Monday (September 25th) - The Chapter 400 Fall Rally officially started today at the Camp Waubeeka Family Campground in Copake, NY.  President Walt Kaiser officially opened the Rally at the 4 o'clock.  Former Director, Bob Smith, introduced first-time Chapter 400 rally attendees Bob & Dot Bragg and their angels Dean & Winnie Murphy; followed by Clair & Dandy Souter and their angels Ed & Laura Shuster.  Bob & Marie Smith then introduced their very close and dear friends Henry & Anne Goldman, who are attending the rally as guests; and then Walt Kaiser introduced Tricia Schmidt, who is also attending as a guest.  The next order of business was to transfer of the Sheriff responsibilities for the year from Judy Kaiser to Marge Eckles.  Campground owner Paul and manager Vessa also stopped by to welcome us all to Camp Waubeeka.  Marge, who is also serving as Sunshine Lady for the rally, passed out a few anniversary and birthday cards.  Also, with great sadness, the passing of our former chapter historian and friend Judy Childs was acknowledged.  After the official business was completed, everyone socialized until it was time to go to dinner at Four Brothers Restaurant.  TOP

Rally attendees are: Pete & Nancy Armitage, Robert & Shirley Bishop, Bob & Dot Bragg, Fran & Richard Chasse, Gary & Judy Culp, Jim & Marge Eckles, Carl & Val Farley, Ernie & Judy Finch, Henry & Anne Goldman, Walt & Judy Kaiser, Glenn & Flower MacMillan, Dean & Winnie Murphy, Tricia Schmidt, Ed & Laura Shuster, Bob & Marie Smith, Clair & Sandy Souter.  TOP

Tuesday (September 26th) - The day started out with Walt checking off his list of members who were touring two of the historic sites in Hyde Park, NY: the Vanderbilt Mansion and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home and Burial Place.  After checking in at the Vanderbilt Mansion visitor's center, we walked the grounds and gardens while awaiting the start of our 12:00 noon tour of the mansion itself.  Our tour guide, Jeremy, was extremely informative, interesting, and amusing.  This mansion, only one of Frederick & Louise's mansions, was utilized a mere 6 weeks out of the year.  In addition to this mansion, they had other "homes" on 5th Avenue in New York City; in Bar Harbor, ME; Newport, RI; and the Adirondacks in NY.  After the Vanderbilt tour, we all headed to lunch at a local diner recommended by Jeremy - a great recommendation!  Following lunch, we headed down the road to the Vanderbilt's neighbors, the Roosevelt's.  When we arrived at this visitor center, we found our tour guide to be none other than Jeremy.  We guess he couldn't get enough of Chapter 400, so he dashed down the road in time to give us another of his informative, interesting, and entertaining tours.  FDR, our only President elected to 4 terms, is well known for his "New Deal" programs, which led us out of the depression years, and his leadership during WWII.  One of the more interesting facts about FDR is that he was crippled by polio at the age of 39, and this fact was successfully hidden from the public for his entire life.  This home remains almost exactly as it was at the time of his death in 1945.  We ended this fun-filled day with a bonfire back at Camp Waubeeka.  TOP

Wednesday (September 27th) - The tour for the day was to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA.  Norman Rockwell is by far America's most noted artist.  He is known worldwide for his paintings which appeared on the covers of the Saturday Evening Post magazine - a total of 322 over a span of 47 years.  The museum is divided into galleries which depict the different periods of Norman's art, and in addition, on the lower floor there is a continuously running film about the artist's life.  Also on the lower floor, there are all 322 covers from the Saturday Evening Post.  Norman Rockwell's studio was moved to the museum grounds, with all it's original contents, and is open to the public.  From the museum, the group went to lunch and while a couple went back to the museum, the rest returned to Camp Waubeeka for the 4 o'clock.  TOP

Thursday (September 28th) - Today we went to the world famous Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY where we enjoyed a gourmet luncheon.  The institute, which is the recognized leader in culinary education, was founded in 1946 in New Haven, CT; and was moved to its present campus in 1972.  The college enrolls more than 2,400 students in its degree programs.  Following the luncheon, we were treated to an excellent guided tour of the facilities, along with a detailed explanation of the programs being conducted in each of the kitchens.  As an added treat, at least to some, was seeing Mickey and Vinnie from the TV show "American Chopper" filming a segment on the institute's front steps.  "American Chopper" is a show about the building of custom motorcycles at their facility located in Orange County, NY.  TOP

Friday (September 29th) - Today was scheduled as an "free" day for folks to do what they wished.  Worked out well because the day started out with fairly heavy rain, but cleared up in time for the 4 o'clock.  TOP

Saturday (September 30th) - It seemed like we were back in the Army, as we woke to the sound of revelry.  Walt had downloaded some military bugle music and played it from the pavilion.  Walt & Judy then prepared a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee for everyone.  The rest of the day was scheduled as a "free" day, and many of the group took advantage of the time to go crafts fair in Rhinebeck, NY.  Just about all were back in time for the 4 o'clock.  TOP

Sunday (October 1st) - The closing dinner and ceremonies for the 2006 Chapter 400 Fall Rally were held this evening at the Yorkshire Inn.  This facility provided an excellent meal and the staff was extremely accommodating and friendly.  VP Pete Armitage presented Certificates of Appreciation to Walt & Judy Kaiser and Ed & Laura Shuster who were the coordinators for this excellent rally.  Judy Kaiser received an additional Certificate in acknowledgement of her service as "Chapter 400 Sheriff".  Anne Goldman asked to address the group and expressed  her and Henry's appreciation for being invited to attend our Fall Rally as guests.  Walt officially closed the rally and members will start departing the area in the morning, with hopes that many will meet again in Clermont, FL for the Chapter 400 Family Christmas Rally.  TOP