Auction for CARE = $1521 !!

The annual auction to benefit the CARE facility in Livingston, Texas was again held at the beautiful Pechanga RV Resort in Temecula, CA. About 15 rigs attended including some visitors from Prescott, AZ and a few prospective, new members. Several couples drove up just for the Potluck and Auction.

The Potluck was a success as always. Food is one thing that Shanty Shakers do right !

The bidding during the auction was lively and fun. Our auctioneer, Don R did a great job shaming people to outbid each other...hey, whatever works !

The auction raised $1,521.00 for the Continuing Assistance for Retired Escapees facility and another $60 for the Chapter.

Many members of the group participated in the optional tour of the Alpaca Hacienda.  The tour included an entertaining seminar about alpacas! They taught  interesting facts and some of the quirky things alpacas do. Bags of alpaca treats were distributed to hand feed the little guys. Alpacas don't have top front teeth, so they don't bite. Also, in the Alpaca Shoppe, there were many items for sale made from luxurious alpaca fleece such has hats, scarves, and gloves.

There was a nice shady area to enjoy Happy Hour and catching up with everyone in the late afternoon. Thanks to all who participated in the Rally and Auction. A big thanks to Mike Formico for hosting the Rally. It was fun to meet his new sidekick, (aka:dog) Blue, and see him out at a Rally again.

Hope you enjoyed the 2018 WARE Rally !

Submitted by Dianna Simons

Well, another Western Area Rally for Escapees has come to an end. The rigs are packed and they are on their way to parts known and unknown. We had 85 rigs and a lot of very happy people being that the events were all inside in an air-conditioned facility. It was record temps here in Las Vegas reaching all the way into the 90’s.

The RV Boot Camp classes held by Jim Koca had lots of attendees and plenty of questions. This was a first-time rally for a few and they were very happy to have such an RV specialist there to answer their questions. They really enjoyed being able to get to all the classes that were offered as Jim had the room to himself. Thanks for a great job.

The Geeks on Tour, aka Jim & Chris Guld, were off and running from start to finish, even holding another One-on-One session on Thursday morning. Keeping up with all the new and old technology is not an easy thing for some of us old timers. It was nice to have a classroom all to themselves to be able to answer questions and show them how things work.

Lots of prizes and gifts were won by anxious attendees. The $500 Penny Raffle prize went to Frank Hinman who was kind enough to share some of his winnings to take the auction item, a hand painted watercolor by Gene Stout, to $300.00. The picture is now in the possession of John and Wendy Pumphrey. 

Lots of other prizes were awarded like a week at Timber Valley SKP Park won by Jerry Simon, a one week stay at Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe won by Bob and Judy Kominski, 2 1-yr memberships for Passport America won by Ted Ladd and Donna Cole to name a few. There was a raffle for an electric Scooter won by Mary Campbell.(picture below) It was fun to see the winners. These were just a couple of the wonderful things that Escapees do. Sharing and Caring is part of who we are.

The 50/50 daily raffle proved that where cash money is involved, tickets get sold. After all this was Las Vegas!! The first night winner, Mike Page, (Vendor) gave back all but his buy-in to the Positively Kids. 

A  total of over $800 went back to some lucky attendees. This amount along with other donations enabled us to write a check for $1000.00 to Positively Kids. They couldn’t thank us enough. 

This local charity was chosen by WARE Co-Director Ron Bessette and his wife Sandy, who are the President and CEO of Las Vegas RV Chamber of Commerce. 

Thanks to Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall for their donations for the winners of the Slot Machine Tournament; a 3-day 2 night stay the Hotel won by Frank Hinman, a $100 gift certificate at the Angry Butcher won by Marilyn Anderson and a $75 gift certificate to Big Mess Bar-B-Q won by Judy Kominski. 

 The continental breakfast on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday saved attendees having to make breakfast. The Western Style Buffet on Wednesday was the best. The catering chef and crew did an awesome job.

SHANTY SHAKERS HAPPY HOUR 😎

 

According to the evaluation sheets, it sounded like a good time was had by many. An interest in having the WARE Rally every other year was well received. The results will be sent corporate.

