Circus City Bound

The Ormans and Stoners have arrainged a great rally for "children of all ages". Many are already planning on bringing their grandkids to this fun event in Peru, Indiana and this rally should be very special. The newsletter will be out soon but you can print the info and registration form from the documents below. Just put your cursor on the document and right click to enlarge and or print. The rally masters need to have a head count as soon as possible so lets all help out by getting our registration forms in quickly.

Celebrating the Kentucky Derby

The May Rally celebrated the Kentucky Derby and the coaches began to arrive on a beautiful day on Thursday. The campground, Follow the River, proved to be an excellent site for the weekend activities.  The large sites and fantastic meeting room enhanced the planned events.  That evening the members went to Mo's Steakhouse and later were treated to popcorn and the movie, “The Long, Long, Trailer”.  Even though it is an older movie it highlights many of the misfortunes that have happened to many of us.  It was interesting to see so many laughing and punching their spouses in the ribs when they saw situations that they too had found themselves in.

Friday began with a pitch-in breakfast and no one went away hungry.  The food was delicious.  Those attending had the day to choose from many interesting points of interest in Vevay including two museums, many small shops, one of the oldest hardware stores in Indiana, Markland locks and Belterra Casino.  In the evening members enjoyed a “haystack dinner” which included just about everything except the kitchen sink.  The club was lucky that the stormy weather held off so that members could enjoy carriage rides and live music.

The next day Nancy Ruster prepared her homemade donuts and Hoosier Cruisers left at 8:15 for the Power Plant tour.  The plant was built in the mid 1950’s and continues to produce electricity from coal.  It burns 100 train car loads of coal a day.  The guide shared many interesting facts including a bomb shelter was built below the control center.  Two additional tours were available including a behind the scenes tour of the Lanier Mansion and a tour of the Shrewsbury-Windle House.  In the evening the group watched the Kentucky Derby on a big screen TV.  Those attending got in the spirit of the derby by wearing “Derby Hats”. The day concluded with a horse race.  Each person had a horse that they had to move along a track.  It was an activity that was filled with raucous laughter as players exchanged places with opponents or moved to the head of the pack.  Winners were given prizes for their efforts.

The rally concluded with a church service at the Markland Baptist Church which is a little white clapboard church.

June in Archbold, Ohio

We've got a great rally in June with thanks to the Schumakers and Decausemakers.

This will be a great trip back in time. There is a bit of a time sensitive aspect however. We need to register at the campground by May 20.2012. So get your reservations in soon and look forward to a great rally. All the info is in the newsletter but just in case here it is again. If you want to print it just put your cursor over the document and left click to enlarge. Then right click and print..

May Rally Update Information

For those members traveling to Vevay, IN, the May Rally.  Please be aware that there is road construction in the area.  The best way when traveling from the north is to travel to Versailles and then take Hwy. 129 south to  Hwy. 156 and turn left (east).  Go through Vevay about 5 miles and the campground is on the left.

A tour of the Madison Power Plant has been added.  A limited number may take this tour.  If you are interested contact Greg Wessel, 765-749-3386.  There is no charge for this tour.

Just a reminder-we will be watching the Kentucky Derby in the meeting room and members are invited to wear their Kentucky Derby hats.  Your hat can be humorous or fashionable.  Join in the fun.

In Sympathy

Sadly, Ernie Clashman has informed me that former Hoosier Cruiser Owen Kiel has passed away at 84 years of age. The funeral is Thursday at Burns-Kish Funeral Homes, 8415 Calumet Ave,
Munster, Indiana. The thoughts and prayers of all Hoosier Cruisers go out to his entire family.

FMCA Family Renunion

I've been asked how the club can camp together in the volunteer area at the Indianapolis rally. Each member should register as usual selecting their area of choice ie electric, full generator, partial generator etc and pay the indicated fee. I am assuming most attending members will assist the club in its responsibility to man the FMCA store as volunteers. We then need you to let me know you are attending the rally so you can be added to the volunteer list. There is no pay for this volunteer service. This will then be submitted and you will receive additional credentials. Volunteers will enter the grounds on Friday. We will work out a way to caravan into the grounds so we can be together as much as possible. If you are unable to caravan with us you should still be close enough for convenient happy hour gathering. This is a great opportunity to attend a national rally very close to home. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you there. Rick Hahn

Off to the Races - May Rally

All Hoosier Cruisers are invited to a fun filled weekend in Vevay and Madison Indiana. The Wessels and Rusters have planned a variety of activities that should appeal to everyone.

On Thursday, May 3rd, members will arrive at the Follow the River Campground that is a first class facility that offers long concrete pads and full service hook-ups at each site. We will also have the use of the meeting room that is air-conditioned or heated, and have access to a large projection screen which we plan to use to see the Kentucky Derby at no additional charge. All members attending are invited to participate in an optional dinner at Mo’s Steakhouse in Vevay.

