Blue Beret March 2016
Transcription
Blue Beret March 2016
President’s Corner Dear Friends, An Irishman by the name of O’Malley proposed to his girlfriend on St. Patrick’s Day. Being thrifty, he gave her a ring with a synthetic diamond. The excited young lass showed it to her father, a jeweler. He took one look at it and saw that it wasn’t a real diamond. The young lass, on learning that it wasn’t real, tearfully confronted her future husband and protested vehemently about his cheapness. He smiled and said, “It was in honor of St. Patrick’s Day! I gave you a shamrock!” Get it? “Sham” rock? That’s OK. I had to explain the joke to Raisin, too. St. Patrick’s Day is March 17. Legend has it that St. Patrick chased all the snakes out of Ireland. Politically speaking, we could use a man like that. Located on several emerald green acres of the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, is a house…a large, rambling one story house that is currently home to over 40 special dogs, cats and a llama. It’s called the Stevenson Companion Center. It is like an assisted living facility for beloved pets whose owners, due to illness or passing, can no longer care for them and have made financial arrangements to have their pets cared for by the Center for the rest of their pets’ lives. The pets are well cared for… each has his own quarters and there are common areas for play inside and outside. They receive the best medical care, dietary food, grooming and lots of love. During weekdays, there is a paid caretaking staff, at night and on weekends; four A&M veterinary students, who reside in apartments in the Center, share the responsibilities for the Center’s residents. Our granddaughter, Lauren, is one of those lucky four students. This is a great learning experience in compassionate care and will be invaluable when she becomes Dr. Lauren Schwerdfeger, DVM. Almost all of the animals get along quite well together and actually function like a family. I said “almost all” because “Rusty” the llama prefers to stay outside and is somewhat standoffish…and then there’s “Mikey”…a little Yorkshire terrier with a big attitude, who hasn’t yet learned how much fun it is to be part of the family. “Mikey” gets a lot of time outs, but because Raisin and I have been owned by several yorkies over the years, “Mikey” is one of my favorites…attitude and all. I’m telling you all this for two reasons. First, I’m from Texas. Texans like to brag. I like to brag about Texas. I like BLUE BERET is the official publication of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc. (WBCCI), Airstream Club International. BLUE BERET welcomes contributions of articles, photographs, news items and advertising. However, their publication in the BLUE BERET does not constitute endorsement. The opinions of the authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of either the BLUE BERET or WBCCI. The products and claims of advertisers are their own and, too, do not necessarily represent endorsement by either BLUE BERET or WBCCI. 2 Blue Beret / February 2016 to brag about my granddaughter. Second, I hope this story encourages folks to not be like “Mikey”. Sure, you can be a solo RVer…don’t get involved... “go it alone”...and that would be OK…but you could have so much more fun and add more enjoyment to your life by joining a unit of WBCCI and by taking an active part. I hope our Airstream friends worldwide will join a WBCCI unit and experience the rewards of being part of the family. While I’m on the subject of taking an active part, I’m pleased that many of our Rally committee chairpersons are sharing their knowledge and expertise with other folks and training them to be future committee chairpersons. I would encourage all who hold a position of leadership to do the same. Pass your knowledge along, so someone “new” doesn’t have to “go it alone.” After the IBT meeting in January in Rayne, Louisiana, Jan and Richard Girard, WBCCI’s 1st VP, came home with us and we spent 4 enjoyable days with them. I was able to share all of my vast, awe inspiring presidential knowledge with Richard. (That took about a minute)…and the rest of the time we spent socializing. Socializing and conducting club business was the order of the day at Rayne and all went well. Many thanks to the members of the IBT, to Region 6, to the cooking team, to all who had a part in a successful business meeting and great rally. If you like great rallies, you’ll love the International Rally in June near Lewisburg, West Virginia. Do you like bluegrass music, rock & roll, country music, big band music, storytellers, great entertainment and great food, seminars and classes, games and golf, interesting people to see, places to go, things to do? Then follow the rainbow highways to the pot of gold, the West Virginia State Fairgrounds and the 59th WBCCI International Rally. Dry camping sites are still available on grass and shamrocks green as the Emerald Isle. Raisin and I hope that you enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. We will enjoy it with green beer, corned beef and cabbage and thanks… to those whose service made and makes this possible. Please help our servicemen and women and donate to the veteran’s help fund of your choice. Keep your Irish Eyes smiling as you receive this Irish blessing…."As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way!" Write, call, e-mail, chat...stay in touch...bcove89@gmail. com Jim BLUE BERET (USPS 669-270; ISSN 0744-5601) is published monthly except December and July. Periodical mail postage paid at Jackson Center, OH and additional mailing offices. Canada Publications Mail Agreement #41295545. Canada Post Returns: 7289 Torbram Road, Mississauga, ON L4T 1G8. Notification of address change is the responsibility of the member or recipient and should be received at least two months in advance to avoid delays in forwarding. Re-mailing of back issues is at recipient expense. Address corrections, suggestions, stories, art, photos, advertising and paid mail subscriptions ($25/year, included in members’ dues) may be mailed to: BLUE BERET/ WBCCI, P.O. Box 612, 803 E. Pike Street, Jackson Center, OH 45334, Phone 937/596-5211, Fax 937/596-5542, email: dsailor@wbcci.org POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: BLUE BERET/ WBCCI, P.O. Box 612, 803 E. Pike Street, Jackson Center, OH 45334. Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc. 803 E. Pike Street Jackson Center, OH 45334-0612 Phone 937-596-5211 FAX 937-596-5542 www.wbcci.org INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President................................. Jim Schwerdfeger 1st Vice President......................... Richard Girard 2nd Vice President.............................. Jim Cocke 3rd Vice President................................ Barry Bell Recording Secretary.....................Euna Ridenour Treasurer...................................... Richard Turner Past President............................... Joe Perryman REGION PRESIDENTS Region 1............................................Ernie Bauer Region 2...........................................Fred Schultz Region 3.........................................Matt Hackney Region 4.......................................... Gary Olinger Region 5....................................Monte Barksdale Region 6................................. Charles Bourgeois Region 7.........................................Gail Harrower Region 8..............................................Gary Rush Region 9..........................................Andy Selking Region 10........................................Bob Caldwell Region 11........................................ Roger Pruter Region 12...................................... Tom Smithson Parliamentarian.............................. Joanne Miller COMMITTEES Blue Beret................................Cecelia Stansbury Budget.................................................June Ryan Caravan.............................................Chuck Kiple Community Service.........................Janet Kendig Constitution & Bylaws.........................Don Shafer Electronic Communications............ Damon Beals Ethics & Grievance................Barry Heckenswiler Family & Youth..................................Linda Amme Historian..........................................Joe Peplinski International Relations..................Louise Humble Legislative........................................Richard Jirus Lifetime Membership............................ Barry Bell Long Range Planning.......................... Jim Cocke Marketing................................... Fred Richardson Membership............................... Helen Bourgeois National/Special Events..............Marque Mooney Nominating.................................... Joe Perryman Planning Guides/Merit Awards... Karin Kurkowski Public Relations/Rally Promotions.. John Frerking Technical.................................... Dave Schumann WBCCI STAFF Corporate Manager and Blue Beret Managing Editor............ Lori Plummer LPlummer@wbcci.org Blue Beret Editor.................................Deb Sailor DSailor@wbcci.org Membership Team......................... Megan Roche Membership@wbcci.org Member Services ..........................Julie Rethman JRethman@wbcci.org CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Region 1...........................................J. Rick Cipot Region 2.....................................Debbie Hammer Region 3.......................................Joan Anderson Region 4............................................Nancy Brett Region 5........................................Patsy Marston Region 6............................................ Sidra Spies Region 7................................ Region 7 Members Region 8........................................... Ann Barclay Region 9............................................Grady Ferry Region 10............................................Carol Ortiz Region 11................................... Bob Lauderdale Region 12.................................Robert Stansbury What’s Inside... Vol. 52 March 2016 Issue No. 3 President’s Corner.....................................2 Club News...................................................6 Welcome New Members.........................................................................................6 Membership.............................................................................................................9 Leadership Down the Road...................................................................................11 Inspiration 101.......................................................................................................13 Airstream Parks Association.................................................................................15 HeadQuarters Notes..............................................................................................16 On the Road with Ramona....................................................................................18 Law Matters...........................................................................................................19 Historically Speaking............................................................................................21 Airstream Tech Help Group..................................................................................25 WBCCI Kids Page................................................................................................29 Helpful Ideas for All Airstreamers........................................................................30 In Memoriam.........................................................................................................46 International Rally....................................33 Caravans...................................................38 The Heart of WBCCI............................................................................................38 National Rallies.........................................40 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta..................................................................................40 Pendleton Round-Up.............................................................................................40 Special Event Rallies...............................41 Storytelling Rally..................................................................................................41 Tall Ships/Region 7...............................................................................................41 Rededication Ceremony/Monument of Peace.......................................................42 Region News.............................................43 Airstream • 937-596-6111.........................47 From the Vice President........................................................................................47 MARCHing On.....................................................................................................48 Event Schedule.........................................50 Classifieds................................................57 Coupons....................................................58 on the cover... Region 6 Rally, Picayune, Mississippi - photo by Ferdara Broussard-Hubbard, #11100 “AIRSTREAM” is a registered trademark used under license. Copy Deadline for the May issue is March 15. Blue Beret / March 2016 3 SPECIAL OFFER For WBCCI Members If a medical emergency occurs while you’re on the road … SkyMed TAKES YOU HOME fast! IBLES EDUCT NO D RMS IM FO NO CLA PAYS NO CO ULTIMATE TRAVELING PEACE-OF-MIND FOR WBCCI MEMBERS *$59 *There is a one time $75 application fee 24-SEVEN-365 Per month, per family 18 SkyMed Services including world wide services Why travel without SkyMed, the only air evacuation service that guarantees to take you home • Hospital-to-hospital medically equipped jet flights, cost $30,000 and up, cash in advance - no cost for SkyMed members • RV and tow vehicles returned home • Physical remains returned • And 14 more services vital to every traveler • The gold standard in emergency air evacuation memberships SKYMED IS THE SERVICE OF CHOICE OF MORE RV TRAVEL CLUBS THAN ALL OTHER SERVICES COMBINED Monthly Plans For Families Starting At $49 5 Year Plans For Families Starting At $2,495 Call one of our Certified SkyMed Ambassadors and Airstream owners Bill Johnjulio (216) 533-1752 | Jim Moss (877) 667-4968 Stan Schwenke (920) 918-9923 | John Tetzlaff (612) 839-4013 www.SkyMed.com 4 Blue Beret / March 2016 We Go Where You Go. Because you never know what’s ahead. RV Advantage provides all the coverage and service you need for your active lifestyle. Your RV insurance coverage can include: Replacement Cost Coverage / Purchase Price Guarantee Personal Effects / Contents Full-Timer’s Coverage Vacation Liability Mexico Liability / Physical Damage Insurance FCIS RV Technical & Roadside Assistance Agreed Value Custom Equipment Coverage Vanishing Deductibles Awning Replacement Pet Insurance Trip Cancellation www.rvadvantage.com Type the URL above into your browser to get your free RV insurance quote! Blue Beret / March 2016 5 What are the Basics? The basics begin with supporting a relationship between the Unit Treasurer and the Unit Membership Chairman. It is a symbiotic relationship because they need one another. The treasurer usually has the most contact with all unit members. Talking to members, providing the badges and securing personal information for disbursement to fellow members is just some of the basic duties of the Unit Treasurer. If new members join online, the membership chair usually knows before the treasurer. A relationship between the treasurer and the membership chair must exist. Who is in contact with unit members the most? Who contacts your unit members the most? We not only want to recruit new members, we must retain the life blood of our Club, our present members. The membership chair is not only charged with recruiting new members but also in taking care of the existing members. More opportunities exist to retain a friend than to recruit a new friend. Our Airstreams sell themselves, our members sell our Club. Who better to promote membership than a Unit member who has enjoyed their association with our Club and can state “you’re not just a number”. The idea is not to build tiers but to build the foundation. Folks, your Helen Bourgeois Chairman Unit is where it’s at! Your family, your friends, your relationships are in your units. Your unit is your neighborhood, on wheels. In a few short months, my term as your membership chair will be over and I’m looking forward to getting back to basics. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to again be elected as Unit Treasurer. I hope so! See you all in Lewisburg, WV. Blue Beret / March 2016 9 10 Blue Beret / March 2016 The past three years as an International Vice President of the club have been a learning process for Jan and me. We have met members from all over the United States and Canada and enjoyed hearing their views about the direction the club should head. One of my favorite things to do at a rally is to host a round table and listen to the members. To date, every round table meeting has truly been a learning experience. If our paths have not crossed yet, here is a little bit about the two of us. I was born and raised in New York and stationed in Arizona during my 4 years in the US Air Force. After my military years I was employed by IBM for 25 years and retired from the State of Arizona after 15 years. I met Jan 33 years ago when she was working at American Express in Phoenix. We married a short time later. Over the years we have had several dogs. Unfortunately, at this time we are without any travelling companions. I am sure this will change in the near future. We moved from Phoenix a year ago and now call Dewey, Arizona our home. Dewey is just outside Prescott at an elevation of almost 5000 feet which gives us 4 seasons. It is a wonderful place to live and when we are not traveling we enjoy many different activities such Jan & Richard Girard as kayaking, hiking, bowling and golf. It has truly been an honor to serve the club and we look forward to the coming year with much excitement. There is a quote that is attributed to Mark Twain that sums up our outlook on life: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Blue Beret / March 2016 11 ALL ROADS LEAD TO GULFPORT Gulfport, MS SPORT • FLYING CLOUD • CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL • INTERSTATE OFF-SITE SERVICE AVAILABLE SERVICE AND COLLISION CENTER GULF COAST'S LARGEST RV PARTS SHOWROOM MOBILE GULFPORT NEW ORLEANS 228-832-7544 FoleyRVcenter.com 11063 HWY. 49 NORTH GULFPORT, MS TAKE EXIT 34B, THEN 1 MILE NORTH ON THE LEFT HUGE INVENTORY • CONSIGNMENTS WELCOME 12 Blue Beret / March 2016 Dr. Harold Kingdon, WBCCI #14383 International Chaplain I’m “proud as Punch”; prouder than a peacock! Can you see the buttons popping off my shirt? I just have to brag a bit. The reason for my pride? Well, right about the time you are reading this my granddaughter will be celebrating a birthday. It is her 5th one. And, the reason I am so proud - are you ready for this? - is because she is a sophomore in college! Now, isn’t that something to brag about? Oh, incidentally, there is one other minor little detail that I suppose I should mention. Her birthday is February 29. Yes, she is a leap-year baby, and this year she gets to celebrate her real birth date. So, when you do the math, she is actually turning 20. Did you notice my tongue in my cheek? Of course, I am justly proud of her, but not in the way I was attempting to portray. I am simply setting the stage to lead into a brief discussion on the opposite of pride, which is humility. Let’s begin with a couple of examples. When President Ronald Reagan was in the hospital, recovering from the attempt on his life, an aide entered the room and was alarmed to find him on his hands and knees wiping up some water he had Correction In the February "Inspiration," the Hebrew characters were inadvertently reversed. We are sorry for the mistake. This occurred in the translation of the article to the Blue Beret. Editor spilled from the sink. “Mr. President!” the aide protested, “We have people for this!” Reagan simply replied that he didn’t want the nurses getting into trouble because of water on the bathroom floor. From the animal kingdom comes the story about a crowd of people gathered at a zoo mesmerized as a peacock slowly spread his great tail and displayed its colorful plumage. The majestic bird stood erect and noble and strutted regally. Just then a plain looking duck waddled from the pond and passed between the proud peacock and the admiring crowd. Enraged, the peacock drove the duck back to the water. The proud, beautiful bird had become ugly with fierce anger. The plain, humble duck was suddenly much more appealing. In 1953 a man arrived at the Chicago railroad station to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. As the cameras flashed and city officials approached with hands outstretched to meet him, he thanked them politely. Then he asked to be excused for a minute. He walked through the crowd to the side of an elderly woman struggling with two large suitcases. He picked them up, smiled, and escorted her to the bus, helped her get on, and wished her a safe journey. Then Albert Schweitzer turned to the crowd and apologized for keeping them waiting. It is reported that one member of the reception committee told a reporter, “That’s the first time I ever saw a sermon walking.” Humility is not something one can brag about, because then it becomes pride. I used to tell my students, “If you ever come across my book, Humility and How I Attained It, don’t read it.” (Of course, there’s no such book.) Humility is measured by actions and attitude. There is a place for proper pride, as in a healthy self-respect that cares about one’s personal appearance and hygiene, or in the satisfaction of a job well done. Improper pride is displayed in an inordinate opinion of one’s own importance or superiority in order to impress others. Moses and Jesus are both highly regarded for demonstrating true humility. But, meekness is not the same as weakness. They both stood up for righteous principles when the occasion required it. All of our human drives, feelings, and emotions are God-given, and each one has its proper place and use. The challenge is finding the right balance in any given circumstance. Spring Forward March 13th Blue Beret / March 2016 13 14 Blue Beret / March 2016 Project3_Layout 1 4/30/15 6:25 PM Page 1 Premier Parks for Airstream Owners and WBCCI Members • • • • • • Jersey Shore Haven Land Yacht Harbor (Florida) Minnesota Airstream Park Mystic Springs Cove (Florida) North Texas Airstream Community Penn Wood Airstream Park • • • • • Tennessee Cumberland Plateau Campground (TCPC) Texas Airstream Harbor, Inc (TAHI) Top of Georgia Airstream Park Virginia Highland Haven Washington Land Yacht Harbor Come Enjoy Our Natural Beauty & Hospitality! What others are saying about TAHI... WBCCI # 4121...”We were just here for a few days...What a wonderful place with wonderful people to match” WBCCI # 3172 ...”Great place to stay and the most Gracious Folks you will ever meet! love the place and the folks fun fun fun” WBCCI # 12557 ...”We spent a couple of nights there on our way to CA. A GREAT park and what a beautiful setting on the lake shore!” WBCCI # 7005...”Sure did enjoy our week there...and y’alls hospitality!” We love company… and pets, too... Blue Beret / March 2016 15 hqHeadQuarters Notes Lori Plummer, Corporate Manager Following is an easy reference for the WBCCI Dues Schedule. 