ALPINE COACH ASSOCIATION A View from the Summit 4th Quarter 2017
Table of Contents Alpine Coach Association 7- ACA Information Board Members...2 Alpine Clubs...2 Board Member Articles President...3 1 st Vice President...4 Treasurer...5 Secretary.....6 Membership... 7-8 National FMCA Director... 9-10 Rally Calendar...11 Rally Registration Forms and more... 12-18 A Little of This and That...19 Coaches for Sale.. 22 1 1
ACA Information Alpine Coach Association President Dean Sandmire jhsdds@earthlink.net At home at: 210-651-9333 Dean s cell: 210-410-8938 Jan s cell: 210-410-8212 1 st Vice President Tom Polk 530-515-8661 tomgorving@gmail.com Secretary Lorraine Foster Treasurer Debbie Bragg 817-994-3998 dbragg@swbell.net Membership Steve Maurmann 210-563-5431 smaurman@hotmail.com National FMCA Director Tris Swan 714-357-0505 swansnest2@verizon.net Alternate FMCA Director George Weiss Webmaster Linda Cain 360-961-1330 linda@druid.net Alpine Clubs ACE East Coast Ken Walker 864-376-2448 Kwalker1993@gmail.com NorCal Northern California Northern Nevada Jerry Fichera 209-742-4332 jfichera@live.com Fulltimers Maureen Dahl 425-466-1445 wandern.two@verizon.net NoWACA Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana Terry McGuire 509-952-7880 terry_4444@hotmail.com SoCal Southern California Southern Nevada David Hobden 719-231-7609 davidhobden@mac.com Newsletter Editor Marla Walker 864-376-4115 Marla.Walker1993@gmail.com 2 2
Alpine Coach Association President s Message January 2018 3
Alpine Coach Association 1 st Vice President Tom Polk January 2018 Greeting from Northern California, We want you, we need you to help make the Desert Rat Rally a big success. If you have not sent in your registration, do not snail-mail it to us. We are on the road to Quartzsite, AZ. Please email your registration to Gayle Picha gpicha@hotmail.com and bring your check to Quartzsite. Remember to email by January 10 th the deadline to register for the Desert Rat Rally, January 17-23, 2018. Come play with us, have you ever raced rocks? Bring quarters to use for Rock Racing. Have you ever been to the Desert Bar outside of Parker, AZ. We will be going on Saturday or Sunday by on road vehicle or off-road vehicle. Also for the off-road group there will be a guided tour on Monday. Of course, we will have a Gearhead Session. The Big Tent will be open with Free Admission to the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show. Most morning we have donuts & other breakfast goodies to get your day started. 4 out of 6 evenings there will be a catered meal. Look for the Flyer, Registration Form & Agenda in this Newsletter. Don t miss the fun & meet us in Quartzsite on January 17 th. 4
Alpine Coach Association Treasurer Debbie Bragg 5
Alpine Coach Association Secretary Lorraine Foster Hello ACA! I would like to introduce myself, Lorraine Foster. I have volunteered to be your Secretary to give Willy Egg a very well deserved break. I hope I can do the job, but let me tell you, filling her shoes is a bit daunting. I think it is the love of our Alpine and the friends we ve met that spurred me on to join the ACA Board. My goals are to be available to you, attend as many ACA events as possible and be the go-between for ACA and FMCA for secretarial duties. My main duty is to assist Steve that the membership information is current and correctly reported to FMCA. This information is required for ACA to be certified each year. Also to correctly report the minutes of each meeting to you. Here s a little bit about my husband John and myself. We have a 34 coach that we spend 4 to 5 months a year in traveling to wherever it takes us. After retirement we moved to a condo in 2014 to live on the Colorado River in Bullhead City, AZ for winters and take off May September travelling to cooler climes. The first summer we were in Oregon and found out about an FMCA rally in Redmond with an ACA pre-rally outside Portland. That hooked us and we were thrilled to be a part of ACA. Since then we ve pretty much covered the western states and are looking to go farther east this year. This past fall was a real treat being a part of the ACA Heritage Rally through Texas. Having