2018 December Blog

                                                         

Thursday, December 13, 2018

This was the day Randy and Shirley hosted the Copper Hills annual Christmas Party.

The party was well organized with appetizers, two gourmet main courses, untold numbers of side dishes and desserts that looked pleasing to the eyes and tasted just as delicious.

There were no organized games or thought provoking discussions, just good conversations. The Chapter did raise $335.00 for the Northern Nevada Food Bank (not bad for a bunch of retired folks).

About the only Christmas costumes were a couple of hats worn by Paul and Dean. One was a multicolored jester hat and one was a red Santa hat. We will leave it to the reader to figure out who wore which one. That is not to say, no one wore any costumes because everyone was dressed in festive Christmas attire which added to the Christmas spirit.

Dinner was served buffet style with people picking up their food and then scattering throughout the house to the many different tables Randy and Shirley had set up.

The festivities started around 4:00pm and lasted until Randy and Shirley said they were going to bed. After their not so subtle hint everyone wished each other a Merry Christmas and departed. (LOL not really) Everyone safe in the knowledge that a “GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT”.

                                                                                 

November 2018 Copper Hills Blog

                                                       

Now that the cooler weather has arrived, our Chapter has winterized our RV’s and taken to holding our camp outs at someone’s warm and cozy home. For the month of November, Karen and Roger volunteered to act as the trail bosses and we all congregated at their home on November 16^th, 2018.

True to form, Karen and Roger pulled out all the stops and served an outstanding brunch. Anyone leaving the brunch hungry was either incapacitated or never showed up. They served an oven baked french toast and sausage as the main course and a lemon fruit parfait for dessert.

After eating, we held our monthly chapter meeting. During the meeting, we discussed whether the State organization should buy a first aid kit or not. After much discussion our chapter decided not to support the idea of buying a first aid kit. (The general feeling was that properly maintaining a state first aid kit would be a hassle and lots of individual rigs carried their own first aid kits. Therefore, having a state first aid kit was not necessary). Randy then gave a brief overview of the decertification effort by the Dust Devils in Pahrump. He indicated that after much confusion the decertification failed. The chapter then voted for two new officers for 2019. Kelvin was selected as the new Treasurer and Marty was selected as the new Vice President.

Before the meeting ended, two final items were attended to. Paul and Jack volunteered to conduct an audit of the chapters accounting books before the end of the year and the chapter president talked about going to the Oregon Samboree vs going to the Idaho Samboree. The Idaho Samboree is in the upper part of the Idaho Panhandle vs the Oregon Samboree in Roseburg, Oregon which is much closer.

After the meeting Randy and Shirley reminded everyone about the December Christmas party at their house on December 13^th, 2018.

As everyone left Karen and Roger’s house, I am sure everyone was thinking about Sugar Plum Fairies, 10 Lords a Leaping and of course what Santa Claus would bring them for Christmas.

                                                                              

October 2018 Weed Heights

                                           
In October, the chapter headed to Weed Heights for a relaxing 4 days with eleven rigs participating. The Trail Bosses laid out a stress free list of activities that allowed everyone to decide what they wanted to do and when they wanted to do it. We played the usual games. We also had a rousing game of miniature golf and a Zilch tournament. The weather was comfortable, which allowed people to set outside and debate all things great and small.
We had three craft activities. Nancy led a painting class, Mary led a class which made small gift boxes and Brad and Dean led a wood working class making a wood frame which hangs on the rigs’ outside ladder. The frame was designed to hold clothes hangers (quite ingenious).
Judi and Brad organized a silent auction which raised money for one of the chapter’s charities.
As always, the amount and quality of food was outstanding. One evening meal was HOBO stew. Needless to say, not much stew was left.
The days passed quickly and Sunday showed up too soon, our Weed Heights reservation had come to end and we all headed for home to get ready for the holidays.
                                   

