Get Well

Many of you know the Berriers. Bill was a past president and he and his wife Sandy have also served as rally masters.  They both have been challenged by some health challenges.  Their daughter wrote that Bill has had his retina re-attached, and Sandy has had a slight stroke and is suffering from heart problems.  Both are on the mends and the Hoosier Cruisers wish improved health.

More Pictures from the October Rally

Enjoy the pictures below which were submitted by Dennis Schumaker the official rally photographer.





Fantastic Fall Rally

Review prepared by Doug Tilmann:

The October rally was put on by Steve and Cassie Lisle, Jim and Barb Gibson and Danny and Mary Lou Biddle at Steve and Cassie Lisle's beautiful property north of Columbia City and it was a great fall experience -- absolutely loaded with activities. The weather was drop dead gorgeous, clear sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80's. We took a tour of Silgan Plastics in Ligonier, which is one of the largest manufacturers of plastic bottles in the world and it was a very interesting operation. Then we had lunch at the "Fashion Farm Restaurant" which is located on a farm that grows all sorts of stuff – pumpkins, squash, flowers, etc. and featured the "Pumpkin Fantasy Land", a creative Halloween maze display. After lunch, back at the Lisle farm, there was a Euchre tournament and a dice tournament followed by a sloppy joe dinner with all kinds of side dishes that the rallyers brought in.  MaryLou treated us to "Stone Soup" with a big rock in it. She took big rock about four inches in diameter, heated it up real hot and dropped it into the soup. The hot stone keeps the soup from getting cold. Cassie assured us that the big rock had been scrubbed, run through the dishwasher and had been properly sanitized. After dinner there was a huge campfire with a man strolling around the campfire circle strumming a guitar and singing all manner of songs to a large circle of Hoosier Cruisers.

Saturday morning we did one of those carry-in breakfast things where everyone brings way more than they could eat by themselves resulting in a really huge table full of way too much food and everyone, therefore, eats way too much food. The Lisle’s, our rally hosts, are very well organized folks. Steve's shop is all painted up and really neat and clean – really clean! ! Some folks think a man's shop should be messy. Actually, Steve and Cassie, both, are classic "neat freaks". For the rest of the day the Lisles had organized all manner of "stuff" including a sort of "games for everyone" thing. There was a bracelet making class, fishing pole casting into a big yellow ring contest, egg toss from one guy to another with raw eggs, carry an egg in a spoon and back without dropping it, pitching bean bags into a hole, etc.

Saturday evening we had catered dinner in one of the Lisle’s barn/buildings and afterwards they gave away tons of door prizes that were wrapped up in newspaper in what is sometimes called an "Ever Changing Gift Exchange". When your name was drawn you could go and pick one of the wrapped packages – no lifting or shaking — and then you brought it back to your seat where you had to unwrap it and sit it on your table for all to see. Now when the next guy’s name was drawn he had another option. He could do the same thing that you did and pick a wrapped package from the table or he could walk over to your table and confiscate the prize that you had previously chosen. A prize could only be "confiscated" two times after which it permanently resided with its last owner. This whole process was an absolute hoot. If you selected and unwrapped a particularly attractive prize – forget it ! You were destined to get ripped off. Louise, picked a big package and unwrapped this kinda neat folding lawn chair/chaise lounge type gadget and set it in front of her on the table. She looked at it, affectionately, stroked it and beamed with pride and joy. Well, naturally, it didn’t last long. The next gal whose name was called walked away from the prize table and zeroed in on Louise’s lounge chair like a laser beam. Louise sadly watched her prized chair leave for it's new home. Not surprisingly the new owner shortly fell victim to the same process and someone ripped off the lounge from her like she had done from Louise. A while later Louise’s husband, JR’s, name was drawn and just what do you think happened? With Louise energetically coaching JR, he walked straight away towards the most recent lounge chair owner and reclaimed Louise’s treasured chaise lounge. The rub was that this represented the third rip-off of the lounge so it was now immune to rip-off forevermore. Louise and her lounge could now live "happily ever after" – sort of like the princess and the ex- frog who was now a handsome prince. Folks got very involved in protecting their treasured prizes. There was large amounts of hootin’ and hollerin’ it was great fun to watch this whole process.

Sunday morning we were treated to fresh fried "Potato Doughnuts" engineered by Danny & Mary Lou, Jim & Barb, Steve & Cassie, and Doug who assisted in the very early cooking process. It was a dynamite rally and a great way to end the season.

The Mennonite Relief Sale Gathering

Many of you will remember the September rally last year held in the conjunction with the Mennonite relief sale in Goshen. Well, Doug and Betty Tilmann organized a non-rally repeat this year and I received the following report from Doug.
The Mennonite Relief Sale "Gathering" was well attended indeed. We had originally anticipated a half dozen or less units but we ended up with thirteen coaches. Steve and Betty LeCount brought three guests. It rained a lot Friday and Saturday but it didn't bother us because the organized activities were held indoors. They auctioned off a loaf of bread for $1,200. Yikes ! Betty Tilmann's unofficial count tallied the proceeds of the quilt auction at $93,735 from the sale of 233 quilts. It was a fun and interesting weekend. Doug

Fun in Fort Wayne

Members seemed to have a great time in Fort Wayne and the weather cooperated with mostly sunny days. Friday kicked off with two special tours. Dr. Joe Smith, veterinarian at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, gave a wonderful tour of the zoo veterinary hospital and then surprised the club with an exclusive visit to the giraffe holding area. If that wasn't enough he personally escorted interested members through the african velt exhibit. He then repeated all of this in the afternoon. The club members were able to feed the giraffes including Jelani, the 13 year old 2500lb male and get many questions answered about the caring for the 1400 species at the zoo.

