Happy Holidays from John Walker

I received a Thanksgiving card from the National Sr. VP Jon Walker.

Following is a quote from the card.

"A special greeting to express to you our sincere appreciation for your
confidence and loyalty. Thank you for allowing me to serve you as your FMCA
National Senior Vice President." 

Signed: Jon Walker

Jon asked that I pass on to our members his best wishes.

Walt Linden

Pen-NY Mixer President's Message

PEN-NY MIXERS PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

NOVEMBER, 2015

The holiday season is upon us and many of you are either already relocated to your winter destination or will soon be on your way.  For those of us who stay in NY, we have been experiencing a very mild transition into winter with temperatures well above normal.  We have had two snowfalls, but nothing that stayed.

We haven't scheduled a winter luncheon for us Northerners yet.  But, don't despair!  If any of you who are staying have or find a new place to eat, please ask them if they could accommodate a group of 20+ or so to order off the menu on a Saturday afternoon sometime in January.  Then give me a call (607-898-4626) after December 11th and we can get it set up.  I don't know about good places in the Elmira area and going to check it out is difficult for us.  We are over an hour away and really don't know where to look when we get there.  Then we usually have to sample the food...  I do know of places in my area, but we're on the eastern edge of our membership and it would be too far for a lot of people for just an afternoon.  If I could get a suggestion from someone, it would be a tremendous help.

Memorial Day at Waterloo is on!  The celebration runs from Friday, May 27 through Monday, May 30.  People could come in to park Thursday afternoon and leave Monday.  Dry camping,    4 nights=$40.00 parking fee.  We will have access to a covered building with electric in the building for group gatherings, but the activities in town might limit the amount we'll have.  Possible a dish to pass Thursday night and coffee hours in the am.  Our fall schedule has been BUSY and we haven't sat down to do major planning.  More info will follow in time.

June will be our 25th anniversary party at Camp Bell Campground in Campbell, NY.  I have reserved 30 spots, but more might be available, just not necessarily located close by.  You have until April 1, 2016 to make a reservation to get in those 30 spots.  After that, the manager will let them go, 1st come, 1st served and not necessarily Pen-NY Mixers.  If you reserve later you might not be close by.  You can cancel up to one week before if something comes up to prevent you from coming.  If you know of any retired Pen-NY Mixers who might like to attend, I need their addresses as we plan to send invitations.  If you want to make your reservation, call 607-527-3301 and mention the June Pen-NY Mixer rally.  Daily fee is $36.00, but we will get a group discount of 10%/ night or 15% if we have 15 reservations.  The remaining rally fee will be announced as soon as we can finalize the plans.

Here's hoping you all have a healthy and peaceful Holiday Season.

Sherry

Happy Veterans Day

November 11 originally marked the surrender of Germany at the end of World War 1. It was called Armistice Day.

In 1954, it was changed to honor all veterans.

2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

I'm proud to be part of the fraternity, and was fortunate not to be in combat.

To all of you veterans, there are many ways to celebrate your service. 

So, have a great day!

Winter Snow birds Florida get together

As we have done for many years, we try to get together for lunch in Florida. It used to be to plan for the Southeast Area Rally. As fewer folks went to the rally, we just had the luncheon. This year, we don't have SEAR, but hopefully, that won't stop us.

So, we have arranged for lunch at the Golden Corral in Clermont, FL. The particulars are:

Date: February 13, 2016, Saturday

Time: 1:00 pm (we have the room for two hours, if we have at least 25, but we've never had less than 35.

Place:

Golden Corral

1550 Grand Highway (Route 50)

Clermont, FL 34711

Phone: (352) 404-6985

Directions: The restaurant is just east of route 27 on Route 50 in Clermont.

Please let me know by February 8^th. I will give Colan at the restaurant a count on the 9^th.

