SOUTH FLORIDA WINNIE-GATORS
April 2004 Outing Report
By Lee Macdonald

     The South Florida Winnie Gator Easter Campout was held at La Belle Woods RV Park in La Belle. A total of26 rigs enjoyed fun and fellowship including guests Bob & Doris Kleinberg, snow-bird friends of the Treusches and our newest members Bruce & Linda Cheatum from Ocala.  Thursday evening many members went out to dinner at Flora & Ella's, a popular local restaurant which features home cooking and great fried catfish and where you are advised & quote; Life is Uncertain Eat Dessert First & quote;.
     Many of the members worked on crafts Friday morning creating awning wind ornament Bunnies out of foam sheets and old CDs. We all worked from the same pattern but each one turned out a bit different from the others expressing individual creativity.
     Happy hour was quite an event Friday afternoon.  It has been a longstanding custom in the South Florida Winnie Gators that a celebratory champagne toast is hosted by the owners of a new (or previously owned) coach. 3 cases of champagne were iced up by George & Marge Shaughnessy, 33' Itasca Suncruiser, Conrad & Ruth Treusch, 38' Itasca Suncruiser, and Gail & Woody Wood, 38' Winnebago Adventurer.

 The corks popped and the bubbly flowed and of course the proud owners gave tours through their new units and we all wished them many happy safe miles.
Supper was held in the main hall where delicious chicken & quote; Philly & quote; hoagies were enjoyed by all. George & Frankie Morgan supplied 2 huge cakes and we all wished their daughter Stephanie Happy Birthday.
     Crazy Cards was played afterwards and the big winner was (Card Shark?) Marlene English. George Morgan finished second, Joan Gill and Chuck Seager tied for third and Pat Coad brought up the rear.
     Breakfast of scrambled eggs, with & without ham, bacon, Helen's great cheese grits and biscuits were enjoyed by all the next morning. While it was digesting the Egg Hiding Staff diligently went about the business of hiding 250 eggs out in the grounds surrounding the clubhouse.

When it was time the members arrived, some sporting Easter Bonnets and carrying baskets or bags to put the eggs in. At the word & quote; GO&quote; 50 mature adults reverted to childhood, dispersing into the grounds and closely examining the buildings looking for the hidden eggs. All but 2 of the eggs containing candy & prize vouchers were found in short order and then everyone congregated at the hall to claim the prizes.  
Happy Hour was held out on the big porch and Raffle Bunnies Damaris and Becky were kept hopping selling raffle tickets.  21 great prizes were won by 19 happy winners.
    Our club chefs prepared the traditional April outing meal, grilling strip sirloin steaks to perfection. We all enjoyed them with big baked potatoes and delicious side dishes in the clubhouse hall. Eddie Stanley, former park manager, was our DJ for the rest of the evening and kept the tunes playing while dancing and camaraderie were enjoyed by all.
     We held our monthly meeting Sunday Morning after breakfast. Plans were made for the next outing and then we all bid each other good-by and safe travels until we meet again in May.