Past Events 2012
January 5-9, 2012 (with SoCal Chapter)
Hosts: Linda Brown & Barbara Roeder
Location: Bakersfield RV ResortLinda Brown and Barbara Roeder were the hostesses for this
outing. Usually this function is jointly handled, but our travels across country prevented us from being of any help. Linda & Barbara did an outstanding job, and actually, this rally was more like a miniature Convention.
Our hostesses brought in seven vendors…Rachel & Joel Harp;
Susan Cox & Dorothy Loll, Badges-R-Us; Mary “Moppins” Findley; Bryan Thompson & Ken Perry, Henderson’s Line-Up; Mac McCoy, the Fire Guy; Thomas Long- Jirah LED Co.; and Sue Daugherty of Sky Med drove in for a day to do her presentation.
Our very own Sally Johnson made a presentation on ‘What Info is needed to start your estate planning’. We all need to give this some serious thought.
Our wonderful new Chapter Leader, Angela Pettit, stepped up to the plate & invited the SoCaljourners to join the FreeWheelers in Chowcilla, CA in March. This would make it like having another joint Rally…sponsored by FreeWheelers.
Things kicked off with “Meet & Greet” Happy Hour on Thursday,a Baked Potato & Salad dinner furnished by the Hostesses, and continued on through the rest of the weekend with furnished catered dinner by the RV Resort Restaurant, a Pot Luck, and choice of evening fun. Participants could also take advantage of various attractions in the area or go shopping. There was some- thing there for everyone and lots of people to get to know better.
My dog Sadie and I helped our Past Chapter Leader, Judy Leonard, finish winterizing the bottom of her rig before shetakes off as a “Full Timer” “Solo”. Anybody looking for a photographic “partner-In-crime”? Give Judy a call or send her an email.
We really need to find some FreeWheelers who would be interested in co-sponsoring this joint event in the future.
Respectfully, Ardie Jarrett
February 2-4, 2012
Hosts: Arleen Huffman, Marlene Morrison
Location: Casa de Fruta, Hollister, CA Toll Free Phone: 1 800 548 3813Well, we had one heck of a terrific party! We were blessed with decidedly un-winter-like weather. Sunny and mild in the daytime and chilly nights. About 14 rigs came early on Thursday with the rest piling in Friday. We had a number of folks staying at the Peacock motel. In total we had 60 enthusiastic women and about 30 rigs filling our special corner of the RV park. Thursday was a quieter “getting settled” day…2 of our members, Chris and Pat had a brand new trailer to explore and lots of questions which were answered by some of our expert members. Angela Pettit was seen entering their rig not once but TWICE through a window with the help of Jonni Pettit as the “step ladder”. Some people will do anything for attention!
Friday we got going slowly as we awaited the rest of our group to arrive. The Friday “welcome” appetizer gathering was noisy and happy as usual. A little later we gathered around a fine fire with blankets , warm beverages and good talk. On Saturday after breakfast and more exploring of the great Casa De Fruta market , winery and restaurants, Irene Paulin and Mary Sue Ferrell hosted a washer toss “training” session to get folks warmed up for the always fun Pardee Boondock Outing and Wiener roast. Late in the afternoon, we celebrated some new rigs with apple juice and champagne. While folks were busy having relaxing, talking and just fun, the Music Hall was being transformed into a Hollywood party site complete with Lady Oscars, balloons and lots of silver and gold. Thanks Mary Billecci for helping us with that darned helium tank! Jenna Tayshak and her husband Jon arrived to set up the Karaoke equipment for our party to come.
After a terrific potluck, some folks went to prepare their costumes for the night’s fun. We had some fine movie characters pay us a visit… we had Indiana Jones ( Marlene ) , a distinguished Star Trek Officer ( Jonni Pettitt) a gorgeous and scary Cruella DeVille ( Babe Poe) , The Wicked Witch of the West ( Connie McKenna) , Julie Andrews ( Faye Mendenhall) , Dale Evans( Ardie Jarrett) , even Julia Child ( Sheila Welt) ! We even had a theatre Usher helping everyone get seated (Arleen). During the evening, we paraded our costumed FreeWheelers around. It was a close competition between Connie McKenna and Babe Poe but in the end the Wicked Witch took the prize!