Email: troule@aol.com

Phone: 585-739-9074

25th Anniversary Rally

June 17-20 is our 25th anniversary celebration at Campbell campground in Campbell, NY. Sherry Miller has reserved 30 spots. Please note, it is a week earlier than usual and to get one of the 30 sites, sign up is required by April 1st. Reservations should made directly with the campground at 607-527-3301.
There will be further information coming later.

Alternate National Director's Report from Madison

Governing Board Meeting

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Madison Wisconsin

There were over 1700 coaches at the international, 1450+ families and 250+ vendors. The governing board meeting had 281 chapters present in the morning which is a 69% quorum and 278 in the afternoon down to a 68% quorum.

President Adcock called the meeting to order and the following reports were submitted:

Treasurer’s Report – Our balance sheet remains strong with $546,185 of cash in the banks. Our investment account was $8,987,007 as of March 31^st. We are funding FMCA Assist each month from the investment account, coming from earnings not principal.

Standing Committee Reports were submitted and accepted.

Executive Directors Report:

FMCAssist – the medical evacuation program, reinstated last August has been well received and used by 43 members. Problems have occurred when people don’t report problem to our carrier Seven Corners at time of emergency. Call 911 and then Seven Corners asap. Bills submitted after the fact will not be paid. I have acquired several brochures (with cards) if anyone needs them. The FMCA Mail Forwarding service in Cincinnati officially ceased operations as of January 31, 2015. DakotaPost is serving mail forwarding clientele over the past several months. Since June 2014 360 members out of approximately 1,000 subscribers transitioned to the new service. 58 more members have signed up since the initial launch.

FMCA is working with Membership Corporation of America in evaluating programs, discussing membership acquisition strategies, and designing campaigns to grow and retain membership. Attitude, Awareness & Understanding Survey used and evaluated. Win Back Campaign – email marketing method – 300 members rejoined. Several other programs are being considered.

Media Services Group (Elan) went live prior to Redmond 2014. This computer program has had several problems – being worked on. Others programs such as FMCA Road Assist, RV Insurance, Tour Connection, Michelin Advantage, and staff changes were reported on.

Convention Committee recommended that Pomona, CA be withdrawn for Winter 2017 and Chandler, Arizona be approved. Also Syracuse, NY changed to Eastern States Exhibition in West Springfield, Mass. Pending successful negotiations. Syracuse fairgrounds undergoing extensive repaired to parking.

Under new business: membership dues will remain the same. FMCA Assist will again be funded using income from investments.

Bylaw amendment approved as such: “If an event occurs after the 21-day notice requirement has passed that prevents the national director, alternate national director, or temporary delegate from attending the governing board meeting, the chapter president may appoint a member of the chapter to represent the chapter for the next governing board meeting only. Notice of the chapter president’s appointment of a temporary delegate shall be received by FMCA at least seven working days prior to the governing board meeting to be valid. Notice must be in writing (fax or e-mail acceptable).” Board members felt this could be overcome by electing temporary delegates and having them on file in Cincinnati.

The new slate of officers:

National President Charlie Adcock

National Sr. VP Jon Walker

National Secretary Gaye Young (defeated John Ferrari – 143 to 131)

National Treasurer Percy Bell

Respectfully Submitted

Sharon Roule, Alternate National Director, Pen-NY Mixers Chapter, FMCA

2016 International is coming to the Northeast Area

In case you haven't heard, the 2016 International location has passed the governing board .

It is planned for the Big E in West Springfield, MA, August 3-6, 2016.

There will be 400-500 volunteers needed, if you want to help. Western Mass is where I grew up. So, Sharon and I plan to be there.

Sharon substituted very ably (if I say so myself) for Walt while he awaits a his new engine. If you didn't know, his engine blew coming into the US from his Canadian Maritime trip,

Stick Horses available

I received this from Neena. Her email is:

Neena

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

Tom, would you post something for me. I have the stick horses that I made for
our rally a few years ago. There are six of them and they need a home as they
are now stored at my son's house. If anyone e wants them I would love to find
them a good home.....thanks.

Neena

Call for Northeast Area Officers from NEA Secretary

If you are interested, please contact a member of the nominating committee.

