September 2021 FCOHC Newsletter

Good day everyone. It has been a couple of months since I put out an official newsletter. I felt the need to put some thoughts together from our activities of the past few weeks and the balance of the year to come.

To start, we just completed our largest project of the year by hosting our annual state trail ride at Scioto Trails State Forest. This event has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. If you have not attended it in the past, good news as last nights’ meeting we voted to do it again in 2022.

To recap this years’ ride, we had 44 paid campers. That is up from last year by 2. New this year was a scavenger hunt for 3 envelopes out on the trails. Each envelope contained a note indicating a specific amount of money that rider had won by finding it. Not a large sum of money, but my observation would say it sure got the horses in camp saddled up and riders out looking for their pot of gold. It was decided last night at our meeting to expand the number of envelopes to 5 for 2022.

In the last 2 years, we have lost our main source of income with the cancelation of the All American Youth Show. As a substitute to support us, a silent auction was started last year at the Labor Day ride. Last year was super nice, this year was over the top fantastic. I had posted items we offered on Facebook, but for those that do not do Facebook, here goes. Six items were all donated by members or local businesses including a muck bucket full of horse related items, a handcrafted fire ring with the letters OHC laser cut into the side panels, a decorative metal wall sign depicting a campfire setting, a battery-powered chain saw, custom made leather products and a basket of gift cards donated from local businesses.

The muck bucket was purchased and started by Art Crist, then filled by donations from local businesses. The fire ring was made and donated by Richard Reisinger. The decorative sign was donated by Margaret Hite, Bill and Kim Smith, and Diana and Earl Burton.  The chain saw was donated by Keith and Donna White. The leather products were crafted by Bryan Black. Pam Dean took charge of visiting local restaurants to compile a basket full of gift cards.

Last year the auction took in $442.50. This year thanks to the overwhelming support by members and guests who attended our ride, the auction took in $760. I’m beyond words and lack the ability to express how great full I am for the generosity and support from everyone, the donators as well as the buyers that made this happen. Thanks!

I also want to single out Donna White for a couple of reasons. Earlier in summer at 2 separate meetings she brought and donated 4 pies that we auctioned off, with the money going to our club. At the Labor Day ride, she sold Welcome signs that she had handmade. Again donated the money to the club. Then last night, she handed us another $100 for signs she had sold this past week while camping at Hocking. Not sure of the exact total for these donations, but in the neighborhood of $350. On top of that, she and Keith donated the chain saw that sold for $165 in the silent auction. What can I say, love you girl, Thanks!

To finish up the Labor Day ride, as with last year, Travis Brown provided us with 3 hours of nonstop music on Saturday evening. He is an amazing talent. On Sunday morning our club provided a pancake and sausage breakfast for anyone in the camp that was hungry. My random count was around 50 that took advantage of the opportunity. Then on Sunday evening, we had a community meal. The cooks in camp did not disappoint. Only one word comes to mind to describe the layout, it was a Feast. To finish up the evening, we had our 50/50 drawing and gift raffle. Steve Bella won the 50/50 of $155 then donated it back to the club. Thanks, Steve. The gift raffle was a combination of items brought to the ride and donated by participants as well as items my wife, June had accumulated from local businesses around Lancaster. Just to mention the major contributors, TSC, Rural King, Advance Auto, Granville Mill, and Bremen Feed Mill. Check them out if you need something they might sell. The gifts were exceptional this year and every paid camper received a free raffle ticket with the opportunity to take something home.

Thanks to everyone that helped make Labor Day weekend a great time and a huge success.

Looking to the remainder of the fall, our next scheduled ride is September 24, 25, and 26 at Paddle Creek Campground in Wayne National Forest. This is a fantastic place to ride. If you have not been there, come join us. You will not be disappointed. Our next ride after that is scheduled for October 7,8,9 and 10th. This is our Halloween ride at Hocking State Forest and we have reserved the group camp for this ride. Our last scheduled ride of the year will take place at Bear Lake campgrounds in the Shawnee State Forest, on November 5,6 and 7th.

Traditionally at the Halloween ride participants decorate and some even wear costumes appropriate to the season. This is your choice, but kind of neat. It was decided at last night's meeting that Richard and Hellen will host a ham and beans with cornbread meal on Saturday evening rather than a traditional community meal. Some details are yet to be worked out, but notice will be sent out well in advance of the ride.

Due to several conflicts, our October meeting has been moved up a week to October 3rd. That is the first Sunday in October and it will be held at the Pizza Cottage on West Fair Avenue at 7 pm. The meeting room will open at 6 pm for those that wish to eat prior to the meeting.

Our Christmas party is on track and scheduled for December 5th. It will be held at the Eagles on East Main Street in Lancaster. Time to be announced later. It was decided at last night's meeting that our club will provide the main entrees of meat. Those that attend can then bring a covered dish, salad, or dessert to finish off the meal. Some drinks for the meal will be provided by our club, with the Eagles providing a cash bar. A gift exchange will take place for those that choose to participate. A $20 limit was set for the gift.

My last thoughts for this morning. At our November meeting, we will be electing new officers. I am told Margaret Hite is willing to remain as our treasure if re-elected. Cathy Campbell has chosen not to run again as secretary, so we need someone to step up to fill this position. Pam Dean has elected not to run again as Vice President. She had been treasurer for a number of years and my right hand for the past 4 years. She just feels it is time to step back. She has done a fantastic job in both positions. So, we need a new Vice President. Myself, I had said this was my last year as president. With all of the changes, I have decided if the membership chooses, I would be willing to stay on another year to help get the new officers up and running. This is with the understanding we can recruit a great Vice President to take over as President a year from now. Scratch your heads, visit with other members and let’s move forward with a great new team in November.

Thanks for a great summer, looking forward to the fall.

Chris