Greg & Margie Harrop (20694)
Florida State Directors
Well, our springtime rallies have concluded, and everyone is getting their Newmar Coaches ready for the summer trips and hopefully safe travels to the International Rally, Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Margie & I had the opportunity to attend some great rallies and events this spring with our Manatees, Pelicans & Sea Turtles.
Our travels to these rallies included (Newmar) Tampa SuperShow & BBQ dinner; golf at the Clerbrook RV/Golf RV Resort; a Winery Tour; 20th Anniversary cake and the well-known Webster Flea Market. During these rallies the hosts Tim & Connie Buchholz, Dave Shank & Lynn Barley; Bill & Rosemary Lumsden; Bill & Eileen Berg outdid themselves again. Of course, without the supporting cast of our Chapter Members these rallies would not have been the success that they were. The food, fun and fellowship were abounded with a lot of smiles and full bellies to say the least.
I would also like to say that without Anne Kuhns (my golfing partner) we would not have come in First Place. She’s a Gator–Star.
Margie & I, along with Bill & Eileen Berg, had the pleasure to award Brian & Nancy Howard with their 5th Rally Host Bars. It’s quite an honor when you can have members who have stepped up to host that many great rallies in their chapter. We can’t say enough about Brian & Nancy and how blessed we are to have them in our Florida Chapters and the experience they bring to our new Newmar family. If you would like to host or co-host a rally, we are sure you can call on them for help or for that matter any of our chapter membership for guidance. So, don’t hold back. Step right up and try to host or co-host a rally for your chapter. You will not regret the fun and fellowship.
Margie & I also had the pleasure to host the Florida State Rally at the Sun Outdoors RV Resort, Sarasota, Florida. We had the pleasure of having some VIPs in attendance at our rally. Region Five Directors Gary & Wanda Smith, Virginia State Director Mike Vreeland, Michigan State Directors Marv & Von Visser, our Chapter Officers from the Manatees, Pelicans, Sea Turtles, along with our great supporting cast of our chapter members.
Our event took us to the Big Cat Rescue where we saw some amazing big cats and I mean Big. There were also big bears, tortoises, goats, birds, and some “Spitting Monkeys.” A few of our members can attest to that, and they wore their prized possessions with honor (LOL). We also took in The Ringling Museum, Art Museum and Mansion. The grounds were meticulous with flowers, bamboo trees, banyan trees and monuments all throughout the grounds. Inside the Ringling Museum the exhibits were bountiful. There were Circus Cars, Trains, Outfits, and even a miniature Circus, which took the creator 50 years to put it together for our enjoyment. There were plaques everywhere to explain each exhibit, and you could not even imagine what it took to make a circus happen. We, as children, remember the circus coming into town but it was already set up for us to enjoy. It was amazing. We think everyone who attended the State Rally would say, do not miss taking in the Big Cat Rescue or The Ringling Museum if you (and with grandchildren) are in the Sarasota Area.
Now let’s talk food. Chef Frank Taylor, Sun Outdoors Resort, put on a great feast for us. The breakfasts and Prime Rib and Chicken & Fish (Mahi Mahi) dinners were outstanding. There were a lot of seconds to go around, and if you went away from the table hungry, well…it was a 10 pounder for sure. We also took in the Der Dutchman (all you could eat buffet) with their famous chocolate, coconut cream & apple pies. I believe a few of our members had to be rolled out of the restaurant.
A surprise Birthday Party with cake and balloons were supplied by DT Hartman. His Mom, Pat Hartman, celebrated her 75th birthday at our rally. DT showed up to surprise his mom on her special day. DT you did an outstanding job, and our attendees were happy to share in the event “you” put together. And the cake was pretty good too.
Here is a fun fact: The Ringling Circus Cookhouse Tent prepared food for 1,300 workers and served 3,600 meals a day. Food supplies were ordered in advance of the show’s arrival. A typical day’s order consisted of 2 barrels of sugar, 30 gallons of milk, 36 bags of table salt, 50 bushels of potatoes, 110 dozen oranges, 200 pounds of tea and coffee, 226 dozen eggs, 285 pounds of butter, 350 pounds of salad, 1,300 pounds of fresh vegetables, 2,200 loaves of bread, 2,470 pounds of fresh meat and 3,600 ears of corn. Now that is one heck of a rally right there.
If y’all are on Facebook, go to Region Five Newmar Kountry Klub, and you can see pictures of the fun we all had. Not only Florida Chapters but Tri-State (GA, AL, MS), Virginia North/South Carolina, and Tennessee. Come join in the fun, fellowship and don’t forget FOOD.
The “Card Bingo” and “Left Right Center” games were afoot. Our great “Card Bingo” caller, Steve Burnette, did another great job calling out the cards. There were many first-time winners that went home as “Happy Campers.”
Taylor Paloscio from SkyMed gave a great and energetic talk about the importance of having a secondary insurance policy during your Newmar travels or even while you are at home or abroad. Taylor provided breakfast sandwiches and a $50.00 gift card which was won by none other than Laura Baker, President of the Florida Manatees. Laura wins everything and don’t let her tell y’all “I never win.”
Margie & I would like to thank our invaluable sponsors. North Trail RV; Independence RV; Star-brite solutions; Oasis-ITR heat; On The Go Portable Water Softeners; KIB Electronics; FCIS Insurance; Bio Shield T-9; PTL Industries; Diamond Shield; RV Life Pro; Coach Net; FMCA; Big-Rigs-RV; DragonLazer and Colorful Accents Mirror Covers.
To all our new 2022 Newmar Kountry Klub members “Welcome” to our family. Don’t forget to check out NewmarKountryKlub.com and look around there, may be a rally that you would like to attend during your travels. Our “Welcome Back” (November/December) rallies are being posted now, so don’t wait, register now. Don’t be sorry when you miss out on our great adventures. We look forward to meeting y’all at our rallies and during our travels.
Remember, “The best part of any journey is the people we meet along the way.”
We can be reached at gmh4369@gmail.com Greg’s cell: 954-914-8335.
