Fox Valley Winnies

Outing Dates - 13 -15 April 2007 

Yogi Bear Jellystone Park – Goodfield, IL

WagonMasters - Jim and Marilyn Wenberg and Dale and Penny Marting

 

Meeting - Friday, April 13, 2007

 

Present: Carl and Barbara Bergstedt, Chuck and Sue Borcher, Fred and Janice Bruneman, Don and Jean Chilson, Bob and Edna Gardner, Joie Hagemann, Jim and Terri Hass (New Members), Vince and Ginny Innocenti, Larry and Sharon Lowe, Dale and Penny Marting, Ken and Shirley Poupa, Dennis and Connie Relihan,  Otto and Georgie Ryl, Jim and Marilyn Wenberg.

 

This gave us 14 coaches out of the 18 that had planned to attend this outing.  John and Diana Ahaus cancelled, as John had by-pass surgery and by all reports is making an excellent recovery. My gosh, John had so much energy before this surgery, can you imagine what he will be like now!  Ken and Sandie Nelson cancelled at the last moment, because they had to take Ken’s Mom to the hospital.  Charles and Helen Jones did not attend as Helen was taken to the hospital with an infected foot.  Schermerhorns and Whitesides planned to attend but did not, so we hope it was just the weather. We missed them and hope that all future reports will be that everyone is on the mend.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

President Dennis Relihan called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. on Friday evening and asked those in attendance to introduce themselves to the group.  Dennis thanked our Wagonmasters, Jim and Marilyn Wenberg and Dale and Penny Marting for their hard work and great planning.   

 

The minutes of the January meeting were approved as presented.  Dennis Relihan presented the Treasurer’s Report in Ken Nelson’s absence; the balance in the General Fund 648.87; Camping Fund $1,473.82; Memorial Fund $112.75; Total $2,235.44. Vince Innocenti questioned why the Memorial Fund was so low, while the General and Camping fund seemed high.  The proposal was aired that perhaps funds should be transferred into the Memorial Fund from the Camping or the General Fund. After some discussion, it was decided that without Ken, we could not determine how much of the Camping Fund was for this campout and the item was tabled until Ken would be at the meeting. 

 

Old Business: None

 

New Business:

State Spring Rally April 27-29.  Our club is responsible for purchasing, preparing and serving the Saturday Evening Dinner. At the time of the meeting, we had no idea of how many had signed up to attend this rally.  Dennis has asked that we be given an initial number on April 16.  Bob Gardner has taken on the task of food selection and purchase.  He gave us an excellent visual display of what the completed plate would look like.  The menu will consist of – high quality fast frozen pot roast that must be heated and separated into 5oz serving sizes, canned potatoes opened and heated, frozen carrots heated, pre packaged salad with dressing cups that we will have to fill, rolls, cake with strawberry topping. Bob stressed the importance of having the food ready on time, keeping it hot and portion control. Dennis asked for a show of hands to see how many would be attending the State Spring Rally.  It wasn’t a large number, so Dennis reminded everyone the cost is $45.00 for 1 unit 2 people and  Chuck Borcher stressed that reservations can be made right up to the last moment.  This dinner is rather a big job and many hands make light work.  If you have not signed up, go to www.Illinoisindians.org and click on Spring Outing.  If you don’t use the internet, call Dennis for information.

Tulip Time Outing in Holland, Michigan May 11-13.  Chuck Borcher reminded everyone that this outing still has space available, however, some show tickets may be sold out.  The actual dates for the outing are May 11-13, but most members are going early to take advantage of the many shows and activities.  If you would like to sign up, please contact Chuck.  He was not sure at the time of the meeting if John and Diana were going to be able to attend.  If not their package is available for resale, thus saving them any cancellation charges.  Chuck said that any tickets purchased at this point are non refundable.      

Future Outings.      Dennis gave everyone a new Event Calendar.  To recap those not mentioned above, the dates and available information as follows:

June 8-10, 2007 Thompson Causeway, Thompson Illinois   Wagonmasters - Ahaus and Postels

June 22-24, 2007 State Summer Rally Crescent City, IL

July 11, 2007 Pre-GNR meet – Oakwood RV Park Clear Lake, IA  

July 15-20, 2007 GNR – Forest City, IA

August 10-12, 2007 Rock Island/Quad Cities KOA – Circa ’21 and Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, IL       The play is “Don’t Dress For Dinner”.  The camp ground fee is $27.00 per night and the dinner and show is $38.00 per person.  A free tour of the John Deere Pavillion is scheduled with a luncheon at the River House immediately following the tour. Wagonmasters are the Chilsons and the Relihans.  This outing has been proposed as a joint outing with the Quad City Winnies.  Reservation forms will be sent to you at a later date.

September 14-16 – Wagonmasters Needed!!!  Bob Gardner suggested that an email be sent to the membership asking for Wagonmasters for this date.  

September 28-30,2007 – Illinois Indians Fall Rally, Crescent City, IL (Fox Valley will be responsible for Parking)

October 11-14, 2007 (Proposed Friendship Outing) – Location To Be Advised – Wagonmasters are the Ryls and Innocentis. This is being proposed as “Friendship Weekend.”  This includes any mode of RVing. 

