Sat - 17 Jan/15

Another day of Sunshine - it sure picks up the spirits.

Unfortunately, we will be using an hour and a half to replenish our daily medicine supply.

The task was made more enjoyable by watching "Gorky Park" from our movie collection. An investigator on the Moscow police force relentlessly pursues the solution to a triple homicide which occurred in Moscow's Gorky Park. He finds that no one really wants him to solve the crime because it is just the tip of a complex conspiracy which involves the highest levels of the Moscow city government. It is a good thriller.

Lunch in the RV before going to the "Silent Chinese Auction" for charity that was being held in the Main Clubhouse. Charlotte donated one of her handmade, fully jointed mohair bears to the cause.

A "Chinese Auction" which is really not Chinese in origin, is a silent auction most commonly used as a fundraiser, because it can raise a large amount of money for charity with very little expense. Most often the prizes are donated by local individuals or businesses. Bidders buy from a "dual row" of tickets similar to those used for 50/50 draws. The purchased ticket may then be place into a box designated for each specific item on display. Bidders can place as many tickets (to increase odds of winning) in as many (or as few) boxes as they choose. The matching number ticket from the "Dual Row" is placed into a drum for the draw. At a designated time the auction is "Closed" and a number is drawn for each item. The holder of the drawn number wins the prize.

The auction was packed. We did not have any luck on our items. Some folks won multiple times.

Charlotte was thrilled that a friend from quilting, Kathy Lee, (not sure of the spelling) had won the bear she donated to the auction. She knew it would be appreciated in it's new home.

To my surprise, I discovered that the owner of the "Polaris Slingshot", that I had seen in the park and mention in a previous blog (Thu - 8 Jan/15) belonged to Kathy Lee's husband.

We decided that we needed a "Roadtrip" to unwind. It may have been the "pressure" of the auction (grin).  Sunshine is a terrible thing to waste when you have a convertible and nice weather. Soon we were off on the backroads to the Spanish Springs Town Square in The Villages.

In addition to the live music provided by Uncle Bob's Rock Shop there was also a "Cruise In" that was set up around the square. These "Collector Cars" line both sides of the streets around the square as well as several of the streets coming into the square, The Villages has the largest chapter of the Antique Car Club of America. I guestimate almost 200 were on display today.

I took a few dozen pictures of the cars that were similar to vehicles I had owned over the years. While I admired the cars Charlotte got to enjoy the dozens of dogs that accompanied their owners.

Our next mission was to go the the Savannah Center. The striking, southern themed Savannah Center is well known for the arts and craft festivals held there, and the big name shows and performances featured throughout the year. Tonight's show was "Dr. Ronan Tynan In Concert" who is an internationally renowned Irish Tenor and one of the original Irish Tenors; however, we were not there for that show. We were there to purchase tickets for tomorrow's show: "In Concert! An Evening With Bobby Goldsboro".

After our ticket purchase we continued on to Fort Sumter Landing in another part of the Villages, for supper at Rocket Johnny's.

This is a fun place to eat. When the server meets you at your booth they draw a "Smiley Face" on a tiny paper plate. I wonder how much ketchup "Rocket Johnny's" uses each year for this greeting?

Keeping with the "Diner" of the restaurant, Charlotte ordered a Root Beer Float and I a Strawberry Milkshake. We also ordered burgers.

The burgers were thick and juicy with so much taste. We were stuffed!

At random times; to the classic Rock 'n Roll sounds of "Rockin' Robin" or "Johnny B. Goode", the lights dim, the music gets turned up loud and the staff (and often the customers) get up and dance.

A quick trip down the street to IZOD. Nothing interested Charlotte today.

We then grabbed seats in the square to listen to the music before heading back to the RV park. It was a busy day so we were off to bed as soon as we got back.