Issue 9, September 2010
FALL INTO THE SEASON
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In this edition:
Greetings from Gettysburg
Hello All,
It’s hard to believe our Summer holiday is just about over and Fall is upon us. As we finish with this last big holiday of the year but in no way the last of the camping season, I’d like to say thank you, to you the members, for making it such a fabulous Summer! The continuation of your visits to Gettysburg Battlefield Resort tells us we are doing something right! More is planned for you for your future visits!
Just this year alone there have been a tremendous amount of improvements and changes. The swimming pool has been transformed and still sparkles and shall continue to sparkle for many more years to come. The game room/arcade was relocated and renovated, and a “Lil’ Theater in the Woods” was newly erected. We added new campsites behind the cabin where just last year this time, there stood a big pile of wood debris and overgrown vegetation. But, more is in the plan with shuffleboard courts next in line, slated to be completed before end of the year. We are also planning our wish list for next year keeping in mind the suggestions of our members, “floating priorities” and costs.
In closing I would like to thank all of the members who continue to ‘rave’ about us. I do not think you realize how much that makes it all worthwhile, not only for me, but for the rest of the staff in ‘blue’. Please, do not hesitate to ask any of us for any assistance needed.
Until next newsletter or better yet, until I see ya at the next ‘Meet the Manager’ meeting; HAPPY CAMPING!
Richard Kellermann
Resort Manager
RECENT HAPPENINGS
Construction, Upgrades and more...
Campsites
Are you more for relaxing in the shade, or all sun? You can camp here, there, everywhere!
Imagine when the leaves start to change!
Mike installing ‘real’ stone on our Davis cabin. Doesn’t that look nice? Keep up the good work.
The new addition.
Jermaine and David wiring the pedestal…was it blue to blue, or red to blue?
More wiring.
Sites in progress.
Met-Ed and their crew. 'With a little help from Met-Ed we will get there.'
Met-Ed installing a transformer for new sites - no not one of the characters from the movie!
Activities
Hill Billy hosted children’s games, a watermelon social and a hayride. Member James Myers also displayed his John Deere tractor, and Ferris Wheel.
Sack races! Look at them go!
Round and round they go.
TUG OF WAR- The adults group showing some muscles!
Heave! And with a beautiful smile!
It wouldn’t be a Hill Billy weekend without the one and only John Deere tractor.
I can’t lift it!
Show offs!
Hawaiian Luau Weekend
The highlight of our Hawaiian Luau Weekend was our annual pig roast – yummy! There were also fun games and a hula dancing contest. It was a blast!
Pig on a platter.
Pineapple relay!
Pineapples here pineapples there…pineapples everywhere!
Hula Hoop Relay, it’s hoops and hoops of fun.
Diane showing off her Hula skills, Aloha!
Oldies weekend
Everyone got their kicks during our Oldies weekend. Contests abounded: Bubblegum blowing, Hula Hooping and a dance contest.
Cutting a rug.
Bubble? Yes I can!
Hula Hoop in a big group!
Campo Marathon Weekend
With Campo Marathon weekend we had a day’s worth of Campo for all our diehards. The children played for candy. I would say they were well supplied for the rest of the day - sorry Mom and Dad! This also marked the return of artillery fire provided by our re-enactors and our monthly flea market. The flea markets will resume in May; thanks for your participation.
Kids CAMPO
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Gettysburg’s annual food drive is under way. Please be generous and donate; the food banks are in desperate need. Your donations may be dropped off at the General Store. Thank you!
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 1st – 3rd ~ OktoberFest
Roll out the barrel! Join us for some German style fun with games and food for all. There will be a beverage truck for those over the age of 21. This is going to be an AWESOME event! Don’t miss it. Entertainment provided by Polka Punch.
October 22nd – 24th ~ Halloween Weekend # 1
Participate in our costume judging contest and trick-or-treating. Gettysburg’s 6th annual Haunted House and Hayride opens this weekend.
