NEWS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE - SEPT/OCT 2009

Six State Rally. This newsletter begins with a report from the Six State Rally in Shawnee, Oklahoma which occurred the week before our October rally in Coffeyville, Kansas.

On Tuesday, September 22 seven Heart of America coaches rendezvoused at the Firelake Grand Casino just west of Shawnee. In our group were the Severes, Cooks, Welchs’, Hedges, Sidebottoms, Careys and Genrichs. From the casino we caravanned the great distance of five miles to the entrance of the Six State Rally at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center. As opposed to the parking problems everyone had at last year’s rally this time it went very smoothly. From the time we entered the rally grounds until we were all parked was no more than 30 minutes. In addition our parking spots were within a stone’s throw of the rally headquarters and the location of the nightly entertainment. Soon after parking several of us took our cars to a car wash to remove the grim that driving in the rain had produced. In addition to those in the caravan there were other Heart of America members present. They included the Mathis’, Bennetts, Couchs, McVays and Tom Drennon.

Wednesday morning was a period of socializing, visiting WalMart, and taking care of all of those little details that always pop up. That afternoon, thanks to our wives, we hosted a social hour and were pleased to gather a good crowd including Fred and Lou Kennedy, South Central Area Vice President and Don and Sharon Eversman, FMCA Executive Director. Everyone contributed something for the event but I especially want to thank the margarita lady Lucille for her contributions. At 7 pm the rally opening program started with remarks from several dignataries and the Six State Rally Officers. The evening’s entertainment consisted of two Native American dancers, Zack Morris and Kevin Connywerdy, demonstrating the Fancy Dance which was invented in Oklahoma in the 1920s at a wild west show. The two dancers have performed both nationally and internationally. They were followed by The Homesteaders, who treated us to western, cowboy and gospel music.

Thursday morning we gathered and headed for breakfast in anticipation of the opening of the vendor area, the coach displays and the beginning of the seminars which occupied the rest of the day. That evening was a patriotic theme. Our speaker was BG (sel) Kendall Penn, the incoming Assistant Adjutant General for Arkansas. The night’s entertainment was the Dave and Daphne Show. Many of you have seen them at FMCA rallies and maybe in the winter in Arizona. To say they are professionals understates their abilities.

Friday we again headed for breakfast and then the day was again spent visiting vendors and attending seminars. During the day the Mathis’ had to leave us to attend to a family emergency. The evening entertainment was Tin Roof Tango. They use 25 instruments to play music from around the world. The band leader was one of the most energetic individuals that I have ever seen.

Saturday was little slow. Everyone had been to the vendor area several times and seen and bought all that they wanted. There was a tractor pull mid-morning that captured a lot of attention. That evening we were entertained by Sarah Ghetto, a blind musician. She is very talented. Sarah composes her music and performs all of the music, string, percussion and voice that she uses to accompany her selections. If you get a chance, I highly encourage you to catch her show.

Sunday morning had everyone packing up and leaving the expo grounds. This Six State Rally was one of the most successful in recent memory. There were almost no complaints from anyone. Next year, Shreveport, Louisiana, September 29 to October 3. Plan on attending.

October Rally. Our October rally was scheduled to start on Thursday, October 1 but we really started on Wednesday. That was because Coffeyville’s Walter Johnson Park was going to be filled up by new part timers working at the Amazon.com distribution center so we got there early to save spots. Also, the rally was earlier in the month than usual so that we could visit Coffeyville during the reenactment of the bank robbery attempt raid by the Dalton gang in 1892. By Wednesday afternoon we had seven coaches; the Cooks, Stremmings, Nashs, Sidebottoms, Couchs, Genrichs and guests Phil and Ginny Weaver from Kearney, MO. Wednesday evening we headed downtown and ate at Lannings Grill. We then returned to the park and just sat around in conversation.

Thursday morning eight of us headed to Bartlesville, OK to visit Woolorac museum on the Phillips ranch. This museum was started by the founder of the Phillips 66 oil company in 1926 and located on his 17,000 acre ranch. It has evolved into a 40,000 square foot facility with vast amount of western art and memorabilia. When we returned we discovered that the Severes had arrived. The Thursday reception was cake and ice cream served outside as we gathered around the coaches.

Friday started with a biscuits and gravy breakfast. That was followed by our business meeting. After that a card game started while some went downtown. A number of us went to the Dalton Defender’s Museum. In addition to the information about the Dalton event the museum has displays about the major league Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson who grew up in Coffeyville. There are also displays for Wendell Willkie, the 1940 Republican presidential candidate, who, at one time, taught in the Coffeyville school system. Friday evening we went back downtown for the chili cook off. Everyone buys a spoon for a dollar and samples as much chili as they want. Later in the evening they used the exterior of the Condon Bank building as a screen for the showing of a movie about the Dalton raid.

Saturday morning we went back downtown to a pancake breakfast cooked up by the Coffeyville Lions club. After that we all wandered to the center of town where the weekend events take place. Included in the events were a car show, crafters, Cowboys Trade Days, a flea circus, bullwhip demo, a cake walk and many other events. Twice during the day was a re-enactment of the Dalton gang’s attempt to simultaneously rob two of Coffeyville’s banks. The townspeople took offense and the result of the attempt was one wounded and four dead bandits plus four dead residents. Saturday evening we toured the Brown Mansion. Included in our tour was an excellent meal prepared by Friends of the Mansion. This home was built between 1898 and 1906 by prominent businessman W.P. Brown. It is a three story home with the largest basement I have ever seen. The basement is worthy of an office building. The entire third floor is a ballroom. This home is unique in that it had only one owner before the historical society purchased it complete with all of the original furniture and floor and wall coverings. It has many interesting and unique furnishing such as Tiffany glass door knobs, a Tiffany chandelier and Tiffany door glass. Not only are the furnishings original but they are in excellent condition having never left the house.

Sunday morning we had our typical get-away breakfast of “low cal”, high energy pastries and coffee. I want to give a special thanks to our hosts, Wayne and Carol Cook. They did an excellent job in putting together this rally.

New members. During our rally, Phil and Ginny Weaver decided to join our chapter. It is a pleasure to welcome them. They originally joined FMCA in 1973 and have an FMCA number of F14186 so they are not new to this RV stuff.

Dues. Your 2010 dues are due commencing January 1 and you will be delinquent if not paid by April 1, 2010. The Treasurer does not want to have to send Guido and his boys to your house to make a "collection."