THIS IS HOW WE ROLL!

Tiffin Allegro Club Rally 5 14-18/2018
Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds
Goshen, Indiana 

We planned for months to attend and be a part of the Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro Club Rally at the Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds in Goshen, Indiana, May 14 - 18, 2018.

Registration for Tiffin Allegro Club

 Before rally registration even began, we found out about an on site Saturday morning 4H pancake and sausage breakfast in one of the 4H pavilions.  After eating, we attended a huge Amish auction in 5 of the nearby pavilions (only held twice a year).  It was an amazing and entertaining auction, and we're both happy we were able to attend!

There are numerous RV manufacturers, vendors and suppliers in northern Indiana and organizing a rally of this size must have been a huge undertaking.  The rally program was filled with experts and knowledgeable speakers on everything from "black tanks" to "chassis maintenance".  In addition, nationally recognized entertainers, several ice cream socials, pet parade, bingo night, veterans night, and too many door prizes to count!

Girard Awnings

Freightliner Chassis

We arrived at the beautiful Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds on Friday, May 11.  The facilities consist of 384 acres with over 60 structures.  

Heritage Park - Part of the beautiful 384 acres at
Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds - Goshen, IN

There are over 60 structures in the Fairgrounds

We were busy from the moment we arrived until our departure on May 18.  I was honored to present several ARTitude Adjustment painting classes (It's FUN art...not FINE art!).  I'm not sure who had more fun - me or the class.  Both classes were sold out.  One class was making domino pendant necklaces using alcohol inks, and they all turned out beautiful! 

ARTitude Adjustment - Alcohol Inks
Domino Painting Class - Tiffin Allegro Club

ARTitude Adjustment - Chalk Couture Class
Tiffin Allegro Club

 The other class was to apply a Chalk Couture transfer to a Tiffin Motorhomes Owners Club coffee mug (which had to be baked in an oven after the class).  With the help of my able-bodied assistant (ABA) RV,  and our friend, Frances Fonner, President of the FMCA Tiffin Travelers Chapter, we had smooth sailing and lots of laughs.

Veteran and Patriotic Observance Night
Tiffin Allegro Club

Evening Entertainment at Tiffin Allegro Club
Goshen, IN

An RV rally is not only a time to get together with friends but an opportunity to meet new people and have LOTS of fun and eat LOTS of delicious food. 

Friends enjoying fellowship between seminars
Goshen, IN

You can triple the LOTS of food if you are in Amish country!  Our delicious meals were catered by Das Dutchman Essenhaus from nearby Middlebury, IN, and in addition, every night was excellent planned entertainment.  The day before we departed,  the award winning bakery, Rise 'n Roll Bakery, Mishawaka, IN, provided more than 100 dozen doughnuts/baked goods/, etc.  

The filled-to-capacity Goshen, IN rally was attended by 310 Tiffin Motorhomes from 37 different states and 1 Canadian Province.  At the Goshen rally, RV/MH Hall Of Fame Inductee and owner of Tiffin Motorhomes, Bob Tiffin, and his wife, Judy, numerous Tiffin employees and technicians, and many dedicated and well trained volunteers ensured attendees of the Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro Club had a fantastic time and enjoyed a spectacular program.

2018 Tiffin Allegro Bus - 45' OPP
Tiffin Allegro Club - Goshen, IN Rally 2018

Allegro Club President Kelly Moore and Co-President Sally Moore, along with Cynthia Skinner, Membership Coordinator of Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro Club Office in Red Bay, AL,  plan 3 national rallies a year (which are sold out within minutes of internet registration). The Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro Club has extremely successful rallies and we will look forward to attending the next one in October in Essex Junction, Vermont.  

MAKE MINE A TURBO!

CUMMINS ENGINE PLANT
Columbus, IN Plant

CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINE PLANT
Columbus, IN

Cummins Diesel Engine

There's no mistaking that Columbus, Indiana is a predominately Cummins Diesel town, history and all.   The bright red colors in the Cummins logo seem to pop up everywhere.   It's understandable since Cummins employs over 55,000 team members throughout the USA as well as 7 continents.  Not too bad for a company with $20.4 billion in sales in 2017!

Cummins Statue in Downtown Columbus

These red sculptures, found throughout Columbus, were created by Ruth Migdal of Chicago.  These abstract steel painted sculptures were a part of the Columbus Biennial for 2 years and in 2016 the City made them a permanent part of the public art display.

