This Indiana chapter looks toward the next 50 years.
By Greg Wessel, F324602
November/December 2024
The Hoosier Cruisers are celebrating 50 years as an FMCA chapter. The group was officially recognized as a chapter of FMCA on February 9, 1974. Ed and Dorothy Casada were instrumental in the approval of the club’s bylaws. At that time, 20 families belonged to the group. Today, the owners of nearly 100 RVs are members.
While some changes have occurred over the years, Hoosier Cruisers members still share some common threads, and we continue to recruit new members. Rallies are mostly held in Indiana, which provides many unique opportunities. We visit museums and historic sites and learn about the history of the state, and we enjoy visiting many businesses and manufacturers. Another trait that members find in common is their willingness to help one another when problems arise. It is not unusual to see two members under an RV, trying to fix a problem. We also enjoy gathering around a campfire, sharing stories. All members seem to like pitch-in dinners, and often recipes are shared. But the most important attribute would be fellowship. Members enjoy getting together.
The chapter was awarded an anniversary certificate and a check at the June 2024 GLAMARAMA rally (Great Lakes Area Rally), where 79 Hoosier Cruisers were registered. Many volunteered to help with parking, seminars, security, and shuttles.
Hoosier Cruisers member Kevin Watters, who attended, has been elected as the new Great Lakes Area president. Also attending were FMCA national vice president Paul Mitchell and his wife, Lisa; national treasurer Barbara Smith and her husband, Ed; and then-Great Lakes Area president Ken Lewis and his wife, Linda.
To celebrate our 50 years as a chapter, we had dinner at the Montage Café in Greenville, Ohio. The club had 86 members, associate members, and past members in attendance. It truly was a great gathering of friends, including many we had not seen for some time. Louise Moore, one of the founding members, shared stories about her experiences when the chapter was created.
Hoosier Cruisers members have served in leadership roles at the international, area, and local levels. In addition to Kevin Watters as current Great Lakes Area president, we are fortunate to have Jerry Covington as our current chapter president and his wife, Roberta, as our secretary. Our officers also include Jim Wall, Steve Ruster, Doug Tilmann, Billie Fordeck, Al Fordeck, Greg Wessel, Roberta Covington, and Betty Tilmann.
With new members and strong leadership, the Hooser Cruisers chapter plans to celebrate more anniversaries in the future.
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