January Northern Lunch plans

Arrangements have been made for the January luncheon. It will be held on Saturday January 18 at Tommasso’s in Waverly N.Y.  Lunch will be at 2PM and we will order from the menu. Please let Barbara Kotar know by January 13 if you are planning on attending.   

Contact via e-mail at: 

Barbeann06gmail.com

or call 570-888-8163.

Please Note

If you receive an email requesting a donation, it's phishing. Do not respond or "accept". It could do nasty things to your email or computer.

Everything we do is free and we do not accept gratuity in any form.

If you are solicited, it isn't from any of us.

February Florida Lunch update

Some Murphy's law covers the fact - As soon as plans are finalized, something goes wrong.

The Golden Corral in Leesburg has closed !

We are still hoping for February 8th, but -- 

We are working on an alternative. So, please follow us for updates

For more information, contact:
Tom Roule                        
cell: 585-739-9074        
email: troule@aol.com

FMCA Northeast Area Newsletter

The Northeast Area of FMCA has published a newsletter. If you haven't seen it and want to review it go the the link below.

Northeast Area Newsletter

Unoffical May, 2014 Rally-reminder

Just a reminder, six months to Memorial Day weekend is Saturday, Nov. 23. Better start calling at midnight if you want to get in.
--------------------
We will have an “unofficial “ Pen-ny Mixer Rally again Memorial weekend 2014.

It will be at Ives Run Park near Wellsboro, PA.  

Everyone will need to make their own reservations 6 months prior to Memorial week end. May 23 -26, 2014. Friday – Monday. Some of us will go in earlier in the week. 

We have to make our reservations 6 months ahead of the date we want to go in. Remember they fill up fast.
 
We plan on reserving in Hawthorne Circle the one we usually to.

If you have questions call Ed Plaisted 607-529-3353

February, 2014 Florida get together

As we have done for many years, we are planing a Florida get together. We are tentatively planning for the Golden Coral in Leesburg, FL as we have done the past few years. We are planning for February 8th, the Saturday after the Southeast Area FMCA rally..
More details will follow once we have made reservations.

October Dinner

Below are Sylvia Plaisted's highlights of the October dinner. We had 33 attendees.
---------

Those attending: Lury Wallenbeck, Phil Liberatore, Ed & Gale Austin, Matt Miller, Philip & Mary White, George & Millie Worden, Charlie & Doris Kline, Ed & Sylvia Plaisted, Larry & Bonnie Pollow, Howie & Pat Newman, John & Carla Coudture, Lee & Vivian Robbins, William Carlton & Alice Carr, Lee & Shirley Moore, Nelson & Neena Hansen, Jim & Sharon Fairbrother, Fred & Alice Sprout, John & Joan Pangburn.

Wordens, Pangburns , Sprouts and Whites brought their motor homes and spent the night at Tomasso's . 
Sprouts and Pangburns came on Friday and played 18 holes of golf on Friday and Sat. even though it was cool and rainy.

Everyone enjoyed their meal at Tomasso s.  Ed and Gale Austin celebrated their 61st anniversary with us.

It was a great reunion for the Pen-ny Mixers.  

Sylvia

National Parks

I presume you know that all National Parks are shut down due to the government shutdown.
That means - even the web site isn't being maintained and monitored. Probably also means you won't be able to make reservations if you are planning travels.
As you know, Linden's work at Padre Island National Park in Texas. If the situation isn't resolved by November, they may be looking for a 40 foot driveway.
For more information about the parks, check out:

www.doi.gov/shutdown/index.cfm

More information about August, 2013 Rally

Since we could not write a review of the August Rally, Sherry Miller did.
Below are her comments.

----------------------------------------------------

The August rally, hosted by the Lindens, was held in historic Bouckville, NY.  Attendees were: Lindens, Ed & Sandy Miller, H. Wallober, Coutures, McGlynns, Kotars, Whilens, and Jim & Sherry Miller.  It started with a get-together dinner held at Quack's Village Inn  followed by an ice cream social and campfire  back at the campground. 

