the news JUNE 2017 British Columbia Unit #121 CHARTERED JUNE 26, ~ PAUL S PERAMBULATIONS ~ TABLE OF CONTENTS

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1 British Columbia Unit #121 CHARTERED JUNE 26, BC UNIT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1-2 President s Column 2 Community Corner 3 New/Affiliate Members & Roster Changes 4 Traveland, Committee Chairs & Misc. 5 For Sale & Rally Report 6 For Sale with Photo 7 Activity Schedule and Culinary Caravan Info 8 Seal Bay Rally 9 Seafarers Rally 10 Whidbey Island Photos 11 Wine Tasting Rally Photos 12 Photos from Oliver Rally 13 s to/from Mayor of Oliver, BC 14 Airstream Wanted, and Mobile Repairmen UNIT OFFICERS President Paul Wheeler, paul.jan.wheeler@gmail.com 1st VP Joyce Christenson, joyce355@icloud.com 2nd VP Position open 3rd VP Amir John Showrai, ajs79lincoln@netscape.net Recording & Corresponding Secretary Arlene Matches, matches7403@gmail.com Treasurer Jay Tuason, innotu@yahoo.com Past President Tom Akam, lighthouse13381@shaw.ca Directors - One Year (Term ) John Millard, fmillard@telus.net Shelby Brennan, shel.brennan@gmail.com Directors - Two Year (Term ) Dick Moffat, rsmoffat@shaw.ca Michel Bourassa rmbourassa@gmail.com the news Greetings Fellow Airstreamers JUNE 2017 Editor: Arlene Matches Home Phone: Cell Phone: matches7403@gmail.com ~ PAUL S PERAMBULATIONS ~ My Perambulations are coming to you this month from the beautiful Bruce Peninsula in Ontario. I m having a weekend off in the middle of a 3 week business trip that has me in Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Toronto, Hamilton, Mississauga, Halifax, White Point Beach (NS), and then home. Feels like our wonderful 2.5 month Airstream trip this last winter was a long time ago. I m surely looking forward to summer and dusting off the trailer hitch and getting going again. What about you? I hope you re busy reading the rig for the road if you haven t already done so. Bet many of you have great plans for the places you ll visit this summer and fall with your wonderful silver bullet. While you re planning, be sure to read through this great newsletter. There are lots of opportunities to get together with your friends in the BC Unit of the Airstream Club. In fact, why not browse through right now and get yourself signed up for one of these. One adventure I m sure everyone will love is the 2 nd Annual Anacortes Rally being hosted by the Greths. I m sorry we can t attend this year because of business commitments (on my part) and family commitments (on Janet s part). We went last year and it was a truly wonderful weekend. There is so much to do in Anacortes. It s so close to home and yet a different world than so much of the time we spend day to day. AND, you get to socialize with your Airstream Club friends (or even friends you haven t met yet). So, if you haven t signed up, why not get the info from the two previous newsletters and register now. Speaking of your Airstream Club friends once again this year, Past President Tom Akam is gracing us with his commitment to updating our Club Roster. It is now in his hands and there s info on page 8 about the fact it will soon be distributed by mailing a copy to each member. Some of our members like to get 2 copies of the Roster (one for the Airstream and one for home). If you d like a second copy, please call or Tom and he ll make sure you get it. The first copy is free. The second copy is $2.00, a true bargain. Thanks Tom for doing this again for us this year. (cont d on page 2...)

