2012 CURRENT NEWSLETTER (scroll down to see earlier newsletters)
2012 Newsletters by Karen Geer
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2011 Newsletters
October 2011 Newsletter
Hi everyone,
Our camping weekend was held at Given’s “campground” with many hardy campers in attendance.
I don’t have the names of everyone that attended this weekend, but I can list our club members (I think) –Hosts Guy & Jan Givens; Co-hosts, Eric & Teresa Cohee plus Ron & Melodie Thompson; Ron & Carol Koenes; Beryl & Karen Geer; Allen & Carolyn Crist; Lance & Shelley Agness; Bobbie Cole; Ken & Sharon Dickman; Tim & Terry Finster; George & Sherry Gehring; Wilbur & Ginny Haggerty; Bill & Nancy Plummer; Gary & Carolyn Rexroad; David & Sharon Sites; and Lee & Betty Wilkinson. There were various friends, relatives, children and pets and a good time seemed to be had by all.
The weather gave us some challenges as we had some wind & rain to start us off, but that didn’t stop us from having a good time. For those of us making it by Thursday, we decided to eat out and went to Harvey Hinkelmeyers in Wabash for lots of good food. Friday saw a few more campers arrive which swelled attendance to completely cover the camping area. Although very windy, we had two campfires going with the really “tough” campers sitting around the windiest one where soup pots were being stoked. Some of us wimpy ones sat around the campfire that had a windbreak. Also Jan & Guy graciously set up some tables in their large garage/work area because it was decided that it would be too windy & cold to enjoy eating outside. Some continued to brave the weather and some of us enjoyed games and cards in the building. Friday supper consisted of veg.beef soup, potatoe soup, & chili along with crackers, corn bread, French bread, rolls, cheese, and perhaps more that I may have missed as I was busy sampling the soups! (yah¸all of them,…. BUT they were small bowls). We also sang Happy Birthday to Melodie Thompson who got to wear the Birthday Hat. We didn’t want to wait for our meeting on Saturday because we were afraid that Melodie would manage to hide the birthday hat. Ron said that she certainly tried, but he found it.
Betty & Lee Wilkinson drove over on Friday and enjoyed the evening with us. Betty joined in the “hand & foot” card marathon and I believe her team won. Meanwhile, the campfires were going strong and the children were not stopped by the chilly weather. Jan’s grandchildren kept her hopping and she and Guy were great hosts for the weekend. Their cohosts were Eric & Theresa Cohee and Melodie & Ron Thompson and they all pitched in to help. Eric Cohee offered to make Saturday breakfast and while he cooked, the others were kept busy helping to provide a great breakfast for all of us (and believe me, there were a LOT OF PEOPLE to feed). We had scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes, orange juice, milk, coffee, rolls, and….I don’t remember, I was too stuffed by then. In fact, Beryl & I were so full from breakfast that we just skipped lunch and waited for supper. And what a supper! Everyone brought great things for our pitch-in as usual. During the afternoon there were crafts and games for the kids and then some crafts for the women. Jan had lots of things for people to choose to do and there were contests and prizes by evening. There was even a hayride!
I need to mention that we had a long time member, Bobbie Cole, arrive Saturday and we were all pleased to see her. She has been unable to participate much in the last couple of years as her limited mobility has kept her mostly housebound. Bobbie said she wouldn’t be renewing her club membership for next year because of her health. However, we enjoyed her visit and in fact, she was my partner for one of our Hand & Foot card games. It was gals against the guys, and we had them beat until the last awful hand. (That’s the way I remember it). Bobbie plays a mean game of cards, but the guys got lucky and we got creamed.
Our club meeting was held after the dinner & cleanup. Guests, Jerry & Connie Holmes, and Carol Koenes’ sisters, Betty & MaryAnn from Warren, Ohio were introduced. It was noted that our new members, David & Sharon Sites were in attendance and welcomed to the club. Their Anniversary is 10/25/70 and their information is being added to our Handbook. Pres. Ron Koenes circulated the info that he had in preparation for the new Handbook. He asked everyone to check the addresses, emails, phones, names, etc. and to please be sure that he has all the correct info so that he can have an updated Handbook prepared for our December meeting.
Our Sec./Treas., Melodie Thompson, thanked all the club members for getting their dues in on time. It will make her job a lot easier to take care of our state dues. She handed out some of our 2012 membership cards and the rest will be available to anyone who didn’t get theirs yet.
