the central region view

Volume 4
Issue 2
THE CENTRAL REGION VIEW
NAARVA – Central Region
Akron Adventurers
Kamping Club
Colorado Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Michigan Minnesota
Missouri Montana Nebraska North Dakota Ohio South Dakota Wisconsin
Wyoming
Buckeye Explorers
From Your Director’s Corner
My lead-in article will be short because I wanted to ensure that
you take the time to read the other articles in this newsletter.
So, to be brief let me say that 2014 was again a very busy year
for the region. We began the year developing the preliminary
plans for the regional rally. Many conference calls ensued to
ensure that the rally offered those events/ activities that some
of you have identified that you wanted. Now, having written
that, we do know that the events/ activities you wanted several
years ago, may not be what you want going forward. So, be sure
to share with your Charter President what you would like to see
offered at the regional rallies.
Ebony Dream
Makers
Free Rollers Camping
Club
Indiana Soul Journers
Inter-State Nomads
Kentuckiana RVers
Lake Erie Travelers
MO-KAN Roadrunners
Northwest
Sunseekers
Ohio Buckeye Road
Runners
Rocky Mountain RV
Rollers
As announced at both the Central Region and
NAARVA National rallies, the 2015 Central
Region rally is scheduled to be held at the
Beech Bend RV Park and Campgrounds
located in Bowling Green, Kentucky from June
7 thru 14. This location offers many exciting
tours and events that should appeal to most.
So, be sure and open your registration packet
as soon as it arrives, so you won’t miss out on
the limited tours.
First, let me wish each and every one of you a
joyous and safe holiday. Lastly, please take
the time to share articles that others in the
region might find interesting about your club,
family, etc.
Here’s wishing you a safe, fun-filled and
wonderful 2015!
Sankofa Camping Club
Steel City Cruisers
Weekenders Camping
Club
Windy City Travelers
Carolyn
2014 Central Region Rally
The temperature during the first of June during
the rally showcased the many flowers planted
throughout the village of Amana, the site of the
2014 Central Region Rally.
Amana is one of
seven villages of the Amana Colonies located in
Central Iowa. The seven villages afforded visitors
the opportunity to step back from today’s busy
pace, to relish in the comfort of locally crafted
foods, furniture, art and more. The Colonies offer
a unique history and culture found nowhere else
in the world. A lot of the rally attendees strolled
the streets of Amana to marvel at the many
shops and scenes along the main street. This also
allowed them an opportunity to determine if they
were a recipient
Inside this Issue
From Your Director’s Corner
of the many drawings conducted by the local merchants. Many people walked away with gifts to be
treasured once they got back home.
2014 Central Region Rally
2014-2016 Central
Region Officers
RV Travel Security 101
Highlight Club
Akron Adventurers Kamping
Club
The choir from the Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa along with
their minister joined us on Sunday night to provide an excellent start to the rally. Reverend Damian
Epps joined us again on Sunday morning to lead us in the worship services and asked for travel mercies
for all of us.
Many of the rally attendees also found time to tour several of the wineries located in Amana. These
wineries offer a unique blend of wine with the dandelion and strawberry wines being a couple of their
more popular wines.
Some of the wine ingredients are also offered in jam or preserves format.
These wineries feature some interesting cheeses and people seemed to enjoy all of their offerings .
Ebony Dream Makers 2014
Texas and Oklahoma, Here We
Come……..
MO\KAN Roadrunners
Our Bucket List Trip
On the Road Again – 2014
Ohio Buckeye Roadrunners
Rocky Mountain RV Rollers
Membership Meeting
Alexis Walker – NAARVA
Scholarship Winner
Sankofa Camping Club
Fall Rally Highlights
One of the optional events at the rally was a visit to the African American Museum of Iowa located in
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The museum’s mission is to preserve, exhibit, and teach the African American
heritage of Iowa since 1994.
It does so by being a resource for African American history and the
appreciation of the variety of contributions of the African American legacy to the cultural life of Iowa.
Another rally highlight was a presentation by Rebecca Bradley, Minority Veteran’s Benefit Coordinator,
from Kansas City, Missouri.
She, along with two Veteran Administration representatives from
Marengo, Iowa discussed in details the various benefits available to veterans and gave an outstanding
overview as to how veterans can and should apply for benefits.
Like many Central Region rallies, there was also an optional dinner that was offered. This year the
Ronneburg restaurant was the site of this authentic German dinner which was enjoyed by more than
fifty people. All meals are served family style and people had the ability to partake of two entrées,
baked steak and broasted chicken. With sides ranging from skillet fried potatoes to their famous
sauerkraut salad.
From The Editor
Thursday morning the rally attendees were treated to an all-you-can-eat pancake
breakfast which was the start of a wonderful day. No Central Region rally would be
complete without the regional feast with the menu this year being food from the various
states. As usual, the clubs within the region put out a “marvelous spread” of food as
illustrated by the New Orleans theme cuisine provided by the Windy City Travelers
below.
