June Rally Agenda

If you have seen the June newsletter, the June rally is all set with Nelson & Neena Hansen acting as wagon masters with help from Fairbrother’s, Robbins’, Lury & Phil, Rossner’s and Jean Horton.
The agenda can be seen clicking on our NEXT EVENT  or click on the link below.

http://pennymixers.blogspot.com/p/pen-ny-mixers-next-rally.html

May, 2011 Rally Highlights

For the 3^rd consecutive year, our first rally of the summer was held at the Lakeville (NY) Volunteer Fire Department Training Grounds.  We had a great building with all the amenities and a field with enough electric to keep all our batteries charged.  With 18 coaches attending, we managed to enjoy 3 of the 4 seasons in a 5 day span.  Because of the recent monsoons, many folks parked on the pavement in the parking lot.   

Early entertainment consisted of getting the Glossner's out of the mud with the help of a 1943 Farmall.  In spite of the weather we had good food and things to do thanks to our hosts the Klines, Lindens, Wordens, Strubles and Roules. 

Eleven motor homes arrived on Thursday with the rest arriving on Friday.  Our official first activity was traveling to several restaurants including the classic Big Tree Inn in Geneseo – led by Donna and Gene Struble. 

Saturday morning started with a continental breakfast, along with Millie Worden's oatmeal.  It was followed by "Show-n-tell" and, then a Poker Walk.  A potluck dinner followed provided by all the participants.  Honored guests included Ed and Leslie Sharpe (President of the Firemen’s Exempt and Hall Manager).  Evening entertainment was a guess the location of pictures of places we visited followed by “pass the ace” won by Bob Webster.  During the day on Saturday, we had visits from Jim & Sherry Moore and Jack & Charlie Hassett in their new car.  Les and Betty Sliker joined us for Pass the Ace Saturday night.

Sunday morning breakfast consisted of pancakes, sausage and rolls, etc..  This was followed by a tour of the firemen’s training facilities – thanks to the Sharpes.  This worked up an appetite for an ice cream social.  Our evening dinner consisted of spaghetti and Charlie Kline’s famous meat sauce, salad, and Italian bread. This was followed by a Chinese auction hosted by Sharon Roule and Bob Webster and then more “pass the ace”.

Monday morning ended our Memorial Day weekend with a continental breakfast.

During the rally, it was noted THIS IS THE 20^TH ANNIVERSARY  of our chapter.  Among members present were 3 charter members – Ed and Sylvia Plaisted, Lee and Vivian Robbins (also founders)  and George and Millie Worden.


Below are a few pictures.

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.