News, Past, Present and Future - April 2014

            It seems that winter has finally loosened its grip. The weather for the April rally was nice to above. Every day, during the rally, the temperature rose so that by Friday it was nice to be in short sleeves. Of course, if I was standing on the shore of Lake Michigan I might have a different attitude.

            To beat some forecasted high winds Carol and I arrived at Coachlight RV Park on Tuesday followed shortly by John and Lucille Severe. By Wednesday afternoon virtually everyone had arrived. In attendance were the Severes, Backers, Cooks, Couches, McVays, McKinneys, Sidebottoms, Nashs, Tom Drennon, Jack Mathes and TJ Ballard and Sandy Thomas.

            Since October was our last rally, we spent quite a bit of time catching up on the past months and occurrences over the winter. A major topic was health. It seems that quite a few members were in the process of completing the healing process. Jim McVay has benefited from getting a new heart valve through a new noninvasive technique. Carol Cook has had an ankle repaired, Gary Sidebottom in recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and Lucille had foot surgery. Finally, Dan Couch is much more beautiful after nose surgery. Other than all of that everyone is in great health.

            Thursday evening we had our welcome reception organized by rally wagon masters Carol and Wayne Cook. Every one brought a salad dish and there were some great salads to pick from. By the time we got through with the reception we had learned almost everything that had happened over the winter. While the men disappeared into the night the women started the ever present card game.

            Friday morning dawned bright and late. Late because in place of our usual early breakfast we had a mid-morning brunch. For this event we headed to downtown Carthage to stop at the Rumor Has It restaurant. We had originally planned on eating at the Sassy Spoon but unfortunately, over the winter, the building burned down. Rumor Has It could easily handle our group and they made a special effort to ensure everyone had a great meal. After the meal Tom Drennon made the announcement that this will be his last appearance with the chapter as he is leaving the RV lifestyle. His wife Jeanette passed away late last year so Tom has been on his own since that time. But not for long as he has found a kindred soul and they are contemplating marriage in the near future. Tom has been a member of this chapter for several decades and will be missed. The afternoon was a lazy period as everyone went about attending to one or more tasks. For dinner Carol Genrich prepared sloppy joes, macaroni, baked beans and cake. In addition we had salads available that were left over from the reception and a pan of enchilades provided by the McKinneys.

            Saturday breakfast was biscuit and gravy plus sausage, fruit and orange juice courtesy of TJ Ballard and Sandy Thomas. Very tasty. Marty Lown, owner of Coachlight RV stopped by during breakfast to thank the chapter for our support of the campground and to pass on some local information. It always take half of the morning to get all of the conversations completed but by mid-morning the group had scattered in several directions. Later in the morning Gary and Elaine Sidebottom departed due to a prior scheduled affair. The afternoon was generally a lazy time as everyone attended to various chores. That evening we traveled back downtown to the Rumor Has It restaurant for our evening meal. Great food, great hospitality, great price. We will be back. After dinner the ever present card game resumed though with a reduced cast.

            Sunday we gathered for our get-away breakfast presented by the Cooks. They had procured large cinnamon rolls from Rumor Has It. After we cleaned up from breakfast and loaded all of the equipment everyone started their pre-trip preparation and over the next hour headed home in the great weather. 

            May rally. Please note that this rally starts on Tuesday and is a four day rally. We will be going to a park that we have never visited. Joann and Nick Backer will be our hosts at the Arrowhead Point RV Park. It is located on US Highway 54 midway between Eldorado Springs, Missouri and Clinton, Missouri. We visited the park last fall and I think that everyone will have a great time. You might note on the registration portion of the flyer that you need to indicate whether you would like 30 or 50 amp service. The park has asked for this information. If you choose 50 amps there will be a $5 per day upcharge (not unusual). Remember to bring a little cash for the Thursday lunch at Smith's restaurant as they have never taken credit cards. You will see that after the Thursday lunch there is a tour of the Toys in the Attic Museum. Fear not gentlemen there are also automobiles at the museum. You may think that the park is a little remote but there is still plenty to do. Eldorado Springs is well worth a visit and you can make a run to the Osceola Cheese Factory. Just remember, boredom is a self-inflicted wound.
            July rally. This rally will be held in Branson, hosted by the Nashs. During this rally we will be celebrating our 45th anniversary and Dan Couch is in charge of the event planning. We are expecting Jim McCabe, National Vice President of the South Central Area to attend.

            September rally. For the past several years we have not had a rally in September because of the Six State Rally which has usually been in the latter part of the month. However, this year that rally is the first week of October in Shreveport, LA. During the April rally there was discussion about having adding an HOA rally this September. If we do that we need a location and an overall host. Not a big problem, but something to think about. Several members suggested Topeka. Carol Genrich is waiting for the phone to ring!