2012 Samboree

Monday, May 14, 2012

"Welcome, Good Sams," said the sign at the fairground gate.  Early birds flocked in, and the Samboree was unofficially underway.  The staff at the gate checked the early arrivals in, and parkers in golf carts guided them to their places.  While the staff scuttled about on their appointed rounds, the campers set up, explored, and renewed acquaintances.

Early in this newsletter, let's give a round of applause and a Thank You to the Good Sam officers and staff members who worked long and hard to make the Tennessee Samboree successful.  Months of planning, hours of labor, and attention to moment-by-moment details ensured an enjoyable, worthwhile, and seemingly effortless experience for all who attended.  By the time Chuck and Jean Johnson arrived this Monday afternoon, Joe Jaynes and Ed and Lena Murray, Overmountain Sams members and Tennessee Good Sam staff members, were well into their roles and working to make things run smoothly.

In the evening we gathered in the East-West building for a "hello" social hour of light refreshments, introductions, games and music.  Tables had been set up for the birthday party, many with appropriate decorations of hats and streamers and noisemakers.  The old-timers made it a point to greet newcomers and welcome them to the party.

Tuesday, May 15

In the pre-dawn hours, there was a thin fog through which the moon and stars promised a clear day.  The Samboree hadn't officially begun, but there was an underhum of activity.  By seven a.m. staff members were setting up traffic barriers and bustling about on their golf carts, looking very business-like and efficient.  Although we were on our own for breakfast, there was coffee available in the East-West Building.  More evidence of the quiet, behind-the-scenes effort of the Samboree staff.

Jean went to work with Mary Eichenberry, setting up door prizes and making sure that the distribution would go efficiently.  This is a behind-the-scenes job that seems to gather as much criticism as thanks.

And the big rigs came rumbling in in a steady, day-long stream, patiently and obediently following the little golf carts to their appointed parking spots.  Some were backed side-by-side against the fence that separated the blacktop parking lot from the large grassy fairground field, some were parked side-by-side in grassy areas near the buildings, but most were parked rump-to-rump on the blacktop, sharing the electric and water lines that had been laid out for them giving evidence that only a seasoned RV'er can appreciate the value of a Y-connector with a shut-off.

Registration began officially at 1:00 P.M., although some folks got to the table before that hour and picked up schedules, tickets, and other necessary material.  There was something new this year: no "goody bags" with trinkets, doodads, and advertising gimmicks from local clubs and businesses.  There will probably be much heard about that in the coming days and in the planning sessions for the next Samboree.

Another change in the Samboree is the absence of the traditional pot-luck supper.  In the past, many eaters showed up without contributions.  Although staff members served and attempted to ration the food, folks at the end of the line were often disappointed.

Supper was on our own today.  "The War Horse," a moving, based-on-truth story, was the film for the evening.  No movie evening is complete without pop corn, and the evening was made complete.  Some minor technical difficulties with the DVD player were soon remedied by Ed Murray.

Wednesday, May 16

A sunny, pleasantly crisp morning.

The staff set up a continental breakfast of coffee and assorted cold cereals.  The raisin-bran flakes moved faster than the Cheerios, once again confirming the average age of the attending Good Sams.  One question remains unanswered: "What do they call a continental breakfast on the continent?"

Samboree breakfast time is a good opportunity for relaxed conversation.  No one seems hurried.  New acquaintances are established, old friendships are enriched, experiences are recounted, and valuable insights are shared while Sams and Samanthas savor that second cup of coffee.

While some lingered over breakfast, Ed and Lena Murray led the Tennessee Walkers on their daily morning jaunt around the fairgrounds, something that has become a Samboree tradition.

Ed and Lena had been busy taking pictures, which were shown during breakfast on the large screen set up on the platform.  Although they'll eventually be posted on the web site, it was good to see them this soon.

We had lunch on our own today, but the Cumberland Mountain Sams were selling ice cream as a fund-raiser, so Buddy Bars and Klondike Bars added a small festive air to the peanut butter sandwiches.

