Family & Friends
By Barbara Schleuse, F264999
November 2010
North met south at Blackwell Island RV Park in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, July 13 through 18, 2010, and the outcome was a terrific rally. Five member families from the Southwest Country Coachers (SWCC) chapter joined 10 member families from the Northwest Country Coachers (NWCC) chapter for five days of fun in the sun on beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene. Fred Dent, NWCC president, served as rally master with help from chapter treasurer Dana Suttell and her husband, Frank.
Our meet-and-greet gathering in the clubhouse on Tuesday night, July 13, included heavy appetizers instead of dinner. We introduced ourselves and got to know where everyone was from and where they had been on their travels before arriving at the resort.
Each morning started with a continental breakfast provided by three different families. It worked out well, because, as you know, where there are RVers there is usually lots of good food. Even with only three families supplying the breakfasts, there was plenty for all.
Nothing was planned on our first full day at the lake, so most folks spent their time walking around the park, visiting with new and old friends, and preparing food for our potluck dinner that night. Happy hour was presented by Coeur d’Alene Cellars, a small, family-owned winery that brought a wide selection of wines for us to taste as well as a variety of meats, cheeses, and crackers. We then consumed the delicious food prepared by the members. No one went away hungry!
Day three had us out on the lawn by the clubhouse for summer games of snakes, ring toss, darts, and beanbag toss, as well as a sudden-death water-balloon toss. A good ol’ family picnic of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, and ice cream bars was provided and served by members of the NWCC chapter. The winners of the summer games, Don and Barbara Schleuse, received a high-definition TV RV antenna accessory donated by the Winegard Company.
On day four, we all headed down to the city dock for the Discover the Lake boat cruise around Lake Coeur d’Alene. It was a hot and sunny day, but a slight breeze kept us comfortable. The trip took us around the north end of the lake, where we saw some large homes with great views and lovely sandy beaches. We also saw all sizes and shapes of boats full of people out for a ride. That night SWCC members provided dinner of grilled tri-tip beef, salad, baked potatoes, and an assortment of ice cream novelties for dessert. After dinner many stayed for card bingo. Some won twice, but most went away with eight fewer quarters in their pockets than they started with.
Saturday was another laid-back day for sight-seeing, kayaking, crafts, and geocaching. Dinner that evening was at The Cedars Floating Restaurant. We chose off the menu and were served an outstanding meal, from appetizers to dessert.
Sunday’s breakfast potluck was our last meal together. Afterward, everyone said their good-byes to friends, new and old. Plans were discussed for NWCC chapter members to join the SWCC chapter in California for a February 2011 Super Bowl rally.
Coeur d’Alene is a town filled with tourists in the summer. The stores, restaurants, beaches, and parks were all busy during our stay. If you’ve never been there, put it on your “must-see” list. Blackwell Island RV Park is located on the Spokane River, with river access; it’s near town, but far enough away to be quiet and restful.
Thanks for a great rally, Fred.
Swinging Golfers Celebrate 25th Anniversary
Family & Friends
By Mike Boyt, F339596
November 2010
On Sunday, June 6, 2010, the Swinging Golfers International chapter began the celebration of its 25th anniversary as an FMCA chapter with a week-long rally in Crossville, Tennessee. A group of 31 motorhomes gathered at the beautiful Spring Lake RV Park for a week of fun, fellowship, and, of course, some great golf.
We began our festivities that Sunday with a welcome happy hour and pizza dinner provided by hosts Wanda and Bill Beasley and Connie and Don Vincent. With the weather cooperating beautifully, members enjoyed golf throughout the week at two local courses: Deer Creek Golf Club and Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain, the latter a part of the Tennessee Golf Trail and a very tough Jack Nicklaus-designed course. Some of us also took advantage of the local Cumberland County Playhouse for a day at the theater, while others enjoyed antiquing and shopping in the area.
On our final evening, everyone met in the park clubhouse for a delicious catered barbecue dinner. To commemorate the event, everyone received an embroidered golf shirt with the 25th anniversary emblem and a framed group photo.
Swinging Golfers International currently has 61 member families. We welcome anyone interested in playing at many outstanding golf courses throughout the United States while enjoying motorhome travel with a fun group of folks. Dues are $15 per year; new members are responsible for purchasing their name badges. For more information, contact chapter president Mike Boyt at (919) 554-4748; e-mail: mboyt@live.com; or visit the chapter’s Web site at www.curryfreeze.com.
High Plains Drifters Clebrate Marital Longevity
During the High Plains Drifters chapter rally at “Humphrey’s Haven Ranch,” a private residence in Cheyenne, Wyoming, June 25 through 27, 2010, the chapter recognized these 13 couples who have been married at least a half-century. The group, dubbed the “Over-The-Hill Together Gang,” actually includes 24 chapter couples, but some were not able to attend the rally. The husband and wife who have been together the longest are Howard and Ruth Norland (seated behind the cake), who have enjoyed 63 years of wedded bliss, 20 of those years as FMCA members. Other couples who have reached their golden anniversary and attended the celebration included Jim and Phyllis Duncan (60 years); Don and Dorothy Bird (59 years); Ken and Lois Schlatter (59 years); Bob and Joyce Parker (57 years); Wes and Dee Hoffdahl (54 years); Ray and Marge Steege (54 years); Bob and Patsy Sterkel (54 years); Jim and Ginny Phillips (53 years); Gary and DeAnna Smith (53 years); Gordon and Donna Sonnenberg (53 years); Joe and Donna Dereemer (50 years); and Bruce and Barbara Miller (50 years).