The Valley Morning Star in Harlingen, Texas, wrote a story about my grandfather! There’s a photo, too. (I’m trying to get a copy of it.) I added the links — force of habit. Besides, how many of you have an 81-year-old grandfather with a Web site?

Valuable service: Woody Spillman

Apartment manager goes extra mile to help residents

November 5, 2008 - 10:34PM
By EDWINA P. GARZA/Valley Morning Star

Woody Spillman may be unlike any other apartment manager in the Rio Grande Valley.

Spillman helps his apartment residents with everything from flat tires to rides to the airport at no charge.

In 1995, Spillman, who is originally from Missouri, purchased Oakridge Apartments at 119 N. First St.

During the 1970s, when he was a banker, Spillman spent his winters on South Padre Island.

Decades later after he retired early and started searching for an apartment building to manage, he found the right fit in Harlingen.

“I wanted to be near water,” Spillman explained. “I’ve been here ever since.”

Spillman, now 81, says he’s happy managing his nearly 20 units.

“I think it’s better than anything,” he said. “I like the association of my residents and I enjoy working.”

Spillman, who offers his residents all kinds of free help, says he learned valuable customer service tools when he worked in banking.

“Some of it is my own idea and I don’t know anyone else who does it,” he said.

Because it can be costly to clean up and do construction after someone vacates a unit, Spillman tries to keep his residents at Oakridge Apartments. To do so, he offers monetary bonuses to people who renew their contracts.

Currently, Oakridge Apartments has no vacancy, he added.

When asked why he offers residents all kinds of help, Spillman said he’s just a nice guy.

“If anybody has a flat on the street I’ll stop and help them,” he said.

“It’s not too often that something like that happens.”

A former Merchant Marine who served during World War II, Spillman said he’s traveled across the world. He has visited Japan, Singapore, North Africa, England and Germany, among other countries.

“I got around a lot,” he boasted. “I’ve had an interesting life and at 81, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

The family history blog I started has several letters that granddad’s parents sent to each other before they were married.

Cooler weather means two things: It’s time to make a pot of chili (done) and get crafty.

I crochet. Or I used to; I haven’t made anything for a few years. I’ve already finished a blanket I started a couple of years ago, and started another.

It’s something of a family tradition, I suppose, although I taught myself how to do it. I have a blanket that my grandmother made for me when I was little. A blanket that my mother made. A few that I have made. When you’ve found the rhythm of a pattern, it can be quite relaxing. (When you haven’t, or when you find out you made a mistake two rows ago that’s throwing off the current count, then it’s frustrating.) It’s also a good way to kill time. I’ve worked on blankets while waiting on an oil change. While talking on the phone. While waiting for friends.

The problem, though, is that crocheting is a combat sport. Bear likes to play with the yarn — but only the yarn that I’m working with. My right arm looks like I was fighting a first-grader armed with scissors.

Need a sweet treat after voting? Then you need a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Free ice cream! They’re giving it away from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 4. Find a store near you.

But seriously — go vote first, OK? (Find your polling place here.)

(If companies would stop giving away free food, I’d post about something else, I swear.)

I’m not sure when this became the “free food” blog, but why fight it.

Wear aluminum foil to Chipotle on Halloween, and get a free burrito. (Because they wrap all of their burritos in foil, of course.) You can go all out like these guys:

Or make your own foil dress. But a bracelet, crown or nice hat will work just as well — be creative. Find a Chipotle near you, and happy free burrito day!

Linens ‘N Things is going out  of business. This is very sad because I figured when my current gig ended I’d be able to get a job at LNT. Plus, despite their poor punctuation, it’s my favorite of the big-box home stores.

Last weekend I stopped by a local Linens ‘N Things and bought an 8×8 pan (mine had gone missing) and a vegetable peeler.

That vegetable peeler — a Zyliss swivel peeler — is fantastic! I never thought I’d want to wax poetic about a kitchen utensil until now. The swivel blade makes peeling fruit and veggies easy. The ergonomic handle is comfortable and won’t slip out of your hand. And it has a metal tip to pop out the eyes on potatoes.

I got very excited about that vegetable peeler. Originally I was just going to make an apple crisp. But it was so much fun that I dove into the potatoes and made potato soup, too.

Apple Goodie

• 3 cups sliced or diced apples
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 rounded tablespoon flour
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix well and pour into a greased 9×9 (or 8×8) pan.

• 3/4 cup oatmeal (quick oats preferably)
• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 6 tablespoons of melted butter

Mix well and pour over apples.

Bake 30 to 40 minutes at 325 degrees.

Very good “plain,” or top with ice cream.

Golden potato soup

• 3 cups diced potatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Dash of pepper
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed

Add water to potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, parsley flakes, seasoning and bouillon cube. Cover and cook until tender. Blend flour with a small amount of milk. Stir into vegetable mixture. Add remaining milk and cook until thickened. Add cheese; stir until melted.

I don’t keep bouillon on hand, so I leave that out. And I usually cook the vegetables in the microwave (that’s what the “potato” setting is for), so I leave the water out too. Really, you can’t go wrong with potatoes and carrots and celery and cheese.

And a great vegetable peeler.