October 30, 2009
                                       
    Greetings:

    October at the Double J Campground in Chatham, IL, brings to a close another fantastic
    rally year for Mid-America Bounders.  We finished our season with a feast fit for a king,
    hosted by Jean and Barbara Zielinski and the entire Zielinski family and co-hosts Dick and
    Joan Clay.  The weather was unseasonably crisp and cool which gave us non-snowbirds a
    taste of what is yet to come. It put us all in the mood for Halloween, as did the decorations,
    which were displayed.  Dick and Joan Clay won the best-decorated coach followed with a
    close second by the Hansen Family.  To everyone’s delight, there was a surprise visit by Mr.
    Pumpkin Head.  Several of the kids are still searching for the identity of the character with
    the black shoes.

    What is hoped to become a MAB tradition was the presentation of the first annual “MAB”
    Award.  This is an award which will be presented at each October rally to the coach/couple
    who best exemplified dedication, participation and service to our chapter. The recipients of
    the first award could not have been more qualified, and won the vote by a landslide.  Bob
    and Paula Young have attended almost every rally over the past several years.  Paula is
    always the first one to raise her hand when volunteers are solicited for committees, work
    details and crafts.  Bob Young is always there for everyone.  Bob has been known to start
    repairs before the units are even parked.  At one rally, Bob had a can of lubricant in his
    hand chasing down an arriving member because their steps were partially open.  He has been
    hands-on to almost every coach in our chapter.  His knowledge and willingness to assist
    others is unsurpassed.  The next time you see Bob and Paula give them a big hug.  They are
    truly invaluable assets to our chapter.  Thanks Bob and Paula from all of us.  

    This rally was highlighted with much information about our 16th President, Abraham
    Lincoln.  We toured his home, his tomb and the Old State Capital Building where he started
    his career.  Our first stop was at the Lincoln Home, which has been beautifully restored and
    maintained.  The home boasts of several Lincoln family heirlooms as well as many beautiful
    pieces from that era.   Many of us identified with some of the pieces as it was heard “my
    grandmother used to have one of those”.   The Old State Capital too was very nicely
    refurbished.  Who would have thought, that this structure was originally one- story.  We
    got a lesson on architectural design as to how it relates to the governmental pecking order.  

    Many people have thought that Jean Zielinski was in the banking industry, but, we now
    believe she may be a practicing attorney as she demonstrated the fine art of arguing her
    case in having several parking tickets dismissed.  F. Lee couldn’t be more proud!  We split
    up for several choices of cuisine for lunch in downtown Springfield and joined up with Jean
    after her successful street court case and we continued on to Lincoln’s Tomb.  This was the
    most stirring stop on the tour, due to the fact that we were physically so close to such a
    great man in history.  Appearing on the website soon, is a photograph of what appears to be
    a chapter member doing a disappearing act with his finger on Lincoln’s nose.  The first
    member to identify the person in this photo will be rewarded.  (Bob Y. you can’t
    participate!)  These were great tours and were even more successful as our hosts took the
    extra effort of renting 2 vans for our comfort and personal use.  

    The food on this rally was fabulous.  Dinner Friday night featured hamburgers, hotdogs and
    Italian sausage.  Saturday night was an Italian feast of Italian beef, mostacolli and
    meatballs, fettucini alfredo with chicken and broccoli. Our hosts did an extraordinary job
    of preparing and serving our meals.  Our breakfasts were equally impressive with a full
    menu including homemade sweet breads that were to die for.

    We had a short business meeting after breakfast on Saturday and wrapped up the 2010
    rally schedule.  It was voted that we will host the May 2011 International Rally in Amana,
    Iowa.  As those of you who have participated with hosting International Rallies before
    know, there is a great deal of commitment and hard work required of chapter members to
    make these successful.  Rick Groves asked that each member volunteer and get involved to
    make our Rally a great success.

                                                   2010 Rally Schedule

    May 20 - 23, 2010
    Hosted by: Hansens & MAB Exec. Committee
    Amana RV Park, Amana, IA
    Reservations:  800-471-7616
    www.amanarvpark.com
    After you have made your reservation, please contact Judy Hansen by phone or email to let
    her know you are attending.  Let’s have a good turnout as this will be a regular campout and
    a planning session for the 2011 National Rally that MAB will be hosting.  More information
    to follow.

