April 2009 - Happy (OK) Wanderers

Happy Wanderings
The Newsletter of the Happy (OK) Wanderers
Volume XVIII
Issue 4
An affilated chapter of the Family Motor Coach Association
April
2009
Rain Greets Campers at Carthage
Happy OK Wanderers Coach light RV new members. In addition to the attenPark Rally- Carthage, Mo. April 30- May dance of the Ruttman’s, others in at3, 2009 by Frank Tabor
tendance included Ray & Wilma Lusk,
Earl & Mary Powell, Judy Janicke,
A rain filled week-end in Carthage, Mo., Gary & Dorothy VanFossen , Jim &
was enjoyed ( or endured) by 27 June Guess, Gilbert & Lois Stagner,
coaches of the Happy OK Wanderers Dave & Darlene Demuth, Howard Holand the 28th coach a visiting guest of mes, Rod & Ginger Cleavelin, Paul &
the Wadley’s. The rally ended with 28 Barbara Isenberg, Leroy & Lois Hindermember coaches as David and Janie liter, Harvey & Carol Ahl, Bob & Donna
Ruttman arrived as guests and left as Waller, Bob & Bonnie Wisel, Bill &
Mary English, Sam & Lois Clift, Ed &
Susan Countryman, Frank & Sandy
Taber, Carl Threlkeld, Dwayne & Dee
President, Steve Bivin, checks over his
Davis, Steve & Julie Bivin, Paul & Lizz
notes at the beginning of the business
Hlavaty, Ron & Betty Wadley, Don &
meeting held at Carthage. A copy of the
Lavonna Kinnamon, David & Celeste
minutes is included on page 3 of this issue
Rodden, Sonny & Gail Rose, and
of the newsletter. Check them out so you
will remain up-to-date on what your chapter Claude & Marie Childers.
is doing.
Hope you are planning on attending the rally
at Elk City. Concern about dumping gray water
have been solved. Additionally, be sure that you
bring a few extra boards to ensure you can level.
Th
in
gs
To
Do you know where the “DA” Award is located?!? Our
President, Steve Bivin, is looking for it because we have had
the need to pass it out. If you know, give Steve a call! By the
way, if you are going to find yourself around Julie Bivin at a rally
be sure that your name tag is visible. Otherwise, you may be asked
to do some cleaning up. Check with Julie the next time you see her!
Kn
ow
If you are a hobbyist, start making plans today to attend the May Rally in Elk City.
Host at that rally are planning on providing space for members to show and, if they
wish, sell the fruits of their labors. Jim Guess stated that there will be a LARGE room
available for those with crafts to set up and display what they do when not rallying
with the Happy (OK) Wanderers. For example, Ben Sasser will bring some of his
knife collection to show, June Guess will probably have some carved walking sticks,
Lyda Walker will be showing and selling some of her bead work, and Earl Powell will
have a few photos to show you of the Smokies. Now, what do you have?!? Get it
out - dust it off - load it in the coach and bring it to the May rally in Elk City!
The club is seeking a new webmaster to oversee the HOW web-site. Chuck Smith
has done a terrific job but, pressing needs have required him to ask to be replaced.
Chuck said he would be happy to help anyone get started. Call Steve Bivin if you
are interested.
Go on line and check out our web-site at www.happyokwanderers.com
The Host committee consisted of David
& Celeste Rodden, Frank & Sandy
Taber, Sonny & Gail Rose, Gary &
Dorothy VanFosen, Leroy & Lois Hinderliter, Carl Threlkeld & Howard Holmes. Group game winner gifts were
compliments of Sandy Taber and Suzi
Taber Melone. The operators of
Coachlight RV Park provided two nice
door prizes for two lucky club members. Our Chaplain, Ron Wadley graciously prayed for “blessing” prior to
our meals. (Story continues on Page 2)
Treasurer, Sandy Tabor, provided the
members an update on finances at the
business meeting that was held Friday
Morning.
Volume XVIII - Issue 4
April 2009 - Page 2
(Continued from Story on Page 1)
Important People in our club!
