As I write this, just a few days ago, our quite little village of East Dennis on Cape Cod made the national news.  There was a stranding of 65 pilot whales on a beach about three miles from our home.  The cause of the beaching is unknown, but not unusual except in these great numbers.

Members of the Cape Code Stranding Network, a group of volunteers, along with hundreds of other volunteers, many of whom were vacationers, worked while thousands watched to save the whales.  It caused some excitement in the village and stretched the town's resources for a day.  Our beaches on the north side of the Cape, Cape Code Bay, are somewhat remote and accessible only by narrow roads and parking on a "normal" summer day is almost impossible.

The volunteers worked all day to keep the whales wet and shielded from the sun to prevent sunburn.  They had to keep them turned on their stomachs to keep them from crushing themselves from their own weight, waiting for the incoming tide.  Some of the whales weighed over 1,000 lbs.  They were successful in returning 46 whales to the deep water and felt good about their efforts over a 12-hour period.

Unfortunately, over the course of the next three days, the whales continued to beach themselves on several different beaches along Cape Code Bay.  Ultimately all died or were euthanized.  The volunteers were exhausted and very discouraged; several attempts are being made to understand the reason for the whales' behavior.

100 years ago such an event would have been greeted with great joy, as whaling was a major industry at that time in these regions.  The blubber and whale oil would have been harvested from the beached whales and a portion of the profits from it distributed to the town fathers and the local minister as was custom and some regulation.

Shifting gears:

We (FMCA) have a newly elected Area VP for the International Area, Max Durbin who will replace Ginger Painter following the Hutchinson, Kansas, Extravaganza.  Ginger had reached her term limit of four years.  We wish Ginger continued success, as she remains active in other FMCA affairs.  She has been a good friend of Discovery International.  Max has been active in the International Area organization and is a good choice for the position.

By the time you receive this, many of us will be attending our Rally in Middletown, Maryland, hosted by the Livingstons.  Because of the number attending, the venue has been changed to the Middletown Fireman's Grounds, with power available and water close by.  Our activities include visits to our nation's capitol.  This will be during the week of the one-year anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.  We will share with the nation and the world the sorrow of these acts and recognize that our lives will never be the same, but we will not be defeated.

For the techies in the group, here is a new web site, www.accessfreightliner.com.  It gives you access to partspro and wiring info online.  You will need to register and need the last 6 digits of your chassis number.

We note with sorrow the passing of Marv Lewis on July 17th, his obituary is included in this newsletter.  He was one of our charter members and attended several of our rallies.  He and Jackie were part of the Alaskan Discovery group led by Jim Campbell last summer.

Sarah and I hope to see you in Maryland or Kansas.

God Bless and Be Well,

Ron

Discovery International will hold an annual meeting in Hutchinson, Kansas, at 9:45 a.m. on October 3rd in the Girl Scout Building.  Please check your program book when you get to Hutchinson for any last minute changes in date, time or location.

It is with a sad heart that we inform you that on July 17, 2002, Marv Lewis of Port Jefferson, New York, passed away 10 days after surgery to remove a benign tumor from his lung.  Marv was one of our Charter Members and he & Jackie were part of the Summer 2001 Discovery International Alaska Adventure group.  Discovery International will make a $25 donation to the First United Methodist Church of Port Jefferson.

Let us take a moment to apologize to any of you who have sent us E-mail and have not received a response from us.  We have been dealing with a computer virus for several months and just in the last few days have been able to begin using our computer again.  Because of our experience, we thought it would be prudent to share with all of you the wisdom of our experience.

Last spring, we got a message from Neil Elkins that he had received an E-mail from us that contained a virus.  Since we had not recently communicated by E-mail with Neil, we were a little puzzled about his message.  That day our odyssey began!

Our first mistake.  We have a 6-year old lap top computer that we use strictly for on-the-road E-mail.  We also have a desktop computer that we use for everything else.  Occasionally we have the wonderful experience of pulling into a campground or resort that has at-the-site phone hook ups.  Since we so seldom have the chance to use the desktop computer on line, we completely overlooked and failed to update our anti-virus on the desktop.  Do Not Make This Mistake!

