Retiree Rally 2023

Retiree Rally Registration Recap

By LaNelle Ishmael, Registration Co-Chair

The registration team was kept busy with 89 registrations. We had 83 units with 3 off grounds and 3 in units with other campers. It was great to see some faces that had not been with us for several years. We had a great team and managed to get all but 3 registered by Tuesday. It was exciting to see 25 units with First Timers. We certainly hope they will be with us again next year in Mineola, Texas.

C.A.M.P. Report for 2023 Retire Rally

By Dick & Kathy Buresh, C.A.M.P. Chairs

Line Dance – For Line Dance Class we had a total of 15 Participants and 15 hours of line dancing. We worked on dances for the songs of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”, “Wagon Wheel” and “Texas Time”.  There were many positive comments from people watching the class and the variety show.

Walking – We measured a ½-mile course so a person could walk a minimum of a ½ mile. Most people walked twice around for 1 mile. Several people walked 4 times for a total of 2 miles. We had 22 participants who walked a total of 113 miles.

FCRV International King and Queen Recap

By LaNelle & Leon Ishmael, King & Queen Coordinators

Congratulations to our 2023 King and Queen, Joanne and Phillip Rich from South Carolina. They were the only ones who ran this year. Despite articles in Camping Today every month we had no other response. As we said at opening ceremonies, if no one will participate, we will lose a tradition that we have had since 1973.  Our royalty is important, as they help to open the rally by presenting the flags. This year we only had 6 couples attending. On Wednesday we enjoyed a finger-food gathering with the royal court. We thank the Full Timers Chapter for a great reception at the ball. We hope you will consider running in Mineola.

Retiree Rally Door Prizes Recap

By Pat Crow, Door Prize Chair

It is always fun working with the door prizes, getting to see what everyone is bringing and the happy faces of those who are receiving the prize.

My co-chair was unable to make the rally, and Vina Haggerty stepped in to help me.

We had a drop off area with a sign. This worked well, and we collected the prizes throughout the day and assembled them in a separate area where they were counted and separated to be sure we had enough for each night. We were nervous that we would not have enough prizes for every unit. At the end though, we did have enough.

Vina wanted to do the nightly name announcements and did a great job!

Retiree Rally Food Bank and Lap Robes

By Beth Standiford, Food Bank & Lap Robes Chair

I wish I could personally hug each and every one of you who donated their time to make or purchase lap robes.  The Dothan Rescue Mission was over-the-moon to receive the 72 blankets of all sizes, types, colors, patterns and materials.  The housing they provide for homeless men, women and children will be a little cozier, thanks to all of you who donated. 

In planning for 2024,  please remember that the sizes are: for wheelchair patients – 27”x36”.   Lap robes sizes chart: Small – 36”x45”; Medium – 30”x60”; Large – 45”x60”.  

And for all of you who donated so generously financially to the Wiregrass Area Food Bank, what can I say, except, “Holy Cow!”  Donations totaled $1348.    As I announced at the Rally, these donations would feed a family of 4 for 2 years!!!!!   You have outdone yourselves.   A special thanks goes out to Kleen Tank, one of our vendors at the Rally, for making a healthy donation to put us at that huge amount of donations.  And the amount of food that was donated really filled up the back of the car!  Such generosity!   I hope you all enjoyed trying to get a quarter in the water container, and I would like to again congratulate Ms. Gloria Taylor on winning the camping beaver.  

I have organized the Food Bank and Lap Robes for a couple of years, and now it is time for someone else to put their talents to work.  Please support Karin Snyder at least as generously (if not MORE)  as you have supported the organizations I have arranged in the past.  Thank you, and God Bless You All.  

Retiree Rally Games Recap

By Craig & Shari Weber

Marjory Bates and Vera Bates Williams served as co-chairs.

Games Results:

Frog Races with 48 players plus audience. Gerry Owens, Winner; Sierra Stanley, 2nd place

Card Bingo had 58 players.   23 $1 winners

Skip-Bo had 11 players. Winner: Karin Snyder

Washer Toss Doubles had 32 players plus an audience. 1st Place Kip Cushing & George Goodnature, tie for 2nd between Donnie & Debbie Stanly and Willie Walker & Frances Jackson.   Donnie & Debbie Stanly won 2nd place

Ladder Golf had 30 players plus an audience. Mens: 1st Ron Servant, 2nd Jerry Rozelle, Women’s: 1st Vera Williams, 2nd Sierra Stanly

Chicken Foot had 19 players. Winner: Joan Jordan

Washer Toss Singles had 22 players. Women’s: 1st Linda DeCamp, 2nd Karen Snodgrass. Men’s: 1st Fred Roddam, 2nd Donnie Stanly

Five Crowns  had 47 players. Winner: Joanne Wollinger

Corn Hole had 28 players plus an audience. Winner: Donnie Stanly, 2nd Jerry Tannehill

Bean Bag Baseball  81 players plus audience, 9 teams, 4 rounds played. 4 teams formed from individual sign-ups. The Scramble Team with Mark Mierzwa, Bill Newell, Roger & Pat Hall, Lisa & Kenny Warren, Gerry Owens, Rita Letellier, and Judy Kimzey were the winning team going from the first elimination round through all 4 rounds. The Pickup Team with Ashley & Gloria Taylor, Bobby & Phyllis Smith, Debbie Stanly, Carol & Ray Yates, Willie Walker, and Paul Wollinger came in a close 2nd. Roger Hall and Gerry Owens each had 3 home runs in one game, Roger Hall had 6 home runs in the series.

Retiree Rally Pet Parade Results

By Robert & Rita Letellier, Pet Parade Chairs

Co-Chairs:  Marla Mantia & Debbie Lopez (First Timer)

Judges:  Debbie Ludwig & Ray & Carol Yates (First Timers)

The Pet Parade went very well.  There were 16 participants.  All participants got Crawfish glasses filled with dog treats, participant awards, pencil with religious saying, and quilted dog place mats.  All winners received an award, doggie Easter Basket filled with many items. 

The winners were:

Jim Howsley & Jake (Most Adorable)

George Goodnature & Roanin (Best Behaved)

Pat Crow & Abbey (Owner Pet Look-alike)

Bill Newell & Lily (Best Trick)

Amy DeCamp & Stetson (Best in Show)

The Pet Parade went well; all said they had lots of fun.  Weather was beautiful.

The 2023 Retiree Rally Flea Market

By Richard & Frances Jackson, Flea Market Chairs

The 2023 Retiree Rally Flea Market had 15 booths. Items sold included a large variety of hand-crafted products, registration for the 2024 Retiree Rally, FCRV insignia, books, cleaning products, and camping items.

Thank you to all who worked to make the Flea Market a success, from booth vendors to those who helped set up and clean up, as well as those who came to shop.

Public Relations – Barb Turner

Barb did an excellent job in getting information out there about the fairground and the surrounding area of Dothan.  She posted a lot of pictures on FCRV Facebook, Retiree Rally Facebook and also on her own Facebook page. 

Barb also took the State/Province/Group photos this year.  We did not have a photographer, so Barb took it upon herself to take the pictures and sent one to a person of each group to get it to their group.  They can print one out if they prefer.  In 2024 Tom Wensel is supposed to be there to take photos of all the groups.

Many thanks to Jim Lewis for putting the schedule on Facebook so people would have them on their phones.

Parking  – Joe & Sandi Wingert

Joe and Sandi prepared a layout of grounds, including layout for VIP, special needs, Registrations, Security, Vendors, & Parking Committees.  With about 84 rigs on ground the challenge was getting everyone situated because of the heavy rain a couple of days.  All in all, they were happy campers.

Golf – Jim Turner

Jim had 12 golfers to sign up.  All had a good time and seemed to have a good course to play on.

Meals – Ivalee Vanderhoff  (Reba Ray) & Pat Hall

Ivalee was not able to attend but worked diligently getting everything together for this rally.

They provided 2 meals and an ice cream social for this event.

Thursday evening’s meal was a disappointment to a lot of people.  The caterer was supposed to have enough food to serve 200 people.  Well, he gave out some of the food before even half of the people were through the line.  He was rushing around to get more food.  With one serving line, it took way too long to serve as many people as we had. Everyone got some food but not all got everything he promised.  Way too long to wait for food and service.

On Saturday the evening meal went a lot smoother, with 2 serving lines, and the food was good.  Everyone was served and had no complaints for this meal.  Everyone was invited back for seconds, and the leftovers were given to the Dothan Rescue Mission (Shelter for the homeless).

The Ice Cream Social was a cup of ice cream with plenty to have seconds if wanted.  It was a success.

Locator Board – Jan Cushing & Catherine Goodnature

When the locator board was received, it was in a plastic container with about 2 inches of water.  It was put out into the sunshine and wind to dry out before it could be used.  Once set up inside, it was sorted out in alphabetical letters in order to sort by last names.  There it was used by anyone who wanted to know where friends were parked.  It was all dry when packed back in the box to be taken to National Campvention.

Book Exchange– Kip Cushing

Kip provided a number of books to get the book exchange started.  You could swap a book or take a book for $1 with the proceeds going to the Food Bank.  $4 was collected for the Food Bank.  At the end, the books were donated to a good cause by another camper.

2023 Retiree Rally Recaps

By Reba Ray, Rally Coordinator

The Retiree Rally in Dothan was a great success with a few little hiccups.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves despite the rainy weather for a couple of days and the shortage of food for the Thursday night meal.

As Host for the rally, I was pleased with all the chairmen I chose and their co-chairs.  This was really their rally, and they all did their jobs to make it happen.

Many thanks to the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds for everything they did to make this an enjoyable week for us.  We couldn’t have asked for better people to work with.

Congratulations to the 2023 Elected King & Queen  Phil & Joanne Rich.

Sound and Special Services – Kip Cushing

Sound was good; not too loud.  Kip kept up with all the demands on getting microphones when needed by line dancing, seminars and games.  Kip used a lot of his own equipment.  In the future, maybe the rally could rent sound equipment to be used, if not provided by the venue.  The Entertainment provided their own sound system at this event.

Crafts – Judy Elenburg, Betty Andrews, Dora Lewis and Sandi Wingert

Judy did the roses made from wired ribbons.  They had 11 show up to make the roses and had a good time. 

