Friday (December 22nd) - The Chapter 400 Family Christmas Rally started today at Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort in Clermont, FL.  President Walt Kaiser opened the Rally at the 3 o'clock.  Things were pushed up due to a scheduled train ride in the evening.  Hosts for this rally are Dan & Lois Klapetzky and Ken & Shirley Shope.  Walt announced that Kaye Lee will fill in as "Sheriff" for the rally, and Janet Grooms will fill in as "Sunshine Lady."  Our first time Chapter 400 Rally attendees were introduced along with their "angels."  The announcements were brief, due to the tight schedule, and was followed by a early dinner consisting of sub sandwiches, chips, and fixings.  At 4:45, we car pooled to Mt. Dora to take an enjoyable train ride.  The reactions of the children to our Santa (Walt) was precious, but he had to inform the children that he was Santa's brother Kris Kringle because the "real" Santa would be greeting them at the trip halfway point.  Our Santa looked more realistic!!!  Even a couple of Santa's "elves" would attest to that!!!  TOP

Rally attendees are: Pete & Nancy Armitage, William & Janet Birtwell, Bobbie & Connie Chappell, Art & Kathleen Conway, Bart & Deby Day, Dave & Joanne Delamater, Carl & Val Farley, Ernie & Judy Finch, Dick & Dot Gifford, Duane & Janet Grooms, Larry & Margaret Hawkins, Jim & Ginny Hoffmann, Jerry & Terri Hopman, Walt & Judy Kaiser, Mark & Carol Kenderdine, Dan & Lois Klapetzky, Ed & Kaye Lee, Glenn & Flower MacMillan, Bill & Arlene Miner, Dean & Winnie Murphy, Tom & Doris Pritchard, Jim & Pat Reed, Ken & Shirley Shope, Bob & Marie Smith, Jim & Sue Straub, and Jerry & June Wagner.  TOP

Saturday (December 23rd) - At 10:00 AM, we all gathered in the Rec Room for a seminar presented by Camping World.  The lady giving the presentation was quite knowledgeable about insurance and provided some worthwhile tips when shopping for your insurance needs.  Some of our ladies spent the entire afternoon working on the quilt to be donated at the 2007 International Rally.  At 4:00 PM, we again gathered in the Rec Room for our daily 4 o'clock.  After the 4 o'clock, quite a few of us went out to the Rusty Fox for dinner.  The special was 2 for 1 prime rib, which included a bottle of wine.  Count on the 400 group to find dinner specials.  7:00 PM found us all back in the Rec Room once again for an ice cream and cookies social, which was followed by some card games.  TOP

Sunday (December 24th) - It is Christmas Eve and we were able to welcome some Chapter 400 members who joined us for the day:  John & Julie Beale, George & Fay Levine, and Bill & Karen Vannoy.  During the afternoon, some of the guys gathered outside the Rec Room, while Fay led a craft class indoors.  At 7:00 PM, we were all treated to a pizza party, which was followed by a very touching Christmas service conducted by Larry & Margaret Hawkins.  After the service, some members shared their experiences from a prior Christmas.  We all then drew numbers for the "Unusual Gift Exchange."  "Unusual" was defined by our rally host, Dan Klapetzky, as something that was no longer needed but was too good to throw out.  Dan was the first to pick a gift and promptly showed us what he meant by unusual as he opened a package containing a shiny, new RV toilet seat!  He might have regretted his own rule of "What you pick - you keep."  There were many laughs during this gift exchange.  On this Christmas Eve, we want to wish a Very Merry  Christmas to our Chapter 400 family members who could not be here with us, and also to all of our brave men and women serving in the armed forces.  God bless!  TOP

Monday (December 25th) - The Christmas weather in Clermont, FL was dreary with thunder storms much of the day; but all was bright and sunny in the Rec Room as we gathered for our traditional Christmas dinner.  We were again pleased to welcome some guests:  Bob Herron, Ed & Shirley Spangler, and Bill & Karen Vannoy.  On the menu was turkey and ham with all the fixings, plus many delicious side dishes created by our Chapter 400 ladies.  As always, there was not a shortage of food.  Later in the afternoon we met for our Yankee Gift Exchange.  As always, this is a fun filled event with some gifts being moved from one person to another before finding a final home.  High on the popularity list was wine, and for some reason, nuts!  Following the gift exchange, we were treated to a dessert of pie ala mode.  Hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas.  TOP