 

Hello Everyone:

I am hoping by now you have received and read my first email.  As I mentioned in that email you will be receiving quite a few notices/emails from us regarding Northeast Area happenings.

We have 2 Vice President positions open on your NEA Executive Board.  Bud McCormick and Tom Rec will not be running for a 2nd term as they are moving in a different life direction.  They will be missed but we wish them well in their future direction.  Both Bud and Tom will continue in their positions until our business meeting to be held at the 2015 NEA Rally in July.  The new VPs will begin their duties at the conclusion of the NEA Rally.

We are asking you to please forward this information to your membership in a timely manner.  We would appreciate any one interested in running for one of these vacant positions to get in touch with me by email/phone or contact a member of the nominating committee (listed below).

Fred Linberk - Bussin Buddies - fjl57@ sbcglobal.net

Sandie Zern -  Bussin Buddie - sandiez16@gmail.com

Harley Soulia - Green Mountain Chapter - hsoulia@ aol.com

There is no experience required for holding a position on the board, just enthusiasm and a willingness to have fun.  So please consider this opportunity to support your Northeast Area. 

Thank you,

Donna Merlino, NEA Secretary

o/b/o The NEA Executive Board

2015 NEAR Craft seminars

Donna Merlino, Northeast Area Secretary has been busy sending out information for the Northeast Area. Below is one of several. 

Hi Everyone:

Joan Lewis, Susquenango Chapter is in charge of putting together craft seminars for the 2015 NEA Rally in July.  She would appreciate it if you would announce to your membership that she is looking for members that would be interested in holding a craft class/presentation during the Rally.  I know that there are a lot of crafty  members out there with some great skills that we would all be interested in learning how to do.  So put your thinking caps on and help Joan put together some classes.  She would like some more ideas & crafty people.  You can email her at seekhim888@gmail.com

Also, George Lewis, Parking Crew Captain would like all those attending in a caravan of 6 or more to drop him an email with a contact person's name and number. His home phone # is 518-399-7072.  or you can email him at seekhim888@gmail.com.  

If anyone has questions about any of these emails you've been receiving please call or email me directly and I will answer to the best of my ability.  Please share all of these emails with your membership as we want to be sure that EVERYONE knows what is happening. 

If your chapter has not attended or has not been represented at the Area Rally in a while, please make this the year you come back.  We miss you and want to see everyone attend and have a good time.  So please come back.

Safe Travels,

Donna Merlino, NEA Secretary

o/b/o of the NEA Executive Board

Note From NEAR Secretary

This is a note from Donna Merlino, Northeast Area Secretary.

Good Afternoon Chapter Officers:

I am your FMCA Northeast Area Secretary, Donna Merlino.  I will be communicating with you on behalf of your Northeast Area (NEA) Executive Board.  We would like to keep you informed in regards to what is happening with your Area.  We would appreciate, and encourage you to share these emails/notices with your chapter members.  If you or anyone in your chapter has questions regarding any of these emails/notices please feel free to get in touch with me or any of the board members and we will do our best to assist you.  I have attached the NEA Executive Board Directory for your convenience.  You can reply to this email address ( neafmcasecretary@gmail.com) or the address listed for me on the directory.  I am accepting emails at both. 

I will be sending these notices to the President, National Director and Alternate National Director for each chapter.  If one or more of these officers are not receiving these emails it may be that the email address I have been given by the FMCA Home Office is incorrect.  Please let me know asap if an address needs to be changed or added to the list.  Some chapter officers did not have a name or email listed for National Director of Alternate but everyone has a President with an email.  Therefore, each chapter should receive at least one copy of these emails.

You will be receiving several emails over the next few weeks so please be aware of the return address and add this to your contact list.  This first email is meant to introduce myself and relay contact information for your NEA Executive Board for those of you that may not have that info. 