2 THE COMMUNITY CORNER by Arlene John & Chris Millard are the proud owners of a 25 -foot 1966 totaled Airstream (it is going to be used for parts and John said there are a lot of usable ones on the rig). I guess he s not happy unless he has a project..!! Talking about John Millard, he has been a godsend around our place. We have a serious leak in the front of our trailer and were afraid of a rotting floor. A pressurized leak test has been arranged for the first week in June and John kindly came over and removed carpeting for us and ensured the floor was drying properly. It looks like we don t need to replace the wood as it has been caught in time. Thank you to a great friend!!. (Paul s Perambulations cont d from page 1) Once you get your Roster, why not put it to good use flip through it and find someone who you d like to visit with. Get in touch with that other member and together plan your own little weekend away with your Airstreams. Once you ve planned a little getaway, you could even let the rest of the Club know via the website or newsletter in case anyone would like to join you. I m very pleased to let you know that the International office of our Club has (finally) concluded an agreement with Airstream that allows our Club too use the name and various insignia that Airstream has copyright to. This is very important to Airstream because if they don t protect their legal rights to these copyrighted words and designs then they lose the copyright. It s important to us, as Club members because if gives us the access we need. Your executive recently held a vote and agreed to abide by the terms and conditions (which are very generous) that Airstream has required. And finally, thank you so much to all our members who do everything to make this Club work. Thank you all for your warmth, friendship, expertise and commitment. We can t believe the huge amount of pull tabs we received after our members got back from the Whidbey Island Rally. We are so thankful to our BC Unit and the North Cascade Washington Unit for their generosity. And, once again, Chris Millard s students donated a couple of bags full. We are so very thankful to everyone for their continued support of our charity and, in this regard would everybody please continue to collect pop and beer can tabs and bring them to the next luncheon or rally you attend. We will, in turn, give them to Sharon, our coordinator, who delivers proceeds to the Children s Hospital charity. For your generosity we Paul Wheeler President WBCCI BC Unit #121 This and all photos of the Fraser Valley Wine Tasting Rally on page 11 were taken by Janet Soucy another award winner perhaps? THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU PAGE 2

3 MEMBER, WEBSITE, and ROSTER CHANGES PLEASE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS: FITZ, Dayna & BEVER, Klaus WBCCI # Marine Avenue Belcarra, BC, V3H 4R8 Phone: Cell: Airstream: foot Flying Cloud Trailer REID, Peter & Brenda WBCCI #3189 # Lorne Street Kamloops, BC, V2C 1W9 Phone: Airstream: foot FB International Serenity Trailer FAULKNER, Bill & Paula WBCCI # Oakcrest Circle Bellingham, WA, Phone: Cell: paulafaulkner1@comcast.net or w-faulkner@wiu.edu Airstream: foot Land Yacht Trailer STACEY, Ernest & Sharon WBCCI # th Avenue Surrey, BC, V4P 1Z7 Phone: Cell: Ernest: ernest.stacey@gmail.com Sharon: esstacey@shaw.ca Airstream: foot Safari Trailer BELCETO, John & Anita WBCCI # SE Issaquah Fall City Road Fall City, WA, Phone: Cell: belcetoa@yahoo.com Airstream: foot Flying Cloud Trailer ROSTER INFORMATION: Please change your records to show that Bill & Rhonda Armstrong now use bandrarmstrong@gmail.com as their address. PAGE 3

4 COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Audit Committee Tom Akam plus volunteers Budget Committee Tom Akam & the VPs Caravan Committee McGills & Van Iderstines Nominating Committee Tom Akam with Joyce Christenson and one other to be named Community Service Alex & Arlene Matches Equipment Chairman Ron McQuarrie Hospitality & Sunshine Arlene Matches Membership & Mentoring Alex Matches Newsletter Editor Arlene Matches Roster & Handbook Tom Akam Safety Chairman Barry Hook Telephone Committee Joyce Christenson Unit Historian Alex Matches Webmaster Monty Sheldan Janet s photo of Tom & Brigitte Sooke s rare toy-hauler trailer WEBSITE INFORMATION: Because of the many updates and changes made to the website recently, you may not be able to access the 'members only' section with your old log-in procedure. For your Username, use your surname with first initial at end (case sensitive) e.g. MatchesA (see illustration at right) OR your address and your password.your old password may have been changed to your last name with capital letter and the 4 or 5 digits of your trailer number...e.g. Matches7403. Then you can go ahead and change your password as you see fit. PAGE 4