Our charity for this month was Backroads Rescue and items and money were collected. Carolyn Rexroad reported that there were 62 phone cards contributed to our Active Service men & women from the Good Sams of Indiana. Also, I (Karen Geer) again reported that Dick & Marsha Helm delivered 86 items to the Salvation Army from our club members and they were very pleased. Sharon Dickman read a thank you from John Meeks, “Support Our Paws”. I read a thank you card from Allen & Carolyn Crist for everyone’s care & concern regarding the passing of Allen’s brother, Ralph. Ken Dickman mentioned that there were 23 contributors and over $510 collected for Turpentine Creek. And speaking of Turpentine Creek, remember that many of our club members enjoy going down there to visit the “Big Cats” and having a great time for Halloween. Turpentine Creek recently got written up in two of our RV magazines (Motor Coach & FMCA) as a top attraction in Arkansas.
Jan Givens announced that the $1000.00 winner of Beacon Credit Union’s charity contest was
“Backroads Rescue” thanks to everyone who voted.
Gary Rexroad reminded everyone about the Good Sam “Friend” badges which is a simple plastic
Pin-on badge that a person can wear when our multiple large name tags and badges might be a
little too much, such as for funeral homes, hospitals, etc. He still has some available or more can be ordered. They are $5.00 each with individual Sam or Samantha emblems.
Allen Crist passed around the host sign-up list for 2012 to be certain that all the meetings are covered. There may still be a couple months open yet. Carolyn Rexroad said that the dates for the June 2012 campout needed to be changed because the Good Sam Samboree in Louisville is scheduled for the weekend following the Father’s Day weekend. Since June will have 5 weekends next year, she suggested that we have our campout on June 29, 30, & July1 and everyone agreed to the change. It will be at Timberline in Anderson. Rexroads will host and Geers will co-host.
Allen & Carolyn Crist are the hosts for our dinner meeting in Noember, and they will need confirmation as to who will attend. Next month’s charity is Birthright of Peru. In particular, they are in need of size 4 & 5 diapers. For further information, please contact Carolyn Crist at 765-395-6139.
Well, we had a very active campout and meeting. Sunday afternoon saw everyone heading home. I am personally recuperating this week because I got worn out watching our hosts and co-hosts work hard all week-end! This was our last official club campout of the season, but with sadness it was also our last campout at “Givens Campground” also fondly known as “Camp Sardine”. Thank you, Guy and Jan for your generous hospitality.
Next month:
Dinner Meeting: Nov. 19, 2011 at Harvey Hinklemeyers on Broadway, Peru.
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Hosts: Allen & Carolyn Crist
Hm. Phone: 765-395-6139 please confirm your attendence
Anniversaries:
Eric and Teresa Cohee 11/03/90
Wilbur and Ginny Haggerty 11/12/63
Birthdays:
Addie Goletz 11/02
Carolyn Crist 11/26
Nickolas Berg 11/29
So Happy Halloween to everyone. Hope to see you next month.
Take care,
Karen Geer
Corresponding Secretary
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September 2011 Newsletter
Hello Everyone,
The club’s campout at Mississinewa was a rousing success. Our hosts were Dick & Marsha Helm and Lance & Shelley Agness. The Crists and Dickmans started early on Wed. and Al & Addy Goletz attended as well. Arriving Thursday along with guests, David & Sharon Sites from Bunker Hill were the Koenes, Rexroads, & Helms. Coming in on Friday were Haggertys & Gehrings (yes, George Gehring said he allowed time to arrive between his naps). Later Friday evening Lance & Shelley arrived to complete the actual campers. Although the campout started out kind of breezy and cool, the campfire was going strong and we had a great turnout. Friday evening was dinner at the Circus City Grill. The waitresses really had their hands full taking care of us all. Although they couldn’t camp, Tim & Terry Finster and Betty Wilkinson joined us for dinner. Before our dinner arrived, “someone” managed to dump her water glass to rewash her table. Her helpful tablemates pitched in with napkins to try to catch the flow. Ron Koenes said he bet that this wouldn’t be mentioned in the newsletter; however, he didn’t say I had to tell who the clumsy person was! Oh well, at least none of us got wet…..just the table, the glasses, the silverware, the napkins, the placemats, and the crackers. Good thing our dinners hadn’t arrived yet.
