!

The Friendship

Press

North Texas Unit, WBCCI http://ntxu.wbcci.net

"WITH AN AIRSTREAM ON WHEELS AND NOTHING TO LOSE, YOU CAN TAKE YOURSELF ANY DIRECTION YOU CHOOSE".

March, 2012

In this issue:

Presidents Message

NTU Caravan Opportunities

NTU Region 9 Responsibilities

Fiesta Rally info.

May Fest Rally info.Birthdays & Anniversaries

NTU Upcoming Events

Members in the News Member Concerns

Newsletter Editor Donna Scott dcs5641@mac.com

March is here and time is rapidly coming when we start getting things tuned up and ready to go, or whatever you do in this wonderful world of outdoors when the weather warms up. Donʼt forget to include in your plans to “Stop & Smell The Roses” Rally in Mineola, March 26 - 31.

If you didnʼt get to the February Rally, you missed a special evening with the “KING” mingling with everyone present, singing all the old favorite songs. We celebrated Lynne Mackʼs birthday with a big cake. Then we were all surprised to celebrate Joe Gardnerʼs birthday, his whole family of 27 showed up to see the KING. Mike & Lynne Mack sure know how to do things right.

The 2nd Saturday luncheon at SpringCreek BBQ was a success with 18 present. A great big thank you goes out to the staff of MedStar for the instruction on CPR. Hopefully, even more will attend the luncheon in March.

Remember the North Texas Unit is assigned to be the After Rally Clean-Up Committee at Mineola and to assist in the serving the Saturday evening dinner. All Unit members are cordially invited to our catered Unit luncheon. You wonʼt have to drive anywhere, as it will be in the Pecan room at the center on Wednesday, March 28, 12:00 PM. Please see more details on page 5.

All those interested in caravanning to Mineola, please let me know, we will be leaving NTAC at 9:00 AM.

Remember “With an Airstream on Wheels and nothing to lose, you can yourself and direction you choose”.

Your President, Larry SchultzeYour First Lady, Norma Martins-Schultze

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

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March Birthdays March Anniversaries 3 - 3 CALVIN WINCHESTER 3 - 5 MARTHA BELLOMY 3 - 8 CONNIE CARRINGTON 3 - 9 ANDY SELKING 3 - 9 ANNE WATTS 3 -10 BARB SELKING 3 -18 BILL BELLOMY 3 - 18 MARY FOWLER 3 - 21 JIM ADAMS 3 - 29 LORIN LAKE

3 - 2 RAY & DOROTHY PAYNE 3 - 6 PULSE & EVELYN MARTINEZ 3 - 11 JOHN DAVID & PATSY SMITH3 - 18 CHARLES & DONNA SCOTT

April Birthdays April Anniversaries

4 -2 DONALD NUNN 4 - 5 PAT MORESCO 4 - 9 CHARLES DEWITT 4 - 15 BARBARA NUNN 4 - 16 EVELYN MARTINEZ 4 - 21 AUDREY LEFLEUR 4 - 24 JOAN HICKS 4 - 27 BILL REED

4 - 6 EVAN & MARY ELLEN EVANS

Longtime members Bob and LeFrey Wooldridge recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at Town Hall Nursing Home in Hillsboro, Texas.

Bob was president of the North Texas Unit in 1991.

North Texas Unit Upcoming Events!

The NTU luncheons are held the second Saturday of each month at the Spring Creek BBQ, 13125 I-35W, Burleson, TX (East side of I-35W, Alsbury Exit 38)Northbound take exit, continue N on service rd.Southbound take exit, make U-turn over I-35W, continue N on service rd.

March 26-31, 2012 - Region 9 Rally in Mineola, Texas (Contact Larry Schultze about caravan that will leave NTAC March 26 at 9:00 a.m.)

April 22-29, 2012 - Fiesta Rally in San Antonio (Contact Tom Collier about caravan to Fiesta Rally in San Antonio.) collier145@juno.com 254-580-2904

May 17-20, 2012 - May Fest Rally at Lake Ray Roberts State Park Joe and June Gravely, hostshttp://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/ray_roberts_lake/

Family Concerns

We mourn the loss of Elsa Blair and our thoughts and prayers are with Charles Blair as he adjusts to life without his beloved “Elsie”.

