This newsletter is a recap of our Barnyard RV Park rally in Lexington, SC Dec. 5-8, including the Annual Meeting (in Blue)
We had a total of 9 rigs whose owners are: Gary & Barbara Lyons, Don & Betty Elliott, Charles & Janet Goding, Walter & Deborah Moore, Betsey & Mike Beaulieu, Greg & Barbara Nicholas, John & Linda Marano, Rod & Neily Trump, and Rene and I, who joined together to celebrate our last campout of 2024 season.
Thursday – we all hustled to arrive and get settled in before our annual business meeting and more important, ‘the sharing of snacks’ which was on the schedule for 6pm.
Before the activities started, Don Elliott began the evening by bringing attention to Barbara & Gary Lyons, by giving them a big THANK YOU!!! for all their hard work, planning and leadership for the past few years. You guys are awesome!
Once everyone had managed to get a plateful of snacks, our business meeting was under way. On the agenda tonight: election of officers for president and secretary, for the next two-year term (FY25/26) and get a Nominating Committee together.
Election for the office of president was fairly quick, Rene was nominated and quickly voted in before I even realized it! Congratulations Rene! I was approached a couple months ago inquiring if I would stay on as secretary for the next two years, and I agreed. We re-established our Nominating Committee for the next term, they include: Barbara Borg, John Marano and Richard Stanton.
Annual Business Meeting – Thursday, December 5, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 1828 by temporary President, Don Elliot.
In attendance were: Deborah Moore, John & Linda Marano, Don & Betty Elliott, Rene & Renee Bollengier, Gary & Barbara Lyons, Charles & Janet Goding, Rod & Neily Trump and Greg & Barbara Nicholas
Gary Lyons resigned as President of the Carolina Drifters, on November 14, 2024, to accept the position of President of the Eastern Area of The Family RV Association (FMCA). Don Elliott, resumed position of President temporarily for the remainder of the business meeting. John Marano, will step up from Alternate National Director to replace Gary Lyons, as the National Director.
SECRETARY’S REPORT – Sam read the minutes from the last meeting, Gary approved the minutes, Neily 2nd the motion.
TREASASURERS REPORT – Barbara reported that on October 28, 2024, the clubs current balance was $x,xxx.xx
OLD BUSINESS – Many thanks go out to Barbara Lyons for the past year of planning great campouts
NEW BUSINESS – OUR PATH FORWARD
Election of Officers – Rene Bollengier was nominated for President, uncontested
Sam (Renee) Bollengier has agreed to serve as Secretary for another term
Our new 2025 Nominating Committee: Barbara Borg, John Marano and Richard Stanton
NEXT STEPS
Various ways to attract new members
Volunteering at local and national level events, and rally’s
Betty Elliott motioned to adjourn, John Marano 2nd it.
Meeting adjourned 1900.
Once our meeting concluded, and we had straightened up for the night, some folks went back to their campers to walk their waiting four footed friends, while others attended a campfire at our place on site #5. After all the snacking people were a little slow moving around, but Rene finally got the fire going and we had a real nice crowd for the evening.
Charles arrived with their chairs, but Janet was nowhere to be seen, that is until… here she comes, here came Janet in all her glory, in all her puffy, comfy, fully pocketed, midi length, snuggy/robe/blanket thing with a hood. I immediately proclaimed that I want one! Janet could barely move as she continued to model and pose for us, showing us all that she was literally plugged in and receiving heat from a battery pack that was in a compartment in the pocket section of this magnificent puffy, comfy, fully pocketed, midi length, snuggy/robe/blanket thing with a hood. Yes, it was very, very soft. I still want one.
Friday – We all had the day to ourselves until dinner time. Aside from our antique adventures, Rene and I are also bicycle enthusiasts, always on the lookout for new bike trails to ride or new bike shops to check out. While being in the club, we have had the good fortune of riding with Betsy & Mike, Rod & Neily, Barbara & Greg and even Rachel! Hope to ride more in 2025! So, Rene and I happily went with Barbara & Greg on their quest to find the right fenders for Barb’s new bike. And to get socks. UGH!
Last week I had purchased 6 pairs of socks and gift bags to bring for our Christmas exchange. Thursday evening once we got settled in our spot at site #5, I figured get everything out, take inventory (yeah I still do that) and get my bags fixed so that I’ll be all set for the sock exchange. Well guess what, no socks, no bags… nothing. It was just a crazy afternoon for me. Nothing seemed to go as planned. I call it my Charlie Brown moment.
