August 2017 Keystone Kourier Keystone Unit #092 Region 2 - WBCCI President s Message Hello Keystoners! Arry and I are just back from the International Rally at Escanaba in Michigan s Yooper peninsula. It was a memorable event in a part of the country that we haven t visited before. As they say getting there is half the fun. That s just what we had when we joined Don and Phyllis Harrington on a mini-caravan to get there. We visited several light houses, toured a French and Indian War era fort, took a ferry to Mackinac Island, and rode a carriage around town. That was just for starters. We also took a cruise through the Sault Ste. Marie locks, saw lifeboats from the sunken Edmund Fitzgerald in a museum built inside a freighter, posed with live teddy bears at a bear rescue center, and hiked to the beautiful Tahquamenon Falls. Then, after arriving at Escanaba, Arry and I took day trips to a restored iron manufacturing village (Fayette) and a cruise on Lake Superior along a beautiful coastline named Pictured Rocks. It s beautiful country up there. Our unit was well represented at the rally where over 650 rigs were present. Our contingent consisted of Past International President and First Lady, Barry and Lesley Heckenswiler, Don and Phyllis Harrington, Will and Karen Kushto, Alan Kenny, Arry and me, and one of our new couples, Wendy and Peter Wait. Upcoming Events August 18-27 Caravan to Niagara Falls led by Jody/ Sue Dietz September 7-10 Pennsylvania State Rally hosted by Central Penn Lebanon, Pa. (coupon attached) October 21 Planning luncheon at Mergelkamp s November 1 2018 International and Unit Dues due (dues notice attached) November 18 Luncheon coordinated by Fitzgerald s December 16 Christmas luncheon coordinated by Hillegass at Spinnerstown Hotel Stay Connected Keystone on the web http://keystone.wbcci.net/ Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ groups/keystoneunit/ Keystone Kourier August 2017 Page 1 of 5
Every day was jam-packed with activities. Evenings offered outstanding entertainment beginning with an axe-throwing, chain-sawing, log-rolling lumber jack. The next night featured an amazing hypnotist who managed to simultaneously hypnotize 15 people on stage and several in the audience. Anyone who can convince those on stage that there is no number four and that each person has 12 fingers is phenomenal in my book. Another night brought us a Dixie Chicks-like female singing group that included a super-talented singing fiddler. The installation of next year s officers including incoming President, Jim Cocke, and presentations about next year s International Rally at Salem, Oregon concluded the main activities of the rally. It was great fun and we re looking forward to next year s gathering out West. My sincere thanks and congratulations to the International officers and volunteers who made this rally an outstanding success. Next up for our unit is the Grab a Camera, Light A Fire, I'm Going Over the Edge in a Barrel, Caravan to Niagara Falls led by Jody and Sue Dietz. This will run from August 18-27 and should be great fun. That will be followed by the PA State Rally in Lebanon, PA from September 7-10. We hope to see many of you at these events. Safe travels. Howard Mergelkamp SCHEDULE CHANGE: If you re not on the road, Save the Date The October installation rally is being replaced with a planning luncheon at Mergelkamps s on Saturday, October 21. This will be the fall business meeting with the election of 2018 officers and development of a preliminary schedule for activities next year. Details on timing will follow. Keystone Kourier August 2017 Page 2 of 5
International 2017: Escanaba 2017 Officers President Howard Mergelkamp 1 st Vice President Rick Pitts 2 nd Vice President Open Treasurer Alan Kenney Recording Secretary Arry Mergelkamp 1 Year Trustee Peg Spahn 1 Year Trustee Andy Pitts 2 Year Trustee Phyllis Harrington 2 Year Trustee Karen Kushto Legislative Jody Dietz Membership Don Harrington Sunshine Peg Spahn Unit Supplies Karen Kushto Historian Caryle Brayton International 2018: The first International Rally out West in a decade is an outstanding opportunity to explore the western USA and make new Airstream friends on the left coast, June 23-30 (registration open at WBCCI.ORG) Look for more information about Salem, Oregon and details to help you plan to attend the 2018 International Rally in the next issues of your Blue Beret. Kourier Andy Pitts Rick Pitts Keystone Kourier August 2017 Page 3 of 5
