February 2009 Unit Newsletters
Alabama
link to Contacts for Alabama
Well the parties are over and the New Year has begun. Hope every one’s holidays were great. Can’t believe it’s already January 2009. Guess time flies when you are having fun. We had a great Christmas party, but only had nine (9) couples. Can’t believe our members are going down so fast. We have our Spring Rally planned for April 16-19, 2009. It will be at Gulf Shores, AL at the Gulf Breeze RV Resort. If you are in the area at that time please feel free to join us.
Beverly & David Williams are in Florida enjoying the good life and the good weather. Betty & Dan Gilmore are heading for Florida the latter part of January. Hopefully Sam & I are going to get out of town the first part of February. Carl Spanyer spent the holidays visiting his children and their families. Laura & Frank Allen are keeping busy and looking forward to traveling again.
We sincerely hope 2009 will be a good year for everyone. We encourage every member to make as many rallies and rendezvous as possible. Hope the fuel prices will continue to be good; that will help so much.
So until next time we wish everyone healthy and safe travels.
Remember when we take responsibility on our shoulders there isn’t much room for chips.
Ginny Whitaker
Arizona
link to Contacts for Arizona
News and events around the AZ Unit remain scarce. However, the good news is we have 13 members in our unit along with 8 associate members. Two recently new members are June Maul & Jackie Simmons both from the Phoenix area; we welcome you to the Arizona Unit. Diane is busy working on the rally schedule for this coming year. As you plan your spring and summer trips be sure to drop me a note so that we can add your travels to our column.
Dates to remember in February; Presidents Lincoln’s Birthday, Valentines Day, Presidents Day, Washington’s Birthday and Flag Day.
February Critter Report:
We continue to have frequent visits from the Bob Cat family, while we do not feed them we do provide water and often you may see a cat or two just pausing for a drink. Between the raptors and cats our rodent population has seriously diminished. Most of our bird friends have started their journey south for the winter; however, the Cardinals have elected to remain for the winter. Perhaps they have been rooting for the AZ Cardinals.
Jack
California
link to Contacts for California
We attended the FMCA Western Regional Rally the second week of January in Indio, CA. There were 1,520 Motorhomes there and a great event. One of the best parts was getting to visit with friends. We were there with 15 rigs from Southern California. But we met up with 8 units of Fleetwood Travelcade Club. We visited Bud & Dot Ansevics, Gene & Martha Chivas, Ignacio & Tillie Curiel, Jim & Carol Davis, Bobby Fitchner, Floyd & Gale Hubert, Mike & Cathy Sexton, and Paul & Yukie Tuttle. Besides Happy hours and lunches, we just kept running into friends. What A delightful time.
We talked to Mary Plunkett and she is working 5 days a week in a boutique. She will be there until March. Sounds like fun. Harvey is also keeping busy.
As I’m writing this, we are in Quartzsite for the first time during the RV show. We’re with family, 5 rigs that include Cathy, John and Norm Mendenhall. Also Marlene & Phil Maher, my sister and her husband, all first timers to this event. It is a different experience for all of us. The weather here and in Indio was beautiful. California sun and fun.
We look forward to seeing some of you at our Spring Rally in Bakersfield. We are still making plans and will be getting forms out to you soon. Remember April 2-6, 2009. Mark your calendars.
We’re still planning to travel to Virginia toward the end of April for the Fleetwood Travelcade Club Winter Rendezvous, so maybe we will see you there.
Myrna Mendenhall
Florida
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We had 24 people attend our monthly luncheon at Lakeland, Florida. The food was good but the fellowship was outstanding. Everyone was reminded of the “Friends First Rally” at Lazy Days, February 10-15, 2009. Cathy Stallings handed out a tentative schedule and description of the proposed Rolling Rally to the Winter Rendezvous in Urbanna, VA. A final copy will be placed on the website after the Rally at Lazy Days. Florida Unit President, Larry Crisp, gave a short briefing on the Florida Fall Rally in St. Augustine.
Bob & Pat Bradford drove to Indianapolis, IN for the holidays but got caught in an ice storm as they headed for home. It’s a good thing Florida is south as they felt like they slid all the way home.
We have several couples going on cruises, Larry & Peggy Crisp to Cozumel, Mexico and Bill & Eileen Berg to the southern tip of South America.