Betty taught how to paint rocks.  Several people enjoyed this project.  Some of them were very interesting once finished.  A good time was had by all.

Dora and Sandi provided the CD card holders craft.  There were times when people would pull the thread too tight and the thread would break, but everyone enjoyed the project.  Several people were involved in making card holders.  They make it a lot easier if you have a large number of cards to hold in your hands.

Stage Decoration  – June Johnston

June did a great job with the stage.  Having had the peanuts stored for two years because of the cancellation from 2021, it was mostly already done for this year.  With the teardrop lights and the large peanut king & queen, it looked really great.

Mail & Information – Debbie Walters & Bob & Gene Lockhart

The mail and information booth is always a good place to meet and greet people and get to know and make new friends.  Debbie and Bob & Gene Lockhart did a good job in greeting people.  There were several brochures there for going out to eat and how to get to Walmart and other things there for people to look through.  The chocolate candy was a big hit for everyone. 

Entertainment – Reba Ray

The Entertainment was contracted by Reba Ray.  The Bands were GP-38, Roger & Bama Breeze and Neil Dover.  There was a lot of dancing going on, and everyone seemed to enjoy the music.  The bands were from the surrounding area of Dothan.

Seminars

All seminars were very interesting and gave a lot of information.  Both vendors, Kleen Tank & Fantasy Tours, gave out a door prize at the end of the rally.  Also, Amy DeCamp did a seminar on Travlfi, internet on the go. 

Vendors –  Jim Turner

There were two vendors there at the rally.  Fantasy Tours and Kleen Tank.  Very nice people and very interesting seminars by them.  SkyMed and the Hustons weren’t able to come this year, and we really missed them. 

Hard Hat Breakfast – Bill Buggeln

Bill did a good job of chairing the breakfast.  Sixty-two men attended this event.   The food was good.  Right at the end again the caterer ran out of food, but quickly remedied this as his place was on grounds.  The food was enjoyed by all.  There was a speaker that spoke about peanuts and their uses other than eating them.  It was very interesting.

Red Hats – Diane Buggeln

Diane did an excellent job of chairing the Red Hat Luncheon.  There were 70 ladies who attended this event.  The food that was chosen was a salad plate, which the women loved.  The speakers were 2 women from the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds.  They spoke on all the uses of peanuts besides just eating them.  Many of their uses was oil and some of the uses were made into lotions and creams.  A lot of good info.  Two items were donated for door prizes. They were given out by a drawing,

Choir – Kip Cushing

With 16 choir members along with Craig Weber playing the piano, the choir sang wonderfully.  The music for songs were provided by Kip.

Retiree Rally Flea Market 

By Richard and Frances Jackson

As you prepare for the Retire Rally, remember to pack items to sell at the Flea Market! There will be a sign-up sheet at Central Registration for booth space. Table space and chairs will be provided for your booth.

If you have nothing to sell, come and shop at the Flea Market!

Ready-Set-GO 

By Reba & Ron Ray, Rally Hosts

It’s time to pack up and get ready for Dothan, Alabama for the International Retiree Rally. The people at the Fairgrounds are working diligently, making sure we have everything we need. 

We are planning to have a great time there.  We have 3 good entertainers lined up, some hospitalities, and lots of games for fun.

We will have a breakfast and lunch food vendor there on grounds with a food truck.  Each day he will specialize in a different menu.  They are a group of Veterans that get together and help with “Veterans helping Veterans” organizations.

The fairgrounds will have someone to come in and do boiled peanuts for us.

We are excited about going to Dothan.  They have a lot of good places to visit around town.

You will be getting maps of all the Peanuts and Murals around town.  We will try to have these for everyone when you get there on Friday for early days.

Dothan has 2 RV Dealerships:  RV Connections and Gander RV.  Nice people at both, along with new or used campers. 

We have some vendors signed up to be there so bring along some extra money to spend and show our appreciation for them coming to be with us.

Go get excited and get ready for Dothan. See you there.

A Variety Show Update from George and Kip

By George Walters and Kip Cushing

With the arrival of March, that means we are getting ever closer to the Retiree Rally in Dothan, Alabama. 

Many of us will be gathering for this Annual Retiree Rally. Lots of fun, fun, fun, a few laughs, and most of all, renewing friendships!

You probably know that one of the major activities that takes place each year is our Annual Variety Show.  But did you realize that this year will be the 51st Retiree Rally? 

So, consider this to be your personal invitation to be a part of Retiree Rally History.  Please consider joining your fellow campers if you can:

Sing a song or two (bring your accompaniment with you)

Tell a clean joke or story

Get a group of your friends to dance or put a skit together

Put together a line-dance

A Clogging Demonstration will be ALOUD (get it?)

As always, this is not a competition, just good fun with our friends. 

Sign-up sheets will be available at Central Registration or from George Walters or Kip Cushing.

Nuts About Dogs Pooch Parade 2023

By Robert & Rita Letellier, Pet Parade Chairs

Welcome! to the pooch parade.  We will be giving out a gift to all participants.  The winners will receive an award & some surprises which will be given out on awards day.  There will be 5 dog categories:  Most Adorable, Best Behaved, Best Trick, Owner/pet look-a-like and Best-in-Show dog.  Cats are invited. and the winner will also receive an award and surprises.  The category will be Best-in-Show cat!  Please come!!!

Nutty Trucks Red Hat Style

By Dianne Buggeln, Red Hat Chair 

Hey GALS, bring your Red Hat and enjoy a Salad Bar luncheon including meat, veggies & desserts prepared by the Veterans.  We will also have a speaker from the National Peanut Festival Association.  Cost $10. Look for the Red Hat & Hard Hat sign up at registration.

FCRV Retiree Rally Vendor – Kleen Tank

Kleen Tank will be on the grounds on March 24th.  The following link is being shared if anyone would like to sign up for their services in advance.  The link is: https://kleentank.com/fcrvinternational2023/

Give What You “can” – Retiree Rally Food Drive 

By Beth Standiford, Food Drive Chair 

FCRV makes a big impact on the locations where we hold Rallies and Campventions. For this reason, we want the impact to be a positive one. We, as a collective group, bring a lot of income to the area where we camp in the form of fuel, food, tourism, eating out, entertainment, local sites, etc.  Food/Fund drives are a great way to give back and say thanks to a community where we’ve had so much fun with our friends.  Food drives help local charities keep their shelves stocked, and it raises awareness among our camping community to the hunger and needs of those around us, even though they may not be immediately visible.   

We are providing for the basic needs of others and giving a sense of dignity and pride to those who can then provide for their families. The facility we will be donating to is the Wiregrass Area Food Bank. This organization procures and distributes excess food and grocery products while cultivating community awareness and participation.  An equal opportunity employer, this non-profit charity feeds the needy in six counties in Alabama. Complete with frozen and refrigerated storage as well as canned goods, they provide food to the needy at no cost.  Food is distributed by affiliate agencies (churches, other pantries, soup kitchens, day cares, emergency shelters and the like) at no charge and are members of the Feeding America National Food Bank Network.  A table will be set up in the main building to accept donations all week of Rally and will be delivered along with any and all monetary donations.  

For every $1 donated, the Wiregrass Area Food Bank can provide 9 meals to feed the hungry.

Last year, cash donations exceeded my expectations by so much more than I thought possible.  This year, I am asking every person at the Rally to donate the equivalent of one meal, either in canned goods or in cash donations.

I know you won’t let down the deserving people of Dothan, Alabama.  Any questions or comments can be directed to me at [email protected]. 

Nutty Trucks Hard Hat Style  

By Bill Buggeln, Hard Hat Chair

Is it Hard Hats or Hard heads? It may be a little of both, but let’s have a good time in Dothan. We will have a HARD HAT breakfast on Friday morning during the Retiree Rally.  Breakfast will be prepared by the Veterans, and we will also have a guest speaker from the National Peanut Festival Association. Cost $10 – Look for Red Hat & Hard Hat sign up at registration. 

FCRV Retiree Rally Door Prizes

By Pat Crow

This is it, the final countdown. Can’t wait to see everyone at the rally in Dothan. Hope you have your door prizes ready and packed in your rig. This is such a fun part of the rally. Safe travels to all, and see you in Dothan.

A Home for Lap Robes

By Beth Standiford

During the Retiree Rally if you would like to make/donate a lap robe, we have found a great location to support in Dothan, Alabama:   

The Dothan Rescue Mission. – Lap Robes

Providing a haven of hope for the lost and lonely, and those who may call the streets their home, as well as being a lifeline for those drowning under the waves of adversity and the undertow of addiction. They are on the street and help those in need with hot food, clean clothing, temporary shelter, and the possibility of a more abundant life, seeking the least, the last and the lost.

Founded in January 1979 the Rescue Mission started as a men’s lodge, women’s lodge, and soup kitchen. Later new construction provided them with an office, admin building, 25-bed Men’s and 16-bed Women’s lodges. Responding to the need in the community in 2010, yet another new construction allowed for a family lodge. And finally, in 2018 opening a 10,000 square foot facility, with a 60-bed Men’s, 25-bed Women’s, 16-bed Family Lodges, a chapel and full kitchen.

They are currently being 80% supported by their two thrift stores:  2210 Ross Clark Circle and 3736 Ross Clark Circle, your donation will most certainly help.   Thank you.

(Lap robes may be knitted, crocheted, quilted, or purchased.  Typical size for wheelchair patients is 27”x36”.  Lap robes sizes chart: Small – 36”x45”; Medium – 30”x60”; Large – 45”x60”.)

Retiree Games at The 51st Rally In Dothan, Alabama 

By Shari & Craig Weber and Marjory Bates, Games Chairs 

The time to get “Nutty” with the “Nutty Campers” is only a few weeks away.. Get your game on! Or, just come and have some fun. This month I am reviewing the games we will play.

At central registration there will be sign-up sheets for the different games. This allows for planning, but if you don’t get signed up, just show up at the scheduled time, and you will play. The complete rules for the games FCRVers enjoy playing are listed on www.fcrv.org  under programs, Adult Activities. Anyone with access to the internet can access this information. There will also be rules at the registration table and at the games. Winners will receive their recognitions at the end of the games and in an announcement from stage.