As the afternoon heated up, the big rigs kept rumbling in while parkers in day-glow vests led, waved and shouted them into their positions.  Some early birds watched critically from the comfort of their folding chairs set up in the shade of their awnings.

With the arriving RV's came the vendors, who set up their wares in the exhibit building. Tables lined the sides of the hall, and shoppers and lookers browsed back and forth, hoping to find that one, new item that would make their rigs and camping experiences complete.

Jean and Mary spent most of the afternoon among the door prizes, sorting and cataloging the dozens of donations as they came in from clubs, businesses and individuals.  This is one of the more tedious and less recognized jobs of the Samboree, one which requires many hours of work and frequently receives complaints and criticism from donors who want more recognition, and from recipients who want more value, and from PR-conscious staff members and officials who don't seem to appreciate the complexities of the job.

Campers with small dogs walked them in the grassy areas, too often looking the other way as their furry best friends did what dogs do best on grassy areas.  An appropriate reminder was made at the evening's gathering.

Finger-foods and fellowship were the words for the evening.  Buffet tables were set at the ends of the hall, and we filled our plates with goodies ranging from really-good-for-you to too-good-to-stop-going-back-for-more.  Dale and Carol Barstow, Jim and Diane Griffiths, and Chuck and Jean Johnson managed to find a table near one of the food lines and occasionally took time off from munching to engage in catch-up conversation about families and travels.  Joe Jaynes took a few minutes off from his rounds to chat for a while. Music was added to the evening, and before long, couples were dancing.

Thursday, May 17

Another sunny day.

Continental breakfast again this morning.  No Belgian waffles, French toast or Polish sausages, but glazed donuts were added to the standard cold cereal menu.

Samboree colors and club colors were especially in evidence today.  Samboree staff members wore light green tee shirts, today's color, and the Tennessee officials wore dark trousers, red shirts and white vests to the morning meeting.  Some campers wore their clubs' colored vests, and many of those were decorated with patches indicating rallies attended and places visited.

Promptly at nine the Samboree's opening ceremonies began.  The gathered campers recited "The Lord's Prayer," the veteran's chapter marched in and presented the colors, we recited the "Pledge of Allegiance," sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." and heard a recorded rendition of "America the Beautiful."  The color guard marched out, the Samboree was declared officially open, and the campers poured out of the building and headed for their various tours, classes, seminars and games.

The Overmountain Sams were responsible for decorating one of the dinner tables in a month of June theme, and Carol Barstow, Gail Griffiths, and Jean Johnson went shopping for material for decorating the June table.

Lunch was on our own today, but the Tennessee Sunshine chapter sold taco salads, which proved popular.  Outdoors, a few yards away from the taco salads, were funnel cakes, sold by the Davey Crocket chapter.  Continental breakfast, Mexican lunch, and Southern dessert. Norwegian herring would probably not have been a major attraction at this gathering. Supper on our own found Barstows, Griffiths, Jaynes, Johnsons and Murrays at Demo's restaurant in Lebanon.  Good food, good fellowship and good service.

Continental breakfast again this morning.  No Belgian waffles, French toast or Polish sausages, but glazed donuts were added to the standard cold cereal menu.

We had a birthday party this evening to celebrate thirty-five years of Tennessee Good Sam. Good Sam showed up and helped with the evening's program.  There was a family of first-timers visiting from Michigan and were here to celebrate the father's seventy-fifth birthday.

For many years Tennessee Samborees were privileged to have the Ollers present their act of country humor at the programs, with Mrs. Oller continuing after the death of her husband. Last year Mrs Oller, in her nineties, gave her farewell performance, and as a tribute, the Thursday evening Samboree programs are now called "The Oller Comedy hour."

At this evening's gathering, prior to the comedy acts, the vendors were introduced.  They walked in in a line, accompanied by Johnny Paycheck's recording of "Take This Job and Shove It." Officers from neighboring state Good Sam clubs were blindfolded and played "Pin the Tail on the Donkey."  Several clubs presented comedy skits, and the first round of door prize distribution took place, with the Griffiths winning a roof vent cover.