Other menus ranged from fried chicken to Asian cuisine with a west coast
theme with a multitude of side dishes. Needless to say, the food was enjoyed by all.
Between these two meals, there was the infamous Beanbag Baseball Tournament. Due
to the many clubs participating, there were multiple rounds with the winner of the
tournament being the Windy City Travelers. Congratulations, WCT for another exciting
and successful round of Beanbag Baseball.
Friday, saw the traditional Red Hat Tea event which was attended by most of the ladies. “High
Tea” was the theme of this year’s event hosted by the Steel City Cruisers. The highlight of this
event was a display of dolls across the world collected by Margaret Hymes. A Michelle Obama
doll was given away as a door prize to Martha Johnson, a member of the Interstate Nomads –
one lucky lady. While the Red Hat Tea event was underway, the gentlemen were under the
pavilion enjoying brats and brew with music provided by the MO\KAN Roadrunners. A special
thanks to the Akron Adventurers for anchoring the registration and parking teams.
Their
assistance and support are greatly appreciated.
And, of course, thanks for all of the other
volunteers who really made this rally a success.
2014 - 2016
Central Region
Elected Officers
Director
Carolyn J. Buford
Assistant Director
Kevin Kneeland
Secretary
Sandra Bryant
Financial Secretary
Pat Walker
Treasurer
Pat Brady
Central Region Director
Carolyn J. Buford
D.
My husband, Luther Buford, and I have been members of NAARVA since 1997 and have attended
fourteen (14) National Rallies and eleven (11) Regional Rallies. We have been active RVers for
over forty years and have thoroughly enjoyed the lifestyle. We are also members of the MO/KAN
Roadrunners, a chartered chapter of NAARVA. In addition, we hold a membership in the Family
Motor Coach Association and are lifetime members of the Good Sam Club.
For over thirty years, I was employed by AT&T in various technical and management positions.
These various positions afforded me the opportunity to provide direction at specific points in time
to over 300 employees while overseeing a budget of over 30+ million dollars. I feel that the skills
I acquired in my previous profession have been beneficial in all of the roles I have had in NAARVA.
Some of my goals for NAARVA-Central Region are:




Continue to promote good communications within the region.
Solicit assistance from the Chapter Presidents to maintain and increase the Central
Region membership.
Represent the region at the National Executive Board meeting to ensure that our
priorities, needs and wants are fully understood and addressed.
Support NAARVA in meeting its business and financial objectives.
Central Region
Assistant Director
Kevin Kneeland
Kevin Kneeland has been on the road with his RV since 2000. He has been a member of NAARVA
since 2001 and a member of the Ebony Dream Makers (Central Region) since 2003. Kevin was
elected as one of the Historians in 2006 and the interim Treasurer of the Ebony Dream Makers in
2007. And in July, 2008, he was elected President, which is the position he currently holds today.
Kevin has been with his current employer for 31-years. He participates in a number of company
initiatives, such as, the Mentoring Program where he has mentored a number of students from
the local high school. He is married to Kay Kneeland and they have three children; Sadika,
Anthony and Kevin, Jr. In addition to RV traveling, another one of his passions is photography
His objective is to continue being a member and strong supporter of NAARVA, the Central Region
and his local chapter. He anticipates retiring in the next few years and plans to do even more RV
traveling.
Central Region
Secretary
Sandra Bryant
Sandra C. Bryant, an RVer for over forty years has been a member of and wagon master for the Ebony Dream Makers RV club since
2003. She was elected to the position of Assistant Financial Secretary of NAARVA in 2011 and 2013.
Professionally, she holds both BA and MS degrees. She was an elementary school teacher and the Assistant Director of Physical
plant at Chicago State University. Her responsibilities at Chicago State included: monitoring department funds, payment of physical
plant purchases, payment of utilities, and plant operations. Her skills in this capacity facilitated her serving as church treasurer for
ten years.
After leaving Chicago State University, Sandra encouraged Preston, her husband of 50 years, to accelerate their travels. They RVed
coast to coast, visiting Canada, Nova Scotia, and Alaska. When not traveling, she participates in a community service association.
While RVing, she is involved in photography, jigsaw puzzles, and crafts.
Sandra also enjoyed developing and editing the Central Region NAARVA Newsletter. She is looking forward to serving the Central
Region as Secretary. Her goal is to support NAARVA in any way possible so that NAARVA maintains its status as the premier AfricanAmerican RV organization.
