The Florida Flamingles 2025 Fall Rally was a resounding success, a testament to the dedication and hard work of our fantastic team. Each one of us can take pride in this achievement.
First, let’s give a big shout-out to our newly elected officers and coordinators of the Florida Flamingles leadership team. Their tireless efforts were the key to the rally’s triumph. We would like to personally thank Stewart Swain, Tim Willings, Trish Christoforo, Dave Christoforo, Jill Jones, Margo Hickman, Greg Gentry, and Patricia “PJ” Jones for their incredible contributions. We also want to thank the countless members and friends who volunteered their time and resources to help us with shirts, bags, and registering and checking in all our members—your support was invaluable!
The 2025 Fall Rally had 154 attendees and 84 LTVs at The Surf RV Resort in Palmetto, Florida, from October 31-November 3.
On Friday evening, we hosted a special welcome meet-and-greet for our 39 first-time attendees. We aimed to foster a sense of belonging and ensure everyone felt part of the Florida Flamingles family. We encouraged everyone to reach out and make new connections, strengthening our community bonds.
The weather in South Florida was perfect—cool and dry. We kept our windows open in our LTVs. We enjoyed the refreshing breezes in the evenings, which made it super comfortable to sleep.
On Saturday morning, we began the day with a session on emergency preparedness and safety. The open discussion covered essential items for emergencies, fire safety tips for RVs, weather safety, and the crucial concept of situational awareness. This knowledge helps us to stay safe and enjoy our adventures with confidence.
Our fabulous sponsors, Lithionics Batteries, CTM Customs, and Skymed, shared their expertise during their presentations. Gerzeny’s RV World provided us with four brand-new LTVs on display, including a 2026 model, which one of our members bought took home. These LTVs were equipped with the latest features and technologies, making them perfect for our adventurous lifestyle.
Reuben from Lithionics Batteries explained their batteries in a way that was easy to understand and provided us with ample time to ask questions about their specifics and what sets them apart from the competition.
Matt from CTM Customs provided us with a comprehensive overview of the services and upgrades they offer. They have around 50 upgrades, and many of us have upgraded our LTVs through Matt. We are enjoying the benefits during our daily adventures.
Taylor and Travis from Skymed are regulars at the Florida Flamingles. They shared some valuable information and put our minds at ease regarding potential road trip challenges related to our health and possible medical issues. Several of our members have joined so they can travel safely, whether it’s a trip across the country or an adventure abroad, knowing there is a plan in place in case of an emergency.
After lunch on Saturday, our very own member, Tim Wilings, showed us an incredible trip plan. He explained the RV Life Trip Wizard app and its cool features for planning trips and viewing routes. He also showed us how to add more places of interest along the route as we are headed towards our next destination. We really appreciate Tim for his fantastic work!
After the scheduled sessions ended on Saturday afternoon, some gathered to watch the highly anticipated Florida-Georgia football game. In contrast, others took part in one of our favorites, ‘Me and My LTV.’ This session enables participants to explore other rigs and learn from those who have made upgrades or added personal touches to their rigs. Owners are always enthusiastic about sharing what they have done to improve and accessorize their LTV. It’s an excellent opportunity to get inspired for your own LTV upgrades!
The Surf RV Resort hosted a painting class in the afternoon, and flamingos were the subject matter to be painted on canvas. Led by a local artist, the class was a fun and creative way to spend the afternoon. You may find the beautiful flamingo paintings hung in an LTV near you, serving as a reminder of the fun we had at the rally.
On Saturday evening, The Surf RV Resort offered live music poolside. In contrast, others gathered around TVs to watch Game Seven of the World Series, making it a memorable sports day for many.
Sunday morning started with our usual business meetings, where we elected a new Club Secretary and confirmed the continued service of our existing leadership.
Margo Hickman presented our financial report, which shows the Florida Flamingles in good standing, and was approved and voted on by all to accept. It was also identified that funding is available to adopt a purpose for our club and impact a local community charity where our rally will be held. It was approved and voted on by the members, giving the Flamingles leadership the authority to select a charity worthy of this gift and present it to them at our next rally. Stay tuned for details as we approach our Spring Rally.
One of our long-time members, Secretary Patricia “PJ” Jones, has made the tough decision to sell her LTV and will no longer be able to perform the duties of Secretary. Patricia “PJ” Jones will be missed, and we hope she’ll come back to visit us soon. In our hearts, she’ll always be a special member of the Florida Flamingles, and we will always welcome her with open arms.
We’re so glad to have Patricia Bignoli nominated and elected to replace PJ. In the future, to be Secretary, your name will have to be Patricia.
At check-in, each member received a LTV tote bag, along with two Florida Flamingles knapsacks provided by the LTV corporate office, and a special gift: a long-sleeve T-shirt featuring the Florida Flamingles logo on both the front and back. Thank you, PJ, for sourcing our shirts. Our members absolutely loved them and wore them throughout the weekend’s activities.
Following our business meeting, we hosted our open forum. Members got to ask questions about their LTV’s and travel experiences. Our member community shared, answered, provided guidance, tips, and advice to benefit those in attendance.
The discussion centered on a variety of topics, including DEF fluid, RV storage, tires, tire pressures, valve stems, mattresses, the Florida Flamingles website, and more. Members learned a great deal and got some valuable perspectives.
Regarding our website, if you haven’t visited it since our previous discussion, we invite you to take a look. Stewart and Tim gathered at the rally and have already implemented significant changes and upgrades, continuing to work on it to make it a powerful tool for members to communicate and gather information about club activities.
On Sunday afternoon, we had some free time, and some of us gathered to watch NFL football, while others took advantage of the pool or traveled off the property. And then there was a group of highly competitive folks that gathered on the courts for a friendly pickleball tournament. No trophies, money, or prizes, just for bragging rights! We were fortunate to have two pickleball instructors in our group who were willing to teach those looking to learn or refine their skills.
On Sunday evening, we had a full house for our closing remarks and an Italian dinner to get us ready for our departures on Monday morning. Everyone shared hugs, goodbyes, and “see you laters” until our next rally or meeting up along the roads.
We appreciate everyone who attended, and we look forward to seeing you at our 2026 Spring Rally, April 10-13, at Sweet Citrus Acres RV Resort in Crystal River, Florida. Stay tuned for details, which we will send out via email and post on our club website.
Safe travels, fellow Flamingles.
Written by: Scott Johnston
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://leisurevans.com/blog/florida-flamingles-2025-fall-rally/