Thanks to all my helpers who kept me in line and made this event happen.

BIG Escapee HUG to all who attended. Who’s next???

Dianna Simons

SKP# 9316, Rally Director

From Wayne and Lynn, Chapter 25 Co-Presidents:
We are so proud of Dianna & Bob, Ron & Sandy for the outstanding job they did producing this Rally. Dianna said many times if you are bored "it's not my fault" and that was so true !
Dianna turned out to be a very entertaining Mistress of ceremonies and Ron was a fabulous DJ. Bob and Sandy worked behind the scenes to keep things running as smooth as possible. Applause to all of you !

We can't close without mentioning the fun entertainment by Mama's Wranglers. Overall this Rally is going to be a hard act to follow ! 

Rio Bend in El Centro/Blue Angels Air Show

Rio Bend RV and Golf Resort in El Centro, CA was like finding a diamond in the rough. The resort had many amenities, such as a pool with outside bar and nightly entertainment.There was an on site Cafe and a snack bar overlooking the golf course. We enjoyed the first nights potluck and last nights barbecue in the Ramada, a covered and screened in picnic area with a grill, oven, microwave, fridge and sink. This was definitely glamping not camping 😉

One evening we enjoyed a fish dinner at the pool side cafe. The place was packed. Afterwards, a few of us sat around the fire and were entertained by karaoke singers, including our own Ken Pace.

(video may not appear on mobile devices...or maybe it will 👍)

On Saturday, despite cloudy skies and an occasional drizzle the Air Show at NAF ElCentro went on as scheduled. The highlight was the acrobatic stunt planes and the Blue Angels. 

Old, classic cars were on display in one of the hangers, too.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable weekend. People relaxed or did what they like to do.

Some golfed

Some danced

Some fished

Some enjoyed the California Mid Winter Fair and Fiesta

Some enjoyed the Imperial Valley Pioneer Museum

It was the kind of place where you could enjoy riding a bike or taking a long evening walk at sunset.

Welcome to recent new members Dave and Evelyn who attended their

 first rally with the Shanty Shakers. 

Picture by Sharan or maybe Jim Harrison

Thank you to Sharan and Jim Harrison for hosting this delightful rally. The consensus was "we will be back" 💙😎

Winter Blast in Lake Havasu City, AZ

The Shanty Shakers converged at the Elks Lodge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona for the  Winter Blast.  It is the annual gathering of the Western Pyrotechnics Association that culminates in spectacular  fireworks in the desert night sky for 3 consecutive evenings. The days were sunny, warm although breezy and the nights were not cool but downright cold.

Members spent the days doing their own thing. A small group took a shuttle boat to what could be called the worlds smallest casino for an enjoyable lunch. 

Tom and Wayne spent a morning at the local golf course.

The Montgomerys, the Catheys, the Harrisons and the Rudolphs biked around the island by the London Bridge. (Lynn plans to soup up her scooter so she can go next time)😏

We enjoyed Happy Hours and a pizza dinner at the gathering area of the Elks RV park. We moved up real close to the fire pit at night to feel the warmth as we solved the problems of the world.

The Havasu Elks Lodge is extremely busy serving lunch every day and dinner 6 nights a week. People flock there on Wednesday nights for their popular barbecue chicken or ribs They were so delicious. 😋

The highlight was seeing the fireworks. Enjoy the slide show below (hopefully)

Thanks to all who came out for the fun (Garth & Judy C, Bruce & Sue H, Brian & Barbara D, Dave & Sharon G, Bob & Judy K, Ron & Karen M,  Dave & Carol R, Jim & Sharan H, Tom & MaryAnn C). Thanks to all who contributed to the rally & fireworks photos ! Thanks to Lynn and Wayne for organizing the rally !! See you again soon ! 😎😎

