2007 Retiree Rally Wrapup

by DeWayne Johnston

A week of beautiful weather, great grounds and buildings, lots of activities, and a hard working staff of FCRV volunteers combined to make the 2007 FCRV Retiree Rally March 20 – 25 at Mobile, Alabama a success. 704 people (336 units) from across the US and Canada attended the rally which featured entertainment a commercial area, seminars, sports and games, a memorial service, two dinners, an ice cream social, an international parade, and the annual International Retiree King and Queen Contest.

Many opted for the early day on Monday to get registered for activities and catch up with friends. An on grounds food booth was open all week as well as a building for table games.

The rally officially got underway Tuesday with seminars, square dancing, wooden frog races, line dancing, and a first timers meeting. 116 first timers attended the rally.

Tuesday evening’s opening ceremonies began with a prayer by FCRV Chaplain, Walter Shealy followed by the presentation of flags. The U.S. National Anthem was led by Walter Shealy and the Canadian National Anthem was led by Jack Smye. Don and Marjory bates introduced the reigning International Retiree King and Queen, Bob and Nancy Linder of Michigan who helped cut the ribbon. Billy Blackwell, Fairgrounds Manager was introduced and Operations Manager, Bill Carter welcomed everyone to Mobile where the first Mardi Gras was held. Bill Smith, representing the County Commissioners, presented a proclamation of welcome to FCRV. Rally Chairmen, Don and Marjory Bates acknowleged the rally staff and introduced FCRV National Officers in attendance, First Vice President, Jack and Sonya Smye, Corresponding Secretary, Wilson and Shirley Forbes, and Immediate Past President, Larry and Vickie Roop. Lucile Trach from Nova Scotia invited everyone to a rally there.

Entertainment was provided by FCRV members, Jim Bob Ealey, a combo consisting of Russ Boone, Bob Cavers, and Bill Summers, Red and Ginny Denton and their guests, Hap and Hilton Hammond. Jam sessions followed each night’s program.

Tuesday offered early morning exercises, hiking, daily devotions, square dancing, line dancing, frog races, door prize pick up, first timers meeting, past king and queen meeting, and several seminars. Throughout the week, seminars were presented by VIP – electrical systems, water, Chips Away – windshield care, Jim Turner – water and holding tank treatment, Gerry Owens – Nano Protect windshield repair, ANPAC – RV Insurance, assets and taxes, Blue Ox – rv safety, R&N – holding tanks, Full Timers – extended travel, Vickie Roop – basic word processing, and MASA – emergency medical transportation. At an evening program, MASA gave away a membership won by Ralph Brunner and ANPAC Travel Star Insurance gave away a $200 gas card won by the Crosses of Texas. In addition to the above, other vendors in the commercial area included The Sign Man, Sarge Natural Health, Patikins Vinyl Etchings, and Nette’s Boutique.

Wednesday featured a golf outing sponsored by Jim & Barb Turner, first timers breakfast sponsored by Chips Away Windshield Repair, card bingo, choir practice, Solos/Singles meeting, crafts, travalong meeting, Florida hospitality, Indiana hospitality, Washer toss, and chicken foot (cards). The evening program included the introduction pf past International Retiree Kings and Queens present. They included 1985 Addie Costello Boone & Russ Boone, 1987 Carl & Clara Amman, 1997 Peter & Jane Brown, 1998 Jim Bob & Shirley Ealey, 2000 George & Sharom Woodruff, 2001 James & Wilma Upchurch, 2002 John & Dottie Mendel, 2003 Ralph& Betty Brunner, 2004 John & Delores Derrick, 2005 Wilson & Shirley Forbes and 2006 Robert & Nancy Linder. The 2007 contestants were Richard & Pam Lykens, FL, James & Cookie Powell, IN, Harold & Carolyn Braleey, OH. Non-competing, Willard & Margaret Lasseigne, LA.

Enjoyable entertainment was presented by the Sound Of The Bay Chorus Of Sweet Adelines International.

Thursday activities included bean bag toss, group pictures, euchre, hill billy golf, Full Timers meeting, Ohio hospitality, and the Red Hat Sassy Lassie luncheon. Lynelle Chapman led a memorial for the late Queen Mother, Rosalyn Muckle who passed away recently. Shirley Forbes of Iowa was selected as the new Queen Mother. The luncheon was coordinated by Marita Marks.