                   

                                               

September 2018 Fall Samboree

In September,  twelve  Copper Hills rigs went to the fall Good Sams Samboree held at the Longstreet Casino south of Beatty, Nevada in Armargosa Valley. The Chapter spent five days having a great time. (Longstreet Casino rolled out the red carpet for all the Good Sams Chapters.)
We played mexican train, zilch, 31, sequence, cribbage, horseshoes, washers, bocce ball and bean bag baseball.
We also played a new game called tractor rodeo. The object of the game was to have two team members drive an ATV through a series of orange traffic cones, while one team member is blindfolded and one is not. The blindfolded member drives the ATV guided by the non-blindfolded member using reins attached to the blindfolded member’s arms. The winner was the team that completed the course in the shortest time.
At the end of the Samboree, Copper Hills won the Spirt Flag for most points accumulated for members winning games that were played during the week. Copper Hills also won the skit competition for their rendition of a Bob Hope USO tour.
At the closing ceremonies, Jerry and Karen were thanked by the State Director for making table decorations and banners celebrating our military personnel and veterans.

             

         
          

AUGUST 2018

                                                      
August was a month of swiftly changing priorities.
We originally planned to have a summer camp out from the 14^th of August through the 17^th of August hosted by Paul and Mary and Brad and Judi. But, nature interfered and the plans had to be changed a couple of days before the campout was to begin. With all of the forest fires, smoke and haze surrounding Hope Valley it was decided by the Trail Bosses it would be wise not to go camping at Hope Valley. It was agreed to have a monthly meeting held instead at the Little Waldorf Saloon in Reno, Nevada . The Little Waldorf was selected because we had never eaten as a group there and they had a large separate dining area they allowed us to use free of charge.
During the meeting we discussed the upcoming skit for the Samboree.
Randy and Shirley reviewed and clarified some of the activities that will be happening at the State Samboree in September at Longstreet Casino in Armargosa Valley
The President asked if the chapter was interested in taking a trip, in the off camping season, to Middle Gate for dinner (they have very large and very delicious hamburgers). He was also curious
if the chapter was interested in doing a poker run in the off season. He gave a brief explanation of a poker run. but Interest was minimal.
Birthdays in August: Harry and Marty
Anniversaries in August: Grauvogels , Williams and Beckels
                                                        

2018 July Campout

                                             
Our camp out in July at Merrill Campground near Eagle Lake, California was held from July 9^th through July 13th. Our trail bosses Mike, Kelvin, Roger, and Karen did a great job of mixing games, good food and good conversation during the campout.

We played two tournament games one of cribbage and one of mexican train, which aroused the competitive spirit in everyone and the winners got to take home a little cash.

When we were not playing games we were eating or visiting. The first evening was spent enjoying an old fashion Root Beer Float Social. Later meals during the week were pot luck with everyone bringing some type of specialty dish. During one meal Marty served up a Dutch Oven Chile that was out of this world.

Two evenings were spent playing Bean Bag Baseball with the women playing against the men. Both games were spirited and both sides gave a good account of themselves.

Throughout the week lots of informal games of cribbage, pinochle, hand and foot, mexican train, and rummikub were played.

Most mornings found many club members going for long walks through the beautiful forest. It was a great way to recharge one's soul.

Breaking with tradition we had our monthly club meeting during the middle of the week instead of at the end of week. This allowed everyone the freedom of packing up and leaving whenever they wanted to on the last day of the campout.

AGAIN A BIG THANK YOU TO MIKE, KELVIN, ROGER AND KAREN FOR A JOB WELL DONE, WE ALL HAD A GREAT TIME.


