News: Illinois

Illinois Indians
State Club
By Christina Crabtree

Illinois Indians spring outing was held on April 23 - 25 at Iroquois County Fairgrounds in Crescent City, IL. Our weekend started out with a social hour in which everyone brought snacks to share while we caught up on winter travels. Afterwards, several stayed and played games. On Saturday, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast prepared by Windy City Winnies and looked over the craft sales, flea market, and book sales. After our general meeting, the ladies drove into Cissna Park to visit Prairieland Quilts. Prairieland Quilts is a full-service quilt store. They have approximately 3,000 bolts of fabric and a wide selection of books and patterns. They have become known for their Block of the Month and Thimbleberries Club. Owned and operated by Prairieland, Inc., they have been in existence since the fall of 1993. The staff has all been quilters for many years and enjoys working with their customers. First, they gave us a tour of their shop and their internet quilting business. Later, they gave us a demonstration of Fun and Done! Quilting. It is an easy quilt-as-you go technique. For more information: prairielandquilts.com and quilterwarehouse.com.

Cissna Park was also having a city-wide yard sale and many of our ladies shopped the day before as well as on Saturday. Later, all of us met at the Dairy Queen to enjoy a little refreshment before returning back to the fairgrounds. Later in the afternoon, we had a meeting to discuss Grand National Rally and the State Row Party. In between the rain showers, everyone managed to make it to the main building for dinner. Afterwards, card bingo was enjoyed by everyone. On Sunday, our members gathered for coffee and donuts and a prayer service before heading home. Our next outing will be our State Rally on June 25 - 27 at Iroquois County Fairgrounds. We invite everyone to stop by on your way to GNR for a weekend of fun and good food.

Ed Allen 309-744-2355

Little Egypt Winnies
Local Chapter
By Chris Crabtree

Our first outing for the year was the State Spring Outing on April 23 – 25 at Iroquois County Fairgrounds, Crescent City, IL. We had four coaches in attendance. Our duty for the spring outing was parking and since their weather had been dry, we were able to park on the grass. Cissna Park, a community nearby, had a town-wide yard sale and some of our members took advantage of, while the rest of us enjoyed sitting in the sun. We also visited Prairieland Quilts, which is also located in Cissna Park, on Saturday. Catching up on everyone's winter activities, playing games or cards, and good food made a great weekend.

Our May 20 – 23 outing was held at Camp Lakewood in Effingham, IL along with Fourwinds Winnies. We had five coaches in attendance. The campground is located right off I-57/70. They offer special club rates to all members and can comfortably accommodate 20 RVs in the area surrounding the clubhouse. They have 55 full hook-up sites, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, camp store, and playground. They are located on Lake Pauline where you can fish without a license.

On Friday, we were invited to join Fourwinds for a wiener roast and potluck. Later on, several members sat around the campfire or played games inside. After our meeting, we went into Effingham. First stop was the Cross at the Crossroads. If you have traveled I-57, you have probably seen the large cross. It soars nearly 200 feet into the sky. For more information, log onto www.crossusa.org.

After lunch we visited the Corvette Museum. It is located off exit 162 on I-57 at Mid America Motorworks and My Garage Museum. They have thousands of pieces of automotive collectibles and memorabilia. Later that evening, we joined the Fourwinds for a catered dinner. They were also celebrating four of their couple's 50th wedding anniversaries. Mary Zumwalt showed us how to make the ice cream. On Sunday we gathered for a prayer service before heading home. We thank the Fourwinds for their hospitality. Until next time, safe travels.

Randy Burlison 618-995-2628

Quad Cities Winnies
Local Chapter
By Dannie and Judy Shryack

We camped at Fisherman's Corner for the three-day weekend, May 21 – 23. This is a Corps of Engineers Park on the Mississippi River. It is also located on a major paved bike path.

Arriving Friday we had our business meeting. Elected new officers and seemed to stumble over the Secretary job. Most of us agreed that position carries a large load with the administrative duties and the write-up for WIT. Off to a local restaurant for supper and lots of conversation. Some attended a campfire that night while others spruced up their rigs for the next day.

Saturday was Show and Tell in East Moline, IL. J and J Camper Sales went all out with on-site live radio broadcast from 11 – 2. Lots of food and drink for a great time. Six of the Quad Cities Winnies had their rigs on display and open for visitors. It was a great event. More Quad Cities Winnies are always welcome.

After a busy day at J and J, we returned to Fisherman's Corner for hot dog roast over the campfire. It was a great night of enjoying good friends around the fire.

We went out for breakfast and kicked back enjoying the warm weather. The ladies played Farkl at a picnic table. The men had a beer or two and tried to "out story" each other. Everyone was ready for a relaxing night in their coach watching their favorite TV shows.

Mid-Monday, we started saying our goodbyes until next time.

Karen Sheets 309-755-7177

Windmill Winnies
By Les Bonesteel

Well, by the look of the number of those that attended our first campout of the season at Deer Run, May 14 – 16; everyone was ready to renew friendships and get out and enjoy our Winnebago Industries' products.

We had 20 rigs in attendance that included both the Windmill Winnies and the Hudson Valley Ramblers. With the weather cooperating, several members came in a day or two early and the remainder came in on Friday and all settled in and enjoyed an evening of happy hour catching up on traveling adventures over the winter months around the fire in the pavilion. Thanks to all those that brought wood supplies.

Saturday saw our hosts for the weekend, Ed and Alice Bernat and Chuck and Mary Fuller, with the mighty assistance of D. A. Schuster (Mr. Pancake Chef) put on one heck of a breakfast. Later that morning, everyone chipped in and all worked to assemble our contribution to the upcoming State Rally by putting together the fire starters to be used as part of the goodie bags. The afternoon activities saw some heavy competition with the organization of two teams for beanbag baseball.

Dinner that evening was a potluck arrangement with everyone enjoying a little of everyone's cooking and plenty of desserts to go along with the meal. After dinner some sat by the fire while others retired to their coaches for the evening.

Sunday morning saw the Hudson Ramblers assemble our continental breakfast and everyone stayed around and mingled to say goodbyes and prepare for the return trip home. All in all, it was a great weekend and a great start to our 2010 season.

Windy City Winnies
Local Chapter
By Gail Barthel

On a beautiful sunny and warm Sunday afternoon, we had 26 members arrive for our monthly meeting and to say "welcome back" to most of our snowbirds. We spent most of the afternoon catching up on all of the news (past and present) as to what everyone had done over the winter. The wagonmasters, Joe and Lorrie Schleich and Joanne Kauffman, had prepared some Italian sausage with onions and peppers and the chapter members brought the side dishes and desserts. What a feast!!!!! Also, Joanne did a super job decorating the tables in an "Easter" decor. We had our meeting afterwards, with the President, Secretary, and Sunshine Lady being chaired by Joanne Kauffman and Gail Barthel. We are so lucky our Treasurer, Lorrie Schleich, is always there.

Winnebago-Itasca Travelers