NORTHEAST PACERS FMCA Editor: Harvey Noel Chief Photographer: Steve Devan May/June 2014 President s Message The rally season got off to a great start with an Italian theme weekend hosted by an Irishman! We had a great time at Moose River Campground and a good annual meeting. And Harvey and Donna drove up for the day before they left for their great adventure. Thanks goes to Milt and Annette for a great rally, great food and for keeping the rain at bay during daylight hours. I saw pictures of the June rally. Looked like a lot of fun, particularly the "Bat House Brigade". Good going Charlie and Cheryle! One of the important points that John brought up at the annual meeting was that campgrounds are not just asking for deposits, but want the whole amount paid up front. So, it is really important that you look at your schedule and plan in advance, to let John and the hosts know the rallies you will be attending. Since Carol and I have some house renovating things to do this summer we won't see any of you till the fall. We'll be thinking of you. So, have a great rally season. Greg Pacers at the May rally at Moose River campground Notes from the Editor!! Our website is: WWW.Nepacers.Org ******************************* Please see Page 6 for our 2014 Rally List!!!!!!! AND Page 7 for our rally guidelines both for hosts and attendees. The 2014 Rally sign-up sheet is on Page 8. ************************** ************************** Thanks to Annette and Milt Baisley for hosting a wonderful rally in May at Moose River campground in Vermont and Cheryle and Charlie Lawrence for hosting a bat tastic rally in June at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire!!!!!!! Great rallies!!! ************************** ************************** If you have any changes to the Pacer Roster please notify Steve Devan at: SDevan@SDevan.Com Also From the Editor Any articles, tips, info, please e-mail to me, at: Hjnoel@yahoo.com What is your favorite place to camp??? Tell us about it and I will include it in our next newsletter! Marcella & Rick Pasetto and Donna & Harvey Noel have shared their favorite place to camp, what about yours? Thanks, Harv NEWSLETTER Please send all newsletter info electronically to: hjnoel@yahoo.com NEXT DEADLINE IS August 20, 2014! See Page 3 for listing of current and newly elected Northeast Pacer officers Page 1
Spring General Meeting Moose River Campground, St. Johnsbury, VT May 17, 2014 This meeting came to order at 9:15am and there were 16 members present. The Secretary s Report of the General Spring Meeting of 2013 was published in the March, 2014, newsletter. Moved by Irma Devan as printed, passed unanimously. The Treasure s report was published in the March, 2014, newsletter. Moved to accept as printed by Donna Noel, passed unanimously. The Membership Committee reports the chapter membership is up, to include 25 rigs. Election of Officers: Nominations for candidates for the positions were opened and closed when no additional candidates were named. Greg Duff moved to accept the existing slate and have the secretary cast the lone ballot. The slate remains the same for officers elected in even years for two more terms. John McCormack, the Wagonmaster, reports that campgrounds are modifying their deposit rules and in many cases a deposit is required at the time of reservation, and in other cases they are requiring full payment. Discussion included requiring the payment of two rallies ahead to accommodate campgrounds. This will result in changes to the registration forms. Additionally, hospitality fees were discussed as a way of insuring the rally host is able to meet obligations with the money taken in for the specific rally to prevent overages and any additional draw on the treasury. The Wagonmaster reports many improvements are in effect for the Northeast Region, including a new president and the hopes for reinvigoration remains high. The membership of the NE Pacers will work the merchandise booth. He requests the membership make every effort to attend to show support for the region. New Business: The Northeast Pacers have received a check from the FMCA honoring the 25 th Anniversary of the chapter, along with an official FMCA certificate. It has been determined the money shall go toward the 25 th Anniversary celebration rally in Hershey, PA. Motion made to adjourn at 10am by Richard Corzatt, passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted; Stephen J. Devan #F416731 Secretary Northeast Pacers Page 2
