News:New York

Excelsior Winnies
State Club
By Bill and Ann Hoff

Congratulations to the Excelsior Winnies for an extremely successful and fun 29th NY State Rally. Congratulations to rallymaster, Les Bonesteel, and sidekick, Georgia, for a superbly orchestrated and well-run rally. Many attendees said it was one of the best ever.

There were 55 rigs in all. The officers and some of the parking committee arrived early to set up the parking. Most rigs came in only to find lots of water and "ducks" running around telling them where to park. Les was very insightful on having the parkers regaled in duck hats. Not only did the parkers have duck hats, but by the time everybody was parked, it was purported that a couple of them had developed webbed feet. The ducks also had use of a golf cart generously donated by Windmill Winnies member Bob Boyle.

Thursday evening we had a tasty potluck dinner that followed opening ceremonies and the introduction of our new Eastern Winnebago Representatives, Butch and Becky Moore. This was a great time for renewing old friendships and developing new ones.

Friday brought a number of activities including: seminars, book exchanges, card games, and bingo. Chapter meetings were held in the afternoon.

Les did a superb job selecting entertainers for both Friday (Pirates Dream) and Saturday (Rock with the Croc). There was a large group that stayed 'til last call both evenings. The music was so good that it was hard not to get up and dance. It was neat to see so many folks dancing, some even wore pink grass skirts in keeping with a Jimmy Buffet theme.

The rally had a first-time event with the marriage of Cherie Scudder and David Fleenor at the gazebo, officiated by Cherie's son, Pastor Jim Scudder. Many folks attended and showered them with environmentally friendly bubbles.

Herkimer County Rotary served breakfast both Friday and Saturday. The annual state meeting followed presided over by Karen Welch. The balance of the day was taken up with adult games like golf cart rodeo and iron skillet fry pan tossing. These games were introduced to us by Al and Mary Smith. It was obvious how much fun these were by the number of folks who participated and those who stayed to cheer. There were lots of laughs. Speaking of laughing, there also was a cow milking contest. On a more serious note, there were tournaments for euchre and dominoes, as well as craft displays for show and tell. The friendship walk is always well attended and this year was no exception. All this fun was followed by a dinner catered by Knight Spot, a local restaurant.

Closing ceremonies were held Sunday morning. It was a time to reflect on all the good times that were shared over the weekend. All in all, the rally was about good food, great folks, super entertainment, and lots of fun.

Hudson Valley Ramblers
Local Chapter
By Ruth Simpson

Six Hudson Valley Ramblers RVs braved the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and the tail end of Hurricane Lee to attend the New York State Rally at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort, NY, Sept. 8-11.

Rally festivities began on Thursday with opening ceremonies and a potluck dinner. Friday the sun appeared and dried things up a little. We had a continental breakfast. There were some seminars offered to interest everyone. Our Eastern Representatives were on hand for the entire rally to answer any questions about RVing. They also gave tours of their new coach. The wine and cheese party got underway and kept everyone busy until dinner which was followed by an ice cream social. Later we were entertained by a "Jimmy Buffet" band from Buffalo, NY.

Saturday morning opened with a catered hot breakfast put on by the Herkimer County Rotary. After breakfast the WIT store opened and the state meetings were held and in the afternoon there were several participants in lawn games and a domino tournament. There was also a Craft Show and Tell, which there were also many participants. The annual Friendship Walk was held. We were treated to a catered dinner provided by Knight Spot, a local eatery. The evening was concluded by Frank Crocco, "Rock with the Croc," a song writer and singer. Prizes for the winners of the games and tournaments were given out after the entertainment. Sunday morning, after another continental breakfast, we all headed for home.

Long Island Winnie-Tascas
Local Chapter
By Arlene Schuber

We just can't believe that the season is already starting to come to an end. The Long Island Winnie-Tascas have had such a good year so far with local campouts at many Suffolk County campgrounds and attending rallies for Suffolk and Nassau counties at the wonderful parks available for us to use.

September was a good month. We attended the local Nassau camping fall rally at the Nassau county-owned campground. This is a beautiful campground as well as a great dry camping area near the building with kitchen amenities for up to three clubs at a time.

The gathering was hosted by Ray Rizo, the great president of the committee for camping and our Winnies member Skip Armstron. They put together a wonderful campout with so many things to do for all to enjoy and good food as planned activities and entertainment.

We have a few more outings on our calendar and are busy planning next year's outings. We enjoyed meeting two new member families, the Lees and the Wechts, and look forward to seeing them again soon.

