Try Some Southern Hospitality

The May Rally for 2014 will be here before we know it.  Rem Remley, Judy Hohl, Lois Blodgett, Chuck Blodgett, Bettie Wessel and Greg Wessel will host the rally which will be held in Vincennes, IN on May 1 -  4. You won't want to miss this rally because it will have something for everyone including high tech auto/truck manufacturing, quilt stores and barn tours, historic sites and a museum that honors the famous Red Skelton.

Camping will be located at the Oubache Trails Park in Knox County. We have reserved all sites for this event.  The sites have electricity, water and a dump station is conveniently located in the campground. The campground shelter will be available to for coffee and donuts in the morning before traveling to points of interest or beginning the scheduled tours.
Click the web address to view the park information knoxcountyparks.coms.

Members will arrive on Thursday to setup and may gather at the Ponderosa restaurant for dinner.  We will have a private room. Friday Hoosier Cruisers will be able to take a tour of the Toyota plant in Princeton
and visit the Red Skelton Museum.  That evening members may have dinner at Fazoli's in Vincennes.

On Saturday campers will have a more relaxed and unscheduled day. They may visit the many historic sites that honor George Rogers Clark or William Henry Harrison.  There is also a great military museum which many may want to visit.  In the evening a meal is scheduled to be served at Pea Fections Restaurant which will be closed to the public.  We will have a business meeting following the meal.


The rally will end on Sunday with devotions that will be held in the shelter.

We are looking forward to a great rally where we will be able to renew old friendships and develop new ones.

Christmas Parties Reminder

Southern Christmas Party

The Christmas Party for the Southern area will be held on Tuesday December 3 at 2:30 PM.  Everyone will gather at the Golden Coral (was Ryan’s) located at the southwest corner of I-69 Exit 226 (Old Exit 26) IN-109, Scatterfield Road.  Golden Coral’s Early Bird Special starts at 2:00 PM for about $7.50 which includes your drink.  Please contact Ross Boyer if you plan to attend so he has a count for the restaurant – mrboyer@att.net or phone 765-606-7994. 

Northern Christmas Party

The Northern Christmas Party will be held on Saturday December 14 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.  Again we will be at Mullets Dinning.  The cost will be $17.00 each which includes drink, tax and tip. 

Santa’s helpers are the Tilmanns and the O’Dells.  They request that you bring a wrapped gift per person for the gift exchange.  Also, lets all help to fill the Sock/Mitten Christmas Tree for Children – bring either a pair of socks or mittens.

Please call Bea O’Dell no later than December 1^st  at 574-229-5646.  She has to give the Mulletts a count by Monday December 2^nd.

Mullets dining is located at 72280 County Road 100, Nappanee, IN 46550.  Just 2 ½   miles west of Nappanee just off IN-6. 

GLAMARAMA 14

Just wanted to let everyone know that the GLAMARAMA 14 website has been updated with information for the 2014 Great Lakes Area Rally.  The Goshen 4-H Fair Grounds will again be the location.  Although the Registration form has not been posted yet, the Entertainment is listed, the rally fee remains that same as last 2013, Chapters will again have Thursday evening for their meetings and chapters will also be parked as close together as possible depending on requested facilities.  For all of our lovely ladies, the ladies tea will again be held. 

Take a look at the website: http://glamaramarally.blogspot.com/

I will need a list of who will be attending in order for the Hoosier Cruisers to park together.  I will need this information and type of site after registration is open.

Be sure to register early.

Thanks Steve Ruster

Great Lakes Area Rally – Glamarama 13

 Glamarama13 was the first all volunteer rally which was a Great Rally and very successful rally.  The rally committee outdid themselves and the committee deserves our accolades and appreciation for all of there efforts.  Attendance was greater that anticipated with 469 coaches, almost all of the area chapters represented and 37 coaches from Hoosier Cruisers.  Hoosier Cruisers came in second for the highest percentage of our membership in attendance.

You Hoosiers Cruisers alone volunteered many many hours in parking, the FMCA Store, trams, etc.  The weather was good in spite of nearly 3 ½ inches of rain on Friday – but no one had to be pulled out unlike what some of us experienced at Gillette.  The entertainment was enjoyable and well attended as was the seminars.  There were at least 3 or 4 dealers with coach displays, and I heard that one sold 2 or 3 coaches and another had some good leads for future sales. 

The Hoosier Cruisers had a good meeting and meal Thursday; see more details in this newsletter.  I know all of you who attended had an enjoyable time.  Mark you calendars for next years Area Rally which will again be held in Goshen June 11-14, 2014 – You Won’t be disappointed. 

