E-Mail Address Correction
The e-mail address provided for Spatial Data Sciences Inc. (SDSI), the company that provides free trip routing for FMCA members, was incorrect as listed in the February 2005 “FMCA.com” column (page 120). To e-mail your request for trip routing, please use FMCA@custommaps.com.
Families With Children Sought
Dear Editor:
I am the national vice president for FMCA’s Eastern Area. Last summer this magazine published a letter I wrote announcing a search for FMCA member families with children still at home. The purpose of my inquiry was to see whether there was interest in forming a chapter in the Eastern Area for families with children. Over the summer and into the fall I received responses, but not enough to hold a chapter formation meeting.
So, I am again looking for more families in FMCA’s Eastern Area (Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky) who would like to form a chapter with other families. We need just 30 more families to get started. At this time we have families clustered in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia, and others in Tennessee and Kentucky who are interested in forming a chapter. We could hold a weekend rally in Williamsburg, Virginia, and one in Knoxville, Tennessee, and form a chapter at each rally. However, I need to have more families to set up these rallies.
Families are what made FMCA, and chapters are the glue that holds it together. Chapter membership brings you new friendships and new places to explore with your friends. Children will have other children to play or hang out with. Moreover, it is an opportunity for parents to have a weekend away from the “rat race.”
Please contact me if you are interested. Fun and relaxation are only a call away.
Judy Czarsty, F97148
National Vice President, Eastern Area
(800) 544-7062 ext. 545
(843) 412-5765
E-mail: jczarsty@fmca.com
Emergency Reveals Caring Of FMCA Family
Dear Editor:
This letter is a long time overdue to thank the many people in the family of FMCA who helped us when our world was turned upside down August 16, 2004, the opening day of our first convention.
We participated for the first time in a pre-convention rally with the Holiday Rambler International chapter and had just gotten to the convention site in Redmond, Oregon, when we received word that our son was severely injured while on duty for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
We would like to say at this time that if there are any doubters out there regarding the FMCA family response to a situation such as this, they can rest assured that the system works “” above and beyond expectations.
We would like to personally thank everyone for their help, from the wonderful group of people in the Holiday Rambler International chapter; to Jerry Yeatts, FMCA’s director of Conventions and Commercial Services; and also to the community of Redmond.
A special thanks goes to Russell and Lynn Hoyt, F34663, for their kindness in bringing our motorhome and towed car down to us in Southern California.
Jim & Carolyn Hamson, F318028
Paso Robles, California
Rally Invitation
Dear Editor:
The Southwind Club of Florida chapter will be celebrating its 10th anniversary at a rally to be held April 21, 22, and 23. It will take place at the same RV park where we had our original formation meeting “” Tropical Palms in Kissimmee. The rally will be hosted by charter chapter members. All former chapter members are invited to join us also.
Our chapter is no longer just for Southwind owners, and we now welcome owners of all types of coaches.
Please contact me for more information.
Karl Landes, F303512
President, Southwind Club of Florida
(727) 343-7776
St. Petersburg, Florida
New Coach Receives Top Dealer Prep
Dear Editor:
We bought a new motorhome from Holiday Kamper of Statesville, North Carolina. It came with a list of things that needed to be repaired. Everyone at Holiday Kamper, from the management to the gentlemen who cleaned the coach, were skilled and courteous, especially the techs. They all have years of experience.
I wish they had built the RV, because they fixed things as if they were their own. I hope anyone from the East Coast will consider Holiday Kamper (843-828-3337) before they buy or get repairs.
Ken & Deborah Palmer, F313725
Concord, North Carolina
Members Helping Members
Dear Editor:
It’s hard to believe in this day and age that you can still find truly generous and unselfish people who are willing to go the extra mile to help. My mom and dad, Joe and Jean Greif, F293194, of Coggon, Iowa, crossed paths with angels such as these in Kerrville, Texas.
Mom and Dad were traveling from Arizona, where they had spent the first two months of a six-month vacation. They were on their way to Mission, Texas, when my dad started feeling ill. He has a history of heart problems and feared the worst. They started looking for the nearest hospital. He was driving the motorhome on Interstate 10 when they saw a hospital sign. After exiting the interstate, Dad realized he couldn’t go any farther. He pulled to the side of the road and collapsed.
My mom dialed 911, and an ambulance soon arrived. While the rescue workers were working on Dad, a car pulled up behind, and Ken and Carolyn Bruner, F307464, the angels from Kerrville, stepped out. They asked Mom if she needed help, which she did, since she had never driven the motorhome. Carolyn handed Mom her business card; Mom handed over the keys to the motorhome and took off for the hospital. Ken and Carolyn then drove the motorhome to a nearby RV park and set it up. They got Mom’s name off the side of the motorhome, and then drove to the Kerrville hospital. They found Mom in the emergency room and handed her a “survival” bag. They said the hospital would take care of Dad, but they were going to take care of her. The bag was filled with a variety of fruit, meat and cheese, magazines, and even a deck of cards.
My dad was then transferred 60 miles away to Texsan Heart Hospital in San Antonio for major surgery. After a few days of keeping in touch with Mom, Ken and Carolyn drove the motorhome to San Antonio. They had emptied the holding tanks and filled it with diesel fuel and water. They parked the coach next to the hospital in the Marriott SpringHill Suites parking lot. The hotel had generously agreed to let Mom leave it there for three weeks while Dad recovered.
Ken and Carolyn absolutely refused to be paid for their generosity. Even the Guadalupe River RV Resort in Kerrville refused to charge Mom and Dad for the nights the motorhome was there.
As I write this, Dad will be flying back to Iowa soon to regain his strength. He and Mom will never forget the kindness that was shown to them, deep in the heart of Texas.
Jane Gephart
Vinton, Iowa
Still Laughing
Dear Editor:
I really enjoyed reading Dave Hamby’s “What Kind Of Dirty Dog Would Steal Our Steps?” (February 2005, page 114). I laughed so hard as I visualized the awning experience. I’ve been through missing steps and the step into the shins, and, on several occasions, have put the awning up in the middle of the night. I just didn’t do them all in the same night.
The article was very well written and entertaining.
Jim Clark, F307070
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Cover Is Covered
Dear Editor:
After trying several types of RV covers, none of which lasted more than a year or so, I purchased an ADCO Sunbrella RV cover for my Monaco motorhome in early 2000. After 4½ years of fine service, the cover was ripped during a strong rainstorm. The next day I called ADCO, fully expecting some reluctance on their part to repair the cover because it was almost 5 years old, which is the warranty period, and since I couldn’t find my receipt. I spoke with Paulo Lopez, who told me to get the cover to him so he could repair the rip as well as resew all the seams, patch any other rips, tears, or worn areas, and generally refurbish the entire cover. There was no argument or hesitation to provide me with anything but excellent service and full satisfaction, regardless of how long I had owned the cover.
I took the cover to ADCO and picked it up eight days later. To my delight, it was completely restored at no charge. I also learned from Mr. Lopez that if they had not been able to satisfactorily repair the cover, it would have been fully replaced with a new one.
Any motorhomers out there who are thinking of purchasing an RV cover should know that ADCO (800-541-2326) stands behind its product and provides excellent customer service. Mr. Lopez was friendly, professional, and displayed nothing but pleasure in assisting me. I recommend this company very highly.
Everett W. Berry, F233600
Santa Clarita, California