While half of the attendees were at the zoo the other group was visiting Sweetwater Sound. Many thought this was going to be a visit to a "music" store but found a truly unique experience. Sweetwater started as a small instrument business and has grown to one of the largest in the world. Their facility is the first "green" business of its size in northern and is 75% self sufficient. Along with instruments Sweetwater is a complete recording studio and specializes in sound equipment of all kinds. In addition, employees and the general public can also enjoy a fine restaurant and an activities area including games, computerized realistic golf and a complete exercise and workout area. My guess is they have very little employee turnover.

Finally, I should announce that all current officers were re-elected at the business meeting except for Sandy Hahn who had completed her third year as secretary. Congratulations go to Beth Bailey our new secretary.
Remember to use the new membership renewal form with her name and address when sending in your dues.

A Request for Prayer

I've just received word that Cheryl Schmiedt's sister, Gwenda Kinser, suddenly passed away. They are requestiong prayers for her daughter Joan. Please keep Cheryl and her entire family in your prayers.

Another Hoosier Cruiser has made the final trip

Sadly, I've just received word that Joann Malinowski has past away. Visitation will be at Geisen funeral home 7905 Broadway in Merrillville, In. Please keep her entire family in your prayers at this difficlut time.

Contact me for Leonards address

The end of summer is near.

Sad to say it but below you will find the registration form for the last rally of the year. As the dry camping in Anderson was a great success the Fall event at the Lisles should be equally enjoyable. The weather promises to be cooler and we should have great Fall colors. Maybe even a campfire and marshmallows are in the cards. Hope to see you there.

The Lisles have informed me that the October rally will begin on
Thursday as usual and we will all go out for dinner Thursday evening so plan to arrive on Thursday Oct. 6th. Activities will start following breakfast on Friday
Any questions contact Steve and Cassie 260-213-1991

The Best of Anderson

The Anderson rally was free dry camping at the Hoosier Park Racing - Casino parking lot, August 18-21, 2011. As a result, we were able to have many new informative experiences. Our Rally Masters were Bob & Mable Heath assisted by Jerry & Carol Hardacre.


Thursday afternoon 16 of our attendees toured the renovated Historical Paramount Theater in downtown Anderson, followed by a tour of Good’s Candy with a very interesting history of chocolate from its origin to the present. Then supper was on our own.

Friday started off with a guided tour of the Willemsen Dairy Farm. Teo Willemsen, the owner and operator, is a native of the Netherlands and is now milking about 1500 head of cows three times a day. From there we came back to the casino for lunch then a tour of the race track. Friday night all 45 of our attendees traveled to Carmel, IN to Conner Prairie for a concert at the “Symphony on the Prairie” featuring “The Glen Miller Band.” We enjoyed a box supper on the front row of tables under beautiful skies. Our trips for the day were enhanced by traveling in the tour bus acquired and driven by Jerry Hardacre.

Saturday morning we traveled by bus to the Loyal and True Pet Crematories for another very interesting tour and learning experience. The casino was available the whole weekend 24/7 for gambling or watching the Thoroughbreds race in the afternoon. Saturday evening we all caravanned to Ross & Melanie Boyer’s house for a pitch in dinner and fellowship.

Sunday morning we had a continental breakfast under the awnings of the Heath’s and Hardacre’s, followed by a worship service with the music preformed by Nancy Ruster & Melanie Boyer and message by Carol Hardacre. Everything went well until a thunder storm scattered the congregation. A half hour later the sky opened up for a beautiful day from then on.

All in all, we had a very enjoyable informative weekend.

Submitted by Jerry Hardacre

Some Of Our Members Temporarily Off The Road

Ernie and Jane Clashman do everything together. Right now, recovery is the project of the day. Ernie had a recent repeat knee replacement which should get him back on track and Jane is now recovering from a shoulder replacement surgery. As I know both are fast healers we should see them soon. If you want to drop them a note here's their contact info. mailto:isjeec49@hotmail.com
Also on the tempory disabled list is our past president Greg Wessel. While moving their "stuff" to Columbus Ind. Greg took a fall and messed up his knee. He had surgery last Wednesday and is doing well but can't drive the coach for 10 weeks. I'm not sure the coach has ever been idle that long. They're living in it at Ceraland in Columbus while they look for a home near family. With Bettie taking care of him I know Greg will not be down long. He's probably wondering if he could drive the coach with his crutch on the gas/brake. While Greg's a bit unlucky I'm sure he will follow doctors orders but don't be surprised if he figures a way to drop in on a rally for a visit. If you want to contact them phone service is a bit "iffy" there so e-mail is best at gmwessel@gmail.com