Happy Wanderers Chapter News
July/August- ‘08
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS: Eugene & Rita Adams; Paul & Gloria
Capps; Lynn & Linda Laymon; John & Mary London Pravdica. We are
happy to have you as Happy Wanderers!!!
A
huge THANKS TO BILL AND TONI EVANS (Hosts) and to BILL AND BETTY
MAKOWSKI (Co-Hosts) for a fun and relaxing pre-rally at Martin Lakes
campground in beautiful Biloxi Mississippi May 10 through May 13!!
Martin Lakes is a nice campground but unfortunately falls short of
the “Resort” it includes in the name. However, the price was right
even though a couple of members had a little run in with the
security guard for driving a “little to fast” through the park.
Thank goodness no tickets nor jail time, but it was touch and go
according to on looking HWC members.
The Evans’ and Makowski’s arrived early in Biloxi to scout the area
for places to eat (we Wanderers do like to eat!!!) and things to do.
They really put the big pot in the little pot and came up with some
super places for both. Unfortunately, Ann and I did not get to the
pre-rally until the last evening since we were in Lubbock, Texas to
be at BRANDON’S GRADUATION (2 degrees no less!). So we were informed
late the night we arrived that we had REALLY “missed out some great
food”. Isn’t it amazing how one’s friends ALWAYS point things
like this out to you when you were UNABLE to be with them and
enjoy!! How about a 20
to 25 item buffet lunch for “a mere $ 7 each” and then a dinner at
the same place with crab legs, claws, shrimp, 20-25 other items
and10 to 12 desserts for “a mere $ 11 each”. Ann and I really
appreciated knowing about this AFTER we arrived! Such great friends
we have!! In all seriousness---the Happy Wanderers Chapter is a
tremendous group of friends.
Then there were (again so we were told) some HWC Happy Hours
starting around 4:30 p.m. (maybe 3 to 3:30????) and going until 9
p.m. (OR ????). After all, we are the HAPPY Wanderers—who wouldn’t
be after 4 to 5 hour happy hour. Did I mention that we Wanderers
like to eat????? WELL-----------one MUST have something to drink if
one is going to eat!
Speaking of eating (in case I have failed to mention this subject),
the group decided to have a “home cooked” breakfast one morning so a
“few” waffle irons were rounded up for waffles, Goat (yep---goat)
sausage links (some bacon also mysteriously showed up) and some
potato flour muffins. Again, Ann and I were assured that “a hearty
meal was enjoyed by all”. See what friends are for!
On the morning of the 13th, the Evans’ and the Makowski’s
had us all line up for the trip to Mobile. The Evans’ led this
august group and the Makowski’s were the tail gunners. Thank
goodness for tail gunners! They are the ones responsible for calling
out to “an American Coach” in front of them that a bay door was
open. We certainly are not going to give any names other than “Jack”
and his bride appreciated being told. The 2 coaches caught up with
us and we traveled safely into Mobile to the fair grounds and a fun
National Rally. THANKS AGAIN BILL & TONI AND BILL AND BETTY!!!!!!!!!
The SOUTHEAST CHAPTER did a great job in putting on the rally. I
have only missed 4 national rallies and I don’t think that I have
ever had such a great
check-in/parking experience! WOW—GREAT JOB SOUTHEAST!! We did
not sit more than 6 or 7 minutes and that included time to unhook
the tow car. We were then expertly led to our super site and parked
WITH FULL HOOKUPS!
From there on the rally experience was a great one. Sure there were
some problems but I have yet to attend any rally ACA, FMCA or
whatever that some problems did not arise. HOWEVER, Dan Lee, Doug
Thompson and the ENTIRE SOUTHEAST CHAPTER members were very helpful
and did their best to satisfy each and every one of us. They smiled,
they joked, they greeted us with enthusiasm----they were super! The
facilities were great and the food was very good overall. Again---no
one can foresee everything, but they can correct it as time allows.
During one of our HWC “socials” (yes we were very Happy) we elected
new officers for the upcoming year. Congratulations to Margaret
Harker, President; Bill Makowski, Vice-President; Linda Coleman,
Secretary; Carrol Ball, Treasurer and Bill Evans, Member-at-large!!
They will carry on the fabulous tradition of the Happy Wanderers in
a truly efficient manner. Charlie keeps saying that it is all about
having fun and that’s what HAPPY Wanderers do!
Speaking of Charlie, I would like to thank him for the superb job
that he has and is doing as the National President! I have had the
honor of serving with several presidents and was the 2nd
ever president of this great Association. I like to pride myself
with what I did and accomplished and I am sure that all of the past
presidents do also. However, Charlie has done an absolutely
outstanding job of leadership with the board. He has been totally
open with the board and the membership. He has created and
maintained board unity. He inherited a budget that needed much work
and with the help of Al Knox, the Finance Committee and the Board,
Charlie has turned ACA 180 degrees and saved us, the membership,
quite a bit of money. For the first time in quite a while, ACA is
working with a projected income and balanced budget. THANKS FOR
GREAT LEADERSHIP CHARLIE!!
Congratulations to the newly elected ACA officers: Charlie Adcock,
President; Bill Dettmer, Vice-President; Mary Corcoran, Secretary
and Bob Downing, Treasurer. Congrats also to all of the new chapter
presidents!!
A
huge THANK YOU TO SANDY GALLUP----a super and wonderful lady that
truly takes her job as Editor of ACA Across America very seriously
and does an outstanding job!
Also, tremendous thanks to the American Coach group in Decatur,
Indiana and their help/support of ACA! I wish that everyone had the
opportunity to sit in on the Quality Council meetings and listen to
the exchange of ideas that we have with them. Those that miss the
American Coach presentation at the National Rallies truly miss out
on what is going on in the industry. They listen to us folks and
THEY CARE! Randy and his crew are the absolute cream of the crop and
they take tremendously good care of us, the owners of these super
American Coach units!
I
WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO A GREAT GROUP
OF PEOPLE----THE HAPPY
WANDERERS CHAPTER OF ACA!!! This will be my last contribution to
the ACA Across America (great magazine Sandy and crew!) as president
of Happy Wanderers. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as the
president of a tremendous chapter!!!!!! The support and love that
Brandon, Ann and I have received will never be forgotten or
minimized! You are a wonderful group of friends and we look forward
to being with you in Tucson and future rallies!!
Prayers are answered----it is a fact! Keep our troops, our
president, and the leaders of all free nations in your prayers. Our
God “is an awesome God!!”
Have a super summer, safe travels and know that you will always have
a special spot in mine and Ann’s life! God Bless!!!!
See you in Tucson!
