September 2014 Newsletter - Alpine Coach Association

ALPINE COACH
ASSOCIATION
September 2014
A View from the Summit
Portland, Gresham & Troutdale, Oregon
A Great Spot to Hold a Rally!
August 7 - 11, 2014
The weather cooperated, 38 Alpines gathered at the Portland Fairview RV Park, and we were off on a
new adventure. Opening night, Guaranty RV graciously sponsored our Meet and Greet with a wine tasting that
featured Buddha Kat Winery… a good time was had by all!!
Selma’s Bakery provided yummy pastries on Friday morning, then we were off to Roadmaster, Inc. for
a private tour of their complex--all 76 of us. We toured every facet of the manufacturing facility, stopping at
each workstation for explanations by the employees of their particular skill and how it contributes to the high
quality of their products. Even the Owner, Jerry Edwards, was on hand to welcome and conduct tours. Once
the tour concluded we were led outside to the parking lot where a huge tent and gourmet lunch was setup for
our enjoyment, followed by the employees joining us. It was a great party, and the entertainment was a remote
control, full-size cement truck they also manufacture. Several ACA members were so impressed they
purchased various products.
During the afternoon our second tour was Pendleton Woolen Mills where blankets and fabric are
produced, and many of us enjoyed shopping at their discount store. Uly’s provided us with a Mexican supper at
the campground, and we all enjoyed hearing his story: A young man with a Taco Truck, he parked outside the
University at Eugene, OR from 10 PM to 3 AM, selling tacos—the business boomed and now he has a
restaurant and bar at Gresham. The food was excellent!
Saturday started with gourmet bagels from Jazzy Bagels, then everyone was on their own for the day. A
summary packet included Powell’s Bookstore, the Heathman Hotel, OMSI, Public Gardens (Portland is the
City of Roses), Voodoo Doughnuts, Brewpubs and McMenamin sites, Teahouses, Saturday Market, etc. etc.
etc. It would take at least a week to scratch the surface of things to do in Portland and the surrounding areas
and we only had one day!
Sunday morning we were all up and on our way to Multnomah Falls before 9:00 AM, and many took
the footpath up to the bridge that crosses the Falls. Many photos were taken, it is a spectacular site that we
continued to enjoy over a first-class brunch at Multnomah Falls Lodge. A Park Ranger was on hand, as well, to
give us a history lesson on the area. It was a sunny day and many drove back via Historic Highway 30,
stopping to hike and enjoy other waterfalls. The most spectacular views were from Crown Point Vista House
and the Women’s Forum Overlook. Back at the campground, at 4:00 pm Mike Fleming led an informal
Gearhead Session, that was followed by a pizza supper to relax and enjoy ourselves as the sun set.
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Monday morning we were up early, again, to pick up our box lunches and depart for Redmond on our
own, meeting at a school north of Redmond to caravan to the fairgrounds for the FMCA and the beginning of
another adventure with ACA. Just want to add special thanks to Tom and Nancy Polk, my hubby, Vic, and all
the ACA members that so willingly helped with check-in, food set-up, sound system, tents, and so on…..
THANK YOU!
Check-in
What time is Happy Hour?
Tom Polk listening
intently.
This is what we
Alpiners do best eat, drink and
socialize.
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Roadmaster, Inc. Tour
Photo of the Photographer,
Matt Moniz and wife Lorraine
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Lunch at Multnomah Falls
Article and Multnomah Falls lunch pictures submitted by Wilma Egg.
Remaining pictures submitted by Matt Moniz.
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FMCA Rally - High Desert Sunrise
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Redmond, Oregon
August 13 - 16, 2014
Submitted by Nancy Polk
On Monday morning after the Portland pre-rally ended & everyone had picked up their prepared box
lunches, it was time to head for Redmond to attend the FMCA’S 90th Family Reunion & Motorhome
Showcase. Twenty-nine coaches (85 percent of those who attended the pre-rally) left the Portland/Fairview
RV Park in 10 minute intervals to spread the flow of motorhomes throughout the 130 mile trip.
To ensure that all of us would enter the fairgrounds as a group and be parked together Vic & Willy
Egg had prearranged for us to rejoin at Elton Gregory Middle School in Redmond. It was here that 10 ACA
members (5 coaches) who wanted to participate at the FMCA rally but were unable to make the pre-rally
met up with us. From here our mile long caravan traveled through Redmond to the fairgrounds.
