GMC Greater Midwest Classics

Newsletter, August, 2011

NEWS FROM DA’ PREZ, LUCY WEIDNER
Greetings to all of you –
What a great summer rally we had in Redwood Falls, MN, thanks to John and Wanda Parker. Alexander Ramsey Park was just wonderful. Considering the “straight line” wind storm they had on July 1st, the park was in great condition. While we had 25 coaches signed up for the rally, only 18 managed to make it. Of course, there were various reasons that people couldn’t come; either through personal illness, or the coach having a mind of its own. We were one of the attendees who came without their coach and it was good that we came anyway. Larry needed to get away from his electronic fuel injection installation problems and just hang with the guys! I think he got some good ideas from them, at least he returned home feeling fresh enough to continue the process. He and I spent time talking together about what it feels like when you come to a rally without your coach and it’s a big feeling of disconnect in not being with everyone. It brought home how much we enjoy our home on wheels!.

The Parkers, with able assistance from the Millers, planned a very relaxing rally. For those who came early there was shopping for the ladies, “jawing” for the guys, and lots of laughter in between. The planners decided to do things a little differently this time with not having a breakfast but just coffee and doughnuts (gotta have those little hockey pucks!), and time to visit. We had a brief meeting to let people know what the plans were for the rest of the stay and we also elected an officer. Wanda Parker was elected to be the new secretary, replacing Evelyn Vatland in January. Thank you Wanda for being willing to be part of the leadership of the Midwest Classics group. John took us on a tour of the park with its wonderful waterfall and great trails. I was talking to Marlys Drewes and looked around and couldn’t find Larry, and lo’ and behold, there he was with John Parker out on the rocks as close and personal to the waterfalls as he could get!! Next time I guess I just have to put him on a chain!!! We had a wonderful meal at the Valley Supper Club where we met John and Wanda’s two sons. There was some campfire action back at the park where Howard and Midge’s two grandchildren, Lauren and Matthew, found themselves with lots of “grandpas, grandmas, and uncles eating s’mores.

The weather was hot and steamy and we had some rain during our time there, so much of the visiting was done in the coaches with the AC on. The humidity was so bad it was hard to breathe but we all managed to keep cool. Ladies did a little session on getting to know each other some more and shared items that meant a lot personally.

Saturday brought more heat and humidity and that afternoon we took our coaches to Belview to participate in their classic car show. As it turned out, we were the car show!! Opportunities to show off the coaches, see how Randy carries a Mini wagon, Miller’s ’58 Ford Retractable hardtop convertible, John Nepper’s Arctic Cat scooter, and answered many questions. They offered rides around the town and we could see the tremendous damage done during the July 1st storm. So many trees were uprooted and houses moved off their foundations. We participated in a fund raising brats and beans dinner for the local First Responder/EMS group and languished in the cool of the building.

The Glennas’ son John and his family had RV problems and many of our folks offered help in whatever way they needed. It necessitated the Glennas and Sandi Renk to leave in the middle of the night to make sure that John and family got back home safe and sound, which they did! Whew! (It was neat to have several emails back about their eventful and successful trips home.)

Diane Moore has been our wonderful merchandise chair and as she hasn’t been able to attend the last few rallies, she sent left over merchandise to me to sell. We will be looking at purchasing some new items both for our purchase and to sell to others. We will find a vendor for some heavier jackets and have decided to order some sample items, but will only order the larger items per article of clothing, ie., jackets, both heavy and light and fleece vests.

Sunday brought more sunshine and humidity, but the group got a chance to say good-bye with safe travel wishes. Considering the Parkers are relatively new at this hosting, it should be noted that anyone who offers to host doesn’t have to do it alone, we are all there to help. It was a job well done by all and we look forward to returning sometime.

We will have a meeting at the International Rally in Goshen, IN, if enough people are in attendance. After the Goshen Rally, we will be joining the Great Lakers at their rally in Ludington, MI, followed by our “official” rolling rally through Upper Michigan and ending in Duluth, MN on Lake Superior. Those details will be found elsewhere in this newsletter. Hope all is well and those coaches just keep on humming!!
Lucy Weidner, President weidnerL@wwt.net 715-235-7422 (h) ( try this number first ) 715-497-2998 (cell)

A MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT – YVONNE MILLER

As Fall approaches we look forward to the GMCMI rally at Goshen, IN, September 9– 14, 2011. After the GMCMI rally you are welcome to join the Great Lakers at their rally in Ludington, MI, Sept. 15–18, 2011.. Following that our club will have a “Rolling” rally from Sept. 18th – Oct. 6th, 2011. You can join us at any point along the way and especially on the “Rolling” rally.

