HRRVC CHAPTER 407
CACTUS WRENS
March 2006 Newsletter
Carol’s Corner:
All good things must come to an end. The activities with the Cactus Wrens are not ending, just taking a “SIESTA” for six months. Hopefully, we will all be back next fall and with the help of a great supportive slate of officers, next season’s activities should prove to be bigger and better than ever.
Hope to see all of you somewhere down the road, and may God keep you safe on your journeys wherever they may be.
Remember, “THE BEST ACCESSORY IS A SMILE. WEAR ONE OFTEN.”
Carol
February catch-up:
Pizza, plus salads and desserts, was the order of the day for our February meeting. Dominoes delivered, and it was delicious! The few pieces left over were readily snatched up for some lucky person’s lunch! Eleven ladies were happy recipients of heart-shaped boxes of (what else?) chocolates and even the candy decorations on the tables didn’t last long. Great day!
The planned paddle boat ride and buffet supper on the Colorado River occurred on a beautiful southwest Arizona afternoon and evening. A relaxing ride with lovely scenery, interesting history, and wonderful friends to share the experience.
And on into March…
The second half of the two-week Puerto Penasco caravan planned and executed by Mike and Mairiene Miranda left February 28. If that second week was any indication of what had happened the first week, those who managed to take the whole two weeks must have been exhausted! Mavis Ohms wrote a wonderful wrap-up of the event and it has been submitted to the Ramblings. It was read at the March chapter meeting, and if you missed it and want a copy, contact Clarene.
And then there were the die-hards who went right from the Mexico outing to the Western Sunshine Rally in Casa Grande. Carol Menor rated the rally an “8” on a 1-10 scale – one must always have room for improvement! There were +/- 185 rigs in attendance and rally coordinators Paul and Claire Lankes were pleased. A committee is now in the process of scouting next year’s Western Sunshine Rally. Was the word “Yuma” mentioned?
Membership news:
Four members dropped out over the past season, but nine new ones came on board. Suzan Bryant, Gary & Carol Bradley, David & Susan Eagleton, Keith & Darlene Hannah, Mitch & Ann McCain, Ray & Hilda Nichols, Raul Resendez & Sandy Zumbach, Doug & Judy Trumbull, and Jeff & Nancy Wells joined our ranks – delightful folks, all!
Besides the “crud” most everyone suffered throughout the winter, other health problems kept cropping up. Virginia Pinder threw a scare into everyone at breakfast one Thursday morning and took some time to recover. But “Someone” heard our prayers, and it is delightful to have her back in our circle again. … Carolyn Griffin is having ongoing problems and has been in and out of the hospital since the end of February. At this writing, she is due to be released, finally, but she and Reba will stay in Yuma until Carolyn has regained enough strength to make the trip home to Washington State. … Gary May is recovering from a little surgery (missed them at the Picnic in the Park). … And Bob White (and Pam) needs our prayers while he gets a diagnosis on a lump.
Speaking of the Pinders, Speed and Virginia have sold their motor home and are going to live in a permanently docked 5th wheel in Washington State. Unfortunately, their new digs is an s-o-b, but they are whole heartedly welcome guests in our group!
Coming up…
First of all, there’ll be ONE MORE BREAKFAST, and then it’s home we’ll go… (couldn’t resist that, Ray). Thursday, March 30, we’ll gather at the Home Town Buffet to offer good wishes and fare-thee-wells to those who have managed to stay and take advantage of the glorious spring weather.
At the Picnic in the Park, Ray Nichols gave us a sales pitch for the combined Arizona State and Region VII Rally to be held November 8-13, 2006, at Cochise Terrace RV Park in Benson, AZ. It will immediately follow the New Mexico State Rally being held in Las Cruces, NM and ending November 6. Planned events include Karchner Caverns ($19 and $23 tour choices offered), and the Queen Mine underground tour in Bisbee. The rally fee is $175 which includes five nights at the Cochise Terrace park. Meals include morning hospitality, four dinners and two breakfasts. Among other things, there will be a cake walk and arts & crafts, including a class on decorating gourds, and a bean bag baseball tournament. There will be a display of motorized and towable rigs. It is a very interesting part of Arizona and the rally will be well worth attending!
Carol handed out a tentative schedule for next season’s activities. You might want to get out your calendar and pencil in the following dates.
Cactus Wrens events:
Nov. 15, 2006 – First meeting and luncheon of the season. Note that it is one week later than usual, because of the conflicting AZ State/Reg. VII Rally.
Nov. 21-25, 2006 – Date Land Campout (Thanksgiving dinner).