Saturday started off with a continental breakfast .  It was day on your own where you could visit the many antique stores within walking distance of the camp. The Chenango Canal was right across the street and had a walking trail to enjoy.  Other possibilities were a huge farmer's market in nearby Hamilton, Oriskany Battlefield, Oneida silver, Cooperstown, Howe's Caverns, or just riding around the beautiful countryside.  That night we went to Hotel Solsville, an old stage coach rest stop,  and enjoyed a buffet featuring pulled pork and chicken followed by a campfire.  A local historian came by to talk about the history of the Chenango Canal, and the Mott apple industry.

Sunday started with a continental breakfast and a day on your own.  That evening,  we all got together and traveled to Hamilton for pizza.  We were all treated to a second ice cream social.  Walt overestimated how much ice cream he needed for the first one so we got rid of the leftovers for him.  That evening we enjoyed another campfire.

Monday morning, after breakfast, we toured a local modern junk yard that sends parts all over the world.  Then we went to the Morrisville campus to tour the equine rehabilitation center.  It was a brand new facility and we were able to actually see horses going through treatment. 

Some of us had to leave that day.  Others stayed on to travel to Bainbridge for the Susquenango Rally the following week.  It was a wonderful rally, full of interesting things to do and very agreeable weather.  The campground extended an invitation for our group to come there again.  They helped arrange some of the activities and said they would do so again.  Many thanks to the Lindens for providing us with a "new" adventure.

Signs

In our storage building, I found the old Pen-NY Mixer signs - the ones made from wood, possibly by Bob Schoonover, Lee Robbins or Ed Plaisted.
Anyone, wishing to claim them, please let me know at:

troule@aol.com

I would hate to see them retired prematurely. 

Tom

Susquenango Labor Day Rally

Walt Linden supplied some photos from the Labor Day Rally. They had a "shot gun wedding" like we did several years ago.

Bouchville Rally

Walt and Beryl Linden hosted a great time in Bouchville, NY August 23rd through 26th. Activities lasted from Friday through Monday. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Northeast Area News from Tom Ziobrowski

Got this from Tom Ziobrowski.  Anyone interested, let Tom know. 

Email is: z8iggy@aol.com

Tom R.
Hi Tom,
Just wanted to pass this by you, and maybe you can talk to the chapters out your 
way. I have connections @joels backyard steak in Verona ny. When I was president 
of Empire State for 4yrs mark the owner went out of his way for us for our fall 
banquet and election of officers. 

I would love to see someone from your way step up to a board position in the 
NEA. I would even consider making another VP spot if necessary.

The other thing would be to have are organizational meeting at Joel's in Verona, 
that way people could camp @ the turning stone campground, and go to the casino 
if they wanted.

This is just a thought, I did talk to mark @ Joel's today and he is willing to 
work with me on this, maybe do a light luncheon for us at a reasonable price. 
Our banquets always had good food and he put out way to much, and the price was 
outstanding, everyone was very pleased.

So please keep in touch with me, you will also be getting a letter from National 
in regards to nominations for the NEA board.

Thanks so much,

I want to have a board that does not have a couple from the same area or close 
friends lets say.

Tom

An Editorial

Last weekend, our officers all decided not to run for office in 2014. This creates a difficult dilemma for those of us left. If we have never been an officer, there is no mentoring to make the transition for any one without experience easy.  If we chose this direction,  I fear we may be driving a stake in to the heart of the chapter.
This blog is set up to accept comments. Please post yours below. We need your thoughts.
Also, Linden's and Roule's have volunteered to be a committee to find rally sites for the Pen-NY Mixers and Fingerlakers, if that might help. That doesn't mean we will be wagon masters, we still need them.
Tom

July Rally highlights

This was the first Pen-NY rally we attended this year. But --- boy was it worth it !!
Carol and Wilbur Shafer (with timely help from the Wordens) put together a great weekend. 

Pound Auction attendees

They planned for 15 coaches at the rally, but 21 signed up at Genesee Country Campground. The campground accommodated (fitting us in) and so did the Shafer's - with 15 showing up on Thursday and the rest on Friday. Not phased, Carol arranged for meals at restaurants on Thursday and Friday evenings and then things got serious... The Worden's pitched in and hosted the Friday "ice cream social".  Saturday morning breakfast was donuts and fruit followed by a meeting (more about that on another post).
The area around Caledonia has lots to do; so, I will mention the Shafer's plan for dinner. Did you know Carol's daughter is a caterer? Well, she made hamburgers, barbequed and froze them for our Saturday dinner. The rest was supplied by the culinary skills of our members.