Please keep in mind that we will start on time. There are lots of things on the schedule, and we want to enjoy everything there is to do.

The following is a tentative schedule. At registration you will receive the program book which will include specific time and the location for each event.

Tuesday      
Morning: Frog Races
Afternoon: Skip-Bo
Afternoon: Card Bingo 

Wednesday     
Morning: Chicken Foot
Afternoon: Ladder Golf

Thursday
Afternoon: Washer Toss
Afternoon: 5 Crowns

Friday
Afternoon: Corn Hole

Saturday
Afternoon: Bean Bag Baseball

Remember we need your help by bringing dominoes to Chicken Foot and wooden Corn Hole boards to Corn Hole. Anyone interested in helping with a particular game or just in general, please send a message to us at [email protected].

2023 International Retiree Rally

By: Ronald & Reba Ray, 2023 Host for the International Retiree Rally

Gearing up for the 2023 FCRV Retiree Rally in March?  Get those reservations in and plan on having a good time.  Early days will start on March 24 (Friday) and go through March 27 (Monday).  The rally will start on March 28 (Tuesday) – April 2 (Sunday).  Everyone must make plans to leave on Sunday by 2:00 pm.   

To keep the International Retiree Rally going forward, we will need people to step up and take over some of the positions to run the rally.  Position we desperately need now are:

• Someone to run the sound system,
• Someone to step up to host a rally,
• Someone to step up to be a photographer for the pictures of state and provinces,
• Someone to take over the scrapbooks,
• Someone to call bingo,
• Someone to step up and chair a committee. 

If you know of anyone who is willing to step up or know someone that would be good at this then, please let us know.  You can contact Linda Hennie ([email protected]) or Reba Ray ([email protected]) 

This is a good way of getting to know people and making new friends.

Our chairmen for the 2023 rally are working hard at making this another one to remember and put on the books.  We have 3 good entertainers, 2 meals, ice cream social, games, vendors, and a lot of fellowships in the works for this rally.

Bring a door prize so everyone will go home with one.  

Only a couple of more months and we will be able to see each other again.  We will have brochures for the early days so you will be able to go and visit around Dothan.  Walmart is nearby, and 2 RV dealerships are within 5 miles or so.  Other shopping and antique stores are nearby, also.

We are looking forward to seeing you there. 

RETIREE GAMES at the 51st Rally in Dothan, Alabama 

By: Shari & Craig Weber and Margorie Bates, Games Chairs

The time to get “Nutty” with the “Nutty Campers” is getting closer. Get your game on! Or, just come and have some fun. This month I am featuring some more outside games we plan to play.

At central registration there will be sign-up sheets for the different games. This allows for planning, but if you don’t get signed up, just show up at the scheduled time and you will play. We enjoy playing a variety of games. Currently, the complete rules for the games FCRVers enjoy playing are listed on www.fcrv.org under programs, Adult Activities. Anyone with access to the internet can access this information. Winners will receive their recognitions at the end of the games and also in an announcement from stage.

Corn Hole is played with bags filled with “corn”, thus the name of the game. There are two 48” x 24” boards with one 6” hole set 9” from the top and centered 12” from either side. The boards are set 27 feet apart. Each player or team has 4 bags to throw alternating one at a time. The play goes until one player or team has scored 21 points on or over. For the rally, we shorten the time it takes to play by allowing each player or team to throw 10 times and take the final score. This allows for us to enjoy this game and move on to enjoy other games as well.

Bean Bag Baseball is also played with filled bags (usually beans), thus the name. This game is played with two teams of 5 – 12 (preferably 9) players. The game is played like a regular game of baseball with innings and players who “bat” (throw bags). Players throw until they get a hit, get three strikes, or throw the bag in an OUT hole. There are 3 outs per inning and 9 innings of play. A special board containing various holes such as home run, 3 base, 2, base, 1 base, and OUT is used for players to throw from home plate which is 17 feet from the front of the board. There are chairs placed behind the board for bases, and players must walk the bases and touch each one including home plate to score a run. You can come with an already formed team, or we will put a pickup team together for those who aren’t already on a team.

The rally has enough bean bag baseball sets to play the tournament; however, please bring cornhole sets so we can play. Please assure that your set is 48” x 24” which is the regulation size and made of wood. Check the schedule for when and where corn hole will be played and bring your boards about 15 minutes ahead of time so we can get them set up.

Meet FCRV International King & Queen Candidates

By: LaNelle & Leon Ishmael, Rally K/Q Coordinators

We are Phil and Joanne Rich. We joined FCRV in 2005. Originally from Connecticut, we retired to Greenwood, South Carolina in 2016. Our granddaughter, Katie ran for teen queen three times. We helped with the teens doing whatever was needed. We worked on building the floats and loved doing the noise parade. While in Connecticut Joanne served as State Historian.

Since moving to South Carolina, we have served as state directors. Joanne is program chairman for both the state and retiree groups. Joanne has just become the National Historian so currently Phil remains South Carolina State Director. Both have worked at National Campvention and Retiree Rallies. Currently ,we are serving on the registration team for the Retiree Rally.

Phil retired from Triem Industries. Joanne retired from Chubb Insurance Company.

We have two children, Pam and Greg, and two grandchildren, Katie and Steven.  Joanne volunteers at Hospice Thrift Store in Greenwood. Phil likes to read and work in his garden. Joanne loves crafts and enjoys quilting, sewing, reading, scrapbooking, cardmaking, cooking and working in her flower beds. We both love to travel and camp with our friends.  We belong to 3 chapters: South Carolina, Georgia and YARs. We have been married 56 years.

We both enjoy meeting new people and promoting FCRV. If elected to represent FCRV as Retiree King and Queen, we will do our best to encourage others to join and will work for the good of the organization.

Nuts About Dogs Pooch Parade 2023 

By: Robert & Rita Letellier, Pet Parade Chairs

Welcome! to the pooch parade.  We will be giving out a gift to all participants.  The winners will receive an award & some surprises which will be given out on awards day.  There will be 5 dog categories:  Most Adorable, Best Behaved, Best Trick, Owner pet-look-alike and Best-in-Show-dog.  Cats are invited. and the winner will also receive an award and surprises.  The category will be Best-in-Show-cat!  Please come!!!

Give What You “can”  – Retiree Rally Food Drive 

By: Beth Standiford, Food Drive Chair

FCRV makes a big impact on the locations where we hold Rallies and Campventions.  For this reason, we want the impact to be a positive one.  We, as a collective group, bring a lot of income to the area where we camp in the form of fuel, food, tourism, eating out, entertainment, local sites, etc.  Food/Fund drives are a great way to give back and say thanks to a community where we’ve had so much fun with our friends.  Food drives help local charities keep their shelves stocked, and it raises awareness among our camping community to the hunger and needs of those around us, even though they may not be immediately visible.   

We are providing for the basic needs of others and giving a sense of dignity and pride to those who can then provide for their families. The facility we will be donating to is the Wiregrass Area Food Bank.  This organization procures and distributes excess food and grocery products while cultivating community awareness and participation.   An equal opportunity employer, this non-profit charity feeds the needy in six counties in Alabama. Complete with frozen and refrigerated storage as well as canned goods, they provide food to the needy at no cost.   Food is distributed by affiliate agencies (churches, other pantries, soup kitchens, day cares, emergency shelters and the like) at no charge and are members of the Feeding America National Food Bank Network.  A table will be set up in the main building to accept donations all week of Rally and will be delivered along with any and all monetary donations.   

For every $1 donated, the Wiregrass Area Food Bank can provide 9 meals to feed the hungry.

Last year, cash donations exceeded my expectations by so much more than I thought possible.  This year, I am asking every person at the Rally to donate the equivalent of one meal, either in canned goods or in cash donations.    

I know you won’t let down the deserving people of Dothan, Alabama.  Any questions or comments can be directed to me at [email protected]

Entertainment

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GP-38  Real Country Music  

GP-38 delivers Real Country Music along with a mix of southern & classic rock with an unmistakable Muscle Shoals, Alabama influence.  Put all of this together with nearly 100 years of combined experience and you have a high energy performance that will have everyone singing along, dancing, and having a good time!  Enjoy GP-38 at the FCRV Retiree Rally in Dothan, Alabama at the end of March!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zlF_220wdk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwNSP9V80t0
https://www.facebook.com/GP38Music/videos/299671464961915

---

Bama Breeze Band   

Bama Breeze Band (Roger Hussey, Shawn Stuckey, Rick Shiver, Jimmy Harris and Savelle Norsworthy) play music from Alabama to ZZ Top, Classic Country and some Southern Rock. They all live in the Dothan area and perform there. The youngest in the group is in his 40’s, and the oldest is in mid-70’s; he has played with people like Merle Haggard, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Charlie Rich, and other legends.  Check out the links:

http://bamabreezeband.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrflekupNDI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AW7zRA9Q64

Retiree Rally Flea Market

By: Richard and Frances Jackson

You can participate in the Retiree Rally Flea Market! Bring unused items you have around the house or make crafts to bring and sell. Booth space is free, and you keep the profits from your booth.

A Home for Lap Robes

By: Beth Standiford

During the Retiree Rally if you would like to make/donate a lap robe ,we have found a great location to support in Dothan, Alabama:  The Dothan Rescue Mission.

Providing a haven of hope for the lost and lonely, and those who may call the streets their home, as well as being a lifeline for those drowning under the waves of adversity and the undertow of addiction.   They are on the street and help those in need with hot food, clean clothing, temporary shelter, and the possibility of a more abundant life, seeking the least, the last and the lost.    

Founded in January 1979 the Rescue Mission started as a men’s lodge, women’s lodge, and soup kitchen. Later new construction provided them with an office, admin building, 25-bed Men’s and 16-bed Women’s lodges. Responding to the need in the community in 2010, yet another new construction allowed for a family lodge. And finally, in 2018 opening a 10,000 square foot facility, with a 60-bed Men’s, 25-bed Women’s, 16-bed Family Lodges, a chapel and full kitchen. 

