South Florida Winnie-Gators

January 06 Outing Report

By Marlene Sholtes

The first outing of 2006 was held at the Marina RV Park in Moore Haven.  Most rigs arrived early on Thursday on a bright, warm, sunny day, with temperatures in the mid-seventies.  At 4:00 p.m. we had an informal happy hour at the Gill's rig.  For our evening meal the club provided your choice of beef or chicken chili in various degrees of heat, and all the fixings.  The chili was prepared by Barbara Drapeau , Lee Macdonald, and Sylvia Smith.  We were on our own for the antacid.  Members supplied the delicious desserts.  After our meal, a few members remained to play various games.

Friday began another beautiful day.  Marlene and Joe Sholtes led the group preparing shirts to be worn at the March State Rally.  Happy hour was again held at the Gills rig.  Lee Macdonald made DVDs with pictures, accompanied with music, of many club gatherings and handed them out to every couple.  Such a nice memento, thank you Lee!

The RV Park provided a meal of meatloaf, potatoes and green beans which was enjoyed by most of our members.  In the evening, the park provided entertainment in the rec hall.

At three a.m. , a cold front, with blustery winds arrived, wakening most of our group.  Some had left their awnings out.  Boy, were they sorry .... our newest members, John and Mary Jo Bierie, in particular!

Saturday morning the winds continued throughout the day, with gusts up to 40 mph.  An all-you-can-eat breakfast was prepared by the RV Park to which the club treated us.

Our monthly meeting was held on Saturday morning.  Board Members were elected and the 2006 Officers were sworn in at that time.  They are as follows:  President, Rick Bunn; Vice President, Charlie Travers; Secretary, Marlene Sholtes; Treasurer, Damaris Travers; Board of Directors Chairman, George Shaughnessy, and members Linda Cheatum, Barbara Drapeau, Bob Gill, W.C. Herndon, Marge Shaughnessy, Joe Sholtes, and George Morgan as first alternate.  We welcomed new members John and Mary Jo Bierie.

Happy hour at 4:00 p.m. was at the rec hall.  Becky Bunn and Damaris Travers, our Raffle Babes, became duck hunters bedecked in camouflaged clothing and make-up, toting duck shooting rifles, inspired by the many duck hunters that leave from the marina in boats.  George Morgan and Joe Sholtes tended the bar, as usual.  Helen Herndon took in the money, Marlene Sholtes, Rose and Ed Weisman, and Bob and Dorothy Schoening tore tickets.  Once again the prizes were great!

The evening meal was a real challenge for the cooks, Bob Gill, George Shaughnessy, W.C.  Herndon, and Bruce Cheatum, because they were deep-frying the catfish outdoors in the gale force winds, blowing sand, falling temperatures and early darkness.  But they did a fantastic job as did Helen Herndon, who made the grits, Damaris Travers, cole slaw, and Joan Gill and Marge Shaughnessy, hush puppies.  After dinner, many of the group stayed to play Card Bingo, conducted by Charlie and Damaris Travers and assisted by Joan Gill.  Big winners were John Bierie, Barbara Drapeau, Chuck Seager, Maureen Shaughnessy, and Buddy and Alice Webb.

Sunday morning was very cold, in the 40s.  A few brave souls came out to say our goodbyes until our next meeting next month.