So as the leaves start to fall here on Long Island, we look forward to the season winding down and sure wish that travelers from other WIT clubs would come visit us and wonderful Long Island. A reminder: you DO NOT have to go through NYC to get to Long Island! So come on, visit us!

Windmill Winnies
Local Chapter
By Judy Cooper and George Hallenbeck

The Windmill Winnies camped at Arrowhead Campground Aug. 19-21. Since this was only my second campout with the Windmill Winnies, I decided to arrive a day early on Thursday. Upon my arrival, I was surprised to find out over half the expected rigs had also decided to arrive a day early. I was greeted by our wagonmasters, Les and Georgia Bonesteel. Co-wagonmasters, Dick and Evelyn Kramer, arrived the next day.

Friday morning the remainder of the seventeen rigs were pulling in and setting up. It rained a couple of hours but stopped in time for our "snacks" at precisely 4:45. Like I said, this was only my second campout but your definition of "snacks" is different than mine. One could have a complete meal at a Windmill Winnies snack table!

We also celebrated Linda Schuster's birthday with a cake and card signed by all. I'm glad I was here for this because Linda said it's the last one she is "celebrating." Future birthdays should pass unnoticed. Then we retreated to the Bonesteel's site for a very colorful campfire.

On Saturday we gathered for breakfast. Da was manning the grills. I was still waddling around mingling when an "unexpected" (not on the itinerary) lunch provided by Al and Mary Smith was consumed. Chuck and Mary Fuller drove in for the day and set up an RV supplies table sale.

The early snake toss games were won by Alice Bernat and Margaret Sadler. I don't want to say they were flaunting their winning, but I did hear the term "champions." The afternoon games continued with a neck-and-neck baseball game with the men winning 41 to 11. Gifts were to be awarded to the highest scorers, Hank Sadler for the men and Ann Bowen for the women. Then the snake toss games continued through eliminations and guess what? Margaret and Alice remained defending champions, being awarded winning prizes after the annual meeting.

While our dinner was simmering, live music was provided by non-Winnie campers, Rose and Don Perkins, a real nice bonus. We later gathered for dinner.

After dinner the annual meeting was called to order and new members, Malcolm and Elsie Ford, were introduced. Officers were elected, old and new business was covered, and the 2012 schedule was reviewed. After the meeting, our Alpin Haus representative, Da Schuster, and his wife, Linda, spread out a large array of gifts that were raffled off. Then off to our sign for our group picture. WINNIES! We enjoyed another colorful campfire at Bonesteels.

Sunday started with breakfast. The itinerary said a continental breakfast but once again the Winnies outdid themselves with food. Several of us just went up to LOOK as the food jumped on our plates—what's a camper to do?

After breakfast the work began with disassembling tents and returning tables to their sites. The donations for the soldiers, animal shelter, and Shriners were collected and goodbye hugs, handshakes, and next campout plans were shared. Goodbyes taking a couple of hours, the final camper pulled out well before the noon checkout time.

For our second outing held August 26-28, we headed to West Canada Creek. Wagonmasters Peggy Farrell and Bob Boyle, Jim and Martha Bruce put on a fine weekend of sumptuous repasting along with perpetual wagonmasters Al and Mary Smith! Eight rigs attended the campout with seven arriving a day early.

The sun came out for a good weather weekend! This is a fine campground with level sites and a pavilion for our use for the complete weekend! We enjoyed the pleasant company and great weather although the West Canada Creek was running at five to six knots (my estimation)! After an impromptu dinner by the Smiths, as always it was "delisshuss." The Smiths are so generous, priceless, and I get a kick out of their T-shirts! We had a fire every night thanks to Bob Boyle and games and card playing every night!

Friday was an eventful day with Alice and Les winning on the last snake toss, beating Harold and I! Friday night dinner was great, by Peggy and Martha, while the members did the sides! Great meal and the Windmill Winnies did themselves proud! Another night at the fire with happy conversation in pleasant surroundings! But rain was predicted and Irene is on her way!

Saturday was breakfast and all the fixings! This was the race day, NASCAR, but at 2:30 the screen hadn't been erected in the field and Mary and I decided to leave. Two others had already departed for home in front of the storm. The creek was flowing twice as fast, maybe ten knots now and Irene was showing her muscles! But, not until after the race was shown Saturday evening with a bonfire. It was on a twelve-foot screen. This is a campground worth returning to and our group put it on the 2012 schedule! See you all there and at many others!!!

Winnebago-Itasca Travelers