Dear Friends,

      With just four days until we leave for the 2001 Discovery International Alaskan Adventure, I'm taking time out to put some comments together for this column.  We have six coaches heading out on this trek of three months, which should be a trip of a lifetime.  It appears we may add about 10,000 more miles onto the 60,000 miles logged on our "D."  At the Oklahoma City Convention we chose to replace the front tires, so we would have a spare tire to carry with us.

      After returning to Indiana, I contacted the local Freightliner shop about replacing the bell crank to reduce the steering wander, we had the work completed.  Since we have four years on our D, I decided to also replace the house batteries, so $300 later we now have four new Trojans.  Now as soon as Lois gets all the clothes and food loaded in the coach, we should be ready to leave.

      The Branson Rally was a roaring success, the food and shows were excellent and we owe a great big "Thank You" to the Bokas and Elkins.  During the Branson rally, we spawned two new rallies which you need to add to your planning calendar.  The Condreys have secured a very nice campground for the Pine Mountain Rally to be held March 13-17, 2002 just prior to the FMCA Winter Convention to be held in Perry, GA.  Griff and Janet Livingston announced they will be hosting the Greater Washington DC fun time rally in September 2002 and they are still working out details on this rally.  I'm sure it will be one that you will not want to miss.

       At our Chapter meeting in Oklahoma City the members elected a nominating committee of John Didich, Janet Livingston and Lois Campbell who have put together a slate of officers to be elected at the Chapter meeting in Redmond, OR.  This meeting has been scheduled for August 24, 2001 at 8:00 p.m. to be held in Seminar Room 5.  Also, at our meeting we approved Neil Elkins to purchase a motor home flag pole, American flag and Discovery flag to be used at rallies and conventions.

      Russ & Roxie Foster, with the help of the Allens and Livingstons are putting together the details for the Sister's Pre-rally to be held in August, 2001.  Russ has already secured a caterer for one dinner and one breakfast.  I'm sure with his helpers they will put together a fantastic rally.  Be sure to attend so you can get a first hand report from those who took the DI Alaskan Adventure.

      Well, back to packing so we can head north.  We hope to keep in touch with friends through e-mail and have several pick-up places for snail mail.

Happy Discoverying

Jim

      Discovery International members, Russ and Roxie Foster have graciously agreed to plan our pre-rally in Sister's, Oregon at the Rodeo Grounds.  Their original commitment was simply to secure the site, which they did long ago.  In the meanwhile, we (Jim Campbell) have prevailed upon them to be the hosts for the occasion.  They have been long-distance planning in our behalf, even though they have a brand-new grandchild!  Thank you Russ and Roxie.  The schedule of activities and registration form are in this issue of the newsletter.  Because Russ and Roxie are traveling, Griff and Janet Livingston will be accepting the registrations.  So, please fill out the registration form and get it in the mail to Griff and Janet.

      The May, 2001 issue of Family Motor Coaching includes the pre-registration form for the Redmond, Oregon Summer Convention.  There is the usual "early bird" registration discount for registrations postmarked before 7/6/01.  You may also register on-line at www.fmca.com (5/1/01 - 7/20/01).  If you wish further information you may also call 1-800-543-3622 and ask for the Convention Department.

www.geocities.com/difmca

      Our Web Masters, Chuck and Donna Tolson have worked very hard to get our Web Site up and running.  They have been able to post general information about our organization as well as excerpts from past newsletters and pictures.  They are doing a great job.

      In order to keep the web site interesting, please help the Tolsons by sending Discovery pictures, either in jpeg format on the internet or regular "hard copies" that you have had developed.  Also, they would appreciate receiving anecdotes o travel or experiences with your Discovery that can be shared with the membership.  Chuck and Donna can be e-mailed:  cdtolson@usa.net for internet communication.  If you want to send pictures or stories their, snail mail address is:  1551 Truslow Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia  22406.

      Had anyone asked Marlene and me that question a couple of years ago, we would have answered with a pleasant but unambiguous "no."  At that time, we had never attended a rally of any kind even though we had been RVing and members of Good Sam since around 1983 and we had been FMCA members ever since buying our first Class A in 1997.  Having spent all of our adult lives in the Navy, frequently living in close quarters with our fellow service members, we had grown to savor our privacy and value the peace and quiet offered by the RV life.  Looking back on those times in our RV "career," it's not that we didn't like people, it was just that we wanted to be able to be on our own schedule and to be able to escape the Navy's "Plan of the Day" which had so long governed our activities.

