February 20, 2008: AS Wagon Masters for the New Holland Rally, our perspective is bound to be a bit different than most of the rally attendees. Yes, we remember the two years of planning, meetings, phone calls, emails, trips to New Holland, spreadsheets, paper and piles of Lancaster County stuff in the rig. WE also remember the prodigious quantity and fine quality of the food we consumed we just had to test it first ourselves, too. We remember the entertainment, the Amish countryside, the fine weather and the socialization with our many good friends in Kings on the ROad. There's more, too... What really warms our hearts is the astounding amount of help we had making the rally happen. It is extremely gratifying to recall the substantial contributions of som many willing and capable volunteers. There was so much help that we fear that we may have forgotten to acknowledge everyone and all their contributions. To anyone that we may have inadvertently omitted, our sincere apologies.

We not only had full support from every Nor'easter King at the rally, but several of the Full Time Kings pitched in, beginning with attendance at our Nor'easter planning campout at Spring Gulch in June of 2007.

Verne Orcutt and Linda Jackson as Assistant Wagon Masters. The many phone calls, at least four planning meetings together, putting together and printing the program, the ladies luncheon, finding Razzmatazz, awarding the door prizes, hall setup and decorations, sewing 24 table cloths, organizing nd running the parking crew, helping with the quilt raffle and just being supportive with every task. We could not have had better!

Jack and Donna Dickinson as part of the Nor'easter Kings. Getting all the door prizes, making the Amish buggy decoration, making signs and setting up the parking area, keeping the refrigerator stocked with root beer and cider and replacing sold centerpieces and apples plus keeping the "farm store" stocked.

Mac and Wanda McLennan, Nor'easter Kings and first timers at a National rally. They got stuck with running the pig roast pot luck, the ice cream social and the farewell breakfast. They did a great job with these and helped as "gophers" too. Lorrie Coleman who took charge of the "goody gags", made maps for all the out of park events, helped with errands and was always there when a capable assisting hand was needed. Real support from the Full TIme Kings. We cannot forget the help from Mike and SharonFebruary 20, 2008e Kings rally, ran the truck pools and helped with goody bags. Mike Shull and Bob Oglesbee set up the parking area. Joe and Marty Hbermann who helped as "gophers" when errands needed to be run, insured we had coffee every morning, organized the 50:50 drawings and sold the quilt raffle tickets.

Bill Wright who organized the Golf Outing and conducted the "Things YOu Need, but Can't See" (Brown Bag) Auction. It is worthy to note that Bill set a new record for dollars/rig at the auction.

John and Helen McDuffie who provided church services for us and insured we had appropriate blessings at all our events. What a blessing it is for us to have them in our club.

Barb and Robert Crookshank for taking care of the rally registrations, acknowledgement letters, helping to keep the site requests and arrival and departure dates atraight, getting Vendors and setting up vendor and member seminars.

Keith and Connie Beers who, as in two past years, handled the distribution of the commemorative hats and shirts with perfect capability.

RIch and Pauline Mullens, National Co-Presidents, for their planning guidance and complete backing at every turn and every decision.

Lisa Kurtz, Spring Gulch's campground manager, who just didn't say "no" to anything, What a pleasure it was to work with her.

For incredible memories that will lalst us forever a very special mention belongs to our Amish neighbors and new friends. The entire Beiler family were involved for over a year in our planning. Ca we ever forget Daniel, Barbie, John-Michael, Mary Ann, Samuel and little Lydia; the grandparents, Isaac and Fanny; and the brother and sister-in-law; Elizabeth and Michael. They opened up their hearts, homes and farm and store to us. THey introduced us to their Amish friends like the Smuckers who did the gourd tour and classes. They provided buggy and wagon rides, along with homemade cookies and cider. Barbie and Elizabeth made decorations for the hall. They stocked the fruit stand. Most of all, they made it possible for all of us to get closer to the Amish culture and real people than most visitors to Lancster County ever get. They truly provided the "heart and soul" for our rally. God's warm blessings on them all.

Well, that's what we remember. It was a privilege to be your Wagon Masters. We know we received much more than we gave. a very sincere thanks to so many for so much help and support.

Dave and Ruth Anne Starnes

May 9, 2007: On April 15, 2007February 20, 2008vent took place at the Full Time Kings’ Spring Rally at Big Oak Campground in Camp Wood, Texas in the hill country near Uvalde. The Lone Star Kings is open to Kings on the Road members from Texas and neighboring states. Click here for a photo of the charter Members.

Over the past 8 or 9 years, there have been several attempts to begin a Texas Chapter. Finally, in 2007, we had two requirements occur simultaneously – enough Texas owners to form a “critical mass” and a “Queen of the Road” who took the actions needed to pull it all together. Connie Dutton, with help from her husband, Jerry, made it happen.

The Chapter had 9 Charter Members join at the original meeting. Connie Dutton was elected the President. Patrick Hamilton was elected Vice President and Bobbie Wiederkehr was elected as Secretary/Treasurer. The name Lone Star Kings was chosen and chapter bylaws were established. Patricia Niccum, Chapter Chair for the National Kings on the Road organization, presented a Chapter Charter and Chapter Sanction to the new chapter President.

This gives Kings on the Road 12 “local” chapters; a record number. One new chapter has been formed in each of the past three years. Interestingly, the Lone Star Kings was established on the second anniversary of the formation of the Nor’easter Kings on April 15, 2005. Our other new chapter, the Dixie Kings, was formed on April 1, 2006.

Check their Webpage.

Welcome to the new Lone Star Kings from all Kings on the Road.

April 6, 2006: Credit goes to Carolyn and Carl Ryder who, with Hood RV Center in Decatur, AL, successfully got the whole thing going. They did an exceptional job soliciting potential members, setting up the campout and organizing the meeting. Ruth Anne and I were truly impressed. 

February 21, 2006: Carl and Carolyn Ryder in conjunction with Hood Tractor and RV located in Decatur, Alabama, are planning an organizational rally  to form a new King of the Road owner's club for the Southern states.

Our organizational rally will be March 30 to April 2 at Point Mallard Campground which is just a short distance from I-65 exit 340 in the northern part of Alabama. Hood has arranged with the park to give us one free night's camping with two paid nights.

We have some fun things planned including shopping, sight seeing, pot luck suppers, etc. Hood is hosting a King of the Road day on Saturday, April 1, and everything will be discounted. We will have our organizational meeting that afternoon in Hood's meeting room at 3:00 p.m. followed by a steak supper furnished by Hood. We will then have a Dessert Contest. Hood will furnish the judges and the prizes.

Pattie Miller at Hood has been excited about forming this club and has solicited ditty bags and door prizes. We hope for a large turn-out.

We invite all members of other clubs to join us. And of course, if you live in a Southern state and have not been contacted please join us.

Make reservations at Point Mallard Campground:
256-351-7772. Request sites with the Kings on the Road/Hood RV group.

And notify us that you are coming at
  
   or  17302 Hwy 11 N., Vance, AL 35490
   or  205-556-7273 (home)  205-746-1902 (cell)