Since the last blog entry a bunch has happened. As we moved through the weekend most of the coaches arrived and g
ot parked. We were notified that a couple had broken down on the road. Once couple blew the engine in their coach and had to have it replaced. After an extra day out and $6,000 they are now here and enjoying the rally. Another couple got as far as Shreveport. They are still there waiting for a part for their electrical system before coming on in. Hopefully they will be here tomorrow. On Saturday our good friends, Ron and Kay Rivoli, made it in. They performed Friday in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and then drove straight through to here in Marksville, a 12 hour drive in their motor home. Sunday morning Ron came out to join our group for coffee. This is Ron with my lovely bride, Joanne. Ron and Kay performed their Gospel Revue for us on Sunday afternoon. They do this show without charge to the club. They do take up a "love offering" that is used in some of their Christian charitable endeavors. We finished off Sunday with a pot luck dinner that evening. By then all but a very few of the coaches had arrived so we had a good crowd at the pot luck with plenty of food to go around.Monday was the first official day of the rally. We started off with a representative from the Marksville Office of Tourism giving us a history of the area and information
on the many things to do and see here. Later, after lunch, Joanne and I went over to the Paragon Casino Resort to view some of the features in the hotel side. The lobby of the hotel has several "ponds" stocked with fish and alligators. This is in an atrium area so there was plenty of sunshine for the "gators" to warm themselves. We checked out the gift shop and the other areas other than the casino itself. Afterward it was time for me to go to the "rally hall" to help set up and man the information booth. We have several logo items that we sell, such as plaques for the back of our coaches, patches for shirts and a cookbook that our ladies put together a few years ago. As the club Treasurer I am responsible for keeping these items between rallies and to sell them via our club website.Monday evening was the first official meal of the rally. This was catered by the casino banquet staff. They did a gre
at job with the food and the service so we are expecting to really enjoy the service while we are here. After dinner Ron and Kay entertained was with their Rivoli RV Revue. This great couple has performed at several of our rallies over the years and have become a great part of our club. When we first asked them to come they turned us down due to their schedule. The just ended a series of shows in Pigeon Forge on Friday and were to start another series of shows at the same place starting tomorrow. This gave them one day of travel before our show and one day after to return to Tennessee. After thinking it over they relented due to this being Monaco America's 10th Anniversary Celebration, a big milestone for an RV club. We felt very fortunate to have them with us again and hated to see them leave. They pulled out about 10:30 PM last night, headed back to Tennessee. This picture Joanne with the lovely Kay. We did get a quick visit from Kay before they left. As Ron took down and loaded their lights and sound equipment Kay came by our coach to deliver the final invoice/contract of their performance and pick up the check for payment of their service. We always enjoy being with Ron and Kay and hope to cross paths with them again before long.Today was filled with seminars, dispensing information at the info desk and some craft classes. Jo did one of the crafts and in the afternoon she attended the Ladies Tea. This evening we had another great dinner, served by the Resort staff, we had an auction. Many items had been donated for the auction and a local auction company volunteered their services to conduct the event. All proceeds, which was just over $3800.00, were going to benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. This is shaping up to be a great rally with a bunch still ahead of us.
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