Dinner Friday evening was festive and delicious. Everyone shared a covered dish and the club provided the meat. We had so many deserts on Thursday evening that we had more than plenty the second night. Once dinner concluded it was time for our 50/50 raffle. Congratulations to Neily Trump, who being handed her winnings of an astounding $43 exclaimed, “Wow! I’ve won half my money back!”. The sock exchange was fun, everyone selected a piece of paper from the jar. Each paper had a number written on it, and as your number was called, you walked up to the table and selected an item containing socks. Some socks were quite humorous while others offered soothing, healing comfort from aloe vera properties. I think everyone enjoyed the sock exchange, I know I did. Rene does look really cute in his ET socks
Saturday – We like the Barnyard campout because it also gives us the opportunity to visit the flea markets that are so close to the campground. Within seconds, I kid you not, of walking into the first building, Rene spied some contraption for his garage that he just couldn’t pass up. I had to ask what it was because to me it was not that obvious. It was a foldable table saw on wheels. We were still on our quest for bike fenders so we didn’t want to squander any time needlessly, we have fenders to find, onward!
Dinner Saturday evening was at the Lizard’s Thicket, in Lexington. Once back at the campground we all gathered back in the activity room where Linda had cake and ice cream waiting, and we all sang Happy Birthday, to John Marano, celebrating his 80th birthday. Congratulations John!
While enjoying our cake and ice cream, Charles & Janet started handing out these cute bags. Janet handed Barbara & Greg one of the bags and said “this is for the friends of the white dog with a brown spot”. She handed another bag to Neily & Rod saying, “this is for friends of the gray dog with tiny white spots”, to Betsy & Mike, “here is to the friends of the shy black dog”. Then she came to Rene and me, and while handing us a green bag she said, “This is for the friends of the friends of the white dog with the brown spot”. Everyone enjoyed their bags. Thank you Janet & Charles that was a very sweet gesture. Once the activity room was put back together and everyone helped with the cleanup, it was just too late to start a campfire, besides everyone was bushed!
While reflecting back over the events of the weekend, even after having my Charlie Brown moment, I must admit it was a super weekend! The weather was perfect, the food was good, but the company we kept made it all so much more special being together.
This concludes our Camping Schedule for FY2024.
As we welcome in a new year, just wanted to remind you of our first campout which is scheduled for March 6 – 9 at Bass Lake RV Campground, in Dillon, SC. Reservations must be made by January 6, 2025, however the campground asks that we make them much sooner if possible. They will charge you a booking fee of $3.00 when you make your reservation.
Also, if you have not already paid your dues for FY2025, they are due by January 1. Please mail your $20.00 per rig to Barbara Borg, 1574 Hutton Place, Charleston, SC 29407. Please make your check payable to The Carolina Drifters.
Wishing you all Peace, Love & Joy this Christmas season and throughout the New Year!
Carolina Drifters Newsletter – December 2024
This newsletter is a recap of our Barnyard RV Park rally in Lexington, SC Dec. 5-8, including the Annual Meeting (in Blue)
We had a total of 9 rigs whose owners are: Gary & Barbara Lyons, Don & Betty Elliott, Charles & Janet Goding, Walter & Deborah Moore, Betsey & Mike Beaulieu, Greg & Barbara Nicholas, John & Linda Marano, Rod & Neily Trump, and Rene and I, who joined together to celebrate our last campout of 2024 season.
Thursday – we all hustled to arrive and get settled in before our annual business meeting and more important, ‘the sharing of snacks’ which was on the schedule for 6pm.
Before the activities started, Don Elliott began the evening by bringing attention to Barbara & Gary Lyons, by giving them a big THANK YOU!!! for all their hard work, planning and leadership for the past few years. You guys are awesome!
Election for the office of president was fairly quick, Rene was nominated and quickly voted in before I even realized it! Congratulations Rene! I was approached a couple months ago inquiring if I would stay on as secretary for the next two years, and I agreed. We re-established our Nominating Committee for the next term, they include: Barbara Borg, John Marano and Richard Stanton.
Annual Business Meeting – Thursday, December 5, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 1828 by temporary President, Don Elliot.
In attendance were: Deborah Moore, John & Linda Marano, Don & Betty Elliott, Rene & Renee Bollengier, Gary & Barbara Lyons, Charles & Janet Goding, Rod & Neily Trump and Greg & Barbara Nicholas
Gary Lyons resigned as President of the Carolina Drifters, on November 14, 2024, to accept the position of President of the Eastern Area of The Family RV Association (FMCA). Don Elliott, resumed position of President temporarily for the remainder of the business meeting. John Marano, will step up from Alternate National Director to replace Gary Lyons, as the National Director.
