I Won!

I won a game of pool last night. Normally, one winning a single game would be not be newsworthy.

In this case it is!

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The Flavor of Rockport 35 RV Park

We'll have our turkey dinner today, but Tom and Dianne and their family will have the true flavor of Texas and the Park at their dinner!

One of the last things they did before leaving Rockport last Spring was to go to H.E.B. and purchase beef brisket. They cooked it a couple of days ago and Tom reported that it was absolutely delicious.

But they didn't "just cook it." They cooked it according to the detailed instructions Tony provided!

The whole gang (T & D, his parents, his two brothers and their families, and Tom and Dianne's sons and their families) will all gather to enjoy not only ham and all the other fixin's but the true flavor of Rockport 35 RV Park through Tony's brisket recipe!

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Merry Christmas!

Pat and I wish each of our Rockport 35 RV Park friends a Merry Christmas!


This is our 6th year at the park and we have met many wonderful people whom we now consider our friends. Some are still here, a few have gone to their eternal reward, some have gone to different parks or different areas of the country, some are unable to travel due to family situations, and some will be down after the holidays. We always look forward to arriving to see our friends!


The first year we were here, we were met at the office door by Gene. He and Donna were great representatives for the park and for Iowa. This year, Terry met us in the parking lot and directed us to "go park" because choir practice was in session. In each case, we instantly felt at home.


For those not here, Christmas is in full swing at the park. Many units are decorated with lights. Christmas Eve we had the traditional finger food snacks and gift exchange. Hot item: bags of pecans!


At nine, about 35 folks returned for the Christmas Eve candlelight worship service—a touching service of music, reading of the Christmas story plus the prophecy of same from the old testament, and communion.


There was no Saturday breakfast. We'll make up for it at the one-o-clock Christmas Feast!


Clearly, we live pretty well here at the park: good friends, good food, good weather! What more could one ask for?


Merry Christmas, Friends!

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Comment:
If the 1 pm feast didn't do you in the 6 pm re-eat  should have done you in!!!

Joe & Carolyn

Update from Tom

This message is from Tom, pictured below a few years ago, and is an update on his encounter with cancer.

"Hope everyone is having a spectacular Christmas season!!!!!  Remember the reason for the season!!!!

Just wanted to give everyone an update on the medical events in my life.  A week ago I had a bladder biopsy and the doc discovered another tumor.  Dianne and I met with the doc yesterday to go over the pathology report and discuss the situation.  The new tumor was considered "High Grade", non-aggressive, and had NOT invaded the bladder wall and linings.  He removed it successfully.  We all agree that is GOOD news.

I am going to undergo 6 more treatments with a little different "cocktail" over the next 2 months (Jan/Feb).  Then wait another 6-weeks and do another biopsy.  By the way, the 6 previous treatments (Oct/Nov) successfully dealt with the original tumor............good news!

Needless-to-say, we will be sticking around home this winter.  We are very disappointed about the annual Texas trip (we have been going to Rockport for the past seven years), but we will return next year and probably stay longer!!!

The good news is we have a plan and it will work!

For those of you that live in the McHenry area, if you need the piles of snow removed over the winter, give me a call.  I'll think about it ..............................yeah, right!!!

Keep you prayers coming.................it works!!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Tom and Dianne"

We'll miss you this winter!

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Missed in Cedar Rapids

Yesterday (Sunday) at 3 in the afternoon, we missed a wonderful event in Cedar Rapids.


The event: a "flash mob" singing the Hallujaalh Chorus! (Flash mob = when people set up a time to gather in a public place (usually a mall, food court or airport) and sing something to the unsuspecting shoppers or travelers.)





I spotted one lady from my church choir and a flying buddy who is also a singer in the video.


How neat it would have been to have been sitting there in the food court sipping a Coke and then have this break out!

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Oscars Awarded

The play has been "played" and everyone was a winner at the performance of A Christmas Carole: the audience because they saw a performance to remember and the cast because each of them was awarded an "Oscar" for their performance! Plus, all shared wonderful cookies, punch, and a social time afterward.

The "Srooge" theme was continued into Allison's design of the "Oscar"—ably hand-crafted in secrecy by Tony.

The visual effects were stunning! Tony and his crew put lots of hours in recreating Scrooge and Marley's office and the Cratchit Family's home.  The costumes appeared early-1800-ish. And a theatrical spotlight, manned by Dean, made the set sparkle when it was supposed to sparkle and be drab when that was appropriate.

Here are a few photos which will refresh your memory if you were there or which will make you sorry you missed it if you were unable to attend.

Allison did a great job of utilizing the talents of first-year visitors to Rockport 35 RV Park. What a great way to get to know new friends!

Above, Don and Herschel are slaving away at Mr. Fezziwigs warehouse before being dismissed by the owner to leave work and party with their families.

Below, Connie and Gary did well in their first gig as actors at Rockport 35 RV.

The unpleasant and debilitating effects of medical treatment kept Al from his appointed rounds as Scrooge but did not deter he and Audrey from enjoying the performance and social time afterwards. 

He was replaced during the last week by a "mystery actor." Some thought Scrooge's voice sounded a lot like Allison's, and it was noted that Allison was nowhere around while the play was in progress. Is it possible that she brought this all together as director and played the title role?

Here are a couple of shots of the refreshment crowd:

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Performance is Saturday Night!

Saturday night, Dec. 18, several of our friends and neighbors will present A Christmas Carole, the Christmas classic by Charles Dickens.

To help set the stage, we'll sing a few familiar Christmas songs. Then we'll sit back and enjoy the performance! The actors have been honing their skills to assure that you'll have an evening to remember!

After the presentation, there'll be refreshments and a time to socialize.

Come, and bring your neighbors! You and they will both have a great evening!

There is no admission; a free-will offering will be accepted.

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