new york finger lakes unit,...
TRANSCRIPT
Message from the Unit President
Summer is quickly escaping us, with only one more scheduled
unit rally left this year.
In writing this letter, I realized this is my last president’s
message to you, our members. We have had a good year and
for those who participated, I hope you would agree that we
had a good time, fun and no controversy within our unit
membership. Thank you for that! Our luncheon and rally
hosts all did a great job and officers, directors and
committee chairpersons all worked well together in support
of the membership.
We have also had great support from our membership to fill
all the positions of leadership for the next year with a
promising year to come.
My major disappointment has been that more members did
not take advantage of our activities this year. We all have
one more chance to attend the Installation Rally (of Larry
Letteney and his officers) on September 12-14, and the
subsequent caravan to Sugar Creek, Ohio Swiss Festival
Rally.
Please join us and come and have fun!
--- John Hussar
The Grapevine Newsletter of the
New York Finger Lakes
Unit, W.B.C.C.I.
Volume 12, Issue 3
August 2014
New York- Finger Lakes Unit
President: John Hussar
1st Vice President: Rich Peebles
2nd Vice President: Larry Letteney
Directors: Barrie Svenson,
John Dona, Ray Hoxie
Secretary: Nancy Hussar
Treasurer: Ted Smith
Webmaster: Ed Valentin
Membership: Donna Smith
Newsletter: Melissa Craven Fowler
Caravans: Ray Wagner
Legislative: open position
Sunshine: Ann Jackob
Safety: John Hussar
Directory: Ray Miller
2014 Events
WHEN ? WHAT ? WHO ? WHERE ?
Sat. May 17 Welcome Back
Luncheon
Hosted by Dave and
Ellen Horn
Auburn, NY
Camping available nearby
May 27 - 28 FLU caravan to
Region 2 Rally
Hosted by Ray and
Audrey Wagner
May 28 - June
1
Region 2 Rally Salem County Fairgrounds
Woodstown, NJ
June 20 – 22 FLU Rally
Hosted by Larry and
Peggy Letteney
Ithaca area
Pinewoods Campground
June 28 – July
4
57th Inter-
national Rally
Hosted by John &
Sandy Stumpf
Gillette, Wyoming
July 18 – 20 FLU Rally Hosted by Mike
Clack/Tye Mott
Lockport, NY
Clack property
August 15 – 17
FLU Rally Hosted by Ed and
Margie Valentin
Windsor, NY
Lakeside Campground
Sept. 12 – 14
FLU Installation
Rally
Hosted by John and
Esther Dona
Fireman’s Field,
East Aurora, NY
Coupon in this newsletter
Sept 14 - ?? Caravan from
Installation to
Sugar Creek Rally
Hosted by Ray and
Audrey Wagner
Call Ray NOW if
interested.
For planning purposes: The Florida State Rally will be at St. Augustine in 2015 the
first full week of March (about March 1 – March 7).
Tentative 2015 Rally Schedule for the NY Finger Lakes Unit
Late May-Welcome back luncheon /Possible rally; hosts John and Nancy Hussar.
June- Spring rally at Pennwood Airstream Park; hosts Dave and Ellen Horn.
July- Balloon Launch rally at Wellsville, N. Y.; hosts John and Esther Dona.
August - Hammondsport rally at Firemen’s' field; hosts Jack and Trina Kelley/Will and Marlene
Heikkila.
September -Installation rally at Ontario County Park, South Bristol; hosts Larry and Peg
Letteney/Ray and Connie Hoxie.
The schedule is not yet firmed up. It would be good to offer assistance to those who have generously
come forward to offer to chair rallies. Co-hosts are needed and it is a great opportunity for those
who have not yet hosted a rally to learn the ropes!! Let's not leave a couple with full responsibility
for an event.
--- VP, Larry Letteney
Member News
New and rejoining members – WELCOME!
