WISHING YOU A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON

www.fmcowne rs. com WISHING YOU A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON December 2010 Volume 10, Issue 4 Letter From the President Winter has found Colorado and the FMC sits waiting for Spring. Thoughts of warm summer days at the lake or out on the road are going to have to get us by until spring. With kids in school, we won't be sneaking off to warmer climates for the winter. It is, however, time to start thinking about next years rallies. We seem to be getting more coaches attending the rallies lately. New members have joined and some members have moved on to other coaches. We need to bring some new ideas to the table from the club members about where and when to hold a rally. Some are already being set up. I would like to see more input from the members. Contact myself or any Officer with your ideas for locations and time. How's the coach? Any recent trips, Technical Tips, etc.? Let's use the Web Site and Newsletter to be a more connected FMC Motorcoach Owners Club. Take care of the Coach and get some use out of it. The best part of owning one is using it!! Bill Sitton President FMC Motorcoach Owners Club Happy Belated Birthday Bill!! Inside this issue: Picture Gallery 2 West Coast Rally Highlights Anniversary Rally 3 4 Upcoming Events 5 New International Owner and Member Membership Renewal Form Special points of interest: 6 7 Newsletter Recognition In February of this year, the FMC Owners Club was asked to submit 2 newsletters from 2009. The International Chapters group had a competition, among the members, for recognition of the best newsletter. In October 2010, Bill Sitton and the FMC Motorcoach Owners Club, was informed of a 2 nd place award in the Large Chapter area. Thanks to all of you who have submitted information and tips. Without you, this award would not have been possible. 1st place next time!! Please submit any pictures, ideas, technical tips and other info to the newsletter editor. Web Site Update FMCA News 2011 Rally dates FMC Items available

PICTURE GALLERY FMC under the skin Do you have one of these?? There has got to be an easier way!! Felton 2006 G.L.A.S.S. 2008 Quiet in Minden 2010 Rhinelander 2009 2

West Coast Rally Highlights-submitted by Stephen Heinrichs The West Coast Rally-held in Buellton CA- was a great success and fun for all!we had 8 FMC coaches, one SOB and one owner attendee for a total of 10 coaches represented. The SOB owner is considering converting to an FMC! First to arrive was #621, Ron and Louise Herbert, arriving on Wednesday. On Friday - the official start of the rally had Jim Woestman in #617 from Carthage,MO and Harry and Sandy Day, #400 from Oregon, with the rest from California. Home towns ranged from San Clemente (south) to Los Molinos (north). We had new coach owners and club members, Gerry and Jim O'Connor #386 of Los Molinos attending their first FMC rally, who got their coach about 8 weeks. The other new attendee was Michael Firman of Oakley CA. His coach, #270 was up north at home, but he was in the area for work and slipped away long enough on Saturday for a visit. On Saturday, members Frank "Paco" and Mary Lou Ruiz #59 arranged for the group to visit the nearby Fess Parker winery. The group didn't waste time doing a tour but enjoyed sitting in the outdoor tasting area enjoying the many bottles of wine that were brought to taste/drink. Paco had an inside connection as his nephew works for the winery. This helped the group get first class treatment. Thank you Paco!! Back at the Rally site, a few members kept the mechanical discussions going. In the morning, the repair work on 1046's broken stove vent had been started with that continuing into Sunday. Later the children enjoyed the pool and other games The Miller's had gotten an upgraded site with a larger "patio" area and the entire group was able to gather there for discussion, eating, visiting, eating, visiting and eating. Food was shared on Friday night and then on Saturday we had a very extensive potluck dinner organized by Louise Herbert with contributions by the rest of the group. It became a diverse and tasty menu! We had the unique opportunity to have three FMC Fire Boxes available so, liking a good campfire, we got all three of them going at once! It was impressive and didn't bubble the paint on Greg Miller coach. The pictures when posted will tell the story! Sunday saw the group starting to leave in various directions for home. Jim W. had arranged for Eric Whedon to work on his auto AC after the rally so four coaches headed north as a caravan- the Millers #708, Woestman #617, Whedon #587, and Heinrichs #1046. At Prunedale, the Millers peeled off and headed home to Boulder Creek and the others continued on to Gilroy. The Day's joined the group at Gilroy the next evening for the two day work day that followed. We had a great time visiting, eating and renewing old friendships and making new ones. Be sure to attend any rallies in your part of the country. You will have as fun and informative of a time as we did here out West. See you at the next rally! Stephen Heinrichs 3

