News: Minnesota

Winnehahas
State Club
By Marcia Fabricius

Eighteen motor homes turned out for the Winnehahas campout at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds in Albert Lea, May 14 – 16. There was plenty of room to park, plenty of power, and a wonderful modern building with a great kitchen served the needs of the group perfectly.

Those arriving on Thursday were treated to cookies and coffee as well as beautiful, warm sunny weather, a welcome change from the previous weeks. Members found things to do, such as playing cards, feeding the slots at Diamond Jo Casino, just sitting around talking, or visiting the classic car show within walking distance of the grounds.

Hosts John and Glenda Erdman, Bill and Dorothy Pomerson, and Dave and Barb Seaberg had a full weekend planned beginning with a trip to Granicrete MN, a facility with a unique process for resurfacing countertops, floors, patios, driveways, and walls – almost anything. Dinner was a finger food potluck. Most enjoyed card games in the evening.

Saturday after breakfast there was a visit from four police officers, two two-legged ones and two four-legged ones. They were Tim Bennett from the Freeborn County Sheriff's Department with his K-9 dog, Chaos; and Mark Lang of the Blooming Prairie Police Department with his K-9 dog, Crooks. They explained what K-9 units do and how they are trained and then they demonstrated attack and takedown using the "bite sleeve." Members kept the guys pretty busy answering questions and they also got to pet the dogs and see how gentle and people-friendly they could be. Lunch, coincidentally, was hot dogs.

In the afternoon, there was a 31-card tournament with the top prize going to Carol Volk and second prize to Dorothy Pomerson. Some of the members played a game of beanbag baseball to practice up for the competition at GNR in July. A potluck dinner was followed by an exciting game of card bingo.

There was a rummage sale going on all weekend in another building on the fairgrounds. A couple of raffles over the weekend raised some money for the club treasury. A 50-50 drawing was won by Carol Volk. An afghan donated by the Freeborn County Fair Board was won by Dorothy Pomerson.

Dave Seaberg 651-633-6463 zoe2dave@aol.com

Winnehahas and Sundowners
By Marcia Fabricius

DENISE PICTURES:

Pleasureland RV Center in St. Cloud, MN, hosted a Show and Tell campout for the Winnehahas and the Sundowners on April 23 - 25. Over 60 units were parked in Pleasureland's huge lot in which Pleasureland had placed a large generator to provide every coach with 30-amp. power. This weekend coincided with a big sale extravaganza Pleasureland was holding, so the turnout from the public was large as well. On Saturday, several more members visited by car.

Though many arrived as early as Thursday and amused themselves shopping, playing games, looking at motor homes, and socializing, the official kickoff for the weekend was a potluck dinner on Friday. The clubs invited Pleasureland's entire staff and their families to partake of the bounty. After dinner, Gary Stacken entertained with guitar and singing while groups of people sat listening, chatting, or playing games.

All other food for the entire weekend was provided by Pleasureland, including the largest sweet rolls anyone had ever seen to go with coffee on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Chapter members and the public were invited to wander into the service area and pick up a delicious bratwurst or two for lunch. And Saturday evening's catered meal was a full-course roast beef dinner. After-dinner entertainment was Andy and Roy singing Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole hits. More cards and games followed.

WIT Manager Doug Formanek and his wife, Pat, were on hand for the weekend and spoke to the membership at their business meeting. Periodic drawings were held to award a number of gifts provided by Pleasureland. Pleasureland staff members conducted seminars in the afternoon which most found very interesting and worthwhile.

Pleasureland made several deals over the course of the weekend, one of which was Charlie and Barb Ruppert's trade up to an almost brand new Meridian. That bullet-riddled old Adventurer will be sorely missed.

Winnehahas
Dave Seaberg 651-633-6463 zoe2dave@aol.com

Sundowners
Dick Fabricius 651-462-1622 dickfab@aol.com

Winnebago-Itasca Travelers