Church & Fran Blanchet attended their son’s wedding during a blackout. Bill Rink is recovering from shoulder surgery. Lewis & Mary Carter visited relatives in Florida and are now great, great grandparents. Joanne Goodkin is performing in an orchestra as a 2nd Violinist. Bernie & Judy Weithorn arrived in Florida two weeks ago and Gene & Betty Cody have been busy playing golf.
The woes of John Gilbert have not ended since Christmas when he purchased a chain saw for Audrey. She liked it so much that she sent him back to the dump truck to sleep.
Cathy
Illinois
link to Contacts for Illinois
For those of you who knew Merle "Blacktop" Naffziger, he passed away January 9, 2009. Merle Eilers passed away January 10, 2009. Both were long time members of the original Avion Travelcade Club. They will be missed by all who knew and played Joker with them
Hank & Addie Weast left for Texas on January 19th, for several weeks. Ann Collins reported she and her shuffleboard partner got first place in their playoffs. They will now play in an "Olympic Game."
Some humor that was supplied from Norma Shafer:
No one ever says "It's only a game." when their team is winning.
I've reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.
The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
After 60, if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you are probably dead!
Always be yourself because the people that matter don't mind. And the one's that do mind don't matter.
If you have any news, please contact Ellen Spencer at easpen@ctitech.com Thanks and have a short mild winter and we'll see you in May!
Ellen
Indiana
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No Report
Iowa
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No Report
Kentucky
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No Report
Michigan
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Hello Everyone,
Your new Secretary/Treasurer is already behind. January is cold but most of you are in warmer climates.
Maxine & Garrett still talk to Pauline daily and are really tired of all this snow.
We know the snow will melt soon and we can all get on the road. We have only two dates so far; May 17-23rd at Sebewaing and September 20-26 at Sebewaing. We are still in search of places to stay on the west side of the state.
I would appreciate any news you might want to pass along. See you soon.
Carolyn
Missouri
link to Contacts for Missouri
The Missouri Christmas Party was held on December 3rd at Zeno’s in Joplin, MO. All members were there plus some of the older members and Bill & Nellie Pennington from OK.
The Knowltons donated the 17 red polo shirts left from the Columbia, MO rendezvous to Life Enhancement Village of the Ozarks.
Gene Blasé and Billy Knowlton gave a report on the Fall Rendezvous in San Antonio, TX. Billy Knowlton will be the new Mid States Central Governor.
The MO Spring Buddy Rally will be held April 15-18 at the Big Red Barn in Carthage, MO.
The Teagardens are spending the winter in FL and Rossi and the Lewises are going to TX for January and February of 2009.
Betty
Nebraska
link to Contacts for Nebraska
Dick & Bev Johnson are in Bowling Green, Florida, at Avion Palms Resort. They left in early October and are enjoying their park model which they purchased last fall. They visited Mackinaw Island and parts of Michigan before they arrived in Florida. They went home for Christmas and are due back Jan. 8th.
The Nebraska members: Lanes, Hinrichs and Johnsons enjoyed a Buddy Rally with the Iowa/Minnesota members in September at Grieffs Valley View RV Park at Altoona, IA. Jerry & Joyce Wilson along with Terry & Thelia Hess always plan a fun rally.
Parents and Lanes attended the Fall Rendezvous in Elmendorf, TX. Good food and fellowship were the order of the day, along with business meetings to keep us busy. The evening entertainment included some good music for dancing. One of the Iowa members really kicked up his heels!
The Nebraska Unit has changed their monthly lunches to the third Friday of each month at OJ's Restaurant, 9201 North 30 Street, Omaha at 11:30 am. All are welcome.
Gene & Bev Russell are at Avion Palms Resort. They purchased a lot and Avion Silver trailer and have been here since before Christmas. Bev Ratekin is also at Avion Palms. She came shortly after Christmas. We miss Bob very much - he was our "technical adviser".
Our good Fleetwood members, Mel & Myrt Hinrichs bought one of those "SOB's" so have left the Fleetwood Travelcade Club. We hope one day to have them back but will always include them in the Buddy Rallies, along with Lonnie & Nancy Houchin.
Roger & Jean Parent will not be joining this year due to health problems. We wish them the best.