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Be sure and meet us Saturday, March 10, 11:30 a.m. at the Spring Creek BBQ 13125 I-35W in

mailto:collier145@juno.commailto:collier145@juno.comhttp://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/ray_roberts_lake/http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/ray_roberts_lake/

Check your calendar!  We are planning a fun Rally to be held at Ray Roberts Lake.  The lake is almost full and a great place for fishing.  There are awesome walking, hiking, & bike trails. If not one of these activities, a great place to walk along the lake or build a sand castle.  The Park has an Interpretive Ranger that will spend some time with us, bringing us up to date on some of the history and the Archeological diggings in this area.some of the history and the Archeological diggings in this area. I  have requested the several drive-through’s located in the “Deer Ridge Area”.  There are some nice long back-ins that I have also requested.  

The town of Pilot Point is just a few miles (maybe 5miles).  Not much therebut 3 antique shops.  And I might add they really are antique.  One owner we visited with was such a delight, giving us all kinds of history and points of interest, places to eat and not to eat.

MAYFEST RALLY     May 17 - 18

We will have dinner one evening at Clarks OUTPOST, located in Tioga and noted for their BBQ. The Restaurant has been featured in Texas Highways Magazine, People Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Bon Appetite, Gourmet , and CBS Sunday Morning Program.They are located 6 miles north of Pilot Point on Hwy 377.  This “interesting” restaurant is known by several members and the BBQ is really quite good. Also Tioga is the birthplace of Gene Autrey.

Ray Roberts Lake State Park is located about 20 miles north of Denton. 

Of additional interest, we visited the Lantana Lodge which is privately owned but located on Park Property. If you are not pulling a trailer and are interested in staying in this lodge, you can go online for details. The URL for Lake Ray Roberts State Park is on pg. 3.

 Again, please check your calendar, and call or e-mail me  with your plan to join us.  I have made some reservations, and I will need to know if I need to make additional reservations.  

June Gravleyjbjwgravley@sbcglobal.net817-280-9711 home817-793-0943 (cell)817-673-2821 (cell

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Duties for the North Texas Unit at the Region 9 Rally this year, assigned by the Region 2nd Vice President, Linda Knezek & Region First Lady Carla Gartman are:

NTU will be the After Rally Clean Up Committee. Chairman - NTU will help with serving Dinner on Saturday evening.If you plan to help serve, please have a red apron to wear.

Each Region 9 Unit is being asked to donate five (5) door prizes. There is no limit on cost, just that whatever is donated be something that you would like to win.

NTU will have a Unit Luncheon on Wednesday, March 28th from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M. details are below.

Dale LaFrentz Chairman of Registration for WBCCI International Rallyneeds more workers to help at the registration tables during the WBCCI InternationalRally at Sedalia, MO. If you would like to volunteer to help, you will be able to park a few days earlierand you will need only to work a few days on a very flexible work schedule. Registration is a lot of fun, it is one of the “jobs” where you have an opportunity to meet everyone who attends. No previous experience necessary for this very fun job.Please contact Dale Lafrentz at jodalaf@gmail.com or call him at 515-314-0605.

NTU REGION 9 DUTIES HELP NEEDED atINTERNATIONAL

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Read This!

The NTU luncheon at the Region Rally in Mineola is to be signed up for during registration. The price is $9.00 per person. The menu is as follows:Fresh Trio Fruit Salad, includes: Chicken salad, Fruit salad and Pasta salad served on a lettuce leaf, w/roll, served w/tea, coffee or water. Dessert: Keylime pie