16 Blue Beret / March 2016 Now You Can Travel In Luxury... In a Travel Trailer or In a Motorhome An American Icon for Over 80 Years Powered By Up To 18 MPG Interstate Touring Coach by To the Beach House, the Mountains, the Golf Course, or to the Office… For Business or Pleasure…Airstream is the Ultimate Way to Travel Chilhowee RV Center is the Exclusive AIRSTREAM Dealer in Tennessee 4037 Airport Hwy • Alcoa (3.2 miles North of McGhee Tyson Airport) 865-970-4085 www.chilhoweerv.com Chilhowee RV CenteR Over 25 Major Brands Blue Beret / March 2016 17 by Ramona Creel A Little Awning TLC Goes a Long Way by Ramona Creel It’s that time of year again, when the don’t risk it - just put the dadgummed elements behave in a particularly harsh thing away until things clear up - sure, by Ramona manner toward my Airstream’s awning - it’s aCreel pain in the rear (and something that storms with high winds and lots of rain, homeowners don’t have to worry about) limbs falling out of nearby trees, squir- - but everything else about full-timing rels throwing acorns at me, leaves that is so much easier than having a house, want to stain the canvas beyond repair you really shouldn’t grumble about this and clog up the rolling mechanism. But one little chore! I’ve figured out a few tricks to keep my - during fall, make it a habit to regawning looking new and feeling good, ularly sweep the leaves, limbs, acorns even with all of this abuse! and other accumulated detritus off of I’ve talked to a lot of newbie RVers your awning (if you deal with the drifts who feel quite intimidated by their aw- while they are dry, you stand less chance nings. Starting out, it can seem as though of finding a leaf-shaped stain on your every time you touch the darned thing, fabric) - of course, the same goes for you’re destined to break it. (Especially bird poo and pollen during spring and the first time that spring-loaded mech- summer (Wink) anism yanks the pull-strap right out of - it also goes without saying that you your hands!) But once you become com- should not let debris pile up around the fortable with how many foot-pounds of awning’s opening/closing mechanism pressure it takes to set up and then retract - it’s easy for the works to get clogged your awning, you’re faced with a whole up when falling tree scraps get caught new set of concerns regarding ongoing in those tiny little crevasses and wedged cleaning, maintenance and care. Not to into small spots you can’t even see (but a worry - just follow these 10 easy tips good sweep with the bristles of a broom and your awning will continue to smile should get most of this out) at you for years to come: - if you happen to be in a situation - make sure your awning is secured where your awning gets wet then freezes, with a good “anchor strap” or tie-down at don’t panic - this shouldn’t permanently all times - that means even when you’re damage anything, as long as you don’t at home, and even if it doesn’t look like try to put it away while frozen - let the it’s going to be windy that day (it’s better whole thing thaw and dry in the sun (if to be safe than sorry) it’s too cold for that, you’re RVing in the - take a second to tip the far side wrong climate!) and then carefully and of your awning one notch down - you slowly roll your awning away never know when a freak storm may pop - it’s best if you can let your awning up out of a blue sky and dump gallons dry completely before rolling it up (othof precipitation on your unsuspecting erwise, you’re just asking for mildew awning (and just that little bit of an angle streaks) - but if you’re ever forced to put will keep the water from accumulating your awning away wet for travel, just be and snapping your support struts) sure to unroll it and let it dry thoroughly - when the weather is really bad as soon as you can (and try hard not to put (like hail or hurricane-force winds), 18 Blue Beret / March 2016 a wet awning away in close-to-freezing temps, for obvious reasons!) every couple of months when you’re doing your RV maintenance, double-check the mechanism on your awning - do any lubricating or adjusting while the problem is small (rather than waiting until you’re ready to hit the road and finding out at the last minute that your awning won’t retract!) - once a year, scrub off your awning with a long-handled car-wash brush, some water and a little Purex laundry detergent - this is the only cleaner I’ve found that does the trick (it’s mild enough that it won’t fade or damage your canvas, but also has a bit of bleach, so it really gets out stains) - scrub it on, rinse well, and let your awning dry in the sun (you’ll be amazed at how it sparkles!) - time, sun, rain, use and cleaning all reduce the ability of your awning to keep water out (it’s no fun to sit under a leaky canvas when it’s raining, with droplets dripping through on your head!) - so after you’ve cleaned your awning well, take a second to re-coat the fabric with a good waterproofing spray (any brand that says it’s safe for awnings, canvas or boat fabric should be fine, but check with the manufacturer if you’re not sure) - use a couple of cans and give it a good dousing (single THICK coat is fine) and you’ll be high and dry for the next 12 months! Law Matters Richard Jirus Legislative Chairman I want to start by reviewing two items. The first is the recall issued by manufacturers of vehicles that may have a safety problem with the Takata air bags. You need your vehicle identification number. Go to the web site, www.safeRcar. gov and review if your vehicle has a recall. Then you will need to call your dealer to arrange to get it corrected. The second issue I want to review is the free days at National Parks. The first is April 16-24, which is National Park week. The next free days are August 25-28, which is National Park Service Birthday weekend. The last free day is Veteran’s Day, November 11. Incidentally there is a National Park just north of the rally site called River Gorge National River. Unfortunately the rally does not include the free days. There is an investigation ongoing to prove the value of solar panel pavement. Not only would the pavement prevent ice and snow from forming, but could add power to the national grid. Obviously there are a lot of problems before this becomes a reality. The manual on uniform traffic control devices turned 80 last November. This is something you use anytime you are on the road. It makes all traffic signs uniform across the nation. I learned to drive in 1950, and the stop signs were all yellow. Now of course they are all red. This code requires the red of a stop light to be the top light, and the green to be the bottom light. The code does not stand still as new signage is now being contemplated to give interstate drivers the mileage to the next rest areas and mileage to off ramp interchanges. Washington Land Yacht Harbor Always open for Airstreams to visit year-round! Day trips to Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens & Olympic NP 60 miles from Seattle & 80 miles from the ocean! Great fishing in Puget Sound, local lakes & rivers Nearby shopping – Wal-Mart, Costco & Cabela’s Great Restaurants 162 sites with full hookups w/Free WiFi Large club house seats 400 & Gatehouse seats 40, a great rally site! Easy access from I-5, Exit 111 or 114 Residential ownership opportunities on leased lots Pets welcome, 40x80 fenced dog run www.washingtonlandyachtharbor.com 360-491-3750 9101 Steilacoom Rd SE Olympia, WA 98513 Charter Member of Airstream Parks Association Blue Beret / March 2016 19 Where WIll you go? eWald carrIeS the mIdWeSt’S largeSt aIrStream SelectIon! EWALD’S AIRSTREAM 414-427-2000 | 6319 S. 108th Street | Franklin, WI 53132 eWaldaIrStream.com 20 Blue Beret / March 2016 Joe Peplinski WBCCI #6768, Chairman, Historical Committee history@wbcci.org Airstream Plant Tour Guides If you’ve ever been to Jackson Center, Ohio, home of both Airstream and WBCCI, you’ve probably taken the Airstream Plant Tour. If you’ve taken the tour anytime in the last 24 years, there is a very good chance your tour guide was Don Ambos, however since May 2013 Don has only worked “half time”, alternating weeks with a “new” tour guide Gary Byrd. Between them, Don and Gary have over 106 years of combined service at Airstream! Don Ambos is 85 years old and hired into Airstream on March 17, 1958. This makes him the Airstream employee with the longest current length of service at over 57 years, although he won’t admit it. He says giving the tours is a pleasure, not a job. When Don joined Airstream, his first job was installing furniture in trailers, but by about 1960, he had moved to the Service Department, where in 1960 or 1961, he personally worked on the Airstream owned by Lowell Thomas, the famous American traveler, writer, and broadcaster. Don also personally worked on Wally Byam’s gold trailer. Don eventually became manager of the Service Department, then the Coordinator who wrote up Service Orders. In the mid 1970’s Don moved to the Parts Department, where he worked until his retirement at age 62 in the early 1990s. After 3 months of retirement, Don was called back to move the Wally Byam Accessories Department to a new building. After that, he was asked if he would like to lead the plant tours, because the current tour guide Bob Buirley was ill. Don said he would do so for 2 weeks until a new tour guide could be found, but he never stopped and has now been leading the tours for 24 years! Don doesn’t remember when the tours started, but it was sometime after the current plant Gary Byrd (L) and Don Ambos (R) opened in 1970. At first the tours were offered only occasionally, but by the 1980’s they were offered daily. During his time in the Parts Department, Don attended many Airstream rallies around the country. It was his job to select and pack the parts and Wally Byam Accessories to be taken to the rallies and to run the Airstream Store at the rallies. Once, many years earlier, Wally Byam personally asked Don if he would like to go on an Airstream caravan, but he declined because he did not want to spend that much time away from his family. Don has owned 4 Airstreams over the years, including a 1964 that he bought from an insurance company after it was rolled and later a 1973 Airstream that he purchased partially gutted after General Electric abandoned an attempt to convert it to a hot water heating system. Don rebuilt both Airstreams himself. Don and his wife were WBCCI members from 1966 to 1980 having the membership number of 16074. Don always promotes membership in the Wally Byam Caravan Club during his tours. Gary Byrd, the newcomer to the Airstream Plant tours, hired into Airstream in 1961 right out of high school. Gary grew up and went to school in Jackson Center. The President of the Jackson Center School Board, Frank Judy, happened to also be the Personnel Manager at Airstream. Frank suggested Gary apply for a job at Airstream on a Friday and Gary reported to work the next Monday. Gary started working on the assembly line, but within 3 months moved to a new job in the Receiving Department. When Frank Judy became the Plant Manager in 1971, he moved Gary to run the Purchasing Department, which he continued on page 22 Blue Beret / March 2016 21 Request for Old Caravanners continued from page 21 did from 1971 to 1980. Gary then ran the Receiving Department from 1980 to 1990, and finally Inventory Control from 1990 to 2008 before retiring. At a company Christmas Party a few years later, when he heard that Don might like to retire soon, Gary indicated he would be interested in the tour guide job. He soon received a call and started splitting time with Don in May 2013. Gary has never owned an Airstream. He says he was too busy making sure there were parts to build them to have time for one of his own, but his wife’s uncle, Norman Gross, owned 4 Airstreams over the years and was even President of the Upstate New York WBCCI Unit in the 1990’s. Gary says he only met Wally Byam once (Wally passed away in 1962) and Wally was a whirlwind, still going a mile a minute at that time. Both Don and Gary call Airstream a very family oriented company that frequently does special things for its employees. They say it all began with Wally Byam, who was a family man despite never having children of his own, and that atmosphere has continued to this day. Don and Gary have personally known each of the top Airstream executives in Ohio including Andy Charles, Chuck Manchester, Gerry LaTourneau, Larry Huttle, Dicky Riegel, and Bob Wheeler and even Wade Thompson of Thor. All have been great family people. Because of the family atmosphere at Airstream, the number of employees with 30, 40, or even 50 years of service exceeds what would be seen in most other companies. Long time Airstream owners that have been to the Service Center and on the tours many times over the years are also called family. Each time you take a tour with Don or Gary leading, you are likely to learn something new, and not just about the latest Airstream trailer models. Don and Gary both inject quite a bit of Airstream history into their narration and are very willing to answer questions. When they hired in, all Airstream facilities were on the south side of Pike Street - Produc- 22 Blue Beret / March 2016 tion, Service, and Parts, and had already expanded from the single building purchased by Wally Byam in 1952. Don and Gary speak positively of the years under Beatrice Foods Corporation ownership. It was Beatrice that built the current production plant on the north side of Pike Street where production of 1971 Airstreams began in May 1970. When it opened, this plant was hailed as one of the most modern trailer production plants of its time, complete with a water spray booth to check for leaks. It was modeled after the Airstream plant in Cerritos, California that had been built 2 years earlier. By July 1970, the new plant was producing 110 Airstreams a week, with perhaps another 65 per week being produced in California. Beatrice then built the current Service Center building a year or two after the new plant. Beatrice helped find Airstream work building UPS trucks and “A-Van” panel vans during the mid-1970s when trailer sales tanked after the oil embargo. Gary reports that Airstream effectively stopped producing trailers for a few months twice during the 1970s due to a lack of orders. It was Beatrice that eventually closed the California plant in the late 1970’s consolidating all Airstream activities in Jackson Center, Ohio before selling Airstream to Thor in 1980. Don and Gary also both highly praise Thor, the newly formed corporation that purchased Airstream from Beatrice Foods in 1980 and rescued it from possible closure. Thor restored Airstream to profitability in less than 12 months. During the 1980’s production levels fluctuated from perhaps 30 to 75 trailers a week, never reaching their early 1970’s highs, but far exceeding their mid-late 1970’s lows. In closing, the Airstream Plant Tours are great. Seeing how many Airstream parts are made and how Airstreams are assembled is fascinating, but learning a little about Airstream history along the way makes it even more interesting and something you look forward to each time you visit Jackson Center. This is a special request for old Caravanner newspapers and The Caravanner magazines, both of which were published by Airstream, Inc. Caravanner newspapers are typically 4, 8, or 12 pages in length and were published from 1954 through at least 1986 and possibly through 1988. The number of issues published per year varied greatly from 2 to 12, but may have dropped to a single issue per year in the 1980s. The Caravanner was a 32 page plain paper magazine published twice a year from 1989 through 1991. These documents are a treasure trove of historical information about Airstream events and Airstream and Argosy trailers and motorhomes. Neither the WBCCI Archives nor my personal archives have a complete set of Caravanners. WBCCI has a hard bound set of Caravanners from 1954 thru 1974, but no issues after 1974. I have been able to put together an incomplete personal set that does allow me to do some research without making a trip to Jackson Center. My set includes a few issues from 1955 thru 1965, many issues from 1966 thru 1974, all issues from 1975 thru 1977, and a few issues after 1977. Some day I will likely donate my set to WBCCI to help complete their archives, but until then I would be interested in obtaining additional issues from all time frames to help complete both collections. I am especially interested in Caravanner issues from Vol. 24 No. 3 (Fall 1978) through the assumed last issue in 1988, because most of these issues are missing from both collections. Both collections are also missing The Caravanner issue Vol. 2 No. 2 from 1990 and both issues from 1991. If you have some of the missing issues but do not wish to donate them, a complete pdf scan would be greatly appreciated, or I can scan them and then return them to you if you do not have access to an 11”x17” scanner. Contact me at history@wbcci.org or 248-420-4512 if you have something to contribute. Thank you in advance. Blue Beret / March 2016 23 24 Blue Beret / March 2016 Dave Schumann #49, Chairman Chuck Helwig #2868, Safety Officer Phil Broomall #2654 Jim Cooper #1967 Charlie Burke #5631 Ray Putnam #7007 The Airstream Tech Help Group, a part of the WBCCI Technical Standing Committee, has been established to try and provide assistance to the membership with technical RV problems. Examples of questions, modifications or upgrades that might be of interest to members will be published in the Blue Beret. We will respond directly to you, in response to your email describing a problem you are having. We hope you will find this new service of value in the care and feeding of your RV. You may contact us as follows: techhelp@wbcci.org. Refrigerator Problem on Gas Problem: Hi Howard, I need your help. I attended your seminars in Gillette and found them very helpful. When we left Gillette, we headed for Silverton, Colorado for a week. My refrigerator (in my 1988 Airstream) would not get cold so I did as you suggested, I took out the orifice and soaked it in alcohol for 30 minutes and then blew it out with my air compressor. I had ice in the freezer that night and ice in my radishes in the refrigerator the next morning. After I got home, I stored my rig for 3 weeks and left again for New Mexico. This time I could not get my refrigerator to light. On the road, I stopped and took out the orifice and blew it out and the refrigerator then lit. The next 2 days only the freezer would get cold and freeze ice. The refrigerator would not get below 58 degrees. (The outside temperature never got above 80 degrees) It stayed that way until we moved locations and plugged into electricity and then everything worked fine. What should I do to get the refrigerator to be cold again on propane? Answer: I assume if you clean the jet again it will work fine. My guess is you have some spiders or other bugs living in your complete burner assembly. It is also possible that your combustion chamber has some bug nests or excess carbon. Remove the entire burner assembly and soak it. In addition, blow out the gas feed line (after shutting off the fridge input gas valve.) Finally, run a brush through the combustion chamber to make sure it is clean. Results: Hi Howard I did all you told me too and when I disconnected the propane line, I got about a cup of oil out of it. After cleaning the jet again, the fridge worked fine on gas and electric. Summary: Evidently, what had clogged the jet was an oil film rather than the carbon deposits that usually stop the gas flow. Having oil in the propane tank is not that unusual, especially when we get our tanks filled at a small out of the way station. It is similar to getting bad gas or diesel. Periodically, it is a good idea, to have the filling station purge the propane tanks prior to filling them. The procedure for getting oil out of the tank is to shut off the tank, open the fridge line and then turn on the gas for a few seconds so it will push any oil out. Howard Black Holding Tank Leak Problem: I have not removed the undercover metal skin from the black holding tank but I suspect I might have a slight leak since I see a drop or two coming from the seam. After the tank is empty and thoroughly cleansed, is there a product that I might pour through the toilet, which might seal up the leak (if there is one). If not, I guess I will have to remove the metal under covering. Appreciate any advice you might have. My trailer is a 1999 28’ Classic Excella. Answer: None of my committee members knows of anyway to fix a leaky tank from the inside. Phil Broomall suggests that it might not be the tank leaking but instead the boot holding the valve on or one of the valve gaskets. This is the most likely failure mode since the tank is well protected from road hazards. There are tank repair kits that can be used from the outside which involve the use of epoxy sealants. It seems that you will have to remove metal to get at the tank, in any case, and determine the real source of the leak. After the repair just install a removable cover for future repairs. Howard continued on page 26 Blue Beret / March 2016 25 continued from page 25 The Tech Help Group received this article from a fellow Airstreamer, Ray Putnam (and now a new committee member). He wanted to share a recent experience he had with the tires on his Airstream and a tire upgrade that has worked for him and may be an option for you. A Tire Option I was driving south on Interstate 5 towards Salem, OR, on my way to central Oregon for a weekend campout. I was going about 65 miles an hour with my 30’ Classic in tow. I heard a loud bang and pulled over right away. The driver’s side rear tire on the trailer had blown. The flap on the tire hadn’t separated completely from the tire and so there was a 3/4” thick reinforced rubber flap about 3’ long that had damaged the trailer. The flap took out the belly wiring in the vicinity, took off the ends of the black and grey water valves and pushed the side of the trailer out 1-1/2” in the vicinity of the damage. I took the trailer to an RV Dealer in Eugene, Oregon, and they estimated the damage at $10,000. Yes, $10,000. Three months later, they had completed the repair and I went to pick up the trailer. Meanwhile I had been reading on the Airstream Forum about this kind of problem. I wasn’t the first Airstreamer to experience this kind of event. I did a lot of research about tires and found that the Michelin LTX/85R 16E M/S2 tire when fully inflated was 30.4” outside diameter. The tire was narrow enough to fit inside the wheel well and small enough around to have adequate clearance. I had to go to 16” wheels though because there isn’t a tire that is rated LT that is 15”. LT tires are what I have on the tow vehicle so in my engineering mind I thought that is what I should have on the towed vehicle also. The wheels are available in steel and aluminum. I know that there can be issues with torqueing the lug nuts on aluminum wheels and that someone, according to the manual, has to be diligent over time in checking the torque with a torque wrench to insure safe traveling. I chose steel because with a steel lug, steel wheel, and steel nut I didn’t have the difference of expansion that I would experience with the aluminum wheel. The wheels are available coated to a silver color that really goes well with the Airstream exterior. They are also available in a variety of patterns (spoke wheels, mod wheels, etc.). I found out that I needed zero offset wheels for my Airstream trailer. Then it was simply matching the bolt pattern (6 holes on 5.5” bolt centers) and buying the wheels (16” x 6” mod wheel, 0 offset). I bought the wheels independently and tires from Les Schwab and had them mounted at Les Schwab. I took a few little steps to insure a better finished D R A P E R I E S for Airstream & Argosy J.P.A. Drapes, Inc. PHONE: (800) 813-7686 E-MAIL jpadrapes@verizon.net Finest Quality Continuing a family tradition started in 1973 When inquiring for prices, include: Year Length Bath location Bed Type VISA / MasterCard / Checks Web site: www.jpadrapes.com Proudly serving the Airstream and Argosy Community 26 Blue Beret / March 2016 product. I added stainless steel valve stems from Les Schwab. I added solid lug nuts from Les Schwab. (The old nuts were a two-piece nut). I didn’t know at the time about using nitrogen in tires so they were filled with air. Later I found out that nitrogen is less likely to migrate through tire rubber than is oxygen, which means that your tire pressures will remain more stable over the long term. I also found out that tires filled with nitrogen rather than air also exhibit less pressure change with temperature swings. The tires were inflated to the tire manufacturer’s specification of 80 psi. Interestingly enough, I had read in the Airstream Forum that some who had done this type of job experienced “smoother” trailering. I didn’t tell my wife about that. We took the new tires and wheels to Sutton and had them put on before we pulled out of the shop. About a half hour out and on the way to the coast for the scenery and camping before we went home my wife commented “It seems smoother!” Well folks, our trailering has been smoother ever since. We did 14,000 miles on those tires and wheels in 2014. Blue Beret / March 2016 27 R DE ER SPONS O AL Experience The Airstream Store at Lazydays. The One Place to Find Products, Service, Training and Airstream Swag To Celebrate Your Cherished RV Lifestyle. Lazydays, America’s RV Destination, has partnered with the most well-known and thoroughly tested RV trailer brand to create this exceptional Airstream experience. Staffed by factory trained sales and service experts, The Airstream Store offers a great selection of models and floorplans, parts, accessories and merchandise for all RV brands. With decades as The RV Authority, Lazydays knows how to make the most of your RV experience. Enjoy a driver’s confidence course, 48 state-of-the-art service bays backed by RVIA/RVDA certified technicians, incredible selection from America’s top RV brands, plus an adjacent RV campground! And Lazydays’ huge sales volume means great savings for you on your next purchase! THE AIRSTREAM STORE at 28 Blue Beret / March 2016 Learn more at 855-683-4345 or visit airstream.lazydays.com 3200 East Irvington Road • Tucson, AZ 85714 • I-10 Exit 264 Blue Beret / March 2016 29 Helpful Ideas For ALL Airstreamers March 2016 saver. Note: Day Light Savings time begins Sunday, March 13 at 2:00 a.m. Remember to Spring Forward. DON’T FORGET to change your batteries in your Smoke Alarms. Safety is a life This is a busy month for holidays. On Thursday, the 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. Wear your green… Don’t get pinched! The Easter Holiday Season will begin with Palm Sunday, March 20, Good Friday, March 25, and Easter Sunday is on the 27th. ………………………………………………………………………… Winter took its time to get to us, but it did so finally and with a vengeance. Hope no one suffered anything catastrophic. If so be aware we are all pulling for you. Let’s hope it will be a short winter. Be sure you have winterized your trailer so you are ready to enjoy your Airstream when the weather breaks into spring. Exercise and weight loss… If you are in the process of working on losing weight, do take care not to overdo the exercise. Also watch the diet. No cheating! Jump-start your metabolism and binge-proof your day with a good breakfast. It is especially important in helping to aid in weight loss, keeping energy levels up and blood sugar stabilized! Also keep a written record of EVERYTHING you eat. (If you bite it, WRITE it!) Eat yummy fruits that are a good source of fiber. This lowers your cholesterol, smooths out your blood glucose levels and satisfies your sweet cravings. These fruits can 30 SIDRA SPIES, sssbiol31@gmail.com Blue Beret / March 2016 include strawberries, pears, raspberries, oranges, figs, bananas, and of course, apples with their skin on. Exercise with Help! Another positive is to get your exercise. Work out with a good friend or someone you love! Studies show that working out with your spouse/partner can help you stick it out. (Only 8% who worked with a loved one quit, while half the participants who worked out solo quit before finishing their workout). Sleep is Important Get plenty of sleep because when you do not get enough sleep it can cause inflammation and insulin resistance. It can also raise blood sugar and lead to higher hormone levels, which can cause hunger and junk-food cravings. 