Quote:
Originally Posted by "007"
I often wonder how all the original HOOT's are making out, as I age I see many friends gone or fell silent on the forum, its refreshing seeing some of you posting again, keep it going.
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Me too -- and I am the founding Hoot!
The original group
was one of a kind.
We came together in Tennessee for our first rally in 2013 not knowing much about each other other than our screen names from iRV2 -- we didn't even know real names at that point!
But right from the beginning moment of our arrival in Sevierville, we bonded like a band of brothers (and sisters) -- and we had one fabulous run. Exchanging ideas, coming to great spontaneous ideas at the rally like
"Tour of the Coaches", stopping over at each others' coaches to sit and talk -- often till the wee hours of the morning under the stars -- sharing food and drinks and recipes and good humor, no one being charged for anything having to do with the rally except our site charges, everyone pitching in and helping each other, everyone saying -- again and again and again -- how much fun we were having -- and what a special group we had somehow stumbled into and managed to put together from our iRV2 discussions.
Our original Hoots group grew right from the start. We got onto Newmar's radar with our reputation -- and coach buying and modification and design ideas -- and many of us have developed long lasting relationships with Newmar that would never have happened otherwise. We all started when
Michelle Howard was starting her sales and design work and
Kyle McCreary had not long before returned to Newmar from Fleetwood and was at the helm with his outstanding new design ideas to push Newmar into the 21st century -- and we all grew together.
On iRV2,
007, our steady and supportive Newmar Owners' Group moderator, has been with us all the way. He looked over our shoulders as we continued to exchange ideas on our Forum, posted notices of our rallies and get togethers and updated iRV2 members on our coach ideas and modifications.
007 made sure that we got stickies on our most important postings and he constantly kept us out of trouble with the Forum Police when, in our enthusiasm, we went off topic or posted something that didn't exactly 'meet the rules'. I had long since arrived at the place that my lawyerly 'follow-the-rule' instincts were relegated to the back seat in my effort to just have fun, so I greatly appreciated
007 keeping us on the straight and narrow without either blame or shame.
What an outstanding and memorable time we had in those early Hoots days! What an exciting time to own a Newmar product and be involved with others who prized and loved this stuff as much as we did. We hold memories of that exciting time that all of us who were there will carry forward wherever we go, no question about it.
I have done plenty of other fun things in my life -- cars, motorcycles, travel, wine education, golf, boating -- but I have to say -- and I don't hesitate in saying it -- that I have
never met friendlier, more helpful and more fun folks than the ones I have met in my motorhome adventures. Of all of the people I have met, the original Hoots group was the best -- and I have heard many of the original group say the same. I have no idea how long my motorhome days will continue, but because of the all-in fun and camaraderie I experienced with the Hoots, I find myself fully interested in keeping it going for the foreseeable future.
In our life, all things change -- that seems to be the constant we know each day we wake. So our Hoots group did change along with the rest. Original members have moved on -- we have lost some by transition to other things and leaving the motor coach lifestyle behind, we have lost others by death and divorce. But it is gratifying to see that the Hoots idea continues -- now in its sixth year of rally doing.
New folks have come to the dance and new ideas have taken over. I, for one, am very glad to see it. My original idea (along with my constantly supportive and faithful pal,
FLSteve) has blossomed to the next generation of Newmar aficionados and I am proud and gratified to see it going forward and growing -- even if it is different than it was when it began. That the envelope continues to be pushed by new Hoots is my highest hope.
I
know my sentiments are echoed by all of the first gen Hoots like
Ma Snart, Redbird1, Mo Blue, FLSteve, Redbaron73, MnBob, JohnT., PDRJohn, Dr.Donny, Dpeters and all the rest.
So I tip my hat to you,
007, for mentioning this and reminding us of our fun past with Hoots and I applaud all past, present and future Hoots members -- what a grand time we all have with our fabulous Newmar products.
Cheers --
Deek
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