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SUSQUEHANNA
VALLEY HOLIDAY RAMBLER (Updated May 31, 2008) CHAPTER HISTORY Many Thanks to Carol Hildebrandt for providing this information. She really did a great job.. Thanks Carol. 1966 Early in the Spring of 1966, a group of campers from the Willaimsport area got together and began the process of applying to Holiday Rambler to become a new chapter in the Holiday Rambler Travel Trailer Club. On June 4, 1966, they held an organizational meeting at the Haleeka Campground. Charles Boltz, Regional Director, conducted the meeting. The first campout was planned for June 24 at the same location. Shortly thereafter they received their charter and were given the number Chapter 63. Along with the charter, which contained 7 names, they were sent a check of $31.00 from the Holiday Rambler Company, which was used to open a bank account. By August 19, 1966, the Chapter had grown to 12 members. In September the group met at the McClure Bean Soup Festival. They decided to call themselves "Chapter 63 - The Lumber Jack and Jills." They must have passed up on the soup for they dined on spaghetti prepared by one of the members. Regular campouts continued and many of these were held at members homes and farms. On December 4, they were guests of the Club President and his wife for a sauerkraut dinner at their home in Northumberland. The treasurer reported their account balance. They planned regular campouts each month, but had many cancellations due to cold and wet weather. Camping continued and Chapter 63 continued to grow. 1968 The next big event was January 18, 1968, when the first big coffee pot arrived while they were camping at Stony Fork in Wellsboro. Bet that was a really cold weekend! In July of that year the National Rally was held in Cadillac, Michigan. The rally was attended by more than half the Chapter's membership. On August 31, 1968, the local chapter's treasurer's report was given. The membership expressed their displeasure that beer was served at the National Rally and advised National about it. The annual Christmas party was held at the Hillside Restaurand where the menu included roast beef or filled pork chops, rolls and butter, potatos, vegetables, relish tray, coffee and dessert. All for a cost of $3.00 per person, tax and tip included. A note was added to the reservation form saying "no children please." 1970 On February 20, 1970, Russ Smith Ford Camperland of Williamsport was the new Holiday Rambler dealer in this area. Charles Phelps was manager. In later years the dealership moved and was called Camperland, then eventually ended up as Rhones Travel Trailers, Inc. They provided Christmas dinners, corsages for the ladies, and contributions for covered dish suppers and prizes for lots of meetings. 1971 - 1974 On August 14, 1971, our chapter was known for "The Order of the Purple Cow." The grand bull being Dan Sarge. Blankets were used between trailers to become our stage. It became so popular they had to have a sign up list because they could only do so many a night. Dan also sold Sunday papers. You'll have to ask about that. In 1972, there were 37 member trailers. Several State Rallies were also hosted by "63". Each trailer received a "goodie bag" and gift upon arrival and on Saturday night. Many of these gifts were handmade. The members stayed busy just making and collecting these gifts. On August 2, 1973, while camping at Riveria, the club was near the Airstream Group. Friday night, dressed in our bathrobes, we serenaded them singing "In The Trailer Next To Mine." The next night they returned the favor, dressed in berets and beach towels with radios blaring. On September 15, 1973, while camping at Stony Fork, there was some flash flooding. They called for trucks to help pull the campers out. Carm Welliver of Danville and Foster went over to help, but all the trailers had been moved to the upper road and were dry. Bob Winkleman, of Astro Village in Milton, was missing but later found - taking a bath. He said that he was not going to waste all that HOT WATER! At one of our covered dish dinners there was an absence of macaroni and cheese. A man complained (it was his favorite) to anyone who would listen. The next month there were bowls and bowls of it on the table. I think the ladies won this round. In May of 1972, the club was camping at Hidden Valley when police and helicopters came. We were asked to stay near our trailers and to lock everything up.They were in the process of a manhunt and thought the person might be hiding in a corn field or possibly in a cabin nearby. Just how high is the corn in May? At our campout in July 1974, it seems that we ate alot. At this campout there were only six units. On the supper table there were 14 casseroles, corn bread, sticky buns, and three cakes. All of that to feed 14 people. This was the beginning. Other memories could fill many pages. We picked out a few. On a winter afternoon and after over thirty years, Foster and I can honestly say "Thanks for the Memories".
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