Chapter Officers:  Pres.:  Hamilton,    lst VP:  Carroll    2nd VP:  Mattheus 

     Secy.:  Weigle    Treas.  Carriere 





THE PAST:  MARCH 2010.  This campout was held at Hillsborough River State Park with the Carriere's as our wagonmasters.  Those who arrived early in the week had a few good days but then on Thursday it started to rain and it rained hard all day Friday and throughout Friday night ending Saturday a.m.  Those who were parked on the inner circle had flooded sites.  Saturday morning we had a good Community breakfast and then most of the group decided to take a walk along the river to see how high the water had risen.  Since we had a big breakfast and missed lunch, some of us decided to go out for an early dinner to an Italian restaurant where we used to go when we had the Sunshine Jamborees.  Later we had our Friday night dessert which had been rained out, and we had a nice campfire. 



Sunday morning we had a Continental breakfast and our club meeting.  We had four members volunteer to serve on a committee to rewrite our by-laws.  Those on the committee are:  Carriere, Kruger, Reid & Scott. The new by-laws will be voted on later by all club members. 



During the campout, Joy Mattheus twisted her foot and was icing it down and later when she had an x-ray taken she found out her ankle was fractured.  And after most of us left on Sunday the Handy's had to be pulled from their flooded camp site and Barbara Kruger fell and broke her arm when she tripped over a root while walking with her friends, Carol & Randy Tucker from the Mass. club. 



Sharilyn's daughter, Carrie, was able to drive over to join us for most of the day on Saturday and Carriere's grandaughter, Kayla, drove over and attending the Strawberry Festival with them. 



Those attending:  Carriere, Carroll, Fluegge, Handy, Kruger, Mattheus, Reid, Scott & Weigle. 

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APRIL CAMPOUT.  This campout was held at the Ortona South lock on the Caloosahatchee River near LaBelle.  There was a small turn out due to 15 of our members being on the Panama Canal Cruise.  The weather was beautiful and we had a campfire every night.  We all enjoyed a delicious fish dinner on Thursday evening prepared by Wilma and James.  Later we had an ice cream social prepared by Monika and Les.  Saturday we had a fantastic day visiting Ave Maria Catholic Community, starting with Mass and then breakfast at The Bean Cafe.  Then a tour of the beautiful community.  We then had an early dinner at a nice restaurant in LaBelle.  Diane and Lew treated us to a delicious "Wine & Cheese" social Saturday evening.  We also had more ice cream.  Sunday morning, Bob and Geraldine served breakfast in their trailer "Arepas & Sausage".  We had a great weekend.  Geraldine e-mailed and thanked Kevin at Ave Maria for his time and effort on our behalf showing us around his beautiful community, and to Joe, the Pres. of the LaBelle Historical Society.  Bob and Geraldine are ordering a "brick" at Ave Maria for our family.  If anyone is interested in a brick, let them know, and they will have an application sent to you. 



LaBelle hosts their famous "Swamp Cabbage Festival" the last weekend of every February.  Bob and Geraldine are planning on attending next year and are thinking of hosting an extra campout in LaBelle for this Festival in 2011.  If anyone is interested in joining us, let us know and we will put together an intinerary and we will have to make our campground reservations asap.  We recommend again the Ortona Lock. 



Those attending:  Apathy, Carriere, Carroll & Scott. 

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MAY CAMPOUT.  This campout was held at Wilderness RV Park in Silver Springs with the Neilson's and Joy Mattheus as wagonmasters.  We had a wonderful weekend since the Neilson's brought their Pontoon boat with them and most everyone enjoyed a nature cruise on the Oklawaha River.  We saw a lot of alligators, turtles and baby ducks and those who went on the boat on Saturday got to see a lot of monkeys.  Thanks to the Neilson's for seeing that everyone had such a good time. 



Friday evening, Bill and Betty Cox, made biscuit donuts for everyone.  They were great!  Before they got started one of the biscuit cans exploded and several biscuits flew several feet into the air.  They told us they threw those out and did not cook them. Thanks Bill and Betty for those delicious donuts. 



