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.