Sunset view from the Elks

Truck seen at Rockabilly Car Show

Quartzsite, AZ Rally / Come and Go Jan 19 – 29 2018

Submitted by Mike Parker

Thank You to everyone for making my first foray at being a Rally host a fun and busy time. The official rally dates were Jan 22 – 23 and the Come and Go went from the Jan 19 – 29. A big shout out goes to the weather keepers for providing some of the best weather Quartzsite has to offer, high 60's to low 80's daily and only the mid 30's at night. No thunderstorms, flash floods, hurricane winds or pestilents. We set up and blocked off our favorite spot in the north west corner of Grease Wood RV Resort with the help of Canadian Woodsman Dave Kramer and his wife Jeanie (eh). They were guests of Gene and Annette Stout and were the driving force behind the construction of the fire-pit and teacher of wood spitting and fire building. Forever known as the Campfire Whisperer.

Canada Woodsman Dave instructing on fire building an 

presenting the Shanty Shakers a 

woodsman ax

Not that I am an organization freak but everyone had a good laugh😄😄😄 at the detailed schedule prepared which was promptly discarded for much better ideas. 8 AM for snacks and fire or breakfast somewhere, shopping from 9 AM, 3 PM Happy Hour, 4 PM Dinner and 6 PM Fire Ring. At least the Fire Ring at 6 PM seemed to work.

Sat 1/20    Meet and Greet as Arrive                                             (Whew...I am tired just reading it)

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Silly Al's Pizza

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Sun 1/21   8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am Breakfast La Mesa RV  FREE!

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Quartzsite Yacht Club

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Mon 1/22 8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am  Breakfast Bad Boys Cafe

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner BBQ Cafe

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Tue 1/23   8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am Breakfast La Mesa RV FREE!

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Mexican Restaurant Taco Tuesday!

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Wed 1/24  8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am  Breakfast Bad Boys Cafe

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Stage Coach Cafe

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Thur 1/25 8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am  Breakfast Times 3 Restaurant

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Silly Al's Pizza

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

Fri 1/26    8   Am  Morning Snacks and Coffee

                 8   Am  Breakfast Sweet Darlen's

                 9   Am Big Tent Opens

                 3   Pm  Happy Hour

                 4   Pm  Dinner Mt Quail Prime Rib

                 6   Pm  Fire Ring

 

We had 12 Shanty Shakers Rigs, 3 Guest Rigs and 7 drop-in guests for various activities.

Those who camped at Grease-wood: Garth and Judy Carle, Gene and Annette Stout, Jerry and Carol Miller, Fred and Julia Lyon, Don Smith, Herb and Dayle Sands, Mike and Marcy Parker, Ron and Karen Montgomery, Jim and Sharan Harrison, Tom and Maryann Cathey, John and Sue Ford, Guy and Judy Burt

Guests included: Dave and Jeanie Kramer (Alberta Canada), Ken and Faye McLeod and Ken and Peggy (Prescott Elks and guests of Garth and Judy.)

Camped elsewhere but visited: JJ Kent and Ed Itchek, Lila Theofel, Ken and Sue Pace, Jim and Patty Tinley (37 year full-timers and SKP #734) , Don and Susie Tannihill (Little Rock, Arkansas chapter 52)

As a non-schedule following group, we enjoyed shopping at the Big RV Tent and Tyson Wells, just a quick walk under the freeway from our Resort, and doing whatever we pleased.

As LEO's (Lets Eat Out) we sampled the gourmet selections at La Mesa RV (FREE Breakfast), Bad Boys Cafe (my personnel favorite) Silly Al's Pizza and Pub, Mountain Quail Cafe for Prime Rib, Grub Steak for fish and chips, Sweet Darlene's for Pasties, La Casa Gold Cafe for Taco Tuesday, Yacht Club for Music and grub, Times 3 Cafe for great food any time. The Stage Stop Cafe and Taco Mio stuck out this time as not again stops. Lets not forget the excellent selection of fine lunching/desserting at the the RV Tent and Tyson Wells.

If you left Quartzsite hungry or with a shopping hangover the host assumes no responsibility. Please check with an unnamed person if you are in need of some rocks or gems, she may have some for sale at bargain prices. All purchases of “why did I buy this” are non returnable under Arizona state law.

See Ya next year.
Mike and Marcy Parker