2024- 2025
Come join us this season at one of our rallies here in Florida. It’s cold up north so “come on down” and visit Florida and meet up with us. Our rally season runs from September till May. Below is information on our rallies, if you have any additional questions please feel free to contact us.
Schedule
Rally fees $25 per person unless no host Rally or Specified . (children under 18 are $10)
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Don’t forget to notify the rally host that you are coming to a rally. The host needs to know how many are attending so there is food for you. Rally fees should be paid at least two weeks in advance.
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If you are willing to be a host to any of the rallies, please contact Harold Coffield at 904-571-7106. Some of the campgrounds do not have kitchens that we can use. Most have a place where we can congregate, but in some instances, we will not have exclusive use of the gathering spot.
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GMC Sunshine Statesmen Rally
Sep (19) 20-22, 2024
Endless Summer Campground
3520 S.Nova Road
Port Orange, Florida 32129
386-767-9170
The campground is holding 18 sites for us until Sep 1, 2024. Each site is equipped with 30/50 amps. Reservations are taken by phone with a credit card deposit for one night’s stay. Identify yourself as part of The Florida Sunshine Statesmen. The rate is $54/night, but a 20% discount may be applied depending on the # of sites we occupy. Cancelations can be made without penalty up to 48 hours ahead of arrival. Cancellations within 48 hours cost $20.
We have been told we will be put together at the front of the park close to the recreation hall. We have access to the rec hall, outdoor and indoor kitchens.
Rental cabins are available.
Please email Elise Miller if you are planning to join the group with any of the following:
Thursday night:
6 PM- – Reservation at Aunt Catfish’s On the River. The restaurant will not seat ANYONE until everyone is there. Address: 4009 Halifax Drive, Port Orange, FL 32127. Call Donna Dale is you need transportation – she is coordinating rides for people that need them.
Friday night:
5 PM – Socializing (attendees please bring appetizers – any questions refer to email sent by Elise Miller)
6 PM – Meal at the rec hall of the campground –BBQ from Woody’s provided – attendees bring covered dish sides and/or dessert (any questions refer to email sent by Elise Miller). Bring your own plates, napkins, beverages and flatware.
Reminder: $7.50 per person payable to Jim Galbavy.
Saturday:
10:30 AM: Deb Bickley leading the ladies in a craft session at the Rec Hall at the campground (no charge at Deb’s insistence), but we need a headcount so she knows how much to bring. BRING Ball Jar rings (Ball canning jars have sealable caps with screw on rings.) Deb has enough rings for each of us to make one, but this craft is so cool, you may want to make more than one!
Saturday night: 5:30 PM – Reservation for 22 at Giuseppe’s Steel Pizza. This restaurant can handle our crowd and it is next door to the campground. No vehicle transportation needed according to the campground and the restaurant.
Please email Elise Miller if you are planning to join the group with any of the following:
Thursday night:
6 PM- – Reservation at Aunt Catfish’s On the River. The restaurant will not seat ANYONE until everyone is there. Address: 4009 Halifax Drive, Port Orange, FL 32127. Call Donna Dale is you need transportation – she is coordinating rides for people that need them.
Friday night:
5 PM – Socializing (attendees please bring appetizers – any questions refer to email sent by Elise Miller)
6 PM – Meal at the rec hall of the campground –BBQ from Woody’s provided – attendees bring covered dish sides and/or dessert (any questions refer to email sent by Elise Miller). Bring your own plates, napkins, beverages and flatware.
Reminder: $7.50 per person payable to Jim Galbavy.
Saturday:
10:30 AM: Deb Bickley leading the ladies in a craft session at the Rec Hall at the campground (no charge at Deb’s insistence), but we need a headcount so she knows how much to bring. BRING Ball Jar rings (Ball canning jars have sealable caps with screw on rings.) Deb has enough rings for each of us to make one, but this craft is so cool, you may want to make more than one!
Saturday night: 5:30 PM – Reservation for 22 at Giuseppe’s Steel Pizza. This restaurant can handle our crowd and it is next door to the campground. No vehicle transportation needed according to the campground and the restaurant.
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GMC Sunshine Statesmen Rally
Oct (10) 11-13, 2024
Starke/Gainesville NE KOA Holiday
1475 South Walnut St.
Starke, FL 32091
904-964-8484
Campground is holding 20 sites until October 1, 2024. Rate: $63 per night. $63 deposit required at time of booking reservation. Same rate applies to Thursday arrival. Cancellations up to 48 hours ahead cost $10. If you cancel less than 48 hours before arrival, the deposit is lost. They are putting us together in one section with 30 and 50 amp service. The sites are gravel. Our contact there is Amy (who works from 9 am – 1 pm), but you can speak with anyone to make your reservation. Remember to identify yourself as a member of the “Florida Sunshine Statesmen”.