never travelled in Texas it was all we hoped it could be. It also helped us visit 5 different National Parks this year. Without our coach we wouldn t be able to just hop in and see where it will take us next. I hope to see as many of you as possible in January at Quartzsite. I know from last year there are a couple of hands of Hand & Foot left to be played, some jeep riding to do and possibly golfing too. Ladies, bring your crafts and we could get together and share more ideas. That was wonderful in New Braunsfels. For the guys I am sure there is a coach or two that could use multiple feet sticking out from under it. By the way, we are part of your Wagonmaster team for Quartzsite a year from now, so let s show some positive attendance! Thank you and I look forward to being a part of ACA, Lorraine Foster Secretary 6
Alpine Coach Association Membership Director Steve Maurmann 7
Alpine Coach Association Welcome new members! 8
Alpine Coach Association Subject: Tris Swan - FMCA Report for Summit Newsletter (I cant send from my Word so have to copy & paste it here!!) Now that 2017 is winding down, it is time to start planning your next travels as well as checking into your FMCA BENEFITS for 2018. I have highlighted some of the best new benefits, but you can find more info if you go to the FMCA website to check out all the great BENEFITS that have been negotiated on your behalf! Office Depot and Staples honor FMCA membership. Continental and Michelin offer programs to purchase tires. FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program - can be kept after you stop traveling as long as you keep your FMCA Membership. VERIZON UNLIMITED MOBILE HOTSPOT Benefit https://www.fmca.com/benefits/verizon.html - Link to use to order the VERIZON HOTSPOT! Now it's easier than ever to share the fun & stay connected with reliable internet on the go. Please note: If you are an existing Verizon customer this $49.99 per month unlimited plan with jetpack offer is in addition to your current service with Verizon. This is a standalone offer for unlimited 4G LTE internet service. Connect-on-the-Go with FMCA and Verizon! By special arrangement, FMCA and Verizon have negotiated this incredible deal exclusively for FMCA members. Your 2-year Mobile Hotspot contract with Verizon includes: Fast & Reliable 4G LTE Service the Jetpack has 50% faster peak speeds in more than 450 cities nationwide Unlimited Monthly Service you will never see any overage charges for domestic usage
Free Shipping 2-day overnight shipping at no additional charge Mobility About the size of a deck of cards, the Jetpack is compact and lightweight. It easily fits in a pocket or bag Long Lasting Connectivity Its lithium-ion battery gives you up to 24 hours of use and is easily recharged with the supplied wall adapter or USB charger. Use the Jetpack at home... While you travel... Anywhere you need fast, reliable internet access. Get mobile hotspot for only $.01 with 2-year agreement when you sign up for $49.99/month Mobile Broadband Plan (plus taxes & fees), & get unlimited data.* The BEST part! Verizon will guarantee that low price for the next 2 years as long as you remain an FMCA member in good standing. FMCA ROADSIDE RESCUE - BENEFIT Get unlimited roadside assistance for just $69/year Towing Jump-starts Tire change/ mobile tire service Lockout Vehicle fluid delivery Winch out RV mobile mechanic Dealer locator assistance Concierge services SIGN UP TODAY AT https://fmca.vehicleadminservices.com/ FMCA leadership is moving along on the process of accepting all RVers into FMCA membership. Be sure to plan on attending the Perry GA March Convention and the Gillette WY July Convention. Carolyn and I will be at both of these gatherings as Volunteers and look forward to seeing you there! Tris Swan, FMCA National Director 10
