By Sheryl Watts, F285470
May 2012
Visiting, shopping, and relaxing. These were the perfect ingredients for a great time as members of the Ozark Ridge Runners celebrated the chapter’s 10th anniversary during a rally in Canton, Texas, November 3 through 6, 2011.
Maybe the best part of each Ridge Runners rally is when everyone begins arriving and gets reacquainted with friends we may not have seen for a while. Excited chatter is common and the primary focus when chapter members who have become extended family over the years get together. Visiting continues to occupy any downtime and accompany all activities.
The visiting was even more special at this rally with four new members to welcome into the family. Everyone enjoyed becoming acquainted with Larry and Cindy Boggs and Ralph and Marketa Burns, who made Canton their initial Ozark Ridge Runners rally.
The rally was scheduled the weekend of First Monday Trade Days in Canton. During this monthly four-day event, visitors experience a shopper’s paradise at what has become the world’s largest outdoor flea market. The Trade Days has more than 100 acres of shopping space in the park, with up to 6,000 vendors. Shopping with friends made the event even more pleasurable as attendees returned to the resort each evening to show off their purchases. This was followed by tales of “finds” that weren’t bought, and complicated instructions about how to get to a specific location at this expansive shopping extravaganza. One would have to say the guys know how to treat their ladies right by bringing them to this location for a special rally.
In contrast to the bustle and excitement at the First Monday Trade Days was the location of our rally, the bucolic and beautiful grounds of Mill Creek Ranch Resort, an FMCA commercial member. This award-winning destination resort provided shuttle service to the shopping venues, a barbecue dinner on Saturday night, and exemplary meeting and cooking facilities, plus it supplied the refreshments for the anniversary celebration. Talk about full service! The beautifully landscaped facility, complete with ponds and bubbling streams, provided a relaxing retreat from the hustle and bustle at the end of the day.
On Friday, November 4, the chapter officially celebrated its birthday in the park’s outdoor pavilion. On this sunny and clear autumn afternoon, the slanting sun’s rays through colorful leaves provided the perfect backdrop for the celebration. Thirty-two members were present to enjoy the decorated theme cake, ice cream, and beverages. Five of those attending were present for the Ridge Runners’ first rally in Branson, Missouri, in November 2001.
Fred Kennedy, immediate past national vice president, South Central Area, presented the special 10-year commemorative certificate to chapter president Vern Nelson. Charlie Adcock, current national vice president, South Central Area, was attending events at FMCA headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the time.
Fred accompanied his congratulations with this advice: “The 10 years behind you were easy; the second 10 years can have challenges as new energy will be required to maintain a viable organization.” His final words: “Take your success and build on it.”
It appears the second decade is off to a good start, as six new family members have joined the chapter in the last three months. The next decade is looking good. The Ozark Ridge Runners are off and running!