Nelson and Larry

The Saturday evening "pound auction" was MC'd  by Nelson Hanson and Larry Kotar with special effects supplied by Bob Webster (in spite of spraining his knee in the shower). Laughing with them made the evening..
Sunday morning, we had a great breakfast supplied by the campground (included in the rally fee).
The Shafers showed that a good plan doesn't require a small army to make it work. If in doubt, just ask Carol how to do it.

August Rally

Our August rally is all set. Our rally will be in Bouchville, NY, hosted by Walt and Beryl Linden.. They have arranged a neat stop off point for Susquenango. 

Check out the August Rally tab above.

Note From Tom Ziobrowski, Senior VP NEA

Tom has been talking to folks about the future of the Northeast Area. Many of the board, including Paul Dubois are not running for office. Below are some of his thoughts. Tom


Hi,  Northeast Area Chapter Members, Presidents & Delegates,

         I'm writing to you all with my concerns about are Northeast Area. We have till the 18th of this month to nominate a candidate for our National Northeast Area Vice President. Upon filling this we will be nominating and electing  officers to fill the rest of our board positions. So talk this up and help bring the spirit back.
         Many of you are aware that I went for a week to  FMCA Headquarters in Cinncinatti for the business meeting to see how the organization operates, as I am considering in running for Paul's position, but would not challenge anyone wanting the position. I do not want the Northeast Area to dissolve nor do so many others that have spoken to me. It's up to each and everyone of us. If you are interested in this position, please let it be known,  
         Now we have a new National President & Senior VP. I have had several discussions with both of them in regards to our Area. They are behind us and have already paid a visit to a couple of northeast chapter rallies. The staff is also waiting to assist us in anyway they can, as well as other area officers.
          We need an enthusiastic,energetic & dedicated board to pull the area back together, as one or two people cannot do this, all the chapters in the area need to get involved. A question that each and every chapter needs to answer is if they are going to support the board and area. I ask you all to talk this up and please let me know by the 18th of July your intentions, concerns, & questions. You need to consider a representative for the other officer positions. We can make this fun and enjoyable for everyone if we want to. I really want to see us succeed.  Much thought has been given and suggested to me how to perk up things. We are committed for 2014 & 2015 to the Champlain Valley Expo per a signed contract or be obligated to pay $5,000 per year if we do not hold a rally there. 2014 may need to be just a downsized rally with no dealers, vendors, etc. Just an organizational get together with all to see where we go from here. I know many want to change location and this is being looked into, maybe you would like to serve on a committee, which lets say one could be a steering committee. For 2014 one night we could do a catered pig roast like last year which so many enjoyed, then another night have entrainment.
           Look what Lori did with are youth program, I can still see the kids, laughing, having fun together and making new friends, that's what it is all about and we need to try a little harder to do that ourselves as a group. It is for sure something we can all work at and do together as a team and camping family. I know our granddaughter from Arizona asked if we were going to bring her as she loved the time spent with Lori and the rest of the kids. They look forward to coming to our Rally here in the Northeast. The program she puts together is great.
         Maybe VP's should be responsible for a section of the northeast chapters each, and attend a chapter rally if possible and keep a line of commination open, and bring their concerns and or issues back to the Northeast board.
         I for sure do not have the answers,  and i do not want anyone to think that I do, these are just some of my ideas, thoughts & suggestions. We can make it better.
         In my heart as a family man, camper, and people person feel we can have fun, enjoy our families together by sharing our rally time putting our effort and energy to work in a positive way.
 
Please share my thoughts, concerns, for your organization with fellow chapter members and step up and volunteer even in a little fashion, this is what it takes, believe it or not, togetherness with team effort. I still get emails kicked back as my list comes from the listing on FMCA site. So please pass this along as you wish.

Respectfully,

Thomas M. Ziobrowski
Senior VP Northeast Area FMCA
Z8iggy@aol.com

Home Made Mosquito Trap

We got this information from Vivian Robbins. It sure makes sense and cheaper than a bug zapper.

