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.

Tom Roule

Important February Florida lunch news

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

Harold Wollaber sent this picture
 and we thought it worth sharing

Our annual get together in Florida is been scheduled. We have reservations again at the Golden Corral in Leesburg, FL.
 
Date: Feb. 8, 2014 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: 
Golden Coral
US 441
Leesburg, FL
Deadline: Feb. 4, 2014
Last year there were 50 New Yorkers, former New Yorkers and welcome guests.  There will be more information on our blog in the next few days.
Click on the tab above for more details and updates.

If you are interested, let us know, so we can let the restaurant know the count.
  Phone: 585-739-9074
  Email: troule@aol.com

Keep checking the blog for more information and most important -

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Northeast Area Newsletter

The Northeast Area of FMCA has published a newsletter. If you are interested in taking a peek, click on the following link:
FMCA Northeast Area Newsletter

Who is Sarah Hale ?

Sarah Josepha Buell Hale (October 24, 1788 – April 30, 1879) was an American writer and an influential editor. She is the author of the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb". She famously campaigned for the creation of the American holiday known as Thanksgiving, She convinced President Lincoln to choose the last Thursday in November to "give thanks".

Thanks to Sarah's vision, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Linden's first trip report.

Walt and Beryl checked in with the following information from their first week of travel.

------------------------- 

October 10, 2013 - We attended a FMCA Fingerlakers Chapter rally in Hammondsport, New York.  While there we went to the Glen Curtis Museum.  Very interesting. Got gasoline at Tops for $3.299 with our 40 cent discount.

October 13^th - Drove to Erie, Pennsylvania, and stopped for the night. Ate dinner and got gasoline at Sams Club for $3.24.9 a gallon.

October 14^th - Drove to Marysville, Ohio, Where we stopped for lunch and at Walmart  for gasoline.  $3.149 a gallon.  Every time we stop the price goes down a little.  Hope this trend continues.  It’s a far cry from the $3.65 we paid at home. So far our trip has been uneventful.

October 15^th - Beryl and I stopped at the Onondaga Cave State Park in Leasburg, Missouri, to visit Mike and Vi Downie who are camp ground hosts in the park.  We first met Mike and Vi when they were volunteers at Padre Island National Seashore while we were hosting there.  (When we leave this year they will replace us as camp hosts.)    

Onondaga Cave State Park is a nice little park about 8 miles off I-44.  The cave was closed for the season.  We saw lots of deer.  Two kept hanging around our campsite.

The deer are very small compared to the ones around Avon.  Also, saw a flock of turkeys wandering around the park.

Went to dinner at the “Missouri Hick  Bar-B-Q restaurant.  Second best ribs you’ll find anywhere.  First best are at Michael Bobs in Naples, Florida.

October 17^th - Headed for Branson, Missouri and on the way stopped in Marshfield, Missouri, and at Walmart we got our first gasoline under $3.00 at Walmart.  I hope the price keeps going down.

Arrived in Branson where we stayed at the Pea Patch RV Park.  The park is right in the center of all the Branson Show activity and they except Passport, Escapees and Golden Age Passport all at half price.  Last year when we stayed there we had some trouble getting into a site and vowed never to go back.  Since it’s in the middle of the entertainment district we decided to check and see if things had improved.  It turned out things were much better.

In two days we saw four great shows.  The Acrobats of China show was outstanding. It’s unbelievable what those kids can do. 

The Neal McCoy show was excellent as was the Barry Williams show.  Williams was on the “Partridge Family” TV show.

We went to see the “Ron and Kay Rivoli Revue” now called “A Heapin’ Spoonful”. We met Ron and Kay in Gillette, Wyoming and became instant friends.  Ron is from Gates, NY.  They do a great show and after the show we had a chance to visit.

We book all our shows with Michelle at “All Access Branson”.  She does a great job helping to pick out shows to see and gets great seats.  We highly recommend her.

Walt Linden

wlinden@juno.com,

2013-2014 Officers

Our October meeting brought election of officers as well as updates to by-laws.
Re-elected were: Tom Roule, President, Harold Wollaber, Treasurer, John Pangburn, National Director, Alice Sprout, Alternate National Director, Reed Johnson, Newsletter Editor.
New officers are: Nancy Anten, Vice President, Celine Moses, Secretary.
To the left is more information about them.