Elected Officers
President
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
3rd Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
National Director
Alternate Director
Steve & Julie Bivin
Chaz Allen & Sandy Johnson
Gary & LaVonda Waldron
Walt & Doris Murphy
Liz Hlavaty
Sandy Taber
Roy Standrige
Rod Sartwell
Nomination Committee
Nominating Committee 2010
Nominating Committee 2010
Nominating Committee 2010
Chairperson - Bob Waller
Bob Wisel
Frank Taber
Member Support
Betty Shedrick
Lois Austin
Celeste Rodden
Judy Janicke
Chuck Smith
Earl Powell
Ron Wadley
Membership
Hospitality
Profile Editor
Club Clothing
Webmaster
Newsletter
Devotional Leader
On the Road Again with
the 2009 Rally Schedule
March 26 - 29
April 30 - May 3
May 28 - 31
June 25 - 28
August 27 - 30
September 10 - 13
September 22 -26
October 22 - 25
December 12
RV Ranch
Coachlight RV Park
Elk City Civic Center
RV Station & KOA
Cedar Oaks RV Park
Citizen Potawatomi
South Central Area Rally
Wanderlust RV Park
Annual Christmas Luncheon
Burleson, TX
Carthage, MO
Elk City, OK
Colbert, OK
Grove, OK
Shawnee, OK
Shawnee, OK
Eureka Springs, AR
Stroud, OK
Thursday evening kicked off with another fabulous “pot luck” dinner highlighting the great cooks in this club. The
card games began shortly after dinner,
and if noise was a fun indicator, a lot of
“fun” was going on. Friday morning the
host committee provided french toast ,
sausage, juice and coffee. A business
meeting was conducted by our club
President Steve Bivin. Friday evening
menu consisted of Hamburgers and Hot
Dogs with Gary VanFosen and Leroy
Hinderliter serving up ice cream as
desert. The Friday night group games
tested “thinkability” and this RV club
has real thinker.
Saturday morning started with scrambled eggs, sausage, and biscuits and
gravy prepared by the Host Team.
Choir practice was led by Ron Wadley,
and choir members were encouraged to
put a little more “pep” into the vocal
process. The Carthage all city garage
sale was on the minds of many, as
members were deciding how to spend
their “free” time. Some members visited
the Casino and found that not to be
“free” time. Saturday evening meal prepared by the Host Team featured
Sloppy Joes, chips, cookies, and pudding. These meals always were accompanied with drinks supported by the
Threlkeld, Holmes dynamic duo.
Sunday morning began with the traditional continental breakfast (early departure),
followed
by
another
inspirational music event presented by
the “Happy OK Wanderers” choir. Our
chaplain, Ron Wadley’s sermonet was
real time in challenging us to bring
“witness” of our faith to a higher level.
Rally concluded and members anticipate a safe ride home and looking forward to Elk City.
Mary Powell, Steve Bivin, Mary English, and
Julie Bivin work on one of puzzles that the
host had everyone work on Friday Night. If
your table got the most right answers, individuals at the table roll dice to determine a
single winner. The single winner then has a
chance to choose one of the prize baskets
prepared by Sandy Tabor and her daughter
Suzie. These were really nice gifts and
everyone was trying hard to be the winner!
Volume XV III - Issue 4
April 2009 - Page 3
HAPPY OK WANDERERS’ Minutes of the May 01, 2009
General Membership Business Meeting Carthage, Missouri
The meeting was called to order by President Steve Bivin. Quorum was established. Secretary Lizz Hlavaty read the Minutes from the
October 31, 2009 General Membership Meeting and the Minutes were approved as read.
TREASURERS REPORT (See Attached): Sandy Tabor reported as of March 01, 2009
Beginning Balance
$ 6,708.80
Total Income
$ 5,072.50
Total Expense
$ 5,505.47
Ending Balance
$ 6,275.83
PRESIDENT: Steve Bivin stated that the Audit Committee which was comprised Ron Wadley, Chair, Jerry Slutz, and Gary Van Fossen
reported that the chapter finances are in good order. The membership voted to accept the Committee’s report as presented.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1ST Vice President Report: No Report
2ND Vice President Report: No Report
3RD Vice President Report: No Report
MEMBERSHIP: No Report
NATIONAL DIRECTOR REPORT: No Report
MEMBER PROFILES: Celeste Rodden reported that profile sheets are up to date.
CLOTHING: Judy Janicke has all available sizes of chapter vests available.
WEB MASTER: No report
NEWSLETTER: Earl Powell would like to avoid putting more than one rally registration in a single newsletter. He encouraged the rally
hosts to submit the post-rally summaries as soon as possible so that the newsletter can go out in a timely manner.
