A number of us went up to Storm Lake this weekend to attend Fun Fest 2009. This is Iowa GWTA's state rally to raise funds for the state directors to be able to fund their activities throughout the year. This is their only budget.
There was a good crowd there this year. Around 60 people and it appears that everyone had a good time. All the chapters in Iowa were represented and we had several couples from Nebraska and I think maybe Missouri had people present.
We left with the Green's on Friday night and went up to Ray and Judy's to pick them up. They had decided to fix us dinner so we wouldn't have to stop on the way to eat. As usual, Judy put on a heck of a spread. Lots of food that they pulled right out of the garden and whipped us up a meal with. As usual, this fat old man ate way way too much but it is so good, it is hard not to overeat.
As we got ready to leave, Ray suggested some sights to see on the way up and wondered if we'd like to go a few miles out of our way to see them. We said sure and he led us on a great ride through Doliver Park and around the town of Otho and that area. Wonderful riding. Then we made our way us highway 7 to Storm Lake. I suppose we got in to the motel around 9. Those out at the campground had been messaging and wanted us to come out so we did. They greeted us at the campgrounds laughing and clapping and cheering. I am sure that alcohol had some influence on that. We spent time talking with old friends and new aquaintances before deciding to call it a night.
Got up the next morning to moderate rain and the forecast was not looking good. We walked on over to Storm Lake Honda as it was only about a block from our motel. The gang and Storm Lake put on a breakfast pizza feed that was pretty darn good. They spent a ton on money on pizza, juice and coffee. As usual, they were very hospitable to us and went out of their way to help anyone out in any way that they could. They made some sales, especially on rain gear.
Finally, the weather cleared up and it looked like a good time to go out on the poker run. We took off and other than some gloomy skies, wind and some rain first off, the ride was wonderful. Barry Frum did a good job at planning the route. It was very nice, lots of scenery. After the ride, we went to the campground and just sat around talking. We met a very nice couple from Panora who are members of chapter H. They were the only ones in that chapter to attend this year. They have an embroidery shop and we are working with them for patches and other things the chapter may like. It was very nice to meet them and to get to talk to them for some time. During this time, there was door prize giveaways. Lots of stuff. I think they were able to give everyone a door prize. It was nice that our chapter members donated a lot of stuff to be used as door prizes and auction items.
A little later, Don and Kathy got dinner underway. Food was great. People brought lots of side dishes and Don had been able to procur 100 pork chops from the Iowa Pork Producers. The pork chops weighed in at about 1 pound a piece. These things were huge. Don Thomason and Don Douthit worked the grill and did a good job of grilling up the meat in a timely manner. Baked beans were provided by one of our favorite restauarnts, The Sunrise Cafe in LeGrand. Otherwise we had pasta salad, cookies, and other desserts and lots of good stuff.
After dinner, Dan Dolan and his wife Joyce (Nebraska), headed up the auction. We had a lot of nice stuff to auction off and the auction raised a little over $600 which I think was more than most expected. I came away with a boot dryer that I had been wanting and it only cost me $10. I'm just tickled pink.
Some awards were given out for the poker run. Ernie got $50 for second place and Pam got $25 for third place. They actually paid first, second and third place and had some fun gifts for those who had the worst hands. Ben Ress was the big winner in the 50/50 drawing getting $135 dollars which he promptly used to pay off his auction balance. He got some good stuff at the auction and was a major contributor to the auction fund so it was nice to see him win that so he could not dig so deep in his pockets.
After all this, we had some talks and announcements by National and Region Staff and by chapter directors. Then for some reason, I was ganged up on and it was decided they needed to roast me for some of my errant ways. It was all done in the spirit of love and fun and I truely enjoyed all the comments and the gifts I got. I'm stocked up for Christmas, I don't need anything else. And I actually got some stuff I can use.
Things started winding down then. Clean up and putting away of supplies. Some people started getting things packed away for the trip home. We stayed and talked at the shelter for awhile and then a lot of people went over to the bonfire at the campsite. I am told they had a big group and had a great time. We went back to the motel and pretty much just crashed. I was pretty wore out. Wished we hadn't missed the campfire but maybe next time.
Got up this morning and it had been raining and looked like it was going to be a soggy ride home. Forecast was for some strong storms but later in the day and we were hoping we would avoid them. Got our group together for breakfast and many more for the campground showed up. After we finished, we grouped up and headed south. We were going to make a couple of stops to see some things but with the forecast, we just decided to make a run for home. It was pretty gloomy when we left but he farther south we got, the better it was looking. By the time we got to Perry, it was bright sunshine and really warm. I was afraid this was going to bring on more storms but as of this point, none have materialized. Everyone is home safe and sound.
My thanks to all those who attended and who helped to make this event a success for Don and Kathy. Being their first state event, I think they did a heck of a job and they got a lot of support not only from Iowa but from other states. These type of events are what you make of them. If you go to have fun, you will and I think we all had a good time. Next year will be in Winterset (a popular choice among all who attended this years rally) and it should be a great time as well. Put the third weekend of August on your calendar and come out and have a good time.
