News: Washington

Inland Empire Explorers
Local Chapter
By Don Van Leuven

The Inland Empire Explorers held their annual holiday luncheon at Crickets restaurant in Coeur d' Alene, ID. Thirty members and guests were able to attend making this one of our largest gatherings in recent years. For those who have not visited the city during the holidays, it is a must. It is claimed that there are over a million holiday lights in the downtown and resort area. Multiple light displays are on the marina boardwalk and the entire downtown is lit up. Cruises are available from the resort in the evenings to view the lights and across-the-lake visit to Santa's house.

John Level was our wagonmaster for the luncheon and he got everyone in the spirit with a welcoming holiday chocolate candy bar. As usual, the time passed too quickly as it had been several months since we had been together and much catching up had to be done. After lunch our outgoing president, Dee Gumenberg, called this noisy bunch to order for a short business meeting. It was decided to divide our charity funds this year and we will support the Ronald McDonald House, Shriners Hospital, and the Spokane Neighborhood Action Program (SNAP) with $100 each.

Our day finished with John Level presenting a box of holiday sweets to Barb and Cot Rice for coming so far (approximately 200 miles) and to Ev and Ron Muck and Marilyn and Al Freidman who celebrated their anniversaries.

Dee Gumenberg 509-535-7818

Rainer Ramblers
Local Chapter
By Donna Coorough

Nov. 12-15 was our outing at Glen-Ayr Canal Resort Hoodsport, WA. This was the group's last official outing for 2009. The Hood Canal presented itself in its finest autumn colors for all to enjoy.

The park offered a terrific place to loosen up those muscles in the relaxing hot tub, a cozy recreation lodge to sit and relax, or snuggle up and trade stories next to the fireplace.

During the weekend, everyone had a different agenda, from golfing, visiting the Hoodsport Winery, or a visit to the local shops for a jump-start on Christmas shopping. For fresh clams and oysters, a short trip to the small hamlet of Hama Hama was worth the drive. Some also visited Whitney Farms Nursery for seasonal plants.

Following dinner Saturday, everyone gathered around the fireplace to watch a movie, "Some Like It Hot" with Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe, and Jack Lemon.

It was a most relaxing weekend before we embark on all the holiday activities.

We began the holiday season at the Tacoma Elks Club, Saturday, Dec. 5, for our annual Christmas party where 29 members enjoyed the pre-holiday activities.

The lodge was decorated for the holidays. As everyone gathered for happy hour, a table filled with toy donations kept growing and growing as well as the doggy donation table for the Prison Pet Partnership Program. Both tables were overflowing by the end of the evening.

Following dinner, the club presented Beth Rivard, Executive Director of the Prison Pet Partnership Program with a check from the Rainier Ramblers, as well as 'doggy' donations. Beth gave us background on this special program that rescues dogs from animal shelters, provides vocational training for female inmates, and ultimately assist persons with disabilities. This was the third year Beth brought along one of the dogs in training. No one can forget the two-year-old Lab named Joey; last year it was Issy, a female yellow Lab; this year a beautiful Lab/Poodle mix named Hannah. Hannah demonstrated her numerous skills and, once again, stole the hearts of everyone there.

Installation of 2010 officers preceded dinner: President, Ken Foster; Vice President, Joe Coorough; Secretary, Donna Coorough; and Treasurer, Joyce Norquist.

Next on the agenda was the auction with Joe Coorough as the auctioneer. Some beautiful one-of-a-kind gifts were made or donated by club members. We collected $350.50 that will go to the Prison Pet Partnership Program next year. This support will surely brighten the holidays for many less fortunate.

Ken Foster 253-630-0295 ktfoster@comcast.net www.rainierramblers.org

San Juanderers
Local Chapter
By Tom Stewart

October: Oct. 15-18, nineteen San Juanderers coaches arrived in Cannon Beach, OR at the RV Resort at Cannon Beach. Our hosts were Ken and Eileen Barrett and Homer and Karen Davenport. Thursday saw many members enjoying lunch and a spectacular beach view at Mo's Restaurant. The remainder of the day was spent exploring the shops and galleries in Cannon Beach and outlying towns. Seaside to the north offered the outlet malls and Tillamook to the south boasts the home of Tillamook Cheese Factory and the Blue Heron French Cheese Shop. Many chose to explore the flight museum and the sausage factory outlet shop while in Tillamook.