In hopes of having a trouble free experience, our leader, Tom Polk, contacted the parking crew to let
them know we were on our way. All went well and within a short time we were settled into our new location.
The first thing on our agenda Monday afternoon was to attend a workshop for volunteer golf cart
drivers. Thanks to the efforts of Fred Royce and Tom Polk, fifty-nine of our members volunteered to take
part in this program.
What a HOOT! We drove through designated camping area and rally event locations looking for
people who could use a ride. You could see big smiles on people’s faces as you approached them. They were
genuinely happy to see us and greatly appreciated the service. Inevitably friendly conversations with local
and distant attendees would follow.
Every driver had at least 2, 2-hour driving shifts over a four day period. Couples were usually on the
same schedule. This left plenty of time for us to enjoy many of the rally events with the added benefit of
knowing we were helping to make someone else’s life a little easier.
The weather put a damper on some of our club’s social time however when we were able to join up
for several impromptu gatherings we made the most of it. No way were we going to be out done by Mother
Nature.
As a group we agreed that our volunteer time was very worthwhile, we had a good time doing it, and
if there was another opportunity to drive golf carts at a future FMCA rally we would be willing to do it.
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Our ACA Volunteers
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ACE Fall Rally
Stowe, Vermont
September 19-23, 2014
Submitted by Peggy Bacome
Our numbers were small but we had a wonderful rally in spite of it. Nancy and Harry Jensen planned
fun filled activities and lots of good eats. Tom and I arrived two days early so the Jensen’s took us to
Shelburne Museum and Vermont’s capital in Montpelier. Shirley and Duncan Bellinger joined us on the first
day of our Rally. We ate that evening at Gracie’s and when there are just a few of us we can hear everyone’s
conversation. I liked that!
Everyone has seen “Sound of Music” about the Von Trapp Family but does everyone know that they
came to the USA? Well I guess I’m a little behind times because I didn’t know until we went to the Trapp
Family Lodge. The tour was about their life and how much of the movie was correct and what happened after
they escaped Austria. There was a film showing the mother and son going back to Austria to visit their old
home place. One of their grandsons was there to answer any questions people might have. Very interesting
and then we had lunch in the Lodge. We could have walked their trails and explored as much as we wanted.
We chose not to do that but we did enjoy our fellowship together.
Sunday we had breakfast at the “Grey Fox Inn” and after we shopped in the stores in Stowe, buying
stuff we just couldn’t do without. In the afternoon some of us rested or took a nap. We went to dinner at
“The Whip” in town.
Monday, was our full-fun day. We started at the local Apple Cider Mill where we bought cider donuts
and cider and anything else that looked good. Next was the Cabot Cheese Annex Store and the Chocolate
store next door. Then the glass blowing Gallery Demonstration. The gentleman was trying to make a vase
but broke it toward the end and had to scrap it. He took a break so we left and headed to “Ben and Jerry’s” Ice
Cream. Our tour girl was very funny and entertaining and our “sample” was Sooo Goooood! Of course we
had to buy our own flavors of ice cream we wanted to have at home. Yummy! That evening we went to “Pie
Casso’s Pizza” and Pizza is my favorite meal.
Tuesday, after coffee and donuts we said our good byes and headed in our separate directions. I so
look forward to our two rallies a year. They are wonderful if there are a few or many. Alpine people are the
best!
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ACA Heritage Rally
Branson, MO
September 28 - October 4, 2014
Submitted by Louis Burch
The Branson rally, now over, was a complete success thanks to the efforts of all the attendees. Fifteen
coaches were in attendance. We also had one couple who stayed locally and attend without their coach. The
people in attendance make or break a rally and the folks at this rally came to have and in fact, did have a great
time. Our thanks to all!!
The weather for the first four days was outstanding. On Thursday, the fifth day, we did experience a
genuine Missouri rain storm with the passing of a cool front. It was intense but brief in duration and provided
a welcome dust settling and temperature cooling. Except for that two-hour period we had great weather.
Accommodations by the ABC Campground were very good. Being in the middle of the Ozarks mountains,
many of the sites are not all that long and many are not completely level. Even though the sites were preassigned, the campground was more than willing to accommodate moving to another site if trouble was
encountered in leveling or TV viewing. We were allowed full usage of the campground “Celebrity Station”
for all of our gatherings, meals, meetings, and entertainment which worked out very well. The “Hillbilly”
dinner and dress up party was especially a hit and the Homestead Pickers entertainment group was a hoot.