5 FOR SALE 2005 Ford Excursion This vehicle is in excellent condition and is a great vehicle for towing a trailer. The V10 gas engine provides plenty of power in all situations. It has an automatic transmission, 4WD, leather interior with removable third seat and all the bells and whistles found in a luxury vehicle. Battery was recently replaced. Tires have very few kilometres and mileage is 161,000 kilometres. Price $18, Call maryanneparker@shaw.ca Getting to Know You Rally Oliver, BC It was a great turnout for a laid back Rally in Oliver from May 9 to 11th. 17 Rigs pulled in to the Centennial Campground to cool spring weather, followed by some beautiful sunshine and ending with a morning shower. Members enjoyed the opportunity to reacquaint with old friends and tell a few lies, some not so convincing, but definitely humorous! Visits with Airstream Alumni members Gerry & Shirley Bell and Ron & Jan Povey was an added bonus. So glad we had Stu Biggan there to play a few tunes on the Ukulele and the Guitar for our second Happy Hour! It was the first camping experience of the year for a few of us, so it was great to be among friends to help each other remember how to work all the gadgets. The town of Oliver provided lots of brochures about the area and in addition to the campground, local shops, wineries, restaurants and a brewery were beneficiaries of the Airstream Rally. Evening entertainment at the Firehall Brewery featured craft beer and sodas along with Airstream DJs Dick and Brian spinning the vinyl at the record player. Kudos to the Gecko Grill the following night for serving varied and tasty meals to 24 hungry campers in record time. In the spirit of advocating for the retention of RV campgrounds, many of the campers added their voice to a local petition seeking to halt the redevelopment of the campground into a resort property. Strong support was expressed for a spring event in the Okanagan again next year and there is interest in seeking another community to explore. Stay tuned! Report submitted by Lynn Jackson, (co-host of the rally along with husband Brian and Sharon & Dick Moffat) Editor s note.see page 13 for copies of relative correspondence between BC Unit members and the Mayor of Osoyoos. PAGE 5

6 An entitled Bourque s Selling foot Classic Excella was received recently from Fred & Janet Bourque. The message reads: Would you please pass the word that we will be selling our beloved Airstream bought new Sept. 1997? I am working on the ad and Fred is detailing it this week. We have all maintenance records and had a new air conditioner and thermostat, new Fantastic Fan and roof coating done in Everything works. Twin Beds. Some clear coat has come off. No leaks. We are still researching a fair price. We could deliver. Very sad...it has been a major part of the great life we have had. We hope to sell it to an Airstream family. Janet and Fred Bourque (BC Unit Member 2296) They can be reached at in Coeur d Alene, Idaho or Janet at: brightstargrants2@yahoo.com I have many more photos and specifications for anyone interested Arlene PAGE 6

7 British Columbia Unit # Activity Schedule DATE/TIME EVENT HOST(S) (Almost) Check with... Every Tuesday Breakfast at Ricky s Tom Akam 9:00 am Ricky s Country Restaurant` King George Blvd. in South Surrey June 8-11 Anacortes Rally Gerry & Judy Greth Cap Santé Marina August Culinary Road Trip Caravan Doug & Debra McGill Southern Vancouver Island with (standby only available) Gene & Marilyn Van Iderstine Aug.26-Sept.2 Seal Bay Rally John & Jane Neilson Courtenay, BC September 2-6 Seafaring Adventure Rally Joyce Christenson Lund, BC September Annual Installation Rally Alex & Arlene Matches Claybanks RV Resort in Merritt, BC Vancouver Island Culinary Road Trip August 12 25, 2017 This casual and unrushed caravan will feature some of the island s most interesting culinary experiences. From foraging seaweed to strolling the beer mile, there is something for everyone. Special focus days include such things as Learn your name in Morse code day and Pi day celebrating all things circular. For any member on Vancouver Island during the time of the caravan, if you would like to join us for Happy Hour or just to visit be sure to contact us for more information. If you would like to go on our wait list to join the caravan, give us a call. We are: Doug and Deb McGill dddmc@shaw.ca Gene and Marilyn Van Iderstine saltayre@gmail.com PAGE 7

8 SEAL BAY RALLY Comox, BC August 26 September 2 Looking ahead to the summer, I wanted to update you on the planning for our Comox Rally at Seal Bay R.V. Park ( This event will follow the 2 week Culinary Caravan tour. We are looking into activities to build on the Culinary Theme to be provided in the group area of our reservation in and around Courtenay/Comox. We have currently 20 spaces reserved (G13 to G30) and a couple of spaces in the other Group ring see Map). We have 15 rigs indicating interest to date. Closer to the date I will forward a list of attendees to the management of Seal Bay RV and they will assign you a site at registration. A $50.00 deposit (cheque or e-transfer) is required to hold your space. This deposit (kitty fee) will be applied to tours & rally activities. John & Jane Neilson Tom Akam advises the new 2017 roster is now done and either being hand delivered or sent out. Everyone will get one copy free but, if you would like a 2nd copy at $2.00 please advise Tom at ASAP. Tom DOES keep a printable version of the roster up-to-date as well so, if you want a copy on your computer, ipad or phone, give him a call and he will that version to you. As well, Tom has been working on the new Members Hand Book which will have valuable information for all BC Unit members. Don t forget to carry old expired Blue Beret magazines with you when you travel. There are future members all over North American (and now Europe) who would love to enjoy the Wally Byam Airstream Club lifestyle. Many owners (new and old) don t know of the club and an old Blue Beret may be just the incentive to join us. PAGE 8

