The McDuffs arrived Sunday, De-

cember 4th for the campout. At

various times Wednesday, the 7th,

the Rigbys, Harpers, Lanclos,

Betty DuBois, Don LaBorde,

Vern Nunez, Landrys, Loftins,

Seivers, and Fruges arrived. Let us

hope that Louisiana treats Don La-

had one before): she was chilled

last night.

The weather was cool which made

it seem more like Christmas was

coming. The park had decorated

the clubhouse with a tree, figurines,

lights, etc., plus putting lights in the

trees by the entrance. Very attrac-

tive and cheerful.

The Landrys have relatives close

by, so they left to do some visiting

and Don LaBorde also left to visit

a relative. She told him a shortcut

way of returning to RV park, but

failed to tell him whether to turn

left or right at an intersection, there-

fore, he took a 27-mile detour.

The stew, hot rolls, etc., that the

cooks prepared for supper was per-

fect for the cool weather and Bev-

erly Harper’s rum cake and Water-

gate salad was a great ending to the

meal (Bev, the club enjoyed your

cooking urge and your sharing).

There were fourteen rigs at the

campout. The Noels arrived Thurs-

day afternoon on their way home

from Indiana after retrieving their

motorhome and left Friday after

Borde better in the future. This

time a truck hauling a wide load

knocked the mirror off of his

motorhome. The truck contin-

ued on. Was not able to be rein-

stalled and a new one had to be

ordered. Don said he guessed he

would have to stick a hand mir-

ror out the window to see what is

coming.

Wednesday evening, the group

ate Mexican food. Since it was

Margie Lanclos’ birthday, she

was presented with a desert,

sombrero (temporarily), and a

whip cream mustache. It was

also hers and Allen’s anniver-

sary, but he escaped the mus-

tache and sombrero.

Thursday morning, Carolyn

Fruge came into the clubhouse

flashing—no problems, just the

Christmas lights strung around

her neck.

After breakfast (Beverly Harper

contributed delicious homemade

banana bread to the spread), it

seemed like most members met

at WalMart. Vern purchased an

electric blanket (she had never

PIRATE SAMS—REGION 15

DECEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy New Year

NEXT CAMPOUT: January 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

LOCATION: Lake Conroe KOA PARK (formerly Haven’s Landing)

19785 HWY 105, Montgomery, Texas

1-800-562-9750

DIRECTIONS: From I-45, take Exit 87 (Texas Highway 105) and go west 13 miles: the campground is

on the LEFT(some mapping programs have it wrong); there is now a signal light where you turn

OFFICERS 2010

President: Don Harper

Tel: (409) 722-7122

Vice President: Malcolm Hebert

Tel: (409) 722-7787

Treasurer: Betty DuBois

Tel: (409) 962-6520

Secretary: Beverly Harper

Tel: (409) 722-7122

Wagonmaster: Bill McDuff

Tel: (409) 768-8968

Editor: Nelda Seiver

Tel: (409) 727-5343

Area State Director: Alice Barnett

Tel: (210) 427-2976

breakfast. They had been gone for

three weeks and were anxious to

get home, plus they had a grand-

child’s sporting event to attend.

They had left their rig at the fac-

tory in Indiana, staying with son

and family, except for a week they

spent with friends at a timeshare

in Branson. We were pleased to

see them, even if it was only for a

short time.

The Yannets arrived Friday

morning. They had been attend-

ing grandchildren’s Christmas

events. The Leos also arrived Fri-

day morning since Charlie had to

work through Thursday—glad he

was able to arrange his schedule

for them to be with us for the

weekend.

We were sorry to learn that the

reason the Chapmans had to can-

cel was Betty’s sister-in-law

passed away.

Janice Stone would have rather

been with us. They had to cancel

since doc scheduled her for sur-

gery on the Tuesday prior to

campout. Thrilled that she had a

good report and is doing great—

was allowed to go home with re-

strictions earlier than expected

(Saturday). She can accept not

mopping, vacuuming, ironing, lift-

ing, etc., for an extended period

(she hopes Weldon decides to

keep those chores), but not driving

for two weeks, that is tough!

Barbara Hebert was also sched-

uled for surgery to have a torn

ligament repaired in her knee, but

surgeon would not operate until

the cardiologist gave his okay.

