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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | AUGUST 2015 5 By Cindy Graves There is nothing I love more than getting 400 of my closest friends together to celebrate the Fourth of July, Four Seasons style. This year the numerous in-house club competitions were fierce, including a dominoes tournament where the beautiful Wondell Collins took second place in the massively male dominated sport (no, it's not a game the way they play it… it's a sport!). Good job Wondell. Check out the various club articles and get the specifics on all of the other winners who became celebrities over that weekend. The Lodge staff made sure that our early morning competitors were full of vitamin "s" (sugar) to ensure that they would all be in their best game form, by having donuts throughout the Lodge. I even made sure that the donut man saved the holes to supply the staff with small round "energy bombs" to make it through the rigorous day… some of us enjoyed the "energy-rush" more than others (I think I had one bomb for each finger). Thank you Larry Goodreau for the beautiful movie you created for everyone's enjoyment during the giant community potluck and then a big thank you to all who participated in bringing the many food dishes to share. It was quite a spread. The patriotic program was fun and inspiring, with a little something for everyone. Frank Georei surprised us by sharing one of his favorite soldier poems, which really got us in touch with some of the deeper meanings of the Fourth of July and then the Four Seasons Singers under the direction of Barbara Wasco had an awe-inspiring set of patriotic and happy songs that really touched our hearts and got our fingers snapping; as many of you noticed, I couldn't stay seated during that grand finale song called "Happy" (it's kind of my theme song) so I was up and dancing, energized by that great melody! I love celebrating the Fourth of July in this neighborhood for many reasons. In spite of the fact that things may not be perfect around here both with the occasional life dramas, facility transitions and other small irritations, the Fourth of July reminds us what this community is all about. It's about a bunch of really great people (most of you) representing the diversity that is America; playing together, supporting each other in accomplishments, encouraging each other in defeats, eating together, laughing together and finding a kind of unity that this great country affords us. I'm so glad we have a chance to stop and remember the bigger picture of how lucky we are to live in this country and especially how lucky we are to have this beautiful oasis in Beaumont with a small hometown feel… most of all, how lucky we are to have each other! Thank you so much for a great celebration day and for being you! A Fabulous Four Seasons Fourth of July Top: Four Seasons Singers entertain with patriotic music Bottom: A table filled with trophies waiting to be won Four Seasons actors reenact the early days of our nation