After dinner, we all sat around the campfire along with our two canine members, “Buddy” Koenes and “Izzy” Crist. They were smart enough to stay on their owners’ laps all wrapped up in blankets while some of the humans shivered and said they should have brought their heavy coats! Soon it was time to call it a day and the Geers went home to sleep. Since we live so close to the campground, we got lazy and didn’t pull the motor home out. However, we did actually get up early to return to the campground to join everyone for the Saturday morning breakfast. When it comes to good food, it wasn’t time for us to be late! With biscuits and gravy, mixed fruit, orange juice, & pastries everyone enjoyed the food plus the morning campfire. We had more club members come in for the afternoon and evening (Guy & Jan Givens plus Ron & Melodie Thompson). Also, we got to meet and welcome two of the Helms’ grandchildren, Brady & Alexis along with her friend, Tanner. They joined us for dinner which is a good thing, since there was way more food than any of us could eat. After leftovers were put away and tables cleaned up, our club meeting was called for 7:00 pm. Geers were “reminded” that the meeting was delayed (just a little) since they had run home for something and didn’t get back until 7:15. As usual, Beryl blamed Karen for the delay but we all know that couldn’t possibly be true!
During the meeting everyone was reminded that our club dues need to be submitted to our Treasurer, Melodie Thompson by October. So any family not paid up, please submit your $12.00 to Melodie…. ASAP. We all get busy, and it is easy to forget.
We had a lot of Sept. birthdays to celebrate (Ron Thompson, Sherry Gehring, Guy Givens, Dick Helm, Carol Koenes, Beryl Geer, Ginny Haggerty, Nancy Plummer, & Terry Wilson.), but the closest birthdays to our campout dates were Dick Helm’s (the 15th) & Carol Koenes’ on the 19th. So since “ladies first” came to mind, Carol got her picture taken with the wonderful Birthday Hat! Sorry Dick, we know you must have been disappointed. Maybe next year?
There were no Sept. anniversaries, but Ron Koenes mentioned that last month he & Carol happily celebrated their 27th. He wanted to be sure to get that into the minutes. Hmm…do you think he was trying to make “points” with Carol??
Next came the election of officers. Without a nominating committee, we had some nominations from the floor at last month’s meeting. We again asked for nominations from the floor and the only additional nomination was for president…….Ron Koenes. Bill Plummer was nominated for president at our August meeting along with the current officers, Guy Givens, VP; Melodie Thompson, Sec./Treas.; & Karen Geer, Recording Sec.. Since the only contested position was for president, the rest of us were voted in by acclamation. We had to vote by ballot for either Ron or Bill. It was extremely close, but Ron finally won by a narrow margin. Now to rub it in, Ron also won the 50/50 drawing!
Other business was covered which Melodie will be including when she does the minutes. It was a long meeting. This month’s charity was the Salvation Army and many brought non-perishable food and some donated money. Marsha Helm is graciously taking care of the delivery. Next month’s charity will be the “Backroads Rescue” and our campout will be at Guy & Jan Givens’ “campground” the 14th,15th,16th. This will probably be the last one at this location as many of you know that Guy & Jan are selling this home and moving. Because of this we are having our campout on the 2nd full weekend in Oct. instead of the usual third weekend. So please mark your calendars and come join in the last official campout of the season.
Now there are other campouts planned as at least 5 couples are going to the Samboree next weekend. Also, we have been invited to Mentone again the first full weekend of October (7th,8th,9th). Some of our members went to Mentone over Labor Day and Gary Rexroad said it was a great place and they had a wonderful time. They are planning to go as well as some others. Some of our members are also going to Turpentine Creek (the land of the Big Cats) the week preceding Halloween. September has been a busy month and October looks like the same.
Now besides the usual fun times, we did have some unnecessary excitement Saturday night. Getting ready to head home, Beryl Geer managed to get everyone concerned by falling backwards while putting his walker in the back of our truck. Many rushed to help and the guys all worked together in getting him up and checking out his bloody head. The help was much appreciated (the lift up, the wet towels, and the considerate concern, etc.) and, thankfully, he was able to get home and show up again Sunday morning to help finish up the camping weekend. We were glad to return on Sunday to enjoy a few more hours of our camping weekend, of course, plus….. we got to see a very interesting show……….
Yep, those of you who weren’t there missed hearing Shelley Agness yell (loudly) & watching her dance & jump around her trailer and then ….stripping off her blouse as fast as she could …….to remove the bee that was buzzing to get out or sting, whichever came first. And wouldn’t you know it¸ no one had a camera handy when we really needed it! (Between our hoots, hollers, catcalls, and clapping, we of course showed Shelley how we all sympathized with her). As friends and considerate fellow club members, we didn’t want to let her down…right? By the way, the bee won its freedom and Shelley was happy to leave it behind when she left for home.
Ah well, that pretty much wrapped up our camping weekend. Crists, Dickmans, and Goletz’ were staying until Monday, but the rest of us started leaving in the afternoon to head home.
