Trade Winds
Mobile Home
and
RV Resort
Newsletter
Our Mission Bell-Trade Winds Staff
We are proud to introduce our Mission Bell-Trade Winds staff to you. Our staff is ranked as the most friendly and helpful of any in the Rio Grande Valley. Anyone who calls our office or who stays with us can vouch for that. They pride themselves in offering excellent customer service and they deliver. We could not ask for a better crew to help serve our customers.
Scot and Cynthia Swafford
Almost everyone in the Resort knows these two hardworking happy faces. Cynthia and Scot have worked and lived at our Resort for three years. They love the Resort, our residents and south Texas. Like many of you, they have chosen South Texas as their home. We are so pleased to have such a dedicated couple to work with us as our managers. They return for their second year as managers for the 2010-2011 season.
They are truly extraordinary people. Nobody on our staff works harder or knows more about our Resort than these two. They know our Resort inside and out, having worked on everything from the pools, electricity, water sewer over the last two years. The quality of their work is excellent. Their dedication to our Resort and customers is unsurpassed.
Both have extensive business experience. Scot is a former banker and farmer. Cynthia worked in the restaurant industry out of college serving as an assistant manager for a major restaurant chain. She later became a probation officer. After that, she began working for her church organizing charity events and assisting with their computers and financial statements.
Originally from Kansas, they moved to South Texas to minister to the poor in Mexico, which they do on a regular basis. Each Wednesday, they travel into Mexico with food and essentials for a poor communities. We commend them for their service and are very pleased to have them as part of our team. We could not find a nicer or more capable couple to serve your needs.
Kathy and Curv GivensAt the end of September, we are sad to say goodbye to Curv and Kathy, our present assistant managers. They have worked hard for our Resort and now are ready to take off on a new adventure after having served as our assistant managers in two different calendar years and also as workampers in 2006. They are eager to see their family and do a little traveling. Curv is excellent working in the field doing repairs and maintenance. Kathy is an asset in the office, particularly in data entry.
Kathy and Curv are originally from Charleston, Illinois. They have been full-time RVers since 2006. They have three children, Jennifer, Joe and Jeanette. Their five grandchildren range in age from 2-15 years. Curv served 4 years in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga. He retired after 34 years as an industrial electrician and maintenance supervisor. Kathy was an experienced industrial secretary, circulation manager for a newspaper, and environmental health and safety secretary. They met as teenagers just out of high school, dated for 4 years and got married. That sounds like a pretty good formula for success to me as they are looking forward to our 40th anniversary next year. Their hobbies include, camping, rock hounding, hiking & biking state parks,fishing and metal detecting.
We want to thank Curv and Kathy for their outstanding service to us and wish them all the best as they drive off into the sunset. We hope to see them again. Happy trails, Givens; you will be missed.
Rebecca and Bob Annuziata
We welcome our new assistant managers, Bob and Rebecca Annuziata, who will be arriving October 1st. They are coming to us after they finish their second summer season of managing an RV Park in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. After seeing the country, they are ready to settle down in a warm winter climate with a year around position. We are very pleased they have chosen Mission Bell-Trade Winds. We are confident they will be a great addition to our staff. They are an active couple and we believe they could not have picked a friendlier or more active Resort to suit them.
In addition to being assistant managers up North, Bob brings his experience as a former IT Manager to us. He worked in the Semi Conductor industry for 23 years. He loves the challenge of problem solving. Rebecca says he is the same at home and great to have around because if it needs fixing he’ll try to fix it.
Rebecca has worked for several small businesses as a bookkeeper. She loved working with numbers because it can be a great challenge at times. She will fit right in with Cynthia in the office taking your reservations and making sure you are having the best time possible while staying with us.
Bob and Rebecca have been married for 28 years They have five children: two boys for Bob and two boys and a girl for Rebecca. Bob and Rebecca also have twin grandsons and two granddaughters. For the last 5 years, they have been traveling the country and living in their RV. They look forward to settling in at Mission Bell-Trade Winds and meeting new friends and building a social network.
Bob enjoys golfing and spending time keeping current with computer technology. Given we have 5 golf courses within 15 minutes of our resort, we think Bob has picked the perfect Resort. Bob also will be a great asset helping us with our computer needs, which are ever growing and changing with new technology. Rebecca enjoys making jewelry and knitting. I am sure she will get to know all of our guests that knit and crochet with Betty and the gals at Trade Winds as well as those who also enjoy jewelry making.
They both enjoy the outdoors: hiking, skiing and riding their bikes. They also love meeting new people and staying active. We think that they are a great fit and hope you all join us in giving Bob and Rebecca a big, hearty Mission Bell-Trade Winds welcome.
