SPACING IN THE SUN
The Eastern Zone Spring Rally
Mar 17-21, 2003
By James Smith
Spacing in the Sun, the title for the Eastern Zone RVF Spring rally at Seasons in the Sun campground, Titusville, Florida, was a real space and gourmet food success. The 16 rigs and 4 off post attendees had their first taste (literally) of what was to come at the Tuesday, March 17, attitude adjustment period, snacks provided by Wagon Master’s Nancy Scantland and George and Catherine Burton. The elaborate snacks, enjoyed in a Hawaii decorated hall by attendees wearing elaborate colorful cloth leis (all made by Nancy) were outstanding. The Hawaiian Luau, catered by Nancy, was better than most of us who had visited Hawaii had experienced. We were to learn that the gastronomical pleasures have just begun.
The following day, all spent a day at the Kennedy Space Center with co-host George Burton and Catherine. The ever-changing center was a day of intense education of, and many moments of pride, in our countries space program by all rally attendees. That the weather was perfect added to the day. Attitude Adjustment was back at the campground and dinner was each, "on their own".
Thursday opened with a full breakfast and preparation for all attendees to drive to the Titusville Rotary Club for our traditional make-up. The Titusville Club has a history that began in 1923 when a group of businessmen decided to start a Rotary Club International Rotary thought they did not have a large enough area for a club. Undaunted the group met as an ad hoc Rotary Club with 25 plus members for a year. International then agreed they could sustain a club and today they have over 40 members and Titusville has an evening and a morning club. Dick Roberts, past RVF President, gave the Titusville group a brief overview of the RVF and introduced the rally group, no speeches by the RVF group were allowed as the local club had a program scheduled and Roberts noted that some RVFr’s may well take up all the clubs meeting time. We were able to recruit one new member, William C. van Engelenburg from Titusville, Fl. William will be officially on board when we get him on our web site with the enrollment form.
That night the adjustment period and the dinner were another outstanding feast. This one had the title Oriental Dinner, again, catered by Nancy. Not to dwell on Nancy Scantland’s culinary and decorating expertise but if you visit with any of the RVF people that attended the rally they will tell you the place was nice, the Space Center visit was wonderful, but the food and decorations by Nancy were “Unbelievable”.
On the free day, Friday, local shops and flea markets were attracted as well as the local Sherwood Forrest Golf Course. The course, played by two foursomes, afforded a challenge as well as rain checks for all covering the last 9 holes. The rain checks were passed on to the campground for future campers, courtesy RVF. The winning prizes for the abbreviated golf play went to Eunice Fuhler and Valerie Loth. Both are probable candidates, along with their spouses, of Wagon Master designation in 2004.
The Friday potluck dinner was a great success, as usual. Again, decorations by Nancy were unique. The evening centerpieces were bases of highly shellacked hardwood slices (6 inches thick) supporting branches that had pictures of past rallies in place of leaves. All were encouraged to pick the pictures of their choice. The evening concluded with the Eastern Zone’s traditional raffle conducted by “Doc” Barnett, Wagon Master for the scheduled Eastern Zone Fall Rally on September 16-20 in Massachusetts, and Bob Craig. Many great items and many “finally got rid of that” items were won. The big winner will be the EMT organization at National that gains the proceeds of this rally, $410, and other funds from our RVF rallies.
Break a way breakfast was another event. By now we were referring to Nancy as the Gourmet Cook and this morning prepared fresh elephant ears while George and Catherine Burton aided Bill Butler and Bob Craig making boiled omelets. Bill Butler learned the “how to” at another rally and we will encourage him to submit the recipe and method to the editor of the Caravner and the web site.