Here is the info for next month:
Campout & meeting: October 14,15,16
Location: Camp Sardine, 829N CR100E, Wabash, IN
Hosts: Guy & Jan Givens hm ph.260-563-7075 cell:260-571-2118 email:tiremananjan@yahoo.com
One Anniversary: Lance & Shelley Agness 10/10/92
Three Birthdays: Oct. 2 - Steve Lewis; Oct,14- Melodie Thompson; Oct. 31- Tonya Berg
Remember one of our ailing members, Ruth Yoder, who is recuperating at Duke’s Hospital.
Until next time,
Take Care,
Karen Geer
Corresponding Secretary
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August 2011 Newsletter
Hi Everyone,
Well, our campout at the Old Mill Run, Thornton, got off to a good start with the Geers arriving late Thursday with their Cricket on the back of their motor home and no car this time. However………….
The Cricket doesn’t unload or run without the key that was somehow left at home!!!! Ah well, they guarantee that will never happen again!
Our hosts for the weekend were Allen & Carolyn Crist (including a little black ball of poodle fur called ‘Izzy”) along with Ken & Sharon Dickman and they were there to welcome us. Also, Gary and Carolyn Rexroad and Dick & Marsha Helm along with LaDonna & Tom Nicklaus (Regional Directors) were there to start our campout on Thursday. Coming in on Friday were Lee & Betty Wilkinson, Guy & Jan Givens, Bill & Nancy Plummer, Tim & Terry Finster, and Ron & Melodie Thompson (without their large ball of fur -“Molly”). Sharon Dickman set out some delicious cheese dips and munchies in the afternoon. With visiting and games off & on during the day, we all ended up going into town for dinner. (except for the Thompsons who didn’t make it to the campground until after we returned from dinner. Too bad…..since everyone seemed to enjoy their dinners The evening wound down with some games, a lot of visiting and munchies brought out by Carolyn Crist.
The Saturday morning breakfast was scheduled for 08:30 a.m., which meant that we had to choose between sleeping in or taking care of our stomachs……….stomachs won.
Breakfast was a smorgasbord of breakfast food including fruit to help make it healthy, of course. My heavens, it is a good thing that I don’t eat like that every day! After breakfast & cleanup there were games and cards with some going swimming in the wonderful heated pool. ( A few others seemed to disappear…….. for naps?). Ruth & Larry Yoder joined us for Saturday. Our pitch in dinner was a rousing success with more great food and a lot of visiting. Vice President Guy Givens called our business meeting for 7:00 p.m. and a great deal had to be discussed. We were supposed to have a nominating committee to nominate next year’s officers, but no one volunteered. (imagine that!) We did have some nominations from the floor and this will be continued to our next campout and meeting. Also, it was noted that the State dues have gone up which meant we should consider raising our club dues. This was discussed and a vote was taken to raise our club dues from $10.00 to $12.00. Melodie reminded everyone that she needs our dues paid by October so she can submit the necessary amount to state.
Ron Thompson won the 50/50 drawing and he donated it to the charity of the month (Military Working Dogs). Our charity for next month is the Salvation Army. They need FOOD. It was suggested that everyone bring at least one nonperishable item to donate. (Please no canned corn as they have plenty of it).
Our regional directors, LaDonna & Tom Nicklaus, invited us to join them with Sycamore Sams club on Labor Day weekend at Mentone.(approx. cost is $15-$18 per night.) LaDonna said that we don’t need to make reservations, just come. They will be having a breakfast pitch in as well as a one dish dinner pitch in during the weekend.
We had three birthdays to celebrate (Lee Wilkinson and Tim Finster who were at the campout and Paul Berg who wasn’t). LEE WILIKINSON GOT TO WEAR THE BIRTHDAY HAT! I’m sure that he was delighted. Four anniversaries were noted: Tim & Terry Finster, Ken & Sharon Dickman, Ron & Carol Koenes, and Steve & Iris Lewis. The evening finished up with everyone visiting around the campfire.
Sunday morning saw some members going to church and the campground offered a breakfast at $4.00 per person, so everyone had choices as to how to start the day. It was beautiful weather but eventually it was time to pack up and head home. Now this pretty much covers the weekend, except…………
I bet if we asked Carolyn Rexroad what the inside of her shower stall looks like, she could tell us in great detail. She got a chance to inspect it quite thoroughly while sitting on the stall floor waiting… and waiting and waiting… for Gary to finish his card game & return to the camper …To UNLOCK THE SHOWER DOOR! A faulty shower door latch that closed & locked by itself caused a very frustrated naked wet lady to spend an hour or so hoping her unsuspecting husband would return soon to let her out. Now Carolyn is such a good sport, she didn’t mind all of us finding out and telling everyone else in the newsletter. Isn’t that nice?!
