2012 ABIF Caravan Group - Special Military Active Retired Travel Club

More documents

Recommendations

Info

card. Everyone with the Bee card had a chance and Everett won. “Up,Up, and Away” once more the balloons delighted us on the FarewellMass Ascension as we departed for 3 nights in Santa Fe in time toboard the Santa Fe Southern Railways to Galisteo Basin. We touredNM’s “Roundhouse.” It’s the oldest and only round capital in US. It’s inthe shape of the Zia. This ancient symbol of the sun is also found onthe state flag and on license plates. The quantity and quality of the artwork in the capital was amazing. Then we enjoyed the NM History Museumand The Palace of Governors which is the oldest public buildingin US. The Bataan Memorial Museum provided us with an insight toone of the greatest atrocities of WWII-“The Bataan Death March.”There were more New Mexican POWs of the Japanese “per capita”than any other state. The Loretto Chapel was inspirational with its“miraculous staircase” built by a carpenter who appeared on his donkeywith only a carpenter’s square, a hammer and tubs in which tosoak the wood. It’s made of 33 steps with two full 360 degree turnswith wood found nowhere else in the world using only wooden pegs,no nails or screws. He disappeared as mysteriously as he appearedwithout being paid. Our steak Potluck provided everyone with a hardymeal. The chicken and pizza party with Nancy O’Bryan’s fruit salad was a funway to end our special time together. We said our goodbyes over donuts andcoffee the next morning. Doug and I want to thank everyone for making theAIBF and Santa Fe <strong>Caravan</strong> a Success. U Did It!REGION & CHAPTER NEWSNM Amigos Oct-<strong>2012</strong> MusterThe New Mexico Amigos enjoyed thepleasant fall weather at the Bird WatchersRV Park (near San Antonio, NM)Oct 30 - Nov 2. After getting all the rigsset up, most of the group went into townfor an early dinner. Our hosts Terry andAngel Ortiz provided yummy snacks forour "Happy Hour" just before sunsetwhich gave us a chance to visit and get acquainted with guests. Memberspresent, in addition to our hosts were: Cathy and Ed Osborn; John and LoriBarry; Craig and Terilu Christen; and guests Glenn and Doris Moore (whoare new members now). The next day the group went to the Bosque delApache National Wildlife Refuge where migratory birds and endangered speciesare protected. We saw hundreds of geese, ducks and sandhill cranes.During winter months, cranes, bald eagles and snow geese are abundant.Spring brings warblers, flycatchers and shorebirds. The Visitors Center is atreasure trove of information and also provides a "shopping opportunity" forthe ladies. The Very Large Array of 27 giant dish antennas was another interestingdestination of our group. The National Radio Astronomy Observatoryoperates the VLA and turns naturally-emitted radio waves coming from astronomicalobjects into images that help scientists understand the workingsof stars, planets, galaxies, black holes, pulsars, etc. It's worth the trip and aspecial Open House is held twice yearly to coincide with the Trinity Site atWhite Sands Missile Range. Fort Craig, established in 1854 was built to protecttravel routes and settlements from Indian attacks, but the Civil War Battleof Valverde in 1862 really made the Fort (Con’t) famous. It's an interestingstory and we enjoyed the tour. A trip to that region of the world isn'tcomplete without a world-class green chile cheeseburger at the Owl Bar &Cafe in San Antonio, so that's where we had lunch and all agreed that it de-S*M*A*R*T DISCOUNTS(continued)THE WILD FRONTIERCAMPGROUNDOcala, FL352-629-3540www.wildfrontiercampground. comRAMBLERS REST RV RESORTVenice, FL 941-493-4354www.rvonthego.comRUTLANDER OUTPOST RV PARKLouisburg, KS913-377-2722www.rutlanderoutpost.comCAVE COUNTRY CAMPGROUNDCave City, KY270-773-4678www.cavecountryrv.comLAKESIDE RV PARKLivingston, LA225-686-7676www.lakeside-rvpark.comMAXIE”SCAMPGROUNDBroussard, LA337-837-6200www.maxiescampground.comPECULIAR PARK PLACE RV PARKPECULIAR, MO816-779-6300www.peculiarparkplacervpark.comNWS EARLE RV PARKColts Neck, NJ732-866-2448muriel.smith@navy.milWEST GRAND RV PARKClovis, NM575-762-9240www.westgrandrv.com
