CALOOSA WINNIES

March 2011 outing
Florida State Rally

March 10 – 13, 2011 the Florida State Winnie Gators annual rally, “Hillbilly Jamboree” was held and the Caloosas were on hand early to handle our task of parking! Charlie & Ellen Zucker laid out the parking plan at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando, Florida. This was the first time we’ve had the job and the first obstacle to overcome was the fact that the annual fair held on the grounds had just ended. Our group had to lay out parking places as the big rides and food wagons were exiting the grounds. We were ready when the gates opened on Tuesday and the entire group of chapter members pulled together to get the job done! KUDOS to everyone who pitched in to help! With over 300 coaches to park, it was a big job! The vision of this group is and always has been  – working together and having fun!! The golf cart decorations on the golf cart captured the theme as did the flags used for directing coaches – under garments! Funny! We have never seen so many outfits of bib overalls! 

Special guests at the rally were Doug & Pat Formanek, WIT General Manager, Butch & Becky Moore, WIT Eastern Area Reps. We welcomed them to sunny Florida from up north!

Tuesday Happy Hour was held in the Social Hall and our Presidents provided pizza and beverages for those who were there early. A nice reward after a day of hard work! Wednesday evening most of the group went out to dinner at Miller’s Ale House.

Opening Ceremonies were held on Thursday at 11:00am and the events were off and running! Jack Caffrey, DuBol Winnies President did an excellent job as Master of Ceremonies. The chapter presidents were introduced in order of charter date so the Caloosas being 40 years young were introduced first! After the ceremonies conclusion, lunch was served. With parking still on our agenda the group managed to get back to work and get it done without complications. The Friendship Walk was attended by some of the workers who were off duty, followed by everyone participating in the Row Party Event at 4:00pm. Bingo was held at 7:30pm to close out the day.

Friday morning we sponsored the Pet Parade which was a huge success once again! There were about 50 pets on parade led by Charlie Zucker dressed in his “dog costume”! THANKS to Ellen Zucker and Sally Rayburn for handling the sign up duties. The vendors were the judges and they loved being part of the event! Many of our members enjoyed the Ice Cream Social at 2:00pm followed by Happy Hour in the Caloosa row. Dinner was served at 6:00pm and we all laughed at the entertainer Homer Noodleman doing all his music and jokes! Prizes for the Pet Parade were awarded by Charlie Zucker and Al  Goebel. Numerous door prizes were also given away by President Nancy Miller with some help from Doug and Butch. THANKS Jim & Jane O’Neill, Gene & Lois Hogan, Larry & Betty Ireland for coordinating all the door prizes – excellent job once again!

Saturday dawned another beautiful day with the games, fishing tournament, Wine & Cheese Party, and all the great vendors that had items for sale that we could not resist! Saturday evening dinner was held at 6:00pm followed by Installation of Officers for the state club. Our members filled several of the offices! Jerry Miller, President; Cliff & Ree Spiller, 1^st VP; Christine & Bob Ross, Secretary; Walter & Belinda Feldgoise, Treasurer; Nancy Miller, Director. CONGRATULATIONS to our new officer team! Without the support of the Caloosas we could not do what we do for the Winnie Gators.

Evening entertainment began at 7:00pm with Dixie Highway Band playing music perfect for our theme! Classis country music filled the hall and hundreds of people were dancing in the aisles all evening! Once again numerous door prizes and awards were given away and some of the Caloosas took home some goodies! The Suncoast Winnies introduced next years theme, “The Realm of Winnebago”. They all dressed in costumes related to the Renaissance era! The dates will be March 15 – 18, 2012! THIS will be an interesting theme!

Sunday morning after breakfast the Winnie Gators Board of Directors held court at a meeting with some discussion and praise for another great rally. The General Meeting was held at 10:00am with President Jerry Miller presiding. Soon it was time to depart the grounds with great feelings for a job well done by the Caloosas and all the chapters doing their duties to make this event a success.