Well, for all of you who couldn’t come, you missed a great campout. Information on our next campout as follows:
Dates: Sept. 16, 17,& 18
Location: Mississinewa Campground, 4673 S 625 E, Peru
Hosts: Dick and Marsha Helm cell ph: 765-860-2390; email: mapahelm@yahoo.com
Now we don’t have any anniversaries in September, but we sure have a lot of birthdays!
Sept. 5 Ron Thompson
6 Sherry Gehring
7 Guy Givens
15 Dick Helm
19 Carol Koenes
22 Beryl Geer
26 Ginny Haggerty
27 Nancy Plummer
28 Terry Wilson
We hope to see as many as possible for our next campout. Please remember our invitation to Mentone if you don’t have plans for the Labor Day weekend. Also, don’t forget to sign up (early bird by 09/03) for the Samboree at Shelbyville the weekend after our campout ( 9/23,24,25.) Looks like a busy September.
Take care,
Karen Geer
Corresponding Secretary
(and thank you again, Carolyn, for doing such a great job on the newsletter & minutes last month)
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July 18, 2011 Newsletter Greetings one and all!!
This is scary….I’m back (for the moment!!!). Well, it was a sizzling hot and humid weekend but it was great to be together again. We camped at Tall Sycamore Campground near Logansport, IN. Hosts for the weekend were George and Sherry Gehring with Al and Addie Goletz and Larry and Ruth Yoder. Some just couldn’t wait to get there so arriving Thursday were Al and Addie Goletz, Allen and Carolyn Crist, Ken and Sharon Dickman as well as Guy and Jan Givens. We also need to announce that we have a new “canine camper” in our group. Welcome to Molly Goletz!! Being early gave Ken and Allen ample opportunity to get in some fishing. Arriving Friday were George and Sherry Gehring and Gary and Carolyn Rexroad. Some opted to head to town for lunch; others just enjoyed visiting in the “heat”!! :o) Others even got in a game of Mexican Dominoes. Eventually we all headed into Peru to the Circus City Grill for dinner. Joining us there were Lee and Betty Wilkinson and Bill and Nancy Plummer. Great to see all of them! We all had tons of good food to eat! Plummers were able to join us back at the campground for the campfire (it could be 120 degrees and we would still have our “campfire”!!). It is a great atmosphere. Saturday morning brought the arrival of Larry and Ruth Yoder. They, Gehrings and Goletz treated us to an awesome breakfast: juice, fruit salad, sausage gravy and biscuits, breakfast casseroles, muffins and coffee cake (minus all the calories, of course!!). Thanks…it was ALL delicious! Time for more visiting then Lee and Betty showed up for the day in their motor home. We were all happy they could join us. Of course, if Betty is here it must be Game Time!! Several of us joined her in a game of Fill or Bust then some of us cooled off with time in the pool. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Circus City Sams weekend without the usual pranks – someone getting “locked” in the shower room and finding a “snake” in the pool!!! Gee, I wonder who was behind all this and still had time to fish!!! Then, lo and behold, Steve and Iris Lewis arrived for the remainder of the weekend. It was great to see them. Guess we got to catch up with many of our camping friends this weekend; that’s always good.
The campground was having a pitch in dinner Saturday evening so we all just joined them. That was very nice and as usual we had toooooo much good food. Time for the meeting (read on….yes, got to be Secretary, too!! Excuse me for the shortcut below): MINUTES
JULY 16, 2011 CAMPOUT
CIRCUS CITY SAM
COUPLES PRESENT: GIVENS, DICKMAN, CRIST, GEHRING, GOLETZ, REXROAD, LEWIS, WILKI
In the absence of our President Ron Koenes, Vice President Guy Givens opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance at 8:10PM
There were no guests or new members to be introduced.
In the absence of our Secretary-Treasurer Melody Thompson, there were no minutes from the previous month to read nor was there a treasurer’s report to share (we will catch up with that later).
Carolyn Rexroad shared correspondence received from Birthright of Peru.
Old Business:
It was suggested and voted that the choice of our monthly charity would be up to the hosts of the upcoming campout to choose then collect and deliver. (This was just fine tuning the vote from last month that we would continue our charities but not necessarily do the same ones as last year.