At the stroke of 7, the music began and Jenna began to rock us into the mood. Many folks sang their solo and collective hearts out… Jenna and Arleen started things off with “I Got you Babe” duet…. Later we had Sherri Tinker kill with an updated version of “My Favorite Things”, Celia Buckley blew us away with “Somewhere”. So much great singing….! So much fun! Toward the end of the evening we had to have a “Sing Off” to decide the solo prize winner..it was a close one with Sheri Tinker and Celia Buckley. Both had touching stories to tug our heart strings on why THEIR song was special but when Celia came up with Climb Every Mountain and did some very special singing “pyrotechnics”…well, the prize was awarded to Celia. One of the real joys was seeing lots of women get together and do group singing…wow…we EVEN got our Sue Copeland up to sing “Great Balls of Fire” with Arleen. What a hoot! This was such a fun party.
Sunday morning, there was our usual breakfast and more good conversation. Those of us who had to leave made our preparations and said our farewells but those who were staying were already making “Super Bowl Party “plans for the evening. It was fun right up to the end.
March 2-4, 2012
Hosts: Angela Pettit and Jonni Pettit,
Location: The Lakes - RV & Golf Resort – Chowchilla, CAThe Lakes turned out to be all that the managers promised. The pool and spa were warm; the weather pleasant; the golf course challenging; and the sites clean.
We noted eight places for our members to see, all within a couple of hours from The Lakes. More than ¾ of our members took us up on at least one, and several went to see more than one. Everyone that saw the Underground Gardens told us they’d bring others to see it. Ditto the Blossom Trail (it’s only active from the first weekend in Feb, until mid-April each year). The Big Burger Diner appreciated our business in Mariposa, as did the two museums. Even the Mammoth was a surprise discovery by many. Who would have thought a small town city dump would reveal such a find?
Many of our group also played golf, and outside of one bird that thought he could outfly a golf ball, all were impressed by our players.
There are still a few finds for next year too, and we’ll turn up more as well.
Our waistlines may have suffered a tad from all the good eats at our shared dinners and breakfast, but our pets got plenty of exercise without having dirty tummies or toes. The sites, all concrete with thick lawns, blacktop streets, and even the dog area was nice and grassy too. Our bicyclers got a workout too, we understand.
I think it’s safe to say a good time was had by all, and we hope to see even more of you there next year (after all, it’s just up the way from Casa de Fruta!).
March 30 – April 1, 2012
Sheila Welt, Patti Patton, Ardie Jarrett & Sally Johnson Location: Rancheria RV Park, Jackson
This outing was wonderful, despite the rain. The club house was a must at this time of the year and was well used. We had a total of 34 rigs and 54 women. I think there were 23 dogs, 6 cats, 2 birds and one rabbit.
Despite the rain we still BBQed our main courses for the pot luck on Saturday night. The entertainment on Saturday was GREAT FUN! Thanks to all those that entertained us. My new Karaoke Machine worked well, once I figured it out. There were some glitches in a few of the CD’s – I have since figured those out. A new list of available songs is in the works.
Our Breakfast(s) went without a hitch and everyone enjoyed the company of friends.
We really enjoyed being the Wagon Masters for this event. It will continue next year in the capable hands of Kate Earnhart and June Alexander. Mark your calendars for the last weekend in March 2013.
Sheila Welt and Patti Patton
Rose (Poodle)
May 4-5, 2012
Hosts by Irene Paulin and Mary Sue Ferrell.
Location:Lake View Campground at Pardee Lake Recreation Area, 4900 Stoney Creek Rd, Ione CA 95642. Phone: (209) 772-1472