August Rally Highlights

This August we returned to the Hickories Town Park in Owego, NY. Our hosts were Howie and Pat Newman, John and Carla Couture, and George and Barb Cole. With 20 coaches attending and Sherry Miller visiting, we all had a great time.

... Rain dampened some Saturday activities, but our hosts adjusted. It didn't spoil the great food which included Hors de'ourves and a catered chicken dinner on Friday, a full breakfast including sausage and French toast on Saturday, an ice cream social, and an Italian themed pot luck dinner. Sunday sent us on our way with a continental breakfast. A couple of pictures are included.

Self defense

At one time or another, when camped alone in a parking lot or some similar place, we wonder how vulnerable we are. Thoughts lean to self defense. Alternatives discussed at rallies include Pepper Spray, Tasers, and hand guns. However, these may have possible legal, safety concerns, are fairly expensive and may require a permit.

One possible alternative is keeping a can of "wasp/hornet spray" handy. It can spray 20 feet, is inexpensive, as effective as pepper spray and legal in many circumstances. A number of self defense instructors have recommended this for some time. Checking with SNOPES, led to a rather extensive article listing the advantages and possible problems. If you click on the link below, you will be brought to the article.
http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/waspspray.asp

Notes from the FMCA International

Here a few highlights from the August newsletter about Bowling Green, KY and the FMCA International.

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A group of Penn-NY Mixers joined up with other NY chapters to volunteer on security for the Bowling Green Convention. We totaled about 50 in all. We had a group hot dog lunch which Connie and Corbert Poole joined. Celebrated a couple of birthdays (Sherry Miller and Barb Kotar) with cake.
Weather was great for 1st nights entertainment a young group from Orlando that sang acappella and sounded like an entire instrumental band. Weather caused Lorrie Morgan’ to cancel and
Thursday weather still threatened. So, entertainment was moved inside and Phil Dirt and the Dozers performed 50’s, 60’s & 70’s. And we always had to take time to eat.

Alternate National Director Report - Area Meeting

Paul Dubois had been elected NMA President proir to meeting.

• Meeting called to order by Paul Dubois 11:00 am.
• 2010 rally will be in July. The exact dates are under discussion due a conflict with Good Sam in the area at the same time.
• Proposed bylaws changes were tabled based executive board wishing to review the option of creating regional vice-presidents.
• Each chapter is being requested to put a description of their chapter on the FMCA web. Details regarding the guidelines will be made available soon.
• Each member is asked to identify email address changes to FMCA Chapter services.

The following officers were elected by acclamation:

• President -- Paul Dubois
• 1st Vice President -- Lou Snow
• 2nd Vice President -- Ed Hoag
• 3rd Vice President -- Bob Mills
• 4th Vice President -- Dick Higgins
• Secretary -- Kathianne Taylor
• Treasurer -- Eleanor Rizzi

Submitted: Sharon Roule, Alternate National Director

Northeast Area Rally Pen-NY Mixer Highlights

Being responsible for door prizes for the FMCA Northeast Area Rally, we gathered over 150 for this year's event.
We want to thank Camping World in Churchville, NY for their generous donations and assistance obtaining door prizes.
Also, among door prizes, were 21 contributed by Chapters which celebrated the beauty, activity and products of their area. Hopefully, these chapters will receive appreciation beyond our gratitude.
With about 550 attendees (slightly more than last year), visitors enjoyed the numerous activities and beauty available in the Green Mountains of Northern Vermont.
Thank you to Sandy Wollaber and Celene Moses for their help and the many hours they spent distributing door prizes.
We hope to see more folks next year.
One other note: The temperatures were in the 80's, with lot's of sun, and the entertainment was very good. Rally cost was $180 including water and 30 amp electric for 5 nights.

Some Interesting Tidbits

According to AOL real estate news: Three cities in New York (Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse) and one in Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) were among the top 10 in the US whose population is declining fastest.

Visited Letchworth State Park and found that seniors were getting in free on weekdays.

July is "Parks and Recreation Month" according to the National Recreation and Park Association.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP): Florida Park Service has announced a new record for state park attendance during the 2008-09 fiscal year. Last month, New York State parks reported a 6% increase in reservations over 2008.
(ed: I guess some folks have been traveling, but looking for inexpensive campgrounds).

Walt Linden reported the final count at the FMCA International in Bowling Green, Ohio: 2426 family coaches , 299 commercial coaches for a total of 2725.

The three major stock indices closed at 2009 highs during the past week. The Dow Jones broke above 9000, while the S&P is within 21 points of 1000. The Nasdaq is up 22% for the year.

Fleetwood hopes to be producing 2500 Class A and C motorhomes next year.

National Director's Report from FMCA International

We were required to arrive at the Governing Board meeting at 8:00 AM to register. The meeting lasted till 8:40 PM with only a lunch break and no other breaks. The actual meeting started at 9:00 AM. In the morning session there were 422 out of 501 National Directors present for a quorum of 84%.

A $5.00 dues increase was voted in by a 190 for and 115 against vote but the pay for four years and receive five years dues incentive was retained.

Medex will be renegotiated and continue through 2010 and paid for by dipping into the “rainy day fund”. Medex is considered to be a great recruitment tool. The reserve fund was also used to balance the budget. 227 votes for, 184 against and 11 abstained.

At future conventions both indoor and outdoor venders will open at the same time, Monday afternoon.

Mail forwarding will remain at $5.00 per month.

Anything related to Social Networking was sent back to committee for reconsideration and changes.

Final pre-registered count was 2300+ attending.

Vote for president with 417 votes counted.
First vote
Doug Key 99
George Skipper 81
Charlie Schrenkel 135
Nelson Stubbs 98

Run off vote with 408 votes and 4 voided
Charlie Schrenkel 234
Doug Key 174

Senior Vice President with 413 votes counted.
Judy Czarsty 272
Hollis Dick 141

Secretary with 384 votes counted.
Joann Durbin 374 with 6 votes voided.

Treasurer with 407 votes counted and 4 voided.
Bernard Dobrin 137
Wilburn Young 266

Submitted by Walt Linden, Pen-Mixer National Director