707.207.6689 | BayAreaAirstream.com 2400 Cordelia Rd Fairfield, CA 94534 Blue Beret / March 2016 31 You have worked hard to get this far down the road. You deserve to get it right. Some investment managers begin by focusing on your finances. We begin with a focus on your future. We ask questions and listen carefully to your answers. With 160 years of combined experience we are able to offer insights and thoughtful solutions. Then we build a customized investment portfolio that reflects your unique requirements. For a conversation about how our experience can work for you please contact us. Doug Hart Penobscot Investment Management Co., Inc. 617-337-2933 doughart@pimboston.com www.pimboston.com WBCCI 3982 Vintage Airstream Group Amateur Radio Group N1JBG 32 Blue Beret / March 2016 WEST VIRGINIA 2016 John Frerking, #3233 I am in Rayne, LA, for the Mid-Winter IBT Rally. Cool days, cold nights, delicious gumbo and bread pudding are the staples - along with oatmeal and ice cream with pecan praline topping for breakfast! Welcome to Cajun Country, ya’ll! President Jim Schwerdfeger is presiding over the affair. Along with his wife, Raisin, they make a wonderful team and they invite you to the International Rally in Lewisburg this summer! The Rally attendance figures are growing bigger every day - 700+ rigs so far and we’re still five or so months away from the event. It’s going to be great in the mountains, beautiful lush and rolling hills and valleys and nestled among them is the picturesque town of Lewisburg. At the Rally you will find quilters and crafts of all kinds. Vendors will be there to supply a lot of your trailer needs, outstanding entertainment and a whole lot of friends to meet up with again. Eileen and I look forward to it every year. Morning devotions will be held and Sunday AM worship brings everyone together in prayer and song. I’ve been giving a broad overview of a lot of things to see and do. Last month I featured the Greenbrier Hotel and tours available in order to see this outstanding historical place, as well as the cavernous underground bunker to house Washington’s political elite. With this article, I will focus on a few more unique places and things to do. Antiquing for Treasures: Brimming with historic buildings, preserved landmarks and antique treasures, the Greenbrier Valley is a rich hunting ground for most any collector of the past. Within a 25 mile radius, 15 shops and flea markets overflow with primitives, collectibles, rare coins and notes, one of a kind artifacts and just about any other form of memorabilia imaginable. This and That owner, Lee Bricker buys “everything from A to Z, over 100,000 items”. Vicki Wilson, proprietor of Brick House Antiques suggests staying in a central location like the General Lewis Inn for day-tripping. Just three miles up from Interstate 64 on Route 289, 15 dealers fill the roadside Country Store. The Very Thing is chock full of the unexpected. The Brick House Antiques store was built in 1815 as a residence, but now every room is filled with just about anything of historical significance. Robert’s Antiques is unique with items from across the globe, including pewter and crystal. Alderson’s Store, Alderson, WV, has catered to the community for the last 128 years. The store is stocked with a little bit of everything - vintage souvenirs, glass, books, postcards, etc. This is just a sampling of the “nooks and crannies” you will uncover in Greenbrier County. By the way, if any of you desire handicapped camping spots in Lewisburg, please PRE-REGISTER so that we know you are coming and can make a place available for you. The registration folks need to know in advance of your coming, so please mark the “handicapped” spot on the registration form and, of course, don’t forget your doctor approved state handicapped tag! Another suggestion: I hear that there is only one public laundromat in Lewisburg proper, so you might keep that in mind as you pack! If you wish to read about the Lewisburg area, some listed books are: The Battle of Lewisburg: A Civil War Conflict by Nancy Richmond and Tammy Workman (from Barnes and Noble $19.99); Loyal West Virginia From 1861-1865, ($34.75 from The Classics.US); Historic Inns of Southern West Virginia by Ed Robinson ($7.99, published by Arcadia Publishing); Preliminary and Final Report of the West Virginia State ($10.97 from Barnes and Noble). Discover the Past in the Present: The Lewisburg Historic District places you near the junction of US Highways 60 and 219 in the center of town. Near here in 1751, Andrew Lewis established a camp that became a frontier outpost. Later, he mustered troops to fight the Shawnee at the Battle of Point Pleasant. Most buildings in the district have been restored to their eighteenth and nineteenth century appearance and are now filled with cafes, restaurants and specialty shops. In addition to the North House, landmarks include the General Lewis Inn, the John Wesley Methodist Church and the Old Stone Church (1796), purported to be the oldest church in the contiguous US west of the Allegheny Mountains. Covered Bridges: a short drive south and west of Lewisburg, the valley’s only two covered bridges are easy to find and worth a picture…Hern’s Mill and Hoke’s Mill bridges, built in 1884 and 1898, span the tributaries of the Greenbrier River. Organ Cave: Perhaps you would like to stroll into one of the coolest historic sites in the valley - Organ Cave - connected with prehistoric and Civil War history. The remains of a prehistoric sloth were discovered in 1796…and by 1914 continued on page 35 Blue Beret / March 2016 33 APPLICATION FOR HANDICAPPED PARKING 59th WBCCI INTERNATIONAL RALLY VOLUNTEER COUPON 59th WBCCI INTERNATIONAL RALLY Last Name_______________________ WBCCI No._______________ The International Rally Committees need volunteers. Early parking is available for most persons who are accepted for service. Please mark your preference (1,2,3) in the first column. Enter member's name in the second column. The Committee Chairman will contact you later if selected. Choice ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ Member's Name Name of Committee ___________________ Bands, Concert & Stage Instrument____________________________ ___________________ Building Security ___________________ Cargo ___________________ Carpenter ___________________ Community Service ___________________ Grounds after Rally ___________________ Information/Lost & Found ___________________ Message Center ___________________ Parade ___________________ Parking ___________________ Registration ___________________ Sanitation ___________________ Traffic Control ___________________ Water First_____________________________ Age_____________________ Address_________________________________________________ City_______________________ State/Prov______Zip_____________ ................................................................................................................ Submit a copy of your handicap placard issued by your State or Province to: WBCCI, PO Box 612, Jackson Center, OH 45334 or email copy to: jrethman@wbcci.org Name___________________________ Partner__________________ Address_________________________________________________ Club Store City_______________________ State/Prov______Zip_____________ WBCCI #___________________ Phone_________________________ E-mail___________________________________________________ Mail to: WBCCI, PO Box 612, Jackson Center, OH 45334 Attention Golfers 2016 Golf Tournament at International Gerry Peltier, #7054, Chairman Join us at the Lewisburg Elk's Golf Course on June 29, 2016. Tee times 10 - 11 AM. This is an 18-hole course. Fee is $40. This is an excellent price since the Greenbrier Classic Event is occurring at this time. There will be a signup sheet at registration. We will need your handicap at signup. We will have mulligans. With every mulligan purchased will also be a chance to win a new golf bag! 34 Blue Beret / March 2016 Will be Open at Lewisburg! Help Us to Hear! If you have a small sound amplifier (P.A. system), please consider bringing it to the International Rally for gentle use in various seminars and classes. Please contact Julie at the corporate office at 937-596-5211 or email: jrethman@wbcci.org Unit Publications Contest Myrtle W. Bell, Chairman mlwbell@aol.com March Update Changes have been made to the Unit Publications Contest since the article published in the February 2016 Blue Beret. All entries must be submitted on or before 3:00 pm Tuesday, June 28! The Unit Publications categories for judging now are: Unit Newsletters - “Printed Color”, “Printed Black & White” and “Digital” PDF format; Unit Directories - “Bound”, “Loose Leaf” and “Digital” PDF format. The winners for each category will receive a Rosette - Blue for 1st place and Red for 2nd place. There will be a Best of Show award of a Purple Rosette - one for Directories and one for Newsletters. Unit Yearbooks will be put on display! Detailed information on the contest will be sent to Unit Presidents or can be re- quested by sending an e-mail to the chair at mlwbell@aol.com. There will also be a Unit Publications Seminar in Lewisburg. The Seminar will give Unit Newsletter Editors and Unit Directory Publishers an opportunity to meet each other and share ideas. This will be an excellent opportunity for aspiring Editors and Publishers to learn information about this important WBCCI VOLUNTEER job! Sign-up for the Seminar will take place during Registration hours. Signing up is necessary so that the correct number of handouts will be available! Please check your Rally Program for the Unit Publications Display date/time & for information about the Seminar. Lewisburg, West Virginia - 2016 the cave had become a tourist attraction and was outfitted with some of the first electric lighting in the area. To assist you on your tours, be sure to pick up a Walking Tour Guide to Historic Lewisburg and other maps and brochures at the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center. Pet Services: Our dog, Luther, a cairn terrier, travels with us everywhere. So Please Share Your Knowledge at the Lewisburg “Technology Help Desk” Carolyn Beardshear Are you comfortable with the features/ functions of ANY of the following devices or software? SmartPhones, Tablets, Laptops, WordPress (blogging software), Browsers (Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc.), Gmail, GPS devices. If so, would you consider helping to staff a “Technology Help Desk” for a couple of hours during the Lewisburg International Rally? We want to offer a resource for members to ask questions about their devices and software and receive simple, clear answers. If you have time and expertise that you’d be willing to share, please respond to the ECC (ecc@wbcci.net). Please use the subject title “Help Desk.” continued from page 33 if you have a pet that travels with you, I know you will want information on services available for your furry friends. Here are a few leads on care: Seneca Trail Animal Hospital 304-645-1700, Greenbrier County Animal 304-6459080, Sandy Callison, DVM, 304-6677838, Greenbrier Veterinary Hospital 304-202-1959. Most of the vet clinics offer boarding, but other boarding, pet grooming and sitting services are available through Google or Yelp. We are looking forward to seeing you in Lewisburg, WV! To register, please use the form printed in the Blue Beret. Come along and have fun--Because We Can! Blue Beret / March 2016 35 MAIL IN LEWISBURG All mail for members attending the International Convention/Rally should be addressed as follows: Standard Mail Name, WBCCI #_________ State Fair of West Virginia P.O. Drawer 986 Lewisburg, WV 24901 FedEx or UPS Packages WBCCI Property Room Name, WBCCI #_________ State Fair of West Virginia 891 Maplewood Ave Lewisburg, WV 24901 Quilting Experience Carol White #3855, Chair Quilters, plan to take part in the Quilting Experience in Lewisburg! There will be four days during the International Rally, plus at least a full week before the Rally begins! You can work on your own projects and learn new techniques from others. If you will give a demo, let me know. The quilting area will be in a locked room. You will be able to leave your projects between other events. If you want to make the Bali Pop Quilt, bring one batik jelly roll + two yards of another batik for sashing. If you wish to make charity quilts, bring your supplies. Please let me know if you wish to participate in these two projects. Contact me by email: gwhite@midwest. net or call 618-319-0524. Remember to bring your items for the Hobby Show, too. “Want to Have Fun?” GET INVOLVED Join Traffic Control, we need a few good volunteers for the International Convention/ Rally. Contact: Bill Crowson 355 Beech Hollow Rd. Killen, AL 35645 Ph. 256-710-4143 Email: wbcrowson@gmail.com Club Store Hotel in Lewisburg Quality Inn 540 N. Jefferson St., Lewisburg, WV 24901 Ph. 304-645-7722 1 king bed, no smoking, $90/night 2 queen beds, no smoking, $95/night Identify yourself as Airstream when making reservations to receive these rates. 36 Blue Beret / March 2016 Volunteers Needed to Help Staff the Store During the Rally Contact: John Green #4432 Text/Ph. 309-657-3102 or Email: jwgreen@mtco.com Blue Beret / March 2016 37 The Heart of WBCCI Marion Pember, Chairman, WBCCI Caravan Promotions If you look up the word “heart” in the dictionary, you will find many definitions of the word. What I liked for my use with this article was the definition that said: “the essential or most vital part of something.” With the title I have given this article, it appears I need to say something about what I believe to be the heart of WBCCI. What is the essential or most vital part of WBCCI? For me it is a simple answer, and one that I have mentioned before. The heart of WBCCI is caravanning. The words “Caravan Club” are even included in our name. You may want to disagree with me and that is okay, I can handle it. You may say that the heart of WBCCI is our membership. You may say the heart of WBCCI is our officers. I would agree that members and officers are very important. But, if we didn’t have caravans, what would be their purpose? I see members and officers as what keeps the heart beating. This heartbeat is caravans. From unit to regional to national, all are important. I also think it is the first level of caravans (unit) that feeds every other level. Not everyone can go on a regional or national caravan, and very honestly, not everyone wants to do that. I do believe that at the unit level everyone can go on a caravan. To me unit caravans are the most important activity - the heart - that makes WBCCI what it is. With that in mind, the rest of this will be an example of what keeps the heart beating. The following article and pictures were provided by Darrell Ostyn, #5478, Idaho Unit Caravan Chairman. PLEASE NOTE there were people from other units on the caravan. Send me information on your unit caravan and I will post it under SHORT CARAVANS on the WBCCI website. You too could pick up some additional caravanners! Share the adventure. The Columbia River Gorge, touted as one of the most beautiful areas of North America, is about seventy-eight miles long and can be driven in ninety minutes if you take the freeway. However, to see and experience this magnificent and unique area, you must sample it -more like tasting a fine wine. A vista from The Old Historic Columbia River Highway Jerry and Linda Settle arranged a two week caravan The Co- Arriving at Crown Point and the Vista lumbia River Gorge-Portland Caravan House, which are the highest points along U-416, in September and early October the route, one can view jaw dropping, 2015 to make the journey. We had the picturesque landscapes that are truly opportunity to experience some outstand- unforgettable. One of the largest rivers ing and breathtaking vistas from The in North America, the Columbia River Old Historic Columbia River Highway. stretches out for miles below. Shouldered The highway, built in 1913 and designed by green, moss covered cliffs; it is a after the best European roadways, is an photographic opportunity one cannot engineering marvel. Stone guard rails resist. Long since bypassed for the much and arched bridges festoon the highway faster commerce moving freeway, the old that coils around the seven-hundred foot highway was constructed through the high gorge like a rattlesnake. It curves Columbia River Gorge for one primary and bends as it passes plunging water- purpose, to take advantage of World falls, some of the highest in the country. Class views! 38 Blue Beret / March 2016 Another activity included in the itinerary was a two hour cruise up the river on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler out of Cascade Locks, Oregon. Giant paddles churned the water as they pushed the historic ferry up the great river. The Bridge of the Gods and several old Indian fishing platforms along the banks came into view. The Captain informed us, ‘Those rickety scaffolds have supplied the native people with salmon for centuries.’ We questioned what Lewis and Clark must have thought as they bravely explored their way down this same river. What a paradise! It’s no wonder the people on the wagon trains years later, were so willing to sacrifice so much to get here. Other interesting activities of this well planned caravan included a trip on a Dome Liner train through the Bartlett pear country that ended in Parkdale, Oregon near Mount Hood. Some of the caravaners opted to buy those delicious Jerry & Linda Settle, caravan leaders, in the dome liner The Caravan Group Charlie Burke giving seminar on Zip Dee awnings Waiting to board the Portland Spirit red pears, others walked down to a quaint old store where they bought three scoops of Blue Bunny ice cream on a waffle cone. That was tasty. However, the dinner cruise up the Willamettte River aboard the Portland Spirit and the ride on the Max Light Rail into historic downtown Portland was just as much fun! ‘Yo Yo’ time, meaning you’re on your own time, was provided so that we could pursue our individual interests. One enterprising couple took a poll of the members and scheduled an impromptu evening dinner for a large group at the iconic and historic Columbia Gorge Hotel. The hotel manager was interested in our caravan and set up a private room with white, cloth-covered tables overlooking a spectacular view of the sun setting on the river. After we enjoyed our gourmet dinner, he described the importance of the grand mission style hotel and how it offered a luxurious destination for early travelers. What a delightful unscheduled event! Our group consisted of fourteen units totaling twenty-eight Airstreamers, ten from the California units, two from West Virginia, and the rest from our Idaho unit. One couple from our Idaho Unit had sold their Airstream motorhome, but were able to participate in the caravan by staying at nearby motels. Work demands allowed another couple to enjoy only the first week but that was enough to whet their appetite for more. We started as strangers from varying parts of our great country. By sharing time and experiences with one another, we came together as an AIRSTREAM family. Charlie Burke gave a seminar on caring for the Zip Dee awnings. Earl Brace led hikes to beautiful, back-country waterfalls. Bill and Joyce Werner handed out fresh bags of peanuts they brought from Virginia. Donna Westermann took over as our historian and created DVD’s for us to keep and remember all the fun we shared. Airstream caravans are as much about people as they are about places and activities. Some of us were teachers, engineers, bankers, builders and retired military, and when we left, we were all truly AIRSTREAMERS. Caravans are a great way to build lasting friendships as well as going to new and exciting places. The question that was frequently asked, ‘When is the next Idaho Unit Caravan!’ • Is your unit or region planning a short caravan? • Would you be willing to open it up for others outside your unit/region to attend? We are constantly asked about the availability of short caravans. The WBCCI website even has a section with information on available short caravans. We will help publicize your short caravan, numbered or unnumbered. The only requirement is for it to be authorized by your unit/region. Send information, including when, where, and a contact person’s name with phone, and/or email address to Marion Pember, happihart2@aol.com, phone 913-268-5938. It will be posted on the WBCCI website. Blue Beret / March 2016 39 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta National Rally Pendleton Round-Up National Rally Albuquerque, New Mexico September 30 - October 4, 2016 Pendleton, Oregon September 12 - 18, 2016 Kenneth Johansen Teresa Taylor It’s an incredible opportunity to experience the Old West from both Native American and cowboy viewpoints. Pendleton, Oregon was voted the number one western town in 2010 and its Round-Up is one of the top ten Rodeos in North America. Your rally includes a visit to the world famous Pendleton Woolen Mills; the Native American Village where you can shop for one-of-a-kind jewelry and art; attend the Native American tribal dance competition; enjoy the main street show with music and dancing; marvel at the horse and oxen drawn wagons at the Round-Up Parade; attend the 100th Anniversary Happy Canyon Pageant and of course, be amazed at the famous “Let'er Buck” Rodeo. Our long standing relationship with the City of Pendleton and the Round-Up provides us with exclusive camping in the beautiful Community Park. This park is a great place to relax under the old Oak trees. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta got its start in 1972 when 13 balloons launched from a local shopping center. It has grown into the world’s premier ballooning event. In 2015, 950,000 spectators attended Balloon Fiesta, the most photographed event in the world. Over 550 balloon pilots representing 18 countries came to experience the famous Albuquerque Box, cool morning temperatures and the geography of the Rio Grande Valley cause lower winds to blow south and higher winds to blow north. By adjusting altitude, skillful pilots can make several passes and return to the launch field to land. During the Mass Ascension, hundreds of balloons, including 100 special shapes, filled the clear, early morning skies. On Saturday afternoon, people gather to watch preparations for the America’s Challenge, a distance race for gas balloons. Gas balloons can stay aloft for two to three days. The winning team flew 2,300 miles to land in Ontario, Canada, more than 60 hours later. The best way to experience Balloon Fiesta is, without a doubt, by attending the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta National Rally. For 2016, we have again secured 150 premium dry camping sites. Attendees can be on the launch field in minutes after getting out of bed and can walk up right next to the balloons as they launch. Alternatively, they can sit in lawn chairs by their trailers and wait for the balloons to drift by overhead. Please email BalloonFiestaRally@hotmail.com to register. The rally fee includes four nights of camping (no hook ups) and admission to all Balloon Fiesta events. The 2016 rally runs from Friday, September 30 to Tuesday, October 4. Reserve your spot right away; the event fills up quickly, see www.balloonfiesta.com for more information. Meet us at the Round-up and help celebrate 51 years of Let'er Buck! Full Rally: $231.00 per couple $143.00 single 6 nights camping, no electric, water hook up, 1 pump out 3 Breakfasts and 4 dinners Catered Western Breakfast at Roosters Restaurant with Rodeo Court and Happy Canyon Princesses Tickets for Wednesday Rodeo, upgraded seating Tickets for Happy Canyon, upgraded seating Weekend Rally: (Thursday-Sunday) $98.00 single $167.00 per couple 3 nights of camping, no electric, water hook-up 1 Breakfast and 2 dinners Tickets for Happy Canyon, upgraded seating Saturday Rodeo Final upgraded seating Add any Optional Tickets to your package, limited quantities: Professional Bull Riding Tickets for Tuesday Friday Rodeo upgrade seating Saturday Rodeo upgrade seating (finals) Any questions? Teresa Taylor 503-440-1121 or ttdesign@ymail.com 40 Blue Beret / March 2016 $35.00 ea $35.00 ea $35.00 ea Storytelling Special Event Rally Tall Ships Special Event/Region 7 Rally Jonesborough,Tennessee October 5 - 9, 2016 Duluth, Minnesota August 17 - 22, 2016 Harry & Teresa Herrmann Linda Agre We hope that your travel plans will bring you to East TN in October for the 44th International Storytelling Festival that takes place in Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough. Considered the premier storytelling event in America, the Jonesborough National Storytelling Festival is the flagship for a national movement that celebrates the rich history of American storytelling and those who share their stories. It is the largest and oldest event of its kind in America and attracts an audience of nearly 11,000 from all over the United States and several foreign countries. From inside large circus type tents, some of the world’s most gifted and wonderful storytellers paint experiences and tales with words and music that bring this art to life. As many of our past attendees have said “It is something you have to experience, you cannot adequately describe it”. The Smithsonian said, “From all over America, people come to Jonesborough just to hear stories. Some stories seem to be made out of whole cloth. Others are like the Tennessee quilts on sale in Jonesborough’s many craft shops. They weave together past, present, fact and fiction in a tight design both dazzling and unforgettable”. This year we are offering only parking, which allows you to come in your Airstream and enjoy this great event without having to worry about a good spot to park. We hope you will take advantage of early parking, which allows you to come early and enjoy the many sites this area has to offer. Also, most of our folks like to come early to attend the Donald Davis performance on Wednesday evening, October 5. Donald Davis is a favorite of most all storyteller followers. Everyone is responsible for ordering his or her tickets to the festival. There is a small discount if you order before March 15 and be sure and tell them if you are a senior. You can call 800-952-8392 or go online to www.storytellingcenter.net See coupon section for registration form. The Tall Ships are coming to Duluth, MN and Region 7 will again be going aboard. A Special Event/Region 7 Rally is being planned for August 17-22, 2016 with new events and tours. This event will feature something for everyone who loves to travel including a trip on the Scenic Railroad for the day to Two Harbors, and of course the parade of the Tall Ships aboard the Vista Cruise Line. The bustling Duluth Waterfront will also have a full complement of vendors, artisans, music, reenactments, and entertainment. So mark your calendar and watch for further updates. This is an event you do not want to miss. Blue Beret / March 2016 41 Rededication Ceremony/Monument of Peace International Peace Garden Special Event Rally July 21 – 25, 2016 Gail Harrower Come and take