Central Region
Financial Secretary
Patricia “Pat” Walker
Hello NAARVA Family, My name is, Patricia “Pat” Walker, a member of the Central Region. I am the Financial Secretary for the Central
Region. I have served in this position since 2010. Thank you Central Region for your support. I will continue to do the best job I can do
for our region and NAARVA as a whole. My local chapter is the Rocky Mountain RV Rollers, of Denver, Colorado, where I served as
Recording Secretary from 2009 until September 2014. I did not run for the position this election. I have enjoyed working with
NAARVA, both, the Central and National Regions. I have met and enjoyed working with so many people and I am very happy to call
them “friend”. I now say, “I have friends from coast to coast, and border to border.”
My wish for NAARVA is to continue to grow it’s membership, elect strong leaders and become one of the most cohesive organizations
in America.
I am married to my lifelong partner, James “Dr. Daddio” Walker. A mother of four beautiful children, seven grandchildren and one
great-grand.
I wish God’s blessings on each and every one of you, because he is in the blessing business.
Central Region
Treasurer
Pat Brady
I, Pat Brady have been a member of NAARVA and the Central Region since 1999. I am a member of the Kentuckiana RV’ers. In my
club I have held the position of Secretary and Treasurer of our Benevolent Fund.
My husband Joe and I live in Louisville,KY., and love camping.
I currently hold the position as Treasurer for the Central Region.
RV Travel Security 101
It's easy to let your guard down
sometimes and to forget that
not everybody you encounter is
as honest and law abiding as
you might be.
The following are something to think about to help keep your
guard up and travel safe in your RV.
For one minute, try to think the way a criminal would think. If
you were at a rest stop looking for your next target or victim,
what would you look for? Let's pretend for a moment that
you were going to target a vehicle. Which would be more
appealing, a car whose owner stopped for a quick bathroom
break or an expensive looking Class A motor home, whose
owners are out walking their dogs? I don't have the mind of a
criminal but this is an easy choice. That expensive looking RV
probably has expensive contents inside like, jewelry, cameras,
and a laptop computer.
Okay, we have come to the conclusion that we, the RVers, are
the prime target for the criminal mind, so what can we do to
protect ourselves? That's what this RV security checklist is for;
to give you some ideas on how to protect yourself and you're
personal belongings when you're traveling in your RV.
Don't stay overnight at a
rest stop. Rest stops attract
criminals.
If you stop at a rest stop it should only be for a short break and
then back on the road. Lock the RV and take turns using the
facilities, always leaving someone in or close to the RV. Always be
on the look out for anything or anyone that looks suspicious. Keep
your cell phone handy in case you need it and don't open the door
for anybody, unless you know who it is.
Rest stops aren't the only place you need to be concerned about.
Every time you stop to refuel there are certain precautions you
need to take. It's easy to be vulnerable to a thief at a gas station
or a truck stop. I have a bad habit of leaving my wallet on the
console of our Class C motor home. The door isn't locked and your
spouse is taking advantage of the time to walk the dogs. This is
how quick it can happen. Get in the habit of locking the doors
whenever you or someone else is not physically in the RV.
Most robberies occur at night and most travel related robberies
occur at rest stops, gas stations, convenience stores and ATM
machines. Try to schedule most of your stops during daylight
hours, and whenever you stop be aware of your surroundings. If
something doesn't look right leave.
Wal-Mart or other parking lots where
you might stop to get a few hours of
sleep can present security problems
too. You should always park in a well
lit area and the entry door of the RV
should be facing where most of the
activity is. A thief prefers to work
where it is dark and where it is least
likely to draw any attention.
RV Travel Security 101
Close your curtains or blinds so it's not possible for someone to look inside. Don't open the door for anybody unless you
know who it is. If it's a security guard ask for identification before you open the door.
As much as we would like to believe that campgrounds are 100% safe and secure don't let your guard down. You don't need
to be paranoid, just use some common sense.
Don't leave expensive equipment lying around unsecured. Vehicle tow bars, hitches, bicycles and other items need to be
under lock and key.
Keep any valuables inside the RV secured and out of sight. It's a good idea to purchase a small fire proof safe to store
valuables and important paperwork in. The safe might protect your valuables from the hazards of a fire but it will still need to
be stored in a secure, out of the way place, inside the RV.
Always lock the RV when you're not physically at the campsite. Do not store valuable equipment in outside storage
compartments. Believe it or not, a vast majority of RV's use the same exact key as yours for outside storage compartments. If
you store valuables, like golf clubs, fishing gear or tools in the outside compartments you may want to have the locks
changed.
Before you leave on a trip make sure your Emergency Roadside Service Plan is current. In the unfortunate event that you
breakdown on the road try to pull off in as safe a place as possible and call for help immediately. Stay with the RV until help
arrives.
It's unfortunate that we live in a day and age where we need to take these added measures to protect ourselves. I don't want
you to feel like everybody you meet during your travels is a thief or has bad intentions. Just use common sense and be aware
of what is going on around you.
Plan your trip, travel safe and enjoy your RV experiences. Remember, getting there is half the fun!
