“Ole!” That was the shout heard many times over during the week at the 37^th Annual Florida State Rally. The theme for the Rally was “Fiesta Del Sol,” and the “Caloosa Winnies,” responsible for the stage and table decorations sure did a “bang-up” job in making everything look festive in staying with the theme. We’ve never seen the Main Hall look so festive and inviting!
 
This was our second year of “Greeter” duties, so we had to go in two days early to prepare for the onslaught of motor homes ready to come in at 1:00 PM on Wednesday. Six coaches, Clinton, Nobert/Cummings, Gies, Meekma’s, McLauchlin’s and Wright’s met at the wayside at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 3^rd, and caravanned up together. Geng’s were already there, Evans' came in Monday afternoon, Stoddard’s Monday night, Halstead’s on Tuesday and Randolph’s on Wednesday. So we had a total of eleven coaches in attendance.
 
We were kept quite busy until Thursday afternoon, but by then we were doing more partying than working, which no one complained about at all!
 
Opening ceremonies were quite different this year, and Linda Tuzzolo and her officers are to be commended for the welcomed changes. A “taco salad” catered lunch was served following opening ceremonies, topped off with margueritas, which also seemed to be quite a hit with everyone. Can’t understand why that was! “Florida Burgers” were served for dinner Thursday night, followed by the “Night Owls,” two guys who sang “50s” music. The way they started out, this writer felt they would lose their audience if they kept up with that kind of music. Thank goodness they settled down after a while, and were quite well received for the rest of the evening.
 
Friday morning started out with “Breakfast Burritos,” again, keeping with the Mexican theme. The ice cream social was held in the afternoon.
 
Ed Gies entered one of his woodworking craft items in the “Arts & Craft’s Show, and won “Best Of Show” for his work. Congratulations Mr. Ed!  (Click here to see pictures taken by Ed win Gies)
 
The entertainment Friday night was a comedian with a Scottish accent. He was very good, but he talked so fast, and with his accent, it was hard to comprehend everything he said. The PA system didn’t help the situation. That sure leaves a lot to be desired!
 
Saturday morning started off with a catered breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy. Much better than the “burritos” served the morning before! After breakfast the games started in the Arts & Crafts building, and it was a very busy place until noon. This writer took part in the games, and was very surprised Saturday night at the dinner, when he was called up on stage for winning third place! Won a $50.00 gift certificate from Sun Coast RV. Now how about that!!
 
The entertainment Saturday night was the best we have ever had at any Florida State Rally. They were called “The Marlins,” four brothers who played and sang every kind of music imaginable, and they were really great! Sure hope they will be booked to come back again next year! The 50-50 drawing after the show saw one of our Funtime Travelers, Paula Geng, win the first of three money prizes, amounting to $261.00. Just before that, Bud Geng had his name picked for winning a $100.00 door prize! Isn’t that always the way it goes…….the rich just keep getting richer!!!!????
 
Sunday morning’s continental breakfast brought to an end a very good Florida State Rally. We were fortunate that the severe weather that threatened us for two days seemed to go around us, except for the extremely high winds that blew most of Friday and Saturday. The heavy rains came down at night, so we really lucked out with that!
 
Special thanks are due to several of our Funtimers. First, to Dave & Betty McLauchlin, for furnishing two bottles of water for all of the 310 coaches that came through our gate. They had labels printed that said, Welcome to the Florida Winnie-Gators State Rally, Water Compliments of the Fun Time Travelers, and the logo of the Fiesta Del Sol rally theme. The water was bottled by Water Boy, Inc., Dave & Betty’s company in Bradenton. Very well done and greatly appreciated!
 
Secondly, to Carole and Ed Gies for furnishing breakfast for us on both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Delicious, home grown fresh fruit, and pastries that really got our days off to a great start.
 
Thirdly, to Jim & Mary Stoddard for keeping our happy hours “flowing freely"……..and I mean that……literally!
 
And finally, to our three new couples, Ed & Carole, Lloyd & Sue and Dave & Janet, thank you for the great baskets each of you donated for the “Cake Walk.“ In fact, they were so large and beautiful, the committee decided they should be given away as door prizes at the evening dinner instead! Thanks for all of your much appreciated help at the Rally, and even more importantly, we “old” Funtimers appreciate the fun and “new life” you’ve brought in to our Funtime Travelers Chapter. A welcomed “breath of fresh air!”
 
Don’t forget our April campout down in Port Charlotte, April 18-20, 2008, at Harbor Lakes - Encore Super Park. Hope to see all of you there!