Introduction to Neighborhood Activities
A brief overview of some of the neighborhood activities appears below.
Babysitting Co-op
Families with children of similar age often take turns sitting with each other's children. This is what the Babysitting Co-op is all about.
One way to determine which families are interested in this is to reference the "Neighborhood Interests/Activities" list which appears in the Annual Directory. Feel free to contact each other.
Block Captain
Block Captains perform two major roles:
- Delivering the Annual Directory to homes on your street who have paid the annual neighborhood association membership fee.
- Greeting new neighbors who move into homes on your street, and providing them with a "new resident packet." The packets for new residents can be picked up from your Zone Director or from the membership chairperson.
Book Club
The book club consists of local residents (not limited to the Whiffletree I-IV and Parkway Estates residents). Anyone who would like to participate is welcome.
The club meets on Sunday afternoons at Cafe Express in Addison.
Bridge
The ladies bridge group meets the second Thursday of each month. As one person stated, "this is a casual group with lots of chatter!"
Participants include residents from both neighborhoods (Whiffletree I-IV and Parkway Estates).
Bunko
Bunko is quite easy to learn so it is basically a get-together to socialize. (You don't need to know how to play Bunko to participate since you will learn this quickly). In addition to regular members, substitutes are also needed.
Children's Play Group
Just like the Babysitting Co-op, the best way to find other families in the neighborhood who are interested in getting together occasionally as part of a children's play group is to reference the "Neighborhood Interests/Activities list" which appears in the Annual Directory.
Dining Out Group ... "About Town with Dining Out"
Whether you are a foodie, a gourmand, want to try new restaurants, or want to recommend restaurants to others and be there with them as they congratulate your good taste and astute judgment, the newly forming WNA Dining-Out group is for you.
Just as a survey of the topic "dining out" on Google reveals, this social event is growing in popularity because it is defined by the personalities and preferences of its members. Dining out groups visit nearby wineries, combine theatre and cinema going with supper reservations, celebrate holidays (Fat Tuesday, Bastille Day, etc.) and support non-profit organization events, i.e., pre-Komen race spaghetti dinner, church/school fund raising barbecues and chili cook-offs.
Be sure to check the "DINING OUT GROUP" which appears in the "Interests and Opportunities" section on the WNA membership form.
Egg Co-op
If you like fresh farm eggs, then you may enjoy participating in the Egg Co-op.
Each month between the first and fifth of the month, a different member of this group becomes the "coordinator" and calls other egg co-op members to get their egg order for the month.
The coordinator then advises each member of the pick-up time and location. The monthly coordinator then goes to the Mehard Egg Farm in Prosper to pickup the eggs for all members.
Each member who gave an "egg order" to the monthly coordinator goes to the coordinator's home to pickup "their" order of fresh eggs.
Garage Sale
The neighborhood garage sale is very popular and is usually held in the Spring.
The neighborhood association takes care of all advertising and posts signs at strategic locations throughout the neighborhood.
Each resident holds their own garage sale and keeps all of the money from items sold (you just don't have to mess with the advertising ... plus neighborhood garage sales have a tendency to attract a large number of shoppers and also reduces the number of garage sales held in the neighborhood at other times during the year).
The neighborhood association provides maps to each participant so they can give these to the shoppers ...this way, the shoppers can easily see which homes are participating in the sale; (participating homes are circled on the maps).
Only members of the neighborhood association will be notified of the date and time of this event.
Gourmet Club
If you enjoy cooking, then you may enjoy participating in the Gourmet Club which meets monthly beginning in October; substitutes are also needed.
Participation is open to residents from both neighborhoods (Whiffletree I-IV and Parkway Estates).
Po-Ke-No (Ladies)
Ladies, an opportunity for a night out. Let's play PO-KE-NO. Its like playing bingo with the thrill of Poker and the suspense of Keno. Players attempt to cover five spaces in a row on their board as cards are called out. All you have to do is bring a $6 item in a brown paper bag. These prizes are won and "stolen" through the evening.
We meet on the first Tuesday of the month.
Poker - Penny Ante (Men)
We are hoping to form a new low-stakes poker group for the men in our association.
Poker
If you enjoy playing poker, you will definitely enjoy this group which is comprised of Whiffletree I-IV and Parkway Estates residents.
Potlucks
Neighborhood potlucks are held whenever a resident wants to host one. It's fun and easy to host a potluck since you simply select a date and contact Sharon Luker so the rest of the neighborhood can be informed of the planned date and time. Attendees bring a scrumptious dish with them and we all get to mingle with friends and neighbors while enjoying great food. The host normally provides a potluck dish, soft drinks, and has name tags available.
This is a GREAT way to meet others ... casual setting, lots of food, no cost to attend.
Walk for Exercise Group
Anyone who enjoys walking for exercise and who would enjoy walking with someone rather than alone, will enjoy this activity.
A list of others interested in this appears in the Annual Directory so you may want to find someone who lives close by and give them a call to see if they would like to walk on a regular basis (you would determine the days and time), as well as the number of people you would like to walk with.
It is so much easier to squeeze in time for exercise if you have someone who will be joining you in this endeavor ... enjoy!
Whiffletree Homeowners Association - Plano Texas