The recreation hall is a big open room, which we cannot use exclusively. They have an activities director who holds events (some of which we may want to participate in) in that space. The Activities Director serves breakfast Saturday mornings for $3-4; I suggest we participate in this event. She also conducts Bingo in this space.
Latest news regarding the rally from the Keiths (also sent as an email)
Howdy y’all,
1. Come gather ‘round the campfire at the October GMC Sunshine Statesmen rally in Starke, Florida, October 11th to 13th, 2024.
2. For the early Thursday arrivals, we’ll circle the wagons and head to the local watering hole to rustle up some grub.
3. Friday night we’re planning a cowboy crockpot cook-off pot luck. Bring your best chow, and possibly win a prize. Your fellow cowboys and cowgirls will vote on the best dish.
4. On Saturday, the campground offers a breakfast for a small fee, or you can have breakfast on your own.
5. Saturday there is a craft planned for the cowgirls, and the cowboys can saddle up and head to the cool Camp Blanding Museum nearby.
6. Saturday night wear your best cowboy and cowgirl attire, we’re planning a catered BBQ dinner at the campground.
7. Saturday night after dinner we are planning a campfire to gather around and enjoy.
8. Sunday, we’ll have donuts and coffee for our farewell gathering.
9. As per our normal rallies, everyone please bring an appetizer and a dessert.
10. Also at this rally we will be collecting unwrapped new toys for Operation Toy Soldier, a charity group that distributes toys to military families in need. Feel free to bring a toy if you’d like to donate. A detailed itinerary will be provided, including surprises, you don’t want to miss this rally!
1. Come gather ‘round the campfire at the October GMC Sunshine Statesmen rally in Starke, Florida, October 11th to 13th, 2024.
2. For the early Thursday arrivals, we’ll circle the wagons and head to the local watering hole to rustle up some grub.
3. Friday night we’re planning a cowboy crockpot cook-off pot luck. Bring your best chow, and possibly win a prize. Your fellow cowboys and cowgirls will vote on the best dish.
4. On Saturday, the campground offers a breakfast for a small fee, or you can have breakfast on your own.
5. Saturday there is a craft planned for the cowgirls, and the cowboys can saddle up and head to the cool Camp Blanding Museum nearby.
6. Saturday night wear your best cowboy and cowgirl attire, we’re planning a catered BBQ dinner at the campground.
7. Saturday night after dinner we are planning a campfire to gather around and enjoy.
8. Sunday, we’ll have donuts and coffee for our farewell gathering.
9. As per our normal rallies, everyone please bring an appetizer and a dessert.
10. Also at this rally we will be collecting unwrapped new toys for Operation Toy Soldier, a charity group that distributes toys to military families in need. Feel free to bring a toy if you’d like to donate. A detailed itinerary will be provided, including surprises, you don’t want to miss this rally!
Mail $25 (per person) rally fee to:
Russell and Jenny Keith
1631 Dale Cir N
Dunedin, FL 34698-4761
Note: If check writing ain’t your thing no more, you can send the rally fee via PayPal to Russell Keith at: rkeith1631@gmail.com
Note: If check writing ain’t your thing no more, you can send the rally fee via PayPal to Russell Keith at: rkeith1631@gmail.com
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GMC Sunshine Statesmen Rally
Nov (7) 8-10, 2024
Grand Oaks Resort – Lady Lakes Campground
3000 Marion County Rd
Weirsdale, FL 32195 (mailing address)
RV PARK access:
3525 Griffin Ave
Lady Lake, FL
352-233-1817
352-759-7007
joyce@thegrandoaks.com (our contact person)
The nightly rate is $70 + taxes; there is no cancellation penalty. When you reserve by phone with a credit card, remember that you are “Florida Sunshine Statesmen”. They are holding 20 campsites.
We have access to a clubhouse that has countertops for serving/eating together, but there is no stove, no ovens, only a microwave and a refrigerator where we can leave our stuff. There is also a bistro on the property.
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GMC Sunshine Statesmen Rally
Dec (12)13-15, 2024
Flamingo Lake
3640 Newcomb Road
Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 766-0672
This rally is hosted by the board
Nightly rate: (working on it – cannot get anyone in person to answer the phone). The campground is holding 20 spaces. They will release them 3 weeks ahead of our rally. Make your reservation as “Florida Sunshine Statesmen”.
