2017 FEBRUARY EDITION

Judy Findley, Editor

GA- GOOD SAM NEWS

Director Sharon & Mercer Graham

A letter from our new director:

Happy New Year! While the year began a little cold with the

threat of the “S” word, for most of us it was just a tease. As

Mercer and I begin our duties as your State Director, the plans

for the Spring Rally are in full swing. The dates for the rally are

March 23-26, 2017, with early bird being 21st and 22

nd. We hope

you are making plans with your chapters to attend the rally. Our

theme is “Wild Wild West”, so dust off your boots and hats, but

please….. don’t ride in on a horse! Just bring your RV and

make plans to enjoy four days with old friends and make some

new friends along the way. Our entertainment is in place:

Thursday evening is Gospel Night and The Diplomats will be

singing. The Diplomats are a gospel group from Carrollton,

Georgia. Friday evening entertainment is David Payton. David

is from Woodstock, Georgia, plays guitar and sings. Saturday

evening entertainment is Carly Burrus Band. Carly is based out

of Atlanta and has toured with Dwight Yoakum and Keith

Urban. Both David and Carly are more of a country mix for our

western theme.

Our wish for our Georgia Chapters this year is for you to enjoy

your RV, enjoy a lot of sitting around a campfire with friends,

and enjoy seeing this great country!

See you in March,

Sharon and Mercer Graham

Upcoming Georgia Good Sam RV

Rallies

Make your plans now to attend

Georgia Rallies!

Spring 2017 March 23-26

Theme:

“Wild Wild West”

Fall 2017 September 14-17

Theme:

“Feeling Groovy”

Spring 2018 March 22-25

Theme TBD

For registration forms, see your

chapter president

or visit the new Georgia Good Sam

website: www.georgiagoodsam.org

Chapter 22–The Free Wheeling Sams

HAPPY TRAILS AND BLESSINGS IN 2017 to

our fellow Good Sams and Samanthas!

The Free Wheeling Sams do not schedule Chapter campouts

November through February; but, do enjoy getting together for

monthly luncheons:

NOVEMBER 2016 Luncheon was held at Aspens in

Marietta, Georgia, on November 10 with fifteen (15) past

and present member rigs in attendance. Chapter President

Culver and Dot Johnson hosted the event that included table-

decoration keepsakes; a door-prize; and, prizes for the newest

member in attendance and the Patriotic Trivia game winner.

As usual, attendees enjoyed the prize of chapter fellowship

including past members who have retired from camping.

DECEMBER 2016 Luncheon was held at the

home of the hosts, Randy and Marilyn Womack, on

December 17 with eleven (11) member rigs in attendance

plus some former members who retired from camping

and future members interested in joining. Attendees

enjoyed barbeque catered by The Crooked Tree of

Marietta, Georgia; and, a Secret Santa gift exchange;

and, the joy of Christmas!

FEBRUARY-OCTOBER 2017 CAMPOUT SCHEDULE: The Free Wheeling Sams are

adding an “extracurricular” campout to our March-October schedule this year. As many

members as possible will be going to the Florida Good Sam’s “Rally in Tally” February 15-19.

Monthly Chapter campouts will kick-off with the Georgia Good Sam’s Spring Rally.

Other confirmed campout locations for 2017 are Scenic Mountain, Milledgeville GA; Stone

Mountain; Great Outdoors, Franklin NC; Raccoon Mountain, Chattanooga TN; and, the Georgia

Good Sam Fall Rally. The location for the Chapter’s annual Lyle Mix Memorial Kidz Kampout in

July will be announced soon.

The Free Wheeling Sams always welcome visitors and new friends!

HAPPY HEARTS #12 NEWSLETTER (NOV., DEC. 2016 & JAN. 2017) NOVEMBER was an unofficial campout for the Happy Hearts and the location was High Falls State Park. This campground is definitely one of my favorites as Ed & I were camp hosts there after Ed retired in 2009. Camping at High Falls in November is one of our "most laid back" campouts, mostly sitting around a campfire and catching up with "what's going on with our families", "our hopes and prayers for future" and "enjoying delicious food and entertaining ourselves with games, cards and such". We had a really special campout this time by extending an invitation (reminder that they are always welcome to visit and/or camp with us) to inactive and past Happy Hearts and "WHAT A HIT THAT WAS". We had quite a turnout of special friends (who are like family) and the food was "out of control", what a spread! We will hope for a repeat in November of 2017. DECEMBER campout was at Pine Mountain where we attended the "Festival of Lights at Callaway Gardens" via the tram (most of us, a few by personal vehicles). We enjoyed lunch at the Bulloch House and browsed around some shops in Warm Springs. Our hosts were Sandy & Max Stephens and Barbara & Bob Cooley. We celebrated with our Christmas luncheon and festive party. We sang Christmas Carols & Hymns and continued into the evening drinking coffee/tea, snacking and playing cards. Our Christmas project was giving to the Children's Home in Meansville (& Warm Springs) and we donated a total of $500.00 in gift cards.

