JAN – FEB – March 2016 www.gsafcrv.org

GSA FCRV SPRING CAMPOUT 2016,

APRIL 22-24 at

PINE MOUNTAIN RV RESORT PINE MOUNTAIN, GA

http://www.rvcoutdoors.com/pine-mountain/reservations/

706.663.4329

Contact Reba Ray or Kathie Kennedy for more information

Freddy Smith, GSA President

Happy New Year All

Hope everyone is doing well! Looking forward to some wonderful camping in 2016! Just a reminder please submit any registration forms for any event in a timely matter as you all know it just helps so much in planning an event of any type.

Thanks to all that attended the Fall Campout in Dillard, GA in October, 2015. I hope you enjoyed

everything. If you have any comments please be sure to let us know. Thanks to the wonderful door

prizes donated for the Fall Campout by Integrity RV Service Center in Douglasville, GA. Thank you all

that donated items for the food bank, 31.7 LBS was donated to the Georgia Mountain Food Bank.

Please register by 3/1/16 for the Retiree Rally if you have any questions contact Reba & Ron Ray.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Spring Campout April 22, 2015 at Pine Mountain. Please send

in your registration forms in to Reba Ray and make your campground reservations soon.

Please remember to register early for the SE Regional, deadline for registration May 1, 2016. If you

would like to do anything special or have any ideas please let us know. There will be a planning

meeting to be held this winter, place and time to be determined.

The SE Regional will be hosted by GSA in 2016 at Bald Mountain Camping Resort, Hiawassee, GA on

June 9-12, 2016. Registration forms are posted in on the FCRV and GSA website. Note the

campground closes November 1, 2015 until April 1, 2016 you can still call & leave a message they

should call you back most importantly please go ahead & call now to hopefully get the spot you want! I

always say it is easier to cancel a reservation than to not be able to get one. Please make your

reservations early as camping anywhere in NE GA Mountain area is prime camping year round. The

last date to make your reservations is May 1, 2016 for SE Regional group reservations. You may get a

spot but not at the group rate. It is especially important to book early if you have special needs. Note:

the road/bridge entrance to the park was damaged by the flooding on Christmas Eve but will should be

repaired soon as there are residents that live beyond the park.

Prayers & thought to all who are experiencing the loss of a loved one or for those with health issues.

Special thanks to Integrity RV Service Center for renewing their ad and for their continue support.

In remembrance of FCRV member Libby Nichols, she passed away 12/16/15.

Currently the GSA membership dues of $10 are due on September 1st of every year. If

you have not paid your state dues please send to Dianne Reagan. These dues help cover

the expenses of the Newsletter and the GSA Website. On the same note be sure your

National dues are paid also. If your State dues are not received you will be removed

from this mailing.

Happy camping, be safe in your travels. Good health to all. ***********************************************************************************************

STATE DIRECTOR BY: Tommy and Alice Garner

We are home for the winter season and use this time for getting ready to go again in the spring. This

usually includes rest and repair for both the RV and ourselves.

The fall GSA campout was quite a success. Our usual good time was added to by all the Halloween

activities in the park. Thanks to everyone!

As you may have heard, FCRV international President Dave Ludwig has resigned for personal reasons.

VP of operations Shari Weber has succeeded him for the rest of this term. Hugh Hicks has been

appointed to succeed Shari as VP of operations. Hugh is from Ontario and has been regional director

for eastern Canada.

Let’s keep in mind the Retiree Rally in Houma Louisiana March 15-21. Ron and Reba Ray are putting

this one together and we want to attend with our fellow GSA folks.

