Beautiful Weather and Fun Times at Vincennes

The May Rally started off with high anticipation with members arriving on Tuesday through Friday. A total of 25 motorhomes arrived and camped on relatively level sites. Wednesday night the club traveled to Montana Mikes and had a great meal and great service. One could easily tell that everyone had missed getting together.

 The rally began on Friday with two tours.  Hoosier Cruisers traveled to Princeton to the Toyota plant where they saw Toyota Sierras being assembled.  It was amazing to see all the robots that were used to assemble and paint each vehicle.  We traveled on a tram and saw how the parts arrived just in time to each station.  It was also amazing that some to the parts were transported by trams that were driven without drivers.  It was evident that quality is an important goal for all workers and that several safeguards were built into the manufacturing process. 

The second tour was to the Red Skeleton Museum.  The museum had many displays and video clips that helps us remember what a great entertainer Red Skeleton was.  Everyone chuckled during the tour at the antics of the many characters that Red portrayed. 

Saturday began with a pancake breakfast which was held in a shelter.  All who participated seemed to

enjoy their breakfast.  After breakfast Hoosiers Cruisers could choose from a variety of interesting points of interest in the area.  There was a quilting driving tour, many historic sites, shopping, and botanical gardens.  The George Rogers Clark National Historic Park, Groseland (President William Henry Harrison’s home), and the Old French House and Indian Museum were popular.  Members also

enjoyed the Azalea Path Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. The azaleas were in full bloom and were a delight to see. Each night members gathered around a campfire to end each day of perfect weather and fun.

Sunday ended the rally with donuts and a church service lead by Carol Hardacre.  Music was provided by Melanie Boyer, Jerry Hardacre, and Hal Ashton.

Bettie and Greg Wessel want to thank their assistant rally masters Lois and Chuck Blodgett, and Judy Hohl and Rem Remley for all their efforts in providing and wonderful rally.

Update on Ernie Clashman

Obituary and service information for Ernie Clashman.

A celebration of life service will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 310 East 53^rd St, Anderson, Indiana on Saturday May 10, 2014 at 12:00 Noon.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.  Ernie’s obituary can be read using the link below.  In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contribution may be made to donor’s favorite charity.

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/obituaries/x1445048808/Ernest-Edmond-Clashman

Sad News to Report

Sadly I have to report that Ernie Clashman passed away last night in Tampa Florida.  He was being treated for at least three weeks in a Tampa Hospital.  Ernie was an avid ambassador for FMCA as well as for our Hoosier Cruiser Chapter.  I was always amazed at his passion for the history of our chapter as well as FMCA.  We have truly lost a great friend and asset of our chapter.

Please keep Jane and her family in your thoughts and prayers.  Arrangements will be announced when we receive them.

Steve

Hoosier Cruiser May Rally

Southern Indiana Welcomes Hoosier Cruisers - May 1^st – 4^th

Knox County Park, 3500 N. Lower Fort Knox Road, Vincennes, IN 47591

What a great way to jump into spring, take a scenic trip to southern Indiana. All club members and guests are invited to join in the fun in Vincennes, IN.  Rally Masters Bettie & Greg Wessel, Lois & Chuck Blodgett, and Judy Hohl & Rem Remley have reserved the entire Knox County Park (Ouabache Trails Park) for our camping.  All sites have 30 amp. electricity and water, and a dump station is conveniently located in the park. Because
the park is in the rolling hills of Indiana some sites have a slight slope and members may want to bring blocks for leveling. The club will have access to a shelter where coffee will be available every morning.  The park can be easily accessed from US 41. To assist you with your arrival use the map included and watch for HC signs as you near the park.

Sooo…..what’s planned for this spring celebration?  Arrival of coaches is planned for Thursday and for those who want to eat out, members can gather at the Ponderosa restaurant.  A room has been reserved for our use. After breakfast on your own on Friday, members will begin with a cup of “joe” in the shelter and prepare for the day’s activities.  The day will be a full day for those who have elected to take tours to the Red Skelton Museum and the Toyota factory in Princeton. Members will be divided into two groups with one group traveling to the factory in the morning and the second group traveling to the museum. Groups will then visit the opposite attractions in the afternoon.  That evening members may opt for dinner at Fazoli’s. After dinner, weather permitting, we will have a campfire back at the campground.

Saturday will be a less structured day and to kick-off your day we will begin with a pancake breakfast prepared by the rally masters. After breakfast you will want to plan your day by choosing from a variety of activities or enjoy a lazy day at the campground and visit with friends.  Listed below are some of the offerings that participants may enjoy.

                For our history buffs

§  George Rogers Clark National Historical Park – Free

§  Indiana Military Museum - $4.00

§  Grouseland, home of U.S. President William Henry Harrison - $4.00

§  Old French House & Indian Museum -  $2.00 (Reservation required)

§  Old Cathedral Complex - $1.50

§  Auto tour of historic sites-audio description provided using your smartphone

Shopping

·         Visit the historic downtown area

Quilting

·         Take a scenic drive through the surrounding areas to view over 130 hand-painted quilt blocks in Gibson County

The rally masters will be more than willing to help you locate and provide additional information about your selected travels on Saturday.  Just ask and we will be at your service

.

Following the activities for Saturday Hoosier Cruisers will dine at Pea Fections in downtown Vincennes.  The owners graduated from culinary school and members are in for a treat.  The meal will include sandwiches, sides, and a premium desserts from the menu.  The soups and desserts are from “scratch”.  After dinner, Steve Ruster, Hoosier Cruisers President, will hold a business meeting.

Sunday will be the last day of the rally. Coffee and donuts will be served in the shelter, and devotions will follow.  After saying our goodbyes all will pack up and head back home with memories of an exciting and fun filled get-together.

The Rally Masters are looking forward to seeing you all at this rally.

                               

Click here for May Registration Form.

Click here for map and directions.

Perry Family Reunion Early Bird

Just a reminder that the Early Bird Registration for the Perry Family Reunion is good through January 27 – Next Monday.  Save money by registering early.  Online Registration is at:  www.fmca.com/conventions/perry-2014/register

All of you who are planning to attend the Perry Family Reunion please contact me so that we can arrive and be parked as a group.  I am planning to meet in the holding area on Saturday March 15^th then be parked on Sunday the 16^th.  If you would like to meet earlier please let me know.

Please contact me at hsruster@yahoo.com

Thanks Steve Ruster

Florida Winter Gather

Greetings to my fellow Hoosier Cruisers.  I hope this finds you all having a good winter season.  For those of you in the Florida area I would like to invite you to our annual Hoosier Cruiser Winter Gathering luncheon.  On Tuesday February 11 we will have a lunch and social gathering at Sun N’ Fun RV Resort in Sarasota Florida.  We have the room from 11:00-3:00pm.  Our chef will set a private buffet and has presented excellent food in the past.  As I must provide a head count I would appreciate knowing who will be in attendance by Friday Feb. 7^th.  We have had a great time catching up with everyone in the past and really look forward to seeing you all again this year.

As I may not have everyone’s email please pass the word along so we don’t miss anyone in the area.  Sun N’ Fun is located just off and east of I-75 at exit 210.

While the resort is currently saying that the grounds are full at that time I may be able to help with reservations if you would like to stay a few days.  Give me a call if you desire a site and I will surely do what I can.

You can reach me at the contact below:
Rick Hahn
rlhahn1@gmail.com

Member Update

Sadly, George Dodrill passed away on November 16.  Most of you have already received this information in the email that Ernie Clashman sent out but there are a few who are not on email.  Please keep Laurel and her family in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

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