April 2004

Each year FMCA loses families from its membership rolls. Approximately 85 to 90 percent do renew each year, which is a statistic that would please most associations.

Last summer I had the opportunity to experience true luxury aboard an Elegant Lady bus conversion, crafted by Liberty Coach Inc. of North Chicago, Illinois.

Buddy Gregg Motor Homes, C3326, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in the motorhome sales business. The company was founded in 1984 by Buddy Gregg and his wife, Carole, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, after the Greggs purchased an existing motorhome dealership.

Vesta DWV303B compact dishwasherThe Vesta DWV303B dishwasher is described in company literature as “America’s first high-quality, space-saving dishwasher designed to be built into a cabinet or placed on a kitchen counter.” Measuring 22-3/8 inches wide, 18-1/8 inches high, and 19-3/8 inches deep, the unit weighs less than 60 pounds and can be installed under a cook top, above a wheel well, or inside any cabinet with room and access.
The Vesta DWV303B is capable of washing up to four, four-piece place settings per load and uses only 3.3 gallons of water per normal cycle. A pullout dish rack and a removable silverware basket simplify loading and unloading.

Removing fuses from the towed vehicle in preparation for towing has always been a problem because of their small size. But I’ve found that wrapping a small tie-wrap around the body of the fuse and then another one through that tie-wrap, leaving a loop to use as a finger pull, makes it easier to remove the fuses.

It starts with that little twitch that begins to stir inside. That’s the first symptom.

On a winter morning, as the sun reddens the sky, thousands of snow geese scattered on a big pond begin to waken and disrupt the quiet air with loud honks. One bird powers into the sky, sees no followers, and plummets back to the water.

Family owned and operated since its inception in 1968, Liberty Coach Inc. has grown to become a pivotal player in the coach conversion market.

To racing fans, Darrell Waltrip is an American icon, a modern-day folk hero, and a three-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion. And now, Darrell Waltrip, or DW as he’s known to friends and fans, has become a TV celebrity.

FMCA commercial members in Quebec, Canada, inadvertently were omitted from the Business Directory (a listing of all FMCA commercial members) in the January 2004 issue. Following is a list of those companies.
Information about FMCA commercial members, including companies in Quebec, is available also via the online version of the Business Directory at www.fmca.com/bd.
CAMPGROUNDS
Camping de Compton C9537
24 Station
Compton, QC J0B 1L0
Canada
(800) 563-5277
(819) 835-5277
(819) 835-5304 fax
info@campingcompton.com
www.campingcompton.com
Camping Kea Seignebrie de Soulanges C7853
195 Rd 339
P O Box 1
Coteau Du Lac, QC J0P 1B0
Canada
(800) 263-5344 Quebec only
(450) 763-5344
(450) 763-1799 fax
Camping Tete D’indien C8222
1669 Rte 132 E
St Georges Malbaie, QC G0C 2X0
Canada
(877) 530-8383
(418) 645-3845
(418) 645-2713 fax
campingtete@netscape.net
Camping Transit Inc C8870
600 Chemin St – Roch
St Joseph De Levy, QC G6V 6N4
Canada
(888) 882-0948
(418) 939-0948
(418) 838-0937 fax
miller@oricom.ca
http://quebecweb.com/campingtransit
Camping Alouette C6759
3449 De L Industrie
St Mathieo de Beloeil, QC J3G 4S5
Canada
(888) 464-7829
(450) 464-1661
(450) 464-4591 fax
www.campingalouette.com
DEALERS
Horizon Lussier C8881
Holiday Rambler, Fleetwood, Tiffin
1155 Rg De L’eglise
Marieville, QC J3M 1N9
Canada
(800) 387-4100
(450) 460-3666
(450) 460-0312 fax
horizon.lussier@videotron.ca
www.horizonlussier.com
Pierre St Cvr Auto Caravanes C8906
Coachmen, Georgie Boy
3465 Chemin de L’Industrie
St-Mathieu de Beloeil, QC J3G 4S5
Canada
(514) 990-6555
(450) 652-6555
(450) 652-5925 fax
www.autocaravane.ca

