WELCOME
From the members of the GMC Sunshine Statesmen
           

Every month, our illustrious president (Jim Bounds) has the opportunity to give us some of his "words of wisdom" through the Sunshine Statesmen news letter.  We also would like to post those words here for you to see just what sort of leader we have at the helm and who we are following.  Here is a reprint of his offering from this months news letter. 

1.11.09    Happy New Year!  The Jan. 2009 rally was a great time at Lazy Days on I-4 near Tampa.  2009 marks a new tool for all Sunshine Statesmen members.  The club now has password protected "member pages" on our web site.  Working hard to put the club web site at the center of our communication to members, please spend some time and see how our site is transforming.  If you do not have a user name and password, give me a post at coopmotorworkd@bellsouth.net .  I would also like to thank Bob Heller for being our "IT" support, any time he comes to a rally we will have a WiFi signal for all members.  Hey, are we getting ahead of the curve or what!  Thanks to all who came to this 09 kickoff rally, next month is our Brookesville rally, hope to see you there.

12.15.08 

11.19.08  Well we're back home after a fantastic rally out in the Panhandle with John Richardson in Pensacola, 23 coaches made this the largest rally to date for the season.  I was first worried about the attendance being so far away but I guess I forgot about all the enthusiastic members both in the area there and the ones that enjoyed the little jaunt.  We need to set a president to have at least one rally each season in this area to support our members here.  This rally was like the others this season in that it really was something unique, at the Blue Angels Campground on base, we not only got to witness the homecoming airshow of the Blue Angels but also had a guided tour of the Naval air museum that I gotta tell ya was awesome.  John took us to Lamberts (home of the throwed roll) for a once in a lifetime meal and well--- the 1000 mile ride out there and back was also one of the highlights for Janie & myself.  This club is all about the GMC and their curators, on the open road with a great running vintage machine like the GMC is just what this club and it's membership is all about and I am proud to be a part of such a group. 

Next month is Christmas in Kissimmee and if you have been there you know it's traditionally the big attendance rally of the season-- I hope to see you there.  The club and it's board are again hosting the shindig, Joff Filion (recent past Prez.) will again do the auction, I understand that the "birdcage" will not be back-- it found a home but I am sure there will be some other item of interest in the auction I am sure you cannot live without. 

It's getting cold now so we expect to play host to many show bird-- come on down, the fuel prices are lower so this is a great time to travel!   Thanks to all who made this past rally such a success-- hey and that fish gumbo from Kay & Bobbie Williams was fantastic!  Hope to see you at Christmas-- remember, it's always good to get together for the holidays.

10.15.08  OK guys, we are back from the fantastic rally in Palatka, thanks to all who made it a memorable event for the club.  We had 15 coaches in attendance, much more than I figured could make it-- goes to show I should never underestimate the enthusiasm in the club!  Next month we are making a trek cross country to Pensacola where John Richardson will be our host for a trip to the Naval Air Museum and the homecoming show for the Blue Angels acrobatic flying team which should be another really memorable event.  The season is going well and if you can make it to a rally please try and come.  After this rally we get into the season and the annual Christmas rally in Kissimmee will be on.  It's a tradition to always get together at Christmas so if there is only one rally you can make, thats the one.  We'll have the annual "stuff auction" and Joff will again make that an event, we have the Old Town car shows and each member will get a gift right from Santa-- hey, we are never to old to believe in Santa Clause! We'll see ya on the road.

9.4.08:   Getting ready for this years rally schedule I have had some folks call and apologize for not being able to make one rally or another-- guys, don't worry about that, with fuel costs as they are and the economy doing crazy things to our bank accounts there is certainly no problem with picking and choosing your participation.  We hope to make every rally something special to make that gas worth burning so come to ones you can.  It's a sign of the times and we sure understand that!
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Prez Sez:-- September

OK, we're into the season with our first rally under our belt.  I made sure I had my gavel if fo no other reason to be sure our club had it's seat of power in tact.  I was going to wear it around my neck but could not find a suitable chain!  Ed headed up a great time for all.  We had a group of "boat people" take a cruise up the Intercoastal Waterway , I asked them if they ran into the Skipper or Gilligan!  The rest of the crew took a Lazy car ride caravan on the Volusia Loop, you can see all the pics from the rally here Ormond 08.  Thanks everyone for helping me through my first rally as your president, hey-- it wasn't so bad and I ended up not loosing my gavel!!!

We are hard at work on the web site, thanks Cat Meyer for accepting the "Sunshine Lady" position.  We will have a page of the site just for her to help keep you up with those that need our thoughts and prayers.  We are committed to make the club web site work harder for you so come to it often.

Next month's rally will be a really good one, we'll be in a Bluegrass Festival in Palatka, not near it but actually IN it.  Read more about that Future rallies.

So we're off to a good start, come to a rally when you can.  If there is anything I can do to help you please let me know.

Prez Sez,--- May 2008

Hello everyone, let me introduce myself-- My name is Jim Bounds.  This month I was presented the gavel for next seasons regime as President and my first official act was to loose it walking home from dinner Saturday night!  Oh, it did not go far and was found right away but I promise to not have any lapse of power like that happen again.  Thanks Ed Jones and others for helping me get the gavel back and save some dignity. 