                            
                                             

JUNE 2018

Hello fellow campers. June was a unique month for the Copper Hills Chapter. We had two camp outs, one in Blackfoot, Idaho, and the other at the Washoe Lake State campground.
Nevada Good Sam was well represented in Idaho with a total of 8 rigs in attendance (6 Copper Hills, 2 Southern Nevada). Brad’s brother and wife also joined us from Emmett, Idaho. We believe the Copper Hills Chapter was the single largest chapter represented at the Samboree
The Copper Hills caravan left the Reno area on June 4^th and arrived in Blackfoot in the afternoon on June 5^th. Our advance party (Brad and Judi ) arrived before us and staked out a nice location at the Idaho State Fairgrounds with sites that had water and power. ($8.00 per night, what a great rate!).
At the Idaho Samboree we met many nice people, ate some good food (the Smoken Gun BBQ in Blackfoot is a must visit), and played several interesting games (Hand and Foot, Pegs and Jokers, and the blindfolded driver Tractor Rodeo). Randy participated in the Dutch Oven Luncheon.
On Thursday, the Idaho Samboree had a Flag Retirement Ceremony. The program was very moving and emotional. Many old and worn out United States Flags were retired following a solemn program of burning them. Many Good Sams members participated by dedicating an old flag to someone special while placing the flag in a wood fire.
On Friday, the Samboree attendees were treated to a magic show featuring 2 magicians. Many Copper hills members were willing or unwilling participants.
On Saturday night everyone attended the Closing Ceremony. Following the ceremony, we were entertained by a Jazz Band for 2 hours. The music was enjoyable but the chairs got real hard.
On Sunday the weather turned cold and it was a good time to leave and say our goodbyes.



   
                                                                                                                                                       
The second campout was an informal campout at Washoe Lake State Park June 19-22, 3 rigs camped and enjoyed the scenery and wildlife. Over a dozen species of birds were identified, the wild horses were entertaining, and the coyotes were vocal with the near full moon. Star gazing and smores went together every night. Paul and Mary joined us for a day trip filled with conversation, food, and games. A good time was had by all.

               

May 2018

                                                                                                                                                                              

The May camp out for the chapter was held at the Rye Patch Reservoir group campground. The weather was variable (rain, clouds, sunshine) and at times uncooperative especially at meal times. But, the easy up canopies made it all workable.
The roosting turkeys, the deer, and the variety of birds were enjoyed by all, except Marv who had to detail his truck due to a roosting turkey. Mike M. took to the river and caught a few perch.
The trail bosses (Marv, Leslie, Judi, and Brad) planned a very relaxed few days. Wednesday evening was appetizers in the rain. Thursday we were treated to a Dutch oven feast of beef stew and peach and berry cobblers. There is always an abundance of food. Friday the rangers, Jim and Matt, came by for a question and answer segment and several funny stories. Friday night was movie night under the stars. That night, the group was joined by Mike and Denice from Eureka, and Jerry and Linda from Elko.
Saturday morning breakfast consisted of homemade buttermilk pancakes, sausages, and accompanying sides. The general meeting cleaned up old business items. There were 5 birthdays celebrated. Three exact dates found the group indulging in cheesecake, white cake, and a chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. There was also one anniversary. Saturday afternoon we took a tour of the dam and the underground workings. Silver Sage chapter, which was camped across the river, joined us.
As always several games were played: horseshoes, ladder ball, washers, Mexican train, cribbage, and rummikub. Some of us even tried our hand at pegs and jokers.
Sunday came way too quickly and we all packed up and said our goodbyes.
Thank you again to the trail bosses for all the work. It was a great campout and enjoyed by all in attendance.
           


May 8, 2018 – A Day of Giving
On this date several members of Copper Hills Sams gathered at FOOD FOR THOUGHT in Carson City, Nevada. The purpose was to present a $700.00 check to the organization. Every year, Copper Hills Sams chooses a worthwhile organization and makes a monetary donation. “Food for Thought is dedicated to working with local schools in Carson City to identify chronically hungry children and provide nutritious meals to them over the weekends.” The organization is funded solely by donations and it purchases food items from the Carson City businesses. The members of Copper Hills toured the facility and learned about the programs that Food for Thought are involved in year round that help to support the children of the Carson City area. It was a very touching day and we felt humbled to be able to help out with the presentation of the check.