Years of Happy Wandering 26 Happy Wanderings Vol. XXVI The Official Newsletter of the Happy (OK) Wanderers Issue 2 May, 2017 An Affiliated Chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association Rally Registration is in May 18-21 Upcoming Little Turtle RV Resort this Newsletter Eufaula, OK Rally on page 6
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Springing into Spring is the theme of the May Rally Wichita Falls, Coyote Ranch Resort at Little Turtle RV Resort March Rally just north of Eufaula. Hope Written by Frank and Cyndi Timchak everyone is making plans now to attend. Keep in mind that this is one of the With most of us coming Frank & Cyndi Timchak; Tommy Team. Rita then locations that requires us to out of our winter hiberna- Neal & Betty Von introduced members: Bob make reservations a month tion and the snowbirds Tungeln; Bob & Donna and Linda Murray, daughter returning from their winter in advance. Be sure to read Waller. Melissa and grandsons destinations, we all rallied Zander and Brendan; and the top half of page 6 so On Wednesday March at Wichita Falls, Coyote th Jerry Slutz introduced his that you understand what 16 , 2017, many of us Ranch Resort. There new bride Donna. Rita also early arrivals journeyed to the deadline is for register- were 28 coaches arriving asked Dwayne and Dee th Red Lobster for some deli- ing for the May Rally. between March 14 and Davis to come forward and th cious seafood entrees. 16 , the attendees includ- receive a new, corrected A very special WELCOME Two very energetic host- ed: John & Alma Belzer, thank you plaque for their to the new members; hope esses managed to provide Joe & Vera Bouse, Jim & service as 2016 president. you are attending the rallies 17 unexpected guests Donna Bratcher, Marvin & We then enjoyed a loaded and luncheons. This one (us) our meals in a very Chris Curtis, Rod & Ginger baked potato and tossed way of getting to know eve- timely manner. We had Cleavelin, Carl & Phala salad with a peach cobbler our own room and did not ryone. The best way to Clough, Dwayne & Dee dessert for dinner. Then bother others in the res- become involved is to vol- Davis, Jim Garralts, Leroy the games began; we taurant. unteer to help host a rally. & Lois Hinderliter, Ken & played a game of word Nearly all of the rallies for Linda Johnson, Don, La- Thursday, March 16th, scramble with an Irish this year are full, but don’t vonna & Maggie Kinna- 2017, with a cool start and theme. Winners were Zan- forget about next year. mon, Ron & Evelyn Lee, a strong wind, most peo- der Oldham, Chris Curtis Jack & Wanda Meador, ple remained in the park and Betty Von Tungeln. THANK YOU to all of those Tom Murdoch, Bob & Lin- to visit and share stories Another game of word that have arranged the da & Melissa, Zander and about their winter adven- search was won by Davis's, Luncheons and have written Brendan Murray; Randy & tures. the Standridge's and John- stories for the newsletter. Beth Plant; J.R. & Lou son's won. The door prize Robertson; Richard & Sue At our first dinner for Keep on Happy Wandering was won by Lois and Joe Loftis Siegriest; Jerry & 2017, host Rita Team in- Sturgil. Donna Slutz; Gilbert & troduced her host team including: John and Alma th South Lois Stagner; Roy & Cindy Friday morning, March 17 , Central Standridge; Dick & Hellen Belzer; Jim and Donna 2017, St. Patricks Day brought Area Stickle; Dan & Vonieta Bratcher; Don and Lavon- the group together for a hot FMCA Stogner; Joe & Lois Stur- na Kinnamon; Ron and breakfast. Rita introduced gil; Tommy & Rita Team; Evelyn Lee; and of course, we can't forget our newest members Richard (Story Continues on Page 3) May Page 2 Rally Hosts for 2017
DATE LOCA- HOSTS Rally Schedule TION For 2017 March Coyote Tommy & Rita Team, March 7-10, 16 - 19 Ranch RV Ron & Evelyn Lee FMCA’s 95th 2017 Resort June Guess, Norma Hamel, Wichita John & Alma Belzer International Rally Falls, Texas Jim & Donna Bratcher Chandler, Arizona
