that a very, very wicked soldier died there, once, and of course, went straight to the hottest corner of perdition, – and the next day he telegraphed back for his blankets.  ~Mark Twain, Roughing It, 1872, chapter LVI

Summer is here! …and the rumors fly

Comment on any rumors, and I will review them before publishing.

Names and addresses will be withheld.

Don

Really, in spite of rumors, at this time we have no other news to report.

Rod Erickson Show

Country Music
Hall of Fame Show

Country Music Hall of Fame Show

The 20 yards of fabric and Navajo Sarape pattern were donated by Grandma Jo’s Fabrics.
The quilt was made by Pat Joslin and It took him approximately 100 hours of cutting and sewing to complete.
It was quilted by Dee Shultz. Dee lives in La Pine, Oregon. Knowing she is a fantastic long arm quilter, we chose her to do the work and she graciously donated her quilting.
Sharon Woodward, a long time quilter from Colorado and active member of her local guild and a member of the Fortuna Classic Quilters, esimated the replacement value of the Sarape De Fortuna quilt at $1,800.00.
We do have tickets (6 for $5.00) available at the office.

2012 Photo Directories
Olans Mills are once again in the park and will create another lovely photo directory for us. Sign up sheets are available in the office. There are still lots of times available, so sign up now!! Don’t be disappointed again!! There is no cost to you to be in the directory, and you will able to select from a variety of free options.

Fortuna De Oro Lending Library
We have a wonderful lending library here in the park – with a wide variety of books you are able to borrow – and many DVD’s. It is the building on the east side of Victoria Lane, just across from the large pool.

Cathedral Health/RightPath Health Screenings
This service is again coming to the park to provide health screenings. To book appointments, please call 800-770-0240 or 602-254-7130.  The next visit to Fortuna will be February 10 in the mini hall for the day.

Decorating Committee
The Decorating Committee enjoys coming up with new ideas for fund raisers, and their latest was a golf basket that was raffled off on January 1st. The big winner was Myrna Wakeford with Joanne Trosky, Blair Nave, and Sandra Little taking secondary prizes.
Prizes were donated by Jesse Gomez, Val Kasper (of the Golf Tee), Brenda Morden, and Lynda Schutt. The committee would like to pass on a huge thanks to all those who donated the prizes and assisted in the drawing.

Aqua Zumba
 … has arrived at Fortuna De Oro with certified instructor Cindy Fram.  Join in the fun at the north pool on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM and again on Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 2:00PM. Come and join the fun!

Entertainment
Our entertainment schedule continues through this month with more great shows to keep your toes a-tappin on Saturdays.

Ron and Opal Erickson join us with the Ron and Opal Show on Saturday, February 4th at 7:00 PM in the north hall. They have been on the road for 11 years doing what they love – entertaining you! – They have been here several times and promise to bring a whole new and well-rounded show featuring a variety of music from Country, Dixieland, Ragtime and Pop, and they promise to throw in Buegrass plus a little humor  for fun. $6.00 at the door.

Time to break out your saddle shoes and poodle skirts for the Annual Sock Hop at 7:00 PM, February 12th with dj Mark Reynolds. Mark keeps those great tunes, that we all grew up to, coming. He has a never-ending library of good old music and even has been know to throw in the odd polka for all you Canadians. Whether you dress the part or not, come out just for the fun of it. You never know, you may even win a door prize. $6.00 at the door.

The David Bradley Show will be next on deck to entertain you – February 18th at 7:00 PM.  David started his musical background at the ripe old age of 5 years and was influenced by his father, a world champion yodeler who passed on his talent.  He is known as one of the greatest yodelers in the world, and has commanded audiences all over the United States and Canada.  In 1998, his dream came true when he was invited to join the Sons Of The Pioneers, and was with them for 5 years. The evening promises to be full of great music, and for only $6.00 at the door!

America Country rounds out the month with their fun-packed show on February 25th at 7:00 PM.  The group is made up of Larry Stevens and Art Gagnon. The guys will be entertaining you with country music and just plain old fun. These two professional entertainers have been performing since they were ‘knee high to a grasshopper’ and promise to keep you amused for the evening for $6.00 at the door.

McMahons RV Donut Run
From time to time throughout the winter, McMahon’s RV is bringing in a variety of RV’s for you to tour through, and join them for free cofee and donuts.
Look in the big parking lot at the North Hall.

FDO Gym
For those of you who aren’t familiar with our gym, Larry McNally is our qualified fitness trainer, and will be holding classes in January.  If you are interested in signing up, please drop by the gym  in the North Hall and talk to Larry

It’s Show Time!!
Now that the holidays are over it’s time to kick off our entertainment schedule.