JANUARY campout was at Coastal Georgia RV Park at Brunswick. We had awesome weather until Sunday, travel day for most, which was really stormy with threats of tornadoes all around. Safe travels were had by our entire group which went in many directions. Our hosts were Tom & Ellen Jeanes and Ken & Elaine Pyron who provided chili and hot dogs with all the trimmings. We ate dinner at Zachry's Seafood Restaurant and had breakfast at Denny's. Some visited Cumberland Island, Jekyll Island, St. Simmons Island, Christ Church & Historic Cemetery, Fort Frederica National Monument and Georgia Sea Turtle Center. I will just add that I believe "a good time was had by ALL" ! We will be camping at Twin Oaks in Elko (Rodeo) in February to continue our "camaraderie".

HAPPY HEARTS CHAPTER #12

CAMPING SCHEDULE 2017

MONTH LOCATION HOST

JANUARY 19-22 Coastal/Brunswick Pyron/Jeanes

FEBRUARY 23-25 Twin Oaks /Perry Butler/Towns

MARCH 23-26 RALLY/PERRY

APRIL 20-23 Brickyard/Americus Culberson

MAY 18-21 Scenic Mtn. RV/Milledgeville Fox/Vance

JUNE 22-25 River Bend/Hiawassee Grandparents/Group

JULY 20-23

AUGUST 17-20 River Plantation/Pigeon Forge Pate/

SEPTEMBER 14-17 RALLY/PERRY

OCTOBER 19-22 TBD Scotts/Sanders

NOVEMBER 9-12 HIGH FALLS/JACKSON NO HOST NEEDED

NOV 30 – DEC 3 River Country/Gadsden Reeves/Findley

News from Drifters Chapter #44: Planned camping dates for 2017:

February 16-19 - AH Stephens State Park, Crawfordville

May 23-21 - Spring Rally, Perry

Apr 20-23 - River Vista Mountain Village RV Park, Dillard

May 18-21 - James Island County Park, Charleston, SC

Jun 15-18 - Barnyard RV Park, Lexington, SC

Jul 20-23 - Asheville's Bear Creek RV Park, Asheville, NC

Sep 14-17 - Fall Rally, Perry

Oct 19-22 - Mountain Camping Resort, Hiawassee

Nov 16-19 - Beaver Run RV Park, Metter

During the weekend of January 19th, the Drifters camped at the Scenic Mountain RV Park and

Campground in Milledgeville with 7 rigs in attendance. This campground is under new

management and has made some great improvements.

We had a potluck on Friday night at the clubhouse. This picture was taken on the porch of the

beautiful new clubhouse.

On Saturday afternoon, we all had a scare when the Milledgeville Tornado Emergency

Warning siren was activated and could be heard at the RV park. We were told by the park

management to evacuate. They provided us with a map to the nearest fire station. Thank

goodness, no tornadoes were actually seen in Milledgeville.

By dinnertime, the weather had cleared and we all enjoyed dinner at The Brick in downtown

Milledgeville.

SINGING SAMS CHAPTER 19

November 18-20 we enjoyed one of our favorite destinations, Twin Oaks in Elko, GA. Thanks to some of our newer members, Coley & Wanda Hamrick & Jack & Sue Copeland, for cohosting. We had 15 rigs. Weekend guests included the Tharpes, Rhodes, & Betty Wall. Friday night we went to Yodas in Montezuma which we always look forward to. Back at the clubhouse we visited & played Joker or Phase 10 until one by one we headed to bed. Saturday breakfast & lunch were OYO with some meeting at the clubhouse to eat together & enjoy a 31 Party in the afternoon. Dinner included soups, provided by our hosts, along with chili, grilled cheese, sides, sandwiches, & a table full of desserts. We played Bingo, with prizes, after supper. Sunday morning we had a light breakfast & Wanda led us in a devotional. We all headed back home from another fun weekend! Our Christmas luncheon, hosted by Mike & Linda Barnwell, was held at Lizella Baptist Church on Dec 3. We had 27 attend, all dressed in festive clothes. Our chapter furnished fried chicken. Each family brought sides &/or desserts. Thanks to our hosts for setting up & decorating so beautifully. Always a special time with the group before Christmas.

For our 2017 New Year’s Celebration 8 rigs headed to Lake Pines RV Resort in Columbus, GA. from Dec 30-Jan 2. Scott & Kay Wangen were our hosts. Official schedule started Friday night at a Chinese buffet in Columbus. We visited back at the clubhouse afterwards. Weather was rainy most of the weekend, but that didn’t dampen our good time!

Saturday breakfast OYO. That afternoon we carved Spam. Yes! You read that right. Smelly, but fun. Most of the guys spent the day watching football. Hosts provided Trash Can Turkey for dinner. Lots of sides & desserts. Games, puzzles, football & food for the evening. We brought munchies to have while we waited for Happy New Year to arrive. So much fun!!!

