2016 TACO Spring Newsletter

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TACO
Promoting RV Travel & Camping in Texas
Spring 2016
Stay on top of all
the exciting information
this year at:
TACOMembers.com
Take a look at the speakers that will be at the
2016 TACO Spring Meeting & Trade Show this year!
KEYNOTE – JAYNE COHEN
Jayne Cohen has over 40 years of outdoor hospitality and customer service experience. She owned a large and
very successful family camping resort in New Hampshire until it was sold in 2003. Until October 2011, she was the
President of Adventure Bound Camping Resorts, a privately owned company with 10 camping resorts. In 2011
Jayne began consulting and recently merged with David Gorin to form the Gorin Cohen Consulting Group which
provides a variety of consulting services exclusively to the RV Park and campground industry. Jayne uses her skills
and experience to assist clients to improve their revenues and profits by creating better experiences for their
guests and creating systems, procedures, and strategic plans to obtain a client’s financial goals.
LEON RESNICK & TERRANCE RESNICK
Leon B. Resnick and Terrance K. Resnick,
identical twins, are partners in Resnick
Associates, a nationally recognized estate
planning, business succession, and life
insurance advisory and implementation
firm with offices in Kansas City and
Harrisburg, PA. Lee and Terry have
spoken before and worked extensively
with a large number of campground
Associations and campground business
owners, including ARVC and many state
campground Associations throughout the U.S.
THAO NGUYEN
Thao Nguyen is part of CBRE’s
Manufactured Housing and RV Group,
representing buyers and sellers in the
acquisition and disposition of MH/RV
communities. Focused on properties in
the South Central region, with emphasis
in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arkansas, Louisiana and New
Mexico. She is a Texas resident with 14 years of commercial real
estate experience – six of those years were specialized in the
valuation of MH/RV assets, and she will provide valuable details
on how to present or acquire campgrounds in Texas.
LARRY BROWNFIELD
2015 will go down as one of the most
successful years in the history of Outdoor
Hospitality. Looking back we can discover
what went right, wrong and where we
are going in 2016. Also this presentation
will examine the foundation of market for
growth opportunities. After a career with positions related to
organizational management and leadership, Larry started his work
with KOA in 2006 joining the Business Development Team of KOA
as a Business Development Consultant in Franchisee Services. In
2010 he accepted the position of Senior Business Development
Consultant in the System Development Department, responsible
for property acquisition, working with independent campgrounds
in the KOA conversion process and franchise sales.
JEFF CRIDER
Jeff Crider, TACO’s publicist, will discuss
good things and bad things he has observed
in campgrounds, RV parks and resorts from a
marketing perspective. Jeff will also give you
the basics on what your marketing and PR
strategy should be focusing on and how to
incorporate into your marketing, PR and social media strategies
into a comprehensive plan. If you do the same old things you will
get the same old results – let Jeff show you how to shake it up!
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Consider the Many Benefits of being a TACO Member!
STATE DIRECTORY
The RV Travel & Camping
Guide to Texas
The RV Travel & Camping Guide to Texas
is the #1 preferred camping guide in Texas
according to an independent nationwide
survey by Yesawich & Associates. The ‘TACO’
guide is the most widely distributed directory
in the state which is critical since many parks
are reporting that 60-70% of their business
is coming from within the state. Also found
was the fact that RVers are taking shorter trips
closer to home (Stay-cations!) – which makes
it more critical than ever to have your display
ad in the TACO guide. The entire guide is
online at the State Website.
STATE WEBSITE
TexasCampgrounds.com
The #1 camping website in Texas is
TexasCampgrounds.com. This site has
experienced unprecedented 20% monthover-month growth. The site presents TACO
member parks with complete listings and
banner advertisment to help travelers plan
their trips and see all the amazing events that
the Lone Star state has to offer. For parks
that actively use Google analytics to see
where their website traffic is being generated,
TexasCampgrounds.com always appears
in the Top Ten referring sites! The site also
features a robust Guest Reviews program that
allows members to get direct feedback from
their customers.
