Monday (Jul 12th) - The 2010 Chapter 400 Pre-Rally commenced today at the 4 o'clock at Twin Oaks RV Park in Elko, GA.  Bob Smith welcomed everyone and introduced our rally co-hosts: Jerry & Terri Hopman and Bill & Peg Jones.  Past-President, Walt Kaiser, offered a blessing to officially open the rally.  Rally attendees:  Bob & Dot Bragg,  Bob & Sue Guthrie, Jerry & Terri Hopman, Bill & Peg Jones, Walt & Judy Kaiser, Fay Levine, Bob & Judy Pearse, Bob & Marie Smith, Abe & Donna Stine, Doug & Judy Trumbull, and Jerry & June Wagner.

Bob stated the first order of business was to acknowledge that one of our members just got older and presented Doug Trumbull with a birthday card signed by all.  He then briefly went over the rally schedule stating that a more detailed explanation would be offered each day.  Marie Smith passed out some photos from previous rallies and challenged the attendees to identify the members in the photos and then determine the rally and location.  Using group cooperation most of the members, rallies and locations were successfully identified.  Following this exercise, the door prizes were awarded.

The evening's meal consisted of deli sandwiches, potato salad, coleslaw, and watermelon.  Naturally, since we are in the deep South, iced tea will always be available.  TOP

Tuesday (Jul 13th) - The activity scheduled for this day was a trip to the Lane Southern Orchard in nearby Fort Valley, GA.  On our arrival we were met by Marketing and Public Relations Director, Wendy Barton, who gave us a brief history of Lane Orchards.  This is a family run operation going into its 5th generation of family management.  We then boarded a replica of a Bluebird bus for a tour of the orchards; and received a background on peach and pecan planting, growing and harvesting.  Back in the main building, we were able to view the peach selection and packaging operations from a catwalk above the floor.  Then it was on to the Peachtree Restaurant for a delicious lunch.  Wendy had scheduled a private dining room for our group, and also provided us with coupons for free deserts.  Their peach ice cream is to die for!  As we were finishing our lunch, we noticed couples wearing red HRRVC badges (you know who I mean) searching for empty tables.  We graciously offered them our private "Chapter 400" dining room.

We met for our traditional 4 o'clock and discussed plans for Wednesday's trip.  At this rally, there is a division between playing games and soaking in the pool.  Many of our nation's problems seem to be resolved in the pool.  TOP

Wednesday (Jul 14th) - Today was billed as a "Triple Tour" day; and and we had the option of visiting 1, 2 or all 3 locations.  The first site was the Andersonville National Historic Site and the National Prisoner of War Museum; next was Americus and the historic Windsor Hotel; finally the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains. 

With Abe & Donna in tow, Marie & I visited all 3 locations and enjoyed the day immensely.  Andersonville, site of the infamous Confederate Civil War Prison was both interesting and sobering.  It is unbelievable that any could survive those conditions.  On the same site is another museum dedicated to the Prisoners of War from all of our conflicts.  The museum had two very interesting films to explains both areas.  Due to time constraints, we did not get to fully tour the Andersonville grounds.

Our next stop was the Windsor Hotel in Americus.  It was built in 1892, looks like a castle, and has a fantastic lobby area.  Abe found out the regular rooms go for $100.00 per night - didn't get the price of the Presidential Suite where Jimmy Carter stayed.  Attached to the hotel is Amelia's Restaurant where we had lunch - the only restaurant in Americus with live musical entertainment during the lunch hours.

Then it was on to Plains and the Jimmy Carter Historic Site.  As one could expect, if it weren't for President Carter no one would have ever heard of Plains!  The visitor center and museum are located in the Plains High School, where both Jimmy and Rosalynn attended school.  They have an excellent film on the history of our 39th President.  Also in town, is: Jimmy Carter's boyhood home, his brother Billy's service station, the train station campaign headquarters, and the church where Jimmy Carter still teaches Sunday School.  President and Mrs. Carter still reside in Plains, but now in a house they purchased which is protected by the Secret Service.

