December 2017 Sarasota Rally

 

 

Florida Cracker News

Dec. 5-9, 2016 –Sun-n-Fun, Sarasota, FL

 

President's Message:

Our December Rally at Sun-n-Fun in Sarasota had 16 coaches attend.  Although we had a few cancellations at the last minute, everyone had a great time.  Good food, some fun games and a golf outing were just a part of the fun enjoyed by all.

We look forward to seeing you at the January 16-20^th, 2017 rally.  Here’s wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Gene

 

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            Those of you who were unable to attend the December rally really missed out on a lot of laughs.  Once again, the Yankee Swap did not disappoint with variety or laughter.  Gifts ranged from coveted wine and liquor bottles to laugh-inducing hula girl bottle openers, chili lights and everything in between.  I think Don C. gets the award for having his gift of choice taken away the most times with Jim C. being a close second.  If you see these men in photos holding several different items, that’s the reason why.  Hank P. was the lucky person drawing slip #1.  Although he got to have first choice, that gift was quickly stolen away.  However, he patiently waited to the very end where he got to have his choice of any single item including those already thought safely out of play.  He surprised everyone by choosing a set of hex keys, one of the last gifts chosen from the table, as his favored final item.

            Faith and Jim did a wonderful job as hosts.  Their welcome dinner of soups and sandwiches was well received as were their breakfasts of oatmeal and eggs & sausage and a stroganoff dinner.  Thanks also go to Steve & Debbie C. and Ray & Bev H. who prepared a delicious pancake and sausage breakfast for the group.  Ray added a secret ingredient that made the pancakes practically float off the plate.

Sadly, Ellen and Rich had to cancel as co-hosts due to a second broken hip suffered by Rich’s father a day before the rally.  Since Ellen had already purchased all the food, she made a very long trip back and forth between Spring Hill and Sarasota so we wouldn’t go hungry.  We not only feasted all week long but had so much leftover that $40 worth of breakfast food was taken to Pinellas Hope, a homeless shelter in Pinellas County where residents live in tents and depend on donations to eat.  This food was a tremendous benefit to the residents and was warmly received.

Once again, we had the pleasure of Gene’s friend, Joyce, being part of the rally.  She had me in stitches every time she mentioned the wooden Kangaroos used during our races.  Over the course of the week, Joyce referred to them as dogs, horses, or my very favorite substitution – donkeys!

            Another wonderful surprise was having Janie & John Young come for a visit on Thursday night.  They both looked absolutely wonderful and everyone enjoyed having them join us for games and dinner.  Janie appreciated that we let her take over the races like she’d never left.  Everyone wished there had been a piano in the room so John could have once again made our Christmas rally extra special with his wonderful renditions of Christmas songs.  He promised next time they visit to bring his keyboard.

           Gene had arranged for a golf outing so several of our rally participants enjoyed their day at a local golf course.  Others enjoyed a walk after breakfast or playing games throughout the week like Up Yours, Joker and Left Right Center.  Jim & Faith had also planned a game involving a roll of toilet paper and a plunger that had faces turning pink and stomachs hurting from laughing so hard.  There were also visits to thrift stores, St. Armands Circle and a delicious field trip for dinner at Yoder’s Amish Restaurant.

 

            Several members encouraged us to try to ramp up on activities and gear down on eating for future rallies.  That sounds like it would benefit all of us so we should all keep that in mind for future planning purposes.

         During this rally, Don met a nice couple who expressed interest in our club.  John & Bobbie W. were invited to join us for some meals and activities.  They took us up on the offer and seemed to enjoy meeting our members and activities.  They were provided with a membership form so we hope they decide to join our club.

         We received an update on Al S’s back problem upon our return.  Although the early procedures had failed to yield results, his recent visit to the doctor has finally pinpointed the source of his pain.  He is scheduled to go for a treatment before our next rally at Little Willie’s and he feels confident that he will be able to attend.

Karin P. also was experiencing quite a bit of shoulder pain during the rally necessitating a trip for an MRI.  She’s been diagnosed with frozen shoulder and will require physical therapy.  Please keep her in your prayers for quick healing.  Also, please don’t forget to let Jim P. know if you plan to participate in his steering wheel table topper project.  He’ll need to know before the February rally so he knows how many kits to bring.

            Thanks to all who participated during this year’s rallies, especially those who hosted or helped make them special with your participation.  We hope to see many of you during the upcoming 2017 events.  Wishing all the Florida Crackers, past, present, and future as well as their families a wonderful and blessed Christmas season and a very Happy New Year.  May 2017 be a healthy, happy year for each and every one of you.



Fun-n-Sun offers some great pools and hot tubs

  
 
 


Vi enjoyed hamming it up.

 

The Grill Troops

 



Ray waits patiently

           



                     

 

          

Joyce & Gene get ready to sample
 the London Broil

Joanne started with the wine rack but it passed hands two more times

One of Don's early choices - many more to come
before the night was over

Jim chooses one of the fast-moving wine bottles

LaVerne takes off with her gift choice.

Don thought he might get to keep this one
but Faith dashed all hopes.

 

 

This cup made Vi a Happy Camper.

Barbara picks the collapsible hose

 



Jim was happy with his wine until
Norm ruined things by stealing it away.

Vi, Joan & Bob know how to
have a good time.

              



Gene got a laugh out of his
super-sized mug.

 



Herb and his wine choice.
 



A Southwestern delight - chili Christmas lights.

Denise got one of the Hula girl bottle openers

That wine rack and wine moved around the room

Hank was our lucky #1 recipient who
got the final choice.

You'll be a lot happier after you start
drinking what's inside, Bev.



Donna was a Happy Camper as well.

 

Everyone was eyeballing those chocolate balls, George.

Dom's coffee will stay a lot hotter in his new insulated mugs.

Joanne will be warm this winter.

Yet again, Don??????



Karin snatched up that wine rack with no guilt and lots of glee.

A $10 gift card is always a good choice.

Norm looks pretty happy after snatching away Jim's wine.



Jim will be ready for Happy Hour snacks next month.

Eventually Don gets a gift no one steals.

Who would know seeing Faith's puzzlement that her gift choice
would wind up being the Grand Prize choice?

John is looking a little puzzled as well.

Bob came dressed for a wild party.



And Rich got the party prize.  Ring one bell for a kiss.
Ring the other for something else that
definitely had him smiling in anticipation



Joyce brought in some special
lights to add to the holiday spirit.



Jan's favorite roll but not so much so
from Norm's point of view.





One of Don's favorite tasks - collecting money.

Grill night