Chapter Officers:   Pres.:  Hamilton    lst VP:  Carroll    2nd VP:  Mattheus   
                             Secy:  Weigle       Treas.:  Carriere
 
 
THE PAST:   JANUARY 2010 CAMPOUT:  Our January campout was held at Lake Kissimmee SP, Lake Wales, with the Reid's as wagonmasters.  We had a lot of cancellations due to the cold weather and illnesses as this was a really cold weekend.  Thursday and Friday afternoons the sun was shining and we were able to sit around and visit.  We decided that since it was to get colder we would have our hot dog roast, salads and desserts late Friday afternoon.  We made a fire and sat around the fire for a few hours.  The deer, wild turkeys and sand hill cranes decided to join us.  The turkeys and cranes were eating  from a jar of peanuts that Sharilyn held out to them.  Early Saturday a.m. it started to rain and a temperature of 29 deg. was predicted for Sunday a.m.  Most of us decided we were going to pack up and leave and not brave the cold.  Cox and Kruger were the only two that stayed the extra night.
 
6 units attending:   Carriere, Cox, Fluegge, Kruger, Reid and Weigle.
 
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FEBRUARY 2010 CAMPOUT.  This campout was held at Paynres Prairie State Preserve in Micanopy with the Wiley's as wagonmasters.  We had another cold weekend.  Thursday evening some of us went to Blue Highway Pizza for dinner where Laurie and Greg Willis met us.  Others went to Gainesville to attend a Gator Girls basketball game.  Early Friday a.m. it started to rain and rained all day.  Some of us went to antique shops and others went to the mall in Gainesville.  Saturday a.m. we had a community breakfast and our club meeting in the pavilion.  We had a campfire going all afternoon and many sat around the fire.  Saturday evening we had a community dinner.  Our wagonmasters made a great Tex-Mex entree and members provided the side dishes.  Everyone loved the entree.  Great job Martha and John!  Sunday a.m. most of us gathered at the wagonmasters trailer for danish, coffee, tea and o.j.  Some were heading home early to watch the Daytona 500 while others lingered and took their time leaving the campground.  The 50/50 was won by Bill Humphreys.
 
 
10 units attending:  Apathy, Carriere, Hamilton, Humphreys, Kruger, Mattheus, Neilson, Scott,Weigle and Wiley.  Drive-ins were Cox and Willis.
 
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DUES:    All dues are due by January lst, 2010.  If you have not paid your dues this will be the last newsletter you will receive.  Dues are $25 a year so send your check. made payable to the Starcraft Camper Club, to our Treas. Diane Carriere, 110 Wildwood Ave., Lakeland, Fl. 33809.
 
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GUEST MEMBERS:  At our February 2010 meeting, the subject was once again brought up of letting owners of other camper brands join the Starcraft club.  In March of 2007 we had a motion on guest members.  The motion was that we permit former Starcraft members who have been in the club for at least 5 years to come to our campouts as a guest.  They will not be a member but will participate in all club activities and will need to pay a fee when there is an expense to the club.  Expenses to be determined by the wagonmaster.  This motion was passed.  In June of 2008 a motion was made that guest members should pay yearly dues rather then pay a fee at each campout they attend.  This motion was passed.
 
     Our current by-laws limit membership to owners of Starcrafts.  Since some of our members wanted to buy a motor home and Starcraft did not manufacture a motor home, the decision was made to allow them to stay in our clubs if they bought a Jayco motor home.
 
     Therefore, it was suggested that members review our current by-laws and submit any changes they would like to see made to our current by-laws to our club President.  Legally, any changes have to be posted and discussed over several meetings.  Every member would get a vote.  It was suggested that if we allow non-Starcrafts into our club as a regular member that we limit them to a certain percentage of our membership.
 
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UPCOMING CAMPOUTS:
     March 12 - 14, 2010   Hillsborough River SP, Thontosassa.  Wagonmaster:  Carriere
     April  9 - 11, 2010      Ortono South Lock, LaBelle.  Wagonmaster:  Scott
     May 14 - 16, 2010      Wilderness RV Park Estates, Silver Springs.  Wagonmasters:
                                             Neilson and Mattheus
     June                              TBA
     July 5 - 9, 2010            International Rally, Hamburg, N. Y.
     August                          TBA
     Sept. 10 - 12, 2010      Jetty Park, Port Canaveral.  Wagonmasters:  DePoy and Weigle.
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NOTE:  Wilma & James Carroll need a bigger site for the March campout.  If anyone decides they need to cancel for any reason, please let them know.  They would give up a small site so if anyone could use their site, please let them know.  Phone:  863-439-1648.  Cell:  863-557-5434.
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MARCH 12-14, 2010.   Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 U. S. Hwy. 301 N. Thonotosassa, Fl. Phone:  8l3-987-6771.    Wagonmaster:  Carriere
 