Dale Sullivan was our “best-dressed” entertainer playing the spoons followed closely by Dewey Walker
playing the washboard and Dean Sandmire playing a jug.
We had three first “timers” at the rally. As such; they soaked up much from the “collective body of
knowledge” provided by the old timers and as is the custom in ACA, received multiple answers to many of
the questions they ask. Several coaches were actually repaired on site by the ACA “mechanics” and a couple
of the issues they found added to the overall body-of-knowledge. The gearhead session stressed the potential
“safety” issues that are common to all Alpine coaches as well as the suggested/required preventative
maintenance actions needed for safe long-term operation. The discussions were well received by all. Thank
you Dean Sandmire.
While the gearhead session was being conducted, most of the ladies traveled to the College of the
Ozarks for a lunching put on by the culinary school there. It was reported to be outstanding.
Special thanks go to John and Suzanne Tripp for inviting the rally attendees to a scheduled event at Westgate
Resorts, a time share they own in Branson. We had a wonderful buffet dinner while being entertained by at
least twenty of the Branson celebrities giving us a preview of their shows. John Tweed was one of the
entertainers and recognized our group and performing for us at Quartzsite. Nice to be remembered. This
event was a great addition to the scheduled rally activities.
Branson’s claim to fame is its entertainment and celebrity shows. Our attendees took full advantage
of these and attended many. “Jonah”, the “Texas Tenors”, the “Dutton Family”, and “Clay Cooly” are but a
few that were attended. The “previews” we saw above provided a basis for the selection of shows of interest
and the rally schedule allowed plenty of time to exercise the selection. It was a perfect combination.
Overall, it was another great ACA rally. Thanks to all who made it so! We all look forward to the next
rally at Quartzsite in January.
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Hillbilly Contest Winner is Dale Sullivan
with runner-ups Dewey Walker & Dean
Sandmire
Matt & Lorraine Moniz as excellent Hillbillies
Tom Cook is The Best Rooster in the
Group
Mr. & Mrs Hillbilly aka Dewey & Doris Walker
Guess Who?? (Louis Burch, Paul Sullivan)
Great Times in Branson
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ACA - PRE-RALLY to FMCA POMONA, CA RALLY 2015
Future Rallies
VALENCIA TRAVEL VILLAGE (Castaic, CA)
MARCH 19-24, 2015
The ACA Pre-Rally to FMCA’s 92nd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase will be held at the
Valencia Travel Village in Castaic, CA. Your hosts will be Mary Langord and Carolyn Swan. Your
registration fee includes:
5 nights camping with full hookups, a docent guided three (3) hour tour of the Reagan
Presidential Library with BBQ lunch served under the wings of Air Force I, and a guided
tour of the Nethercutt Museum of treasures spanning four floors in the collection’s
original facility. This is one of the world’s most outstanding assortments of beautifully
restored antique classic automobiles, showcased in an exquisite recreation of an opulent
automotive grand salon of the 1920’s and 1930’s. You will see an amazing collection of
automobile mascots, antique furniture, clock and watches, and one of the world’s finest
collections of Mechanical Musical Instruments. Meals include three (3) breakfasts, one
(1) lunch, two (2) dinners, one (1) pot luck dinner & one (1) dessert night.
Please see the registration form on Page 11 for more information.
ACE 2015 Fall Rally
Mark your calendar for the ACE 2015 Fall Rally to be held in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
September 21 - 25, 2015.
Joyce Putney and Buck Cole are your hosts with Bill and Carolyn Dees lending a hand. We
visited Pigeon Forge last month with Joyce and Buck to identify a campground. The rally will be at
the Riverbend Campground in Pigeon Forge. Our sites are all paved and located on the river. The
campground is centrally located in Pigeon Forge.
We are planning a number of activities to enjoy the area. A registration form with all the
details will be completed well ahead of time. For now mark your calendar to include this rally in
your travels.