LODGING WEBSITE
AccessCamping.com
TexasCabinRentals.net is a rapidly growing site
where TACO members can have a full park
listing and banner advertisment to promote
rental accommodations.
CO-OP MARKETING
PROGRAMS
TexasCabinRentals.net
› The association offers a wide variety of
cooperative efforts for parks to target their
message. This includes mailing park literature
weekly with the TACO Guide fulfillment
requests.
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› Handing out park literature at RV
shows and listing parks in quarterly e-blasts
to consumers.
› We also provide free social media set up
for your website.
TACO LEGAL AND
LEGISLATION PROGRAM
› One of the most important features to
being a TACO member is being a part of the
ongoing battles to protect RV park owners
and operators. Not only does TACO have an
attorney to advise TACO members on specific
issues but a legislative consultant in Austin
who keeps his ear to the ground at all times.
› This includes introducing key legislation to
enumerate parks in the penal code. Such was
the case with the Theft of Services bill and the
recently passed Trespass bill. These key pieces
of legislation allow parks to more effectively
run their businesses.
› TACO efforts were vital in getting a
later school start date passed in the Texas
legislature. This extended the camping season
for many parks that experienced significant
increase in their end of summer business.
› TACO worked directly with the state
comptroller to implement a set of forms to
allow parks to seek refunds of utility sales tax
on usage by monthly guests. Many TACO
members have gotten back thousands of
dollars with the largest refund check to date
being $42,000!
› One-on-one legal counseling through
your membership with TACO. We’ve helped
dozens of individual campgrounds with
specific legal issues that have arisen at their
park and guided them towards a positive
resolution.
STATE SHOWS
› TACO offers a wide variety of opportunities
for members to broaden their industry
education and sharpen their park operations.
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› The association hosts the largest industry
trade show in the Southwest every spring.
In addition to money-saving vendor
opportunities, park owners can attend a wide
variety of educational classes to gain the
latest insight to the industry.
› In the fall, the association hosts a Parks on
Tour that allows park owners to visit other
parks and see how their fellow park operators
are handling day-to-day operations and what
plans they have for the future.
› TACO maintains a member’s only website
located at www.TACOMembers.com where
parks can find numerous vendors that
specialize in the campground industry. The
savings offered by these industry specific
companies can more than pay for the cost of
membership in the association.
› On TACOMembers.com there is a
password protected area where members
can obtain legal forms such as monthly guest
applications, monthly guest agreements,
typical park rules, etc. This tool and the
information it offers can be invaluable in
running a campground.
KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH
MEMBERS
› The TACO office understands the
challenges that face park operators today
in delivering a quality experience. When
park operators in Texas have a question they
can always call the state office and get a
response. Over the course of a year the TACO
office gets hundreds of calls from members
with questions ranging from park rule
violations, to non-payment, to work-camper
issues, to marketing concerns and all points
in between.
› Texas is known for its greatest export
– hospitality. Because of constant
communication with other park owners and
extensive research, the TACO office is able to
provide answers to member questions.
› A great source of communication is TACO
News. This quarterly publication features
insightful articles, trade member information
and spotlight write ups. Industry news is
disseminated on a timely basis through
this publication and also through monthly
member e-blasts.
› TACO staff is readily available at spring and
fall conferences, state RV shows, by email and
phone calls to the office.
ADDITIONAL MARKETING
OPPORTUNITIES
› For a small fee we have additional
marketing opportunities such as displaying
ads in the RV Travel and Camping Guide
to Texas.
› Banner ads on TexasCampgrounds.com;
www.TexasCabinRentals.net; and
www.AccessCamping.com.
› Featuring park status on
quarterly consumer blasts regarding
TexasCampgrounds.com.
› Various TACO member discounts from
TACO trade members, which are located on
the TACOMembers.com website.
