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Chapter Officers President

Reed Files

R2jfiles@cox.net

785 452-1261

Vice President

Jim Robert

jrrobert@mchsi.com

850 934-4113

Secretary

Bob Hixson

b-ghixson@netzero.net

850 419-1437

Treasurer

Lawrence Merino

Lawrence.Merino@gmail.com

850 623-5428

Wagon Master’s Plan Lorra Robert (850 582-2746 ljrobert@mchsi.com)

CAMPING LOCATION SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME

*When making reservations tell them you are with Dogwood Good Sams*

Feb 28-Mar 3, 2019 Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa

Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Reservations reserveamerica.com or call 800-326-3521. Check-in 3PM,

check-out 1PM– Clubhouse is reserved for Feb 28-Mar 2. Please let the Wagon Master know

your reserved site number.

April 5-8, 2019 NEW LOCATION Southwind RV Park ($20 per night, cash or check only) 12821

County Rd 9, Foley, AL 36555 Reservations-call or email Wagon Master, 2-dog limit, children and

early arrival OK

May 2-5, 2019 Southwind RV Park ($20 per night, cash or check only) 12821 County Rd 9,

Foley, AL 36555 Reservations-call or email Wagon Master, 2-dog limit, early arrival OK (May 5th

is Cinco de Mayo)

Upcoming campouts:

June 6-9, 2019 Living Truth Church Campground (AKA Farmers Opry and Chumuckla)

July 4-7, 2019 Azalea Acres

Aug 1-4, 2019 NEW LOCATION Lake Stone

September 19-22, 2019 Johnny's Lakeside RV Resort Reservations call Toll-Free: 888-878-5687

October 3-6, 2019 TBD Lake Jackson or Living Truth Church Campground November 7-10, 2019 NEW DATE Southwind RV Park

December 5-8, 2019 Living Truth Church Campground (AKA Farmers Opry, AKA Chumuckla)

The Good Sam Club Pledge: As a member of the Good Sam Club I pledge to give aid to others in need, respect nature and the environment, give back to the community and those less fortunate, treat others with dignity and respect, and to wear a smile (like Good Sam and Good Samantha’s) and promote the pledge of the Good Sam Club to others.

Thursday – 4:30 PM – Meet in front of clubhouse to car pool to

dinner at 98 Bar-B-Que 5008 US-98, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Friday – 5:00 PM – Bring your favorite heavy hors d'oeuvre to share. Wear your name tag.

Saturday – 5:00 PM – Will be potato dish pot luck. Bring your favorite potato dish to share.

Future Campout Hostess: Apr 2019 – Diana Hughes and May 2019– Need a Volunteer

(June, July and August – no planned meals, just spontaneous fun)

Newsletter year 11/1 to 10/31 - This is issue 4 of 9 for 2018-2019 Good Sams of Florida Inc. Chapter 142, Dogwood Good Sams, Chartered in 1990

Think Green

CHAPTER MEETING SATURDAY, March 2 – 9:30 AM Wear your vest and name tag to the meeting.

Connie Homan will be the hostess for the March campout.

Hostess Information Hostess Coordinator

Janet Files (785) 342-6725

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Donations - USO – January Donation $135.50

- Ronald McDonald (Oct 2019 – Feb 2019) $355

- Eglin Pet Welfare – 3 large

bags full of towels,

blankets, food, treats,

leashes and more – unknown

value of animal kindness

- Over 40 handmade

Valentine Cards for Elderly

- priceless

Good Sam Events bring members together for lots of fun, camaraderie and entertainment.

State/Provincial Rallies range in size. They are planned by state/provincial directors, making each

one unique! Most states and Provinces have a Rally each year! Join the fun—all RVers are welcome! Find Events & State/Provincial

Rallies at www.goodsamclub.com/community/Events.aspx. Support the Rallies by donating door prize items. Chapter contact is Connie

Homan (850) 621-7644 or touched1@aol.com Southeast Region (AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN) Rallies

Please let Toni know if there

are illnesses within the

Chapter.

(send Toni Merino an email at

Lawrence.merino@gmail.com)

Chapter Projects & Events Ladies February Luncheon – Wednesday, February 13 at 11:30, El Patron

Mexican Grill – Pace. 4514 US-90, Pace, FL 32571. Please let Lorra

Robert know if you plan to attend.

USO & Ronald McDonald Donations – CHANGE Donations will be

collected for both charities at every campout.

Flea Market – Start saving you good stuff to donate to the Chapter

Flea Market in September. POC Janet Files

Cell Phones and Glasses – Donate your old cell phones and eye glasses

at any campout – these donations are recycled through the Lions Club.