The NEA Board would like to thank you for being an officer for your chapter and any other chapter you may be involved with.  You, your fellow officers and members are what makes this Area great.  So thank you for what you do and we hope to meet each of you at the 2015 NEA Rally "Summertime Fun at the Junction", July 8-12, 2015 to be held at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction VT.  I have included a Rally Registration Form for you convenience.  We have a great event planned and would love to see each Chapter represented.  

Please be on the lookout for further information regarding the 2015 NEA Rally via this email address.

Until then......

Safe travels

Donna Merlino, Secretary o/b/o the NEA Executive Board

2016 International and NEAR

Here is some news about 2016 NEAR.

Hi,

I should have mentioned this is the CAPTAINS list informational letter. Please share with other Chapters and your members.

 

The Convention will NOT be held in Syracuse NY. They are having a major renovation.

 

Next Tuesday at 2:00pm I meet with Jerry Yeatts, Chris Lust and Jim Rosenberg from national at the BIG E  (Great States Exposition Center) in Springfield Mass. for a site inspection & meeting.

 

Wednesday its off to Fryeburg ME for a 2:00pm site inspection & meeting there.

 

As soon as I hear anything and a decision is finalized I will make sure the Northeast gets notified via our website, blog and also have our secretary do an email blast hoping all our chapter emails are current and up to date.

 

I apologize for this second emailing,

 

Respectfully yours,

 

Tom Ziobrowski

2015 NEAR

Below is a update from Tom Ziobrowski about NEAR.

 

 Hi Everyone,

 

               Well here is the final compiled copy of the Captains List for 2015. Yes things can still change and we do have a few vacancies. Please be sure to tell your volunteers that when they make their reservations to tell national that you are a volunteer so they can put a card in your packet indicating this for their windshield. We will have copies available at the expo if some are needed as well.

 

                The changes came from the first list sent out sometime ago with a few coming forward and a few bowing out.

 

                Reservations are coming in, Boat Cruise Tickets are selling as well as the Pig Roast Tickets.

 

                Tom Rec has several seminars ion the works.

 

                Bud McCormick has Vendors signed up as well.

 

                A few loose ends to button up, signed contracts for Entertainment, Letter just went out to the VFW. Skip Smith is working with  the Essex Fire Dept.

 

                DonnieO is working on the Chapter ADS which need to be paid for and ADS need to get to Bob Mills for the Program Book, so please remind your chapters, I think deadline is May 31st.

 

                We need door prizes and the stuffed animals for the emergency corps and marines toys for tots.

 

                 I hope you have looked at our website, nmafmca.org. It has been updated by our webmaster Anne Gould and it also contains a blog which Tom Roule from central NY has been blogging stuff as he receives things or hear of other information through the grape vine. Our new Secretary Donna has been on the ball and is doing a great job for the Northeast Area as she does for her own chapter. It's great having her on board. Same goes for your new Treasurer Jim, loved his report after things settled down with him and his wife with coach problems, WE HAD A SUCESSFULL RALLY AND DID NOT GO IN THE RED, Parking crew is in motion with I believe are great staff of parkers are all coming back. We do have a new Director at the Expo, and have had a meeting with him and his assistant and it looks like it will be business as usual, that's a relief in itself. And as you can see by the LIST the staff on board is well familiar with their jobs, so I hope for all of us to have fun working this rally. I do not mean to leave anyone out, each & everyone working at this event play a very vital role.

                 Wednesday evening while the CRUISE is going on their will be a cash bingo like last year and if those playing want another day of it for a couple of hours maybe we can arrange for that.

                  I'll close here before you delete me, I must say with your new board, all you volunteers, the sponsorships, dealers & vendors, including the support given to the program book and all it takes to pull this off, each and everyone of those involved deserve a very  BIG HEARTFULL THANK YOU from myself, my wife, the board and their spouses. You all made it work successfully. 

 

Respectfully,

 

Tom & Connie

FMCA Assist

One benefit of FMCA is the FMCA Assist. Charlie Adcock sent the following:

 

The following is an email I received from Ron South and with his permission I am forwarding it to everyone. Let's keep Ron and Kathy in our thoughts and prayers.  