Some of this news is dated but I sent it to Carol at an old address. Larry & I are enjoying Avion Palms in Florida as well and the Nebraska Fleetwood Travelcade Club. We will have our Christmas Party in January as all of our members are now at Avion Palms!
Here is a Winter Poem from Nebraska:
It's winter in Nebraska
and the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At thirty-five below.
Oh, how I love Nebraska
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.
Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Nebraska
Cuz I'm frozen to the ground.
Loreene Lane
North Carolina
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No Report
Ohio
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Greetings from COLD Northern Ohio. As we look at our winter wonderland we are reminded that spring is just around the corner. Our members that spend the winter in warmer places are sure the wise ones this year. As we think of spring time we are reminded of the upcoming Rendezvous in Virginia April 29-May 4. It would be nice to have the entire membership to attend.
The Ohio Spring Buddy Rally is in Fletcher, Ohio at Poor Farmers Campground May 11-16. Look for information and registration forms in mid March. Dean & Yvonne are going to Florida for the month of February. We are joining some of our firefighter friends for a trip to the keys. This trip is the first without "Charlotte" our poodle, as she is no longer with us. Having no other news of members, we pray this finds all of you Well and Safe and WARM
Fleetwood Hugs
Dean
Oklahoma
link to Contacts for Oklahoma
I'm sorry to say that there is not any news to share this month. Everyone has been sticking close to home during these cold months and like everyone we've been busy with family get-togethers at the holiday season. Now it's time to start thinking of travel. We attended our monthly luncheon today which included Jim Clubb, (Peggy was baby sitting with their great grandson), John & Mary Lu Ehrle, Gerri Oliver and Wanda Berry. Wanda said she is looking for an interested buyer in her motorhome and car.
A Happy Valentine's day to all!
Ginny
Oregon
link to Contacts for Oregon
Greetings to all Oregon Members, Buddy's and Friends:
January is history and we hope you all had great holidays and that 2009 is starting out very good for you.
We were back in Oregon for the Holidays and we got to see all our family and some pretty snow too. Now we have returned to sunny Yuma. There are many of our Fleetwood Travelcade Club friends here this time of year.
The January Fleetwood luncheon had a very good turn out. Those attending were: Roger & Melanie Phillips from CA, Marg Hoenig, and Ray & Marlise Hanson, from WA, Phyllis Irvine and her sister Priscilla and Russ & Joyce Brower from AZ, Bud Stapley from MI, Gerald & Linda Lavy, Paul & Paula Brawn, Ed & Carol Fox, Herb & Marg Christensen, Roland & Marilyn Vorrath, LaVerne & Norma Edwards and first time visitor, Margene Kethcart, from OR. Margene is from Eugene, OR and we hope she continues to meet with us each month.
NEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS:
Steve & Beth Bancroft spent the holidays with family in CA and while there they attended the Poinsettia Bowl (watching their favorite team, Boise State, play). They came by Yuma on their way home and 22 of their Fleetwood friends gathered one afternoon just to get to visit with them. We wish they could have stayed longer.
We miss having Burdell & Mable Ann Borchardt in our area this winter. I talked with Burdell a few days ago. They are in the Tucson area this winter.
Tom & Kathy Cahill spent Christmas with their daughter in VA and plan to be back in Oregon by Feb. 1st.
I am sorry to hear that Oregon member Robert Woodell #16000 passed away on Jan. 5th. Bob & Mary joined the club in 1996 and have been great members attending most of our rallies and activities. They were at our Fall Rally in Salem this last year. Our love and sympathy go to Mary and family.
Till next time, we wish you safe travels and good health.
Norma
Pennsylvania
link to Contacts for Pennsylvania
By the time you read this, 2009 is well on its way, but HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you. We started our annual pilgrimage a few days late to the Sunshine State. We were thinking we would miss some of the traffic on I 95 heading south, but we were wrong! We still had the usual, stop and go, due to volume of traffic, and yes, accidents. We were stopped sitting in traffic by a road sign that said 70 Miles per hour speed limit. If we all received a ticket due to our speed, that state would not be in any money problems! As we were in stop and go traffic we joked that if all were going to Florida, you would think the state would sink! After arriving we discovered that we had stow-a-ways, not one but two! These two mice thought they would have a Florida vacation, I guess that they didn’t like the snow and ice in New Jersey and decided to hitch a ride to warmer weather! Guess what?? We trapped them, sorry mice!! Mae feels much better now!
