Illinois Lincolnland Unit

News Letter Fall 2013

                                   

As the new President of Illinois Lincolnland, I anticipate a good year filled with fun and fellowship.  I hope that first all who are able will be at our “closing dinner” at Mona’s in Toluca.  Even if you are not able to be with us at rallies, I hope you will make time to come and visit with old friends and make new ones.

 

The year 2014 should be a good one and our rallies are all lined up.  Our first one will be Parke County, IN at Rockville at their fairgrounds.  There is a lot to do in that area and we hope that even though this rally is early (4^th weekend in April) there will be a good group attending.  The second rally is a joint rally with the Northern Illinois group.  The year 2014 is their 50^th year in existence and we are planning a rally to help them celebrate this event on the 3^rd weekend in May.  Our next rally in August will be a repeat of a place visited in 2013, Quincy.  It was such a small rally this year in attendance but such a big rally with events.   Quincy is such a historical area and we plan to do some of the same events and add some new ones.  Then in October we hold our 4^th rally at Pere Marquette State Park along the Mississippi with owl watching and fall colors plus installation of new officers.

 

There is something for everyone in all these rallies and we hope that you will begin to make plans to be a part of the activities.  Some may only be able to come for a day, some just for a couple of days and some for the whole event.  We want to see you and spend time together.  That’s what Airstreaming is all about.

 

Your new Lincolnland President, Linda Hattan

 

 

 

Fellow Lincolnlanders,

My term as your president has officially ended.  Linda Hattan was inducted as your President in Salem but we still need a Vice President.  For that matter we still need a 2^nd Vice President for Region 5.  Is there any one out there who is willing to step up?  Please let me know.

 

It was an action packed year for me as your President.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Starting with the midwinter dinners, what fun to catch up with people.  Starting the rally season with the wonderful caravan to Pella.  Thanks John & Rita.  I was glad to see Floyd & Linda in a new trailer after their mishap on the way to Pella.  It just goes to show you can’t keep a good Airstreamer down.  Whether it’s weather, sickness, or a major fender bender.  For me it was off to the The Taste of the Blueridge Caravan.  Then straight to Huron for the International.  What a long haul but a great trip.  I was officially sworn in as your Region 5 1^st Vice President.  I got a taste of how the club operates on the “official” level.  I learned a valuable lesson.  I need more than one short sleeve white shirt.

 

Our next rally was at beautiful Quincy, IL.  Thanks George & Angie.  What a great rally.  We have decided to do it again next year.  Then the Threshermen’s reunion at Pontiac.  It was a joint rally with Northern.  It was suppose to be my rally but Mary stepped up & took it over.  Thanks Mary & Jeff for a great rally.  It was hot.  We sucked the campground power down to 107 volts.  Then off to Salem for the installation rally.  Thanks John, Susan, Carol & Gordon for a wonderful final rally.

 

We have our next year all planned out.  I’ll let Linda tell you all about it.  One thing I want to add, the last rally of 2014 will again be a joint installation rally with Southern.  It will be in the beautiful Pere Marquette Sate Park in Grafton, IL.  The dates are October 24 – 27.  the reason I am mentioning it so soon is this is the busiest time of the year for this park.  If you plan on attending, which I strongly suggest you do, you need to make your reservations early.  Only half of the campground is reservable.

 

Speaking of next year, I hope everyone is planning on attending the International in Gillette.  I also am in the planning stages for our Region 5 rally in wonderful Springfield, IL.  You won’t want to miss that one.

 

As a final thought I would like to personally thank everyone for their help and support this last year.  I couldn’t have done it without you.  Even with the rally attendance down we still raised $209.25 for the Wounded Warrior project.  Great job.   With John’s donation from the Pella rally of $100, that put us over our goal. 

 

On a sad note we lost some great Airstreamers this year.  The two that stick out in my mind are Edgar Read & Don Smith.  I never camped with Edgar but I met him at a couple dinners.  What a fascinating man.  He will be missed.  Don Smith was a dear man to me.  A fellow motorhomer & a man of such wit.  He will surely be missed around the table.  He really used to crack me up.

