Family & Friends
By Suzan Rash, 219015
January 2007
“Fiesta de Tejas” was the theme for the South Central Area’s 33rd Six-State Rally, September 26 through 29, 2006, at Ford Park in Beaumont, Texas. The event truly turned out to be a fun Texas party.
Perhaps the biggest question on attendees’ minds before the rally concerned the weather. Specifically, folks wondered whether the forecast called for the threat of hurricanes or bad weather. The reason for such interest was that the area had been hit by Hurricane Rita on September 29, 2005. The answer, thankfully, was “No,” and the weather was great during the event.
Six-State Rally Association officers arrived early to prepare the fairgrounds and set up the directional signs, made by Shelby Rash, F219015, in time for the volunteers’ arrival. This group included association president Tony Innocenti, F56315; senior vice president and rally master Ben Loganbill, F164247; northern region vice president Charlie Adcock, F311374; southern region vice president Dave Davies, F230525; secretary Irene Renfro, F138913; treasurer Tom Drennon, F18175; and immediate past president Jim Ammenheuser, F157201. The volunteers for the rally were members of the Caprock Cruisers, Lone Star, Texans On Safari, and Westex chapters.
Some rain on one of the nights didn’t cause any parking problems, which was all on hard surface and included electrical hookups. We enjoyed cool weather on most days. The coach count for the rally was 676 motorhomes, which included 208 first-timers, 23 vendor live-in coaches, and 71 display coaches. Parking crew captain Steve Pickens, F263187, and volunteers from the Lone Star chapter, led by Art and Earlene Amos, F209153, made parking the coaches a simple task. The coaches were first sent to a holding area, from which the arriving members were directed to the registration booths inside the Ford Center. Family registration was under the direction of Thelma Hebert, F93234, and Gloria Adcock, F311374, while commercial registration was handled by Pat Landes, F184821 and Jean Lawhorn, F177329.
Congratulations to the South Texas Renegades chapter for having the highest percentage of chapter membership registered for the rally. This was an announced competition; the prize was $100 and special seating at evening entertainment.
Fred and Lou Kennedy, F44281, with the help of Leo Lancon, F258734, were in charge of distributing the radios and making sure the batteries were charged and in good operating condition. The golf carts were kept busy as trams, since the facilities were all in one building, with the display coaches very close outside.
The setup for the display coaches, which were all parked in the agricultural barns, was overseen by Larry Landes, F184821, and Woody Payne, F243641. The coach dealers and representatives put on a very nice “Block Party” to open the coach display area on Tuesday afternoon. The coaches were then on display daily until 4:00 p.m. Friday.
The indoor vendors were under the direction of T.J. Mears, F296383, and Jim McCabe, F216277. We were glad to see many exhibitors from past rallies and happy to meet several new vendors who we hope will be involved in future Six-State rallies. Door prize captain Syble Hall, F250509, thanked the vendors and other companies for their generous donations.
On Tuesday afternoon the annual Pet Parade, sponsored by Austin Lone Star RV Resort, C7480, was held just outside the arena. All of the dogs were well-behaved and put on quite a show for the audience. Dave Renfro, F138913, served as master of ceremonies again this year. Dave, along with Gene Miller, F182646, also could be found roaming the grounds in the “water wagon” passing out refreshments to the volunteers on duty throughout the rally.
The first of four nights of entertainment, under the direction of entertainment chairmen Darrell Gilliland, F153488, and Rod Sartwell, F319470, was the Rivoli Review. This very enjoyable show featured the outstanding vocals of the husband-and-wife duo of Ron and Kay Rivoli, who performed hits from the 1940s through the 1990s. The audience also enjoyed their RV parody songs.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings, rally attendees were treated to breakfast catered by the Ford Park kitchen. Irene Renfro and George Hebert, F93234, did a great job of keeping things flowing smoothly each morning. Thanks to Buddy Gregg Motor Homes Inc., C10617, and Motorhomes of Texas, C10303, for helping the Six-State Rally Association sponsor the breakfasts. Attendees started each morning with a smile, as members of the Frustrated Maestros-South Central chapter performed for everyone’s enjoyment.
One of the main events on Wednesday was the Red Hat Luncheon, hosted by Kitty Ammenheuser, F157201, and the Beaumont Sweet Tarts, a chapter of the National Red Hat Society. The luncheon was held in the Ford Park VIP Room and was followed by vocal entertainment from the Sweet Adelines.
The quilting demonstration in the vendor area gave folks a way to learn more about this craft.
