NEWS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE - JUNE 2010

Here we are fresh into a new season. This one is called Summer which is an old Indian term meaning “hot”. Your trusty chapter landed in an RV park we have never visited, the McPherson RV Park and Ranch Motel in McPherson, Kansas. No, I did not see Dorothy but I did see evidence of Toto.

As we gathered for the Thursday reception we had nine coaches; Severes, Cooks, Sidebottoms, Lynches, Couchs, Genrichs, Stremmings, Weavers, and our hosts the Mathes’. Also, joining us were two guests, John and Lucille Severe’s granddaughter, Stephanie and Carol and Chuck Genrich’s granddaughter, Sidney. Our hosts filled us with cake and ice cream and the opportunity to catch up on what everyone had been doing for the past month. When I left the club house there were two card games running.

Friday morning our hosts greeted us with a breakfast of biscuits and gravy, fruit, coffee and orange juice. Also, our historian (photographer) set up a digital picture frame loaded with photos from the last two years. Every time that I looked there was a least one person watching the parade of photos. Later in the morning we caravanned to the McPherson Opera House. This facility was constructed in 1888 and is now on the list of national historic landmarks. During the heyday of local opera houses it was considered on par with those in Denver and Kansas City. It is a four-story building that has one floor below street level. That floor is considered the lower level rather than a basement because it is used as a learning center and conference rooms vice storage. The building has been beautifully restored in its entirety by professional restoration personnel. A dedication to the restoration took place in January of this year. The main auditorium has a main floor and two balconies for a total of 500 seats. Throughout the year there is a flow of nationally known entertainment. We were given an excellent two-hour tour of the building by the head docent. The acoustics of the auditorium are beyond excellent. Anyone standing on the stage using normal conversation volume can be heard anywhere in the seating areas. After the tour we scattered to find lunch and then the card players reconvened. For supper we wandered out to the Golden Dragon where everyone could have the Chinese food of their selection. Upon returning to the park we were given a presentation by Mr. Sam Seymour about his trip to Israel in connection with bible related archeology.

Saturday morning we started with a business meeting followed by a late breakfast prepared by our hosts. We then spent the rest of the morning in casual conversation. Sometimes you like to just sit and listen to the conversations going on around you. It is relaxing and maybe you will learn something. In the afternoon we caravanned to Lindsborg, Kansas for a tour of the Old Mill Museum. This three-story mill was constructed in 1889 on the banks of the Smoky Hill River and was in operation until 1955. Originally water powered it was converted to electric power in the 1930s. As a roller mill it was considered the “granddaddy of the modern mill.” The mill has been completely renovated and the tour provides an excellent understanding of how you produce flour from wheat. Once a year they have a millfest and operate the mill. In close proximity to the mill are several local buildings built in the late 1800s and early 1900s which illustrate Swedish architecture. The mill museum also provides you with an understanding of when and why Russian Mennonites and Swedish immigrants settled in the area. Following the tour many of us visited the business section of Lindsborg and toured the many shops. We then headed for Smolan, Kansas to chow down at the Hickory Tree Restaurant. The restaurant is located in the former Smolan High School building using the gymnasium and associated stage for patron seating. The main fare is barbeque. In noting the other patrons it was easy to see that folks come from a large area to sample the smoked meats. They serve in a buffet style and if you leave hungry it is your own fault. We then headed back to the RV park for more conversation and cards. We had a good day of sightseeing, shopping and eating. The only down side was the weather. It was just a little too warm to be pleasant. However, we can thank those little industrial gnomes who invented air conditioning for providing a way to escape from the worst of the heat. Gary and Elaine Sidebottom departed the park after dinner to return home. They were expected the next morning at church for a granddaughter’s recital.

Sunday morning saw everyone back in the clubhouse for a get-away breakfast. I sensed that there was not the great rush to leave as I have seen in the past. Maybe that was because Wayne Cook, who is usually first out, lives only 40 miles from the park. I hope that was an easy trip Wayne!

Medical: As I write this I have received an email from Dolores Mathes informing me that Barbara Ballard is still with us. Our hearts and prayers go out to Barbara and TJ and to their family.

July rally: Our next rally is at the Osage Beach RV Park in Osage Beach, Missouri, July 15 - 18. If you have not made park reservations you had best get busy.

Six State: If you are interested in going to the Six State rally in Shreveport and wish to arrive early be advised that only 150 coaches can get Monday arrival. They have placed a limit on arrivals due to the potential of interference with the Interstate which is close to the rally site.

The Six-State Rally Association wants to do everything it can to help chapters grow and/or maintain a healthy membership. In an effort to help recruit new chapter members they are planning a special “Chapter Carnival” in conjunction with the traditional Ice Cream Social. Plans are to create an exciting event in a colorful atmosphere so that members will want to obtain information from a variety of chapters and, ultimately become a member of a chapter in our area.

The goal is to have every area chapter participate in the Chapter Carnival. Each chapter that registers will be given a nominal 10’ x 10’ space to be decorated as your committee would like around a “carnival” theme. To each chapter that attends in September, the Six State Association will give $25.00 toward the expense of decorating and making or purchasing items for their booth. In addition, three prizes will be given for the best decorated or the best presentation made by a chapter. Those prize amounts are: $200.00, $150.00, and $100.00.

Our chapter will be participating in this chapter carnival. I would hope that every chapter member attending the rally will help us put our best foot forward. Finally, as we have done in the past, our chapter will be providing door prizes for the rally. This year it will be two $50 Walmart gift cards.