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ALPINE COACH ASSOCIATION
PRE-RALLY to FMCA POMONA, CA RALLY 2015
VALENCIA TRAVEL VILLAGE
27946 Henry Mayo Drive (Hwy 126) – Castaic, CA 91380 (661) 257-3333
MARCH 19-24, 2015
Registration Deadline February 1, 2015
ACA #_____________
FMCA #_________________
Driver’s Full Name ___________________Co-Pilot’s Full Name ____________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Registration Form
Home Phone:_______________ Pilot Cell:____________Co-Pilot Cell:_______________
Email Address: _____________________________________
Coach Length: _____Number of Slides______ Special Needs:___________DPP:____
Trailer: Y__ N__
Date Arriving:___________Date Departing:__________(Early arrivals call VTV Park
directly for reservation)
RALLY FEES:
Coach with 2 people $345 …………………………………………................ $_______
(Non-ACA Members add $50/coach OR join ACA (Initial fee $30 + $15 dues)
$_______
Coach with 1 person $278 ……………………………………......................$_______
Each extra person $80 (ACA member must pay guest’s fees).............$_______
Will you be caravanning to Pomona FMCA? Yes _____
If yes, do you want to be a volunteer?
TOTAL DUE:
$_______
No ______
Pilot: Yes __ No__ Co-Pilot: Yes__ No___
Golf Cart Driver?
Other: Seminars?
Security?
Please make check payable to: Alpine Coach Association. Mail to:
Mary Langord, 25161 Cineria Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Questions? Contact: Mary Langord at 949 300-0335, [email protected] or
Carolyn Swan at 714-357-0505, [email protected] Please sign up for the FMCA Pomona Rally w/30 amp Electric Volunteer Parking by
contacting FMCA at www.fmca.com or call FMCA @ 800-543-3622
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If you are interested in attending a rally, check out the Alpine Coach Association
website (www.alpinecoachassociation.com) for a registration form or email the rally
hosts directly.
Looking for an Alpine Club Near You?
ACE
East Coast
NorCal
Northern California
Northern Nevada
Peggy Bacome, 731-935-2303
[email protected]
Steve Picha, 925-339-3933
[email protected]
Maureen Dahl, 425-466-1445
[email protected]
Fulltimers
NoWACA
SoCal
Washington, Oregon
Idaho, Montana
Terry McGuire, 509-952-7880
[email protected]
http://www.NoWACA.com
Southern California
Southern Nevada
Joe Darling, 520-393-0966
[email protected]
Ray Schemanske, 734-474-0762
[email protected]
Central States
REMINDER:
All ACA members must be members in good standing of the FMCA.
Note: by being a member of FMCA in good standing, we are in compliance with
their insurance liability.
Need to Contact a Board Member?
Name
Board Position
Cell Phone
Email
Tom Cook
President
231-920-2606
[email protected]
Tom Polk
1st Vice President
530-515-8661
[email protected]
Wilma Egg
Secretary
201-370-8041
[email protected]
Debbie Bragg
Treasurer
817-994-3998
[email protected]
Mike Morris
Membership Director
951-553-5464
[email protected]
Tris Swan
FMCA National Director
714-357-0505
[email protected]
Frank Halasz
Alternate FMCA Director
Josie Pellegrino
Newsletter Editor
[email protected]
512-740-432
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[email protected]
President - Tom Cook
Welcome everyone to the fall ACA Newsletter.
Our August ended with an Alpine SPOT Rally in Mackinaw
City, MI with the Munsils, Bevans’ and Vander Molens. We enjoyed
very nice weather while Roger, Janice and Sandy walked the
Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day. A couple of us drove in the antique
tractor parade a few days later. ACA Member Roger Vander Molen
has been restoring tractors for many years and his latest
accomplishments were on display during the Tractor Parade of 900
tractors across the bridge. Roger drove his restored 1954 International
P/U and I drove his restored John Deere 40. A few took a lighthouse
tour on Lake Michigan and we all traveled to Mackinac Island to bike
ride and carriage ride.
Today we are parked in Branson, MO as the ACA Heritage Rally begins. The food is good and the
shows are great.
January 14 – 22, 2015 the ACA Desert Rat Quartzsite Rally will take place in our normal location in the
Desert. Mike and Ann Fleming are hosting this rally and busy making plans.
FMCA will be holding their International Rally in Pomona, CA in March, 2015 and Carolyn & Tris
Swann and Mary & Joel Langord will be hosting the ACA Pre-Rally in Valencia, CA., March 19-24, 2015 at
the Valencia Travel Village. Registration Form included in this Newsletter.