POC Lou and Charlotte Jones

Sunshine Lady Toni Merino

(850) 623-5428

Chaplain’s Corner Toni Merino

(850) 623-5428

But I will sing your strength, in the

morning, I will sing your love; for you

are my fortress, my refuge in times

of trouble. Amen

2/1 Carl Woodall

2/13 Sara Keith

2/28 Connie Homan

3/2 Bob Hixson

3/6 Peggy Lee

3/6 Sidney Lewis

3/10 Joann Woodall

3/31 Nell Lewis

Newsletter

Lorra Robert (850) 582-2746 Deadline for Newsletter Inputs

Wednesday after campout - Email inputs to ljrobert@mchsi.com

Eyeglass & Cell Phone Recycling through Lions Club – Point of contact Lou and Charlotte Jones (collect

donations all campouts)

Camp Boggy Creek, Dogs for Better Lives, & Others– Supported by fundraisers during the year

Ronald McDonald House – Point of contact Bob & Connie Homan (collect donations at all campouts)

USO - Point of contact Larry & Jacqueline Blake (collect donations at all campouts)

Chapter Charities

Kentucky Spring Rally

May 30 - Jun 2, 2019 Meade County Fairgrounds

Brandenburg, KY

South Carolina Fall Rally

October 3 - 6, 2019 Ocean Lakes Family Campground

Myrtle Beach, SC

North Carolina Rally No information available on

North Carolina Good Sam

Facebook Page

Georgia Spring Rally

March 21 - 24, 2019 Georgia National Fairgrounds

Perry, GA

Florida Spring Rally

May 1-5, 2019 Okeechobee KOA

Okeechobee, FL

Alabama Rally

April 11 - 14, 2019 C & C Campground

Lincoln (Talladega), AL

Tennessee State Rally April 11 - 14, 2019

James E. Ward Agricultural

Center, Lebanon, TN

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It was great to see some of these and others displayed during the February campout. Thank you again Janet

Files for coming up with the idea, Bob and Gena Hixson for donating the wood, Reed Files for cutting out all

the templates, Karen Lozano, Janet Files and Jackie Blake for sharing all the paint supplies. True teamwork!

This month the campout theme was “It’s a Chile Weekend”, Chile because

it was February and a bit cool outside and Chili because Friday evening

meal was Chili Pot Luck. Although the Saturday dinner was brats, hot

dogs and you guessed it, left over Chili. What a great weekend with 14 Dogwood Good

Sams rigs including potential members, Gary and Ann Weets. This month’s campout was

at one of the Chapter’s favorite winter spots, Lake Stone from January 31 –

February 3, 2019. Members Rex and Diana Hughes also attended the campout

but stayed with other members as Rex continues to recuperate. Past member

Dottie Rance (with visiting friend Judy Payne) rejoined the Chapter and past

member Dwight Linzy visited with the group and brought his guitar for some

fun duo’s with George Keith. Lake Stone is located in

small community of Century, FL. It was a full weekend

of warmth and love. Now how can warmth and love be associated with a Dogwood

Good Sams campout? Well, there’s the warmth of friendship and welcoming past and

potential members, the warmth of a great fire

blazing in the beautiful inside rock fireplace and the

warmth in your heart from being part of such a

great group of people. And where does the love fit

in? It is the love of camping, comradery, fishing, enjoying the fresh air,

laughing and sharing stories, technical knowledge and adventures. Not just

a once in a life time but this is shared at every Chapter campout. A truly

blessed life.

The February campout was no exception, with 14 rigs and over 30 people there was never a dull moment.

Thursday evening the group carpooled to David’s Catfish House in Brewton, AL. The

service was excellent and so was the food. Friday was full of quiet time visiting but

then the games came out. Simultaneously, three different games were being played;

Joker, Hand and Foot and Domino’s. Plus, the picture perfect fire in the fire place

and a wonderful place to sit and enjoy George Keith strumming his guitar. He even

did a song just for Rosie Denham, it made them both smile. The day ended with a

spectacular array of pot-luck style Chili followed by more games.

Bob & Gena Hixson

Lake Stone Fireplace

Diana Hughes, Jackie Blake,

Anita Ferrell, Charles Leonard

George Keith & Dwight Linzy

George Keith &

Rosie Denham

Lorra Robert Peggy Lee Jackie Blake

David & Rosie Denham

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Saturday morning started off with a chapter business meeting. Below is a summary of the meeting items

discussed and other information is included throughout this newsletter.

- The group must be out of the Lake Stone clubhouse by 9:30 PM on Saturday.

- The Vote was even for camping at Lake Jackson or Living Truth Church Campground in October, Lorra will

make the decision by pulling the campground location out of a hat.

- Lorra Robert sent out a feeler email to see if there would be enough interest in having a Chapter campout

that will coincide with the FL Rally. Received 3 responses, 2 that couldn’t commit and 1 not going to either.

The campout will be at Southwind. If you are not going to the FL Rally please attend the May campout.

- The group discussed if Top Sail should be left on the Chapter’s list of places to stay for the monthly

campouts. The issue is that members have to make reservations almost a year in advance. The group

determined that it should remain on the list of possible places to stay.