TEXAS CAMPGROUNDS
EDITOR: MICHAEL MOORE
ARTWORK: DIANA MASK
DISTRIBUTION: TACO MEMBERS, TACO TRADE MEMBERS, TACO PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS
CONTACT: 910 S. CROWLEY RD, STE. 9-504
CROWLEY, TX 76036 | 877-518-1989
TEXAS CAMPGROUNDS
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TACO Officers
& Directors
Regional Directors
Region 3
Randall Dally
Rayburn RV Hideout
Brookeland, Texas
Region 4, Past President
Doug Shearer
Parkview Riverside RV Park
Rio Frio, Texas
Region 5, President
Gwen Craig
Rayford Crossing RV Resort
Spring, TX
Region 6
Ed Welliver
Oleander Acres
Mission, TX
Region 7, Secretary
Cheryl McLaughlin
Hatch RV Park
Corpus Christi, Texas
Directors At Large
Director At Large
Susan Prater
Forest Retreat
Paradise, Texas
Director At Large
Bryan Kastleman
Hill Country RV Resort
New Braunfels, Texas
Director At Large
Doug Jensen
Texas Lakeside RV Resort
Port Lavaca, TX
––––––––––
Executive Director/CEO
Brian Schaeffer
TACO Office
Crowley, Texas
Legislative
Ron Hinkle
Legal
Cobb and Counsel
2016 Texas Primary
Election Analysis
By Ron Hinkle, Legislative Consultant - Austin, TX
PRESIDENTIAL OVERVIEW
Dewhurst, marking a notable increase of strength by the Tea Party
in Texas). Although Cruz beat Trump by 16.95%, who as the other
perceived outsider, acquired 26.75% of the vote, for a combined
70.45% of the GOP primary vote. The anointed establishment
candidate, Senator Marco Rubio was only able to marshal just 17.73%
of the primary vote at the top of the ticket, just 2.27% below the 20%
needed to qualify proportionally for Texas delegates. Cruz, who was
endorsed by many of the current statewide GOP leadership, including
Governor Abbott and Lt. Governor Patrick, was in a must win situation
in his home state, which he won handily, perhaps becoming the new
alternative to Trump as the presidential narrative plays out. It would
seem unlikely that Rubio or Kasich would suspend their bids prior to
their home state primaries (Florida and Ohio respectively), but it was not
a surprise that Carson suspended his campaign.
Despite the rapid escalation of anti-Trump campaign expenditures
in various states last Tuesday’s primary election results certainly brought
into focus the identify crisis gripping the GOP, sending a real signal
to the Establishment, that Donald Trump, barring some catastrophic
change in voter direction, is well positioned to win the Republican
nomination. Since Super Tuesday, the GOP establishment is now 1 for
15 in this cycle, giving Trump more delegates (385) than Cruz (300, who
did win Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Alaska, Kansas and Maine) and Rubio
(151, who won was Minnesota and Puerto Rico). The Republican Party
has 2,472 delegates nationally, requiring a candidate to secure 1,237
for the nomination. It could be that the Cruz and Rubio campaigns
to advance their numerical delegate possibilities and offer various
brokered convention scenarios. However, the GOP establishment
needs to comprehend the breath of Trump’s current appeal and the
mathematical realities of the current delegate count situation. Likewise,
Hillary Clinton’s performance among Democratic voters makes her the
presumptive favorite for her party’s nomination, extending the lead for
her party’s delegate count, with 1130, significantly ahead of Senator
Bernie Sanders, who has garnered only 499 delegates. Barring some
colossal change in voter attitudes, Clinton is well on her way to securing
the 2,382 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.
There are a multitude of Super Tuesday story lines to pick from, but
from a Texas perspective, some of the more compelling include down
ballot drop off and Senator Cruz’s margin of victory as a test of Tea
Party or non-establishment support.