Esperanza "Hope" Gomez Housekeeping
Hope Gomez has been with us in housekeeping for over 18 years. She is loved by our residents for her friendly and outgoing personality. Hope is single (but taken). She has a close family and enjoys spending time with her mom and sister. She also loves to dance. She is bilingual and is a great help to us when we need a little help with our Spanish. We appreciate her hard work and dedication over the years. We are pleased to have her as part of our permanent staff.
Javier RamosSenior Maintenance
Javier is our senior maintenance man and grounds keeper. He has been with us for over 8 years. He is married and has two boys and a girl. His boys are grown and his daughter attends Sharyland high school. He has two grandchildren. He does so much for our Resort. He is very reliable and keeps our grounds looking ship-shape. Javier is the one you can thank for taking excellent care of our salt water pools and keeping them sparkling clean. We are glad he is back with us for another year.
Jesus Javier Ramos "J.R." Maintenance
J.R. is our "Junior" maintenance man; no pun intended. J.R. is Javier's son. We have affectionately nicknamed Jesus "J.R." to cut down on confusion. J.R. is beginning his second year at the Resort and is a very hard worker. He just became a US citizen in May. He is married and has a little girl. We are pleased to have him for a second year with us.
Audrey Fedders
Activities Director
Audrey is our Resort Activities Director. She is truly the "Quarterback" of our team because she makes sure all of you have a good time. Audrey is creative and full of activity ideas. She gets everyone "moving" and involved at the Resort. Her good nature infects everyone around her. One of the best things any resident can do is volunteer a little of their time to work in activities with Audrey. Her office is located on the Trade Winds section of the Resort.
Audrey and her husband, Mike, have been involved in the Resort since first coming 8 years ago. They have been married since they were "kids" and are two of the nicest and hardest working people you will ever meet. Mike helps out a lot as he and Audrey also put up your mail during the season. Being around Mike and Audrey is like having a ray of sun shining directly on you.
She and Mike are two of our most popular residents, along with their relatives, that they brought along with them. We could not have found a more perfect activity director than Audrey and our residents agree. Audrey completes our permanent staff perfectly. She is the most friendly and energetic activities director in the entire area. We just cannot say enough nice things about her. When you meet her, you will soon see why.
Patricia Pascoli Pat has been workamping for 6 years and has done a variety of things in that capacity. She is a great asset to our workamping family because she has experience in being an office manager, camp host, housekeeper, restroom and pool maintenance, lunch and breakfast cook, and as a "cheerleader" in 1880's costume for arriving bus tours at a stage coach attraction. Butch & Marie Stephens Blondie loves people. She particularly loves to talk and laugh. She worked in retail and convenience stores for 8 years until attending cosmetology school. Blondie worked for 25 years perfecting the art of cutting, coloring and styling men’s and women's hair. She is still licensed in The Jarrards love to travel, and see all the great the Susan reads and enjoys crafts. John enjoys golfing and Bar-B-Qing. They both volunteer with their church, Scouting, Rotary Club and other nonprofit organizations. They enjoy working with people and look forward to meeting the residents and guests at Mission Bell-Trade Winds RV Resort. Steve and Sue Graham We are pleased that Steve and Sue Graham are joining our staff this season. They will be working to keep our pools sparkling. This will be our first year as full-time RVers and their first work camping experience. They call the southwest town of New Market Iowa their home during the summer months. During the summer, they spend as much time as possible with their three sons and their six grandchildren, ages 6 to 18. Darin and his family live in Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska, Jeremy and his family are stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army, and Jason and his family live in Clarinda, Iowa. Together, they enjoy hiking, swimming and all types of games. They have always camped and are now looking forward to the full-time, RV lifestyle. Steve and Sue are excited to meet everyone and appreciate the opportunity to be work campers at Mission Bell-Trade Winds. Howdy Steve and Sue! Dex and Carol Lawson
Patricia Pascoli will be joining our team for her second season in 2010-2011. She will be working with Audrey again in activities. In 2005, Pat retired after 40 years of elementary teaching. She is in her 6th year as a single, full time RVer and loving every minute of it. Pat was our first work camper to tow a "Smart Car" behind her RV, which is a Class A Coachman. Way to go Pat! I was wondering who would be the first to get “Smart.” We have seen several of them and they look easy to tow and fun to ride in.
In her spare time, she also finds time to volunteer. She recently volunteered at an animal rescue shelter and at a Habitat for Humanity Build. She loves getting the job done right. She is a real people person that looks forward to making our guests happy. Welcome back Pat. We are glad to have you join us for a second time.
Butch and Marie are returning work campers for the fifth season. Butch hails from Indiana and Marie from Georgia. They have 4 kids and 16 grand kids. Before retiring, Butch and Marie were photographers before retiring and owned a photo lab. They loved shooting weddings and graduations.