Hammondsport

Sunset

Morning Humidity

Our October rally took us to the "coolest small town" in the United States. Sitting at the southern tip of Kueka Lake with fall foliage close to peak, good weather after Friday morning showers, we had a great time with the 16 campers who came.

Our View of Kueka Lake

 

I scream for Ice cream

Donna and Sharon

Our campsite

We had hot apple cider, and warm dip to greet those on Thursday and an ice cream social after folks went out for dinner.
Friday our meeting followed the ice cream social and dinner at the Pine Inn in Hammondsport.

Joan and Dick making scrambled eggs

Saturday, the officers made breakfast for the attendees and then, we were free for the day to see the many sights around Kueka Lake.
Dinner of pulled pork was served by the officers enhanced by side dishes created by our attendees.

Celine and Donna

Alice weaves a web about us

After dinner, we enjoyed fun put on by Alice Sprout -- "head and tails" and "left-right".
Sunday, we had Danish rolls, donuts and more.
A couple members used this as a kick off to their travels south.

Fall Sun

Whether you are traveling or staying home, we wish you a great winter.

View pictures full screen by clicking on an image.

Fingerlakers' Trailer Redesign Proposal

Walt Linden and Harold Wollaber have promoted we rehab utility trailer. Below is their recommended design.

Northeast Area Blog

Tom Ziobroski, NMA President has asked if we would help with the Northeast Area Blog. We have updated it and hope to add information about the area from all chapters if someone supplies it.
If you are interested check out the blog at:

Northeast Area Blog

It's also available clicking on the tab at the top of our blog.

Update from Wes and Janet

As you know, Wes and Janet were married last month. We got this note from them and thought you might be interested. CONGRATULATIONS.

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

Hi Tom.......Hello from BAAAA HARBOR Maine.  Still on our honeymoon and having a great time.  We are planning on attending the Hammondsport Rally if all goes well--would it be OK if we pay when we arrive on Thursday?  We would be joining you all for dinner both Thursday and Friday evening.  We do not have the surveys calculated yet--will do when we get home.  I will keep you updated when all are in. 

See you next week

Janet

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, check out:

www.doi.gov/shutdown/index.cfm 

Don't always believe your GPS

This came from the Huffington Post
An elderly California couple thought they might be going the wrong way when their six-month-old GPS system directed them towards a back road in Oregon.
The couple, Charles and Doris Garton, should have followed their instincts.
The pair ended up stranded inside their 23-foot motor home (GMC) on Saturday evening, stuck behind fallen trees on the remains of a logging road, after they followed the route selected by their GPS unit. Sheriff's deputies first made contact with Charles Garton, 73, around 11 a.m. Sunday morning, but were unable to free the RV. A towing company also responded, but was unsuccessful.
Finally a search and rescue team arrived on the scene Monday at around 1:30 p.m.
Search and rescue member Jerry Applegarth told NRToday.com that the team found the couple in a tough spot.
“We used chain saws to get in to them and yet they drove their motor home down in there,” he said, adding that the couple had no way to turn the RV around. “It was a mess.”
But he noted that the two were both in good spirits, enjoying tuna fish sandwiches.
The Gartons had been traveling from their home in Ridgecrest, California to an RV rally in Oregon when they became stuck.
Doris Garton told CBS Los Angeles that “it was nice to sleep in absolute darkness; no street lights. And the bears didn’t come to visit. And no deer came peering in the window."
Certainly this story isn't the first to involve a GPS gone wrong. And many drivers have reported feeling too reliant on their GPS devices.

Let's clarify

Sometimes in the forest, we are not aware what we think is obvious.
I got a call asking if the "Officers Meet" is only for officers.
The answer is, THE MEET IS PUT ON BY THE OFFICERS FOR THE MEMBERS.
So, please come.
Hoping to see you in Hammondsport. 
Tom

DO YOU BELIEVE?

Gas Buddy says the average gas price is $3.49 per gallon nationally. That's 32 cents below last year.
South Carolina is lowest at $3.11; Texas is $3.21.
Our tomatoes are dead from the first frost.

Are you ready to head south (after Hammondsport)?

October Rally

We have posted the agenda for our October officers meet. The weekend is a show of the beauty of Hammondsport, NY, the 2012 coolest town in the United States.
We are only minutes from some of New York's best wineries, the Windmill and a picturesque town. The fireman's field has electric and a very nice recreation building. Fall foliage could be at its peak.
We scheduled the meeting for Friday night so you have all Saturday to sight see.
Check out the link above or click below -

October Rally Information

We hope to see you there.