Pacer Sunshine Corner Including Joys and Concerns **************************************************************************************** Laurie Widmark corrected my choice of words in our last newsletter and has asked that the following be included in this newsletter. The exact heart issue was called: vaso spasm, It s uncommon and I m a-typical. (LOL!). The baby aspirin I ve taken over the past decade may have been my saving grace, Cardiologist said. No heart damage, stents, or blockages. All good. Laurie is feeling fine and enjoying summer. Harvey had his new battery and pacemaker implanted and he is doing well! Life is good!!! Please, if you know of anyone or anything that should be shared with our Pacer family, please email me at HJNOEL@YAHOO.COM. **************************************************************************************** Current Pacer Officers ELECTED OFFICERS President Greg Duff Elected starting Jan 2014 Vice President Charlie Lawrence Elected starting Jan 2015 Wagon Master, 2 nd VP John McCormack Elected starting Jan 2015 Newsletter Editor, 3 rd VP Harvey Noel Elected starting Jan 2014 Secretary Steve Devan Elected starting Jan 2015 Treasurer Peter Widmark Elected starting Jan 2014 National Director Bob Hallal Elected starting Jan 2014 Alt. National Director Harvey Noel Elected starting Jan 2015 Reminder that officers are elected at our annual meeting. That usually occurs in May of each year with half of the officers elected with new terms beginning the following January for a 2-year period. The offices of Vice President, Wagon Master, Secretary and Alternate National Director were elected at our May general meeting. Dues form for 2014 MAKE DUES CHECK ($15) PAYABLE TO: NORTHEAST PACERS SEND TO: Peter Widmark PO Box 426 Dover, NH 03821-0426 NAMES: ADDRESS: FMCA# CITY: STATE ZIP HOME PHONE# CELL# E-MAIL ADDRESS MOTOR COACH LENGTH Page 3
Pictures from our May rally hosted by Annette and Milt Baisley held at Moose River Campground in Vermont Page 4
The following was submitted by Cheryle & Charlie Lawrence following their June rally at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. Thanks for a great rally!!!! The June Rally was at Newfound RV Park in Bridgewater, NH. There were 9 coaches with 18 Pacers more than ready for a good time. We kicked off Friday night with dinner at The Homestead Restaurant in Bristol, NH, where we had great food in our own private room. We kicked off Saturday morning with Omelettes-In-A-Bag and yummy homemade pastries. Followed by a couples project - each building a Bat House to take home and mount. Later the Gals spent some time sharing projects with show and tell. This included Marcella making decorative bows from wrapping paper. The results were beautiful and the craft had been passed down by Marcella's Mom. Cheryle showed a quilt, she and her granddaughter made from fabrics and pictures from their National Parks tour. The Guys spent some storytelling time talking road experiences. Then it was time on our own to explore the area or just hang around and relax at the campground until Happy Hour. Dinner included an International Dishes and Wine Pairings, with a big pot of soup and crusty breads.. As per our Pacer usual, we had tons of food!!! Paul and Betsy Laurent were great campground hosts, anticipating and honoring our every request. They even had our campfire going when we came back from dinner Friday evening! We welcomed new members Valerie and Ken from Berlin, Ma; and Robert and Pat from Uxbridge, MA. Beautiful weather and lots of fun around the campfires rounded out a great weekend. Page 5
Northeast Pacers Rally Schedule 2014 DATE: Location: Host May 16/18 Moose River CG. Baisley St. Johnsbury, VT June 6/8 New Found Lake Lawrence Bridgewater, NH July 16/17 Lone Pine CG. (Pre-NEAR) Widmark Colchester, VT July 18/21 FMCA NEAR RALLY August 7/11 Hershey, PA Anniversary McCormack August 11/31 Michigan Trip McCormack Sept. 19/21 Sunset View Farm CG. McCormack Monson, Mass. Oct. 10/13 Gunstock Mt. Resort Heath Laconia, NH Page 6