Cummins Sculptures throughout Columbus, IN

One of Cummins Buildings in Columbus, IN

Columbus Library
Designed by Architectural Firm by I.M. Pei

It was impressive to us that Columbus, IN has so many contemporary artists and designers who have contributed beautiful public art.  For instance, the Columbus Public Library was designed by the I. M. Pei Architectural Firm.  I. M. Pei, known throughout the world for his famous architectural designs, requested that Henry Moore design a sculpture in the Library Plaza.  Henry Moore's famous sculpture, "Large Arch" is the largest of his sculptures throughout America.

Contemporary Sculpture at Columbus, IN Library
Henry Moore "Large Arch"

St. Peters Lutheran Church - Columbus, IN

It is surprising to note the number of contemporary religious architectural properties on the Columbus skyline.  One I noticed right away was St. Peters Lutheran Church designed by Detroit architect, Gunnar Birkerts.

Crump Theatre
Columbus, IN

The Crump Theatre is a historic treasure in Columbus that was planned in 1889.  The theatre, which has gone through many changes but is still in use today,  is on the National Register of Historic Places.  

The Columbus points of interest mentioned above are rich in history, especially around the turn of the century when so many inventions and ideas were formulated.  The story of Clessie Cummins, the driver and mechanic for Columbus banker, J. Irwin Miller, is amazing and a tribute to true American grit.   Clessie Cummins (12/27/1888 - 8/17/1968), was founder of the Cummins Engine Company who improved on existing diesel engines, created new diesel designs,  and was awarded 33 US patents.   "The Engine That Could" is a book written in 1998 by Jeffrey Crulkshank and David Sicilia, about the rise of Cummins Diesel if you might want to explore the company history further.

We are leaving the Columbus, IN area and will be spending the next week in Goshen, IN.  Hope you will continue to follow us as we attend an exciting Tiffin Motorhomes Allegro Club Rally of about 310 motorhomes at the Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds.  

GO BIG OR GO HOME

While visiting beautiful Columbus, Indiana,  we discovered one of the "Top 50 Things Every Hoosier Must Do", which is the authentic turn-of-the-century Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum.  One of Columbus' most cherished treasures is recorded by the Historic American Buildings Survey site as well.

Zaharakos Ice Cream Building Location
United States Department of the Interior for its Archives
at the Library of Congress

At this 118 year old marble palace the sundaes are hand-dipped and cherry-topped, and your ice cream was made the night before.  You definitely feel you're eating in an ice cream museum with so many of the shop's original fixtures and decor still intact. 

An old fashioned banana split -
NOW YOU'RE TALKIN'

2 Scoops - Vanila and chocolate
B.O.R.I.N.G

Zaharakos closed in 2006 after 106 years in operation and the community of Columbus mourned.  In 2009, new owner, Tony Moravec (owner and president of a Columbus pharmaceutical company), refurbished the interior's walnut and oak woodwork and onyx soda fountain and reopened this historic landmark to the delight of the community.

Beautiful - Shiny - Clean - Authentic
Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum
Columbus, Indiana

Beautiful original fixtures
Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum

Beautiful and Authentic
Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum

Ice Cream and Soda Fountain
Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum

The new owner also recreated a 19th century storefront to replace the facade that didn't match the authentic interior.  In addition, Tony Moravec also brought back the original 1908 Welte organ (which was playing while we were enjoying our ice cream).

Original 1908 Welte Organ
Still entertaining while you are enjoying your
favorite ice cream creation

.

Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum
Columbus, Indiana

Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum
Columbus, Indiana

Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum
Columbus, Indiana

ANOTHER HAPPY CUSTOMER
Loved that classic banana split creation!

The ambiance and history of Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor and Museum is what sets it apart from all other ice cream shops we've visited across the U.S.A.  

CUMMINS CAMPGROUND - CERAland

CERAland  - a Cummins Corporate Recreation Facility
Previously Private - now open to public

Several years ago we heard about an RV campground in Columbus, Indiana, which was originally established in 1963 to promote safe, high-quality facilities and programs to promote recreation and wellness for the Cummins corporate community.  Cummins is an American Fortune 500 Corporation, that designs, manufactures, and distributes diesel engines, and power generation products worldwide.

