Happy Wanderings The Official Newsletter of the Happy (OK) Wanderers

South Central

Area

FMCA

An Affiliated Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association

more

information

Vol. XXIII

Issue 5 September, 2014

Well, it is time to get- back

together as we resume our

HOW Rally schedule. As sum-

mer begins to draw to a close

and our scattered membership

begins the migration from cool-

er climates back to Oklahoma,

our next rally site will find us in

the south central part of the

state at WinStar Casino Re-

sort. This is a wonderful RV

Park with the very best in hook

ups and our hosts have a won-

derful rally planned. So don’t

put it off - register now and

make plans to visit the largest

Casino in the World!

After this rally nearly half of the

HOW chapter will be attending

the South Central Area Rally in

Shreveport, LA. The rally is

produced and put on by the Six

-State Rally Association with

several HOW members playing

important supporting roles. If

you haven’t attended - Regis-

ter Now! If Registered - See

you in Shreveport!

September Page 2

Elected Officers-2014 President

Frank and Sandy Taber

1st Vice-President Don and LaVonna

Kinnamon

Acting 2nd Vice-President Dwayne and Dee Davis

3rd Vice-President

Dwayne and Dee Davis

Secretary Cyndi and Frank Timchak

Treasurer

Rita and Tommy Team

National Director Ray Lusk

Alt. Nat. Director

Faye Shelton

2015 Nominating Committee

Rod Cleavelin Chris Curtis

La Vonda Waldron

Member Support Membership Betty Shedrick

Hospitality Lois Austin

Chapter Clothing

Rod and Ginger Cleavelin

Webmaster John Trivette

Newsletter Earl Powell

Devotional Leader

“Mr. Coffee” Carl Threlkeld

Rally Sites for 2014

April 24-27 River View RV Park

Colbert, OK

May 15-18 KOA

Checotah, OK

June 19-22 Cedar Oaks RV Park

Grove, OK

August 13-16 FMCA 90th

Family Motorhome Rally

Redmond, OR

September 18-21 WinStar Casino RV

Thackerville, OK

October 1-5 South Central Rally

Fairgrounds Shreveport, LA

October 23-26 Wanderlust RV Park Eureka Springs, AR

TBA Christmas Luncheon

Stroud, OK

Rally Hosts for 2014 Happy (OK) Wanderer’s Rallies

WinStar Casino RV Thackerville, OK September 18-21

Gilbert & Lois Stagner Ed & Erma Wise Lois Austin & Betty Shedrick Randy & Beth Plant Ernie & Jolene Hartman

Wanderlust RV Park Eureka Springs, AR

October 23-26 Carl & Delores Threlkeld Frank & Cindi Timchak Chuck and Ann Myers Tillman & Mary Frizzell Sonny and Gail Rose

Christmas Luncheon

Steve & Julie Bivin

Officer Slate for 2015 (To be voted on at Fall Business Meeting)

President: Don and LaVonna Kinnamon

1st Vice-President: Dwayne and Dee Davis 2nd Vice-President: Tommy and Rita Team

3rd Vice-President: Frank and Cindy Timchak Treasurer: Joe and Lois Sturgil

Secretary: Jim and Sandee Garrelts 2015 National Director: Ray Lusk

2015 Alternate-National Director: Frank Taber

2016 Nominating Committee Kent VanFossen Randy Plant Sandy Taber

Submitted by the 2015 Nominating Committee

Rod Cleavelin Chris Curtis La Vonda Waldron

Not sure what this has to do with the Christmas in June theme, but Ernie Hartman is having a good time.