9 SEAFARERS RALLY ~ Lund By the Sea, Sunshine Coast September 2 to September 7, 2017 A lot of us are looking forward to an opportunity to spend some time near BC s famous Desolation Sound at the only RV park north of Powell River. The trip northward is adventuresome and interesting and extremely beautiful. This is the time to bring your kayaks, bicycles and walking shoes. Be prepared to spend some time by the water and perhaps on the water as we are planning to book a boating afternoon. Lund has a lot to offer. As in some previous rallies, activities will be suggested but not organized. Lund by the Sea RV Park was holding 15 full service sites for our group and all participants were to make their own reservations by May 15th and although sites may have now been released to the public, there is still an opportunity that one may be available so, if you want to attend phone and see if you can get in. There is a discount for making the booking yourself as opposed to going to booking.com as per the website. Call and quote booking # G Some members are arriving earlier and some will stay later. The official rally dates are Sept. 2 - and out on Sept. 7, (5 nights). I will be going up on Thursday, August 31 to get an early start. Sunday night will be our group dinner. Travel will involve ferries but they are short and sweet. I will do some research and supply ferry info. as the time gets closer. Once you have made reservation please let me know so that I can keep track of the numbers. Wow, this should be a great way to wind down the summer. I look forward to seeing y all. Joyce Christenson or joyce355@icloud.com Ahoy there all ye Seafarers People travel far and wide for an opportunity to see Desolation Sound in beautiful B.C. and spending many thousands of dollars in the process. It s fortunate for those of us who have decided to join the Rally in Lund early September that we will have the unique ability to experience Desolation Sound for a fraction of the cost, and in luxury. Beyond the Road Boat Adventures, a three minute walk from our campground, is offering a choice of lunch and dinner cruises to Desolation Sound or its area on a 37 ft. tri-cabin yacht, the Agate Pass. We will be introduced to one of the most popular cruising areas in the world, while enjoying specialties such as Lois Lake steelhead fillets and local spot prawns, or chicken all with fresh local organic produce. The first and most important item for those who are signed up for the Lund Rally is to book your cruise with a deposit as the spaces fill up and are being held for our group for a limited time. There are two possible cruise days, Monday September 4th which is a 5-hour lunch cruise which takes us into the heart of Desolation Sound for a total experience of discovering why this part of the world is so envied, or Tuesday September 5th for a dinner cruise of 3.5 hours surrounded by nature s beauty and enjoyed with family and friends. The cost of the lunch cruise is $ per person and the cost of the dinner cruise, being shorter, is $ Both cruises are well worth the price for this rare world class experience. Call Joanie at Beyond the Road Adventures to book your space with a deposit. Mention the Airstream Club. Phone Happy Boating! PAGE 9

10 Whidbey Island Tri-Unit Rally BC Unit Members and Affiliates attending were: Tom Akam Joyce Christianson John & Jean Fuller Dave & Debbie Hagen Barry Hook Jim Kolhoff and Sue John & Chris Millard John & Jane Neilson Carol Ortiz Wally & Judy Peper Moe Storoshenko Charli & Paul Westerfield Marilynn & David Sams (drive-ins) Sincere thanks to Chris Millard for these photos... PAGE 10

11 Fraser Valley Wine Tasting Rally BC Unit Members and Affiliates attending were: Tom Akam Joyce Christianson Gerry & Judy Greth Barry Hook Amir John & Maria Showrai with Keyvan & Atessa Tom & Brigitte Sooke Moe Storoshenko Castel & Jay Tuason Marilyn & Gene Van Iderstine Paul Wheeler & Janet Soucy (with daughter Amanda Mungal who, along with those listed below were all drive-ins just for the day) Mary Anne Parker Alex & Arlene Matches Lee & Jenn VanIderstine with Carter, Trent & Branson PAGE 11

