FMCA Store in 2017 NEAR

Hi folks, 
We agreed to staff the FMCA store next August at NEAR. Also, the Niagara Frontier Travelers have agreed to help.
As you can see from Tom Ziobrowski's note below, we are still early in the process.

=======================

Hi Tom (R),

I will have full details about the store when I go to the March meeting. It will be done with the POT portable operating scanner like in Vermont, and if people do not pay with a credit card our treasurer Jim Sennett will make sure you have cash to work with.

Yes they ship the items in, inventory needs to be done, and I sure Connie will help with set up if you wish, she has done this in the past. Also items not sold need to be packed up and they send return labels for this, UPS needs to be called for pick up.

If you are unfamiliar with the POT it does come with instructions and maybe I can bring them back with for your review. Also we may be able to get some help from John McCormick's chapter who has used the system.

National usually puts items together for shipment to us based on past sales, but you can order sizes etc. based on your feelings what you want.

Feel free to call national yourself as well, to get early input as you wish, they will be more than happy to assist you.

I will keep you posted,

Respectfully,

Tom Z

NEA FMCA

October Rally Highlights

Bean Bag and Washer Toss

Our October rally returned to Cambria, NY and their fireman's field. Treasurer, Harold Wollaber, long standing officer with the fire department arranged for the facilities.

Many of the 10 families arrived on Thursday and the officers supplied hot dogs, chips, beans and other "goodies". A camp fire followed.

6 foot Putt

Marshmellow shoot

Besides Thursday dinner, the chapter supplied breakfast Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For your information, the total cost to the chapter was $95. 
Friday and Saturday nights were spent at local restaurants.

• During our meeting, all officers were reelected
•  We decided to move the officers meet to September 8-11, 2017. This may give some folks who head south and past members a chance to visit. It will also be the 45th anniversary celebration.
• We decided to support the FMCA Store during the Northeast Area Rally next August.
• Complete notes will be in the newsletter.



CHRIS entertained us with a variety of music

• Saturday morning, after our meeting, we tried our hands at the "First Fingerlakers Pentathlon". The event was won by Ken Eggleston.

Cards were the order of the afternoon.

"Euchre" and "Hand and Foot"

After dinner, during our ice cream social we were entertained by "CHRIS", a local musician. He plays the organ and provided an eclectic variety of classical, modern classics, "game" music and his own compositions. It was an hour of good music.

We hope to have him back.

Thanks for all your help.

Any picture can be viewed full screen by clicking on it.

Happy Halloween

New Jersey Fuel Taxes

For those heading to or through New Jersey, Gas Buddy reports taxes go up 23 cents per gallon on November 1st.

Medicare Supplemental Insursance

As many of you know, Medicare covers 80% medical expenses of folks over 65. The rest is covered by a supplemental plan through private carriers. We use MVP in western NY.
I've read that many insurers are loosing money under "Affordable Heath Care" and are dropping coverage.
TODAY, WE GOT THE LOVE LETTER FROM MVP. THEY NO LONGER WILL OFFER OUR SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE in western New York.
It's the time of year to renew your insurance. Read letters from your supplemental carrier carefully. You may be doing what we are-searching for an alternative.
Good luck
----------------------------
Update - 10/20/16
MVP has replaced our plan with one that cost $50 more per month

October Officers Meet

Marsh mellow Shooting Weapon

As  we traditionally do, the officers are putting on the rally in October.  The chapter is paying for breakfasts and dinner Friday (with members supplying a side dish).
There are 2 tabs above with details about the rally.
Hopefully, you are training for the "senior Olympics". The events are:

1. Ladder ball
2. Putting (I have a green)
3. Washer toss
4. Bean Bag toss
5. Marsh mellow shooting

All participants will get their own mouthpiece.

September Rally with Pen-NY Mixers

We do not have a rally scheduled. However, the Pen-NY Mixers have invited us to participate in their rally in Elmira, NY at the airport. Dates are September 23-25th.
At tab above shows the details.
Thank you, Sherry Miller for inviting us.

