WAGON MASTER Hello, this is L. P. No, not Louise Parsons... Linda Porazzo, new wagon master. I would like to start off by thanking the other L. P. Louise Parsons for all her years as wagon master. I am very grateful for all her hard work and do hope she doesn't mind me calling on her for advice now and then. Job well-done Louise. I do hope you had a great time in Hawaii and a very needed rest. I don't know if I was lucky to have the initials L. P. or not!! Guess I will find out.
Now as new wagon master you will either love me or hate me but here goes. Rally Hosts are a very important people to me. I won't tolerate any yelling or bad remarks about them. If you have a problem with Rally Hosts your comments and question should be directed to me FIRST. If I cannot resolve it I will then take your problem up with the board of officers. Without "Rally Hosts" you would not have chapter campouts. These people find places for us to go and plan activities. It is hard enough finding folks to do this without worrying that they will be criticized about their campout. We have many wonderful campers who have been host and I can't thank them enough for coming forward and doing them.
Please don't be afraid to come forward and at least talk to me or another experienced Rally Host. You will find that if you and another couple plans it together, it is really a lot of fun. It can be simple or elaborate, it is your choice. If you visited a nice campground and think it would be nice for a rally give me a call and I will walk you through it. It is not as hard as you think.
After a lengthy business meeting at Sandwich I found that not only did a Host have questions that needed to be answered and were not, I felt the same way. Now keep in mind I am very defensive of my " Rally Hosts" so the Board of Officers had a meeting to address these questions and mine. I know that there will always be questions and you can NEVER please everyone but I felt that they should have been answered and were taken out of context at the business meeting. Also I want to start my new position as wagon master off on the right track!
Be advised of the following:
A registration form for a rally will state a cost for:
1 . Two Adults in a Coach
2. One Adult in a Coach
3. Charge for extra Adults in a Coach
4. Any reservation forms mailed after the cut off date will be subject
to a $10.00 additional fee. (We will use postmarks)
5. Any Unit showing up at a campout without a reservation will also be subject
to an additional $10.00 fee and only allowed doing this if space is available
and does not make a custom of it.
6. Refunds for 'just reasons" will be directed to the Wagon master NOT the Rally Host.
It will then be brought before the Board of Officers. Early departures are not
"just reasons". If you don't do breakfast and/or coffee and donuts don't even
think of asking!! Get the drift.
7. Early Arrival Fee (if there is one)So much for all that, now on to the good stuff.
Winter Dinner - Steve Davis (603) 736-3315 would like a count for who might like to participate in a winter dinner for those of us who do not go south. Suggested month's ends of January beginning of February, weather permitting.
Rallies for 2005 February Pre-rally before Brooksville, FL Host - Bob Burnham
February Brooksville, FL Hosts - Bruce & Anne Brown and Larry & Cheryl Adams
March 21 - 23 Perry, GA
Chapter Fair (anyone interested in representing the club?)
April 22-24 Highland Orchards Campground, North Stonington, CT (Minutes from
Foxwoods & Mystic Seaport) Hosts - Geoff & Fran Blair and Bill & Peg McSheaMay 20-22 Hopkinton Fairground, NH
Hosts: Betty and the Bandits (her many friends)
June 10-12 Suggested Dates and suggested places
Goose Hollow, Lake Forest - Hosts neededJuly 13-16 Big E - Springfield, MA
Northeast Area Rally
August 19-21 Beach Acres Campground, Wells ME Hosts: Bill & Nancy McDonough
September Granite Staters 10th Anniversary Birthday Bash Sandwich Fairgrounds, NH
Host - Paul and Linda Porazzo........And asking for help!!October Salisbury Beach. Joint meet with the Yankee Travelers
Note: the above schedule is subject to change! You will notice that there is not a date yet for Sandwich, NH in September. I would like to do it on the long holiday weekend, which would give us an extra day since it is our 10th Anniversary. This might also allow us to obtain some vendors for the weekend. I want comments and suggestions before deciding. This is your rally too and I am flexible, but need to make plans. Please send me your feelings one way or another. Please do so as soon as possible so we can book our time at Sandwich.
Well like I said you would either love me or hate me so if you love me and need to contact me here is all my information:
Linda Porazzo
8 Taylor Street
Pembroke, Ma. 02359Lporazzo@gis.net
Put "Granite Staters"
in subject spaceHome Phone: 781-826-5563
Day Phone: 781 293-3893"Happy Trails"
Cell Phone: 617-851-3798 (Verizon)
Lporazzo@townofpembrokemass.orgLinda Porazzo- Wagon Master