*********************************************************************************************** RETIREE DIRECTOR By: REBA RAY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR CAMPING FRIENDS!!! We hope everyone has had a good holiday and looking forward to next year’s camping season. This year’s Retiree Rally will be in Houma, La., starting March 15 – 21, 2016. We would like to see some friendly people from Georgia to come. Early days will start on March 11, which is on a Friday and that would give you time to site see the area. There is a lot to see in Houma, La. If you ever get to that area, I am sure you would enjoy the scenery and visit lots of historical sites. Also, it is only about 50 miles from New Orleans and there are places to visit there also. Terrebone Civic Center is a beautiful building and they are going to have a bull riding event going on the last Saturday of the rally, which anyone who wants to attend can at no charge. The 2017 National Retiree Rally will be in Canton, TX. I will let you know of the dates maybe in the next Cracker Barrel. Hope to see everyone camping pretty soon. Reba Ray *********************************************************************************************** Scholarship News By: Dena Whatley

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Look for the 2016-2017 Scholarship application information in the next edition of the Cracker Barrel. Happy New Year!

TROUP TRAVELERS By: REBA RAY Well, this year of 2015 is over and we are looking forward to a new year of camping. The Troup Travelers will have a meeting at Trinity on the Hill Methodist Church in January and March and out first campout will be in March at R. Shaefer Heard Campground in West Point Ga. Our Christmas Party was December 5th and everyone had a great time. Too much to eat but with Ham & Turkey and all the trimmings you couldn’t have had a better meal. In October we all were at Whitetail Ridge campground, we had a lot of members there. One had gotten married, so congratulations to Chis & Gayle Studdard on their Marriage. We also sign up a former member of Troup Travelers which is Tim and Patricia Hansen. As some of you might remember Patricia was married to Mickey Autrey, and he passed away several years ago. So welcome back to Patricia and Tim. Our November campout was held at Spring Villa in Opelika, Al. We had a great time with a TV set up outside to watch the ballgames, we had a tail gate luncheon and snack all afternoon watching games and sitting around the fire trying to keep warm. It was a great weekend. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL *********************************************************************************************** ROAD Runners

As some of you may or may not know that the majority of the Road Runners have left the chapter to persue other endevors. Thanks to all of the Road Runners that participated in the fall campout in Dillard, GA in October 2015. Fun was had by all. Thanks to all of the Road Runners for all you have done for the GSA organization. Special thanks to Don & Rosie for serving as Membership Director! *********************************************************************************************** Notice the revised GSA Constitution and Bylaws are ready to be voted on by the GSA membership. The deadline is March 1, 2016. If you do not belong to a club and are in good standing with GSA FCRV and National FCRV you are eligible to vote. If you have not received a draft copy to read before voting please contact your club officers or contact us at the following email address and someone will get you a PDF copy. gsacrackerbarrel@att.net Note: Sorry, Cadet Members are not eligible to vote until you become a paying member. *********************************************************************************************

PEACH ROLLERS By: Linda Smith The Peach Rollers would like to thank everyone that attended the Fall Campout at River Vista RV Resort, Dillard GA in October 2015. We all enjoyed the scarecrows contest, creative minds. A fashion show was put on by the Peach Rollers which included a car coat, slip dress, right to bear arms, cord on blue chicken, and many more brilliant ideas, the devil himself showed up. Thanks to Milton & Julie for providing the music and all of the karaoke signers! We also enjoyed bean bag baseball, cake walk fun, fellowship, and good food. We hope you all had fun and enjoyed everything. We had beautiful weather for the most part. October 2, 2015 a few camped at Lake Oconee. The weather did not cooperate very well with all the

rain, but it did not dampen the fun had by the ones that were able to attend. We had evening meals at

the Reagans lake house, with a wonderful view & fellowship.

November we camped at Stone Mountain Park and enjoyed the Christmas programs thanks to Carol

Yates. There was a break in the weather and the park was not crowded due to the high prediction of

rain.

December we held our annual Christmas Dinner Party at River Forks Park, in Gainesville, GA. A few

people camped. We had 48 people this year. We enjoyed a catered dinner and a fun filled ornament

exchange and Christmas Trivia.

Looking forward to the 2016 fun filled Camping season!

Some are planning to go to St Augustine, FL in March 2016. If you are interested please contact us for

dates.