• Banjo Jack and Jeanette Jepson are returning again this year for a show on January 7th, at 7:00PM in the North Hall. Ticket prices are set at $6.00.
  They come to us from Utah, and promise to entertain you. They both play a variety of instruments and music.
  -
• Jeanne & Jerome and their Call of the West Show is next on deck January 14th at 7:00PM in  the North Hall. The will entertain you with vocals and music played on a variety of instruments.  They have been performing together since 1989. Price – $6.00 at the door.
  -
• Six Feet Up is an Edmonton, Alberta based group that features 3 talented horn players, with Kevin on alto/bariton sax, flute and clarinet; Gail on tenor/soprano sax and Bruce on trombone.  Bruce and Gail split vocals, etc to create a powerfull music experience. The diversity of songs and styles range from classical big band, R&B, sixties and jazz. They take the stage on January 21st at 7:00 for a $6:00 admission at the door.
  -
• The award winning Bost Family Tradition rounds out the schedule for January with their show on January 28th at 7:00.  Jeff and Pamela Bost and their seven children are an energetic group that will be sure to delight you all evening.They are making a return visit after a few year’s absence. This six-piece country and bluegrass band from Cochise county, right here in Arizona, promises to keep you entertained for a fun evening.  Price – $6.00 at the door.

2012 Photo Directories
Olan Mills is once again coming into the park to create another lovely photo directory for us.  Watch the bulletin boards for information regarding sitting schedules starting around the middle of January. Again, there is no cost to you to be in the directory, and you will be able to purchase additional photos. Stay tuned for further details.

Christmas Dinner 

 Residents, join us at the North Hall for Christmas Dinner on December 25th at 12:00 Noon.  Bring a dish to share, your table setting and favorite beverage. Please pick up your free tickets at the office from December 1st through the deadline on December 22nd.
Sorry, no replacements for lost tickets.

Rural Metro

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend another meeting with Rural Metro on Wednesday, December 7th at 11:00AM on the restaurant deck – regarding the fire and ambulance service they provide for 911 calls. This is an important service, and if you ever need their assistance, you should know how it works.
Thanks for attending!

Food drive!

It’s that time of the year folks of FDO hold their annual food drive to support Women With Dependent Children.
Last year residents contributed 6459 pounds of food.
Please help us make this the best food drive ever!!

Date: December 08, 2011
Time: pick starts at 1:00PM

Toys for Tots

Once again this holiday season, the local Marines have a collection bin in the restaurant, where you can donate an unwrapped children’s gift. Help make this Christmas special for the less fortunate children. Pick-up day for the bin will be December 11th. Thanks for your support.

Thank You!

There was a huge response for this year’s Toys For Tots program sponsored by the local Marines.  You have made Christmas happy for a lot of less fortunate kids. The donation bins were overflowing with gifts. -

Caroling and golf car parade

The date for this year’s parade is December 19th. Decorate your golf car and meet in the north hall parking lot at 6:00pm, and we’ll travel through the park and meet back at the restaurant for cocoa and cookies. You are asked to bring a plate of cookies for all to enjoy.

Computer classes …

… are free to interested parties, and there is instruction offered for novice and intermediate users on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 10:00AM; and again for advanced users there are sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at 2:00PM. All sessions meet in the mini hall.
If this is something of interest to you, please join the groups. Earl Estes is the instructor/moderator.

Reqium

December 16, 2011 It’s with heavy hearts that we report the sudden loss due to massive heart attack of Susan Smith from space 641. She came to live in the park in 2003.  After being employed at Yuma Proving Grounds for a few years, she became a part-time worker here in the park and was well known for her various skills. If you wanted something done, Susan was your go-to-girl. She touched the lives of many of us in the park as well as the community.  She was an eager and dedicated volunteer with the Humane Society as well as Helping Hands. One of her favorite things was to go riding on her 4 wheeler out in the desert, and she enjoyed many trips with good friends.

Susan, we’ll all miss you

Condolences can be sent to her family in care of her mother, Kay Hurd at 15125 Lattimer Road, Moores Hill, Indiana 47032

The 20 yards of fabric and  Navajo Sarape pattern were donated by Grandma Jo’s Fabrics.
The quilt was made by Pat Joslin and It took him approximately 100 hours of cutting and sewing to complete.
It was quilted by Dee Shultz. Dee lives in La Pine, Oregon. Knowing she is a fantastic long arm quilter, we chose her to do the work and she graciously donated her quilting.
Sharon Woodward, a long time quilter from Colorado and active member of her local guild and a member of the Fortuna Classic Quilters, esimated the replacement value of the Sarape De Fortuna quilt at $1,800.00.