With rising fuel costs it is a major investment to make it to rallies and I appreciate all who commit to support the club and do so.  Do not feel, though, compelled to make every one of the 9 rallies next season if the expense bits too hard, these are hard times and we appreciate and look forward to seeing you at as many outings as you can afford to make.  To try and make your hard earned money worth investing in the clubs activities, I promise to work hard with the board and the rallymasters of next seasons schedule to make each rally memorable and worth the investment.  We want to have interesting venues, exciting activities and as much as possible centrally located rally locations so as many folks as possible can attend.

We will have a rally in the Panhandle headed by John Richardson in Pensacola at the Naval museum next season-- thanks John for volunteering.  There will be more information coming on this one, I am told it is a really interesting tour.  Joff Filion has us going to a Bluegrass festival as well so watch for information and try to make plans to come to it and all the other seasons rally scheduled events.

I would like to thank all who supported me and voted to have me as president, I feel very honored and will take serious my duties and responsibilities.  I also promise to not loose my gavel again and will do my best for the betterment of the club.  Please contact me if you have any comments or suggestions  for next seasons club activities or anything of interest for the club.  I want to be as accessible as possible and do as much as possible to shape the club to the members wants and needs.  We want to attract the next generation of GMC owners and as such we will be trying some new ideas where we can.  I and the board are excited about the possibilities and look forward to growing the club.

Thank you again for your confidence, I will do my best to earn your respect

Jim Bounds

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Prez Sez, ---APRIL

The April rally was lots of fun due to the fine job by our Wagon Master Ed Jones.  Well-organized, good food and great weather made it a success.  Our first Co-Pilot rodeo was also a fun time and we now have nine ladies that can “get err done”.  The first part was a walk around pre flight finding all the items inside and out that needed to be done before driving off and by in large, did a good job.  A couple missed the flat tire and lug nut missing but no one left with hoses and electrical connected and my dogs tied to the bumper.  After the preflight the ladies strapped on the GMC and took off under the watchful eyes of Ken Link and Ed Youngs the driving graders. The course consisted of a tight single lane turn followed by a backing test.  Next was a pass through a tight area followed by a stop and left turn.  Remember ladies use those turn signals.  Special thanks goes to Pat Smith and John Norrie who volunteered their GMCs.  They reported no dings or unusual vibrations; so ladies, you did good.  Each contestant identified herself with a secret name so when I tallied up the score I had on idea who they were.  1st. place went to History Gal, 2d was Leon and 3d was Thumblina or better known as Vivian Bolick, Sally Sirum and June Filion.  Hot on their heals were Not ready Yet, GMC Herder, J Tampa, Suzy Q, Olive Oil and Gypsy.  Thank you all for being such good sports.  You pilots, better watch out.

One new member Peter Marsh of Naples and Al and Ramona Bullock of Winter Haven a previous member joined.  We all welcome them.  Ed Youngs stepped forward to occupy the VP office so our 08-09 slate is filled.  Thanks Ed.    I can report that Dave Perry is on the mend but it will take some time.  Dave we will be looking for you at the September rally.  Ken Link still a little tender joined us at the Sanlan rally. Ken I couldn’t have done the rodeo without you.

 I will be Wagon Master for the fall Bluegrass Festival, October 9-11, 2008 rally at Rodeheaver Boys’ Ranch near Salt Springs.  We have 25 spaces reserved with 30/50 amp power and water.  No rally fee for this rally. You will have to make reservations NLT June 30^th.  The spring festival sold out fast.  I will have fliers and advance registration forms at the May rally.  You also can get info at www.aandabluegrass.com or call me.  Fred and Ann Stoothoff are planning an Octoberfest in May at the next rally.  Great German food and beer so lets make the last rally of the season the best. See you there.

MARCH

It’s that time again. Nominating committee chairman Sam Carson and his merry band of assistants will be looking for a new VP and board members. Jim Bounds will move up to President; Sam will remain Secretary/Treasurer and Newsletter Editor; Ken Link will stay on as Recording Secretary; Ken and Ed Jones will be our representatives to FMCA. The committee would like to have a past Board member volunteer for VP and a new club member sit on the Board. Ladies are highly encouraged to apply.

As you know, Wiltha Lettington is now in managed care and Jon says that she would love to hear from us. Attending rallies is very tiring for her so let us take the rally to her and flood her with cards and letters. Send your cards and letters to Jon or the address on page 1. GMC’s bring us together but friendships make us stay together.

FMCA rally attendance was down they say, mostly due to fuel prices. Well I offer this. If you attended our last year’s rallies then a 50-cent per gallon increase over last year should not be a show stopper. For example: a rally requiring a round trip of 300 mi with your GMC getting 9 mpg takes about 33 and a 1/3 gal. With a 50 cent per gal increase then the trip will cost another $16.67 over last years cost, a small amount for 3 to 4 days of fun. As you know our old gals (GMC’s) do not like to sit at home, just ask Jim and Jeff. They like action, tires rolling, engines burning and micros waving. Another thing, what old gal doesn’t want to be admired? So get her out on the road. The Bound’s rally is next month at the Orlando Speedway in Bithlo, Southeast of Orlando. It was fun last year and again, will be a good time. See you there!

Joff