August Rally highlights

Harold Tends Fire

Returning from West Springfield brought us to Linden’s paradise for the August Rally. 14 of us attended, including Jim and Sherry Miller from the Pen-NY Mixers and Weibels from Calico Sams. Dick and Mary Randall visited us on Saturday.

Walt spends countless hours keeping up his 6 acres. There are walking trails, old farm implements and many places to park. Our chapter tent enables us to use a venue like the Linden's, Harborfest and others.

Countryside Restaurant

Thursday and Friday brought us to local restaurants. A full breakfast was served on Sunday with Wes and Janet making pancakes, Don Parks and Sharon making and serving scrambled eggs and we had sausage.

Saturday dinner was self-grilled steak or 1/2 chicken, cooler corn and salt potatoes. 

Sunset

 Showers rained out the campfire.

Welcome to Bill and Rhonda Quade who joined in West Springfield.

Southeast Area Rally - February, 2017

Southeast Area Rally

• Feb. 2 to 5, 2017
• SUN 'n FUN Expo Campus
• Lakeland Linder Regional Airport
• Lakeland, Florida

Fingerlakers at West Springfield

John Serves at now famous ice cream
social

As you know, a goal of Charlie Adcock (FMCA President) was to have a rally in the North East.

Our party Friday night

Once solidified to be in West Springfield, MA, Tom Ziobrowski (NEA President) tried very hard to involve our chapter. We were asked to man the FMCA Store. Thanks to all of you below, the tables were pretty clean by Saturday. We were asked to be responsible for helping members in the FMCA Store.  Our members also helped in other areas. Below is a summary of what I know where you helped, but I may have missed some of your contributions.

• Jim and Nancy Anten - Information
• Richard Marvin - National Technical Advisory committee
• John Pangburn - Ice Cream
• Antens, Lindens, Sharon and Linden's - Governing Board

The following pitched in to work in the booth:
Jim & Nancy Anten, Dan & Carol Begy, Barb & Ken Eggleston, Lois & Richard Marvin, John & Joan Pangburn, Alice & Fred Sprout, Craig & Sharon Sylvester, Russ & Dorothy Taylor, Harold Wollaber, Sharon Roule.

WELL DONE!

Any picture may be viewed full frame by clicking on it.

2016 Govering Board Summary from John Pangburn

Thanks to John Pangburn, below are the highlights from the the Governing Board Meeting at the FMCA International in West Springfield, MA. More posts will follow.

------

The 2016 Governing Board meeting was called to order promptly at 9am by President Adcock. The usual housekeeping items, standing rules and assignment of various duties was completed and we were soon down to the business at hand. the treasurers report and standing committee reports were concise and to the point. I am pleased to tell you this is the first Gov.,Board meeting I have attended where the topic instead of doom and gloom reported positive gains in membership over loss. FMCA has shown positive numbers all of 2016 with the exception of Feb. 25% of the attendees aththis convention were new first time members. When Charlie Adcock became president the tone at that meeting was that when our reserves dropped to 3 million we would shut down as it would cost that much to close the doors. Our reserves today are just under 8 million. The youth activities committee requests we get more children and grandchildren involved. The youth that are here are kept on a busy schedule and here at the convention appear to be having a very good time.FMCA at the recommendation MCA our management advisory group had partnered with RVillage as social media group. The thinking was that that way to attract new members from the 50 and up group this is how to contact them best. There was a lot of discussion that the cost at $250,000 was excessive. The overall feeling of the gb was however positive. I think we all know even if we don't use it, the internet and social meida groups are here to stay and the younger people use them more than any other way to communicate. There is a dues increase coming effective Oct 1 2016. It is possible to renew for up to 5 years at the old rate up until then. Joan and I plan to do just that and advice all in our chapter to do the same. 

That is the general information from the meeting. I will, Lord willing, be a the Oct rally and bring my booklet if anyong would like to see the agenda, reports and my notes. 