November 3 (Noon) Annual Meeting and Luncheon at Barrington Motors – Installation of new officers. 

 

New Membership and Website Information:

Dennis gave all attendees the latest copy of the membership roster, highlighting that we now have 40 coaches.  This roster includes our newest members Jim and Terri Hass.  They were not with us for our Friday night meeting but joined us on Saturday, so let this be our official welcome.  They will be attending the State Rally in April, so say hello.  Dennis also reminded everyone to use the web site for information about the Fox Valley Winnies and links to interesting and valuable sites.  Dennis mentioned the Sealtech site and Crystal Valley RV that offers a test for around $70.00 that checks your RV for leaks using a pressurized method.  This led to an open floor discussion on what is called – Things to Share. As a reminder, the Fox Valley website address is www.illinoisindians.org, then click on Fox Valley.

 

Things to Share

Bob Gardner said that Barrington Motors also offers a leak check but the price may be a little higher.  Bob said that there are 5 approved Illinois vendors providing this service and one year they had a demonstration at the Barrington Motors show and tell.  Chuck Borcher also spoke of his experience with Sealtech.  Dale Marting said that Barrington Motors used such a system to check his motorcoach and they found the leak.  The cost was $120.00.  He was very pleased with the results. 

 

Bob Gardner cautioned anyone that has had their tires on their coach for 6 or 7 years to have them checked.  He had to replace some of his tires this past year after experiencing two blowouts.  Vince Innocenti talked of using smart tires where sensors are clasped to the rims and monitor the tires as you travel.  This proved to be very helpful when towing a car as the tow car’s tires is also monitored.  

Check Borcher said that he found a back tire had come off the rim of his coach while parked for the winter.  His Roadside Service vendor said that this was caused by the valve extender and cautions that if you use valve extenders to keep an eye out for this problem.

Bob Gardner reminded new members without roadside service, that Winnebago offers a plan for $99.00 a year.  Dennis mentioned that Good Sam also offers a roadside service.

Joie Hageman asked if anyone had any knowledge of a “Grandfather” clause in the city of Saint Charles that would allow you to park your motorhome in your driveway.  No one did and Dennis suggested that City Hall might be the best place to check.

 

On a Personal Note

Joie Hageman extended thanks for the flowers, cards and kindness expressed this past winter on the loss of her daughter.

Chuck Borcher ran into Dick Valentine in a camp in South Carolina.  Dick had lost a lot of weight due to a heart attack and cancer, but Check said he looked very good and seemed to be doing well. 

 

The business meeting was adjourned at 8:30PM following the reading of a letter of thanks from the Schaumburg Township food pantry for money and food collected for this at the January 7th meeting at the Sam Houston Char House. 

 

About Our Goodfield Spring Outing

Old man winter gave our Wagonmasters quite a fright.  A huge winter storm started on Wednesday and lasted into Thursday, causing some pre arrivals to cancel.  The brave soles who came in early, kept the campfire burning on Friday while our Wagonmasters greeted us at the gate and invited us for coffee, donut holes, a warming fire and time with friends. On Friday evening the group gathered at the campground’s shelter for a meal prepared by the wagonmasters which consisted of lots of hot and hardy chili with the trimmings and a delicious “spring cold prevention” – homemade chicken noodle soup.  As you might expect from this group, other tasty morsels found their way to the table, salads, dips, nuts, chips but the request to each bring a “little” dessert was totally disregarded.  Everyone brought a lot and we made some dent!  The food and conversation was great followed by our business meeting.

 

On Saturday morning several people went into Eureka to the Ronald Reagan museum.  What a great visit.  Although the space allotted is small, the museum is filled with such interesting things.  While viewing the many pictures and articles about Ronald Reagan’s long and interesting career, a video that includes examples of his exceptional communication skills and delicious sense of humor was playing.  It had us all laughing out loud.  Whatever your political leanings, you should not miss this museum.  Others went to the Antique Mall in LaSalle and said that was also an excellent activity.  As the day was cool and liking to rain, we rested or visited until it was time to leave for the Playhouse to dine and again be entertained by the clever folks who have kept this playhouse running since the sixties.  We saw “Nunsense, Amen”, with all the parts played by men.  It was hilarious.  As a matter of trivia if it sounds familiar, you many have seen it in 2004 with the exact same cast members.  No one minded seeing it again as the lines were always changing – the lines are not just new to the audience but to the actors.  They had a hard time keeping their faces straight but kept us laughing. The food and show was great.  

 

Sunday morning was our traditional breakfast of pancakes, sausage and orange juice prepared by the men of Fox Valley Winnie’s.  The day was bright and sunny so what could be more perfect than a campfire – well nothing – and we all stayed to enjoy one last fire as long as we could. A nice weekend was enjoyed by all attendees.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Connie Relihan

 

 

April Birthdays: Jim Fiebrant (4/11), Frank Catuara (4/16), Dick Valentine (4/21), Walter Metzer (4/24), Ginny Innocenti (4/1), Carol Smith (4/17), Terri Hass (4/19), Carole Shaffer (4/22)

 

April Anniversaries:  Bill Powell (4/4)