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.

GLASS Rally Fun

The club was well represented by its members. Seventeen coaches arrived on Thursday and caravanned into the Fairgrounds. Other Hoosier Cruisers had already arrived which brought the total to over 25 coaches.

Several Hoosier Cruisers went to lunch at the Tabor Hill Winery. They had an excellent lunch and enjoyed the view of the vineyards.

After lunched some of the members traveled to see the round barn which had been moved to its location in Berrien Springs, MI.

Friday, Greg Wessel accepted a certificate that recognized the Hoosier Cruisers' 35th Anniversary.

Jane and Ernie Clashman were recognized as Outstanding Members for their many years of service as recruitment ambassadors for the club. They will no longer be manning the Chapter Fairs at the many FMCA rallies, but will continue as members of the club.


Can you imagine, over 45 Hoosier Cruiser showed their FMCA spirit and served the Saturday evening dinner to over 800 attendees at the rally. The food was great, but the fellowship was even better.

The rally was a success. There were a wide variety of seminars to attend, fantastic entertainment, a car show that exhibited cars from the 1920's to a Smart car that was fitted to be towed.

If you enjoy having fun with friends, super entertainment, and learning more about your coach, plan to attend the rally in Bowling Green, OH.

Happy Birthday Jack

Jack Stevens will be celebrating his 80th birthday on February 26th. For those members who know Jack, you may want to send him a card to help him celebrate.

Check your Hoosier Cruisers membership list for his address. If you have misplaced your list, contact Greg Wessel at gmwessel@hotmail.com and I will email it to you.

Happy Birthday Jack!!!

Winchester WOW!

The Andersons and the Wessels have been busy planning the October Rally for 2009. Both families visited the Winchester Speedway to see what is in store for the Hoosier Cruisers next year. The speedway is the world's fastest half-mile track and some of the best open-wheel drivers race in Winchester. The "Old Timer's Weekend" was held at the end of September. Fans were treated to 65 vintage race cars that were built between 1937 and 1980. These cars took some hot laps around the track, although the laps were made under the yellow flag. Just seeing these cars made the trip to Winchester worthwhile.








As you can see Frank and Greg were fascinated with the racing machines from the past.

In addition to the speed way, Frank and Jackie have been working to schedule several tours including Ghyslain Chocolate Shop, Frank Miller Lumber Company, Workhorse Chassis factory, Cardinal Ethanol plant, and Astral casket factory. There should be something for every one.

Although this will be the October Rally, it will probably be held at the end of September. This promises to be a "must attend" rally.

Everyone's Favorite Corn Dip from Jean Connor

Members were wowed by Jean Connor's dip, and she has graciously agreed to share it with the club.

CORN DIP

1 Can Mexican Corn, drained

1 Cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

1 Cup Mayonnaise

1/2 Block Pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Combine all ingredients

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Serve dip with tortilla scoops

Hoosier Cruiser Officers for 2009

Judy Asbury tabulated the ballots for election of officers. She reported that the following members were unanimously elected. Please contact any of the officers listed below for information concerning the Hoosier Cruisers Chapter.

HOOSIER CRUISERS OFFICERS - 2009

PRESIDENT ------------------------------GREG WESSEL
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT---------RICHARD HAHN
SECRETARY-------------------------------SANDY HAHN
TREASURER-------------------------NORMA WAMSLEY
NAT’L. DIRECTOR--------------------JERRY HARDACRE
ALT. NAT’L DIRECTOR---------------MELANIE BOYER
NORTH V. PRES.------------------ROSEANNE GARDNER
CENTRAL V. PRES.-------------------------GARY HAND
SOUTHERN V. PRES------JUDY HOHL & MARY REMLEY
*NEWSLETTER EDITOR ----------CHERYL SCHMIEDT

What do seed corn, antique cars and chocolate candy have in common?

The September Rally offered a wide variety of activities and events. Participants could choose one or all of the offerings. Tours included a seed company, candy shop, museum, lapidary shop, tractor pull, glass making, antique cars, and great food.

Becks Seed Company uses scientific methods to continuously improve the yield and resistance to diseases of their crops. Robots are even used to stack the bags of seed.

Those attending learned how hybrid plants are made from inbred plants. When the seed corn is grown and then picked from the fields of seed corn, the corn must be inspected and sorted by hand.









Below, one of the Becks Seed workers plants individual seeds to be grown in the greenhouse. These plants will be used in experimental plots to improve the traits of the plants being grown.

Tipton was selected as the rally site by Rally Masters Bill and Judy Asbury, and Assistant Rally Masters Bob and Rosalie Gollner because the Pork Festival was being held. We had many opportunities to try several pork entrees. The pork chops and pulled pork was excellent!

You may notice that Jim and Steve are deep in conversation with a local sheriff. No, they were not detained by the law.











Jerry and Jim look on as the owner of the House of Glass creates a paper weight. He uses shards of colored glass with crystal clear glass to make the one of a kind ornaments.












We visited the Spencer Lapidary shop where the owner cuts and polishes rocks/gems into perfect orbs. He has been contracted by NASA and other companies to produce spheres.

The candymaker and owner of the Venus Chocolate Shop makes mouth watering chocolate. She uses recipes that were passed down to her from her father. Whether you tried chocolate clusters of chocolate creams you were left with the craving for more. At age 72 she works six days a week and said that she plans to live to 100.











As usual the rally participants enjoyed good food and fellowship. They were also treated by Rev. Bubba who retold several fractured Bible stories. Needless to say the crowd was rolling in the aisles with his antics.










Visiting the Elwood Haynes Museum is like stepping back in time. The mansion contained original furnishings and the 1905 Model L Haynes. Mr. Haynes made his first trial run on his new automobile in 1894. In 1898 Mr. Haynes and Apperson formed a partnership known as the Haynes-Apperson Automobile Company. He is also known for his contribution in developing and producing stainless steel and Stellite alloys.














Bob and Rosalie Gollner opened their private museum of rare automobiles. They are pictured in front of a Maxwell that Bob has restored.













Members were fortunate in being able to view very rare antique automobiles manufactured by the Cole automobile company. Bob Gollner was on hand to explain the the mechanics of the Haynes and Apperson vehicles.










The Gollners were gracious hosts and allowed Hoosier Cruisers to drive or ride in the cars that were part of the private collection. What a thrill to actually ride in autos that were produced in the early 1900's.

Many thanks go to Bill and Judy Asbury, and Bob and Rosalie Gollner for a spectacular rally.

If you are enjoying the blog, please leave a comment. Thank you.

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.