Guest Editors: Brian and Barbara Downing
We've been watching the
e-mails coming as the Shanty Shakers approached Essex Junction from all points
of the compass and now they are here!
Some had adventures along the way with Marty and Peggy having the misfortune to have their coach
backed into a post by a service shop so they were staying in a local hotel
while their rig was being repaired. Vern and Faith had a mishap that
resulted in having to turn around and go home.
Barbara and I were set up
about 40 miles east of Burlington for about a week before the event and on
Wednesday decided to scout out the Elks Lodge to see if it was crowded. Turned
out there were only 3 rigs there and 2 of them were from Shanty Shakers. Garth and Judy, Bill and Jeanne were waiting for us as we arrived. A very
pleasant evening was had and the mood set for the rest of the week.
Burlington Elks RV area
While we were at the Lodge the member mentioned that
they were having prime rib on Friday and we would be welcome to bring guests too. Everyone decided that we had to be there for that.
Friday morning was early
arrivals day and 4 rigs convoyed from the Elks Lodge to the Rally site. Brian
and Barbara leading John and Debbie, Bruce and Sue with Bill and Jeanne tagging
along at the back, We got a nice little
corner spot and there seemed to be plenty of room between rigs.
Once we were all settled in I
reported in to the craft area where I'll be teaching a “sit and paint” art
class later in the week. It was soon time to head back down to the Elks for
dinner where 20 people showed up for dinner and enjoyed prime rib with stuffed
shrimp and prime rib with broiled scallops. Both of which were delicious.
It has been very hot and humid
around Burlington for a couple of days and there was some rain Friday night,
but it was saving the heavy stuff for Saturday and we had torrential rain,
thunder and lightening in the afternoon, which put a damper on the planned
happy hour. The Pumphrey's and Armstrong/s arrived before the weather turned
bad luckily.
Shanty Shaker Corner
Sunday, everyone turned up for
the opening ceremony and the Shanty Shakers gave the loudest cheers when our
banner was carried past the stage! We followed that up by attending the RV Show
Happy Hour on the way to the Chapter Happy Hour over at the Lupton's. The
Downing's were celebrating their first year on the road with cake for everyone.
Monday,
Garth and Judy Carle manned the
Chapter booth in The Row while the Armstrong's manned the table for the Elks
BOF/ Outside Bill Parrish and Herb Sands kept busy driving people around in the
many golf carts, Marty and Peggy were busy at the registration table.
We timed
the Chapter Happy Hour so that we could make full use of the RV Dealer's Happy
Hour first! Hanging out back at the Shanty Shakers area was fun until about 9pm
when the local mosquito population broke things up! Living in California you forget
that there are biting bugs.
Tuesday,
More classes, a different menu for snacks and
drinks at the RV Happy hour, (Seagram's
and 7, Rum and Coke and Vodka with cranberry juice}, they poured them on the
stiff side too! We all went across the street to the Grand Buffet for dinner.
That's one nice thing about Essex Junction, you can walk to the local market
and several restaurants if you want to get some exercise. The mosquitoes closed
things down again
Wednesday it got hot again,
Brian's painting class
Thursday is officially the end
of the rally although several people have paid extra to stay until Sunday to
either miss the rush at the dump station or to let the crush die down at the
gate. The good news is that everyone had a good time. The bad news? Nobody won
the big Grand Prize at the closing event.
Many, Many apologies to
everyone I forgot to mention, spelled names wrong, just plain missed because
were so busy having fun elsewhere. Barbara and I had a blast in everyone's company and thank you all for
being part of the Shanty Shaker Experience.
PS: I regret that I am unable to give credit to all the appropriate people for the pictures seen here. Thanks to Brian and Barbara Downing, Loretta Armstrong, Debbie Lupton (to name a few) and unnamed photographers from Facebook.