Our desktop computer became infected with the KLEZ virus.  This is a nasty "worm" variety that does all sorts of mean things, including sending e-mail without your knowledge to those addresses that you have stored in your address book.  The E-mail that it sends can include personal files that you have stored on your computer.

As a result of this infection, we had to install a new hard drive on the desktop computer.  We now have the latest version of an anti-virus software and are in the process of constructing a firewall for internet security.

Our second mistake.  Once we had the brand new anti-virus and necessary live update on our computer, we thought we were safe.  NOT!  The KLEZ worm is particularly tenacious and now is able to get around anti-virus software.  The creators of this computer nightmare have now designed it to infiltrate your computer in halves.  As a result, since the anti-virus software is not looking for half of the virus and then "goes and gets" the other half.  Viola!  Then your computer has the entire virus and it begins it's dirty work.  We have been told that the additional protection of a firewall will help prevent another infection.  We have also been told that an additional precaution that we need to take is to run the live update for windows.

Words of wisdom:

Run your anti-virus update more frequently

Run a live update on windows frequently

Build a firewall

Bill and Diana Allen

There is a very informative article in the August 2002 issue of Smart Computing magazine.  It gives a definition of what a virus is and how it works and the subtle difference between a virus and a worm.  Some computer experts define a worm as a variety of virus.  At any rate, either a worm or a virus can cause lots of damage to your computer and your mental health!

Most people are operating under the misconception that you must download an attachment or open an attachment to have the virus/worm infect your computer. This is not true.  A worm can infect your computer when you open an E-mail or when you view your E-mail in the preview mode.  The creators of the KLEZ worm have now designed it so that it has the ability to come into your computer in "halves."  Once one half of the code is on your computer, that half then "goes and gets" the other half.  This allows the worm to "get around or through" your anti-virus software because the anti-virus software is looking for the complete code pattern.

Ron Hyslop had downloaded the following program to eliminate the worm from his computer:

fix_worm_klez-4.21.zip

When this program did not completely wipe out the worm, Ron contacted:  www.trendmicro.com and was given an additional download that removed the worm from his computer.  He also downloaded their 30-day trial anti-virus software called PC-cillin at www.antivirus.com/pc-cillin/download.asp?country=840. As the electronic age continues to grow and surround us, it becomes even more imperative that we share our knowledge of how to "defeat the dark side!"

Others may already know, but I just discovered a reasonable priced source for '96-'99 Discovery windshield wiper replacements.  Dismayed by the projected Camping World cost of over $65 (President's Club) for two blades plus adapters (plus shipping), I was able to find ANCO blades at my local O'Reilly Auto Parts store for $9.99 each for a total of $19.98 plus tax.  I had to special order an adapter kit (two adapters) for $2.69 (plus $5.00 shipping charge) to adapt the ANCO blades to the Discovery wiper arms for a total of $29.76 including tax and shipping.  The adapter set is a "first time" requirement and won't be necessary for the next wiper change.  So the next wiper change will be only $19.98 ($9.99 each) plus tax instead of almost $60 at Camping World.

The ANCO Part Numbers are 91-26 for the wiper blades and 48-17 for the one-time adapter change out.

Neil Elkins

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!  Charles and Judy DeRose of Glenwood, NY, agreed to host the Discovery International pre-rally next July since the FMCA Motorhome Extravaganza would be held near their home.  Recently, even though they had no plan to sell and quite by accident, they sold their home in New York.

As they will be moving quite a distance away, they immediately secured a location for our pre-rally and have put together some preliminary plans for the event.  So, it is never too early to make plans for next summer.

They will have space for 30 Discoverys at Camp Chautauqua (www.campchautauqua.com).  Lake Chautauqua provides an opportunity for fishing, boating, swimming, etc.  Chautauqua Institution offers attendees an entire calendar of interesting activities, visit their web site www.chautauqua.inst.org.  Golf is also very nearby.  Although the pre-rally will not officially start until Saturday evening, July 12, attendees may arrive on Friday for no additional cost.

Tentative plans include coffee and pastries on Saturday morning with a cookout that evening of hot dogs and hamburgers.  Sunday will be an "on your own" day and might be used for a day trip to Niagara Falls (2-1/2 hours away) or a dinner cruise on the Summer Wind.  This season's rate per person for the dinner cruise is $28.50.  To obtain more information on the cruise aboard the Summer Wind:  www.thesummerwind.com.