--------------------------------

Have you noticed Mosquitoes are already out?  This is a homemade trap to help keep you from being a blood donor!

               HOMEMADE MOSQUITO TRAP

1 cup hot water

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 gram of yeast

a 2-liter bottle

Cut the plastic bottle in half.

Mix brown sugar with hot water.  Let cool.  When cold, pour in the bottom half

of the bottle.

Add the yeast. No need to mix.  It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.

Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together

if desired.Wrap the bottle with something black, heaving the top uncovered, and place it

outside in an area away from your normal gathering area.  (Mosquitoes are also drawn

to the color black) 

Change the solution every 2 weeks for continuous control.

Viv

Rally update update from Walt Linden

We had a few people step to the plate for Northeast Area Officers.
Just need a resume submitted and approval from Cincinnati.
More info to follow.
There were 2639 coaches, 2288 family and 351 commercial coaches.

Walt Linden
wlinden@juno.com

Governing Board update from ND Walt Linden

As you know both Vicky Ferrai (Secretary) and Percy Bell (Treasurer) both
ran unopposed and both were elected by acclamation.
Charlie Adcock won with 198 votes and Allen Rein had 189 votes. 
For Sr. VP. there were 4 candidates running.  

Andrew Balogh   104  

Bobby Donald     10                                                                    
Ralph Marino     32 

Jon Walker      179
All is well here in Gillette.  The Browns, Taylors, Lindens, and Snyders
are here from our chapters.
The wind blows constantly with daytime temps in the 70s and drops to
60-70 a night.

PS.  John Adcock made a special visit to our coach to clarify the
statement that you were concerned about.

Adcock and Walker plan to come to the Northeast Area in an attempt to get
us back on track.
He may fly back from the west coast to attend some rallies.  
He is very open to any and all suggestions re FMCA.  He's very energetic
and easy to talk to.
He listens and well as talks. 

Walt Linden
wlinden@juno.com

Invite Your Friends to Help Us Welcome the Crew of EAA's Flying Ford Tri-Motor

Click on any blue  "headline" below to get more information The headlines today seem to spin us in circles but here in your own back yard, Wings of Eagles Discovery Center is both blessed and grateful for the tremendous support that the community has offered throughout the years.  As we have focused our efforts on hands-on science and math education for future generations the response has been tremendous.  Join us, the flight crew of the world famous Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) flying Ford Tri-Motor, our culinary first class on-site partners, Sweet-N-Saucy, and your friends and family for a memorable evening as we build toward a successful scholarship program for our Summer of Innovation educational programs. Please forward this e-mail to your friends and family and invite them to visit our website to sign up for a great event in your own back yard.  For aviation buffs and those who just enjoy a summer night out, this promises to be a hit. See you there and thanks for your support!    ___________________________________

Event Details Celebrate the Heritage of the Ford Tri-Motor  Saturday, June 29th, 2013  Reception - 6:00 PM  Dinner - 7:00 PM  Held at Wings of Eagles Discovery Center Everyone is Invited!

Make Reservations MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR DINNER on June 29th at Wings of Eagles Discovery Center or call 607-358-4247. Dinner registration will be $25 for each adult. NEW KID's PRICE - $15 for each child age 6-17. Children 5 & under - FREE!. MAKE RESERVATIONS TO FLY in the Ford Tri-Motor hosted by EAA Chapter 533 More About the Event To find out more about the Ford Tri-Motor or our celebration dinner visit us at www.wingsofeagles.com

August Rally Update from Walt Linden

Beryl and I will not be able to attend the June rally as we will be in Wyoming representing the chapter at the FMCA International Rally. We wanted to give you a heads up on the August rally.

Beryl and I are planning a long weekend for the August rally in Bochville, NY

There is so much to do and see in the area followed by the Susqunango rally in Bainbrige the following weekend. Members can consider doing both and save a trip.

There is a little to do for everyone. A list of things in New York’s antique center follows. Vineyards, golfing and a brewing company are all within 15 miles. Turning Stone, Vernon Downs and the Utica Rome Speedway are all within 18 miles. Colgate’s beautiful campus is 5 miles. There's hiking along the Historic Chenango Canal and a canal museum.

