Tim Buchholz (12344)
Florida Pelicans – President
Yours truly has spent most of his available time trying to restore our home from Hurricane Ian. The overwhelming project is starting to wind down as most of our home is now back to normal. Just a few more trips to Lowe’s for some more baseboard which has to be painted and nailed in place. The garage and sheds still need attention, but enough of that for now.
Our pelicans had a marvelous Christmas gathering which was again held at the Audubon Country Club in Naples. We had 24 members in attendance and one guest. My wife arranged for a Chinese gift exchange which everyone enjoyed and proposed we do it again in 2023. We had a group pic taken at their wonderfully decorated Christmas tree.
The Pelicans travelled to Auburndale, Florida for our second annual Ghost Host II gathering. We had 12 coaches that made the journey to this wonderful Margaritaville RV Resort that continues to expand their facility for our enjoyment. Celebration City at Christmas ideally puts you in the season spirit. The Columbia Restaurant was also on our list of places to go.
As you peruse this issue it is February of 2023, and our Tampa Super Show will be well behind us. The Pelicans had over 25 coaches arrive on Tuesday morning at the prescribed time to give our parking Guru’s Gary Smith and Greg Harrop a proficiency test. We had our traditional barbeque ribs and chicken feed in the tent on Wednesday evening. Many new owners and first-time attendees were in the mix.
The Pelican membership has grown this year and much of the success is given to Mary & Jim Kennedy, our Membership Chairs. They do a great job of reaching out to folks on an ongoing basis. Our Secretary, Gerry & Allen Smith signed on 5 new members while attending the Newmar Rally in the Keys in December 2022.
I would like to acknowledge those new folks at this time. They are Patrick & Sandy Gunning; Craig Sullivan & Cynthia Harris; John & Carey Mitchell; Stacy & Mary Schmidt; Vincent & Angela Geerdinck; Lucio & Gladys Sierra; William Marsoobian & Janice Kelly and Gary & Gina Yee. As our membership grows with new owners and retirees joining in the “Simple Lifestyle” of the RV life, I am hoping to see the next generation take the helm of leadership in our chapter and others. Too many of those that helped the NKK chapters prosper are now starting to wind down in activity and their ability to handle the big rigs. In short, we are growing old.
As we commence on in 2023, Connie & I hope to continue doing what has given us so much freedom and pleasure for so many years, meaning the Newmar ride across our abundant USA. We have formed so many wonderful and lasting friendships over the years that they become family in so many ways.
If you’re still with me here and are not a NKK Chapter Member yet, please join one or more. We did this last summer and we joined the Minnesota Loons which was our previous home state. There we formed some new friendships and met some really cool folks. Call Jim & Mary Kennedy, our Pelican Membership duo at: 219-484-3708 or email them at jimk293@comcast.net and they will send you some info on our Chapter and with an application included. Our annual fee of $10.00 has not changed for 22 years.
Till then Happy Trails by Newmar from your Pelicans. We can be reached at Tim.buchholz80@gmail.com Cell: 239-464-0219.
