Friday (Jul 10th) - The 2009 Chapter 400 Spring rally commenced today at the 4 o'clock at the Basswood RV resort in Platte City, MO.  Judy welcomed everyone and introduced our rally hosts Bob & Dot Bragg, Flower & Glenn MacMillen and Judy & Ernie Finch.  There are 22 rigs in attendance.  Rally attendees:  Pete & Nancy Armitage, Dan & Bev Armstrong, Bob & Dot Bragg, Mitch & Renae Butler, Jerry & Marilyn Cherry, Jim & Marge Eckles, Bob & Carolyn  Eisler, Jack & Lillian Fedak, Ernie & Judy Finch, Russell & Patty Frady, Bob & Mary Ireland, David & Barbara Jacobsen, Ed & Kaye Lee, Glen & Flower MacMillen,  Gail Prager & Gail Martin, Lyle & Kaaren Prockish, Ed & Laura Shuster, George & Lou Small, Bob & Marie Smith, Abe & Donna Stine, Paul & Sharon Surhoff, and Jerry & June Wagner.

Judy Finch opened the rally with some announcements and then turned the floor over to Flower MacMillen, who briefly went over the rally schedule, also stating that a more detailed explanation will be given at the 4 o'clock each day to cover the events for the following day.  At approximately 6:00 PM, we were treated to a delicious homemade Sloppy Joe including coleslaw and desert. 

Following dinner, our "First Timer's" were presented ribbons by their "angels":  Russell & Patty Frady with angels Pete & Nancy Armitage, Dan & Bev Armstrong with angels Mitch & Renae Butler, and  Jack & Lillian Fedak with angels Jerry & Marilyn Cherry.  TOP

Saturday (Jul 11th) - As a special attraction, Flower MacMillen brought some eggs from her daughter's farm, along qwith an incubator and small cage.  For some of us, especially we city folk, this is our first opportunity to watch chickens hatch out of their shells.  Each day we are treated to a few more chicks.  Saturday was scheduled as a free day and many of our members used the day to travel to St Joseph, MO and tour the attractions in that city.

At the 4 o'clock, first timer ribbons were presented to Gail Prager and her mother Gail Martin, by their angels Abe & Donna Stine.  Afterwards we enjoyed a pizza and salad dinner, followed by some socializing and games.  TOP

Sunday (Jul 12th) - We started off Sunday morning with a pot-luck brunch, and as usual our ladies outdid themselves with different and delicious dishes.  At 12:30 PM, our Chapter 400 Board held their annual meeting.  This was closely followed by an educational and entertaining hands-on seminar, presented by the MacMillen's daughter.  I wonder if our insurance will cover the eyes that will get poked out by those rockets sailing around the room.  Another treat from the MacMillen's is a collection of antiques which we are supposed to identify.  At 7:00 PM, we met again for ice cream sundaes, followed by games.  TOP

Monday (Jul 13th) - The tour for the day was to visit the Steamboat Arabia Museum in Kansas City, MO.  This is a definite must see visit.  The Steamboat Arabia, loaded with vital supplies for the frontier, sunk on September 5th, 1856 in the muddy Missouri River.  Over a century later, five men and their families embarked on a private venture to locate and excavate the Arabia.  But since the river had changed it's course, the boat not laid buried 45 feet underground in a farmer's field.  The museum displays tons of artifacts recovered from the Arabia, much of which is in a perfectly preserved state.  After the museum was lunch at Arthur Bryant's BBQ Restaurant.  The 4 o'clock and later games and socializing followed.  TOP

Tuesday (Jul 14th) - On Tuesday, the ladies and the men in different directions.  Some of the ladies went to the Harvester Food Bank to tour the facility, and to also deliver both the food and cash donations collected at the rally.  Other ladies went to the Hallmark Visitor Center.  Of course there was no separation in the men's group.  They all went to the Library!  By 5:30 PM, the grills were hot and it was time to cook dinner, along with a pot luck side dish selection.  On a sad note, one of our members, George Small, went to the hospital complaining of chest pains.

After dinner, we were treated to some quality entertainment, both musical and skits.  Of course there was always time for some additional computer assistance.  TOP

Wednesday (Jul 15th) -  The highlight for the day, and possibly for the week, was a trip to the New Dinner Theatre in Overland Park, KS; where we were treated to a performance of the "Sound of Music".  The dinner was nothing short of excellent, and the performance was nothing short of outstanding.  Everyone was giving rave reviews as we were departing the theater.  In the parking lot, Judy announced that George's procedure was a success and that he should be back in the campground on Thursday.

At 6:00 PM, we gathered in the recreation building for an informal roundtable discussion on RV related issues, moderated by Bob Bragg.  There was some very good information disseminated, and it was suggested to make this a part of future rallies.  TOP

Thursday (Jul 16th) -  The day started out with the Chapter 400 board members present conducting a business meeting in the recreation building.  Later in the day, the Chapter 400 board conducted the Annual Meeting, with most of the attending members present.  As the Annual Meeting started, Bob Smith made two motions: first to thank Marge Eckles for another outstanding year as Chapter 400 Newsletter Editor; and second to thank Bill Jones for his outstanding work as Chapter 400 Treasurer.  Both motions passed unanimously.  Then, hearing rumor that someone had a tendency to get emotional at times, Bob Smith surprised Judy & Ernie Finch with a Certificate of Appreciation for their year as Vice-President and then their year as President.  Sometimes you just have to be a little sneaky.  The Annual Meeting went extremely well, with a great amount of input from the members.  The minutes will be published.  At the 4 o'clock, Pete Armitage swore Bob Smith in as President and Bob Bragg in as Vice-President.

Following the 4 o'clock, the members were supposed to go to the "farm" for a barbeque chicken dinner and fun activities.  However, the weather looked threatening so the dinner was held in the recreation building - but the chicken was still barbequed at the "farm".  The weather cleared up and everyone moved to the "farm" for rocket launching, a bonfire, fireworks, and other activities.  TOP

Friday (Jul 17th) -  The day was scheduled as a free day until the 4 o'clock.  Some of our members departed for the International Rally in Sedalia, MO.  Lou Small was back to give a report that George will need to remain in the hospital for a while.  Following a very short 4 o'clock, everyone caravanned over to the Weston Brewery (also known as O'Malley's) for our closing dinner.  At the restaurant, Bob Smith presented Certificates of Appreciation to our hosts for their work in coordinating this great rally: Bob & Dot Bragg, Judy & Ernie Finch, Flower & Glenn MacMillen.  Sometime during dinner, Judy realized she hadn't officially closed the rally which she promptly did.  In the morning, some more of us will depart for Sedalia, while others depart for other places and some will just remain at Basswood.   TOP