September Page 3

What?!?!?! Christmas in June? That’s what fifty-seven members of the Happy (OK) Wanderers walked into on Thursday night, June19th at the Cedar Oaks RV Resort in Grove, Oklahoma. The host committee of Tabers, Wadleys, Wallers, Lusks, Cleavelins, and both VanFossens had kept the rally room closed and sealed until 5:30 when members were sched-uled for a pre-dinner cocktail of cran-berry punch and a “surprise”. The men of the committee met those standing outside the rally room dressed in red and green with Santa hats, and led them into the room with a congo line, to Christmas music com-ing from Bob Waller’s crazy hat. President, and committee leader Frank Taber greeted members and guests to a celebration of Christmas in June, and immediately turned the first thirty minutes over to Ron Wadley and the committee for the singing of Christmas songs. Everyone quickly joined in, although our guests - Dan and Voneita Stogner - were seen looking at each other, presumably wondering just what they had gotten themselves into! Christmas dinner on Thursday con-sisted of a baked potato bar, com-plete with all the trimmings, watermel-on wedges and cantaloupe chunks, and angel cake with Christmas top-pings. Selected “volunteers” playing parts during the singing of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” included Charlene Sasser, Beth and Randy Plant, Chuck Myers, LaVonna and Don Kinnamon, Paul and Barbara Isenberg, Rod Cleavelin, Chris Curtis, Lois Sturgil, Ernie Hartman, and Ed Wise. Each performed admirably with their appropriate adornments denot-ing their particular day of the season. Sandy Taber and Tabers’ daughter Suzi Melone led a Christmas trivia game which included lyrics from Christmas songs. Winners were treated to gifts of beautiful Christmas baskets made by Sandy, Suzi, and Ginger Cleavelin.

On Friday, pleasant temperatures and cool breezes brought our mem-bers out in social circles, with visiting throughout the park. At dinner-time, we enjoyed a Southwest Chicken dinner with tortillas, chips, salad, and chocolate pie for dessert. Sandy Taber convinced us all to put paper plates on the tops of our heads, and draw Christmas pictures on them. Quite a trick, and you can only imagine what the results were! And, ask anyone here how easy it is to put dried beans into a cup using only chopsticks. Not as easy as it sounds! Suzi enticed a representa-tive from each of six tables to take a “sniff test”, assisted by Maggie Neu, attempting to identify twelve different smells from containers without being able to see into them. Lemons, or-anges, and peaches were the better aromas, with garlic and horseradish at the other end of the scale. Gift baskets were prizes for the winners. Card games and sitting outdoors completed a fun day. Saturday opened with a farmers’ breakfast made up of eggs, bacon, potatoes O’Brien, and peppers, along with fruit and juice. After choir practice members were on their own until 2:00 when the ladies gathered to make twenty-eight fleece blankets to be taken to Six-States for a dona-tion to charity. Dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce, green salad, French bread, and yellow cake with a lemon glaze was served at 6:00. We wound up the evening with card bingo, and several more winners took home gift baskets. All-in-all, a good Saturday. On Sunday morning, the Wallers brought in an assortment of donuts and rolls, and along with fruits and juices, we filled our stomachs as we prepared to fill our spirits. The choir presented two numbers, one of which was in time with the CD mu-sic. Unfortunately, the other was not. Chaplain Ron Wadley talked about three priorities for our lives: 1.

God; 2. Our Family; and 3. Life itself. A good message for all of us. Frank Taber reminded us of the up-coming South-Central rally following our September HOW rally. We ad-journed about 9:30, and most parted ways, looking forward to the next HOW rally in Thackerville. Those attending the rally were Joe and Vera Bouse; Rod and Ginger Cleavelin; Marvin and Chris Curtis; Jim and Sandee Garrelts; June Guess; Ernie and Jolene Hartman; Paul and Barbara Isenberg; Don and Lavonna Kinnamon and their grand-daughter Maggie Neu; Ray and Wil-ma Lusk; Jerry and Jeri Messner; Tom Murdoch; Chuck and Ann My-ers; Randy and Beth Plant; Ben and Charlene Sasser; Faye Shelton; Gil-bert and Lois Stagner; Dick and Hel-len Stickle; Dan and Vonieta Stogner (guests of the Bouses); Joe and Lois Sturgil; Frank and Sandy Taber and their daughter Suzi Melone; Tommy and Rita Team; Frank and Cyndi Tim-chak; Gary and Dorothy VanFossen; Kent and Lynda VanFossen; Ron and Betty Wadley; Jim and Lyda Walker; Bob and Donna Waller; Bob and Sue Whitnah; Ed and Erma Wise; Chaz Allen and Sandy Johnson; and Rich-ard and Sandy Keep (guests).

