CALOOSA WINNIES

May 2008 Outing

Rally Park at Lazy Days RV in Seffner, FL was the location for the Caloosa Winnies campout May 1-4, 2008. 24 coach families enjoyed several activities including free RV Driving Classes, a GREAT benefit, and our annual Kentucky Derby Celebration. Co-hosts for the weekend were Bill & Sue Fuss, Ron & Betty Kunze, John & Ella Thurston, Jim & Jane O’Neill, Dave Nobert & Janice Cummings. Guests for the weekend were Bill & Doris Palmer.

Thursday night Happy Hour was kicked off with a trivia contest, and followed with dinner of Souper Chicken and dishes prepared by the best cooks in Florida, our members!  An Ice Cream Social was next and the rest of the evening was spent playing cards and games and enjoying each others company.

Friday morning the cooks were busy preparing a pancake breakfast, then members were off for the RV driving classes. Even though many of us have driven coaches for years, there’s always something to learn. We learned that outside mirrors are your best friend and how to make sure they are set up properly is the key! Friday evening the group enjoyed dinner at Golden Corral, and returned to the clubhouse for our business meeting. We were delighted to welcome Bill & Doris Palmer as the 40^th member of our group! After the meeting a 50/50 drawing was held and the excited winner was Nancy Miller!  Bud & Paula Geng announced the winners of the trivia contest – the team of Dave Nobert and Janet Burbage guessed the most correct scrambled candy choices!  Cards and games were enjoyed for the evening.

Saturday morning was our Potluck Breakfast with a huge variety of dishes by the BEST cooks! The RV driving classes continued with many members sitting in for a second time! Chris Ross did a demonstration on restringing RV blinds with many members looking over her shoulder. At 4pm we all gathered for the highlight of the weekend – our Kentucky Derby Party! Dan & Linda Tuzzolo, Winnie Gators State Club Presidents joined us for the afternoon activities. Each member decorated a hat as is tradition when attending the Derby. The Hat Parade commenced as members showed off their creations!
                    

Dan & Linda were the judges and had a difficult time picking winners! 1^st place with the frog creations were Gary & Gail Darner, 2^nd place winners were Ron & Betty Kunze with decorative ribbon designs, 3^rd place was Sue Fuss with a classic design. A raffle was held with a variety of prizes as we debuted the “Raffle Chicks” Corinne Wightman & Gail Darner selling tickets! There is no doubt the “Chicks” will make a future appearance!  “Caloosa Mint Juleps” and heavy hors’d’oeuvres were served. Soon it was post time for the race, bets were placed  and we all watched with hopes of being winners! The excited winners collected their bets, and once again our Ice Cream Social was on tap for sundaes.

Sunday morning breakfast was a smorgasbord of muffins, donuts, bagels and fruit before we said our farewells for the summer. Several members will be attending GNR, many will travel on WIT Tours, others will enjoy the summer traveling this great country!

Nancy Miller
239-565-3115