 

I hope you give Linda your full support this next year.  I know you will.  I want to thank Mary Elliott for all her years as Newsletter editor.  I will see you down the road.

Monte

 

á  The 2013 Season Closing Dinner is going to be at Mona’s Restaurant in Toluca, Illinois on November 3, 2013.  Please RSVP by November 1 to Linda Hattan.  815-476-6744.

 

á The Threshermen’s Reunion Rally was Aug 30-Sept 2 & was joint with the Northern Unit held at the Livingston County 4H campground in Pontiac, IL.  Jeff & Mary Elliott and Monte Barksdale were the hosts.  Those attending from ILLU were:  Monte Barksdale, Jeff & Mary Elliott & Jaden, John & Rita Green and Floyd & Linda Hattan along with two other Airstreams from the Northern Unit.  A tour of the Kilgus Farmstead was enjoyed on Saturday.  They gave a great tour & we got to see quite a few different animals plus toured their dairy facility which was great.  Afterwards we enjoyed ice cream made right there & were able to buy various items they sell in their store.  After that the day was on our own to tour museums & unique stores in Pontiac or go to the Threshermen’s Reunion which wasn’t far from our campground.  We had a great potluck at the fairgrounds on Friday night & ate a delicious meal at Bernardi’s Saturday evening.  On Sunday, Jeff Elliott made a mountain man breakfast in the Dutch oven for everyone.  Floyd & Linda’s daughter Angela & their grandson, Alex dined with us Sunday night at Baby Bulls.  Mary’s cousin Barb & Stewart visited during the weekend also.  As Monte said, it was hot but so enjoyable.

á October 2013 Joint Rally with Southern Illinois Unit

 

The “Show Your Team Spirit Rally”, joint rally with Southern Illinois Unit, held October 10-14, 2013, at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Salem, IL is now in the history books.  Four members from Southern Illinois Unit joined forces with seven members of Illinois Lincolnland for the weekend.  Southern Illinois also had 4 members who drove in for the day on Saturday and Sunday.  Those attending from Illinois Lincolnland were:  Monte Barksdale, George & Angie DeVaull, John & Rita Green, Floyd & Linda Hattan, Val & Sally Johnson, Bud Lanoue & John & Susan Swearingen.  Thursday evening activities included chili & cornbread for supper, followed by the card game of golf.  This was a new game for many of us, easy to learn and one that we will play in the future.

 

Friday morning we toured Schutt Sport Manufacturing in Salem.  Schutt specializes in baseball and softball helmets, catchers’ chest protectors, umpire gear, football helmets, custom face masks, shoulder pads and reconditioning of helmets.  35% of NFL players choose to wear Schutt helmets.  Some college football teams have as many as 5 different helmets for the season.  The next time you watch a football game, look for the Schutt name on the back of the helmets.  Schutt offers more than 1300 color options, a myriad of patterns and paint finishes.  For more info, go to www.schuttsports.com.

 

Friday afternoon we caravanned to Centralia to the local museum, which included items related to the oil industry.  Oil was first discovered in the area on the farm of Betty Hutchens’ grandfather.  Betty is the 2013 President of the Southern Illinois Unit and she arranged for all the tours for the weekend.  The museum had a wide variety of items, including some famous basketball and baseball teams’ memorabilia, the bar and back bar from a local establishment and vintage ham radio equipment.

 

Saturday morning we caravanned to the Ingram Pioneer Log Cabin Village in Kinmundy for their 36^th Annual Craft and Flea Market weekend.  14 log cabins are furnished to the period in a wooded area, much as they would have been 180 years ago.  Mrs. Ingram, a local school teacher, wanted students to learn history first hand, so she started collecting cabins that were destined for destruction.  She was aided by students from Kinmundy/Alma High School who helped to relocate the cabins.  The village was first opened to the public in 1977.  Some of the interpreters in the cabins were descendants of the original cabin owners.  For more info, go to www.iplcv.com.