2016 Peach Rollers will be camping at Lake Oconee, Lake Altoona, Lake Lanier and GA Mountain

Area.

We would like to welcome our new members to the FCRV, GSA FCRV, and Peach Rollers organization.

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If you have a RV for sale you can contact Larry Black to post it on the GSA website.

If you know of anyone that wants to place an ad in the Newsletter let us know!

SPRING LIZARDS By: Edna Jordan Is it really 2016? Time absolutely does fly when you're having fun!! We wish for each of you,

individually and club-wise, the happiest of New Years and the best camping season ever. We have

seen dwindling of club activity over our local, state and national groups. The younger generation are

not "joiners," and the older generation are just that---older. So is there a solution? Just

perseverance...the art of "hanging in there"... The 7 couples in the Spring Lizards still enjoy our

monthly meetings, campouts (as much as possible), and staying in touch. We never quit trying to

actively recruit.

Since not enough interest was shown in a "state" New Year’s campout, we decided to do our own. We

had 4 couples enjoying time together at Jellystone, near Bremen. Our other 3 active couples either

had traditional get-togethers or were not physically able. We ask that you put our president, Mark

Dorough, at the top (0r close) of your prayer list. His recent tests confirm liver cancer. He has gone

for consults and is being evaluated for a transplant. He and Dianne covet and appreciate your

thoughts and prayers.

We had a great Thanksgiving meal and meeting at the home of the Williams, as well as a fine

Christmas one at the home of the Stephens. The Smiths hosted the October Halloween time at their

home. What pleasant fellowship....

On my to-do list is "register for campouts." I've printed out the registration forms and put the

deadlines on my calendar. We hope you're doing the same. We try to take an extra few days to enjoy

the designated area and get a little R and R.

Retiree Rally--Houma, LA---March 15-21

GSA Spring Campout--Pine Mountain Resort---April 22-24

SE Regional--Bald Mountain Resort (GA)--June 9-12

HAPPY CAMPING TO YOU ALL. STAY WARM AND HEALTHY. REGISTER FOR THOSE

CAMPOUTS!!

********************************************************************************************** UPCOMING EVENTS Jan 29-31, 2016 Atlanta RV Show Jonesboro, GA Mar 15-21, 2016 Retiree Rally Houma, LA Apr 22-24, 2016 GSA Spring Campout Pine Mountain, GA Jun 9-12. 2016 SE Regional Campout Hiawassee, GA Jul 24-29, 2016 56th Annual Campvention Shawnee, OK Oct 2016 GSA Fall Campout TBA 2016 Spring Campout reminders: Cakewalk – Each Club Bring at least 2 cakes Bring can foods or other non-perishable item(s) for the local foodbank Bring a Door Prize….Make your Reservations…..Send in your registration forms Have FUN

Notice: National Dues are going up to $35 per year effective January 1, 2016 If anyone would like to submit an article on the achievements, accomplishments, volunteering or any other social events or news of any member please submit by the dates listed below for the next edition of the Cracker Barrel. If you are not in a club and would like to submit an article or information about anything, please do so by the dates listed below. Any member can submit an article or information. Please submit your articles/photos/forms for future editions of the newsletter by the dates listed below to linddsmth@aol.com or gsacrackerbarrel@att.net

March 28, 2016

June 28, 2016

September 28, 2016

December 28, 2016

Please check the website for other activities, copy of newsletters, registration forms, Camping Today and for other information: www.fcrv.org & www.gsafcrv.org NOTE: REGISTRATION FORMS ARE ALSO LOCATED ON www.gsafcrv.org