serves it's reputation as "one of the top 10 burgers in America" ! Our gracious hosts,Terry and Angel Ortiz set up a delicious pot luck dinner one evening and then wewere entertained by multitudes of sandhill geese flying overhead as the sun set, ontheir way to the Bosque marsh. It was amazing to see so many flocks, in formationand so close that we could hear "chatter" as they gracefully flew by.DUFFERS to play at 2013 SCR and National MustersHey, there, SMART GOLFERS! Bring your clubs to the South Central Regional Muster because an outing is arranged!Tee times are booked with Head Pro Steve Ralston Wednesday, April 17, 2013 beginning at 0930 at BurnsPark Municipal Golf Course, 30 Championship Dr., North Little Rock, AR 72118-3416. (501) 791-8587/8588. (35tees, driving range, 36 regulation holes.)The 18-hole "Tournament" course at the Burns Park Golf Course facility in North Little Rock,Arkansas features 5,725 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70. The course rating is 65.1 and it has a slope rating of 102. Designed by SteveRalston, the Tournament golf course opened in 1961. The 18-hole "Championship" course at the Burns Park Golf Course facility in North Little Rock,Arkansas features 6,352 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course rating is 69.7 and it has a slope rating of 116. Please note thetournament is the 17 th , which necessitates your arrival the 16 th . Be sure to check YES in the “Participate in a GolfTournament” BOX on the registration form. That way your name will get back to the DUFFERS Tournament ChairmanCharley LeBlanc and Don Vardell, Chapter President. Now, on to Sedalia, MO for what is shaping up to be anexciting, well-organized muster with lots of thought by the nearly 100 volunteer staff to help you make your experienceabsolutely memorable. Go ahead and send in your registration form so you take full advantage. Golf will be atWhitman AFB and Charley LeBlanc has confirmed the basic arrangements. Remember to check on the registrationform that you want to play golf. This outing will be FUN. As always, if you are able to gather any donations to helpsupport SMART veteran service projects, please do so. Let Charlie, Herb Whitfield or me know, and bring them along.There have been a few initial discussions about our group of golfers supporting the needs of our veterans in our regionsand through the national tournament. Look for more discussion on this topic. If this got you thinking, go aheadand share with us. You should all have all the DUFFERS email addresses. (smart12843@gmail.com) We are lookingto organize a “play golf stop” somewhere along a major route to Sedalia. This came up at our annual meeting. Yourinput is welcome. Additionally, your input regarding any facet of this traditional national muster tournament is alsovery welcome. Your board hopes to have most of the action items from our annual meeting completed by March2013. Included will be our local rules guide and other organizational updates. Look for a report by email. Please reconfirmyour email address with DUFFERS Volunteer Secretary Paula Perdue ASAP. (paulaperdue@hotmail.com)Please visit the SMART website often and watch your inbox for personal email and SMART E-NEWS. Both will haveDUFFERS info as it is developed. Don Vardell, President, SMART DUFFERSMississippi Magnolias Chapter members witnessed installation of anew leadership team for 2013 installed Dec 7 by SMART National 1st V-P LarrySockwell in an official ceremony at the Chapter’s Christmas Muster, UnionCounty Fairgrounds, New Albany, MS. Don Vardell is the new president, movingup from the Chapter V-P post. Treasurer is Gerald Durbin, who brings awealth of diverse leadership experiences; New Secretary Carol Vardell willserve in her first Chapter leadership office. Muster Master is Ann Olvany. Otherchapter leadership posts are open. “Our Chapter is most fortunate to have former chapter secretary AnnOlvany remains on the Board. In her new capacity, she will provide critical continuity and experience as shebrings her calm enthusiasm to her Muster Master post,” said Don. “I look forward to a personally rewarding
Page 2 and 3: BOARD OF DIRECTORS 012-2013PRESIDEN
Page 4 and 5: YOU MISSED IT! The 2012 National Mu
Page 6 and 7: SMART CARAVAN APPLICATIONMake Check
Page 8 and 9: A message from the 2013 S*M*A*R*T N
Page 10 and 11: 2013 National Muster Tours Registra
Page 14 and 15: (con’t) year for every member of
Page 16 and 17: SMART Cajuns This year for the firs
Page 18 and 19: S*M*A*R*T APPLICATION for MEMBERSHI
Page 20 and 21: R & R Committee Chair -Sherwin Stie
Page 22 and 23: S*M*A*R*T MUSTER CALENDAR 2013See R

2012 ABIF Caravan Group - Special Military Active Retired Travel Club

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?