John Pangburn, Fingerlakers Nat. director

July, 2016 Rally highlights

Our Hot Dog Chefs

Hand and Foot?

Our July rally took us to Rose, NY where we had 8 member coaches attend. Linden’s only visited Saturday because their coach broke a radiator hose on the way to the rally. They are waiting the diagnosis.

 

.

John and Joan Pangburn and Fred and Alice Sprout put together a great weekend. Rose is just a few miles from Sodus Bay and the Sodus Light houses which have American history dating back to the Revolutionary War. Alice and Fred have lived in the area for over 50 years and being former teachers –  are a wealth of historical information.

We arrived a little late on Friday, only to be greeted by a brief “gully wash”. Our campground is an old school that has been converted to community center. We had limited 20 amp electric as well as use of some to the school if weather dictated it. Other than a few showers, the weather was perfect.

The shower only lasted a little while and the committee made hots, beans and salads for dinner.

Sodus lighthouse

That was followed by games, ice cream and catching up on recent events.

Saturday breakfast was put on by the church where you had a choice of full complement of eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, pancakes and more. Following our meeting, we had the day to ourselves --- until dinner. Spaghetti, meatballs, sausage and Alice’s secret sauce.

 

More ice cream, games and chat followed.

We finished our weekend with a continental breakfast and another shower. All the folks and the shower was gone by 10:30 am.

Thank you John, Joan, Fred and Alice for a great time and we hope we can return soon.

Latest from the NEA Executive Board

Message from NEA Executive Board

Please share this email with your chapter members ASAP.  It is vital that these emails be passed on to your chapters in a timely manner to let them know what is happening in your Area.   They also contain a great deal of information regarding the upcoming 94^th Family Reunion being held in West Springfield MA – August 3-6, 2016. 
Thank you for your cooperation.
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SAD NEWS TO REPORT:
We were notified by home office on June 27 that Jim Smith, passed away at his home in New Port Richey, Florida.  Jim was our Northeast Area Vice President from 1987-1992.  He served on the FMCA Review Council 1985-1986 and again from 1992-1996, serving as Chairman in 1992.  He also served on the Membership/Member Services Committee from 1987-1992.
The NEA Executive Board sends their condolences to the Smith family at this time.  We also ask that all NEA Chapters and their members keep the Smith family in your thoughts and prayers.
*****************************************************************************************
AREA CAUCUSES & GATHERINGS IN MA:
Below are the dates/times & locations for the Area Caucuses and Area Gatherings to be held in MA.  Please try to attend if at all possible.  OUR ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS WILL TAKE PLACE AT OUR AREA GATHERING TO BE HELD ON SAT. AUGUST 6, 3:00 – 4:00 P.M., MALLORY BUILDING, SEMINAR ROOM #3.
Caucuses – Monday, August 1
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.              INTO Area – Seminar 8
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              NORTHEAST AREA – SEMINAR 3
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              Northwest Area – Seminar 4
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              Western Area – Seminar 6
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              Eastern Area – Seminar 8
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              Midwest Area – Seminar 9
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              Great Lakes Area – Seminar 10
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              South East Area – Seminar 11
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              South Central – Seminar 12
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              Rocky Mountain – Seminar 13
Area Gatherings – Saturday, August 6
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.              INTO Area – Seminar 8
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.              South East Area – Seminar 1
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.              Great Lakes Area – Seminar 2
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              NORTHEAST AREA – SEMINAR 3 (ANNUAL MEETING)
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.              Northwest Area – Seminar 4
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.              Western Area – Seminar 6
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.              Eastern Area – Seminar 8
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.              Midwest Area – Seminar 9
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.              South Central – Seminar 12
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.              Rocky Mountain – Seminar 13
The National Director and the Chapter President from each Chapter (in the absence of the National Director the Alternate National Director will act as the National Director) have voting rights at the Annual Meeting.  If your Chapter is going to be represented by a Temporary Delegate a written notice must be given to the NEA Secretary, Donna Merlino by end of day Thurs., August 4 with the name(s) of your Temporary Delegate(s) that will be attending the Annual Meeting to be held on Sat., August 6.  This written notice must be signed by the Chapter’s President to be valid.  Although, Donna would appreciate notice be given sooner rather than later by contacting her via email at neafmcasecretary@gmail.com or by phone at (h) 607-627-7009 or (c) 607-316-3784.
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NEA NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT:
July 1, 2016
Dear Members of the Northeast Area:
The following is the report from the Northeast Area Nominating Committee:
2016 PROPOSED SLATE OF OFFICERS:
These positions are open for re-election at the Annual Meeting, August 6, 2016 for a 2 year term:
All positions are running unopposed at this time but nominations from the floor will be accepted during the Annual Meeting.