    June 17 - 20, 2010
    Hosted by: Shedenhelm
    Clarksville, MO

    July 15 - 18, 2010 - Open

    July 27 -31, 2010
    International Rally
    Branson, MO

    August 26 - 29, 2010
    Guests of MOB
    Silver Creek RV Resort
    1141 North 34th Ave.
    Mears, MI
    www.silvercreekrv.com

    September  16 - 19, 2010
    Hosted by:  Whitener & Young
    Kentuckiana Kampground & Opry
    Hopedale, IL
    www.kentuckianahome.com
    309-449-3274

    October 14 - 17, 2010 - Open

                                               Welcome New Members

    John & Sharon Harding   - It is with sadness that we report that Sharon passed away
    Anderson, IN on October 31, 2009.  Our sympathies to John & family.

    Michael Leamy & Debra Young
    Greenfield, IN

                                                       Cares & Concerns

    We have received an email from Barb Werner.  She is feeling good.  She appreciates all the
    calls, cards and prayers from her MAB friends.  She and Bob have a new grandson, Teague
    Young, born on Sept. 20 and weighed almost 9 lbs.  

    Congratulations to Tom Robinson, Jolly Whitener and Herb Feltner.  Tom is the newly
    elected Executive Vice-President of BOA, Jolly is the newly elected Secretary of BOA and
    Herb has been appointed Editor of the Bounder Beacon.  We are very proud that they are
    members of MAB and wish them all the best in their new positions.  

    Herb Feltner has a new email address.  Please check the roster.

      George & Patti Stavropolus have a new phone number and address.  
    They have moved from Anderson, IN to Fishers, IN.

    We are still collecting recipes to be printed in the new MAB cookbook.  Please send them to
    Kathy or Herb.   Herb will be starting the printing around the 1st of April.

    We would like to hear what everyone is doing this winter. Please take a minute and let us
    know at kgroves@mabounders.org.  We would like to have this information by the middle of
    December so that we can post by the end of the year.  Where We Are This Winter - 2009.

                                                                New Recipe

    HERB CHEESE CRACKER SNACK From Jerry Borkoski

    1 Box Cheese It  - Yellow Cheddar Crackers
    1 Box Cheese It  - White Cheddar Crackers
    1 Box Kraft Mac & Cheese White Cheddar Crackers
    1 # Peanuts

    1/2 Cup Oil
    1 (1 oz) Package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (Powder)
    1 Heaping Tablespoon Dill
    1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
    1 teaspoon Celery Salt

    Mix the last 5 ingredients well and pour over the crackers and nut mix in a container with a
    tight lid, mix and refrigerate for 24 hours.

    You may also add Gold Fish Pretzel Crackers.

                                                         December Luncheon

    Mark your calendars for 12:00 Noon, Monday, December 7, 2009 for the annual get-
    together in Indianapolis.  Fazoli's Italian Restaurant will be catering our lunch for a very
    reasonable cost.   See more information in the President’s Corner.

                                                           President’s Corner

    This has been another great year for the MAB Chapter.  We have had a lot of new and
    different locations that have met our chapter goals of being educational, fun and having lots
    of fellowship with mutual Bounder owners.  We have gained some new member friends that I
    think will bring new dimensions to the Chapter.  We have crossed a big hurdle of getting a
    set of Bylaws adopted that will give us more defined guidelines.  All in all, it has been a
    good year for MAB.  

    We are on the verge of making a big decision as to whether or not to merge Bounders of
    America and Bounders United into one club.  I urge all of you to read the proposed
    Constitution and Bylaws over closely and make your voice known by voting on this motion
    whether it be “Yes” or “No.”  This is a very important decision and we need all members to
    voice their feelings by voting.  

    I want to invite all members to the December 7, 2009 MAB dinner gathering in
    Indianapolis at the Lawrence Twsp Fire Department, 6260 East 86th Street, Indianapolis,
    IN at 12:00 Noon.  It will be a catered dinner and we will have a room to ourselves where
    we can stay and visit and not be rushed.  This dinner started several years ago with four
    Indiana members getting together for a little Christmas dinner in our homes and it has
    grown to an attendance last year of about 25 people.  I realize this is quite a drive for
    some members for only a few hours visit and for that reason I would encourage members in
    northern Illinois to organize your own get together. Don’t misunderstand, anyone wanting to
    make the trip will be welcome.  Please RSVP to Bob & Jan Israelson. E-mail robert.
    israelson@att.net

    If you are planning to travel to warmer weather or stay home for the winter Carol & I want
    to wish you all delightful holidays with family and friends and we will look forward to
    seeing you at the Amana Colonies, IA in May 2010.

                                                                           Happy & Safe Boundering,

                                                                           Jerry L. Hardacre
                                                                           MAB President

    Kathy Groves
    Newsletter Editor
    kgroves@mabounders.org