Everyone enjoyed a very tasty potluck dinner Friday night. After dinner, many members participated in the second "annual" pumpkin-carving contest. Each entry was so clever and unique the judges had a difficult time determining the winner. The decided winners were Tom and Sharon Atkinson for their "nosey" jack-o'-lantern! Card playing completed the evening.

Saturday's activities began with our monthly meeting and happy hour. Following happy hour, we moved to The Bigfoot Steakhouse for dinner. More card games ended the evening. A continental breakfast was served early Sunday to end another enjoyable outing with our club members!

November: Sixty plus members met for lunch at the Mt. Vernon Royal Fork Nov. 18. It was great to see all of our old friends again. We collected $145 in 50/50 ticket sales. Scott Ziegler received $73 and $72 went to the Charity Fund. Doug Mumaw and Alfa Jackson each won a poinsettia plant. Alfa mentioned that the City of Concrete was in dire need of items for the food bank. She designated her husband, Doug, to deliver the items that were collected at the luncheon.
Dave and Joan Ronning were our hosts.

December: Thirty-five coaches and sixty plus members came to Fidalgo Bay RV Resort in Anacortes Dec. 4-6. Many coaches arrived a day early to break out their Christmas decorations and settle in for a festive weekend full of activities. After all, there was a prize to be won for best-decorated coach.

After getting settled, in we had an impromptu social time. A group headed off to the casino to test their luck, while others arranged for viewing football.

Friday saw the coffeepots going early to watch the arrivals of more chapter members and to swap stories. Howie and Gwen Aoyama had their traditional open house. Happy hour followed in the afternoon and then the catered dinner arrived. After getting our fill, a dessert auction was held to raise money for our charities. Members donated many tasty treats and $300 was raised.

Saturday the officers, both incoming and outgoing, arose early to prepare a breakfast for the club. During our business meeting, the 2010 officers were elected and sworn in. The afternoon was spent visiting and socializing until happy hour commenced where holiday punch was provided. A hint, there was no lemonade in the Lynchburg Lemonade. Tickets were sold for a charity raffle at the same time. A special thank you goes to the club's sponsor, Roy Robinson Motor Homes, for the donations of the oil change, interior and exterior cleanings, as well as a propane tank fill. Many, many tickets were sold for those and other generously donated items. At 5:30 p.m. Gere-a-Deli served up a holiday feast. After dinner, the winning raffle tickets were drawn and the gift exchange was conducted. Many are still trying to figure out if it is better to give, receive, or steal someone else's gift!

Sun Catchers
Local Chapter
By Cathy Williams

Good friends met at the Chinese Garden in Sequim, WA, for our annual Sun Catchers Christmas party.

Nineteen Sun Catchers attended for the buffet, meeting, and gift exchange. Those not in attendance (locals and Snowbirds) were missed.

Winnebago Western Representatives, Dan and Margie Harper, attended. Dan spoke to us regarding chapter enrollment, the Grand National Rally 2010, new coaches, etc.

After our chapter meeting, Dan Harper swore in the attending officers for 2010.

We also played a gift exchange game.

Dave Adolphsen 360-928-3614 damadol@att.net

Valley Vagabonds
Local Chapter

Dec. 10 the Valley Vagabonds finished 2009 with a luncheon at the home of Walt and Irene. We had a beautiful view of the frozen Yakima River out of the back windows of their home and the friendship inside was very warm. Members and guests began to gather about noon and spent the first hour with each other and catching up with what was happening in each other's lives. By the time the meal started, 18 members and four guests were present.

After a delicious meal, a short meeting was held. During the meeting additional wagonmasters volunteered to fill several of the empty available months. Also, the time and place for the first meeting in 2010 was identified. It will be held at the Double Dragon Restaurant, 3107 West Clearwater Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99336. The start time is Feb. 13 at 12 p.m. WIT members are invited to join us. This will be the first meeting at which our new officers will officiate. We are looking forward to having another good year.

After the meeting, we continued to visit.

Sharron Wiens

Winnebago-Itasca Travelers