2021 9th Biennial National Rally - Sep 19-23
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:07 pm
2021 Born Free Leap'n Lions RV Club 9th Biennial National Rally
Date: September 19 - 23, 2021
[td][right][b]Location:[/b][/right][/td][td]Hart Ranch Camp[/td]
As suggested by Bill Meier 2 years ago, the Rally was held at Hart Ranch Camping Resort, Rapid City, South Dakota. Eighty-four people in 46 coaches from 27 states, several from as far away as Texas and Florida, many for their first rally, took advantage of the scenic location nestled in the Black Hills.
The official Welcome included catered wine and heavy appetizers, introduction of the Club’s officers, and an excellent presentation by Dr. David Wolff, an award-winning author and associate professor of history at Black Hills State University, Spearfish, South Dakota.
Bright and early Monday morning, rally attendees boarded two buses for a guided tour of the area. To get started, a Western-style breakfast was served at the Ft. Hays Chuckwagon. It is located in Old West Town Square, site of the film set for “Dances with Wolves,” as well as shops where craftsmen handmake ropes, bricks, tin plates – all the necessities needed in the Old West. The next stop was Mt. Rushmore, followed by a ride through the Black Hills. The drivers of the 2 buses were very knowledgeable and shared the region’s history. Lunch was at the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park. This stately building was constructed in 1920 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It served as the Summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge and his wife in 1927 and was visited by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. After lunch, more roads through the Black Hills were explored, then a stop at the Crazy Horse Mountain Memorial. Back at the Ft. Hays Chuckwagon, a delicious Old West dinner was served, followed by an excellent Music Variety Show.
Tuesday’s activities included the Biennial Business Meeting, Technical Seminar, Ladies’ Tea, and Silent Auction of Born Free and RV items, and, in the evening, attendees enjoyed a catered pizza party. Tickets for admission to the party, as well as proceeds from the Silent Auction, were donations to the Rapid City Salvation Army Food Bank. The amount, in food and dollars, totaled $2,962.
Wednesday was a free day, at the end of which a buffet was served. Bill Meier, VP of the North Central Region, was recognized for his 10 years of service to the Leap’n Lions RV Club. The entertainment, appropriately enough, was a showing of “Dances with Wolves.”
For the first time in many years, all officer positions in the Leap’n Lions RV Club are filled, and members are so excited:
[td][right][b]President[/b][/right][/td][td]Jerry Breu[/td]
Thursday offered a catered breakfast, and friends, new and old, had to say Good-bye and start the trip home. It was a wonderful rally, enjoyed by all, but it wasn’t truly over, it was a new beginning. Jim Schrankel, a member of Born Free RV Happy Campers USA/on Facebook as well as the Leap’n Lions, did a great presentation about the positive growth of both organizations.
By Mary Breu
Date: September 19 - 23, 2021
23756 Arena Drive | |
Rapid City, SD 57702 | |
Website: | http://www.hrresort.org |
Hosts: | Dee Dee (Historian) and Nick McClain (Rally/Caravan Coordinator) |
Mary and Jerry Breu (President) | |
Bill Meier (VP-NC Region) |
The official Welcome included catered wine and heavy appetizers, introduction of the Club’s officers, and an excellent presentation by Dr. David Wolff, an award-winning author and associate professor of history at Black Hills State University, Spearfish, South Dakota.
Bright and early Monday morning, rally attendees boarded two buses for a guided tour of the area. To get started, a Western-style breakfast was served at the Ft. Hays Chuckwagon. It is located in Old West Town Square, site of the film set for “Dances with Wolves,” as well as shops where craftsmen handmake ropes, bricks, tin plates – all the necessities needed in the Old West. The next stop was Mt. Rushmore, followed by a ride through the Black Hills. The drivers of the 2 buses were very knowledgeable and shared the region’s history. Lunch was at the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park. This stately building was constructed in 1920 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It served as the Summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge and his wife in 1927 and was visited by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. After lunch, more roads through the Black Hills were explored, then a stop at the Crazy Horse Mountain Memorial. Back at the Ft. Hays Chuckwagon, a delicious Old West dinner was served, followed by an excellent Music Variety Show.
Tuesday’s activities included the Biennial Business Meeting, Technical Seminar, Ladies’ Tea, and Silent Auction of Born Free and RV items, and, in the evening, attendees enjoyed a catered pizza party. Tickets for admission to the party, as well as proceeds from the Silent Auction, were donations to the Rapid City Salvation Army Food Bank. The amount, in food and dollars, totaled $2,962.
Wednesday was a free day, at the end of which a buffet was served. Bill Meier, VP of the North Central Region, was recognized for his 10 years of service to the Leap’n Lions RV Club. The entertainment, appropriately enough, was a showing of “Dances with Wolves.”
For the first time in many years, all officer positions in the Leap’n Lions RV Club are filled, and members are so excited:
Secretary/Treasurer | Sandy Perley |
Website Administrator | Dave Moffat |
Rally/Caravan Coordinators | Dee Dee and Nick McClain |
VP – NE Region | Marilyn and Bob Gray |
VP – SE Region | Eric Sandstrom |
VP – NC Region | Carolyn and Anton Hol |
VP – SC Region | Pam Clark |
VP – NW Region | Nancy Wolf and Mike Gillespie |
VP – SW Region | Phyllis Howard |
Newsletter Editor | Barbara Chappel |
By Mary Breu