part in a WBCCI Historic Event - the Presentation and Celebration of the Monument of Peace to the International Peace Garden. You will meet, in person, the artist, to whom we all owe a great deal of gratitude - Mr. Arthur Norby. Arthur Norby’s career has spanned over 36 years and has been varied and intense. His first sculptures were created in 1979, with his first collection of bronzes being created in 1980 and 1981. He has created over 600 sculptures in a variety of subjects, including more than 15 large scale/public bronzes. His first monumental public sculptures were created for Trenton, New Jersey in 1991 and Windom, Minnesota in 1993. In 1996, he was chosen through a national call for proposals to design the Minnesota Korean War Veterans Memorial which was dedicated in September of 1998. From 1996 through 2007, he resided in Arizona, operated The Norby Gallery and was commissioned to create six heroic public bronzes, as well as two sculpture gardens which encompassed eight life-size bronzes, seven life-size portrait busts and numerous other commissions. Throughout his career, he has attended workshops and taught studio techniques, as well as having taken part in school residencies at several grade levels. In 2007, he retired from gallery activities to concentrate more intensively on his own artwork. He has spent the last 18 months on the Monument of Peace. LET US GIVE YOUR AIRSTREAM A FACE LIFT DRAPES, FLOORING, UPHOLSTERY BEDSPREADS, BLINDS, CABINETS DETAIL CLEANING Since 1981 Fowler Interiors PO Box 91 Symsonia, KY 42082 (270) 851-3257 www.fowlerRVinteriors.com 42 Blue Beret / March 2016 At the International Peace Gardens, the Interpretive Center was opened in September 2010 and has a restaurant, retail store and moderate horticulture library. It also is the home to the 3,000 sq. foot conservatory that reveals 40 years of a 6,000 specimen collection of succulents and cacti. The collection was donated by Don Vitko of Minot, ND and is the first of its kind in North Dakota and only second in Manitoba. In the foyer of the Interpretive Center is located the Monument of Peace which will be there until the pond area has been upgraded. Rally Fee, payable in U.S. Funds, will be $40.00 for parking; $130.00 for each adult; $50.00 for each child (8 years old and under). There are a limited number of campsites with electric available to those who medically require it at an extra cost of $40.00. Your rally fee includes: four (4) nights of parking; daisy-chain water; Thursday night Welcome dinner; Friday lunch at the Sky Dancer Casino in Belcourt, ND; Saturday Dinner by the Peace Garden caterers; International Music Camp’s Performances; Tours in Boissevain, MB; Rededication Ceremony; Reception following the Ceremony; catered Dinner on Sunday Night; and Safe Travels breakfast on Monday morning. See coupon in the back of the Blue Beret. Register online at http://region7.wbcci.net/ In the April issue of the Blue Beret will be more details on the rally events. For more information, contact Gail Harrower at airstream4478@gmail.com or call 204-781-1987. Happy St. Patrick's Day 1 J. Rick Cipot, Contributing Editor REGION http://region1.wbcci.net As Region One members gather their thoughts and dream of getting back on the road to rally and caravan with old friends and new, I remind you all that in New England, March is mud month. But then we all know that. Of course there is the “Ides of March” where everyone is looking over their shoulder from dawn till sunset. I really don’t think we need to worry too much unless you are walking around town in your toga. But March does have a few things to offer us. Everyone knows that St. Patrick’s Day is the 17th of the month and yes we drink green beer, eat green mashed potatoes and green eggs with ham. But did you know that Girl Scout Day recognizes and celebrates the Girls Scouts of the USA. On March 12, 1912 Juliette Gordon Low started the first Girl Scout group in Savannah, Georgia with 18 girls. The Girls Scouts became a national organization and was chartered by the U.S. Congress on March 16, 1950. Today, there are millions of girls involved with Girl Scouts. March 3rd is National Anthem Day celebrating the Star Spangled Banner. It was written by Francis Scott Key. National Anthem Day celebrates this song, and the rich history behind its creation. The song officially became our national anthem on March 3, 1931. Many people think the Star Spangled Banner was written during the Revolutionary War. It was actually written during the War of 1812. If you do your research, you will also learn that the 4th is National Walk to Work Day, the 6th is National Frozen Food Day, thank you Mr. Birdseye. Yes there was a Mr. Birdseye. For us New Englanders March 11th is Johnny Appleseed Day. March 27th is National “Joe” Day... thank you Joe. And so it goes as we all try to shake off the end of winter cobwebs and focus on what is truly worth celebrating. Getting on the road. For Region One there is a packed schedule of wonderful rallies and events across our region to enjoy. Of course there is the excitement of the International Rally being so close for the first time in recent memory. Hello West Virginia, here we come. As predicted, it is sold out. There is a lesson here to be learned. Hold the event on the east coast once in a while! In addition, we have our own Region One Rally up North this year hosted by the Quebec Canada Unit. They have a wonder schedule of activities, so if you have not yet sent in your registration, please do so soon. A gentle reminder to everyone in Region One: you have an open invitation from each of our units to join in on their fun. Sign up for something different and make new friends while having lots of fun too. As always, keep the shiny side up and I look forward to seeing you on the road. 2 Debbie Hammer, Contributing Editor REGION http://region2.wbcci.net Seventy plus rigs made it to the IBT winter meeting in Rayne LA. Some of these rigs were from Region 2, but every region was represented. Many meetings took place but between the meetings and the planned activities, there was time to enjoy the local Cajun food and visit with friends. The credo of the WBCCI is “fun, fellowship and adventure” sometimes revisited as “food, friends and fun”. This was obvious one night as a group of friends had dinner at a local Cajun diner/bar. Seated at the same table were Airstreamers from New York, Texas, Georgia, Manitoba, North Carolina, Michigan and Minnesota. This is what it’s all about! Watch the Region 2 website and Facebook pages for upcoming opportunities to visit with old friends and make new ones. 3 Joan Anderson, Contributing Editor REGION http://region3.wbcci.net Spring has sprung and so have Airstreamers – off to places known and unknown to meet friends old and new. Many of these Airstreamers are travelling with their best travel buddies – their pets. Whichever type of pet a camper chooses (dog, cat, snake, bird, fish or other), travelling with a pet is a lifestyle choice that includes pet specific food, leashes and collars, walkies and pet friendly campgrounds and rallies. Here is what Region 3 Airstreamers think is the best part of traveling with their pets: Ken Dorn (Carolinas Unit) has a dog named Wynkie – “Wynkie is a rescue dog about 9 years old. She has only one eye. So I say as we travel Wynkie keeps an eye out for me. She is dyed blue and has blue nails. She’s a very well liked pet by everyone and loves attention. She loves to travel.” Lew Brodsky (NorVA) has a dog named Paisley – “Companionship”. Jack and Sherry White (Big Bend Florida) have an American short haired cat named Dickens (19 years old) – “Someone to greet you with excitement when you are so far from home.” Jan Werner (Florida Treasure Coast) has a poodle named Gracey – “As a single person she keeps me company and gets me out of the RV and talking to people.” A “can’t miss” pet friendly event will be the Region 3 Rally to be held at Meadow Event Park, Doswell, VA from April 27-May 1. Sites will be available for 30 and 50 amp electric (extra charge for 50 amp); all have water and most will have sewer. 4 Nancy Brett, Contributing Editor REGION http://region4.wbcci.net Greetings from Region 4! The Mahoning Valley Ohio Unit would like to extend an invitation to all WBCCI units to join us in the May Habitat Rally which will occur after the Region 4 Rally in Coldwater. In a “Habitat Rally,” the participants camp in a nearby location and work together during the week to help build a new house for a qualified family. In addition to work on the job site, there are opportunities for less physically active Habitat activities. For more information about this interesting and rewarding experience, please call Rick Richardson at 440-812-6490. Space is limited to 12-16 workers. Blue Beret / March 2016 43 The 40th annual Region 4 Rally “Follow the Ruby Brick Road” will be held at the Branch County Fairgrounds, in Coldwater, MI May 11-16, 2016. On the schedule this year is attendance at the opening night of “Bye, Bye, Birdie” at Tibbits Opera House! The catered meals will include a Thanksgiving Dinner and a dessert buffet. The fairgrounds are paved and a great place to ride your bikes and don’t forget to bring items for the yard sale and the hobby show. Please make your reservation - http://region4.wbcci.net/ or contact go2959@hotmail.com - pophetzler@hotmail.com - fisherjan23@sbcglobal.net for more information. State Fair Campgrounds in Lewisburg, WV is the location for The 59th International Convention/Rally - and is close to all of us. The rally will be held June 28-July 5, 2016 and we hope to see many of our Region 4 Units there! For more information and registration - www.wbcci.org Save the Date: August 3-7, 2016 - Michigan State Rally, Susan Stigleman air13@comcast.net September 10-24, 2016 - The 2016 Ores, Shores, Waters, and Lights – East National Caravan, Chip & Lori DeLeeuw, Metro Detroit - cdeleeuw@comcast.net September 24-October 2, 2016 - The 54th Annual Swiss Festival National Rally, SwissRallyRegistrar@yahoo.com Safe travels - See you down the road! 5 Patsy Marston, Contributing Editor REGION http://region5.wbcci.net March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. After a Midwestern winter, we have seen enough lions and are ready for those lambs. I know many of you are dusting off those calendars and the events listed on your phone schedules to make plans for another season of Airstream camping. Our units are busy making plans for rallies for us to enjoy and the best part of owning an Airstream is WBCCI and taking part in the many activities available for us. Your plans should include the Region 5 Rally to be held in Madison, Indiana from September 14-18. Madison is a jewel of a river town. One of those that are wonderful to explore and to admire, are the beautiful 19th century homes. Its unusual architectural character has earned it recognition as a National Historic Landmark District by the National Parks Service. Our campsites at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds are level with easy parking. I’m sure in-coming president Artie Martin and his staff are busy planning a fun time for all attending. After the International in Lewisburg, WV, the Indiana Unit has planned a caravan to Frankenmuth, Michigan from July 20-24, and the Central Indiana Unit is having a “hop-on hop-off” caravan through the Limestone country of Southern Indiana. Those dates are October 7-16. You can enjoy the entire caravan or just parts of it as your schedules permit. Check out the unit activities listed in this issue on the event schedule pages. Lots of tempting things. The best thing about owning an Airstream is WBCCI. To really enjoy your Airstream, participate in all the rallies and caravans that you can. Airstreams are made to travel, so we should keep them rolling. 44 Blue Beret / March 2016 Point to Ponder: A little toast for St. Patrick’s Day - May those that love us: love us - And those that don’t love us, May God turn their hearts - and if He can’t turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles - So we will know them by their limp. 6 Sidra Spies, Contributing Editor REGION http://region6.wbcci.net Region 6 First Lady Helen Bourgeois will again be acting as Chair for the Common Cents. She urges each unit to continue their good work with collections. Please send your check for your unit to her in May so she can take it to International. Winter weather finally made it into the Region 6 area. As I write this, we made it through a major storm last night in NW Florida. We had winds at 70 mph, with heavy rain and even hail. Kind of different to watch it bounce off the surface of our pool. Watching the storm blow through was like looking at one of our hurricanes. We made it through OK. Tonight on Friday, January 22, it will be 28° F. Make your plans, mark your calendars now to attend the following Region 6 and WBCCI events and activities: See the Blue Beret Event Schedule for details for registering. This includes activities for ALL Regions and National rallies, etc. Cajun Country Caravan, led by Larry & Judy Boudreaux, is again a sellout. This is a well-respected caravan that tours the Cajun area of Louisiana, touring many sites and homes. This year will be March 8-23. The Annual Florida State Rally will be held in The Keys. Dates are April 6-11. See the February Blue Beret for details. Make your plans to attend the 2016 International Rally in Lewisburg, West Virginia from June 28-July 4. A registration form and rally information can be found in the Blue Beret magazine. The Arkansas Razorback Caravan will be from Thursday, May 12-Sunday, May 22, 2016; that’s 10 nights. We will start in Fort Smith, move to Rogers, then to Eureka Springs. If interested, please email: Paul Moore at paullrarusa@yahoo. com, or check out our unit website: http://arkansasrazorback. wbcci.net 7 Gair Harrower, Contributing Editor REGION http://region7.wbcci.net What a great Mid-Winter IBT was held in Rayne, Louisiana. The meetings were very productive; the hospitality was superb; and Region 6 and their cooking team fed us great food. Thanks Region 6 for a wonderful time in Louisiana! The Monument of Peace committee gave an update on the project at the Region Officers meeting (that is open to everyone) and reported that they have raised just over $63,000 and that there was another $8,000 required to complete the project and funds required for the reception after the Presentation. That’s when the wheels fell off the train – after a period of discussion, one fine gentleman congratulated the committee on raising that amount of money and stated he would be contributing $5,000 to the project. It wasn’t two minutes later when another fine gentleman matched the $5,000 donation. THANK YOU to everyone for your contributions and now, let the celebration begin! Keep those contributions coming - a fund has been set up to maintain the monument. Don’t miss this one - You are all invited to come and join us in the celebration of 200 years of Peace between two great countries, Canada and the United States of America at the Special Event Rally hosted by Region 7 and the North Dakota Peace Garden Unit from July 21-25, 2016 with the presentation of the Monument of Peace to the International Peace Garden on Sunday, July 24, 2016. This event is a “must” on every WBCCI Member’s Bucket List. There’s more info and coupon for the rally in this Blue Beret. Region 7 is also hosting another Special Event Rally in August of 2016 - the Tall Ships. See article and coupon in this Blue Beret. 8 register if you have not already done so. Just go to the Region 9 website, http://region9.wbcci.net/ to see the registration form. As you all know, any WBCCI member is welcome to any unit rally. I would encourage everyone to try another unit’s rally to see how they do it and maybe get new and creative ideas for rallies in your own unit. The Region 9 website is a great place to start looking for rallies put on by other units that might be of interest to you. Get a little crazy and experience what other units do at their rallies this year!! Just be sure you let the appropriate hosts know you are coming. I have begun planning the Region 9 Rally for 2017. I know it is a little early but put March 20–26 on your calendars for the Region 9 Rally in 2017. I will be contacting many of you in Region 9 for your help in making this a successful rally. Finally, safe travels and see you down the road!! 10 Ann Barclay, Contributing Editor REGION http://region8.wbcci.net Carol Ortiz, Contributing Editor REGION http://region10.wbcci.net “In like a Lion/Out like a Lamb” or was it “In like a Lamb/ Out like a Lion”. By the time you read this, we will know how March arrived. But one thing we do know is Spring is just around the corner and those of us who braved winter this year in the Midwest are looking forward to warmer days for camping and travel adventures. Those of you who chose warmer places to winter are looking forward to the activities that the local units have planned for the months ahead when we join together at unit rallies and activities with old and new members and friends. The one adventure we hope all Region 8 members are planning on is the Region 8 Rally in Hastings, NE April 27-May 1 at the Adams County Fairgrounds to “Follow the Trails West”. As Mark Twain once wrote “...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do...Explore. Dream. Discover.” Ah, March! In some parts of Region 10, there are signs that winter is almost over. There are blooming cherry and apple trees and daffodils are about to break forth trumpeting, “It’s Spring!.” However, the more northerly areas, as well as the inland areas of Region 10, still have snow on the ground. So, what does that mean for activities? Well, let me tell you. At least two Units break out their rigs and head out for a St. Patrick’s Day Rally. Sometimes we camp in the rain, but that doesn’t dampen our spirits for the “wearing of the green” or searching for leprechauns. Other Units are having luncheons, even if it means driving in the ice and snow to meet their friends. Then, we have some who escaped to the warm south. In fact, if you are in the Yuma area, give Pat Latimer a call 360-459-8508 to see where they will meet for breakfast in March. That’s for any Airstreamers in the area, not just Region 10 folks. Of course, the big news is that the Region 10 Rally is July 27-August 1. So, save those dates and plan to attend the “Kick Back in Kalispell” Rally. That’s Kalispell, Montana! President and First Lady, Bob and Darlene Caldwell, are planning lots of fun activities, along with their planning team. This is a rally that you don’t want to miss! If there isn’t an article and coupon in this issue, watch for them in the April Blue Beret. Check the Region 10 website for details, as well as, registering on line. www.region10.wbcci.net In the meantime, wherever you travel: “May the road rise to meet you and may the sun shine warmly on your back!” - An Irish Blessing 9 Grady Ferry, Contributing Editor REGION http://region8.wbcci.net I hope everyone had a blessed holiday season and that all is well in the New Year! The New Year; wow, how fast does time fly now; with planning for the holidays, all that shopping, cooking, visiting friends and relatives, and now planning for the spring and summer travel season. The 59th International Rally in Lewisburg, WV scheduled for June 28-July 5 will be on us before you know it. I hope you made plans for what I know will be a great rally. Between now and then, there is plenty of time for a caravan or two. And speaking of caravans, our own Region 9 member Harvey Craig is planning another caravan to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival this year. The dates for that caravan are September 23-October 7. Please contact Harvey at eharv@ msn.com for more information and to join this caravan. Lots of other exciting trips, caravans, rallies and meetings are planned in Region 9 for 2016. I must remind everyone about the Region 9 Rally, Airstream Pow Wow, in Shawnee, OK March 13-20. I know President Andy Selking and all his volunteers have a great rally planned. There is still time to REGION 11 Bob Lauderdale, Contributing Editor, http://region11.wbcci.net March is an exciting month. Traditionally it is expected to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. We can hope! Here in Region 11, except for most of Arizona, our clocks get to spring forward on the 13th as we observe the biannual chronological confusion that is Daylight Savings Time. For those of us not enjoying the warmth of the southern portion of our Region, our thoughts are starting to turn to getting our Blue Beret / March 2016 45 rigs ready for the camping season. We have a great variety of both scenery and weather in Region 11. Those lucky enough to be camping with the Arizona Unit at their Rally in Camp Verde, AZ can expect average highs in the low 70s as they explore places like the Montezuma Castle National Monument while those attending the Denco Unit Luncheon in Boulder, CO can expect an average high of 56 as they socialize at Celestial Seasonings. Although those numbers come from the National Weather Service I have to say, as a 30 plus year resident of Colorado, I expect snow and much less than 56 degrees in March, in Boulder, as winter does one last gasp before March 20, but you never know. The important thing is that spring will arrive this month and we can all look forward to getting back out and enjoy streamin’. REGION 12 Robert Stansbury, Contributing Editor, http://region12.wbcci.net HOORAY! Region 12 has 12 clubs again. The worst thing I had to do when I was Region 12 President was to shut down two clubs in California. As I write this article, I have just been informed that the Lake Tahoe Airstream Club was approved by the WBCCI International Board of Trustees in Rayne, Louisiana. With the addition of this new club and the Greater Los Angeles Airstream Club, our region has returned to having a dozen clubs. Maybe there will be more to come. There are plenty of Airstream owners in California and Nevada that we can invite to join. Since the IBT meeting just concluded today, let me inform you about some of the new motions that passed and became part of our Club operations. Twenty-two motions were floated and with a little modification, were all passed. I won’t bore you with most of them as they are necessary to drag our archaic governing document (the “Blue Book”) into the 21st Century. The fiscal year has been changed. It used to be July 1st to June 30th. It will now be August 1st to July 31st (after the conclusion of the International Rally). Members of the IBT can now hold offices in their Region or local club, at the same time. Next came the vote to establish the European Club of WBCCI. The Utah Wasatch Airstream Club was approved. There has been no club in that state for awhile. Finally, a name change from the Santa Clara Unit to The Greater Bay Area Airstream Club was approved. Wow! what a lot of positive news about the International Club we all are members of. The hard work by your Region 12 officers and others over the past few years is really beginning to pay dividends. WBCCI is growing and moving in a positive direction that will benefit us all in the future. 46 Blue Beret / March 2016 In Memoriam The officers and members of Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc. express their sympathy to the families and friends of these departed members. Archambo, Ronald (002-FL).......................#16590 PP New York Susque-Lawrence Unit Bernd, Roy “RB” (112-WA)............................#306 PP Region 10 Bova, Thea (030-PA).......................................#216 PFL Region 3 Coldren, John (091-PA)................................#2322 Drugge, Philip (027-FL)................................#4941 PP Florida Unit Duke, Gene (158-SC)....................................#1617 Elliott, Dalton (124-ON Canada)..................#4605 Entzian, Ernest (053-MD).............................#1796 Faircloth, William (030-FL)...........................#5965 PP South Florida Unit Fox, Louis (137-MI).......................................#8554 Goodwin, Robert (171-IA)............................#4833 PP North Iowa Unit Gould, Jessie (025-CT).................................#2478 PFL Charter Oak CT Unit Hein, John (112-WA).....................................#8861 Lowenthal, Arthur (002-NY).........................#4669 Morris, Donald (150-SC)...............................#5060 Towndrow, Anthony (129-FL Warren, Travis “Bill” (056-MS).....................