Missouri Valley Chapter News
July/August- ‘08
The Spring National Rally at Mobile was a good one. We had thirteen coaches attending. Many started with a pre-rally in Texarkana, driving on to Biloxi to meet with more of our chapter members. We met at the Hollywood Casino RV Park at the Bay of St Louis. Those attending the Rally were, Brain and Sharon Barksdale, Jim and Donna Catron, Jim Corbin, Don and Judy Hunter, Bill and Betty Land, Eric and Leesa Lins, Lloyd and Sheila McCune, James and Hil Monahan, Hans and Cindy Nitch, Steve and Pat Sampson, Ray and Linda Smith, Bill and Carole Soutter, Ron Weeks and Barbara Stevens. After a night of fun, scraping off the love bugs, and resting, we started our caravan to Mobile. We had several very violent thunder and rain storms…but that made for good coach washings!
Our spring MoValley Chapter board meeting was held at the fairgrounds in Mobile. As the new president, thank you for your confidence. I will try to serve you by giving my best and to represent this chapter at the ACA board meetings. Also thank you to those who have committed to join our team: Ronnie Weeks, Vice President; Sharon Barksdale, Treasurer; Donna Catron, Secretary; Linda Smith, Membership; Nancy Cromer, Historian; Carol Sutter, Hospitality; Jim Catron, Sheriff. (A word of warning, there is a new Sheriff in town! Those at the rally know what I mean.)
Two hundred and sixteen coaches attended the Mobile Rally. Charlie Adcock lead us as a true leader he is, both in the board meetings and membership meetings. The report from the RV salesmen were there were ten coaches sold during the week. Everyone had a good time, lots of good food, loads of great information shared, and our coaches fixed! Again, it was noted not all RVs have the service available that American Coach supplies, for that we are very thankful.
The evenings’ entertainment that was provided was excellent. On the evenings we gathered together as a chapter were filled with fun and lots of laughs.
One of the highlights of the Rally was our participation in the Chili Cook-off. I think everyone in MoValley was very proud of our finished product. We received many compliments on our chili and on our decorations…even though we came in second. Many thanks goes to our wonderful chef, Don Hunter. He took over and made it our own recipe. All of our members jumped in to help cook our chili and decorate the area we were assigned. When Cindy Nitch finished with her wonderful direction, our spot was spectacular!
I want also to mention we will co-hosting with the South Central Chapter the National Rally in Texarkana, for May 2009. We are excited and happy to be helping. It will be held in Texarkana, Arkansas. The location is wonderful and central, and that should help people attending.
In closing I want, along with all of the Missouri Valley Chapter, to thank the Nitch’s for all of their dedication and work. They have stepped in and helped many, many times. Their expertise and leadership have made MoValley Chapter a very special one that makes our members very proud to be a part of. Thank you Hans and Cindy.
We join everyone, as we remember those fallen soldiers of previous wars and those of the present fighting. God bless those men and women serving for our freedom. Safe travels to each of you.
Ray Smith, President of Missouri Valley Chapter