FMCA will be holding their 2015 Summer International Rally in Madison in June, 2015. We have in
the planning stage, an ACA Pre-Rally to be held June 21-26, 2015 at the KOA Kampground in De Forest, WI,
which is just north of Madison.
We leave Branson in a week and will travel to Oklahoma, Texas and back to Wisconsin for the baptism
of our newest Grand Daughter, Abigail. Home to Michigan for Thanksgiving and then we will hit the road to
arrive in SW Arizona for Desert Rat Rally in Quartzsite. Hope to see you there.
Remember, have fun and travel safe.
The Bridge Walkers
Sandy Munsil, Janice Cook,
Roger Vander Molen
Roger Vander Molen’s 1954 International P/U
& John Deere 40 in parade
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Wilma Egg - Secretary
Where did the summer go? How did
September sneak up so quickly? I hate to admit
that the older we are the quicker the time passes!
The Portland Pre-Rally was a summer highlight,
with lots of planning and time thrown into the mix.
Many thanks to all attendees, we could not have
done it without YOU! Volunteering to drive the
golf carts at Redmond FMCA was a blast and we
can’t wait to do it again! Bend, OR was our home
base for most of the summer, spending time with
grandkids, plus a week at Moss Beach, CA with all our kids to finish the summer. Next time you are in San
Francisco, we highly recommend the drive over the Golden Gate Bridge in an antique fire truck (we did for
Vic’s birthday), as well as the Alcatraz tour.
After the Portland Rally, it occurred to me that others may want to share the experience of holding a
rally. Do you have a spot in mind, but are not sure how to proceed? It really just starts with an idea, a location,
and a little imagination. There is an ACA Rally Handbook online that will guide you through the various steps.
Securing a location and date are first on the list, then everything else falls into place. It is fun to choose a
venue, check out local events, things to do, and, of course, the food! We found the local Chamber of
Commerce a good place to start. Once you know the basic costs, create a budget, let our members know the
details, and they will come! Rallies can be as simple as a spot rally or as detailed as you want to make it. As
you travel across this great country, keep your eyes open for a rally location, (maybe in your own backyard?)
and share it with others.
In closing, Vic and I just left Colorado Springs after a week of volunteering at the International
Association of Firefighters annual Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. The event is held annually, over five
days, to honor professional firefighters and emergency medical personnel who lost their lives in the line of
duty over the past year. There were 168 names added to the memorial wall this year, including the 19 Hotshots
from Prescott, AZ. It is a beautiful and fitting memorial and we encourage you to stop at Memorial Park next
time you visit Colorado Springs, CO.
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Debbie Bragg - Treasurer
Hello fellow Alpiners:
Jim and I have had an eventful summer. In May we bought a different motorhome. In June we took
it on a two-day shake down trip with Louie and Linda Burch to the Wagon Master RV Park in Sanger, TX
just north of our homes. This is a nice little park with an Alpaca Farm on the premises. You get to feed the
Alpacas every night.
In July we headed for Red Bay, AL stopping at Little Rock, AR and Tupelo, MS along the way. The
NLR Downtown Riverside RV Park is very nice and right on the Arkansas River. You can walk across the
Presidential bridge and visit the Clinton Library or bike for 7 miles down a nice paved path to the Big Dam
Bridge. The bike trip was great. Jim’s only complaint was I didn’t mention it was 7 miles one way!! The
night time view of the lighted bridges is incredible.
We spent a month in Red Bay, AL. We were blessed with cooler than usual weather during our stay.
The Allegro campground is like a huge RV rally with full hookups. It reminded us of Quartzsite. We met a
lot of wonderful people and amazingly, many were Texans. We arrived back home on August 29 to
wonderful Texas heat!!
As of 8/31/2014 our Rally account has $30,878.09 and the Membership account has $24,224.26.
Thanks to the Polks and Eggs for hosting the Portland Pre-rally in August. They did a terrific job.
We enjoyed seeing everyone in Branson.
Our New Coach
Getting to Know
the Alpacas
Presidental Bridge
at Night
Little Rock, Arkansas
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Mike Morris - Membership Director
Greetings from Gualala, California. This quiet little
Oceanside town is located on scenic Highway 1, about 3 hours North
of San Francisco and has been home for the last 3 months. Mary
Ellen, Rosie and I will be leaving this beautiful coastal area of
California and headed back home to Pahrump, NV the 1st of October.