#2624 PFM Mississippi Unit Justin Humphreys Greetings from your extended family here in wintery Jackson Center, OH. I hope everyone is enjoying their Airstream somewhere warm and living riveted along the way! As I write this article in early February, Airstream is off and running for 2016! Our show season is in full swing with approximately 50 shows this season on our schedule from January thru March. The biggest of all the winter shows occurs each year in Tampa, FL. During this show, our dealer Tampa RV had a record show for both vans and trailers. It is a great sign for the industry as it is typically an indicator for the RV market each year. Another great show this year occurred in Denver. Our dealer, Windish RV, attended and had an outstanding show. So all signs early on are very promising for the year. The only challenges we had in January were poor weather and a volatile stock market. Yet despite these challenges, it was the second best January on record since 1980 in terms of retail deliveries. During the Tampa show, our dealer, Tampa RV, announced plans to build a brand new, state of the art Airstream exclusive store in the Tampa market. I have attached a few renderings of their design. Production should be completed in mid-2017. Airstream is thrilled that Tampa RV is committing so heavily in Airstream! We recognize that we need to continue to focus on our dealer network and their ability to sell and service Airstreams. The Airstream exclusive model has been a huge help in raising the bar and Tampa RV is taking this to a new level for the brand. Airstream is getting more commitments across the country for new, Airstream exclusive stores. I don’t think there is any doubt that these stores, with a single brand focus, will organically improve the customer experience across the board. It is exciting to have dealers like Tampa RV make this incredible commitment. Thank you Tampa RV! This past month here in Jackson Center, we opened up the second final finish line in the travel trailer factory. This was the last piece of the puzzle with our new factory. Over the holiday shutdown we rearranged mezzanines and storage racks to accommodate this new production line. The plan now is to run Classics down this line as they take a little longer to build and will allow people to focus on this model. Airstream may also add other 30 foot models as they can free up the original line and allow the slower moving models to be focused on this dedicated, new final line. Early signs are great and the line move went well. I look forward to many of you seeing it this year when you visit the plant and take the tour! I am personally glad to hear the registrations for the West Virginia rally are doing great! As many of you may know, I am from West Virginia, so I am particularly excited about this rally. I will be camping at the rally and look forward to seeing many of you there. Because it is so close to Ohio, we should have several people from Airstream attend this year to join in on the fun. I look forward to seeing everyone in West “by God” Virginia! I’d like to thank everyone for their support of Airstream. I particularly appreciate the many volunteers who help this club each year. And lastly, I’d like to thank the staff at WBCCI headquarters for their support. Rick March and I had the privilege of eating lunch with the entire staff recently. What a great group of professionals you guys have to support the club! On behalf of 630 hard working families, thank you for your support of Airstream! Happy Airstreaming Justin Blue Beret / March 2016 47 Rick March, General Manager Customer Relations Group I hope you have stayed warm through the winter months. Or better yet were able to head south to get away from the cold. Being here in Ohio, we have to be prepared for all types of weather. I can’t complain too much as it has been warmer than average this sinter with very little snow. So far!! But now that it is March we turn our attention to spring and get a little excited about being able to get out of the house, get our trailers out of storage and plan some fun adventures. This month I would like to talk about your holding tanks and the best way to clean and take care of them. This is a question we get quite often here in our customer service department. How long will fresh water stay fresh in the fresh water tank, how do I clean it? A fellow Airstreamer recently asked a question that gets asked by almost every new owner; how long will the water stay fresh in our fresh water tank? When they are at a campground, they use the city water hook-up as their water source. They filled the tank about 3 weeks ago before going on their first trip and it is currently reading half full. Does weather have any effect on water stored in the fresh tank? Some thoughts: First it is always good to start off with a clean (sanitized tank) whether a new or older Airstream. So if you have made sure your tank is clean it will not be a problem going for extended periods (several months) without draining your tank. Most city water has been through a treatment process and minerals have been removed and the water has been treated with chlorine type products. Another concern would be if you use well water. Depending on what area of the country you are traveling, you may be using water that has high sulfur and iron content. In the majority of cases, well water does not go through any treatment process. If you keep this water in the fresh tank for long periods, you may experience odors or have to deal with iron deposits in your system. In this situation, you want to remove the water from the tank as soon as possible and rinse the tank. Temperature should not affect the life span of the water in the fresh tank unless it was not cleaned well to start with. Sanitizing your fresh water tank and plumbing system You are going to make a solution of water and bleach. Dilute 1/4 cup of household bleach for each 15 gallons of tank capacity into a gallon of water. You will want to fill the fresh water tank about 3/4 full of water and make sure your hot water heater is off and water is cool. Using a funnel, add the chlorine/water solution to the water tank through exterior water fill. Always mix the bleach with water before pouring into the RV fresh water tank. Make sure you are using the on board water system and not hooked to city water. Now turn on water pump and run the solution through water lines and faucets for one or two minutes. You should be able to smell the bleach. 48 Blue Beret / March 2016 Now fill RV fresh water tank to full and let stand for several hours. If you can let stand overnight, this would be better. Once that process is complete you will want to drain the system. Flush the faucets for several minutes each. You can open the fresh water tank drain valve to speed up emptying the tank. Make sure you remember to also drain the water heater by removing the plug. Make sure drains and faucets have been closed and then fill the tank again. The water should now be safe to drink but if the chlorine odor is too strong you can repeat the fresh water flush. Sanitizing your system should be an annual event. While we have all the supplies out from sanitizing the fresh water system, let’s continue on with the other on board holding tanks Cleaning Holding tanks Over time the RV waste holding tank can begin to smell. This is caused by a build-up of bacteria and other waste products left in the tank after dumping. Even if you properly dump your RV waste holding tanks, use your black tank flush and use the appropriate cleaning chemicals in the tanks, it is still important to take the time to thoroughly clean and sanitize the grey and black water tanks. It is a good idea to do this every now and then, especially before putting the RV in storage. The best way to clean and sanitize your RV waste holding tanks is to fill the tank with a bleach and water solution. To make the solution, mix 1/4 cup of bleach with one gallon of water. The total amount of bleach-water solution you will need depends upon the size of RV waste holding tanks you have. For most, eight gallons of this cleaning solution should be enough. Dump the solution directly down the toilet for the black water tank and into any sink drain for the grey water tank. Completely fill the tank with the solution and leave in the RV waste holding tank for at least eight hours. It will be best if you are able to fill the holding tank with the solution before going on a long drive. This way the fluids can swish around inside the tank, breaking up any residue left behind. Doing this will clean up and sanitize any pathogens left inside your RV waste holding tank. The bleach-water solution used to clean the tank is safe to dispose of at a dump station. Completely drain the holding tanks into an approved dump site. If you plan to put your RV in storage or do not plan to go out on the road for a long period of time, take some time to clean and sanitize the holding tanks. This will kill all of the bacteria and ensure you have a cleaner, nicer smelling holding tank when taking your RV back out on the road. Some of research Info. from RV Repair Club I would love to hear from you and if you have a suggestion or topic you would like to see covered in a future article, or have a question, just drop me a line at rmarch@airstream.com Have a great month! Stock up on your Maintenance items Acryl-R 16 oz Can with Applicator SIKAFLEX 10.3oz Polyurethane Adhesive-Sealant Black & Gray Stock up on your Cleaning items Glare Products - Ultra Wash - Micro Finish - Knockout - Professional Polish - Spider SD 20 Degreaser Met-All Aluminum Polish Walbernizer Formula 303 1/2 oz Touch-up Pen Acrylic Clear Boeshield T-9 Rust and Corrosion Protection ZipDee Awning Cleaner CorrosionX Available at www.airstream.com and participating Airstream Dealers Blue Beret / March 2016 49 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION/RALLY Jun 28-Jul 4 2016 International Convention/Rally, Lewisburg, West Virginia NATIONAL RALLIES Apr 21-24 Sep 12-18 Sep 23-27 Sep 24-Oct 2 Sep 30-Oct 4 Cali Rally, Camatta Ranch, Santa Margarita, CA Pendleton Round-up, Pendleton, OR Antelope Rally, Medicine Bow, WY Swiss Festival, Sugarcreek, OH Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, NM SPECIAL EVENT RALLIES Jul 21-25 Aug 7-14 Aug 17-22 Sep 8-11 Oct 5-9 Oct 15-23 Dec 29Jan 2, 2017 Monument of Peace Redication, International Peace Garden Galax Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Galax, VA Tall Ships Rally, Duluth, MN Old Threshers, Yuma, CO Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough, TN Sun Valley Jazz & Music Festival, Ketchum, ID Rose Parade Rally, Pasadena, CA NATIONAL CARAVANS Feb 5-Mar 7 N-45-G Mar 8-23 N-45-L Florida Fantasy - Leaders: Skipper Ph. 850-877-1729 STANDBY ONLY Cajun Country - Leaders: Boudreaux Ph. 985-209-0376 Mar 24-Apr 13 N-45-K STANDBY ONLY Georgia Plantation Leaders: Montague Ph. 850-212-3726 Apr 17-May 15 N-45-F STANDBY ONLY Springtime in Kentucky Leaders: Hilton Ph. 352-205-9928 May 29-Jun 17 N-45-B Taste of the Blue Ridge - Leaders: Blanchard Ph. 713-301-7244 Jul 12-Sep 12 N-45-C Alyeska, the Great Land - Leaders: Johnjulio Ph. 814-484-7221 Jul 13-Aug 19 N-45-A Nor’ by Nor’ East - Leaders: Lake Ph. 781-837-2539 Jul 21-Sep 1 N-45-D2 STANDBY ONLY The Viking Trail - Leaders: Hilton Ph. 352-205-9928 Aug 20-Oct 10 N-45-H Southwest Adventure - Leaders: Thompson Ph. 850-212-4719 / Glassey Ph. 206-605-2986 Sep 10-24 N-45-N Ores, Shores, Waters, and Lights - East Leaders: DeLeeuw Ph: 517-250-5060 Sep 26-Oct 29 N-45-I Gone to Texas - Leaders: Snow Ph. 832-2174508 / Kindle Ph. 713-907-4624 Sep-Oct TBA N-45-M STANDBY ONLY The American Revolution in the Northern Colonies - Leaders: Jones Ph. 703-780-6597 Oct 4-Nov 12 N-45-E STANDBY ONLY Southeast Coast Spectacular - Leaders: Carnein Ph. 623-974-4762 2017 N-46-A N-46-B N-46-D1 N-46-D2 N-46-E N-46-F N-46-G N-46-H N-46-I N-46-J UNIT CARAVANS Sep 14-23 U-420 Sep 23-Oct 8 50 Blue Beret / March 2016 Golf-N-Around - Leaders: Skipper/Blanchard Ph. 850-877-1729 Canadian Rocky Mountains - Leaders: Leach Ph. 281-536-6185 Viking Trail - Leaders: Hilton Ph. 352-205-9928 Viking Trail - Leaders: Hilton Ph. 352-205-9928 Spindletop - Leaders: Kindle/Snow Ph. 713-907-4624 Nor' by Nor' East - Leaders: Walbridge/Lake Ph. 781-837-2539 Southwest Adventure - Leaders: Montague/Thompson Ph. 850-212-3726 STANDBY ONLY Cajun Country - Leaders: Boudreaux Ph. 985-209-0376 Georgia Plantations & More - Leaders: Anderson Ph. 850-896-0567 Taste of the Blue Ridge - Blanchard Ph. 713-301-7244 U-421 Door County Wisconsin - Again! Greater St. Louis MO Unit, Leaders: Knernschield/Kolley, Ph. 537-840-5441 Balloon Fiesta Caravan - Texas Highland Lakes Unit, Leader: Craig, Ph. 512-633-0380 REGION 1 Hudson-Mohawk New York Unit - http://hudmo.wbcci.net Mar 17 Snowbird/Early Bird Dinner 4:30 PM, Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd, Zepher Hills, FL, Claudia Stark 518-365-8510, email: bob.claudias@gmail.com Luncheon, Gerry Schulitz 518-863-2335, email: gschulitz@ roadrunner.com Region 1 Website: http://region1.wbcci.net Apr TBA Aug 4-7 Keystone Pennsylvania Unit - http://keystone.wbcci.net Region 1 Rally, Montmagny, Quebec Cape Cod Massachusetts Unit www.capecod.wbcci.net Apr 15-17 5th Annual Pets & Paws Joint Rally w/New England Unit, Normandy Farms Resort, Foxboro, MA, Mary Rosenbach, email: streamingpilgrim42@comcast.net / Heather Lawler, email: airstream4998@gmail.com Charter Oak Connecticut Unit - www.connecticut.wbcci.net Mar TBA Luncheon, Glastonbury, CT, Lynn Blackwell, email: lynn. blackwell9@gmail.com New England Unit - http://newengland.wbcci.net Apr 30-May 2 Rally/Mtg. Ashuelot River CG, Swanzey, NH, Earl Duesel, email: erduesel@verizon.net Quebec Canada Unit - http://unitquebec.wbcci.net Apr 24 Opening Luncheon, La Casa Grecque, 1565 Daniel, Intersection boul. St St-Martin, Laval, Quebec (BYOB), Gabriel Massicotte 450-834-8293, email: gabymassicotte@ sympatico.ca White Mountains New Hampshire Unit - wmu0065.wbcci.net Mar 12 Spring Luncheon Mtg Noon, Sarducci's Rest., Montpelier, VT, Jerry Carruba, email: birddog@tds.net REGION 2 Region 2 Website: http://region2.wbcci.net Jun 1-6 Sep 16-18 Region 2 Rally, Hammondsport, NY New York State Rally, Angelica, NY Al-Mon-O Pennsylvania Unit - http://al-mon-o.wbcci.net Mar 19 Luncheon, TBA, Bernie Solomon 724-863-1456 Apr 29-May 1 Spring Kick-Off Rally, Deer Hunter's Camp, Maple Springs Rd, Harrisville, PA, Don Clayton 724-325-1205, email: aunt_bev@msn.com Berkshire New York Unit Mar TBA Apr TBA Luncheon, Richard Roeser 845-471-5778 Luncheon, David Levinson 845-562-0091 Central Maryland Unit – http://centralmarylandunit166.wbcci.net Mar TBA Luncheon, Lilo Kaiser 443-618-9985, email: jkaiser121@ aol.com Central Pennsylvania Unit – http://centralpenn.wbcci.net Delaware Valley New Jersey Unit – http://dvnju.wbcci.net Mar 5 St. Patricks Day Dinner 4 PM, 98 Erial Rd, Clementon, NJ, Pat Berkey 856-816-5469, email: theberkeys@yahoo.com Apr 29-May 1 Buddy/Service Rally, Parvin SP, Bota Rasanda 856-3921881, email: aikifun@aol.com Delmarva Unit - http://rehobothboardwalk.com/wbdelmarva Mar 17 Apr 22 St. Patrick's Day Luncheon, TBA Maintenance Rally, 4H Park, Centreville, MD, Carl Anderson 304-422-5087 Metropolitan New York Unit - http://metrony.covvo.com Mid-Atlantic Unit - http://midatlantic.wbcci.net Mar TBA Apr TBA Apr 22-24 TBA TBA Joint Maintenance Rally w/Delmarva Unit, Queen Ann 4H Club FG, 4H Park Rd, Centerville, MD, Phil Broomall 240285-7880, email: pbroomall@yahoo.com New Jersey Unit https://sites.google.com/site/njunitoriginal New York Finger Lakes Unit - http://nyfingerlakes.wbcci.net Ontario Canada Unit - www.ontarioairstream.org Mar 20 Spring Fling Dinner 4 PM, Mandarin Rest., 387 Wellington Rd, London, ON, Tom Cada 519-473-9266, email: thecadas@gmail.com Penn-Lehigh Unit – http://penn-lehigh.wbcci.net Pennsylvania Unit - www.pennwood.org Washington DC Unit - http://wdcu.wbcci.net Apr 21-24 Capital Kick Off Maintenance Rally, Bull Run Battlefield Reg. Park, Manassas, VA, John DiBella, email: jsdbla@ gmail.com Watchung New Jersey Unit - www.watchungunit.org Mar TBA Luncheon, Jim Plant 609-978-0152, email: tenlea@aol. com Apr 29-May 1 Unbutton your Rig Rally/Bus. Mtg., Pine Hill RV Park, Kutztown, PA, Fred Brugmans 908-647-3215, email: mollybrugmans@gmail.com REGION 3 Region 3 Website: http://region3.wbcci.net Apr 6-11 Apr 27-May 1 Aug 7-14 Florida State Rally, Big Pine Key, FL Dan Maciejczyk email: oldtruckfarm@prodigy.net Region 3 Rally, Doswell, VA Galax Old Time Fiddlers Conv., Galax, VA Big Bend Florida Unit - http://bigbendfl.wbcci.net Mar 11-13 Apr 8-10 Rally, Fort Pickens CG, Gulf Breeze, FL, TBA Rally, Che Haw Park CG, Albany, GA, TBA Carolinas Unit of North Carolina - http://carolinasnc.wbcci.net Mar 12 Luncheon Noon, Moose Cafe, 2914 Sandy Ridge Rd #H, Colfax, NC 336-668-1125, www.eatatthemoosecafe.com, Keith Schneider 919-906-9014, email: susanneappraiser@ hotmail.com Rally, James Island Cty. CG, 871 Riverland Dr, Charleston, Apr 7-10 SC 843-795-4386 www.ccprc.com, Keith Schneider 919906-9014, email: susanneappraiser@hotmail.com Apr 27-May 1 Region 3 Rally, Meadow Event Park, Doswell, VA, www. meadoweventpark.com, Keith Schneider 919-906-9014, email: susanneappraiser@hotmail.com Coastal Georgia - http://coastalgeorgia.wbcci.net Mar 3-6 Anything Mexican Rally,Lake Harmony, Townsend, GA, exit 58 I-95, TBA Apr 29-May 1 Bingo Rally, Coastal GA RV, Brunswick, GA, TBA Blue Beret / March 2016 51 Eastern North Carolina Unit - http://encu.wbcci.net South Florida Unit http://southflorida.wbcci.net Mar 18-20 Mar 4-8 Rally, Raleigh Oaks RV Resort, 527 US Hwy. 701 S, Four Oaks, NC, Freddie Davis 919-751-3184 Apr 27-May 1 Region 3 Rally, Doswell, VA Everglades Florida Unit - http://everglades.wbcci.net Florida Unit - http://floridaunit027.wbcci.net Mar 10-13 Mar 15-20 Apr 6-11 Buddy/Joint Rally w/ FL Suncoast & South FL Units, Highland Hammock SP, 5931 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL, David Sowders, email: gatorjds@msn.com Bluegrass Festival Volunteer Rally, 1300 Fort Christmas Rd, Christmas, FL, Frank Carson 321-704-2568, email: fc23343@aol.com Florida State Rally, Sunshine Key Resort, Mile Marker 39, Big Pine Key, FL, Daniel Maciejczyk 571-309-1008, email: oldtruckfarm@prodigy.net Florida Springs Unit - http://floridasprings.wbcci.net Mar 10-13 Apr 7-10 Rally, Blue Parrot RV Resort, 40840 Co Rd 25, Lady Lake, FL, Sonja Meistrell 352-427-2534, email: smeistrell@usa. net Rally, Wild Frontier RV Park, 3101 NW 16th Ave, Ocala, FL, Carl Taylor 352-209-6718, email: sidwen17@gmail.com Florida Suncoast Unit - http://suncoast.wbcci.net Florida Treasure Coast Unit - http://ftcu.wbcci.net Apr 21-24 Apr 24-27 Rally, Travelers Rest Resort, 29129 Johnston Rd, Dade City, FL, Gene Poast 937-609-5143, email: poast9870@ aol.com Caravan to Region 3 Rally, Doswell, VA, Blair LittleJohn, email: blairstream72@gmail.com Georgia Unit - http://topofgeorgia.wbcci.net Apr 18-19 Apr 20-24 Rally, Top of GA Park, 14255 Hwy 75 N, Helen, GA, George Ward 912-657-0139, email: gcward1@bellsouth. net Spring Rally/Bus. Mtg, 14255 Hwy 75 N, Helen, GA, George Ward 912-657-0139, email: gcward1@bellsouth. net Northern Virginia Unit - http://northva.wbcci.net Mar 18-20 Take Pride in America Joint Rally w/VA Unit, Clover Hill Village, 5147 River Ridge Rd, Appomattox, VA Apr 27-May 1 Region 3 Rally, Meadow Farms, VA May 27-Jun 7 Virginia President's Caravan, Pohick Bay Regional CG, 6501 Pohick Bay Dr, Lorton, VA, Jackson & Mary Ann McBroom 757-345-0060 / 757-746-6535 or see website Palmetto State South Carolina Unit http://palmettostate.wbcci.net Mar 31-Apr 3 Alumalina/Spring Fling Rally, Palmetto Cove RV Park, 521 Table Rock Rd, Cleveland, SC, from SC Hwy 11, take SC Hwy 8 W toward Caesar's Head Mountain, turn L on Table Rock Rd, park is 2 mi. on L, John Leake 803-684-5651, email: john@leakesantiques.com Piedmont North Carolina Unit - http://piedmontunit.wbcci.net Apr 7-10 Four Oaks/Buddy Rally, Raleigh Oaks RV Resort, 4596 US Hwy 301 S, Four Oaks, NC, Todd Stroud 919-963-6953, email: goodfoodlady@gmail.com Apr 20-26 Old Dominion Caravan to Region 3 Rally, John Becker 336-322-0109, email: john_becker@mac.com Apr 27-May 1 Region 3 Rally, Meadow Event Park, Doswell, VA Shenandoah Valley of Virginia Unit http://shenandoahvalleyofva.wbcci.net South Carolina Coastal Unit - www.sccoastalunit.com Mar 4-6 Apr 1-3 52 Rally, Skidaway SP, Carolyn Elaine Jarrett 843-412-5023, email: celainejarrett@att.net Rally, Aiken SP, Carolyn Elaine Jarrett 843-412-5023, email: celainejarrett@att.net Blue Beret / March 2016 Exploring Fort Lauderdale Rally, Easterlin Park, 1000 NW 38 St, Oakland Park, FL, btwn Commercial Blvd & Oakland Park Blvd off I-95, Bill Racavich 954-648-7771/954-6847770, email: berthe.racavich@gmail.com Caravan to Highlands Hammock SP Mar 9 Mar 10-13 Buddy Rally w/FL Suncoast Unit, Highlands Hammock SP, 5931 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL, call Reserve America 800-326-3521 for site, Bill Racavich 954-648-7771/954684-7770, email: berthe.racavich@gmail.com Apr 6-11 Florida State Rally, Sunshine Key Resort, MM 39, Big Pine Key, FL, Dan Maciejczyk, email: oldtruckfarm@prodigy.net Apr 26-May 1 Region 3 Rally, Meadow Event Park, Doswell, VA, 25 mi. N of Richmond Southeastern Camping Unit http://secamping.wbcci.net Mar 4-6 Rally, Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta, GA, call CG at 800385-9807 to make reservations, mention Blah Blah Rally, Robin Harrison, email: colormetextiles@yahoo.com Mar 31-Apr 3 Alumalina 2016 Spring Edition Rally, Palmetto Cove RV Park, Cleveland, SC, http://www.airforums.com/ forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=1400&day=2016-331&c=1&redirect=1, John Leake Florida State Rally, Sunshine Key Resort, Mile Marker 39, Apr 6-11 Big Pine Key, FL, Dan Maciejczyk, email: oldtruckfarm@ prodigy.net Tidewater Virginia Unit - www.tidewaterwbcci.net Virginia Unit - http://virginia.wbcci.net Mar 18-20 Clover Community/Wounded Warrier joint rally w/ Northern VA Unit, Clover Hill Village, 5747 River Ridge Rd, Appomattox, VA, Richard Bartelt 434-352-8936, email: thebees@lynchburg.net Apr 27-May 1 Region 3 Rally, Meadow Event Park, 13191 Dawn Blvd, Doswell, VA, Matt Hackney email: eroney@aol.com Western North Carolina Unit - http://wnc.wbcci.net Apr 16 Spring Luncheon Noon, Golden Corral, 2530 Chimney Rock Rd, Hendersonville, NC www.goldencorral.com, Liza McArthur, email: lm555@frontier.com April 27-May 1Region 3 Rally, Meadow Event Park, Doswell, VA www. meadoweventpark.com REGION 4 Region 4 Website: http://region4.wbcci.net May 11-16 Aug 3-7 Sep 24-Oct 2 40th Region 4 Rally "Follow the Ruby Brick Road", Coldwater, MI Michigan State Rally, Ravenna, MI Swiss Festival National Rally, Sugarcreek, OH Akron Ohio Unit - www.akronwbcci.com Mar 19 Apr TBA Luncheon 11:30 AM, Das Dutch Kitchen, 14278 Lincoln Way E, Dalton, OH, Betsy Ketchum 330-309-1715, email: air1650@aol.com Luncheon, Nancy Jackson 330-635-8520, email: nljackson@zoominternet.net Appalachian Unit of West Virginia Mar TBA Apr 20-24 Luncheon TBA Buddy Rally, Old Mill Stream CG, Lancaster, PA, Wayne Barth 304-320-7717, email: cwbar@suddenlink.net Cincinnati Ohio Unit - http://cincinnati.wbcci.net Mar 19 Apr 21-24 St. Patrick's Day Brunch, Golden Corral Rest., Fairfield, OH, take exit 39 off of I-275, turn R onto Winton Rd, then turn R onto Knob Rd, rest. on L, Darren Baker 937-3399451, email: darren.baker65@frontier.com Joint Soup Rally w/Columbus OH & Miami Valley OH Units, Greene Cty. FG, Xenia, OH, take US 68 to W. Ankeney Mill Rd, turn into Fairgrounds Rd, FG on R, Darren Baker 937339-9451, email: darren.baker65@frontier.com Columbus Ohio Unit - email: pbadgero1@columbus.rr.com Indiana Unit - http://indiana.wbcci.net Mar 12 1st Mon each month except December: Dinner 5 PM, Golden Corral, 6315 S Scatterfield Rd., Anderson, IN, S of exit 226 I-69, Robert Green 765-644-5289, email: nabogreen@aol.com 1st Thurs each month except December: Dinner 6 PM, Sara's Family Rest., N 5792 Coventry Ln, Fort Wayne, IN, S of I-69 & US 224, Christopher Seplak 260-409-4750, email: mama. pyrobear21@gmail.com Apr 21-24 Luncheon Noon, Ann & Tony's, West Jefferson, OH, the Hunters Joint Rally w/Cincinnati OH & Miami Valley OH Units, Xenia, OH Land-O-Lakes of Ohio Unit - http://landolakesohio.wbcci.net Mahoning Valley Ohio Unit - www.mvou.wbcci.net Mar 20 Spring Tour & Luncheon 1 PM, James Garfield Nat'l Historical Site, 8095 Mentor Ave, Mentor, OH & Bakers Square Rest., 7800 Plaza Blvd, Mentor, OH, Ada Harris 440-942-2067, email: patricia.harris87@gmail.com Luncheon 1 PM, Blue Wolf Tavern, 1295 SR 224, Boardman, OH, Bob White 330-792-9669, email: bewhite@ ameritech.net Apr 16 Metro Detroit Michigan Unit http://metrodetroitunit137.wbcci.net Mar TBA Apr 9 Luncheon, Linda Smith 248-224-4183, email: riljsmith@ gmail.com Luncheon Noon, Rochester Mills Beer Co., www.beercos. com, Joe Peplinski 248-420-4512, email: kodiak66joe@ wowway.com Miami Valley Unit of Ohio - http://miamivalleyohio.wbcci.net Mar 2 Apr 6 Apr 21-24 Breakfast 9 AM, Fairborn Family Diner & Rest. 937-8799454, 419 Broad St, Fairborn, OH, Tom Heckman 937-3358614 Breakfast 9 AM, Fairborn Family Diner & Rest. 937-8799454, 419 Broad St, Fairborn, OH, Tom Heckman 937-3358614 Joint Soup Rally w/Cincinnati OH & Columbus OH Units, Greene Cty. FG, 120 Fairground Rd, Xenia, OH, FG is W of Rt. 68, N of downtown Xenia, Tom Heckman 937-3358614 Mohican Valley Ohio Unit http://mohicanvalleyohio.wbcci.net/ Mar 11 Fish Fry, St. Joseph Activity Center, 115 N Liberty St, Galion, OH, Marthalee Horning, 419-468-5385 Luncheon 11:30 AM, Just Jokin, 602 W Bucyrus St, Crestline, OH, Mike Pierce 419-884-3931 Apr 14 Northern Ohio Virtual Airstream Unit - www.campnova.com The Western Reserve Camping Unit www.cleveland.wbcci.net REGION 5 Region 5 Website: http://region5.wbcci.net Sep 14-18 Region 5 Rally, Madison, IN Central Indiana Unit - www.centralind.wbcci.net Mar 5 Apr 16 Kentucky Unit - http://kentucky.wbcci.net Northern Illinois Unit - http://northernillinois.wbcci.net Mar 10 Apr 15-17 Mar 6 Apr 15-17 Apr 9 Spring Luncheon 12:30 PM, Spring Mill SP, 3333 St Rd 60 E, Mitchell, IN, Larry Abrams 270-685-1610, email: landlabrams@gmail.com REGION 6 Region 6 Website: http://region6.wbcci.net Apr 14-17 Alabama State Rally, Foley, AL Apr 28-May 1 TN State Rally, Crossville, TN Oct 5-9 Storytelling Festival Rally, Jonesborough, TN Alabama Unit - http://alabama.wbcci.net/ 2nd Mon each month: Dinner 6 PM, TBA, Montgomery, AL, call for directions, Paul Aehnlich 334-277-9647, email: pca2@ charter.net TBA each month: Luncheon North Alabama, call for directions, Colet Schmidt 256-880-5886, email: cschmidt343@gmail.com Apr 14-17 Alabama State Rally, Anchors Aweigh RV Resort, 19814 Cty. Rd. 20 S, Foley, AL, Carol Rylee 334-514-0252, email: ryleejg@aol.com Arkansas Razorback Unit http://arkansasrazorback.wbcci.net/ 1st Thurs bi-monthly: Feb-Dec Luncheon 11:30 AM, rest. & location TBA Larry Madden 479-221-2378, email: h70man@cox.net Illinois Lincolnland Unit - http://lincolnland.wbcci.net Mar 26 Spring Rally, Queen Wilhelmina SP, 3877 Hwy. 88 W, Mena, AR, Larry Madden 479-221-2378, email: h70man@ cox.net East Tennessee Unit - http://easttennesee.wbcci.net Luncheon Noon, O'Charley's, 364 Fountain View CIrcle, Alcoa, Rodney Carrell Apr 28-May 1 TN State Rally, TCPC Greater New Orleans Louisiana Unit - http://gnola.wbcci.net/ Mar 18-21 Apr 7-10 Luncheon 1 PM, Little Nashville Rest., I-64 Exit 50/IL Rte. 127, Doris Meier 618-322-8246 Camping off the Grid Rally, Hidden Springs State Forest, 2438 E 700 N Rd, Strasburg, IL, http://www.dnr.state.il.us/ lands/landmgt/parks/r3/hsforest.htm, Steve Mentz 314603-3006 Southern Indiana Unit - http://southind.wbcci.net Apr 14-17 Tulip Time Festival Caravan/Rally, Peoria, IL to Pella, IA, Roberts Creek Park CG, Pella, IA, tentative rally fee $200, $100 due Dec 1, balance of $100 due Jan 1, limited to 25 units, can travel to Pella directly if more convenient, John Green, email: jwgreen@mtco.com Dinner 6 PM, Marriott Theater, 10 Marriott Dr, Lincolnshire, IL, Jim Kraner 847-382-3583, email: jimkraner@sbcglobal. net Tulip Festival Rally, Holland, MI, Jim Kraner 847-382-3583, email: jimkraner@sbcglobal.net Southern Illinois Unit - http://southernillinois.wbcci.net Luncheon 11 AM, MCL, Castleton, Lana Russel 317-4104750 Apr 2 Luncheon/Mtg 11 AM, MCL, Castleton, Lana Russel 