- Lorra Robert talked to the representative from the Dothan, AL area about another Alabama Get-Together.

She’ll keep everyone updated.

- Newsletter will have a new twist, along with the monthly theme the Chapter will celebrate something like

friendship, giving thanks, etc. This will show all the attributes of the Chapter throughout the year.

- The group voted to allow Lorra to print the Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb newsletters before the summer

campouts so everyone can see what will be mailed for the Florida Newsletter competition.

- Chapter will go back to collecting donations for the USO and Ronald McDonald every month. Both

organizations appreciate all of the Chapter donations.

- Reed Files will be requesting Dog for Better Life patches because it was renamed from Dogs for the Deaf.

- There was no correspondence received for the Chapter.

- Roger Hibbs is working with Roy Galloway, the September AL Get Together coordinator for a Dolphin Cruise

that would involve boating with the dolphins, lunch on Orange Beach and a boat ride back.

- Jim Robert brought up the Flea Market to be held at the September AL Get Together. He said to bring your

best stuff to raise money for the Chapter to split the donations with a AL Good Sam’s Charity.

- Sunshine Lady, Toni Merino sent a sympathy card to Donna Myers. We will all

miss Lonny Myers.

- The group shared in a thank-you to the January hostess Gena (and Bob) Hixson –

they did a wonderful job and for all the food you bought and shared.

Saturday afternoon the group met and made over 40

Valentine’s Day cards that will be distributed to the elderly.

It is always sad when one of the Dogwood Good Sam’s members are ill. That is hard felt

as we stand by Karen Lozano who is fighting cancer for the second time. We stood by

her as the remainder of her hair was shaved off. Karen is beautiful inside and out, always

smiling and does not let hair loss get in her way of living life. Thank-you Karen for

sharing with us.

The Saturday pot luck dinner was delightful. Thank-you Bob and Gena Hixson for donating

and cooking the brats and hot dogs. The left-over chili was even

better the second time around and the deserts, yummy. No one ever

walks away hungry. Rex Hughes won his first 50/50 and Rosie Denham

handed out Valentine notes to everyone. Many card games were played

before the group retired for the evening and a weekend of fun.

PLEASE READ THE ENCLOSED INSERT AND SHARE THE MEMORIES OF

LONNIE MYERS

Gena Hixson, Jackie Blake,

Janet Files

Janet Files &

Karen Lozano

Toni Merino Janet Files & Cora Williams

Saying farewell to a friend is never easy, but knowing that

he lived and loved life helps to celebrate his life. Lonnie

and Donna Myers have been members of Dogwood Good

Sams since January 2008. Lonnie held many positions

within the Chapter and was always willing to help with

anything. Who will ever forget that smile, the grin or that great spirit of comradery? He

enjoyed playing cards, pretty much any card game. Even if did not feel well and it was time for a Chapter campout or

a State Rally, he would go out and make sure that his truck and camper were ready for the trip. Although sometimes

his intuition was not too good and a few of their trips ended with at least one or two flat tires and truck repairs. Not

many of us have had to pay a land owner money to get our tire back, just because it rolled onto their property. You

will be missed, rest in peace my friend.

Harry Lonnie Myers, 71, of Pensacola, FL passed away on January 24, 2019. He was born in Creston,

IA on September 2, 1947 to Ruth Nell and Harry Myers. He graduated from Creston High School in

1965. Harry married the love of his life Donna Jean Myers on June 17, 1967. Harry served in the

United States Navy and then worked Civil Service until his retirement. Harry served many years as

an Aircraft Electrician which included his work on the “Blue Angel’s” Aircrafts.

He spent time in his workshop working on woodwork projects. Harry enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in

sports and other activities. He was a member of Westco Senior Center where he enjoyed playing Bunco and Bingo.

Harry loved to go camping with his cat (Abby) and dog (Maddie) which led to him becoming a member of Dogwood Sams -

Chapter 142. He was known to make people laugh! Harry loved his family deeply cherishing everyone.

He is preceded in death by: mother, Ruth Nell Alexander (Myers); father, Harry Ambrose Myers; brothers, Larry Jones

and Bill Jones and granddaughter, Destiny Jennings. Harry leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Donna Myers;

daughters: Cheryl (Barron) Ikner, Michele (Daniel) Jennings and Pamela (Trampas) Miller; grandchildren: Shane Ikner

(Danielle), Ashley (John) Page, Joshua Carnahan, Kayla Miller, Trampas Miller Jr., and Paige Jennings; great-

grandchildren: Kaden Johnson, Teigan Carnahan, Evander Page, and Jaxon Ikner; sisters: Joann Lutz (Robert), Donna

Schell (Don, dec.), and Ruth Jones; brother: Dalton Jones (Nancy) and a host of relatives and friends.

(from Trahan Family Funeral Home, Pensacola Website)