Well Buckeyes, the 2021 rally season has officially been launched. Jeanne & I attended the Region Six Rally in Shipshewana, Indiana. Ohio was well represented with 13 member coaches in attendance. If you weren’t there, you missed a really good time. We ate really well at the rally thanks to the cooking of our hosts, Chuck & Michelle Steenwyk and other members who helped. We toured the RV & Trailer Hall of Fame Museum, which is always interesting. Seeing the history of this lifestyle that we all love is fascinating. Every time we go there, I come away with more history of the development of the RV industry. The farewell Amish Thrashers Dinner was a hit! We learned so much about the Amish culture and a few generational differences that they are embracing. Of course, we had the evening campfires and as always it was great to reconnect with our fellow region members. Thank you, Chuck & Michelle, for a great time!
From the rally it was on to Nappanee to get some minor repair work completed on the coach. As usual, the crew at the Service Center did a fantastic job and had us on the road home Friday morning. Back home we cleaned up the coach and prepared for the June rally in Geneva, Ohio.
The kickoff rally for the BKT was a great success. Thanks to our Rally Hosts, Bob & Jill Peasley for putting together a great weekend for 22 coaches at Willow Lake Campground in Geneva, Oho. We welcomed six first time BKT rally attendees, one of which joined the BKT during the rally. For our Thursday early arrivals, BKT member Rich Myers recommended a fantastic restaurant in Geneva, Ohio. Many of us took his advice and were not disappointed. The only problem was that Rich forgot to leave his credit card so we could put our meals on his tab…lol. Thank you, Rich, for the recommendation.
Friday brought us to the Bridges and Barrels tour of Ashtabula County. Many of us boarded mini buses to view numerous covered bridges in the area. The tour included lunch at a local winery and a tour by the owner and explanation of the wine making process as well as a stop at an Amish deli and bakery where several of us got to witness Rich Myers’ crafty negotiation skills with the checkout clerks. Friday night we were welcomed by Hearthside Grove Lake Erie Motorcoach Resort for dinner and live music. We also received a tour of this fantastic resort.
Saturday was the highlight of the rally. The first ever BKT Miniature Golf Open was held. I’ve never heard so much laughter and cheering. We had a tie for the winner that was decided by a drawing by Ohio State Director Bev Miller at our Saturday evening chicken dinner. Congratulations to one of our new chapter members, Herb Arko and consolations to Terry Moore. The BKT, not to be outdone by the Masters Tournament, awarded Herb the coveted green championship t-shirt. Wear it with pride Herb!
Following dinner on Saturday, we held our annual chapter meeting followed by a fun game of Bunco with prizes. Flash Miller was the big winner and Beth White the big loser. They won the coveted gift certificates. Of course, we also had our nightly campfires. If you missed this rally, you missed a great one. Thanks again to Bob & Jill as well as all of those who helped make this rally a huge success.
Our next chapter rally will be August 13-15 at the Berlin RV Park and Campground in Millersburg, Ohio. Our Hosts Jeff & Mary Edington and Co-hosts Don & Dee Nelson have a great rally planned for us. Some of the highlights are a tour of the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum, dinner at the best Amish diner in the area and so much more. Let’s have a great turn out for this rally.
We have started our planning for our 2022 rallies. Several of our chapter members have stepped up and offered to help make 2022 another exciting rally season for the chapter. Once we have the dates firmed up, we will let everyone know so they can mark their calendars.
In closing, I want to thank all of our chapter members that make our chapter so much fun. Thank you for making my job (it’s not really a job) as your chapter President so much fun.
Travel safe and I’ll see you at the next rally.
I can be reached at: rgfox09@gmail.com or 513-617-8914.
Rick Fox (21684)
Buckeye Kountry Travelers – President