317410-4750 Apr 29-May 1 Weekender, Brown Cty. SP, Lana Russel 317-410-4750 May 4-8 Spring Luncheon 11:30 AM, Back 40 Rest., 1011 N 13th St (US 127 & 33), Decatur, IN, Nancy Seplak 260-409-4751, email: mama.pyrobear21@gmail.com Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival Rally, Fairhope, AL, CG TBA, Doyle Hunt 504-450-1204, email: doyeugene@gmail. com French Quarter Festival Rally, St. Bernard SP, St. Bernard, LA, Doyle Hunt 504-450-1204, email: doyeugene@gmail. com Blue Beret / March 2016 53 Louisiana Unit - http://louisiana.wbcci.net/ Louisiana Acadiana Unit - http://louisianaacadiana.wbcci.net Apr 21-24 Crawfish/Buddy Rally, La Pay-E-Bas, Eunice, LA, from I-10 take exit #80 N to Eunice 18 mi. to stop, turn L on Maple St to LA 91, 5 mi. past stop turn R on Arpen Rd to CG, John Landry 337-643-8078, email: jmland@kaplantel.net Memphis Tennessee Unit - http://memphis.wbcci.net Mar 10-13 Modified Boondock Rally, Nathan Bedford Forest SP, 17951845 Pilot Knob Rd, Eva, TN, GPS: -87.978 36.089 http:// tnstateparks.com/parks/contact/nathan-bedford-forest, Jim Drier 901-233-2711, email: tnairstream@gmail.com Apr 28-May 1 TN State Rally, TCPC, http://www.tcpconline.com/ Directions.html, Jim Drier 901-233-2711, email: tnairstream@gmail.com Mississippi Unit - http://mississippiunit.wbcci.net/ Apr 27-May 2 Buddy/First Monday Rally, Tippah Cty. FG, Ripley, MS, Hwy 15 1 mi. S of Ripley, Ethel Grisham 662-837-3320, email: mossdown@aol.com Nashville Music City Tennessee Unit http://nashville.wbcci.net/ Mar 16-19 Maintenance Rally, Piney Grove, Corp of Engineer CG, NE MS on TN border, Jim Johnson 615-300-3002, email: jimjohnsonjr@gmail.com Apr 28-May 1 TN State Rally, TCPS, Crossville, TN, Jeanie Tillman 931205-4205, email: jwtillman@bellsouth.net Pensacola Florida Unit - http://pensacolaflorida.wbcci.net/ Mar 18-20 Apr 15-17 Past President's Rally, Mystic Springs Cove, 591 Mystic Springs Rd, McDavid FL, 27.5 mi. N of intersection of I-10 & US 29 or 10.5 mi. S of intersection of FL Hwy 4 & US 29, CG Host 850-256-3280, email: gloriadcarter@gmail.com April Showers/Buddy Rally, Mystic Springs Cove, 591 Mystic Springs Rd, McDavid FL, 27.5 mi. N of intersection of I-10 & US 29 or 10.5 mi. S of intersection of FL Hwy 4 & US 29, CG Host 850-256-3280, email: gloriadcarter@ gmail.com REGION 8 Region 8 Website: http://region8.wbcci.net Apr 27-May 1 Region 8 Rally, Hastings, NE Greater St. Louis Missouri Unit - http://gslunit.wbcci.net Mar 19 St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Llywelyn's Pub, 17 W Moody Ave, Webster Groves, MO, Suzy Shepard 314-550-6672, email: suzyshepard@mac.com Apr 15-17 Spring Tune-Up Rally, Bill Thomas Camper Sales, 101 Thomas RV Way, Wentzville, MO, Dan Zile 636-265-1050, email: ars9068@aol.com Caravan to Region 8 Rally, Shoemakers RV Park to Apr 24-26 Hastings, NE, from jct US 63 & US 36, W on 36, 5 mi. to Bevier, see Shoemakers on L, Ed Knernschield 573-4805441, email: ehk9559@aol.com Apr 27-May 1 Region 8 Rally "Follow the Trails West", Adams Cty FG, 947 S Baltimore Ave, Hastings, NE, join the Region 8 Rally Caravan, Gary Rush 573-280-0021, email: grush26209@ msn.com Iowa Unit - http://iowaunit.wbcci.net Nov-Apr 1st Thurs each month: Brunch 10:30 AM, Golden Corral Rest., 1868 N. Power Rd., Mesa, AZ, Doris Jean Cabalka 480216-8096, email: cdjcabalka@juno.com Mar 12 Apr 9 Kansas City Missouri Unit - http://kansascityunit.wbcci.net Mar 5 Apr 2 Tennessee Unit - http://tennessee.wbcci.net Apr 28-May 1 Spring Rally Statewide, TCPC CG, Crossville, Howard Hodges 931-256-5307, email: wingfoot321@blomand.net REGION 7 Region 7 Website: http://region7.wbcci.net Jun 29 Jul 21-25 Jul 24 Aug 17-22 Region 7 Luncheon 11:30 AM, Underwood Youth Center - East Wing, Lewisburg, WV (tickets required) Monument of Peace Rededication Rally, International Peace Garden Rededication Ceremony 2 PM, International Peace Garden Region 7/Tall Ships Rally, Duluth, MN Minnesota Unit - http://minnesota.wbcci.net North Dakota Peace Garden Unit - www.nodak.wbcci.net Wisconsin Unit - http://wisc.wbcci.net Mar 12 Mar 25-27 Apr 22-24 Apr 23 54 St. Patrick's Luncheon 11:30 AM, Vagabond, 1122 N Edison St, Milwaukee, WI, Dave Sherman 608-423-4561, email: dwsherman@wisc.edu Easter Camp Out, Peninsula SP, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI, Ed Emerick 920-475-7893, email: semerick4425@gmail.com Camp Out, WI Dells KOA, S 235A Stand Rock Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Bob Manak 262-524-8711, email: bob.manak@wbcci.net Luncheon/Bus Mtg. 11:30 AM, Moose Jaw Pizza & Dells Brewing Co, 110 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy S, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Bob Manak 262-524-8711, email: bob.manak@wbcci. net Blue Beret / March 2016 Luncheon 11:30 AM, TBA, Mark Kvidera 641-752-3688, email: kitmolly@hotmail.com Luncheon 11:30 AM, Gramma's Kitchen, 3408 N Plainview Rd, Walcott, IA, I-80 exit 284, turn N, then W, Richard Jirus 562-650-2825, email: jirus@aol.com Apr 21-24 Luncheon 11 AM, Haywards BBQ, 11051 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS, Cheryl Ball, 913-568-6396, email: qball1951@aol.com Luncheon 11 AM, June's Northland Rest., 614 Pottawatomie St, Leavenworth, KS, Glen Harris 913-5470954, email: glenpat@kc.rr.com Spring Rally, Stallbaumer RV Park, Seneca, KS, Mike Bedinger 816-729-5422, email: bedingerea@gmail.com / Leonard Sullivan 316-838-4793, email: bettywsutx@gmail. com Missouri Greater Ozark Unit http://mogreaterozarkunit.wbcci.net Apr 21-24 Spring Rally, Cedar Oaks RV Park, 1550 83rd St, Grove, OK, GPS North 360° 37' 05" West 94° 48'53", Laverne Kohl 417-849-1417, email: mjkohl166@sbcglobal.net / Mike Allen 417-499-8097, email: mijo15740@sbcglobal Apr 27-May 1 Region 8 Rally "Follow the Trails West", Adams Cty. FG, 947 S Baltimore Ave, Hastings, NE, GPS 40.57267,-98.402057, Gary Rush 573-280-0021, email: grush26209@msn.com Nebraska Unit - http://nebraskaunit.wbcci.net 2nd Mon each month except 2nd Sat in Jan, Apr, Jul & Oct: Luncheon 11:45 AM, Parker’s Smokehouse, 16880 Hwy. 6, Ashland, NE, I-80 Hwy 63 exit turn N for 5 mi, located at intersection of Hwy. 6, Mike Sisk 402-686-0063, email: mescas1@ hotmail.com Apr 21-24 Annual Fix-It Rally, Branched Oak SP, Raymond, NE, enter W gate of SP on W Branched Oak Rd, turn L at 1st road, Jim Wherrett 402-990-7325, email: wherret@cox.net North Iowa Unit - http://northiowaunit.wbcci.net Apr 22-25 Caravan from Iowa to Hastings, NE, Dave Shaw 515-3680594, email: theshaws1@comcast.com Apr 26-May 1 Region 8 Rally (registration form on website), Hastings, NE FG, June Ryan REGION 9 Region 9 Website: http://www.region9.wbcci.net Mar 14-19 Region 9 Rally, Airstream PowWow, Shawnee, OK, http://region9.wbcci.net East Texas Lakes Unit Mar 5 Mar 14-19 Luncheon 11:30 AM, El Conquistador Rest., 1516 Old Brandon Rd., Hillsboro, TX 254-582-9864 or 254-582-3262 Region 9 Rally "Airstream PowWow", 1700 Independence, Shawnee, OK Texas Plains Unit - http://www.texasplains.wbcci.net 1st Sat each month: Luncheon 11:30 AM, Furr’s Family Dining, 6001 Slide Rd., Lubbock, TX, Ellene Osburn 806-829-2165, email: ellene3075@sptc.net 1st Sat each month: Dinner 6 PM, El Patron Rest., 5807 SW 45th Ave. #500, Amarillo, TX, Dick Lanham 806-674-9849, email: sdlanham@sbcglobal.net ea Thur: Balloon Volleyball 1 PM, (meal follows at various locations) 2001 19th St., Lubbock, TX, Joyce Davis 806-829-2232 Mar 14-19 Apr 20-23 Heart of Texas Camping Unit - http://hotc.wbcci.net TBA Monthly Activities TBA, please visit our website North Texas Unit - http://ntxu.wbcci.net 2nd Sat each month except Jul, Aug, Nov: Luncheon 11:30 AM, Spring Creek BBQ, Burleson, TX, Susan Arnesen, email: susanarnesen@msn.com Mar 14-19 Apr 21-24 Region 9 Rally "Airstream PowWow", Shawnee, OK, Andy Selking, email: abairstream@aol.com Maintenance Rally, TBA, Greg Walker, email: grwalk@ swbell.net Oklahoma Unit - http://oklahoma.wbcci.net Apr 28-30 Spring Rally, Cedar Oaks RV Park, 1550 83rd St NW, Grove, OK, Wes Anderson, email: wandjok@gmail.com Texas Alamo Unit - http://texasalamo.wbcci.net 1st Sat each month: Dinner 5 PM, Earl Abel's Rest., 1201 Austin Hwy., San Antonio, TX, Warren Wundt 830-609-8659, email: wwundt@satx.rr.com Mar 11-14 Pre-Region 9 Rally/Caravan-Rally, Grandbury, TX & Winstar Casino, OK, call for directions, Warren Wundt 830609-8659, email: wwundt@satx.rr.com Mar 14-19 47th Annual Region 9 Rally "AIrstream PowWow", Heart of OK Exposition Center, 1700 W Independence, Shawnee, OK, call for directions, Warren Wundt 830-609-8659, email: wwundt@satx.rr.com Apr 28-May 1 River Roundup/Annual Bus. Mtg./Election Rally, Colorado Landing RV Park, 64 E Bluffview, La Grange, TX, call for directions, Warren Wundt 830-609-8659, email: wwundt@ satx.rr.com Texas Coastal Plains Unit - http://tcpu155.wbcci.net Mar 3-6 Apr 14-17 Pre-Region Rally, Rusk KOA, 745 FM 343E, Rusk, TX, turn E on FM 343 from Hwy 69 at flashing light, go 1/2 mi. to top of hill, KOA on L, Nelda Tope 210-724-2478, email: neldatope@gmail.com Gator 'Gonna Getcha Rally, Brazos Bend SP, 21901 FM 762, Needville, TX, Tom Bundy 281-250-7644, email: tomcaren@sbcglobal.net Texas Gulf Coast Unit - www.texasairstreamharbor.com Mar 10-13 Apr 7-10 March Winds Rally, TAHI, 5 mi. E of Zavalla, TX on Hwy. 147, Eugene Bagby 903-878-2288, email: airstream1284@ peoplescom.net Birds, Birds, Birds Rally, TAHI, 5 mi. E of Zavalla, TX on Hwy. 147, Eugene Bagby 903-878-2288, email: airstream1284@peoplescom.net Texas Highland Lakes Unit - http://thlu.org Region 9 Rally, Shawnee, OK, Dick Lanham 806-6749849, email: sdlanham@sbcglobal.net Rally, Fredericksburg RV Park, 305 E Highway St, Fredericksburg, Thompson 866-679-8337, email: nanaj@ highsiesta.com REGION 10 Region 10 Website: www.region10.wbcci.net Jul 27-Aug 1 Region 10 Rally, Kalispell, MT Sep 12-18 Pendleton Round-up Rally, Pendleton, OR Oct 15-23 Sun Valley Jazz & Music Festival Rally, Ketchum, ID Alberta-Saskatchewan Unit http://albertasaskatchewan.wbcci.net British Columbia Unit - www.airstreambc.com Jan-Dec every Tues: Breakfast 9 AM, Ricky's Country Rest., 2160 King George Blvd., Surrey, BC, call for directions, Tom Akam 604-319-6021, email: airstream13381@shaw.ca Mar 19 Apr 9-10 Apr 21-24 St. Patrick's Day Potluck Brunch 11 AM, #318 - 20600 53A Ave, Langley, BC, call for directions, Ruth Stahl 604-5338003, email: elizabeth298@shaw.ca Maintenance Weekend, by appt., Abbotsford, BC, call for directions, Bob Halliwell 604-870-4850, email: halliwell4840@telus.net Joint Rally w/North Cascade WA & WA Units, North Whidbey RV Park, Oak Harbor, WA, call for directions, Tom Akam 604-319-6021, email: airstream13381@shaw.ca Idaho Unit - http://idahounit.wbcci.net Jan-Oct 2nd Sat: Breakfast 8:30 AM, Golden Corral, 8460 W Emerald St, Boise, ID, Peggy Campbell 208-843-6243 Apr 22-25 Breakout Rally, Caldwell, ID, Michael Archer 208-890-7835, email: marcherid@gmail.com Montana Unit - http://www.montanaairstreamclub.com Mar 12 Luncheon Noon, TBA, Terri Giao 406-223-5267, email: mamagiao@bresnan.net Apr 29-May 1 Dust off the Cobwebs #2/Buddy Rally, TBA, Terri Giao 406223-5267, email: mamagiao@bresnan.net North Cascade Washington Unit www.ncascadewaairstreamclub.com Mar 12 Luncheon 1 PM, Denny's Rest., Exit 208 on I-5, Jim Kolhoff 360-297-2013, email: caravanner23533@centurylink.com Oregon Unit - www.oregonunit.wbcci.net Texas Hill Country Unit - http://thcu.wbcci.net April Fools Rally, Sunnyside, Sweet Home, OR, Brad Taylor 503-871-8309, email: merc52man@comcast.net Apr 28-May1 Boardman Spring Rally, Boardman RV Park, Boardman, OR, Warren/Hendrix 503-701-2798, email: twestover@ mac.com Mar 14-19 Apr 14-17 Washington Unit - www.washingtonunit.wbcci.net Mar 14-19 Apr 7-9 Region 9 Rally "Airstream PowWow", Shawnee, OK Rally, Cherokee, TX, Windy Fleming Region 9 Rally, Shawnee, OK, Andrew Selking Rally, Paradise RV Park, Snook, TX, Joan Ermis 830-2630278, email: joanermis@hotmail.com Apr 1-3 Mar 11-13 Apr TBA St. Patrick Date Rally, TBA, Don Lisius 360-456-9677, email: tobemaria@aol.com Tri-Unit Rally, Whidbey Island, TBA Blue Beret / March 2016 55 REGION 11 Region 11 Website: http://region11.wbcci.net Sep 8-11 Old Thresher's Rally, Yuma, CO Sep 23-27 Antelope Rally, Medicine Bow, WY Sep 30-Oct 4 Balloon Fiesta Rally, Albuquerque, NM Arizona Unit - http://arizona.wbcci.net Mar 10-13 Rally, Distant Drums RV Resort, Camp Verde, AZ, Rod Gamble 480-242-9394, email: gamblerod@gmail.com Apr 7-10 Rally, Lost Dutchman SP, Apache Junction, AZ, Jim Moser 570-594-8585, email: pjamesmoser@gmail.com Apr 27-May 2 Caravan, Route 66 Centennial Celebration, Flagstaff, Seligman & Kingman, AZ, Barbara Vaughn 928-859-3462, email: airstreamer2151@yahoo.com Greater Bay Area Airstream Club http://greaterbayarea.wbcci.net Apr 21-24 Greater Los Angeles Airstream Club www.greaterlosangelesairstreamclub.wbcci.net TBA Apr 16 "Because We're Curious...about teas at Celestial Seasonings", Celestial Seasonings, 4600 Sleepytime Dr, Boulder, Geoffrey Wheeler 303-817-8833, email: gwfoto@ aol.com "Because We're Curious...about brewing beer at El Rancho", El Rancho, 29260 Hwy. 40, Evergreen, Dick Scheurer 303-526-7650, email: pinegables2@gmail.com / Rich Nortnik 303-947-0062, email: rnortnik@comcast.net Four Corners Unit of New Mexico http://fourcorners.wbcci.net Apr 7-10 Airstreams at DeAnza Rally, DeAnza RV Resort, Amado, AZ, directions: http://www.deanzarvresort.com, S of Tucson on I-19 between Green Valley & Tubac, AZ, Harry Vollmer, email: ruthiesue516@gmail.com New Mexico Unit - http://newmexico.wbcci.net Mar 12 Luncheon, TBA, Monroe's, Albuquerque, Anne Werth 505331-7226, email: werthanne@gmail.com Mar 31-Apr 3 Glow in the Dark Rally, Trinity Site visit, Valley of the Fires CG, Carrizozo, NM, Tom Stallings 505-298-8355, email: casacornice@hotmail.com Wyoming Unit - http://wyoming.wbcci.net REGION 12 Region 12 Website: http://region12.wbcci.net Apr 21-24 Oct 12-16 Dec 29Jan 2, 2017 Cali Rally, Camatta Ranch, Santa Margarita, CA Region 12 Rally, Hemet, CA Annual Rose Parade Special Event Rally, Pasadena, CA Central Coast California Unit www.centralcoastairstream.wbcci.net Mar 11-13 Apr 15-17 Rally, Yanks RV Resort, 1005 Yanks Way, Greenfield, CA 831-740-8007, Bob Minder 805-258-3901, email: rkminder@msn.com Rally, The Springs at Borrego RV Resort, 2255 Di Giorgio Rd, Borrego Springs, CA 760-767-0004, Linda Hollenbeck 310-309-0648, email: linda.hollenbeck@gmail.com El Camino Real California Unit - http://elcaminoreal.wbcci.net Mar 16-20 Apr 13-17 Rally, Buellton, CA, Hwy 101 to Ave of Flags turnoff, TBA Rally, Buckskin SP, Parker, AZ, DeDe Fairbanks Golden West California Unit - http://goldenwest.wbcci.net 56 Blue Beret / March 2016 Activities listed on website Lake Tahoe Airstream Club - http://laketahoe.wbcci.net/ Long Beach California Unit - http://longbeach.wbcci.net Mar 17-21 Apr 14-16 Denver Colorado Unit - www.wbcci-denco.org Mar 12 Cali Rally, Camatta Ranch, 9330 Camatta Creek Rd, Santa Margarita, CA Rally, River Run RV Park, 3715 Burr St, Bakersfield, CA, Ray Crowe 909-783-2327, email: raybilliered@gmail.com Rally, Rancho Jurupa Cty. Park, 4800 Crestmore Rd, Riverside, CA, Ray Crowe 909-783-2327, email: raybilliered@gmail.com Nevada Unit - http://nevada.wbcci.net 1st Sat each month: Breakfast mtg. 8 AM, Eggworks Rest, E Sunset, Henderson, NV, Trish Delk 702-769-0700, email: trishdelk@gmail.com Mar 18-20 Apr 8-10 St. Patrick's Day Rally, Lake Mead CG, tentative dates & location, Diane Hancock, email: discotties@yahoo.com Spring Clean Up, Fletcher View CG, Mt. Charleston, NV, sorry, rally is full w/wait list, Jim Mullay, email: jamesmullay@gmail.com Northern California Unit - http://norcal.wbcci.net Mar 2-6 Apr 6-10 Rally, 49er RV Park, Columbia, email: plazzereschi@gmail. com Rally, Olema Ranch, Point Reyes, email: plazzereschi@ gmail.com San Diego California Unit - www.airstreamsandiego.com Mar 11-13 Rally, Sweetwater Summit Park, Chula Vista, CA, Art Reifman, email: areifman@cox.net Sierra Nevada Unit - http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/snu Mar 17-20 Apr 21-24 Rally, Washoe Lake NV SP, main CG, Diane Leipper 775972-9392, email: hq@SierraNevadaAirstreams.org Rally, Ft Churchill NV SP, main CG, Diane Leipper 775972-9392, email: hq@SierraNevadaAirstreams.org South Coast California Unit - http://southcoastcal.wbcci.net Mar 4-6 Apr 1-3 Rally, Camp Pendleton, Del Mar Beach, Camp Pendleton, CA, Bill Ball, email: beball@me.com Rally, Chula Vista RV Resort, Chula Vista, CA, Bill Ball, email: beball@me.com EUROPE WBCCI Europe Website: - http://europe.wbcci.net Notice ADVERTISEMENTS SHOULD BE TYPEWRITTEN. THE “BLUE BERET” IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCURACY OF HANDWRITTEN SUBMISSIONS. Miscellaneous HENSLEY ARROW anti-sway weight distributing hitch system complete with manual. Removed from a recently purchased trailer. $1500. Located in Central Illinois. Pick up only or arrange a meet point. Phone: 309657-3102 or email jwgreen@mtco.com Wanted Private party seeks a 25 ft. Airstream Classic Wide Body with twin beds. Must be in excellent condition with no body damage. Call 321-298-4114 or email: wacocar@aol.com Airstream Parks NORTH TEXAS AIRSTREAM COMMUNITY in historic Hillsboro invites you to: “VISIT FOR A NIGHT OR A LIFETIME!” Our 100% WBCCI community is located on I-35, Exit 368, in the heart of the Ft. Worth/Dallas/Waco triangle. Free Clubhouse & Terraport Wi-Fi, coin laundry and mail forwarding service. Visit our website www.ntaci.org for low overnight, weekly, monthly and snowbird rates. Call 254-582-5566 for reservations & information. TAHI, TEXAS AIRSTREAM HARBOR, INC. Is located in NE Texas on beautiful Lake Sam Rayburn is known for Bass fishing. A haven for bird watchers. Daily $15. Come visit or stay with us. 5 miles NE Zavalla on Hwy. 147. Contact: TAHI, 714 Angelina, Zavalla, TX 75980, Ph. 936-897-3686. www. texasairstreamharbor.com PENN WOOD AIRSTREAM PARK - Traveling I-80 thru western Pennsylvania or looking for a quiet, all Airstream, summer home for a few weeks or all season? We’re the perfect stop! Full hookups with cable TV & WI-FI. Reasonable rates, area attractions and site of Autumn Leaf National Rally. Near Clarion, PA - four miles south of I-80, Exit 64 on SR 66; Ph. 814-764-8963; www.pennwood.org Open 5/1 to 10/15. MYSTIC SPRINGS COVE is an Airstream only park located 25 mi. N of Pensacola, FL, on US 29, between I-10 and I-65 on the banks of the Escambia River. Just 30 minutes to white sand beaches, shopping, museums and a casino. Owned and operated by Unit 29. Open September thru May with full hookups at $11per day 30 amp/$13 per day 50 amp, $300 monthly, storage available. Pets welcome and washer/dryer are available. Host opportunities. Now have Wi-Fi. Ph. 850-256-3280. LAND YACHT HARBOR: Florida’s Best Kept Secret!!! Conveniently located off I-95 between exits 183 and 180 and less than six miles from some of the best unspoiled beaches in Florida. 65 miles to Walt Disney World, 20 miles to the Kennedy Space Center and located in the city of Melbourne. To retirees 50 and older we offer leases, long term rentals and overnight guest sites. Sorry we do not take credit cards. LYH is an adult (age 50 or over) and pet free park. For more information on rates and particulars contact us at www.lyhairstream.com, www.landyachtharbormelbourne.com or call 321-254-6398. TOP OF GEORGIA AIRSTREAM PARK. We are located in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains, just 6 miles north of Helen, GA on State Hwy. 75. Helen is a wonderful Alpine Village community with lots of shopping, good restaurants and tubing down the river. The TOP is only 2 miles to the crossing of the Appalachian Trail. A great hiking area! We also have hiking trails that connect directly to our property. Our park offers full hookups, free cable TV, and free Wi-Fi at very competitive rates. During Rally weeks rally fees are an additional charge. ALL AIRSTREAMS WELCOME. Pets too. Ph. 706-878-3590, www.topfgeorgia.net TIRED OF THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE DAILY ROUTINE? Come relax at Jersey Shore Haven an Airstream park located near the beautiful southern New Jersey beaches. Wooded sites with 4-point hook-ups allow you to relax in an unhurried atmosphere. Located near the Victorian charm of Cape May or gardens at Leaming’s Run JSH is only a short distance from the excitement of casinos or the boardwalk—you choose. Jersey Shore Haven, 728 Dennisville Road, P.O. Box 99, S. Seaville, NJ 08246. Ph. 609-861-2293, website: http://www.jerseyshorehaven.org TENNESSEE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU CAMPGROUND – Crossville, TN. An Airstream only campground on 376 wooded acres, 132 member sites with six visitor lots. Full hookups, 5,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, free wi-fi, video library, kitchen and bathrooms with showers. Laundry facilities, hiking trails, no license required fishing lake. Rates $18 per night. Open April-October. Visit our website: www.tcpconline.com for directions and more details. 865-471-8272 VIRGINIA HIGHLAND HAVEN AIRSTREAM PARK is the place to enjoy cool mountain top breezes and beautiful sunsets just 5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, 25 miles south of Roanoke, Virginia. Full hookups, free Wi-Fi, clubhouse with laundry, host sponsored activities, hiking trails and a waterfall. Enjoy bluegrass music Friday nights in nearby Floyd. $30.00 per night, 7th night free. Located at 6517 Highland Haven Road, NE, Copper Hill, VA 24079. Open 5/1 to 10/15. Call 540-651-9050 or visit www. vahighlandhaven.org WASHINGTON LAND YACHT HARBOR, home of the WA Unit open to all WBCCI members and guests, offers 103 FHU sites with free Wi-Fi, within a day’s drive to mountain or sea, 4 National Parks, Canada or Oregon. Make your reservation today or come see our 192 residential lots for sale to WBCCI Members. 9101 Steilacoom Rd SE, Olympia, WA 98513. Ph. 360-491-3750, WEB www. washingtonlandyachtharbor.com For Sale Trailers/ Motorhomes 1997 – AIRSTREAM 28’ CLASSIC, rear bedroom, queen bed, storage under bed, overhead fan, shower with door, two closets, air conditioner, heats or cools, refrigerator, Zip Dee awning , non-smoker, no pets, $15,000, Ph. 863-956-1533 (Haines City, FL) 2007 – AIRSTREAM 27’ FB CLASSIC LIMITED, front queen bedroom, rear side door with A/C and heat pump with wall thermostat on heat and A/C as well as two Fantastic fans, rock guards and 2 full length awnings, near NEW tires and hydraulic disc brakes, day/night shades, Corian countertops, range top & convection oven with light hickory wood cabinets and ultra soft leather throughout, nice size separate shower/ bathroom, best of Airstream quality. Priced at $38,900, stored inside, no smoking or pets. For sale due to health. Dennis & Edna White, Ph. 217-767-2720, cell 217-454-1937, email: drwhite72@comcast.net , call or email for photos. (Decatur, IL) Blue Beret / March 2016 57 PERMANENT ADDRESS CHANGE PLEASE NOTE: Address on file 12/1 will be printed in Directory. Address change as of______________ (date) WBCCI#____________ WBCCI NUMBERS & DECALS $9.50 per set, includes front and back; $10.25 for Ohio residents. Make check payable to: WBCCI Name____________________________________________________ WBCCI#___________________ Address_________________________________________________ Name____________________________________________________ City_______________________ Check if officer State/Prov.__________________________________Zip___________ Mail to: WBCCI, PO Box 612, Jackson Center, OH 45334 E-Mail: Julie Rethman, Member Services, jrethman@wbcci.org Address_________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________________ State/Prov._______________________ Zip_____________________ FIRST CLASS MAIL WBCCI#_________________________ Name____________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________________ State/Prov.__________________________________Zip___________ STARS I Need a: five year additional set or complete replacement set . I Joined in _______(year). Life Member?_____ Enclosed is an addressed envelope for stars only. MAIL TO: WBCCI, PO Box 612, Jackson Center, OH 45334 E-MAIL: Julie Rethman, Member Services, jrethman@wbcci.org Enclose $20.00 for one year. Make check payable to: WBCCI Mail to: WBCCI, PO Box 612, Jackson Center, OH 45334 IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE BLUE BERET “Two for the Price of One” Payment for a classified ad in the “Blue Beret” includes an ad on the WBCCI website (www.wbcci.org ) ...with as many as 30,000 visits per month! FOR INFORMATION, CALL 937/596-5211 or email dsailor@wbcci.org. Rates for Classified Advertising are $50 up to 35 words, $60 for 36-65 words. Payment in full must be received with the ad copy. BLUE BERET reserves the right to reject advertising not suitable for inclusion. The publisher reserves the right of approval of all advertising. BLUE BERET is not responsible for advertiser’s representations or performance. For more information on display ad costs, contact WBCCI. For your convenience, you may use the coupon below. Please type ad. Count words and determine cost as indicated above. Make check payable to “WBCCI” and mail with completed coupon to: WBCCI, P.O. Box 612, Jackson Center, OH 45334 Name____________________________________________________Address______________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________________St/Prov.____________________________________Zip________________ Classified Ad: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Location of trailer/motorhome:______________________________________________________________________________ Deadline: Classified Ads for May must be received with payment no later than April 1. NOTICE: Advertisement should be typewritten. The Blue Beret is not responsible for the accuracy of handwritten submissions. Refund Policy: No refund after the 7th of month prior to publication. 