We are sad to report that Ken & Nancy McGowan both passed away 16 minutes apart, after being hospitalized for Covid-19 since early December. Ken & Nancy were former Manatees and had been married 53 years. We are also heard from Tom Gafner that his wife, Jean, passed away very peacefully on Tuesday, November 17. Tom & Jean served as Presidents for the Florida Manatees for many years. Both had great smiles and were not shy about jumping in and helping out.

While the Florida Manatees opted to cancel our rally early November, several members visited with members of the Sea Turtles and the Pelicans who did hold their rallies. Goff and our President, Laura Baker are spending the winter season this year as Volunteer Hosts at Inks Lake State Park in Burnet, Texas. It is a little adjustment from winters in central Florida, but having a great experience. Barbara & Tom Palmer are huddled down at their home in Gainesville, Florida making short trips regionally.

The Manatees held their annual meeting in December using Zoom. While attendance was not what we had hoped for, it did give us a chance to test out the format for virtual meetings and those who attended found it very worthwhile. Current Officers and Volunteers agreed to extend their terms of service through 2021. Jeannie Bateman won the drawing for the “Mosaic Manatee” designed and donated by Laura. We hope to hold ZOOM meetings on a more frequent basis to stay in communication with our members.

Our Secretary, Jeanne Bateman and her husband visited, with proper social distancing, with our Florida Directors, Greg & Margie Harrop, at their lovely home in Davie, Florida. Gary & Wanda Smith were there too. Now we are really talking NKK top brass! They caught up on the fun of the recent Keys Rally. They had a wonderful visit and unmasked momentarily for photos and quickly masked up before they scattered again.

We have scheduled rallies for the new year starting with Grand Oaks RV Resort in Lady Lake, Florida February 26-28, and Coastal Georgia RV Resort in Brunswick, Georgia April 1-3. We hope to see you at the rallies and at the Newmar International Rally, July 17-24, at the West Virginia State Fairgrounds in Lewisburg, West Virginia. We are hopeful that we will all be able to gather once more in the new year, and share fun and friendship with our fellow Newmar RVers.

Stay connected with your fellow Florida Manatees on Facebook.

We can be reached at bakers@nkkflmanatees.com Cell: 610-747-6966.

Laura Baker (19643)
Florida Manatees – President