News: Tennessee

Vol State Winnies
State Club
By Linda Baucom

Vol State Winnies, TN's State Club, hosted their bi-annual WIT State Rally Oct. 30-Nov. 1. The venue for TN Hayride was Lebanon TN's James Ward Center, fairgrounds in the heart of Wilson county. Rally attendance was strong, with guest attendees from WIT clubs and chapters in CO, FL, GA, IL, ME, MI, NH, OH, OK, PA, and VA. Especially welcome were Doug and Pat Formanek, WIT General Manager and Central Area Representatives, and Dick and Mikki Dodge, Eastern Area Reps.

With TN offering a wide variety of sights, early arrivals found plenty of places to visit. A large contingent joined in Thursday's pre-rally activity, touring DelMonaco Wineries in Baxter, TN. In addition to the winery, Baxter earned some measure of fame when its small country store was featured in the movie "Coal Miner's Daughter." A pre-rally potluck dinner with waaaay too many delicious contributions was followed by karaoke. We enjoyed watching Ken and Jeanette Dixon, West TN Travelers (WTT), demonstrate dance skills. As card and table games were available afternoons and evenings, many chose to hone their skills for scheduled rally tournaments.

Lebanon High School ROTC presented our American flag and TN's state flag; Del Gooden, Rocky Top Travelers, gave the invocation. President Lynn Fitts introduced Doug and Pat Formanek, Dick and Mikki Dodge, Ricky Rodriguez (Director Wilson County Convention Center), and Andy Brummitt (Director Wilson County Promotions). Doug shared information about Winnebago Industries—good to know we are affiliated with an organization that remains strong. Mr. Rodriguez and Mr. Brummitt welcomed us to the area.

Vol State Winnies rallies have long been noted for their opening day hospitality table brunch; 2009 was no exception. Eupha Gibbons and her team kept the tables laden with all sorts of tasty food, so much so that most of us didn't bother with lunch. Francine Nickels led the decorations committee. They did a wonderful job with Halloween, fall, and hayride decorations everywhere! Everything, including the facilities, was decorated.

Activities got underway with seminars and games. Seminar providers were Chip Maddox, "Rallys' R Us," Dick Dodge, WIT Tours; and Rhonda Jones, Arbonne Skin Care. A real treat was the two brand new units for us to view. Buddy Gregg Motor Homes, Knoxville, brought a 40' and a 42' Ellipse. Talk about some beauties! Buddy Gregg is a newly franchised Itasca dealer and everyone was glad to welcome this important dealership to our WIT team.

Friday's meal, served by WTT members, was followed by entertainment provided by Youngtown Band, a very talented group of young musicians based in Nashville. The five-member band range in ages from 13 to 19. Their bluegrass and gospel music earned excellent reviews from this audience. Book them for your rallies now folks, because they are sure to be famous very soon!

Saturday began with breakfast catered by Rocky Top Travelers (RTT), TN's chapter on the eastern side of the state. Game playoffs, craft show judging, and the Candy Corn Friendship Walk were highlights. The ice cream social, sponsored by Farm & City Insurance, brought everyone together and just in time for the Witches' Broom Race. No records were broken for speed, but Wellis Balliet (DE Valley Winnies) and Becky Moore (Wolverines of SW MI) won their heats. A big crowd gathered for the costume parade. Were we surprised to see contestants bribing the judges with candy? First and second place to Barb and Ed Allen (WinniPoo/IL Indians). Barb's Indian Princess was regal, but you will have to ask Ed about his costume. Promise—no one knew it was Ed!

Game winners included: Skip-Bo and Phase 19, Ralph Wiggers, RTT and a first-timer; 31, Edgar McInturff, Music City Winnies (MCW); and Dominos, Irene Craig, RTT and a first-timer. A wide variety of very nice items, created by some very talented WIT members, were entered in the crafts competition. Melinda Seigler, RTT, won Best of Show and her wonderful quilted wall hanging will be entered in GNR's craft competition.

Music City Winnies, the Chapter from central TN, served Saturday's dinner. After the meal, newly elected Vol State Winnies officers were installed by Doug Formanek. President Fitts was presented with gifts and a plaque as thanks for her years of leadership and service to Vol State Winnies and to WIT. Then (he didn't know this was coming), reminiscent of celebrity roasts, Jimmy Fitts was thanked for his assistance and support. Entertainment was "Elvis, Neil, Patsy and More,' provided by DSquared Productions of Crossville, TN. Great job by talented singers! Some ladies were pretty excited by Elvis (and they know who they are).

A devotional service and grab-and-go breakfast preceded the closing ceremony. No doubt, everyone enjoyed the TN Hayride. It was a great time, so many new friends met! We will be looking to meet up again at GNR and further down the road. Mark your calendars now to join VSW's Rally 2011.

Lynn Fitts 931-484-1259

Winnebago-Itasca Travelers