Thomas & Debra MacWilliams (past members of Niagara Genesee Unit)
phone: 585-786-8592
e-mail: [email protected]
180 Wyoming St., Wyoming, NY 14569
2014 Flying Cloud 25 -- WBCCI # 8592
Robert & Debbie Miller
phone: 518-573-0616
e-mail: [email protected]
423 Avenue of the Stars, North Blenheim, NY 12131
1989 Model 325le 32.5 ft, 2005 classic limited 34 ft, and 2001 Model 390 xl 39 ft
WBCCI # 4777
Bruce & Carol Crawford # 18667
phone: 716-652-7050
e-mail: [email protected]
51 Heiler Dr., East Aurora, NY 14052
He has restored his father's trailer: a 1970 Overlander, 27 ft.
Yvonne Konscol has bought a home in Tennessee. Best of luck, Yvonne!
1212 Fall Creek Rd
Kingsport, TN 37664
Condolences to Ray Wagner on the death of his brother.
Attached please read the Delmarva Unit’s “Beacon” newsletter, in which FLU members Esther and
John Dona and their Bubble were featured.
Please see
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs131/1103337378618/archive/1117851261374.html for a
review of the Gillette, WY International Rally and Joe Perryman’s rousing presidential acceptance
speech!
For Sale
1988 29 foot Excella Airstream in excellent condition: Flush Toilet; Shower, Gas cook stove with
oven, Refrigerator, Radio, Air conditioner. Many Extras: Solar System comprised of 3 Solar Panels,
four Gel Cell batteries, and converter which will power lights, water pump, fans, and micro wave;
Berber carpet, reupholstered couch, two Fantastic fans, new toilet, Excellent tires (low mileage),
LED taillights and interior lights. It has had tender loving care! Asking $18,900 (Note reduced
price!). Contact David & Catherine Smith (716) 532-5154 or email: [email protected]
Photo Corner
Region 2 President Pat McFadden and Judy Coop at
the WBCCI International Rally.
(photo courtesy of the Keystone Kourier – Keystone
PA Unit)
If you have not seen the NPR article on Airstream
“making a comeback”, here is the link:
http://www.npr.org/2014/08/10/338896687/a-new-
golden-age-for-silver-bullets-airstreams-make-a-
comeback
Of course, WE know Airstreams never WENT out of
style!!!
Report on the July Rally on the Niagara Wine Trail With proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Mike Clack WBCCI # 21264, assisted by Tye Mott, hosted a great rally, July 19-20, 2014 for the
Twin City Camera Club (Tonawanda and North Tonawanda), and Airstream Trailers from the New
York Finger Lakes Unit. The rally raised money for The Make-a-Wish Foundation, and $1325.00 was
raised from the rally fee, raffles, and a donation from the New York Finger Lakes Unit of the Wally
Byam Caravan Club International. Situated just north of Lockport, off Rt. 104, near Wrights Corners,
Mike’s 23 acres offered a secluded, quiet setting for the 5 Airstream Trailers and 2 other trailers
to enjoy the camaraderie of camping together with a camp fire every night. Twenty-six people
enjoyed a catered Chicken Bar-B-Q Saturday night followed by 2 hours of great entertainment
provided by Bobby T. and friend who sang music from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s
Mike has a large building with a shower, bathroom, and two rooms that can accommodate 40 people at
banquet tables. Artfully decorated with “Steelers” Memorabilia, a rustic saloon and bar, bandstand,
and other sports collectables, there was ample opportunity to enjoy the 2 breakfasts, (pancakes &
Bacon), (Breakfast sandwich of egg, cheese & Canadian bacon) and happy hours and evening meals.
Municipal water was provided to fill holding tanks and 3 amp rally electric was provided to re-charge
batteries.
Saturday night entertainment
Donna Smith won this miniature
Airstream, and then “donated “it
to Brody Clack.
Donna and I spent Friday in Lockport and Saturday in Niagara Falls.
To those of you who were hesitant to go because there are no hookups, you missed a great weekend.
In spite of the rain Saturday afternoon, no one was flooded out, or got stuck. We are sorry more of
you did not join for this fun rally. We hope Mike will consider hosting another rally in the future as
there is lots to see and do in the Lockport area with the “Big Bridge”, Erie Canal Locks & Paddle Boat
ride, Discovery center, nearby Niagara Falls, Wine Trail. Thank you, Mike for hosting this rally.