 

Saturday afternoon several of us made fleece blankets, which will be taken to the Gillette, WY International next summer, for distribution to various agencies.  Dinner on Saturday evening was followed by the joint installation of the 2014 officers.  Region 5 1^st Vice President Monte Barksdale did the honors.  Our 2014 officers are:  Linda Hattan, President; Floyd Hattan, Corresponding Secretary; Waneta Riggenbach, Recording Secretary; and John Swearingen, Treasurer.  We are still in need of a vice president.  If you are interested in or have questions about the vice president position, please contact Linda Hattan, phone #815-476-6744.

 

After our church service and potluck lunch on Sunday, the afternoon was free to explore the area, finish fleece blankets, or simply relax.  With Sunday evening came the camp fire, complete with hot dogs, smores and stories.  What’s told around the camp fire, stays at the camp fire!!

 

On Monday morning we caravanned to Centralia for a tour of The Original Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce facility.  This is a locally owned family business, with a new, state-of-the art facility.  Country Bob’s has been selling to the public since 1977 and is available nationwide and online.  The All Purpose Sauce is their signature item, but they also offer BBQ sauce, Seasoning Salt, as well as, Apple Chipotle and Honey Habanero All Purpose sauces.  In addition to producing their own products, they have the capability of producing Private Labels for stores and restaurants.  We were able to view their production line, the cooking room, the plastic bottle production line and their warehouse.  Our thanks to Betty Hutchens for the bottles of All Purpose Sauce given to each member.  For more info, go to www.countrybobs.com.

 

The Marion County Fairgrounds has a very nice building for use by groups.  The building has a large meeting room and an equipped kitchen, both of which can be air-conditioned, and an additional room with picnic tables that can be opened to the outdoors.  We utilized all of these spaces for the weekend. 

 

We had a great weekend of fun, fellowship and adventure with our Southern Illinois Unit friends.  I wish to thank Southern Illinois Unit President Betty Hutchens and SIU members Carol & Gordon White, rally co-hosts, for their invaluable assistance in preparing and presenting this rally.

 

Susan M. Swearingen WBCCI #4482, Rally Co-host 

 

 

 

 

Our deepest heartfelt sympathy goes out to the families that have had loved ones pass away.  Please keep their families in your prayers. &  Don Smith passed away at 9:24 PM on October 14, 2013.

 

Dear Fellow Illinois Lincolnland Members:

I am stepping down as your newsletter editor.  I have enjoyed these past years and thanks to everyone that has given me their articles to put in our newsletter.

 

There are a lot of changes going on right now in Jeff & my lives:  I have accepted a new job at a different facility in Streator so I am going to take November off then start at my new job in December.  Jeff has accepted the Scoutmaster position with the Boy Scout Troop #775 in Streator so that is going to take a lot of our time.

 

I look forward to my new job & his new position with the Boy Scout troop with great enthusiasm but also realize I can’t give what is needed at this time to the newsletter editor position. 

 

Thanks again for all of your articles & help, see you down the road, Mary Elliott #3132

 

 

• ·         The Region 5 newsletter is available on-line at www.region5.wbcci.net

• ·         George DeVaull is keeping information on our website up & running.  Check it out for more information & pictures:  lincolnland.wbcci.net.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 21 2013 | Uncategorized | No Comments »

October 2013 Joint Rally with Southern Il. Unit

October 2013 Joint Rally with Southern Illinois Unit

 

The “Show Your Team Spirit Rally”, joint rally with Southern Illinois Unit, held October 10-14, 2013, at the Marion County Fairgrounds in Salem, IL is now in the history books.  Four members from Southern Illinois Unit joined forces with seven members of Illinois Lincolnland for the weekend.  Southern Illinois also had 4 members who drove in for the day on Saturday and Sunday.  Those attending from Illinois Lincolnland were:  Monte Barksdale, George & Ange DeVaull, John & Rita Green, Floyd & Linda Hattan, Val & Sally Johnson, Bud Lanoue & John & Susan Swearingen.  Thursday evening activities included chili & cornbread for supper, followed by the card game of golf.  This was a new game for many of us, easy to learn and one that we will play in the future.