Christmas in June

Story and Photos by Kent VanFossen

(Editor’s Note: Don’t you Think that Kent would make a good Newsletter Editor?)

Some of our members really got into the spirit of the season as demonstrated by National Director, Ray Lusk.

September Page 4 WinStar Casino and RV Resort

Thackerville, Oklahoma

If you arrive before Thursday the WinStar Casino has a FREE Senior Breakfast on Wednesday and Thursday Mornings

from 7:30 to 10:30. You will need your Players Club Card and a Photo ID to get the free Meal. Keep in mind that the

Rally rate of $20 per night only applies to Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. If you come earlier than Thurs-

day or you stay over on Sunday, your Rally Rate will be $40 per night ($35 per night if you have a players card).

THURSDAY: Dinner: 6 pm Pot Luck Host will provide the beverages

Evening Activities: Group Heart Dice Game and Visiting

Remember to bring your games for sharing later

FRIDAY: Breakfast: 9 am Pancakes, Sauage, Fruit and Coffee

Lunch: On your own (Keep in mind that we are just a few miles north of Gainesville, TX which

has numerous lunch opportunities)

2 pm: Rally Room Bring your fleece materials and supplies to make tied quilts for giving to the

South Central Area Rally (Six-States). This is always a fun activity with visiting and fellowship.

Dinner: 6 pm Homemade Soup, Salad, Crackers and a Butterfinger Dessert (Be sure to bring a

bowl for your soup!)

Evening Activities: Group Membership Bingo and visiting (Bring your own games for afterwards)

SATURDAY: Breakfast: 9 am Burrito, Salsa, Juice and Coffee

Lunch: On your own

Dinner: 6 pm Grilled Hamburger/Cheeseburger with all the fixings, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw,

Chips and Cake

Evening Activities: Group Card Bingo and visiting (Bring your own games for afterwards)

SUNDAY: Breakfast: 9 am Apple Fritters, Apple Slices, Peanut Butter and Coffee

Short Devotional to follow

Safe Travels to All!!

Please bring your own plates, silverware, glasses, and bowls (on Friday Night) to all Meals

Von Stogner and Vera Bouse work on making tied quilts to

be given during the South Central Area Rally. Chuck Meyers is enjoying game night during the June Rally. Chuck always seems to get pictured doing something bi-zarre

September Page 5

Winstar KOA RV Park 21902 Merle Wolfe Road Thackerville, OK 73459

Directions: Best to take Exit 1 regardless of your direction of travel on I-35. Once you exit,

follow the signs posted to get to the RV Park. (Note: for those South Bound on I-35, there is a new exit between exit 1 and exit 5 on I-35. But the RV Park en-courages you to not use it because it is more out of the way to get to the RV Park because of Construction.)

Cost: Rally rate is $20/night for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights only. Arriving early or staying over will cost $40/night unless you have a players card, and then the cost will be $35/night. You must call and make your own Reserva-tions at the Campground. Tell them you are with the HOW Rally. Tele-phone # 580.276.8900

Sites: Sites are 30/50 amp full hook-up with concrete roads and pads. Registration: Deadline is Monday, September 8th. Rally registration checks should be

made payable to Happy (OK) Wanderers and mailed to: Randy and Beth Plant 18701 Garden Ridge Road Edmond, OK 73012 405.348.1854 Hosts: Randy and Beth Plant, Ed and Erma Wise, Gilbert and Lois Stagner, Ernie and

Jolene Hartman, Lois Austin and Betty Shedrick

See you at the South Central Area Rally in Shreveport, LA and/or Eureka Springs, AR in October

Winstar KOA RV Park 21902 Merle Wolfe Road Thackerville, OK 73459

Name: _________________________ Cell Phone #: ______________________

Arrival Date: ________________ Coach Brand: ______________________

Amps Needed: _____ 30 amp ______ 50 amp Coach Length: ________

No. of Slides: ______ Special Needs: __________________________

(Handicapped, Close to meeting Room, etc.)

No. of People Attending _____ x $15/person = _______