She had out-patient surgery

(finally—taken back at noon and

1:30 nurse came out stating that

surgery had not started yet) Tues-

The cooks also said they missed

Malcolm—those who came to

help needed more instruction.

The scrumptious Christmas dinner

was held Friday evening—so

many good things to eat!!! The

homemade yeast rolls provided by

Mary Yannet were far superior to

those purchased.

Saturday morning after breakfast,

the meeting was held. Treasurer,

Betty DuBois, reminded the

members whose Good Sam Inter-

national dues that were about to

expire (the form had at least one

member needing to pay that still

had two more years left).

Bill McDuff scheduled December

2012’s campout at Poche’s. It is

not too early to make reservations

for that and February’s campout.

No credit card needed. Just be

sure to cancel if you find that you

will not be able to attend. He is

already working on 2013 sched-

ule.

Passport America discount is

available for the days prior to Fri-

day and Saturday at Poche’s. That

is a saving of $13 per night off the

club rate.

Make your reservation for the

April campout in Austin. Many

are making it a mini-vacation,

planning on arriving on Monday.

The bluebonnets should be in

bloom, plus tour of the Capitol

building, visit Fredericksburg, etc.

More info next newsletter. Dates

and phone number on last page.

Verna Nunez’s daughter and son-

in-law, Kerry and Rick Strahan,

live in the area. Rick would like

the group while in Austin to have

the pot luck at their home on Sat-

day, the 13th, and was told that it

went well.

It is a good thing that Pirate Sams

do not wear their vests to the hospi-

tal. The group there for Janice’s

operation were almost kicked out

and understand that those there for

Barbara’s surgery, also were a lit-

tle loud. Do not know what caused

the laughter at Barbara’s, but

Murlin Lough broke everyone up

when he stated that he did not know

what was taking so long for doc to

operate on Janice for it only takes

45 minutes to skin and gut a deer.

And then, there was Weldon won-

dering why things did not look right

in the restroom—he went to the

women’s.

Since the last campout Beverly

Harper had cataract surgery and

Jack Loftin had eye-lid lift sur-

gery. Page Rogers is recovering

from her knee replacement surgery

(better than the first), but did not

feel she was ready to climb in and

out of RV—we will expect them at

the January campout!! Dorothy

Sutherland is now having knee

problems—hope it heals without

treatment and no one else has diffi-

culty.

The cook stated that the above are

“Kitchen Queens.” There are other

members not pictured, but it is not

an exclusive fraternity—everyone is

encouraged to become part of this

Royal Service Court!

urday. The group voted to accept

the invitation.

It is in the Pirate Sams’ Bylaws to

support the Dogs for the Deaf and

the Special Olympics. It was sug-

gested and approved that the club

sends each group $150 this year.

The “Who’s Vest” in last month’s

newsletter was not guessed by any-

one. It was Helen’s, not Jack

Loftin’s.

Charlie Rigby thanked Don

Harper for being president for the

past two years. Thanks go to the

other out-going officers and a spe-

cial thanks to Betty DuBois and

Bill McDuff for continuing in their

positions and to Weldon Stone,

Verna Nunez, and Beverly

Harper for accepting positions for

next year.

Games continued after the meeting.

The puzzle was completed, but too

late to start Beverly Harper’s coke

puzzle.

The Yannets went exploring.

Among their discoveries was a

place that had impromptu live

music—a new place to visit on

our next trip.

The Loftins’ loss on the way to

campout was minor compared to

Don LaBorde’s. They lost one

tow light.

Heard from the Steiners. They

love their new house, have gone

to some parties, the movers de-

stroyed among other things a

coffee table and an end table,

have visited some of their chil-

dren, made a great deal: son-in-

law bought a new larger enter-

tainment center and their 50-inch

was too large to put in their bed-

room, so Jack graciously offered

his smaller TV in an even trade

which was accepted. Also, Jack

is putting mower, edger, blower,

etc. up for sale—a man came by

offering to trim hedges, mow,

and edge for $50 per month!!

Visitors, Mike and Sue Liles,

were not able to attend the

campout since he was offered a

three-month contract to go back

to work that was too good to re-

fuse. We will look forward to

seeing them when he completes

this assignment.

The Chisums were unable to

make campout since Paul was

working.