---- Ted & Donna Smith #18294
Report on FLU Windsor Rally, August 15 – 17, 2014
If you ever want to know about lovely campgrounds in nooks and crannies of NY, ask FLU members –
they are wonderful resources!
Ed and Margie Valentin hosted this rally at Lakeside Campground, at which they used to keep their
Airstream camper on a seasonal basis (the Airstream they lost in the Owego Flood). A hidden gem of
a campground, Lakeside is well kept, very friendly, and has wonderful facilities for a small group such
as ours.
While the weather was cool, the friendships were warm at all our events. Ed and Margie provided two
home-cooked dinners, breakfasts, and we had our typical wonderful happy hours and camp fires with
lots of goodies. (see Trina’s popular guacamole dip recipe following.)
Friday night, harpist Meredith Bocek entertained us with lovely music and her description of how she
became an “occasional” harpist (she plays for Occasions and not for an orchestra), as well as some of
her exploits and recent training to learn how to play in hospital and hospice settings. Saturday night,
accordion player Dave Hores joined us and got our singing and dancing juices flowing.
Left: Meredith Bocek playing a small lever harp,
with a larger one behind.
Right: Meredith’s husband joining her in a duet, with
him playing the “mouth harp” or harmonica.
On Saturday, many of us travelled a short 5 miles to a very small (135 acre) Benedictine Monastery,
Transfiguration Monastery, where we learned about how it got started, is organized, and what
services they provide. With four services a day in their gem of a chapel and 8000 volumes in their
library, as well as a retreat house which can handle 7 visitors, the three nuns and one retired priest
have a full-time job supporting themselves financially. We also visited their gift shop where they
make products available to the public (our cat really likes the organic catnip mouse toy we brought
home.)
Dave Hores entertained us Saturday night
with a wide variety of music: old songs,
boogie-woogie, polkas, and Irish dance tunes.
Sister Mary Donald discussed the rule of St. Benedict
and answered questions in the chapel at
Transfiguration Monastery, right.
Rally attendees, joined by Roy DeWitte and daughter
Ann who were camping at a family reunion nearby,
paused for a group picture aboard the Lakeside
Campground kiddie train, below.
Thanks again to Ed and Margie for planning and organizing a varied and interesting rally in Windsor,
NY.
--- Melissa Fowler
Trina’s Guacamole Dip 1 large avocado, 1 1/2 T onion, 1/4 c mayonnaise, 1/2 t chili powder, 1 T lemon juice, 1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper.
Put in food processor, blender or chopper. Blend until smooth.
August Business Meeting Minutes
Meeting was called to order by President John at 9:25 am, August 16th. Invocation was given by
Larry Letteney. Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.
Roll Call: Larry & Peggy Letteney, Ann Jackob, Ray & Connie Hoxie, John & Esther Dona, Will and
Marlene Heikkila, Jack & Trina Kelley, Ed & Margie Valentin, John & Nancy Hussar, Tom and Melissa
attended the rally but were not at the meeting. A motion to accept the minutes of the May Welcome
Back Luncheon was made by Larry Letteney and seconded by John Dona. All approved. President
John thanked Ed and Margie Valentin for hosting this rally. He also thanked Larry Letteney for
stepping up to First Vice President with Rich Peebles unable to continue in that capacity.
There was no Treasurer’s report or New Member report since Ted and Donna Smith did not make
this rally. Ann Jackob was going to get a card for all to sign to send to Donna Smith who is having
some tests done. No newsletter update since Melissa was also absent from the meeting. Ed Valentin
said he is working on the web page. John Dona said he is getting things all set for the East Aurora
rally. Rev Harold Kingdon will be co-hosting with the Dona’s. A coupon for attendees to fill out and
send to John will be in the next newsletter which is coming out shortly after this rally. There will be
a “Taste of East Aurora” going on while we are up there. Esther told members that they can come up
early on Thursday but there won’t be any activities starting until Friday.
President John spoke of the results of the International elections. It’s also noted in the new Blue
Beret. All three amendments were passed that the Kingdons voted on for our unit.
