Big Sky Chapter Officers ... President Mike Teague 406-868-6711 Vice President East Al Baird 406-656-3606

Vice President West Tony Heaton 406-846-2710

Secretary Dixie Teague 406-868-6711 Treasurer Susie Farr 406-431-9341 Wagon Master Gene Farr 406-461-0426 National Director Tom Clump 406-651-8938 Alternate Director Mary Popiel 406-651-8938 Historian Karen Davis 406-360-0395 Newsletter/Membership Chair Susie Farr 406-431-9341

June 2013

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Covering the State of Montana

PresidentsMessage ...

Greetings Big Sky FMCA Group,

Well, summer is almost upon us in Montana. I just wish spring was a bit warmer.

I hope everyone is as excited as we are for the first rally of the year at the Billings KOA (406-252-3104) on June 15 - 17. As you most likely know this rally is being hosted by Bob and Becky Hagen and is one of our required busi-ness meetings. Even though the pre-reserved spaces had to be released on May 24th, if you call now it is always possible you will still be able to reserve a site. We hope to see as many of you as possible at this important rally.

One of the rally agenda items has to do with the atten-dance prize money of $100. For those of you who are new to our group, a member name is drawn from a hat at every rally and presented with this ‘bonus’. What if we split it up and gave $50 instead and $50 to the host couple? Or, we could still do the $100 attendance drawing but the host pay no rally fee. The point is we would like to find a way to make hosting a rally more enticing.

Another item needed to be done is auditing our books. The thought is we would like to get a 2 or 3 volunteers to get together, while at the Billings rally, to complete this task. It should not take more than a couple of hours at most.

I have just learned that we now have rallies slated for both August and September. Gene Farr, our Wagonmaster, has more on this in his message. I can’t thank Gene and Susie enough for their work in getting these arranged.If you have not already done so, there should still be time to register for the FMCA 88th Family Reunion in Gil-

Wel

come to

our newest members

Bob & DoniaBovee

of Big Timberbobb@mtintouch.net

Montana Fun Fact!The Montana Yogo Sapphire is the only North American gem to be included in the Crown Jewels of England.

lette, WY on June 19 - 23. Several of us plan to caravan from Billings to this rally. This should be an outstand-ing rally for seminars, etc.

Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at one of these upcoming rallies.

Mike

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Wagon MasterMessage

Newsletter Editor andMembership ChairMessage

I am happy to report that we have added 6 new members since our final rally last year:

• Jeffrey & Jewel Shapiro of Belgrade• Owen & Shannon Johnson of Billings• Will & Shirley Ketterling of Joliet• Ron Peters & Patricia Lawshe of Kalispell• Bernie & Sandy Power of Great Falls• Bob & Donia Bovee of Big Timber

We are happy to welcome you and hopefully we’ll meet & greet you at an upcoming rally.

Are you a “His” and “Hers” email household? If you would like the newsletter sent to two e-mail address please let me know. My e-mail is wa2trvl@yahoo.com. The newsletter is printer friendly so you can print it for future refer-ence or to share.

Thanks,Susie

Roster Corrections• Bill Walling & Lois Freeman zip code is 59602.• Mariam Barth should be Miriam Barth and the phone number should be 406-980-1386 or 406-980-1412.• Jack Foster correct email: jfoster@rconnects.com• Jean Foster correct email: j95f646nv@rconnects.com• John & Donna Bruce email: jdbruce4854@aol.com• Norm & Mary Popiel address: 1328 W. Ramshorn Dr.

(If you have a correction for the roster please e-mail me)

June 2013 Rally: Hosts: Bob and Becky Hagen - Bill-ings Rally, June 15, 16, and 17 with travel to the Na-tional Rally on the 18th. See agenda in this newsletter.

July 2013 Rally: Hosts: Donn and Julia Borden - The Mission Valley Rally, July 18th - 21st in Ronan. See Agenday in this newsletter.

August 2013 Rally: Hosts: Tom and Dianne Clump; Co-Hosts, Dennis & Karen Davis. Ennis Rally, August 8th - 10th in Ennis. Book Early spaces may be limited to 10 spots (more if available). Call Ennis RV Village, 1-866-682-5272. Need to book your space by July 25th. $33.71/night (with Good Sam discount). Make sure to mention you are with the Big Sky FMCA. More information to follow.

September 2013 Rally: Hosts: Jim & Linda Bales of Livingston.. TheLewistown Rally, September 6th - 8th. Book Early spaces may be limited to 14 spots (more if available). Call Mountain Acres RV, 1-406-538-7591. Need to book your space by August 15th. $27.82/night. Make sure to mention you are with the Big Sky FMCA. More information to follow.

