Our Christmas "Holiday" DOG at Lake Kissimmee State Park

Our Christmas "Holiday" DOG was held on November 22 at Lake Kissimmee State Park (East of Lake Wales, FL). Several of our members decided to camp there that weekend, so those camping also cooked DO during the stay, making each meal a "potluck" meal. We had a wonderful, sunny, warm campout--Temperatures were in the high 70's to mid-80's.


Sunday, after church services, we started gathering at the park's picnic grounds where we had a pavillion reserved. We had a large turnout, with some driving as far as from Lauderdale and Merritt Island to cook with us. We acquired 3 new members at this DOG, as well.


People started arriving about noon and later. When they arrived, they promptly started getting set up and started cooking - when the coals were hot and the food prepped, we were able to settle down to socialize as the Dutch ovens did their job.


As foods were finishing, several members pulled Thanksgiving themed table cloths out, and holiday decorations for the tables--making it even more festive. Our foods were laid out, a blessing said and our large group of members and guests proceeded to enjoy the fruits of our labors.


I have pictures posted, if any would like recipes, I can email you our newsletter--just email me - stewgaylord@earthlink.net .

Next DOG is in January at Mary Holland Park in Bartow!

The Cracker Trail "Larry Hooper Memorial DOG" was held on 10/4/09!

For the first time in several years we did not suffer a "monsoon" during our Fall DOG! Instead we had a wonderful sunshine filled day with good friends and new members (soon-to-be friends).

We started gathering in Avon Park about noon and by about 2PM most of those cooking were present and set up--working away. When the ovens were on, we then had time to sit and chat. We enjoyed some great fellowship, catching up on everyone's summer. A number went to the "Mile-High" DOG in the Carolina's this summer, camping for several days (to several weeks in some cases). A new pair of members met our folks there and then joined our group--this DOG was their first exposure to some of us that are a bit more "unusual" - hope they continue with us!

We had lots of great things prepared. I do have some recipes, but, unfortunately, I did not recieve very many this time. My pictures are also limited, since my camera is pretty worn out and works when it feels like it, so I do not have many of folks cooking--sorry about that (requested pictures from other members, but since I did not receive any, they were probably too busy talking with folks to get any pictures, either). I did get some good pictures of the food--which is the important part. . . .I guess. . . If you want recipes, email me.

We had a short business meeting (our annual meeting) afterwards. We are an extremely low-maintenance group and do not stand on formalities. Everyone present thought the present officers were doing well (meaning that none present wanted our jobs), so it was unanamously decided that the present officers should retain their positions this next year. Apparently we have to work harder in our efforts to tick someone off so they will want our jobs. . .

One order of business was to change our Fall DOG--we are NOW cooking on November 22 at Lake Kissimmee State Park (not Mary Holland Park in Bartow) and many of the members wanted to camp for the weekend at that time--if other members want to camp (DOG is still Sunday afternoon), they need to see about reservations as the camp does fill up with "snowbirds." The February DOG will be at Mary Holland Park.

Visitors are welcome to come visit (and cook, should they choose) with us at the November Dog at Lake Kissimmee State Park (located East of Lake Wales off of US 60)--we usually start Sundays after church with members starting around 12:00 noon and continue to arrive after their church gets out. Guest and member's dinner is usually about 4:30 PM, so all foods must be done by then. Hope to see you there!

Cracker Trail Dutch Oven Society Officers:

Director: Debbie Barber - mamab@strato.net

Vice-Director: Norm Church - nchurch@strato.net

Secretary, Newsletter Editor, : Stew Gaylord - stewgaylord@earthlink.net

Blog Editor, Membership contact

Our “Hot (real end of season) DOG” – May 17, 2009

We met at Lake Kissimmee State Park with a couple folks arriving just before noon. The rest started arriving from about 12:30 on through about 2:00 PM. We had a beautiful day. We were fortunate to get a large pavilion with lots of tables. We had a few folks that couldn’t make it for a variety of reasons, but we had a good-sized group that were able to be there!

We decided to have a “tropical” theme since we don’t normally have a DOG in the heat of May. Everyone seemed to enjoy the theme and prepared all kinds of wonderful “tropical” delicacies.

If you would like to be emailed a copy of our newsletters (which includes all the recipes), please email me - stewgaylord@earthlink.net .

Dylan making his curried fruit

Barry with his Hawaiian Pork

Debbie and Gavin mixing the Kahlua cake

Richard with his BBQ Ribs

Sally, Larry & Dylan by their Dutch ovens

Gavin making his tropical cobbler

Dave with his Carabbean Jerk Chicken

Norm & Sandy making stuffed shells

Stew checking his Island Chicken

The group checking out the tables as Sally cuts her meatloaf

COMING UP

7/25/09

“Mile High” DOG at the Mile High Campground up on Balsam Mt. just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina – contact Dave Colman dccolman@yahoo.com for more info if you want to drive up for this event!

10/4/09

Larry Hooper Memorial DOG & Business Meeting - @ Debbie Barber’s home (email me for a map if you don't know the way)

Cracker Trail Chapter Officers:

Debbie Barber - Chapter Director - mamab@strato.net

Norm Church - Chapter Assistant Director - nchurch@strato.net

Stew Gaylord - Chapter Secretary, Newsletter Editor & Webmaster - stewgaylord@earthlink.net

Upcoming DOG Schedule
October 4, 2009 - "Larry Hooper Memorial DOG" at the Barbers
November 22, 2009 - "Holiday DOG" @ Mary Holland Park in Bartow
January 17, 2010 - "Cold Weather DOG" @ Lake Kissimmee State Park
March 21, 2010 - Spring DOG @ Walk-in-the-Water Preserve - Babson Park
May 16, 2010 - Hot DOG - location to be determined. . . . .

Cracker Trail Chapter Officers
Chapter Director: Debbie Barber
Chapter Assist. Director: Norm Church
Secretary/Newsletter/Webmaster: Stew Gaylord
stewgaylord@earthlink.net