GMC Greater Midwest Classics

Newsletter, September-2010

From The President – Howard “Howie” Glenna

    Get ready for our fall rally at DuQuoin, Illinois September 26th to October 2, 2010. Our club, the Greater Midwest Classics is having our fall Rally in conjunction with the GMC Motorhomes International, GMCMI. This is a great opportunity to be part of the many seminars that this organization provides. Included in this news letter will be registration information. Get your registration in by September 13, 2010. To those who have not attended a GMCMI rally I encourage you to be there. Those who have been to a GMCMI Motorhome International rally know what this is all about. This rally is about as close to us, geographically, as they get.

    I have also been in contact with another GMC club, the Great Lakers. They are having their rally in Springfield, Illinois following the International Rally from October 2nd to the 5th, 2010. The Great Lakers President, Bill Helmore, has indicated we are more than WELCOME and the wagon master, Tom Dixon, has said they have room for us. The relatively short drive and the dates following the International Rally provide a great opportunity to enjoy the history of this area and be with one of the oldest GMC clubs. Included in this news letter will be the registration information. Please advise Tom Dixon, the wagon master, that you are with the Greater Midwest Classics when you register.

    The Faribault Rally was so much fun and we had two stealth GMC;s with our group. The RV park owners said they were “gate crashers”. The highlight for me was the Tilt-a-Whirl factory tour by the CEO of the company who is the granddaughter of the inventor and founder of the Tilt-a-Whirl company. I doubt there is anyone in our group that has not had a ride in a Tilt-a-Whirl. The tour of the clean and well organized shops, by the young lady that ran the company was informative and appreciated.

    Bob Drewes (that is Bob with one "O" Drewes) started and has continued to improve our Membership Directory. He would like to retire from that job and pass it on to someone else. As you all know this photo book, of our members, is invaluable to our club. I would like to thank Bob for taking on this project and getting it going. Now we need to continue this picture Membership Directory. I am asking someone to come forward and help our club with this book. You will not start alone; Bob has agreed to help anyone get started.

    I know it is a little early to talk about Christmas, however put on your calendar December 1, 2010. This is a Wednesday and will be at the Manitou Station restaurant at 2171 4th Street, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. We expect starting at noon.

    After our election of officers at Faribault, I know the Greater Midwest Classics is in good hands. Lucy Weidner will be our new President and Yvonne Miller will become our Vice President. With Lucy’s energy and Yvonne’s experience what a combination. Also thanks to Larry Johnson for stepping forward to be our Treasurer. Evelyn Vatland will continue as Secretary. With all this leadership and willingness to serve the club is in great shape. “Howie”

2010 FALL Rally
    The GMC Greater Midwest Classics is holding their Fall Rally in conjunction with the Fall GMCMI Convention. This is being held at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, 655 Executive Drive, DuQuoin, Illinois, from September 26th to October 2nd. This is a beautiful, scenic fairgrounds, rich in history, with very nice well kept landscaping, interesting buildings, paved roads and grassy sites. GMC Eastern States Motorhome Club are also having their fall rally in conjunction with GMCMI. They are hosting a pot luck dinner Friday evening, September 24, and a pancake and sausage breakfast Saturday morning. The “Hats, Boots, Bandanas, and Chili – The Great Chili Cookoff” will be held on Monday evening. Everyone is welcome to attend these events. They will host some technical seminars on Saturday which will be open to everyone.
    Following is a list of key points & activities:
. The registration package includes six nights of camping, Sunday through Friday night.
. You may come early with the cost being $19/night for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
. There will be two catered dinners and one chicken pot pie dinner made by Ken Frey and his helpers.
. There will be breakfast Saturday through Friday.
. Three ice cream and one strawberry shortcake socials will be held evenings
. 13-15 hours of technical seminars, 9-11 hours non-technical seminars.
. Women’s craft sessions (bring fleece for blankets), Red Hat Tea, “Ladies Drive That GMC!” and games.
. Canned goods donations for local food bank.
. We will have a flea market, book exchange, and open houses.
. Raffles & Pinewood Derby.
. Who wants to be a part of a Lucy Weidner production “You know you are a red neck if….”
. Bring your musical instruments, share your voice in the choir.
. Learn about Geocaching, the fastest growing worldwide sport.