COME JOIN THE FUN at Region 9

AND MAKE YOUR OWN

FASINATOR

COST $15.00 INCLUDES ALL

SUPPLIES

Friday, 1 to 3

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Following up tidbits of history of the North Texas Unit, what was called the “Charter Member’s Rally” was held at Graham in June 1970. Then several members went to the 13th International WBCCI Rally. Theirs’ were among more than 3,400 Airstreams that descended on Hershey, PA, “Chocolate Town, U.S.A.” (June 29-July 5) with more than 10,000 members and guests in rigs parked side by side and end to end. Back in Texas in more spacious quarters, the North Texas bunch (some 62 trailers) rallied in October at Lewisville State Park, enjoyed barbecue, and were entertained by an “orchestra” secured by Willie Mae Kennedy that, according to one report, “made music that just fit the Lawrence Welk Crowd.” Less than 3 weeks later, 13 of the NTU couples plus 3 from the Texas Unit, headed west to the vastness of the Terlingua desert and went to the 4th World Series Chile Cook Off. Located about 80 miles south of Alpine, the event attracted “celebrities,” including the new world Chili Cook Off Champion Wick Fowler from California, the nationally known humorist novelist H. Allen Smith who had just moved from Connecticut to Alpine, and the famous Texana columnist Frank X. Tolbert of the Dallas Morning News. Eleanor and I did not have an Airstream then, but we moved to Alpine in the summer of 1971 and drove down to Terlingua with friends for the “big beer bust,” held there again that fall—ask her sometime about that trip and the “stripper” who arrived in a chauffeur driven Cadillac! Talk was still in the air about the 1970 cook out; I heard much about it all that year from Smith, folklorists Elton Miles and Ernest Speck (professors at Sul Ross State University), and other “Big Benders.” The NTU Terlingua travelers survived in 1970 and rallied with others, totaling 50 rigs, at Glen Rose in Feb. 1971, highlighting the event there feasting on 30 gallons of “Hobo” (not Dinosaur) stew!

History of the North Texas Unit by Earl Elam

April 22-29, 2012Hosted by the Texas Hill Country Unit

________________________________

Rally Activities include:

First Class RV Resort 6 Breakfasts 4 Dinners Salsa/Dip Party River Parade

Battle of Flowers Parade Evening Entertainment Mission Tours SAS Factory TourHill Country Tour Texas Wild Flowers Ice Cream

Socials

COME JOIN US FOR A FUN FILLED RALLY! Fiesta really is one of America’s truly great festivals. It began as a way to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. In 1891, a group of ladies decorated horse-drawn carriages, paraded in front of the Alamo and pelted each other with flower blossoms. That commemoration still takes place. But over the past century and more, Fiesta has grown into an 11-day celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures — Native Americans, Old Mexico, German, the Wild West, African Americans and the Deep South mingle and merge. San Antonio captures the spirit of Texas. Now the 8th largest city in the US, the city has retained its sense of history and tradition.

2012 Fiesta’s 121st Anniversary

The party with a purpose!

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San Antonio Fiesta Rally

BIENVENIDOS!! 2012 San Antonio Fiesta Rally -- Registration Form San Antonio, Texas April 22-29, 2012Name:_______________________________Spouse/Other:_________________________Address:_____________________________________City:_________________________State/Prov:_______________ ZIP/Postal Code:__________ Phone:__________________Email:_____________________ WBCCI #________ Unit Name:____________________Double click on box to indicate your selection: Motorhome Trailer Rig Length___________ Tow Length_______________WBCCI Officer Position/Title: _______________________________________________ Handicap Parking Request: Special Diet: ___________________________________ Golf: Number: ______ Name/s:____________________________________________RALLY FEE: Airstream – 2 Persons Airstream – 1 PersonGuest Total Rally fee$860.00 $___________ $545.00 $___________ $315.00 X _____ = $___________$___________Deposit: $200.00; 1ST payment: 1⁄2 by Dec. 1, 2011; Final Payment: March 21, 2012 Make full payment by December 1, 2011 and you become eligible for a special drawing. Cancellation Fee: $50.00 prior to March 21, 2012; after March 22 refund atdiscretion of Chairperson. Parking: Starts on Sunday, April 22, 2012; Parking for rally participants prior to or after the rally is based on availability and will be charged the rally daily rate.Make checks payable to: THCU-Fiesta Mail Check & Registration Form/Coupon to:Joe Long/Gayle Ketchum 15251 Miller Rd.St. Hedwig, TX 78152 Ph. 210-860-6006/210-865-8136 E-mail: gaylejoe@hotmail.comRally fee INCLUDES: 7 nights parking, full hook-ups & cable/satellite TV at Admiralty RV Resort, San Antonio, TX, April 22-29, 2012; transportation to/from and reserved seating for the River Parade and the Battle of Flowers Parade; bus tour of San Antonio with optional stops at the Alamo or the Institute of Texan Cultures; bus tour to the San Antonio Missions and SAS factory or Ft. Sam Houston Museums and the King William Historic Area; bus tour through the Texas Hill Country and visit LBJ Ranch; meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 dinners; salsa/dip party; lots of Blue Bell ice cream; evening entertainment; and more.

