Funtime Travelers

January Newsletter
By
Ted Meekma

Tropical Palms at Kissimmee was the site of the Winnie-gators State meeting Jan. 20-22.

Members in attendance were, Harlan & Barb Evans, Phyllis Clinton, Bud & Paula Geng, Paul & Claire Madsen, Ted & Evie Meekma, Frank & Donna Randolph and Jim & Mary Stoddard.

Six coaches met at the wayside on I-75 to caravan up together, where we met the Gengs and Stoddards, who were already there. It was good to see Jim & Mary Stoddard once again, and we’re very pleased and happy to have them renew their membership in our chapter for 2006.

We’re also very pleased to welcome Dave and Betty McLauchlin from Bradenton, who caravanned up with us, as our newest members! We have two other prospective member couples, as well, so it’s really refreshing to see our chapter growing once again!

Friday afternoon we all sat around outside visiting and enjoying an early happy hour of our own, before the “official“ four o’clock start of the Winnie-gator happy hour at the clubhouse.

At 6 pm we had a delicious catered barbequed pork dinner, followed by Winnebago Motor Home races, which everybody seemed to enjoy. The stakes were pretty high……$ .25 for each of six coaches, and you could bet as many times as you wanted for just one, or all six of them. It was fun!

Saturday morning we had an excellent catered breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage, biscuits and gravy. This was followed by the general meeting, chaired by our own esteemed president, Bud Geng.

Following the Winnie-gators general meeting, we had our chapter meeting, which was quite uneventful, but for the election of officers for the ensuing year. Bud & Paula and Donna and Frank agreed to stay on in their present offices of President, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. Ted & Evelyn agreed to assume the office of Vice-president, vacated by David Horrocks last November, when he submitted his resignation from the chapter. Following the election, Ted swore-in the President, Secretary and Treasurer, and Bud swore-in Ted & Evelyn as our new Vice-presidents.

At 3:00 pm, several of us attended a computer class at the clubhouse, and as a result of that hour-long class, we now know all there is to know about computers!!!!!

Happy hour was again in the clubhouse at 4:00 pm, followed at 6:00 pm by a catered chicken dinner. Another good meal by “Rainbow Caterers.”

In lieu of playing bingo after dinner, a large majority of the membership, by a show of hands at our morning general meeting, chose to go to “Old Town” instead. The place was “running over” with cars and people!! They draw quite a crowd!

Sunday morning, following a continental breakfast, we all said our goodbyes (hugs) and went our merry ways! It was a fun weekend with beautiful weather and great fellowship. Again, we are so happy to have Dave and Betty McLauchlin as new members, and Jim and Mary Stoddard back with us. We had a great time with them and certainly are looking forward to seeing them again….. with all of you…..at our future meetings.