PRIMARY TURNOUT
At least 4.24 million people voted in either primary, narrowly
eclipsing previous record set in 2008. For the GOP, 2.83 million or
19.9% of registered voters participated, nearly doubling previous record
set in 2010. For Democrats, 1.41 million or 9.8% of registered voters
cast ballots, not quite half the record of 2008 but more than last two
primary elections combined. The bottom line is that voter turnout was
very high.
TEXAS DOWN BALLOT IMPACTS
As previously reported, it is interesting how the national presidential
campaigns might impact a number of state legislative down-ballot
races, particularly with the anticipated increase in voter turnout and
vast sums of campaign expenditures in various targeted campaigns that
is believed were among the most significant in terms of the primary
CRUZ MARGIN OF VICTORY &
ANTI-ESTABLISHMENT SENTIMENT
Senator Cruz’s home state margin of victory (43.7%, cracking his
37% ceiling during his U.S. Senate primary against former Lt. Governor
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result influencing or shaping the tone and tenor of next state legislative
session. A quick look shows that while the “movement” conservative
sentiment was in full bloom at the top of the ticket, particularly
when benchmarked against the combined vote that Cruz and Trump
(70.45%) received, incumbents and the GOP establishment did equally
well with the GOP primary voters. Absent a complete forensic view of
voting demographics and patterns, it appears that there was indeed
record numbers of voters participating in the Texas primaries of both
parties. However, it also appears that there was significant down ballot
drop off. In other words, some primary voters cast their ballots for their
preferred presidential candidate (top of the ticket) and no one or fewer
down ballot. It is often debated on who benefits more from the down
ballot drop off phenomenon – incumbents or challengers, but in many
of the close races, incumbents seemed to have the advantage.
It is not unusual that targeted financial resources in certain state downballot races, when combined with multiple candidates, and the larger
than normal presidential turnout of new primary voters can result in
some legislative upsets – every cycle there are always a few surprises in
elections. However, this primary
election cycle will most likely be
remembered as somewhat
strange and oddly unpredictable,
with numerous examples of
candidate conduct, vulgar
dialogue, blatant untruths, and
dirty tricks blunders that have
destroyed campaigns in the
past, seeming to not matter and
defying adverse expectations that played out in years past.
MANSFIELD, TX
SHOREPARK ARKANSAS CITY, KS
PARK MODEL RV’S Dave Winter ‐ Park Model Manager Office Phone: 620‐506‐4717 Cell: 316‐217‐2235 Email: dwinter@skylinehomes.com H TACO WINTER 2015
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RV Park Insurance Specialists Since 1968
Rowley Insurance’s long-standing commitment to be
the best means that we go above and beyond the usual
standards when it comes to providing competitive rates
and exceptional service to our clients. Our stability
means that you can rest easy when it comes to dealing
with the details.
There is No Substitute for Experience
How long has your current insurance agent been
writing RV Parks? Rowley Insurance has been
writing RV Parks since 1968, longer than most
other agents in the country.
How many RV Parks does your agent write?
Rowley Insurance writes more RV Parks in
Texas than any other agent.
The Independent Advantage
• We are an independent agent, which gives us
access to more than one company, representing
most of the RV Park insurance companies.
• As an independent agent, we can customize
your insurance coverage to provide the best
package to meet your needs.
Major Underwriter of many TACO Events!
Our professionals will be happy to provide you with a quote
for your insurance coverage (with no obligation to you!)
(800)880-9397•(512)454-6655
www.rowleyinsurance.com
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Visit TACOMembers.com and click on the Suppliers tab!
HORIZON RV RESORTS
RANDY HENDRICKSON. . . 805-253-1562
Westlake Village, CA
Property mgmt, acquisitions
HorizonRVResorts.com
JAYNE L. COHEN & ASSOCIATES, LLC
Jayne Cohen . . . . . . . . . . 603-279-6693
Meredith, NH
Campground consulting
campgroundlodgingconsultants.com
LEISURE SYSTEMS
Ron Vitun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513-831-2100
Milford, OH
Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts
jellystonefranchise.com
LEAVITT RECREATION &
HOSPITALITY INS.