Reprint from Mark J. Polk, RV Education 101
Central Region Focus Club - Akron Adventurers Kamping Club
FRONT ROW: Raymond Fomby, Lois Ducksworth, Linda Duckworth, William Reynolds, Jean Felton, Stella Reynolds, Bill and Stella's
Grandson – Jeremy SECOND ROW: John Neloms, Doris Neloms, Herbert Ducksworth, Ike Matthews (visitor), Emma Slay, William Slay,
Bobby Wney (visitor), Letha Fomby, THIRD ROW: Jim Noel, Tammy Skipper, Brian Skipper, Brian and Tammy's son - Nick, Ralph Duckworth,
Zula Motley, Hugh Motley
Fred and Doris (Snell) Wilson
James and Elizabeth Ely
popularity of camping in the past twenty five years has
Sidney and Jessie Woods
Norman and Sadie Fisher
The
taken on a very special meaning in America. In almost every
facet of American life recreational camping has become a
favorite pastime. Although many people have not yet
experienced the interactions and joys of camping, it has
catapulted into an enormous pastime and constantly
growing. Camping clubs have sprung up all over the country
with facilities and directories on a national scale to facilitate
its growth.
In Akron, Ohio the idea of a camping club became reality for
a small but progressive group.
The initial talks about
forming an organization began during the summer of 1970.
The official organization of the Adventurers Kampers Club
was formed the following year. It was at a dinner meeting
held at the Highland Square Brown Derby which served as
the formal organization and meeting place beginning in
January of 1971 and the months that followed.
Twelve families were represented at the first meeting which
was held at 879 Dover Avenue with those families being:
Wilton and Ann Anderson
Joe and Jean Calhoun
Rollin and Ruth Clayton
Charles and Sylvia Copeland
Sylvester and Ola Fitzpatrick
James and Ora Rudolph
James and Margaret Roberts
Otis and Ann Spencer
This group selected the officers, committees, the name of
the organization and outlined the first tentative camping
scheduled. Mr. James Rudolph was elected president.
The Adventurers Kampers Club (AAKC) was finally
incorporated on April 13,1977 by the state of Ohio,
receiving the status of a non-profit organization. In May
of 1984, the group acquired Federal Tax Exempt status for
qualifying as a social and recreational organization.
A second meeting was held at the Elizabeth Park Shelter
House the second Sunday in March, 1971. John and Nable
Sherrard joined the group. The first camp out was held
the following weekend at the West Branch State Park
during a rather chilly and brittle thirty-five degree
temperature with frequent snow flurries. The club then
th
decided to hold the first camp out on the 4 weekend in
April in subsequent years to avoid the inclement weather.
In 1976 and 1978 the Club joined with SACK (Seeing
America Camping Klub) for a rally held in Pennsylvania. The
AAKC was chartered with NAARVA on March 25, 1999.
Akron Adventurers Kamping Club
The Club campouts are on the 4th weekend of each month.
From October through March the winter dinner meetings
are held on the fourth Thursday of each month. A few main
events have been the Annual Christmas Party, Scholarship
Luncheon, the Green Hat Divas, Crafts and Fishing outings to
name a few along with participation in local community
parades to spark an interest in RVing. Since 1971 the Club
has enjoyed a strong sense of family unity, pride and
wholesome outdoor activities, traveling together to many
parts of the country and sharing campfires with other camp
clubs. The camaraderie has been great.
Since 1971, the club has had the following presidents: (in
alphabetical order)
Rollin Clayton
Johnny Davison
Herbert Ducksworth
James Ely
Sylvester Fitzpatrick
Edith Gulley
Jasper Liggins
Allan Maxwell
Vernon Neal
James Rudolph
John Sherrard
Agnes Smith
Ethel Williams
Fred Wilson
The current officers of the club are as follows:
President:
Gerald Gulley
Vice-President Herbert Ducksworth
Secretary
Linda Duckworth
Treasurer
Hank Williams
Wagon Master Jim Noel
Sgt at Arms
Jay Liggins
Newsletter
Letha Fomby
Fireman
Ralph Duckworth
AAKC has twenty (20) active camper families and four (4)
Honorary camper families. Our colors are green and gold.
AAKC members who attended the 2009 regional rally in Colorado
Springs. First Row Ethel Ducksworth, Linda Duckworth, Opehlia Myers,
Edie Gulley. Second Row: Hebert Ducksworth, Ralph Duckworth, Joseph
Myers, Gerald Gulley
AAKC members playing Beanbag Baseball at the 2014 regional rally
Akron Adventurers Kamping Club
Current President Gerald Gulley and Herbert
Ducksworth at 2014 Regional Rally Board Meeting
Ebony Dream Makers
Ebony Dream Makers 2014 – Texas and Oklahoma, Here We Come….
