November 17, 2007
Dear MAB Members,
I apologize for the lateness of this newsletter, however, we purchased a new Bounder Diesel
motorhome and picked it up from Decatur, IN., and have been putting things back into it ever since. I’
m sure you all know what that entails. Well, along with this we have had several other family events
and I could go on and on but you would truly be bored. Needless to say, I hope you accept my
apology. First of all, I would like for you to read this letter carefully regarding two camping
experiences that need reservations quickly. One is for the September, 2008 rally, (reservations
need to be made by December 7, 2007, and the other is for the June, 2008 rally, (reservations due
March 1, 2008). So please be aware of these dates and make your reservations now.
OCTOBER RALLY: Our Grand Finale Rally was hosted by Joan & Dick Clay and Paula & Bob Young at
Geneseo Campground at Geneseo , IL . What a wonderful way to close our MAB camping season.
What fun we all had! This was the largest attended rally we have had for a long time and it was so
great to see so many new and current members joining us. A big thank you is extended to Tom
Enyeart of Shabbona Creek RV, Atkinson , IL , for all of his help with our rally. Tom brought in
several new Bounder coaches to give members something to dream about. He also donated $100 to
our charity, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and provided chicken for our Saturday evening meal. If any
of you would like to send him a thank you or contact him for any reason his address is: 17982 E
2350 St. , P.O. Box 621 , Atkinson,IL 61235. Several members took advantage of the
arrangements made by Bob Young to have their coach weighed during the rally.
On Friday, we opened our rally with a Halloween breakfast consisting of cow eyeballs (hard boiled
eggs), bat ears (muffins), orange blood (orange juice), etc. followed by a caravan trip to Bishop Hill
Swedish Settlement. Several of us took part in this excursion and it was very historical and lots of
interesting shops and good homemade food at restaurants. An enjoyable dinner that evening was at
Trapper’s Creek Grill in Geneseo.
On Saturday we had another Halloween breakfast with alien UFO’s (pancakes), pig tails (link sausage)
etc. This was followed by a ladies craft (we made flag pins with beads and safety pins) by Joan Clay
and then a seminar was given by Bob Young on Tire Maintenance and weather radios. Our business
meeting followed with President, Jerry Hardacre presiding. Then in the early afternoon there was a
talk/walk on the Hennepin Canal . After our Saturday evening chicken dinner, prizes were awarded to
the following for the Halloween Hat Decorating Contest: Anna Hardacre & partner Bob Hansen, Carol
Haenny, John Serio, Paula Young, Niecy Milner, Addie Weast, and Best Decorated Coach went to the
Blinds - Alice, Scott & Jodi. All this fun was followed by the final campfire of the season.
Final goodbyes of the season were done at the Sunday morning breakfast which consisted of Bat
Wings, Smashed Fruit, Witches’ Fun Buns and True Witches’ Brew. What a great way to end our
season. Once again a huge thank you to Joan & Dick Clay and Paula & Bob Young.
“THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD”: A new feature each month will be a column written by our chapter
member, Tom Robinson, who is also our North Central Region Vice President of BOA.
Hi everyone,
I promise I will have something from the Executive Board in each of our newsletters. You may have
heard it personally from our most recent chapter rally, assuming Judy and I made it, but reading it is
more fun anyway. What you will hear most often from me is MEMBERSHIP.
Type A motorhome shipments declined 13.7% in 2006. BOA membership, as of 10-01-07 is 851.
We only picked up 4 new members in September (the lowest number since our BOA Secretary, Betty
R., has been keeping the records).
There are more used Bounders sold than new ones – and we do not get a list of these buyers.
Fleetwood sometimes provides a monthly list (5 times since Sept. 2006) of buyers of new Bounders.
This tells us that member-get-a-member is the program that generates the best results.
We have to understand the Baby Boomers (those born between1946 and 1964) and learn how to
approach and connect with them. There are 10,000 of them turning 50 every day. They are go, go,
go, busy, busy, busy. So tours and places to see – educational and/or entertaining, and eating out are
attractive to them. They will be taking off work to attend monthly rallies. They may only be able to
attend 1 or 2 a season, but most likely would be eager to host or co-host those they can attend.
I have met with the chapter officers and presented my proposed membership plans to them.
Hopefully, what we have worked out will generate new members for BOA and for our chapter. In the
meantime, don’t look through the rear view mirrors too much. Focus on what you see through the
windshield. Let’s look to the future, not dwell on the past.