CHRIS HIPPLE. . . . . . . . . . 605-423-4333
Sturgis, SD
Insurance for RV Parks and Campgrounds
irhinsurance.com
MISSION MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
SYSTEMS INC.
PETER KEARNS. . . . . . . . . 800-547-9147
Software, online reservations
CampgroundManager.com
MOORE’S CAMPGROUND CONSULTING
JOE MOORE. . . . . . . . . . . . 817-999-4108
COLLEYVILLE, TX
Professional Campground
Assessment
moorescampgroundconsulting.com/to
NEWPORT PACIFIC
Karri Seeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . 281-323-5383
League City, TX
Management and Development
newportpacific.com
PASSPORT AMERICA
Cara Hollad. . . . . . . . . . . 800-681-6810
Crestview, FL
Free campground affiliation network
passportamerica.com
PELLAND ADVERTISING
PETER PELLAND. . . . . . . . . 413-268-0100
Haydenville, MA
Website design & hosting, 4-color
brochures, rack cards, ad-free site maps
pelland.com
PHILADELPHIA INSURANCE
LANCE GOFF. . . . . . . . . . . 469-221-7932
Addison, TX
RV park insurance services
phly.com
PINNACLE PARK HOMES
ANDY DAVIS. . . . . . . . . . . 229-574-5159
Ochlocknee, GA
Park model homes & cabins
PinnacleParkHomes.com
PLATINUM COTTAGES
DE-ANN AMES. . . . . . . . . 903-675-2525
Malakoff, TX
park model manufacturer
platinumparkhomes.com
PPL MOTOR HOMES
DIANA LEBLANC. . . . . . . 800-755-4775
Houston, TX
RV consignment dealer
pplmotorhomes.com
RESERVE AMERICA
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .858-964-3800
Dallas, TX
Reservation software
reserveamerica.com
ROWLEY INSURANCE
KEN ROWLEY. . . . . . . . . .800-880-9397
Austin, TX
RV park insurance services
rowleyinsurance.com
RV PARK REVIEWS
ANDY RIBINOWITZ. . . . . 888-447-8787
Southlake, TX
Campground website that features
consumer reviews
rvparkreviews.com
STARK FOUNDATION
Ellen Welker. . . . . . . . . . . 409-221-6667
Orange, TX
Cultural Venues – Museum of Art,
Botanical Gardens, etc.
starkculturalvenues.org
SKYLINE
DAVE WINTER. . . . . . . . . . 800-658-1611
Arkansas City, KS
Park model manufacturer
skylinepm.com
SOUTHEAST PUBLICATIONS
BRIAN MCGUINN. . . . . . . 800-832-3292
Plantation, FL
Guest Guides, Printing & Marketing
southeastpublications.com
TENGO INTERNET
ERIC STUMBERG. . . . . . . . 512-469-7660
Austin, TX
Wireless internet provider
tengointernet.com
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TEXAS LAUNDRY SERVICES
LINDA MOORE. . . . . . . . . 800-888-0074
Pasadena, TX
Sales/service/parts for coin & card
operated laundry equipment
tel.com
TXAD INTERNET SERVICES
BRADEN WALKER. . . . . . . 877-518-1989
Crowley, TX
Website design, hosting, & marketing
txadinternet.com
UTILITY SUPPLY GROUP
WADE ELLIOT. . . . . . . . . . 800-800-2811
Preston, WA
RV park utility products
Go-USG.com
WELCOME HOME RIO GRANDE VALLEY
KRISTI COLLIER . . . . . . . . . 956-687-5115
McAllen, TX
Rio Grande Valley Vacation Destination
welcomehomergv.com
WILCOR INTERNATIONAL
SUSAN CORRIGAN . . . . . 800-346-2345
Frankfurt, NY
Camping goods
wilcor.net
YOUR ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS
Maggie Linnell. . . . . . . . . 248-391-2400
Lake Orion, MI
Electrical supplies for MH and RV parks.
yourelectricalsolutions.net
Be sure
& visit the
members
websites
for more
information
and updates!
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AGS PUBLISHING
MICHAEL MOORE. . . . . . . 877-518-1989
Crowley, TX
Guest guides, site maps and marketing
agspub.com
ARK ASSURANCE
Gary Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . 903-509-2292
Tyler, TX
RV Park Insurance
arkassurance.com
ATHENS PARK HOMES
Charles Lohin. . . . . . . . . . 903-677-0108
Athens, TX
Manufacturer of Park Models and RVs
athensparkhomes.com
B&B ELECTRICAL
MATT LINNELL. . . . . . . . . 888-391-3802
Keego Harbor, MI
RV pedestals and distribution equip
bbelec.com
BAEHRE REAL ESTATE
RUSSELL BAEHRE. . . . . . . 830-896-5050
Kerrville, TX
RV park real estate
rvparksforsale.com
BONFIRE
Sean Ferguson. . . . . . . . . . 877-377-9682
Dallas, TX
Campground management
letsbonfire.com
CAMCO
TOMMY DOYLE. . . . . . . . 336-668-7661
Greensboro, NC
Cg store display & merchandise
camco.net
GERBER MANUFACTURING
JEFF URSO. . . . . . . . . . . . 800-393-9923
Madison, WI
Picnic tables, benches, etc.
gerbertables.com
COINMACH
Sam Soles. . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-627-0290
Corpus Christi, TX
Laundry equipment for RV parks
coinmach.com
GOOD SAM RV TRAVEL GUIDE
DAWN WATANABE. . . . . 800-323-9076
Ventura, CA
National Campground Directory
woodalls.com
GUEST REVIEWS
BOB MACKINNON. . . . . . . 877-707-7080
Murietta, CA
Online guest rating system
guestreviews.com
TACO TRADE MEMBERS
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Remember to call a TACO Member first!
Perfect Ratings
Go To 19 Texas RV Parks!
By Woodall’s Campground Management, Industry News
Nineteen Texas campgrounds, RV parks and resorts have scored
10-10-10 ratings in the 2016 issue of the Good Sam RV Travel Guide and
Campground Directory.
“We are very, very fortunate to have so many quality parks in Texas,”
said Brian Schaeffer, executive director and CEO of the Texas Association of
Campground Owners (TACO). “The park operators understand the value of
providing a quality, year-round product and it’s paying off in their ratings and in
their numbers.
“What’s also noteworthy is that all but one of them are members of our
association. So not only do they understand the value of presenting a quality
product to the public, but they also understand the benefits the association
brings to the table in terms of our government affairs program and our
marketing program.”
Texas parks that secured 10-10-10 ratings
in the Good Sam directory include:
Advanced RV Resort in Houston: This park has a heated pool and
laundry facilities; a barbecue area as well as a recreation building. The park is
close to the Tom Bass Regional Park, which has a public golf course, fishing
ponds, a model airplane field and nature trails. www.advancedrvpark.com
Alsatian RV Resort & Golf Club in Castroville: This San Antonio-area
resort features luxurious RV sites with at least 20 feet of manicured grass on each
side of the sites. Nine of the RV sites have “casitas” with covered kitchens that
feature granite countertops, a stainless steel grill and a small refrigerator. The
casitas also have indoor bathrooms and a separate room with a computer desk
and closet. Other resort amenities include a restaurant and bar with indoor and
outdoor seating; an infinity pool and hot tub; a walking trail and dog park. Other
amenities include an onsite spa with manicure, pedicure, waxing and massage
services and an 18-hole golf course. www.alsatianresort.com
Bentsen Palm Village in Mission: This park is located near the World
Birding Center and Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park and has access to
more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails that connect visitors with nature.
