,3. We will be having 10 games for 25 cents a card for the evening. Come join us! Prizes & Refreshments! RELIGIOUS SERVICES CATHOLIC NEWS By: Allan Perry Catholic Mass is celebrated in the BST East Main Chapel, every Sunday at 3:30pm. Marianist priests perform the service. The BST East Blessed Sacrament Chapel is now open after extensive repairs. The Village Catholic Community would like to thank our Maintenance Staff, Contractors, Catered Living and our Housekeeping Staff for all their work. During the upcoming hectic Holiday Season we sometimes wish we could escape to a quiet place to think and contemplate! One such place in the Village is the reopened Blessed Sacrament Chapel, room # 114, located adjacent to the Wellness Center. I was recently delighted to learn the Chapel is frequently visited by NonCatholic residents and staff for prayer and meditation. It is again opened 24 hours a day. The Chapel is decorated for the Christmas Season with many colorful poinsettias and two miniature nativity sets; one is placed in the Chapel and the other in placed in the adjoining conference room. The conference room nativity set, displayed in the Main Lobby during each Christmas Season for many years, was donated by the family of the late Janet Cockman, a village resident. A favorite time of day to visit the chapel is late afternoon when the sun shines through the stain glass window inlays, bringing out the vibrant colors! 13 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] A Prayer Journal is always located on a stand on the left as you enter the chapel. Anyone is free to make entries into the journal. PROTESTANT CHURCH SERVICE By: Carol Frazier, Chapel Administrator We invite you to our worship services each Sunday, 9:30am at The Mission MultiPurpose Room and 11am, Main Chapel. The Church Office, located in the Executive Office, is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am-1pm; phone 674-3361. EPISCOPAL CHURCH By: Saralee Hardell Members of the Episcopal Church may have communion delivered by Fr. Richard Ames on Sunday afternoons. Please contact the church at 684-0845 if you would like to participate. There are no communion services on Wednesdays at BST East. JEWISH SERVICES INFORMATION Sabbath Eve Service meeting is held on Fridays, at 5:45pm at Lackland’s Airman Memorial Chapel. ALL DENOMINATION BIBLE DISCUSSION By: Joan Potter Bible discussion and study with Kelly Workman meets each Thursday at 7pm in the LeMay Room. All are cordially invited and welcome to come and give input to make this a lively and enjoyable time. BIBLE STUDY By: Bill Harris The Thursday Evening Study will not meet on Dec 16, 23 or 30. We will resume our meeting on Tuesday, Jan 6, at 7pm in the LeMay Room. All are cordially invited and welcome to come and give input to make this a lively and enjoyable time. Bill Harris can be contacted at 998-3242. GAMES AND SCORES MAHJONG By: Barbara O’Connor & Estelle Sutton Mahjong players needed! Whether you used to play the game or would like to learn, please join us in the Main Street Resident Game Room, formerly the Old HCC Chapel, on Wednesdays at 1pm. It really is not that difficult – like most games, you have a hand of cards (or tiles) in different suits; you pick a tile, discard one and pass some along, etc...until you have a “hand.” We will help you as long as you need us. See you soon. 14 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected] ACTION AT THE POOL HALL By: Lynn Reagan Wednesday, Nov 19: Eleven hopeful players entered the fray. “Cowboy” Jack ruled the day. He swept aside “Thud” Ralph, “Lucky” Lynn and “Big Daddy” Hal to wait quietly undefeated for a final challenger. “Old Vol” Jim and “Big Daddy” were the strongest contenders. “Big Daddy” made losers of the “Old Vol,” “Killer” Paul, and “Curly” Bill before “Cowboy” administered his first loss. “Old Vol” worked steadily against other losers, eliminating “Wicked” Wilma, “Thud” and “Blackjack” Ron to gain a rematch with “Big Daddy.” A 5-9 combination consigned “Big Daddy” to third place and set the final match between “Old Vol” and “Cowboy.” These two battled relentlessly until “Cowboy,” seeing only two balls left on the table, sank them in succession and sewed up first place. “Old Vol” had battled valiantly to earn second place. Saturday, Nov 22: “Wicked” Wilma walked wantonly over the wishes of “Lucky” Lynn, “Cowboy” Jack, “Killer” Paul and Bob “the Mouth” to place herself as the undefeated challenger in the final match. “Lucky” ended the aspirations of fellow early losers “Bumblebee” Bill, “Dutch” Rollen, “Cowboy” and “Killer,” but faltered against “the Mouth.” “The Mouth” had taken early games from “Snapshot” Norris and “Big Daddy” Hal before suffering a first loss to “Wicked” Wilma. He steadied himself to knock out “Lucky” and challenged “Wicked” Wilma for a final reckoning. “Wicked” Wilma dispatched him by causing the cue ball to carom off the 7 ball and then bank off an end rail to tap the 9 ball into a corner pocket. “Wicked” Wilma won first place, “the Mouth” placed second and “Lucky” landed in third place. Wednesday, Nov 26: “Curly” Bill had a good run, making losers of Bob “the Mouth,” “Big Daddy” Hal, “Cowboy” Jack and “Pokerface” Mike to set himself in contention for the ultimate win. “Big Daddy” sent down “Lucky” Lynn before falling at the hands of “Curly.” He managed to dispatch the “Old Vol” and “Lucky” before failing to cope successfully with “Cowboy.” “Cowboy” had dropped “Thud” Ralph and the “Old Vol” before losing early to “Curly.” With grim determination, he regrouped and took out “Scratch” Rick (a visitor), “Pokerface” Mike and “Big Daddy.” Two wins in a row over “Curly” saw “Cowboy” claw his way to first place, leaving “Curly” second and “Big Daddy” third. Saturday, Nov 29: “Scratch” Rick defeated “Snapshot” Norris, “Blackjack” Ron, “Thud” Ralph and “Lucky” Lynn for a shot at the tournament win. “Curly” Bill lost early to “Blackjack” Ron, but rallied to wipe out “Snapshot,” “Cowboy” Jack and “Blackjack” before allowing “Old Vol” Jim a victory. The “Old Vol” shot down “Cowboy” before flaming out against “Thud.” He recovered to end the day for “Dutch” Rollen, “Thud” and “Curly” on his way to a tournament ending loss to “Scratch.” This placed “Scratch” first, “Old Vol” second and “Curly” third. 15 deadline: Friday, Dec 12 @ 4:[email protected]
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