Suncoast Winnie Gators
Our Chapter campout was held April 16th – 18th, 2004 at Sun Lake Resort in Ruskin, Florida
We started out this fun filled weekend with 10 rigs arriving early on Thursday at Sun Lake Resort. The resort was exceptionally nice with about 45 sites in total and a rustic clubhouse that fit our needs nicely. There was a small lake, which several of our chapter members were parked right next to. After setting up our rigs we went to dinner at McLins, a Little Irish Pub on Hwy. 41 in Ruskin. After we returned from dinner some of our members went to the clubhouse for dancing and listening to music.
Others played some card games and some sat outside and caught up on what has been going on since we last met. Many were telling of their plans for the summer months.
On Friday 11 more rigs pulled in for a grand total of 21 rigs for the weekend. Those attending were: Beckner, Bensel, Blakeney, Davis, Franzen, Haynes, Hizer, Horwath, Maenner, Martin, McKay, Millard, Myers, Peterson, Porter, Schmittzeh, Schurecht, Swetland, Tuzzolo, Wood (J) and Wood (W). Most of Friday was spent on our own with some socializing and some exploring of the area. In the afternoon, a little after Happy Hour, which was a good turn out with plenty of delicious snacks,
we went to Buddy Freddie’s for dinner. The restaurant has an excellent buffet that we all fill our tummies up on. When we returned we went to the clubhouse for an evening of horse races at WIT Downs. Our hosts for the weekend Donna & Ralph Haynes and Chris & Norm Blakeney put on an exciting evening of fun at the races and many took home a little profit for the evening. The cheering for the horses got so loud you could have thought you were really at the races. It was a fun filled event for all who attended.
Saturday started out with our hosts serving a wonderful breakfast of Pancakes and Sausage.
During breakfast we had an opportunity to see a slide show of pictures that were taken by member Bill Meyers at State Rally in March. Shortly after breakfast we had our Chapter meeting. In the afternoon we played beanbag baseball in the beautiful Florida weather. It was yet another challenging game between the men & the women with the men winning (but not by much this time). Watch out boys the women may just win next time. Saturday’s dinner was an old fashioned BBQ of hamburgers, hotdogs, homemade potato salad & coleslaw. For dessert we were treated to a root beer floats with straws and all. That evening we went back to the clubhouse for a Fifties Dance. The clubhouse was decorated to make it look like as if were at a Saturday night hop of the 50’s. A lot of fun was had by all that evening with dancing, a twist contest, games, door prizes, trivia and more.
We even had a King & Queen of the hop Butch & Cindy Davis who was voted on by our club members.
We’ll always remember Butch’s smooth twist moves that evening. Thanks to Harberson Swanston RV’s, Susanna Packauskas (Home Interior), and all of those who donated items for the door prizes.
Sunday morning was a continental breakfast of coffee, juice & muffins. After breakfast we all said our good-byes and headed out looking forward to our next grand adventure.
Submitted by:
Donna M. Haynes - Secretary
Contact: President - Pete Schmittzeh
Telephone number (1-352-596-7421)