New Business:
Sharon Dickman shared the information for the Ontario Samboree to be held at Drayton, Ontario September 2, 3, 4 and 5. She brought registration forms for anyone interested. Those interested should let Gary and Carolyn Rexroad know ASAP as a late fee will be charged if mailing in after August 1st.
Jan Givens suggested that we have “no host” campouts all season having the Wagonmaster receive suggestions of campgrounds then do the arrangements. Carolyn Crist shared that it used to be that way and that became troublesome so was changed to each month having its own “wagonmaster” and doing the details.
Guy announced that at the August campout we will need to select a nominating committee for the 2012 officers. Election will be held in September. We all need to be thinking about this.
Jan Givens shared a possible change of date for the October campout. The current dates will not work for them. Unless someone else would like to host the campout at their residence on the current dates, they would like to change the October campout to the 14, 15, and 16th. (If you are interested in hosting the campout on the original dates let Jan know.
July birthdays and anniversaries were addressed but there was no “Circus City Sams’ hat” to be worn so we bypassed that “event”.
Donations for Wabash Meals on Wheels were collected by Jan Givens. She was very appreciative of the support.
Note: it was voted at a previous meeting that if members pay for firewood for the campout, the club would reimburse them. Ken Dickman paid for firewood this weekend so he needs reimbursed.
Guy thanked our hosts – George and Sherry Gehring, Al and Addie Goletz and Larry and Ruth Yoder – for a wonderful weekend and yummy food.
August campout information:
Dates: 19, 20 and 21st
Place: Old Mill Run, Thorntown, IN
Hosts: Allen and Carolyn Crist with Ken and Sharon Dickman
Plans: Eat out Friday; Saturday morning breakfast provided; ice cream social Saturday afternoon; air conditioned building will be available to us the entire weekend for games, meals, meeting, etc.
Charity of choice: US Military Dogs – Take Care of the Dogs That Take Care of Your Troops.
We chose to forego the 50/50 drawing.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35PM.
Respectfully submitted
Carolyn Rexroad
Acting Secretary
Re the August campout, please notify your hosts ASAP to let them know you are coming so they can make accurate plans:
Allen and Carolyn Crist 765-395-6139
Ken and Sharon Dickman 765-395-7077 dickmansk@wmconnect.com
Time for the diehards to gather ‘round the campfire and enjoy lots of laughs and stories.
Sunday morning it was time for church either at the campgrounds or in town. Then time to start breaking up camp before it got too hot. Another enjoyable time was had; thanks again to our hosts.
August birthdays August anniversaries
14 Tim Finster 3 Tim and Terry Finster
28 Paul Berg 8 Ken and Sharon Dickman
30 Lee Wilkinson 11 Ron and Carol Koenes
19 Steve and Iris Lewis
See you in August!!
Sincerely,
Carolyn Rexroad
ACTING Corresponding Secretary
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June 2011 Newsletter
This month our club campout was held at the Elkhart Campground on Junre 24 -26. As a reminder, this was the 4th weekend instead of the usual 3rd weekend because the club agreed previously that there wouldn’t be a club campout on Father’s Day weekend. However, some of our members had other commitments so had to miss this campout as well. For those of you who couldn’t come, we miss you guys and hope to see you again soon.
Our campers this weekend were Ken & Sharon Dickman, Allen & Carolyn Crist, Ron & Melodie Thompson, Ron & Carol Koenes, Terry Finster, and Beryl & Karen Geer. However, the weekend was very full since this was a combined campout with several other clubs represented within 3-4 districts. The Asst. State Director, Mike Novak, was there and District Directors, Tom & LaDonna Nicklaus were there helping everyone get acquainted. In fact, Tom & LaDonna joined us for our club meeting on Sat. morning.
The weather for the weekend (starting on Thursday) began rather rainy & cool and Friday remained cool but at least the rain let up. Our hosts, the Koenes & Finsters, provided the supper of Coney dogs, potato salad, chips, and jello cakes. No one went hungry, of course. After we visited for awhile, we all met with the other clubs at the large meeting building for some evening entertainment. There was a 3 person group that provided music and led some Karaoke. The group was called the Swamp Angels and was a lot of fun. As to the Karaoke, I am happy to report that our own Carolyn Crist outdid them all. She did a great job with “Crazy”, “God Doesn’t Make Honky-tonk Angels” as well as Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t Make My Brown Eyes Blue’. There was some dancing, a lot of singing, and a great time seemed to be had by all. Before the evening ended, everyone stood up and sang “God Bless America”. After going back to our campsites, some hardy souls visited around the campfire. (Beryl & I didn’t make it; we flaked out and went to bed early.)