We spoke to Jim & Beryl Eichlin, and some time after the first of the year Jim was to mail notices out about the Spring Buddy Rally, so by now you should have received the information. Please respond to Jim & Beryl as soon as you can, because it helps in the planning up in Kutztown, and it will be here before we know it! Yes, Spring is coming. Jim & Beryl, THANK YOU for all you are doing!
It seems that a number of our Pennsylvania Unit members and our Buddies are also down in the Sunshine State. The ones we know of, are, the Blaines, Bowers, Banhicks, Casamentos, Salvatoras, Skrables, Ron & Nancy Varnum, Werners and some time this month Jim & Ida Ann Dunagan will be hitting the road after Jim’s doctor releases him. Jim is doing real good. I’ll bet they can’t wait to head South! We spoke to Bob & Ruth Skrable and they are both fine. They were having some repair work done to their steps. On the way down they ran over some road debris, also they’ll have new covers installed over their slide outs. Ruth spoke with Jane Hayes and she said Jane is doing fine and goes to see Joe about once a week. Jane, we miss you and Joe at the Rallies.
We hope to see some of you on the The Natchez Trace & Beyond Travelcade and at the Rendezvous in Urbanna, Virginia.
SAFE TRAVELS, GOOD HEALTH AND PEACE TO YOU ALL IN THE NEW YEAR!
Mae Lindsay
Rocky Mountain
link to Contacts for the Rocky Mountain Unit
We hope all of you have had a good start toward a wonderful New Year; and that you are managing to stay warm. The Rocky Mountain Unit members have been experiencing one of the coldest winters in many a year, and those in the higher elevations are seeing lots of snow. Almost everyone has their Fleetwood rig winterized and won't be planning any camping trips for a while. George & Mary Biller returned home just before Christmas from a 16 day cruise through the Panama Canal and found it very educational and a great trip. George is back at work now, but in February they both plan on taking the motorhome to Tucson where it sure will be warmer than their home in Colorado. They hope to meet up with others in our Club along the way.
Harry & Betty Peterson are enjoying the warm (82 degree) weather in Cape Canaveral, FL this winter, where they will be helping their daughter and family remodel part of their house. They manage to find time for long bike rides or walks on the beach. Of course they will be watching the space shuttle launch in mid February. The entire Peterson clan gathered at the eldest son's home in York, PA during the Thanksgiving holiday to celebrate Harry & Betty's 50th wedding anniversary.
The Unit would like to thank Bob Lee for volunteering to fill the vacancy of Treasurer for our Unit for this year.
Fleetwood hugs to everyone.
Betty
South Carolina
link to Contacts for South Carolina
Greetings from SC by way of FL. Hope all our members and friends had a good holiday season. Harry & I left the cold weather of SC on 12/17, visited his brother and wife in Jacksonville and arrived at the Masonic Park in Wimauma, FL on 12/19. The park was all decorated with lights and a tree so it did seem like the Christmas season.
Our unit held its 14th annual Holiday Luncheon at Ryan's Steakhouse in Columbia, SC on Saturday, 12/6. We had 14 present: Jim & Billie Barton, her son & his fiancée, her grandson, Sonny & Dawn Hallman, (they were later getting there due to the 11 AM time for lunch),Herman & Marlene Murray, Harry & Lee Peel and buddies, Gene & Carole Sansone & their grandson completed our group. We all ate too much but that's what buffets do to us.
Herman & Marlene were leaving 12/14 for points west ending in CA. They expect to be gone until spring. Hope they are enjoying good health and good weather. Ron & Bobbie Taylor sent us a “Newsletter” and it looks like they're keeping busy with her church responsibilities and his ranger and political career. Ron had a 70th birthday party recently with lots of family in attendance. We had a visit with Claire & Kathy Stewart about a week after the luncheon to catch up on their activities. Claire had been very ill with a cold and all that entails so they were unable to be with us. They spent the Thanksgiving holidays visiting their children in OH, IA and MO. They keep on the road but no RVing.
Our unit is dwindling rapidly in size with only 5 couples renewing as of this date. We have no other news of our members to report.
