THE S*M*A*R*T CAJUN March 2016 James Alvis Ferguson US Navy June 22, 1940 - February 13, 2016 Jim will always be remembered as the SMART Cajun Fishing Champion! We were saddened to learn of the passing of one of our long-time SMART members. James (Jim) Alvis Ferguson, 75, of Dozier, AL. Jim passed away Saturday February 13, 2016 in Montgomery, AL. Memorial services were held at 2 PM Saturday February 20, 2016 at Foreman Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Fred Karthaus officiating. The family visited with friends following the service Several SMART Cajuns attended.. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary, two daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and David Marcum of Dozier; Dorene and Keith Stevenson of Virginia Beach; one son and daughter-in-law, Darrell and Masami Ferguson of Sugarland, TX; grandchildren; a brother and sister-inlaw; and sister and brother-in-law, Dick and Joan Nallick U.S. AF They reside in Panama City, FL THREE NEW MEMBERS!!! introducing them below Bill Bo and Karen DeBilieux U.S. Army They call Baton Rouge, LA home Francis Arceneaux conducts his first meeting as president. (not seen in photo is VP Doug Barksdale) Dennis and Carol Groebe U.S.Army COE They reside in Fairhope, AL April 11-14, 2016 Poche s Fish-N-Camp Breaux Bridge, LA Host: Francis and Lynette Arceneaux S*M*A*R*T National Muster Sept 21-25, 2016 Amana Colonies RV Park, Amana, IA Host: SMART Mohawks and Midway USA The SMART CAJUN is the Louisiana Chapter of SMART. Views expressed are those of the editor and do not necessarily reflect those of SMART. Direct inquiries to Bill Blansfield, 11813 Knights Bridge Dr., Austin, TX, 78759 or bblansfield@juno.com. Future Musters April 28 - May 1, 2016 South Central Regional Muster Sun Roamers RV Park, Picayune, MS Host: Mississippi Magnolias September 29 - October 2, 2016 Sun Roamers RV Park Picayune, MS Host: needed WHAT DATES CAN YOU HOST A MUSTER? IT IS EASY AND FUN! SIMPLY CALL A FEW CAJUN FRIENDS AND SEE WHAT FAVORITE DISHES THEY WANT TO PREPARE FOR THE GROUP. CALL OR EMAIL MUSTER MASTER CHARLIE LEBLANC TODAY AND GIVE HIM YOUR PREFERRED DATES...504-616-6959 OR CHASNDIANNE@BELLSOUTH.NET
~~~ Member news ~~~ Joan Nallick - Recovering from back surgery, at last report she is doing well. Juanita Glazier - scheduled for hip replacement surgery. Godfrey Boudreaux - had shoulder and rotator cup surgery Monday March 21 and will be unable to drive the RV for a while. Joe Comeaux - scheduled for surgery on his legs(s) due to some blockages. Maggie Highton - is having various medical tests done. Linda Leggett - was scheduled March 16 to have her last reconstructive surgery due to breast cancer and she and Johnny plan to attend the Ya ll Come Muster. John Cross - will be attending the Blind Rehabilitation Program at the Gulf Coast VA Medical Center in Biloxi, MS. for the next several weeks and will probably miss the Ya ll Come Muster. Gloria reports that things are progressing well, and there was no time wasted getting started with the program. Phyllis Durbin - having a lot of pain with her neck has returned home in North MS. Surgery is needed and she and Gerald will try to schedule the surgery in Tupelo, MS or Memphis, TN. After surgery she will be fitted with a neck brace. Travels will be limited. Gerald said he would update us on her progress in the future. Larry Sockwell - Cynthia reports he is undergoing test for diabetes and sleep apnea. Treatment for the diabetes is postponed until the sleep apnea is brought under control. Terilu Christensen - had heart surgery to repair a mitral valve. She is now in physical therapy and appears to be recuperating well. Sharon Nieves - having hip problems and was to have an injection to help relieve the pain as she and Julio embark on travels to several musters. Lois Maurer - having problems with bulging disks in her back, surgery is not an option. ~~~~Please keep these members and friends in your thoughts and prayers.~~~~ from Gene Stubbs, Luncheon Coordinator... As preparations continue for the South Central Regional Muster at Sun Roamers RV Park, new items continue to develop. The ladies of the SMART Magnolias will host a Tour and Luncheon that will surely excite the Ladies of the Group (Men not included). Some of you may have heard of Paula s Pastry Shop, others may not. Paula s Pastry is Home of the Original Cream Cheese Filled King Cakes (a Mardi Gras Favorite). Paula s Pastry Shop ships King Cakes throughout the country, especially during Mardi Gras Season. This is a great opportunity for you to visit, tour and dine at this local well known establishment. Cost of the luncheon and tour is $17.00. Please make your menu selection and pay at registration.
What A Great Muster it was, hosted by Chuck and Tracey Kreiger; and Paul and Margie Moniz in Magnolia Springs, AL First day of the Muster, St. Patrick s Day was celebrated, with green everywhere! At right, a closeup of decorations. Tracey Krieger, Juanita Glazier, and newcomer Karen DeBlieux make ready the green St. Pat s decorations Charley LeBlanc, Bob Glazier and Francis Arceneaux visit among the gaily decorated tables, while a card games goes on in the background Kudos to this muster s co-hosts... What can we say about Tracey and Chuck Krieger, and co-host Paul Moniz s Margie Moniz! What a great time wearing of the green... everyone had for St. Patrick s Day. but WOW!!! and WOW!!! Lou Finkle and Diane Thompson seem to have set a standard for themselves. They are typically found at the kitchen sink after dinner! Charley and Francis all decked out for the event in Dianne s stunning chapeaus. Lou Finkle wears his green well. Check out his froggy tie! What else would be served on this festive occasion, but a complete traditional corned beef dinner. The hosts/chefs were amazing! After a busy day decorating, cooking, and serving, it s time to wind down. What better way, than to play cards with friends. Playing with Paul and Margie are Karen and Bill (Bo) DeBlieux.