There was a good crowd there this year. Around 60 people and it appears that everyone had a good time. All the chapters in Iowa were represented and we had several couples from Nebraska and I think maybe Missouri had people present.
We left with the Green's on Friday night and went up to Ray and Judy's to pick them up. They had decided to fix us dinner so we wouldn't have to stop on the way to eat. As usual, Judy put on a heck of a spread. Lots of food that they pulled right out of the garden and whipped us up a meal with. As usual, this fat old man ate way way too much but it is so good, it is hard not to overeat.
As we got ready to leave, Ray suggested some sights to see on the way up and wondered if we'd like to go a few miles out of our way to see them. We said sure and he led us on a great ride through Doliver Park and around the town of Otho and that area. Wonderful riding. Then we made our way us highway 7 to Storm Lake. I suppose we got in to the motel around 9. Those out at the campground had been messaging and wanted us to come out so we did. They greeted us at the campgrounds laughing and clapping and cheering. I am sure that alcohol had some influence on that. We spent time talking with old friends and new aquaintances before deciding to call it a night.
Got up the next morning to moderate rain and the forecast was not looking good. We walked on over to Storm Lake Honda as it was only about a block from our motel. The gang and Storm Lake put on a breakfast pizza feed that was pretty darn good. They spent a ton on money on pizza, juice and coffee. As usual, they were very hospitable to us and went out of their way to help anyone out in any way that they could. They made some sales, especially on rain gear.
Finally, the weather cleared up and it looked like a good time to go out on the poker run. We took off and other than some gloomy skies, wind and some rain first off, the ride was wonderful. Barry Frum did a good job at planning the route. It was very nice, lots of scenery. After the ride, we went to the campground and just sat around talking. We met a very nice couple from Panora who are members of chapter H. They were the only ones in that chapter to attend this year. They have an embroidery shop and we are working with them for patches and other things the chapter may like. It was very nice to meet them and to get to talk to them for some time. During this time, there was door prize giveaways. Lots of stuff. I think they were able to give everyone a door prize. It was nice that our chapter members donated a lot of stuff to be used as door prizes and auction items.
A little later, Don and Kathy got dinner underway. Food was great. People brought lots of side dishes and Don had been able to procur 100 pork chops from the Iowa Pork Producers. The pork chops weighed in at about 1 pound a piece. These things were huge. Don Thomason and Don Douthit worked the grill and did a good job of grilling up the meat in a timely manner. Baked beans were provided by one of our favorite restauarnts, The Sunrise Cafe in LeGrand. Otherwise we had pasta salad, cookies, and other desserts and lots of good stuff.
After dinner, Dan Dolan and his wife Joyce (Nebraska), headed up the auction. We had a lot of nice stuff to auction off and the auction raised a little over $600 which I think was more than most expected. I came away with a boot dryer that I had been wanting and it only cost me $10. I'm just tickled pink.
Some awards were given out for the poker run. Ernie got $50 for second place and Pam got $25 for third place. They actually paid first, second and third place and had some fun gifts for those who had the worst hands. Ben Ress was the big winner in the 50/50 drawing getting $135 dollars which he promptly used to pay off his auction balance. He got some good stuff at the auction and was a major contributor to the auction fund so it was nice to see him win that so he could not dig so deep in his pockets.
After all this, we had some talks and announcements by National and Region Staff and by chapter directors. Then for some reason, I was ganged up on and it was decided they needed to roast me for some of my errant ways. It was all done in the spirit of love and fun and I truely enjoyed all the comments and the gifts I got. I'm stocked up for Christmas, I don't need anything else. And I actually got some stuff I can use.
Things started winding down then. Clean up and putting away of supplies. Some people started getting things packed away for the trip home. We stayed and talked at the shelter for awhile and then a lot of people went over to the bonfire at the campsite. I am told they had a big group and had a great time. We went back to the motel and pretty much just crashed. I was pretty wore out. Wished we hadn't missed the campfire but maybe next time.
Got up this morning and it had been raining and looked like it was going to be a soggy ride home. Forecast was for some strong storms but later in the day and we were hoping we would avoid them. Got our group together for breakfast and many more for the campground showed up. After we finished, we grouped up and headed south. We were going to make a couple of stops to see some things but with the forecast, we just decided to make a run for home. It was pretty gloomy when we left but he farther south we got, the better it was looking. By the time we got to Perry, it was bright sunshine and really warm. I was afraid this was going to bring on more storms but as of this point, none have materialized. Everyone is home safe and sound.
My thanks to all those who attended and who helped to make this event a success for Don and Kathy. Being their first state event, I think they did a heck of a job and they got a lot of support not only from Iowa but from other states. These type of events are what you make of them. If you go to have fun, you will and I think we all had a good time. Next year will be in Winterset (a popular choice among all who attended this years rally) and it should be a great time as well. Put the third weekend of August on your calendar and come out and have a good time.
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