The Northeast Classic Car Museum, the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the Baseball Hall of Fame, Howe Caverns, the Oriskany Battlefield State Historic site, an alpaca farm, and many more sightseeing opportunities are all nearby.

During the rally we will tour a modern salvage yard that is computerized and the Horse Rehabilitation center at Morrisville Collage. There will be live entertainment in the evening.

Northeast Area Officer Candidates

If you are interested in running for office in the Northeast Area, the deadline is JUNE 15th.
Send your resume to Frank Rizzi.

Memorial Service for Sandy Wollaber June 16th

A Memorial Service will be held at the Cambria Volunteer Fire Co. Main Hall and Grounds on Sunday, June 16th at 2:00 PM. 
Address:  
4631 Cambria Wilson Rd
Lockport, NY 14094
Prayer service with food and drinks will be provided. Travel pictures of Sandy will be shown on a large projector.
Come join the celebration for Sandy as we all knew her.  Ample parking for any size Motorhome, come the day before or stay a few nights. Power, water, dump station provided if needed.

June Rally Preview

This is a preview of what is happening at the June 2013 Pen-ny Mixer Rally. 

It will be held at Wilkens RV Center on June 28 - 30.  You may arrive after noon on the 27th.

On Friday at 5:30 there will be a chicken barb B Que put on by the Fire Dept.

Saturday will be a full breakfast prepared by rally masters

               1:00 Wine & Chocolate Festival

               5:30 catered Spagetti dinner

Sunday  Continental Breakfast. 

We will be sending out an offical news letter later next week with more details and a registration form.  The cost will be Approx. $45.00.

Hope to see you there.  Rally Committee

Update from Paul Dubois, NEA VP

Paul Dubois sent this on May 11th. It's his interpretation of the state of affairs in FMCA. The information he provides is a bit negative, because "FMCA" could be replaced every where in the document with fraternal groups and clubs like "KofC", "Masons", "Elks", etc.  However, I thought you might enjoy the reading.  Tom

To All Northeast Area Officers and Members

Since I was elected to office I have tried to be open with you and have tried to the best of my ability to keep you informed on issues in both the Northeast Area and of happenings on the national FMCA  scene.

     On the Area scene the past two years have been very difficult in putting on our rally as each year the number of dealers displaying coaches has been dropping to the point where in 2012 we only had one dealer with ten coaches.  This is caused by the cost of fuel and the expenses involved in displaying coaches. Motorhomes are not selling and towables are selling so fast that they don’t need to show them at rallies.

     Our vendors have dropped off as they state that people come to the rallies look at the products and then buy them cheaper on the internet. Without vendors and coaches and a drop in family coaches it has become impossible to finance the rally. In 2012 we worked with several veterans organizations who agreed to help us with the understanding that we would use any profits that they made for disabled veterans which we did.

     Our Executive Board felt that it was necessary to cancel the 2013 rally as we  couldn’t see any way to finance it. The plan was to wait until my replacement was elected and new NMA officers and let them make the decision on 2014. Unfortunatly there was not a single candidate to seek the office of Northeast Area Vice President inspite of two attempts to find a candidate.  The decision has been made by the National office with my agreement to hold off from any further attempts until after elections in Gillette in June. Also earlier this year we sent out over 300 mailings seeking Area officers. There was not one person who expressed interest. We currently have two vacancies from 2012.

     On the National FMCA scene I have as well as some fellow National Executive Board members have some very serious concerns as to operation of FMCA. I will attempt to relate some of those to you and there will be some others that at this point I am unable to discuss because they could involve legal action. You may have read in articles written by the President and others that everything  is going well within FMCA and we are financially sound and things are on the rebound. And the current administration has us in the Black. Myself and some others wish that we could agree with these statements. In 2011 the Treasurer Wil Young and the Finance Committee became aware that we were withdrawing between one hundred thousand dollars and one hundred twelve thousand dollars from reserves each month to meet our bills. Members of the Executive Board requested The President Charlie Schrenkel to call a special meeting of the Board to discuss how we could cut expenses by 1.2 million dollars so we could balance the budget. The president declined to call such a meeting so the only way that we could have the meeting was to get the approval of 80% of the Executive Board. I was asked by the Board members to try and obtain the necessary members to agree which I was able to do. At the meeting in Brooksville in February a motion was made to instruct Jerry Yeatts the interim Executive Director to cut the budget by the 1.2 million dollars and report back to us by April 15,2012. The motion passed with only the President voting NO The Executive Director came back with the ordered cuts

     Immediately after the vote a motion was made by Charlie Schrenkel to buy $86,000 worth of Atlases. The motion was defeated with the President voting to make the purchase and the rest of the Board voting against the purchase.