After having visited the states of South and North Dakota for
our 2013 trip, the Ebony Dream Makers decided to put on our
cowboy and cowgirl hats and boots and visit the Lone Star
State of Texas and the Sooner State of Oklahoma for 2014.
Our first gathering stop was a three night stay at Traders
Village RV Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, near Dallas. While there
we visited several tourist attractions, such as, the Sixth Floor
School Book Depository Museum showing exhibits on
President John F. Kennedy’s life, times, and legacy. We also
visited the Nasher Sculpture Center – “Museum Without a
Roof” and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
And for the home shoppers in the group, we couldn’t pass up
going to Garden Ridge (now known as, At Home), which is a
huge home decorating store with everything you could ever
want or need for your home. I must admit there were several
of these stores scattered throughout the state of Texas and a
few of us made it a point to stop at all of them that were on
our scheduled route.
Next on our travels was a four night stop at the Traders Village
RV Park in Houston, Texas. While in Houston we visited several
of the tourist attractions, but two specifically that we made it a
point to visit were the; Battleship USS Texas, which in 1938 it
became the first memorial museum in Texas. In order to get to
the battleship you had to take a small fairy across the lake to
reach the site, which added to the excitement. The other
attraction we visited, which is probably one of the most wellknown, is the Houston Space Center at 1601 NASA Parkway.
The Space Center was absolutely an attraction that all of the
Ebony Dream Makers really enjoyed and would recommend
you visit, if you’re ever in Houston.
While we were that far south in Texas we made it a point to
travel the extra distance down to Galveston, Texas, which is
one of my favorite places. We visited the Texas Seaport
Museum and The Elissa, which is an 1877 three-mast, ironhulled, tall ship.
Next on our travel agenda was a four night stay at Oak
Forest RV Park in Austin, Texas. One of the most unique
and interesting points of interest, that we were able to
see, was the Bat Colony at the Congress Avenue Bridge.
One point five million bats are in this colony and it is the
largest urban bat colony in North America. In order to see
this phenomenon we took a boat ride on the Star
Riverboat on Lady Bird Lake to be at the perfect location
to see the bats take off from the bridge at dusk. What a
sight to see.
While in Austin, we also visited the State Capital and
made a stop at the Bullock Texas State History Museum
and IMAX Theatre. The museum is three floors of
exhibits that tell the Lone Star story. We were very
pleased to see that a nice part of the museum included
information about African Americans and their many
contributions to Texas. Special effects films are shown in
the Texas Spirit Theatre, which is one of the largest movie
screens in Texas.
Our stay in the state of Texas was wonderful; great
attractions, food and entertainment. However, the
temperature was often times close to 100 degrees. It was
certainly to be expected in the month of July, but
nevertheless, it did not deter the Ebony Dream Makers
from having a great time.
As we journeyed onward, our travel schedule headed us
toward the state of Oklahoma.
Ebony Dream Makers
We had a three night stay in Thackerville, Oklahoma at the Winstar World Casino and RV Park. This was one of the largest casinos
I’ve ever visited. It spread out for miles. While my luck wasn’t the best at the casino, I was happy to see that some of us were a
little more fortunate.
While in Oklahoma we visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial, the Murrah Federal Building. This memorial museum is a
must see.
For this last leg of our trip, we were off to Shawnee, Oklahoma for the NAARVA National Rally. What a
wonderful way to end our journey.
Thanks to our wagon masters, Sandra and Preston Bryant
who always plan a great time for the Ebony Dream
Makers.
Best regards and happy travels,
Kevin Kneeland
President, Ebony Dream Makers
NOTE: The Ebony Dream Makers meet for local outings on the third weekend during the months of May,
August, and September. Our annual dinner is on the third Saturday during the month of October. If you are
interested in joining us, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
MO-KAN Roadrunners
OUR Bucket List Trip
Wanda Edgerton,
Bev Dailey and
Trina Avery
Wanda and Trina
are members of ISJ
The term “Bucket List” was recently popularized by the
movie which was released in 2007 starring actors Jack
Nicolson and Morgan Freeman. Its meaning has slowly but
surely become part of a lot of people’s vocabulary.
That
meaning being in its simpler form….a number of experiences
or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish
during their lifetime.
So, in 2013 several members of the MO/KAN
Roadrunners casually discussed taking an annual
trip to the New England states. The trip became a
reality for four families in the club, along with two
members of the Indiana Soul Journers, two
members of the Kentuckiana RVers and one
member from the Eastern Region. This became
their (our) personal “bucket list” trip.
There were travel stops planned for Effingham,
Illinois and Dayton, Ohio.
Much to everyone’s
surprise when we discovered the past NAARVA
President Anne Steele and her husband Tony along
with James and Kathy Marsh, founding members of
NAARVA, were also staying at the same
campgrounds in Dayton.
The picture below
epitomized what NAARVA members enjoy doing at a
gathering…..Fellowship, Fun and Food!
