Spring Begins in a Castle

Transcription

1 Volume XIX Issue 3 The Newsletter of the Happy (OK) Wanderers An affilated chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association April 2010 Spring Begins in a Castle Springtime weather, Mardi Gras decorations and the beauty of a castle at Oak Creek RV Park greeted members at the March rally in historic Weatherford, TX. Of course, many arrived early to visit since it had been so long since we had seen each other. The hosts distributed goody bags filled with fun things and many ideas of places to visit such as the giant pecan tree, the historic courthouse, the beautiful and stately Victorian mansions, the flowering gardens Mickey Wood, playing the guitar, and Dorothy VanFossen lead the group in song before the Sunday Morning devotional service. Note Registration: Be sure that as you fill out the registration form on the last page of the newsletter that you note that it is for the May Rally, not for the April Rally. Registration for the April Rally came out in a separate newsletter that was devoted only to the registration for that rally. If you are wanting to register for the April Rally at Natural Falls you will need to use that registration form. Contact me if you did not receive that form and I will send you a copy or you can contact Chaz Allen, rally host, directly and inquire as to availability of space for the rally. Check it Out! If you have not been to the Happy (OK) Wanderer s web-site lately, then you need to check it out. Our webmaster, Cleste Rodden, with the help of our President, Chaz Allen, has been working to begin getting some updates loaded. Needless to say things are looking up - so go check them out!! Editor s Note: Sorry I didn t get a tech column included in this issue - I am trying to find a new source for some articles. For the time being I encourage you to visit the FMCA web-site. First of all go to the HOW web-site and go to the link s page. Find the FMCA logo and click. That will take you to their web-site where you will find several areas worth your time. Select under FMCA magizine - tech & travel tips for some good ideas. Go on line and check out our web-site at and the car show. In addition, several toured the large Western store adjacent to an Equine EMS. Some drove to tour the Dallas Cowboys Stadium (although we heard the most descriptions of the cheerleader s locker room). Although Walt and Doris Murphy said they were lead hosts for the first time, no jitters were apparent as grand meals and fun was the order for every day. The host team included Steve and Julie Bivin, Randy and Beth Plant, Carl Threlkeld, Rod and Ethel Sartwell, and Leroy and Lois Hinderliter. The Thursday evening meal of spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, and sherbet was offered in very generous servings. Following dinner, each person was asked to note a few interesting things about the person on their left. Made for some interesting stories shared. We later learned that Carl Threlkeld has 7 children, 14 grandchildren, and 10 greatgrands! Beth Plant is a member of 12 different clubs (not all Rving). Kent and Lynda Van Fossen are taking each of their 7 grandchildren to Washington, D. C. At the age of 16, Earl Powell could tear down a washing machine to the last part and repair it. His folks owned a laundry. But he confessed he couldn t figure out how to open the back of their washer at home now. Doris Murphy once repossessed Story Continues on Page 2

2 Volume XIX - Issue 3 April Page 2 Elected Officers President Chaz Allen & Sandy Johnson 1st Vice-President Walt & Doris Murphy 2nd Vice-President Bob & Donna Waller 3rd Vice-President Paul & Barbara Isenburg Secretary Darlene & Dave Demuth Treasurer Rod & Ginger Cleavelin National Director Jim Guess Alt. Nat. Director Mickey Wood Nominating Committee Carol Ahl Leroy Hinderliter Rod Sartwell Rally Schedule for 2010 March Oak Creek RV Weatherford, TX April Natural Falls State Park West Siloam Springs, OK May Marvel RV Park Gore, OK June Choctaw KOA Durant, OK August Coachlight RV Park Carthage, MO September Staway Ranch RV Park Murchison, TX Sept 29 - Oct 2 South Central Area Rally Shreveport, LA October Wanderlust RV Park Eureka Springs, AR December (TBA) Annual Christmas Luncheon Stroud, OK Continued Story from Page 1 vehicles. Gilbert Stagner is a Choctaw Indian. The Sartwell s became friends of Marie Callender. While traveling, Lois Hinderliter has sent a care package each week to her daughter. And something about Charlene Sasser sitting on a bus heater at age 15 and being married to Ben when she was 16.?? President Chaz Allen roasted former President Steve and Julie Bivin and presented a certificate of appreciation for their leadership. Additionally, Chaz recommended everyone check out our updated website. He and Celeste Rodden have collaborated and have added 60 links to other RV sites, recommended campsites and services, and a link to each park designated for rallies. He suggested you check the website frequently for more additions. Friday began with pancakes, bacon and fruit and lunch was provided with planned over spaghetti. Prior to the evening meal, Mickey Wood entertained singing and playing his guitar with some old favorites and with some of his original songs---including our own Happy (OK) Wanderer song. The Friday dinner was the Mardi Gras Piece de Resistance, the authentic Shrimp Gumbo prepared by a true Cajun, John McLendon, the park manager. John labored preparing the meal and also educating everyone on how to eat the small, soft shell crabs and big crab leg pieces found in the gumbo. Of Story finishes on Page 3 Member Support Membership Betty Shedrick Below, current HOW President, Chaz Allen surprised last year s President Steve and Julie Bivin, with a certificate recognizing them for their service to the club, Hospitality Lois Austin Profile Editor Celeste Rodden Club Clothing Judy Janicke Webmaster Celeste Rodden Newsletter Earl Powell Devotional Leader Ron Wadley

