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CALOOSA WINNIES
Local Chapter
By Nancy Miller
What are the ingredients for a successful campout? A
superb campground, perfect weather, a fun agenda, and GREAT MEMBERS and
guests! The Caloosa Winnies met January 4 – 7, 2007, at Sun N’ Fun
Campground at Sarasota, Florida. Members attending were Chuck & Ruby
Bagby, Bill & Sue Fuss, Bud & Paula Geng, Kathryn Griffin, Phil & Shirley
Halstead, Jerry & Nancy Miller, Jim & Sally Rayburn, Barbara Wood, Charlie
& Ellen Zucker. We were delighted to welcome new member Beverly Oretsky
and her guest Frank Lipscomb.
Thursday evening began with Happy Hour and additional
guests were welcomed, Steve & Arlene Didier, friends of the Zuckers, from
the Long Island Winnie Tascas. Bud Geng was the chef for the evening, and
prepared his delicious spaghetti and meatball dinner! Members contributed
the complimentary dishes and we were stuffed with all the wonderful food!
The remainder of the evening was spent playing cards and dominoes.
Friday morning after breakfast we caravanned to
Myakka River State Park nearby and went on an airboat ride around the
lake. The weather was perfect and we viewed many birds and alligators in
their habitat. Next we took a tram ride around the park to learn some of
the history of the area. Then it was off to lunch for some of us, others
explored more areas of the park. Happy Hour was held at 4:00pm, members
Bob & Anita Law joined us for the evening, as did guests Bridgett & Cliff
Gilmore. We were off in a caravan to dinner at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage
Restaurant for the buffet. Back at the campground some members played
cards and games for the rest of the evening.
Saturday morning was a Pot Luck Breakfast. It’s
amazing we have such a variety of great food! At 10:00 am our business
meeting was held. There was much discussion about the progress of
preparations for the March Rally and our decorations assignment. After the
meeting was adjourned, we worked on the Rally projects including the stage
backdrop. THANKS to all the creative members, we accomplished what we set
out to do for this meeting.
At 2:00pm Jerry Miller organized and presided over a
shuffleboard tournament. Most of the members and guests played, some for
the first time at the game. It was a lot of fun with laughs, and sad faces
for those who had their shuffleboard pucks knocked off the court! The
overall winners were Barbara Wood and Phil Halstead, who received medals
for their achievements.
Members Jane & Jim O’Neill joined us in the afternoon and stayed for the
evening activities, including Happy Hour and Dinner. Dinner was served at
5:30pm, Chicken and “souper” gravy was the main course, with a wide
variety of side dishes prepared by the members. Installation of Officers
for 2007 was done by Bud Geng. Congratulations to Nancy Miller, President;
Jerry Miller, Vice President; Sue & Bill Fuss, Secretary; Jane & Jim
O’Neill, Treasurer.
The annual “Pound Package Auction” was held to top
off the evening. Charlie Zucker volunteered to be the auctioneer and he
did an excellent job! All proceeds were designated to benefit our charity,
Dog Training for the Deaf. Bill Fuss bid $5.00 for a package of RV toilet
tissue, and exclaimed “This has got 2000 sheets”, which brought a roar of
laughter! Sue Fuss and Nancy Miller got into a bidding war over an other
package, and Nancy won. The prize? A pound of coffee! Now that will REALLY
be good to the last drop! Some of the “prizes” were really great ones, and
we look forward to this annual event in 2008! THANKS to Charlie who did a
wonderful job!
Sunday morning everyone gathered at 8:30am for
coffee, juice, donuts, bagels, fruit, and a chance to bid farewell to each
other until February. We are looking forward to another great weekend
February 1 – 4, 2007 when we will meet at Sun Lake Campground, at
Ruskin, Florida. We are always happy to have guests attend a campout so if
you’re in our area – come join us! Check out “Who’s Inviting Travelers”
for our schedule!
Nancy Miller
239-574-2511
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