As we look back over our three month camp host volunteer
assignment at Sonoma County’s Gualala Regional Camp Ground, one
pair of campers stands out. It was a father-daughter team who
stopped for the night on their way to Argentina. They did not arrive
in a diesel pusher, not a camp trailer or a van conversion. No they
rollerbladed and had backpacks loaded with everything needed for the trip. Their journey began in British
Columbia in August with a scheduled Christmas arrival in Argentina. That gives “experience the great
outdoors” a whole new meaning!
With summer travel behind us many members are planning to either head home or to that favorite
winter destination. Just as quickly the holidays will be upon us and then the new year of 2015. As part of
your end of year planning please remember that for many members the end of December marks the
expiration of their ACA membership.
In preparation for membership renewal please be sure to review your profile information for not only
ACA but also your FMCA membership. Please send any changes in address, telephone numbers, email
addresses or any other information along with your renewal for ACA membership. Please send email
changes as they occur during the year to insure the ACA mailing list (email) is updated on a timely basis. If
you would like your FMCA renewal date included on the new ACA roster for 2015 please send me the month
and date of expiration along with your ACA membership renewal of $15.
During 2013-2014, many members renewed for 2014, 2015, 2016 and beyond. If you would care to
do so just include $15 for each additional year with your 2015 membership renewal due on or before
December 31, 2014. Notations in the memo field of the check for the years covered is also very helpful.
Year end is also the time for those members to renew their prepaid postage accounts of $25 per year.
This service is provided for those members who have decided to receive newsletters, rosters and other ACA
documents by USPS vs. email.
Safe Travels,
Mike, Mary Ellen and Rosie ^.^
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National FMCA Director - Tris Swan
Greetings from the SwansNest! August travels are now just a memory
and fall is right around the corner! We left home July 16 for the great North
West to see family, have some work done on the APEX, share some camaraderie
with fellow Alpiners, and to fulfill our responsibilities for FMCA and the
Governing Board! We returned home August 23 having completed our goals!
We spent about a week with our son's family in Newberg, celebrating a
grandson's 19th birthday & welcoming our 23 & 16 year old grandsons home
from Europe. Our 14 year old granddaughter & 11 year old grandson had spent
10 days in July with us in Southern CA for a special time, but we enjoyed more
time with them again as well as our grandson who is 19.
We next went to Motion Windows (Peninsula Windows) in Vancouver, WA and had our windows
replaced! We are simply delighted with the new windows! Our 10' window is now 3 pieces of glass - 5' in the
middle and 2.5' sliders on each side. Bobby Vodden in Junction City installed Shades in Motion window
covers before we started home and "oh my goodness" what a difference in temperature exchange they
make!!!!
We then went to Hood River & visited Apex friends, Clyde & Jeri Hobbs, and had a great time with
them - picking peaches from their orchard & blueberries close by! Jeri sent peaches down to the Portland
ACA Pre-Rally so that everyone could have several peaches in their Welcome bag! Tom & Nancy Polk and
Vic & Wilma Egg co-hosted a really great rally at the Portland Fairview RV Park. That is a great park to stay
at when you are in the Portland area. Over 1/2 of the Attendees were from NoWaca, NoCal, & 1/3 from SoCal
chapters -& our “regular” Easterners and mid- Westerners who usually come were greatly missed!
On to Redmond and we had about 37 Alpine coaches caravan into the Volunteer area of the
fairgrounds. We all agreed that Volunteering was the best way to do a Convention and we all had lots of fun
driving the Handicap Carts!
Our rear air conditioner went out right after we arrived in OR and we were not able to get it replaced
until we got to Redmond! We had it replaced at Big Country RV in Redmond under our new Wholesale
Extended Warranty policy and the service people really worked at getting it right and worked well with our
EW claim’s people! We highly recommend this place if you have a problem with your Alpine while in the
Bend/Redmond area.
We stopped in Junction City, OR on the way home for some work to be done at Custom Coach Works
and talked with Lindsay at Guaranty RV. He just got in a 2009 Alpine Limited that is the “much in demand”
36’ triple slide with 35,000 miles on it. Give him a call @ 541-915-2768 If you know anyone who might be
interested!
