Northern Illinois Airstream Club

Seventeen die-hard members came through driving rains to attend. Small group conversations centered about the upcoming camping season, the state of the economy, and how it is affecting the RV industry. Monaco, the country’s 4th largest RV manufacturer, declared bankruptcy this week. Fleetwood pulled out of the making travel trailers 3/12/09. This month, the Blue Beret reported Airstream lost 5 dealerships. Thor loaned Camping World $10 million and now some Camping World’s will be approved by Airstream to do some repairs.

Picturesque White Pines Lodge and Log Cabin Village were built as a CCC project during the last great 30’s depression. Torrents of water, causing rapids in the river ford near the park entrance, prevented us from exploring most of the park.

We had super weather with temperatures in the 50’s for the outing. Twenty people attended. Food was good. President Norm White and first mate, Sharon hosted the party and prepared the valentine treat bags. Some of us went out on the veranda to watch the eagles soaring over the Illinois River. Four couples went down to the locks on the river and to get a close up look at them. We observed about a dozen eagles, but they said there were over 200 of them fishing in the open water below the dam last week. This week the river ice has broken up and the eagles have spread out. There was also a barge moving upstream through the locks.

Check out the new Airstream/Thor History on the links page.

We had 21 members attend the luncheon. The weather was good as well as the food. The six couples from Northern Illinois Unit that are staying at Travelers Rest, as well as the three couples who winter in the area, came to the outing. Our next Florida outing is the Sarasota Rally at the end of February. Some of us are just going to drive down for the day they have the Region 5 dinner. Rulene Aarup

We had 52 members attend. The Epicurean Restaurant offered a mid-European flair with a Gyspy violinst and accordion player honoring a broad selection of guest requests and Christmas music. The food was good and plentiful. Hospitality was warm and inviting. The weather was a little cold, but the traffic was light. President Norm White conducted the informal business meeting during appetizers to elect Carol Dixon as vice president and Bob Whitesell conducted the installation. First Lady, Sharon White, bought the winter scene centerpieces and Norm make up the rules to hand them out after the meal. Martha Clark brought along a display of early club memorabilia and newsletters for the members to see.  We welcomed a strong contingent of the former Midwest members and one new couple, Hal & Cynthia Withey.  The Hutchinsons’ passed out their new address which they will be moving to this Thursday. A good time was had by all.

The rally was held at Amboy 4H fairgrounds. Fourteen trailers came in on Friday and another 2 trailers plus a B-van came in on Saturday and stayed overnight. Seven couples drove-in Saturday to join in the fellowship. We had a little rain Friday and a small 1/8 to ¼ inch hail storm at 5:00 PM, which did no damage. The tables were decorated in a Harvest Theme with pumpkins, and gourds. Our First Lady, Sharon White, set up a “guess the number of candy corns in the jars” contest. The two winners received the jars of candy. That evening, we had a good time playing a “Golf” card game. For future unit entertainment, the Executive Board approved the purchase of a $600 DLP color projector and sound system.

Saturday morning we had “Omelets in a bag”. To encourage more rally participation, Dwight Dixon proposed (and the membership approved) giving one free rally fee to members who had not previously attended a unit rally. Saturday afternoon, we raised $303.50 at the club white elephant auction. The weather cleared on Saturday, so Dwight was able to deep fry one turkey outdoors. The other two birds were baked in the Nesco’s. All enjoyed the turkey dinner with all the fixings’. Al’s Motorhome of Rockford donated five coupons of $25 each for merchandise or service for our door prizes. One $25 gift coupon was given to new member, Monique Clark, and her mother, Martha, won another one at the evening drawing. As normal, we also gave away the very nice table centerpieces. Dave Toeppen’s Alaska movie that evening was very entertaining.

Sunday was cool, clear and windy. We had a church service and brunch before our departure.

The rally was held at the Lee County 4H fairgrounds at Amboy. Weather was great. We had 8 couples bring out their rigs and a couple more showed up for visits. We held a business meeting Friday to elect Norm White as president. Saturday was spent in town looking at the 80 tractors that were on display. Sunday we went back and tried to see all the 400 cars that had come into town. Aarup’s two grandkids enjoyed outing.