Visit to Saguaro Co-Op Park in Benson, AZ

Three couples from the Shanty Shakers met up in Benson, Arizona near the Escapees Saguaro Co-op Park. Walter & Mary Campbell winter at this park due to possible snow accumulation in Big Bear. Although the temperatures at night here have been below freezing may times, there is a heat wave on its way as they are saying it may hit 90 degrees this weekend (a record in Tucson). There are many activities in the Saguaro park as well as attractions nearby. Judy & Mike Formico along with Jerry & Dave Galecki are staying for awhile in this area and we all met & dined at the San Pedro Golf Course restaurant and Horseshoe Restaurant.   We also gave the Galecki's & Formico's a tour of the SKP Saguaro Park. Anyone interested in finding out more about the park, their website is: SKP Saguaro Co-Op Park and they are offering a special for any 1st time visitors at 1st time visitor special

Happy traveling and we'll be back in California soon!!
Walter Campbell
817-475-3007
Submitted 2/11/2014


Have you ever checked out the Member Submitted Articles tab here on the blog ?? There are some articles posted. If you have something interesting or helpful to share, please send it to Shantyshakers25@gmail.com. Also, please send information about your road trips along with pictures to share with the other chapter members. This is YOUR newsletter/web-blog

Also, if you would like to post something for sale, trade or give away, send all  information with a photo if possible to shantyshakers25@gmail.com

Another year at Q

The Big Tent is down, parking is plentiful and the restaurants are quiet. Thus ends another year of Sell-A-Rama at Quartzsite. We shopped and shopped until we couldn’t shop anymore. Some purchased what they were looking for and some purchased what they weren't looking for. Many Shanty Shakers circled up at Greasewood. One evening there were more than 32 people at a potluck and campfire. We welcomed new members, Ron and Kathy Wand as new Escapees and new chapter members. They reside in Montana but plan to winter in the south and were happy to join other RVers.
 

Several folks ventured out to the Nellie E. Saloon...aka...the Desert Bar nestled in the mountains north of Parker. It is built among the ruins of an old mining camp. Opened in 1983 as a 3 sided structure, it was completed in 1988.Features include windows made from old glass refrigerator doors, steel bar stools, a brass bar and a ceiling made of stamped tin. In 1993 a solid steel church steeple was built on the property and has become a very popular photo op.

Here are a few reminders of some of unusual sites that can only be found at Quartzsite, Arizona.

     
 





  

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Garth and Judy are hosting a Birthday Dinner celebration for Judy at the Escondido Elks on Friday, February 21 at 4:30pm. RSVP to garthjudy@juno.com if you have not already done so.

Check out the RALLY INFORMATION page for details about a March rally

Please review the January Meeting minutes HERE

Annual Quartzsite Big Tent and RV show

JANUARY 15 & 16 2014: 8th annual Escapees Happy Hour 1:00-3:00 pm with live entertainment.Bring your own chair and a snack to share. From the Big Tent (AZ 95 & E. Kuehn) go east along  south frontage road. Follow the Escapees signs. Sponsored by Chapter Directors, Denny and Susie Orr

JANUARY 18-26 2014: annual Quartzsite Big Tent and RV show. Shanty Shaker No host rally at Greasewood RV Park (dry camping). Most are arriving on Monday 1/20. Happy hour starts around 3:00. Bring a chair and a snack to share. Enter camping area from W Main Street. Lost ? Need more information...call Judy or Garth.

NEWS

Bob and Diane Simons are sporting a new Class C Navion.  Way to go !

December Meeting minutes were distributed by group email and are also available on the PAST MEETING MINUTES tab

January Chapter (social) meeting will be held as scheduled on January 25 at 10:00am at Dennys. The meeting will be chaired by co Vice Presidents, Herb and Dayle Sands

Don't forget to send your 2014 Chapter dues ($10) to Membership Chairperson, Sue Pace along with the Chapter Registration Form (found on the CHAPTER DOCUMENTS tab). Your cancelled check is your receipt. Membership cards will no longer be issued.

