Look in the middle of the picture. There is a blue box and a red arrow that shows where we were parked.
Sunday, March 12, 2023
12 coaches, 22 attendees, several dogs, and a cat assembled early afternoon at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia! FMCA graciously permits our chapter to arrive before the scheduled Convention begins, with no additional camping fees, along with the volunteers arriving to assist in Convention set up. Several in our group are volunteers, which aids in that decision. We were only slightly delayed being parked due to the thunderstorm that greeted us on arrival. Luckily, our patience paid off, and we were parked on the second row from the main arena–no trams were needed for the week! This location wasn’t only for our Rally but the Convention–once parked, that was our home for the week. That evening, the dinner menu was our first crock pot meal–spinach pasta alfredo and lemon bundt cake, served between rain showers.
Monday, March 13, 2023
A breakfast of steel-cut oatmeal made in crock pots overnight with assorted pastries was served at 9:00 am. A warm breakfast was very welcome because it had turned cold overnight, but by 10:00 am, it had warmed enough to gather for a group discussion regarding the upcoming Convention and our Chapter. Nearly 75% of our attendees had never been to an FMCA Convention, so we had a good exchange of what the next few days would offer. We also discussed how this LTV club was formed as a non-profit, and our rallies accompany the FMCA International Conventions.
A happy hour then a dinner of Brunswick stew–Georgia version! Five, yes five, crock pots cooked away all afternoon. Served with homemade cornbread and peach pie for a welcome to GA–style meal. That evening we drew numbers for the order to select “swag” provided by LTV.
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
This morning was even colder, and breakfast was a grab-and-go offering of assorted pastries and fruit cocktails as it was too cold to sit outside. Then some of us had to attend volunteer organization meetings.
Early afternoon was the first timer’s orientation, followed by the Chapter Fair. Two wonderful chapter members, Linda and Judy, took over crock pot duty and served pulled pork sandwiches, German potato salad, and red velvet cake for that night’s dinner. Then it was time for entertainment to start–card bingo and an Acappella group in the main arena.
Wednesday, March 15 – 18, 2023
The 106th International Convention Begins! Classes, seminars, slide shows, contests, free coffee and donut breakfasts, an ice cream social, a charity walk, service appointments, trade show exhibits, music, and professional entertainment galore! Lots to see and do or sit and visit with new and old friends.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
The Chapter hosted the annual block party. This was open to any LTV owner regardless of club membership, and LTV covered the expense of the meal.
Approximately 35 LTVers had a picnic dinner of hot dogs with fixings, chips, assorted cookies, and bottled water. Need I say it? 48 hot dogs were prepared in a single crock pot.
Sunday, March 19, 2023
This was it—generators off at 9:00 am. We bid goodbye to our new friends, and everyone headed to various destinations–beaches, parks, or homes. All are planning to gather again at an LTV Regional Club Rally.
Next Rally: Aug. 20-22, 2023 Gillette Wyoming
107th FMCA Int’l Convention Aug 23-27, 2023
(My Crock Pot is staying home. It needs the rest!)
Written by: Randy Johnson
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