It's been a while since I've posted because I have been extremely busy with activities here at Riverbend. On Christmas Eve day we entertained some friends that we met in Cantwell, Alaska here for breakfast. It was a real treat to visit with Mike and Lynn Lawless and we look forward to visiting them soon while in Fort Myers. In the afternoon my parents, Tom & Bobbie Leopold, arrived here at the resort and stayed here for 2 nights so that we could spend Christmas together for the first time in several years. Christmas Eve at Riverbend was spent playing a fun game trading presents, singing carols and sharing Christmas memories. Christmas Day we had a turkey, ham, mashed potato and stuffing dinner for 160. Everyone brought a dish to share so we had more than enough food!
Right after Christmas, I had to de-decorate the main dining room, bar and some of the living room at the River Clubhouse so that we could decorate for New Years Eve. New Years Eve was lots of fun, and very well attended. I even got all dressed up!
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| All Dressed Up |
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| The New Year's Eve Ball Drop |
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| The ball drops on New Years Eve |
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| The champagne glasses are ready to be filled |
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After the New Years Eve festivities a great meal of pork, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes was served by Rich & Georgia Lentzen to 140 people on New Years Day. The next day was filled with activity by many wonderful volunteers helping me take down all of the Christmas decorations throughout the resort. Without their help I would have spent many days taking down all of the decorations instead of several hours.
Roger and I spent today taking the motor home for a ride and then going to the Lee County Manatee Park. The manatee's love coming to this location because the canal has warm water supplied from the Florida Power Plant. These gentle giant; cow like mammals are wonderful to see.
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| Here's a clear picture of what a manatee looks like |
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| 3 Manatee's at Manatee Park |
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| An old manatee enjoying the warm water |
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| Roger listening to the manatees |
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| A nice group enjoying the warm water of Manatee Park | |
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| Pirate Manatee |
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| A boat motor scared manatee |
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| A nice group of the gentle giant cow like mammals |
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| A nice old manatee with all of its barnacles |
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The next event here at Riverbend is tomorrow night with Latitude, a multi-talented band that plays a great variety of music which will also include dancing.