Later in the afternoon at the “Nifty Newsletters and Web Sites” workshop, chapters and individuals were recognized with awards. Newsletter contest winners — first place: Westex, editor June Mirike, F130302; second place (tie): Country Coach Texans, secretary/editor Elinor Entz, F284182, and Ozark Ridge Runners, editor Joan Wimberly, F302063. Web site contest winners — first place (tie): Happy (OK) Wanderers, webmaster Chuck Smith, F357354, and Gateway Getaways, webmaster Bob Anderson, F211195; third place: Country Coach Texans, webmaster Cherie Rang, F256836.
The entertainment on Wednesday night featured Keith Longbotham in a performance titled “Being Himself.” Keith, who has performed at many RV rallies and conventions throughout the United States, delivered a delightful show of music and good stories.
On Thursday everyone had the chance to enjoy the ice cream social, sponsored by The Hartford, C10420, with music presented by the Frustrated Maestros. Since this was theme day for the “Fiesta de Tejas” rally, a Mariachi band performed on the entertainment stage for the lunchtime crowd and then strolled throughout the vendors’ area playing traditional Mexican music.
That evening, following our tribute to the rally volunteers, the winners for the theme day costume contest were announced, with first place going to Kitty Ammenheuser. Entertainment that night was Charlie Pruitt’s Country Music Show. While he doesn’t perform himself, Mr. Pruitt served as the master of ceremonies for this Grand Ole Opry-type family-friendly show, which featured some terrific musicians from the Beaumont area.
Prior to Friday night’s entertainment, the “Blessings for Beaumont” quilts and blankets were presented to the Golden Triangle Quilt Guild, which covers the Beaumont, Orange, and Port Arthur areas. The Six-State Rally Association chapters presented 665 quilts and blankets to be distributed by the guild in the Beaumont area.
The entertainment that followed was provided by the Night And Day Orchestra. The ensemble performed a range of great big band music to listen to, and for some, to dance to as well.
The 50-50 charity for this rally was Habitat for Humanity in the Beaumont area. Each day tickets were sold for a 50-50 drawing, with sales bringing in more than $2,200, which was presented to the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. The last drawing each evening was for a set of Nikon binoculars, donated by Nikon Sport Optics, which was presented by Tony Wiese, F178480. The winners were Kent and Marie Patureau, F221331; Tom and Geneva Montgomery, F222579; and Gloria Dunn, F277714.
A big thank-you goes to seminar captain Mary Jane Hebert, F205207, and crafts captain Grace Lancon, F258734, for putting together a terrific lineup of educational seminars and crafts activities. Crafters had the opportunity to create button earrings, a cuddle coat, beautiful autumn canvas bags, and Floozie flip-flops. They also made an unusual edible “mouse.” During the educational seminars attendees could learn about the Texas State Parks, use of a digital camera, and good e-mail manners, along with some nutritional facts and travel opportunities. In addition, rally-goers could attend one or more FMCA-sponsored education classes. They included the RV Safe Driving Course; the RV Weight and Tire Safety Program; and the Fire and Life Safety For RVers seminar.
Putting on an area rally requires the effort of many volunteers, and we are most grateful to members of the host chapters for the many hours spent at this event. A special thank-you goes out to the 1,501 participants, both family members and vendors, who attended the rally. We hope that the 208 first-timers had a great time and plan to come back next year and bring other first-timers with them.
On Saturday morning, as attendees were saying their good-byes and heading back home or on to new adventures, the organizers were already discussing plans for the 34th annual Six-State Rally, which is scheduled to be held September 25 through 28, 2007, at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia, Missouri. May we all continue to enjoy the motorhome lifestyle and gather again next year for another terrific area rally.
FMCA Loses Charter Member
Kathryn “Kay” Sharp, F2, wife of the late Hubert S. “Bud” Sharp, passed away on April 18, 2006, FMCA recently learned. The Sharps were among the founding members of the Family Motor Coach Association.
In July 1963, a small group of “house car” owners, as motorhomes were called back then, gathered on the grounds of the Hinckley School in Hinckley, Maine, to view an eclipse, socialize, and discuss the formation of an association for motorhome owners. That weekend the Family Motor Coach Association was born. The Sharps and 17 other families signed on as charter members. In October 1963 Bud was elected one of FMCA’s first officers, serving in the role of national director.
As residents of the Northeast, the Sharps’ FMCA activities were concentrated in that area of the United States in the early days of the association.