March 16-19 April 20 Riverview Frank & Cyndi Timchak, Coyote Ranch Resort - 23 RV Park Chuck & Annie Myers, Wichita Falls, TX 2017 Colbert, Leroy & Lois Hinderliter, Oklahoma Jack & Wanda Meader, April 20-23 Faye Shelton Checotah Checotah, OK 2017 Elected Officers May 18 Little Turtle Randy & Beth Plant, May 18-21, - 21 RV Park Rod & Ginger Cleavlin, President Little Turtle RV Resort 2017 Eufaula, Bob & Donna Waller, Rita and Tommy Team Eufaula, OK Oklahoma Frank & Sandy Taber, Tom Murdoch 1st Vice-President June 15-18 Frank and Cyndi Timchak New Member Recruitment Wonderlust RV Park Eureka Springs, AR June 15 Wanderlust Dick & Hellen Stickle, 2nd Vice-President - 18 RV Park Tillman & Mary Frizzell, Dick and Hellen Stickle July 12-15 2017 Eureka Dan & Vonieta Stogner Host Recruitment Springs, Dwayne & Dee Davis FMCA’s 96th Arkansas Need and Additional Volunteer International Rally 3rd Vice-President Jerry and Jerri Messner Indianapolis, IN Rally Site Coordinator September 21-24 Septem- Choctaw Neal & Betty VonTunglen Secretary Choctaw Casino KOA ber 21 - Casino Marvin & Chris Curtis Lois & Joe Sturgil Durant, OK 24 KOA Joe & Vera Bouse 2017 Durant, Joe & Lois Sturgil Treasurer October 19-22 Oklahoma Jerry & Jerri Messner Vera and Joe Bouse Big Red Barn RV Park
National Director Carthage, Missouri October Big Red Dan Stogner 19 - 22 Barn RV Michael & Lyanna McKinney October 25-28 2017 Park Carl & Phala Clough Alt. Nat. Director South Central Carthage, Edd & Louise Alexander Jerry Slutz Area Rally Missouri Ken & Linda Johnson Texarkana, AR David & Elizabeth Hubl 2017 Nominating Committee December 9 Dwayne Davis (Date and Location is Tentative) Mary Frizzell Christmas Luncheon Lavonna Kinnamon Stroud, OK
Member Services - Official HOW WEB-site at www.happyokwanderers. com Membership Chapter Clothing Newsletter Profile Books Betty Shedrick Rod & Ginger Cleavelin Earl Powell Cyndi Timchak
DA Award Hospitality Webmaster Devotional Leader Coordinators Lois Austin Dwayne Davis Jim Bratcher Earl Powell
Frank Timchak Chapter Photographer Joe Sturgil Dan Stogner May Page 3 and Sue Loftis Siegriest who could not attend Thursday meeting would be at 10:00am. nights dinner. Thanks was given to Ron Lee for request- ing the donation from Loves for the ice for the rally. Host Rita welcomed all to the last dinner for this rally and Randy and Beth Plant requested a meeting with their rally once again thanked the hosting committee for doing team for the May 2017 rally and a request was made for a such a wonderful job. Cyndi Timchak brought to the host for the October rally. Rod and Ginger announced groups attention that she had applications for recruiting that the clothing table items would be open for sale. new members, for anyone wanting them and announced there will be a “tied quilting” one day at April rally for the At Friday's dinner, Rita recognized Bob Murrays birthday ladies. Jim Bratcher blessed the food which consisted of was today and his family presented him with a cake. Oth- hamburger stew; cornbread; cookies and ice cream. er birthdays mentioned for the month of March were: Dan Games of Left, Right & Center were played with winners Stogner; Dee Davis and Maggie. Also, Frank Timchak being: Gilbert Stagner; Carl Clough; Tom Murdoch; Zan- reminded that new replacement profile pages were for der Oldham; Neal Von Tungeln; Leroy Hinderliter and sale for $20; and be sure to get your registration to the Dick Stickle. Checotah KOA campground because the spaces are lim- th ited for the April rally. Jim Bratcher blessed the delicious Sunday March 19 , 2017. Sunday morning brings us to Friday dinner of toastados; and pudding with a green our last gathering for muffins and coffee. Rita read a cookie in it for dessert. After dinner, card bingo was message from Jerry Messner regarding 2018 camp-out called by Maggie, produced the following winners: Donna locations they have made. Waller; Ginger Cleavelin; Dan Stogner; and Tom Mur- Rita extended a thank you to Dick Stickle for the April doch. last minute park change now going to be at Checotah The Friday door prize was won by Dan and Vonieta Sto- KOA, in Checotah, OK. gner. The final door prizes were awarded to: Jack and Wanda Saturday March 18th, 2017. Most everybody came early Meador and Joe and Vera Bouse. for breakfast so we had an early meal. After breakfast Our devotional was performed by Jim Bratcher followed Rita made an announcement that the spring business by our last good-byes for this month.