Saturday morning arrived sunny and warm with the breakfast provided by one of the districts. They provided pancakes and sausages with others pitching in with fruit, casseroles, rolls, etc. Again, no one had to leave hungry.
Now during this campout we had someone??? lose their keys. I bet we all know what a disaster that can be. And whatever was Allen doing up on an RV’s roof? Evidently, repairs are ongoing with agile (& brave) club members dancing around on top of RVs.
Cont. June 2011 newsletter
Since the Geers had to leave by noon, everyone agreed to have the club meeting at 10:00 am Saturday instead of in the afternoon. In fact, everyone there voted to have our future club meetings after the breakfast meal instead of the dinner pitch-in. Besides the usual items, we particularly covered the subject of donations. It was suggested and agreed that the regular charities supported by Good Sam would be supported by our club annually without a separate vote as long as funds permitted. We covered the extra charities that would be voted upon annually with the consensus that the charities suggested would be primarily in the counties our members reside in and/or charities of special concern to several of our members as funds permit. Then we got to the separate monthly “member donations” that needed some discussion. We had written ballots for each person to indicate their preference with the choices being:
(a)Continue “member donations” the same as 2010; (b) Continue ‘member donations” but revise list for 2011; (c) Discontinue “member donations”. The vote went for (b) Continue but revise with the suggestion that everyone would vote on what the following month’s charity would be and, of course, participation is up to each individual. The charities should be non-profit organizations of choice of our members. It was suggested that next month we could contribute to Meals on Wheels/Wabash and everyone agreed. Melodie will probably cover all of this in more detail in the club minutes.
There were no birthday people attending this month, so no one got to wear the Birthday Hat. (Too bad, huh?) We wrapped up early with everyone staying for the rest of the weekend except for the Geers who pulled out around 12:30 to head for home. They hated to leave as the weather was wonderful and everyone was set to have a good time.
Our next club campout is at Tall Sycamore in Logansport on July 15, 16, & 17 with the Gehrings, Goletz, & Yoders as hosts according to our handbook. There are 8 birthdays in July (Al Goletz, George Gehring, Sharon Dickman, Jan Givens, Carolyn Rexroad, Ron Koenes, Bobby Cole, & Terry Finster) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL! There are 4 anniversaries (Guy & Jan Givens, Allen & Carolyn Crist, Daniel & Terry Wilson, plus George & Sherry Gehring). CONGRATULATIONS!
Again, check your handbooks for details & dates. And for those with computers, check out the club’s website. It is fun and people work hard keeping it updated.
Take care,
Karen Geer
Corresponding Secretary
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May Newsletter 2011
Hi Everyone,
Our May campout at the Timberline Valley RV Resort in Anderson was definitely a success for those of us fortunate enough to be able to attend. We had good weather, good campsites, (quiet except perhaps for us) with a convenient area for our meal and meeting. This park seems to be well managed and everyone was friendly and helpful.
Attendees: Allen & Carolyn Crist, Ken & Sharon Dickman, Dick & Marsha Helm, our hosts,Gary & Carolyn Rexroad, Wilbur & Jeanie Haggerty, Ron & Carol Koenes and Beryl & Karen Geer for the whole weekend with Guy & Jan Givens and Ron & Melodie Thompson coming on Saturday. I left the best to last because we were all surprised and delighted to have Lee & Betty Wilkinson come in early Saturday and stay the whole day. Prayers must be working-Lee really looked good and managed to stay thru dinner.
When we arrived late Thursday, the first club member we saw was Ken Dickman with a fishing pole in hand, but we forgot to ask him “Where’s the Fish”? Ah well, maybe Sharon had already cooked it. Also, some members enjoyed a little trip to the casino while the rest of us just set up and crashed for the evening.
We all enjoyed visiting on Friday and then we went into town to have a good dinner at Cracker Barrel where we also got to watch a cutthroat game of checkers in which the Helms had to finally call a draw. Our hosts, Gary & Carolyn Rexroad, continued to do a great job with a Saturday morning breakfast that was absolutely delicious. In fact, I’m still hoping for a certain recipe! That afternoon saw some of us playing cards with a lot of games on offer. By the time dinner time came around we all must have been hungry since we loaded down the tables with food and desserts. Then we proceeded to see if we could do it justice, since we certainly didn’t want to be wasteful!
Soon after dinner came the club meeting which brought up some issues that we hope will be covered in more detail at our next meeting. All of us agreed that we want to use the club monies for good causes & also individual donations, but there were some differing opinions (can you imagine?) about how/when the charities are chosen. Each individual will be asked to indicate by written ballot their preference in how Member Donations/Collections are handled. Since we all want to be fair and generous, this may be the way to reach agreements and avoid hard feelings.
