President Tressa Dishman 904-504-1031 Vice President Susan Roche 904-735-9433 Secretary Sheila Garbecki 904-477-1941 Treasurer Deb Dlugosz 904-945-2365 Newsletter Editor Don Dishman 904-641-4059 Newsletter Layout Tressa Dishman As a member of the Good Sam Club I pledge to give aid to others in need, respect nature and the environment, give back to the community and those less fortunate, treat others with dignity and respect, and to wear a smile (like Good Sam and Good Samantha s) and promote the pledge of the Good Sam Club to others. Happy Birthday March Sue Johnson - 13th; Carol Ring 23rd Happy Anniversary March Dan & Deb Dlugosz - 23rd - Happy 26th! April Bob & Sheila Garbecki - 2nd - Happy 42nd! Don & Tressa Dishman - 16th - Happy 36th! March 2019 A Weekend at Eagles Roost Lake Park, Georgia On Thursday, Don & Tressa met up with John & Sue at the Rest Stop in the Forest, just before Lake City and headed to Huddle House for a brunch... Forgetting that we were to have a late lunch/early dinner at Fazoli s. Thankfully, Bob & Sheila as well as Deb were patient and understanding - so we postponed that meal. Surprisingly, Bob & Sheila beat everyone to the campground, followed shortly by Deb and then the other 2 rigs. After getting set up, we enjoyed sitting around visiting. Dinner at Fazoli s was topped off by everyone enjoying a bite of chocolate cheese cake (Deb got Don one with cherries). Back at the campground we found that Deb s electricity wasn t working right - so after much fiddling and fixing, she moved to another site where she had power. The ladies finished the evening by gathering in the little hall to play several games of Jokes - with Deb and Sue whomping up on Sheila and Tressa 4 out of 5 games. Friday morning, we gathered at the Johnson s site to set up and cook a yummy breakfast of French toast, sausage, fruit and other goodies. After we cleaned up, it was time to work on Jokers games that John wanted to get finished. It didn t take long for us to realize how much work went into each game... John had already cut, drilled and varnished the forms. Our next step was to mark, cut and glue the felt on the bottoms, then trim them. Sue then added the Home and Castle stickers, while John and Tressa counted out the pegs for each game. When all was said and done, we had the makings of 8 Jokers games completed. In between the gluing and trimming of the felt, Tressa joined Deb in her rig to have fun playing around on their guitars - finding campfire songs for the group to enjoy sometime in the future. Joe came in during the afternoon, followed shortly by Vida & Joel, and Dan. Time to
set up and relax, taking a little time to introduce Bear to Maggie, Louie, Dannica and Missy - who welcomed him with a a woof and a wag. Dinner that night was pizzas on the grill - using 6 round pizza forms topped with everything except anchovies and the kitchen sink. After cleaning up, feeding and walking the pups, Sue, Tressa and Deb introduced Vida to the game of Jokers. Time for bed - getting ready for another busy day. Because she wasn t feeling up to snuff - Sheila and Bob decided to head home early on Saturday, not staying to partake in the waffles featured as our breakfast, along with every kind of topping you could think of as well as fruit and sausage. Clean up was quick and easy then some of us headed over to the Flea Market next door to the campground. Yep, a few of us found some good bargains, while a few headed to Winn-Dixie to do their shopping. The afternoon was a good time to relax (that s what the men did most of the time) or play Jokers (Sue, Deb, Vida and Tressa) at the pavilion as Mother Nature cooperated in providing beautiful weather the whole weekend. We carpooled to dinner at the Farm House Restaurant where we enjoyed home cooked meals - everything from soup and salads to beef stew or fried chicken livers. A final opportunity to enjoy games - this time Joe, Sue, Deb and Tressa gathered to play Jokers in the small hall. Sunday morning and time to head home - Thanks to the staff at Eagles Roost and to host, Deb for a great weekend. See you next time - Way Down Upon the Suwannee River - in Mayo, Florida. Our weekend in pictures: L-R: John & Sue s site; Tressa (walking Louie and Maggie) visits with Sheila; Sheila with Dock Diving Diva Dannica enjoying being in the fresh air. At Fazoli s - Sue & John, after enjoying their pasta dishes, pack up leftovers; Tressa, bagging up her left- 0vers and the cherry cheese cake for Don (thanks, Deb); on Friday morning, getting things set up for French Toast breakfast. Top Row (l-r): Making Jokers games - Bob marked the felt then cut the forms out; Tressa, Bob, John & Don - gluing felt onto the wooden forms; waiting for the glue to dry (Tressa, Bob & John), with bricks on top to help seal the deal; trimming excess felt off (Bob & John). Left: Tressa and Deb teamed up to play against Sue and Vida (a first time player) in several games of Jokers. 2