      But that all changed in 1999 after we bought our Discovery and noticed an item on the Internet about the Discovery International pre-rally in Middle Amana which would be a run-up to the International FMCA Convention in Ames.  We decided to look into one of these "rallies" so we made a phone call to Jim and Lois Campbell, who were (as always) very gracious and invited us to come join the group, even though at that time we weren't members of the chapter.  So, we decided to try a rally, although we still weren't quite sure what to expect and didn't know if we would enjoy it or not.

      Our memories of that first (for us) rally are quite clear:  Good folks, Good food, and Good fun.  We had a great time among folks we had never met, seen, or heard of before, but we still weren't ready for the hordes we expected would be at the International Rally at Ames.  Besides we had commitments at home we had to get back for.  But we enjoyed the first pre-rally so much that we immediately joined the Chapter and when we heard about the one the following year in Fryeburg, we knew we wouldn't want to miss such a great time.  And the second rally was as good as the first, if not better because this time we knew a little more about what to expect and also there were more folks to meet in addition to renewing friendships with those whom we had met at Middle Amana.  But, we still weren't ready for the International scene, especially after hearing all the horror stories that came out of Ames.  Besides, obligations at home, you know....

      So in March, having been snagged to help John and Mary Boka with the pre-rally in Branson, we had little choice other than to help out o the caravan from there to the International Convention at Oklahoma City.  So we resigned ourselves to going to a convention with thousands of motor homes and twice that number of people.

      What an experience!  It was nothing like we had feared.  First, we traveled from Branson to Oklahoma City in a caravan organized and led by Jim Campbell.  What a fantastic job he did for this 340-mile caravan!  If at all possible, I think we will always prefer to go to the International in a caravan.

      Then, at Oklahoma City we were parked with the same folks we had been with at the pre-rally.  (And we were all still good friends, by the way!)  And, after some initial confusion on the part of the parking committee, things were very well organized.  There were so many things to do and see (and BUY!) the time just flew by.

      First, the official Discovery International Chapter meeting brought in more old friends and acquaintances who had not been at the pre-rally and we had a chance to reminisce about earlier rallies.  And we had a chance to talk about future rallies and activities.

      Then there was the opening ceremony at the outdoor stage where the national President made introductions, the Frustrated Maestros performed and the Convention was opened with the singing of the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  Marlene and I, or course, hold the anthem and flag very dear, but you can only imagine the unexpected thrill I received when the Frustrated Maestro who sang the National Anthem was none other than my Aunt, Sioux Smith, whom I had not seen in several years!

      The displays of the inside vendors, the coach displays, and the entertainment concerts were wonderful and entertaining.  The subject matter seminars were good (in most cases).  But the best part was the camaraderie of the Discovery International folks who came with us to share information and experiences about our RV life as well as sharing food, conversation and memories!

      Having finally gone to the International FMCA convention, would we do it again?  Absolutely, positively, and emphatically YES!  We will be in Redmond, Oregon, on August 14.  But first, we will be in Sisters, Oregon, on August 7 at the Discovery International pre-rally.

      I wrote this article not because I thought anyone would be interested in our personal story or experiences but because I wanted to share them in order to encourage the readers to come along on our next rally and the ones after that.  Despite our earlier misgivings about rallies, we have combined the opportunity to enjoy the company of our fellow Discovery owners with the opportunity to enjoy the great beauty and fabric of our nation.  And when the need for solitude call, we have the privacy of our own "home o wheels" where we can take refuge.  Coe on along with us...I don't think you will regret it.

Neil Elkins

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      President Jim Campbell opened the meeting at 10:00 am, followed by the pledge to the flag.  A quorum was established to hold a legal meeting.  Then the introduction of officers.  Minutes were approved as read.

      Jerry Sullivan gave information concerning International Rally in Edmonton, Canada, June 24-26, 2001.  1-800-543-3622.

      Lois Campbell presented by-laws and standing rules (minor changes) which were passed by the members.

