(July 1964. December 2004)

In 1964, Richard Klingler, then owner of the Holiday Rambler Corporation, Wakarusa , IN , called on owners of Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicles to form a National Club. Maurice and Jean Levine (#324) and others in Central Ohio were contacted to start formation in our area. Thus, they formed Chapter 34 and grew into what today is a well established, active Chapter of the National Club. They chartered Chapter 34 in July 1965 at the First International Rally held in Alliance , OH , although it had been actively holding monthly meetings four months, prior. In August of 1965, "Heart of Ohio Travelers" (dubbed HOOTS), voted to hold the first Ohio State Association Rally at Olentangy Caverns, just north of Columbus. In September, this rally was very successful with an attendance of 89 trailers from throughout the state. Maury Levine was elected as our 1st President of the State Association and wife Jean was chosen as the Secretary of the State Association. Many in our chapter have held the position of State President over the years: Maurice Levine (#413), AI Crego (#2119), Mel Cook (#16275) and Jim Sinning (#4898). In recent years, Jim Sinning and John Powell (#74285) have each held the position of Ohio State Manager (replacing the State President title). Additionally, four Secretaries of the State Association have been from our chapter: Jean Levine (#413), Eve Crego (#2119), Sarah McManaway (#57986) and Sandra Powell (#74285).

Many awards have been received by our chapter and chapter members:

•  Amateur Newsletter 1st place 1991- Eve Crego (#2119) for the HOOTS and HOLLERS newsletter of Chapter 34.

• AI and Eve Crego received the Royal Order of the Hitchball in 1967; an award given by the Executive Director for outstanding services for the benefit of the National Club.

• AI and Eve helped to develop the first Ramblings Newspaper (now in magazine form). Eve acted as District Staff Editor for this paper for 3 years and selected articles for print that were received from other chapters, and also wrote a Social and Hints column.

• The chapter members were awarded the Ambassador Award for active services on behalf of the Ohio Association advancement, awarded by Richland Trailer Sales of Mansfield, OH;

• (Crego) Trytek; Marsha Levine, Marsha Peters, and Caroline Clark.

Chapter 34 has always been a very active chapter in Ohio and on the National Club level. Chapter 34 has hosted (and assisted) with the Ohio State Rally many times over the past 39 years, and assisted at the Region II and International Rallies. Chapter 34 (HOOTS) under the direction of John and Sandy Powell (#74285) last hosted the 61st Ohio State Association Rally at the Harding County Fairgrounds, Kenton OH in May 1998. John moved our chapter into the "90s" by bringing us into the computer age, getting many of chapter members on e-mail, establishing a name roster as an ongoing growth tool. John and Sandy held the offices of President and Secretary for both 1996 and 1997.

Charter members of Chapter 34 still active in 2004 are: Bob Green (#732) (Wilma - deceased). The Greens (now Bob and Irma) are active in the chapter’s activities including those of camp out hosts.

Don and Rita Eisnaugle (#58872) in 1992 were the founding HOOTS Get-A-Way Wagon Masters.  They developed a weeklong travel adventure each year for Chapter 34 assisted by Jack and Jean Reichert (#48936).  In 1999, John and Sandy Powell (#74285) became the Get-Away wagon masters.  The Get-A-Way has proved very popular with the HOOTS with as many as 20 families traveling to such places as Branson, MO; Nashville, TN; Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN; Williamsburg VA; Gettysburg PA; the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan; and in 2003, a three-week adventure to Bar Harbor, Boothbay and Portland Maine.

Mel and Kay Cook (#16275) who started out their activities with Chapter 34, moved to Florida and while there Mel was elected National Director of Region III and during his term became President of the Board of National Directors for the HRRVC.  Mel and Kay also are recipients of the Royal Order of the Hitchball Award for outstanding services to the International Club.

The present members of Chapter 34 (HOOTS) are very proud of our heritage, growth and fun-filled activities over the past 39 years and do hope this growth of our chapter continues. Our membership in this chapter has brought close lifelong friendships to our "2nd family,"