We have full access to the clubhouse with a full kitchen.
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GMC Sunshine Statesmen Rally
Jan (9) 10-12, 2025
Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort, Clermont, FL
20005 US Hwy 27
Clermont, FL 34715
352-394-5513
Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort in Clermont, Florida is ready to take reservations for our rally in January. The cost is $50 per night, and reservations can be made by calling the park directly at 352-394-5513. Further information to be provided soon. From what I understand but hasn’t been confirmed, there is a gathering place but no kitchen. Board can decide whether to pay $100.00 for exclusive use to gathering space. We can use crockpots and there are outlets. Cabins are available.
Mail $25 (per person) rally fee to:
Russell and Jenny Keith
1631 Dale Cir N
Dunedin, FL 34698-4761
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FEBRUARY – CRUISE
Departure Date: 02/14/2025 (9 nights) Back to Tampa on 02/23/2025
Ship: Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas
Departure Port: Tampa FL
Itinerary: Tampa, San Juan P.R., St. Maarten, St. Croix, Puerto Plata Dem. Rep., Tampa (with sea days in between)
The February cruise on Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas departs on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025. The ship is filling up and THERE ARE ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF ROOMS LEFT. Cabin prices will increase as inventory decreases. Family, friends, and other GMC clubs are welcome to join our group. Contact Jeff Page as soon as possible to book your cruise.
ITINERARY: Tampa, sea day, sea day, San Juan P.R., Philipsburg St. Maarten, St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Plata Dominican Republic, sea day, sea day, Tampa
BOOKING AGENT:
Jeff Page
Phone: (407) 353-0120 Leave a message if no answer. Jeff will get back to you.
Email: jeff.page@cruiseplanners.com
GROUP NAME: GMC Sunshine Statesmen
GROUP LEADER: Donna Dale (407) 446-5552 or donnasdale@yahoo.com
Current cabin inventory and approximate rates below which include port fees and taxes. Based on double occupancy. Cruise includes 9 nights, complimentary dining, free entertainment, free use of fitness & sports court equipment, two pools and three whirlpools.
5 Interior Guaranty: $859.24 per person
(Cruise line will decide room location)
5 Interior: $1,026.24 per person
8 Ocean View Window: $1,153.24 per person
3 Ocean View Balcony: $1,415.24 – $1,566.24
2 Spacious Ocean View Balcony: $2,220.01 per person
PLEASE CONTACT TRAVEL AGENT – JEFF PAGE at (407) 353-0120 for more information on the cost or to book your cruise. Mention you are with the GMC Sunshine Statesmen. Leave a message if he is unavailable. He is excellent at getting back to his clients. To book, he will need your names as they appear on your passports and your dates of birth. Initial deposit is $500, which is refundable up to 91 days prior to boarding. Customers can make monthly payments. Final payment is due 90 days prior to boarding (November 16, 2024).
If you are considering going on this cruise and have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Donna Dale at 407-446-5552.
Booked to date: Donna Dale & Bob Heller, Dan & Cat Meyer, Lori Meyer, Stick & Elise Miller, Jerry Parks, Dave & Barbara Perry, and Jerry’s friends Lilly Dockery & Marrisa Hayes
About the ship: Mid-Sized at 965 ft. long, has 1,073 staterooms, maximum passengers 2,476 and 832 crew members.
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MARCH – OPEN
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GMC Sunshine Statesmen Rally
Apr (10) 11-13, 2025
Holiday Travel
Leesburg, FL (Orlando, FL)
Further information to be provided soon.
(Donna Dale and Bob Heller to be hosting)
Mail $25.00 (per person) rally fee to:
Donna Dale
1117 Northern Way
Winter Springs, FL 32708-4303
1117 Northern Way
Winter Springs, FL 32708-4303
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GMC Sunshine Statesmen Rally
May (8) 9-11, 2025
Holiday Campground on Ochlockonee Bay at Gulf of Mexico
14 Coastal Highway, Panacea, FL 32346
850-984-5757
The campground is holding 12 sites for us on the bay until April1, 2025. To make your reservation, you need to phone the campground and pay one night’s deposit. Our nightly rate Is $64.22 per night. All sites have full hook-up water, sewer, cable TV, WIFI, and Electricity. Cancellations: the one- night deposit or transfer of payment to another date. All twelve sites are together facing the bay; they are numbered 5-17. There is an outdoor pavilion as well as a small rec room and a pool.
HOSTS: The Millers and The Bickleys
The rally fee is $25 per person to be sent to
Elise Miller
133 Taylor Street
Americus, GA 31709
You can also send it to Elise via VENMO.