10 th Anniversary FMC Mini Rally Five FMC Motor Coach Owner s celebrated the FMC Motor Coach Owner s Club 10 th Anniversary with a Mini Rally in Branson, MO. On October 8, 9, & 10. Ken & Lynn Clugston, #268 (in their SOB); Jim Woestman, #617; and new members John & Suzi Middaugh, #717 from Jefferson City, MO celebrated at Treasure Lake Resort where John & Suzi are members. The weather was great. We had the usual camp fire one night, sat and visited, and spent some time at the new Branson Landing, had dinner and did some shopping. Of course we celebrated with cake and even shared cake with a couple who stopped to visit. John & Suzi gave us the grand tour of their FMC, which is decorated like a Seventies Hippie den. Lots of color and personality. We had a great time. Lynn Clugston, Suzi and Johm Middaugh, Ken Clugston and Jim Woestman celebrate the 10 th Anniversary of the FMC Owners Club by reviewing a map with the location of the members noted. Web Site Update-submitted by Stephen Heinrichs While we announced the intended date for the beginning of the transition to the new club website, the volunteers that are actually doing the work have had some other things happening that have delayed the shift. It is still in process and will be an outstanding site when completed. The site developers both feel that it is best to take our time and build it with the features and subprograms that will make for a great site for the long term. FMCA News FMCA, our parent organization, has had to adjust to the economic changes of the last several years just as has everyone else. As RV sales and use declined in the last few years, so did advertising revenue for the magazine (a major funding source), regional rally attendance (primarily by vendors) and the overall membership. As a consequence the magazine has been reduced in pages and the entire organization s staff has been reduced very significantly. Additionally, in the coming years most of the large regional rallies will be eliminated where there wasn t a site lease commitment as of this past year. With all of the changes in the organization and the economy, the membership has grown in the last few months and the budget is balanced and the balance sheet is good. All of this means that FMCA will remain a strong organization that provides many seen and unseen benefits to motor home owners including all of our members. Most of this has been done by the uncompensated board of directors as the former paid manager resigned a little over a year ago. Currently a search is in process for a new manager. Additionally, the President of the board just recently resigned that position for health reasons. He will remain on the board. Just as our coaches get refreshed, refocused and continue on, that is the case for FMCA. Submitted by Stephen Heinrichs, National Director, e.g. Chapter representative to FMCA. 4

Secretary/Treasurer-Lynn Clugston $$$ Treasurer s Notes Very Important!!!! It is the end of the year and time to get the new year started and for me that means DUES!!! Renewal is only $10.00 for 2011. I would also ask that you make sure your FMCA dues are current. I ask this because as end of the year FMCA paperwork is due, there are several members who have lapsed in their FMCA dues and are being removed from our listing. Per FMCA and FMC bylaws, you must be a member of both organizations. At the end of December I will have to remove anyone who is not paid up for 2010 with both organizations. Go to Page 7 of this Newsletter for the renewal form and membership application. Please remember to update any contact information. Upcoming Rallies G.L.A.S.S.-Memorial Weekend Thursday, May 26, 2011 Berrien Springs Youth Fairgrounds-Southwestern Michigan. Information and registration forms in the FMCA Magazine or at www.glassrally.org. Events include motor home displays,vendors from around the country, seminars, ice cream social, craft classes, good meals (if you don't feel like cooking), nightly entertainment, shuttle services, 30 amp service, water and a pumping service, Memorial parade and service and much more. Largest event of it's kind (with the exception of the National FMCA). Come help us give the GMCers a run for the money as we out numbered them last year!! Register early (before May 3rd) and save money------ Looking forward to seeing you--- Barney Martin Midwest VP FMC Owners Club pairadice4u@hotmail.com FMC Motor Coach Owners Club June 13-17, 2011 Rally and Caravan Historic Blue Ridge Parkway A mid June Blue Ridge Parkway Rally and Caravan is in the planning stages. We would meet in Waynesboro Virginia (Milepost 0) and head South. Folks could join or depart anywhere along the route. At 35-50 miles and hour and frequent sightseeing/tourist attraction stops, just how much of the 469 miles of Parkway we will be able to cover is yet to be determined. The Parkway often has fog in the mornings until the sun is up, so mid morning starts and mid/late afternoon stops for the first come first served campgrounds. There will be some dry camping. The Parkway s nine campgrounds were built years ago and do not offer hookups, but most have at least some sites that will accommodate sizeable recreational vehicles and all offer restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables and grills. We are also looking at private campgrounds near the Parkway. www.blueridgeparkway.org/ Folks from the North may want to come via Skyline Drive to the Parkway. http://www.blueridgeskyline.com/ Contact Denny-Southeast VP- at denshew@mindspring.com or 678.525.9892 if you would like to help organize or are considering attending. 5

