By Herman Mullins, F302225
August 2012
The Lone Star chapter has come a long way in what seems like a very short time. Wow, 45 years!
When the Lone Star chapter received its charter in 1967, it became FMCA’s ninth chapter. Rallies at that time typically involved dry camping, open-pit fires, and BYOF (bring your own food). The wagon master was responsible for keeping the fire going all night. The chapter later added a trailer with all the cooking supplies and a tent. Rally fees were an outrageous sum of $3 per motorhome. Now the wagon master’s main responsibilities are to make sure the meeting room is set up, the caterers are on time, and that everyone has fun.
A good time was had by all during the Lone Star chapter’s 45th anniversary rally, April 26 through 28, 2012, at the Canton Civic Center in Canton, Texas. Canton is home to the world-famous First Monday Trade Days, and folks attending the rally shopped, ate, and toured the city. But the best part of the gathering was the rally.
Wagon masters Bill and Lenora Clyde, along with their assistants, Gordon and Mary Ann Allar, put on a wonderful rally. Attendees enjoyed great food, and there were so many door prizes that everyone won something, with awards ranging from mugs to a gift certificate provided by MCD Innovations of McKinney, Texas. A new motorhome was displayed by Motorhomes of Texas, based in Nacogdoches, and the company also provided breakfast one of the mornings.
Prior to and during the rally, Lone Star members collected several hundred pounds of canned and dry food for the local food bank and more than 100 stuffed toy animals for the Canton Police Department to distribute to children.
Close to 100 people registered for the event, and each one was given a commemorative coffee mug recognizing Lone Star’s 45th anniversary. Besides the chapter members who attended, we also welcomed several guests. They included South Central Area national vice president Charlie Adcock and his wife, Gloria; past South Central Area national vice president Fred Kennedy and his wife, Lou; and past national president Connie Pool and her husband, Corbett. The highlight of the rally was seeing the nine past presidents of the chapter who were present.
On Friday afternoon we had our ice cream social, at which time the guests were introduced and everyone was welcomed to Canton by the city’s mayor, Cary Hilliard. That afternoon several happy hour groups gathered between motorhomes that had the best shady areas.
After dinner on Friday, the group was entertained by “Risky on The Rocks,” courtesy of North Texas RV Repair of Krum, Texas. This local band played music that was popular during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. The songs had everyone remembering something from their past and prompted several couples to get up and dance.
When the band finished their performance, the microphone was turned over to chapter treasurer Irene Renfro and national director Sheri Brewer. They called Gene Getzendanner, a past president of the chapter, and his wife, Eunice, to the stage and presented them with a bouquet of flowers and a card from Lone Star to recognize their 65th wedding anniversary.
Following the presentation, Ray Beall, another past chapter president, recounted the history of the Lone Star chapter. He began with Waco in 1967 and went right up to Canton in 2012. Just as Ray was concluding his talk, Dave Davies came on the stage holding his chest. Everybody was very concerned when he asked Ray if there was a doctor in the house.
Fortunately for Dave there was a “doctor” present — Dr. Fog, also known as Charlie Adcock, who was played this night by chapter vice president Herman Mullins. When Dr. Fog made it up to the stage, Dave said that he wasn’t sure but he might be feeling better. Dave and the good doctor then roasted Charlie Adcock until he was done through and through. During the entire examination, Dr. Fog was interrupted with phone calls about the Six-State Rally, the Rally in the Pasture, and how many pizzas he needed for his rally and class reunion.
What really surprised the audience was how much Dr. Fog knew about each of Lone Star’s past presidents. He even mentioned that he had pictures of some, but said he wouldn’t go into that. He did have a story or two about each of them. Following the presentation, Dave told the doctor that he was feeling much better.
Saturday morning at the chapter’s business meeting, Charlie Adcock presented Lone Star president Butch Hall with a certificate recognizing the chapter’s 45 years as part of FMCA, along with a check. Later Butch introduced the new members who joined Lone Star during the rally. They were Billy and Jo Ann Canady, Monte and Elaine Cooper, Jimmy and Jane Smith, and Fred and Lou Kennedy.
The ever-famous Lone Star Championship Bean Bag Baseball Tournament was held Saturday afternoon. After dinner that night, plenty of prizes were awarded, and we played card bingo.
The rally was a great success. Butch concluded the event by saying that he hoped everyone will be able to attend the chapter’s 50th anniversary rally in 2017.