They share their motor home with Candy, their 9 year-old Pekingese. They spend summers in the Georgia/Florida panhandle. They love to dance. Marie loves poking around at yard sales and going to "Ropa" to look for bargains. Butch also likes working outside and Marie loves helping out in activities.
Butch & Blondie Jarrard 
For the second time, we will be seeing the smiling faces of Blondie (Wyvona) and Butch (Arvana) Jarrard. They hail from
John and Susan Hathcock
We welcome John and Susan Hathcock. They join us in housekeeping for the first time. Presently, John and Susan are enjoying their third 3rd year as full time RV'ers. They have 4 children and 6 grandchildren that are spread out among Mission, Texas, Ozark, Missouri, Derby, Kansas and the Cayman Islands. 
We welcome Dex and Carol Lawson as new work campers with us for the 2010/2011 season. This will be their first work camping experience after recently retiring on a permanent basis. Dex and Carol have been married for 25 years. They have 5 children and 9 grand children between the ages of 6 and 21.
Dex enjoys hunting and is a novice at metal detecting. He loves to work in his garage and has just finished a complete remodel of it by adding insulation, drywall and shelves. Carol loves to cook and also loves to work outside, gardening and planting all sorts of flowers and vegetables. They love to go boating, fishing and camping. They are looking forward to becoming a part of the Mission Bell/Trade Winds RV Resort team. We know they will fit right in our Resort and everyone will make them feel at home. Duane Schneider
Say hello to Duane and Penny Schneider. Duane will be joining our maintenance crew for the first time this season. He and his wife, Penny, hail from Saginaw, Michigan. Duane recently retired from Covenant Health Care after 29 years in housekeeping and security. Penny also worked at Covenant for 11 years as a phlebotomist.
Brice and Shirley Wellons
They love to go for rides on sunny days and both enjoy the beach. So, they look forward to putting lots of miles on their Jeep running around the Rio Grande Valley, visiting nearby South Padre Island and enjoying the state parks and bird and butterfly sanctuaries that are so plentiful in our area. Their hobbies include movies, attending sporting events, fishing, beachcombing, pleasure rides, dancing, walking, and camping. During the summer, their grandkids are Shirley's favorite hobby. Brice's favorite hobby is fishing. With our weekly dances and all we have to do in our area, Brice and Shirley will fit right in. Both are very outgoing and friendly. Throughout their travels, they have enjoyed meeting many new people through their work experience. They continue to enjoy meeting new people and are eager for top continue that experience at Mission Bell-Trade Winds. We know that our friendly staff and residents will make them feel like old friends in no time. 
W
David and Christa Bath
We welcome for their first year with us David and Christa Bath. David will be joining our maintenance crew. David and Christa are a very outgoing couple. They like to meet new people and have a great time in their RV travels. They are joining us when they finish their current position as a camp host in Tenkiller Lake, Oklahoma.
David has worked in maintenance all his life, first with the railroad, then as an hourly employee and in supervision for electrical generating power stations. Christa has worked in the grocery business as a meat cutter and then in the hotel / motel business in the laundry, and then as the dining room person.
After retiring for the fourth time we were ready to travel and have found it very rewarding. We are looking forward to joining the staff at Mission Bell very much for this winter season.
Joe and Lilly Meredith
Joe and Lilly join us for a second year at the Resort. They have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. In the summer, they live in Woodward, Iowa with “GOLDIE,” their 3 year old golden retriever. They always have time to tell people how much we love it at Mission Bell-Trade Winds.
Joe was born & raised in Keokuk, Iowa. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1961, serving his country for 4 1/2 years before receiving an honorable discharge in 1966 due to a disability that prevented his continued service in the USN. He later became a conductor/brakeman on the Rock Island Railroad. He was a fire chief and EMT in Granger, Iowa for 5 years. Joe retired from the VA Hospital, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Lilly was raised in Granger, Iowa, where she graduated from Woodward/Granger High School. Her first job was as a critical care assistant at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, where she worked in the recovery room with direct patient care. She retired after 34 years.
For those of you that have had the pleasure of meeting Joe and Lilly, you know they are both person-to-person people. They volunteer at our Resort for just about everything. For the 12th year, they have been volunteers at the Iowa State Fair held every August. They also like to fish and camp. Welcome back Joe and Lilly.
Ken Beckett
We welcome back for the fifth year Ken Beckett. Ken is such a help at the resort with maintenance and electrical issues. He helps with just about anything we need and is always ready to lend a helping hand. He farms in the summer and visits us in the winters. He loves Mission Bell-Trade Winds and the feeling is mutual. Welcome back for year number five, Ken.
Roy & Ruby Sparks
Roy and Ruby Sparks will be newcomers to our Mission Bell-Trade Winds family this season. They hail from Van Buren, Arkansas. Most recently, Ruby and Roy have been spending their summers as camp hosts on Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma. They have two daughters and 6 grandchildren, and one fat Chihuahua named Chichi.