SMART Cajuns eat and play good, but are also Charitable.. Bill Littell sells tickets to Bo DeBlieux, who figures his arms reach should be $20 worth! The host of each muster plans an event to raise money to donate to our chosen charity,, The Fisher House. A 50-/50 drawing is one of he most popular, with typically half for the winner of the drawing and half to our charity. When a sizeable amount builds up for the charity, a check is then presented to The Fisher House in Biloxi, MS. Incidentally, our own Cajun member Gloria Brady-Cross recently stayed there while John had his eye treatments. Bill Littell awards one lucky winner, Bill Blansfield. Another lucky winner, Irene Fontenot, receives her cash! Denny Olvany pulls a winning ticket. A SMART ballcap donated by Bo DeBlieux was won by Juanita Glazier. Cajuns Volunteer...Jimmie Faye Sullivan, A CASA Volunteer CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate, is a national association with state and local programs. Court-appointed volunteers represent the best interests of children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse and/or neglect, and who are placed in foster care. Jimmie Faye visits the foster homes where they are placed, making sure all is right. She also visits the parent s homes periodically to see if their situation has improved. She is the child s advocate, and represents them in court. Asked how she got into this, she replied that she saw an ad in a Denham Springs magazine and after careful consideration decided to volunteer. These children need someone to speak out for them, she said. I get such joy and satisfaction when I see their smiles. Golfers enjoy a day on the course. left to right, Bill Blansfield watches his chip shot; Bo DeBlieux follows through with his drive; Charley LeBlanc winds up for a big drive; Francis Arceneaux putts while Bill Littell lines up his putt.
More good food and fun... Wednesday s dinner was Irish, but Thursday it s German! Our hosts, Chuck, Paul, Margie and Tracey, are busy cooking der Wiener Schnitzel with their special sauce. Hosts serve Thursday meal. Bill and Geri prepared Shrimp Fettuccine, and Green Peas and Peanut Salad for Friday dinner. It s 4-o clock..time for AttitudeAdjustment and visiting!! It s Margie s birthday, and Paul treated her to a cake complete with ice cream, which was shared with all. Jim McCurry visits with Warren Kelly. Janet Barksdale takes a picture while having her s taken!!! Newsletter Editor Bill had his picture taken by Doug Barksdale. Joycie Comeaux, Denny Olvany, Delightful Dick Diane Thompson and Lou Finkle LeDoux smiles for the camera. participate in a card game. Thanks to our Phone Tree Volunteers Doug Barksdale, Chair Bo DeBilieux Juanita Glazier Dianne LeBlanc Margie Moniz Julio Nieves Denny Olvany Imogene Stubbs James Stubbs Chuck Trenchard Kathy McCurry, Gloria Cross, Janet Barksdale and Dianne LeBlanc also have a card game going on! BASIC PARKING SIGNALS These signals are usually given from the left rear of the RV. Driver, never move the RV unless the parker is in plain view. At times the parker must go to the right side to check out obstructions, and should give the STOP signal. Parker should visualize the path of the rear wheels to get to the parking spot. Move rear of coach to right Move rear of coach to left. Thanks To Doug Barksdale and Gloria Cross for the pictures they contributed to this newsletter. Come straight back Slowly (when parker is pumping palm down Distance to go (palms) Crossed forearms apart showing how far indicate STOP
SMART Cajun (Y ALL Come) Muster April 11-14, 2016 Fill out this form and mail to: Francis Arceneaux, 213 Amesbury Dr, Lafayette, LA 70507 to arrive on or before March 11, 2016. Muster fee: $15.00 per person, member or guest. Please make checks payable to Francis Arceneaux Location: Poche s Fish-N-Camp, 1080 Sawmill Hwy, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517, phone: 337-332-0326 Name: Spouse/Guest: Address:,City/State/Zip: Phone: E-mail: SMART # Amt. Enclosed: Arrival Date: (If you must change, please notify Francis) NOTE: Parking sites will be assigned by Francis and Poche s) Motor home 5th Wheel Trailer Length Handicap Parking (Y) (N) Playing Golf (Y) (N) Please indicate if you would like to help with one (or more) meals All SMART Members and non-smart members must sign below in order to participate - Please read: For services rendered to/received by those signed below, in their participation of the SMART activity named above, the undersigned hereby releases and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless SMART Inc., All officers, directors, employees, agents and their successors and assigns from all liabilities, injuries, obligations, claims, demands, losses, damages, judgements, penalties, expenses and disbursements, including reasonable attorney s fee of any kind and nature arising out of or in any way related to the activity listed above. SMART is NOT responsible for the actions of any participating company or agent, with regards to their role in organizing, planning, or for any other service they may provide for the benefit of the named person or activity, All persons must be 18 years or older, and must sign this agreement. Signature: Date: Signature: Date: ---cut here--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------cut here Notes and To do s: