We are back on Cape Cod, arriving the first of May in time for all our pre-scheduled medical appointments - just to maintain our health so we may keep on traveling and enjoying the good life.  Spring has finally come to the Cape, the azaleas and rhododendrons are in full bloom and the tourists are now coming back as measured by the wait time in our favorite restaurants.

This month, I would like to touch on several subjects, the first being Habitat for Humanity.  You may recall my comments last month about the chapter's participation at the pre-rally and at the Perry convention in the build-a-house fund raiser.  We received a letter of appreciation from HFHI.  I note from the article in Family Motor Coaching, June 2002 issue, that our contribution of just under $1,000 was almost 25% of what was contributed during this event.

In the May International Area newsletter, at their rally held in April in San Antonio, they were able to rise $3,500, which was given to the FMCA Chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  The International Area Chapters are trying to raise enough money by October to provide funding for their first house, the need is less than $20,000 at this point.

In the minutes of the FMCA Executive Board meeting, I was pleased to see that the Board approved Habitat for Humanity as one of the beneficiaries of the FMCA Round Up Program supported by Ganis Credit Corporation.  A motion to be approved at the Governing Board meeting in Kansas is to allocate 50% of the Ganis Contribution to FMCA to Habitat.

Shifting gears; in reading the July 2002 issue of Motor Home magazine, specifically, Gaylord Maxwell's column on page 22, I became aware of a benefit to all veterans that I thought would be good to pass along.  All vets with an Honorable Discharge are eligible for prescription drugs through the Department of Veterans Affairs for a fee of less than $10 for prescriptions costing several hundred dollars.  For more information, read the article or call the VA Health Benefits Service Center, 877-222-VETS or www.va.gov/vbs/health .

Second gear; most of you are aware that Fleetwood is conducting a "product Enhancement Program" involving Discovery motor homes produced through year 1999.  They are inspecting welds on the chassis, some of us had this inspection done at the Pine Mountain pre-rally and you should have received a letter from Fleetwood concerning this program. If you have not had the inspection done or have not received a letter, I suggest that you contact Fleetwood Owner Relations.

Third gear; I hope you appreciated the new look of the newsletter, the photo reproduction is much improved, Diana & Bill continue doing an excellent job for us and we very much appreciate their efforts while they are in the North Carolina mountains.

Overdrive; I want to commend our membership secretary on her efforts to maintain our membership data. She contacted all the people who had not responded to our notices of dues being in arrears and in jeopardy of being dropped from the rolls; in doing so she was able to add 38 coach families back on the rolls. Thank you Janet!

On the roll; there is an important Governing board meeting coming up in conjunction with the Convention in Hutchinson, Kansas, a complete rewrite of FMCA By-Laws will be reviewed and submitted for approval in a two-day meeting.  Griff Livingston, National Director, will represent Discovery International.

On the subject of conventions and rallies, by now you should have registered for the Maryland & Washington, DC, rally and we urge you to register early for the Abilene, Kansas, pre-rally, hosted by Neil and Marlene Elkins.  Look for information in the newsletter and on our Website www.difmca.com   Sarah & I look forward to seeing you at both rallies.

God Bless and Be Well,

Ron

Many of you have seen this presentation by the Executive East Pioneers chapter at the Perry convention.  It was very moving, patriotic presentation of the history of our flag and a good history lesson.

The presentation is in high demand and was video taped at the EAR rally in 2001.  This videotape is available from FMCA for $5 plus $3 for postage.  I have a copy that was given to the chapter, if you would like to view it or use it with a group, I can LOAN it to you to be returned after use.  Just contact me and I will send it to you. I would appreciate $3 to accompany its return to offset the cost of mailing it to you.

Ron Hyslop

Abilene means city of the plains and was selected from Luke 3:1 in the Bible of Sylvia Hersey, the wife of Abilene's founder, Timothy Hersey.  The hometown of President Dwight D. Eisenhower with a population of 6,500, it is the official end of the Chisholm Trail.  Although it once had the reputation of being the "wickedest & wildest town in the west", it has grown from a small cow town to a diverse community with antique shops, museums, and bed and breakfasts.

Hersey established Abilene as a small dugout and log cabin hamlet and stagecoach stop in 1857.  The Hersey home was the first built in Abilene and is preserved in the basement of the Lebold Vahsholtz Mansion.  After Abilene was discovered by the cattle traders, it grew almost overnight into a booming city with the largest stockyard west of Kansas City, more than a dozen saloons, gaudy night clubs, gambling houses, thriving mercantile businesses and hotels.  Tom Smith and Wild Bill Hickok became famous for their attempts to maintain law and order on Abilene's legendary Texas Street.