Sunday was our big New Years’ Day lunch & it was BIG! Hosts provided ham. Lots of other meats & traditional sides added to it. We visited,

watched football, played games, & ate leftovers for supper & enjoyed the rest of the evening together. Headed out Monday morning still stuffed.☺ The first campout for 2017 was Jan 20-22 at Twin Oaks in Elko, GA.

Hosts were Don & Betty Pyles. We had 5 rigs. A small group, but had a great time. Fri we watched the Inauguration before heading to the Oil Lamp for dinner. The Hamricks joined us. We had a movie night with popcorn watching Sully. Great movie! Saturday the weather turned rough around lunch & we ended up in the cinder block bath houses until the threat of a tornado

passed. Saturday night hosts provided baked spaghetti. Great sides & desserts were brought. We had the Tharpes & Rhodes joined us that evening. We visited, did a UGA puzzle, & played corn hole toss. Lots of laughs. Sunday morning Don led a devotional thanking God for our safety. We had a breakfast brunch, & all headed out while the rain stayed at bay...

Praying God blesses each of you in 2017!!!

Yosemite Sams Chapter 11

Due to lots of problems, we did not camp in October and November. In December we meet at Logan's roadhouse in Douglasville for a great dinner. They have a nice private room where we were could hang out, visit and eat. Instead of swapping presents, we decided to donate money to St. Jude's Children's hospital and to the Cobb Ministries, a group that helps people find housing, food, clothes and job training. We've already started planning this year's campouts and will be going to Scenic Mountain RV in April, Raccoon Mountain (Chattanooga) in May, Twin Oaks (Elko) in October and Savannah in November. Of course March and September we'll be at the Rally. We welcome visitors anytime. If we're camping somewhere you've wanted to camp, come join us. I

guarantee there will be lots of food, games and activities. There will also be a campfire where no one is doing anything but sitting and enjoying the fire. We always have something for everyone. We wish everyone a happy and healthy 2017.

GA-Good Sam 2017Staff Members

POSITION NAME (SPOUSE)

DIRECTOR SHARON GRAHAM (MERCER)

TREASURER MIKE BARNWELL(LINDA)

CHAPLAIN LAMAR LITTLE (IONE)

SECRETARY MARTI HARPER (LYNN)

WAGONMASTER WENDELL BROWN

ASST. WAGONMASTER JERRY DELOACH (GAIL)

VENDOR MANAGER TOM DUNCAN(KAREN)

STATE STORE MANAGER GARY BAKER(CAROL)

HOSPITALITY DENNY PERRY (CHERYL)

HOSPITALITY ASST. LARRY CLINE (KATHYRN)

EDITOR JUDY FINDLEY (ED)

CHINESE AUCTION PAT MCGOWAN (PATTY)

HEALTH COORDINATOR EVA MACE (SAM)

GAMES COORDINATOR SAM JOHNSON (FAY)

ASST GAMES COORDINATOR BENNY MARSH (LAVERNE)

DOOR PRIZES TOM DAVIS (VIRGINIA)

GA GOOD SAM ON FACEBOOK: Join your GA Good Sam buddies on Facebook at the Georgia Good Sam group. You can

keep up with what’s happening with Good Sam in Georgia, connect with chapter members,

find out what other chapters are doing, see photos from Good Sam events, and in general,

keep informed on issues and events. Just go to www.facebook.com. In the search box, type

in Georgia Good Sam. When you see the name of our group come up, just click on it. This

is an open group, but you’ll need to request membership. We’d love to have every one of

our Georgia Good Sam members participating in this group.

You can also keep up with National Good Sam Club on Facebook by following the same

instructions as above, only typing in Good Sam Club and “LIKE” the page. Or once you’re

on Facebook, go to:http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheGoodSamClub?fref=ts

OPERATIONS BILL ROGERS (CHERYL)

FLEA MARKET MERCER GRAHAM

ASST. STATE DIRECTORS

ZONE 1 JOE KERN (PADDY)

Chapters 10, 22, 33, 38

ZONE 2 SKIP REISGL

Chapters 14, 20, 36, 39

ZONE 3

Chapters 23, 24, 47

ZONE 4 KEN PYRON (ELAINE)

Chapters 11, 12, 13, 21, 31

ZONE 5 JACK SANGSTER (DONNA)

Chapters 3,8,16,32,37

ZONE 6 SHERRILL ANNAS (MARIE)

Chapters 7,17,19,27,34,35,44

HANDICAP RON DAVIS (HANNI)

Newsletter information:

The GA Good Sam Newsletter is published six times a year; once after each GA Good Sam

Rally, and once quarterly in February, May, August and November. The deadline for

submission of chapter information is the 1st of the month of each quarterly publication.

Please submit your chapter’s information to the State Editor in MSWord format or as text

in your email. Summarizing each submission takes a lot of time, so we will publish

whatever text you submit, without a lot of editing.

We appreciate receiving photos of your chapter’s activities. Please be sure that you

convert them to jpg format and attach to your email. We can “usually” copy and paste or

insert whatever you send. Please be sure to label all files and photos with your chapter

name and number.