Trillium Trails
Editor: Bev Dudley The Official Publication of the
A
Chapter of Winnebago/Itasca Travelers (WIT)
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Trillium Trails
Editor: Bev Dudley The Official Publication of the
A
Chapter of Winnebago/Itasca Travelers (WIT)
|
|
Another GNR has
come and gone, and no, we did not make it without calling Coach Net. Chewed up
an alternator halfway across Illinois, and that cost us a day and a half, but
all is well that ends well. Marlene did not have a competitor for a water gun
fight this year, but is saving her newest model for next year. There
were 13 Ontario coaches this year, 10 in the Ontario row, and 7 of those
from the club. Did not sign up any new members this year, but have 2 prospects
that have applications if they want to use them.
OTT was awarded
the Chapter of Excellence for 2008, and by my calculations that is 12 times in
our 15 year history. Bev Dudley also submitted our newsletter, and while we did
not get 1st place were given a certificate of Honorable Mention. So the next
time you see Bev, give her a hug for a job well done.
GNR was well
attended despite fuel prices, and had, as usual, lots to do and see. The
weather was even cooperative, warm, humid, with 2 rather heavy thunderstorms,
but no high winds.
We are now known
as the "Canadian Troublemakers" (but with a grin and tongue in cheek)
as we caused security to get the Western Area Reps out of bed to check out our
propane campfire, which was perfectly legal according to WIT rules. Had lots of
visitors to our row party, including the CFO and President / CEO of
Winnebago Industries, so our GNR entertainment grant was well used. Will even
have some left to return to Bruce again, just haven't figured out how much.
Marlene and I got to attend the Presidents Dinner this year, and got a few
ideas that can be discussed at one of our meetings. One subject from the
Winnebago medical staff was re-hydration. In hot and humid conditions men need
to replace six 16oz containers of fluid to stay hydrated, and the ladies four
16oz containers. Beer does not count.
We also attended a
focus group for the Winnebago web site, www.winnebagoindustries.com, and
for anyone interested, there is a ton of information on there about product
line for 2008 and 2009, clubs and events, dealer locations, electrical and
plumbing schematics for all coaches for the last 10 years, and much more. It is
well worth looking at.
Lots of help and
interaction from our 7 OTT'ers this year, which was
much appreciated. Next year is the 40th Anniversary of WIT, so start thinking
about coming to GNR 2009. Yes, fuel prices are up, but are still a bargain in
the US compared to Canada.
Marlene and I are
still not sure when we will get back to Ontario, but if we miss the August
outing, Happy Birthday to OTT, and Nick Toldi can have my piece of the cake.
Bill and Marlene
This
will be the celebration of Ontario
Trillium Travellers’ 15th Birthday.
Corienne and Paul Bart are the Wagon Masters. The place to be is Flamboro Valley RV Resort
in Flamborough from August 12th to !4th, Tuesday through
Thursday. Tuesday evening is the Wine
and Cheese party, Wednesday is golf during the day and Sausage on a Bun for
supper. Thursday you will need something
for the cold buffet pot luck. For further information please refer to the flyer
enclosed with the last newsletter.
05 Bob Dudley
07 Ingrid
Fraser
11 Marjorie
Holborn
12 George
Catherwood
13 Bill Holman
20 Victor
Naderer
25 Lois Parish
29 Wayne
Sallows
Wishing you
love to cherish, friends to treasure and happiness forever.
It’s
that time of year once again. Annual
membership dues of $20.00 should be paid to the Treasurer, at the Annual
General Meeting being held at Sauble Beach in September. If you are not attending this outing please
be sure to have your membership fees paid by the end of October or be subject
to a penalty of $5.00.
01 Dave
& Barb Watkins 46
years
02 David
& Sandy Rung 11 years
13 Ontario Trillium Travellers 15 years
May all the best of luck be yours in
everything you do and may the future always bring happiness to you.
September is our Annual General Meeting and
Election of Officers. This meeting will
be held at Woodland Park in Sauble Beach. As Immediate Past President it is my duty
to provide a slate of officers. The
following people have agreed to stand for the office beside their name. This is only a recommended slate and each and
every office is open to nominations from the floor.
President Bill and Marlene Miles
Vice
President Sandy and
David Rung
Secretary Bev and Bob Dudley
Treasurer Volunteer needed
Bruce
Binks will not be continuing as Treasurer, he has elected to step down due to
his health.