Tom Robinson
2008 RALLY SCHEDULE:
MAY 13-16, 2008: “BOUNDERING IN THE SPRING” will be the BOA International Rally at Wayne
Co. Fairgrounds in Richmond , IN. Our host chapter will be the Buckeye Bounders and assisted by
MAB. This will be our May Rally and we will be handling the parking. MAB parking crew and greeters
will come in on Sunday May 11, 2008 to get set up for parking the rally attendees. The cost for
the Sunday and Monday will be $25.00 per day, or Saturday thru Monday @ $50.00 with no a/c or
electric heaters. If you are able to come early and work on parking, please contact Jerry Hardacre.
Registration forms will be available in the Bounder Beacon.
JUNE 19-22, 2008: Alice, Scott and Jodi Blind will be our hosts assisted by Kyle and Nancy Davis at
Indiana Beach Camp Resort in Monticello, IN. Although they have a large campground, in order to
reserve camping sites as a group we must secure our reservations with one night’s camping fee by
March 1, 2008.
We are encouraging that you bring your grandchildren. If your grandchildren cannot spend the
weekend, possibly the family could come for a day to enjoy the variety of activities that are available
for their amusement.
We have reserved 5 full hook-up sites @ $30.41 and 10 water and electric sites @ $28.45. All
sites are pull thru and have cable TV hook-up. These will be held for MAB no later than March 1,
2008. Campers will be issued a pass to the Sand Beach-splash Bash water playground, $2.50
discount at the Water Park . Many more amenities are available for our amusement. Go on line for
more details at www.indianabeach.com.
Make your reservations with Alice Blind. We can get more sites if need be before March 1, 2008.
JULY 17-20, 2008: Fox Hills RV Park in Baraboo, WI will be the site with John & Ruthann Serio and
Bob & Jan Israelson hosting. This is designed to be a post rally following the FMCA International Rally
in St. Paul, MN .
AUGUST 21-24, 2008: The KOA Indianapolis will be the location with the annual air show going on at
the near by Mt. Comfort Airport. This rally will be hosted by Rick & Kathy Groves and Danny & Gail
Leonard.
SEPTEMBER 18-21, 2008: Our hosts will be Bob & Paula Young and Danny & Niecy Milner. If you
even think you will be attending this rally, get your reservations in NOW. This area is a very popular
tourist attraction and it will require an early reservation with one nights deposit to secure it. Full
refunds no later than 2 weeks before the event, will be available if you are not able to make it after
all. It will be at Mark Twain Cave Campgrounds in Hannibal , MO. For reservations, call 1-800-527-
0304 no later than December 7, 2007 with one night camping fee of $26.39 for the MAB Rally. Also
contact Bob Young.
OCTOBER 16-19, 2008: This rally will be at Sundermeier RV Park, St. Charles , MO and our hosts
will be Larry & Jolly Ann Whitener and Tom & Judy Robinson.
CONCERNS: Joe Ernst has suffered a fractured hip. He is doing much better and he is now going
thru rehab.
Bob Hansen had major back surgery on November 12th and is doing well. Please keep them both in
your prayers.
ROSTER CHANGES: Jim and Carolyn Shedenhelm have a new address. They now have 2 acres and
will have several full hookup sites for friends coming through the area. Give them a call and they will
give you directions.
NEW MEMBER: A warm welcome is extended to Jean & Barbara Zielinski BOA #5490, Woodstock,
IL.
PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
The Camping season has come to the end, and as the saying goes, “All good things must come to an
end.” It has indeed been a good season. MAB has visited some neat places, and had some great
Rallies. We have taken in several wonderful new members in the past year (14 in all). I am proud of
this Chapter’s friendly and cooperative attitude. It is this friendliness that makes it fun and
enjoyable for everyone at each rally. This is why we get responses from people like the Hass’ who
came as a guest and felt a part of our group. If we continue to be friendly to everyone we will
continue to grow, and that is good.
On a personal note; Carol & I picked up our new Bounder 38L coach, (“Myrtle” #3) on Halloween, and
we have been busy since then getting it ready for the road. We said goodbye to “Myrtle” #2 as it
drove off towards the State of Oregon .
I am looking forward to next years schedule in expectation that it will be as good as this year was.
Have a Happy and Safe Holiday, and may the Lord Bless You and your families.
Yours truly,
Jerry Hardacre