Well the Homecoming Rally was a big hit but boy was it ever HOT!HOT!HOT! . . . but oh what a COOL, COOL, COOL, rally it was. Thanks to all who brought fans. As the August rally approached no one had come forward to host, so the Meier’s volunteered to host the rally; the Thompson’s volunteered to bring some memorabilia of our unit’s past. We want to thank them and the rest of the committee for all their hard work on the Camping Yesterday and Camping Today Rally. The committee consisted of Art and Doris Meier, Romaine Broughton, and Bud and Sheila Himes. On Friday night we had watermelon; On Saturday afternoon Dick and Stella Thompson brought memorabilia from our units past, therefore Saturday afternoon was spent visiting and looking over pictures, pins, and ribbons; a copy of the original charter and lots of memories of all the bygone years. If you did not get a chance to look over these you missed a great opportunity to see what our club was all about in previous years. I for one did not recognize some of our members as they were dressed in some unusual attire! We had the pleasure of seeing and visiting with some of our long time members, both Marilyn Groh and Roy Peterson drove in for an afternoon of visiting. Also recent airstream owners Phil and Linda Stalling came to the rally and joined WBCCI and are now the newest members of our So. Il. Unit. We hope they will always remember when and where they joined as it was at the Homecoming Rally where it all started for our unit. Welcome aboard! So we had old airstreamsters and new airstreamsters alike and that’s what keeps us going. Saturday night’s entertainment was provided by ARTY and the ROWDYAIRES!! What a great show they put on. Sunday brought another HOT day but we had a wonderful church service and brunch. There were thirteen units and several drove in. Those in attendance were; Walter and Linda Hangsleben, Jerry and Louise Humble, Jim and Betty Hutchens, Conrad Jenkins, Elmer and Norma Koen, Art and Doris Meier, Karl and Erika Schaette, Phil and Linda Stalling, Dick and Stella Thompson, Dennis and Edna White; those driving in for the day were; “Deke” Busch and family, Marilyn Groh, Pat Hillard and family, Roy Peterson, Tim Schwartz and Gordon White. We hope a good time was had by all!

Betty and I are looking forward to the rally in September at Altamont. It is a kickoff to the Region 5 Rally at Rantoul, Illinois. We hope you all will be able to join us. Also gifts are needed for the Region 5 Rally drawings. REMEMBER the gift you bring may be the one you take home. At the September rally we will be voting on the slate of officers and the change to our constitution. Come vote and enjoy the fellowship. The committee for September are brimming with ideas.

Well that’s a wrap!!!! See you in September.

First of all I would like to thank all of the members for their cards, calls and prayers during the passing of Betty’s father. It was a sad time for us but we are somewhat back on track.

Sorry we missed the June Rally but sounds like you all had a great time. Sounds like there was a lot of clowning going on with all those circus people in town. From the pictures I saw there were sure a lot of big noses and feet among the attendees. Thanks to Gordon and Carol White and their committee for all their hard work. Those in attendance were: Lewis and Betty Bayless, Max and Sarah Doerr, Brian and Erin Gogollek and children, Roger and Marian Hoffman, Conrad Jenkins, Roland Keim, Elmer and Norma Koen, Bill and Wanda Lockin, Art and Doris Meier, Leroy and Vera Pittman, Karl and Erika Schaette, Al and Violet Scheibe, Tim Schwartz, John and RoseAnn Schwartz, Dick and Stella Thompson, Curt and Jane Wheat, Gordon and Carol White, Bob and Linda Zoeller.

Sounds as though we really missed a good time at International in Perry, GA. I would like to thank Gordon and Carol White for stepping up to the plate in our abscence and doing a splendid job. Our hats off to you both. I would also like to thank the Southern Illinois Unit members who were at Perry, GA for donating their time to help with the “Common Cents for Kids Project,” which was selling tickets for the quilt raffle. There was over $680.00 made and donated at International. Good job!!! We still have money to donate and are still selling tickets. The drawing for the quilt will be at Region 5, in Rantoul, IL. Those attending International in Perry, GA were: Walter and Linda Hangsleben, Art and Doris Meier, Dick and Stella Thompson, Max and Sarah Doerr, Gordon and Carol White, Jeff and Gail Vail, Roger and Marian Hoffman, Bob and Linda Zoeller, Jerry and Louise Humble, Otis and Barbara Erwin.

The amendment to include Motorhomes made by Four Winds did not pass.

Now on to the July Rally! There were lots of visiting, eating and just plain ‘ole kicking back. The weather was great. We had a good turn out and Conrad did not even have to cook. We had hot dogs on Friday evening, Potluck on Saturday, Church and brunch on Sunday. Those attending were; Lewis and Betty Bayless, Max and Sarah Doerr, Jim and Betty Hutchens, Conrad Jenkins, Elmer and Norma Koen, Bill and Wanda Lockin, Art and Doris Meier, Karl and Erika Schaette, Curt and Jane Wheat, Gordon and Carol White, Jeff and Gail Vail. Roger and Marian Hoffman and Roland Keim drove in for the day on Saturday; Elmer and Norma Koen’s Son and family joined us as did our Son and his family. It is such a nice park and we were very fortunate to get it on short notice.

Well I hope this has caught us up to date! Looking forward to seeing you all at the Homecoming Rally August 10th thru 12th, at Ramsey State Park, Ramsey, IL.

What a busy Rally we had!! Lots of doings, I had forgotten how busy School Days can be. Thanks to our Instructors; John and Rose Ann Schwartz, Walter and Linda Hanglesban, Elmer and Norma Koen they kept us busy with PE, Recess and Classes along with our Special Instructors; Trooper Sneed, Safety 101; Carol White, Quilting 101, and Tim Schwartz, Photography 101, there was so much to retain I am not sure that I passed, I guess time will tell.

Our school yard got a little rowdy with that Maypole Dance. Hope it wasn’t too disruptive to the neighborhood. Again hats off to the Committee for doing an excellent job with so little pay. But I am told that is what most teachers do; a good job with so little pay!

The business meeting went well, I think. I was more nervous this time around than I was last time; I hope this is not a sign of what’s to come. The Amendment to include the Four Winds Motorhome was voted down by our Unit with 86% against and 14% for.

With a show of hands there were approximately 15 Units planning on attending the International Rally in Perry, GA. Try to go if you can, I know it will be hot but I am told they have a great facility. Jerry and Louise Humble brought the reservation sheets for the Illinois Luncheon which will be held at The Swanson Restaurant on Thursday, June 28th in Perry, GA. Don’t forget to send those reservations in as soon as possible. Also the Region 5 International Rally Luncheon will be held at the New Perry Hotel at 12:00 Noon, June 29th in Perry, GA.

Happy Belated Mother’s Day and a Happy Father’s Day to you all.

Well I think that’s it for this time. Remember DuQuoin is a Children and Grandchildren’s Rally hope to see you there and then on to International Rally in Perry, GA.