 

Doug,

 

Sorry for not getting back to you about the rally.  I actually am just getting back from Arizona tomorrow, the 8th.   I wanted to let you know how our first snowbird experience went, and to give a testimony to FMCA.

 

We left Dec. 28th for Arizona and arrived on Jan. 1st.  Due to the time of year I thought it would be smart to take the most southern route but we still experienced bad weather.  Terrible ice and snow storms in Texas and severe winds in New Mexico that ripped off one of my awnings.  Quickly got that fixed after arriving and started to have some fun.

 

We went to Sedona, the Mesa Market, visited friends and family, and just enjoyed the weather.

 

On Jan. 29th Kathy was complaining of severe abdominal pain and I took her to the ER in Sun City.  She was admitted with diverticulitis and after 4 days of not responding to antibiotics, surgery was performed to remove a section of colon.  She came close to dying at this point, and also went into kidney failure requiring her to start dialysis.

 

It was also discovered that she had other kidney and bladder problems and this required multiple surgeries.  The total care she received is far to extensive to list.  She was in the hospital 6 weeks, and 3 weeks in a rehab facility.   This was not exactly what we planned for our vacation.

 

Kathy still cannot walk and continues to need rehab.  I knew I had to get her home and I also knew I couldn't handle her for 4-5 days on the road in the RV.   

On 4/1/15 she was well enough to fly home with assistance and I am driving the RV back.

 

The testimony I mentioned earlier is for the FMCAssist program.  As you may know, I joined the FMCA just shortly before being introduced, and joining, your chapter.  Then I came to your Christmas party.  

In the midst of planning Kathy's return, I remembered this program, and it was actually one of the deciding factors in me joining.

 

I called Seven Corners and had the pleasure of working with Wesley Smith.  Wesley scheduled everything for me, and paid for it.  They provided:

 

The flight out to Arizona for Kathy's son to assist her back;

The airfare for Kathy and her son to return to St. Louis (they gave Kathy a row of 3 seats so she could keep her legs up);

The travel expense for a wheelchair van to pick Kathy up at the rehab facility in Sun City and take her and her son to the Phoenix airport;

The travel expense for a wheelchair van to pick up Kathy and her son from the St. Louis airport and take them to our home in St. Charles.

 

What a deal for $40. a year!     Anyway, it's good to finally get back.  I wonder how our next trip will be?

2016 International update

Hi Folks,
Tom Ziobrowski, Northeast Area President is in Pamona, CA for the rally there. Discussions have been ongoing about Syracuse and other alternatives. We just received the following email from him.
----------------

Hi,

It was announced today that 2016 Convention will not be held in
Syracuse.

They are looking at the Big E in Mass and have been in discussion
and a visit is being scheduled.

The alternate place will be Fryeburg, Maine.

Tom Ziobrowski 

BEWARE of a message like this.

Hi folks

I received the following email this morning.  Since we have EZPASS, I opened the attachment. 

BAD IDEA!

Fortunately, Windows Defender blocked it due to MALWARE. 

If you get a similar message, do not open the attachment.

These guys are getting slicker. 

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

Attachment starts with "EZPASS_Invoice_0000921725    " 

From: E-ZPass Support to you  

Subject: Indebted for driving on toll road #0000921725

Notice to Appear,

You have not paid for driving on a toll road. 
You are
kindly asked to service your debt in the shortest time possible.

You can
review the invoice in the attachment.

Kind regards,
Brett Dotson,
E-ZPass
Support.

2015 Southeast Area Rally

This year, for the first time in many years, the Southeast Area moved the rally from Brooksville, FL - an hour south to Sarasota, FL.

The first hint that a change in venue was a good idea – it sold out several weeks before the rally. Fuel at the lowest price in years may have helped, too.

1987 Customized Winnebago

With about 850 family coaches and another 110 coaches for sale - arriving in a very busy area resulted in a few glitches. Harold Wollaber, the Lindens and the Roules represented western New York.. Bev Brown visited for one day, too.