• Senior Vice President:   Lou Snow
• Secretary:                      Donna Merlino
• Treasurer:                      James Sennett
• Vice President:               Don Osterhout
• Vice President:               Harley Soulia

If you or someone you know is interested in one of the positions, please notify Tom Roule, Bob Mills or Harley Soulia by email or phone as soon as possible.
Elections will be held for the President/National Area Vice President position in Syracuse, August, 2017.  Voting Delegates will be notified by mail through the National Home Office.
The following 2 positions will be open for re-election at the Annual Meeting at our Area Rally, August 2017 in Syracuse, NY:
Vice President:                                 David Ellis
Vice President:                                 John Traphagan
Nominating Committee:      

• Tom Roule                   585-739-9074         troule@aol.com
• Bob Mills                      813-395-3679        fourwindsbob@gmail.com
• Harley Soulia               802-236-7881         hsoulia@aol.com

If you or someone you know is interested in one of the positions, please notify Tom Roule, Bob Mills or Harley Soulia by email or phone as soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Roule, Nominating Committee Chairman
***************************************************************************************
CHAPTER NEWS - COACHES FOR CHRIST:
For those of you that were members of the Chapter, Coaches for Christ (which became inactive recently), our new FMCA National Chaplain, Rev. Jim W. Hollis and his wife will be holding two inspiring Devotional gatherings and an Interdenominational Worship Celebration at West Springfield.
Time and place for these events are:
>>Thursday and Friday Devotional Gatherings - 5:00 p.m. - Seminar Room #10
>>Saturday Celebration of Worship (interdenominational) - 8:00 a.m. - Seminar Room #8
Rev. Hollis is hoping to launch a new FMCA Chapter of Coaches for Christ during this Rally together. Everyone is welcome.  They look forward to seeing you, your family and others in your group for these encouraging experiences!  So please support Rev. Hollis and his wife by joining them at one of these events.
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RALLY REGISTRATION – FREE RAFFLE DRAWING:
This last fall and early spring our Area Vice President, Tom Ziobrowski and his wife Connie worked many hours at various different RV Shows throughout the Northeast promoting FMCA, the NEA and the 94^th Reunion at West Springfield.  During those shows 100s of names were gathered for a free registration raffle for the BIG E.  The raffle concluded at the last RV Show that was held in Syracuse, NY at the NYS Fair Grounds in March.  We are happy to announce that the Raffle was awarded at Perry GA to:

Roger & Sue Caiazza
Liverpool, NY

Bouchville Pre-Rally to FMCA International

Walt and Beryl Linden has scheduled a pre-Rally in Bauchville, NY before the 94th International.

Click on the "Bauchville" tab above for more information.

August Rally

Walt and Beryl Linden has scheduled a rally on their estate in Avon, NY.

Click on the "Avon" tab above for more information.

July, 2016

The July rally is all set.
Click on the July, 2016 tab above to see the plans.
Information will be in the newsletter, too.

July, 2016 Rally

John and Joan Pangburn have been working on a rally in July for 6 months. It looks like things are coming together. Right now it's planned for Rose, NY July 8-10. Fred and Alice Sprout will be helping.
John will be giving us more details soon.

Keep checking the blog and the newsletter will be out soon.