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Desert Rat 2018 January 17-23, 2018 Quartzsite, AZ Mark your calendar now and don t miss out on one of ACA s biggest rallies of the year! We ll have our usual big tent along with catered meals nearly every night, music and dancing, gear-head session with catered lunch, games of chance/skill [w/prizes], margarita night, campfires, opportunities to go jeeping and golfing, a trip to the Desert Bar, along with plenty of time to connect with old friends and make new ones. Plus, there is lots to do in the Quartzsite area while we re there: - The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show with over 20 acres of vendors runs. - Quartzsite Market Place Street Fair. - Tyson Wells Market Center Swap Meet. - Desert Gardens - Gem & Mineral. - QIA Pow Wow - Gems, minerals & jewelry. - Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama, 23 acres of rocks, gems and flea markets - Plus, opportunities for RV window and topper replacement, Hydra Hot maintenance, tow bar renovation, engine analysis, etc.) - Registration material will be available shortly, but mark your calendar nowrally hosts, Steve & Gayle Picha and Tom and Nancy Polk are working the details - 12
ACA DESERT RAT RALLY Quartzsite, Arizona January 17-23 2018 Return by January 10, 2018 No refunds for cancellations after January 10, 2018 ACA # FMCA # Attendee(s): Last Name First Name First rally? Y N Last Name First Name Street Address City State Zip Cell phone # Email address Cell phone # Email address # Golfers ********************************************************************************************* RALLY FEE: TOTAL $199.00 - ACA Members (1 or 2 people in coach) $249.00 - Non-ACA Members (1 or 2 people in coach) Payment for non-members must be paid by an ACA Member. $ PLEASE MAIL COMPLETED FORM, along with a check payable to ACA Rallies to: Gayle Picha 691 Bunkhouse Ct. Fernley, NV 89408 (You may email the registration to reserve a space, but money must be received within 10 days) If you have questions, you can reach us as follows: Steve Picha (barkley335@hotmail.com) Cell: 925-339-3933 13
Gayle Picha (gpicha56@hotmail.com) Cell: 925-447-7220 Tom Polk Cell: 530-515-8661 DESERT RAT RALLY AGENDA WED, JAN 17 JANUARY 17-23, 2018 9 AM 5 PM Pick Up your Welcome Bag on East side of Tent All Day Settle In & get to know your neighbors 2:30 PM ACA Board Meeting 4:30 PM Welcome/Happy Hour BYOB In Tent 5:00 PM Light Sandwich Supper--BYOB Announcements for events THUR, JAN 18 8:00 AM Donuts, yogurt & fruit in the tent--byoc- 8:00 AM Golfers meet in front of tent to carpool (see Dean Sandmire) 4:00 PM ACA Membership Meeting-- 5:00 PM Pizza Studio & Salad--BYOB--plates, utensils & napkins provided-- FRI, JAN 19 8:00 AM Donuts, yogurt & fruit in the tent--byoc 9:00 AM ACA Gearhead Meeting & Service sign up in Tent 12:00 PM Redlands Gearhead Meeting in Redlands Service Center with lunch afterwards 5:00 PM Dinner on your own or Redlands BBQ in Service Center if you attended their gearhead session (SW corner of Sports & RV Show grounds) SAT, JAN 20 http://www.quartzsitervshow.com/rv/rv-general-info/ (Jan 20-28, 9am-5pm) 8:00 AM Donuts, yogurt & fruit in the tent--byoc 9:30 AM On Your Own to Visit the Desert Bar by road or by off-road--byov 5:30 PM Catered dinner by Sonora Restaurant--plates, utensils, napkins provided--byob- 6:00 PM Live Music by Art Machaud 14
SUN, JAN 21 8:00 AM Donuts, yogurt & fruit in the tent--byoc 9:00 AM Devotional in the Tent (Led by Tom Benedum) 10:00 AM Swap Meet in the Tent--crafts, book exchange, etc. 12:00 AM Coach Open House (1 hour) 3:00 PM Meet at Tent for ROCK RACING! (Bring plenty of quarters) 5:00 PM Catered Rudy's BBQ & Game Awards--Can only win once & on first draw MON, JAN 22 8:00 AM Donuts, yogurt & fruit in the tent--byoc 10:30 AM Depart for guides 4-wheel off road trip BYOV (Led by Greg Vaughn) 5:00 PM Bring your favorite appetizer to share and BYOB 6:30 PM Dinner on your own TUE, JAN 23 Farewells Travel Safe, Steve & Gayle, Tom & Nancy Hope you had a good time BYO = BRING YOUR OWN; B=BEVERAGE; C=COFFEE; V=VEHICLE 15
Pre-rally to Perry March 10-14, 2018 Need reservations for pre-rally by February 15, 2018. Make own campsite reservations. 16
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Thank you, Tom! 19
52 Coaches present at New Braunfels. 20
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Duane and Colette Fuller 406-370-3119 i amduane 22
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