Gene Farr, Wagon Master

Mountain Acres RV Park, Lewistown

Ennis RV Village, Ennis

BOOK EARLYSEE DETAILS

ABOVE

BOOK EARLYSEE DETAILS

ABOVE

THANK YOU to Bob & Becky Hagen, Donn & Julia Borden, Tom & Dianne Clump, Den-nis & Karen Davis, and Jim & Linda Bales for hosting our 2013 Rallies. It’s members like this that makes our club a success. Show your appreciation and attend these rallies.

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Billings Rally!Saturday, Sunday &

MondayJune 15, 16 & 17

Hosts: Bob & Becky Hagen 628-4387/671-1349 krowmag1@gmail.comRally fee: $20 per couple (does not include dinner at the Golden Corral or camping fee)Location: KOA Billings, 547 Garden Ave., Billings, (Directions: Exit 450) 406-252-3104 $52/night Water + Electricity/pull thru - 10% discount with cardWe are responsible for making our own reservation and reservations must be made no later than May 24th (20-25 spots are being held and they will be released after the 24th). Just let them know you are with “Hagens FMCA Rally”. From there anyone going to the National rally can caravan to Gillette, leaving Billings on the 18th.

AGENDASaturday, June15 (Arrival) 5:00 pm Happy Hour - Bring your drink and a heavy hors d’ oeuvre - this can suffice as dinnerSunday, June 16: 8:30 am Continental Breakfast 5:00 pm Happy Hour - bring your drink 6:00 pm Caravan to the Golden Corral ($10.95/pp)Monday, June 17 8:30 am Continental Breakfast 10:00 am Golf 5:00 pm Happy Hour - bring your drink 6:00 pm Potluck - Bring your favorite dish to share Business Meeting Bring a White Elephant Gift (one per couple) Attendance Award DrawingTuesday, June 18 8:30 am Continental Breakfast. Departure Day - SAFE TRAVELS!!!!

Billings Attractions: All the shopping the women can endure. Men can go to Cabela’s or Home Depot. Zoo Mon-tana. Golf. The Rimrocks. Moss Mansion. Western Heritage Center. Need RV supplies? Visit Pierce RV Super Cen-ter or Bretz RV & Marine.

------------------------------------------------- CLIP AND MAIL -------------------------------------------------Deadline for rally fees of $20 due May 24th. Rally fee includes continental breakfasts.Make Checks payable to Bob Hagen. Mail to: 1514 Portal Drive., Laurel, MT 59044

Name Phone

Will you be golfing: Yes No (circle one) How ManyWill you be joining the caravan to the Gillette Rally? Yes No (circle one). Have you made your reservations yet? Yes No (circle one)

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Host: Donn & Julia Borden 406-241-5315 or 5322 jborden99@aol.comRally Fee: $20 per couple (includes 2 Continental Breakfasts, 1 Egg Dish Breakfast, Sat. Dinner Meat

& most important ~ good times & great company!!!) Location: Diamond "S" RV Park & Campground ~ 46711 Old Highway 93, Ronan, MT 59864

406-676-2267 camp-diamond-s@ronan.net

Directions from the North (Polson/Kalispell/Whitefish/Glacier) Proceed south on Highway 93 out of Polson. At the south (second) traffic light in Pablo, immediately past Salish Kootenai College, continue south about 3/4 miles to highway marker 51 staying in left lane. Turn left onto OLD HIGHWAY 93 and proceed for three miles. Diamond "S" RV Park will be on your right, just before Old Highway 93 rejoins Highway 93.

Directions from the South (Missoula/Arlee/St. Ignatius) From Missoula take Exit 96 and proceed north through Arlee and St. Ignatius, to Ronan. At the second (north) traffic light in Ronan continue north about 3/4 miles to where Old Highway 93 turns to the right. Turn onto Old Highway 93 and Diamond "S" RV Park will be on your left.