     Those planning to attend the March campout should have their reservation made by now.  If you do not have a site and would like to attend you can check with ReserveAmerica.com or call them at 800-326-3521 to find out if any sites become available.  Most of us plan to attend the Strawberry Festival in Plant City.  The park has many trails and is good for bike riding.  We will have a community breakfast on Saturday a.m. to leave the rest of the day open to attend the Strawberry Festival.  Other nearby attractions are the Zoo, Flea Market, and Busch Gardens.
 
     Directions:  The park is located 9 miles north of Tampa and 6 miles south of Zephryhills on U. S. Hwy. 301.  From I-75 take Fowler Ave. Exit 265 E. to Hwy. 301 and travel 9 miles to the park which will be on your left.  From I-4 going west, get off at McIntosh Rd. Exit and travel north to Hwy. 301.  Turn right and go about 4 miles to the park which will be on your left.
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APRIL 9 - 11, 2010.  Ortona South Lock on the Caloosahatchee River, LaBelle, Fl.  Phone:  863-675-8400.  Wagonmaster:  Scott
 
      On Friday afternoon we will arrange a tour of the LaBelle Heritage Museum in a Cracker House in town - by the Pres. of the Historical Society.  On Saturday we will visit Ava Maria Catholic Community and we will arrange a private tour.  The tour will begin and we will see this beautiful community, Catholic University, Canizaro Library, statuary, museum and shops.  We will also view a short video. There will be time to stroll and shop.  We can end our visit to this lovely community with an early dinner at their newly opened Irish/British Pub at around 3-4 P.M.  Everything in town is within walking distance.  Others things to do:  The canoeing and fishing is terrific on the Caloosahatchee River.  Bring your boat (you can enjoy your own cruise down the river), fishing pole, and bike.
 
      Meals will be shared.  Friday night will be a shared meal, bringing your own dinner, and we will all eat together.  Afterwards we will have an ice cream social - fixings brought by two units.  Saturdays meal will be at Ava Maria.  Another ice cream/dessert social when we get back to the campground - fixings brought by another two units.  Sunday morning, Bob & Geraldine, will make Arepas (from scratch, using a recipe from their son Dan and his new wife).  Everyone should bring their own coffee/tea/juice/drinks and table settings.
 
     Note:  Anyone coming in early,we can share a meal together - cook up hot dogs, or go out to eat.  The Alva Country Diner is always a great place to go.
 
     This is our plan for the weekend.  If anyone has any other thoughts, suggestions, or comments, let us know.  Please decide between yourselves which two units will supply fixings for our ice cream/dessert socials on each night.  Thanks for sharing your weekend with us all. We will have fun - and it should be a bit warmer in April.
 
     Directions:  From LaBelle, travel SR 80 - 8 mi. E. to Dalton Lane.  Turn N. on Dalton lane following signs into the campground.  From I-75 south of exit 141 (Rt. 80) 8 miles east of LaBelle.  There is a brown sign on the road indicating the turn.  If you take Rt. 27 S. to Rt. 29 to LaBelle, then go E. on SR 80.
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MAY 14 - 16, 2010.  Wilderness RV Park Estates, 2771 NE 102 Ave. Rd.  Silver Springs, Fl. 34488.  Phone:  352-625-1122.  Wagonmasters:  Neilson & Mattheus.    Do not call the campground to make your reservation. Please let Joyce or Joy know if you plan to attend and they will handle the reservation for you.  The cost will be $20.50 per night.
 
     This is a really nice Passport America park located on the Oklahawa River.  It has an on-site restaurant and store.  Cable TV, shuffelboard, horseshoes, swimming and a jacuzzi.  You can bring your own canoe, fishing rod, etc.  Bob and Joyce will be bringing their pontoon boat to take club members on a boat ride into Silver Springs.
 
     There will be dessert on Friday night.  Saturday will be the boat ride, and Saturday evening they will have a shrimp/sausage boil.  Joyce will be contacting different members to bring some of the ingredients to add to the pot, and others to furnish garlic bread and dessert.
 
     Directions:  Park is located on State Rd. 40.  If coming from the east the park is on the right before the bridge that crosses the Oklahawa River.  From I-75 use Exit 69 and travel east 18 miles.  Park is located on the left right after you cross the bridge that goes across the Oklahawa River.
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