October Rally

I'm really looking forward to the Octobr rally at the Covered Bridge Festival in Rockville IN.  This looks to be a great time with ideal fall weather for camping.  I know that Linda and Denny have put a lot of time in to assure everyone a good time. 

Below are the information and rally registration form.  You should be able to click on and print.  If you have any problems let me know.

August Fun and Some Sun

We had a terrific time at the August rally thanks to Bea and David O'dell and Dick and Janice Schumaker.  Our rally masters had scheduled Friday to visit the 51st Amish Art and Craft Festival.  This was perfect planning as there was a bit of rain before our visit but a deluge Friday night welcomed the masses who attended Saturday and I'm sure the grounds were both muddy and crowded.  Friday evening we had a wonderful pitch in dinner followed by a fun game of cards.  Saturday we were escorted to the Studebaker Museum and Oliver Home for a terrific tour. The weather had broken to pleasant sunshine making the house spectacular and just as the Olivers had left it.  The museum contained many years of history surrounding Studebaker manufacturing and the Olivers.  Sadly, many of the items were way too familiar to many of us.
  Following our trip down memory lane we headed to Honkers restaurant where we were treated to a traditional Polish meal buffet in a private dining room.  It was a great end to a great day.  Sunday morning came and we enjoyed coffee donuts and a few minutes of christian fellowship.  We then approached our departure with some trepidation due to some still wet conditions but we all made it out ok and headed down the road.  It's on the GLAMARAMA 13!
 

July Rally-Fun, Fun, Fun

Most of the attendees arrived on Thursday. Each coach received two gifts, a wooden tic tac toe game board made by Bob Heath and Dale Elliott, and potato bags that had been made by Beth Bailey. After getting settled members traveled to the Golden Corral for a great buffet dinner. No one left hungry!  Returning to the campground many returned to their coaches in preparation for a busy Friday. It should be noted that the campground, White river Campground, is a county campground that offers full hook-up paved sites that
could accommodate even large motorhomes. Everyone had a water front site with the river running behind the coaches.

Friday began with a pitch-in breakfast which was great due the good cooks in the club. After breakfast members lined up to caravan to the Duck Man. He is a carver who makes beautiful carved ducks and decoys. It was fascinating to learn about the different wood that he uses and the ducks are stained or painted. That evening we we went to Conner Prairie. The entire evening was first class. Jerry Hardacre drove the bus which eliminated the frustration of parking. We all had box lunches and reserved tables near the stage. The music was fantastic including many rock and roll songs from the 60's and 70's. Hoosier Cruisers remembered of the songs and many sang along with the symphony. What a great evening.

Saturday began with a delicious sausage gravy and biscuit breakfast that was prepared by the Heaths and the Elliotts. The members then drove to Lapel to go to a furniture store where the owner makes willow furniture. It was interesting that the owner collects the willows locally and that each piece of furniture is handcrafted. That evening members enjoyed a pitch-in dinner with the meat provided by the rally masters.

The rally ended with Sunday devotions lead by Bettie Wessel. Members said their goodbyes and left to return home only to anticipate the next rally.

Everyone appreciated the organization and hard work the went into a super rally. THANK YOU Mable and Bob Heath, and Wilma and Dale Elliott.

August Rally Update

Bea and David O'dell have forwarded the following:


Aug. Rally road condition to Pla-Mor, if you are coming from the South up 31 or from the Western side of the state. Rt 6 is CLOSED at 31 and 6. Come 31 to 30 then east to 331 and north to 6.   Proceed east on 6 to Pla-Mor on left ( north )

Thanks, B,

August Rally at Amish Acres

The August rally promises to be great fun as we will meet at the Pla-Mor campground in Bremen In. to enjoy the 51st annual Amish Art and Craft Festival in Nappanee In.  Other tours are planned and wonderful food should be expected so bring your appetites.  See the particulars below.  Click on the picture to enlarge and print

June Rally Fun

The June rally was a great success thanks to Steve and Judy Kincaid and Chuck and Marci Bayman.  Thursday evening we all met at the Golden Corral for a never ending meal which could have been lethal were it not for the will power shown by most of us (dodged a bullet there).  Friday we all attended a great tour of the historic Fort Wayne courthouse.  While no pictures were allowed I'm sure most of the images are still very clear in the minds of all who attended.  We also visted a new manufacturer in the Summit City called Cinda B.  Named for the owner, a former Vera Bradley employee, Cinda B manufactures an extensive line of handbags, luggage and accessaries.  The factory was in full operation and it was amazing to see the hand work and hear how the product goes from Cinda B's idea to final production and shipping.  Of course the ladies needed to shop at the discount area but the guys patiently waited for them as the seats in the room were very comfy. 