      Janet Livingston (Secretary to the Membership Chairman) read the Treasurer's Report, it was accepted as read.  Janet will also maintain the membership lists (directory) and take care of name tags.

      Jim Campbell advised the members that Discovery International was invited to distribute literature at the Fleetwood Tent.  Him spoke about upcoming events - Renfro Valley, Kentucky Discovery International Rally, October 10-14, Sister's Oregon pre-rally, August 7-10, 2001 at the Rodeo Fairgrounds.  Pine Mountain Georgia pre-rally (dates pending), a Washington/Maryland Rally 9/8 to 9/15/2002, and a pre-rally in Kansas 9/23 to 9/27, 2002.

      A new treasurer, Lois Campbell, was elected.

      A nominating committee was also appointed.  Members Janet Livingston, Lois Campbell and John Didich will serve.

      The purchase of a flagpole ($500.00 limit), a PA system ($1,000 limit), purchase an ad in FMCA (to advertise our web site and chapter info) and the purchase of a plaque for Bill Scheerer our outgoing treasurer ($50.00 max) were approved.

      Discussion item:  Decal for towed vehicle (Discovery International) generated much interest.

      The Branson pre-rally was discussed.  Voting methods for our upcoming election were discussed:  mail-in ballots, or newsletter, or elect at a summer international rally.  Members voted to remain the same - elect at International Rally.

      Meeting adjourned at 11:32 a.m.

Respectfully submitted:

Dick Bohn, Secretary

      We had a pre-pre-rally and pre-rally which all went smooth so we knew the real rally would be a success.  Take good food, good shows, and mainly great people, stir and the fun took place.

      We only had one person that had a hard time no matter what he did (he did this all by himself).  First, he smashed his finger while he released his tow bar (that really hurt), then he locked himself out of his truck at the car wash and the best for last, he locked himself out of the coach.  At least when he did the last event, we discovered how many supervisors plus ladder and skinny people we had.  And to top the whole rally they had been celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary---Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Ed and Jan Colburn.  They were good sports for all the teasing they got.

      Chastains had a great facility where we had some of our meals and gab sessions.  At one of our gatherings, Jim had heard all bout the New Orleans rally that no one could make except the Livingstons and Condreys.  It seems the gentlemen had a great time at Mardi Gras giving out the beads from the balcony and the story goes before you got any beads, you had to show something.  In keeping with the event, Jim and Lois found sculptured candy on a stick and it looked like something they got to see.  You better ask Griff and Harry the whole story.

      Not all the shows were opened yet, but we did get to see a few.  As a group, we went to The Presley Show, but other shows that people saw were Jim Stafford, Moe Bandy, Shoji Tabuchi, Baldknobbers, Jennifer In The Morning and more events like riding the Ducks.

      We had one SOB who joined us, they were on their maiden voyage and we hope some day they get smart and get a good coach.  They were a lot of fun and were very happy they joined us.

      Our 50/50 went to the Missouri Boys and Girls Town and we received a lovely note saying that the money was going tot he Therapeutic Equine Program.

      Thanks to our co-hosts, Neil and Marlene Elkins, everything went smoothly.

      Hope to see you in Oregon in August.  We will bring all the pictures.

John and Mary Boka

      The 2001 Discovery International FMCA Chapter Membership Directory has been compiled, edited and a copy mailed to each member.  If there is an error contained in any of the information, please let us know so that the information can be corrected our our records and future issues of the directory.  Likewise, if you have not received your copy of the directory, please let us know.

 

SLATE OF OFFICERS

The nominating committee has proposed the following members to be voted upon at our meeting in Redmond, Oregon.

President, Ron Hyslop

Ron and Sarah are on their fourth motor homes since 1992, and second Discovery.  Like many others, they started in tents and graduated to a pop-up trailer as their children grew.  They left camping for a while and built a log cabin vacation home in Vermont.

Ron retired in 1995 from a 40-year career in Manufacturing Engineering and Senior Management.  Upon retiring they relocated from Tulsa, OK, back to their native New England and built their home on Cape Cod.  A recent addition to their real estate is an RV lot at Crystal Lake RV Resort in Naples, FL.