Kay is survived by a son, Robert, of New York; and daughters Kathryn S. Colucci, of Westport, Massachusetts; Christina Sharp, of Arlington, Massachusetts; and Tamsin Sharp Zimbone, of Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. She also leaves eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Happy (OK) Wanderers Celebrate 15 Years
By Earl Powell, F63960
Early in the second week of September, Happy (OK) Wanderers chapter members began arriving at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation campground in Shawnee, Oklahoma. A total of 74 members in 46 coaches gathered to celebrate the chapter’s 15th anniversary, September 7 through 10, 2006. Waiting to greet early arrivals was Joe David and Eileen Melott, F173021, the primary rally hosts. Joe David is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
The campground is a wonderful facility with 50-amp full hookups as well as a large air-conditioned meeting room. The rally theme was “American West,” and it didn’t take long for members to decorate the room with saddles, horse blankets, cowboy boots, spurs, and cowboy hats. Each table had a bucket of unshelled peanuts resting on a red bandana. Upon arrival, members from each coach received an additional red bandana filled with goodies and information about the area and a wooden Oklahoma anniversary decoration.
With planned activities not starting until Thursday evening, early arrivals enjoyed cool fall weather, sitting outside visiting and watching the parking crew help motorhomers into their appointed spots.
Thursday evening’s meal, which was provided by the rally hosts, included sloppy joe sandwiches, coleslaw, brownies, and ice cream. Following the meal, we were welcomed to the Shawnee area by Gordona Rowell from the local chamber of commerce. Her remarks were followed by a presentation by Rocky Barrett, chairperson of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Mr. Barrett shared information and an update about tribal projects, as well as some advice on the best machines to play at their nearby casino. Mr. Barrett, a local independent oilman, also shared his views on the recent high fuel costs and what we might expect for the future.
Friday dawned bright and sunny with a hearty breakfast provided by the rally hosts. The meal of hardtack (biscuits) and sausage gravy was followed by a tour of the various facilities owned and operated by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This is an Indian community that has seen its assets grow from just a few hundred dollars a decade ago to a multimillion-dollar business enterprise. Rally members were surprised by the turnaround in just 10 years and further impressed by the leadership provided to the Potawatomi Nation by Mr. Barrett and vice chairperson Linda Capps. The evening meal was a potluck followed by a performance of Indian “Fancy Dancers,” provided by the Nation’s leadership for the enjoyment and education of the rally attendees.
Another wonderful day greeted rally-goers on Saturday with flapjacks and fresh fruit for breakfast. That afternoon, the ladies gathered and made 43 children’s fleece quilts, which were given to Tribal Indian Child Welfare to use in the work they perform with abused and abandoned children.
Saturday evening, everyone gathered at the meeting room for a catered meal and to celebrate the chapter’s 15th anniversary. Although the chapter was chartered by FMCA in February 1991, the group decided to wait until September to celebrate, because that’s when the facilities were available at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation campground. After a welcome and a brief history of how the chapter was formed by chapter president Earl Powell, FMCA South Central Area vice president Tony Innocenti, F56315, and his wife, Geri, were introduced to the membership. Tony presented us with an FMCA certificate recognizing our chapter’s 15th anniversary.
Next on the agenda was the meal of catfish, chicken, and brisket with beans, coleslaw, and homemade onion rings. Afterward, anniversary chairperson Jim Guess, F321422, presented charter members with a special DVD history of the Happy (OK) Wanderers that had been prepared by chapter member Darrell Gilliland, F153488. The charter members also were given nametag add-ons that identify them as the chapter’s first members. These members included Lois Austin and Betty Shedrick, F130011; Manuel and Ramona Jackson, F57378; Dean and Bunnie Morgensen, F119727; Kenneth and Betty Mushrush, F137828; Earl and Mary Powell, F63960; and Jim and Lyda Walker, F142085. Past chapter presidents also were presented with additions to put on their nametags, identifying their years of service as president. All of this was done by the anniversary committee to recognize people who have played important roles in forming and running the chapter through the years.
The Happy (OK) Wanderers were honored to have Chaz Allen, F352841, as their speaker. Chaz is a nationally syndicated columnist, author, and radio talk show host, as well as a member of the chapter. He presented an enjoyable and humorous talk on “Little Known Facts,” sharing tidbits of knowledge about special people and the roles they played in our history — everything from the American who saved the French wine industry to the rare skin disorder that Elizabeth Taylor suffered from as a child. Following Chaz’s presentation, everyone enjoyed anniversary cake and ice cream. Door prizes were awarded to several lucky members.
After Sunday morning breakfast and a wonderful devotional and music by our chapter choir, members said farewell, loaded into their coaches, and headed to the four corners of Oklahoma, having enjoyed the opportunity to remember 15 years of “happy wandering.”