Country Coach Friends at Linn County Fairgrounds...Celebrating Fun, Food and Friendship!

I walked across the parking lot at Linn County Fairgrounds and waves of memories surfaced. I found myself smiling in anticipation as I entered the vendor area on my way to the main event room. I passed some of my favorite vendors' tables: Sue Rahimian told me her Pampered Chef girls had a ball and the ladies said, "We'll be back at 2p tomorrow!" She will give her presentation daily through August 7th! It's always a favorite. Sheer Entertainment in and around great products being demo'd. There was Carr Industries. They are old friends from Country Coach days. Ed Slavkovsky and Matt Carr, the show team, offer services that are  unbeatable in terms of quality cabinetry and interior renovations. There was Mac McCoy, the Fire Guy's table, with a full array of safety products. A rally attendee I greeted said, "This was the best seminar I attended today!" SkyMed's display is always great, and their seminar, "What would you do in a medical emergency" is a must-attend at any rally.

On through the tables and down the back hall for "employees only" and I popped into the event room. Wow! how colorful the tables were tonight, LOVE the spring mix napkins, and the intimacy created in spite of all the tables. The caterer

Jan again had outdone herself, and for me, having worked with her for several years on an event here, it is always like visiting with an old friend I had just seen yesterday, instead of a year ago!

Hugging old friends, meeting new ones, Oh What Fun! A year had passed since I saw some of them. Hugs all around, catching up on their adventures. Genuine interest in each others lives, and lots of stories, lots of laughter.

What a good time, a good place to gather, and a great opportunity to reconnect with Country Coach Friends members and visitors. I was pleased to see Mike and Susie Pena, who have been in service at Premier RV Services in Junction City. We first became acquainted on the phone when they called to speak with service manager and coowner Gary Obermire, and then when they came for service, and they've just proven again for me as our newest members, Country Coach Friends are the Best!

Tom and Nancy Cullen, you two are just a class act couple. It's just like greeting family. Sat with Pontslers and Daisy Stoutsenberger (a lifetime club member, and Pat Mason, of Oregon Motorcoach Center, at dinner. His company is a great supporter of club life, and the motorcoach owners just LOVE to catch up on Pat's kids. I heard the same conversations taking place with Louie Courtemanche of Premier, and Bobby Vinson of RCV Custom Coach....Both Bobby and Eric Olstrom of Premier Motorcoach Services of Tucson come to all the CCFI rallies, fully prepared to handle any of the minor service items one can handle parked in a rally setting.

Last night was Playing Card Bingo...Tonya from Country Coach, Gary and Louie from Premier RV Services and Pat Mason from Oregon Motorcoach Center presented the entertainment....and the gifts. Cold hard cash, and more....what a great night for casual conversation, laughter, and FRIENDSHIP.

For me that's what it is all about, and there is more to come thankfully, today we are just halfway through the event!  Can't wait....So many friends, so little time!

Postnote: Well, it finished as strong as it began with Bernie & Red keeping us laughing.

At the last full evening event a charity auction raised nearly $9,000 for two local organizations, Junction City Local Aid and God's Storehouse.

Just before final goodbyes there was an informal social hour with Mike Denny Jazz ....what a sweet, smooth end to a wonderful event.