| JULY - AUGUST 2008 CHAPTER NEWS |
| BAY AREA SAMS During the summer months, we do not have monthly campouts. This is due to many members being on trips to see friends & family and some of our members are work campers during this time. We do have a monthly "Meet, Greet & Eat" at a local restaurant in June, July & August for members who are able to attend. In September, we will camp at The Oaks Campground in Bushnell, FL and have a "Welcome Back" pizza party for members. FLORIDA EAGLE SAMS Last month our campout was held at New Smyrna Beach RV Park with nine rigs. Hosts for the weekend were Lee and Carol Getsee and Tom and Charlotte O’Daniel. The park was very nice except that the “rec” room was being renovated and had no air conditioning. We set up tables between two rigs; it was a nice change and the weather cooperated nicely. The clubhouse was cool enough in the morning for breakfast and our meeting. Saturday we played one of our favorite games, Bean Bag Baseball. That evening we had a cookout serving hamburgers and hotdogs hot off the grill. We played a new car game, “Card Scramble.” A good time was had by all playing our card games outside. Our July campout was held at Olde Mill Stream in Umatilla with seven rigs; hosts were Fred and Jane Poole. We welcomed visitors from Altamonte Springs. We had a great weekend even though we were low in number. Fred and Jane cooked chicken on the grill with the rest of us providing side dishes. Instead of getting together to play games and cards several of us went to find fireworks; we found some in Umatilla which were beautiful to watch. Friday afternoon the campground held a lovely picnic lunch for everyone who wanted to come. GETAWAY SAMS Hail, Hail, the gang all got to this clean, friendly campground — Eagles Nest RV Park, Kings Bay Naval Base, GA — for our June campout. There were four member rigs. Some toured historic downtown St Mary’s and saw the fourth oldest Catholic Church in America (built in 1847) and the beautiful waterfront with a view of Cumberland Island. One couple went fishing and crabbing. Others visited the world famous KB Finnegans Irish Pub. The All Hands evolution was enjoyed by those who cared to venture three nickels to play CLR for awhile; and otherwise, spare time was filled in with episodes of Jokers, Hand & Foot and Poker games. The weather was good, and I think most everybody at the campout had an enjoyable time. Our July campout at Oaks n Pines RV Park in Lake City was unexpectedly eventful. Eileen and Laurie came for a wonderful visit! We had five rigs plus guests. Sharon, Trudie,. Macy and Carol volunteered at the Lake City VA Hospital Friday morning. Donations valued over $820 were contributed. The eight afghans were truly a whole group effort; members not into crocheting proved to be very handy at finishing those evasive loose ends. Talking with the residents was a great adventure for us. These decorated heroes poured forth their love of God, family and country while exhibiting a great sense of humor. It was a heartwarming, blessed experience for us. JUPITER LIGHTHOUSE The May campout was held at Treasure Coast RV Park with 19 rigs plus several visitors. Friday we went to eat at the Cracker Barrel for breakfast. After dinner Friday the card game players met in the game room for poker, “99,”, Okeechobee Bridge and pinochle. Saturday we enjoyed bean bag baseball and Texas hold’em while others spent time at the pool or shopping. Catered dinner was great. Again we played games after dinner. SALTY SAMS In August we were at the Big Cypress Town and Campground – right in the middle of the Indian Reservation but listed as being outside Clewiston. It was pretty quiet and empty this past week but lots of activities available – the museums, Indian sightseeing areas, pool, whirlpool bath, clubhouse, miniature golf. The small community even has an airport and a runway that is capable of landings and takeoffs for large jets. We did not have a big turnout but it was a nice time even though we had rain every day. Friday we went to the Indian reservation restaurant. It was clean and had a few Indian dishes; otherwise it was American dishes with different names but it was an enjoyable dinner. Besides the restaurant, there were swamp buggy rides, alligator wrestling and other Indian entertainment. Saturday we all went to the Indian museum which was nice, educational and reasonable. SUNSET RAMBLERS The July campout was held at the Ocala North RV park in Reddick with four rigs. While Sue worked on sewing ditty bags for the VA hospital John worked on installing roll out drawers under the dinette seats in Roy’s new camper. It is great having such a wonderful woodworker in the chapter. Some went to a seafood restaurant for supper and then played dominoes in the clubhouse. The joker board was another favorite. Kim taught the women how to make magnolia flowers out of balloons. She had learned this in a class at The Rally in Perry. The August campout was held at Pecan Park RV park in Jacksonville with six rigs. Thursday some storms with very high winds hit damaging some awnings. Friday afternoon a game of dominoes was played and then, in the evening, it was chat time. Saturday several went over to the flea market. Ken and Sherrie got home late Friday afternoon from their adventure to Mt. Rushmore and came over for the meeting and again for supper. |