President Debra Dlugosz 904-221-1672 Vice President Harriet Haire 904-824-3846 Secretary Tressa Dishman 904-641-4059 Treasurer Al Richardson 904-264-5003 Newsletter Editor Don Dishman 904-641-4059 dondish37@att.net Suwannee River Hideaway RV Park, Old Town, Florida October 2015 October found the Getaways enjoying clear skies and cooler weather Way down upon the Suwannee River in the quaint, quiet, old Florida Suwannee River Hideaway Campground. Nate and Kate went down for Early-Early Bird Day and sent word of how peaceful it was there. On Thursday, Don and Tressa, John and Sue, Harriet, Joe and Buddy were caravanning to the campground, when Harriet had problems with her brakes. She sent the others on, with Buddy agreeing to go back and get her. Thank goodness she was able to continue once her brakes had cooled (a bit of work at the campground got the locked brake free). Bob and Judy, John and 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 November John Johnson - 2nd; Paula Klaiber - 14th; Carol Freem-Guittar - 17th November 2015 Happy Anniversary November Jim & D McDade - 13th; Nate & Kate Deaton - 17th; Bobby & Judy Fishback Jynifer, Frank and Linda, and finally Deb, made their way to the campground to get set up, relax, and visit. The campground had all sorts of trails and a boardwalk to hike and walk the pups. The campground is out of the way a bit, so Nate, having re-conned the area the day before, was sent out to find the rigs who got lost and lead them to the campground. I might have been one of them myself, but for Linda giving me directions over the phone as I drove the last few miles. The group decided they really didn t care to go out for breakfast, but would rather stay and enjoy the campground, so an impromptu pot luck breakfast for Friday morning was arranged during the Card Bingo Games Thursday evening. Friday morning, after breakfast, some of the ladies pitched in with peeling and slicing many bags of vegetables, and we put a ton of soup on the stove and in the roasters to cook. Jim and Paula arrived and set up camp. The peacefulness of the
campground lulled the campers into another day of relaxing and laziness. Nate was called to rescue Jim and D McDade who had zigged when they should have zagged and ended up at the Lucky Charm RV Park (more information on this Good Sam Park later in the newsletter). A number of us were intrigued by the home-make camper that Tressa jokingly called the CAMPER IN A BOX. The designers and builders, Ron and Joann, were very generous with their time, explaining how they put the camper together and all the fine amenities they were able to pack in it. In the afternoon, some of the men played a few rounds of horseshoes; there were a few games; Jyn took advantage of the pool; some walked the trails and explored the boardwalk that led to the river; some just socialized. Dan and Mary were the last to get lost and be retrieved from the Lucky Charm RV Park, in time for dinner. Jim McDade and Buddy got their grills out, and Jim Klaiber and Buddy cooked up the mixed grill of burgers, franks, and brats. After dinner, some retired to their rigs, and some stayed to watch the classic movie, The Long, Long Trailer, with Lucy and Desi Arnaz, which brought many good laughs to end the day. Saturday morning Lucy arrived by car in time for egg sandwiches and other assorted items for breakfast. Business dictated that we have a meeting after clearing up breakfast. We talked about things like the upcoming Samboree that isn t a Samboree anymore but is now called a Rally, and the upcoming elections. We talked about caravans and patches. Business concluded, we went off to explore. Some headed towards Cedar Key, and some of us headed to Chiefland, to the Levy County Quilt Museum. We found the Chiefland address somewhat misleading (at least to our GPS) as we continued through what seemed like miles of farmland, but we did find and very much enjoy the museum. It was a bit more than a quilt museum; they did have quilts on display, but they also had quilts and many other crafts and antique items for sale, and/or on display. Along the top of the outside, there were many samples of quilt squares on display - (we were told that the museum had run out of funds to complete the rows of logs, so filled in with ply wood and the quilt samples). From the Quilt Museum, we went to the family run Dakotah Winery. First, we were shown how the wine was made. Then we were offered a sip of each of them, and given a scorecard so we could remember what we liked. The winery had a very nice gift shop, also with lots of things in it, and a huge Koi pond out back. The founder of the winery visited with us and told us several stories as well as facts about the Koi, which was also a very enjoyable part of our visit. I think everyone enjoyed the visit.some of left with bags, some with cases. But c mon, now it wasn t all wine they had great jams and sauces, and truly, their muscadine juice was wonderful! Back at camp, we snuck in a few games of Crokinole while Paula s chili mac finished cooking. She made enough for an army! After dinner, we elected to show another movie; this time RV. Jynifer changed into her new camper pajamas, and made herself comfortable in John s huge, oversized camp chair. Those of you old enough (I think that s most of us, LOL) to remember Lily Tomlin s character Edith Ann, that sat in the HUGE rocking chair on Laugh In can understand what it looked like. Sunday morning was time to say our goodbyes. Most of us wished we could stay and relax another day or two. I had a chance to finally go up and check out all the antique items in the office, and visit a little with the owner. And then it was time to hit the road. Until next time. See you in Eustis! Reported by Deb Dlugosz A bit of info concerning Lucky Charm RV Park evidently some of our GPS machines told the driver to turn right, when it should have been left. Evidently the Lucky Charm RV Park was the first campground our folks saw after making a wrong turn. Sadly Lucky Charm was not so charming to one of our rigs telling them that they had to leave the campground (they were waiting to be rescued) and not to use the Internet (folks looking at maps on their phones). This was not the attitude that we were expecting from a Good Sam campground disappointing to say the least. 2
