Joint Rally of the Pennsylvania Unit and Washington, DC Unit
August 4th to 6th was the date for the Pennsylvania Unit/Washington DC Unit joint rally at the Penn Woods Airstream Park in Limestone, PA. Incoming Pennsylavania Unt President, and WDCU affiliates, JR and Sabina Freeman were our hosts.
Penn Woods is nestled just off Route 80 in Limestone, PA and is an Airstream only park. It is a great place to spend a weekend or longer. Most of the people there keep their Airstream there through the summer and then move onto warmer climate for the winter. It was a lengthy drive for us coming from New Hampshire but it was well worth it.
We arrived at 4:30 pm on Friday, August 4th and were quickly and cheerfully greeted after ringing the bell to let the parker know that we have just arrived. We were parked on a large grassy open area in the middle of the park. Meeting and greeting started immediately.
We have not been to too many rallies at this point, but now I do understand that food is included most times. By 6 pm Friday, we were on our way into the pavilion for a fried chicken dinner which was graciously prepared by Ruth Baldwin, John McHugh, and newcomers Stuart and Margaret Natof. This was the first Rally for the Natofs and yet they jumped right in and were a great help throughout the weekend.
Saturday morning was a great pancake breakfast prepared by the Pennsylvania Unit folks. Saturday evening we were treated again to Ruth and John’s wonderful cooking skills with BBQ ribs and corn. I hope they never get tired of cooking! Sunday morning, the day most of us needed to leave so that we could get back to work on Monday, there was a continental breakfast which provided a nice last get together to fill the tummy and say goodbye till next time.
We did get a chance to go out and see the surrounding area. We drove approximately 20 miles to Cook Forest State Park. It is a beautiful, lush, green forest where one may hike and see scenic vistas or climb the fire tower. We also came across a place that rents canoes, a nice activity when it is hot and humid. There was also a place where you could go on a guided horseback trail ride through the forest.
The Pennsylvania Unit also arranged for Rally entertainment. Children’s games and "Cupcake" the clown gave the young folk some fun in the afternoon which was accompanied with music provided by the Penn Wood trio. That evening JR arranged for a local bluegrass band to perform for us which was later followed up with ice cream and fresh blueberries.
The weekend was not all fun and games. This was the perfect time for the Pennsylvania Unit and Penn Woods residents to gather for their respective meetings. It was also a perfect time for the Washington, DC Board to have a quick meeting before the next WDCU Rally which will be the Unit Installation Rally in Newport News, VA, on October 6-9. See you there!
Linda Moore
#15116
WDCU
August’s “Good Ol’ Summertime” Rally
provided a good ol’ summertime weekend for 76 adults and seven
children altogether from the PA Unit and Washington, D.C. Unit. There was
a fire ring for roasting marshmallows and telling tall, funny tales;
Saturday afternoon games “on the green” for children and adults - with
prizes for everyone; watermelon, and to top it off - an outdoor
concert by our own talented Penn Wood Trio. Food was a-plenty and
just what we all wanted at a summer picnic!
Almost everyone who attended helped in some way. Co-chairs were
J.R. & Sabina Freeman and John McHugh & Ruth
Baldwin (who represented both Units), plus Mel & Helen Buzzard. Saturday breakfast cooks also included Howard Hays, Harvey Miller and Ed Van Horn. Helping peel fruit, slice tomatoes, clean corn, wash dishes and/or with various kitchen jobs were Dave Butt, John & Jane Carbonnare John & Esther Dona (WDC), Lois Garman, Kathy Howarth (WDC), Jean Mensing, Dorothy Restauri, Darlene Van Horn, and Anita Ward (WDC). Helping with the games also included Tom Howarth (WDC), Doug & Terry Rowbottom, Bob & Karen Waldo and their son Matt (WDC).
“Cupcake,” Penn Wood’s favorite clown (Pauline Gnagey), made a very special, appearance on Saturday afternoon, too.
Extra special mention must be made of Margaret Natof (WDC) who anticipated every need and filled it. She and her husband Stuart helped serve Friday evening’s meal. The surprise was, it was their very first rally with WBCCI! (They arrived in a 1948 Cadillac, towing a 1968 Bambi II. “The car’s longer than the trailer,” said Stuart.)
A standing ovation went to John McHugh & Ruth Baldwin who prepared the main course for both evening meals. Altogether, it was a “Good Ol’ Summertime” weekend of fun, fellowship and good food.
To get to Penn Wood from DC:
From DC take I-70 West to I-76 | Pennsylvania Tpke at Breezewood, PA.
Take the Turnpike West (1 exit) to Bedford, PA then follow US 220 N to I 99 North.
At the end of I 99 (at Bald Eagle), take SR 350 (14 mi to Philipsburg), US 322 (11mi to Woodland) and SR 970 (1.6mi to I 80).
Go West on I 80 for 58 miles to SR 66 (first Clarion exit).
Go South on SR 66 for 4.1 miles to Limestone. As you go down the hill into Limestone, you will pass under a railroad underpass. At the bottom of the hill, you cross a creek.
Take the first right after the creek (You should see the Penn Wood Sign.) and the first right after that, just as you start up the hill. This is the campground road. Call the parker on 14 or ring the bell on the edge of the field.
My mapping program says 286 miles and 4:36 from RFK stadium. Your mileage may vary.
To get to Penn Wood from the Northeast:
Get onto I 80 West wherever it is convenient and follow the last steps of the directions above.
To get to Penn Wood from the West:
Get onto I 80 East wherever it is convenient, go to the second Clarion exit (SR 66) and follow the last steps of the directions above.
To get to Penn Wood from the South:
Take 1 79 to I 80 East, go to the second Clarion exit (SR 66) and follow the last steps of the directions above.
There is a shorter route from Pittsburgh using SR 28 to New Bethlehem and SR 66 to Limestone (turn before the creek), but parts of it are very slow, with steep hills and road construction.
Keep away from the PA Turnpike East of Pittsburgh as much as you can. There is continuing construction and the turnpike has been reduced to one lane, at times due to mine subsidence under the road.