Family RVing Magazine
  • FMCA.COM
  • CONTACT US
familyRVing
  • in this issue
  • tech
    • Tech talk e-newsletter archives
    • more tech talk
  • Digital editions
  • towable guides
  • Classifieds
  • contact
    • contact us
    • advertise with us
    • media room
  • FMCA

Family RVing Magazine

Gateway Piasas

October 1, 2007

Chapter Spotlight
By Peggy Jordan, Associate Editor
September 2007

 This close-knit group is based near a local landmark from which it takes its name.

Gateway Piasas is an unusual name for a chapter of motorhome owners. But then again, the word “Piasa” represents an unusual thing.

The Piasa Bird, pronounced “pie saw,” is a mythical creature of American Indian lore. In the 1670s when explorers Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette traveled the upper Mississippi River region, they saw two of these creatures painted on stone bluffs above the river just north of where the city of St. Louis now stands. The creatures looked like dragons with deer antlers, or, at the least, very ferocious birds.

Over the years as the original Piasas faded, the new Americans kept the myth alive by replacing a rock painting on the bluffs north of Alton, Illinois. Today a park is located beneath the current Piasa painting, on State Route 100 just north of Alton. FMCA member Fred Widman, who lives in Godfrey, Illinois, was used to passing by the unusual bird painting, and so he suggested it become part of the chapter’s name when the group was formed in 1985.

Most people from this area know about the mythical creature, and so it’s fitting that the chapter stays true to its geographical roots. Chapter president Juanita Orr said most Gateway Piasas members live in northeast Missouri (north of St. Louis), with a few from as far west as Jefferson City, Missouri, and as far east as western Illinois.

“It’s mostly social, and we just all get together and have a good time,” Juanita said. They meet at rallies in April, May, June, August, September, and October.

Rallies are held within close proximity of the members’ stationary homes. Previous get-togethers have been in Hannibal, Danville, Bowling Green, and Canton, Missouri, and at Osage Beach along the Lake of the Ozarks.

The rallies typically take place over three days, Thursday through Saturday. Sometimes activities are available near the RV parks at which chapter members gather. “When we go to Bowling Green, we like to go to the bluegrass shows there,” Juanita said. Also, chapter members go out for meals, or have carry-ins and catered meals. Other activities involve playing cards and games.

And, since they will attend the upcoming Six-State (South Central Area) Rally in Sedalia, Missouri, September 25 through 28, Juanita said she and others in the chapter were working in August to complete a quilting project. The quilts will be gathered at the Six-State Rally and donated to injured veterans. Juanita said chapter members are making “the smaller version of a quilt, more of a lap-top or crochet afghan type.”

Once winter arrives, several Gateway Piasas members still get to see each other as they travel southwest to warmer climes. “Several of our members are in Yuma, Arizona, and we’ll just get together at someone’s RV,” Juanita explained.

Chapter dues are $10 per year per couple, and Juanita said the group, which consists of approximately 21 couples, is seeking new members. For more information about Gateway Piasas or other FMCA chapters, contact the Chapter Services Department at the national office: (800) 543-3622; e-mail: chapters@fmca.com.

If you would like your chapter to be featured in “Chapter Spotlight,” contact FMC associate editor Peggy Jordan at pjordan@fmca.com or (800) 543-3622, ext. 212.

previous post
Fleetwood 2008 American Eagle
next post
A Family Affair

You may also like

Get Set For More Rally Fun

May 1, 2007

Readers’ Forum: October 2007

November 1, 2007

RV News & Notes: May 2007

June 1, 2007

Committee Appointments

May 1, 2009

Hawaiian Heaven At G.L.A.S.S. 2007

October 1, 2007

Steam, Lumber, And A Company Town

October 1, 2007

One Hundred Plus

June 1, 2007

RV Products: January 2007

February 1, 2007

Freightliner Chassis Owners Club

May 1, 2007

RV News & Notes: July 2007

August 1, 2007




Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube

FMCA on Social Media

  • In remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr., let us remember to honor his legacy by continuing to take steps toward equality and righteousness within ourselves, our communities and our nation. That means that we must recognize the human dignity in all of the people we encounter along our journeys.⁠ ⁠ “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”-MLK⁠ ⁠ ⁠
  • The Royal Gorge in Canon City, Colorado is one of those places where you leave thinking, "How did I never know about this place before?".⁠ ⁠ Check out our latest travel blog - The Royal Gorge and Canon City, Colorado. It is filled with history, geology, adventure, and LOTS of beautiful photos! Thanks to @mandmhittheroad for contributing this week
  • Volunteering is a great way to spend your time during retirement or over long summer or winter breaks. It provides you with a means of staying active, meeting new people, and feeling productive all while giving back to a cause that you choose! For an inside look at what volunteer life is like as a retired RVer, check out our latest FMCAdventure blog - The Benefits of Volunteering as an RVer. Tap the link in our bio to read it now!⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #fmcaRV #rvclub #rvliving #rvlife #rv #rvtravel #fulltimerv #gorving #camping #rvthereyet #homeonwheels #wanderlust #travel #adventure #explore #homeiswhereyouparkit #rvblogger
  • There are only 3 days left before the early-bird deadline for FMCA
  • Do you have a campground that you find yourself returning to year after year? What do you love about it so much? ⁠ ⁠ With FMCA, you can save on overnight stays at HUNDREDS of different campgrounds across North America. Tap the link in our bio to learn about the different campgrounds where you can save money, just for being an FMCA member!⁠ ⁠ - @natehitstheroad⁠ ⁠ #fmcaRV #rvclub #rvliving #rvlife #rv #rvtravel #fulltimerv #gorving #camping #rvthereyet #homeonwheels #wanderlust #travel #adventure #explore #homeiswhereyouparkit
  • #throwbackthursday to the sixth FMCA convention, way back in July, 1969. The convention took place at the Traverse City Civic Center in Traverse City, Michigan and featured RV displays, seminars, vendors, and lots of entertainment. ⁠ ⁠ Fast forward 52 years and 96 conventions to today. We are getting ready for FMCA
  • "We were stranded along a narrow road near Bryce Canyon, Utah. The location was not a good place for cellular service, but I was able to contact Roadside Rescue and arrange for a tow after driving our towed vehicle to the town of Bryce. I had to speak with several people at Roadside Rescue, but each person I spoke with was respectful and courteous. The tow was set up and our rig taken to a place that promptly took care of the repair and we were back on the road in 24 hours."⁠ ⁠ Michael & Lynn Noonan (F448134)⁠ ⁠
  • Hit ♥️ if you think campfires in the morning don
  • Setting the ambiance at the campsite with some mood lighting. What types of camping adventures are you in the mood for this weekend? ⁠ ⁠ - @thebatesmotelrv⁠ - Imagine by @granddesignrv ⁠ ⁠ #fmcaRV #rvclub #rvliving #rvlife #rv #rvtravel #fulltimerv #gorving #camping #rvthereyet #homeonwheels #wanderlust #travel #adventure #explore #homeiswhereyouparkit

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Tech Talk: FMCA To The Rescue!

  • Livin’ The Life: January 2021

  • A Fun-Size Book Library

banner
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

@2017 - FamilyRvingMag. All Right Reserved.


Back To Top

FMCA members have access to exclusive articles and RV tips, plus a digital library of RVing know-how. For full access to website content, plus must-have travel benefits, join FMCA today and get instant access to Family RVing magazine.

If you already have a membership with us, sign in now to get full access!

Join Now Sign In