FLORIDA EAGLE SAMS
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
GETAWAY SAMS
March 2011
February 25, 26 & 27, 2011 Thursday
The Johnsons arrived around 11:00 A.M. Joe & Carol Ring and Hank & Rita Pelz were already set
up. Jerry & Esther Eckhart were checking in when we arrived. Jeanne Dodd drove in car and Harriet
Haire would arrive later with her cousin Dorothy and Frank Reeds with their rigs. Paul & Mary
Fredericks, Bob & Sandy McKinley, Walt & Trudy Clayton and Jim and “D” McDade arrived in the
afternoon. We all set up camp and played cards in the afternoon. We all went out to eat at “Sticky
Fingers” for dinner. Al & Della Richardson arrived just in time to join us for dinner. Al had to leave
Friday morning to go to that four letter word place called “work”.
Friday - Friday morning, the Johnsons served a continental breakfast for all. They also served dinner
to all. We had beans, ham and fish with all the trimmings. Thanks to Harriet and Carol for help with
the trimmings. Sharon & Pam Bundy arrived during the afternoon. After dinner, we all played Jurassic
Park Downs creature races.
Saturday - The Johnsons served pancake, ham, bacon and sausage for breakfast. Robert and Susan
Roche drove in for the business meeting. We had a total of 11 member rigs, 1 guest rig and one
drive in couple. In the afternoon, we had an ice cream social at “Tea Time”. Esther’s granddaughter
and four (4) patients went to the flea market and came over to visit with us. We all had a good time.
The evening dinner was “pot luck” and was followed by BINGO. Walt called the bingo numbers and
did a great job; he’s getting stronger every day. We also had a “beans in a jar” raffle, which was won
by Jim McDade. Sharon picked up a Getaways Birthday cake and we celebrated our Chapter’s
birthday with ice cream cake. The weather was beautiful and the Canadian geese gave us a show. I
want to thank all of the game winners who donated to the VA Hospital cause. Sue and I would like to
thank all for your support in making this outing outstanding.
Your hosts John & Sue Johnson
April 2011
We, the Roches, arrived at the Starke KOA late in the afternoon on Thursday and found Walt and
Trudy Clayton already there to welcome us. The four of us decided to squeeze into our truck and had
a sumptuous meal at the local McDonalds. The Claytons were certainly very gracious to let us come
into their camper twice that weekend to watch the Gator men's basketball games on their TV and
listen to us whoop and holler over every play.
The Bundys arrived the next day with Sharon's granddaughter Macy, who was out of school for spring
break. With so few people we were able to spread the food around like the big pot of Brunswick Stew
for two days. There wasn't much in the way of the regular card games, but Sharon and Trudy
entertained us with their conversation. Sharon was very good at putting together a large puzzle she
brought and played Rummy with the Claytons. We played the board game Life, we had just bought,
with Pam and Macy although it was a lot of learning while you play. We did sneak away on Saturday
to visit the Waldo flea market and felt it was a good one although we were novices.
Everybody said it was a relaxing and enjoyable weekend not like the big crowds at most Campouts.
Sharon finished it off with her devotional on Sunday.
Robert and Susan Roche
Georgia State Samboree, Perry Georgia, March 16 - 19, 2011
The Johnsons, Pelzes, Richardsons and Rings caravanned to Perry, GA for the Georgia State
Samboree. There were over 500 rigs there, with 87 from Florida. Esther and Jerry Eckhart were on
the way to meet us, but an ill wind caused their trailer to turn over. Good news was that no one was
hurt – bad news was, their trailer was totaled.
Hank and Al won big bucks at BINGO and Carol and Sue won appropriate prizes at the Red Hat Tea.
Other winners were: Al, a basket of goodies, Hank, two nights camping in Alabama and Joe, an
adjustable table.
Sue and John really looked cute as a 50’s couple, Sue in her poodle skirt and John with a “greaser”
style hairdo and attire. Joe as “Elvis” enjoyed the ladies’ attention.
Johns “helicopter” from his navy days and Joe’s “C-124” from his days in the Air Force, along with
Orville Wright’s plane and lots more made a side trip to the aviation museum a memorable
experience. The entertainment was mostly country and very enjoyable. One female singer with her
“Patsy Cline” songs was a big hit with most of use. A mix of religious, a lot of pickin & grinnin, 50’s
music and excellent patriotic selections kept us well entertained. We collected personal “fleas” and
books & hats to donate to the VA Hospital at the Flea Market. There were a lot more activities — too
many to mention. It was a great Samboree.