OLD BUSINESS: Julie Bivin reported about the December 2008 Christmas Luncheon. She stated that it was well attended and the funds
generated will allow them to purchase armoires for the church classrooms.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Refund of $200 State tourism deposit. This deposit had been a requirement for the booking of a rally a State Park facility. And since
we have not used a State Park for sometime, these funds were refunded back to the Chapter.
b) Sixth State Rally: This year’s rally will be held in Shawnee, OK on September 22-26. Steve Bivin listed all the scheduled events. Earl
Powell described some of the new type of seminars that will be available at this rally. Discussion continued regarding the chapter camping
option located at the Pottawatomie campsite. Since the cost will equate between the two options, it will be up to each member to book
their own arrangements.
c) Proposal to Amend the By-Laws. Article III.1 “Eligibility”. Steve Bivin proposal (see attached) was discussed and a vote was to accept
the amendment as presented.
d) 3rd Vice President Vacancy. Walt and Doris Murphy volunteered to fill the vacated position. The membership voted to accept their
nomination and elected them by acclamation.
e) Election of Temporary Delegate. Neither the chapter’s National Director nor the Alternate National Director is able to the National
FMCA Convention in Bowling Green, OH, July 20-23, 2009. Steve Bivin asked if anyone was planning to attend the Convention, and if
they would like to represent the Chapter as the Temporary Delegate. At this point in time, no one was sure of their travel plans. Secretary
Lizz Hlavaty explained that we have until June 29, 2009 to notify FMCA of an election of a Temporary Delegate. The membership voted
to table this until the next (May) rally.
f) Defibrillator. Steve Bivin asked Celeste Rodden to gather information regarding the chapter purchasing a defibrillator.
g) Next rally will be held at Elk City Civic Center on May 28-31, 2009.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted and awaiting Membership approval, Lizz Hlavaty, Secretary
April 2009 - Page 4
Volume XVIII - Issue 4
Tech
Talk
Geocaching Links
·
garmin.com
·
wikipedia
·
Buxley's Geocaching Waypoint
·
Geocaching With Kids
·
Tribe.net
·
factsfacts.com/
Region Specific
·
Northeast Geocaching
·
British Columbia Geocaching
·
Great Plains Geocaching
·
Manitoba Geocaching
·
Ontario Geocaching
·
Great Plains Geocaching
State Specific
This is not your typical Tech Topic but it is something that is very popular among many
people that are traveling in Motor homes. Imagine that you are hunting for buried treasure
in the remote reaches of the Southwest or at the top of the “Rocky’s”. This is what
Geo-caching is all about, the adventure of the search. In addition it gets you outside,
walking, climbing, breathing the fresh air of the outdoors. Yep! That means that it is good
for your health! Check out the article - then check out some of the web-sites. Maybe you
need to take up the hobby?!?
Geocaching
Treasure Hunting with GPS
Geocaching is a high-tech version of treasure hunting. RVers seek out hidden
treasures utilizing GPS coordinates posted on the Internet by those hiding the cache.
Using a GPS unit, RV geocachers venture out onto the highway and byways to find
the hiding spot of the cache. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide
variety of rewards. If the visitor takes something out of the cache, they are asked to
leave something in return. For RVers, the biggest reward is the thrill of the search
and the discovery of a place that they have never been.
Geocaching is a great activity for all ages. Whether parents want to explore nature
with their children or teachers want to activate the learning environment with handson experiences, there'sa geocache adventure that's right for you.
Where are Geocaches hidden?
Geocaches are mostly hidden on public recreational lands. They are only hidden on
private land if permission has been given by the landowner. Geocaching.com
encourages hiders to receive permission to hide a Geocache from the land management agency responsible for the area they wish to hide the Geocache in.
Geocaches are never buried. They are mostly hidden in natural crevices created by
rocks, stumps & trees. Many are cleverly camouflaged to look like branches, stumps,
squirrel & bird nests or birdhouses. The person that hides a cache will leave a hint
on the cache page so that a cache seeker will not damage an area trying to find a
hidden Geocache.
·
Arkansas Geocaching
·
Arizona Geocaching
·
Indiana Geocaching
·
Florida Geocaching
What kinds of containers are used?
·
Kentucky - The Daniel Boone
National Forest
·
Louisiana Geocaching
·
Maine Geocaching
Any container that is easily hidden and is weatherproof makes a good Geocache
container. Former food containers must be well cleaned to prevent forest creatures
from opening a container in search of a meal. The most popular containers are
Rubbermaid, & Tupperware containers, ice cream containers, peanut butter jars, old
picnic jugs, etc.