Clayt
& Dorothy Ruppel
This was the 50th anniversary of
Winnebago Industries and the town and rally grounds were ablaze with huge
banners celebrating 1958-2008.
There were 7 units from OTT attending: Bev and Bernie Bessette, Glennice and Barry
Barton, Bettyann and Fred Jennings, Bill and Marlene Miles, Mary Jane and Jim
Pickersgill, Cathy and Larry Massey, and Sandy and David Rung. The Ontario row had 3 other coaches parked in
it and there were a total of 13 Ontario coaches at the rally.
With gas in the US sitting around $3.89 a
gallon, or the equivalent of .97 a litre, and the exchange rate so low, the
overall cost of driving out to GNR this year was only about $60 more than it
was four years ago when our exchange rate was at 45%.
Party Central was an empty spot that never was
filled by a coach but it sure was a great place for us to meet and party at the
end of our busy days. Our members used
their time to attend seminars, get work done on their coaches, and to volunteer
their time helping out at GNR. First timers Bev and Bernie Bessette were on the
people movers and on traffic control. Fred and Betty Ann Jennings did two long
workshops for NetWit on the Vista operating system
and they also were constantly helping others all week with their computer
problems too. Even after the closing ceremonies the Jennings were working with
individuals to help them resolve their computer issues – way to go Fred and
Bettyann!
Our row party was very well attended by the
top-most levels of management at Winnebago. The Chairman of the Board/CEO, Bob
Olsen, and his wife Kathy Olsen (the boss’ boss), along with Sarah Nielsen, the
CFO, and her partner Wade, plus Russ Garfin and Jackie Vinci, Winnebago
research and marketing directors, all spent a considerable amount of time
talking with us. Our WIT reps, Dick and
Mikki Dodge came to visit, along with one of the Aldenados too. And, later that evening, as we all sat around
our propane, legal, campfire, we had a visit from Dan Harper, the Western Area
Rep, and two of the Winnebago security officers. They amusingly called us
‘troublemakers’ but agreed that our campfire met the requirements so they
wished us a fine evening. Dan went back to bed and the two security officers
stayed to chat longer.
The chap in Merchant’s Row who had the wooden
roses for a buck a dozen had a nice run on purchases, as did the vendor selling
those cute mini balloon tops for the ladies. The other merchant who sold wifi
antennas sure did a lot of business with Ontario coaches too. Of course, Sandy enjoyed
the challenge of being at the Surplus Store early in the morning to find some
good deals in non-Winnebago items.
OTT received the Award of Excellence pins
again this year. Bev Dudley won Honourable Mention for the OTT Newsletter and
All in all, it was a week of great weather,
great camaraderie, and some wonderful ideas for next year, the 40th
anniversary of WIT. Make your plans now
to join us in 2009.
Sandy Rung
Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to
pick the little 'stringy things' off of it.
That's how the primates do it.
September 18 – 21, 2008
Thursday ‘til Sunday
Woodland Park, Sauble Beach
Sites have
concrete pads, 30 amp hydro service, water and sewer
$31.00 per
night plus GST, pay as you enter the park (Cash, Visa or Debit)
There is an
indoor heated pool and hot tub, paved roads.
Outing Fee
between $10.00 - $15.00
Thursday
evening campfire
Friday 9:00
AM coffee and goodies
3:30 PM Happy Hour (cheese and crackers, etc.
supplied)
5:00 PM BBQ Hot Dogs with trimmings
Evening Campfire
Saturday 9:00
AM coffee and goodies
10:00 AM
Annual Meeting and Election of Officers
5:00 PM
Potluck Supper
Evening
Campfire
Sunday 9:00 AM Coffee
Plans for Friday and Saturday include
games-golf-crafts
- socializing-local touring, etc.
Contact Ed and Marjorie Holborn at 519-662-2044 or
Email: emholborn@sympatico.ca by September 1,
2008
F.Y.I.
The 2008 international Plowing Match is Sept. 16-20 at
Teeswater
Bruce Power visitor centre is open Monday to Friday
The outlet mall in Southampton is always interesting.
Woodland Park, Sauble Beach
Arriving from Hepworth on road 8 (Main Street) turn right on Sauble
Parkway (road 13)
Arriving from Southampton on
road 13 cross road 8 and park is on the right.
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