Steve & Nancy at Casa Grande

Hi to All!

My first newsletter input as president. I understand from Pam that the election was a real squeaker, but in the end, my campaign efforts paid off!

First, the Webbs are going to be a tough act to follow. (It does take two.) Kevin was articulate, great at presentations and made it look easy. Expect the opposite from me, but I’ll try to get better as time goes by.

The 2011 – 2012 rally season was nothing short of stellar. These were some of the best rallies since we’ve joined the GMCSJS club. It was not only the locations, or the activities, it was the members, which was why we joined in the first place.

The previous leadership of the club made some excellent headway into planning rallies, and it worked well the first time at bat. I like the idea of rally hosts volunteering towards the end of the previous rally season. Plenty of time to plan, and plenty of time to allow for those last minute glitches that get in the way of planning. I also like the officer terms tied to the rally season. It makes good sense. Another change that was proposed was to have the last rally of the season as close to the Phoenix area as possible. It makes sense in that most of the “winter” members might not want to make a major excursion just before the long trek back to where home is. Please let me know what you think of this idea.

One thing that worked out well at the Ajo rally, was better planning for our pot lucks. Man, that was the best one yet! Instead of wondering which pot of chili you filled your plate from, you got to choose from only one pot and several other entrees. Seems a little easier on everyone and makes the menu much larger. It would be good to get some opinion on this.

Lastly, we need more photos for the website. Armand has competely taken over and is hungry for material. If you take any, send them to Armand Minnie and he’ll update the photo section of our website.

Steve & Nancy Ferguson

The photo above and the following text are from the “Ajo Copper News”, the local Ajo, Arizona newspaper.  Thanks “Ajo Copper News” and Mike the photographer.

The Saguaro Jetset Vintage GMC Motor Home Club held its February rally in Ajo at the Shadow Ridge RV Resort, a first for the group. Members in attendance were Nick & Cheryl Applegate, Wally & Chris Augustine, Brian & Lynda Bowden, Terry & Joanne Boyd, Tom Bradley and Marie Solace, Duane & Ruth Christopherson, John & Evelyn Culver, Jim & Adelle Decheine, Steve & Nancy Ferguson, Ken Johnson, Scott & Judy Johnson, Peter & Inez Lowe, Don & Dorothy Myers, Armand & Carol Minnie, Don & Pam Schmidt, Carl & Kathy Stouffer, Kevin & Barbara Webb, Jerry & Sharon Work, Ken Walker and Susan Bell, and Bob & Anna Frazier.
The rally was organized by the Decheines and Fraziers of Ajo. Motorhomes included ten GMCs from 1973 to 1978 and eight SOBs (some other brand). The group enjoyed a bus tour of the Ajo area narrated by local historian Bob Boozer. Most of the members winter in Arizona or are permanent residents. The couple that came the longest distance was from Oregon.
“Most of the rally attendees had never been to Ajo” said Jim Decheine. “Everyone said they were impressed with the scenery, the friendly people, the historic things to see, and the resort we stayed at. And with Bob Boozer’s wonderful talk about Ajo’s colorful history.”

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These photos are from Jim Decheine:

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“Dennis Hunt
March 2, 2012 at 10:50pm

Just found your website!  My father and mother-in-law Clayton and Carmon Damman were charter members of SJ club. They lived in Mesa, AZ and were active in the club until 1986 when they moved to be near us in Summer of 1986. (Fresno, CA) We believe Clayton was also a past President.

One of our fondest memories was attending the SJ Christmas party at the home of Lindy & Amynell Lindhoff in Sun City, AZ. Don’t recall the year, but remember a great Egg & Sausage Casserole dish that has become a family tradition at our house. Carmon passed away in January 1997 at the age of 79. Her goal was to make it to her 80^th birthday.

Clayton lived until September 2010 when left this world at age 96. He was an avid motorhome enthusiast, traveling with us everywhere our motohome went. His last trip was to the Central Coast of California in March of his 96^th year. He loved the adventure and the fun of meeting other Motor Homers.

It all rubbed off on us. We have had a motorhome since 1999, a Southwind 32v. In 2007 we attended the FMCA convention in Redmond, OR. We came home with a new rig. It was a 2007 Pace Arrow 35D with a full wall slide and a half-bath in the middle which made it more comfortable for Clayton.

Fond memories of SJ and it’s founding members.

Dennis & Bette Hunt
Fresno, CA
E-mail: Dogfan99@gmail.com”