3 Volume XIX - Issue 3 End of story from Page 2 course, the gumbo was served over rice and with baked sweet potatoes and celery sticks filled with cream cheese and sweet pickle relish, bread and dessert. As the Cajuns say, I-EEE it was delicious. April Page 3 Everybody seemed to enjoy the time at the rally. The hosts were smart to leave plenty of time to visit with each other and to visit the surrounding area. Our Saturday food fare began with scrumptious egg and sausage casseroles, fresh fruit, hot biscuits and jelly. The wonderful pork loin dinner was prepared by Chef Walt and his crew and included red potatoes, sweet corn, cole slaw, bread and heavenly cherry dump dessert or ice cream sundaes. So the eating was GOOD every day as usual. Kent Van Fossen offered our Palm Sunday devotional with music led by Dorothy Van Fossen and accompanied by Mickey Wood, who also sang another original song. Prior to the devotional, everyone gathered for sweet rolls or muffins, fruit and juice. Members attending included Dave and Darlene Demuth, Earl and Mary Powell, Gary and Lavonda Waldron, Kent and Lynda Van Fossen, Chaz Allen and Sandy Johnson, Randy and Beth Plant, Gilbert and Lois Stagner, Mickey and Alice Wood, Ben and Charlene Sasser, Scott and Jo Ella Jordan, Lois Austin, Betty Shedrick, Roy and Cindy Standridge, Judy Janicke Gary and Dorothy Van Fossen, and Don and Lavonna Kinnamon. Guests included Bernard and Rosemary Nicely, brother of Lois Austin, and her niece, Kathy. Paul and Anna Crites, friends of Carl Threlkeld, became our newest members. Welcome New Members All of the old-timers in HOW would like to welcome the newest members to the club. Be sure to look them up at the next rally and make them feel a part of the group. Jim and Bobbie Cable Paul and Anna Crites Charles and Shirley Shafer Tom and Rita Team Keep in mind that FMCA is asking all of it s clubs to add 12 new members this year. We re off to a good start! In the picture above, Kent VanFossen delivers the Sunday Morning Devotional at the Weatherford Rally. Our regular devotional leader, Ron Wadley, was back in Tulsa under the weather with an illness. It is nice to know that we have other club members able to step forward and do an excellent job filling the void. In the photo to the left members of the host committee prepare to serve the Friday Morning Breakfast of pancakes. Pictured are Steve Bivin, Walt Murphy, Randy Plant, Beth Plant and Julie Bivin. The committee did an excellent job and provided attendees with wonderful meals.

4 Volume XIX - Issue 3 April Page 4 Volunteers Working Rallies for 2010 In an effort to keep the membership informed about the people working rallies in the upcoming months, I have included a list of those volunteers as well as the number additional volunteers needed to fill still vacant slots in some months. If you still need to volunteer and have not signed up, you may do so by contacting Bob or Donna Waller at the next scheduled rally or by giving them a call at April - Natural Falls - Siloam Springs Allen/ Johnson Hlavety Isenberg Demuth Jordan Ryel Rose (No additional volunteers needed) May - Marvel RV Park - Gore Davis Waldron Walker Standridge Sasser Powell (No additional volunteers needed) June - Choctaw Casino KOA - Durant Rodden Betty & Lois Ahl Whitnah G. VanFossen K. VanFossen (No additional Volunteers needed) August - Coachlight RV - Carthage Wadley Waller Taber Countryman Cleavelin September - Staway Ranch - Murchison Guess Mckenzie Idell Stagner October - Wanderlust - Eureka Springs (No one signed up - a primary host and 5 additional volunteers needed) (Could use one additional volunteer) (Need a primary host designee and two additional volunteers) If no one volunteers to host rally - Officers may choose to cancel rally! Those needing service on their coaches at the Weatherford Rally were very lucky. Because of a small National Rally, Mobil RV Lube was able to break away early, and show up at our rally on Saturday. This meant that several HOW members were able to keep the lube crew busy all day doing service. Pictured below standing, left to right, Don Kinnamon watches as his rig is serviced. Standing with Don is Steve Bivin and Ben Sasser. Are these ladies plotting something -Nah! Just visiting. La Vonda Waldron, Cindy Standridge, and Charlene Sasser catch up on winter events at the Weatherford Rally. This was a good chance to do that.