New RV Safety Section - Online Now!

Visit the Escapees Website and click on the new RV Safety Section under the "Resources" tab to access the newest valuable resource from Escapees RV Club!

In this new section you will find exclusive RV safety-related information and articles with topics such as driving, weight and load management, RV tires, personal safety, maintenance, RV recalls, and gadgets and tools. Also included are: a selection of the best technical article reprints from Escapees magazine, video training seminars and demonstrations on many aspects of RV safety, and links to RV safety Websites and additional training opportunities.

Access this members-only site with your current MySKP account. If you haven't registered for MySKP, call the Escapees business office at 888-757-2582 today!

Shanty Shaker Christmas Party

(may not play on mobile phones; try a desktop computer or follow this link SLIDE SHOW)

Yuma Hot Air Balloon Rally

The average rainfall in Yuma, Arizona is very low, but mother nature decided to let some of that rain fall during the rally.  Rain is very relaxing but makes for big puddles, mud and wet firewood. Friday evening we enjoyed happy hour and a pot luck dinner in the shelter of the clubhouse of the Riverfront RV park. The clubhouse has a certain rustic charm about it with various odd things hanging from the walls or ceiling. Sounds strange but you have to see it to “appreciate” it.




Saturday morning was still cool and overcast. The balloon launch field was very soggy so only a few balloons showed up. Never the less, a few of our bravest walked over to see what was happening……others stayed tucked in the warm rigs with their coffee or hot chocolate.

Tom and MaryAnn Cathey

Mike Parker

                                                                                                

The weather started to clear Saturday afternoon and after a good lunch at The Standard in downtown Yuma followed by a barbeque dinner at the clubhouse, we were finally able to enjoy a campfire.
   
Sunday morning was clear, calm and sunny allowing the hot air balloons to launch. Below you can see a few of them soaring in the distance with the Carle’s rig in the foreground. (photographed by Herb Sands)

Another gang of Shanty Shakers ventured down to the launch field and were treated to the ascension of about 35 hot air balloons. The reflection of balloons in the huge pond of rain water made for stunning photos!
 


Thanks to Nancy and Pete Thompson for hosting the rally…again! It was a fun time with lots of laughter, food and friendship ! Hugs to you !
If you were unable to attend, we missed you ! Here are a few random pictures.

Jim and Sharan Harrison 

Nice to see Don Smith there !

Loretta Armstrong

Jeanne Hawkins and others

John, Wendy P; Marci and Mike P, Herb Sands

And last but not least, a few “interesting” pictures from the Riverfront RV park.

same day service ????

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Annual Christmas Party Tuesday, December 3 at 12:00 noon. (see rally tab for details)

Monthly Chapter meeting, Saturday December 28 at 10:00am at Denny's

8th Escapees Happy Hour, January 15&16 1:00-3:00pm Quartzsite, AZ

NOVEMBER MEETING MINUTES click here

REMINDER: 2014 Chapter dues can now be mailed with the Chapter Membership Form to Sue Pace, Membership Chairperson

Autumn Rally at the Apple Farms

Thirteen rigs from the Shanty Shakers and another rig of VCRs, Bruce and Sue Harriott made the journey to Banning, KOA.The rally hosted by Faith and Vern Foster and Pete and Coralie Walker was a pleasure to attend. The first evening we were treated to a delicious chili dinner put on by the hosts. The next morning after enjoying coffee and rolls in the toasty warm clubhouse, Faith held a small “help” session for those with problems or questions about their computers. The analogies she uses to help understand technical issues is so helpful. Thanks, Professor Faith ! The rest of the day was a free day for everyone, some went shopping at the outlet center while others just hung out. Wilda and George Bass went to the tram in Palm Springs. That evening Grammas Restaurant was invaded by the group for a delicious dinner. Great choice and good variety!

The highlight of the rally was the excursion to the apple farms in Oak Glen. First stop was Riley’s Farm for coffee and hot apple cobbler. The farm provides living history tours complete with actors in period costumes (check out their website www.rileysfarm.com)

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 From there we continued up the mountain to other farms and interesting gift shops...and bakeries.

