Boeing Bluebills Voyagers - Trout Lodge 2003

Norma and I are retired but we haven’t given up and locked ourselves into our home. Along with some other Bluebill members, we recently attended a three day visit with the Sages (McDonnell Douglas retirees) at the YMCA of the Ozarks Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri. When we returned, we asked ourselves, "Are the Bluebills Missing Out on Something?" The Sages are a group of retired people (oldsters, if you want to call them that) who still know how to have fun.

(Pictured above are Richard Vaughn, Norma Vaughn (Vice-Chairman of the Bluebills Central Leadership Council), Roland Machado (Vice-Chairman of the Heritage Chapter of Bluebills), Joanna Machado, Luella Collicott and Howard Collicott (members of the Heritage Chapter).

We enjoy getting together with the retirees of Boeing/McDonnell Douglas. We have met so many new friends and have had so much fun with them . At the Potasi event, the activities and friendship were outstanding. During the daytime there were competitive games such as egg toss, bocce ball, and ping-pong, with golf and fishing also available. Two mornings were scheduled for crafters to put their talents to work creating special souvenirs of their stay and, meanwhile, the bridge players held a bridge tournament. We never lacked for something to do.

One of the big evening events was a No-Talent Talent Show. This show consisted of various acts by those who wanted to participate whether they were especially talented or not – their desire to be a part of the show came from their hearts. Among the twenty or so acts there were a harmonica player, some people who told jokes and a short skit about the seven dwarfs (including wonderful hand-made costumes).

This show is a great idea and a whole lot of fun for everyone.

In the evenings, after the entertainment, we enjoyed snacks and played bingo, cards or dominoes while some people enjoyed a songfest around the piano. You only did the things you wanted to do.

Meals were served at 8:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m. – buffet style with an assortment of food that was always enough (actually too much). The cost was $74 per day per person for room and board and that included tips for the lodge staff. The lodge also provided other activities at no additional cost including miniature golf, scenic boat tours of Sunnen Lake, canoeing, and swimming.

This trip to Trout Lodge is an annual event for the Sages. Next year it will be October 4 -7 and Bluebills are invited to attend. We have signed up to be there again making it our third year to participate with our fellow retirees.

The Sages have a travel committee that plans all the event and they already setting dates into 2005. Bluebills are invited to participate in any of the events highlighted below.

2004
January 22 to February 3 - Winter Coach/Sea Caribbean Cruise
March 15 - A Bit ‘O The Irish - Bus trip in MO touring
interesting sites within the state
March 20 to April 3 - Cruise to Hawaii
April - Montauk State Park – 2 nights – fishing and taking it
easy for non-fishers
June 17 - Mystery Tour
September 22 to October 6 - Europe in Wisconsin
November 5 to November 21 - Copper Canyon, Mexico
December 11 to December 13 - Music City Christmas – Nashville, TN

2005
January 2005 - Australia and the Outback plus New Zealand – 21 days
February 2005 - Caribbean Cruise
May 2005 - Charleston, South Carolina
August 2005 - Alaskan Cruise – Outside Passage
October 2005 - Riverboat Cruise of the Mississippi

This is an example of what retirees can do. You don’t have to go on all of the trips but pick and choose the ones that interest you. As you can see, plans need to be made well in advance and a minimum number of attendees is required.

Bluebills could also do these types of things if they would; at least we would not be just sitting at home. The Heritage Chapter conducted a survey last year and some of you expressed an interest in doing some traveling but very few said they would be willing to help with the work involved. Without someone stepping forward to take the leadership nothing will happen.

Let's get a group together to plan some short trips or social events. You might be surprised at what comes from it. Please let us hear your thoughts.

Richard and Norma Vaughn