NOW for the FMCA news -- The Governing Board convened on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 in
Redmond, Oregon. There were 252 National Directors present which just barely constituted a quorum of
53%. Less than 1500 Family Coaches were registered participants.... which were way down from the 2,000
coaches expected. Including the Exhibit Coaches and Dealer Coaches, there might have been 1,800 coaches
on the fairgrounds.
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However, FMCA continues on a positive financial trend and the balance sheet remains strong as we
are operating under budget. The combined 2015 Budget is $7,735,757. 00. Membership Corporation of
America has been retained by FMCA to develop a Marketing Plan for increase & retention of members!
Although the rate of membership attrition has decreased over a 3 year history, we still have a loss. The last
update as of May, our FMCA membership was 76,397.
During the Governing Board meeting on Wednesday, August 13, the FMCAssist medical evacuation
and travel assistance program was voted back in as a member benefit, included within your membership dues.
I hope this is something none of us ever needs, but should that need arise, it's there for us.
The Medical Evacuation Insurance is with Seven Corners, to be contracted for a minimum of three (3)
years and to be paid for the first year out of the FMCA Reserve Investment account & goes into effect
October 1, 2014. Coverage will be extended to all FMCA family members traveling with you. Some aspects
of this benefit are restricted to North America so for International Travel Insurance see: http://mail.fmca.com/
join-family-motor-coach-association/member-benefits/3226-fmca-international-travel-insurance.html
All of the prior Benefits are still current but the Mail Forwarding program is being outsourced for cost
savings. To learn more about this service and to enroll, please visit the following website:
www.dakotapost.net/fmca. Also, one additional item I would like to call to your attention is that the
Michelin Advantage Program is expanding to include more tires. This program has saved members anywhere
from $100 to $250 per tire. Check into it before you purchase tires. Check the FMCA website for a
complete list of all your benefits!
The International Area's September 2014 newsletter is now available. ACA members are a part of the
International Area & you might look at their Rally schedule and try to attend one that is near you. If you
click on either of these links while depressing the Ctrl key – it should open …International Area September
2014 Newsletter (PDF) http://content.dynamicmessenger.com/fmca/?
G9Vm89GA6mm5G9PFxSy5a6PMil14l6mSG&http://governance.fmca.com/images/stories/pdf/
ina_newsletter.pdf
Pending successful contract negotiations, the tentative schedule for FMCA Conventions through 2018:
2016 Winter - Perry, GA Summer - Syracuse, NY
2017 Winter - Pomona, CA Summer - Indianapolis, IN
2018 Winter - Perry, GA Summer - Gillette, WY
So schedule your travel plans accordingly and let's have a strong ACA representation at these FMCA
Conventions. Also, please plan to join us at the ACA Pomona FMCA Pre-Rally in Castaic – Registration form
is on the ACA website!
I would like to challenge you to recruit just one new member this year. Just think ... we could double
the size of FMCA in one short year!
Enjoy the fall colors as you travel this fall! Be safe and God bless you all –
Tris Swan, FMCA National Director for ACA
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Alpine Coach Association - 2014 Rally Calendar
Date
Rally Name/Location
November 14 - 18,
2014
Sponsor
Pismo Coast Village
Pismo Beach, CA
SoCal
Rally Hosts
Mike & Mike Collins
[email protected]
Jerry & Toni Smith
[email protected]
Alpine Coach Association - 2015 Rally Calendar
January 14 - 18, 2015
2015 Super Show Rally
Tampa, FL
January 14 - 22, 2015
Desert Rat Rally
Quartzsite, AZ
ACE
Bill Dees, [email protected]
ACA
Mike & Ann Fleming,
[email protected] or
[email protected]
March 19 - 24, 2015
Pomona Pre-Rally
Valencia Travel Village
Castaic, CA
ACA
Mary Langford,
[email protected]
Carolyn Swan,
[email protected]
March 26 - 29, 2015
FMCA's 91st Family
Reunion and Motorhome
Showcase
Pomona, CA
FMCA
June 21 - 26, 2015
Madison Pre-Rally
KOA Kampground
De Forest, WI
July 29 - August 1,
2015
FMCA's 92nd Family
Reunion and Motorhome
Showcase
Madison, WI
FMCA
September 21 - 25,
2015
Riverbend Campground
Pigeon Forge, TN
ACE
19
Joyce Putney,
[email protected]
5808A Summitview #337
Yakima, WA 98908
20