May 2011
The May campout at Pecan Park RV Park included the Johnsons, Claytons, Richardsons,
Fredericks’, McDades, Pelzes and Rings. Debbie and D.J. Dlugoz arrive as guests, but were soon
voted in as our newest members. All of us really enjoy camping with this nice mother and son. For the
summer, we will miss hearing D J’s dirt bike adventures while they vacation at their New Hampshire
home.Esther and Gerry Eckhart drove in early Saturday and Sunday. Sharon and Pam Bundy drove
in for Saturday. Sharon delivered an impressive memorial devotional Saturday evening. Later, our
hearts were again touched by when a Vietnam veteran came to us to relate how much Sharon’s
tribute of gratitude to servicemen, meant to him. We had not realized that a group of campers sitting
outside the rec hall were also listening to our devotional. Al and Della Richardson camped at Pecan
Park, but commuted back and forth to attend a big family wedding with a rehearsal, limos and a fancy
hilltop dinner with its beautiful setting. John Johnson made another “corn toss” game that was in
almost constant use by our group and others. Friday’s fried chicken dinner was plentiful enough to
feed us two (2) days. Wonderful sides like strawberry short cake, mustard greens, potato salads,
pies, veggies, etc accompanied ham Saturday evening. We had ice cream a couple of times, as well
as water melons on a couple of occasions. With monkey bread and an egg, bacon, sausage, and
has brown breakfast on another day, we did a lot of eating. Friday afternoon we were blessed with
rain complete with hail, thunder and lighting. No one fussed because it has been so dry. We took up
$71.00 to benefit a four year old boy recently injured in a lawn mower accident. The Pecan Park Flea
Market was holding a festival to help the family. While we watched, a man caught a 10 pound
largemouth bass in the pond adjacent to the Rec hall. You fishermen bring your rods reels and plastic
worms when we return in August. JOHN IS SMOKING AGAIN! Sunday we enjoyed his delicious
smoked pork and chicken. Sue started the day with tasty egg and ham croissants. Later she had
terrific sides with the pork and chicken. Hank won big bucks at “screw your neighbor”. Of course, we
also found time for poker, Uno, Joker and hand and foot. Sunday evening, two Pecan Park residents,
Mark and Charlie, entertained us with a wonderful variety of familiar music. These excellent male
vocalists chose romantic, patriotic, religious and humorous songs that we all enjoyed. Jim & Dee
McDade and John & Sue Johnson took the opportunity to dance the night away Many thanks to
everyone who pitched in with the dishes, cleaning up, putting away, sweeping and mopping. The host
really appreciates the work of all of you. You are a great group. Your hosts Joe and Carol Ring
GOLDEN TRIANGLE SAMS
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
GO-SEE-UM SAMS
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
LAKE EOLA SAMS
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
SAMPIPERS
March 2011
April 2011
SOUTH FLORIDA SAMS
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
SUNSET RAMBLERS
March 2011
The Sunset Ramblers had four rigs present for our March campout. We were at Coastal RV in Brunswick, GA.
They have a beautiful campground including a nice lake. We spent lots of time down by the lake enjoying the
weather and the ducks. We played games and helped each other out on our computers. A few of us even
learned some new things about an iphone. The dogs enjoyed the many walks that we took. We enjoyed lots of
great food together. The weather was breezy but the skies were mostly blue and even when it was supposed
to rain it held off from our outdoor time. We are looking forward to our next campout at Pecan Park RV in
Jacksonville, April 8-10. Everyone is always welcome to come and visit with us. We would love to visit for the
day or camp with you for the weekend. Please give Leo Nadeau a call at 904-771-2762 to join us as we gather
for food, fun and fellowship.
April 2011
The Sunset Ramblers had four rigs and one guest rig present for our April campout. We were at Pecan Park
RV in Jacksonville, FL. We started off with a spaghetti dinner Friday night where we got to meet our guests.
We enjoyed an evening of chatting and visiting and getting caught up and even helped out a campsite
neighbor in need. They were brand new to camping and needed help with a loose connection that was
preventing the jacks from coming down and therefore the slides would not come out. They were from NJ and
were anxious to get to their shorts. Even the dogs were glad to lay in the shade rather than the Florida sun.