May, 2016 Rally Highlights

Once again, Wes and Janet Barager pulled us together for a great first rally of the season. We returned to

Allegany State Park

Elkdale Campground. We had 10 member coaches attend.
In spite of a couple glitches, including a "pollen storm" (some thought it was snow), everything came off well.
Thursday, early arrivals went to the Coach Inn for dinner to check it out for Saturday. The owner, Don, does everything from food purchase, planning to cooking. The food was excellent as well as unique. Our hosts decided we should come back on Saturday.
There are many things to see and do in the area - including Allegany State Park (New York's largest), a casino, railroad museum and many Amish food and craft stores. Free time gave us a chance to see these.

Friday dinner was at our traditional venue at the Elkdale Country Club. This was followed by ice cream put on by our hosts.
Saturday, Wes and Janet prepared breakfast which was followed by a meeting. Linden's and Worden's joined us  on their way to the casino..

Weather was typical for the time of the year but many visited the sights. Afterwards many of us then returned to the Coach Inn for another great dinner.

My comment: This is a great place, food above average at a reasonable price, but I wonder if it will be there the next time. We were the only customers --- on a SATURDAY night.

Many returned to the campground for an 'ice cream social".
Sunday we were greeted by some kind of "white stuff". We then finished the weekend with a nice continental donuts and rolls fare.

Thank you, Wes and Janet

Note from Tom Ziobrowski

We received this note from Tom Ziobrowski, Northeast Area President the other day. It references your help at the FMCA booth during at the 94th International in West Springfield. 

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

Good Morning,

Thank you and the Chapter so much. I cannot convey my whole heart feeling enough to everyone.

This will show National that the Northeast is strong and sticks together as an Area when the task at hand is bought forth.

With all that had been going on, this is just outstanding.

Remember if those that can, just show up at the ice cream social and see if your assistance just in getting the ice cream served.

Respectfully,

Tom Z

NEA FMCA

Burgmasters Motor home

Dan and Barb Burgmaster have decided to sell their motor home.
It's a Four Winds 33k Diesel.

Details are on the "RV's for sale" tab above.

94th FMCA International help

We have the following note from Tom Ziobrowski, Northeast Area President. 
Please remember, Fingerlakers have been asked to help with the FMCA booth.

• Our role is to support FMCA National. We should not need to handle money. We will be answering questions.
• There will be a meeting about 5:00 pm on either Tuesday or Wednesday to lay out assignments.
• We will be supporting the booth from 9 am to 5 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday,(August 3-5).
• We will need 4 folks each shift.
• In an ideal world, 2 hour shifts would be physically easiest for a volunteer. So, we would need 16 volunteers each day. Then, we will need to fill 48 shifts. If everyone could do 2 x 2 hour shifts, we need 24 helpers.
• Currently, we have commitments (verbal or email) from 10 families about 20 folks:

Others have indicated they may help, too.

Please let me know if you sign up and want to help.

-------------------Tom's note below--------------------------------

Now the Perry Georgia Convention is over and Easter is over, hope you will all consider in doing some type of volunteering in Springfield Mass come August.

I cannot express my feeling for everyone that can to please show the strength the Northeast Area has as a TEAM of Chapters.

Send your information to Bob Mills, one of your Northeast VP's who is in charge of the volunteers at Springfield.
You will find the information in the April edition of the FMCA magazine. It's best to call your registration in ASAP.

Bob's email: Fourwindsbob@gmail.com
Cell: 813-395-3679

Please email or call him ASAP, he will need your name, a cell number if you have one, and address, as I want to personally acknowledge everyone with a token of appreciation that comes and supports this convention. It may be years before the Northeast Area ever see's another one. Come, volunteer a little, and have fun with all your camping friends.

Respectfully,

Thomas M. Ziobrowski
President & National VP for the Northeast Area of FMCA 

May 2016 Rally Update

Our May, 2016 Rally has been arranged by Wes and Janet Barager. We are going to Elkdale Campground outside Salamanca, NY.

Elkdale RV Resort. 