Friday will begin with a pitch-in breakfast in the meeting room at 9:00 a.m. Steve Ruster has agreed to have the coffee going by 8:00 for those early risers. After breakfast members may visit the two museums in Vevay at no charge. Coupons will be provided in your welcome bags from Vevay. Members can car pool to the museums and explore them at their own pace. Other possible sites of interest include the Belterra Casino, Markland locks, Danner’s Hardware and Village Gift Shop, Ridge Winery, Dutch discount and scenic driving tours. Lunch is on your own, but plan to attend the “Haystack” dinner in the meeting room. If you have never tried a “Haystack” you are in for a treat. After dinner members will go to Vevay for the monthly festival where there will be live entertainment and free carriage rides. What Fun!

Saturday will start with Nancy’s “World Famous Homemade Donuts”. The rest of the day will be spent in Madison with shopping and tours. Members may participate in a “Behind the Scenes” tour of the Lanier home and/or visit the Shrewsbury-Winkle home which has a free standing staircase which is an architectural wonder. After a busy day in Madison members will return for a “happy hour” before dinner which is “Kentucky” fried chicken with the clubs great cooks providing the sides. The campground will also have the telecast Kentucky Derby shown on a large screen in the meeting room. Continuing with the derby fun members are encouraged to wear their own Kentucky Derby hats (the wilder the better). The day will end with our own derby with the winners receiving prizes.

On Sunday, a continental breakfast will be provided and the club has been invited to attend a rural church service at 10:30 which is next to the campground.

Click on the registration below to sign-up for this event:

The Wessels and Rusters are looking forward to seeing all of you after this year’s winter adventures.

I Received the Following From Jane and Ernie Clashman

HI! Another sad passing of a Hoosier Crusier. John Willaman died February 11, 2012.
Click on the link below for his obituary.

John and Jackie were members of the Hoosier Crusiers a few years ago.
They did some full timing and also were venders at FMCA conventions and rallies.

Ernie and Jane
http://www.archerweston.com/obituaries.htm

May Rally - Vevay, IN - May 3rd

It may seem hard to believe, but spring is just around the corner. The Wessels and Rusters have planned an exciting weekend beginning Thursday, May 3rd. The rally is going to be held in Vevay, Indiana, a little town in southern Indiana. This year we will be camping at Follow the River Campground. The facilities are excellent and the club will have the use of a large meeting room that is heated. This will be a real plus since it is hard to predict what the weather will be like in May.

As the coaches arrive they will be parked on large cement pads that provide full hook-up. That evening members can elect to join others and have dinner at Mo’s Steakhouse. The campground meeting room will be available for those who want to share their experiences this winter or maybe play a few hands of cards.

Friday will begin with a pitch-in breakfast. The club has great cooks and it is a delight to share in the good food. After breakfast members can visit the Switzerland County Historical Museum and the Life on the Ohio Museum. All members will receive coupons for free admission to the museums. Members will be treated to a “haystack” dinner in the meeting room. If you haven’t had a “haystack” before it is a mouthwatering delight. After dinner Hoosier Cruisers will be able to enjoy the night life of Vevay. The town will provide live local entertainment and free carriage rides.

The next day starts with the “world famous donuts” prepared by Nancy Ruster. Last year they were a great hit. There is nothing like fresh donuts. The rest of the day will be spent in nearby Madison where members may take a tour of the power plant or take a behind the scenes tour of the Lanier home. For those who have visited Madison before, some may just enjoy shopping and touring the town of Madison.

 Returning to the campground late afternoon, plan to enjoy the Kentucky Derby and participate in a happy hour. To make this celebration even more fun, members are asked to wear their derby hat. The derby just wouldn’t be the derby without the over the top hats that are worn by derby goers. Dinner will include Kentucky fried chicken with members providing the side dishes. We will watch the Kentucky Derby on a big screen and root for our favorite horse. To continue the festivities we will have our own horse races in the clubhouse with winners receiving prizes.

On Sunday members can attend a church service at a church next to the campground.

We are looking forward to seeing all our friends who are certain to have many tales about their adventures this winter. Hope to see you all at the spring rally.

Hoosier Cruisers Winter Gather

It’s that time of year again and the weather here in Florida has been great. Sandy and I are looking forward to the Hoosier Cruisers winter gathering. For all you snowbirds and anyone traveling in the Florida area we will have a Hoosier Cruisers luncheon on Thursday February 16th from 11:00-3:00p.m. at Sun N’ Fun RV resort in Sarasota, Florida. Many of you will remember the wonderful luncheon served the last couple of years by the resort staff. You may also be interested in the new multimillion dollar lifestyle center constructed since last year. A video can be viewed on line at the Sun N’ Fun website. If any of you would like to come for a few days just call the office and ask for Elaine. Identify yourselves as Hoosier Cruisers and it may help. Feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone and I’ll do all I can to assist you. We will need a head count to make adequate arraignments so let me know as soon as you can if you can make it. We will also be sending an e-mail with this information as well. The following address and number are for the resort. Hope to see you all soon, Rick and Sandy Hahn.
Sun N’ Fun, 7125 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Fl. 34240 . 800-843-2421
Take I-75 to exit 210 and head East for approximately one mile to entrance on left.