     In the last two years the Executive Board has had a very difficult time getting timely information necessary to govern FMCA. The Treasurer has at different times either been refused information or had a very difficult time obtaining it as did some Board members.

     In the past few years we have been hit with some surprises that have cost us large sums of money. We learned that the computer system that controls the entire FMCA operation including all departments website , finances, membership and credit cards had not been updated since 1996. This meant that we were not Federally credit card compliant and if our system had been hacked we woud be subjected to a heavy federal fine, responsible for all losses and required to pay for credit card monitoring for every card holder for three years.  The money was approved by the Governing Board last year but the installation has fallen behind and will not be completed until October and has cost us much more than was budgeted for.  When a long time staff member left ,the President  and the wage review board approved what has called a significant severance package but the Executive Board has been unable to determine what the amount is. We have been told that we received a large fine because workers comp. was not paid for a period of months.  These are just a few of the problems that this Executive Board has faced.

     Although I am sure I will be admonished for revealing this information to the officers and membership of our Area , I feel that it is my duty to do so and I feel that the Governing Board cannot make the right decisions if they do not have all the facts. Those of you going to the National Convention must ask questions at the Meet the candidate forum and the Governing Board meeting and not take no for an answer on obtaining the necessary information.

     There are two candidates for National President Charlie Adcock current South central VP and Alan Rein current Senior VP.

     Although I consider both candidates my friends, I feel that in order to survive FMCA needs a change in direction. Both Charlie Adcock and his running mate for Senior Vice President Jon Walker are experienced business men Charlie Adcock  prior to becoming Area Vice President successfully ran several businesses and John Walker is owner of a successful Mail equipment and mail equipment processing business. I have had discussions with both men as to what their plan is and they have a good business plan to put in effect  if elected. They have both committed to immediately travel to the Northeast Area and meet with chapters to see how they can help our members and are also committed to bringing A  national convention to the Northeast Area. They are both committed to operating in a open manner and keeping the members and Governing Board updated.  I will be supporting them and look forward to helping them in our Area. I want to thank you for your support and friendship during my term in office.

Paul DuBois

Harborfest News

Jim Miller reports Harborfest -

Have you seen the article about us on page 30-31 of the May FMCA magazine? It is written by Kelly Fedeli, she and her husband Shane have a 85 Bluebird. If you cant place them Shane had the other 10x20 tent and Kelly and Bev Brown passed out the door prizes.

The article is what she had put in Vintage Birds newsletter as a review after the rally.

We bought 8 bottles of rum in St Thomas duty free, 10.00 each, so it will be a rum party at Harborfest 2014

Jim

More about the Good Sam Rally

Several folks have indicated they are going to the Syracuse Good Sam Rally.
If you are interested parking together, we can combine confirmation numbers and they will park us as a group.
We are going in on the 13th and would be willing to call them with additional folks if you are interested. Call me at 585-739-9074 or email me at --- troule@aol.com.
I will call Good Sam and they will tell us the arrival time. I will let you kmow the time they give us.
Please let me know by May 12th.
I'm putting this on the Fingerlakers blog too.
Tom

Would you like to volunteer for the Syracuse Good Sam Rally?

Walt Linden forwarded this to us.

To anyone wishing to volunteer at the Syracuse Good Sam Rally - As a volunteer, you will arrvie on Sunday, June 9th. and leave on Monday, June 16th.  There will be a group breakfast on Monday morning the 10th, followed by a training session.  Early Parking begins on Tuesday and some of you may be involved in that as well as other set-up jobs.  Each volunteer will work 25 hours (generally not more than 5 hrs. a day) and be compensated with a refund in the amount of $474 regardless of what rally fee you paid and will be parked in preferred parking with electric and close proximity to buildings and all activities.  All volunteers get to enjoy the evening entertainment.

