By Ted Meekma

Five coaches, Evans’ Gengs, Halsteads, McLauchlins and Meekmas turned out for our Christmas campout at Ellenton Gardens Travel Resort, just East of Bradenton. This was our first time at this campground, and we enjoyed the facility very much! Enough, in fact, so that we already have it reserved for the same weekend next year, Dec. 7^th, 8^th & 9^th, so mark your calendars accordingly!! The campground was nicely decorated for the Holidays, which helps immensely getting one in the Christmas spirit. A very nice clubroom, combined with a great kitchen, made it convenient for our hosts, Dave & Betty McLauchlin and Phil & Shirley Halstead. Our thanks to them for the pleasant, enjoyable weekend they had planned for us!

Friday afternoon we met in the nicely decorated clubroom and enjoyed just visiting and getting caught up on what we all did over the summer months. Of course we combined this with our “Happy Hour!” We were pleasantly surprised when Arnie & Lois Tackett, former beloved members of our Chapter, dropped in and spent a few hours with us. It was so good to see them once again! Being Charter Members of The Funtime Travelers, President Bud presented them with a very nicely framed Lifetime Membership in our Chapter.

Friday evening we all went to the Roaring Twenties for dinner, and were entertained by one of their very talented organists on their huge Wurlitzer Organ. What great music!!

Saturday morning, we joined in with the campground residents for their tasty sausage and pancake breakfast. We were made to feel very welcomed by the friendly manner of our breakfast hosts. We were so pleased to have Phyllis Clinton drive up to join us for breakfast, and then stay for our Chapter meeting immediately after. I believe this was the first time ever that Phyllis was not able to attend for the entire weekend, but we sure appreciated her effort to join us like she did. The same for Donna Randolph, our treasurer, who drove in for our Chapter meeting. Donna and Frank never miss a campout, but Frank is recovering from a very recent hip replacement, and just couldn’t make this one!! Our thanks to both Phyllis and Donna for joining us like they did! It was much appreciated!

Also at our Chapter meeting, new officers were elected, and installed, for the coming year. They are: Ted Meekma, President, Paula Geng, Secretary, and Donna Randolph, Treasurer. Jim Stoddard, who was not present, will be our Vice-president.

All of us brought canned goods and “Toys For Tots,” and since the campground was also collecting these donations, we left ours with them, which they appreciated very much!    

Saturday afternoon we again met in the clubroom for our “Happy Hour,“ which also included wine and cheese. Phil Halstead kinda missed out on our happy hour, as he was busy over at his coach, frying a turkey for our dinner! And when he came carrying it in, what a “thing of beauty” it was! Golden brown, and done to perfection! And he sure looked like a pro carving it for us! Great job, Phil!! We were pleased to have Cliff and Bridgett Gilmore join us for the afternoon and be our guests for dinner.  

After dinner we had our “Scottish Gift Exchange,” which always makes for a fun time and a few good laughs!

Sunday morning we had our continental breakfast, followed by the usual goodbye hugs, until our next meeting. Even though we were short in the number of coaches at the campout, we had a great time together! A special thanks to Betty McLauchlin for all the Christmas decorations she brought along to make our surroundings so much more festive. Plus, the hired hand she brought along (Dave) did a great job as her assistant!!

Our next Chapter campout will be at Sun Lake RV Resort at Ruskin, February 16-18, 2007. Please plan on being there with us!