By Lorraine Brown
Spring Fling was small this year, only 14 people, but full of fun activities. Attendees were from Vermont, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia. And the former queen made an appearance on Saturday morning ha-ha.
Thursday night was the traditional dinner at Bags Restaurant in Sugarcreek. Gregg Kerns and Stacey Marinelli (Stan and Kathy Thomas’s daughter) surprised us and joined us for dinner. Then back to the meeting room at the hotel to catch up with old friends.
Friday morning Lorraine Brown and Tina Lorenzoni passed out rules for a scavenger hunt. Everyone had to search for items until Saturday night. The competition was on. The Farm at Walnut Creek was back on the agenda again this year by popular demand. The wagon ride proved to be fun and entertaining, at least to our crazy group. Friday evening after a wonderful potluck dinner, we engaged in a game of “Spoons”. Believe it or not Tina did not win. Pam Markel won.
Saturday, we went to Dover Ohio, to the Aumond Museum of Radio and Television. We were all blown away by the collection of radios, televisions, and board games on display. Everything displayed was the collection of one man. Lorraine presented the owner of the museum a Cigarette costume she had made for his museum. Cindy Catenese left us on Saturday to fly back to Denver. Unfortunately, she had a plane delay and ended up in Texas overnight. After many unusual experiences, and a handful of wonderful helpful individuals, Cindy arrived home on Sunday.
Flea markets, yard sales, antique stores and thrift stores occupied the rest of the day, as each person did their own thing. Before our potluck dinner that night, the scavenger hunt was judged. My oh my, the competition. Jason and Louella won first place, second was J’s ay Brown, and Patty Jo and her friend Barb won third. Dennis Markel came in last, finding only one chicken bone.
Everyone either brought a hat or borrowed one from the table to participate in the Kentucky Derby race. No one’s horse won. After dinner we shared pictures and stories and memories of the past conventions and members. Sunday everyone left after goodbye hugs.
(We are very thankful for all the planning and wonderful activities engineered by Lorraine and Tina. Everyone is looking forward to next year’s Spring Fling: Spring Fling 2024 is May 2nd – May 5th. Dutch Host Inn Sugarcreek. There is a block of 12 rooms reserved. Call now: 330-852-2468)