Keystone Kamping What is a Flame Genie? By Andy and Rick The Flame Genie is one of several small pellet burners on the market that provide quick, easy and very manageable campfires. The unit stores in a small box and is self-contained with a neat ashbox that doubles as a base and stores neatly inside the firebox. All you have to do is add about 2 of wood pellets. In June we mentioned that we ordered a Flame Genie after being treated to Larry Haas (Central Penn) campfire at the joint rally in May. Well, the genie has been great so far. We ve been using pine pellets actually horse pellets, used for horse bedding and available at Tractor Supply and similar stores. Just use a bit of fire gel or denatured alcohol and yes, instant campfire! No worries about wet wood, or scouring the campsite for kindling! Larry tipped us off that, since the pellets burn quickly, it is best to have a scoop and fireglove so you can add more pellets as the fire burns. While the fire burns down, scrape a bare space in the ash and add a new scoop of pellets. If you put pellets on top of those burning you ll get A LOT of smoke. The pellets have no additives so you can safely toast hotdogs and marshmallows. When you stop adding pellets, the flame quickly dies and the remaining coals melt to nothing. We just let our unit cool overnight, then dump the tiny amount of ash into the campground firepit and store our Larry back in the box. How easy is that! We are looking forward to a genie campfire at the state rally in September. We now have a bag of hardwood pellets to try and purchased a cool carrying bag since the box is showing some wearand-tear. See you by the fire in Lebanon! Sunshine Report Vaughn Brayton advises that he is doing well and looking forward to getting together with the gang at some point, although he doesn't do steps very well, so may not be able to attend any luncheons that would involve stairs. Cindy Yerk is also coming along, still has a fair amount of pain, but it is only a few weeks since the hip surgery, but she said it is certainly better than before. She will probably start PT soon. The Drs. also discovered a heart problem, while she had the surgery, and is to have some tests for that. Hopefully that will also be resolved soon. Barbara Hillegass had a rotor cuff repair recently, and while recuperating from that had a fall and broke her nose, which now has to be repaired. Barb is having that done this week and hopes to be back in shape real soon. Hope all these folks are back in good health soon, and stay that way! Birthdays Sept 5 Dot Britt Sept 11 Don Harrington Sept 12 Emil Schultheisz Sept 23 Barbara Hillegass Sept 30 Peg Spahn Oct 2 Melissa Hancock Oct 11 Sue Dietz Oct 13 Claire Vogt Anniversaries Sept 18 Wayne/Sharon Fitzgerald Sept 23 John/Nancy Arabanick Oct 6 Jeff/Joanne Michael Oct 12 Linda Ramsey/Tim Bell Oct 25 John/Bea Buscaglia Keystone Kourier August 2017 Page 4 of 5
Membership News... It's that time of year again to renew our memberships for 2018. A few of you have already renewed thru WBCCI.org for 2018. The 2018 membership will be mailed in the next couple of weeks, and when you receive them you may: Mail your renewal form back to me with a check for $80.00 which includes $65.00 international dues and $15.00 unit dues, made out to Keystone Pennsylvania Unit. Mail to: WBCCI Keystone Penna. Unit, Alan Kenney, Treasurer, P.O.Box 124, Kutztown, PA 19530 Better Yet, you may bring your renewal form to the Pennsylvania State Rally being held at the Lebanon Valley Fairgrounds and pay me, your Unit Treasurer. You do not have to wait for your form to be mailed to you, just go to WBCCI.org and pay on the internet. WBCCI will send me a copy of your receipt. This is the fastest way to renew and will save you and the Unit postage. Remember, that all paid members to WBCCI by November 1, 2017 will be listed in the International Dictionary in January 2018. I look forward to seeing and hearing from all our membership in the next few months and if you have any questions, please call at 610-823-1215 or write to the address above. Safe Travels, Alan Kenney, Treasurer Keystone Kourier August 2017 Page 5 of 5