The park, which has two miles of frontage along the Rio Grande River, also
has a wood shop and a craft room that is frequented by quilters and sewing
enthusiasts. The park also offers a variety of art classes, including gourd painting,
Swedish blanket making and water colors. www.bentsenpalm.com
Buckhorn Lake Resort in Kerrville: This park has pickleball and tennis
courts; a nine-hole practice putting green; an exercise fitness center; stocked
catch-and-release fishing ponds; an enclosed dog park; and a country store. The
park also has an adults-only section, guest cottages and year-round RV storage.
www.buckhornlake.com
Fernbrook Park in Longview: This park features 89 big-rig-friendly sites;
a saltwater swimming pool; a pet-friendly nature trail; a dog run; disc golf; a
commercial laundry facility and propane service. www.fernbrookpark.com
Forest Retreat RV Park in New Caney: This park’s amenities
include swimming pool, clubhouse, onsite propane and laundry facilities.
www.forestretreatrvpark.com
Galveston Island RV Resort in Galveston: This park has premium RV
sites with grills as well as a swimming pool and poolside lounge; a bark park for
friendly pets; a convenience and gift store and propane services. The park is also
near a protected wildlife area for migratory birds. www.galvestonrv.com
Jamaica Beach RV Park in Galveston: Located across the street from the
beach, this park offers 111 RV sites; a swimming pool and spa; an adult pool; a
splash pond; and indoor spa; a laundry room; pizza and miniature golf.
www.jbrv.net
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Johnson Creek RV Resort in Kerrville: Built amid a pecan orchard on
a scenic bluff overlooking Johnson Creek, this 50-acre park has a clubhouse on
site with formal dining rooms and kitchen facilities as well as an outdoor dining
and reception area that is shaded by a massive oak tree. The resort also has a
Western-themed chapel that looks like it was built in the late 1800s, complete
with wood floors and pews, which is frequently used for Sunday services as
well as wedding ceremonies. The park also has a Western-themed rally hall
and saloon, which is used for weddings, rallies and other special events with
large groups of people. The interior of the rally hall is lined with fake furnished
storefronts, which make it appear as if you have stepped back into the days of
the Old West. www.johnsoncreekrvresort.com
Katy Lake RV Resort in Katy: This 18-acre park surrounds a six-acre lake.
Amenities include a computer room and exercise room; a dog park and dog
wash station; a walk-in swimming pool and a hot tub. The park has a two-day
limit on children. www.katylakervresort.com
K. E. Bushman’s Camp in Bullard: This park has 97 RV sites and six
tent sites. Amenities include a fenced dog run; an all season pool and hot; tub
walking trails; and a stocked fishing lake. www.kiepersol.com/rv-park
Mill Creek Ranch Resort in Canton: This park, which often serves as a
venue for weddings and other special events, features park model cottage rentals
and lodges. Amenities include six stocked fishing ponds, paddle boat rentals, a
fenced dog park, horseshoe, volleyball and basketball courts, an infinity pool and
hot tub. www.millcreeranchresort.com
Northlake Village RV Park in Roanoke: This park can accommodate big
rigs up to 45 feet in length. The park also has laundry and fitness facilities and a
propane station.
Oak Creek RV Park in Weatherford: This park’s amenities include a
spacious reception hall with a full service kitchen; two big screen TVs with
surround sound; a swimming pool and an oversize hot tub.
www.oakcreekrvpark.com
Rayford Crossing RV Resort in Spring: This resort’s amenities include
spacious RV sites; a large rossing.com
Rio Bonito Cabin & RV Park in Liberty Hill: This park is located on the
North San Gabriel River in the Texas Hill Country. The park has RV sites as well as
park model RV rentals. Amenities include a recreation hall, walking trails along
the river and a propane filling station. www.rbcabinresort.com
San Jacinto Riverfront RV Resort in Highlands: This resort has a view of
the famous San Jacinto Monument, where Texas won its independence in 1836.
The 33-acre park has more than 300 RV sites. Rental cottages are also available.