The annual FCRV Retiree meeting was held by Directors, Jim Bob & Shirley Ealey and their assistants, Al & Barb Jurek. It was announced that at the National Campvention in July in Colorado that the adult center would be for anyone from 20 to 80 plus. The jammers will coordinate with the games people on use of locations. Washer toss will be eliminated from the games competition. Lou and Darlene Gibson, coordinators for next year’s Retiree Rally in Rayne, Louisiana (March 11-16) gave a preview. The rally theme will be ‘Thank You” to the people of Rayne who aided victims of hurricane Katrina. The Civic Center provided spaces for 60 campers and housed another 150 on mattresses in the arena. They also fed the victims and even did their laundry. To encourage patronage of the local merchants, a scavenger hunt will be held in town. A reception will also be held. Two groups of special needs will be established – those who need to be close due to mobility problems and those who can walk but have other needs. The 2009 rally will be in Casa Grande, Arizona. 2010 is slated for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The first catered dinner was served Thursday evening and approximately 700 people were fed in under 45 minutes.

The evening program began with the memorial service honoring the FCRV Retirees who passed away since the last rally. It was conducted by Walter and Marilyn Shealy assisted by the choir directed by John Derrick and accompanied by Shirley Smith.

Following a break, the retirees talent show headed by Jack and Sonya Smye and Guy and Jeannie Dean with sound by Jim Bob Ealy and Quillie Crosby featured songs and skits by 15 entrants. Performers included Guy Dean, John & Irene, Bill Summers, Bill Stirewalt, Carolina Players, Renella, Melvin, & Brenda, Dale Wagner, Wind Up Canada, Charles & Sherry, Indiana Car Skit, Pennsylvania Princes on Parade, Wilma Schroedl, Jack Smye, Louisiana Pelicans LA Top Ten.

Friday featured bocce ball, skip-bo, cribbage, rolling pin toss, crafts and the annual ice cream social where votes were cast for the King and Queen. Ice cream was provided by MASA.

At the evening program Executive Board members on hand were introduced as well as the rally committees. A special thanks was given to Wanda Wills and the fairground staff.

Entertainment was provided by the group, Cool Change which featured a smooth blend of country and cross-over songs.

Saturday morning was the flea market / craft sale and the worker sign up for next year. Registration was also opened for 2008. Lloyd Humphreys won the free registration drawing. Bean bag baseball drew a large number of participants in the afternoon. Michigan held a hospitality and the final evening dinner was served at 5:30.

The evening program was the International King and Queen crowning. Once again the past Kings and Queens in attendance were introduced. Outgoing royalty, Robert and Nancy Linder reported on their year. They had a blowout leaving Canton which damaged their motorhome, however that did not deter them from visiting 13 state and 1 provincial retiree rally. They logged 10,600 miles. They had a special thanks for members in their home state of Michigan.

Peter Brown announced the vote tally for the 2007 contest. The Second Runners-up are Dick and Pam Likens of Lake City, Florida. The First Runners-up are Harold and Carolyn Braley of Wilmington, Ohio. The International FCRV Retiree King and Queen are Jim and Cooky Powell of Sunman, Indiana (see separate article). Trophies were sponsored by Jim and Charlotte Webster, The Sign Man. They also provided the sports awards and first timers ribbons. A reception hosted by the Full Timers Chapter followed the crowning. Music was provided by the Vintage Vagabonds.

Sunday morning began with Non-denominational Church Service and Catholic services were held at nearby churches. Seating selections were drawn for the International Parade and a staff thank you luncheon was held. Potty races were popular and afternoon entertainment was provided by a local group called Jamm-N-Folks.They played a variety of instruments from dulcimers to penny whistles.

The evening program began with the sports awards (see separate article) followed by some announcements. Chuck Truro and David Rainey of the Bay Area Food bank which serves 21 counties were on hand to receive a check for $1,100 from the church service offering presented by Walter Shealy. They also received a check for $361 from food bank donations as well as several hundred pounds of food.

Jim Bob Ealey thanked rally chairmen, Don and Marjory Bates, Alabama State Directors. They were given a standing ovation. The International parade consisting of states, provinces, and specialty groups then took the stage. The largest groups were the YARS and Red Hatters.

Chaplain Walter Shealy closed out the evning and the rally with a prayer and led the singing of "God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again."

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