We do have tickets available at the office. If you are interested please see Donna.

Church  services will begin Sunday, Nopvember 6th in the north hall and is held by Pastor Paul Gunderson, with fellowship following in the restaurant.

  Craft Show

The first craft show of the season is Monday, November 7th in the north hall starting at 8:30AM.  The contacts are Jerry and Brenda Morden at phone number 305 2262.

 Casino School

  Casino School, Saturday, November 12th at 10:00AM in the north hall.

Rural Metro Presentation

  There is an informal presentation with Rual Metro Fire Department in the north hall on November 15th at 10:45AM.  Your attendance is encouraged.  Hear about their program, and bring your questions.

Around the Park

  In the last newsletter we welcomed some new faces that you will see this year.  We also have more to introduce:

Sam and Saundra Wedge have joined the gang, working on the weekends – Sam     outside and Saundra in the office
Bonnie Schnurer’s husband, Gary, is helping outside during the week.
-
Connie and Ernie in the Beauty Shop, and Ron in the Barber Shop are doing their best to meet our needs and keep you looking swell!
-
Sindi Moffat, LMT is also in the park ready to soothe your aches and pains!
-
The Jam Session kicks into high gear November 1st at 1:30PM in the north hall. Keith Shook is again riding herd on all the talented folks who come to entertain you.
They are really pround to show off their new sound system.  It’s awsome!!

Aqua Zumba

  We have been approached by a certified Zumba instructor about offering this to residents.  Please contact the office if you think this is something that you would like to have.  If there is enough interest generated, we could possibly make this happen.

Wednesday Dances

  We have a different band with some familiar faces providing music for our dances.
The Colorado River Boys Band will be playing Wednesdays At 7:00PM in the north hall
BYOB

  It’s always great to see all you folks back in the park. Summer gets a little lonely when y’all take off and just leave us to suffer in the heat of summer. We did have warm temps and a lot of humidity this summer and very little rain, but we made it! As usual, activities will be gearing up the first part of November with the exception of line-dancing. Joanne Barbieri is back again and so keen that she’s stating lessons October 10^th.
Ray Cox has promised to entertain us on the restaurant deck again this season starting October 28^th at 2.30PM

Fortuna De Oro Restaurant

The restaurant opened for the season on September 20^th with some familiar faces as well as some new ones. The hours are 7:00AM to 8:00PM Tuesday through Sunday and Mondays 7:00AM to 2:00PM.

Fortuna Del Rey Golf Course

Opening date is slated for October 20^th, after the over-seeding is completed. So get your clubs out and shined up ready to tee off. The Men’s Club meets Tuesdays, Couples on Wednesdays and Ladies on Thursdays with sign-up sheets for all groups in the pro shop.
We are sad to report that we lost Derrell Chapman this summer this summer, so we have a new man on the mower; Sterling Leavitt.
We will miss Don and Carolyn Beehn in the pro shop as they have decided to retire this year. Replacing them are Lloyd and Joan Medlin.

Around the park

We also have some new faces in the office and working around the park as well, with the retiring of Keith and Linda Shook and Bob and Dianne West. We will miss their smiling faces at the office, however they are still in the park.
Keith will be heading up the jam sessions on Tuesdays at 1:30PM in the north hall. Drop by and enjoy one of the best jam sessions in Yuma.

Foothills Massage

Another new face in the park is Sindi Moffat, LMT who is offering a variety of massage techniques. She can be reached at (928) 750 6646 and is located right next to the barbershop.

Quilters wanted

All levels of quilters are invited to join into this fun and wonderful time. At the present they are meeting on Tuesdays in the card room, from 12 to 5 and again on Fridays in the mini-hall from 11 to 4. Bring your machine, supplies and projects to join in the fun.

The gym at FDO

Larry McNally is our dedicated fitness trainer with your best interest at heart and is experienced at weight conditioning and will be willing to set you up for an individual program to suit your needs. Visit him in the gym and take a look around at the various pieces of equipment available. As always, you are asked to respect those who are involved in a program when making use of the equipment.

Mina De Fortuna Self Storage

There are still a wide variety of spaces available for rent at the storage facility. The phone number is (928) 342 1470. Call for availability and pricing – or better still, drop by to have a look. There is space for all your needs.