GSA SPRING CAMPOUT APRIL 22 – 24, 2016

PINE MOUNTAIN RV RESORT 8804 HAMILTON RD

PINE MOUNTAIN, GA 31822 706-663-4329

The Road Runners are hosting the GSA Spring Campout at Pine Mountain RV Resort, Pine Mountain, Ga. The dates for this campout will be April 22 – 24, 2016. We hope everyone who can, please make an effort in being there. We are making great plans, so let this be a good campout that you won’t want to miss. We ask that everyone to make their own reservations at the campground. The campground is charging a $ 30 fee for reservations, once you get there, then, they will adjust the nights’ stay as to how many people we have. All reservations must be in by April 10, 2016. We ask that everyone bring a door prize, each club is to bring 2 cakes for the cake walk & bring 5 cans of food for a food closet. Road Runners - Host Spring Lizards - Hospitality Troup Travelers - Lunch on Saturday Peach Rollers – Games Since the Road Runners group has lost several members recently Ron & Reba Ray have volunteered to help them out. Also, Rheba Doris Williams will be helping out with goody bags. So before it’s over, we may ask others to help. But right now, we have it covered. Please send your $30 registration fee of GSA and registration form to: If anyone has questions please call 706-675-0440 Reba Ray P.O. Box 3472 LaGrange, Ga 30241 GSA SPRING CAMPOUT REGISTRATION NAME_______________________________________________________ ADDRESS_____________________________________________________ PHONE_______________________________________________________ ADULT________________________________CHILDREN_______________

FCRV SOUTHEAST REGIONAL CAMPOUT BALD MOUNTAIN CAMPING RESORT

751 GANDER GAP ROAD HIAWASSEE, GA 30546

www.baldmountianpark.com 706.896.8896

June 9 -12, 2016

The campout will start June 9, 2016

The cut-off date for Campsite reservations is May 1, 2016.

The rate per night per site is $35.00. All sites will include 50 amp electric, water, sewer, cable, and wireless Internet

service. Early days should be available if requested (use other discount cards such as Good Sam’s).

Please call the campground office at 706-896-8896 prior to May 1, 2016 to make reservations and to PLEASE mention

that you are with the FCRV Southeastern Regional when making reservations. After May 1, 2016 the Resort will release

any of the unreserved sites for use by other campers. At the time of each reservation a one-night deposit is required;

Visa, MasterCard or Discover are accepted method of payments.

The cancellation policy is as follows: Cancellations within 30 days of rally start will be charged 1 night stay. All canceled

reservations will be charged a $6.00 cancel fee. No Shows will be charged the FULL amount of their reservation.

Bald Mountain Camping Resort is located in NE corner of Georgia, close to the North Carolina/Georgia line. The address

above should work with all GPS & mapping systems. Any questions please let us know.

PARKING IS AVAILABLE IN FRONT OF ACTIVITY BUILDING; GOLF CARTS ARE ALLOWED, BUT MUST REGISTER THE GOLF

CART AT THE CAMPGROUND OFFICE. NOTE: THE CAMPGROUND CLOSES NOV 1, 2015 – APRIL 1, 2016. PLEASE MAKE

YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY AS NE GA MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUNDS BOOK FAST YEAR ROUND!

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL & PHONE NUMBER ON THE REGISTRATION FORM FOR IMPORTANT UPDATES ABOUT

THE CAMPOUT AND TO RECEIVE REGISTRATION CONFORMATION.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW AND MAIL TO THE ADDRESS BELOW PLEASE BRING A DOOR - PRIZE ONE PER FAMILY

FCRV SE Regional Campout 2016 Please register by May 9, 2016

NAME: ___________________________________________________________________

PHONE: __________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________

ADULTS: _____________ CHILDREN/AGES: __________________________________

ENCLOSED $35 REGISTRATION FEE (CHECKS PAYABLE TO SE REGIONAL) ___

GOLF: ______________________________ EMAIL: ______________________________

PHONE: ____________________________________

Mail Form/Check to: Elaine Shelnutt QUESTIONS or INFORMATION P.O. Box 208 404.906.7561 Linda Smith Norcross, GA 30091 770.833.3260 Elaine Shelnutt

Thank you to all that support this the following business sponsor

SMITH 7303 CLUB CREST DRIVE FLOWERY BRANCH, GA 30542

“COME CAMP WITH US”