Tuesday (December 26th) -  Today was scheduled as a "free" day to exchange those unneeded gifts or to just relax.  Of course we still had our 4 o'clock; and then at 5:30 PM we had a Pot Luck Dinner with leftovers from yesterday plus dishes brought to share.  The highlight of the evening was being able to share in Dan & Lois Klapetzky's 53rd wedding anniversary.  Our congratulations to them both.  Dan first serenaded Lois, and then put on a comedy skit for us all to enjoy.  TOP

Wednesday (December 27th) -  After a brief meeting at 10:00 AM, many of the group took a short ride down the road to the Lakeridge Winery.  There we were treated to a very interesting tour of the winery, followed by an even more interesting wine tasting.  Some were so appreciative, they brought some wine home.  Later in the afternoon, we enjoyed a boat trip through the Snake River to Lake Minnehaha and Lake Minneola.  Then back through the Snake River again to Lake Louisa.  These are beautiful lakes with some fantastic lakeside homes.  This was advertised as a sunset cruise, and we were not to be disappointed.  After a few days of clouds and rain, today was bright and sunny which led to a beautiful sunset on the lake.  TOP

Thursday (December 28th) -  At 11:30 AM, the ladies gathered for their traditional "Red Hat" photo prior to departing to their luncheon at The European Bistro, which is located in the Mulberry Inn.  The setting was beautiful and the meals were delicious.  A stop at the local DQ followed the luncheon.  While the ladies were enjoying their luncheon, the men ventured back to the Rusty Fox for their "guys only" lunch.  Word is that it was a little to far to travel to one of our traditional "libraries."  Once back at the RV resort, the ladies continued working on the Chapter 400 quilt right up to and through the 4 o'clock.  TOP

Friday (December 29th) -  The scheduled event for the day was a min-golf tournament.  It was a fun-filled day with a lot of laughs.  Most stopped for lunch on the way back to the resort. Prizes were to be awarded to both the low and high scorers, plus the participants with the most hole in 1.  At 5:30 PM following the awards, the meal was to be sandwiches and deserts - but with a twist!  In honor of our dear friend Marj Newell, whom we all send our love, we had our deserts first!  TOP

Saturday (December 30th) -  Early this morning, some of the ladies gathered in the Rec Room to continue to work on the Chapter 400 quilt.  It is really starting to take shape.  At 10:00 AM, Bob, Bart, and Ernie held an short seminar on computers and the internet, and also tried to help some of our members with their computer questions.  At 1:30 PM, Bart, Duane, and Walt took charge of the barbeque to prepare the food for our cook-out.  The rest of the day was for rest and relaxation.  This full timing is a rough life!  TOP

Sunday (December 31st) -  Once again the ladies worked on the quilt for much of the day - it is very close to completion.  After a few announcements at the 4 o'clock, a group decided to go out for dinner.  We gathered again at 8:30 PM in the Rec Room - some joined in after their naps - for the ringing in of 2007.  After the midnight celebration, quite a few of the group took advantage of the warm weather and warm water and took a swim in the pool.  All of us here in Clermont wish you all a very safe and Happy New Year!  TOP

Monday (January 1st) -  Our New Year's Day dinner consisted of lasagna along with meatballs, sauce and salad.  For a desert, we had birthday cakes.  Our hosts presented eleven cakes - one for each birthday month - we did not have any members present with a birthday in February.  After singing Happy Birthday to ourselves, and enjoying our cake and ice cream, it was time to bring the rally to a close.  Walt presented certificates of appreciation to Dan & Lois and Ken & Shirley for their efforts in coordinating this excellent rally.  They went out of their way to assure that we all had a good time.  Walt then made a few announcements regarding the upcoming rallies: the Spring Rally in Sevierville, TN (Apr 10 thru Apr 17); the Pre-Rally in Springfield, IL (Jul 6 thru Jul 16); and the Fall Rally in Elephant Butte, NM (Sep 29 thru Oct 5).  Following these announcements, Walt officially closed the 2006 Chapter 400 Family Christmas Rally.  Tomorrow morning, some members will be departing the area while others will be sticking around awaiting the HRRVC Southeast Rally.  TOP