Above: Suwannee River Hideaway Campground sign; View of the Suwannee from upper deck; Linda overlooking players of Card Bingo on Thursday night. Below: Tressa calling and playing Card Bingo; Don was sure he would be the only one winning with the 5 of Diamonds - but there were 3!; Flipping the cards to win - or not! Above: Nate and Buddy making pancakes; D, Jim and John enjoying pancakes; After breakfast - Kate and Linda, cutting veggies for Root and Sausage soup. Below: Camper-in-a-box - everything folds up and either goes in or below the box - an unique design... and these folks are real troopers! Above and right: Enjoying the weather and being out-of-doors - Horseshoes (looks like Jim and Nate vs. John J. and Frank with John F. looking on.); Jyn enjoying the COOL pool water - she said it wasn t so bad, once you got in. 3
Above: Enjoying Root and Sausage soup for lunch; Tressa (who doesn t normally eat veggies) ate some soup; While we did other things - after the soup lunch - many of us enjoyed a dinner of Burgers/Brats and Dogs - Thanks Buddy and Jim K. for fixing them for us! Below: Lucille Ball and Desie Arnez in The Long, Long Trailer - an old movie enjoyed by all - and boy could some of us relate to the antics these two got into! A great way to end the day on Friday! Saturday morning breakfast of egg sandwiches followed by our Chapter Meeting - then time to get ready to go sight-seeing! Above: Quilt samples on outside walls; Tressa taking pics of samples; RV Quilted products - Jyn modeling; John and Lucy checking out a working quilt frame; Lady in Rocking Chair outside. A great variety of quilts and other gifts. Above: At the Winery; John in front of wine keg sign; John and Lucy - Sampling various wines with other visitors; feeding the Koi - one bite of food at a time (all of these fish came from a base group of 4 Koi ); Jyn and John, enjoying their samples; Tressa and Sue - Getting lessons on how they make wine; Yes, there really is wine in the soap! Interesting glasses and other gifts were available. 4
This and That - Top row: Linda, D and Sue playing Blockus; Capt. Minion at Flea Market; Decorations inside club house; Frank playing Crokinole. Bottom row: D and Paula cutting up; Jim with puppies - while the group was gone to the Quilt Shop and Winery; Louie, Think I ll wait here ; Lucky, Do we have to walk ALL the way back? 2015 Camping Schedule Nov. 17-22 Fall Samboree Eustis, FL Dec. 31, 2015 Sharon and Pam Bundy Lake City RV Resort (formerly Oaks and Pines), FL Jan. 3, 2016 GETAWAY SAMS 2016 CAMPOUT SCHEDULE (Early Bird Dates) MONTH/DATES HOSTS LOCATION Jan. (21) 23-24 Sue/John Johnson & Ft. McCoy KOA, Ft. McCoy, FL D/Jim McDade (formerly Lake Ocklawaha RV Park) Feb. (2) 3-7* Winter Rally North Florida Fairgrounds, Tallahassee, FL Feb. (25) 26-28** Carol/Steve & Deb/Bob March (24) 25-27 Joe/Buddy Harriet/Larry April (21) 22-24 Tressa/Don Walkabout RV Park, Woodbine, GA May (26) 27-29 (30) John/Jen Fortson & Lucy June (23) 24-26 Frank/Linda Diegel July (21) 22-24 Aug. (25) 26-28 Sept. (22) 23-25 Kate/Nate & Robin/Russell Oct. (27) 28-30 Debbie Nov. (15) 16-20? Fall Rally Southern Palms RV Resort, Eustis, FL Dec. 30 2015 Jan. 2, 2017*** * Since we have the Samboree so early in February the Chapter voted to conduct an additional campout later in the month. **All attendees at Samborees are asked to participate in planning/hosting a day of activities (meals, meetings, etc.). **Dates adjusted at a Chapter meeting in order to avoid Christmas and overlap New Year s. All Member Rigs are to host/co-host at least once during they year. Please also remember that, as Good Sam members, we all pitch in to help each other where every and when ever needed. 5
Getaway Sams Visit to Lake City Medical Center On Sunday, November the 1st, Tressa, Don, John, Sue, Nate, Kate, Lucy, Joe, Buddy, Al, Susan, and Robert went to the Lake City Medical Center to visit with the residents and to host the Bingo Games. After enjoying lunch, the group set up the tables, welcomed the participants, served coffee or tea and got ready for the games. Following the games, we served chips, candy, and crackers - then handed out stuffed toys to everyone there. Plans are to go again on Sunday, December 6th, taking with us Christmas themed stuff toys, lap robes and refreshments. Please remember, if you plan to go, let Tressa know, no later than Saturday, November 28th. Our goal is to have between 12-15 workers each month. Below: Bingo caller and stuffed animals. Preparations for Fall Rally In order to re-vamp the poster used to sell our 50/50 tickets in support of our activities with the Veterans at the Lake City Medical Center, a work day was held at John and Sue s on Saturday, November 17th. While one group worked on the poster, another group put together Cotton Bole Angels to be also be sold at the Fall Rally. Many thanks to everyone who pitched in - it really is true - Many hands make light work. To top the day off, we enjoyed pizzas, drinks, and snacks! Thanks, Sue and John, for being the hosts with the most. Top Row: Nate, Buddy and Bob working on poster; Jyn, Kate and Sheila putting angels together; Final Product (over 100 angels completed!); Joe chats with Linda as she separates and matches up angel wings. A SPECIAL NOTE: For all those attending the Rally in Eustis, the Program of Events is attached to the e- mail, as it is too large to be included in the newsletter. Lunch Bunch: We will be gathering at APPLEBEE S, 5055 J. Turner Butler Blvd., on Thursday, November 12, at 12:30 p.m. Please let Tressa know if you plan to attend and how many will be in your party. 6