RVF Eastern Zone Spring Rally
Whispering Pines RV Park, Sebring, Florida
March 20-24, 2007
By Jim Smith and Barbara Quinby
A small but hardy group of RV Fellowship Rotarians gathered At Whispering Pines, Sebring, Florida from March 20-24 for the Spring Rally. The 11 rigs were brought together by Barbara and Dick Quinby along with Lois and late husband Bob Coles. Members represented states of Kentucky, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Texas as well as Florida.
With almost perfect weather, albeit with a few sprinkles, the group started Tuesday with a catered lasagna dinner with much socializing before and after in a very friendly community hall.
Wednesday, after a continental breakfast, the Henscratch Farm hosted the Rotarians. This unique “boutique” farm fascinated all with above grown strawberries, there for the picking, university sponsored vegetable growing and RedRock chickens who provided fresh eggs. Chickens laying “green
eggs” were also on the farm. The winery and grape vines with specially grown grapes for the Florida climate, and a store featuring just about all that was grown or produced on the farm augmented the day.
A box lunch was enjoyed in an open air pavilion in the midst of a misting blueberry bush field.
After the farm many RVF’ers went on to Lake Placid to view the unique murals and a downtown mini park sponsored and maintained by the Lake Placid noon Rotary club. Lake Placid is also the world caladium capital of the world and many RVF’erspurchased some of the bulbs at the local plant.
A fun potluck dinner at the camp hall Wednesday was enjoyed by all. Lois Cole brought news to the group on the loss of Cleo Andres and greetings from his wife, Mildred, in Michigan. Lois also brought news from 93-year old Doris Heister, widow of the late General Dave Heister. Doris celebrated her 90th at the Jackson Hole Rally. A raffle followed the potluck and the Eastern Zone region contributed $100.00 to the highway Safety fund.
Thursday’s breakfast was followed by the Rotarians going their own way. Some visited the Kenilworth Hotel, the oldest hotel in town. They were lucky to have a mini tour with the general manager who is a Rotarian with the Sebring Breakfast Rotary. Other RVF’ers went to Sebring Raceway, home of the LeMans 12 Hours of Sebring race, and enjoyed a leisurely lunch overlooking the raceway. A dinner at the Candlelight restaurant culminated the activities on Thursday.
Friday saw the group “making up” at the Avon Park Breakfast Clun which featured an intriguing talk on professionalism in the law profession. Some RVF’ers visited a local citrus orchard and the store which featured products indigenous to Florida. Friday afternoon saw the group enjoying a tram ride through Highlands Hammock State Park followed by a social hour hosted by the seven Rotary clubs in the Highlands County sub district of Rotary District 6890. The Mayor of Sebring, a fellow Rotarian gave a brief history of Sebring followed by fellowship among the Rotarians.
Saturday saw the group enjoying a pancake breakfast cooked and served by the Social club of Whispering Pines. After farewells and the promise to meet again at Salt Lake City, the rigs dispersed to go their separate ways. The Fall rally will be hosted by Valerie and Neil Loth in September in Michigan.
