Friday (June 30th) - The Chapter 400 Pre-Rally officially started today at 4:00PM in the Pumpkin Patch RV Resort in Hermon, ME.  Kaaren welcomed everyone and introduced our rally hosts Carl & Val Farley.  We have thirty-nine coaches present on the grounds, including five first timer couples.  The rally attendees are:  Pete & Nancy Armitage, Lou & Connie Baker, Buddy & Shirley Barbie, Cosmo & Ellen Barona, John & Julie Beale, Bob Boxell, Bob & Maggie Braden, Ben & Betsy Brock, John & Carole Burnham, Bobbie & Connie Chappell, Gerald & Marilyn Cherry, Bart & Deby Day, David & Joanne Delamater/White, John & Alice Duhe, Carl & Val Farley, Ernie & Judy Finch, Floyd & Ann Hall, Larry & Marg Hawkins, Milton & Ann Heintschel, David & Barbara Jacobson, Walt & Judy Kaiser, Mark & Carol Kenderdine, Gerald & Rose Kuchinski, Ed & Kaye Lee, George & Faye Levine, Glenn & Flower MacMillan, Dean & Winnie Murphy, Ed & Sylvia Nickles, Lyle & Kaaren Prockish, Norm & Dandy Quam, Jim & Pat Reed, George & Nancy Reid, Llyod & Donna Roberts, Ed & Laura Schuster, Bob & Marie Smith, Don & Ann Splain, Art & Joanann Swift, Paul & Angie Thrash, and Ron & Sue Woodie.  Kaaren presented new badges to our "Rally Sheriff" ,Judy Kaiser.  Carl then took the microphone to introduce the owners and staff of the Pumpkin Patch RV Resort.  The staff went way beyond what would normally be expected, including constructing  a screened-in pavilion for our use.  The entire staff were made honorary Chapter 400 first-timers.  Carl then went over the fun-filled, albeit a little confusing (at his own admission), rally schedule; which barely left enough time to go back to our coaches and gather the fixings for our "Heavy D'oeuvres" feast.  Following the meal, folks gathered for games and socializing.    TOP

Saturday (July 1st) - The tour for the day was to the Cole Transportation Museum - a short 7 miles drive from the campground.  As it's name indicates, the museum is devoted to various methods of transportation in and around the Maine area.  One of the interesting displays was of various snow plows - not surprising for the winters in Maine.  The was also a nice display of military memorabilia.  The best quote of the day came from Bart Day when we came across a bright yellow Volkswagen with a bright yellow toy car parked next to it.  Bart said when he was driving the Volkswagen, Deby was still driving the toy car.  See the picture in the web page.  After the daily announcements at the 4 o'clock, David and Joanne hosted a round of "Deal or No Deal."  The meal was a baked bean supper, with hot dogs and ham, and served by our newest Chapter 400 family members.  The nightly games and social followed the dinner.    TOP

Sunday (July 2nd) - There was an inadvertent omission from Friday's acknowledgements: Kaaren & Lyle Prockish, in addition to their duties as President, are also the co-hosts for this rally. Today was scheduled as a "Free Day."  The only scheduled item of business was to finish with the activity sign-up sheets - and a couple of us were even late to do that!  The ladies spent a good portion of the day working on their Teddy Bear projects, and there also were a few computer related projects completed.  There were just a few announcements at the 4 o'clock, so the rest of the time was spent socializing and also working on crafts.  At 7:00 PM, the park held an ice cream social, which was followed by games.  TOP

Monday (July 3rd) - Today's tour was to the very interesting Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, ME.  This museum, which is spread over thirteen historic buildings, depicts the 19th century world of seagoing families from coastal Maine.  Within the complex, all housed historic buildings, is found a church, library, art museum, antique boats, and ship models; all which combine to tell stories of shipbuilding, sailing, lobstering, and home life in the 19th century.  In the evening, we had two sittings at the Hermon Family Restaurant for our choice of  either a fried Haddock, baked Haddock, or Chicken Parmesan dinner.  Following dinner, members gathered for work on the teddy bear project and games.  TOP