I was pleased to see that they also support our military producing several items for use by our fighting men.  Saturday, included a visit to a personal collection of both antique and modern performance cars.  The collection belonged to Pete Keelan an engineer/architect and build manager for a local firm.  Pete also was an Air Force fighter pilot and current National Guard pilot and sometimes racecar driver.  He showed us 16 of his 110 car collection and each one had a story.  Many of his cars are in museums around the world.  I think we could have talked with Pete all day but many wanted to attend Riverfest a festival in Fort Wayne happening on Saturday.  There was also a Windmill museum visited Saturday afternoon so it was a full day.  It all ended with a wonderful catered meal Saturday night.  Sunday we met for donuts ,coffee and said our goodbyes.  Thanks rallymasters for a memorable rally.

Galloping into Gillette

What a great International Rally.  Doug Tilmann organized a caravan to Gillette, Wy.  Several members gathered at the Days End Campground in Sturgis, SD.  They arrived at the fairgrounds on Sunday and were parked near the entertainment venue, display coach
es, and seminars.  There were even some classic coaches from the past.

On Tuesday evening, the Rusters invited all HC members to a lasagna dinner at their coach.  Can you imagine seating 14 adults in a motorhome for a sit-down dinner?  Well, Steve and Nancy showed us it is possible.  It was great to see the Schmiedts who traveled from Pennsylvania and the Creels who traveled from Alabama.  We also met two new members who joined the club during the rally.

Wednesday, new officers were elected and the A & W team won.  Our new FMCA President is Charlie Adcock and our new FMCA Vice President is Jon Walker who had served as the Senior Vice President of the Great Lakes Motor Coach Area.  That evening participants were
invited to tour the new motorhomes that were on display.  Many RV brands were present.

Bright and early members had an opportunity to attend seminars that covered a wide variety of topics from motorhome maintenance to cooking in a microwave oven.  There was a good representation of vendors who offered a variety of products, information on interesting destinations, and enticing caravan opportunities.  The day concluded with an outstanding performance by the Buckinghams, a group that played and sang songs from the ‘60s.  It was great fun and many of the attendees sang along as they remembered the words from songs when they were younger.

The fun continued on Friday and three of the HC members donated quilts for the Family Services Center of Gillette.  Hoosier Cruisers spirits were not dampened even though there was rain and even a little hail.  Many of the women attended a Ladies tea which included refreshments and a humorous speaker.
Saturday ended with entertainment by Marty Stewart who entertained.

Sunday was the end of the rally and some of the HC members decided to stay an extra day because it was so muddy.  The fairgrounds personnel were accommodating and assisted the members who had become stuck by pulling them out with a 4 wheel drive tractor.  All in all it was a great rally with members leaving with fond memories of fellowship and fun experiences.

July Rally Planned for Cicero In

Bob and Mable Heath with Dale and Wilma Elliott have scheduled a July rally with some great events.  Multiple tours and a show at Connor Praire with the church bus shuttle by renowned driver Jerry Hardacre.  The registration form is located below and should also be in your newsletter.  If you click on the form you should be able to print it. 
Don't forget you must call the campground ASAP to make your camping registrations.  Contact Bob and Mable with any questions.

 

 

Hoosier Cruiser health concerns

Don Orman informs me that Lou Ann has been hospitalized with lung and heart concerns.  Apparently it was scary for awhile but she seems to be improving.  Also Tony Winebrennner's mother has been in a difficult battle with health issues.  I know I speak for all Hoosier Cruisers in wishing them both a speedy recovery.  Please keep them in your prayers.

May Rally, A Great Time In Batesville IN!

The May rally was a great success thanks to Greg and Bettie Wessel and their team of Rem Remley, Judy Hohl, and Chuck and Lois Blodgett.  Parking was a breeze and the facilities were wonderful.  After settling in on Thursday most of us headed to a great restaurant in Oldenburg for a wonderful dinner.  Friday greeted us with perfect weather and a wonderful pancake breakfast prepared by our hosts.    Next up we visited one of the first and only remaining woodcarving business in Indiana.  Weberding's Carving Shop was founded 70 years ago and remains a family owned and operated business specializing in wood carving, custom made  furniture, statue refurbishing and church furnishings.  Their pieces are prized and located all over the world and you may have seen them with out even knowing it while visiting churches around the country. 
Next we headed to the Sherman House for lunch (yes more food) and a presentation by the owner.  The Sherman House was built in 1852 by John Brinkman and was most likely called the Brinkman House.  The name was later changed to the Sherman House in honor of General Sheman and his contributions in the War Between The States.  It turns out the hotel is also haunted and has been featured on television.  His presentation was most interesting and I'm sure I'm not the only one that felt that cold blast that went through the room before we left.  The rally continued with Saturday highlited by a visit to historic Metamora In. by some and a wonderful chicken and noodle dinner prepared by Bettie Wessel, assistant rally masters.
Once again a great time in southern Indiana! 