Amenities include an adults-only infinity pool; a family pool; a clubhouse; a oneacre pet park; and a 150-foot-long fishing pier. www.sjriverfrontrvresort.com
Shallow Creek RV Resort in Gladewater: This big-rig-friendly park
features a 5,000-square-foot clubhouse as well as a swimming pool and hot tub.
www.shallowcreek.com
Texas Lakeside RV Resort in Port Lavaca: This 97-site park features
a beautiful swimming pool and hot tub; a dog park; a fitness center; a fishing
lake with bass, bluegill, catfish and crappie; and waterfront RV sites.
www.texaslakesidervresort.com
Crowley-based TACO represents the legislative interests of private-park
operators throughout the Lone Star State in addition to marketing Texas
campgrounds, RV parks and resorts to consumers. For more information, visit
www.tacomembers.com as well as the association’s consumer websites at
www.texascampgrounds.com and www.texascabinrentals.net.
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Texas Tourism Highlights
TRAVELER DISCOVERIES
Texas Tourism is launching a campaign featuring the experiences
available to be discovered throughout the state. Creative continues to feature
the tagline “Texas. It’s Like A Whole Other Country,” but it transitions the
traveler from the big picture to a more in-depth focus. The effort includes
national television, print and digital media.
Three TV spots focus on family fun, cuisine and traveling like a
local. In “Imagination,” which brings a kid’s-at-heart imagination to life,
traveling families capture a glimpse of the adventures that await even the
youngest travelers. “Many Flavors” highlights the culinary adventures one
can experience through the many flavors of Texas. “Texas Means Friend”
provides a welcoming Texan’s-eye view of unique destinations.
Six print ads provide additional inspiration for travelers’ next Texas
trip. The print ads focus on a number of Texas passion points including
beach, cuisine, outdoors, Western, music and shopping. The effort also
will use the tourism group’s website and social media including Twitter,
Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. The campaign aligns with the latest
consumer attitudes, as travelers are now more driven by authentic, personal
experiences than by destination alone and have a strong desire to experience
destinations like a local, says Brad Smyth, tourism director for Texas Tourism.
Research findings guided the campaign creative to strategically focus on
family fun, cuisine and traveling like a local. The campaign targets Boomer,
Millennial and Gen X travelers, with an emphasis on the latter two, which
now count for more than half of non-resident overnight leisure travel.
Travel and tourism are vital to the Texas economy, with more than $70.6
billion spent at destinations across the state in 2014, according to the agency.
Travel spending directly supported 630,000 jobs while generating $6 billion
in state and local taxes.
Custom
Crafted Park
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And now an update on
TACO Founder Jim Rowley
Dear Friends and Family,
Luxury
accommodations at an
affordable
price
We received VERY GOOD NEWS this morning at Jim’s post
op visit with the surgeon, Dr Thomas Brown. Because there was a
discrepancy between the pathology report at the time of the thyroid
biopsy and the pathology report on the extracted tissue surgically
removed, all of the slides of tissue were forwarded to the Mayo Clinic
for a final report.
This morning Mayo Clinics pathology report was shared with us.
The thyroid cancer was “papillary”, the lesser severe kind. We are
praising the Lord!!
Dr Brown explained that total removal of the thyroid gland, nine
surrounding lymph nodes (all clear) and most probably, a radioactive
iodine treatment will be the END of this physical condition. Jim’s
endocrinologist will advise and administer his remaining treatment.
The “medullary cancer” (if it had been that kind) on the other hand,
has to be followed closely with scans and blood tests periodically
forever, I think.
We so appreciate your prayers on Jim’s behalf. Thank each of
you!! And God Bless You All!!
See our Signature Series,
View our Photo Gallery,
or Get a Quote at
WWW.PLATINUMCOTTAGES.COM
TACO
Preferred
Provider
9770 West Hwy. 31
Malakoff TX 75148
903-675-2525
Buy Direct and Save!
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Jim and Martha (Harty) Rowley
WE STANDOUT!
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loyal to our
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