Please consider volunteering. If you are interested, please complete the online volunteer agreement at http://therally.com/information/volunteer-opportunities.com    Let's show them how New Yorkers can put on a great Rally!

Glen Gasstrom

New York State Good Sam Director

http://www.newyorkgoodsam.com/

Travel News from Walt Linden

Walt Linden Reports -
Walmart reinstated their gasoline and diesel discount. 10 cents off instead of 5 cents when using their gift card and 15 cents off instead or 10 cents when using their credit card.
This promotion will last until September 7, 2013. It all adds up. Last fill up cost us $3.33.9 a gallon.
Walt Linden
wlinden@juno.com

Some Member Updates

Here are some updates from our members
Millie Worden writes:

I had my surgery..I had two torn cartilages in my knee.  He removed them .. He shot me in the hip to see if that would help.. Setting here with ice on my knee now.. Hope this helps..  Thanks everyone for their thoughts. Can't wait to get back to almost normal..
Millie

Harold Wollaber sent these pictures from FLorida.

 

Northeast Area Request for Officers

We got this note from Kathianne Taylor, NMA Secretary. The area is requesting applications for officers for the next 2 years. It would be nice if someone from our area were interested.

To all officers in the Northeast Area

 

Normally we hold our elections for Area Officers at our Annual Rally.  Since there won’t be a rally this year we will hold the elections by mail.

This year we will need nominations for three Vice Presidents and a Treasurer. The purpose of this letter is to request interested candidates from the Area Chapters to submit their resumes’ stating the following as per FMCA Member and Volunteer handbook:

1.       Heading; Includes Name Address, Chapter and F Number.

2.       Office being sought

3.   FMCA Experience: Involvement in FMCA. Include Chapter office(s) committee(s) volunteer work at conventions and rallies.

4.  Other Experience-gained through employment and community service

5.  Education and training that would enhance one’s qualifications

6.  Interests and activities, hobbies and skills

7.  Summary of qualifications-Brief statement for seeking office describing      

Area and FMCA goals if elected.

Please submit resumes to:

Frank Rizzi

15 Glenwood Ct            or e-mail to eleriz15@yahoo.com

Bayport NY 11705

Respectfully submitted,

The Nominating Committee

Syracuse Good Sam International

We did it !
We signed up for the Good Sam International in Syracuse - $199, but it was free. We have Good Sam towing insurance and are "Premier Members" which qualified us.
Re-Upped for 5 years at $17 per year. So, for $85 we have membership until 2018 and a free International.

FMCA - are you listening?
FMCA membership has gone from 120,000 to 80,000 while Good Sam has gone from 1,000,000 to 1.4 Million. FMCA dues are $50/year vs $17 for Good Sam.
We have made so many great friends, as a result of our chapters being the lifeblood of FMCA. We will stay as long as our friends do.
But --- it's scary.
And --- Winnebago has introduced its first complete line of towables since the 70's.

Rally News

A couple of notes about future rallies -

• The September rally still needs a wagon master. Please let Barbara Kotar know if you are interested.
• We are putting together plans to return to Harborfest in July, 2014. Jim and Sherry Miller will be wagon master with the Roule's close in tow. We hope to make it a joint rally as have been previous visits.

February Florida Get Together

Getting together is why we exist!
Our winter get together on February 16th in Florida included Fingerlakers, Pen-NY Mixers, past members and guests. 42 follks showed up at the Golden Corral in Leesburg for the third year in a row.
Highlight of the day was Janet Gunkler displaying a "giant ice cube" on her left ring finger - compliments of Wes Barager. CONGRADULATIONS!
Folks began arriving about noon for the 1:00 pm start time. The Moses traveled 175 miles each way while the Shafers were between campsites and parked in a local Walmart.
We ate, told stories and with the room provided by Golden Corral were able to stay until almost 4:00 pm.

THANKS FOR COMING!!

"THE RALLY" (Good Sam), Syracuse, NY

A number of folks have expressed interest in the GOOD SAM Rally in Syracuse. There are preliminary plans for a caravan into the rally. 
Ed PLaisted reports that if you belong to 3 Good Sam activities (Good Sam Club, Roadside assistance, credit card, etc.), rally fee is free!
Without NEAR and FMCA International in Gillette, WY, this might be a fun alternative.
However, he recommends - CALL. They love to talk.
Their web site is
http://therally.com/
Below is more information about THE RALLY, including the phone number for free admission.