September Rally Highlights

Our September rally brought the return to the fireman's field in East Aurora. Reed, Ann, Dick, Celine, and Harold provided a venue with great food and lots of fun.

Celine, Delores, Reed prep breakfast

Does it hurt?

Saturday morning breakfast included oatmeal, fruit, bagels and English muffins. Also, Saturday, East Aurora closed Main Street and set up vendor tents making specialty foods. Main Street is highlighted by Vidler's old fashioned 5 and 10 - an opportunity for impulse buying. Fisher Price and their outlet store is walking distance from where we camped.
Saturday night, we barbequed steaks in the fireman's recreational building - INDOOR BARBEQUE and our hosts provided the side dishes.

The highlight of the weekend may have been the Saturday entertainment - Dick Moses' nephew, Michael Joseph who put on a great magic show. Sitting less than 10 feet away, we could not see how he did his illusions.
Sunday was highlighted by breakfast. By 11, we were on our way.
THANK YOU Reed, Ann, Dick, Celine, and Harold.

You may view pictures full screen by clicking on an image.

Recipes

Many of our members create some delightful foods. Last weekend, Barb Burgmaster made a butterscotch cake that generated rave reviews and requests for the recipe.

So, we have created a tab above for "Recipes".  Check it out.

Susquenango Labor Day Rally

Walt Linden provided some pictures from the Labor Day Rally where they had a very funny "shot gun" wedding.

A larger view of a picture can be seen by clicking on it

Northeast Araa Organizational Meeting

The Northeast Area is planning an organizational meeting for the 2014 NEAR. If you are interested in helping, let me or Tom Ziobrowski know. Sharon and I are thinking of attending the meeting. 
Foliage in early October should be great.
--

Hi all, to those new people with interest & those have volunteered at the Northeast Area in past years, that have already spoken to me with interest tohelp or my want to next,

How is the weekend of October 4^th which is a Friday to Sunday October 6^th in Lake George (Warrensburg) for an organizational meeting a possibility?  If all would be interested. I have negotiated a rate from around $40.00/night to $25.00/ night which is the camping fee, which would will be covered by the NEA for board members. You can drive by car just for Saturday if you wish, and get paid mileage if you do that, (board members) . We just cannot afford to pay both ends with the financial status we are in, sorry everybody. But also it is Warrensburg World’ Largest Garage Sale Weekend which is a Kewl event. Just a thought to think over. It can be business first then pleasure after things get put in order.

I plan on using some that worked last year on committees and offered to do it again next year.

A craft program was suggested already with a couple interested in running that. A model railroad display as their are 2 people one out of state that has a contact, and one here in are local chapter who could be asked to do something along this line, if interested.

The golf obstacle course was also suggested again.

We can use use the Lions club whom we have a wonderful relationship with now for publicity, and assistance.

I will forward this along to others that have already voiced an interest to help next year. Those will have to pay their own way, I am very sorry as we are in a situation that we cannot cover something for everyone,  but Saturdays breakfast will be covered for all. This gives everyone time to make plans and think it over, and if possible join in.

This would be held @ The Lake George Escape Resort Exit 23 of the Adirondack Nothway, about 1mile from the exit. The corporate headquarters in Florida, along with the Escape and Alpine Lake Resort, ELS & Thousand Trails were a big supporter of our Rally last year. This is for full hook-ups also, and we can use the lodge hall upstairs for are meeting, A couple of hours just for the board, then maybe right after lunch, all others if they come for general table discussion and committee set ups.

We could do a Saturday morning only breakfast as I have a commercial grill that we can set up, and just do eggs, sausage, pancakes,, juice, keep it easy & simple, cheap,  ?????

The following week I have to be in Cinn. And I know they will be looking for a report.

Everyone please send me your thoughts on this, I have checked 2 other places, cost is more, poor meeting room, location is not central.

Send to:  Tom Ziobrowski, NEAFMC
                23 Main St.
                Rexford, NY.  12148
Or Email: Z8iggy@aol.com

Respectfully,

Tom

September Rally

The Johnson's, Moses and Harold have planned a great weekend for our September Rally (13th-15th) at the East Aurora Fireman's field.
All the information about the rally is in the newsletter and the web site; but, for those of you interested in printing the information about the rally here, we have created 3 sections on the Rally page.
You may click on-

• "Schedule" to view it full screen
• "Directions" to view them full screen
• "Reservation" form to be full screen.