Election of 2015 officers took place. A copy of the slate was handed out to everyone to view. They
are:
President – Larry Letteney
1st Vice President – Nancy Hussar
2nd Vice President – Harold Kingdon
Secretary – Peggy Letteney
Treasurer - Ted Smith
Directors – Ray Hoxie (2 yrs.), Roy De Witte (3 yrs.) and John Hussar (3 yrs.)
Since there were no nominations from the floor Larry Letteney made a motion for the secretary to
cast one ballot and John Dona seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Also, members that offered to be Chairpersons on the Standing Committees are:
Membership – Donna Smith
Newsletter – Kathy Herrera
Web Master – Ed Valentin
Sunshine – Ann Jackob
Directory – Ray Miller
Safety – John Hussar
Caravan – Ray Wagner.
Motion was asked for one ballot cast by the secretary along with the officer’s motion.
VP Larry Letteney thanked President John for filling the ballots for 2015. He then told of possible
rallies for 2015 that are in the working. Nothing yet for the welcome back luncheon/rally, The Horns
for the June rally at the Pennwood Airstream Park, Donas for July in Wellsille for a balloon rally and
Kelleys and Heikkilas for August/Sept Installation rally in Hammondsport. These are all tentative.
We have also been invited to join with the Ontario unit for a Canadian rally. (See list in the early
pages of this newsletter)
President John spoke on behalf of Ray Wagner for his caravan going to Sugarcreek. There are still
openings for anyone to join. Motion was made by Esther Dona and seconded by Ray Hoxie to accept
the caravan as a unit activity. The motion passed.
Nancy has Wounded Warrior decals on sale from region 2. They are $3.00 each. There was a
question if Mike Clack received our $250 donation to Make-A-Wish since his rally was cancelled.
Some people still attended on their own and Ted Smith was present to present the check to Mike.
Nothing more to discuss so President John told a couple of jokes and then Peg Letteney made a
motion to adjourn seconded by Connie Hoxie. Meeting was adjourned at 9:58am.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Hussar, Recording Secretary
Caravan to Sugar Creek Rally, September 14 - ??
Call Ray Wagner if you are interested!!! Home: 585-334-0816 – Cell: 585-208-7884
From Our Treasurer
See the coupon for renewing membership in previous newsletter or attached to this e-mail message.
WBCCI International dues in are still $65.00, and Unit dues are $ 10.00, and $15.00 for those
members who do not have e-mail and want a hard copy of the newsletter mailed to them.
New York Finger Lakes Unit Installation Rally
---- And Larry Letteney Inauguration Party
Dates Friday, Sept. 12 Thru Sunday, Sept. 14
Location Fireman's Field, East Aurora, NY ( 15 amp & water )
Directions
Beautiful East Aurora is located south east of Buffalo near #400 & #16. Head for the main
junction of Main Street&
Olean St.& Pine St. (Rts. #16,20A,&78 ) in East Aurora, From the East or South take RT 16 North at the south
end of Interstate # 400.
From the West or North (Interstate # 400) exit @ 20A & 78, and west to the main junction of Main, 16,
20A,&78. Go North on Pine St.
After about 1/2 mile, be cautious as the road takes a partial right and does not stop. You will want to go straight
North on Pine St.
(crossing the angle street - Porterville Rd. ) towards Sinking Ponds Wildlife Sanctuary. After about 1/2 mile and
before Sinking
Ponds you will see a Dead End Sign at the Composting Center. Turn left at the composting area and continue on to
Fireman's Field.
Friday Come early, park, relax. Tour on your own
4:30 - 5:30 Happy Hour
6:00 Fish Fry at Iron Kettle - 1009 Olean Road (Rt #16 ) - Buffet Style - (Optional-$15 ea )
7:30 - ? Fun, Games, Conversation
Saturday
8:00 -9:00 Pancake Breakfast
9:30-10:00 Brief Business Meeting - Old Officers
10:00-11;00 On your own - Vidler's 5&10 (Main Street)
11:00-12:30 “Taste of East Aurora” (Main Street)
1:00-4:00 Tour on your own - Made in America Store (900 Maple Rd. Elma,NY) Roycroft Campus (Main & Grove St.)
Fisher-Price Store (636 Girard Ave)
4:30-5:30 Happy Hour
6:00-7:00 Grilled Steak Dinner (Bring table service)
7:30 Installation of New Officers
8:00 Brief Business Meeting - New Officers
9:00-? Conversation, Games, etc.
