A Weekend To Remember

Although we typically have many more weekends of beautiful weather, the Labor Day weekend seems to signal the end of big crowds at the Ranch for the summer season. Members who have participated in the hustle and bustle of weekend activities cherish this time of year to relax and enjoy the wonderful, less humid weather of September. Our last Big Blast of summer at the Tropical Island Getaway was one to be remembered for several reasons..most of them pleasant.
Decorating for the weekend began on Friday morning and members pitched in to set the theme for an Island party. Grass skirts adorned the wooden part of the deck, palm trees graced the entrance to the clubhouse, and fringed banners were flying in the breeze. The Tiki Bar was well lit, and other colorful decorations were in evidence in the pool area and clubhouse. Dinner in the evening was chopped barbecue as the main dish and other members contributed with a delicious array of sides. PJ's from the Tiki Bar were enjoyed by all ( we don't mean the sleeping attire) and the party began.
On Saturday morning, the festivities began with an Island Golf Cart parade. Riding atop one of the golf carts was a huge monkey, on another there was an "interesting" hood ornament, Barbie,in her lack of beach attire, rode in another, and many other golf carts were decked out in festive cut outs, leis and wind socks. Island music,played on one cart, could be heard as the golf carts made their way throughout the Ranch Island. Treat bags were thrown out to the crowd in an attempt to influence their vote for the best cart,,,needless to say,,it didn't work but was good fun.
Members began preparing for lunch and approximately 54 members and guests enjoyed barbecued chicken, fried rice, fruit, tossed salad, corn on the cob, Hawaiian rolls, and a wide variety of desserts prepared by our fabulous chefs. Many compliments were received on the meal and seemed to be enjoyed by most.
The Tiki Bar had opened at 10:00 to serve breakfast beverages and continued operating all day to serve members and guests by the poolside. Members hosted an hour of their favorite drinks and the crowd became more lively and festive. Games played by the pool in the afternoon were designed to entertain participants and spectators and were short, fun, and hilarious.
Shrimp, crab meat, and leftovers from the luncheon served to satisfy the Island Ranch natives for dinner. The next few hours turned out to be quite an adventure for some, an unknown entity for others, and a blessing for several when it was over.
Breakfast on Sunday proved to be just what the doctor ordered and homemade gravy, biscuits, breakfast casseroles and juice and coffee nourished the body and minds of the weak and weary in order to fortify us for another day on the "island".
It seemed we had just finished the delicious breakfast when lunch preparations began. On the menu for Sunday was spiral ham, green beans with potatoes, Hawaiian ambrosia, potato salad, slaw, yeast rolls, and a whole new batch of desserts. It seems that everyone wanted to make sure that this Island Getaway weekend would be like so many of our vacations where pounds are accumulated but enjoyed while applied.
The Tiki Bar was open again on Sunday and all enjoyed the beverages served throughout the course of the day. Short and Sweet games were played and for the rest of the afternoon, friends relaxed and chatted by the pool. Several packed up and left due to the threat of rain on Monday and the tired crowd wound down early. A short poker game was played, a storage closet was cleaned, several talked until the wee hours of the morning and the Ranch Island was quiet as Labor Day dawned.
Although Labor Day was partly cloudy and the crowd small, they were able to clean up, take down decorations, recap the weekend's events and enjoy lunch before calling it a day. No rain fell until after 4 in the afternoon so early departures missed out on another great day "on the Island".
Fundraising efforts were a tremendous success, ICE committee members were elected, and every single person contributed to making the Tropical Island Getaway a positive experience. Congratulations on another season, even though it's not over..we have proven..IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO WE.