We are still working on a place and site for the Spring Rally, hoping to take place just prior to the Urbanna, VA Rendezvous and possibly having a mini-tag-a-long to the rendezvous. We'll get the information and return cards out as soon as possible before the chosen dates which will probably be either the weekend after Easter or the following weekend. We had hoped to combine with NC so as to have a larger group but it just didn't work out. We will be in touch the end of February or early March.
Till next time, BE SAFE & HAPPY TRAVELS!!
Lee
Tennessee
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No Report
Texas
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The Heart 0' Texas group met at the Rouner home at Hilltop Lakes on Tuesday, December 9th at 1pm for their Christmas gift exchange. Present were Dosie & Jerry Drum, Harry & Flo Brennen, Jerry & Lee Roberts, and Dave & Sara Rouner. As a departure from the usually served ham, the guests were all quite delighted with some Texas Barbeque. The Plackes and the Grimms were unable to attend, but their portion of the "spread" did not go to waste. Presents were exchanged, a donation was taken for the Fleetwood Club charity, and, since some of the attendees had other seasonal obligations, the party ended at 4pm. No meeting is planned for the coming month. It would appear that the only people from the Heart 0' Texas group who have planned to attend the Virginia Rendezvous in April are the Drums and the Rouners.
Dave & Sara
Virginia
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No Report
Washington
link to Contacts for Washington
The Washington/Oregon Christmas Party was held at The Polynesian at Ocean Shores, WA, December 4-7. There were 39 members in attendance and a wonderful time was had by all. Bob & Joanne Swainger flew in from Calgary and Steve & Beth Bancroft flew in from Boise. The Hansons and the Edwards made a special trip from Yuma so they could attend. We appreciated their extra effort to take part. There were three couples for whom this was their first Xmas Party; Scott & Cassie Schmittler, Dennis & Sally Nobel and Don & Lynda Patrick. We sincerely hope this was the first of many FTC Christmas parties that they will attend.
There were 20 early arrivals and we all had dinner at Mariah's on Thursday evening. Then on Friday 15 more arrived. We had a great Happy Hour and then car-pooled to the Elks Club where we enjoyed a lovely supper and delivered all of our toys for their toy drive. We were treated very well and our donations were greatly appreciated.
Then on Saturday the last of the members arrived bringing the total to 39. We had a cheery Happy hour with everyone visiting and getting caught up on the events of the past couple of months. There was lots of fun, food and fellowship taking place. Then we all "donned our gay apparel" and headed for the banquet at Mariah's. As usual the atmosphere was festive and the food was spectacular.
After supper we gathered in the conference room of the Polynesian and were treated to a Skit, called Mrs. Magi. The actors were Ken Abramson, Leah Kimball, Linda Willey, Jeanne Klinger and Carolyn Abramson. The skit was enjoyed by all.
Les Willey led us in the singing of some favorite Carols. Next we exchanged Christmas ornaments with Marnie Opstad reading the story of "Mrs. Wright". Laughter rang throughout with some people ending up with two packages because they got their right and left hands mixed up. Then we had a drawing for door prizes. The poinsettia plants that decorated the hospitality suite were given out and Don & Lynda Patrick donated Christmas ornaments so everyone was the recipient of a prize.
An extra special drawing for the last of Hugh Schmidt's Stained Glass angels took place. Before the name was drawn some members recounted their special memories of Hugh and his great contributions to the operation of the club. Linda Willey was the lucky winner and we are certain she will treasure that special angel.
We ended the evening by singing Silent Night. Then on Sunday morning several of the group enjoyed the breakfast Buffet at Mariah's before we said our good byes. Special thanks go to all who helped make the party such a success.
Next year the party will be December 3-6 and several members have already made their reservations.
Due to the snow and bad road conditions Ken & Carolyn Abramson did not attend the North End Luncheon in Marysville January 5th. Those in attendance were: the McKays, the Andersons, the Opstads, Jim Reed and Peg Alastra.
Fran Reed has left on her Antarctic cruise. Marnie continues to undergo treatment and all are encouraged by her good spirits. We all join in wishing her a speedy recovery.
Unfortunately, all areas of the northwest are experiencing cold and lots of snow and, in some areas, followed by rain. For those of us in the Far North (Alberta) we have experienced 35C (-31F) with snow and wind coupled with our natural gas to the house failing. Kind of cool!
We wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy New Year with a wish for safe travels.
