MO: Ozark Winnies

The Ozark Winnies held their first meeting since November 2019 at the Barnes Acres RV Park in Savannah, MO. The meeting officially started on Friday, April 29 but early arrivals began on Tuesday. We had a great turnout with eighteen units. Attending were Clugston, Collings, Day, Eaheart, Heckart, Huff, Kelling, Kittrell, Mahaffey, Murphy, Parsons, Reynolds, Spene, Van Meter and Wollin. Two Chief Winnies also joined us for the weekend; Prinslow and Riley.

On Wednesday, thirteen of the group went to the Savannah Family Restaurant for dinner. Later that evening some of the group gathered at the Wedding Barn for cards and catching up. Everyone was on their own for Thursday. It was the first time to visit St. Jo for some of our members. Armed with a St. Jo Visitors Guide they enjoyed some of the very interesting historical sites. At 5:30 twenty-five members arrived at the Wedding Barn loaded with all kinds of food. As usual no one went to bed with an empty stomach. There were probably a few that ate so much they skipped dessert and had a shot of Pepto-Bismal before bed. Vickie Day’s and Marva Van Meter’s birthdays were honored with a birthday cake provided by President Joy. After dinner the guys gathered at one table and pretended they were in Vegas. The ladies played Pegs and Jokers and Uno Attack.

On Friday the last three units arrived. Several members spent the day touring St. Jo and some met in the Wedding Barn for an afternoon of games. On Friday evening, thirty-three of the group met at Boudreaux's Louisiana Seafood & Steaks restaurant for a delicious meal. On top of a good meal the servers were fabulous in servicing our large group. After dinner we gathered in the wedding barn for our first business meeting since November 2019. Listed are some of the meeting highlights. Minutes of the last meeting were distributed prior to the meeting and were approved as distributed. The financial report was also approved. We need someone to serve as President in 2022. A new chapter flag has been purchased. Thank you to those that volunteered to serve as meeting hosts. We were also honored by Terry and Vickie Day joining our merry band of campers. Welcome Terry and Vickie. We are so happy you chose to join us.

The Sound of Speed Airshow at Rosecrans Memorial Airport featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds did not disap-point. Saturday morning arrived, although very windy, without a cloud in the sky. Traffic wasn't as horrendous as expected and we all made it to the airfield to witness a site everyone should see. When one thinks of six jets flying at close to 200 mph and being only feet apart, you can’t imagine what that must look like. You have to see it in person. The other performers in rare and unusual planes weren't too bad either. We also saw a fly-by of a B-52 bomber and a B-2 stealth bomber. A long, hot, windy day, but a great start to our 2021 camping season. Several decided that after a long day at the airshow cooking wasn’t on the agenda and headed to Savannah and the family restaurant.

Sunday started with coffee and pastries in the Wedding Barn. Gary Reynolds presented a short devotional on prayer and miracles. Afterward, some attended the airshow, a few left for home or their next destination, others relaxed at the campground, toured St. Jo looking at some of the historic homes or visited the casino. On Sunday evening fifteen returned to the Savannah Family Restaurant for one last meal. And then it was back to the Wedding Barn for one last round of games.

Of those that left on Monday morning, most made it out before the monsoon started. The Van Meter’s didn’t and got soaked. The Wollin’s didn’t and got stuck. After a session with a tow truck they were on the road with a lighter wallet. A horrible end to a great weekend. It was great to be able to get together for a meeting and renew friendships that had to be put on hold for over a year. After the challenges of getting the motorhomes level were conquered, everyone seemed to have a good time. The campground was not a 10/10/10 Good Sam Club rating, but the owners were very accommodating. We had the use of the Wedding Barn for the entire weekend at no cost to the chapter. The virus impacted a lot of industries over the past year. The car wash segment may or may not have seen the impact that others did, but it did see a major revenue boost as a result of the Ozark Winnies meeting. Cars and motorhomes both definitely needed a serious wash after the weekend. So even if it seemed like an inconvenience, rejoice in the fact that you brightened someone else’s day. If you didn’t have time to see some of the historical sites St. Jo has to offer, consider spending some time here. It is a very interesting city.