 

Friday morning we toured Schutt Sport Manufacturing in Salem.  Schutt specializes in baseball and softball helmets, catchers’ chest protectors, umpire gear, football helmets, custom face masks, shoulder pads and reconditioning of helmets.  35% of NFL players choose to wear Schutt helmets.  Some college football teams have as many as 5 different helmets for the season.  The next time you watch a football game, look for the Schutt name on the back of the helmets.  Schutt offers more than 1300 color options, a myriad of patterns and paint finishes.  For more info, go to www.schuttsports.com.

 

Friday afternoon we caravanned to Centralia to the local museum, which included items related to the oil industry.  Oil was first discovered in the area on the farm of Betty Hutchens’ grandfather.  Betty is the 2013 President of the Southern Illinois Unit and she arranged for all the tours for the weekend.  The museum had a wide variety of items, including some famous basketball and baseball teams’ memorabilia, the bar and back bar from a local establishment and vintage ham radio equipment.

 

Saturday morning we caravanned to the Ingram Pioneer Log Cabin Village in Kinmundy for their 36^th Annual Craft and Flea Market weekend.  14 log cabins are furnished to the period in a wooded area, much as they would have been 180 years ago.  Mrs. Ingram, a local school teacher, wanted students to learn history first hand, so she started collecting cabins that were destined for destruction.  She was aided by students from Kinmundy/Alma High School who helped to relocate the cabins.  The village was first opened to the public in 1977.  Some of the interpreters in the cabins were descendants of the original cabin owners.  For more info, go to www.iplcv.com.

 

Saturday afternoon several of us made fleece blankets, which will be taken to the Gillette, WY International next summer, for distribution to various agencies.  Dinner on Saturday evening was followed by the joint installation of the 2014 officers.  Region 5 1^st Vice President Monte Barksdale did the honors.  Our 2014 officers are:  Linda Hattan, President; Floyd Hattan, Corresponding Secretary; Waneta Riggenbach, Recording Secretary; and John Swearingen, Treasurer.  We are still in need of a vice president.  If you are interested in or have questions about the vice president position, please contact Linda Hattan, phone #815-476-6744.

 

After our church service and potluck lunch on Sunday, the afternoon was free to explore the area, finish fleece blankets, or simply relax.  With Sunday evening came the camp fire, complete with hot dogs, smores and stories.  What’s told around the camp fire, stays at the camp fire!!

 

On Monday morning we caravanned to Centralia for a tour of The Original Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce facility.  This is a locally owned family business, with a new, state-of-the art facility.  Country Bob’s has been selling to the public since 1977 and is available nationwide and online.  The All Purpose Sauce is their signature item, but they also offer BBQ sauce, Seasoning Salt, as well as, Apple Chipotle and Honey Habanero All Purpose sauces.  In addition to producing their own products, they have the capability of producing Private Labels for stores and restaurants.  We were able to view their production line, the cooking room, the plastic bottle production line and their warehouse.  Our thanks to Betty Hutchens for the bottles of All Purpose Sauce given to each member.  For more info, go to www.countrybobs.com.

 

The Marion County Fairgrounds has a very nice building for use by groups.  The building has a large meeting room and an equipped kitchen, both of which can be air-conditioned, and an additional room with picnic tables that can be opened to the outdoors.  We utilized all of these spaces for the weekend. 

 

We had a great weekend of fun, fellowship and adventure with our Southern Illinois Unit friends.  I wish to thank Southern Illinois Unit President Betty Hutchens and SIU members Carol & Gordon White, rally co-hosts, for their invaluable assistance in preparing and presenting this rally.

 

Susan M. Swearingen WBCCI #4482, Rally Co-host  

 

October 18 2013 | Uncategorized | No Comments »