Tuesday (July 4th) - Happy Birthday America!!!  Today was a Chapter 400 business day; which started out with the annual Chapter 400 Financial Audit Committee meeting, followed by the annual Board of Directors' Meeting, and last but not least, the Chapter 400 Annual Meeting.  After the annual meeting, the Chapter officers for 2007 were sworn in; with the induction ceremony being presented by past Indiana State Manager and Chapter 400 member, John Burnham.  The officers sworn in were: Kaaren Prockish - Immediate Past President, Flower MacMillan - Treasurer, Pete Armitage - Vice-President, and Walt Kaiser - President.  Walt's first official responsibility as President was to present Certificates of Appreciation to outgoing officers:  Kaaren Prockisk - Vice-President & President, Bob Smith - Director, and Ernie Finch - Newsletter Editor.  Bart & Deby Day then appropriately frocked Walt as Chapter 400 President.  Everyone took an hour break and then return for a 4th of July cookout, with the cooking led by none other than our new President, Walt.  Some of us convoyed to St. John's RC Church where we were treated to an outstanding patriotic concert, the highlight of which was their pre-Civil War era organ.  The concert ended just in time to catch the fireworks display lighting up the skies over Bangor.    TOP

Wednesday (July 5th) - Today was scheduled as a "Free Day."  At 3:00 PM, we gathered for a delicious Lobstah feast.  There was plenty of lobster and mussels for everyone, plus shared side dishes and of course deserts.  We also had two birthdays to celebrate:  Happy Birthday to Donna and Winnie!  At 7:00 PM, the resort invited a true-blood "Mainer" to both educate and entertain the crowd.  This "fellah" makes Carl sound "wicked."    TOP

Thursday (July 6th) - Today, many Chapter 400 members went to sea in sailing ships.  Due to the number of members interested in the sailing adventure, two sailings (morning and afternoon) needed to be scheduled.  All of our sailors need to offer their thanks to George & Faye Levine for their efforts in coordinating the sailings.  Since many of our members were out of the resort, there was not an official 4 o'clock, but they still gathered for games in the evening.    TOP

Friday (July 7th) - The schedule for today called for different groups to go different directions.  The early crew departed for golf at a local course.  Then the ladies met for their annual Red Hat Society picture, followed by a luncheon.  Almost all of the remaining men then went to their luncheon at the local library.  At 3:30 PM, back in the rally building, we were treated to coffee frappes (a local favorite), mixed by Carole & John Burnham, and Val Farley.  David & Joann then conducted the final round of "Deal or No Deal."  A definite highlight of the day was the auction conducted by Floyd Hall, where he raised in excess of $1,200.00 for charity.  The money will go to the Make A Wish foundation at the International Rally in Fryeburg.  At 7:00 PM, Bob Boxell and crew built a campfire for all to enjoy, including marshmallows and smores.  An added treat was harmonica music provided by Glenn & Flower MacMillan.    TOP

Saturday (July 8th) - The tour for the day was to the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockport, ME.  It was approximately one and one-half hour drive along the very scenic Maine coastline.  The museum depicted memorabilia related to the history of lighthouses and lighthouse keepers.  After lunch, we took a short drive and then approximately a one mile walk (seemed much longer) out to visit the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.  The lighthouse and keeper's house are presently undergoing restoration by a team of volunteers.  We had previously learned that our rally host Carl Farley's grandfather was once a keeper stationed at this lighthouse, and we found his picture displayed in an upstairs bedroom.  On the return trip, we visited downtown Bangor, saw the statue of the famous Paul Bunyan, and also drove by the home if author Steven King.  At 7:00 PM, Bob fired up another campfire.  Our treasurer Flower, taking her cue from her predecessor Ray, was very prompt with our rally bills.    TOP

Sunday (July 9th) - Today is the official last day of the 2006 Pre-Rally BoooHoooHooo - great rally.  The day started with "omelets in a bag", with Buddy & Shirley, Lloyd & Donna, and David & Joanne.  In case you don't know the procedure, you place scrabbled eggs and all your fixings in a zip-lock freezer bag, then place in boiling water for approximately 15 minutes.  It comes out much better looking than it does going in - and quite tasty too.  At 4:00 PM, we all gathered at the Coach House Restaurant for our farewell dinner.  It was a sit-down order off the menu meal, so everyone was assured of getting what they desired.   A "End of Rally" meeting was scheduled for 7:00 PM back at Pumpkin Patch.  All of the Teddy bears created at the rally made an enmass appearance.  Appreciation was expressed to all who helped to make the rally a great success, and certificates were presented to Carl & Val and Kaaren & Lyle.  A special golf certificate was presented to Bart Sr, and also a certificate to Leo & Rhoda from the restaurant for all they contributed towards the rally.  A special "Pumpkin" theme quilt was presented to the staff of Pumpkin Patch RV Resort on behalf of the Chapter 400 membership; and the Pumpkin Patch management in turn presented Carl & Val tokens of appreciation for bringing the rally to their facility.    TOP