Spring Rally 2016 - Part One - First two days.

Thursday

The Rally started last night (31 March 2016).  We are in Rusk, Texas at the KOA campground.

Attendees

Those attending  (17) are:
Gene Jensen (President) and Gina Jensen
David Horton (Vice-President)
Bruce Horton (Treasurer)
Yvonne Horton (Secretary)
Bob and Cora Boyett (Historian)
Ray and Stephanie Borgman  (Wagonmasters)
Dan and Carolee Day
Phyllis Sanders and Sharon Bradshaw
Marsha Polk and Pat Anselmo
Dan and Suzaane Reid


Dave and Karen Jacobs were supposed to join us but suffered a blowout on the way to the site.   They may join us on Saturday for the train ride if they are able to do so.

We gathered in the Rally room at 5:30 pm on Thursday and had dinner together.   The main courses were prepared by the Borgmans.  They made Tamale pie and Taco soup.   Food prepared or brought by others included a pot of pinto beans,  cornbread,  salad,  cut up watermelon,  cookies, torilla chips and dessert. No one went away hungry.  It was all good.

We decided that our next Rally,  the Fall 2016 Rally will start on Thursday, 27 October 2016 and run through Monday 31 October 2016.  Note; The O'fest at Rainbow's End is schedule to conclude on Wednesday, 26 October 2016 with a hitch-up breakfast in the morning.  The rally will be at Red Oak Ranch in Hempstead (near Houston).  Following dinner we visited and laughed.   Some played a game of Wizard.

Friday

On Friday morning at 9:30 we caravaned to Eilenberger's and Mary of Puddin' Hill Bakery in Palestine.  The bakery was started as a bread bakery in 1898.  They expanded into fruitcake production and ship around the world now and they are award-winning.   I personally am not much of a fan of fruitcake.  They also make candies. We got a tour and then ate lunch in the Eilenberger Cafe.  Following lunch the group split up with some going to a Dulcimer festival and other going to the basket factory in Jacksonville or otherwise exploring on their own.

Tonight (Friday) we had our bring your own meat barbecue.  Followed by a business meeting where new Chapter 10 members,      Dan and Suzanne Reid were introduced.  They live near Cleveland.  Marsha Polk is attending her first rally and Pat Anselmo is attending her first rally in many years.  Bruce Horton explained the support of CARE by Chapter 10 and the workings of and the mission of CARE.  Following the Business Meeting  a continuation of visiting and game playing ensued with two tables of Wizard.

Tomorrow is our planned ride on the Texas State Railroad taking the steam locomotive powered train from Rusk to Palestine and back.