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2004 Year Highlights
By Wanda Ray
January 2004 – Winter
weather means little to Flight #9. We met in Metropolis, IL, with
members from Brookport, IL; Centralia, IL; Carbondale, IL; Martin, TN;
Energy, IL; McKenzie, TN; Hickory, KY; South Fulton, TN, Ullin, IL; and
Decaturville, TN; and Metropolis, IL. Five families are in the Warm
South.
February 2004 – Holmes Family Restaurant in Mayfield, KY was a
great place for our EAT-OUT. 32 people showed up and ATE. Several had
heard about Frank Sherman using Duct Tape for holding his unit together
until he gets home.
March 2004 – Fort Massac in Metropolis, IL was selected for our
first trip out for the year. 26 brave souls came. Visitors, Tim
Armstrong in his pop- up and Rob Heisels’ in their new Jayco 5th wheel.
Tarps felt real good this time, especially during a morning worship
service.
April 2004 – It’s back to Columbus-Belmont State Park, KY. Peters
arrived late on Thursday evening and early on Friday, moved to a coveted
spot over looking the river. John Haley arrived with a new camper
–bigger and better – a Jay Feather. We all enjoyed 2 campfires – both at
the same site to keep up warm. Lots of tall tales went around the
circle.
May 2004 – Giant City State Park near Carbondale, IL Sixty-seven
people in attendance. Proffitts arrived in a new motor home – NOT a
Jayco. Rays’ and Proffitts’ took a ‘rapid’ trip to the hospital –
nothing serious so Jean could stay the rest of the weekend. Rob &
Deborah Heisel joined our group. Our pot-luck on Saturday night was a
big hit…..70 people were there. Nathan Knight held our Mother’s Day
services.
June 2004 – Jellystone Campground near Mammoth Cave, KY was the
site of our June camping. Vicki developed a new campfire treat. (So ask
her) Several took tours on Saturday. Most of us missed the tornado that
was near the cave because we were underground. Some took boat rides on
the Green River. Tim & Melissa Armstrong and family joined our club.
Several went to the Sahara Restaurant for supper – good.
July 2004 – Back to Fort Massac in Metropolis, IL. Mike and
Melinda Ford from Bardwell, KY joined our club. Saturday afternoon the
electricity was lost, which made for an interesting afternoon of Megan’s
wedding preparations. Everything worked out fine.
August 2004 – Town & Country Campground in Sikeston, MO was our
gathering spot for the annual Bootheel Rodeo. We all went to Lamberts’ (Throwed
Rolls) for supper.
Frank Sherman has a very interesting tale about receiving a free western
shirt…..ask Pat.
Also in August, we camped at Coles Creek Campground on Lake Carlyle, IL
and attended the Balloon Festival. Lots of visitors. Damon & Michelle
Harris have just purchased a Jayco pop-up and came.( Dale & Jan’s
daughter).Beautiful show on Saturday, balloon lift-offs, balloon glows,
and balloon fly-overs & target hitting. Daniel was being a good brother
& pushing the girls on the merry-go-round and got his foot caught-
resulting in a dash to the ER—a real bad sprain. Kaye set us up for a
great buffet – and we all ate too much.
September 2004 – John James Audubon State Park was our
destination. Dennie & Elsie Hinkle along with Rosann & Glen Lingle are
in FL helping in the hurricane disaster. The weather was wonderful. We
welcomed guests Frieda and Liale Sellers from Dawson Springs, KY and
thanks to Frank Sherman for holding them a site with his truck.
October 2004 – Hillman Ferry Halloween Invitational Campout. As
usual the attendance was high – 112 roughly. Our activities directors do
a great job with all the contests and prizes. Frieda & Liale Sellers and
Steve & Lynne O’Saile were voted in as new members.
November 2004- Casino Queen Campground, East St. Louis, IL
Shopping seems to be the thing to do in November – whether you are in
Nashville, or St. Louis!!!!!
December 2004 – Dennie Hinkle’s church in Buncombe, IL was
selected for our December pot-luck lunch and gift exchange. New officers
were elected; Steve Dawson, Pres, Vicki Knight, Tres; Frieda Sellers,
Secretary; Tim Armstrong, Wagon Master; and Deirdre Allbritten,
Activities Director.. Places for 2005 were chosen –(to be changed on a
whim). Dennie had just had knee surgery so he couldn’t come.!! What a
bummer. Just quit camping and are already anxious to go again.
2005
year.... to be continued
