Tuesday (Dec 23rd) - The 2008 Chapter 400 Christmas Rally started today at the 4 o'clock in Little Willies RV Resort located  in Arcadia, FL, with co-hosts Ernie & Judy Finch and Gary & Judy Culp.  There is one first-timer couple, John & Robyn Busch, with Jim & Ginny Hoffmann acting as their angels.  Rally attendee list:  Buddy & Shirley Barbe, Bob & Dot Bragg, John & Robyn Busch, Mitch & Renae Butler, Art & Kathy Conway, Gary & Judy Culp, Dave Delamater & Joann White, Carl & Val Farley, Ernie & Judy Finch, Jim & Ginny Hoffmann, Bill & Peg Jones, Fay Levine, Glen & Flower MacMillen, John & Darla Miller, Ed & Sylvia Nickles, Bob & Marie Smith, Paul & Angie Thrash, Jerry & June Wagner, and Ron & Sue Woodie.

Judy Finch welcomed everyone to the rally and then had each couple come up and introduce themselves.  This was followed by a delicious soup dinner prepared by our hosts.  After dinner, everyone shared in decorating the Christmas tree while enjoying home baked cookies with hot chocolate.  Some of the group were well versed in decorating a tree having gained experience last year with the Jacobson's tree in Mesa, AZ.  Once the tree was finished, the card games started.  TOP

 

Wednesday (Dec 24th) - Christmas Eve had a very light schedule.  Members were visiting each other's RVs and completing their decorating.  We met for our 4 o'clock, had a few announcements, and then were surprised by a phone call from Deby Day who wished us all a Merry Christmas.  We met again a short time for a very tasty "American Chop Suey" dinner, which once again was prepared by our rally hosts.  Following dinner we celebrated Robyn Busch's birthday and shared in cakes provided by her husband John.  Judy Finch gave a inspirational reading, which was followed by seasonal reading by John Busch.  Our small group was indeed blessed:  we learned that Irene Lewis's surgery was a success and she was on her way back home, and also that John & Robyn Busch's son was soon to be on his way home from Iraq.  Games had to be started early so the room could be prepared for tomorrow's dinner.  TOP

 

Thursday (Dec 25th) - Christmas morning was bright and sunny in Arcadia, FL.  Our chapter members were invited to share Christmas dinner with the park residents, and quite a feast it was.  The park has a resident chef and she coordinated all of the preparations.  They provided the turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoes, and gravy - the vegetables and desserts were a shared pot luck affair.  Even though we were scheduled to have our desserts later in the evening, there were definitely some of our members double dipping and having desserts after the dinner too.  There was a touching ceremony at the closing of the Christmas dinner where roses were placed on a cross in memory of park residents who had passed away since the previous Christmas. 

We met for our 4 o'clock outside in the pavilion.  Buddy & Shirley Barbe gave a short presentation on their ideas for the 2010 Chapter 400 Spring Rally in Baton Rouge, LA.  The rally coincides with Mardi Gras and they are planning for us to view some of the local parades with the possibility of being able to ride on one of the floats.  Since asking them to change the dates for Mardi Gras is out of the question, the tentative start date for the rally would be Feb 11th, 2010.  Look for more information as it develops.

We then met once again for desserts and games at 7:00 PM.  TOP

 

Friday (Dec 26th) - Today we journeyed approximately 30 miles south to the beautiful Florida city of Punta Gorda.  Our first stop was to Ponce de Leon Park and the Peace River Wildlife Center.  This non-profit organization rehabilitates all forms of local animals that have been orphaned, displaced, or injured. Most are released back into their natural habitat, but for some, this center becomes their permanent home.  Then we headed to Fisherman's Village for a delicious seafood dinner.  At 5:45 PM, we boarded a boat for a Christmas lighting tour through the canals of Punta Gorda.  These folks bared no expense in decorating their homes and boats for the holidays - beautiful homes and boats!  Our thanks to Gary & Judy Culp for their input on this fantastic day.  TOP

 

Saturday (Dec 27th) - The tour for the day was to the Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO) located in North Fort Myers, FL.  ECHO is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization that is dedicated to fighting world hunger though innovative options, agricultural training, and networking with community leaders and missionaries in developing countries.  Our tour guide was most informative and entertaining - was well worth the trip.