FMC Motorcoach Owners Club Officers President Bill Sitton Bayfield Colorado bsitton@westernet.net Secretary/Treasurer Lynn Clugston--Rolla Missouri clugston@fidnet.com National Director Stephen Heinrichs Dixon California stephen@heinrichs.com Alternate National Director Gene Albers Oconto Falls Wisconsin hausalbers@ez-net.com Vice Presidents- Southeast Denny Shewmake Canton Georgia denshew@mindspring.com Midwest Barney Martin Kingsley Michigan pairadice4u@hotmail.com West Coast Greg Miller Boulder Creek California gregmiller@pobox.com International Frank Borrmann Blue Vale Ontario Canada -frank@borrmannsgarage.com Newsletter Editor Connie Kubiak Kingsley Michigan pairadice4u@hotmail.com Wed Master Jim Evans Colorado Springs Colorado jim.evans@yahoo.com Contact any Officer via the FMC Owners Web Site at www.fmcowners.com. Miscellaneous Potpourri The FMC firebox was such a hit at Minden and the West Coast Rally that Stephen Heinrichs is offering the box, with your Coach Number, to each owner at a reason-able cost. These are sold at cost and you pay the shipping. Contact Stephen Heinrichs at Stephen@Heinrichs.com or 916-425-7996 for more information and pricing. 3 New Fireboxes get tried out. New Owner in Australia There is a new old FMC down under in Australia. Lucky Mr. Keith Wilson, purchased number 1042, and was having it shipped to Carine Australia just before the Minden rally. Keith is also a new Club member and has provided some pictures of the coaches travels. FMC Owners are truly International!! Look for more of Keith's pics in the next newsletter. Waiting on the Dock--- 6

FMC MOTOR COACH OWNERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL APPLICATION Membership held EXCLUSIVE to FMC Motor Coach Owner s (You must also be an active member of the FMCA) Date: Membership: New Renewal FMC Motor Coach No. FMCA Membership No. Name on Badge #1: Name on Badge #2: Number of Children, Names and Age: (Do you want name badges for the children? YES NO If Yes, charge is an extra $7.25 for each.) Mailing Address: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Email Address(es): (To save on postage, most Correspondence & Newsletters will be sent via email.) New Memberships/Initiation fees are $25.00. This includes first years dues & two name badges. Chapter dues are $10.00 per year, payable January 2 nd of each year. Checks should be made payable to FMC Motor Coach Owners Club. Applications for FMCA are available thru Lynn or at FMCA.com MAIL TO: OFFICE USE: Lynn Clugston, Secretary/Treasurer Amt. Received FMC Motor Coach Owners Club Date 900 Halifax Drive Check # Rolla MO 65401 Badges Ordered 7

Connie Kubiak Newsletter Editor 9239 Vans Lane Kingsley MI 49649 newsletter@fmcowners.com www.fmcowners.com FMC Owners Club Our objectives are to develop camaraderie, pride in owning a unique and wonderful coach, sharing knowledge in an open exchange of technical information on maintaining, upgrading parts and service. We need to be passionate about owning, driving and working on our FMC Motor Coach. A high priority is to keep fun in FMC Motor Coach ownership. We are a fun-loving, family-oriented group and will produce and promote events that will include the entire family. This document is the property of the FMC Owners Club. The reproduction of this document, without written permission, is prohibited.