‘The Ducky Old Land of Oz’ Samboree Will Be in Tunbridge
By Cornelia Cesari

"If you want to save gas, have a week’s vacation and be entertained, it’s a great deal!" So says Stan Hodgeman, of the "Samboree" at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds Aug. 8, 9, and 10. Though billed as a weekend event, anyone can come as early as Tuesday as an "early bird."

Hodgeman, of Springfield, is state director of the Good Sams Club, which is sponsoring the rally. The rally is open to those with RVs, campers, or tents. With the down turn of the economy and folks staying closer to home for vacationing, the club is making the rally open to anyone, instead of just club members. The theme for this year is "The Wizard of Oz."

While there is an attendance fee, the schedule has a great deal to offer by way of activities, entertainment and giveaways. Camping will be "hobo style," so RVers should bring "T"s and "Y"s for shared water and electricity. These are included in the fee, as are many freebies—breakfast Saturday morning, doughnuts Sunday morning, and on Wednesday, free ice cream with Vermont maple syrup and walnuts. On Friday evening there will be hospitality beverages and cookies.

The activities include duck races, a Chinese auction, arts and crafts, a Yankee swap, "Pot-O-Gold" bingo, bean bag baseball, horseshoes, cribbage, skillet throw, a spaghetti dinner, breakfast sandwiches, food and other vendors, RV dealers, onsite RV repair service, chapter raffles, and a flea market. There will also be seminars in CPR, first aid, and blood pressure, as well as first timer and vendor seminars.

There is live entertainment booked for every night, starting on Tuesday, when a couple from New York will play the dulcimer and autoharp. On Wednesday, the Fairgrounds Association has engaged Pariah Beat from Strafford, who play a "punk-infused blend of blues, country and old time roots music."

On Thursday, Vermont’s own bluegrass and country group, Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys, will perform traditional favorites, spinning stories and humorous tales. On Friday night, the Gopher Broke Band will regale the crowd with strains of banjo, guitar, bass and mandolin.

Saturday’s entertainment will be provided by the Stone Cold Roosters Band. According to Art Edelstein of the Times Argus, "This sextet has successfully melded Western Swing, Country, Honky-tonk, and Blues into a very listenable, danceable and sometimes comical album."

The Good Sams Club is a national RV organization with eight chapters, about 3,000 members, in Vermont. The rally brings people from all over New England and New York, and some from as far away as Virginia and Louisiana. Members sometimes plan their summer vacations around attending different state rallies.

As good Samaritans, the organization gives a great deal back to the community.

According to Hodgeman, "We give $100 to six different food shelves, and a $500 scholarship. We don’t spend any of our earned money—we donate it to those who need it. At our rally in Tunbridge we raise $1,000 or more at our spaghetti dinner and give it all away."

For more information about registration fees, etc., contact Stan Hodgeman at 802-885-3549 or sh34jh43@hotmail.com.

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