RV REPAIR
Motorise Roland Bosse Inc C5147
3540 Boul des Entreprises
Terrebonne, QC J6W 5C7
Canada
(450) 477-2825 Business
(450) 965-0524 Residence
Pierre St Cvr Auto Caravanes C8906
Coachmen, Georgie Boy
3465 Chemin de L’Industrie
St-Mathieu de Beloeil, QC J3G 4S5
Canada
(514) 990-6555
(450) 652-6555
(450) 652-5925 fax
www.autocaravane.ca
CUSTOM COACH CONVERTERS/MOTOR COACH MANUFACTURERS
Prevost Car Inc C632
35 Gagnon Boulevard
St Claire, QC G0R 2V0
Canada
(418) 883-3391
(418) 883-4157 fax
www.prevostcar.com
SERVICES
Electrical Equipment, Parts & Supplies
Pran Systems Inc C9014
2245 Leon Harmel
Quebec, QC G1N 4J6
Canada
(418) 688-7726
(418) 688-7738 fax
f.arteau@pransystems.com
www.pransystems.com
Murals
Gecko Design Inc C9539
617 Begin
P O Box 843
St Anselme, QC G0R 2N0
Canada
(418) 885-4400
(418) 885-8480 fax
lmorin@geckocommunication.com
www.ezart.ca/www.gecko-design.com
Security Systems
Universal Boot Inc C9743
681 Meloche Street
Dorval, QC H9P 2S4
Canada
(888) 354-5699
(514) 631-5005
(514) 631-4114 fax
info@universalboot.com
www.universalboot.com
Solar Products
ICP Global Technologies C9151
6995 Jeanne Mance St
Montreal, QC H3P 1W5
Canada
(514) 270-5770
(514) 270-3677 fax
dkruger@icpglobal.com.

As I write this article, my wife, Jeri, and I are spending the night in Amarillo, Texas. We are returning to our home in Oklahoma after attending the Western Area Rally in Indio, California, which took place January 7 through 11.

No matter how well prepared we are as happy wanderers, there are sure to be potholes in the road of life. The motorhome needs maintenance, repairs, and updates.

FMCA is now more than 40 years old, and it has always grown by using the communication tools of the day. For many years the only ways members could exchange information, short of a face-to-face conversation, were by using the telephone and the postal service.

In a letter that appeared in the February 2004 “Readers’ Forum” column (“Appeal For Assistance,” page 20), Charles B. Tuley Jr.

We recently received a call from an FMCA member who had learned that Remco has experienced failures with its Lube Pump when used on the Toyota Highlander. In checking with Remco, I was told that the company is exploring a modification that will fix this problem.

William “Bill” Purser, F180 — a charter member of FMCA who is credited with starting the traditional morning coffee hour that is a mainstay at FMCA conventions — died on October 8, 2003, at the age of 72.
Bill was born February 16, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama. After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, he attended the University of Alabama where he earned a bachelor of science degree in management.

Did you know that FMCA has a bilingual chapter? Well, it does. In September 2000, FMCA awarded a charter to the Allô Québec (“Hello Quebec”) chapter, which is based in the Canadian province of Quebec.

Even if you aren’t a movie buff, visiting old movie palaces is a treat. Below are descriptions of 16 of the several hundred classic theaters still in existence in the United States.

The first time you see a velvet ant, you’ll be amazed by its elegance. But don’t touch it.

Celebrate springtime with tender, luscious lamb creations. Lamb is one of the most versatile meats for the grill, oven, skillet, or soup pot, but its high price keeps many of us from serving it more often.

Produced by General Motors from 1973 through 1978, the innovative GMC Motorhome gained a following that is still as strong — if not stronger — today. This three-part series explores the fascinating history of a motorhome still considered by many to have been far ahead of its time.