Sunday
8:00-9:30 Breakfast to Order (catered)
10:00-11:00 Words of Wisdom - Rev. Harold Kingdon
12:00-!:00 Lunch - Pot Luck and Leftovers
Afternoon? Help Clean-up - Dump Station on Grounds Notes: Bring 2 pictures - Your childhood picture (less than 10 year old and of your first automobile.
Bring firewood if handy. Blue&Gold installation dress/ business casual.
Coupon
Name(s)_______________________________________________Trailer No.________
Parking Fee and Camping
$15.00 per night X______ = $_________ (Note: Sugarcreek Caravan People Can Stay Sun Nite for Add'l $15)
Fri Fish Buffet (Incl. Tax & Tip) $15.00 per Person X_____= $_________ Rally Fee, Steak & Breakfasts $24.00 per Person X_____= $________ Steak____,Chicken_____, Vegetarian_____
Children (Under 12) Free Steak Dinner & Installation Only $15.00 per Person X______= $________
Total Enclosed = $__________ Make check payable to John Dona. Mail check before August 30.
Mail to John & Esther Dona, 217 Woodshire Ct., Getzville, NY Questions: Call John Dona 716 830 9697 or Harold Kingdon 716 597 7801
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Have YOU thought about hosting a RALLY???
It may sound scary, but it’s not that hard! There is a wealth of experience in the NY-FLU on how
to host a rally and lots of people who have done it many times, with whom you can consult or
partner. What you mostly need is an idea, a location, and the desire to try it out.
IDEA: Is there a local event, such as a village craft fair, town-wide garage sale, parade, festival,
or other site-of-interest (museum, historical site, etc.) near your home? Or one you have always
wanted to visit? The location of the rally may suggest interesting places for the group to visit or
tour on their own. Another type of rally is a “service rally” where the group members perform
some type of community service for a not-for-profit organization, such as an historical society or
charity benefit.
LOCATION: Is there a campground, town park, state park, or fireman’s field nearby? Fireman’s
fields often have great kitchen facilities and can be very reasonably priced. Town parks or
campgrounds will often provide pavilions at no extra charge to a group which reserves a certain
number of sites, and the NY-FLU owns quite a bit of food-prep equipment.
Once you have an idea of when and where you might like to host a rally (and some veterans say this
is the hardest part), contact the president or first VP of our unit and coordinate with the
schedule s/he is putting together. The first VP usually spends much of the year formulating the
schedule for his/her Presidential-year rally season.
Then it is time to reserve camping sites at the location you have chosen; check with the president
or VP to determine how many you should reserve. Draw up a rough schedule of events. This
includes mealtimes (will they be provided or will folks be on their own?), entertainment, scheduled
tours or free time to see local sites. Some rallies involve unit business meetings or installation of
officers, which may be held at a local restaurant or even around the campfire!
Determine what it will cost for each couple or single person who attends. Some hosts ask each
attendee to make his/her own reservation with the campground and pay it directly. Others lump it
together with rally fees. The overall rally fee can include food for meals that will be provided,
entertainment, entrance for your event or site-of-interest, and possibly a small memento of the
weekend. Also check with the treasurer to see how he would like to handle funds. Some hosts have
checks made to them and then they turn any overage over to the treasurer at the end; some have
the treasurer do all the work by having checks made to the club and vendors paid by the
treasurer.
The flyer sent to the newsletter editor a few months ahead of the event should list the event
location, schedule of events, interesting spots to visit in the area, the deadline for registration
and any tasks each registrant may have to do him/herself, such as reserving a site at the park or
bringing an appetizer or dish-to-pass for a happy hour or meal. Also create a coupon for each
attendee to cut out and send to you. Check out old newsletters for examples.
Don’t be shy! Larry Letteney is currently firming up ideas and hosts for 2015 rallies. If you have
an idea or would like to host one – or better yet, co-host with a couple who has done it before --
please get in touch with him.
---Melissa Fowler with help from Kelleys, Smiths, Knittels, and Hussars;
Reprinted from May 2013 Grapevine