Saturday several of us journeyed over to the flea market before it got to hot. Others enjoyed another
computer lesson. We love how we help each other out. That’s what families are for. Two of our rigs could not
make the campout but came out for the day on Saturday. Early Saturday afternoon, we gathered in the air
conditioned building for our meeting. It was great to put together our camping plans for the rest of 2011. We
have lots of neat places coming up. We decided to check out all the “new” restaurants that have come to
North Jacksonville. We had a great time and laughed a lot at supper. We did try to play cards Saturday night
but the music was a little loud for the small clubhouse so we went back to our normal gathering outside of one
of the rigs. We had a good time telling stories of the olden days. We are looking forward to attending the
Florida Spring Samboree in Okeechobee Florida the first week of May and then camping again as a Chapter
May 13-15 at New Smyrna Beach RV in New Smyrna Beach. Everyone is always welcome to come and visit
with us. We would love to visit for the day or camp with you for the weekend. Please give Leo Nadeau a call at
904-771-2762 to join us as we gather for food, fun and fellowship.
May 2011
The Sunset Ramblers had busy month in May. We had 6 rigs attend the Good Sams of Florida Spring
Samboree in Okeechobee, Florida. We had 3 rigs attend the May campout at New Smyrna Beach RV Park in
New Smyrna Beach Florida. While at the Samboree one of our members took first place in the hand and foot
card game. One of our members participated for his second chapter in the opening ceremonies color guard.
Three of our members participated in the chapter parade representing the various chapters we belong to. We
had a great time visiting with old friends and making new friends. We enjoyed the food and entertainment and
even had a couple up dancing to the music. The May campout was a very relaxing one. Several of us enjoyed
the pool. We all enjoyed sitting in the great sea breeze that carried off any bugs that might have been
around. One of our member’s son came to visit and used the great shade to wash and wax his parent’s rig.
We moved our gathering inside when the afternoon thundershower threatened to carry us off. It was a great
weekend of relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. We are looking forward to attending the next
campout scheduled for June 10-12 at Suwannee Valley Campground in White Springs, Florida. Everyone is
always welcome to come and visit with us. We would love to visit for the day or camp with you for the
weekend. Please give Leo Nadeau a call at 904-771-2762 to join us as we gather for food, fun and fellowship.
June 2011
The Sunset Ramblers had three rigs present for our June campout at Suwannee Valley Campground in White
Springs, Florida. We enjoyed the supper put on by the campground Friday night. The ice social for dessert
was a hit with all. Saturday morning everyone took their time getting up and about. We enjoyed gathering in
the late morning for some fellowship time. In the afternoon one the couples went to visit friends in the local
area. The others enjoyed a leisurely afternoon in the shade. We repaired a small job on one rig and took the
time to sew on the rally bars we received in May. We enjoyed a great supper. We broke out the grill and
everyone cooked their meat and we shared wonderful side dishes. The fellowship and conversation was
lively. There was a nice breeze to keep away the bugs. We lived up to our helpful reputation and helped a
neighboring rig get his motor home stairs stay in so he could drive home safely. We are looking forward to our
next campout at Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park in Citrus County, Florida. Everyone is always welcome to
come and visit with us. We would love to visit for the day or camp with you for the weekend. Please give Leo
Nadeau a call at 904-771-2762 to join us as we gather for food, fun and fellowship.
TRAIL BLAZING SAMS
March 2011
Our Campout was held at Paradise Oaks RV Resort in Bushnell, Florida on March 25-26th where we had 18
member rigs and 1 drive-in in attendance. What a neat campground this is, rally rates are very reasonable
and the facilities have a lot to offer Good Sam Chapters. For those who play golf the recently opened 9 hole
executive golf course adds a new dimension to this location. While the course is considered to be still under
construction, management is not charging green fees at this time. March can be a difficult time for securing a
campground but this did not cause a problem at all due to the fact that Paradise Oaks has two kitchens and
two recreation halls. Our stay with them was really a pleasure. Our host and hostess for the weekend was
Chuck and Jean Potter. Even though they are new to hosting, they did a really fantastic job in preparing our
meals and organizing activities to keep us busy. Friday’s schedule consisted of golf, bean bag baseball and in
the evening dime bingo. Saturday after our business meeting it was golf for some while the ladies spent part
of the afternoon making 78 Easter Baskets which would be delivered to The Children’s Home in Tampa,
Florida. Later in the afternoon most participated in a couple’s holey board contest. Later we enjoyed a
shortened social hour and then our hosts served us a very nice lasagna dinner. Since there is no Samboree
in April this year twelve (12) of our members are headed to Alabama early April to attend the Alabama State
Samboree. Due to Easter being so late this year, Florida State Samboree will be held May 4-8th.
April 2011
May 2011
WUNWUNWUN SAMS
March, April, & May 2011