Thurs. July 18th

5:30 pm Happy Hour – Bring your beverage & a ‘heavy’ hors d’oeuvre (it can suffice as dinner!) Evening trip to the National Bison Range (about 20 mins south of Ronan)

Trip through the Bison Range takes 1 1/2 to 2 hrs, gate closes at 9:30 pm. Fri. July 19th

8:30 am Continental Breakfast On your own - see Mission Valley attractions below 5:00 pm Happy Hour – Bring your beverage & snack if you like Dinner on your own – or join the group for dinner at NINEPIPES LODGE

Sat. July 20th 8:30 am Breakfast Casserole provided 9am-6pm Flathead Cherry Festival 2013 - Polson Main Street 5:00 pm Happy Hour – Bring your beverage6:00 pm Dinner at the Diamond "S" RV Park Pavilion – Fried Chicken & Variety of Salads provided

Bring your favorite side dish or dessertGift Drawings after dinner!

~~ Remember to bring your White Elephant Gift for the gift exchange (one per couple) ~~Sun. July 21st

8:00 am Continental Breakfast Departure Day ~ Safe Travels

Mission Valley Attractions: Flathead Cherry Festival 2013 - Polson Main Street, July 20th and 21st. And --the National Bison Range, NINEPIPES Museum of Early Montana, Four Winds Trading Post, Ninepipe Reservoir and Wildlife Preserve, hiking at North Crow or McDonald Lake, St. Ignatius Mission, Fort Connah (historic Hudson Bay Trading Post), Flathead Lake, multiple golf courses, Ronan rifle and pistol range, self-pick cherries at the Lake

Host: Donn & Julia Borden 406-241-5315 or 5322 jborden99@aol.comRally Fee: $20 per couple (includes 2 Continental Breakfasts, 1 Egg Dish Breakfast, Sat. Dinner Meat

& most important ~ good times & great company!!!) Location: Diamond "S" RV Park & Campground ~ 46711 Old Highway 93, Ronan, MT 59864

406-676-2267 camp-diamond-s@ronan.net

Directions from the North (Polson/Kalispell/Whitefish/Glacier) Proceed south on Highway 93 out of Polson. At the south (second) traffic light in Pablo, immediately past Salish Kootenai College, continue south about 3/4 miles to highway marker 51 staying in left lane. Turn left onto OLD HIGHWAY 93 and proceed for three miles. Diamond "S" RV Park will be on your right, just before Old Highway 93 rejoins Highway 93.

Directions from the South (Missoula/Arlee/St. Ignatius) From Missoula take Exit 96 and proceed north through Arlee and St. Ignatius, to Ronan. At the second (north) traffic light in Ronan continue north about 3/4 miles to where Old Highway 93 turns to the right. Turn onto Old Highway 93 and Diamond "S" RV Park will be on your left.

Thurs. July 18th

5:30 pm Happy Hour – Bring your beverage & a ‘heavy’ hors d’oeuvre (it can suffice as dinner!) Evening trip to the National Bison Range (about 20 mins south of Ronan)

Trip through the Bison Range takes 1 1/2 to 2 hrs, gate closes at 9:30 pm. Fri. July 19th

8:30 am Continental Breakfast On your own - see Mission Valley attractions below 5:00 pm Happy Hour – Bring your beverage & snack if you like Dinner on your own – or join the group for dinner at NINEPIPES LODGE

Sat. July 20th 8:30 am Breakfast Casserole provided 9am-6pm Flathead Cherry Festival 2013 - Polson Main Street 5:00 pm Happy Hour – Bring your beverage6:00 pm Dinner at the Diamond "S" RV Park Pavilion – Fried Chicken & Variety of Salads provided

Bring your favorite side dish or dessertGift Drawings after dinner!

~~ Remember to bring your White Elephant Gift for the gift exchange (one per couple) ~~Sun. July 21st

8:00 am Continental Breakfast Departure Day ~ Safe Travels

Mission Valley Attractions: Flathead Cherry Festival 2013 - Polson Main Street, July 20th and 21st. And --the National Bison Range, NINEPIPES Museum of Early Montana, Four Winds Trading Post, Ninepipe Reservoir and Wildlife Preserve, hiking at North Crow or McDonald Lake, St. Ignatius Mission, Fort Connah (historic Hudson Bay Trading Post), Flathead Lake, multiple golf courses, Ronan rifle and pistol range, self-pick cherries at the Lake

Big Sky FMCA1620 Honey RoadHelena, MT 59602

BIG SKY FMCA MEMBERSHIP FORMName FMCA#

Address City State Zip

Phone Cell# (Optional)

E-Mail(s)

Annual dues $15.00 plus one time new member sign up fee of $5.00.Badges (not required) $12Make checks out to Big Sky FMCA. Multi-year memberships available.Circle: 1 yr 2 yr. 3 yr. Total amount Enclosed

Mail to Susie Farr, Treasurer, 1620 Honey Road, Helena, MT 59602