(Garth and Judy Carle)

(From L to R: Walter Campbell, Bruce and Sue Harriott, Mary
Campbell and Nell Regnier)

Several members of the group met for a picnic lunch under an old chestnut tree at Snowline Farm.We sampled several different types of apples and cider mini donuts. It was not possible to leave with out a jug of cider, a bag of candy crisp apples or a couple dozen donuts. It was delightful day.




But wait, no rally is complete without a pot luck. In typical Shanty Shaker fashion we has a fantastic spread of food. The evening ended with a few comments from the VCRs, Sue and Bruce Harriott…..and we welcomed them as new members to our chapter !!

OCTOBER MEETING HIGHLIGHTS (CLICK HERE FOR MINUTES)

• The slate of officers presented by the nominating committee was approved. Thank you to Dave & Jerry Galecki and Bob and Dianna Simons for stepping up to serve on the nominating committee.
• Sue Pace was welcomed into to the position of Membership chairperson and presented the revised Membership form (see CHAPTER DOCUMENTS tab) Current and new members are asked to complete and mail in a NEW FORM along with their 2014 membership dues.
• If you plan to attend the rally in Yuma for the Balloon Fest, please email Nancy Thompson (nthbeat@hotmail.com) with your planned arrival and departure day. She also needs to know if you travel with a dog so you can be located in the appropriate place. (see RALLY tab for details)
• Also, the Shanty Shaker Annual  Christmas party is right around the corner (Dec 3) and you do not want to miss this special event. Email Jeanne Hawkins (jeanne2@hawkinsmedia.com ) if you plan to attend and what you will bring for the pot luck (again, see RALLY tab for details)
• Next year is the 25th anniversary of the chapter and a special celebration is in the planning stages. Contact Herb or Dayle Sands (amigos2@prodigy.net) if you would like to help with organizing the event or have any ideas to share.

 Time to start thinking about new ideas for 2014 rallies. Be a contributing chapter member and host a rally. If you have never hosted a rally ask an experienced host couple to partner with you. See the CHAPTER DOCUMENTS tab to view the Rally host manual.

WISE WORDS: RV ADVICE: You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. 
(contributed by Sue Pace) If neither one works use a hammer (contributed by Lynn Selden)

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE ON REVISED WEBSITE 4.2015) The latest issue of Escapees magazine has been uploaded to their website for your viewing pleasure. Simply login to your MySKP account and visit:www.escapees.com/magazine

You can download the latest issue (or any of our information packed back issues) in PDF format or you can simply view the issues online!

Autumn Updates

Oh my goodness, the Elktoberfest was a hoot ! The entertainment at the Escondido Elks Lodge was provided by the South Coast Elks Follies. We saw renditions of YMCA, the Probation Polka, Sonny and Cher and Putting on the Ritz (from Mel Brooks Young Frankenstein). Our hats off to these Elks for a job well done !
                                                 
The best entertainment of the night, by far was George Bass and several other Shantys Shaking their booty doing the funky chicken.

Thanks to Garth and Judy Carle for hosting the rally. Thirteen rigs attended and several others came out just for the dinner Saturday night. Here are a few more pictures for your viewing pleasure !

SEPTEMBER MEETING MINUTES POSTED HERE

MESSAGE FROM CHAPTER DIRECTORS/DENNY AND SUSIE ORR

The Ware Rally will be held April 13—17, 2014 at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, as in the past.

The new thing about next year’s rally is that Darold Perry will be leading the parking crew. He will need about ten volunteers from various chapters.

Kathy Perry will be handling and scheduling for the Craft Room. 

If anyone is interested in assisting with the parking, or has a craft they would like to teach or skill they would like to share, please let us know.   541.659.7208  perrykathryn4@gmail.com

You can be the one to make this a success.

Walt & Kellie will also need other volunteers – do let them know you are coming and are willing to be a part of the staff…… SKPWarerally@gmail.com

NEW RIG

John and Jeanne Hawkins are enjoying their new rig. Wow...looking good !