It's Out To The Ball Game in June

The June rally is all planned and includes a great trip to Parkview field and the exciting Tin Caps baseball team.  Our rally masters have scored some great tickets and plan many other entertaining activities for our June rally.  Remember, the rally masters need some lead time on the tickets so be sure to get your registration form in soon.  The form to the right can be clicked on and printed or contact the rally masters or myself if you need help.  Rick Hahn

Oops, Correction for May Rally

After proofing the registration, missed the typographical error in the name of the campground.  The name of the campground is Indian Lakes, not Indiana Lakes Campground.  The address is correct.

Looking forward to seeing you in Batesville.

Greg Wessel

Batesville Blast

Springing Into the Camping Season

May Rally 16^th – 19^th

Indiana Lakes Campground, 7234 State Road 46 E, Batesville, IN  47006

Mark your calendars to attend the first Hoosier Cruiser Rally in Batesville.  Your Rally Masters and Assistant Rally Masters have been hard at work planning a variety of activities and events that should please the members attending.  The rally will be held at the Indian Lakes Campground and the sites include 30 amp. electricity and water nearby for $25 a night which is a bargain at today’s prices.  We will also have the use of a great lodge for meals and meetings.                                                         

Upon arriving on Thursday, you will be greeted by Rem, Judy, Chuck, Lois, Bettie and Greg.  We are anxious to see you all after winter.  After getting settled and relaxing a little bit, you may join other members in dining out. 

Friday will begin with a pancake breakfast prepared by the rally masters and assistant rally masters which will be held in the lodge.  This will be a great way to start the rally.  Also planned for Friday are a woodcarving tour and a tour of the historic Sherman House.  Sherman House is one of the oldest buildings in Batesville.  It opened its doors in 1852 as the Brinkman hotel and the name was later changed during the time of General Sherman’s contributions to the victory during the Civil War.  It has evolved gracefully from a coaching tavern to a popular hostelry.

In the afternoon a geocaching workshop will be held for those who are curious about geocaching.  Geocaching is an adult treasure hunt using handheld GPS.  We are sure that you will have fun and anyone can participate.  Friday evening we will have a potluck dinner and if you have ever attended an HC rally before you know that there is no shortage of good cooks.

Saturday, you will have an opportunity to travel to Oldenburg, the city of spires, to tour the monastery with its beautiful stained glass windows.  Following the tour you may visit Metamora where there are several craft shops and a unique canal that has locks and an aqueduct that carries the canal over Duck Creek.  

After returning to the campground members will be treated to a chicken and noodle dinner, and if all goes well we will make “pudgy pies” in the fireplace in the lodge.  There’s nothing like ending the day with some comfort food.

The rally will end with donuts and a short church service on Sunday.

Don’t miss out, come join in the FUN!  See you in May.

Directions:  Take I-74 east to Exit 156 (Sunman/Milan). Turn right at exit to Hwy 46. Turn right on Hwy 46. The campground is approximately 2 miles on the left, past the golf course.

May Rally Registration

Winter Gather in Sunny Florida

Twenty-Eight Hoosier Cruisers from all over Florida gathered at Sun N' Fun RV Resort in Sarasota on February 12.  Many of the Hoosier Cruisers were staying at the resort or very nearby while some traveled from two plus hours away.  The weather was gorgeous and those that had to travel did so safely with no worries of snow or freezing rain but our thoughts were with our friends up North and we wished them a quick and warmer winter. We all enjoyed a terrific lunch prepared by chef Joanne and the Boondocks restaurant staff while catching up with everyone and hearing about their winter activities.  We met several members that have not had an opportunity to attend an HC rally yet as well as Trudy and Jerry Landers who joined while here at the resort.   This year promises to be a great rally year and will start off with a May rally hosted by Greg and Bettie Wessel along with the Blodgetts, Judy Hohl and Rem Remley.  Watch for the newsletter out next month for more details.
While at the gather Jane Clashman informed me that Joe and Rachel Johnson of Muncie have been struggling with health issue and can no longer travel.  Check your membership list for an address or contact me if you want to send well wishes.

Good News!

Cassie and I would like to thank all of the Hoosier Cruisers for their cards and phone calls, and especially the prayers -- they helped! Steve is doing better, in cardiac rehab - hoping to return to normal activities soon. Thanks again! All of you are a "blessing" in our lives. Hugs, Steve and Cassie