Roy is a retired truck driver. Ruby is a cosmetologist and also retired from Whirlpool Corp. They both love to dance and socialize with friends and strangers. They also like camping and fishing. I am sure they will enjoy the salt water fishing near us off South Padre Island or fishing in the Rio Grande River.
Ruby likes all types of arts and crafts, especially sewing. She will love the sewing, crafts and quilting at the west hall and also the Toys for Tots, crafts, Scottish Weaving and other crafts that take place all week long in the East Hall. Roy likes to read so he will love our library where we have all kinds of books to share. Join us in welcoming Roy and Ruby. Robert & Susan Kerr Joining us as groundskeepers for the first time are Robert and Susan Kerr. They are full time RVers and plan to stay that way for as long as they are upright and mobile. In August, the Kerr's will celebrate their 5th year of marriage. They each have adult children and grandchildren. Their current “child,” Keisha, has 4 legs and a clownish personality. Keisha is a 4-year-old standard poodle who LOVES traveling and meeting other pooches and chasing her ball! Robert worked in industry for 30 years in supervisory and middle management. After taking early retirement, he started his own company and worked for the next 10 years with small business start-ups, mostly in the tourism and hospitality industry. Sue is retired from a private practice as a psychotherapist. Robert has been very involved with the Lions Club International for over 40 years, holding many offices. Susan decided she could not beat them, so she joined them 5 years ago. This will be their first time working in an official capacity at an RV Resort. They are looking forward to this New Lifestyle and Adventure and we are pleased to have them work with our team this season. Welcome, Kerr's. Roy and Kay Lambrecht Roy and Kay Lambrecht are from Nekoosa, Wisconsin. They will join our staff for their first year in October, 2010. They have been Rving since 1969 off and on. They love their new 5th wheel. Now, they spend the winter months in their RV and the summer months at their home in Wisconsin. They look forward to spending next season on our staff and meeting new friends. Kay and Roy have been married 47 years. They have been blessed with a large family. They have 5 children spread out among Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin. They also have 19 grandchildren. Before retiring, both Kay and Roy worked with the general public most of their lives. They both share a love of the great outdoors. Roy is an Air Force Veteran, having served 8 years, including serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Roy then worked in auto & truck repair for over 30 years, with the last 10 years as a service manager. He also owned & operated a carpet and furniture business for 12 years. Roy's hobbies include gardening, landscaping, fishing, hiking, remodeling & Rving. Kay has been in the banking business for over 22 years. Kay enjoys knitting, sewing, Internet surfing & Rving. Welcome Kay and Roy. Pat and Yvonne Taylor Please join me in welcoming Pat and Yvonne Taylor to our work camping staff this season. The Taylors claim Perkins, Oklahoma as their home, where they raised their 6 children on a ranch/farm and worked as Medical Technologists before retiring. Their big family also includes ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and 2 more on the way! The children live in five different states, so dropping in on their "kids" can sometimes be an adventure! After retirement, they built their present, nonconventional home using local natural resources whenever possible. Patrick and Yvonne come to us for the first time but are very experienced RVers and work campers. They have traveled all of the lower 48, Alaska and Nova Scotia and have been work camping for the past 9 years in 8 different states. Their greatest adventure was their trip to Alaska where they worked for the Alaska State Parks. Will and Carol Smith Carol was born and raised in Canon City where she retired after 30 years as the Principal’s Secretary at the local Middle School. She figured it was time to leave when she noticed that the kids that once roamed the halls were coming in with their own children. Will was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised between there and Colorado. He retired after 20 years of civil service at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Over the years, he was the Facilities Manager at the Cadet Dining Hall, Cadet Dorms, and Arnold Hall. Between them they have 5 children and 10 grandchildren, scattered between Colorado and Oklahoma. They both love travel, fishing, playing cards, sight-seeing, camping, motorcycling, Jeeping, and sharing tales with friends. Carol enjoys stained glass, reading, arts and crafts, and spending time with the girls. Will likes to spend his time hunting, reading, on the computer, and joking with the guys. Oh, and Dexter enjoys running, chasing balls and squirrels, treats, and sleeping. Welcome Will and Carol.
Yvonne loves almost anything that involves crafts, sewing and creativity. She made stained glass doors for her kitchen and enjoys woodworking. She is the second work camper joining us this season with experience working with stained glass. Do I see a class on stained glass in our future? About 15 years ago, Yvonne became interested in the dulcimer, and enjoys playing. She will love our jams where she can share her talent with our listening audience. Patrick loves to tinker in his shop. He will enjoy our great woodworking shop. The Taylor's enjoy traveling, and get "itchy feet" if they stay in one place too long, always wondering what's around the bend! We are pleased they are joining us this season.