SECRETARY’S REPORT – Sam read the minutes from the last meeting, Gary approved the minutes, Neily 2nd the motion.
TREASASURERS REPORT – Barbara reported that on October 28, 2024, the clubs current balance was $x,xxx.xx
OLD BUSINESS – Many thanks go out to Barbara Lyons for the past year of planning great campouts
NEW BUSINESS – OUR PATH FORWARD
Sam (Renee) Bollengier has agreed to serve as Secretary for another term
NEXT STEPS
Betty Elliott motioned to adjourn, John Marano 2nd it.
Meeting adjourned 1900.
Once our meeting concluded, and we had straightened up for the night, some folks went back to their campers to walk their waiting four footed friends, while others attended a campfire at our place on site #5. After all the snacking people were a little slow moving around, but Rene finally got the fire going and we had a real nice crowd for the evening.
Charles arrived with their chairs, but Janet was nowhere to be seen, that is until… here she comes, here came Janet in all her glory, in all her puffy, comfy, fully pocketed, midi length, snuggy/robe/blanket thing with a hood. I immediately proclaimed that I want one! Janet could barely move as she continued to model and pose for us, showing us all that she was literally plugged in and receiving heat from a battery pack that was in a compartment in the pocket section of this magnificent puffy, comfy, fully pocketed, midi length, snuggy/robe/blanket thing with a hood. Yes, it was very, very soft. I still want one.
Friday – We all had the day to ourselves until dinner time. Aside from our antique adventures, Rene and I are also bicycle enthusiasts, always on the lookout for new bike trails to ride or new bike shops to check out. While being in the club, we have had the good fortune of riding with Betsy & Mike, Rod & Neily, Barbara & Greg and even Rachel! Hope to ride more in 2025! So, Rene and I happily went with Barbara & Greg on their quest to find the right fenders for Barb’s new bike. And to get socks. UGH!
Last week I had purchased 6 pairs of socks and gift bags to bring for our Christmas exchange. Thursday evening once we got settled in our spot at site #5, I figured get everything out, take inventory (yeah I still do that) and get my bags fixed so that I’ll be all set for the sock exchange. Well guess what, no socks, no bags… nothing. It was just a crazy afternoon for me. Nothing seemed to go as planned. I call it my Charlie Brown moment.
Saturday – We like the Barnyard campout because it also gives us the opportunity to visit the flea markets that are so close to the campground. Within seconds, I kid you not, of walking into the first building, Rene spied some contraption for his garage that he just couldn’t pass up. I had to ask what it was because to me it was not that obvious. It was a foldable table saw on wheels. We were still on our quest for bike fenders so we didn’t want to squander any time needlessly, we have fenders to find, onward!
Dinner Saturday evening was at the Lizard’s Thicket, in Lexington. Once back at the campground we all gathered back in the activity room where Linda had cake and ice cream waiting, and we all sang Happy Birthday, to John Marano, celebrating his 80th birthday. Congratulations John!
While enjoying our cake and ice cream, Charles & Janet started handing out these cute bags. Janet handed Barbara & Greg one of the bags and said “this is for the friends of the white dog with a brown spot”. She handed another bag to Neily & Rod saying, “this is for friends of the gray dog with tiny white spots”, to Betsy & Mike, “here is to the friends of the shy black dog”. Then she came to Rene and me, and while handing us a green bag she said, “This is for the friends of the friends of the white dog with the brown spot”. Everyone enjoyed their bags. Thank you Janet & Charles that was a very sweet gesture. Once the activity room was put back together and everyone helped with the cleanup, it was just too late to start a campfire, besides everyone was bushed!
While reflecting back over the events of the weekend, even after having my Charlie Brown moment, I must admit it was a super weekend! The weather was perfect, the food was good, but the company we kept made it all so much more special being together.
This concludes our Camping Schedule for FY2024.
As we welcome in a new year, just wanted to remind you of our first campout which is scheduled for March 6 – 9 at Bass Lake RV Campground, in Dillon, SC. Reservations must be made by January 6, 2025, however the campground asks that we make them much sooner if possible. They will charge you a booking fee of $3.00 when you make your reservation.
Also, if you have not already paid your dues for FY2025, they are due by January 1. Please mail your $20.00 per rig to Barbara Borg, 1574 Hutton Place, Charleston, SC 29407. Please make your check payable to The Carolina Drifters.
Wishing you all Peace, Love & Joy this Christmas season and throughout the New Year!
Betsy M Beaulieu