A Little Florida (very little) in New York

For those folks longing for Florida about now, maybe this will help -

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. - A call of an alligator on the loose snapped police into action in western New York. Police in the city of Jamestown say a resident called about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday to report an alligator in a side yard. Officers and the city's animal control officer were able to round up the 3-foot creature without incident. They don't know where it came from or how long it may have been wandering the city.  
The Associated Press 2011-05-17 16:40:58 GMT

Thanks to Walt Linden for the article

THANK YOU, George and Millie

George and Millie Worden are members of the Pen-NY Mixers and the Fingerlakers.  Millie has been past president of the Pen-NY Mixers and is current President of the Fingerlakers.  George is Treasurer of the Fingerlakers.
There are 12 rallies between our chapters this summer.  It's worthy to note that in a addition to their officer duties, they are wagon masters (or co-wagon masters) to 5 of the 12 this summer.  Two (including our Memorial Day rally this month) for the Pen-NY Mixers and 3 for the Fingerlakers.
Volunteering is typically thankless and without pay - except for an occasional "thank you". We are certainly not the first but if you see them (and you will), pat them on the back and say -

'THANK YOU !"

And then ask,

'WHAT CAN I DO TO TO HELP?"

Flying J - Pilot Information

As you know, the FLYING J and PILOT merger has been completed. On our way north, we found they seem to have adjusted prices to be more competitive with their peers.

Also, PILOT honors your FLYING J - FMCA card.  So, you get 2 cents off every gallon.

Also, they have a combined advantage card you may get at any PILOT or FLYING J. Once received, you need to activate it on the web site or by phone.  Their web site is:

http://www.pilottravelcenters.com/

Their web site posts fuel prices for every station at 6:00 am each morning.  So, you can see if they have good price during your travels.

Remember, that if you want to check gas prices in any location, go to-

http://www.gasbuddy.com/

Fingerlaker Rally at Elkdale RV Camground

Those folks who visited ELKDALE RV Campground last fall might be interested to know the Fingerlakers visited there for their May rally - their third visit.

OUR INITIAL QUESTION WAS:  How many came? With 20 motor homes attending, the count was down from the last couple years, plenty for a good time.

The weather started out unusual with temperatures in the low 80's and the turned to what has been the usual recently - wet !  Rained most of Saturday and Sunday.  Fortunately, the campsites seem to absorb the amazing amount of rain we have had this spring.

However, as usual, it was the company, things to do and good food that made the difference.  As last year, Saturday lunch was highlighted by Linburger cheese tasting.

I think I overheard they are going back next year.

Hydrofracking !!!! (What's this?)

While this may be beyond the scope of our BLOG, the cost of fuel and the options available might make the following topic informative. If you don't want this kind of post, let me know.

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"Hydrofracking" or hydraulic fracturing are terms which describe a technique used to extricate Natural Gas from the Marcelus Shale in New York, PA and Ohio.  The process consists of drilling deep wells into the shale and then pressurizing them with water to burst the shale and release the natural gas.

Could this be a potential solution for high energy costs in the northeast?  Pen-NY Mixer country is in the heart of the discussion.

Sounds great, right?  Well as with any sophisticated system, folks ask: are there some problems? Well, yes, maybe.  There are some instances where ground water "may" have been contaminated by the water used for hydrofracking.  ATTORNEYS are jumping on this potential bandwagon. Check -

http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/hydraulic_fracturing_fracking?gclid=CK7Mh8Cg6KgCFSJ-5QodmRvhCA

In spite of the fact hydrofracking is being used in Texas, folks in the southern tier and residents of NYC are petitioning to put it on hold. So, as potential benefactors, this brings up choices of some current energy options and their status.

• Over 50% of our oil comes from outside the US.  Isn't more US oil a  better alternative?
• Deep water oil drilling in the Golf of New Mexico is on hold after the BP rig explosion.  Is it better than natural gas from NY?
• ANWR area of Alaska has some of the largest reserves in the world.  Drilling has been delayed. Is it a better choice?
• There's potentially large quantities of oil in shale in Montana and Canada.  It still needs development and hydrofracking may be part of the solution. Is it possibly better NY natural gas? 
• And, of course, we have ethanol.  Attempts to use it almost drove the price of food through the roof depleting NY's corn supplies.

These do not take into account natural gas and ethanol and most alternatives to gasoline and diesel are not as efficient (lower MPG).  And then there is nuclear and wind mills. But those are topics for another time.

Any solution has some risks. As you see, we as a country, seem to be afraid to try anything.  So, if we continue to put the alternatives to imported oil on hold, we will be using horses for our transportation and droppings to get methane to run our power plants.

Dometic Refrigerator Recall Information

Dometic Corporation has decided that a defect which related to motor vehicle safety exists on some of the two door refrigerators it manufactured between April 1997 and May 2003 for installation in recreational vehicles.

The Problem: A fatigue crack can develop in the boiler tube of the identified refrigerators, which can permit the release of pressurized coolant solution. If this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.

Potentially Affected Units:
NDR1062, RM2652, RM2662, RM2663, RM2852, RM2862, RM3662, RM3663, RM3862, and RM3863. The possible affected units have serial numbers that begin and end  with the following combinations:
713xxxxx through 752xxxxx
801xxxxx through 852xxxxx
901xxxxx through 952xxxxx
001xxxxx through 052xxxxx
101xxxxx through 152xxxxx
201xxxxx through 252xxxxx
301xxxxx through 319xxxxx

The recent expansion of this recall now includes the same two-door refrigerators, manufactured between June 2003 and September 2006.

If you own one of the following above units, it requires immediate service and continuing use could pose a potential safety hazard.
How Do I Know If My Refrigerator Is Being Recalled?
1) Find your refrigerator's model and serial numbers by opening the refrigerator door and looking for the sticker attached to the side wall of the interior.
2) Call 1-888-446-5157 or go to www.dometicusa.com 

(or http://67.238.126.140/recall.php) 

to confirm if your refrigerator is affected by the recall.