Monday evening will be chicken barbeque and Tuesday will be Buffalo Culinary Night featuring pizza, (buffalo) chicken wings and sliced roast beef on a Kimmelweck roll (local delicacy).  And on Wednesday we will caravan to the FMCA Motorhome Extravaganza.

Preliminary estimate of cost per coach is $175.00 which includes 5 nights of camping.

So, no excuses!  Plan to attend.

Well, with only a few days left in August, the Abilene Pre-Rally is all but sold out; only one space of the twenty five available is still open.  Marlene and I are looking forward to seeing all of our old friends and meeting several new ones as well.  It looks like we will have about six couples who are attending their first Discovery International pre-rally and we are especially looking forward to meeting them and welcoming them to the Discovery International family.  Marlene and I know that the hosts of all our earlier rallies have established a very high standard of excellence; we hope that this one in Abilene will be just as enjoyable.

Meanwhile, Charles and Judy DeRose have been busy planning for a rally in July 2003, as a prelude to the FMCA Extravaganza.  From what I know about what they are planning, you will want to be sure and schedule your summer activities so that you will be able to join us.  Charles and Judy are to be applauded for their efforts, for they are doing this in the middle of a move from their current/former home near Buffalo.  Having moved a number of times ourselves, we know that their planning next summer's rally in the midst of the move is a major undertaking and we thank them for their efforts on behalf of our chapter.

Between Abilene and Buffalo, there will be an International Area (INTO) rally at Quartzite, Arizona, in February and another FMCA Extravaganza in Pomona, California, in March.  As of now, there are no plans for a chapter pre-rally for either of those events.  If you think you may attend either of them, please let me know.  Marlene and I are considering going to Pomona but having been there just a few weeks ago, we can't imagine getting to the LA County Fairgrounds by caravan!  But let us know if you're going to attend either of these rallies; maybe we can get something going.

For now, enjoy the rest of the summer.  If you're going to be in Abilene, we'll see you there.  If you're not, we'll see you somewhere down the road.

Have you seen the 2003 Discoverys?  If not, please visit our web site to view pictures of the sleek new Discovery.  Information about our Abilene, Kansas, pre-rally has been posed under "Events."  You may also "link" to additional information about the Washington/Maryland rally while visiting our web site.

Chuck and Donna Tolson are doing a wonderful job of keeping our web site interesting and current.  Thank you Chuck and Donna!

Remember to send your stories, pictures, interesting tidbits, etc. to Chuck and Donna.  You may use their E-mail address:  cdtolson@usa.net or their snail mail address:  1551 Truslow Road, Fredericksburg, VA  22406.

They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the already crowded auditorium.  With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.  Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and moms freely brushed away tears.  This class would not pray during the commencements - not by choice but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.  The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling.  They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned devine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.  The speeches received a standing ovation.

A solitary student walked to the microphone.  He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then he delivered his speech...an astounding sneeze!

The rest of the students rose immediately to their feet, and in unison the graduating class shouted, "God Bless You."  The audience exploded into applause.  The graduating class found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future...with or without the court's approval.  God Bless America.

The breast cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman.  It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on "Fund Free Mammograms" for free (pink window in the middle).  There is nothing to sign up for and no cost to you.  The corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate a mammogram in exchange for advertising.    Here's the website - pass it along to all your friends!

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com

Thanks,

Donna Tolson

Our newsletter does not normally have a want ad or for sale column, but we would like to help in any way we can in the sale of Marv and Jackie Lewis' Discovery.  Marv died quite recently and Jackie wants to sell the Discovery. It is a 2002 37T with 5639 miles and 2 slide outs and all available options plus extras that Marv had not had an opportunity to install.  If any of you would like further information, please get in touch with Jackie at:  JGLewis64@cs.com.

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert.  During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.  The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:  "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE."  They kept on walking until they found an oasis where they decided to take a bath.  The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.  After he recovered fro the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:  "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE."  The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now write on a stone, why?"  The other friend replied:  "When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away.  But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."  LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE.

It is said that it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

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