They may then be printed by -

• "Right Click" on the image
• Choose "View Image" which show it full screen.
• Hold down "Ctrl" and then "p". This will bring up the print screen.
• Choose "print" to get a print of the page.

August Rally Highlights

Our August rally traveled to Walt and Beryl Linden's country reserve to celebrate the annual Avon, NY Corn Festival. Walt spent the past year clearing his yard to fit the 14 coaches that showed up for the rally. We resurrected the Fingerlaker tent and drum barbeques to facilitate some great ideas. We had bats, rain, sun, camp fires, good food and games.
We presented those present a survey to help determine where

Fingerlakers might want to go in the future.
More information is in the newsletter.
A larger view of pictures is available by clicking on one.

NEA News from Tom Ziobrowski

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

Tom's 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 let’s say.

Tom

Why Seniors need newspapers

I was visiting my grandson last night when I asked if I could borrow a newspaper.

"This is the 21st century, Pop," he said. "I don't waste money on newspapers. Here, use my iPad."

I can tell you this...

That fly never knew what hit him......

Northeast Area President Nominee

Dear National Directors:

Subject: National Vice President Election-Northeast Area Special Election

(Term:September 2013-summer 2015)

The following member has been nominated for the position of National Vice President representing the Northeast Area. In accordance with Article XVI paragraph (4) of FMCA's Bylaws, "The Area Vice

President, who also serves as the area association president, shall preside at area association

meetings and/or conduct issue forums at FMCA conventions, and serve on FMCA's Executive Board."

Thomas M. Ziobrowski, F173943

Enclosed, please find a resume for the above candidate along with a ballot. The final postmarked date for returning this ballot to FMCA’s certified public accountant is August 22, 2013, and the ballots will be tabulated on September 3, 2013.

Sincerely,

FAMILY MOTOR COACH ASSOCIATION

Note from Tom Ziobrowski

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

Tom's email: 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 let’s say.

Tom

August Rally

Check out our tab above for the August Rally in Linden's back yard. Walt and Beryl have planned a fun weekend centered around the Avon Corn festival. The streets of Avon are closed for a craft fair in town.
Good food, dry camping and more.
Hope to see you there.

July Get together

Our "rally" in July was short - lunch at the Golden Corral in Henrietta. 17 of us had a nice meal at one of the newest Golden Corrals.

Click on a picture to enlarge

Talking to the manager, we learned the restaurant had been averaging 3300 customers per day since it opened early June. It had slowed to about 1800 the day we were there.
Our daughter ate there one night and they ran out of plates.
There are plans for 5 or 6 more in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Watertown under this franchise.
"SNATTA" rally, but enjoyed seeing everyone.

Note from Tom Ziobrowski

Tom has talked to many folks trying to see what the interest is in the Northeast Area of FMCA. Below is a note from him summarizing his thoughts. (Tom Roule)
---------------
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

July Get Together

We are not having a rally in July. However, we are planning a lunch get together. It's at the Golden Corral in Henrietta, NY, July 16th at 1:00 pm.
While not mandatory, please let me know if you are coming. If the group is large enough, I will try and get a room.
Check our "July Rally" tab above for more information.
By the way, their wings are pretty good, too !!!!

Governing Board Report

Russ Taylor has submitted the following report from the FMCA International in Gillette, WY.

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

Report from FMCA Governing Board Meeting.

Wednesday 6/19/2013 the Governing Board voted to elect the following:

President: Charlie Adcock, F311374

Senior Vice President: Jon Walker, F268778

Secretary: Vicky Ferrari, F369332

Treasurer: Percy Bell, F371754

Other items of interest:

This years convention will probably finish in the black.

No monies have been withdrawn from the investments since Nov.2011.

Staff in Cincinnati have not had a pay increase for 7 years, 401K match has been discontinued and staff has been reduced by almost half. Morale is low, and they recently lost a 12 year employee.