The first “official” stop on the trip itinerary was a
small campground located on shores of Lake Erie in
Pennsylvania. Getting to this campground was a
challenge in itself.
Someone in the group had
coined the term “goat trail” because of the many
narrow and winding roads that were traversed
during our trip.
This was the first of the “goat
trails” that we encountered. It was also the first
time the caravan became separated.
We
established method of communications within the
group with first being CB radio followed by family
radios and lastly cell phones.
Needless to say,
none of these methods of communications worked
for the caravan due to the location.
The
redeeming factor was written directions coupled
with the use of GPS devices. Even though given
the setting of the GPS device and/or the brand gave
different directions to the campground, everyone
ultimately made it there safely.
Everyone had a great view of Lake Erie
An enjoyable meal with great company
MO-KAN Roadrunners
sauce” on this restaurant’s menu wasn’t spicy
enough. Needless to say, that set the stage for
future culinary experiences.
Lake view with a fishing dock
and a sandy beach. It doesn’t
get much better than this
Fish Fry
Our plan was to only stay at this campground for two
nights, however we quickly discovered that we would
have loved to have spent more time at the campground.
The view of the lake along with the amenities offered by
the campgrounds made this a really wonderful stop in
our journey. We also won’t forget the fabulous fish fry
provided by Clarence Dailey.
A view of two of the falls……
American and Canadian Falls
Bill and Martha’s McClain’s second drenching in one day
The Niagara Falls area marked the second stop in
our journey where we were in awe by the beauty of the
falls. It was also where Bill and Martha McClain from
Jeffersonville, Indiana who are members of the
Kentuckiana RVers joined the caravan. The group toured
Niagara Falls by bus, boat, and feet which enabled
everyone to thoroughly explore the area. It also was the
first time for many of us to get thoroughly drenched
three times in one day.
Not a big deal but it was definitely a topic of
conversation sitting around the campfire. Our tour bus
driver gave us an excellent recommendation for where
to get the area’s famous “Buffalo Wings.” It was the first
indication that we had someone on the trip that
thought that the “suicidal
Carolyn and Luther Buford with Elaine and Allen
Daniels (American Falls in the background)
How can you leave the state of New York without
visiting the other attractions this state has to offer?
So the group went to the Hudson Valley area of the
state which was an excellent location for visiting
the various presidential libraries, West Point and,
of course, the Big Apple. It was at this stop that
Toni Revis a member of the Eastern Region joined
the caravan which increased the number of
individuals to thirteen.
MO-KAN Roadrunners
Toni with her travel companion Henrietta
New York is a city very much like Las Vegas. You can
describe both cities until you turn blue in the face,
but nothing can actually compare to seeing these
cities with your own two eyes.
Taking an early
morning train into New York afforded us an
opportunity to see the city by bus, boat and feet.
The opportunity to tour the city by walking led us to
experience one of New York’s most acclaimed
delicatessen….Carnegie Deli. Many on the caravan
had discussed why one would pay $18.00 for ONE
pastrami sandwich. Once the waiter brought our
food to the table, it became very apparent that it was
worth every penny and more. Even though most of
us, were famished by the all-day tour our appetites
weren’t a match for Carnegie’s famous pastrami
sandwich. Given your appetite you either had four
plus sandwiches or for healthier appetites it would be
enough to feed at least two people.
One person with a hardy appetite tried to eat an
entire sandwich, but failed to do so!
Our biggest eater and camera buff
Front Row – Carolyn Buford, Wanda Edgerton, Trina Avery
and Beverly Dailey (One of our photographers)
Second Row – Luther Buford, Elaine and Allen Daniels, Mike
and Nancy Steed
With some reluctance the caravan moved onto the
state of Maine.
This state introduced the first
opportunity to eat our first lobster and if desired
the locally “beloved” lobster roll. Needless, to say
we didn’t miss any opportunities to sample all of
the above. As usual, we began our first day in a
new state with a tour of the area. We discovered
the history of the area and why the lobster harvest
is so important to their economy
The biggest decision of the day…What are we eating?
MO-KAN Roadrunners
The caravan had two
other stops in Maine
where the caravan
explored and enjoyed
all aspects of Bar
Harbor and Boothbay.
While in Bar Harbor, the hikers in the group
explored some of the trails within the Acadia
National Park.
In Bar Harbor, the group ate at
the restaurant President Barack Obama frequently
visits when he is in the area. One of the
restaurant’s cooks is shown above.
Before leaving Maine, the caravan had to
experience seeing some whales. So, all thirteen
of us went on a whale watching boat and were we
lucky.
We were able to see over six whales
breaching.
Many pictures were taken but they
can’t compete with the actual experience.
After Maine, then the Canadian province of New
Brunswick was the next stop on our itinerary.
This province had been targeted as being an
excellent opportunity to view the “Bay of Fundy.”
