January 26, 2012

Hello to all SE members,

It’s an honor to be elected as your new President.  I have big shoes to fill after Jim Graham’s wonderful job. I appreciate the people who have stepped up to join me on the Board.  With their help as well as the support of all of the great southeast members, I hope to keep SE the best and most active ACA Chapter.

We had a wonderful time at the January Regional Rally held at Lazy Days Rally Park at the time of the Tampa RV Super Show.  SE was joined by MacPac, Great Lakes & Happy Wanderers.  Lazy Days sponsored the first evening’s appetizers, beer & wine, which was followed by a delicious pasta dinner prepared on site.  On the second night, Bella Terra RV Resort, located in Foley, Alabama, hosted us with a hearty appetizer buffet along with beer and wine. Our chapter host Stew Macfarlane and his crew then grilled a dinner of hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone to enjoy.   Our final night included a lovely dinner and a band that played a wide variety of music for listening and dancing.  The positive responses to this rally format were encouraging and plans are being made for a repeat performance next year. 

Our next rally will be the pre-rally before the ACA National at River Plantation RV Park in Sevierville, TN.  We have 40 sites reserved at the park from May 12 – 15.  This will partly be a final preparation rally and all SE volunteers are encouraged to attend as many days as possible. We also have access to their pavilion and hope to plan some “fun” activities as well for the early arrivals.  The park is handling the registrations and you will remain on the same site for the ACA Rally.  If anyone wants to attend the pre-rally, you need to make your own reservations by calling the RV Park directly at 1-800-758-5267.  When you call, ask for Sylvia, our contact person, and specify that you are requesting a site for the Southeast ACA pre-rally.  I would encourage you to do so early as the 40 spots may fill up quickly.  If you do make reservations for all or some of those days, please let me know your plans by emailing me at Bob@southeastaca.com .  

Plans for the National Rally, “Smokey Mountain Memories”, May 15 – 20, are progressing well.  As a reminder, the rally is limited to 200 sites.  They are all full hook ups and I encourage you to send in your registration as soon as possible so you don’t miss out.  The forms are in the current ACA magazine or available on line at the ACA website.  The committees are making all the necessary preparations and the registrations are coming in rapidly.  

 Many thanks to the hard working committee chairmen listed here.  We still need someone to chair the information booth.  If anyone would be willing to help out, let me know.

Rally Chairman ………………..Jim Graham

Vendors …………………………..Pat Branigan

Decorations……………………..Joan Farrell, Mary Macfarlane, Bonnie Fitzpatrick

Entertainment ………………...Bill & Phyllis Gabler

Golf ………………………………….Jim & Alva Youngner

Finance ……………………………. Pauline Shea, Bob Frank

Information / Book Swap….CHAIRMAN NEEDED

Food …………………………………Jim & Doty Graham

Publicity ……………………………Bob & Mary Ann Frank

Photography …………………….David Parriott

Parking ……………………………..Larry Carter

Registration ………………………Pauline Shea & Doty Graham

Seminars/Meetings …………..David Knotts

Souvenirs ………………………….Diane Knotts

Outside Greeters ………………Pat Goodwin

Security …………………………….Debby Branigan

Master of Ceremonies ………Bob Frank

Motorcycle Ride ……………….David Hillemann

Local Contact Person ………..Richard Bender

Enjoy the remainder of your “winter”.  Lately it feels more like summer here in Florida!  Hope to see you in Tennessee in May.

Safe travels to everyone…

Bob Frank

SEACA President