They are currently being 80% supported by their two thrift stores:  2210 Ross Clark Circle and 3736 Ross Clark Circle, your donation will most certainly help.   Thank you. 

(Lap robes may be knitted, crocheted, quilted, or purchased.  Typical size for wheelchair patients is 27”x36”.  Lap robes sizes chart: Small – 36”x45”; Medium – 30”x60”; Large – 45”x60”.)

Don’t Forget to Bring Door Prizes

By: Pat Crow, Door Prize Chair

It’s time to get it in gear, the Retiree Rally is drawing near. Door prizes are fun to give and to receive and this is a fun part of the rally. Please bring something that you, yourself would like to receive. Thank you.

It’s Not Too Late to Join the Variety Show

By: George Walters, Variety Show Chair

Let other campers know and see your talents  

We have talents-don’t leave them hidden

Remember that this is NOT a contest 

Sign-up sheets will be available at the Registration Table

Can you:

• Sing
• Dance
• Put a Skit Together
• Tell Jokes (Clean)
• Tell Stories (Clean)
• Organize a Line-Dance (or Teach a Line Dance Class)
• Anything I didn’t think of!

Alabama Interesting Facts

By: Barb Turner, Retiree Rally Publicity Chair

The 51st FCRV International Retiree Rally will be held in Dothan, Alabama March 28 – April 2, 2023.  The rally will be our first in the state of Alabama.  Over the past issues, places/sites to visit have been shared. This month I thought I’d share some interesting facts in no particular order about Alabama.

Alabama Has the Most Snails of Any US State – By Far.

Alabama Was the First State to Recognize Christmas as An Official Holiday.

The First 911 Call Was Made in Alabama.

It was the 22nd state in the nation and is the 30th largest state by area.

Alabama had the first electric streetcar system

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is in Alabama

“Sweet Home Alabama” became an unofficial state anthem

Mardi Gras in Mobile is the oldest celebration of Carnival in the US

The Apollo 11 rocket was made in Alabama

 Helen Keller was born in Alabama

 Alabama has a lot of underground caves

1. Scott Fitzgerald lived in Montgomery

 Alabama has the longest state constitution

The largest cast iron statue in the world is in Birmingham

George Washington Carver founded a school there

Conecuh Ridge Whiskey is the state beverage

An Alabama woman invented windshield wipers

Alabama was the 22nd state in the USA

Rosa Parks helped initiate the civil rights movement in Alabama

Martin Luther King Jr. led a protest in Montgomery

Mobile Bay was a major port during the Civil War

Baseball player Henry Louis (Hank) Aaron was born in Mobile in 1934[BT1] .

Boxer Joe Louis was born in Lexington in 1914. He died in 1981.

Baseball player Willie Howard Mays was born in Westfield in 1931.

A skeleton of a prehistoric man was found in Russell Cave.

Huntsville is known as the rocket capital of the World.

Alabama is the only state with all major natural resources needed to make iron and steel. It is also the largest supplier of cast-iron and steel pipe products.

In 1902 Dr. Luther Leonidas Hill performed the first open heart surgery in the Western Hemisphere by suturing a stab wound in a young boy’s heart. The surgery occurred in Montgomery.

Alabama had the first electric trolley in the world.  It was opened in 1886 in Montgomery.

Explore these Alabama facts and discover more before traveling to Dothan the end of March.  See you there!

2023 International Retiree Rally of FCRV

By: Ron & Reba Ray, Host of 2023 Retiree Rally

Early days will start on Friday March 24

Everybody must leave on Sunday April 2, unless arrangements have been made.

We hope everyone is looking forward to this rally as much as we are.  We have a team that is willing to get the jobs done and are looking forward to working with each and every one of you.

Right now, we have 2 entertainers for the rally: PG-38, a 4- piece band that sings country music,  and Neil Dover, who sings a variety of music.  We have another entertainer in the works but has not confirmed as yet.

We plan to have a lot of vendors at the rally.  It should be a great variety.

You should be getting your confirmation letter through the email soon.  Please make a copy and have it available when you check in at the gate.  Also, if you can get those registrations in, we‘ll know how many to prepare for, especially for the meals. 

If your state or province wants to run a King & Queen, please get their names in.  The deadline is January 15, 2023.  We would like to have more than one running; it just makes it more fun for everyone.

Remember, you do not have to be retired to come to retiree rally.  Everyone is welcome.  We don’t have much for kids, but they can enjoy the games and every activity that we have going on.  If you have friends that are not FCRV members and they want to find out what we do, then bring them along as a guest.  Make sure you put guests on the top of their registration. 

Make your plans, and let’s see everyone at Dothan, Alabama.

See everyone soon; 3 months counting down.

Rally Door Prize Info

By: Pat Crow, Door Prize Chair

It’s better to give than to receive, but wait———-you can do both at the Retiree Rally. Bring a door prize and receive a door prize. Nuff said!

Calling All Singers

By: Kip Cushing, Choir Director

Come join the International FCRV Choir, renowned voices from Canada and around the United States.  We shall gather together at the beautiful Peanut Festival Grounds in southern Alabama.  We will sing wonderful hymns our crowd will enjoy and cherish.  It is one musical moment that can unleash the great memories from the past and present. I hope you will sign up when you register at the Retiree Rally; there will be sign-up papers on the tables.  For those over anxious stupendous gospel singers, you could email me at [email protected] (or wait).

Should Folk Music songs be more up your alley that is great.  I will have a sign-up sheet for that group so that we may entertain all at the ever -popular super Variety Show. Anyone with an acoustic instrument wanting to accompany us will be much welcomed.

The excitement and fun of a Rally is when you jot your name on a list of what you enjoy doing and get involved.  Whether it be accompanying us, singing, setting up chairs, handing out programs or just hanging out and telling a joke, it’s fun.  We’re there to relax; so, remember, you can sing from a chair and hold a soda in one hand.  I’ve done it. (I was reading the karaoke screen)

RETIREE GAMES – at the 51^st Rally in Dothan, Alabama

By: Craig & Shari Weber & Marjorie Bates, Games Chairs

The time to get “Nutty” with the “Nutty Campers” is getting closer…. Get your game on! Or, just come and have some fun. This month I thought I would talk about some of the outside games we plan to play.

At central registration there will be sign-up sheets for the different games. This allows for planning, but if you don’t get signed up, just show up at the scheduled time, and you will play. We enjoy playing a variety of games. I will feature two this month and two more next month. Currently, the complete rules for the games FCRVers enjoy playing are listed on www.fcrv.org  under programs, Adult Activities. Anyone with access to the internet can access this information. Winners will receive their recognitions at the end of the games and will be recognized in an announcement from stage.

Ladder Golf (also known by other names) is played with 2 or more players or teams. Each player has 3 golf ball bolas. A bola is 2 golf balls attached by a nylon rope. The object of the game is to wrap your bolas around the steps of the ladder. The ladder consists of 3 steps, a top, middle and a bottom step. Each step has a different scoring value. The toss line is 15 feet from the ladder. Players take turns tossing their bolas. We will play singles and doubles. Doubles can be two women, two men, or one man and one woman. All interested players will be able to play with winners continuing to the next round until a first place and second place is determined.

Washer Toss is played with two wooden boards (12″x48”x4”) with three 4-inch holes. The boards are placed opposite each other 10 feet apart. There are two sets of three 3-inch washers with different colors for each set of boards. Players toss the washers at the opposite board to put them in the holes scoring differently depending on which hole the washer goes in. We will play singles and doubles. Doubles can be two women, two men, or one man and one woman. All interested players will be able to play with winners continuing to the next round until a first place and second place is determined.

The rally has enough of each of these game sets to play the tournaments.

Anyone interested in helping with a particular game or just in general, please send a message to us at [email protected] .

Neil Dover

Neil Dover will be entertaining the FCRV Retiree Rally 2023 attendees.  Neil describes himself: “I’m a country singer songwriter based in south Alabama.  My music is kind of country and kind of rock and a little beachy.  I’ve been recording Independent Country Music for ten years now.  I’ve only stayed in business so long because of people like you.  There are people who’ve been pushed away from mainstream country because they just don’t like much of it anymore.”  Preview Neil at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyI7_i0XTpQ.  We look forward to hearing Neil perform for us in person the end of March.

Give What You “can”  – Retiree Rally Food Drive 

By: Beth Standiford, Food Drive Chair

FCRV makes a big impact on the locations where we hold Rallies and Campventions.  For this reason, we want the impact to be a positive one.  We, as a collective group, bring a lot of income to the area where we camp in the form of fuel, food, tourism, eating out, entertainment, local sites, etc.  Food/Fund drives are a great way to give back and say thanks to a community where we’ve had so much fun with our friends.  Food drives help local charities keep their shelves stocked, and it raises awareness among our camping community to the hunger and needs of those around us, even though they may not be immediately visible.   

We are providing for the basic needs of others and giving a sense of dignity and pride to those who can then provide for their families. The facility we will be donating to is the Wiregrass Area Foodbank.  This organization procures and distributes excess food and grocery products while cultivating community awareness and participation.   An equal opportunity employer, this non-profit charity feeds the needy in six counties in Alabama. Complete with frozen and refrigerated storage as well as canned goods, they provide food to the needy at no cost.   Food is distributed by affiliate agencies (churches, other pantries, soup kitchens, day cares, emergency shelters and the like) at no charge and are members of the Feeding America National Food Bank Network.  A table will be set up in the main building to accept donations all week of Rally and will be delivered along with any and all monetary donations.   

For every $1 donated, the Wiregrass Area Food Bank can provide 9 meals to feed the hungry.

Last year, cash donations exceeded my expectations by so much more than I thought possible.  This year, I am asking every person at the Rally to donate the equivalent of one meal, either in canned goods or in cash donations.    

I know you won’t let down the deserving people of Dothan, Alabama.  Any questions or comments can be directed to me at [email protected]

Visit Enterprise, Alabama – Famous for the Boll Weevil Monument

By: Barb Turner

Boll Weevil Monument?  Really? Yes!  When Googling what Enterprise is famous for, the Boll Weevil Monument is the answer.  Why?

First, what is a boll weevil?  The boll weevil was a pest.  It was a beetle that fed on cotton buds and flowers.  ‘Was’ is important as it has been eradicated in the United States. 

