Donna Jones & Bill Stanley (20599)
Florida State Directors
The Tampa Super Show had another successful year. This was our first event as Florida State Directors and we were happy to be a part of it. The weather turned wet and cold, but there were a lot of NKK members to show up at the tent when things were going on. Newmar Service Techs were there to provide service to Newmar owners, several seminars were held, Newmar Executives were there for a time of questions and answers, Klub Store was open for a couple of mornings, coffee and Dunkin’ Donuts were available several mornings and there was an ice cream social.
The First Timers to ever attend a Newmar Kountry Klub event were recognized. I don’t have a number, but there were quite a few that stood to be recognized. It seems like every NKK event that we go to there are more and more first timers in attendance. That is really good to see.
The Full Timers and the Florida Pelicans served up some really good food Wednesday and Thursday night. It was really a treat for everyone that attended. The Full Timers served Cuban sandwiches along with some other choices. The Tres Leches Cake, which was prepared by a local bakery was a great hit. It was gone in a hurry. Live entertainment was provided after dinner. The Pelican’s served BBQ ribs at their Rib Fest, as they do every year. Others brought sides to complement the ribs and some yummy desserts were provided.
We attended the Florida Pelicans Rally February 4-8, in Gainesville. Due to the Pelicans being in the Fort Myers area, we had not been able to attend any of their rallies. They are a great group of people, and we really had a nice time at the rally getting to know them. I always make an effort to meet as many new people as possible at an NKK event. They are so easy to talk to since we both have so much in common. I find them to be the nicest too. The hosts, Gary & Susan Duchesneau did an excellent job hosting the rally despite the many obstacles they encountered.
Susan & Gary planned events for the group at the Florida Museum of Natural History, Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens and Satchel’s Pizza. The butterflies and the animals thought it was a little too cold to be out and about, but we did manage to spot a few. We had a tour guide at the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens who walked us all around the different gardens and giving us informative information about the plants, flowers, bushes, trees and herbs. It was an interesting and pretty place to tour. Satchel’s Pizza was where we had dinner that evening. It was quite unique. You could eat in a van, under a plane, or in a greenhouse. We chose to eat inside the restaurant. They had Satch made stained glass windows, local art and homemade sodas. We had their pizza for dinner, which we thought was really good. We passed on the homemade sodas.
We would like to thank the 2024 officers of the Manatees, Pelicans, and Sea Turtles for stepping up to serve your chapter. Without you there would be no chapters. We appreciate all you do for your chapter and the NKK.
We are working with John & Pam Hassell to bring back the Florida Emerald Coast Sandpipers. Greg & Margie Harrop talked to them last year to see if they had any interest in trying to revive the chapter. John & Pam have put together a rally that will be held on April 18-21 in Milton, Florida at the Milton/Gulf Pines KOA. Information and registration can be found on the www.newmarkountryklub.com webpage. If you live in the Florida panhandle or as far as Tallahassee and would like to be a part of this group, please register for this rally, or call Pam 850-533-6886 or email her at pamhassell@hotmail.com.
We are also working on putting together a monthly luncheon, beginning in April for Newmar Owners that live in The Villages/Ocala area. If you are interested in attending a luncheon, send me your name, address and email address and I will let you know when we set the date and location for our luncheon.
Make plans to attend the 38th. International Rally, July 27-August 3 in Pueblo, Colorado. Registration is open online at NewmarKountryKlub.com. We will be there and host the Florida Social.
Remember, “A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” We can be reached at dbjones@yahoo.com cell: 352-322-7717.