October 29th – October 31st ~ Halloween Weekend # 2
Participate in the site decorating contest, jack-o-lantern contest and more trick-or-treating. Last call for Gettysburg’s 6th annual Haunted House and Hayride.
November 13th ~ Holiday Feast
Join us as we bring the camping season to a close and celebrate the coming holidays with your resort family. We hope to see everyone there.
As, always if you have any comments or suggestions, please let Joy Naftzinger know. She can be reached at 717.337.3363 ext. 1704 or via email gbractivities@travelresorts.com, or if you like tap her on the shoulder when you see her around the resort.
» See the Full List of Gettysburg Battlefield Resort Activities
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Greetings from Sycamore Lodge
RECENT HAPPENINGS
Construction, Upgrades and more…
New Sewer Sites at Sycamore Lodge
We have some very encouraging news on our plans to add additional sewer sites at Sycamore Lodge. As everyone knows we have been engaged in a three year battle with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources over the addition of additional sewer sites. At the center of this discussion has been the flow rates with which our sewer systems are to be engineered. Earlier this year we met at length with NCDEH and we were able put together a plan that will allow us to move forward with permits.
It was our expectation that we could begin the permitting process for additional sewer sites in September. However that process moved faster than expected and we were cleared by the state to begin the permitting process in July. We submitted our plans to the NCDEH in late July and are expecting a response by mid September. Based on that timeline our expectation is that construction will begin on the first section of sewer sites in late Fall.
We are excited about the developments and hope to bring this long and difficult process to an end. I can assure you we are doing everything possible to add more sewer sites for your enjoyment as soon as possible. We invite all members to attend the Meet the Manager meeting every Saturday morning at 10:00 AM in the Hen House where we will keep you updated on the process.
Miniature Golf
Phase I of our new miniature golf course is complete and it has become an instant hit with Travel Resorts members. The kids love the new challenging course, and especially the new brightly colored putters and balls. Usage by younger guests has really spiked upward. The only concern about the course was recently voiced by an adult member; he confided that he has yet to be able to win a round against his children on the new course and misses the old easy course.
Our plan for Phase II which will occur in 2011 includes the addition of a water feature in the center of the course and new landscaping. The plan also calls for the addition of lights so the course is available during those perfect summer evenings. An architectural drawing of the finished product is posted in the lodge.
Hole in one?
More play!
ACTIVITIES
Fishing Tournament
On August 7th Sycamore Lodge held a Fishing Tournament! Thank you to everyone who came out and participated, more like waited patiently for a big catch! Congratulations to all of our winners! In the 8 and under age group, our winner was Kaleb Crow, in the 9 to 12 age group, Bobby Weary and in the 13 and up age group our winner was Jimmy Weary. We have two honorable mentions, 8 year old Jessica Hughes caught a 15 inch bass and Ryan Caldwell, age 7, waited patiently all day and finally caught his first fish at noon as our tournament came to a close.
Wet n' Wild Weekend
Our Wet n Wild Weekend was held August 13-15! The main event was a Luau Pool Party and our annual Big Daddy Splash Contest! Our winners were Kendred Tetter, Tyler Shepherd, Steven Roscoe and Grady Roscoe! At 4pm we had an ice cream social where members could create their own sundae! That evening we enjoyed the music of the Easy Street Band!
I GIVE IT A TEN!
Splash Contest Winners, Kendred Tetter, Tyler Shepherd, Steven Roscoe and Grady Roscoe!
Native American Weekend
August 20-22 was Native American Weekend! Hawk and Lyn Thompson led an information forum on Native American Culture complete with authentic handmade Native American clothing, dream catchers, and crafts. We also had Rich Thompson, Site Director at Town Creek Indian Mound perform a bow and arrow demonstration. That afternoon, Fred Roberts led a demonstration on Wooden Flutes and their history and origination in Native American Culture. The evening was topped off with a screening of Dances with Wolves at the Amphitheatre.
Fred Roberts playing the wood flute.
Hawk and Lyn Thompson led an information forum on Native American Culture.
