Orange Acres History
March 2009

These pictures progress from top to bottom

March 2 - Monday

There were five that braved the 60º temperature today and rode their bikes to the mall. They are Jim Lessard, Bob LaPosa, Dick Studer, Bob's grandson Dick and Phil Albarano.

March 3 - Tuesday

There were 112 at coffee this morning. Today was State T-Shirt day and a poll was taken of all those present. The winner this year was New York state.

Mary Ryman introduced Pauline and Renaud Courchesne. Renaud was unable to attend the coffee hour. They reside at 124 Jeffrey Circle.

Mary Ryman then introduced Ruth and Don Hostetler of 99 Loren Drive.

Mary also introduced Cathy and Dick Gilmartin of 91 Loren Way.

Nine from Orange Acres went to Lakeland with Ship & Shore today to see Carl Hurley & Jeanne Robertson at the Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College.

Many of the buildings at Florida Southern College were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Here are just a few samples of the architecture.

March 5 - Thursday

Mary Cowan welcomed the 100 guests to the fish fry at the clubhouse tonight.

Rev. Joe Stump led the group in prayer.

This is our great volunteer serving line.

The entertainment tonight was Magician Stevie Dee who amazed us all with his illusions.

March 10 - Tuesday

There were 101 at coffee this morning.

After the coffee hour we had our regular March business meeting.

Joe Stump opened the meeting with prayer. The officers for the 2009-2010 season were elected. They are Ed Marion- President, Marti Gauthier- Vice President, Ramona Armstrong- Secretary and Bob Beauregard Treasurer.

After the business meeting the Orange Blossoms practiced their songs for the coronation next week.

March 12 - Thursday

Here are some of the pictures that were taken at the ladies tea. It included a fashion show.

This is Chairperson Judy Marian and all her helpers.

Thanks to Lorraine Labonte for the pictures.

March 14 - Saturday

We had a great Sports Day today. Lots of great action.

Many people participated in the many games.

The ticket sellers were also busy.

The weather was perfect but not always the scores.

Everyone got to join in

Chairman Dave Burrows handed out the prizes

We all had a great meal to go along with it.

March 17 - Tuesday

There were 143 at the coffee hour this morning. Many people wore green this St. Patrick's Day.

Gene Mathes and Mary Cowan had on their crazy hats.

Coronation

The coronation of a new king and queen took place after the coffee hour this morning. The past queens and kings were seated on the stage as the present king and queen processed.

Queen Annlee and King Gene took their seats of honor at center stage.

The Orange Blossoms serenaded the current king and queen.

The current king and queen went into the audience and escorted the new king and queen to the platform.

Queen Grace and king Charlie took the place of honor.

Most recent king and queen Ralph and Phyllis Haas transferred the robes and crowns to the new king and queen.

The new Queen Grace Sherry and King Charlie Parkes were introduced to the crowd and their profiles read.

They were presented with the keys to the kingdom.

They were also given the signs to place at their homes. And now we must pay due respect to the new royalty.

March 20 - Friday

The Orange Acres dance tonight featured "Silver Sounds". Some were not happy with the music and his choice of songs. There were about 85 in attendance.

Here are a few of the Orange Acres Residents attending.

It was a good time to visit and dance.

The social time was great.

Lorraine Labonte and her crew drew for the door prizes.

Here are some of them doing "YMCA".

There was a lot of participation in the group dances.

The "Hokey Pokey" drew a big crowd.

There was also a time of "Limbo" dancing.

They did a great job of the new dance "Cha Cha Slide"

March 23 - Monday

There were 12 bike riders that participated in the first Orange Acres Myakka Park Bike Ride. This map shows the 13.6 mile trip from the front entrance to the back entrance and returning.

Here are the 12 that took part in this great trip.

We all got to see some alligators in the lake and river.

We took the canopy walk and saw the park from the top of this great tower.

At times the weather was cool and drizzling rain and sometimes it was warm and sunny. Here we are viewing the tour boat on the lake.

This armadillo caught our attention. We plan to return again on April 13 at 11 am with a noon picnic.

March 24 - Tuesday

There were 106 at coffee this morning.

Caroline Turner introduced new home owners Tom and Karen Yoder.

March 26 - Thursday

There is a new sandhill crane in the neighborhood.

March 30 - Monday - Snowbird Picnic

We had a great time at the Snowbird Picnic today at Twin Lakes Park. Organizer Anlee Provided her special tea.

The food as always was great and plentiful.

That cake said "Happy Snowbird Picnic" before it got cut.

There were a lot of fun games. Some were challenged by the wind and had to be modified or eliminated.

Passing the orange always gets a lot of laughs. There were a lot of new games like passing sand down the line and passing a toilet paper roll using plungers.