Now, remember ‘cotton was king’ in the south due to the climate.  The boll weevil was a pest that destroyed cotton crops.  Cotton was the main crop in the Enterprise, Alabama area.  The boll weevil infestation in 1915 led to agricultural diversity. . 

What could be planted other than cotton?  Peanuts and other crops!!  With the switch, the area experienced more prosperity than had ever come from cotton alone.  Two years later, Coffee County was the United States’ leading producer of peanuts. 

To ‘honor’ the pest that led to prosperity in the area, the Boll Weevil Monument was erected by the citizens of Enterprise in 1919 to show their appreciation to the insect that led to new prosperity.  It is the only monument to an agricultural pest in the world.

Put Enterprise, Alabama and the Boll Weevil Monument on your ‘to-do list’ when attending the 2023 FCRV Retiree Rally in March!  If you haven’t registered yet, please do so by going to  https://fcrv.org/retiree-rally-2023/.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boll_weevil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HlKRjU5fRM  (Visit Enterprise)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAcF30cU7p4  (Boll Weevil Song by Tex Ritter, for those of you ‘of-a-certain-age’)

Retiree Rally Flea Market 

By Richard and Frances Jackson

As you prepare for the Retire Rally, remember to pack items to sell at the Flea Market! There will be a sign-up sheet at Central Registration for booth space. Table space and chairs will be provided for your booth.

If you have nothing to sell, come and shop at the Flea Market!

Ready-Set-GO 

By Reba & Ron Ray, Rally Hosts

It’s time to pack up and get ready for Dothan, Alabama for the International Retiree Rally. The people at the Fairgrounds are working diligently, making sure we have everything we need. 

We are planning to have a great time there.  We have 3 good entertainers lined up, some hospitalities, and lots of games for fun.

We will have a breakfast and lunch food vendor there on grounds with a food truck.  Each day he will specialize in a different menu.  They are a group of Veterans that get together and help with “Veterans helping Veterans” organizations.

The fairgrounds will have someone to come in and do boiled peanuts for us.

We are excited about going to Dothan.  They have a lot of good places to visit around town.

You will be getting maps of all the Peanuts and Murals around town.  We will try to have these for everyone when you get there on Friday for early days.

Dothan has 2 RV Dealerships:  RV Connections and Gander RV.  Nice people at both, along with new or used campers. 

We have some vendors signed up to be there so bring along some extra money to spend and show our appreciation for them coming to be with us.

Go get excited and get ready for Dothan. See you there.

A Variety Show Update from George and Kip

By George Walters and Kip Cushing

With the arrival of March, that means we are getting ever closer to the Retiree Rally in Dothan, Alabama. 

Many of us will be gathering for this Annual Retiree Rally. Lots of fun, fun, fun, a few laughs, and most of all, renewing friendships!

You probably know that one of the major activities that takes place each year is our Annual Variety Show.  But did you realize that this year will be the 51st Retiree Rally? 

So, consider this to be your personal invitation to be a part of Retiree Rally History.  Please consider joining your fellow campers if you can:

Sing a song or two (bring your accompaniment with you)

Tell a clean joke or story

Get a group of your friends to dance or put a skit together

Put together a line-dance

A Clogging Demonstration will be ALOUD (get it?)

As always, this is not a competition, just good fun with our friends. 

Sign-up sheets will be available at Central Registration or from George Walters or Kip Cushing.

Nuts About Dogs Pooch Parade 2023

By Robert & Rita Letellier, Pet Parade Chairs

Welcome! to the pooch parade.  We will be giving out a gift to all participants.  The winners will receive an award & some surprises which will be given out on awards day.  There will be 5 dog categories:  Most Adorable, Best Behaved, Best Trick, Owner/pet look-a-like and Best-in-Show dog.  Cats are invited. and the winner will also receive an award and surprises.  The category will be Best-in-Show cat!  Please come!!!

Nutty Trucks Red Hat Style

By Dianne Buggeln, Red Hat Chair 

Hey GALS, bring your Red Hat and enjoy a Salad Bar luncheon including meat, veggies & desserts prepared by the Veterans.  We will also have a speaker from the National Peanut Festival Association.  Cost $10. Look for the Red Hat & Hard Hat sign up at registration.

FCRV Retiree Rally Vendor – Kleen Tank

Kleen Tank will be on the grounds on March 24th.  The following link is being shared if anyone would like to sign up for their services in advance.  The link is: https://kleentank.com/fcrvinternational2023/

Give What You “can” – Retiree Rally Food Drive 

By Beth Standiford, Food Drive Chair 

FCRV makes a big impact on the locations where we hold Rallies and Campventions. For this reason, we want the impact to be a positive one. We, as a collective group, bring a lot of income to the area where we camp in the form of fuel, food, tourism, eating out, entertainment, local sites, etc.  Food/Fund drives are a great way to give back and say thanks to a community where we’ve had so much fun with our friends.  Food drives help local charities keep their shelves stocked, and it raises awareness among our camping community to the hunger and needs of those around us, even though they may not be immediately visible.   

We are providing for the basic needs of others and giving a sense of dignity and pride to those who can then provide for their families. The facility we will be donating to is the Wiregrass Area Food Bank. This organization procures and distributes excess food and grocery products while cultivating community awareness and participation.  An equal opportunity employer, this non-profit charity feeds the needy in six counties in Alabama. Complete with frozen and refrigerated storage as well as canned goods, they provide food to the needy at no cost.  Food is distributed by affiliate agencies (churches, other pantries, soup kitchens, day cares, emergency shelters and the like) at no charge and are members of the Feeding America National Food Bank Network.  A table will be set up in the main building to accept donations all week of Rally and will be delivered along with any and all monetary donations.  

For every $1 donated, the Wiregrass Area Food Bank can provide 9 meals to feed the hungry.

Last year, cash donations exceeded my expectations by so much more than I thought possible.  This year, I am asking every person at the Rally to donate the equivalent of one meal, either in canned goods or in cash donations.

I know you won’t let down the deserving people of Dothan, Alabama.  Any questions or comments can be directed to me at [email protected]. 

Nutty Trucks Hard Hat Style  

By Bill Buggeln, Hard Hat Chair

Is it Hard Hats or Hard heads? It may be a little of both, but let’s have a good time in Dothan. We will have a HARD HAT breakfast on Friday morning during the Retiree Rally.  Breakfast will be prepared by the Veterans, and we will also have a guest speaker from the National Peanut Festival Association. Cost $10 – Look for Red Hat & Hard Hat sign up at registration. 

FCRV Retiree Rally Door Prizes

By Pat Crow

This is it, the final countdown. Can’t wait to see everyone at the rally in Dothan. Hope you have your door prizes ready and packed in your rig. This is such a fun part of the rally. Safe travels to all, and see you in Dothan.

A Home for Lap Robes

By Beth Standiford

During the Retiree Rally if you would like to make/donate a lap robe, we have found a great location to support in Dothan, Alabama:   

The Dothan Rescue Mission. – Lap Robes

Providing a haven of hope for the lost and lonely, and those who may call the streets their home, as well as being a lifeline for those drowning under the waves of adversity and the undertow of addiction. They are on the street and help those in need with hot food, clean clothing, temporary shelter, and the possibility of a more abundant life, seeking the least, the last and the lost.

Founded in January 1979 the Rescue Mission started as a men’s lodge, women’s lodge, and soup kitchen. Later new construction provided them with an office, admin building, 25-bed Men’s and 16-bed Women’s lodges. Responding to the need in the community in 2010, yet another new construction allowed for a family lodge. And finally, in 2018 opening a 10,000 square foot facility, with a 60-bed Men’s, 25-bed Women’s, 16-bed Family Lodges, a chapel and full kitchen.

They are currently being 80% supported by their two thrift stores:  2210 Ross Clark Circle and 3736 Ross Clark Circle, your donation will most certainly help.   Thank you.

(Lap robes may be knitted, crocheted, quilted, or purchased.  Typical size for wheelchair patients is 27”x36”.  Lap robes sizes chart: Small – 36”x45”; Medium – 30”x60”; Large – 45”x60”.)

Retiree Games at The 51st Rally In Dothan, Alabama 

By Shari & Craig Weber and Marjory Bates, Games Chairs 

The time to get “Nutty” with the “Nutty Campers” is only a few weeks away.. Get your game on! Or, just come and have some fun. This month I am reviewing the games we will play.

At central registration there will be sign-up sheets for the different games. This allows for planning, but if you don’t get signed up, just show up at the scheduled time, and you will play. The complete rules for the games FCRVers enjoy playing are listed on www.fcrv.org  under programs, Adult Activities. Anyone with access to the internet can access this information. There will also be rules at the registration table and at the games. Winners will receive their recognitions at the end of the games and in an announcement from stage.

Please keep in mind that we will start on time. There are lots of things on the schedule, and we want to enjoy everything there is to do.

The following is a tentative schedule. At registration you will receive the program book which will include specific time and the location for each event.

Tuesday      
Morning: Frog Races
Afternoon: Skip-Bo
Afternoon: Card Bingo 

Wednesday     
Morning: Chicken Foot
Afternoon: Ladder Golf

Thursday
Afternoon: Washer Toss
Afternoon: 5 Crowns

Friday
Afternoon: Corn Hole

Saturday
Afternoon: Bean Bag Baseball

Remember we need your help by bringing dominoes to Chicken Foot and wooden Corn Hole boards to Corn Hole. Anyone interested in helping with a particular game or just in general, please send a message to us at [email protected].

2023 Retiree Rally Host  

By: Ron & Reba Ray 

4 months and countdown.  Our registration list is growing at this time; so, get yours in, and let’s make this a good one. Put it on your calendar, March 28-April 2, 2023.  The early days will start on March 24.  

We are looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones this year.

The fairgrounds are making it all possible for us to enjoy this rally.  They are adding more sewer sites so most everyone will have places to dump their tanks without having to move.

As I said before, we are shortening the rally by a day, but we will get everything that we look forward to every year.  There will be three nights of entertainment, the home-grown FCRV night of entertainment and then the King and Queen Coronation and the Ball, and, of course, we will have the International Parade.  It will be a fun-filled week for you.