12 GETTING TO KNOW YOU RALLY IN OLIVER All photos by Sharon Moffat PAGE 12

13 Ken & Debbie Kitura (members from Kelowna) recently attended the Oliver Getting to Know You Rally and learned the city of Oliver is contemplating closing down the Centennial RV Park (the only one within walking distance of many city-centre attractions). Shown below is the correspondence sent to the Mayor and his response to our club and, lastly, a comment from Lynn Jackson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On May 11, 2017, at 5:07 PM, Ken & Debbie Kitura <kdkitura@shaw.ca<mailto:kdkitura@shaw.ca>> wrote: Your Worship Ron Hovanes. Recently 17 units and members of the British Columbia and Washington State Airstream Club had the pleasure of staying at the Centennial RV Park in your fair city (May 8 thru 11). This kind of facility nicely treed, affordable, full service sites within close walking distance to amenities downtown, is the ideal type of property that RV ers like us very much appreciate. Our members came from many different areas of the province (Parksville, Vancouver, Vernon, Keremeos, Princeton, Surrey), plus from Anacortes Washington because this site was highly recommended. British Columbia touts itself as a great destination for tourism and with the increased numbers of visitors with motor homes, campers and trailers coming here we need more RV Sites not less. The majority of our members spent money at food stores, restaurants and wineries in Oliver s immediate area. We, as an interested group, would ask that you reconsider dismantling Centennial RV Park for the sake of campers like us who are happy to spend time and tourist dollars in Oliver. Thank you for your kind consideration. Ken and Debbie Kitura (Airstream Unit 7787) on behalf of McQuarrie (Unit 3713), Wills (Unit 16015), Jeffrey (Unit 14970), Greth (Unit 3927), Hook (unit 4442), Akam (Unit 13381), Moffat (Unit 2331), Gamache (Unit 3239), Tuason (Unit 3317), Goddard (Unit 11306), Jackson (Unit 3491), Mangel (Unit 26275), VanIderstine (Unit 29815), Biggan (Unit 5711), Vanderheide (Unit 7526) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Ken and Debbie, I am glad that you and your friends had a good visit to Oliver. I truly believe that we have a lot to offer both locals and visitors. We have some tourist accommodation. We have a number of smaller motels, some great B and B's, five other RV parks in and around Oliver but not one full service hotel. The public process that we are in now is to determine if there is a higher and better use for this publicly-owned piece of valuable land. The commercial use that is in place today is recognized as having value to those that use it but is it the best use for all the residents of our community. We are currently engaging with our community and be assured that your comments will be included in the process. Again, I am glad to hear of your good experience and please come again. Yours truly, Ron Hovanes And, Lynn Jackson, co-host of the rally replied... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thanks for spearheading this advocacy initiative Ken and Debbie. It is so important for our club to enjoy camping experiences throughout the Region. Voicing our support for the retention of good quality sites that are conveniently located may, hopefully, give decision makers pause to consider what they could lose by moving ahead with their re-development plan. I am taking the liberty of copying this message to our Unit President and to our Newsletter Editor. Regards, Lynn PS. Yes, there are 5 other RV Parks in the Oliver area but all are away from the downtown core, none are on the Hike Bike Trail and so campers generally must drive to shops, restaurants, pubs and wineries. Really not at all the same experience just saying!! PAGE 13

14 AN AIRSTREAM TRAILER Dan & Carolyn Stewart (a really nice couple from Abbotsford) are still dreaming of and searching for a later model Airstream trailer with queen bed layout. It seems they just hear about one for sale and it is snapped up all too quickly. Maybe we can assist them in their search? They can be reached at dancarolynstewart@gmail.com or phone them on their cell at Here are cards for technicians that are proven to be reliable (and who bring their garage to you!!)!!...smile!! President, Paul Wheeler, requests new and affiliate members to please forward their info (photo and bio) for inclusion on the BC Unit website. We also encourage our regular and affiliate members who haven t done so to add a picture and update their biographies as well. There is a printable roster available from the website. Please contact our Web Master, Monty Sheldan or Arlene Matches with regard to accessing the website (if you haven t already done so). The address for Monty is: msheldan@mac.com and for Arlene use: matches7403@gmail.com. Tom Akam also has a printable and up-to-date version of our Mini Roster in Word format which he will upon request. Tom s address is: lighthouse13381@shaw.ca PAGE 14