Family & Friends
By Jane Battey, F284722
February 2008
The 24th annual Rocky Mountain Ramble, presented by the Rocky Mountain Motorcoach Association (RMMA), was held October 3 through 6, 2007, in Farmington, New Mexico. More than 500 motorhomes attended the “San Juan Serenade” rally, and everyone had a great time.
The weather in Farmington was warm and sunny for the most part, with a few chilly mornings. The officers, captains, and Frustrated Maestros began arriving the weekend before the event to arrange and organize traffic patterns, set up registration and check-in, rehearse, and do all of those last-minute things necessary to help the rally run smoothly.
The rally site, McGee Park, San Juan County Fairgrounds, was outstanding. The modern facilities are clean, the parking spaces with 30-amp hookups and water connections are level, and the entire park is very organized and well-maintained. The helpful staff went out of their way to make sure that our Ramble was the best it could be. Special thanks to Michelle Murray for all she did to support our event. In concert with the fairgrounds staff, the Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau and Tonya Stinson assisted the RMMA board with rally setup and getting the word out to the Farmington community. They also contributed and stuffed the “goodie bags.” What a great help that was.
All of the volunteers at this Ramble were exceptional. Members of the Cuatro Estados chapter not only volunteered in their assigned areas but also in other areas that were understaffed. And although the Rocky Mountain chapter wasn’t asked to volunteer this year, a number of its members pitched in with parking. Where would we be without volunteers? There couldn’t be a rally without them.
All of the national directors from the area’s chapters were asked to attend the RMMA board meeting, held the first morning of the rally. The meeting was led by RMMA president Allen Rein. Several issues were discussed, and RMMA elections took place for several offices. LuVerne Underhill was elected treasurer; Bruce Battey was elected senior vice president; and Dick Wall was elected Region 1 vice president.
Afternoon activities included a great first-timers seminar presented by Bruce Battey, which drew close to 200 people, and a fantastic Chapter Fiesta, organized by Judy Jardine. Many chapters set up tables to espouse the benefits of joining a chapter and to recruit FMCA members who do not already belong to a chapter or who want to join additional chapters. The room and area outside the Chapter Fiesta was beautifully decorated with bright balloons. Great music was provided by the Frustrated Maestros “” Rocky Mountain Rockers chapter. Refreshments were served, and a drawing was held with cash prizes awarded to some of the lucky attendees.
Rocky Mountain Area vice president Allen Rein and immediate past area vice president Duane Pindell officially opened the Ramble later that evening by introducing the officers and recognizing the large number of first-timers in attendance. The crowd then received an enthusiastic welcome from Farmington Mayor William Standley. He is an ardent supporter of our rally and was delighted to hear that we will return to Farmington next year.
We welcomed three other national officers to our festivities: FMCA national president Connie Pool and her husband, Corbett; national treasurer Doug Key and his wife, Judy; and Eastern Area vice present Judy Czarsty and her husband, Steve. All of them, along with Jon Walker, senior vice president of the Great Lakes Area Motorcoach Association, and his wife, Sondra, volunteered in several areas during the rally.
We also were honored to have five of the seven former Rocky Mountain Area vice presidents together at this ramble. They included Perry Key (1986-1989); Chet Stewart (1992-1996); Bill Davern (1996-1999); Len Pigg (1999-2003); and Duane Pindell (2003-2007). All of the past vice presidents and their wives continue to support the organization as advisers and volunteers. They have all worked tirelessly to build the RMMA into the successful organization that it is today. Following the introductions, we all enjoyed entertainment from the Haroldson Family Desert Skies Band.
The Golf Tournament, organized by Bill Marti and Russ Westcott and played at the Pinon Hills Golf Course, was a tremendous success with close to 50 participants. In 2002 the course was rated by Golf Digest as the number one municipal golf course in the United States. It was a great test for all of the golfers, and only a few drops of rain temporarily dampened the game.
“Queen Mum,” also known as Bette Davern, organized another outstanding Red Hat Luncheon, which was held at the Best Western Inn. With a fashion show, many prizes, and plenty of time for eating and visiting, everyone who attended had a wonderful time. Bette also organized an outstanding Red Hat Tea, held on Saturday afternoon, with line dancing led by Lorraine Phillips. It was a great afternoon with delicious cookies, tea, and entertainment.
Ramble attendees enjoyed visiting the exhibits set up by the many vendors and coach dealers who attended, as well as the great ice cream social. With several flavors of ice cream, including a sugar-free version, everyone happily devoured what they could, all to tunes provided by the Frustrated Maestros.
The Pet Parade, emceed by Lil Hoover, with music provided by Barbara Miller, was entertaining and a great success with many entries.
Several new and fun activities were introduced this year and, judging from their successful reception, will become part of future rallies. Al and Bobbie Vormittag did a fantastic job organizing a two-day Bean Bag Baseball tournament. Everyone who participated had a great time with serious competition and lots of laughs. The national officers’ team, named the Red and Black Badge, finished in first place. The Walking Wounded team struggled hard but overcame to take second place, and the Rocky Mountain chapter team, who got their exercise performing the wave after every score, came in third. Other great teams included the Beanie Bears, Red Hatters, and First Timers.