Please bring a door prize. If you want to get rid of some things around your house that are in good shape or things you just really don’t want anymore, think about the marketplace; someone else might want it.

If you would like to run as FCRV International King & Queen, registration deadline for this is January 15th, so you need to get your name in the pot.  Please contact Leon & LaNelle Ishmael for this.  [email protected]

We have lots of people who are asking to be vendors for this rally. 

If you have any questions and need any answers about the retiree rally, please contact me, Reba, at [email protected]  See you soon.

.

Nuts About Dogs Pooch Parade 2023

By:  Robert & Rita Letellier, Pet Parade Chairs

Welcome! to the pooch parade.  We will be giving out a gift to all participants.  The winners will receive an award & some surprises which will be given out on awards day.  There will be 5 dog categories:  Most Adorable, Best Behaved, Best Trick, Owner pet-look-alike and Best-in-Show-dog.  Cats are invited. and the winner will also receive an award and surprises.  The category will be Best-in-Show-cat!  Please come!!!

FCRV International Retiree King & Queen Info 

By: LaNelle & Leon Ishmael, King & Queen Coordinators

Ho, ho, ho.  Santa whispered in my ear that he is getting excited to see who will be the next FCRV Retiree royal couple. Could it be you? Deadline to register is January 15.  Please don’t procrastinate! Ask your state or province to elect you their king and queen. Then email us for a registration form. You will have more fun than you imagined.  [email protected]  or [email protected].

Retiree Rally Door Prizes

By:  Pat Crow, Door Prize Chair

Halloween is over, and the shopping season has begun. So don’t forget to pick up something for your Retiree Rally door prize. It can be large or small, but please bring something you yourself would like to receive. Thank you.

FCRV Retiree Rally Flea Market

By: Richard & Frances Jackson,  Flea Market Chairs

Don’t go ‘nuts’ getting ready for the 2023 Retiree Rally Flea Market!  Start now to gather unused items or crafting items to sell! Flea market booth space will be free.

Retiree Games

By: Craig & Shari Weber & Marjorie Bates

Are you planning to get “Nutty” with the “Nutty Campers” and come to the peanut grounds in Dothan? Get your game on! Or, just come and have some fun. This month I thought I would talk about the table games we plan to play.

Chicken Foot is a game played with dominoes and is a variant of Train Dominoes. The resulting layout of the game looks like a chicken foot, thus the name. The game is typically played with a double 9 set of dominoes although bigger sets are necessary with more than 4 players. There can be 2 – 8 players per table. A boneyard is created by placing the dominoes face down on the table where each player can reach. Each player begins with 7 dominoes. Play begins with the highest double domino which is placed in the center of the table. Using strategy the players want to play all their dominoes out. Players with remaining dominoes add the total of their dominoes to create a score. Play goes for 6 rounds. The player with the lowest score after 6 rounds is the winner. Those who come to play this game should bring a set of dominoes with them.

5 Crowns is a rummy style card game. It is like 3 – 13. The special deck is a double deck with 5 suits, jokers, and no 2’s or aces. The game is played progressively starting with 3 cards and finishing with 13. Each round has a wildcard matching the number of cards dealt for the round. The object each round is to create runs (a sequence in the same suit or color) or sets (all the same number) of a minimum of 3. The round is complete when a player can go down by playing all his/her cards. Then each player has one more chance to make plays to reduce their hand as much as possible. At the end of the 13 rounds the player with the lowest score is the winner.

Card Bingo is played with playing cards. There is one deck per group of four people. All cards are dealt out with each player having 13 cards. Another deck of cards is used by the caller who will call cards one at a time. Players place their card in the center when it is called. Bingo is achieved when a player has no more cards.

Skip-Bo is another card game played with a special deck of cards. This game is also known as Spite and Malice. It is played with up to 6 players per deck. The goal of the game is to play all your cards in numerical order of 1 – 12 before the other players. The cards from the stockpile are played onto the middle building piles. There can be 4 building piles started with 1(or Skip Bo card) and built to 12. The first player to play all the cards in the stockpile is the winner!

Anyone interested in helping with a particular game or just in general, please send a message to us at [email protected].

Retiree Rally Variety Show

By: George Walters, Variety Show Chairperson

The  Retiree Rally Variety Show is a highlight of the rally.  2023 will again present the stars of the show, our own FCRV Campers.  Of course, there are many activities and events at any FCRV Retiree Rally, and we all have to budget our time, but we want to make this year’s Variety Show the one event you don’t want to miss.  This won’t happen without our wonderful campers participating. I hope that includes YOU! 

Please remember that this is not a contest, but a chance to see your fellow campers in a different light. Many of our member campers have talents that we don’t often get to enjoy. AND IT’S A LOT OF FUN!

So, if you sing, tell a funny (clean) story or joke, put together a skit, dance group (maybe a coordinated line-dance?) or anything else I didn’t think of, get it together and let’s have some fun! Now is the time to talk to your friends about putting together one of these entries.

Sign-up sheets will be available at the Registration Area when you arrive in Dothan.  Now is the time to plan for the Variety Show, and this can be the highlight of the 51st Retiree Rally in Dothan, Alabama.  Will we see you there?  As my dad always said, “I certainly hope so”.

Do you have an idea or do you want to help, please contact me at [email protected]. 

Give What You “Can” Retiree Rally Food Drive

By: Beth Standiford, Food Drive Chair

FCRV makes a big impact on the locations where we hold Rallies and Campventions.  For this reason, we want the impact to be a positive one.  We, as a collective group, bring a lot of income to the area where we camp in the form of fuel, food, tourism, eating out, entertainment, local sites, etc.  Food/Fund drives are a great way to give back and say thanks to a community where we’ve had so much fun with our friends.  Food drives help local charities keep their shelves stocked, and it raises awareness among our camping community to the hunger and needs of those around us, even though they may not be immediately visible.  

We are providing for the basic needs of others and giving a sense of dignity and pride to those who can then provide for their families. The facility we will be donating to is yet to be determined. Last year, cash donations exceeded my expectations by so much more than I thought possible.  This year, I am asking every person at the Rally to donate the equivalent of one meal, either in canned goods or in cash donations.   I know you won’t let down the deserving people of Dothan, Alabama.  Any questions or comments can be directed to me at [email protected].

Visit Ozark, Alabama in March

By: Barb Turner, Retiree Rally Publicity Chair

Ozark, Alabama is located less than 35 miles from Dothan, site of the 51st FCRV International Retiree Rally.  Ozark is located in the southeast corner of the state in a region known as the Wiregrass, the long-stemmed grass that is native to the region.  According to local lore, the city received its name for a traveler who thought the terrain looked like that of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas.  The city borders Fort Rucker which is the center of the U.S. Army Aviation.  (http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-4048 , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srmx0l9bUk8,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIkwbtYpH1k)

The Ozark area was originally inhabited by the Muscogee people.  (The Muscogee (Creek) Nation is now located in Oklahoma and has land claims in the Florida panhandle. The Tribal headquarters is located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and the tribe has approximately 44,000 tribal members.)

Ozark is home to three sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Claybank Log Church, the Samuel Lawson Dowling House, and the J. D. Holman House.

The Claybank Log Church, 1570 Andrews Ave., was built in 1852.  It’s a hand-hewn log church that was actually the second to stand on its site. The original, built in 1829-1830, was a crude building of round logs. It deteriorated over the years and was finally replaced by the church that can still be seen today. (https://exploresouthernhistory.com/claybankchurch.html and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w3Un02NrRw)

Samuel Lawson Dowling House (311 Owens St.) was built in 1870 by Samuel Lawson Dowling, whose family was one of the first groups to settle in the area.  “The house is similar in style to a Tidewater-type cottage, which was popular on the Atlantic coastal plain where many of the area’s early settlers came from. Being built just before the railroad came to Ozark, it was one of the first architecturally styled homes in the area; most previous houses were log structures that emphasized function over form.”  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Lawson_Dowling_House)

D. Holman House (285 E Broad St) is one of the most elaborate Neoclassical homes in the Wiregrass Region.  It was built in 1912–13 for Jesse DeCosta Holman, a prominent local merchant. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._D._Holman_House)

As noted above, abutting Ozark is Fort Rucker.  Visit the United States Army Aviation Museum (6000 Novosel St, Fort Rucker)  which boasts a collection of over 160 military aircraft.  The museum houses one of the largest displays of military helicopters in the world. Visitors can view a multitude of machinery, ranging from World War I early combat aircraft to highly advanced UH-60 Blackhawks flown by military personnel today.  If you enjoy researching military history and aviation, don’t miss a trip to this fascinating museum.  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EHAD-XNYCA)

Ozark, Alabama awaits rally attendees.  Tour and eat. This YouTube video will entice the latter!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srHy_tDQI-Q  See you in March!

Your Hosts Of The 2023 International Retiree Rally!

By: Ron & Reba Ray

5 months and counting until the 2023 International Retiree Rally.  We are making plans for all who can come.  We need those registrations in order to plan for the meals, etc.

The Rally is March 28-April 2.  This means the rally will start on Tuesday (March 28), and you will need to depart on Sunday (April 2).  You will still get your 6 nights of camping as Monday night will be a paid night for you.  We are doing this because we want to have the International Parade on Saturday night because so many people miss this when they leave on Sunday.  We want everyone to see what it is really like to end the rally with a bang. It will be an eventful evening.

On Sunday, April 2, we will have a church service before we leave.  Make sure you plan for that.

Please bring door prizes, as it is fun to see that everyone gets one. 

If your state or province is planning on running a King & Queen, please get your information in to Leon & LaNelle Ishmael.  If you need information or registrations for this, they will have that for you.  This information will need to be in by mid-January which is the deadline for registrations.

We are planning on 3 nights of entertainment along with the home-grown FCRV Variety Show.  So, if you like to sing or have a skit you would like to do, please get with George Walters so he can get it all together.  After the first of the year, I will put the entertainers in Camping Today.

We can always use volunteers with all committees.  If you come and see that you would like to help, get in touch with me and I will find you a job; well, not really a job.  It is fun to work on committees, as you meet so many new people and reacquaint yourself with old friends.   Then the next year ,you will have another friend to greet.  This is a way to get to know everyone.