HAPPY OK WANDERERS SPRING BUSINESS MEETING MARCH 18TH, 2017
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M., Saturday. March 18th, 1017 by President Rita Team presiding with Flag Salute and Jim Bratcher offering the Invocation.
Introductions of New Members: Donna Slutz and Richard and Sue Lofton Siegriest.
Minutes from September 24th, 2016 were read by Lois Sturgil. Motion made to accept minutes by Dick Stickle and se- conded by Marvin Curtis.
Treasurers report respectfully report by Vera Bouse: Beginning balance, February 01, 2017 $7,828.54
Deposits: $312.00 Disbursements (Clothing) $684.00
Balance in Account, February 28th, 2017 $ 7,456.10 Motion made to accept treasurers report by Dan Stogner, seconded by Carl Clough.
Officers Reports: 1st Vice President update: Frank and Cyndi Timchak reported that they have complete updated profile sheets for your book for $20.00. Cyndi requested that you turn in your partial profiles sheets so she can add the new sheets to make more completed books. She added that when a new member joins our club, they receive a $30 coupon to be used toward a rally and the member who nominated the new member also gets a $30 coupon to be used toward a rally.
2nd Vice President update: Dick and Hellen Stickle reported Riverview RV Park in Colbert, OK would not be able to have the HOW club in April because of a problem with the rally room. Dick and Rita worked to get the Checotah KOA Park for the April 20-23 rally. They also reported that Bob and Linda volunteered to be an additional host for the June 15th-18th rally in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
National Direct Report: Dan Stogner will attend the FMCA' 96 International Rally in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 12-15 2017. May Page 4
One of the issues that will to be voted is a proposal to allow “towables RV's to become FMCA members but not have the right to vote on issues at the national level. (Clubs local standing rules could be amended to allow “towables” to vote lo- cally). Our club voted against this proposal. Don Kinnamon made the motion to vote against this proposal and Carl Clough seconded. Dan reported FMCA membership is down nearly 60, 000 from 2004. In 1986, RV sales was 37.7% of all RV's shipped to dealers, 2016, motorhomes made up 12.7%. The average age of FMCA members in 2001 was 65. in 2015, average have gone up 71. But RV industry statistics show the average RV owner is 48. FMCA experienced new membership growth in 2016 for the first time since 2003. 616 new membership but FMCA spent $269,901.76 in marketing dollars to get this new increase. So as Dan told us, prices may go up to pay for some of the programs we are now enjoying.
