2008 April Newsletter

Text Box: Smith Family Newsletter
April 2008

Text Box: Foley, AL was the site of our Chapter 400 Spring Rally from 4/5 to 4/10. Prior to arriving at the rally site in Foley, some of us stopped for one or more nights at the Rainbow Plantation, an Escapees campground in Summerdale, AL, right near by. We wanted to see it as many people had commented on how nice it was. Escapees has Rainbow Campgrounds where members can establish a base for longer stays or actually retire from the road. The Anchors Away RV Resort in Foley, site of the Rally, was only about 20 minutes from here. We found the whole area interesting and in many ways reminded us of the Myrtle Beach area, which we like very much. We certainly had a very nice time and both agree we would revisit this area.

Some of the highlights of this rally was activities such as the Model Train Museum, Lamberts (home of the ’throwed’ rolls), our pot lucks and luncheons and time to hammer out the business of finding candidates to fill the up coming vacancies in the chapter. A bonus was seeing some members we haven’t seen for some time. Even if you aren’t a train buff, the layout of the model train museum was very impressive. Some young children came in, and it was fun watching them as well as the trains. The group really had fun at Lamberts which was a real fun experience and the food was good too, of which there was plenty. Then there were the traditional events such as our pot luck, which gives everyone a chance to share their favorite dish and some personal chatter. Then there is the Red Hat Luncheon and the Old F__t’s Club Luncheon (men’s luncheon). Of course it doesn’t matter if you have a red hat or not, and if you look closely at the pictures, it doesn’t matter who wears them either. We have fun!! In order to keep this group functional, we all have to take a turn in filling key roles. Bob has done a turn as Board Member. He manages the Chapter Web site, provides computer help to those in need, and I make it a point of taking pictures at the many events to add to Bob’s daily commentaries on the web site. It was at this Spring Rally, that Bob & I were asked to take over the office of Vice President for this coming year. We look forward to doing our share and know we will have much support from the members. My attitude is to do it while we have enough good health and the energy. Lastly, it was really great to see members we have not seen for some time. It was especially good to see Fay, a former President, and very active chapter member, who lost her husband, George very recently. She has made it very clear how much she appreciated the support she received from chapter members during George’s illness. Then there is Ben & Marissa, Ben also being a former President also. He has been busy working at a RV Park down Aransas Pass, TX. Everyone cheered and congratulated Marissa on her newly acquired United States Citizenship. Well, it looks like the 2008 Chapter 400 Rally Season is well under way and everyone is looking forward to the pre-rally in Hopkins, Michigan and Fall Rally in Manheim, PA.

Text Box: 1-Red Hat 2-Red Hat? 3-RR Museum 4-Lamberts 5-Fay 6-Pot Luck 7-Marissa 8-Group Picture 9-A great picture of Ed & Kay!