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This is the birthday cake for the club – the photo was printed right on the cake	This is the caricature of a GMC that Tom made up and had printed on key chains for everyone.

Our GMC SAGUARO JETSET CLUB originated in December, 1976, with 15 founders.  Their first rally was held at the Franciscan Grande in Casa, Grande, AZ., in January, 1977.  Just think of the hundreds of people that have held office, done rallies and shared in the FUN, FOOD, & FRIENDSHIP of this Club.  We owe our THANKS to all for keeping the dream alive for Thirty-Five Wonderful Years.

In 2001, we celebrated our 25^th Birthday and had three of the founders present.  This year we were blessed to have Don Myers, the only founder we were able to locate, with us.  Don is still a member and a motor homer.   Don will be 92 Years Young on May 5^th.  WAY TO GO DON!!!

Member Rally Attendees with GMC Motor Homes were:  Brian & Lynda Bowden, Terry & Joanne Boyd, Duane & Ruth Christopherson, Jim & Adelle Decheine, Gordie & Carol James, Armand & Carol Minnie, Jim & Nancy Morehouse,   Peter & Susan Rachtman, Jerry & Phoebe Snyder, Carl & Kathy Stoufffer, Dan Wallace & Friend Linda.  Other members attending were Bob & Anna Frazier and Skip Robinson with-out their GMCs.  Also attending in GMCs were prior members, Richard & Sharon Smith and Guests Buck (George) McGibbony and Chris Choffat.  (Future members maybe ??)  That was 14 of those beautiful motor homes all parked in a row.  WOW!!!

Other attendees were Nick & Cheryl Applegate, Wally & Chris Augustine, John & Evelyn Culver, Steve & Nancy Ferguson, Peter & Inez Lowe, Don & Dottie Myers, Don & Pam Schmidt, Tom Bradley & Marie Solace, Terry & Lori Wonder.  WHAT A GREAT TURNOUT.

Almost everyone arrived on Thursday.  No activities were planned, but we did lots of visiting, had a happy hour and then most of us drove into Casa Grande for dinner.  After getting back to the Fair Grounds, Steve built a big fire in his fire pit and we visited some more.  Nick had his telescope set up and we took turns looking at the moon and stars.

Friday morning, the Blue Grass Festival got into full swing.  It was time to enjoy the music, check out the vendors, and sample some of their food.

Tom, Marie, Ruth, and Duane stayed close to the motor home making chili for the evening meal.  To go with the chili, many of our members brought condiments, salads, cornbread and desserts to enhance our menu.  As usual it was a feast – Thanks to you all for your tasty contributions.

Saturday morning found us getting ready for the Birthday Party.  We all left the Fair Ground and drove to the beautiful facility, known as the Property Conference Center, for our buffet luncheon.   In addition to all who attended the rally, we were joined by Ed Geise & Gerri Wood, Glen & Jo Ann Lelm, Our President Kevin and First Lady Barbara Webb.

I had been fortunate to find a few prior members that accepted our invitation to the party.  They were  David & Joanne Carter, Bob & Jeanne Emmert, Norm & Joan Engman, Paul & Jill Graves, Ward & Bev Lewis, Don & Denta Persinger, Elizabeth Tara, Doris Wallace, and Harriett Yount.

It was really wonderful to see so many past and present members together.  I have wanted to have such a get together for a long time and realized that our 35^th Birthday was that perfect time.

After we were all seated our President, Kevin Webb emceed the event.  We started by saying the Pledge of Allegiance, and then he asked each person to stand and introduce themselves.  Some were short and sweet and some were really funny.  All in all, they were quite entertaining.

After all the introductions, John Culver gave the Blessing, after which we all enjoyed a meal of Chicken Alfredo and all the trimmings.  We ended our meal with cake and ice cream.  I hope every one saw the cake before it was cut.  It was a GMC Caricature that matched the key chains that were given to everyone.

Then we had time for more Visit-Visit-Visit and lots of  Hugs.  A BIG THANKS TO ALL!!!

I want to thank Kevin for his encouragement and officiating, John Culver for all the pictures and giving the Blessing.  In addition many thanks to Tom, Skip, Ruth & Duane, Elizabeth, and Inez for their time, help, and support.  Your expertise was invaluable.

The hosts always hope that everyone has a good time.  Judging from all the emails, personal notes, telephone calls, and hugs, we feel that this party was a great success.  We certainly had all the necessary ingredients for success—70 Friendly, Loving People, for FUN, FOOD, AND FRIENDSHIP!

After saying our Good Byes to our guests, we all returned to the fair grounds.  Believe it or not before long we were hungry again.  The hosts provided hot dogs and buns to go with the left over chili, and all the side dishes.  It was enjoyed by all.

We were entertained by Steve, Jim, and Carol, our Club Musicians.  Again, Steve provided us a nice fire and we all sat out under the stars.  The weather was perfect!!

Sunday morning we had our usual Continental Breakfast and the 50/50 Drawing.  Inez asked Dan’s friend Linda to draw the winning ticket.  The ticket was 602704, and Marie was the lucky winner             There was $79.00 for SJ and $78.00 for Marie.

Then it was time to say our Good-byes.  See you in Ajo.

Submitted by Marie Solace

Member Update - Bisbee Rally

We've just returned from Bisbee.  What a wild ride it was!  Aside from the
VERY unseasonable weather (which we all survived), one of our members, Bob
Frazier fell Sunday morning and fractured his pelvis.  He was taken to the
Bisbee hospital via ambulance and later transferred to TMC in Tucson.  The
Skinners took Bob and Anna's dog and I drove their coach to Tucson and
parked it at the Skinner's house.

Jim and Adelle Decheine will be ferrying Anna back and forth to the
hospital for now in the hope that Bob will be released soon and can return
to Ajo.  Please join me in prayer for his speedy recovery.

The weather combined with this accident certainly cast a dark cloud over
our group but I'm proud to be a member of the GMCSJ family and observe
first hand how well we respond to the needs of our fellow members and make
lemonade out of any lemons that fall in our path.  Thanks to all of you
that were at the rally for keeping it upbeat and a pleasure to be with and
a HUGE THANKS to Jeff, Traci, and Bert Skinner for hosting another
"memorable" rally!

Our spring rally season has wound down and I'll be working busily with Don
Schmidt and others in planning our 2011-2012 rally schedule, which will
include our 35th anniversary celebration!

Again, best wishes to the Fraziers and we'll see EVERYONE this fall!

Kevin Webb / President
Saguaro Jetset Motorhome Club
www.gmcsj.com

President                                                    Kevin Webb

First Vice President                                   Carl Stouffer

Second Vice President/Wagonmaster    Don Schmidt

Secretary                                                    Pam Schmidt

Treasurer                                                    Marie Solace

National Director                                        Gordie James

Alternate National Director                       Jeff Skinner

2011 Valentine’s Luncheon

Hope to see you there!