It was a birthday party.  No birthday party is complete without a cake, and at the close of the program we were treated to real birthday cake.

Friday, May 18

Clear and pleasant morning.

Pancakes and sausages were prepared and served by the Sunshine Travelers and the K-Town Sams.  This was the first event for which we had our tickets punched.  There were far more campers at this breakfast than had been at the continental breakfasts.  Apparently, pancakes and sausages have more appeal than bran-flakes and glazed donuts.

Today we got to use our ice cream tickets.  One ticket per person, and one pint of Blue Bell ice cream per ticket.  The Cumberland Mountain Sams were responsible for the distribution.  This went on at the same time the Davy Crockett Sams were selling funnel cakes.  Was it unfair competition?

More door prize drawings this afternoon, and the Johnsons won a collapsible fabric bucket.

We were asked to bring and donate toys for the fire and police departments, preferably cuddly toys.  They carry them in their cars and emergency vehicles to give to children who are in accidents or stressful situations.  There's quite a pile of soft toys on the platform of the main assembly room.

The seminars, lectures and special programs have been varied and fairly well attended.

Supper was on our own again.  The evening's program began at six-thirty with the presentation and display of flags and banners of the various clubs. Various shapes, sizes and colors represented the themes of the clubs and demonstrated artistic ingenuity and skills. Following the display of flags, representatives from neighboring states brought greetings and invitations to attend their Samborees.

Three Bridges, a Gospel trio, sang this evening and gave a lively and inspiring performance. Two of the members had been part of The Imperials, a well-known group in Gospel music circles.  The trio sang familiar and not-so-familiar songs and mixed their singing with humor and with personal Gospel messages.  A good performance was well-received by the audience.

Door prize distribution followed the music, and then came the 50-50 drawing.

Saturday, May 19

Another clear day.

Breakfast today was biskits 'n gravy served by Sam's Dixie Travelers.

The tables were designated as representing months, with different chapters being responsible for design.  Carol, Diane, and Jean set up a wedding motif with appropriate decorations.

While the ladies worked on the tables, there was a flea market set up on Main Street, which runs between the exhibit and educational buildings.  At 9:00 A.M. the pet parade came wagging and barking down the street.  Dogs, large and small, proudly showed off their masters.  There was no group picture taken of the participants this year either.  At ten the theme parade came down the street, with dancing candles and singing cakes.  Good Sam stood on the back of a golf cart and got tangled up in a low-hanging streamer stretched across the street.  A good time was had by all.

For the noontime catered meal, we were instructed to sit at the tables representing our birth months.  That meant separating cliques, clubs and married couples.  Most folks thought it was a pretty good way to meet new people, but there were a few holdouts who insisted on staying with friends and partners.  The staff served the buffet line, dishing out salads, pork tenderloin, chicken breasts, red-skin potatoes, green beans, corn, muffins, and cake.  Good food, well prepared and efficiently served.

Dave and Daphne, a pop-gospel duo, was the evening's entertainment.  Dave is a master guitarist.  Unfortunately he had fallen off a ladder while hanging drapes for his wife, and his broken arm was in a cast, so he could not perform.  The outstanding keyboard player, Dino, who was also a talented saxophonist, was a welcome addition.

The evening was rounded out by handing out more door prizes and raffle winnings.  Mary and Jean, with the help of the staff, had made some changes in past procedures, and this part of he program ran more smoothly and efficiently than it had in years past.

Sunday, May 20

Sunny and warm again.

After a continental breakfast, there was a well-attended non-denominational worship service.  Chaplain Ron Solomon based his message on the story of Joseph and challenged us or have the faith and confidence demonstrated by that Old Testament hero.

A memorial service followed the worship service, and Good Sam members who had passed away since the last Samboree were honored.  Family members or club members were given white roses and white balloons in memory.  The balloons were to be released to drift skyward following the service.

The veteran's chapter color guard retired the colors, and the Samboree was officially closed.

Soon there were lines of RV's at the dump stations, and Good Sams were saying their final goodbyes to the 2012 Tennessee Samboree.

Chuck Johnson
Newsletter Editor