Ann Austin had more doctor

appointments and tests. She is

doing well according to the

grapevine. We expect to see the

two of you at the January camp-

out. How is new puppy,

Maggie, and Doug’s dog getting

along?

The Loughs left their motorhome

at the deer lease since they will be

going back on December 26th and

it would have been a rush to get

new tires for it. On the way to deer

lease, there was a blowout on a

front tire which messed up the rim,

the air hoses for brakes, etc.

Sketchy on rest of the details so

you will have to talk to Murlin.

On the previous trip to deer lease,

Betty was returning from a shop-

ping trip. As she was entering the

lease after the gate was opened,

evidently, the drought popped up a

rock damaging the car’s oil pan.

Instead of repairing locally, it was

towed back home to dealer.

The Loughs are proud of Emma,

their 9 (?)-year-old granddaughter.

She harvested an 11-point buck

(not on the Lough’s lease).

Seems like the mistletoe hanging

above the Charlies’ heads was not

having the desired effect—no fe-

males walking by while they were

standing there.

If you like getting those automated

messages on your home phone,

then you are just going to love a

proposal in Congress. The

“Mobile Informational Call Act of

2011” (H.R. 3035) would allow

these “robo-calls” to your cell

phone—even if you didn’t give a

company permission to contact you

at that number using your cell

A MERRY

TIME

WAS

HAD

JANUARY

BIRTHDAYS

Warren Landry 1/5

Dorothy Sutherland 1/5

Paul Chisum 1/21

Verna Nunez 1/21

Pete Yannet 1/26

JANUARY

ANNIVERSARIES

Kenneth & Faye Babin 1/7

Willie & Gloria Noel 1/28

phone minutes that you pay for. It

would open up your cell phone for

calls even if on the “Do not call

registry.”

The Women’s Shelter thanks each

of you who contributed items or

cash. It is appreciated!!

Call someone and ask about Don

LaBorde’s shopping excursion

that Margie Lanclos put him up

to for Vern Nunez. Hearing the

story would be much more effec-

tive than writing it.

Beverly Harper brought an old,

old cookbook that had been her

mother’s. It had Verna Nunez

listed on the committee—not as a

recipe contributor. The question

is, “How does someone who does

not cook get listed in a cook-

book?”

Hope to hear from each of you

that were not mentioned in news-

letter and better yet see you at the

January campout!!!

Contact the Harpers for informa-

tion if you are interested in attend-

ing the New Year’s events in

Belleville or go to the Valley first

week of January. Several are go-

ing and they would like your com-

pany!

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

2011 Campout Schedule

January 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

Lake Conroe KOA Park

(formerly Havens Landing)

19785 HWY 105 W

Montgomery, Texas

www.lakeconroekoa.com/

1-800-562-9750

$25.00

February 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Poche’s RV Park

1080 Sawmill Highway

Beaux Bridge, LA 70517

337-332-0326

Everyone has to make own

reservations a month in ad-

vance

February 14-21

Mardi Gras

March 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Magnolia Lake RV Park

799 Farm Market 2665

Goodrich, TX 77335

936-365-4910

April 8

Easter Sunday

Austin Lone Star Carefree

RV

7009 South I-35

Austin, TX 78744

512-444-6322

1-800-284-0206

Everyone makes their on res-

ervations—call now; may

cancel prior without penalty

May 8

Mothers Day

May 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

Northshore RV Resort

Hwy 190/ 168 Butler

Onalaska, TX 77360

877-766-7847

www.northshorerv.com

$22.00 daily

2012 Campout Schedule

June 17

Fathers Day

Eat Out Meetings

June 16

July 14

August 11

September 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Northshore RV Resort

Hwy 190/ 168 Butler

Onalaska, TX 77360

877-766-7847

www.northshorerv.com

$22.00 daily

October 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

Country Place RV Park

3043 Waukegan Road

Cut’n Shoot, TX 77306

1-800-360-2854

www.countryplacervpark.co

m

$20.00

November 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,

Lake Conroe KOA Park

(formerly Havens Landing)

19785 HWY 105 W

Montgomery, Texas

www.lakeconroekoa.com/

1-800-562-9750

$25.00

November 22

Thanksgiving

December 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Poche’s RV Park

1080 Sawmill Highway

Beaux Bridge, LA 70517

337-332-0326

Everyone needs to make

their reservations now, if

have not done so