PACER Rally Reservation Process Guidelines for 2014 The following Reservation Process guidelines are meant to better establish both host and attendee s expectations for our monthly rallies in 2014. Rally Host Guidelines Find a campground that can accommodate 8 to 12 coaches. Be aware of obstacles in the campground that may impede entry or egress. Try to find adequate services for all campsites. b. Negotiate a rate of stay per night with the campground. c. Confirm a deposit cost for the CG and request a check from the Treasurer of NEP. (Keep in touch with the Wagonmaster, keep him informed of your progress) d. Establish a site with the CG owners for a location of the 20 by 30 tent. Try to negotiate a FREE spot for the tent. (Tent, sometimes can be set up between two coaches) e. Create an itinerary of activities for the weekend, i.e. pot luck dinner, reservations for an area restaurant, local activities in the town, games under the tent, etc. Be creative. f. Work with your NEP Wagonmaster. The Wagonmaster has the total number of attendees for each rally. He will supply you with a list that includes all pertinent info about attendees for your rally. The list includes names, addresses, contact numbers, coach length, etc. g. Before your rally starts, the campground should be paid in FULL. The final payment should be requested at least two weeks before the rally begins. The request should be made to the Wagonmaster so that all final details can be gone over by both parties. h. The Rally host should include as part of the rally expense a $10.00 additional fee (Per Coach) to cover coffee and other breakfast foods for the morning coffee. i. If the Rally Host schedules an activity that includes an expense, they can either add that cost to the Rally fee, or ask the member to pay at the time of activity. The Goal of the Rally is to be self-sustaining and not to create an expense from the general fund. j. Upon completion of the Rally, it is the responsibility of the Rally Host to complete the Rally Report Form. This form will be given to the Host by the Wagonmaster. The form provides information that identifies all costs related to the Rally. The Host will be reimbursed for their expenses upon submission of the Rally Form to the Treasurer. k. If an unscheduled member wishes to attend a Rally that he/she has not previously signed up for, he/she must notify the Rally Host. It is completely up to the Host to decide if there is room at his/her rally for that member to attend. The unscheduled member must pay the Campground expense directly to the CG for his/her nights stay and submit a separate check for the Coffee fund fee at the time of arrival. l. If any member wishes to come to a Rally early or stay late, it is the Member s responsibility to notify the Campground and make his/her reservations, and pay for those additional nights. m. If a Rally Host creates a rally with specific dates, and specifies a defined cost, and that cost is advertised and reserved, it is the responsibility of each attending member to adhere to those terms. Unless agreed prior to the actual rally event, the Host is under no obligation to refund a member any expenses due to an early departure of that member. It is the responsibility of that member to address any of these issues with the Rally Host prior to the rally. n. In the event of a member notifying the Host that he can not stay for all of the booked nights, after all reservations are made, a cancelation fee may be charged to the Club for that member. It is the member s responsibility to pay for that fee. It should be noted, that the CG may not refund any portion of the site cost. If this is the case, the Host and Club are not responsible for repayment to the member. Page 7
NORTHEAST PACERS REGISTRATION FORM FOR 2014 Name: Address: Phone: EMail Coach length: FMCA# Adults Attending: Children: Animals: PLEASE CHECK OFF ALL RALLIES YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING THIS YEAR. Nights May: 16/18 (2) Moose River CG St. Johnsbury, VT $105.00 June: 6/8 (2) New Found Lake Bridgewater, NH ` $ 80.00 July: 16/18 (2) Lone Pine CG Colchester, VT $110.00 July: 18/21 (3) FMCA NEAR RALLY Essex Junction, VT $190.00 August: 7/11 (4) Hershey, PA (Anniversary) $260.00 August: 11/31 Michigan Trip Sept: 19/21 (2) Sunset View Farm CG Monson, MA $ 98.00 Oct: 10/13 (3) Gunstock Mt. Resort Laconia, NH $139.00 Please: Return this form to the RALLY MASTER by April 1,2014 (Your check for May should be included) Send to: John McCormack 153 Equinox Drive, Lake George, NY. 12845 Members: We all know that it is sometimes difficult to schedule our summers with all of the many events that go on. That being said, it is equally difficult for our Rally Hosts to make reservations and book campgrounds at the last minute. That is why this new format was designed. By checking off the Rallies that you would like to attend, your Host will have ample time to plan their activities. THE FEE FOR EACH RALLY IS DUE 30 DAYS BEFORE EACH RALLY SEND CHECKS TO John McCormack / Payable to: NORTHEAST PACERS Page 8