The 2010 Sponsor’s Rally was held in Rayne, LA at the Frog Fairgrounds. Some of the members showed up on Monday before the rally began and continued showing up everyday until Thursday when the rally actually began. All who showed up early had no problem filling up their days and visiting with seemed like long lost friends although we just saw each other either last week, month or year ago. It’s just always so good to get together and reunite.

When the actual rally began on Thursday we met in the meeting room. Ida went through the agenda for the rally and Friday itinerary in detail. She also introduced our new members that were present. Marie Moreau prepared chicken/sausage gumbo for all of us for dinner which was wonderful as usual. Many of us were lucky enough to get to take the leftovers home with us. After dinner we hung around for more visiting and planning new rallies!

Friday morning we all went to the Achafalaya Basin tour and had the opportunity to cruise the Cypress swamp. It was so peaceful and pretty. Afterwards we went to Vermillionville for lunch. All of us parted and finished the afternoon on our own. Some of of the members continued on touring and went to tour the Sacred Heart Convent. The Academy of the Sacred heart was founded in 1821 being the oldest school in Acadiana and the second oldest school in the United States west of the Mississippi. Also visited at the convent was The Miracle where Mary Wilson’s grave is. She, as a young woman entered the convent suffering from a prolong illness. She was cured after offering a novena to John Berchmans, a Jesuit priest who had died at an early age.

The evening brought us all outside to gather around Ida and Burnel who played their guitars and entertained us. What a great treat. Others did bring out appetizers to keep our stomachs full! Thank you to all who contributed. After the mosquitoes chased us away we all went back to our homes for some rest so we could party again on Saturday.

After a great egg McMuffin breakfast put on by Gene and Chris Fisher we spent most of Saturday just visiting with each other and resting up for thegreat pork loin meal that Lou and Carol Butuad put on that night. Thank you toboth and all the helpers for the wonderful pork loin dinner. After dinner we had the Annual Sponsors Meeting headed up by President, Jack Bruce. Following are the unofficial minutes of the meeting.

Bobbie Bayles