4768 Route 353 

Salamanca, NY 14779 

716-938-6136 

Web site: elkdalervresort.com

There is a casino, golf, Amish cheese stores, Allegany State Park as well as other things.
Mostly a chance to get together.
There are 2 tabs above with application and more information.

Preliminary Plans for Fingerlakers Volunteers at the 94th International

Fingerlakers' chance to help at the 94^th International Rally

Bob Mills, NEA volunteer coordinator has updated us with plans to help with the FMCA booth in West Springfield, MA. Below is what I currently know.

• Our role is to support FMCA National. We should not need to handle money. We will be answering questions.
• There will be a meeting about 5:00 pm on either Tuesday or Wednesday to lay out assignments.
• We will be supporting the booth from 9 am to 5 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday,(August 3-5).
• We will need 4 folks each shift.
• In an ideal world, 2 hour shifts would be physically easiest for a volunteer. So, we would need 16 volunteers each day. Then, we will need to fill 48 shifts. If everyone could do 2 x 2 hour shifts, we need 24 helpers.
• Currently, we have commitments (verbal or email) from about 12 folks:

Some other information you may need.

• We will be able to arrive in Monday, August 1^st.
• FMCA national organization will set up the booth.
• We will be working on a plan to caravan, if there is interest.

We need at least 12 more to fill all the shifts. Don't worry that we will have too many, that just means less work for each person and Bob Mills is looking for help in other areas.

If you feel like helping, please contact:

Tom Roule

email: troule@aol.com

phone: 585-739-9074

or

Bob Mills, VP Northeast Area

email: fourwindsbob@gmail.com

phone: 813-395-3679

Walt Linden's Update from the 93rd International

Below are a few highlights from Walt Linden after the 93rd FMCA International in Perry, GA

• Rally went well. 
• Weather was great. 
• Entertainment was good.
• 2601 coaches. 2126 Family and 415 commercial.
• Lots of venders
• Attending - Ed and Sandy Miller, Jim and Nancy Anten, Walt and Beryl Linden, Harold Wollaber, John and Sandy Wihlen, Bev Brown, Tom and Joanne Fadele,

Some of our members remember Jean Pryor and Helen Kurthy were also there. There were probably others we missed

News

A couple news notes:
I received the following from John Pangburn:
.....just read from 2 days ago Jerry Yeatts (Executive Director, FMCA) has resigned.  There is no other info except an search committee has been formed to find a replacement.

Jean Pryor reported at the February Florida get together:
The 2017 Southeast Area FMCA rally will be at the Orange County Fairgrounds, Orlando.

Fegruary, Florida Get together highligts

On February 13^th, we had 60 folks visit the Golden Corral in Clermont, FL. They came from Pen-NY Mixers, Fingerlakers and former NY members now in Florida as well as guests. 

Former president of the Northeast Area, Jean Pryor also joined.

Many arrived before 1 pm and stayed past 3. There were lots of stories and the food was great.

Clicking on an image will allow you to view it full screen.

Volunteer Update From the 94th International

We received the following note from Bob Mills, chairman of the volunteers for the 94th International in West Springfield.

We have been asked to help with the FMCA Booth. About 20 folks are needed. If you are interested, please let Bob or I know. We will need about 20 folks. Register early, as there are only 1500 sites in the BIG E. There are plenty of others nearby.

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

The registration form for the 2016 Summer Convention in West Springfield, Massachusetts is now available on www.fmca.com. You may also print & complete the attached pdf registration form.

Please urge all of your volunteers to register early since the first approximately 1500 registrants will be parked on the site of the event while latecomers may be parked at a satellite location.

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

I will also be attending the event in Perry Georgia, March  17-20 and expect to gather much more information about West Springfield at that time, such as exact date of arrival for various volunteer groups etc.

Bob Mills F273086

Overall Volunteer Captain

FMCA 94th Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase

August 3rd through 6th, 2016

West Springfield MA

fourwindsbob@gmail.com

813-395-3679

FMCA International first ad