Ron & Sarah have been married 45 years and have a son and a daughter and two granddaughters.  They both like to travel and they do Stained Glass and Ron does Cabinet Making as therapy.  Ron was part of a small group who worked to get the Discovery International Chapter formed and chartered.  he is presently representing our club as National Director.

V. President, Neil Elkins

Neil was born and raised on a small farm near Santa Rosa in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and lived in that area until he left to begin a career in the U.S. Navy in 1960.  It was while stationed at Albuquerque in 1979 that Neil met and married Marlene who was also serving a Navy career.  They were able to move together to Washington, D.C., where they began their RVing career with a Volkswagen Westphalia pop-up. Soon thereafter they moved up to a 21-foot travel trailer and pickup.

After Neil and Marlene both retired, they settled in a rural area near Paola, in Miami County, Kansas.  Now they wanted something they could use to travel and see the USA from the ground instead of from the air.  They moved up to their '99 Discovery 36T which has after 22 months taken them from coast-to-coast and border-to-border.

Although they joined FMCA soon after buying their first motor home, they opted to not join an FMCA chapter until attending the Discovery International pre-rally in Middle Amana in July, 1999.  They immediately joined, declaring that they had to join any group that could put together such a great potluck dinner!  And they've continued to enjoy the delightful company of the Discovery International members at pre-rallies in Fryeburg, ME, and Branson, MO, and at the FMCA Winter Convention in Oklahoma City.  They are looking forward to many more years of active participation in the chapter.

Secretary, Pat Walkup

Pat has been married to Ed for thirty eight years.  She claims four children and eight grandkids.  She worked in the banking and S & L industry for 25 years in Georgia, Illinois and Tennessee.  She has been retired for 12 years.

They began RVing in a pop-up trailer with four kids plus one Basset hound and moved into pleasure boating for 25 years.  They then bought a 5th wheel unit to see if RVing was fun without kids and dog.  It was!  Purchased a S.O.B. motor home and sold the "retirement" home in Tennessee and moved to the permanent base in Ft. Meade, FL.  On the year 2000 trip they traded the S.O.B. for their 2000 Discovery 37G.

Treasurer, Laverne Foerster

Laverne and her husband Bob travel in a 1997 Discovery.  They have been members of Discovery International since 1999 and have attended rallies in Amana, Iowa, Fryeburg, Maine and Branson, Missouri.  They will not be attending the rally in Sisters, Oregon or the FMCA Convention in Redmond due to a prior commitment.

The Foersters live in Woodstock, Illinois and have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

Alt. National Director, Harry Condrey

Harry is 55 and has been married 38 years to Mary and they have 2 daughters, both school teachers.  They are grandparents of 1 grandson and 2 granddaughters.  Harry has 2 years of college and lives in a semi-rural area 10 miles north of Columbus, GA for the past 26 years.  They both retired from small business (auto body repair shop).  Hobbies are "TRAVELING," cars, gardening, internet stock investing, and Discovery Friends Gatherings.

National Director, Griff Livingston

Griff is a retired Captain/Station Commander after 36 years in the Fire Department at a busy station in Montgomery County Maryland.  At work Griff was also a member of the Collapse Rescue Team and was in charge of the honor guard.  Looking back on his career he says the scariest situation he's ever been through was when he taught daughter #2 to drive!  His interests are NASCAR, working on cars, gardening, birds and traveling.  He travels with wife Janet and faithful companions, Smitty & Louie (Miniature Schnauzers).

Membership Sectry, Janet Livingston

Janet is a retired Montgomery County Maryland paramedic.  When not traveling she volunteers for Hospice.  Hobbies are NASCAR (especially going to races in the motor home), cooking, gardening, and crafts.  She lives in Middletown, Maryland with husband Griff, youngest daughter Jocelyn, two dogs and a cat.

      Several people have asked about the Discovery shirts and hats that members have worn to pre-rallies and chapter meetings.  This form is what was used at the Fryeburg, Maine, rally.  Sue will do existing shirts or jackets if members contact her, or she can provide many of the items--shirts, sweatshirts, jackets and hats.

Ron Hyslop

Scope for RV's?

So you think a gallon of fuel is expensive?

Here are a few things that Autoweek brought to our attention to compare.

This is what it costs to buy a gallon of...