WELCOME TO LEBANON VALLEY PA STATE RALLY HOSTED BY CENTRAL PENNSYLVIA UNIT 164 September 7-9, 2017 Lebanon Area Fairgrounds MapQuest or GPS address: 80 Rocherty Rd, Lebanon, PA Rally Fee Includes: Electric (30amp), Water, (there is no dump site), 2 nights of Professional Entertainment 2 Continental Breakfasts, 1 Catered Dinner, Evening Hospitality & Door Prizes, craft and flea market, Hassle Tassel, Seminars, Church Service, and of course WBCCI Fellowship and Fun Make checks payable to Central Penn Unit (American). Mail to John Bates, 164 Deer Dr, Lebanon, PA 17046. Phone 717-679-5233, E-mail: 1421. @... Date for mailing registration is August 27, 2017. Refunds for cancellations are at the discretion of the rally organizers. Rally chairman, John Bates 717-507-7277, Rally Registrar, John Bates 717-5077277 Rally fee per person Includes Saturday Dinner Children 0 to 12 $40.00 X = FREE X = Parking per night 9/7 9/10 Please check below the nights you will be paying for # Nights $25.00 X = Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Total Enclosed $ Name Spouse WBCCI#: Unit Name or # Guest s Name Children s Names & Ages Address: City/Town: State/Providence: Zip/Postal Code: Phone: E-mail Address: Handicap Parking First Rally: Officer: Int. Region: Unit President: Arrival Date: Invited guests or members not parking, Saturday dinner only $20.00 x =
55 th Annual SWISS FESTIVAL NATIONAL RALLY In the Heart of Amish Country September 23 - October 1, 2017 in Sugarcreek, OH COME JOIN US FOR A FUN-FILLED RALLY! Park at Winklepleck Grove for nine days of fun, fellowship, excitement, and new things to see and experience. We provide water, 7-amp electric, 1 black water dump, a wide variety of tour choices, nightly entertainment, hospitality, and door prizes. Pets are welcome! Play a game of golf at the 27-hole golf course adjacent to our rally site. Enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner in an Amish home or nearby restaurant. Shop in the many furniture, gift, antique, and craft shops in the area. Buy world-renowned Swiss cheese to freeze for the winter or take some home to share with friends and family. Take in the sights, smells, and sounds of the 65 th annual Swiss Festival Sept. 29 & 30 when we shuttle you downtown for the festivities and parades. Bring your motorcycle and enjoy the back-roads tour planned for you. Our DAY IN THE PARK on Thursday features some homemade Amish baked goods, Amish craftsmen, and free horse n buggy rides, along with our own Airstreamers Hobby/Craft show, Flea Market, Golf Tournament, homemade ice cream, fresh popcorn, and a ham and bean dinner cooked in huge kettles over open fires. We ll put you in a toe-tapping, festival mood after the Joey Tomsick Orchestra entertains us before their annual downtown performances at the Swiss Festival. SUGARCREEK, OHIO is located in the rolling hills of Tuscarawas County, 8 miles west of Dover (I-77) and 18 miles east of Millersburg (Holmes County) on scenic Route 39. It is surrounded by a prosperous farming community and populated largely by the Amish. With eight Swiss cheese factories located in the area, Sugarcreek is recognized worldwide as the center of some of the finest made Swiss cheese produced in the USA. NAME SPOUSE/OTHER ADDRESS CELLPHONE CITY, STATE, ZIP WBCCI # E-MAIL REGION# - UNIT# - HANDICAPPED 1ST-TIMER CARAVAN LEADER CARAVAN MOTORHOME / LENGTH TRAILER / LENGTH MOTORCYCLE / SIZE Region or National Officers (specify title): NUMBER OF?: ADULTS GUESTS OVER 18 YRS CHILDREN UNDER 18 YRS Interest to Participate: HOBBY SHOW FLEA MARKET GOLF MUSICAL (Bring your instruments) Airstream, 2 Adults $225 Make checks payable to: SWISS FESTIVAL NATIONAL RALLY Airstream, 1 Adult $175 PLEASE, enclose a self-addressed, stamped, business envelope Each add l >18 yrs $115 x to mail back your Acknowledgement Card & other rally info. Each child <17 yrs $50 x Early Parking (Indiv.) $25 (Sep 22) Mail your check, reservation form, & business envelope to: Vicki Ettenhofer 1474 Devonhill Ct. TOTAL ENCLOSED: $ Columbus, OH 43229 Home Phone: 614-841-0098 CHECK NUMBER: # Rally e-mail: SwissRallyRegistrar@yahoo.com Register before March 31, 2017 to be eligible for a special drawing during the rally. Rally Parking is Saturday, September 23, 9:00am-5pm from the Rally Bullpen; early individual rally parking Friday (1-6 pm) for a $25 fee. Caravans arriving with 5 or more pre-registered RVs may park one day early at no extra charge, on Friday, Sept. 22, from 1-6 pm. Cancellations: 10% service charge before August 31, 2017. Refund amounts after Sept. 1 are at the discretion of the Rally Chair after the rally s conclusion. NOTE: Submit all refund requests in writing to the Rally Registrar, accompanied by your Acknowledgement Card. KARIN & LARRY KURKOWSKI, 2017 RALLY CHAIRMEN C: 586-214-1777 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FOR SWISS RALLY REGISTRAR S USE ONLY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Date Rcvd: Amount Rcvd: $ Date Card Sent: Date Deposited: Cancellation Date: Rfnd Amnt: $ Check #: Date Check Sent: Notes: E-WRKR? RALLY ID #
Andy and Rick Pitts 930 Stoney Run Dr. West Chester, Pa. 19382 Keystone Kourier August 2017