NEWS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE, MAY 2012

      Once more into the breach---sorry, wrong novel. How about, once more on the road; and a sunny and pleasant road it is. As nice as the weather has been I do believe the farmers would vote for some rain.

      As we gathered in Grove, OK we had the typical cast of characters, plus and minus. For the Thursday reception the Sidebottoms, Severes, Nashs, Mathes’, Lynchs, Genrichs and Carliles gathered to be joined by Ginny Weaver, TJ Ballard accompanied by Sandy Thomas and Phyllis Anderson accompanied by her fiancée, Dick Pennington.  A significant number of our members were unable to join us this month due to graduation commitments. Cedar Oaks RV Park is a great location for a rally; nice park, good weather and an outstanding view. Cedar Oaks is a popular destination for RVers as we were one of three groups there for the weekend. It is not often you see Grand Lake as calm as is was this last weekend. Dolores and Jack Mathes were on the hook for the reception so they whipped up some sundaes, including the cherry on top. Before, during and after the food there were many lively conversations, some of which extend into a card game. Imagine that!

      Friday morning dawned bright and cool. (I know, sounds a little like Michener.) As always Jack had the coffee ready and everyone streamed in to see what was on tap for breakfast. We ate healthy that morning with strawberries, pinapple and yogurt, plus ham, biscuits and jam all supplied by Carol Genrich and Ann Marie Carlile. I am here to tell you these people can talk. During and after breakfast the discussions were many and varied. Later in the morning many headed out for their own sightseeing including visiting the Har-ber Village Antique Historical Museum developed by Harvey and Bernice Jones who owned Jones Truck Line. Also, Jack Mathes was seen successfully completing a repair job on his coach while I spied an afternoon card game. While I can not prove it I think there were a few naps taken during the afternoon. Those old people need their rest. For the evening meal we gathered, once again, in the club house for a pulled pork dinner with baked beans and cole slaw served up by Carol and Ann Marie. After dinner we once again had many conversations and then a card game erupted.

      Saturday morning saw us headed to the Hickory Inn for a late morning brunch. Once that was completed the members scattered in all directions. Some on errands and others on sightseeing trips. One stop for many was at the Cheapo Depo to see if they could find that one item they could not do without at a really cheap price. If you want to know where some of those things that nobody wants wind up, this is the place. For dinner we journeyed to the Lazy Parrot, a restaurant we have visited in the past. Judging from the crowded dining room they have no lack of customers, at least on the weekend. They also have no lack of great food.

      Sunday morning almost everyone was up and around getting ready to head home. We have the Carliles to thank for the getaway breakfast. Once again, as he did all during the rally, Jack Mathes had the coffee pot perking away. The Severes had departed earlier in the morning so they could get back to Wichita for a graduation that afternoon. John must have used stealth mode because they sure were quiet leaving. We had a great rally with great weather. What more could you ask for?

      June: For the next rally we are going to Richey Cove at Council Groves, Kansas. We will be there during the Wah-Shun-Gah Days Festival. Council Groves is in the middle of the Flint Hills and is home to the Flint Hill Scenic Byway. It is on the Santa Fe Trail and was the jump off point for those going to Santa Fe. It is also home to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. This Preserve is a small remnant of what was a 140 million acre sea of grass. I believe Wayne and Carol have an exciting weekend planned for us.  Please read the flyer and get your reservations in to Carol Cook.