·
Maryland Geocaching
·
Michigan Geocaching
·
Minnesota Geocaching
·
New York Geocaching
·
Oklahoma Geocaching
·
Nevada Geocaching
What should not be in a Geocache?
·
Texas Geocaching
·
Tennessee Geocaching
·
Utah Geocaching
·
Washinton Geocaching
Geocaching is a family activity. Therefore no alcohol, cigarettes, adult or illegal
materials should be in a Geocache. Also, to prevent animals from destroying a
container, no food or scented products (e.g. candles, lip balm) should be in a
Geocache. Finally for safety's sake, no matches, lighters, fireworks, ammunition or
other explosive/flammable items should be inside a cache. Knives are also not
recommended, although the occasional pocketknife can be found as a trade item.
·
Wisconsin Geocaching
Geocaches should be clearly marked with the name of the Geocache & the cache
owner. Contact information should be found inside on the standard Geocaching
letter
What is in a Geocache?
All Geocaches should include a logbook. This is to record those who have visited the
cache. Some Geocaches include a camera for visitors to snap photos of themselves.
Most Geocaches contain items for trade. This can be a wide variety of items; from
kid's toys to tools, jewelry, gift certificates, the possibilities are almost endless.
Volume XV III - Issue 4
April 2009 - Page 5
Meal and Activity Schedule for Elk City Rally
THURSDAY
Arrivals- Welcome- Parking
Dinner @ 6:00
Potluck: Bring your favorite dish ! The hosts will also bring their favorite dish, and furnish
dessert and drinks.
Visit or play games
FRIDAY
Breakfast @ 8:30
Biscuits and gravy, juice, drinks
Lunch: On your on !
Dinner @ 6:00
Ham and beans, cornbread, coleslaw, dessert, drinks
Special games presented by Lyda Walker !!!!!!
SATURDAY
Brunch @ 9:30 (YES)
Casseroles, coffeecake, drinks
Special event after brunch!!!!!
Bring your crafts, collectables, and hobbies to show others.
You may show, tell, sell, or trade.
LUNCH ON YOUR OWN
Dinner @ 6:00
Barbecue brisket, green beans & new potatoes, salad and dessert, drinks
Special event after dinner!
Non-certified CPR class given by Elk City Fire Department. (Latest Method)
SUNDAY
Breakfast @ 8:30
Texas toast, jelly, juice
SPECIAL SUNDAY SERVICE
BRING TABLE SERVICE TO ALL MEALS
Volume XV III - Issue 4
April 2009 - Page 6
Happy (OK) Wanderers
Registration Form - Community Civic Center
Elk City, OK - May 28 - 31, 2009
Directions: From I-40 Westbound, take exit 41. Travel 1¼ miles west on access road to the Chamber of
Commerce/Community Building on the left (south) side of the road.
(Building and parking lot are surrounded by a rock and chain
link fence.)
Campground Address: 1016 East Airport/Industrial Road
Phone: 800.280.0207
Hook-ups: There will be 30 Amp Electric and water.
(Provisions have been made for disposal of Gray Water and there
will be a dump station available. Attendees are asked to come in with empty Black/Gray water tanks, plus bring a few extra boards to
ensure that you have enough to level - kind of like you did if you worked at Sedalia year-before-last. You will be parked on asphalt!)
Camping Fee: $20 for the entire week!!
(Arrive on Monday and stay till Sunday - Camping few is $20)
Please return registration forms and payment by April 15th to:
Jim and June Guess
Route 1, Box 35
Wynnewood, OK 73098
580.247.0770 or 580.369.3918
Deadline for Registration is May 15, 2009
Please make all checks out to Happy (OK) Wanderers
(Don’t forget your crafts and collectable's that you want to share with others)
(Cut along broken line and mail lower portion along with your check )
Name: ______________________________ Home Phone: _______________ Cell Phone: ____________________
Date of Arrival: _______________________ Date of Departure: ___________ E-mail: _______________________
Coach Length: __________ Number of Slides: ________ Special Parking Needs: ____________________________
(Handicap, Near Restroom, Near Meeting Room, etc)
Enclosed Check pays for the following items at Elk City Rally
Registration for Rally at $10 x ______ persons attending rally:
_________________
(Total # Attending)
Camping Fee of $20 for the entire rally (regardless of your arrival date)
Total Amount Enclosed:
__________________
__________________
We Look Forward to seeing you in Elk City, OK
Next Rally - Colbert , OK