5 Volume XIX - Issue 3 April Page 5 Marval Family Camping Center, Gore, OK Rollin on the River May 20 to 23, 2010 Rally Schedule of Events Thursday, May 20, 2010 Arrival & Setup Dinner: 6:30 Pot Luck -- Hosts will furnish drinks After dinner catch up on gossip Friday, May 21, 2010 Breakfast: 8:30 AM Biscuits & Gravy, Sausage, Fruit Cups, Coffee Enjoy: Tenkiller Lake, Tenkiller State Park, Webbers Falls Lock & Dam in Gore, Robert S. Kerr Lock & Dam in Sallisaw, Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah, Five Civilized Tribes Museum and the USS Batfish submarine in Muskogee, or the Illinois River. Lunch on your own as you tour. Dinner: 6:30 PM Spaghetti, Vegetable, Dinner Rolls, Cobblers, & Ice Cream Games & group activities Saturday, May 22, 2010 Breakfast: 8:30 AM Breakfast Rollups, Juice & Coffee Enjoy : Tenkiller Lake, Tenkiller State Park, Webbers Falls Lock & Dam in Gore, Robert S. Kerr Lock & Dam in Sallisaw, Cherokee Heritage Center in Tahlequah, Five Civilized Tribes Museum and the USS Batfish submarine In Muskogee, or the Illinois River. Lunch on your own as you tour. Dinner: Convoy to Dinner (To Be Announced) Cards and gossip Sunday, May 23, 2010 Breakfast: 8:30 AM Muffins, Juice & Coffee Devotional to follow Please bring table service to all meals in the rally hall.

6 Volume XIV - Issue 3 April Page 6 Registration for Gore, OK Rally May 20-23, 2010 Marval Family Camping Resort Rt. 3, Box 60, Gore, OK PH: Deadline for Registration is April 28, 2010 Camping Fee is $28.90 to $39.10 / night (Based on Site) payable to the campground upon arrival. Rates are available for two days both pre and post rally. Note: 27 sites are reserved for 36 or larger coaches till deadline - 18 are 50 amp full hookup, 5 are 50 amp water/electric, and 4 are 30 amp water/electric. Site assignment will be based on the order of receipt of the registration! (Bring blocks or pads for your jacks in case it rains.) Directions to Campground: From I-40 and exit 287, go North 5.5 miles on HWY 100 to Gore Landing Road. Make a right turn (be sure to swing wide) and go a quarter mile to Marvel Lane. Turn left and you will dead end into the park. For those with GPS, coordinates are N 35 degrees and W 095 degrees You may visit their web-site at Rally Fee: $10 per person checks made to Happy (OK) Wanderers. Host Team: Dwayne and Dee Davis, Gary and LaVonda Waldron, Jim and Lyda Walker, Roy and Cindy Standridge, Ben and Charlene Sasser, Earl and Mary Powell. Send Registration to: Gary and LaVonda Waldron, 6020 Panda Way, Oklahoma City, OK Registration for Gore, OK Rally May 20-23, 2010 Deadline for Registration is April 28th Name: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Date of Arrival: Date of Departure: Coach Length: Number of Slides: Special Parking Needs: (Handicap, Near Restroom, Near Meeting Room, etc) Do you need: a sewer hook-up: a 50 amp hook-up: a 30 amp hook-up: Please indicate by a yes or a no your needs. The host will do their best to accommodate those needs. Keep in mind that priority will be given to those with an early registration date! Rally Fee $10 X = Total Make plans now to attend the next rally at Choctaw KOA in Durant, OK June 10-13!