• Diet Snapple 16 oz. for $1.29 equals $10.32 per gallon

• Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz. for $1.19 equals $9.52 per gallon

• Gatorade 20 oz. for $1.59 equals $10.17 per gallon

• Ocean Spray 16 oz for $1.25 equals $10.00 per gallon

• STP Brake fluid 12 oz. for $3.15 equals $33.60 per gallon

• Vick's Nyquil 6 oz. for $8.35 equals $178.13 per gallon

• Pepto-Bismol 4 oz. for $3.85 equals $123.20 per gallon

• Whiteout 7 oz. for $1.39 equals $254.17 per gallon

• Scope 1.5 oz. for $.99 equals $84.84 per gallon

and this is the Real Kicker...

• Evian Water9 oz. for $1.49 equals $21.19 per gallon

You get the idea?

So, next time you're at the pump, be glad your RV doesn't run on Nyquil, Scope, Whiteout or even WATER!

      While we were attending the Discovery Rally in Fryeburg, Maine, last August, we heard about FMCA's Deductible Reimbursement Insurance Plan" from another Discovery owner.  Since we have a high deductible on our health insurance plan, this additional coverage was something that registered in our minds.

      In September, we were at a Rally in Door County, Wisconsin when LaVerne required medical attention in the emergency room at a local hospital.  In November, we submitted a claim to FMCA for our out-of-pocket expenses and in January they responded with a check.  There is a $50 deductible on this plan and you must be more than fifty miles from home.

      There is a form in your January 2001 issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine and a full explanation of this benefit as well as other benefits that are available to FMCA members.  These benefits are paid through your annual dues to FMCA.  We think this is quite a bargain.

Bob and LaVerne Foerster

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Editors note:  In the May issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine on pages 173-176, just in front of the Summer Grand International Convention registration, there is an article that lists the benefits with a brief synopsis.

      Your refrigerator light may be on all the time (even when the door is closed) and like any light bulb, if left on all the time it will shorten the life of the bulb.  If the ambient switch is turned on, the light will be on all the time.  The ambient switch should only be turned on when the outside temperature is below 50 degrees.  So save the bulb by turning off the AMBIENT switch located beneath the top decoration panel that houses the control panel.  Also save $$$ when the bulb burns out, buy the replacement bulb at Pep Boys.

      It is such a pleasure to arrive at a park at the end of a very long day and find the facility to be "on the cutting edge."  There is such a park just north of Houston.  It opened last fall and the developers have done lots and lots of very nice things.  The 237 spaces are concrete with concrete patios with picnic table, and they spared no concrete.  The clubhouse is separate fro the administration building.  The swimming pool is heated and enclosed, but the doors on either end open to let nature in, a heated spa, wading pool, Japanese water garden, shuffle board, tennis court, bocce ball, horse shoe pits, playground, several covered picnic areas with group-size grills, at-the-site telephone hook-ups, cable TV, beautiful shower houses and laundry, billiard room, exercise room, craft room, a 15,000 sq. ft. wood dance floor, stage and 30' x 30' kitchen, 4 meeting rooms with 2 kitchens and 25 "cabin" for your guests.  The administration building is truly lovely with a library with books and videos, small camp store and a wonderful boutique.  While we were there, the park hosted three rallies - so you Discovery Texans could easily plan a rally for Discovery International!

      Should you visit the Houston area, you might want to check out Havens Landing, 1-800-535-8351 www.gocampingamerica.com/havenslanding 

      Audrey and Dennis Myhre were recently in an RV park in St. Louis where they camped for 3 weeks.  When they got ready to leave, Dennis opened one of the Discovery's cargo doors and discovered 2 newborn kittens lying amongst their stored items.  The placed the kittens in a box outside the motor home and the mother cat later came and removed them from the box.  Dennis and Audrey returned to their home near Branson and while cleaning out under the coach in the storage area where the fresh and grey tanks are, they discovered two other newborn kittens!  Dennis found where the mother had entered through the sewer hose opening in the floor of the utility compartment, she crawled through the small opening near the fresh water tank and delivered the kittens in the center compartment.  The kittens were still alive and seemed to like baby formula quite well!  Dennis and Audrey have since found an "adoptive parent" for the kittens at a local veterinarian clinic.  [Printed with permission from the Myhre's.]

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