Membership report: Treasurer Vera Bouse reported that 56 regular members and 5 associates have paid their dues. 4 members 2 associ- ates (from 2016) have not paid. President Rita Team suggested that we members remind the associates of the benefits even if they don't have a coach. Old Business: P.A. System: Rita Team, Dan Stogner and Matt Campbell worked to buy a new system not to exceed $250. New Business: The new P.A. System did not include a mic. The team requested $100 to buy a mic. Dwayne Davis made motion to buy and Jim Bratcher seconded. Rita paid for 2 year insurance so Don Kinnamon made motion to reinburse Rita. A show of hands approve the request. Responsibly for the P.A. Will be the Main Host for each rally. 3rd Vice President update: Jerry and Jeri Messner(not at rally but sent information for rally locations to President Rita Team). The proposal made before the club was that the 3rd week of the month will be our rally week. A show of hands voted yes on the proposal. The following places were deemed to be unsuitable due to lack of meeting rooms or not enough spaces for the coaches: Monkey Island – Afton, Lake Murray, Ardmore, Cedar Valley and Pioneer RV Park , Guthrie, Wellington KOA RV Park, Wellington, Ks and Big Cedar RV Park, Big Cedar, OK
Locations signed for 2018 are as follows; March 15-18 Coyote Ranch Resort Wichita Falls, Texas
April 19-22 Proposing a RV Park on the Texas/Oklahoma border. ( no final arrangements yet)
May 17-20 June 21-14 Little Turtle RV Resort Coachlight RV Park Eufaula, Oklahoma Carthage, Mo
September, 13-16 October 25-28 Checotah KOA Park Six-State Rally Checotah, Oklahoma Four State Fairgrounds Texarkana, AR
October: No arrangements yet December HOW Luncheon Stroud, Ok President's Announcements: October 25-28 Four-State Fairgrounds Texarkana, AR Members can sign up as volunteers but no monies will be paid to the chapters. More information will be (available) in the near future. Motion to adjourn by Dick Stickle and seconded by Don Kinnamon.
Lois Sturgil 2017 Secretary May Page 5
Springing into Spring The Little Turtle RV Resort 114161 Highway 69 Eufaula, OK 74432 918-618-2140
Thursday, May 18 Dinner, 6 pm: POT LUCK Dessert furnished by Hosts Entertainment
Friday, May 19 Breakfast, 9 am: Fruit, biscuits, gravy, sausage Lunch on your own Dinner, 6 pm: Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, ice cream sundaes Group games followed by individual games
Saturday, May 20 Breakfast, 9 am: Omelets in a Bag, juice Lunch on your own Dinner, 6 pm: Pork Loin, baked potatoes, green beans, rolls, pudding Group games followed by individual games
Sunday, May 21 Breakfast, 9 am Devotion following breakfast
Please remember to bring your own plates, silverware, glassess, bowls (when needed) to all meals.
See you next month at Wonderlust RV Park in Eureka Springs, AR --- June 15-18 May Page 6 THE LITTLE TURTLE RV RESORT 114161 Highway 69 Eufaula, OK 74432 918-618-2140
Directions: From the intersection of I-40 and US 69, travel south 6.5 miles on US 69. Exit off US 69 onto Texanna Road (State Road 150). At the Stop sign, turn east (left) onto Texanna Road (State Road 150), cross under the overpass to the South Frontage Road. Turn right (south) onto The Frontage Road and proceed to the entrance to the campground on your left. 7 miles from Checotah, 5 miles from Eufaula
Cost: Rally Fee is $15/per person attending rally. Rally fee checks should be made payable to Happy OK Wanderers and mailed as indicated. Camping cost is $35/night or less depending on the number attending the rally. YOU will need to call and make your own reservations with the RV Park. You will be charged for the first nights stay. If you fail to attend the rally, you will have a credit ‘til you return to the park for a different stay.
Sites: Sites are 30/50 amp full hookups on concrete pads. The RV Park has a multi-person Storm shelter located under the rally room.
Registration: Deadline for registration is April 21. You will need to be registered with the RV Park as well as having your Happy (OK) Wanderers registration mailed by this date. Please mail your check and registration form to: Rod and Ginger Cleavelin 9020 S. 43 W Avenue Tulsa, OK 74132 918-638-6518 cell and 918-446-5368 home
Hosts: Randy and Beth Plant, Frank and Sandy Taber, Tom Murdoch, Bob and Donna Waller, Rod and Ginger Cleavelin
THE LITTLE TURTLE RV RESORT 114161 Highway 69 Eufaula, OK 74432 918-618-2140
Name: ______Cell Phone Number: ______
Arrival Date: ______Departure Date: ______
Number of people attending ______X $15/person/meal = $ ______
For Associate Members and Guests not attending the full rally
I will attend Breakfast ______, Dinner ______, on the following day(S): ______
Number of people attending ______X $5/person/meal = $ ______