President’s Message
By Don Moore, F154921
National President
March 2006
Most of you know how it feels when you want to go someplace, but your motorhome won’t start. It happened to us. After Christmas, Darlene and I planned to leave for California to attend the Western Area Rally in Indio, but we learned it is very difficult to get someone to work on a motorhome between Christmas and New Year’s Day. On January 4 we received a call telling us that the problem had been found. After several hundred dollars for labor and $14 for parts, the coach was ready. We picked it up and went home to load our belongings.
We left home on Thursday, January 5, and arrived at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival grounds on Monday, January 9. As usual, the Western Area Rally, held January 11 through 15 in Indio, California, was fantastic. Western Area vice president Tony Vincent, F161584, and his wife, Betty, were joined by a cadre of great volunteers to put on this event.
The weather couldn’t have been better for a rally. This area always has great decorations for the stage area. This year the Apollo Amigos chapter did a great job expressing the theme of “Puttin’ on the Glitz ’06, California Style.” This theme was carried out at the colorful annual parade. Awards were given to several chapters judged in each category. I was privileged to present the President’s Award to the GMC Elegant Cruisers.
Other awards presented were for the newsletter editor contest. This is a wonderful way to reward and recognize the editors for their great work each year.
I was pleased with the warm reception the Western Area volunteers extended to Darlene and me and to all national officers in attendance: senior vice president Connie Pool, F140306, and her husband, Corbett; secretary Ginger Painter, F23514, and her husband, Charlie; treasurer Jim Kern, F63208, and his wife, Jo Ann; Eastern Area vice president Judy Czarsty, F79148, and her husband, Steve; Northwest Area vice president Donzella Leahy, F234822, and her husband, Bill; and International Area vice president Jay Blumenthal, F230605, and his wife, Donna.
Tony Vincent announced that 1,385 family coaches were in attendance, as well as 200-plus exhibit coaches. We were told that 31 coaches were sold and others were pending. There was a large group of indoor exhibitors showing their merchandise as well.
The nightly entertainment was great as usual, arranged by Paul Lennon and Betty Vincent. Appearing Thursday evening was Brad Zinn in “The Great Comedians.” Friday night was the Barbary Coast Dixieland Band, and Saturday night was the Jim Stafford Show. Each morning the Frustrated Maestros entertained us at coffee hour, led by Bob Gobrecht, L14273. Another big draw were the ice cream socials held on Friday and Saturday. A Red Hat Tea was a big hit, with more than 300 women attending. A Chapter Fair was held on Saturday morning, and the participation was very good.
As I write this, Darlene and I are leaving California and are now headed to the Southeast Area Rally in Brooksville, Florida, which runs from February 1 through 5.
We will be going back to California for FMCA’s “Celebrating Family” convention in Pomona March 20 through 23. I hope you are planning to attend. See you there.
Happy trails!