Tim Buchholz (12344)
Florida Pelicans – President
Today I attended the Newmar NKK luncheon held here in Fort Myers which is always on the 3rd Tuesday during the season. Ron and Wanda Llewellyn, our International Directors, do a great job of bringing Newmar folks together here in the deep south. We had a Spokesperson from Freightliner Chassis make a very good presentation, and he was available to answer questions from the gang.
Our Pelican Membership Chair picked up four new members while enjoying the lunch; this brings our 2022 paid up membership to over the 60 coach owners. Now we have to do things to keep them interested, and hopefully, they will bring new ideas and activities to the forefront. Remember, nothing is worse than joining a club and expecting someone else to just entertain you!
Pat Hartman, our Membership Chair, moved up to Vice President for 2022. Jim & Mary Kennedy have agreed to step in and handle the Membership recruiting position. They are a lively, active couple who will do very well in this position. He already got two of the four to sign on today.
For the Tampa Super Show 2022, we ushered in 21 coaches and essentially filled up the U-shaped open area of Camp Newmar. Our Barbeque and Chicken evening was held in the Newmar tent and served us well with the cold snap that hit the area. Thank you, Gary and Greg, for making it available to us. 
I would like to acknowledge all the fine folks that joined our Pelican Chapter while at the Tampa Super Show. They are Rich & Jackie Frigon; Glenn & Jennifer Schneider; Chuck & Jacquie Johnson; Chuck & Cindy Gillessen; Edward & Nancy Weiss; Michael & Traci Brady; Ken & Ara Brewer; John Cotton; Dave & Shirley Seich Sr; John & Christine Petri; Sam & Pat Rorer; Dave Shank & Shirley Barley; Neil Curran & Susanne Grubs; Keith & Annaki Fredrick; Andy & Jean Possehl; Ozzie & Estela Herrera; Gary & Terry Hartley; Joe & Ellyn Bewes and Jim & Nancy Lucas.
Our annual trip to the Strawberry Festival is held in March and will be in your rear window as you read this. Pat Hartman has been our host for this venue for several years. Thanks, Pat, for your continued support. We are holding the Leaving Florida Rally at The Upriver RV Resort in N Fort Myers, Florida in early April. It is being hosted by Pat Hartman, Rich & Cathy Queen and Emily Mercier. Meanwhile Gerry & Allen Smith are out searching for a location for our fall 2022 rally. They made a trip to the chosen resort as I’m writing this and found it not suitable for a rally. They are on the hunt!
April will bring activities to an end until fall 2022. However, we continue the 4th Monday Lunch activity throughout the summer as our host and folks are available.
If you’re gleaning through this column and reside in Florida during the winter I wholeheartedly invite you to join us, the Florida Pelicans.
Till then Happy Trails to All by Newmar.
We can be reached at Tim.buchholz80@gmail.com Cell: 239-464-0219.