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Spring Caravan ... 10 days of UtopiaApril 1, 2012 to April 11, 2012. Caravan Leaders: Fred & RutheAnn RichardsonThings Youʼll Need to Bring (If you have ʻem)• Generator (We will Boondock one night in Bandera, 3 in Seguin)• Easter Egg Basket(s)• 1/2 Dozen Dyed Easter Eggs• Dutch Oven (Bring your favorite receipt)Kitty Fee -- $200.00 for Campgrounds

Itinerary for CaravanSunday, April 1, 2012Region 9 Rally Church Services 9amCaravan to: Temple, TX to Cedar Ridge Park on Lake BeltonLunch on your own...but eat lightly... dinner plans..Travel by car to Stewart & Doris’s daughters house in Belton. They want to meet thefriends of their parents .. and are planning a dinner for us.Monday, April 2Caravan in cars to Salado for shopping/sightseeing/antique shops and the Old Mill InnStagecoach stop of years gone by...good restaurants, etcLunchTravel back to Temple for Time to re-group... re-stock (Walmart) ... re-lax...Happy Hourtill you drop!Pot Luck dinnerTuesday, April 3Leave Lake Belton and travel to Bandera, TXWe will camp (Boondock) on the Medina River... No services, so have your water tanksfull and holding tanks empty. Generators ok.Go into Bandera to enjoy the unique shops and RestaurantsAttend Cowboy Country OpryWednesday, April 4

Travel by cars to Utopia.... visit the Lost Maples Cafe & Coffee shop. Good place forcoffee & Pie...Visit Utopia on the River B & B for photo opp with one of the state’s largest CypressTrees (29 feet around)Visit and tour the Golf Course where the movie “7 days in Utopia” was filmed...(We’veasked for an audience with Dr. David Cook, the author and hope he will beavailable for a brief visit.)Lunch at the Utopia restaurant...Free afternoon...Golf for the men at Utopia GolfClub...shopping for others at Utopia Antiques or take a short drive over toSabinal for unique downtown shopsScenic drive to Leakey

Friday, April, 6Day in Uvalde.... depart River Rim in Cars for a day of sightseeing. See attached Uvaldeday itinerary.Saturday, April 7Travel to Motorcycle Museum . Lunch at the museum. A hamburger is your ticket intothe museum. Scenic drive back to Leakey, a drive tour thru Frio Pecan farm and back toRiver Rim for Happy Hour... and off to Garner State Park for a special dance. A Garner State Park Tradition.

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Sunday, April 8th Easter SundayUp early and travel to Sabinal River for Easter Sunrise Services on the RiverBack to River Rim for Adult Easter Egg Hunt... (Bring 1/2 dozen Easter eggs and yourbaskets for the hunt)Pot Luck Lunch ... then pack up to head to Seguin, TX...(Fill your water tanks, emptyyour holding tanks...we will boondock in Seguin....no services available..Generators okMonday, April 9thTour downtown Seguin, TX ... Unique shops... .9:30 am --Tour the restored Texas Theatre11:00 am - Tour Pape’s Pecan House ...see over 5000 different types of Nut CrackersIron Ornate and world famous life size Nutcracker wooden soldiers from all overthe world.12:30 - 1:45 - Lunch2 pm special opening of Kinfolks Antiques/creations...with refreshments..return to campDinner at Clear Springs (Seafood, Steaks and Burgers) in New Braunfels. Try theirfamous Onion Rings!Tuesday, April 10thShopping and sightseeing at the San Marcos Outlet Mall, Camping World, GrueneAntiques & Shops...then it’s Ritas, Fajitas and $5 dollar Bucket Beer at Grin’sRestaurant in San Marcos...Wednesday, April 11thDepart for home...