    Attached is an URL to get to the GMCMI Rally Registration Form. (Just click on the “blue” email address below) If you are interested in going, fill out the form on the attached URL and send it before Sept13th. http://www.gmcmi.com/conventions/2010-09_reg.pdf
Printed information will be included with the mailed newsletters.

The GMC Greater Midwest Classics club is invited to join the:
GMC Great Lakers Illinois Fall Rally
Illinois State Fairgrounds
801 Sangamon Avenue
Springfield, ILL.
October 2, 3, 4, & 5, 2010

    The GMC Great Lakers Fall Rally is scheduled to begin after the GMCMI convention ends so that many of you traveling back North will continue to enjoy “The Land of Lincoln” in Springfield, the state capital of Illinois. The city is located about 157 miles from DuQuoin, IL. The campground is located at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

    There is much to see in Springfield including the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in the downtown area; the Dana – Thomas House – said to be one of the largest and most elaborate of the prairie-style-designs of the world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright; and the Executive Mansion – the official residence of Illinois governors since 1855. This is a partial list of activities to explore.

    Directions: On Google maps or GPS devices, make the destination “state fair, 801 Sangamon Avenue, Springfield, IL.” The campground entrance is Entrance # 11 at the corner of Sangamon Avenue and N. 8th Street. Those who wish to arrive early, proceed to the campground office and register. Tell them that you are with the GMC Great Lakers group. The camping fee is $20. per night for 55 and older. Those under 55 will pay $25. per night. The fees below include camping, ice cream social, a catered dinner, and donuts, coffee, juice for the mornings of Oct. 3, 4, 5.
* One Person: $63.00; Two Persons: $125.00; Additional people: @ $40.00. Additional Nights at campground: Pay at campground.
Make checks payable to: GMC Great Lakers Motorhome Club Inc. CHECKS MUST ARRIVE AT THE ADDRESS BELOW BY SEPT. 15, 2010 FOR EARLY REGISTRATION: Note that you are with the Greater Midwest Classics when you register.
Send Checks To:
Tom Dixon
6627 Little Turkey Run
Shelby Township, MI 48317-3746
Home: 586-731-9037
IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH EITHER REGISTRATION CALL – JANE HASEK -319240-2460; HOWARD GLENNA – 715-426-5650 OR Lucy Weidner – 715-529-1083

FUTURE RALLY INFORMATION

2010 CHRISTMAS PARTY Will be held Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 at the Manitou Station Restaurant at 217 4th Street, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. We expect to start at noon.

2011 SPRING RALLY Will be held in Houston, Minnesota. Rally Masters will be Howard & Midge Glenna and Sandi Renk.

2011 SUMMER RALLY Will be held in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. John Parker will be the Rally Master.

2011 FALL RALLY We are looking at a Rolling Rally after the GMCMI Convention in Goshen, Indiana. We have a committee working on the “rolling” rally.

All things are subject to change depending on how life goes. If anyone has a great place for us to visit and have a rally, please let me know, nothing is set in stone!
Thanks, LUCY WEIDNER, VICE PRESIDENT

Editor: You can contact me in Harpers Ferry, by phone:-563-586-2554 or cell 319-240-2460.

Midge Glenna is sunshine lady so send her the name of anyone needing a little sunshine and Midge will send them a card. Her phone # is: 715/426-5650.

Mailing address or Email change: Please notify Treasurer, Sandi Renk, 1116 Rushmore Drive, Burnsville, MN 55306-8604

Web site: www.gmcmidwestclassics.org has great information about our GMC club and how to join. Visit it often and share with perspective members.