Yesterday I was at Costco buying a large bag of

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1 MARCH 2016 Volume 17 Issue 3 Florida Springs Unit 174 Chartered June 23, 1983 Editor: John Miller floridasprings174@gmail.com Good day from President Lou. Just a short note to say that it's good to be back home. Sonja and I had a wonderful visit to New Zealand and look forward to sharing some of our memories with you. The March rally is just around the corner and I encourage you all to call and book your sites as soon as possible. There's lots to do in the area and it promises to be a fun rally. See you there! So far the following have signed up for the Rally: Miller Shay Taylor Forman Shinnamon/Meistrell Graybiel Cheers, and as they say in New Zealand, "No worries!" Lou Hear Yea - Hear Yea from President LOU A RETIREE'S LAST TRIP TO COSTCO Yesterday I was at Costco buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Necco, the Wonder Dog, which weighs 191 lbs. I was in the check-out line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog. What did she think I had.. an elephant? So because I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and Ivs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a Perfect Diet and that the way that it works is, to load your jacket pockets with Purina Nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete, so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care, because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stopped to Pee on a Fire Hydrant and a car hit me. I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. Costco won't let me shop there anymore. Better watch what you ask retired people. They have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say.

2 Roll that Beautiful Bean Footage The drive to Chestnut Hill, TN through the countryside to the homestead of Jay and Duke Bush of Bush s Baked Beans starts you on a journey of the story of this famous dog and the Company he represents. The first thing you will note when you step out of your vehicles is the unusual, and unexpected, odor. (Smells a bit like cabbage; perhaps part of the secret family recipe?) Most likely the smell is a byproduct of the processing of the beans. It doesn t take too long to get past the odor, and go back in time to the early days of the Bush family farm. Interestingly enough, in the beginning the Bush s family business had nothing to do with beans. Back in 1904 they actually started out by canning tomatoes for the Stokely family, another famous name in canned foods. In 1908 the Bush s bought out the Stokely s and became an independent operation. Over the years the product offerings of the Bush s have gone from tomatoes to include hominy, sauerkraut and a multitude of canned vegetables to that which they are currently best known for... Bush s Beans. Upon entering the museum you will be warmly greeted and invited to see the next video presentation of the history of the company. In addition, the video provides a virtual tour of the cannery describing just how those beautiful beans go from the field to the grocery store shelf. Although there are no actual tours of the cannery, the video does a nice job of showing all aspects of the process. Store, for souvenir shopping. After the video, you can walk through the museum where there are some hands on activities for kids as well as photographs and more information about the history of the company. Near the exit, there is even a place to have a photo taken with Duke, the famous talking Golden Retriever, who is still trying to expose the Bush's 'secret family recipe'. (The photo is complimentary; a nice touch!) On the way out there is the gift shop, the General To round out the afternoon, stop at the Bush s Family Café, overlooking the family homestead and the cannery. It s a nice place to have a meal before heading back to where you have your Airstream parked. There is no charge to tour the museum or see the video. The hours of the museum and store vary by season. In the spring through the fall, museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the store staying open one hour later. In the winter, the museum closes at 3 p.m. and the store at 4 p.m.. The video is shown in Bush s Theater, inside the museum, with shows every 45 minutes beginning at 10:15 a.m.. Bush s Family Café is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., year round. For directions and the latest information be sure to check out the Bush s Visitor Center website:

3 At the March Rally a Members Meeting will be held to vote on Agenda items for the International Delegates Meeting to be held at the International Rally on June 30, 2016 in Lewisburg, WV. Our Delegate will vote the Members decisions on the following items: Slate of International Officers Note, Pat McFadden has withdrawn his name as candidate for 3 rd Vice President Constitutional Amendments shown on the next 2 pages of this edition of the Manatee. Ok. This RV started off as an Airstream trailer, I m pretty darn sure of that. But somewhere along the line it got transformed into a motorhome, but not in the "mass produced" sense. I don't believe you will see many models of this rolling down the highway. Just this one, I think. Maybe it s a prototype for a new Class C. I call this Virgin Melon. Notice the statute of the Virgin Mary. Maybe an old Bambi! A 1939 Lindbergh Travel Trailer custom-built for famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, hence its name. Skinned in aluminum to reduce weight and enhance appearance, the trailer boasts two axles, one at each end. The design gave the trailer a great deal of stability when parked for overnight stops and did not require that the tongue be supported on jacks when unhitched from the tow vehicle.