9:30 a.m. - Arrive at First State Bank - 200 E. Nopal St. - to see The Garner exhibit on display inthe bank lobby, courtesy of First State Bank, while the museum is closed for renovations. JohnNance Garner was the Vice President of the United States under F.D.R. While at First State Bank- we will see the Briscoe Art & Antique Collection an extensive collection of art and antiques atthe most unique bank in Texas.Contact: Nicole Horn @ 830-278-6231Aviation Museum at Garner Field – Sul Ross Blvd. The Museum is located at the Uvaldemunicipal airport in one of the original hangars built for Garner Army Air Field, a World War IIprimary training base. (Donations Appreciated!)Contact: Leroy Walther @ 830-278-7443Lunch at Ofelia’s Mexican Restaurant- located at 1296 W Main St. 830-278-6420Uvalde National Fish Hatchery – located 754 CR 203 – situated on 100 acres former mesquitegrasslands and includes 50 earthen and lined ponds, along with a newly completed intensiveculturing facility and high tech water system.Contact: Grant Webber @ 830-278-2419Janey Slaughter Briscoe Grand Opera House – Built in 1891, restored in 1982. Note the dragonat the top of the cupola and various details of the building.Contact: Olga Charles @ 830-278-4184Rexall Drug and Soda Fountain – 201 N. Getty St. 830-278-2589 - the oldest retail establishmentin the community has been in continuous operation since 1883. Now is a great time forBlue Bell ice cream for dessert!Shop Downtown UVALDE! return to River Rim ...Dinner on the Frio at Neals Restaurant in Concan.

Uvalde Day ...

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“Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On” “King of Hearts” NTU Rally

If you were not able to attend the “King of Hearts” Rally held at NTAC Feb. 3, you missed a great rally. The food prepared by Lynne Mack and her kitchen crew was outstanding. In addition to the fellowship with members, we participated in an Elvis trivia game. In spite of Donna Scott having her computer with her, she was unable to “cheat” and find the answers fast enough on the internet.

We also celebrated Lynne Mack and Joe Gardner’s birthday. Joe was given a “surprise” 80th birthday by kids

and grandkids who traveled from various locations to celebrate this occasion at their home in Hillsboro. Saturday night about 27 of Joe and Gypsy’s family members came to see “Elvis”. C.C. Gartman, Joe Gardner and

Andy Selking did a great job providing “air guitar” to accompany one of Elvis’ songs.Elvis shook his hips and flirted with “everyone” in the room.

At the end of the show, Elvis provided a “kodak” moment for anyone who wanted to have their picture taken.

NTU Members “in the news”.

Jim Courtney was crowned “King”at the recent hobo rally held inBlythe, California.

NTU Luncheon February 11

Members Daniel & Carol Howard at the Swiss Festival Rally - submitted by June Gravley.pg. 38 in the March Blue Beret.

Read Surgery in Newfoundland:Airstreamers to the Rescue

by Jerry Hissong pg. 13 in the Blue Beret

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2012 North Texas Unit Officers

President Larry Schultze, lschu2929@hotmail.com

1st VP Wendell Carrington, n5wc@sbcglobal.net

2nd VP Greg Walker, grwalk@swbell.net

3rd VP Calvin Winchester, cwwinchester@gmail.com

e

Please send news/pictures of members, rallies, caravans etc. toDonna Scott200 Walnut Hill Ave. #34Hillsboro, Texas 76645dcs5641@mac.comdcs5641@gmail.com

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http://ntxu.wbcci.net

Although the NTU Web Site is still in the process of being improved, you should be able to access the newsletter by clicking on the address below.

mailto:lschu2929@hotmail.commailto:lschu2929@hotmail.commailto:n5wc@sbcglobal.netmailto:n5wc@sbcglobal.netmailto:cwwinchester@gmail.commailto:cwwinchester@gmail.commailto:dcs5641@mac.commailto:dcs5641@mac.commailto:dcs5641@gmail.commailto:dcs5641@gmail.comhttp://ntxu.wbcci.nethttp://ntxu.wbcci.net