35th Anniversary Rally, Sept. 2009

Thursday, the coaches began to roll in to the Delaware County Fairgrounds for the Hoosier Cruisers Rally that was celebrating 35 years as a chapter. The rally masters Bob and Pat Kern, and the assistant rally masters Van and Sandi Ewing planned a rally full of interesting tours and exciting activities. Those who arrived on Thursday were invited to tour the Academy of Model Aeronautics. It was amazing! Model aircraft from the 1900's up to present day models were displayed. It was fascinating to see the development of aircraft and to view the intricacies of the remote controlled planes and helicopters.

On Friday, members were treated to a tour of Minnetrista homes and gardens. It was a beautiful day to stroll through the lush flowers and native woodland plants.

Later in the day, members got to visit with Garfield and chuckled as they viewed some of the gags used in the Garfield comic strips.

Senor Van was the chef who prepared over 100 soft shell tacos to be enjoyed by those attending. They were delicious.

Following the dinner a business meeting was held where each family unit received a Hoosier Cruisers CD Photo Album. CD's are still available and can be received at any rally. Each person, also, received a commemorative pin celebrating the chapter's anniversary. Pins will also be available at future rallies. To end the evening a slide show was shared with members illustrating the fun times from the past, the humorous and sometimes silly happenings at rallies, and recent trips to locations in the great state of Indiana. The walk down memory lane was a pleasant remembrance of past times.

Saturday morning bright and early several members traveled north to Carollees' Herb Garden. A large variety of thematic gardens were toured. Carollee explained the uses and benefits of many of the plants and herbs.

For lunch Boy Scout Troop 22 had a pork roast where many Hoosier Cruisers enjoyed BBQ, vegetables and desert. It was a great meal.

Saturday evening all were treated to a catered dinner from Pete's Duck Inn and for desert the cake was cut for those who have a sweet tooth. It was an excellent meal topped off with some mystifying entertainment.

Wayne Hinkle fascinated the audience with several magic tricks that seemed impossible. He received several standing ovations following his illusions. Members agreed that what they observed was simply not possible.

At the conclusion of a super day packed with enjoyable activities, the Chadwells were the winners of the 50/50 drawing which was a cash prize of $100. All earnings from the 50/50 drawings will go to the Riley Childrens Hospital at the end of the year.

Attendees agreed that this rally was one to be remembered for many years.

Winchester Rally Registration

Click on the image to print out the Winchester Rally Registration.

Valpo Rally Great Fun!

The August Rally was held at the Porter County Fairgrounds and was well attended. Bill and Sandy Berrier, Rally Masters; and George Laurel Dodrill, Assistant Rally Masters planned a rally that was packed full of tours. All camping sites were full service and provided sewer and 50 amp electricity. The fairgrounds provided first class accommodations and were appreciated by those who attended. Those participants want to thank the efforts of the volunteers who made this another successful event.

The Taltree Arboretum contains a diverse array of plants from around the world. It also hosts a collection of living plants that are native to the area as seen in the summer prairie. In 2010 it will also house a miniature railroad display with landscaped gardens and include a new railroad depot that will be a visitors center.

Task Force Tips is a world renowned manufacturer of the best fire nozzles on earth. The fire nozzles are tested in a water booth as seen in the picture. The plant is highly computerized and even the parts and tools that are in bins are selected by machine. The flags in the factory are an indication of the world wide distribution by this company.

Everyone who had dinner on Friday were treated to half a chicken that was prepared by Wayne Brandy. The chicken and fresh sweet corn complemented an already outstanding day.





As you can see we visited the jail in Valparaiso and a couple of our members got caught. Luckily we all were given "Get Out of Jail Free" cards. The sheriff said that the cards were as good in any of the states as they were in Indiana.

The Hoosier Bat factory makes bats that are used by the Major Leagues, colleges, high schools, and children learning the sport. You can recognize a Hoosier Bat by the three rings that are at the top of the grip. If you look closely you can see that some of their bats are made from three different types of wood. The grip is ash, the middle is hickory, and the top is maple. The factory makes custom bats for major league players and is able to produce 200 bats a day.

During the evening meals members celebrated Ed Casada and Chuck Swickard's birthdays.

Saturday, the club took a tour of the Illiana Garden Railroad Society Bull Moose Line. It included several G scale model railroad layouts that were displayed in a well kept garden. A miniature town and countryside made the whole setting seem real.



The Ox Cart Ramblers provided Bluegrass music for the attendees enjoyment. They played a great music that made you want to stomp your feet. If you would like to see and hear a clip of their music click on the picture below.

Bloomington Rally Photo Gallery

Fellowship and dining at Texas Roadhouse.

If a Hoosier Crusier has a problem there is always someone around to help. Club members have a wealth of experience and knowledge to solve whatever arises.

Club members visit texillery wearvers to see throws and lap robes being hand made. The handcrafted quality has made Textillery Weavers the leading maker of handwoven throws in the world due to their color and designs. With over 500 styles and colors including jacquard woven throws, the company has been won several awards. These beautiful treasures are all woven in the United States.

The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center was fascinating. It is a non-profit organization that supports Tibetans in exile. Hoosier Cruisers were able to visit the Kumbum Chamtse Ling Monastery, Tibetan stupas, and Cultural Building. The Cultural Building contains traditional Tibetan Butter Sculptures, Buddhs and Bodhisttvas. The walls and entrances were highly decorated and beautiful. A walk through the grounds was peaceful and relaxing.

Club president directs seminar on accessing the new Hoosier Cruiser blog.





Thanks, Rem and Judy for a great rally!

Click on pictures to enlarge.

To view a photoshow of the activities held during the Bloominton Rally, click on the web address below. Our thanks go to Doug Tilmann for taking and compiling the photos. http://www.photoshow.com/watch/aV3pU4iW

May & June Rallies

Make sure that you have marked your calendar for the May Rally in Bloomington. Rem Remley and Judy Hohl have planned a tour of the Buddist Mongolian Cultural Center and a textillery factory. The best caterer in the Bloomington area will be serving an evening dinner. What a great way to begin the camping season.

Watch your mailbox for information about the June Rally. Betty Tilmann has planned a rally packed with interesting tours and fun activities. You will be able to visit a machine shop that runs without electricity, talk with a 3rd generation quilter, see bees wax candles created by the Bontrager Family, tour rustic cabins, enjoy Yoder popcorn, and tour a bison ranch. WOW!

For those who come for the food, you can have dinner on Thursday with club members at the 5 & 20 Restaurant, enjoy hamburgers prepared by the renown chefs Carl and Doug on Friday, and experience a real chuckwagon dinner on Saturday. Each day will begin with coffee and a buffet of campers' favorites. The rally will conclude on Sunday with a short church service.

You won't want to miss theses rallies!