On our return to Twin Oaks RV Park, we found ourselves, along with Doug & Judy, blocked by 4 Holiday Ramblers registering at the office.  The park is filled with HR's, and some of them joined us at our 4 o'clock.  TOP

Thursday (Jul 15th) - Today was scheduled to be one busy day!  We started out with a delicious Praline French Toast breakfast prepared by Bill Jones.  No meal in Georgia is quite right without peaches, so we had a cup of peaches to go along with the French Toast.  Following breakfast, a meeting of the Chapter 400 Board of Directors was conducted.  Next on the agenda was the annual Chapter 400 business meeting.  At this meeting, the annual reports were read and accepted, a vote was taken to make donations to each of the three HRRVC charities, and a vote was taken to add the title of Webmaster to the existing list of Chapter 400 non-officer positions.  Also at this meeting, a vote was taken on the slate of officers for the upcoming year:  Bob Bragg, President; Renae Butler, Vice-President; Terri Hopman, Secretary; Bill Jones, Treasurer; and new Director, Dan Armstrong.

Following the adjournment of the business meeting, the officers were installed.  Past-President, Fay Levine, installed Terri Hopman as Secretary for another year; Past-President, Walt Kaiser, installed Bill Jones as Treasurer for another year; and Past South Carolina State Manager, Doug Trumbull, installed Bob Bragg as President for a term of one year.  After the installations, Bob Bragg presented Bob & Marie Smith with a Certificate of Appreciation for their service as Vice-President and President and another Certificate of Appreciation for coordinating the 2010 Pre-Rally.  Bob Smith in-turn then presented Jerry & Terri Hopman and Bill & Peg Jones with Certificates of Appreciation for their valued assistance in coordinating the rally.

We were not done!  Later in the day we met for our traditional 4 o'clock and shortly thereafter met again for a pot luck dinner.  Marie Smith added a little twist to the pot luck by requesting the ingredients of each dish be listed on a 3 X 5 card.  Everyone seemed to enjoy this idea.  She also had her own drawing for two cook books.

Still not done!!  After everything was cleared from the table, we had a champagne toast in honor of Bob & Dot Bragg's wedding anniversary, and I think we surprised Bob & Judy Pearse when they saw their names were also on the cake.  Their anniversary is a few days away.  What could be better than cake and ice cream, along with champagne, for desert?

Almost done!!!  After the cleanup, most of us met in the pool, hoping to wash away all those calories, but some lightning in the distance cut short our swim.  We were done now!!!!  TOP

Friday (Jul 16th) - Today was the official closing for the 2010 Chapter 400 Pre-Rally, and although it was a relatively small group compared to some previous rallies, everyone seemed to gel and have a good time.  The closing luncheon was held at The Steakhouse Restaurant, in nearby Hawkinsville, which featured a country style buffet.  The attendance at the closing was reduced even further by those going up to the International Rally for early, and early-early parking.  Bob & Sue Guthrie were able to drive down to join us, but Doug & Judy Trumbull had a scheduled skit rehearsal and couldn't make it.  The people at the International attempted, but were unable, to reach Doug to inform him that the rehearsal had been postponed.  This was due to the fact that Doug, falling back on his submariner days, thought he could take his cell phone into the pool.  Not a good idea!

Bob Smith officially closed the rally, thanked those who braved the hot "Georgia in July" temperatures to attend, and once again acknowledged Jerry & Terri Hopman and Bill & Peg Jones for all their great help.  The management at Twin Oaks has graciously allowed us to continue utilizing the Recreation Room for the weekend, so we once again met for a 4 o'clock and tried to get rid of the food and cake still remaining.  Walt Kaiser and Bob Bragg surprised Bob & Marie Smith with a gift card to Applebee's, on behalf of the chapter, for all they have done for Chapter 400 over the years.  Bill & Peg Jones will be leaving in the morning, Walt & Judy Kaiser on Sunday morning, and five of us will be caravanning the 7 miles up I-75 to the International Rally - with Bob & Dot Bragg confidently in the lead.  TOP