May 2011 Newsletter continued…
Since we didn’t have any May birthday people at the meeting, Wilbur Haggerty(April birthday) got the honor of wearing the Birthday Hat!
At our meeting, it was agreed that Carolyn & Allen Crist would represent our club at the Samboree in Lebanon the following weekend. Next month our campout is scheduled for June 24-26 at the Elkhart campground in Elkhart. Our hosts are Ron & Carol Koenes so please be sure to let them know if you will be attending. Of course, Ron will probably send out reminders with more info as well.
As a reminder about some upcoming special campouts, some of our members are planning to attend the “Ontario Samboree” at Drayton, Ontario. Everyone is invited as the more the merrier.
Check with Carolyn Rexroad as she will be getting more info.
I need to thank Carolyn Rexroad again for doing the newsletter when I missed the April campout (she just thought she was done with being Corresponding Sec.) So thank you very much, Carolyn. You are a hard act to follow.
Well, our spring has definitely been wet enough, so isn’t it time for the Flowers??? Hope to see everyone healthy and happy for our upcoming campouts.
Karen Geer
Corresponding Secretary
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April 17th, Campout 2011
Hello everyone!
Well the 2011 camping season is upon us even if Mother Nature isn’t cooperating. We had our first campout this weekend at Bozarth’s RV Resort near Lagro. Enduring the “less than perfect camping weather” were Guy and Jan Givens, Ken and Sharon Dickman, and Allen and Carolyn Crist who were early birds arriving Thursday and even able to enjoy a campfire. Coming in Friday were Gary and Carolyn Rexroad as well as Ron and Carol Koenes. Not being able to camp but joining us for dinners Friday and Saturday were Eric and Teresa Cohee. Our cool rainy weekend was warmed up by camping friends being able to be together again. This was scheduled as a “no host” campout but we do need to acknowledge all the effort Guy and Jan put into many things for us this past weekend…..thank you very much!!! Friday some enjoyed game time at the camp store or shopping there; then we all enjoyed dinner there. We gathered at the Rexroads’ rv later to visit and for dessert provided by Guy and Jan…yum!.
Saturday Givens’ grandchildren Hannah and Cody Holmes joined us for the morning. Many of us enjoyed breakfast at the camp store. The afternoon found some heading to Wabash to shop, shopping at the camp store or heading to Kokomo for a family emergency (Carolyn Crist’s stepfather is terminally ill so please keep them all in your prayers). We did get in some game time before we needed to get our pitch ins ready. We had our dinner in the hall and as usual had more to eat than we needed…………but that’s ok. All was yummy! After dinner we gathered at Koeneses’ rv for more visiting time. Our group was too small so no meeting was held. We were able to get better acquainted with our newest “canine camper” Buddy Koenes. He’s a cutie!! Before long it was time to call it a night and head back to our own rigs.
Sunday morning it all cleared up (go figure) but was still quite windy. After breakfast and visiting, little by little we broke up camp and headed home. It wasn’t the best weekend weather-wise but we did have fun and many laughs!!!
May campout information!!
Date: May 20-22
Place: Timberline Valley RV Resort
3230 E CR75N
Anderson, Indiana 46017
Phone: 765-378-5909
E-mail:timberlinecamp@sbcglobal.net
(map is on Circus City Sams website)
Plans: Friday evening – dinner out - restaurant yet to be determined (Hoosier Park too expensive)
Saturday breakfast – provided by hosts
Saturday dinner – pitch in
Hosts: Gary and Carolyn Rexroad
NOTE: YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE CAMPGROUND YOURSELF TO MAKE RESERVATIONS IDEALLY A MONTH BEFORE THE CAMPOUT OR AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE; THEN ALSO CONTACT THE REXROADS TO LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE COMING SO THEY KNOW FOR HOW MANY TO PLAN. 765-985-2577 OR booboo1234@comcast.net. Hope many can come and maybe even try your luck at Hoosier Park Casino???
May Birthdays: May Anniversary:
1 Betty Wilkinson 4 Dick and Marsha Helm
10 Bill Plummer
31 Ruth Yoder
Data for the weekend: 14 “humans” camping or visiting; 6 canines and 1 feline!!! Small numbers for US!!
Here’s to better weather for the next campout and to Geers being there (they were en route back home from their trip to the southwest so were unable to make it this weekend.). So the next newsletter is yours, Karen!! :o)
Sincerely,
Carolyn Rexroad
ACTING Corresponding Secretary :o)