The second new activity was the Chapter Talent Contest, which was held on the final night. Talented folks from seven chapters entered to win cash prizes, and the audience was truly entertained for almost two hours! The first-place winners were “The Whistlers” from the Pikes Peak Rollers chapter. We all saw a different side of these fellow RVers, who gave us a memorable rendition of “The Bridge Over the River Kwai.” Many in the crowd were brought to tears from laughing so hard. The second-place team, from the Rocky Mountain chapter, had many people on stage lip-synching and acting out various songs. The third-place team, members of the Southern Colorado Majestics, wowed us with song (was that Patsy Cline?), dance (everyone participated in that one), accordion accompaniment, and guitar and song. It was a wonderful way to close out the Ramble.
Mark your calendars for the 25th Rocky Mountain Ramble, dubbed “Black Tie & Blue Jeans,” October 15 through 18, 2008, once again held in Farmington, New Mexico. Join us to experience all of the great vendors, seminars, games, social activities, food, fun, entertainment, talent night, car show, and many more exciting activities.
Roadtrek International Chapter Oktoberfest Rally
Family & Friends
By Edward Baumer, F380440
October 2009
The Roadtrek International chapter’s Region 9 Oktoberfest Rally was held October 4 to 7, 2007, at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville, California, in conjunction with the 32nd annual California chapter Oktoberfest rally. There were 162 motor coaches present, and approximately 325 people in attendance. Of those, 28 coaches were Roadtreks, with 48 people in our group. A big thank-you goes out to the California chapter for inviting us to participate in their rally.
Activities actually began on Wednesday, October 3, with a party for the volunteers. This was followed by a cookout, with the guests bringing their own meat for the grill, and the California chapter providing a large array of delicious side dishes. The Roadtrek International chapter was included in the volunteers’ party because chapter members helped drive the shuttle golf carts to transport attendees to and from activities.
Each morning began with Cleo’s coffee and goodies. On Saturday morning, members of the Victorville Fire Department served a great pancake breakfast at the fire station located at the fairground’s gate. Lunches and two catered dinners were provided. There was an ice cream social Saturday afternoon. No one went hungry at this rally.
On Thursday the ladies of the Red Hat Society enjoyed a luncheon at Lilly’s Place, a Victorville restaurant and espresso bar.
The Victorville Fire Department gave a seminar on RV-related fire safety measures, the proper use and care of smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide and LP-gas alarms, along with a demonstration showing the types and proper use of fire extinguishers. Roadtrek International chapter member and PC Magazine writer Steve Bass gave a super seminar on how to fix those annoying bugs that folks have in their computers. Karen Langer did an excellent job with her genealogy seminar. A seminar on RV maintenance was presented by El Toro RV, and craft classes taught folks how to create iron-on sparklers and do T-shirt weaving. Many attendees took advantage of the health fair to get a quick check of their vital signs and some tips on health care.
Lunches were accompanied with music by Sam DeFazio’s Goodtime Band. They played enough oompah music to support the Oktoberfest theme and satisfy those of us with German and Polish ancestries. They also mixed in a little country, swing, and ballroom music to keep everyone else happy.
In the German costume contest, Roadtreker Kitty Pearsons walked away with the prize for best lady’s costume, while Kitty and her husband, Karl, won the best couple’s costume competition.
In the Pet Parade, Roadtrek pets took first place in six of the 12 categories judged, and were a very close second in another. Best howl went to Gus, owned by Christine Gilchrist; best kisser went to Misty, and oldest dog went to Mickey, both brought by Lori Topper; best trick was performed by Angel, who is owned by Jeanette Gordon; and most unusual pet went to Franklin, a desert tortoise who enjoys camping trips with Joyce Gibbs. The Oktoberfest Spirit award went to Gypsy, who joined in the rally spirit of owners Kitty and Karl Pearsons.
Speaking of competitions, Don Frevert prevailed to become the Roadtrekers’ new Goof Ball champion.
Thursday night featured bingo as the entertainment, with some very creative types of configurations required to win. Friday evening was Casino Night featuring tables for poker, Texas hold’em, blackjack, roulette, and craps, all presided over by professional casino dealers. Among the Roadtrekers, Steve Bass was the big winner, amassing more than $16,000. Too bad it was play money.
Saturday night we were entertained with a Darlene Glenn production that headlined “Annie” from the musical of that name, “Elvis” live, as well as “Richard Simmons” and an ensemble in a dancercise performance. This was followed with dancing to music by Sam DeFazio’s Goodtime Band.
Sunday morning the California chapter members had their annual meeting during which time new officers were installed, door prizes were awarded, and farewells were said to all our friends, old and new. That concluded a very enjoyable rally and had us all looking forward to next year.
This report would not be complete without paying tribute to Judi Rizzuto, who works so hard to give us a complete and lasting photographic record of our rallies.
The FMCA Roadtrek International Region 9 Oktoberfest Rally made a $150 donation to the Victorville Firemen’s Association.
This was the second year that Roadtrek International Region 9 held this Oktoberfest rally, and both times Richard and Dolores Tuckfield have acted as wagon masters. Their hard work has rewarded attendees with enjoyable experiences both times. Thanks to Richard and Dolores for all they did to make this rally such a success.