If anyone has questions about the FCRV Retiree Rally or any question in general, please give me a call, and I will help you anyway I can.  You can contact Reba at: [email protected].

Again, we are gearing up for this rally and are looking forward to seeing everyone in 2023.

Safe Travels to you all.  Ron & Reba Ray

FCRV International Retiree King & Queen Info

By: Leon & LaNelle Ishmael, King & Queen Coordinators

The clock is ticking down. The 2023 Retiree rally will be here before we know it. Time to think about who will be the next
king and queen to represent FCRV.

You do not have to be nominated by a retiree chapter. The nomination can come from your provincial or state organization.

The next step would be to contact us for an application form and information about the do’s and don’ts of your campaign.  Prepare a letter of introduction, telling us about yourselves and your involvement with FCRV that will be read at the rally.

You will want to host a hospitality during the rally. Your state or province will help you with that.  The only requirement for the elected couple is that they return to the retiree rally the following year to relinquish the crowns.

Looking forward to hearing from you.  [email protected]

Retiree Rally Variety Show

By: George Walters, Variety Show Chairperson

Hi all!

We are planning once again to present the  Retiree Rally Variety Show.  The stars of the show are our own FCRV Campers.  Of course, there are many activities and events at any FCRV Rally, and we all have to budget our time, but we want to make this year’s Variety Show the one event you don’t want to miss.  This won’t happen without our wonderful campers participating. I hope that includes YOU! 

Please remember that this is not a contest, but a chance to see your fellow campers in a different light. Many of our member campers have talents that we don’t often get to enjoy. AND IT’S A LOT OF FUN!

So, if you sing, tell a funny (clean) story or joke, put together a skit, dance group (maybe a coordinated line-dance?) or anything else I didn’t think of, get it together and let’s have some fun! Now is the time to talk to your friends about putting together one of these entries.

Sign-up sheets will be available at the Registration Area when you arrive in Dothan.  Now is the time to plan for the Variety Show, and this can be the highlight of the 51st Retiree Rally in Dothan, Alabama.  Will we see you there?  As my dad always said, “I certainly hope so”.

Do you have an idea or do you want to help, please contact me at [email protected].

Door Prizes

By: Pat Crow, Door Prizes Chair

Door Prizes.  We all like to receive them. The Retiree Rally never disappoints in this category. It is not too early to be thinking about what you will bring. Please provide a door prize that you, yourself, would be happy to receive. Thank you; looking forward to fun in Dothan, Alabama in March.

Retiree Games At The 51st Rally In Dothan, Alabama

By: Shari & Craig Weber, Games Chairs

Are you planning to get “Nutty” with the “Nutty Campers” and come to the peanut grounds in Dothan?  Get your game on! Or, just come and have some fun. This month I thought I would explain Frog Races.

There are two rows of chairs for 6 people in each row to sit. One row is the anchor row, and the other is the racer. The wooden frogs are on a string tied to the anchor chair. The person in the racing chair opposite the anchor chair holds the other end of the string. When the race starts, the racer will begin pulling on the string to make his frog hop. The first frog to cross the finish line wins! With 6 positions, we will hold as many heats as necessary to allow all to play, then let winners play until we have the final winner. A racer must make sure his frog knows which direction to hop as they sometimes want to go backward!

Remember, if we are going to play corn hole, we need you to bring your corn hole game boards and bags. Check the schedule for time and place at the rally. If the boards are out at your site, you just might get drop-in players.

Anyone interested in helping with a particular game or just in general, please send a message to us at [email protected].

FCRV Retiree Rally Flea Market

By: Richard & Frances Jackson,  Flea Market Chairs

Don’t go ‘nuts’ getting ready for the 2023 Retiree Rally Flea Market!  Start now to gather unused items or crafting items to sell! Flea market booth space will be free.

Visit Eufaula, Alabama In March

By: Barb Turner, Publicity Chair

When attending the FCRV International Retiree Rally 2023 in Dothan, Alabama, visiting Eufaula, about 50 miles north of the rally site, can be added to your sightseeing list. Eufaula lies on the Alabama/Georgia state line on the shores of the Walter F. George Lake, widely known as Lake Eufaula and as the ‘Bass Capital of the World’. Be sure to visit Manny, the 12-foot-tall fish, a 12-foot-tall statue of a Largemouth Bass, on East Broad Street. “The statue is named Manny after lure-maker Tom Mann in honor of his contributions to bass fishing around the globe.” Try ‘wetting a line’ in Lake Eufaula.

The Creek Indians signed the Treaty of Cusseta in 1832, giving up most of their land east of the Mississippi River and opening the region open to settlement. William Irwin purchased most of the land in this area which was known as Irwinton. But as it grew, the name was changed to Eufaula after the Native American tribe that had lived in the area. Eufaula has a rich history that can be discovered on your visit around the Retiree Rally.

So, mansions interest you? Experience the 2023 Eufaula Pilgrimage, March 31 – April 2, 2023!  “Eufaula boasts more than 700 structures listed on the National Historic Register in the Seth Lore & Irwinton Historic District area. The city’s main street, Eufaula Avenue, lined with dogwood, magnolias and oaks, is flanked by antebellum mansions that ‘rise like ornate wedding cakes’, as described by Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell, author of  The Best of Alabama.”  Wikipedia says, “the district includes Alabama’s most extensive collection of intact mid-to-late 19th century small town commercial buildings, as well as the state’s most extensive collection of domestic Italianate architecture.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b943aRmeIDc  will prepare you for your visit.

Classic Revival Shorter Mansion, 340 N Eufaula Ave, (www.eufaulapilgrimage.com)  is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM – 4 PM with an admission of $5 per person. Shorter Mansion is a two-story masonry structure built in 1884 by Eli Sims Shorter, but it burned in 1900. The mansion you will visit was built in 1906. Eli Sims Shorter only lived in the house till 1908 when he died. His widow resided there till 1927. It passed down through the family till it was purchased by the Eufaula Heritage Association at auction in 1966.

Perhaps Fendall Hall,  917 W Barbour St, (www.fendallhall.weebly.com), known for its elaborate murals, will interest you. Fendall Hall was built by Edward & Anna Young in 1860 and has been home to five generations of the Young family. “The Italianate house contains elaborate and rare interior decorative painting dating from the 1880s, complemented by the striking black & white marble floor entry.” Tours are available Monday through Saturday from 10 AM until 4 PM with an admission of $7 for adults; $5 for military.

Perhaps a strange site to visit might be the Fairview Cemetery, situated on a bluff overlooking the river. It contains information from statues and tombstones of many who shaped the history or Eufaula, and it is home to hundreds of different plant, flower, and tree species.

More sightseeing suggestions will be shared in upcoming issues to add to your ‘to-do’ list when you go to the 2023 FCRV

Family Campers & RVers International Retiree Rally – What It Is & What to Expect

By: Barb Turner, Rally Publicity Chair

In 1972 the Retiree Program of the organization held its first rally to offer a winter activity for its retired members.  Over the years as camping and RVing have changed and evolved, the rally has also changed.  From the winter months of January & February rallies, the rallies are now held in March.  Also, ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND – retirement is NOT a condition of attendance.  Planning trip south in March?  Include the rally in your plans.

What to expect?  Rally activities include indoor & outdoor games, seminars, commercial area, pet parade, and entertainment.  Also included are two meals and an ice cream social.  The highlight of the week is the crowning of the International King & Queen who reign for a year.

In addition to the rally activities, you might want to take advantage of the Early Days prior to the opening of the rally.  Early Days allow you to arrive early, get set up, and enjoy exploring the ‘things to see & do’ in the area before you get involved in rally activities.

For 2023 the rally is being held at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama March 28-April 2.  Early days begin March 24th. 

https://fcrv.org/retiree-rally-2023/ is your link to the 2023 FCRV International Retiree Rally.

FCRV International Retiree Rally 2023

By: Ron & Reba Ray, Rally Coordinators

FCRV International Retiree Rally 2023 will be coming up in about 6 months; so, let’s get those campers ready to roll.  The rally begins Tuesday March 28.  The rally will conclude Sunday April 2, 2023 after the non-denominational service.  We are to be off the grounds by 2 PM on Sunday, April 2nd.  Early days will begin on March 24th.  It will be at the National Peanut Festival Fairground in Dothan, AL.

Dothan is a pretty good-size town, with lots to offer.  Lots of shopping, museums and eating places around.  It has 2 RV dealerships, Gander RV and RV Connections.  The people at the Fairground are looking forward to us being there.  They are making lots of plans for us.

As I said in my last letter, the rally will be a day shorter, with all the benefits of a full week.

You will have 6 days of paid camping, 3 Entertainers, 2 meals, Ice Cream Social and the King and Queen Pageant.  We don’t think you will be disappointed in us cutting one day.

We are looking forward in seeing everyone there.  Last year in Mineola was wonderful to see old friends and making new ones.  Let’s make this one just as special.  We think you will like the Fairgrounds there, and there is lots of open land there to sit and enjoy the view.

So, go ahead and get those registrations in, so we know how many to prepare for.

See you in about six months.

Nuts About Dogs Pooch Parade 2023

By: Robert & Rita Letellier, Pet Parade Chairs

Welcome! to the pooch parade.  We will be giving out a gift to all participants.  The winners will receive an award & some surprises which will be given out on awards day.  There will be 5 dog categories:  Most Adorable, Best Behaved, Best Trick, Owner pet-look-a-like and Best-in-Show-dog.  Cats are invited. and the winner will also receive an award and surprises.  The category will be Best-in-Show-cat!  Please come!!!

Door Prizes    

By: Pat Crow, Door Prizes Chair

Door Prizes.  We all like to receive them. The Retiree Rally never disappoints in this category. It is not too early to be thinking about what you will bring. Please provide a door prize that you, yourself, would be happy to receive. Thank you; looking forward to fun in Dothan, Alabama in March.

FCRV International Retiree King & Queen Info

By: Leon & LaNelle Ishmael, King & Queen Coordinators 

The clock is ticking down. The 2023 Retiree rally will be here before we know it. Time to think about who will be the next king and queen to represent FCRV.

