September 30, 2008
Hello MAB Members:
We have had a hot dry mid-summer and have been enjoying late summer weather, now
that fall is here, we are ready for another season change.
Our September Rally was a delightful event with 18 coaches present and much history
to learn about Mississippi River life and of Mark Twain’s life. We were camped at
Mark Twain Cave Campgrounds just 1 mile south of Hannibal , MO on Highway 79.
Thursday afternoon at our happy hour we received a visit from the characters of Tom
Sawyer and Becky Thatcher dressed in costume. The kids (old & young) really liked
the surprise.
Friday morning started off with a breakfast of French toast sticks, Sausage, Juice
and Coffee. At 9:00 we loaded up on the local trolley train and toured the Hannibal
area with an overview of the whole area of Mark Twain, the “Unsinkable Molly Brown,
the historical section of town and the outstanding view of the Mississippi River . The
rest of the day was free to sightsee on our own until 5:30 with a potluck dinner at
the campground followed by the MAB business meeting. The meeting was followed by a
craft for the women and children.
Saturday morning breakfast was scrambled eggs, sausage, and juice. The rest of the
day until 5:30 p.m. was free to explore the area, and explore we did. The Mark
Twain Cave was located immediately behind the office and gift shop. A small group of
us took the guided tour of the cave. It was very interesting and adventuresome to
see the different formations, and hear the stories about Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher
and Injun Jo in this cave from a 52 degree temperature perspective.
There was also a lot of closer exploration in town that was only touched on Friday
during the trolley tour about Mark Twain and his life in Hannibal and where the
characters of his books came from. The museum of “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” was
quaint but interesting showing her life style growing up in Hannibal verses after she
moved to Denver and married.
Saturday evening we all went into town for dinner at the Mark Twain Dinette. Here
they make their own root beer & famous root beer floats. Then back to the
campground like every night to a cozy campfire and much fellowship.
Sunday morning was a continental breakfast followed by a short devotional by Tom
Robinson and then farewells.
We want to thank our Host Bob & Paula Young and their Co-Hosts Dan & Niecy Milner
and Bill & Carol Haenny they all did a great job.
BooBaRoo: Its new home is with Rick & Kathy Groves because they locked themselves
out of their coach on Saturday night. So take good care of him!!!
OCTOBER RALLY: Sundermeier RV Park, St Charles, MO will be the location of the
next rally on October 16-18, 2008 and will be hosted by Larry & Jolly Ann Whitener
and co-hosted by Tom & Judy Robinson. There is still room and time to make your
reservations. There are many places and things to explore in St.Charles and St
Louis. Go to www.sundrmeierrvpark.com/explore.html. For reservations call 800-929-
0832 or 636-940-0111 tell them you are with Mid-America Bounders to get the
group rate. Then call Jolly Ann Whitener and let her know you’re coming. This rally will
also be elections of MAB officers for the next two years. Be sure to be there.
Driving direction to Sundermeier: From MO Jct. I-270 (exit 22) & Hwy 370 : Go 5-
1/2 miles West on Hwy 370 to N 3rd St/Hwy 94 (exit 7), then .3 mile South on Hwy
94, then 2 blocks East on Transit St. enter park at end of street.
2009 RALLY SCHEDULE: Note that all our rallies are the third weekend of each
month from May thru October and usually begin on Thursday around 4:00 p.m. and end
on Sunday a.m. after breakfast. If you cannot come on Thursday, you will be welcome
whatever day you can join us.
May 14-16, 2009 Hosted by Groves & Zielinski, Location TBA
June 18-20, 2009 Hosted by Robinson & Francis at Effingham , IL .
July 16-18, 2009 Hosts and location needed.
August 20-22, 2009 Hosted by Feltner & Hardacre at Shipshewana , IN.
September 17-19, 2009 Host Shedenhelm, location TBA.
September 22-25, 2009 BOA/BU Joint Rally in Urbana , VA
October 15-17, 2009 Zielinski & Clay at Springfield , IL
SLATE OF OFFICERS: The Nominating Committee Paula Young, chairman, Kathy Groves
and Larry Whitener presented a slate of officers at Hannibal for the next two year
term to be elected at the October 2008 meeting. At that time, nominations can be
made from the floor with that persons consent. The slate is as follows:
President: Jerry Hardacre
Vice President: Rick Groves
Secretary: Carol Hardacre
Treasure: Jolly Ann Whitener
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
At the September Rally in Hannibal Carol and I were accompanied by three of our
grandchildren Josiah, Abby and Anna Hardacre and they had a great time. They are
home schooled and the history we learned in Hannibal counted as a field trip. I want
to thank everyone for making them feel welcome.
As many of you may remember from this column in the July issue of the newsletter, I
mentioned, “This is the last year I will be serving as President.” The Nominating
Committee did some research and found that there is nothing in the By-Laws or
Constitution about term limits. So, they asked Carol and I to run again and we
consented. Kathy Groves has agreed to be the newsletter editor, therefore, taking
that time consuming job off our shoulders.
We do need to review the By-Laws, Standing Rules and Constitution. I will be
appointing a committee to review these documents and bring to the membership
recommendations at the May 2009 rally for a vote from the membership. If you have
any interest in serving on this committee, please contact me ASAP. My phone # and
E-mail address are listed above.
We have had great rallies during the 2008 season, filled with fun times. We have
visited new and different places and learned a lot about the areas we live in. We are
looking forward to a great 2009 season with all our “Bounder” friends.
I am sorry to say that we will not be able to attend the October rally in St.
Charles. We have a family event in Tennessee that is taking precedence, so I want to
wish you a pleasant rally and we will be thinking of you that weekend. Many of you we
will not see until next May, so have a great Holiday and a warm winter.
I would like to commend Bob Young for a superb job on his Bounder Beacon article on
the Digital TV Coupons, it was outstanding.
I leave you with this bit of advice. ”It is nice to be important, but it is more
important to be nice.”
Thanks,
Jerry L. Hardacre
Happy and Safe Boundering,
Carol Hardacre, Secretary