Dec. 13, 2006 – Meeting and Luncheon
Dec. ? , 2006 – Day trip to Laughlin, NV
Jan. 10, 2007 – Meeting and Luncheon
Jan. 17-21, 2007 – Bob Haynie Memorial Quartzsite Campout
Jan. ? , 2007 – Beaudry RV Resort Campout, Tucson
Feb. 14, 2007 – Meeting and Luncheon
Feb. 10-Mar. 3, 2007 – Caravans to Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), MX
Mar. 14 or 21 (tba) – Picnic in the Park
Other Region VII events:
Southwest Sunshine Rally – Texarkana, AR – Apr. 5-8, 2006
HRRVC International Rally – Fryeburg, ME – July 17-21, 2006
Washington State Rally – Moses Lake, WA – Sep. 6-10, 2006
Colorado State Rally – See Ramblings for details – Sep. 8-10, 2006
Texas State Rally – Minneola, TX – Sep. 23-29, 2006
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – Oct. 7-15, 2006
New Mexico State Rally – Las Cruces, NM – Nov. 2-5, 2006
Arizona State/Region VII Rally – Benson, AZ – Nov 8-13, 2006
And, finally, something to think about:
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor and dishwashing liquid made with real lemon juice? and
Why don’t sheep shrink when it rains?
SAFE AND HAPPY TRAVELS!
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HRRVC CHAPTER 407
CACTUS WRENS
January 2006 Newsletter
Carol’s Corner:
If you are looking for a fun time, the Cactus Wrens know how to have a good time. Not only are the campouts fun, but the monthly luncheons have been a great success. Not to mention breakfast once a week at The Home Town Buffet. As your president, I will continue to promote new and exciting activities/events that will entice Holiday Rambler owners to join the HRRVC family. We need to work together to keep the wheels rollin’!
Quartzsite Campout Wrapup:
Fifty-four rigs honored the memory of Bob Haynie and his love of camping in the Quartzsite desert area. HRRVC chapters from Arizona and New Mexico and their friends came together to partake of the fun and activities available at this time of the year in this little desert town. The weather just barely cooperated – the wind was chilly, as were the nights, but there was no rain and a few hardy souls defiantly wore shorts! Four avid golfers hit the links at Parker’s Emerald Cove, and a bunch caravanned to the Nellie E Desert Bar and got there in time to witness a wedding. Dinner at Bouse had to cover two nights so that all could participate and the staff there did yeoman duty feeding everyone. A few even stopped along the way to and from Bouse to admire the ancient intaglio (picture in the desert) called the “Bouse Fisherman.” An attempt to find the “47-arm cactus” failed – word is that this ugly but fascinating saguaro finally died and was subsequently vandalized. The RV show in the big tent and all the flea markets were well attended. If you weren’t able to come to the campout, ask someone who did go about “the book store” – the buzz around camp was “did you go…” Then ask what they thought of the STORE and if they bought any BOOKS… And, OMIGOSH, the food! Mike and Mairiene Miranda, assisted first by Dave and Lynne McPhaden, and then by nearly everyone in camp, coordinated not only the whole event, but the feeding of the gathered masses. The first night’s fare was Ray Nichols’ chili, served by the Olympics chapter from WA State. Ray and Hilda also spurred the Tucson chapter (Grand Canyon Ramblers #71) to great heights with a boiled omelet breakfast accompanied by deep fried donut holes (there were NO leftovers). Valley of the Sun # 309 of Phoenix presented a wonderful Chalupa dinner. The New Mexico contingent served up yummy breakfast burritos with all the trimmings. Not to be outdone, the Cactus Wrens honored the memory of Ralph Kraus with his favorite pancakes and sausage one morning and topped it off with a fish fry for supper. No weight losses on this campout! The following “dignitaries” either inspired or were inspired by their chapters to come: Chapter Presidents Carol & Frank Menor, Earl & Gretta Peaslee, Russ & Mary Alice Carlson and JD & Pat Hamlet; past AZ State Manager Jerry & Maggie Loomis; AZ State Manager Ray & Hilda Nichols; Ass’t AZ State Manager Mike & Mairiene Miranda; past HRRVC Region VII Director Don & Pat Lange; and Coordinator for the Western Sunshine Rally Paul & Claire Lankes. (The memory being rather faulty at times, please forgive me if I forgot something or someone – it wasn’t intentional, it was just that the whole event was so full of wonderful people and activities! –cfh) And so, it was an event Bob would have loved – and perhaps did… We look forward to next year: January 18-22, 2007.
Coming up:
Thursdays – breakfast at The Home Town Buffet! (Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day).
Tuesdays – crafts at selected places. Call Carol Menor or Clarene Haynie for the next scheduled gathering. Everyone welcome, including SOBs!
Wednesday, February 8, 2006, 11:00, PIZZA for our monthly meeting! Bring salad or dessert to share. A fellow from Al’s RV will give a little talk on RV maintenance and answer questions about the things we forget to do. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 11201 E. 38th Place.
Boat Trip: SATURDAY, February 11, 2006, be at Fisher’s Landing at Martinez Lake at 3:00 for the 3:30 departure. This is a dinner cruise on the Colorado River. By FEBRUARY 1 you need to let Vonnie Bethune know that you are going to do this – 928-342-7192. You can pay her the $49 pp by the February 8 meeting. If you want to use a credit card, call 928-783-4400, and be sure to tell them you’re part of the Holiday Rambler group. Get there by taking a left at the Martinez Road sign 2 miles north of the “big guns” at YPG. The cruise will end at approximately 6:30 p.m.
