July 4th - Time to Party

July 4, 2017

Last Thursday I hatched the idea of throwing a Hillcrest gathering for lunch to bring the few of us together that are still staying here at the park.  There are about 25 homes occupied out of the 500 spaces in the park and we are scattered all around so it just seemed like it would be fun to get us together so we could meet each other since many of us don't know who all is here.

Before taking the first step, I talked with Christy, our manager, who was busy working with the owner at the time.  She agreed that we could use CH 1 for the gathering.  Of course, I invited her right on the spot to come and be a part of it.  The owner teased us a bit about charges and wished me the best. I put together a short invitation with fireworks splashing on it in the background and sent it out by giving it to Barbara, our mail lady, to put in the boxes of those staying here. (wish I could put a copy here but for some reason I can't)  Ken immediately went over and put up the information on our huge outdoor sign by the clubhouse.

Then I proceeded to make some plans without really knowing how many might come. I shared the idea with Emma Jean and with Harriett who has been coming to the pool with me each morning to exercise.  They agreed to bring some kind of main dish as would I so we could be sure of having at least some substantial food (I've been to potlucks where most everyone brought a dessert).  Ken and I went shopping and picked up loads of frozen meatballs and bbq sauce and some decorations including tablecloths, red/white/blue flowers and vases for decoration, and some runners for down the center of the tables.

Yesterday, Harriett and I set up some of the tables with the clothes just to see what it would look like and to see if we needed anything else.  A resident came in for mail, Shirley, and we asked if she and her husband were planning on coming.  They were and she enthusiastically shared that this use to happen back in the "old" days (obviously before my time here) and was looking forward to it.  After I got out of the pool I saw Bob Lowe and asked if he and Fran were coming.  He said "yes" so now I know there will at least be 12 of us there.
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