Enjoying the beautiful weather at the pavilion - Vida learns how to play Blockus (didn t take her long to figure out who to block); in the evening Dan plays on his phone while Sue, Deb, Tressa and Joe play several games of Jokers. Changes at the VA: At the visit on March 3rd, we were advised of the following changes: Time - in order to make the times standard, we will now start the Bingo games at 2 p.m., instead of 1:30 p.m. In talking with Brenda, it was suggested that we arrive between 12:45 and 1 p.m. She will arrange to have lunches brought in around that same time. Transportation of Residents - We are permitted to transport (push wheelchairs) of residents - however, it has been suggested that we accompany Jeff (or any other Recreation staff) when they go upstairs so that they can indicate which residents we are to move. Scheduled Visits for 2019: We will be going to the medical center on April 7, June 2, July 7, August 4, October 6, November 3, and December 1. Please check your schedules and advise Tressa when you will be able to participate. Remember - many hands make light work! Spring Good Sam Rally - We have decided not to apply for a specific volunteer service - however, if you want to volunteer to help, please see the State Staff in charge of the various activities to check for availability of volunteer opportunities. Travel plans have not been firmed up yet - some want to drive straight down while others prefer to make a stop overnight on the way down. More information to follow. Looking Ahead - Campout Dates for 2019 MONTH/DATES HOSTS LOCATION * Jan. (24) 25-27, 2019 Sue/John Johnson Lake City RV Resort, Lake City Sheila/Bob Garbecki (386) 752-0830 Feb. (21) 22-24 Deb Dlugosz Eagles Roost, Lake Park, GA (229) 559-5192 March (21) 22-24 Tressa/Don Dishman Suwannee River Rendezvous, Mayo (386) 294-2510 April (25) 26-28 April (30) May 1-5 Spring Good Sam Rally* KOA Okeechobee, Florida Note: Change of date for Spring Rally due to Easter weekend. * Application attached to newsletter. May (23) 24-27 Susan/Robert Roche Kelly s RV Park, White Springs, FL (Memorial Weekend) (844) 695-7527 Aug. (29) 30-Sept 2 North Florida Lifetime Sams Labor Day Campout ALL are invited to attend Ocala North RV Park, Ocala (352) 591-1723 Sept. (26) 27-28 Jyn/John Fortson Blythe Island Campground, Brunswick, GA (912) 279-2812 Oct. (24) 25-27 D/Jim McDade TBA Nov. (19) 20-25 Fall Good Sam Rally - 50th Anniversary! Southern Palms RV Resort, Eustis, FL Dec. (27) 28-1/2/20 Tentatively set for Lake City RV Resort - subject to change. Dates will need to be adjusted to allow for weekend/new Year s celebration. Planning to camp? Please remember to make your reservations as soon as possible and to let the hosts know that you plan to come. ***Registration forms for Good Sam Rallies will be attached as they are available. Please complete and submit registrations as soon as possible to assist State in setting up the Rally. All attendees at Rallies are asked to participate in planning/hosting a day of activities (meals, meetings, etc.).the February (Winter Rally) when there is one scheduled, and November (Fall Rally) take the place of regularly scheduled weekends. 3
GOOD SAMS OF FLORIDA, INC. 2019 SPRING RALLY Theme: Hawaiian Party May 1 thru May 5, 2019 Early Bird Tues April 30, 2019 OKEECHOBEE KOA RESORT - 4276 HWY 441 S., OKEECHOBEE FLORIDA 34974-6255 REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES: 4 nights camping with water, electric, sewer, cable, hospitality, Samgo, door prizes, table decoration contest, flea market, seminars, rally bars, RV dealers, vendors, entertainment, and more. CANCELLATIONS There will be a processing fee for all cancellations based on cancellation date: Prior to March 1st - $10.00; March 2nd thru March 31st $15.00; April 1st and forward $25.00 **All cancellations and refund requests must be in writing from YOU and emailed to Tommy Crutchfield, State Director or Linda Voyton, treasurer, before the rally begins. We cannot have any cancellations during the rally and expect to get a refund. No deductions for early departure. WE WILL HAVE CHAPTER PARKING NOTE: REGISTRATIONS MUST BE IN 14 DAYS PRIOR TO RALLY TO PARK WITH CHAPTER Handicapped spaces will only be provided for our Handicapped members with proper credentials. Please indicate if you want to park with your chapter OR in HANDICAPPED SPACES. (NOT BOTH) Unregistered late arrivals may not be parked with their chapter. ****IMPORTANT!! ARRIVE WITH TOWED VEHICLE