FUNTIME TRAVELERS

March 2006 Newsletter

By Ted Meekma

           

The only way to describe the weather for The Florida State Rally at Orlando this past week was……ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!  It was not too hot; the sun shone brightly every day, and NO RAIN!!!!  We could not have asked for better weather!

            To begin with on Tuesday morning, Phyllis & Irene, the Evans’, Madsen’s, Meekma’s and Randolph’s met at the wayside on I-75 North of Bradenton, to caravan up together, arriving at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando about 11:30.  Waiting for us there were the Geng’s, and new members James (Andy) Kohrmann and John & Gerd Fagerholm.  John and Gerd had friends with them from Norway , and it was a pleasure meeting them!  Andy, John and Gerd, we’re happy to have you as new members.  Welcome to the Funtimers!  The Stoddard’s were also supposed to be waiting for us so we could all park together, but they were detained at Rally Park at Lazydays for a few hours with unexpected mechanical problems, and didn’t get in till just before 5:00 PM.  We all had time to have a little lunch before the gates opened at 1:00 PM, and were ready to be escorted in shortly after 1:00 when it was our turn to get parked.

            By 2:00 PM, we were all parked, and met at the main building to get set up for our registration responsibilities.  Packing about 380 “Goodie Bags” was our first “Order Of Business”, and after about two hours of steady work at that, someone (have no idea who) decided we should take a break for “Happy Hour,” which we all agreed to, with very little “Arm Twisting” needed.  After Happy Hour, we put in another two hours, and were pretty well finished with our work and ready for the onslaught of Registration beginning at 1:00 PM Wednesday.  Phil Halstead joined us later on Wednesday afternoon, and we’re pleased that Shirley could join us on Thursday. 

On Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 to 5:00 PM we registered about 250 coaches, with the remaining 116 being registered before and after opening ceremonies on Thursday.  All in all, registration went very smoothly, and Evie and I want to thank all of you for pitching in and making the job a fun thing to do!

Thursday evening, 15 of us went to the Longhorn Steak House for dinner, but by the time we got back, it was too late to join in the bingo being played in the main hall.  But we had something better to do than that!  Two of our members, Harlan and Paul were celebrating birthdays, and Phyllis made a delicious chocolate cake for the occasion, and we met in the main hall for that!  Thanks, Phyllis, for doing that for all of us!

Opening ceremonies got under way at 11:00 AM Thursday, with our own Bud Geng, president, presiding, and after the “Posting of the Colors,” the National Anthem was led by another member of the Funtimers.  Immediately following, we were treated to a delicious chicken salad luncheon, catered by the Rainbow Caterers, and it was delicious!

Thursday night’s entertainment was great!  And it was evident by the number of dancers out on the floor dancing to the great tunes of the 50’s!  I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people out dancing at any of our previous Florida Rally’s!  Very entertaining!!!  I wish I could say the same for our Friday and Saturday night entertainment, but then again, that’s just my appraisal of it!!  ‘Nuff said!! 

Again, one of our own, Mary Stoddard, strutted her “Stuff” all day Friday and during the evening as our “Hat Lady,” and sold well over $ 700.00 worth of tickets!  Good job Mary!!!  Oh……I forgot to mention…..Jim helped her, too!!

Saturday afternoon we held our Chapter meeting outside at our coach, and combined it with Happy Hour.  Why use “Two Stones” to kill a bird, when you can do it with one!!!  President Bud was pre-occupied with other responsibilities, so our V.P. presided.  Paula announced that we have two more new members, Pat and Joyce Riley from Pt. Charlotte, however, they were not able to attend this meeting.  We hope we’ll get to meet them at our next meeting!

We all enjoyed looking at the new motor homes on display, visiting the vendors, renewing old acquaintances and making new ones!  The latter was more easily accomplished by our seating arrangements for dinner both Thursday and Friday nights.  Our badges had two animals, birds, or both, on them that had to match that designated dinner table.  Only those with that identical badge could sit at that table, and it really mixed the people up!  That went over very well!

The only sad note at the Rally was that Phyllis had to leave on Thursday because Irene was not feeling well.  She was taken to the hospital after they got back home.  I just now talked to Phyllis, and Irene is still in the hospital, and at this point they still don’t know what the problem is.  Please keep Phyllis and Irene in your thoughts and prayers.

Having come in already on Tuesday, when this morning (Sunday) rolled around, we were all pretty much ready to head for home.  It was a busy, but great five days!  Thanks again, to everyone for making our registration duties as pleasurable as they were.  

April 21-23 are the dates for our final meeting of the season at Encore Park at El Jobean.  Let’s all make every effort to attend.  Hope to see you there!