February 28, 2006 – To Puerto Penasco for those who signed up to do that.
Important event:
At the February 8 meeting, and perhaps extending into March, Holly Stubbs and Carol Menor will have a box (or boxes) available to fill for “Operation Troop Comfort.” This is the organization to which our contributions went at Christmas time. Now, we’re going to see if we can contribute a box or boxes ourselves. We are asking for the following contributions, the small sizes can be found at Target or Wall Mart and other places: hand sanitizer; foot powder; wipes; socks; small hand lotion; eye glass cleaners; baby powder; warm gloves; small packages of snacks and hard candies; individually sealed snack bars; deodorant; shampoo; toothbrushes, toothpaste, & mouthwash; lip balm; tablets & pens & pencils & envelopes; paperback books; and, very importantly, feminine products. Opt for non-perfumed items (the enemy evidently has a keen sense of smell) and items that are in sealed packages. The “Troop Comfort” committee will probably reorganize the box, but the main thing is that we have contributed these much needed items that our military fails to supply in any quantity. And, of course, money is always welcome. PLEASE HELP!
New Members:
You’ve seen them at breakfast, now welcome them officially to the club: Raul Resendez & Sandy Zumbach from Lake Stevens, WA. Winter address: Sun Vista RV Resort #592, 7201 E. 32nd Street, Yuma, AZ 85365 425-275-6500 or 425-275-6499.
“People” news:
Virginia Pinder is our very own proof that miracles do happen. She came home from the hospital only to have blood pressure problems which caused her to return. As of this writing she should be doing well and back home. It was a pleasure to meet her two daughters at the January meeting and to hear their good news of progress.
It was a delight to see both Sandy Leischner and Vivian Meidling. They look wonderful! Their visits this winter will be relatively short so we look forward to seeing them next winter for a longer period of time.
Vonnie & Dale Bethune had to make an unexpected trip to take care of her father.
He is now doing well and Vonnie and Dale are ready to resume their Cactus Wrens activities.
That nasty “crud” has hit pretty much all of us this winter. Hopefully the worst is over.
For those of you who knew the late Frank Hoots, his wife, Bobby is in the early stages of Alzheimers. We wish her and her family well.
Jerry Loomis has 11,000 Coast to Coast points worth $110 for sale at $55 + processing fee, expiring 12-31-06. email Jerry at LOOMIJ@AOL.COM or call 601-363-0360
From Frank Menor:
“Finally a product that will keep your rig’s starting batteries fully charged even during long periods of storage or inactivity. Manufactured by ‘LSL Products’ 5807 Babcock #108, San Antonio, TX 78240 (877)-257-4655 www.lslproductgs.com The product is called ‘TRIK-L-START’ works on diesel or gas engines, allows quick, effortless engine starting. Completely automatic, install it and forget it. The unique design ‘steals’ power from your house battery charger. AC wiring or extension cords are not required. Fully protected against over current or short circuits. Installs in seconds with battery clips or can be permanently mounted in the battery compartment. Small & compact, measurements, <> 3.85” long x 2.075” high x approx 1-1/2” deep <> Product will work on any 12 volt system. Output current is 5.0 amps max. Idling current is less than 0.005 amps. Operating temperature is –30 degrees F. to +140 degrees F. Gentle, tapered charge rate prevents over/under charging, minimizes water loss. This product is safer than conventional trickle battery chargers. Also works with solar panels, wind chargers – ideal for areas where AC power isn’t available. Automatic shutoff – will not run your house batteries down. One year warranty, total satisfaction or your money back. The suggested retail price is $48.95, plus $3.85 shipping 2-3 day priority mail.”
Reach Frank at 928-342-9248.
CHALUPA GRANDE
This is the recipe for the wonderful Chalupas served by the Phoenix Chapter at the Quartzsite Campout:
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| 1 lb. bag dry pinto beans (do not soak) |
2 bags (10 oz. ea) Fritos (not scoops)) |
| 3 lb. boneless pork loin, fat removed |
1 bag (12 oz.) shredded lettuce |
| Water to cover (approx. 7-8 c.) |
1 lb. shredded cheddar cheese |
| 2 garlic cloves, minced |
4 Roma tomatoes sliced |
| ? c. chopped onion |
1 - 1/2 c. sliced green onions |
| 2 – 3 tsp. ground cumin |
1 - 1/2 c. sliced black olives |
| 2 Tbsp. chili powder |
2/3 jar (26 oz.) mild salsa |
| 1 Tbsp. salt |
1 lb sour cream |
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 can (4 oz.) mild chopped green chilies |
2/3 carton frozen or homemade guacamole or
chopped avocado |
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In a big kettle, bring to boil the first ten ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer covered about four hours or until tender. Remove pork, cool slightly and shred with a fork. Return meat to pot and cook uncovered about 30 min. If mixture appears dry, water may be added. Serve over Fritos. Pass rest of ingredients as toppings. Serves 10-12.
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Well?
Why isn’t there mouse-flavored cat food?
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