Newsletter, Area 17

GARLAND SAMS

Newsletter, Area 17 January Campout 2012

President: Paul Pittman Vice President: A.C. Blair Wagon Master: Kyle Clevenger Chaplain: Phillip Powell

January 2012 Attendees: 19 rigs

of 11 February 2012 A THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the Friday Evening Tribute at the January Campout. The research effort on our History in the Garland Sams, the efforts in creating the evening, the Cake, the Three Forks Medallion and the Flowers for Lou were touching and appreciated. You are a Special Group of people and the bond that we share with you is Special to us. We look forward to Camping with you in 2012 and in future years. Wayne & Lou Brush

of 11 February 2012 GARLAND GOOD SAMS CAMPOUT AMERICAN RV PARK, Corsicana, Texas January 13-15, 2012 By: Paul & Mildred Pittman

The January Texas Heritage campout started early. On Wednesday Jan 11 seven rigs arrived. The Fieldings, Blairs, Irbys, Pittmans, Brushes, Thomases, and Toleos just couldn’t wait to get started. We got the rec room early so the games and visiting began. Wednesday night the group went to eat at the Cotton Patch Cafe. On Thursday, four more rigs arrived bringing the count to eleven rigs. It seems the Palmers, Thurmans, Beans, and Bothwells heard that there was going to be free food provided by the hosts, Pittmans and Blairs on Thursday night, so they felt that it was worth an extra days’ camping fee to enjoy a meal of beef stew, AC’s homemade biscuits, razzleberry pie and Blue Bell ice cream. During the meal, Oma was heard saying “If I were single I would ask A.C. to marry me.” This was in reference to A.C.s homemade biscuits.

On Friday, six more rigs arrived plus one member drive in and one guest drive in. On Saturday one more rig arrived for a total count of eighteen rigs and two drive ins. Friday night we went to eat at La Pradera Mexican Restaurant. We had a large room reserved just for our group. They had a wide selection of food to meet everyone’s taste. The food and service was all great.

When we returned to the campground, the hosts had decorated the rec room in green, white, and yellow (the Garland Sams colors) with yellow and white flowers. It was beautiful. Sheryl Hazelwood made the cake on the table with the Garland Sams emblem on top.

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The rest of the night was dedicated to showing the Brushes how much we, as a camping chapter, appreciated all of the things they have done for our group over the years. Paul Pittman, the new President, started the night with a summary of the accomplishments the Brushes have had over the last twenty seven years as members of the Garland Sams and in their private lives.

of 11 February 2012 At the reception one table was reserved for our “Old Timers”. Paul had each family tell how long they have been members. The Beans, Bothwells, Fieldings, Gilmores, and Prices have been members over twenty years. The Dolbys are also long time members but they were not present.

At the end of Paul’s presentation he gave Wayne and Lou a Certificate of Appreciation. A.C. Blair then presented the Brushes with a gift card from the members for III Forks Steakhouse and told Wayne to take his bride out to celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary and he also gave them a Walmart gift card (since no camping trip is complete without a trip to Walmart). The flowers were also for the Brushes, and they could be seen sitting in the front window of the Brushes rig on Saturday.

After the reception Wayne told how they started camping with the Garland Sams, and also about their first camping experience with Wayne’s parents. You may want to ask him to repeat that story. No one else could tell that story as well. An advantage of being in a camping chapter is that we can learn from the mistakes of others. We couldn’t live long enough to make them all ourselves.

Saturday morning’s Business Meeting started off a little differently. As an additional surprise to Wayne, Paul had found an Old America Store video advertisement and projected it on a video screen a few times for Wayne. (Old America is a chain of stores Wayne established and later sold.) Then he started the Business Meeting with a video of a five year old girl singing “The Star Spangled Banner.” We had both an American flag and a Texas flag provided by AC, so we had Mable lead us in a pledge to both flags. (We need to practice the Texas pledge.) The afternoon was filled with the usual table games and visiting as members looked at the antiques various ones brought to display as evidence of their Texas heritage. There were old kerosene lamps, pictures, quilts, toys, corn shellers, grubbing hoes, post hole diggers, and many more items from days gone by. All enjoyed looking at the antiques. Many remembered actually having to use them and were thankful we don’t have to use them anymore. Saturday night we had a spread fit for kings. Several people were heard saying “I ate too much.” One of the new members said, “We need a chapter cookbook.” We have one from years ago. Maybe this could be a project for the web site. www.Garland.TexasGoodSam.com .

of 11 February 2012 Page 7 of 11 February 2012 Page 8 of 11 February 2012 After the spread we had a “Texas Tall Tales” contest with many participants. The room was filled with laughter. I won’t mention names, but we have several members who should not be trusted. Those who were not there would not believe the lies that were told. Look close, the biggest liar is pictured twice. Awards were given for biggest liar. Also, Bob Price received an award for living in Texas the longest number of years, and Bud Toleos received an award for traveling the farthest to live in Texas. Bob also received a spontaneous group congratulation when Wanda ended her story with “If the rig is a rockin don’t come a knockin.

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This is the list of storytellers: Jim Bothwell- High School Senior Trip; Wanda-Legend of the Bluebonnets; Dottie Bothwell-Whiskey, good medicine; Phil-Missouri to Dallas; Gloria-Cowboy Boise Ikard goes to heaven; Joe- Refined lady inquired about a "bc" at the campground. Campground host thought she was asking about a Baptist Church...hilarious response to the lady; Jay-Legend of Pecos Bill; Russell Blair- Story of the Alamo; Sheryl- Small town election; Tim Duke-Yankee needed a birth certificate to get into Texas; A C-Record of most game killed with a single bullet; Wayne-Ghosts of Corsicana.

Campout: February 10, 11, 12, 2012 LAZY L RV PARK Sherman, Texas 75090 903-870-7772

Report: Thursday: Hot Dog Dinner for the Early Arrivals and then games. Friday Evening: Dinner at La Mesa Mexican Restaurant and then games. Saturday: Pot Luck Dinner and then Coordination and Spouse Identification Games.

Directions: US 75 North, exit 57 in Sherman, .2 miles on frontage road. (Behind North Texas RV Sales) Check in at office.

Web addresses: www.garland.texasgoodsam.com

North Texas Area Mimi Rally: www.TxMiniRally.com Area 13 & 17 Mini Rally (Canton) September 12-16, 2012 Texas Good Sam website: www.texasgoodsam.com 2012 Texas Spring Samboree – April 5 thru 8, 2012

Mable Gilmore Newsletter Editor Page 11 of 11 February 2012