191 ATTEND MARCH '07 REUNION
An article by Albert Nichols

The H. P. R. O. A. Houston Area Reunion was held on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at Houston North/Lake Conroe KOA, formerly known as Haven's Landing RV Resort.  We had 185 registered guests, who paid $10 for a delicious country style meal. We had 191 in attendance. We were all welcomed to Montgomery County by Sheriff Tommy Gage.  Sheriff Gage, who is also a former HPD officer, said he was pleasantly surprised to see so many old friends.

We collected $504 benefitting the Family Assistance Fund. We felt that was really good considering this was the first year we held a silent auction at this event. Thank you to Steve and Sharon Felchak for handling the silent auction. Thank you to D.A. Miller, our new Entertainment Chairman, who did a great job as master of ceremonies. My wife, Mary and friend Barbara Cotten did a beautiful job decorating the ballroom, thank you. The decorations were also used for door prizes. We gave away 24 door prizes in addition to a shirt donated by The Gambino's, and cash prizes donated by H.P.R.O.A..

A few days before the reunion, we hosted a rally for our campers. We had 13 rigs join us for the rally.  A few of our campers enjoyed fishing in the bass stocked catch and release lakes. Others played washers and some just appreciated having the opportunity to sit around camp together and reminisce. We held a Meet and Greet on Thursday night. Jim and Peggy St.John and Victor and Margaret Landa sponsored the hot dog supper this year.  After eating and visiting awhile, some of us got together to play forty-two and chicken foot.

Friday night we had additional guests for our potluck supper and played the white elephant game. Each couple brought a white elephant gift and a nice gift.  "Poncho Villa" made his appearance just as he has every odd numbered year when we hold  the white elephant game. I'm fairly certain we haven't seen the last of him. On Saturday we all attended the reunion in the ballroom and on Sunday most of the campers pulled out. 

Everyone seemed to enjoy the fellowship and catching up with folks they had not seen in a long time. If you haven't attended any of the reunions, you really don't know what you are missing.  You do not have to be a camper to come to the reunions. You do not have to be a member of the H. P. R. O. A.  to attend the reunions. All H. P. D. retirees are welcome. 

Please mark your calendar. The East Texas Reunion is coming up on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at the Crockett Civic Center, Crockett, TX.  The Hill Country Reunion will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Lady Bird Johnson Park Pavilion, Fredericksburg, TX.  The date for the next Houston Area Reunion is Saturday, March 29, 2008, at Houston North/Lake Conroe KOA, Montgomery, Texas.

Albert   <To view photos, click here>