Town Creek Indian Mound Demo
UPCOMING EVENETS
Fall Golf Tournament
Sycamore’s Fall Golf Tournament Weekend is September 17-19! Join us for a Captains Choice game and a group dinner afterwards. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 teams!
Game Fest
Join us for our fall carnival on Game Fest Weekend, September 24-26! Play your favorite carnival games, like the cake walk and dunking booth!
Treasure Island Weekend
Ahoy! Treasure Island Weekend is October 1-3! Go on an authentic Treasure Hunt and join us for a member social!
Chinese Auction
Bring your gently used unwanted items and set up a table at our Chinese Auction, October 8-10!
Haunted House
The spirits are starting to awake as preparations are well under way for the 2010 Sycamore Lodge Haunted Forest October 29th & 30th. This year we are adding some new frights to add to the scary fun. We have had a great response to our request for volunteers, but there is always room for a few more happy haunts.
The great thing about volunteering for the Haunted Forest is that you are helping a great cause, Lymphoma Research. Whether it is construction, make-up, costumes, or playing a monster we need your help to make our Haunted Forest a success.
This is also the one time of year that Sycamore Lodge is open to the public, so please help us spread the word. Tell your friends and neighbors about the event.
If you would like to volunteer, need more information or have any comments or suggestions for activities and events please contact our Recreation Director Kelly Fritz at
kfritz@travelresorts.com or 910-652-5559 extension 1401.
» See the Full list of Sycamore Lodge Activities
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Help Wanted!
We need your help to jump start Roscoe's new and exciting referral program.
Click here to learn about your program and how to win some great prizes!
Or Email:
roscoe@travelresorts.com
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Campfire Recipe
Bacon Wrapped, Cheddar Stuffed Jalapenos
- 15 medium-large Jalapenos (you want at least 2 per person)
- 15 Slices of Bacon (one slice per jalapeno)
- 1 lb Block of Cheddar Cheese
- Aluminum foil
Cut a small sliver out of the jalapeno and remove the seeds and membrane as much as possible. If your jalapenos are really large you can cut them in half, just make sure you still have a nice round jalapeno cup to work with; if your hollowed jalapeno is too flat the cheese will melt out all over the place.
Cut a thick wedge of cheddar cheese to stuff in your hollowed out jalapeno. Then wrap a single slice of bacon tightly around the cheese stuffed pepper. Make sure you don’t have any of the cheese exposed- you want the bacon to create a crispy seal around your jalapeno.
Here’s where the recipe would differ for a campfire vs. your backyard grill. For a campfire, cook the jalapenos in a make-shift oven by tightly wrapping the batch a few times in some heavy duty aluminum foil over hot coals for about 30 minutes. When wrapping in the aluminum foil, make sure to spread them in a single layer, avoiding staking them on top of each other. Flip after 20 minutes and cook the additional 10 minutes. On a backyard grill simply place the jalapenos on grill over some hot coals for about 20-30 minutes until you bacon is crispy, and your jalapenos are tender.
Careful to let them cool and then enjoy the sweetness of their flavor, and the perfectly crisp bacon with the melted creamy cheese.
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A Big Thanks to SYCAMORE LODGE for hosting Trident Marketing's Summer Slam Volley Ball Tournament.
Set me!
Shut Down.
Team Work.
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Contact Us
RESERVATIONS NUMBERS:
Reservations System Questions:
800-790-1599 Mon - Sat 9 AM - 9 PM EST
Gettysburg Reservations:
888-568-7641
Sycamore Lodge Reservations:
800-370-1645 Ext. 1412
Resort Reservations Hours of Operation:
Sun-Sat, 9 AM - 5 PM EST
Or visit: www.travelresorts.com
Maintenance fees may be increased by the percentage of incresase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index (1967's 100) specified for "All Items"for "All Urban Consumers, south Region" which is published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. All resorts must rely on membership fees to maintain and operate their facilities. This is the same with Travel Resorts.
www.travelresorts.com or call 800-318-2945
340 Commerce Avenue
Suite 20
Southern Pines, NC 28374
1-888-417-0297
Visit Travel Resorts at www.TravelResorts.com
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