At 7:00 PM, half of our group was treated to a very unique Christmas Pageant.  Only half of us because the other half were performers in the pageant.  The script was written by Glenn & Flower MacMillen's daughter.  It the tradition Christmas Story presented in a very non-traditional way - it was brought up-to-date with modern concepts and lingo.  It was very entertaining and the performers did a truly outstanding job.  Don't miss the pictures of the angel!  TOP

 

Sunday (Dec 28th) - A new rally program, started by Marie Smith and Renae Butler, was offered to our members.  Each day anywhere from 5 to 12 of our members met to perform the ancient Chinese art of T'ai Chi. This consists of 19 gentle and graceful movements which combine to form a relaxing method of exercise.

The tour for the day was to Solomon's Castle located in nearby Ona, Fl.  This is the home, galleries, and workshop of the artist, Howard Solomon.  The castle itself looks like it was made from giant rolls of aluminum foil, and the artwork would have to be classified as "unique."  The tour guide was "punderful" - pun after pun after pun!  During the afternoon, out last remaining couple arrived and we were happy to greet Bob & Dot Bragg.  Also, at the 4 o'clock we had a visit from Dean & Winnie Murphy.

At 5:30 PM, homemade turkey soup was served, followed by an ice cream social, and then some more door prizes.  TOP

 

Monday (Dec 29th) - Today was scheduled as a free day, so many of our members just relaxed.  A few of us loaded our food donation into cars and delivered them to the local Catholic Charities center in Arcadia.  They were very appreciative of our donation as their food bank was severely depleted due to the holidays.  Gary & Judy Culp installed their new HD television, so we wonder if we will get to see much of Gary for the remainder of the rally. Dinner was a potluck affair with the meat being grilled outdoors.  After our angel Gabriel indicated that some could come up pregnant by his divine powers, some of our members appeared the next day well with child.   TOP

 

Tuesday (Dec 30th) - This was a very relaxed day.  We met for our traditional rally group picture, which was posted to this web page and also to the Chapter 400 Yahoo Group.  The guys went to lunch at Slim's Barbeque in downtown Arcadia.  it was good that we arrived at opening time, because the waiting line was all the way outside by the time we finished.  The ladies went to lunch at a combination bookstore / gift shop / restaurant.  A comment was made that the ladies really enjoy their luncheons as they usually are held at unique and interesting locals.   TOP

 

Wednesday (Dec 31st) - New Year's Eve was a relative quiet day here in Arcadia, Fl.  Watching the weather back up north made us even more appreciative of our lifestyle.  Your Chapter Board met for a meeting at 10:00 AM.  There were not many items on the agenda; but the financial report was presented and accepted, and decisions were reached regarding the Chapter 400 Yahoo Group and a Microsoft Word based Chapter 400 Rally Registration Form placed on our webpage.  Also, Our thoughts were with Judy Culp who was admitted to the hospital with an intestinal obstruction.  We gathered at 7:00 PM for hot Hors D'oeuvres and entertainment by our very own Chapter 400 Ensemble.  A definite highlight of our New Years celebration was when Carl surprised Val with an early 50th Anniversary celebration.  Carl said he knew not too many of his Chapter 400 family would be able to be in Maine this coming summer, so he wanted to share this momentous occasion with us now.  There was plenty of bubbly to go around - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.  When Val was asked which she preferred, she was heard to say ALCOHOLIC - and make it a double.   TOP

 

Thursday (Jan 1st) - New Year's Day was sunny but a little chilly - perfect for a sausage gravy and biscuit breakfast prepared by Fay Levine.  Judy Finch then installed two of our officers:  Bob Bragg as Director and Joanne White as Treasurer.  Bob Smith, making note of the fact that Judy tends to get "a little" emotional at the end of rallies, took this opportunity to surprise both Judy & Ernie Finch with Certificates of Appreciation for their efforts in coordinating this excellent rally.  Gary Culp stopped in and gave us a report that his wife Judy is doing much better.  Bob Smith also gave Gary their Certificate of Appreciation, so Judy can post it in her hospital room.  We are all praying she gets back home soon.  Fay Levine gave a very informative seminar on steps to be taken in preparation for the loss of a loved one.  The rally was officially closed later in the day with a pizza party.  As an added treat, we were all invited to share cake and ice cream in honor of Ernie Finch's birthday.   TOP