I LOVE REBA (Tom)

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WELCOME TO

 THE SYRACUSE CAMPING WORLD/GOOD SAM RALLY   Gear up for good times, great entertainment and all things RV at the New York State Fairgrounds, June 13 through 16, as thousands of RVers come together for the Camping World/Good Sam Rally.
We’ve staged Rallies from Redmond, Oregon, to Daytona, Florida, but this is the first time we’ll get together in the great Northeast. Don’t miss it!

Queen of Country
Thrill to country music and TV icon Reba in an encore performance after last year’s unforgettable show at the Daytona Rally!

Mr. Las Vegas
Prepare to be starstuck by Wayne Newton as he brings his electrifying Vegas style and showmanship to the Syracuse Rally stage!

Heart of New York
Visit a bucket list of destinations throughout New York and the Northeast on your way to and from Syracuse, conveniently located at the junction of interstates 81 and 90!

Great Giveaways! Leave plenty of space in your RV for all the valuable freebies we’ll be giving away throughout the event!

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Rally Admission with RV Parking Rates!*

• 2 adults dry camping – only $199.00
• 1 adult dry camping – only $159.00
• 2 adults 30-amp electrical hookup – $399.00
• 1 adult 30-amp electrical hookup – $359.00

*These prices are member rates and include all Rally activities as well as your RV parking. Non-member will be charged an additional $25 and will include a one-year membership to the Good Sam Club.
Prices for Early Bird Days

• 2 days dry camping – only $35.00
• 1 day dry camping – only $20.00 (Wednesday only)
• 2 days 30-amp electric hookup – $75.00
• 1 day 30-amp electric hookup – $40.00 (Wednesday only)

(The Early Bird option includes RV parking.)
Passport Pricing*
The Passport option is for rally attendees that want to attend all rally activities, including entertainment and seminars, but will be parking their RV offsite. Good Sam Member rate – $79.00 per person
Day Pass Price (Does not include admission to evening entertainment) $10 per person, per day and children 17 and under are free! Available for purchase at the gate only.
Registrations start at only $199*, which includes 4 days of camping and all the festivities including invaluable RV educational seminars and an incredible shopping experience each day PLUS world-class entertainment!!
As a limited time special offer, you may be able to come to the Rally and camp for FREE!*
Call a Rally representative at 800-701-1399 today to see if you qualify; hurry space is limited.
*Early bird days and electric are available at an additional cost.

‪‬

Bill Conway

Many of you may remember Bill Conway. Bill was Northeast Area Vice President 6-8 years ago. Bill has lived in FL the past few years.

Paul DuBois reports -

I just received a phone call from Eleanor Rizzi our Northeast Area Treasurer advising me that Pat Conway called her and said that Bill Conway passed away about an hour ago. We will advise on arrangements as soon as they are made.

Paul DuBois

Northeast Area VP

January North Dinner

We have the following information about the North dinner from Sylvia Plaisted.

We had a nice time at the Jan. dinner.  I think we only had 15 people there, but it was very nice.  Jim & Sherry Miller, Larry & Barb Kotar, Charlie & Doris Kline, Phil Libatore, Laurie Wallenbeck, John & Carla Coutoure, Norm & Madaline Pease, Matt Miller, Ed & Sylvia Plaisted.

FMCA Alternatives

At the risk of being controversial, we Pen-NY Mixers have the luxury of being associated with 2 areas, Northeast and Eastern of FMCA.
What does that mean ???
If the Northeast Area doesn't provide a way to bring members together, then the Eastern Area does. The Eastern Area 2013 rally is below.
October 9 - 13, 2013
York Expo Center
York, Pennsylvania
Watch the GEAR 2013 page for updated information

Their website is -
http://www.easternarea.net/

Those of you who have not been to York, PA, it is near Gettysburg (no need to explain), a corporate plant for Harley Davidson motorcycles and more. The Harley tour is enjoyed by both women and men.

JUST A THOUGHT!