This bay is known for having the highest tidal wave
range in the world. We were able to experience
the high tide and the beginning of the low tide.
What does that mean…..When the low tide is in
you can literally walk between the “flower pots”
shown below.
The last stop on our itinerary was the state of
Massachusetts which afforded the group an
opportunity to tour the Boston area along with
Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Various tours
allowed the group to see the Kennedy complex
along with houses of other famous folks who
reside on those islands.
In summary, a major menu item on our bucket list
was lobster, lobster, lobsters. It was impossible
to leave New England without savoring the cuisine
that they are famous for and so we did our best to
take advantage of each and all opportunities.
Mission accomplished!
One lobster roll with at least one pound or more of lobster
meat….from a food truck overlooking the Bush compound
A 2lb. lobster from a local lobster pound eaten in our RVs.
High tide (36’ feet) at the Hopewell Rocks in New
Brunswick, Canada
That concludes the story about “Our Bucket Trip.”
However, the message to be taken from this
article is to develop your own bucket list and
continue to live your dream(s) which is what
thirteen people did!
Ohio Buckeye Road Runners
ON THE ROAD AGAIN - 2014
OHIO BUCKEYE ROAD RUNNERS
The Ohio Buckeye Road Runners have enjoyed another camping season.
Melvin and Gloria Shelton celebrated their 50th Anniversary at the first campout of the season in April in Stone
Mountain, Georgia. Ohio Buckeye Road Runners, friends and family members that lived in Georgia had a wonderful
tour of Atlanta as we maneuvered around in the rain.
We did a lot of bonding with one another when we camped at places closed to home. Indian Lakes in Indiana, Tall
Timbers in Dayton, Ohio and Winton Woods in Cincinnati, Ohio with campfires that enabled us to sit around and
chat well into the evening.
Just so that we do not forget about the children and grandchildren of our members, Harbortown RV Resort in
Michigan has provided many activities for our youth to enjoy.
We had on our 2014 Camping Schedule eleven campouts. I have highlighted a few of them. NAARVA Regional in
Amana Iowa and the National in Shawnee Oklahoma were also included in our schedule. Each one of them having
different activities and tours that were enjoyable.
Once again this year we had our camping friends from Lexington, KY to join us at Winton Woods. We had a
“Western” camping theme. We wore western attire. Various articles on the history of the West were posted on
trees. One article titled “Forgotten Men and Women of the West” was about African American who are not
recognized as being a part of the West in the 1800’s.
Our last scheduled campout will be in October, at Follow the River, in Florence, Indiana, the week just before
Halloween. We will decorate our coaches and pass out candy to the neighborhood children that parade through
the Resort with their costumes on.
Rocky Mountain RV Rollers
The Rocky Mountain RV Rollers had a very productive general membership meeting at our
outing in September. We spent the weekend in Strasburg, Colorado and were able to
enjoy the beautiful fall weather here in Colorado.
At the meeting, we elected new officers, passed some Bylaw changes, signed up for 2015
outings, and discussed the remaining outings for 2014.
Joellen Davis
Our new officers for 2015-2016 are: Joellen Davis, President, James Gregory, Vice President, Alex Fitts, Treasurer, Edwin
Jackson, Asst. Treasurer, Barbara James, Financial Secretary, and Jo Ann Fitts, Asst. Recording Secretary. Cynthia Cannon
was appointed Recording Secretary, by the President, Joellen Davis. A Big “Thank-You” to Alex Fitts, Chairman; Robert
Holtz; and James Walker for serving on the Nominations Committee. A new revision was completed and approved for the
club’s Constitution and Bylaws. Several new proposals were included to coincide with the Central Region and National
Constitution and Bylaws. A special “Thank-You” to James Gregory, Chairperson; Cynthia Cannon; and Sherman Gilliam for
working on this important document.
In other news, we had the passing of our dear friend and Roller member, Juanita Freeman.
Many of you knew Juanita and know the joy, energy, kindness, and loving person that she
was. I was fortunate to know Juanita for almost 9 years. During that time, we had many
good times filled with laughter and tears. Charlie and I were also fortunate to have spent
the past three years with Juanita and Ray at their home in Yuma, AZ. We also traveled to
Mexico and went on two cruises together. Juanita will be deeply missed, but will forever
have a special place in my heart. Love you dearly, Juanita! Rest in Peace.
Juanita Freeman
The Rollers hope to see many of you next year. In the meantime, be safe and take care of each other at home and on the
road. Safe travels,
Joellen Davis
President, Rocky Mountain RV Rollers
Rocky Mountain RV Rollers
Alexis Walker- Dunham, received one of the five onethousand dollars scholarships, given by NAARVA to graduating
seniors at the National Rally in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Alexis is
very appreciative of the monetary award. It was accepted by her
grandparents and cousins, James and Pat Walker, J J and Tori.