UNHOOKED*** MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO: GOOD SAMS OF FLORIDA, INC. Please attach a self-addressed stamped envelope for confirmation of registration. PLEASE RETURN LOWER PORTION OF THIS FORM WITH FEES TO: Linda Voyton, P. O. Box 1604, Lutz, FL 33548 We are looking forward to seeing you at Florida State Rallies! Tommy & Lois Crutchfield, State Directors (850) 723-0119 Email: crutchfieldt01@bellsouth.net NAME (please print) Last First Chapter Name OR Handicapped ADDRESS Street City and State Zip Handicapped# Rig Length Rig Type # of Adults # of Children (A, B, C trailer, 5th wheel) 2019 RALLY FEE PREPAID REGISTRATION ($135.00) $ EARLY BIRD ($30.00) $ SINGLE PERSON RIG ($110.00) $ Phone # EXTRA ADULT ($30.00) $ E-Mail REGISTRATION AT GATE ($145.00) $ PRINT CLEARLY TOTAL FEES FOR 2019 Okeechobee $ (children under 12 are free) INTERESTED IN PLAYING IN A GOLF TOURNAMENT? YES IS THIS YOUR FIRST FLORIDA RALLY? YES NO NOTE: We the undersigned understand the Florida Good Sam State Staff has taken reasonable and necessary safety precautions. Therefore, we accept full responsibility for the welfare of our unit and all persons in our unit while attending the Florida Rally. DATE: SIGNATURE: We, Good Sams of Florida, Inc., Reserve the right to refuse any application. www.goodsams-florida.org 4
Updates on our camping family: Within the past month, a number of our camping family members have had health issues please remember them in your thoughts and prayers stay in touch when you can. Hank Pelz surgery and treatment for mesothelioma making great strides and a good recovery. Sharon Bundy shoulder repair surgery thanks to good care by Nurse Pammy, Sharon is making a good recovery and appreciates all prayers. John Johnson stint placement for blocked artery has returned to work but is also behaving (going to see his doctor. Jan Allen - dealing with a wonky knee - awaiting visits to the doctor and treatment for it. Others have experience various allergies, colds, and snuffles thank goodness they are all on the road to recovery. If you know of a health issue, please let us know (after getting permission to share) so we can keep all in our prayers and be able to reach out to help when needed. Sharon, recovering after having her shoulder surgery, has been trying to behave herself by sitting around with her arm in sling and supported by a pillow. She reports that she has been well cared for by Nurse Pammy. Kans for K-9s: Lynn Vernon, a neighbor of the Garbecki s, is a representative for the local K-9 s for Warriors. They participate in helping veterans secure service dogs at the center. www.k9sforwarriors.org If you have wondered what to do with the cans after you take the tabs off for Ronald McDonald House, this is a great way to recycle while helping our American Veterans. 5
Getaway Sams Campout Activities March (21) 22-24, 2019 Suwannee River Rendezvous Date Time Activity/ Location Thursday 3/21 Begin arriving at campground. When you arrive, go to your site, set up and get settled. Then walk to the office (see site map below) to finish your registration. You do not want to drive your rig down to the office! 6 p.m. Dinner Chicken and Rice at the Pavilion, weather permitting. Friday 3/22 Evening Gather in Lodge (at the office) for card games and socializing Breakfast on your own (Coffee will be available at the Pavilion). Lunch on your own * Sign up for fun campground activities see below; rent a canoe/kayak, go for a swim, or just sit and visit or play card games. Locations TBA 5:30 p.m. Dinner Grandma Sue s Cooking Shack go early to save a seat for bingo 7 p.m. Bingo in the Lodge Saturday 3/23 Breakfast Grandma Sue s Cooking Shack 10 a.m. Chapter meeting time to plan our Rally Activities Lunch on your own * Sign up for fun campground activities see below; rent a canoe/kayak, go for a swim, or just sit and visit or play card games. Location TBA 5:30 p.m. Dinner Bring your own meat and a side to share. Grills at Pavilion. 7 p.m. Karaoke/Trivia at the Lodge or Cards and socializing at the Pavilion Sunday 3/24 9 a.m. Devotional at the Pavilion As you can see from the information below, the campground has a number of fun activities. We have tried to leave time to enjoy them and encourage you to participate when you can. Pigeon Races* - Saturdays 3 p.m., at the Coop Suwannee River Rendezvous Campground Weekend Activities Bingo - Fridays at 7 p.m., at the Lodge Chicken Poo Bingo* - Saturdays at 5 p.m. Karaoke/Trivia - Saturdays 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., at the Lodge Please look for all activity postings throughout the campground for details Office/Lodge Park in your site, get set-up and settled in, then go to office at the Lodge to register. 6