58 Blue Beret / March 2016 2016 WBCCI National Caravans N-45-A NOR’ BY NOR’EAST CARAVAN 7/13-8/19/2016 START: ASHAWAY, RI STOP: CORNWALL, PEI, CAN The Nor’ By Nor’east National Caravan will begin in southern New England and end in Prince Edward Island, Canada. We begin the caravan in RI and visit nearby Mystic Seaport, CT and Newport, RI. Plymouth, of course is steeped in history; the “Plimoth Plantation”, Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II, Jenny Museum are among the places we’ll visit. Boston’s stop is a busy one with 2 days of bus rides from Topsfield into the Capitol. All those sites you’ve read about in history books will be part of our journey. JFK Library, Bunker Hill, Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, etc. are just part of what we’ll see. Continuing up the coastline to an ocean-side campsite in Searsport, ME and then nearby Bar Harbor in Trenton will make you a firm believer that Maine is indeed, beautiful. We’ll enjoy the Penobscot Marine Museum, Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory and a Food Channel approved ”Down East Style Lobster Bake”. We’ll camp nearby FDR’s retreat at Campobello Island in NB, Canada, enjoy “Tea With Eleanor” and then another campsite up the road in Moncton where we will visit Hopewell Cape and see the exaggerated tides of the Bay of Fundy. Nova Scotia’s 3 stops include campsites that will be home bases so we can travel to Peggy’s Cove, Halifax, Louisbourg, Baddeck and of course the Cabot Trail. We intend on being in NS for 11 days and we will see everything and continue to eat too! A short trip across to Prince Edward Island on a ferry and you will think you’re in Heaven. We have plenty of time here for exploring and enjoying some entertainment in Charlottetown, the warm waters along some of the most beautiful beaches as well as seafood-PEI style. We will have our Farewell Banquet in Charlottetown. Leaders: Trevor & Gale Lake, WBCCI #4688, Ph. 781-837-2539, cell 781-264-4550, email: trevorlake@verizon.net, Land address: 315 Oak St., Marshfield, MA 02050. Maximum RV Units/With Leaders: 23. Total Number of Nights: 41, Number of Stops: 11. Fees: US Funds, Kitty Fee w/2: TBD, Kitty Fee w/1: TBD, Guest: TBD, Deposit: $200 with Application, Date Due: 2/1/16: $800, Date Final Balance Due: 5/1/16, Cancellation Fee: $100 after 2/1/16. Leaders Discretion after 2/1/16. N-45-B TASTE OF THE BLUE RIDGE 5/29-6/17/2016 START: CHEROKEE, NC STOP: STAUNTON, VA Scenic mountain vistas await you as we leisurely travel a total of 500 miles from Cherokee, NC to Staunton, VA, along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. The longest travel day will be 140 miles. Our first stop takes us back in time to the Eastern Cherokee Indians, the only band that avoided the tragic Trail of Tears. We’ll visit the Oconaluftee Indian Village, and see a dramatic presentation, Unto These Hills, depicting local Indian history. We’ll visit the historic Biltmore Mansion in Asheville. In Boone you will have the opportunity to explore Blowing Rock, a town named for the local geographical oddity, as well as visit Moses Cone Memorial Park and Manor. Cone was a textile baron and leading philanthropist. A variety of activities in the park include shopping at the Southern Highland Craft Guild, hiking any of the 25 miles of trails, and fishing for trout or bass on two different lakes. We’ll experience old time mountain and bluegrass music in Galax, VA, tour Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home, the D-Day Memorial and much more. The Parkway is a winding two-lane road with a maximum speed of 45 mph. Elevations vary from 650 to 4900 ft. up and around the local mountains. Leaders: Gene and Kathy Blanchard, WBCCI #7244, Ph. Gene 713-301-7244, Kathy 713-301-2926. Email: genebl@ hillcountryweb.com. Address: 118 Quail Run, Spicewood, TX 78669. Maximum RV Units w/leaders: 20. Total nights: 19, number of stops: 6. Kitty fee with 2: $2,200, Kitty fee w/1: $1,500, Guest: $TBD, Deposit: $250. Payments: $1,000 due 12/1/15; $950 due 2/15/16. Final payment due 2/15/16. Cancellation: $50 before 1/4/2016. Leader’s discretion after 1/4/16. N-45-C ALYESKA, THE GREAT LAND 7/12-9/12/2016 START: DAWSON CREEK, BC STOP: PRINCE GEORGE, BC “The Land of the Midnight Sun”- The Alaska Caravan will start in Dawson Creek, BC, where the Alaska Highway begins at Mile Post 0 and travel for 1500 miles to Fairbanks, AK. We will be traveling through Yukon Territory, to Whitehorse where we will turn north and travel up to Dawson City, YT. Then we will ferry across the Yukon River and drive the famous “Top of The World Highway”, to the town of Chicken, AK and then an optional visit to Eagle (pop. 15). It should be noted that Alaska is “The Last Frontier” and the Top of The World Highway can be dusty, foggy, and/or muddy. As we continue our journey we will experience many activities such as “Klondike Kate’s,” Laird River Hot springs, take the River Boat Discovery in Fairbanks, and experience a real Alaska Salmon Bake and Dinner Show. We will see many glaciers, visit Denali National Park, Mount McKinley, Juneau, pan for gold, travel along the famous Alaska Pipeline, and visit the North Pole, (home of the real Santa Claus). On our return south we will drive the Cassiar Highway through British Columbia and back into Alaska, stopping at Hyder, AK where you will have the opportunity to visit Salmon Glacier. The Caravan will end at Prince George, BC where we will have our final banquet. You will enjoy unprecedented wildlife viewing opportunities, world class fishing, and astonishing scenery on this “Once in a Lifetime Adventure!” Leaders: Bill & Sandy Johnjulio, WBCCI #242, Ph. 814-484-7221, Cell 216-533-1752, Email: flintlocksbyjj@aol.com, Address: 6193 Althom Road, Tidioute, PA 16351. Limit: 35 Units. Kitty Fee: w/2 $6500, Kitty Fee: w/1 $4800, Guest: $1700, Deposit: $500, Cancellation: $100 before 1/15/16, leader’s discretion after that date. More Info: http:// alyeska.wbcci.net/ N-45-D2 STANDBY ONLY THE VIKING TRAIL 7/21-9/1/2016 START: LITTLE BRAS D’OR CAPE BRETON, NS CAN STOP: ARGENTIA, NL CAN “The Viking Trail Caravan” will begin at Little Bras D’Or Cape Breton, Nova Scotia where we will board the Marine Atlantic Ferry from North Sydney to Channel-Port Au Basque to begin our journey across Newfoundland. During the early part of our adventure we will spend about 10 days exploring The Viking Trail on the Great Northern Peninsula and will visit the site where Leif Erikson established a Viking Community at L’Anse Aux Meadows about 1,000 years ago. Along the Great Northern Peninsula we expect to see wildlife such as moose, and sites such as icebergs, visit the remains of the shipwreck SS Ethie, and see the Arches Provincial Park in Portland Creek. Then we will head east to places Twillingate and Bonavista to see more Newfoundland wildlife such as puffins in Elliston, gannets in Cape St. Mary, and visit the coastal coves and the harbors all along the way. There are several dinner theaters planned, such as “The Viking Feast” in St. Anthony, the “Rising Tide Theater” in Trinity and “The Spirit of Newfoundland Theater” at the Historic Masonic Temple in St. John’s. For the return trip from Newfoundland we will board the Marine Atlantic Ferry from Argentia for the overnight 14 hour cruise back to North Sydney, Nova Scotia. A cabin and dinner aboard the Ferry will be provided. The Kitty Fee includes all group dinners, cookouts, entertainment, activities, campsites, and all Ferry costs to and from Newfoundland. Leaders: George & Sharon Hilton, WBCCI #7009, Ph. 352-205-9928, Email: geohilton@yahoo.com. Address: 214 Rainbow Drive #11436, Livingston, TX 77399. Maximum RV Units/With Leader 29/30, Total Number of Nights: 42, Number of Stops: 13. Kitty Fee w/2: $5,700, Kitty Fee w/1: TBD, Guest: TBD, Deposit: $500, Date Balance Due: 2/1/16, Cancellation Fee: $100 before 2/1/16. Caravan Leader’s discretion after 2/1/16. N-45-E STANDBY ONLY SOUTHEAST COAST SPECTACULAR 10/4-11/12/2016 START: REHOBOTH BEACH, DE STOP: JEKYLL ISLAND, GA If you love seafood and want to explore the historic southeast coast of the United States, this is the caravan for you. We’ll visit an historic US Lifesaving Service Station (predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard) in Delaware, eat seafood, spend a day at the Chincoteague Oyster Festival in Virginia, visit countless museums, lighthouses and beaches, eat seafood and see the sights in the historic southeast. Did we mention that we’re going to eat seafood? Actually this caravan is about a lot more than eating seafood. You’ll be immersed in the history, culture and beauty of the Old South and see many attractions that are missed by the average tourist, including Morning Colors and graduation ceremonies at the US Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island. The caravan will travel about six weeks starting at the Delaware Seashore State Park (south of Rehoboth Beach) and traveling through coastal Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and ending at the Georgia Sea Islands. The kitty fee, which hasn’t increased since 2012 includes campgrounds, most with full hookups, many meals, boat, carriage and bus tours, museum admissions and much more! Leaders: Ron & Cyndi Carnein, WBCCI #806, Ph. 623974-4762, Email: rcar9@rocketmail.com, Street Address: 3916 N Potsdam Ave #1704, Sioux Falls SD 57104. Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 22. Total Number of Nights: 39, Number of Stops: 11. Kitty Fee w/2:$3,725, Kitty Fee w/1: $2,950, Guest: $775, Deposit: $250, Date Balance Due: 2 installments, 4/1/16 & 7/1/16, Cancellation Fee: $50 before 4/1/16; Leaders’ discretion after. Blue Beret / March 2016 59 2016 WBCCI National Caravans N-45-F STANDBY ONLY SPRINGTIME IN KENTUCKY 4/17-5/15/2016 START: BOWLING GREEN, KY STOP: RENFRO VALLEY, KY From the home of the Corvette to the birthplace of bluegrass music you will have a fun-packed caravan. Beautiful horses, lush green rolling hills, and home of the Corvette. These are just a few of the words to describe the beautiful state of Kentucky. Kentucky has something for everyone! We will begin our short 4 week caravan in Bowling Green, home of the Corvette, and from there we will travel to 7 different areas, each with its own history, geography and culture. You will have an opportunity to spend a day at the races at the famous Churchill Downs in Louisville, and on Kentucky Derby Day we will have dinner and watch the derby at Keeneland Horse Park in Lexington. Additionally we will learn about the bourbon industry and visit both Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam Distilleries while on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, tour the final assembly plant for the Chevrolet Corvette, visit a horse farm, spend a morning at My Old Kentucky Home, have dinner at the original Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant, visit the childhood home of Loretta Lynn and many more activities. All along the way we will have cookouts and campfires that are the tradition of the WBCCI Caravans. And we will end our journey at Renfro Valley, a mecca of bluegrass music that predates The Grand Ole Opry, and Berea, known as the Art Capitol of the Kentucky. We invite you to join your WBCCI caravan friends as we travel the highways and back roads of the beautiful State of Kentucky in Springtime! Leaders: George & Sharon Hilton, WBCCI #7009, Ph. 352-205-9928, Email: geohilton@yahoo.com, Address: 214 Rainbow Drive #11436, Livingston, TX 77399. Maximum RV Units/ With Leader: 20/21, Total Number of Nights: 28, Number of Stops: 8. Kitty Fee w/2: $2,950, Kitty Fee w/1: $2,200, Guest: $885, Deposit: $500, Date Balance Due: 2/1/16, Cancellation Fee: $100, before 2/1/16. Caravan Leader’s discretion after 2/1/16. N-45-G FLORIDA FANTASY CARAVAN 2/5-3/7/2016 START: TITUSVILLE, FL STOP: BIG PINE KEY, FL (MILE MARKER 39) In 2016, the “NEW” Florida Fantasy Caravan will be 32 days of travel around the State of Florida and Cruising the Caribbean. The Caravan begins in Titusville, FL on February 5 and terminates March 7, 2016 at Mile Marker 39 in Big Pine Key, FL. Beginning in Titusville, we will cruise for 7 nights/8 days in the Caribbean. During the cruise portion of the Caravan, it is “unlimited” as to the number of people that can cruise with us. Encourage your family, friends or other WBCCI members to take advantage of the group discount and travel with the premier cruise line, Royal Caribbean. We will tour the Kennedy Space Center and travel by bus to “EPCOT” at Disney World in Orlando. Visit the Capitols of Florida and walk among animals and birds native to Florida. Walk through historic Spanish settlements. Tour the historic towns of St. Augustine and Key West by trolley. See Manatees in their natural habitat. Enjoy a luncheon cruise on the Seffner/Tampa Bay and Matanzas River. We will see the Everglades National Park by trolley where we will see alligators and native birds and learn what is being done to preserve this natural habitat. Our final stop will be at Mile Marker 39, Big Pine Key, Florida. We will see the “End of the Road” buoy at Mile Marker 1. This caravan is very active and has some long days away from your rig. Come and enjoy the beauty of Florida. Leaders: Jim & Sheila Skipper, WBCCI #3178, Ph. 850-877-1729 Home / 850-519-1976 Cell, email: floridafantasycaravan2016@gmail.com, Land Address: 9150 Seafair Lane, Tallahassee, FL 32317. Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 25, Total Number of Nights: 32, Number of Stops: 8, Kitty Fee w/2: $TBD, Kitty Fee w/1: $TBD, Guest: $TBD, Deposit: $250, 1st Payment August 15, 2015, Balance Due: October 15, 2015. Cancellation Fee: $50 plus non-refundable deposits prior to November 1, 2015. Leaders discretion after November 1, 2015. N-45-H SOUTHWEST ADVENTURE START: DURANGO, CO 8/20-10/10-2016 STOP: SANTA FE, NM The 2016 Southwest Adventure Caravan will be in August, September, and October capturing the awesome beauty of the fall landscapes. Beginning in Durango, we will visit the higher vistas first, before traveling on to lower altitudes hoping to escape early snows. Bring clothes for all climates! We will find what’s around the corner in this Four-Corners region of CO, UT, AZ and NM, that tourists may not usually see, visiting 60 Blue Beret / March 2016 Indian pueblos, reservations and learning about their cultures from Native guides. The grandeur of the scenery will amaze us as we ride the train up the mountain to Silverton, Colorado, hike to the “Palace” in Mesa Verde or bounce into Monument Valley. Moab, Utah offers gorgeous views in the surrounding National Parks and excitement with “slick-rock riding” in ultimate jeeps. Whether using a camera at Capitol Reef National Park or riding a mule into Bryce Canyon the parks will captivate us. After seeing the North Rim of the Grand Canyon we’ll spend a relaxing five days beside Lake Powell, enjoy a boat trip to Rainbow Bridge, a raft float trip and a tour through the unusual Antelope Canyon. Our final two weeks will take us to New Mexico to explore Gallup, Albuquerque and Santa Fe. We will have a chance to ride in a hot air balloon before going to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, trolley through Santa Fe, savor local cuisine and then visit Taos. America the Beautiful Senior passes (formerly the Golden Age Pass) will save you dollars for fees in Mesa Verde, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyon lands, Chaco Canyon, and North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Parks. Come prepared to have fun with your fellow caravanners! Co-Leaders: Jay & Elna Thompson, WBCCI #7293, Ph. 850-212-4719, Email: elnaandjay@mac.com, Address: 9163 McDougal Ct., Tallahassee, FL 32312-4207, and Phil & Margie Glassey, WBCCI #5328, Ph. 206-605-2986, Email: pglassey1@gmail.com, Address: 910169 Steilacoom Rd SE, Olympia, WA 98513-6127. Limit 30 rigs. Estimated kitty fee w/2: $4,500; w/1: $3,500. Guest: $1,200. Registration deposit: $200.00. Cancellation fee is $50 before 2/1/2016 plus non-refundable deposits. Leader’s discretion after. N-45-I GONE TO TEXAS START: HILLSBORO TX 9/26-10/29/2016 STOP: KERRVILLE TX The letters GTT were familiar in the United States during the early 1800’s. They meant GONE TO TEXAS. Come with us and see why it was the place to be as we travel from Hillsboro just south of Fort Worth, “Where the West Begins”, to the beautiful Texas Hill country west of San Antonio. Along the way we will visit Buffalo country, Indian Country, Oil Patches, Carlsbad Caverns, Texas Salt Flats, Old Missions, Cavalry Forts, travel along the United States/Mexico border, A PASSPORT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR ANY TRAVEL INTO MEXICO. (NOT A CARAVAN ACTIVITY) A World Famous Observatory, Mystery Lights at Marfa, Big Bend National Park, The “Hanging Judge,” The Alamo, an Exotic Game Ranch, a Dude Ranch, and much more. From the Texas plains to the mountains to the deserts and the beautiful hill country. Leave a message for your friends - GTT. Moderate hiking may be required on some events. Leaders: Lyle & Peggy Snow, WBCCI #7358, Ph. 832-217-4508, Email: lyles51@ att.net, Land Address: 31743 Serrano Bluff Ln., Spring TX 77386-4330. Co-Leader: Bill & Dorma Kindle, WBCCI #4126, Ph. 713-907-4624, Email: Airstream4126@gmail.com. Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 20. Total Number of Nights: 33, Number of Stops: 14. Kitty Fee w/2: $2100, Kitty Fee w/1: $1650, Guest: $500, Deposit: $250, Date Balance Due: $900 2/1/16 balance 2 in rig $950, 1 in rig $500 5/1/16. Cancellation Fee: $50 prior to 5/1/16, Leaders discretion after 5/1/16. N-45-K STANDBY ONLY GEORGIA PLANTATIONS AND MORE 3/24-4/13/2016 START: BLAKELY GA STOP: FLOTILLA GA This 21 day caravan will explore 5 or 6 plantations of South Georgia and North Florida. We will attend Swamp Gravy - Georgia’s Official Folk Life Play, try our skill at skeet shooting, dry camp at an old county store, have the time to visit Plains and Andersonville on free days, take a carriage ride through Madison GA, visit the Uncle Remus Museum, not to mention having the opportunity to eat at a number of “Southern” establishments. Spring is a colorful time to visit the area and enjoy the beauty of the South. Leaders: Winston & Carol Montague, WBCCI #5274, Ph. 850-212-3726, Email: wmontague@embarqmail.com, Land Address: 3958 Meandering Lane, Tallahassee FL 32308. Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 23. Total Number of Nights: 21, Number of Stops: 5.Kitty Fee w/2: $1,400, Kitty Fee w/1: $1,100, Guest: TBD, Deposit: $200, Date Balance Due: 11/1/15. Cancellation Fee: At the discretion of the leaders. 2016-2017 WBCCI National Caravans N-45-L STANDBY ONLY CAJUN COUNTRY CARAVAN START: BREAUX BRIDGE, LA 3/8-23/2016 STOP: CARENCRO, LA On the Cajun Country Caravan you will experience Cajun culture and hospitality at its roots. Travel through cypress swamps, rice fields and crawfish farms of south Louisiana. Dine on gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, boiled crawfish and fresh from the gulf, shrimp and oysters. Dance the Cajun two-step at world famous “Fred’s” in Mamou. Tap your feet and sway to the music while listening to the Saturday morning jam session at Savoy’s Music Store. Take a boat tour through cypress swamps to watch alligators and eagles in their natural habitat. Visit the oldest rice mill in the United States and the world famous Tabasco plant on Avery Island. Ride with a crawfish farmer as he runs his traps. Enjoy a bus ride to Baton Rouge and tour of the Governor’s Mansion and the tallest State Capital building in the United States. Visit “Evangeline Oak” on the Bayou Teche, where in Longfellow’s poem, Evangeline waited for her Gabriel. Lots of fun, food and adventure packed into sixteen days of excitement awaits you on the Cajun Country Caravan. Leaders: Larry & Judy Boudreaux, WBCCI #6534, Ph. 985-209-0376, Email: larryjboudreaux@bellsouth.net, judyhboudreaux@bellsouth.net, Land Address: 206 Parkside Dr., Thibodaux, LA 70301. Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 26. Total Number of Nights: 16, Number of Stops: 5. Kitty Fee w/2: $1100, Kitty Fee w/1: $825, Guest: $525, Deposit: $200, Date Balance Due: 12/1/2015. Cancellation Fee: $50 before 12/1/15, Leaders discretion after 12/1/15. N-45-M STANDBY ONLY THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IN THE NORTHERN COLONIES 9/8-10/7/2016 STOP: MOUNT VERNON, VA START: BOSTON, MA Dust off your tri-corner hat and mob cap and join us as we travel back in time to where the seeds of the American Revolution were planted and bore fruit. We will begin in Boston and see the Old State House where fiery debates occurred, walk where the Boston Massacre erupted, take part in reenacting the Boston Tea Party (prepare to heave ho some British tea into the Boston Harbor) and hear ranger talks on the Battle of Bunker Hill; we’ll also visit other historic landmarks such as Faneuil Hall aka “The Cradle of Liberty”, the Old North Church, Paul Revere’s house and the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides”. From there we travel to Minute Man National Historical Park and follow the day (April 19, 1775) that marked the beginning of the war to independence from first blood on Lexington Green to the “shot heard round the world” at North Bridge in Concord. Then we travel to New York visiting Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome, Oriskany Battlefield in Oriskany, and Fort Ticonderoga where Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold (before he turned traitor) led the “Green Mountain Boys” in an easy victory over British forces. Saratoga National Historical Park where a decisive American victory convinced the French to support the fledging nation also rates a visit as does the Bennington Battlefield in New York as well as Vermont. We will charter a bus to West Point for a private tour and lunch at the Officers’ Club followed by a visit to the New Windsor Cantonment, General Henry Knox’s Headquarters, and an optional visit to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. We will explore General Washington’s Headquarters at Newburgh then enjoy a tour-guided bus trip into New York City where some sites are now sky scrapers but others are alive and well such as Federal Hall and Fraunces Tavern and Museum where we’ll have lunch. New Jersey is next with tours at Fort Lee, Morristown National Historic Park, Washington Crossing State Park (and Washington Crossing on the PA side), Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Princeton Battlefield State Park and Old Barracks Museum in Trenton. Then into Pennsylvania to Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia and Brandywine Battlefield Museum in Chadds Ford. Philadelphia we’ll see via charter bus visiting Independence National Historical Park for ranger talks and tours of Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center, Franklin Center and dining at historic City Tavern. Our final destination will be in Virginia at Washington’s beloved estate, Mount Vernon where we’ll enjoy a tour, visit his newly-opened Presidential Library, and have our final banquet. Leaders: Ed and Beth Jones, WBCCI #1515, Ph. 703-780-6597, Email: thunderhorse16@yahoo.com, Land Address: 3704 Washington Woods Dr., Alexandria, VA 22309. Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 26. Total Number of Nights: 30, Number of Stops: 7. Kitty Fee w/2: $4,050, Kitty Fee w/1: $3,225, Deposit: $350, First Payment Due: 12/16/25, Date Balance Due: 4/15/16. Cancellation Fee: Leader’s Discretion. N-45-N ORES, SHORES, WATERS, AND LIGHTS - EAST 9/10-24/2016 START: MACKINAW CITY, MI STOP: ST. IGNACE, MI Short caravan; perfect for your summer vacation! Rendezvous for this caravan is on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Mackinaw City, MI. See the absolute best of the eastern end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in just 15 days and 5 stops. Last night of the caravan and the closing banquet will be on Saturday, September 24, 2016, at St. Ignace, MI. Key activities/ outings include: Ferry ride under the Mackinaw Bridge in route to a day on Mackinac Island, tours of lighthouses, a visit to Kitch-iti-kipi, a guided tour of Fayette Historic State Park, visits to numerous waterfalls, a boat tour of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, tour of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, 6 ½ hour small gauge train ride (operating since 1927) and river boat tour up the Tahquamenon River to the Upper Falls, Soo Locks boat tour, and much more. Please send deposit, or questions, to Leaders: Chip & Lori DeLeeuw, WBCCI #2748, Ph. 517250-5060, Email: cdeleeuw@comcast.net, Address: 906 Wright Lane, Milan, MI 48160. Maximum RV Units/With Leaders: 17, Total Number of Nights: 15, Number of Stops: 5, Kitty Fee w/2: $1,500, Kitty Fee w/1: $1,100, Guests: $400, Deposit $200, Date Balance Due: 5/1/16, Cancellation Fee: $50 before 5/1/16. Caravan Leaders discretion after 5/1/16. N-46-A GOLF-N-AROUND 8/2-22/17 START: MANISTIQUE, UP OF MI STOP: MACKINAW CITY, MI Love to Golf? We will have three days at each stop which will include playing golf for two days and a day to enjoy the sights as we travel across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Come join your Airstream friends in a friendly game of golf. We begin this caravan in Manistique, UP of Michigan after International 2017. We will travel across the Upper Peninsula to Munising, Brimley, St. Ignace, and end the caravan in Mackinaw City, Michigan. Leaders: Jim & Sheila Skipper, WBCCI #3178, Ph. 850-8771729 Home, 850-528-0437 (Jim cell), 850-519-1976 (Sheila cell), email: golfnaroundcaravan@gmail.com. Address: 9150 Seafair Lane, Tallahassee, FL 32317, Co-Leader: Gene & Kathy Blanchard, WBCCI#7244, Maximum RV Units W/Leader: 25, Total Number of Nights: 21, Number of Stops: 5, Kitty Fee w/2: TBD, Kitty Fee w/1: TBD, Guest: TBD, Deposit: $250, 1st Payment: 10/1/16, Balance due: 2/1/17. Cancellation: $50 plus non-refundable deposits prior to 2/1/17. Leaders Discretion after 2/1/17. N-46-B CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAINS 6/21-7/13/17 START: DRUMHELLER, ALBERTA STOP: COCHRANE, ALBERTA Come vacation in the majestic Canadian Rockies and Alberta prairies. Traveling the backcountry there will be secluded dry camping, cookouts, and First Nations lore. Over 100 glaciers line the spectacular Icefields Parkway where you will ride a snow coach at Athabasca Glacier and experience the newly constructed glass-floored Skywalk. We’ll cruise Malign Lake to Spirit Island at Jasper National Park and dine at the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. We will take hikes to the Tea House above Lake Louise, canoe Lake Moraine, and photograph the Takakkaw Falls. Our visit to Alberta will include World Heritage museums and local canola farm tours. In Calgary, our final destination, we will attend the world-renowned Calgary Stampede and Rodeo. Your camera, your adventurous spirit and your love for laughter are a must for this vacation! Leaders: Rosemary & Carlos Leach, WBCCI #1717, Ph. 281-536-6185, email: cmleach3@windstream.net. Mailing Address: 218 Quinlan St. #582, Kerrville, TX 78028, Maximum RV Units/with Leader: 20, Total Number of Nights: 23, Number of Stops: 7, Caravan Miles: appx. 625, Kitty Fee w/2: $3300, Kitty Fee w/1: TBA, Guest: TBA, Deposit: $500, Cancellation Fee: $50 until 5/1/16. Leader discretion after 5/1/16. N-46-D1 THE VIKING TRAIL 6/1-7/13/17 N-46-D2 THE VIKING TRAIL 8/3-9/14/17 START: LITTLE BRAS D’OR CAPE BRETON, NS STOP: ARGENTIA, NL “The Viking Trail Caravan” will begin at Little Bras D’Or Cape Breton, Nova Scotia where we will board the Marine Atlantic Ferry from North Sydney to Channel-Port Au Basque to begin our journey across Newfoundland. During the early part of our adventure we will spend about 10 days exploring The Viking Trail on the Great Northern Peninsula and will visit Blue Beret / March 2016 61 2017 WBCCI National Caravans the site where Leif Erikson established a Viking Community at L’Anse Aux Meadows about 1,000 years ago. Along the Great Northern Peninsula we expect to see wildlife such as Moose, and sites such as Icebergs, visit the remains of the shipwreck SS Ethie, and see the Arches Provincial Park in Portland Creek. Then we will head east to places such as Twillingate and Bonavista to see more Newfoundland wildlife such as Puffins in Elliston, Gannets in Cape St. Mary, and visit the coastal coves and the harbors all along the way. There are several dinner theaters planned, such as “The Viking Feast” in St. Anthony, the “Rising Tide Theater” in Trinity, and “The Spirit of Newfoundland Theater” at the Historic Masonic Temple in St. John’s. For the return trip from Newfoundland we will board the Marine Atlantic Ferry from Argentia for the overnight 14 hour cruise back to North Sydney, Nova Scotia. A cabin and dinner aboard the Ferry will be provided. The Kitty Fee includes all group dinners, cookouts, entertainment, activities, campsites, and all Ferry costs to and from Newfoundland. Leaders: George & Sharon Hilton, WBCCI #7009, Ph. 352-205-9928, email: geohilton@yahoo.com. Address: 214 Rainbow Drive #11436, Livingston, TX 77399, Maximum RV Units/With Leader (in each section): 20/21, Total Number of Nights: 42, Number of Stops: 13, Kitty Fee w/2: TBD (approximately $5,700), Kitty Fee w/1: TBD, Guest: TBD Deposit: $500, Date Balance Due: 2/1/17, Cancellation Fee: $100 before 2/1/17. Caravan Leader’s discretion after 2/1/17. N-46-E SPINDLETOP START: CANTON, TX 3/30-4/22/17 STOP: BEAUMONT, TX Join us for a springtime caravan through East Texas. We will begin at one of the largest first Monday Trade Days and Flea Markets. You will tour Tyler’s Azalea & Spring Flower Trail, which travels through eight miles of residential gardens. Brookshire’s World of Wildlife animal museum is one of the best private collections of stuffed animals and the Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge is an international home to over 50 rescued big cats. At the American Freedom Museum, you will explore the Museum’s 15,000 square feet of galleries containing an amazing collection of over 600 artifacts and documents from American Revolution all the way to the sands of Iraq. The City of Carthage has the world famous Texas Country Music Hall of Fame where you will have a tour, lunch and some pure Texas entertainment. The East Texas Oil Museum is located on the campus of Kilgore Junior College where you will also see the Kilgore Rangerette’s two hour Revel. Historic Nacogdoches is described as “the oldest town in Texas.” The city has been under more flags than the state of Texas, claiming nine instead of Texas’s six flags. We will also tour the Foretravel Motorcoach plant. Beaumont has the Fire Museum of Texas which is endorsed by the Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas as, “The Official Fire Museum of Texas.” In the energy museum, you can explore the world of petroleum science from the formation of oil to the geology. Discover the beginnings of the Texas oil industry as historical characters share their adventures of the great Spindletop Gusher of 1901. Leaders: Bill and Dorma Kindle, WBCCI #4126, Ph. 713-907-4624, email: airstream4126@gmail.com. Land Address: 319 Mariachi Street, Crosby, TX 7753. Co-Leader: Lyle and Peggy Snow, WBCCI #7358. Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 20, Total Number of Nights: 24, Number of Stops: 8, Kitty Fee w/2: $1,750, Kitty Fee w/1: $1,500, Guest: $550, Deposit: $250, Date Balance Due: 11/01/16, Cancellation Fee: $100 plus non-refundable deposits before 11/1/16. Leaders discretion after. N-46-F NOR’ BY NOR’EAST START: ASHAWAY, RI 7/5-8/14/17 STOP: CORNWALL, PEI The Nor’ By Nor’east National Caravan will begin in southern New England and end in Prince Edward Island, Canada. We begin the caravan in RI and visit nearby Mystic Seaport, CT and Newport, RI. Plymouth, of course is steeped in history; the “Plimoth Plantation”, Plymouth Rock, Mayflower II, Jenny Museum are among the places we’ll visit. Boston’s stop is a busy one with 2 days of bus rides from Topsfield into the Capitol. All those sites you’ve read about in history books will be part of our journey. JFK Library, Bunker Hill, Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, etc. are just part of what we’ll see. Continuing up the coastline to an ocean-side campsite in Searsport, ME and then nearby Bar Harbor in Trenton will make you a firm believer that Maine is indeed, beautiful. We’ll enjoy the Penobscot Marine Museum, Fort Knox and the Penobscot Narrows Observatory and a Food Channel approved ”Down East Style Lobster Bake”. We’ll camp nearby 62 Blue Beret / March 2016 FDR’s retreat at Campobello Island in NB, Canada, enjoy “Tea With Eleanor” and then another campsite up the road in Moncton where we will visit Hopewell Cape and see the exaggerated tides of the Bay of Fundy. Nova Scotia’s 3 stops include campsites that will be home bases so we can travel to Peggy’s Cove, Halifax, Louisbourg, Baddeck and of course the Cabot Trail. We intend on being in NS for 11 days and we will see everything and continue to eat too! A short trip across to Prince Edward Island on a ferry and you will think you’re in Heaven. We have plenty of time here for exploring and enjoying some entertainment in Charlottetown, the warm waters along some of the most beautiful beaches as well as seafood-PEI style. We will have our Farewell Banquet in Charlottetown. Leaders: Trevor & Gale Lake, WBCCI #4688, Ph. Home 781-837-2539, Cell 781-264-4550, Email: trevorlake@verizon.net. Land Address: 315 Oak St. Marshfield, MA 02050, Maximum RV Units/With Leaders: 23, Total Number of Nights: 41, Number of Stops: 11, Fees: US Funds, Kitty Fee w/2: TBD, Kitty Fee w/1: TBD, Guest: TBD, Deposit: $200 with Application, Date Due: 2/1/17: $800, Date Final Balance Due: 5/1/17, Cancellation Fee: $100 after 2/1/17. Leaders Discretion after 2/1/17. N-46-G SOUTHWEST ADVENTURE 8/24-10/14/17 START: DURANGO, CO STOP: POJOAQUE (SANTA FE), NM The 2017 Caravan is scheduled for 53 days, starting August 24, 2017 in Durango, CO and ending October 14 in Pojoaque near Santa Fe, NM. The general route covers parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah known as the “Grand Circle”. We will visit the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico and Durango, Colorado. The rest of the places visited are small towns (Bluff, UT, Page, AZ, Moab, UT), several National Parks (Zion, Bryce, North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Capital Reef, Mesa Verde) and Indian reservation lands (Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Canyon De Chelly). We will boondock 9 nights at three locations, Mesa Verde, North Rim of the Grand Canyon and the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, but will have single to three point hook-ups at most campgrounds. Be prepared for cool temperatures and “thin” air to breathe as we will camp at elevations from 5000-9000 feet. At other times we will be in the desert country, so the weather can be warmto-hot. Temperatures range from 30 to 95. For the most part, the weather is great. At the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta as a part of the caravan, we camp with about 120 other Airstreams. The 2015 caravan had a Facebook Group with many pictures of the caravan and their adventures. The Facebook Group is: Southwest Adventure Caravan 2015. Co-Leaders: Carol & Winston Montague, WBCCI #5274, Ph. 850-212-3726, email: wmontague@embarqmail.com, Land Address: 3958 Meandering Lane, Tallahassee, FL 32308; Co-Leaders: Elna & Jay Thompson, WBCCI #7293, Ph. 850-212-4719, email: elnaandjay@mac.com, Land Address: 9163 McDougal Court, Tallahassee, FL 32312, Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 34, Total Number of Nights: 53, Number of Stops: 15, Kitty Fee w/2: $4,500 estimated, Kitty Fee w/1: $3,500 estimated, Guest: $1,200 estimated, Deposit: $200, Date Balance Due: half remaining kitty fee by 2/1/17, remainder by 5/1/17. Cancellation Fee: Leader’s discretion. STANDBY ONLY N-46-H CAJUN COUNTRY START: BREAUX BRIDGE, LA 3/14-29/2017 STOP: LAFAYETTE, LA On the Cajun Country Caravan you will experience Cajun culture and hospitality at its roots. You will not only hear the words made famous by the great Hank Williams in his song “Jambalaya,” you will also enjoy dining on jambalaya, crawfish pie, file’ gumbo, and lots of other dishes that make Cajun cuisine so popular. Travel through the cypress swamps, rice fields and crawfish farms of South Louisiana. Dance the “Cajun Two Step” at world famous “Fred’s Lounge” in Mamou. Tap your feet while swaying to the music at Savoy’s Music Store Saturday morning jam session. These, plus all the other experiences, will help you understand the Cajun phrase, “la sez le bon temps roulet” - let the good times roll. Take a boat ride on Lake Martin to watch alligators and bald eagles in their natural habitat. Tour the oldest operating rice mill in the United States, enjoy a morning or afternoon on Avery Island, home of world the famous Tabasco Plant. Ride with a crawfish farmer on his unique harvesting boat, running his traps and retrieving his daily catch of ecrevisses. Enjoy a bus ride to Baton Rouge for a tour of the Governor’s Mansion and the tallest state capitol building in the United States. Visit Evangeline Oak on the Bayou Teche, where in 2017 WBCCI National Caravans Longfellow’s poem, Evangeline waited for her Gabriel. Lots of fun, food and adventure, packed into sixteen days of excitement awaits you on the Cajun Country Caravan. Leaders: Larry & Judy Boudreaux, WBCCI #6534, Ph. 985-446-1931(H), 985-209-0376 (C), 985-688-3467 (C), email: larryjboudreaux@bellsouth.net, judyhboudreaux@bellsouth.net. Land address: 206 Parkside Dr., Thibodaux, LA 70301. Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 26, Total Number of Nights: 16, Number of Stops: 5, Kitty Fee w/2: $1,200, Kitty Fee w/1: $925, Guest: $600, Deposit: $200, Date Balance Due: 12/1/2016. Cancellation Fee: Leader’s discretion. N-46-I GEORGIA PLANTATIONS & MORE 3/23-4/13/2017 START: RUTLEDGE, GA STOP: RUTLEDGE, GA Join us as we explore the old South through Plantations huge and ornate to small & unpretentious. This 23 day caravan will explore 5 to 6 Plantations in South Georgia and North Florida. We will attend Swamp Gravy - Georgia’s Official Folk Life Play, marvel at the outdoor murals in a small town, try our skill at Skeet Shooting, dry camp at an old country store, visit the Uncle Remus Museum, see FDR’s Little White House, travel down country roads and through quaint towns, and of course have the opportunity to eat at a number of “Southern” establishments. On free days, there will be time to visit Jimmy Carters’ hometown of Plains and see Andersonville, the Civil War prison camp. Spring is a colorful time to visit the area and enjoy the beauty of the South. Ya’ll come and see us! Leaders: Gary & RoseMarie Anderson, WBCCI #9181, Ph. 850-896-0567 (Gary’s Cell), 850-866-7658 (RoseMarie’s Cell), email: tango2020pc@gmail.com (RoseMarie). Land Address: 2800 W. 30th Court, Panama City, FL 32405, Maximum RV Units/With Leader: 23, Total Number of Nights: 23, Number of Stops: 6, Kitty Fee w/2: $1,500, Kitty Fee w/1: $1,200, Guest: TBD, Deposit: $200, Date Balance Due: 11/1/16. Cancellation Fee: Discretion of Leaders. N-46-J TASTE OF THE BLUE RIDGE 5/29-6/17/2017 START: CHEROKEE, NC STOP: STAUNTON, VA Scenic mountain vistas await you as we leisurely travel a total of 500 miles from Cherokee, NC to Staunton, VA, along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. The longest travel day will be 140 miles. Our first stop takes us back in time to the Eastern Cherokee Indians, the only band that avoided the tragic Trail of Tears. We’ll visit the Oconaluftee Indian Village, and see a dramatic presentation, “Unto These Hills”, depicting local Indian history. We’ll visit the historic Biltmore Mansion in Asheville. In Boone you will have the opportunity to explore Blowing Rock, a town named for the local geographical oddity, as well as visit Moses Cone Memorial Park and Manor. Cone was a textile baron and leading philanthropist. A variety of activities in the park include shopping at the Southern Highland Craft Guild, hiking any of the 25 miles of trails, and fishing for trout or bass on two different lakes. We’ll experience old time mountain and bluegrass music in Galax, VA, tour Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello home, the D-Day Memorial and much more. The Parkway is a winding two-lane road with a maximum speed of 45 mph. Elevations vary from 650 to 4900 ft. up and around the local mountains. Leaders: Gene & Kathy Blanchard, WBCCI #7244, Ph. Gene 713-301-7244, Kathy 713-301-2926, email: genebl@ hillcountryweb.com. Land Address: 118 Quail Run, Spicewood, TX 78669. Maximum RV Units w/leaders: 20. Total Number of Nights: 19, Number of Stops: 6. Kitty Fee w/2: $2,200, Kitty Fee w/1: $1,500, Guest: TBD, Deposit: $250, Date Balance Due: 2/15/17, Cancellation Fee: $50 before 1/4/17. Leaders discretion after 1/4/17. NATIONAL CARAVAN APPLICATION (please type or print clearly - every blank must be filled in) Caravan #__________________ Caravan Name__________________________________________________________________________ Last Name________________________ First______________________Spouse_____________________WBCCI#_____________________ Summer Address___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone # _______________________________EMail___________ Winter Address: From:________ To:______________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone #________________________________Email_____________________________________________________________________ # of Adults__________Children_________Pets_________Ham #___________________MH/T_________ft. Handicapped? Amount Enclosed: (US$)________________________Check #________________ Make checks payable to: Name of Caravan Leader, Caravan Leader example: John & Mary Doe, Caravan Leaders Mail to: Caravan Leader Blue Beret / March 2016 63 REGION 2 RALLY Finger Lakes Fantasy Hammondsport Fireman's Field Hammondsport, New York June 1 - 6, 2016 Name _________________________ Spouse ___________________ WBCCI # ______________ Unit______________________________ Address_________________________________________________ City _________________ Prov/State _______ Code_____________ Phone _____________________ Cell __________________________ Trailer ______ MH ______ Length ______ Slide out ____________ Rally Fee: Per Person $55.00 x _____ = $ Camping/night $25.00 x _____ = $ Total $ GALAX OLD TIME FIDDLERS CONVENTION 15th Special Event Rally Galax, Virginia August 7 - 14, 2016 Region 3 will be the host of the 15th Special Event Rally in Galax, Virginia for the 81st Old Time Fiddler’s Convention August 8-13. The Fiddler’s Convention is six days of continuous entertainment while the rally will have special concerts by Wayne Henderson and Friends, and the Junior Appalachian Musicians as well as a tour of Wayne’s shop and his extraordinary museum, a breakfast, dinner, and melon “cutting” included. Rally fee is $50 per person, $20 children 12-16. Limited to 45 rigs. The rally campsites will be at the Cool Breeze Campground that has three point hook-ups, 30 and 50-amp service, cable TV, and wireless Internet for $30 per night (plus tax). There will be onsite entertainment. The website address is: http://coolbreezecampground.com and phone number is 866-342-0300. There is no sign-up coupon or check to send, just call the campground to reserve your campsite and spot in the rally. Pay the rally fee on your arrival. Note: entrance fee to the Fiddlers Convention is not included in the rally fee. The Region 3 website www/ region3.wbcci.net will have a page about the rally as will the region calendar. Children under 16 free. Contact Fred Schultz 570-406-3049, region2wm@aol.com Optional tour fees can be arranged at the rally site. Make checks payable to: Region 2 WBCCI Mail to: Will Kushto, 114 Flagstaff Rd., Philadelphia, PA 19115-3410 REGION 4 RALLY "Follow the Ruby Brick Road" 40th Anniversary Branch County Fairgrounds 262 Sprague St., Coldwater, Michigan May 11 - 16, 2016 WBCCI # ______________________ Unit____________________ Name _______________________ Spouse/Partner____________ Address_______________________________________________ City_________________State/Prov_________Code____________ Phone ___________________ E-mail_______________________ STORYTELLING SPECIAL EVENT RALLY Camping at Appalachian Fairgrounds Gray, Tennessee for the National Storytelling Festival Jonesborough, Tennessee October 5 - 9, 2016 Names___________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________ City_______________________ State/Prov_____Code____________ WBCCI # __________________ Unit___________________________ Phone _____________________ Cell __________________________ Rally Fees: Airstream w/2 adults Pre 2/28/16 $180.00 After 3/1/16 $190.00 Airstream w/1 adult Pre 2/28/16 $135.00 After 3/1/16 $145.00 Rally Fee includes: 6 nights camping w/3 point hook-up, 6 meals, 3 nights entertainment, hobby/craft show and yard sale. Gary Olinger, Region 4 President, 740-603-3677, email: garyolinger3677@gmail.com Make checks payable to: Region 4 WBCCI Mail to: Steven Rhodes, R4 Treasurer 2951 Hazel Brush Rd, Shelby, OH 44875 Enclose SASE for receipt Email ___________________________________________________ Handicapped______________Amount enclosed________________ Emergency Ph.____________________________________________ Please circle type: MH TR Slideouts Length________ Fee: $115 for 5 nights parking w/full hookups for first 30 trailers. (This year we offer only parking.) Early parking begins Sunday, Oct. 2 at $23 per night, so come visit the area. Each person is responsible for obtaining their own tickets to the Storytelling Festival. Directions will be mailed when you register. (Refund minus $5 cancellation fee.) For further info contact Harry Herrmann, Ph. 865-966-2222 or email: harry22222@gmail. com Make checks payable to: Harry Herrmann Mail to: Harry Herrmann 12176 Brookstone Dr., Knoxville, TN 37934-4779 64 Blue Beret / March 2016 BALLOON FIESTA NATIONAL RALLY Albuquerque, New Mexico September 30 - October 4 , 2016 REDEDICATION CEREMONY/ MONUMENT OF PEACE International Peace Garden Special Event Rally July 21 - 25, 2016 Name(s)_________________________ ____ WBCCI #____________ Email (only means of communication)________________________ Address_________________________________________________ City_________________State/Prov_________Code______________ Airstream model & length Rally Fee: Cost per coach (includes 2 tickets to all the action) $360.00 Rally Fee$ 13.00 Total$373.00 First half ($186.50) due 2/28/16 Second half ($186.50) due 7/31/16 Name____________________________________________________ Address_________________________________________________ City_________________State/Prov_________Code______________ Phone_________________ Email:____________________________ WBCCI # __________________ Handicap Parking: Yes No Arrive: ____________________ Leave: _______________________ TOTAL ENCLOSED$ Note: Balloon Fiesta refund policy: $10 charge through July 15; $186.50 after July 16; no refund after September 1 for any reason. Join Airstreamers from across the country at this colorful event as hundreds of balloons take to the sky! Water and honey trucks available. Bring your (quiet) generator. You are not sitting on the sidelines, but are part of the festivities beginning with the early morning Dawn Patrol through the evening Balloon Glow and fireworks. You will have in/out access in your car after arriving. Vendors are on the field serving tasty treats and coffee. Two tickets to the field provided per Airstream, additional tickets may be purchased at the event. Questions? Please contact us at: BalloonFiestaRally@hotmail.com or call 970-259-3890. Make check payable to: Region 11 - WBCCI Mail coupon & check by February 28 to: Ken Johansen, P.O. Box 424, Durango, CO 81302 NEW YORK STATE / INSTALLATION RALLY Angelica Reunion Allegany County Fairgrounds September 16 - 18, 2016 Rally Fee: # Total RV on Site _____ @ $ 40.00 $ Adult - each _____ @ $130.00 $ Children - each _____ @ $ 50.00 $ Medical Requirement for Electric (Specify): Electrical Charge @ $ 40.00 $ Total Fee Payable in U.S. Funds $ Questions: E-mail: Gail Harrower airstream4478@gmail.com Ph. 204-781-1987 Make checks payable to: WBCCI Region 7 Mail to: Gail Harrower 23 Village Drive, Ste. Anne, MB, Canada R5H 1H4 Register Online at: region7.wbcci.net Name ___________________________ Spouse _________________ Address_________________________________________________ City _______________________ State _______ Zip Code _________ WBCCI #___________________ Unit __________________________ Phone _____________________ Rally Fees: Airstream w/2 adults $180.00 $_______ Airstream w/1 adult $140.00 $_______ Additional Adult $ 40.00 $_______ Chilldren 6-12 $ 20.00 $_______ Total$_______ Spring Is Coming!! Rally Fee includes parking, buffet at Houghton College, catered dinner at Rally. Information contact: Ray Wagner 585-334-0816, email: rwagner27@frontiernet.net. Rally followed by Caravan to Sugarcreek, OH. Make checks payable to: NY Fingerlakes State Rally Mail to: Audrey Wagner, 200 Crockett Dr., Rochester, NY 14623 Blue Beret / March 2016 65 REGION 10 RALLY “Kicking Back in Kalispell” Flathead County Fairgrounds, Kalispell, Montana July 27 - August 1, 2016 Name(s)_________________________________________________ 51st ANNUAL PENDLETON ROUND-UP RALLY Hosted by Oregon Unit, Region 10 Pendleton Comm. Park, Pendleton, Oregon Pendleton Comm. Park, Pendleton, Oregon September 12 - 18, 2016 Address_________________________________________________ WBCCI # ______________ City_______________________ State________ Zip Code__________ Year, model & length of Airstream ___________________________ E-Mail ___________________________WBCCI #________________ Name(s)_________________________________________________ Phone _____________________ Address_________________________________________________ Will you be bringing children? If so, please provide name(s) and age(s):___________________________________________________ An optional children's program will be provided at cost if sufficient numbers register. Length of Airstream _______________________________________ Handicap Parking required close to Event Centre? _____________ City_________________State/Prov_________Code______________ Cell Phone_________________ Email ________________________ Number of Persons _________ Handicapped __________________ Rally Fees: Rally Fee (includes meals, 1 tour, entertainment & parking fees). Sites have 20A power & access to water. Wed-Mon (1) person $205 _____ Wed-Mon (2) persons $255 _____ Fri-Mon (1) person $180 _____ Fri-Mon (2) persons $155 _____ Full week $231/couple Weekend Thurs-Sun $167/couple Off-Site Attendees Wed-Sun (1) person $115 _____ Fri-Sun (1) person $105 _____ Professional Bull Riding Tickets for Tues $35/each$_______ Fri Rodeo Upgrade Seating $35/each$_______ Sat Rodeo Upgrade Seating (finals) $35/each$_______ Wed-Sun (2) persons $165 _____ Fri-Sun (2) persons $125 _____ Mail coupon & check in US funds payable to: Region 10, WBCCI: Jay Rolls, 644 Beecher Ave., Brigham UT 84302 OR Register Online at our website: www.region10.wbcci.net $143/single $________ $98/single $________ Add any Optional Tickets to your Package (Limited Quantities): Total Enclosed $_______ Make check (U.S. Funds) payable to: WBCCI Oregon Unit Send Coupon & Check to: Teresa Taylor, P.O. Box 319, Seaside, OR 97138 TALL SHIPS RALLY Region 7, Special Event Rally Duluth, Minnesota August 17 - 22, 2016 Name____________________________ Spouse__________________ Forms due June 1, 2016 Address_________________________________________________ Questions to: Linda Agre, cell 320-295-1117 email: agre5628@aol.com City_________________State/Prov_________Code______________ NOTE: Rally fee does NOT include camping and is limited to 50 units Phone_________________ Email:____________________________ WBCCI # __________________ Unit___________________________ Rally Fee: (Camping Extra) Unit w/2 adults $410.00 Unit w/1 adult $205.00 Children #______ x $205.00 $ $ = $ Total Enclosed$ 66 Blue Beret / March 2016 Call Buffalo Valley Campground 218-590-8774 for reservations Make checks payable to: Region 7, WBCCI Mail to: Linda Agre 8795 82nd St SE #2, Clear Lake, MN 55319 If you have pictures depicting WBCCI caravans and rallies, please share them with us. These pictures may be used for promotional material, the Membership Directory, “Blue Beret” cover, or published in “Club Scenes”. Pictures should be of rally/caravan activities. When choosing a photo, consider the potential member and what would entice him/her to join the club. Please include a description of the picture, member names, specific rally/caravan, dates, etc. and send to dsailor@wbcci.org or WBCCI, PO Box 612, Jackson Center, OH 45334. NOTE: Original photos or .jpg file formats are preferred. Northern CA members on factory tour at Budweiser submitted by Bob Vasser, #26071 Tom Akam with Pendleton Round-up queen & princesses - submitted by Tom Akam, #13381, photo by Murray Clarke, #11975 Joint Election Rally for Mississippi & Memphis TN Units - submitted by Ruth McNinch, #3710 Linda Agre (right) with Jody Niskanen & Jeff Nobbe from Shorewood RV - submitted by Linda Agre, #5628 British Columbia Unit Airstreams at Loon Bay Resort, Sheridan Lake, Lone Butte, BC - submitted by Rita Richardson, #4939 Blue Beret / March 2016 67