THE DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER LIBRARY & MUSEUM

The Museum depicts President Eisenhower's life and career from his early childhood through his two terms i office.  The Eisenhower family home is at the center of the complex.  The Place of Meditation is the final resting place of the President, his wife and their first son Doud Dwight Eisenhower.

Public viewing hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

SEELYE MANSION AND MUSEUM

The Seelye Mansion was designed by a New York architect in the Georgian style for Dr. and Mrs. A. B. Seelye in 1904.  Built in 1905 at a cost of $55,000, the mansion contains the original furniture and Edison light fixtures.  Visitors are invited to tour 25 rooms, including eleven bedrooms, ballroom, bowling alley and kitchen areas.  Guests also enjoy the beautiful yard and gardens.

Tours:  Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Admission, adults $10,000, groups of 10 or more $7.50.

MUSEUM OF INDEPENDENT TELEPHONY

Tells the story of C. L. Brown, whose independent Brown Telephone Company of Abilene grew to become the telecommunications company known today as Sprint.

ABILENE LIBRARY DOLL COLLECTION

Mamie Eisenhower, W.P.A. and foreign doll collection.

Hours:  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Thursday:  4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Friday:  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday:  9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Free Admission

LEBOLD MANSION

The stone dugout, built in 1858 by Tim Hersey, still exists in the basement of this imposing Italianate mansion built in1880 for $18,000.  Lebold, the town's leading banker, entrepreneur and real estate baron, served two terms as mayor.

After Lebold suffered bankruptcy, the mansion went to George Sterl.  After Mr. Sterl's death, it was used for a variety of purposes until 1972 when a young couple named Kissinger purchased it and placed it on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Kissingers began the task of restoring the mansion.

In 1974 Fred and Merle Vahsholtz purchased the Lebold mansion and set out to complete the restoration of the 10,000 squire foot home.  In 1976, Merle opened the doors of the restored home and conducted tours for over 23 years until her death in 1999.

The current owners are Larkin May and Gary Yuschalk and are committed to completing the restoration.

Hours:  Tuesday - Sunday:  11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.  Admission:  Adults $10,00  Group Rates Available

C. W. PARKER CAROUSEL

Complete hand carved working carousel manufactured in Abilene at the turn of the last century by C. W. Parker Amusement Co.  Available for rides.

Hours: 

Memorial Day to Labor Day:  Mon. to Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sun 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Labor Day to Memorial Day:  Mon. to Sat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sun 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

---------------------------------

All of the information above about Abilene came directly fro the website shown at the top of this section.

For those of you who love to visit the mountains, keep Davidson River Campground in mind.  It is in the Pisgah National Forest and is dry camping with water hydrants nearby, convenient shower house and a dump station.  The scenery is grand and there is lots to bee and do in the Asheville area.  Reservations are strongly recommended as this is a very popular spot.  877-444-6777 or www.reserveUSA.com .

There will be 26 Discovery International member coaches attending the rally hosted by Griff & Janet Livingston this September.  Arrival date is September 8, departure date September 14.  Members will be going to Washington on a tour bus with a guide on September 9 and 12.  The other days will be self-guided tours of the area.  While at the rally, one dinner will be planned and coffee and rolls will be provided for breakfast.  There will be some pot luck cooking on grills also.

A reminder to those attending:  This will be dry camping, no water, dump, electric or cable.  However, generators can be used.  A hose will be available for water and a septic service will come if needed for pump out.  Pet-walkers will be available (in case the day gets long).  All services (grocery, etc.) are within a few miles.

Please bring an inexpensive gift that reflects your home state, we will have an exchange instead of door prizes.

Directions and more information will be mailed to attendees in July.  In the meantime, if you have questions don't hesitate to call, e-mail or write to Janet & Griff.  Be sure to check out our website with links to this rally.

 

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Thank you for participating in the "Habitat Fund-raising Challenge" at the Perry Convention.  Please forward the following "open letter to your chapter's membership" to your newsletter editor.  Thanks again....

Lynn Laymon F245876

Publications Volunteer

Global Village/Volunteer Services

Habitat for Humanity International

1-800-422-4828, ext. 2509

Discovery International Chapter - FMCA

On Behalf of Habitat For Humanity International, I take the opportunity to thank those of you who participated in the "Build A House For Habitat" challenge at the Perry FMCA convention.  The $940.00 raised by your chapter was the largest donation received.  Congratulations on winning the challenge!  Your donation will help put a roof over the heads of a low-income family who otherwise could not afford a decent home of their own.  We sincerely appreciate your generosity and support, and look forward to a continuing partnership.

In partnership,

David Minich - Director, Global Village

Habitat For Humanity International

Events  Home  Newsletters