FALL RALLY(S):
GMCMI 2011 Fall Convention
DATES: Fri, Sept. 9th – Wed. Sept. 14th, 2011
LOCATION: Elkhart County Fairgrounds, Goshen, In.
RESERVATIONS: Make Directly with GMCMI. Information and registration form is available at www.gmcmi.com or you can mail the form and payment to Kim Weeks, GMCMI, 29903 Canary Lane, Breezy Point, MN 56472. Questions call: 612-501-4600 (Kim) or 612-978-7243 (Keith).
The Registration form offers Optional Early Nights for Sept. 6,7,8th Postmark August 19 or before to avoid a late fee of $25.00.

LADIES; Check the Ladies Page on the registration information for items to bring such as Food for the food drive, Fleece for blankets, Books and tapes for exchange, handheld GPS for geocache.

GREAT LAKERS RALLY
DATES; Thurs Sept. 15 – Sun Sept. 18, 2011
LOCATION; Luddington, Michigan.
CONTACT: For Reservations call Red & Carole Christofferson at 1-231-845-5831. The cost is $130. for 2/per coach, $90. for one/per coach and $40. for each additional person. Reservations are due Sept. 5th, 2011.

GMC GREATER MIDWEST CLASSICS “ROLLING” RALLY
On Sunday Sept 18th after the GMC Great Lakers Rally our club will travel to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Michigan Loop National and State Parks Rolling Rally
Here is the proposed agenda for the Fall rolling rally to Upper Michigan. The dates listed are firm dates. You can join us or leave the rally at any point in the tour. We should be able to get into most parks without reservations. The only exception to that is Sept. 18 & 19, 2011 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park and possible Oct. 4 & 5 Duluth Lakehead Boat Basin. So if you want to participate in this rolling rally and wish to join us at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, you must call and make reservations ASAP. As for Duluth Lakehead Boat Basin, we can call in reservations during the second week of the tour when we know how many plan to stick it out to the end. If you wish to join us, email me ASAP and I will send you a more detailed description of each of the stops. Our email is: WeidnerL@wwt.net

SCHEDULE:
Sept. 18th & 19th, 2011
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park 30 amp sites $19/night ($9.50/night with National Parks Golden Age Pass) Reservations call 1-877-444-6777 or visit the National Parks reservation site at: http://www.recreation.gov/ Use “Sign-up” or “Sign-in” button at top of page, and left column fill-ins to find campground and a site. Ask for sites in Loops 1 or 3.

Sept. 20 & 21, 2011
Wilderness State Park Campground. East of Mackinaw City, Michigan.

Sept 22, 2011
Cross the Mackinac Toll Bridge

Sept 22, 23 & 24, 2011
Tahquamenon Falls State Park Campground. South of Whitefish Point Michigan

Sept 25 & 26, 2011
Hiawatha National Forest Bay Furnace Campground. West of Munsing Michigan

Sept 27th (overnight only)
Baraga State Park, Baraga, MI

Sept 28 & 29, 2011
Fort Wilkens Historic State Park,Copper Harbor, MI

Sept 30 & Oct. 1, 2011
Ontonagon Township Park, Ontonagon, MI

Oct. 2 & 3
Little Girls Point, NE of Hurley WI on Lake Superior

Oct. 4 & 5, 2011
Duluth Lakehead Boat Basin, Duluth, MN

Oct. 6, 2011
Home or stay in Duluth/Superior longer.

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

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.

For paying dues, Change of mailing address, or Email changes: Please notify Treasurer, Larry Johnson, 14451 Highway 23, Cold Spring, MN 56320-4613 or email: larjojohnson@aol.com

Website: www.gmcmidwestclassics.org has great information about our GMC club and how to join. Visit it often and share with perspective members. Bob Drewes has done an excellent job with our web site. News, photos, For Sale items, Rally’s etc..