This the 40th year for this chapter. It was chartered July 23, 1969. We will celebrate this occasion at either the June or August rally, depending on the schedule of Fred Kennedy, Six State President who wishes to be present.
It would appear that the light at the end of the tunnel could be spring. One can only hope. I am sure that we have all had enough of winter. As we gathered this month at the Coachlight RV Park in Carthage, MO. there were 13 coachs in attendance; the Ballards, Couchs, Careys, Cooks, Hedges, Drennons, Mathis’, Sidebottoms, Stremmings, Genrichs, Severes, Nashs and our guests Jim and Martha McVay, from Lees Summit, MO. By the end of the rally we had convinced the McVays that we were a good group and they became the newest members of HOA. We were pleased to see Dolores and Barbara as they have both been battling illness. Dolores wanted to express her heartfelt thanks for all of the support she has received over the last two years. You can follow Barbara’s progress at the web site www.caringbridge.com/visit/shortways.
Our Wednesday reception, hosted by the Drennons, was a lively affair, spiced with pie, conversations about our travels through the winter and plans for the rest of the year. Of course it did not take too long for the ladies card game to commence and it was still going strong when I gave up for the night.
Thursday breakfast featured our pancake specialist Dan Couch ably assisted by Marilee and Ken and Ruth Ann Stremming, masters of the sausage patty. After breakfast President T.J. Ballard conducted a business meeting, infor-mation for which appears in the minutes. Meanwhile, everyone was making plans for the rest of the day while Wayne Cook was last seen assigning everyone to transportation for the evening meal. Since the Careys arrived with their step in the extend position that had to be attended to. Through some combined efforts that mission was successfully completed. That was another example of the benefits of belonging to a chapter. Of course it took several supervisors for each worker. For the evening meal we trekked to the Sirloin Stockade for an excellent buffet meal. I heard many comp-liments for the food and no groans, except for those who overindulged. The evening wound down with the ladies playing cards and the men solving the world’s problems.
Friday opened somewhat cloudy with the forecast for rain which ultimately did not appear and people slowly started to leave their coaches; somewhat like bears leaving hibernation. For lunch, Florence Hedges organized a lunch at the Sandstone Gardens which is a restaurant in a building with English Victorian Garden accents. Meanwhile, David Hedges led the men to a Speedco shop to get information. Speedco is a national firm that provides quicklube for trucks and motor coaches. Most of their locations are in close proximity to Blue Beacon truck washes and Flying J Truck Stops. That was followed by a lunch at the local Cheddars. That afternoon there was more conversation, light maintenance and card playing. The evening meal was at the Carthage Country Club. The evening was completed with another round of card playing while the men continued solving the world’s problems. Mission accomplished.
The getaway breakfast of pastries, O.J. and coffee was provided by the Nashs and Careys. Following breakfast was more good fellowship as members went about getting ready to head for home.
For those thinking about attending the Six State Rally at Shawnee, Oklahoma in September you might want to consider registering sooner rather than later. The electric sites go to the first 500 who register. I do not know how many will attend but there were 800 coaches last year at Little Rock. You can register on line at www.fmca.com/ or use the form in the magazine.
It would appear that the light at the end of the tunnel could be spring. One can only hope. I am sure that we have all had enough of winter. As we gathered this month at the Coachlight RV Park in Carthage, MO. there were 13 coachs in attendance; the Ballards, Couchs, Careys, Cooks, Hedges, Drennons, Mathis’, Sidebottoms, Stremmings, Genrichs, Severes, Nashs and our guests Jim and Martha McVay, from Lees Summit, MO. By the end of the rally we had convinced the McVays that we were a good group and they became the newest members of HOA. We were pleased to see Dolores and Barbara as they have both been battling illness. Dolores wanted to express her heartfelt thanks for all of the support she has received over the last two years. You can follow Barbara’s progress at the web site www.caringbridge.com/visit/shortways.
Our Wednesday reception, hosted by the Drennons, was a lively affair, spiced with pie, conversations about our travels through the winter and plans for the rest of the year. Of course it did not take too long for the ladies card game to commence and it was still going strong when I gave up for the night.
Thursday breakfast featured our pancake specialist Dan Couch ably assisted by Marilee and Ken and Ruth Ann Stremming, masters of the sausage patty. After breakfast President T.J. Ballard conducted a business meeting, infor-mation for which appears in the minutes. Meanwhile, everyone was making plans for the rest of the day while Wayne Cook was last seen assigning everyone to transportation for the evening meal. Since the Careys arrived with their step in the extend position that had to be attended to. Through some combined efforts that mission was successfully completed. That was another example of the benefits of belonging to a chapter. Of course it took several supervisors for each worker. For the evening meal we trekked to the Sirloin Stockade for an excellent buffet meal. I heard many comp-liments for the food and no groans, except for those who overindulged. The evening wound down with the ladies playing cards and the men solving the world’s problems.
Friday opened somewhat cloudy with the forecast for rain which ultimately did not appear and people slowly started to leave their coaches; somewhat like bears leaving hibernation. For lunch, Florence Hedges organized a lunch at the Sandstone Gardens which is a restaurant in a building with English Victorian Garden accents. Meanwhile, David Hedges led the men to a Speedco shop to get information. Speedco is a national firm that provides quicklube for trucks and motor coaches. Most of their locations are in close proximity to Blue Beacon truck washes and Flying J Truck Stops. That was followed by a lunch at the local Cheddars. That afternoon there was more conversation, light maintenance and card playing. The evening meal was at the Carthage Country Club. The evening was completed with another round of card playing while the men continued solving the world’s problems. Mission accomplished.
The getaway breakfast of pastries, O.J. and coffee was provided by the Nashs and Careys. Following breakfast was more good fellowship as members went about getting ready to head for home.
For those thinking about attending the Six State Rally at Shawnee, Oklahoma in September you might want to consider registering sooner rather than later. The electric sites go to the first 500 who register. I do not know how many will attend but there were 800 coaches last year at Little Rock. You can register on line at www.fmca.com/ or use the form in the magazine.