The committee from the Southeast Area put together an ambitious schedule with a box lunch Friday along with circus acts circulating through the area, and a full breakfast Saturday morning.

Entertainment was geared to the generation in attendance, pop, older rock and roll and old country all 3 nights. Almost everyone stayed through each show.

"Spittin Image"

Rumor is, the rally will return to Sarasota in 2016.

 REMEMBER, YOU MAY VIEW ANY PICTURE FULL SCREEN BY CLICKING ON IT.

News from NMA President Tom Ziobrowski

Hi All,

How I wish Connie & I could have joined you. You all look relaxed & warm.

It for sure is frigid and lots of snow and more of both coming in the few days.

We are on out way to the Vermont RV & Camping Show.

Respectfully,

Tom & Connie

Florida get together - 2015

January 31st brought 40 folks together at the Golden Corral in Lakeland, FL. Members, former members of the Fingerlakers, and Pen-NY Mixers were joined by Bob Mills and Lise, Bob McCormick and Frances - vice presidents of the Northeast area.

Arriving about 1:00 pm, we shared winter stories, enjoyed good food and discussed plans to attend the Southeast Area Rally in Sarasota, FL this year.

We stuck around until 3:30 before the restaurant told us they needed the room. 

It was great to see everyone.

January Northern dinner at TAGS Highlights

Saturday, January 17, 2015 those of us who are not traveling to warmer climates met at Tag's Restaurant in Big Flats.  Twenty members got together to visit, enjoy each other's company and have a tasty meal.  Those in attendance were: Ed and Sylvia Plaisted, Howie and Pat Newman, John and Carla Couture, Charlie and Doris Kline, Nelson and Neena Hansen, Larry and Barb Kotar, Lury Wallenbeck and Phil Liberatore, Larry Pollow, Shirley Lopreste, Norm and Madeline Pease, and Jim and Sherry Miller.  Alice and Fred Sprout had hoped to be there, but Fred had just had another treatment and wasn't up to the travel.  At this point, the report is that his tumor is 1/3 its original size and they hope this treatment will bring good results.  Ed Plaisted noted 9 couples have signed up for the Ives Run get together in May, but there are no more openings for anyone at this time. 

At the luncheon, Barb gave me the President's files and have spent some time looking at them.  Did you know????

                -There were seven couples and one woman who founded the Pen-NY Mixers in May 1991.  One couple is still active.

                -Between May 31 and July 27, 1991, 39 couples joined as charter members.  Four of those couples are still active members.

                -By February 1994, there were 51 coaches/couples in the Pen-NY Mixers

                -Dues were $10.00 per year, plus a $5.00 initiation.

                -Rallies were held basically in campgrounds.

I was noting some of the places the group went in the early years.  Himrod, of course, Hickories in Owego, L&L Campground in Nichols, Campbell Campground in Campbell, Gardner Hill Campground in Lowman, Babcock Hollow in Bath, Ridgewood Campground in Ovid to name a few.  They also went to Wyalusing and Hershey in PA.  It might be nice to revisit some of these areas again.  Check out the January FMCA magazine for the list of PA and NY campgrounds that give discounts to FMCA chapters.

We still need to fill the rally dates for July and August.  If you have an idea and need a little help, please call me.  We'll see what we can do.  In June at Hickories, we will discuss our options if we don't have anyone sign up for July and August. 

Hope your winter is going well and looking forward to seeing all of you in the spring.

Sherry

January northern Dinner

Tag's

3037 State Route 352

Big Flats, NY

January 17, 2015

We'll start to gather around 1:00 pm and order off the menu once everyone is ready. Please let me know if you are planning to be there by January 14, 2015 so that tables will be set up for us.

 

It's just up the street from the quilt store if you want to make an additional stop. Please let me know if you plan to attend so we can have the right amount of seats set up.

Sherry

 

email: JEM590@AOL.COM
phone: 607-898-4626