Alexis was unable to accept her scholarship award in person,
because she was tutoring at Kumon Academy School in Denver.
She wants to thank the NAARVA Scholarship Committee for
considering her and her grandparents for being a member of the
NAARVA Organization. She will keep NAARVA informed of her
continuing education. Thank you again, NAARVA!!!
Alexis was a debutante and presented to society May 31, 2014 by
the Owl’s Club of Denver. She is the young lady at far right.
Alexis Walker-Dunham
Alexis is enrolled at the University of Denver. Her classes began September 3, 2014. Alexis was recruited
by the Cheerleader Director to try out for the varsity cheering squad. She competed against sixteen other
young ladies and was chosen number one. Alexis is enjoying college. She said, one reason is, “I am only
fifteen minutes from Gammy and PaPa and they can get to me, quickly”.
The Walker’s had another granddaughter to enter college in August. Her name is Halle Hardiman-Walker.
She is enrolled at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado. She entered college with a 4.0
GPA.
The entire families caravanned to the University of Denver and to the University of Colorado to help Alexis
and Halle get set up in their dormitories, fifteen minutes away and one hour away. The girls have received
a care package each week that they have been in school, delivered personally by, “guess who?” and have
been back home several times . The grandparents have not touched the ground yet.
Sankofa Camping Club
The Sankofa Camping Club of Michigan’s Fall Rally was held
September 18 - 21 at the Five Star rated Sunnybrook RV Resort in
beautiful South Haven, Michigan. Twenty coaches gathered for
greeting friends; sharing information and refreshments; playing
table games; and exploring the west coast of Michigan. A few of us
visited a winery to taste a variety of wines. In case you did not
know, Western Michigan, with its many vineyards, is a mini Napa
Valley.
On Friday, a Pot Luck Grill Fest was held. Everyone brought a pack of brat sausages and a pack of buns to
share. Grill Masters James Williams, Jackson, Michigan, and Louis Perry, Mt. Morris, Michigan, grilled the
sausages to a delectable perfection. The Club’s General
meeting was held to discuss the current business of the
club. Guests were introduced and encouraged to join
NAARVA and Sankofa. At the meeting, the club members
presented to Connie Wilson, a beautiful Pandora Charm
Bracelet as an appreciation and recognition of the work she
and her late husband, Boston, did for the club. Connie
served as president of the club from 2005 to 2014. Boston
was the club Rally Master from 2005 to the time of his
death. The bracelet contained four charms each
representing thanks and love. Needless to say, Connie was
brought to tears because of this gesture of love and
appreciation. Connie is currently the club’s Ex-Officio.
Saturday was a free day to “just camp.” Some went to the South Haven Pier located on Great Lake Michigan.
Storms were expected on that afternoon. It was very windy, causing Lake Michigan to experience a lot of
roughness. Water skiers were taking advantage of the high winds and the rough waves to fly their kites.
However, we noticed they did not adventure too far from the shore.
The men in the club met with Dan Cook to share
information regarding a number of RV concerns and
ideas, including attending NAARVA’s 2015 National
Rally in Arizona, and attending the Central Region
2015 Rally in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was
reported that the meeting was very productive.
An Ice Cream Social with light refreshments was held
on Saturday evening at the Sunnybrook Club House.
The ladies were entertained with playing Tripoly,
while others enjoyed playing a boisterous and trash
talking game of Bid Whist. Others played a
challenging game of table top Shuffle Board.
Sankofa Camping Club
On Sunday, Coffee and Honey Buns were served in memory of Boston Wilson, former Club Rally Master, and
club member Roosevelt Johnson, both who passed this year.
The Rally closed with prayer and thanks for a pleasant weekend and for a safe journey home.
In my opinion, even though the Rally activities were simple and uncomplicated, this Rally was one of the
better ones the Club has had. Can hardly wait for the next one.
From the left: Jesse and Flora McPhearson; Burrell and Leatha Burrell; Louis and Delores Perry; Artis
and Willie Shackelford; Connie Wilson
Sankofa Camping Club of Michigan
September, 2014 Fall Rally Highlights
by Constance Wilson, Ex-Officio
From The Editor
James Gregory
NAARVA CENTRAL REGION
5901 Woodside Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64133-4530
Again it has been my pleasure to compile another Volume
of the Central Region View. You will notice we have started
the highlighting of our member clubs starting this volume
with the Akron Adventurers Kamping Club. Next issue we
will get to know the Buckeye Explorers. If you look at the
newsletter content our member clubs are very active. One
can tell that you enjoy your club camaraderie and are
proud to tell everyone about your adventures. Check out
the MO\KAN Roadrunners “Our Bucket List Trip”. One can
just tell how cool it would have been to have experienced
that trip with the Roadrunners. The same can be said about
all the other club’s trips. As the Roadrunners said “get out
there and make your own Bucket List Trips”.