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6 Rally rate $ ($2 extra per night for cable TV. Florida Springs Unit Rally: March 10 13, 2016 Blue Parrot Camping Park County Road 25 Lady Lake, FL (Sheri Michael) Members must call individually to make their booking. You will be charged a deposit of $38.22, but that will be adjusted when you pay the bill on arrival. Please try to call 30 days ahead. It is a busy time for the campground. Meal Schedule: 5:30 pm - Thursday March 10th - Dinner at Gator Joes (see directions below) 8:00 am - Friday March 11th Breakfast in the kitchen area. (not the Rec Hall). 1:00 pm - Lunch: Early Pot Luck in the kitchen area. 6:00 pm - Dinner: Pot Luck Leftovers or Dinner on your own 8:00 - Saturday March 12th - Breakfast in the Rec Hall (provided by the campground) (tentative). Paid for by the rally hosts. 6:00 pm - Dinner in the kitchen area Host provided. 8:00 am - Sunday March 13th Breakfast in the kitchen area.. Places to eat in the area. (All open for lunch and dinner) Gator Joes. (Beach Bar and Grill) (We will be going there for dinner on Thursday evening.) (Casual, on the water, laid-back atmosphere) SE 135th Ave., Ocklawaha. Turn right from the campground on SR 25. Pass 42. Go to 135th Ave. Turn left. Follow the signs. Eaton s Beach. (Sandbar and Grill) (Casual, but more upscale than Gator Joes.) SE 134th Ave, Weirsdale. Turn right from the campground on SR 25. Turn left on 42. Look for sign on right. Turn right. Limited parking but there is an alternate parking area. The Bistro. On Grand Oaks Property Marion County Road, Weirsdale. This is a very nice but casual restaurant on Grand Oaks Property. Open for lunch. (see menu) Stavros. (Italian) 3223 N. Hwy 441/27, Fruitland Park, FL. (CONTINUED NEXT PAGE)

7 Florida Springs Unit Rally: March 10 13, 2016 (CONTINUED) The Villages, Lake Sumter Village. (Lots of restaurant choices.) Turn left from the campground on SR 25. Go to 441/27. Turn right. Go to Hwy 466. Turn left onto Morse Boulevard. This takes you into the town center.... Activities. There are a number of fun things to do in the area. Here are some suggestions: Taste This Thrift shop. (Worth a visit!) Mostly furniture and household items. They also sell boiled peanuts! Turn right from the campground on SR 25. Pass 42. Go to 135th Ave. Thrift store is on the right hand corner. Grand Oaks Carriage House Marion County Road, Weirsdale, FL Tour of the Carriage Museum $15. No charge if you just want to tour the Grand Oaks property. 2. USEF Horse Show (Hunter Jumper Show) March 12 and 13. Open to the public. Uncle Donald s Farm. Uncle Donald s Farm 2713 Griffin Ave, Lady Lake Tour a real farm with a number of farm animals. $10.50 for the tour (including hayride). No charge for driving in and peeking over fences. Markets of Marion Flea & Farmers Market. Friday: 8am 3 pm. Sat and Sun: 8am 4pm SE Hwy 441, Bellview, FL There is an Antique Engine Show on all 3 days. This is a semi-annual event. North Lake Flea Market. Fri, Sat, Sun US Hwy 441/27, Fruitland Park, FL Lake Sumter Landings, The Villages Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages, FL Music and dancing every evening after 5 pm. Tours of Lake Sumter Landings at The Villages are available. You need to be there at the main building to put your name on the list about an hour in advance. It is well worth it if you haven t done it! Spanish Springs, The Villages. Alonzo Ave, Lady Lake, FL Not as many stores as Lake Sumter but they also have music and dancing every evening after 5 pm.

8 LUNCH AT RED S - FEBRUARY 23rd