You do not have to be nominated by a retiree chapter. The nomination can come from your provincial or state organization.

The next step would be to contact us for an application form and information about the do’s and don’ts of your campaign.  Prepare a letter of introduction, telling us about yourselves and your involvement with FCRV that will be read at the rally.

You will want to host a hospitality during the rally. Your state or province will help you with that.  The only requirement for the elected couple is that they return to the retiree rally the following year to relinquish the crowns.

Looking forward to hearing from you. [email protected]

Retiree Games

By: Craig & Shari Weber, Rally Games Chairs

We are ready to be a little “Nutty” with the “Nutty Campers” coming to the peanut grounds in Dothan. Get your game on! Or, just come and have some fun. Ladder golf, washers, and corn hole will be played in singles and mixed doubles categories. Mixed doubles can be two ladies, two men, or 1 lady and 1 man. Beanbag baseball will be teams of 9. Form your own team or sign up and you will be placed on a team. Come to Frog Races and make your frog “hop” the fastest.

Table games will include chicken foot, Skip-Bo, card bingo, and 5 Crowns (this was quite popular last year).

We have an equipment request. To play corn hole, we need you to bring your corn hole game boards and bags. Check the schedule for time and place at the rally. If the boards are out at your site, you just might get drop in players.

Anyone interested in helping with a particular game or just in general, please send a message to us at [email protected].

Flea Market

by Richard & Frances Jackson,  Flea Market Chairs

Don’t go ‘nuts’ getting ready for the 2023 Retiree Rally Flea Market! Start now to gather unused items or crafting items to sell! Flea market booth space will be free.

Variety Show

By: George Walters, Variety Show Chairperson

Hi all!

We are planning once again to present the  Retiree Rally Variety Show.  The stars of the show are our own FCRV Campers.  Of course, there are many activities and events at any FCRV Rally, and we all have to budget our time, but we want to make this year’s Variety Show the one event you don’t want to miss.  This won’t happen without our wonderful campers participating. I hope that includes YOU! 

Please remember that this is not a contest, but a chance to see your fellow campers in a different light. Many of our member campers have talents that we don’t often get to enjoy. AND IT’S A LOT OF FUN!

So, if you sing, tell a funny (clean) story or joke, put together a skit, dance group (maybe a coordinated line-dance?) or anything else I didn’t think of, get it together and let’s have some fun! Now is the time to talk to your friends about putting together one of these entries.

Sign-up sheets will be available at the Registration Area when you arrive in Dothan.  Now is the time to plan for the Variety Show, and this can be the highlight of the 51st Retiree Rally in Dothan, Alabama.  Will we see you there?  As my dad always said, “I certainly hope so”.

Do you have an idea or do you want to help, please contact me at [email protected].

Visit Dothan, Alabama

By: Barb Turner, Publicity Chair

Dothan, Alabama is the site of the 2023 FCRV International Retiree Rally beginning March 28 through April 1, 2023, leaving the grounds by 2 PM on April 2nd.  The early days start March 24th which will give you time to explore Dothan and the area.

Dothan is known as the Peanut Capital of the World.  Why?  The peanut farms in the Dothan area supply about 1/4th of the country’s peanuts, according to Wikipedia.  The peanut is celebrated in Dothan in so many ways, including naming the local fairgrounds the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds where the annual National Peanut Festival is being held November 4-13, 2022 and where our rally will be held in March. 

Dothan is located in the Wiregrass Region of Alabama.  Wiregrass is a tall, wiry grass that is native to the area.  Browsing the Murals of the Wiregrass in downtown Dothan should be added to your list of things to see and do while in Dothan.  The murals depict the history and character of Dothan.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfuBDhOjOG4

Dothan is ranked as Alabama’s 8th largest city after the 2020 census.  It is named after the biblical city where Joseph‘s brothers threw him into a cistern and sold him into slavery in Egypt. The first permanent white settlers to the area were nine families that arrived in the early 1830s to harvest timber.  They named their settlement Poplar Head.  The settlement failed to survive and was abandoned by the Civil War.  “After the war, a local Pony Express route was founded; together with other developments during the Reconstruction Era, the town began to grow. On November 11, 1885, the citizens voted to incorporate, naming their new city Dothan at the suggestion of a local clergyman after discovering that ‘Poplar Head’ was already registered with the U.S. post office for a town in northern Alabama.”

On October 12, 1889,[7] Dothan was the scene of a deadly altercation resulting from a dispute over a tax levied on wagons operating within city limits. Local farmers opposed the levy and united in a body called the “Farmers Alliance”. The arrest of some of the alliance’s men led to a riot that left two men dead and others seriously wounded.[8] Chief of Police Tobe Domingus was found guilty of murder and sentenced to ten years in prison. Appeals to the Alabama Supreme Court resulted in a new trial,[9] and Domingus was acquitted.[10]

Expansion and growth

Farmers turned to peanut production, which was successful and brought financial gain to the city. It became a hub for the production and transport of peanuts and peanut-related products.[11] Today, one-quarter of the U.S. peanut crop is harvested within 75 miles (121 km) of Dothan.[11]

Looking up Foster St. toward downtown Dothan

The Southern Company constructed the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Generating Station near the city between 1970 and 1981; this 1,776-megawatt facility generates about 13,000 gigawatt-hours (47,000 TJ) per year.[12

This quaint little city in Alabama that is fondly known as the Peanut Capital of the World. The peanut farms from the surrounding areas supply almost all of the country’s peanuts, so it is not surprising that Dothan celebrates the humble peanut in every way that it can.

Dothan is located in the Wiregrass Region that is named after the tall, wiry grass that is native to the area. The city is full of interesting history and rich in culture. It was once a derelict and forgotten place, but has gone through a period of rejuvenation over the last couple of decades!

Visit one of the many museums that preserve the rich heritage of the city, a park that displays the natural beauty of the area, or theme park that entertains the whole family. Each year the city hosts the largest peanut festival in the country! And if you aren’t able to make it, you can still check out these other awesome things to see in Dothan, Alabama.

FCRV International Retiree Rally Changes in 2023

By Ron & Reba Ray, Rally Coordinators

 

Hello Fellow Retirees and Friends,

In just a few shorts months, we are gearing up for the 2023 International Retiree Rally in Dothan, Alabama.  The dates are March 28-April 2, with early days to start on March 24.

You don’t have to be retired; come and join us.

So come early, as this is a new place to explore, and they have a lot to see.  There are peanut men all around the city; we will try to get maps for you to find each and everyone.  They also have murals all over the city, and there are maps for those, also.  We will have those available

for you on the early days so you can have something to keep you busy.  They have many shops, antiques shops,  shopping mall and many other things to see.  There are 2 RV dealerships there if you are in the mood to trade campers.  Doesn’t hurt to look.  One is just north of the fairgrounds.

We are changing things up a little at the Retiree Rally this year.  You will still get all the perks at this rally; we are just making it a day shorter.  Since Monday night will be included in your stay a for the week, we will have opening ceremonies Monday Evening; so, plan to be there.  We will have Entertainment on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; the variety show is still on Thursday night.  The King and Queen Ball will be on Friday Evening.  The Grand Finale will be Saturday night with the International Parade.  As over the years, a lot of people are leaving on Sunday, and they miss the International Parade.  To me this is one of the better parts.  Everyone will be leaving the fairgrounds on Sunday.  We will be able to have a church service before we have to leave. Everything else will go as usually planned.

Last year in Mineola, Texas, we had a great time.  It was a trying time to get everything back to normal. So, let’s make Dothan’s Retiree Rally even better.  We are looking to have a good crowd there.  If you have never been, then give us try; we think you will like it.

Ron and Reba Ray will the Coordinators for this Rally along with David & Jackie Jurek as Co-Coordinators.  We have a good group of people who are chairman and co-chairman.  We are looking forward to working with each and every one of you.

We will try to post the updates as time goes by until the rally.  Keep up with the updates in the Camping Today.

See you in Dothan, 2023

Variety Show

By: George Walters

I am glad to be hosting and organizing the Variety Show at the 51^st 2023 Retiree Rally. As you all may know, this year it is being held at the National Peanut Festival Fairground in Dothan Alabama. The dates are March 28 to April 2, 2023.  The early days are March 24 to March 27.

One highlight of the Rally is the entertainment.  Included in the entertainment is our Variety Show, put on by our very own campers. It’s always fun to see the talents of our very own campers.  Many of our FCRV members have talents that our campers don’t realize we have.

How ‘bout we keep them hidden NO LONGER?

So if you can:

• Sing
• Play an instrument
• Tell a funny (clean and short) story
• Get a group together (maybe line dance?)
• Put together a short skit
• Do anything I didn’t think of

Please consider joining in the fun. And remember that this is NOT a competition.
Sign-up sheets will be available at the Registration table.

Let’s keep this tradition alive and have fun at the same time!

George Walters
Variety Show Chairperson

FCRV International Retiree King & Queen Info

By: LaNelle Ishmael

 

The 2022 Retiree Rally is behind us as is Campvention 2022. I am guessing most regions have had their regional rallies. Now it is time to start thinking of next March’s FCRV International Retiree Rally. As Leon and I have taken over the king and queen coordinators, we would like to encourage you to be thinking of running from your state or province in 2023.

Let me take a moment to tell you what it meant to me when we ran in 2012. First, it was a great honor to be chosen by South Carolina to represent them. As we were campaigning at the rally, we made new and lasting friendships that might not have happened. When we were elected, we felt humbled that so many had given us support. We attended the summer Campvention in Canada to cut the ribbon for opening ceremonies. We probably would not have gone otherwise. If not, we would have missed out on several unique experiences we had during the week. We traveled to other state’s campouts and made many new friends of people who never attend the rallies. We saw many interesting places that we would not have ever thought of going to.

Most people think they must travel if elected, but the only thing asked of you is, if at all possible, to return the following year to relinquish the crowns. Leon and I traveled because being newlyweds it was like a long honeymoon.

If your state or province would like to run a couple for 2023, please contact us for the forms. We are setting a deadline of January 30, 2023 for forms to be in to give time to order trophies and get the program set up. Contact information: [email protected] 515-520-7958

Thanks, LaNelle Ishmael