Family & Friends
By Dave Barr, F185713
October 2009
More than a year in advance, several members from The Dolphins chapter gathered to begin planning the group’s 20th anniversary rally. The team set a goal to make the rally a memorable event, and all indications are that the goal was achieved. A total of 131 motorhomes with 256 folks attended the rally, which took place March 26 through 30, 2009, at the Golden Village Palms RV Resort in beautiful downtown Hemet, California.
The feedback from those who attended was nothing short of outstanding. Folks truly seemed to enjoy the facilities, activities, seminars, food, entertainment, chapter history display, and fellowship with each other, as well as our special invited guests. In other words, the planning, coordination, and work that members put into this team effort, within budget constraints, made our celebration a huge success. We can now, without question, add that it was memorable!
Former chapter officers, elected and appointed, were invited to join us for the celebration rally. While some of these folks may no longer be members of The Dolphins, the time and effort they contributed through the years helped build the chapter’s strength, success, and longevity. While some could not attend, many did. They included Ray Reid; Bob and Bonnie Brundage; Ralph and Susan Underwood; Dick and Janice Burk; Howard and Diane Stofe; and Bill and Lillian Ashman, to name a few.
Pauline Reeves, The Dolphins’ historian for 2008, ably assisted by Syd and Anna Byford, put together a very impressive display of the club’s past. (We were called National RV Inc., The Dolphins until the chapter name was officially shortened in May 2009.) There were photos of past rallies, a listing of past presidents, and many mementos from the past 20 years. The display table had a constant crowd around it. Thank you to Pauline, Syd, and Anna, and all those who contributed and assisted in this wonderful history of The Dolphins!
The Dolphins’ president, Darryl Sobelman, presented Dave Barr, head rally organizer, with a congratulatory certificate from then-FMCA national president Connie Pool recognizing the 20th anniversary of The Dolphins. This beautiful certificate will become part of the club’s historical documents and will be safeguarded by the new historian, Pat Cohen.
Seminars by Workhorse and Redlands Truck & RV Center were well attended. Also well attended were the golf tournament, crafts bazaar, RV stuff swap meet, shuffleboard tournament, and bingo night. Wonderful weather and a terrific resort staff added to the success of this anniversary rally.
The Dolphins have a lot to be proud of and are thankful for our chapter’s heritage. So, to all past and present members of The Dolphins chapter: happy 20th anniversary!
Jean Samuelson Loved Music, Motorhoming
Family & Friends
October 2009
Jean Samuelson, F19, and her husband, John, were among the 26 motor coach-owning families who gathered in Hinckley, Maine, on July 20, 1963, to view a solar eclipse, a meeting that led to the formation of the Family Motor Coach Association. Jean died on May 8, 2009, in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, at the age of 90.
Jean was born on January 7, 1919, and grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts. She attended Boston University, where she met her future husband while both were studying music. Jean graduated in 1941 and the two were married on June 27 the following year.
The couple had three girls “” Janet, Judy, and Joanne. While the kids were growing up, Jean was a music teacher at Hingham elementary and junior high schools. She was a founding member of the Hingham Civic Orchestra (now the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra) in 1945 as a violinist and participated in musical productions with the Hingham Civic Chorus during the 1950s and 1960s. She also was an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hingham and sang in the choir for many years.
Since both Jean and John were teachers, the couple had plenty of time during the summers to explore North America. John would drive the motorhome; Jean followed in a car so they’d have a touring vehicle once they arrived at their destination. To keep in touch during their travels, they communicated by CB radio. Since Jean was a violinist, her handle was “Second Fiddle.” John was the church organist, so he went by “Organ Pipe.”
John, now 92, said that his wife was excited about the prospects of traveling by motorhome from the moment he brought the “very much-used bus” home to begin converting it into a livable vehicle. “She was very interested in the bus and traveling, because we knew some other people who were doing it, too.” he said. “We drove that coach everywhere, all over the country. Whenever we had a vacation from school, we’d go somewhere.”
Following Jean’s retirement in 1980, the couple moved to Sarasota, Florida, where they lived for 23 years. There she was a member of The Church of the Redeemer and played violin with the Sarasota Orchestra.
Besides John, she leaves behind three daughters, Janet Kowalsky (Don) of Hiawassee, Georgia; Judy Spinney (Peter) of Andover, New Jersey; and Joanne Chandler (Robert) of Wareham, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial donations can be made in Jean’s name to Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod & the Islands, 712 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601.
Swinging Golfers Rally Through Midwest
Family & Friends
By Bob Ingram, F282880
October 2009
Members of Swinging Golfers International (also known as SWG) participated in the chapter’s Midwestern Rolling Golfing Rallies tour, which took place over a four-week period beginning on April 27, 2009.
Our starting point was a golfing rally in Kemah, Texas, hosted by Renny and Phyllis Goyert, who did a terrific job organizing the events. At this stop, which drew 12 member families, we played two great golf courses, enjoyed a potluck dinner at the RV park clubhouse, and were treated to a delicious Texas beef brisket barbecue at the lovely home of the Goyerts, which is located on one of the golf courses. We ended a great week with an awards banquet at the country club banquet room.
We then traveled on to Marksville, Louisiana, for the second stage of our golf tour across the Midwest for a rally hosted by Jim and Carmen Justice. This has always been a favorite rally spot for SWG members, because it gives us the opportunity to play one of the golf courses on the Louisiana Audubon Golf Trail. The Justices planned an outstanding week of golf for all participants. The activities began with a sloppy Joe dinner that was provided by our hosts. We played golf during the day and enjoyed the culinary expertise of chapter members at a potluck dinner one night, and indulged in a pizza party provided by the Justices another night. In addition to arranging the golf and the food, Jim and Carmen also planned other games for entertainment. The week at Marksville, which included golfers from 14 motorhomes, concluded with an awards banquet held at the clubhouse dining room at the golf course.
Tunica, Mississippi, was our next venue for a week of golf and other activities. Bob and Opal Ingram were the hosts for the Tunica rally. Golfing arrangements were made at the Tunica National Golf and Tennis Club, considered one of the best courses in Mississippi. Although the ever-present forecast of rain threatened to interrupt our activities, everything went as planned for the 15 member families who attended. A Southern fried chicken dinner provided by the hosts was the welcoming party for all participants. The golfing began on Monday with a Captain’s Choice format, as the sound of bagpipes introduced the players to the type of weather one might experience in Scotland. A treat was in store on Monday night with hamburgers and brats provided by the hosts and prepared on the famous Holland Grill by none other than Brad and Dee Holland. Tunica Hold’em was the final golf game for the week. The awards banquet was held at the Great Buffet Dining Room at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino.
The final leg of our Midwest Rolling Golfing Rallies tour was held in Branson, Missouri. Hosts Brian and Wanetta Henry jumped right in and did a superb job organizing their first SWG golfing rally. Branson is a great place for golf, food, and entertainment, and 16 member families made the trip to enjoy all of those activities. Our hosts provided a welcome party, a pizza party, and an awards banquet steak dinner. They also made arrangements for us to enjoy the golf courses, as well as a luncheon boat cruise on Table Rock Lake.
The four weeks passed so quickly, and before we knew it, it was time to disperse to pursue other RV travels. Thanks to all who participated “” 11 member families took part in all four events “” and to all who put forth the extra effort to make this an enjoyable trip. It was a memorable four weeks.
For more information about joining the Swinging Golfers International chapter, contact chapter president Bob Ingram at (704) 637-7222; e-mail ingram@salisbury.net; or write to him at 455 White Crane Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.