Well a lot has been happening since we last met here. We attended the September Rally and had a great time. Officers were voted on for the coming year and they are: President, Gordon White, 1st Vice President, Art Meier, 2nd Vice President, Elmer Koen, Secretary, Dennis White, Treasurer, Rose Ann Schwartz, Corresponding Secretary Carol White, Trustee, Dick Thompson and Trustee, Edna White. Thanks to each of you for agreeing to lead our unit in the coming year.

Also thanks to the committee of Gordon and Carol White, Karl and Erika Schaette and Walter and Linda Hangsleben, it was a relaxed atmosphere with games, visiting and lots of laughter which in turn prepared us for what was to come at Region 5. We had 17 units in attendance with most of them caravaning on to Rantoul on Sunday. Driving in on Friday night to visit with us were Dick and Stella Thompson and Bob and Linda Zoeller. On Saturday we had a new experience, well for me anyway, was eggs in a bag which was very tasty. We had early church on Saturday evening which is always a blessing. Sunday morning we were provided with bagged donuts so everyone could get an early start for Rantoul. It was good to see David and Barbara Daniel back as well as Leroy and Vera Pittman; it was the first outing with us for both David and Vera. Also we would like to make welcome new members Jim and Kay Ryan.

The 32nd Region 5 Rally held in Rantoul, Illinois was a success due in part to the Southern Illinois Unit 039. Our unit had 23 trailers in attendance which was 46% of our membership. Those in attendance were; George and Grace Britt, Max and Sarah Doerr, Brian, Erin, Paige and Jamie Gogollek, Howard Groner, Walter and Linda Hangsleben, Roger and Marian Hoffman, Jerry and Louise Humble, Jim and Betty Hutchens, Conrad Jenkins, Frank and Mary Jo Keeser, Roy and Meryl Kerley, Elmer and Norma Koen, Bill and Wanda Lockin, Art and Doris Meier, Leroy and Vera Pittman, Jim and Kay Ryan and Karl and Erika Schaette, Al and Violet Scheibe, Dick and Stella Thompson, Jeff and Gail Vale, Jim and JoAnn Wagner, Dennis and Edna White, Gordon and Carol White and Bob and Linda Zoeller.

Our unit was honored for their attendance at the dinner on Saturday evening. Also there were coordinators and workers at various jobs during the week of festivities; Greeters, Community Services, Ushers, Sound, Region Officer, Church, Devotions, The Britt’s helped with Hospitality, Computer Rally, Quilt Tickets, Master of Ceremonies, Flags and Entertainment (both at the beginning and end), need I say more!!!! I apologize if I have left off a job description. I, as a member and as your President, am so very proud of each of you for all that you contribute to this unit. Past President John W. Schwartz and First Mate Rose Ann were honored for their year with the SUPERIOR MERIT AWARD. Hooray! Hooray! Good job!!

It was good to see Jim and Joann Wagner at Region 5. Jim it was good to see you are doing better.

We hope you all enjoyed our little “nesting” dinner on Friday evening. We feel honored that each of you chose to attend as well as our International 2nd Vice President Tom Collier and his First Mate Norma, Region 5 Officers 1st V. President Bob Moyer and his First Mate Lee, 2nd V President Louise Humble and her First Mate Jerry, Treasurer Ron Gordy and his First Mate, Region 5 Past President Bill Schrader and Past First Mate Barbara. Thank you for all your support.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 2nd VP of Region 5 Louise Humble and First Mate Jerry for representing us as a Region 5 Officer. It takes a lot of time and commitment to do this job and do it well. The paperwork alone is a nightmare. They not only try to attend our rallies but they are on the road going to other regions and rallies. So if you get the chance to say job well done, please do so, I am sure they will appreciate it.

Well again that’s a wrap! Oh, by the way just ONE more.

THE GLITTER AND SHINE COLLECTION RALLY

October 12 – 14, 2007
Marion County Fairgrounds
Salem, Illinois

If Glamour is your name, then the October Rally is your game. The Glitter and Shine Collection will be on display at the Marion County Fairgrounds October 13, 2007 in Salem, Illinois. This year the runway will be a glitter with Armani, Polo, Eddie Bauer, Tommy Hilfiger and others, to name just a few, who will be showing their latest fashions and fads. The collection consists of Casual to Glitz; Upscale to Glamorous; and our security is so extreme that we have had to hire escorts. Be sure to come and see the Darlings of the Runway, so get your RSVP’s in early to guarantee your seating.

Runway Events include:

Remember to RSVP to the Glitter and Shine Collection Coordinators for this affair:

Dick and Stella Thompson (217) 536-6663
Bob and Linda Zoeller (618) 889-0942
Jim and Betty Hutchens (618) 439-9387

Directions to the Marion County Fairgrounds: Off of Interstate 57, exit 116, go East on Route 50 to the Square, Courthouse will be on the Northeast Corner (your left), turn right on HWY 37 South, go approximately 1 mile, fairground will be on the East side(your left), Look for Signs.

What little lady turned 13? Oh what a time in our lives….

Who was caught going from the bath house to his rig with out a shirt and his Lady was caught in her robe. (Hint We all feel they should have a halo over their heads)

Man went to IGA for lunch; spilled his water and wiped out two tables; stayed calm through the whole thing.

An individual received strange underwear as a prize! They probably came in handy at Region 5?

The other prize awarded was a PG Test; “Better you than me” was a comment by one who can and the one that wants to can’t. hmmmmmm does that make since?

Who was asked to report to Lost and Found? Please retrieve molting feathers!

There was a rig where all the men gathered to work on a scooter. It ran forward and then it ran backward; then it ran not at all. Part of this crew likes to tinker as much as the other Tinker Toy we have!

Panic! We have another lost and found; this one was a lost purse; searched city wide, campground too, not one clue, oh this lady was so blue, so she went home and still no purse now what was she going to do; in her state of despair she got out of her chair (seat in motor home) and lo and behold there by her toe was the purse that started this to-do.

Who could not remember the words to a song and had to be treated like a wooden headed dummy? Hope the dummy wasn’t too embarrassing for you all. Who was the friend who came to the rescue? And the winner was? Everyone got a laugh from those two friends!!!! By the way, no bookings have come in for the two friends, YET! For those of you who weren’t there I will never tell!!!

Well you have been buzzed again; remember it may be you next time!!