Entrance to CERAland
Columbus, Indiana

Originally the facilities were named the Cummins Employees Recreation Association (CERAland)  and was a private corporate facility.  The facilities are on 345 acres of beautiful park land with both indoor and outdoor recreational activities.

Registration Office and site of gymnasiums and
Aquatic facilities

Upon our arrival to CERAland we were amazingly surprised at all the facilities offered.  Our site was  close to an 11 acre stocked lake, fishing, paddle boats, row boats and canoes.  We stayed in one of the 324 sites in their campground that offered full service.  While we were at registration there were several vehicles arriving for baseball tournaments.  

CERAland RV Campground
Columbus, IN

RV Campground at CERAland
Columbus, IN

There are 6 camping cabins, designated picnic areas, 7 shelter houses,  2 outdoor basketball courts, 4 permanent Corn Hole sets, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, go kart track, 18 hole miniature golf course, driving range, tennis courts, outdoor amphitheater, playgrounds, remote control airplane strip, rifle and archery range, trap and skeet range, 9 softball/baseball diamonds, aquatic center with large water slide and toddler play area, 30,000 square foot sports and fitness center with 2 full gymnasiums, cardio room, running/walking track, weight room, locker rooms, and in the 2 days we stayed at CERAland, it was not possible to try and see everything offered!  There weren't a lot of people camping probably because school is still in session as well as it being 2 days in the middle of the week.

CERAland Lake
Columbus, IN

RV Campground Sites offered
in Lake area

Canadian Geese Family at CERAland
Columbus, IN

Beautiful Park Facilities at
CERAland
Columbus, IN

CERAland has a 355 site campground which includes camping cabins and is always a prime location for hosting youth camping retreats and motor coach rallies.  CERAland has been a part of the Columbus community for more than 55 years and they plan to grow with the future of all sports tourism initiatives.  It is obvious CERAland is committed to the future growth of corporate wellness, fitness and recreation catering to all families in the Columbus and surrounding areas.

ROCK 'N ROLL HEAVEN

The area known for the Muscle Shoals Sound includes the interconnected towns of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals, either side of the Tennessee River.

The Muscle Shoals Sound could be defined by a handful of songs recorded in the mid 60's. 

"When A Man Loves A Woman"

"I'll Take You There"

"I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)

Muscle Shoals, AL

Not the original building in Florence, AL
but now located in Muscle Shoals, AL

 This is where Rick Hall's (known as "the Father of the Muscle Shoals Sound") FAME Studios (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) and the rival Muscle Shoals Sound Studios Aretha Franklin (who became the Queen of Soul when she recorded "I Never Loved a Man"), found her groove, Paul Simon developed "Kodachrome", and Wilson Pickett cranked up "Mustang Sally".  

A few others who cut iconic hits were Mick Jagger, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Winwood, Otis Redding, Duane Allman, Paul Anka, the Osmonds, Percy Sledge and Etta James.  There were also songs cut by Tina Turner, the Beatles, Jet, Elton John, B. B. King, Tim McGraw, the Dixie Chicks, Leann Rimes and numerous others. 

Keith Richards stated his opinion about Muscle Shoals simply:  "It's rock 'n roll heaven."

North Alabama Recording Studio (NOALA)
Producer and Disc Jockey in Sheffield

Hospital orderly Percy Sledge recorded in 1960
Sheffield, AL

No one can explain the magic.  Some explain it could have been the Tennessee River, known to Native Americans as "The Singing River" in folklore over several hundred years ago.

The Tennessee River looking
toward Muscle Shoals, AL

We've been to this area many times and noticed many large iconic aluminum sculptures throughout the Shoals area which were created to commemorate the Shoals musical heritage.  A local Sheffield company, Wise Alloys, donated the aluminum for the project located in downtown Sheffield.

"The Singing River"
Sheffield, AL

This 18' tall sculpture is one of several throughout the area.  The sculptures are known to represent "The Singing River" and not any musician in particular.

A 25' tall aluminum sculpture is located in Muscle Shoals, AL near the library and the local high school.

A Bass Player as part of "The Singing River"

If you're a baby boomer like us you feel you've been a part of this history.   We could sing just about everyone of the songs I've mentioned above....maybe even dance just the way we did back then!  Tomorrow is a travel day and we'll be heading northward and perhaps you'll hear us going down the road singing at the top of our lungs "On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, or "I've Been Everywhere", by Johnny Cash.