Saturday evening the Neilson's did a shrimp boil for our dinner.  Members brought some of the ingrediants to add to the pot and furnished garlic bread and dessert to finish off a great meal.  Thanks for all your hard work.  I'm sure it was greatly appreciated by all. 



At our meeting on Sunday morning, we talked about the changes to the by-laws.  Our President, Linda Hamilton, said we need the committee to meet and give us a hard copy of their changes and we need to send out a hard copy to all members.  Line items should be voted on individually so if there is anything you don't approve of that the whole package would not be voted down. 



We also voted to have the October campout the 3rd weekend of October in or near McIntosh to attend the McIntosh 1890's Festival.  NOTE:  AFTER CHECKING THE DATES ONLINE, THE FESTIVAL IS ACTUALLY THE 4TH WEEKEND, OCTOBER 23RD. SO SINCE WE VOTED TO GO TO THE FESTIVAL WE WILL CAMP THE 4TH WEEKEND INSTEAD OF THE 3RD WEEKEND. 



Those attending:  Carriere and grandson, Seth, Carroll, Cox, DePoy,Hamilton, Mattheus, Neilson, Reid, Scott, Weigle & Willis.  Drive-in guest of the Neilson's was Jennie Lloyd. 

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UPCOMING CAMPOUTS: 

     June 11 - 13, 2010     Blue Springs State Park, Orange City.  Wagonmasters:  Hamilton's 

     July 5 - 9, 2010          International Rally, Hamburg, N. Y. 

     Aug. 13 - 15, 2010    Weigle's residence, Longwood.  Wagonmasters:  All attending. 

     Sep. 10 - 12, 2010     Jetty Park, Port Canaveral.  Wagonmasters:  DePoy & Weigle 

     Oct. 22 - 24, 2010     McIntosh 1890's Festival, McIntosh.  Wagonmasters:  Carroll 

     Nov.12 - 14, 2010     Tentatively Sanlan RV Resort, Lakeland.  Wagonmasters:  Club Officers 

     Jan.  21- 23, 2011      TBA 

     Feb. 18 - 20, 2011     Lake Louisa State Park, Clermont.  Wagonmasters:  Weigle 

     Mar.   4 - 6,  2011     Tentatively Otter Springs Park Campground, Trenton.  Wagonmasters;  

                                             Neilson's. 

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JUNE 11 - 13, 2010.     Blue Springs State Park, 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, Fl. 32763 

                                      Phone:  386-775-3663     Wagonmasters:  Hamilton 



Most everyone has already made their reservations for this campout.  If you do not have a reservation you can go online to ReserveAmerica.com or call 800-326-3521.  Site numbers are 26 - 45. This is the largest Spring on the St. John's River and is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees.  Native Americans have lived near the Spring for centuries.  The 73 deg. water is enjoyed by swimmers, snorklers and certified scuba divers.  The river is popular for fishing, canoeing and boating. 



Sunday morning, most of us will go over to DeLeon Springs State Park to the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant where guests can make their own pancakes at the table.  After breakfast we will go on the boat ride on the St. John's River.  Saturday evening we will plan on going to a good Mexican restaurant in the area. 



Directions:  Take U. S. 17-92 to Orange City.  Go West 2 miles on French Ave. to the entrance. 

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JULY 5 - 9, 2010.    International Rally, Hamburg, N. Y. 



     Florida has 8 units signed up to attend the rally.  We will be doing the Children's Arts & Crafts on Wednesday morning and serving O. J. and orange candy slices for hospitality.  We will also be helping with meal services.  Hopefully we will have some good sports that will enter the Chapter game. 

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AUGUST 13 - 15, 2010.   This campout has poor attendance due to members being up north for the cooler weather or some are still traveling.  So we will camp at the Weigle's residence in Longwood.  We can accommodate 6 trailers with water and electric.  So far I have 4 units that plan to attend.  We will plan our meals together and enjoy the pool, riding or walking the trail, playing games or just socializing. 



Most of you have already been to our home but if anyone need directions just let me know what area you will be coming from.  When we get an exact count, we will assign food items to bring to share.  E-mail me at donnaweigle@embarqmail.com . or phone: 407-862-4352. Cell: 321-229-8907. 

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