Industry Better News

By: The Associated Press 17 Dec 2009 11:35 AM ET

FOREST CITY, Iowa - Recreation vehicle maker Winnebago Industries Inc. continued to lose money in its fiscal first quarter, though its net loss narrowed from a year ago as the RV market showed signs of improvement.

The company said Thursday its order backlog more than quadrupled during the quarter, while dealer inventory fell 52 percent. Its loss was smaller than analysts expected, sending shares climbing in morning trading.

Update regarding Hinckley from Walt Linden

As of December 11th, Walt Linden reports from Paul Dubois:

If any of your members have any questions concerning the Monument at Hinckley School, for example purchase of blocks or questions on blocks that they have ordered, Please e-mail them either to LanaMakin at lmakin@fmca.com or myself at diplomatman2002@yahoo.com . I have been in contact with Natalie the Executive Dirctor at Hinckley and we have agreed that everything will go through Lana. She has been very gracious and helpful but the problem is really ours and I don't want to burden her with it as she has a very difficult situation as is at the school. I have invited Natalie to our NEAR Rally at Essex Junction in July and will give them a booth free of charge and will arrainge for her housing. She is very excited at the opportunity.

Thanks
Paul DuBois
Northeast Area Vice President

Information regarding the Hinkley School

Paul Dubois (NEA VP) sent out the following information about Hinckley:
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As some of you may be aware, Hinckley School where FMCA was founded is going through some difficult times. Things seem to change from day to day. The latest that we have heard is that they have a small day school program but no longer have a resident program. They also have a new Executive Director. The situation is very fluid and nothing is for certain.

Lana Makin our National Administrative Director is currently in contact with the Executive Director to insure the safety of our Monument . It could be if the school closes in the future that we would be required to move the monument, purchase some land for it, or take some other action.

We are aware that the site is in need of some repair work and lana is addressing that issue. I received an e-mail from John Devlin from Perfect Circle that they had purchased a brick in memory of a deceased member and the Brick has not been installed. We are looking into the situation. If any other chapters or individuals have also purchased bricks and they have not been installed, please e-mail me and let me know so I can take action on the issue. I will keep you all informed

Thanks
Paul DuBois
Northeast Area VP

PS: Paul's email is: diplomatman2002@yahoo.com

Happy Thanksgiving !!

• Where ever you are -
• Whatever your doing -
• Who ever you are with -

We wish you good health and happiness on this Thanksgiving and every other one.

Happy Thanksgiving from Paul DuBois

The following comes from Paul Dubois, Northeast Area Vice President.
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Diane and I want to wish each and everyone of you a very happy Thanksgiving. The past two years have been a very difficult time for all of us personally, as a nation and as an FMCA family. We have all been through some difficult financial times, We have seen loved ones go off to fight a war that sems to never show signs of ending, As a nation we have seen troubled times and unrest, and as a FMCA Family we have seen some changes. On a national level, Don Eversman Executive Director has submitted his resignation effective immediately. Don had intended to resign and retire after the Albuquerque convention but decided to retire while the Executive Board was meeting in Cincinnati in November to permit them to start the process of replacing him.

A management Team consisting of Executive Board Members will oversee operations while a Search team made up of Board Members will start a Search for a new Executive Director.

The Board has some exciting new programs to encourage member recruiting and benefit our members. These programs will be announced during the coming months.

On The Area scene, Lou Snow First VP has resigned and will devote more time to his position of Minuteman president.

OUR 2010 NEAR Rally date has been changed . It will be July 2-5. This change was made necessary as we found that our original date conflicted with three major National rallies and we were told by the vendors that they could not come to our rally. We have been guaranteed a good turnout of Vendors for our new dates. Unfortunately the July 2-5 dates were the only dates available to hold our rally . We have several exciting events planned for the rally. Some of those include a Driver Rodeo where you can show your skills in operating a motorhome, A Family Day with many family geared activities, a Boat Ride and Buffet, Fire Works and many other events not usually seen at a rally. Come and bring your kids and Grand Kids.

We are fortunate to be a part of this great organization and our prayers are with all of you for a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving .

Paul DuBois
Northeast Area Vice President

Recent Trip Observations

We recently spent 35 days on a 3300 mile circle route through 10 states going as far west as Texas and ending up in Florida where we left the motor home. We had a number of observations - some of them you know, some you may not. Below are few:

• Late October is a great time to head toward the middle of the country. Weather is moderate and foliage is beautiful everywhere.
• Our vote for “Best place visited” – San Antonio, TX. Attractions are modestly priced (many free) leaving money to spend on other things. The RIVER WALK exceeded expectations.
• Downtown New Orleans is flourishing, but the Northeast corner of the city is not.
• Biggest disappointment – Paducah, KY. Besides the “Quilter’s Hall of Fame”, most other quilt related activities have closed. Branson, MO was better.
• Second – rebuilding along the Gulf Coast after Katrina is lagging. I think over half of the beach front homes have not been rebuilt. Many have “For Sale” signs on them.
• Highest priced gas – New York: $2.85 per gallon
• Lowest priced gas – 60 miles west of Houston, TX (I - 10): $2.19 per gallon. Once out of the Northeast, price was below $2.50 until we reached Florida.
• Oklahoma and Texas welcome folks to spend a night in their Rest Areas and Welcome Centers.
• Flying J has recovered nicely from bankruptcy protection. RV parking sites are larger, gas prices are lower and member cards typically give an additional 1.5 cents/gallon off. $10 spent in the store gives 3 cents off for the month; $20 gives 5 cents off.
• A number of state parks in the south (including Louisianna) honor the Golden Age Pass – giving 50% discount on camping and free admission.

What are PenNY Mixers doing?

Our final get together was a dinner at Tomaso's in Waverly hosted by Larry & Barb Kotar. Before dinner was an open house hosted by Ed & Sylvia Plaisted. The dinner had 25 families with 9 coaches coming to spend the night. The Kotar's provided a great time for all.
Meanwhile Ed Coon celebrated his 98th birthday with a party on October 31st.
Now that our rally season is over, our members are scattering in different directions. The Roule's have been traveling the mid-west and southwest visiting some places they have not seen.
Recently, we found the Linden's as Campground Hosts busy holding down the "Host" sign on Padre Island National Seashore outside Corpus Christi, TX.
Also seen were Corbett and Connie Pool (past president of FMCA) who are busy renovating a 60's home they bought near Corpus Christi Bay. We all got together for a great Mexican dinner.

If you have any information about what PenNY Mixers are doing, please send an email to: troule@aol.com