The Best of Anderson

The Anderson rally was free dry camping at the Hoosier Park Racing - Casino parking lot, August 18-21, 2011. As a result, we were able to have many new informative experiences. Our Rally Masters were Bob & Mable Heath assisted by Jerry & Carol Hardacre.


Thursday afternoon 16 of our attendees toured the renovated Historical Paramount Theater in downtown Anderson, followed by a tour of Good’s Candy with a very interesting history of chocolate from its origin to the present. Then supper was on our own.

Friday started off with a guided tour of the Willemsen Dairy Farm. Teo Willemsen, the owner and operator, is a native of the Netherlands and is now milking about 1500 head of cows three times a day. From there we came back to the casino for lunch then a tour of the race track. Friday night all 45 of our attendees traveled to Carmel, IN to Conner Prairie for a concert at the “Symphony on the Prairie” featuring “The Glen Miller Band.” We enjoyed a box supper on the front row of tables under beautiful skies. Our trips for the day were enhanced by traveling in the tour bus acquired and driven by Jerry Hardacre.

Saturday morning we traveled by bus to the Loyal and True Pet Crematories for another very interesting tour and learning experience. The casino was available the whole weekend 24/7 for gambling or watching the Thoroughbreds race in the afternoon. Saturday evening we all caravanned to Ross & Melanie Boyer’s house for a pitch in dinner and fellowship.

Sunday morning we had a continental breakfast under the awnings of the Heath’s and Hardacre’s, followed by a worship service with the music preformed by Nancy Ruster & Melanie Boyer and message by Carol Hardacre. Everything went well until a thunder storm scattered the congregation. A half hour later the sky opened up for a beautiful day from then on.

All in all, we had a very enjoyable informative weekend.

Submitted by Jerry Hardacre