FUNTIME TRAVELERS                     APRIL 2005 NEWSLETTER                                                   By Ted Meekma     April 15th, 16th and 17th were the dates for the Funtime Travelers April campout at Encore Super Park at El Jobean.  Only five coaches were able to be there, but even though we were short on people, we weren’t short on fun!  New members John and Sharon Ray were well received by the Evans’, Gengs, Meekmas and Phyllis & Irene, and we all had a great time over the weekend.     Friday afternoon we started our “Happy Hour” a little early, and enjoyed visiting in the screen room.  Dinner was delicious, with Bud Geng’s spaghetti & meatballs (out of this world!) salad and breadsticks, and Phyllis Clinton topping it all off with a super delicious chocolate cake!  After dinner we all played “31” for nickels, and Harlan and Barb Evans played “hog” and won all three games!  There is a good chance that all of our “raucous laughter” coming from the card room, probably disturbed some of the park residents playing Yuker in the main clubroom!!     Saturday morning we had our “pitch-in” breakfast in the screen room, and enjoyed Bud’s biscuits & gravy, along with a mixed fruit dish, coffee cake, orange juice and coffee.     Following breakfast we had our chapter meeting.  Luckily, because we had five coaches attending, we just made our quorum, and could hold our meeting!   This was the main reason that President Bud brought up the “Associate Member” issue for discussion.  After considerable discussion a motion was passed to declare any member who misses four or more meetings throughout the course of the year, an associate member, and thereby would not be counted for quorum consideration.  Associate members are still considered “Members In Good Standing,” and are encouraged to attend as many meetings as possible.  Those of us attending this meeting all agreed that we should all make our monthly meetings a priority, and try to get back on a regular attendance schedule if at all possible.  Try to keep the third weekend of each of our meeting months (all but June, July, August & September) open for our Funtime Travelers campouts.  They are always enjoyable and fun weekends, and the more the merrier!!     Another item of discussion at our meeting was the fact that we still do not have a new secretary.  Paula has graciously agreed to stay on for the time being, but we do need someone to step up and offer to accept the office of secretary.  Unfortunately, due to Donna Randolph’s illness, Paula is also our acting Treasurer for the time being, and, along with she and Bud now serving as the Winnie-gator Presidents, they have their hands more than full!  Donna, get well soon!  We miss you guys and need you both back!!  I’m trying to help Paula out just a little by writing this newsletter for her.                After lunch most of us went to the flea market and had a good time shopping and browsing around there for a couple of hours.  Then it was back to the park for our Happy Hour, and then we went to the International Chinese Buffet for dinner.  No one came away from there hungry, believe me!!   More “31”, fun and foolishness back in the card room, and wouldn’t you know it….Harlan won the first game again!!!!  We took care of him in short order, though, in the second game.  He was the first one out!  Yours truly happened to win that game, and then our “nightcap,” one hand of “showdown” for $1.00 each was won by Evie!  She said that was the first time ever she won that!  Don’t really know if we can believe that or not!!     Sunday morning was our usual continental breakfast, and then hugs and goodbyes until we meet again at the State meeting in May, or next fall when we “snowbirds” return for the winter.  It was a fun weekend, the weather was great, and we wish all of you could have been there and had the opportunity to meet Sharon & John.  We’re happy and fortunate to have them as new members, and they are, most certainly, an asset to our chapter.  Have a great summer!