Florida
Suncoast Winnie-Gators
March
2004 Outing
By:
Donna Haynes
Our Chapter campout (State Rally) was held March 12 –16th, 2004 at Orlando Fairgrounds in Orlando, Florida
Friday at high noon, on a beautiful sun filled
Florida day, 20 member coaches of the Suncoast Winnie-Gators met to enter
the Orlando Fairgrounds for the Florida State Rally, which had the theme
Strawberry Festival. After we
were parked we went to the main rally hall to register and receive a 
goodie bag which was filled with free samples, a rally pin, a rally gift
and a Florida Winnie-Gator member roster.
Later that afternoon we all gathered in an area by our coaches for
a happy hour that was followed with a good old fashioned Bar-B-Que.
We all brought a dish to share and our meat of choice to cook.
After the cookout some of our members went to the main hall for
Cash Bingo.
On Saturday three more of our chapter member coaches
arrived for the rally bringing it to a total of 23 coaches representing
our chapter. Saturday’s
festivities started at 11:00 am with the Strawberry Festival opening
ceremony. Immediately
following the ceremony Strawberry shortcake was served. 
Our own Cindy Davis was the first lady to sport her money hat. Cindy & Jeannie Beckner worked all day selling raffle tickets and collected approximately $560 dollars for Muscular Dystrophy charity. Many of our chapter members visited Vendor’s Hall and seminars throughout the day. Member Jarvis Wood presented the First Timers Seminar and did an outstanding job with his presentation. Member Bonnie Martin taught a line dancing class in the afternoon. Many people attended and before long we were all dancing like pros. That evening our chapter served the Chicken Salad Sandwich Dinner. We had a lot of fun serving the other chapters and guests their dinner. After dinner Sonny La Rosa’s Youth Jazz Band entertained us. The band members’ ages ranged from 7 to 12 and played a lot of familiar tunes from the Big Band era. The music made you want to get up and dance (some did).
Sunday was another day packed with activities. A catered breakfast was served and another member of our chapter Linda Tuzzolo was the money hat lady of the day. Linda & husband Dan Tuzzolo worked all day and collected approximately $562 for the Muscular Dystrophy charity. Many members of our chapter entered crafts into the Arts & Crafts competition. Members from our chapter who won ribbons were Donna Haynes (Jewelry), Jeannie Beckner (Beaded Christmas Tree, Cross Stitch Picture), Louise Maenner (Cork Wreath) and Helen Meyer (Quilted Vest). At our afternoon social hour we welcomed our newest members to our chapter, Ben & Janis Housden. In the afternoon, two of our members Jeannie Beckner taught a class on Sracpbooking and Helen Meyer who taught a class on how to make little cloth angels. Later in the evening, after a catered dinner of corned beef and cabbage, we were entertained by Gary Means, an artist who does scenic chalk drawings to music and his wife who was a very talented ventriloquist. After the show the pictures he made were given away in a drawing.
Monday started with another busy schedule. After breakfast many went to see the coaches that dealers from around our state had brought to tempt us. There were games to play and more seminars. Some of our ladies attended a Red Hat Society luncheon. It was a site to see so many women all decked out in their purple outfits and so many different styles of red hats. At the cakewalk after lunch our chapter members had won a total of 8 of the many delicious cakes that were there. Later in the afternoon we watched the Winnie-Gator Pooch Parade. The pets were all dressed in their finest outfits and even the light shower couldn’t stop them from strutting around. That evening a wonderful catered dinner was served. It was followed with roll call of States and the installation of the 2004 Florida State Winnie-Gators Officers. From our chapter Gail Wood was inducted in as President of the State & Barbara Schmittzeh was inducted in as Treasurer of the State. The entertainment for the evening was three young ladies who performed a USO type show featuring the music of the Andrew Sisters. They also did a patriotic segment of their show that had all on their feet singing and clapping to the very moving music they were singing. After the entertainment there were drawings for door prizes and the wagon of cheer.
Tuesday after the continental breakfast, there was a general meeting for all to attend. Soon after we started gathering our belongings and packing up to leave a weekend that was packed with good food, fantastic entertainment, fun and seeing all of our friends (old & new). After saying our goodbyes, we pulled out looking forward to our next RVin’ adventure and next years Florida State Rally.
Submitted by:
Donna M. Haynes - Secretary
Contact: President - Pete Schmittzeh
Telephone number (1-352-596-7421)