"The Rally"

Destiny Mall

Mall Parking lot

Good Sam names their bi-annual rally as "The Rally". The summer rally this year was in Syracuse. About a dozen Fingerlakers decided to attend with Johnson's and Moses volunteering and staying for the whole week. (Dan and Carol Begy worked the Adventure Caravan booth, and Sprouts worked the Jekyl Island booth). As seems to be the case lately, the weather decided to make it's presence known - monsoons mid-week, flooding much of the infield of the NY State fairgrounds.  Those of us arriving Thursday ended up self-parking at Destiny Mall - about 500 rigs, I guess. Good Sam did a pretty good job of making the best of the situation. Friday, the weather improved and we began to dry out. Some folks were thinking of planting flowers around their units and leaving.

Camping World gave away $10,000 in door prizes

Reba

There were about 2500 campers, lots of vendors, RV's and food. Camping World.- which is no surprise - was will represented.
Friday night entertainment was a highlighted by Wayne Newton and his band. At 71, his voice is lost a little smoothness, but he put on a very entertaining 1 1/2 hour show.
Saturday night entertainment was headlined by Reba McEntire who put on a fantastic performance.
All in all - it was a good time.

You may view a larger image by clicking on it.

Fingerlaker Travels

Report from Walt Linden:
Ed and Sandy Miller, John and Sandy Wihlen along with other friends from our chapter are attending the Newmar International Rally in DuQuion,IL. They were riding a tram when it broke lose from the tow vehicle. It came to rest just feet from a lake and almost rolled over. Several riders on the tram were hurt.
Sandy Miller was taken to the local hospital and checked for head injuries and bruises.
She appears to be fine at this time.
There has been a Bev Brown sighting. Got this from her:
... We are out west and going to Gillette for the rally.

June Rally Highlights

Wes, Millie and Janet make breakfast

With the Fourth of July coming up, it seemed appropriate that our June rally have some excitement. Wes Barager and Janet Gunkler supplied that this past weekend. With the second rally in a row making us wonder if we need an ark or a motor home, Wayne County had over 2 inches of rain between Wednesday and Saturday.

Dick rests his tired shovel

Those who came Thursday found out how metal buildings sound in heavy rain. Friday the rain reduced to drizzle and the rest of the 13 campers arrived. We then headed to the DEPOT Restaurant in Shortsville for a nice dinner. Good food was a highlight of the weekend as Saturday breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes prepared by Wes and Janet was followed by a meat loaf dinner prepared by the Palmyra Grange. Sunday was a continental breakfast.
Palmyra is a historic NY seaport on the "old" Eric Canal with several museums. Those of us who visited them were treated to a extremely informative several hour tour. Others visited the casino in Farmington.

Big Tow Truck !!

Sunday brought sunshine and the challenge of getting out of the fairgrounds. Most faired well, but the Moses had a little more work when they got stuck in the mud at the dump station.
After being towed out, they headed to Syracuse with the Johnson's for the Good Sam Rally.
Nice weekend Janet and Wes!

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

Wes Barager and Janet Gunkler have completed plans for the June rally in Palmyra. They are under a tab at the top of the blog or you can click on the link below.

June Rally 

Deadline is June 1st.
We look forward to seeing you there.

May, 2013 Rally highlights

Our first official event of 2013 was at Elkdale Campground outside Salamanca, NY. This is a good location with a nice clubhouse when May weather can be 70’s and sunny or 40’s and rain. This year, the latter was closer.

Wes Makes muffinless McEggs

Wes Barager, Russ and Dorothy Taylor and Dick and Mary Randall headed quartered the great weekend at Elkdale while Janet Gunkler prepared the Saturday night dinner ("Walk Around Tacos") at home before the rally even though she was at a wedding. 

Friday night most of us had a nice dinner at Elkdale Country Club followed by an ice cream social.

Saturday morning breakfast were dishes prepared our attendees.

Saturday rain showers let up enough for folks to go sight seeing. In the heart of ski resort country, there are beautiful homes, a railroad museum and a casino. A few of us hung around the campground clubhouse making up stories.

Sunday breakfast was a continental breakfast.  This team of hosts has been together for 5 years doing the May rally. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU !

Next month our June rally moves to Palmyra Fair Grounds with Wes and Janet Wagon Masters again. This time, they will be assisted by the Sprouts and Burgmasters. More soon.

Remember, you may see a larger view of a picture by clicking on it.

Alternative camper

Leonardo Dicaprio has a nice "little (53 feet)" trailer he uses during movie shoots. Below is a brief video of it. We've seen a number of these trailer conversions when traveling, but his may be among the nicest.
Just click on the link.

Leo Dicaprios home on wheels

State of affairs 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