River Raisin National Battlefield Now A National Park
River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan, was officially announced as the 393rd park in the National Park System. The War of 1812 battlefield was set aside by Congress with legislation signed by President Obama on March 30, 2009.
Fought along the north bank of the River Raisin in Monroe, Michigan, from January 18 to January 23, 1813, the Battle of the River Raisin pitted American and British troops against each other in a contest for control of Michigan and the Lower Great Lakes.
National Park Service director Jon Jarvis called the new park an important addition to the park system. “The War of 1812 is often forgotten, remembered only for the birth of our national anthem, but it was as significant as any war in our history,” he said. “At the Battle of the River Raisin in January 1813, American forces suffered one of the worst defeats of the War of 1812. When the battle was over, Indian allies of the British killed wounded American prisoners, so enraging Americans that the phrase “˜Remember the Raisin’ became a rallying cry for future engagements in the war. We should all know about this engagement for its significance and now as the newest park in the National Park System.”
The park’s visitors center is open June through October on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. While the visitors center is closed November through May, the park grounds are open to visitors year-round. National Park Service personnel are working closely with the Monroe County Historical Society to make the battlefield more available to the public.
Country Coach Back In Business
The new Country Coach Corporation announced that it will begin operations at its Junction City, Oregon, factory on January 3, 2011. At that time, contact telephone numbers for the service center and technical support will be posted on the company’s Web site, www.countrycoach.com.
Country Coach Corporation president Ron Lee purchased the intellectual property (IP) of the former Country Coach Inc. and Country Coach LLC companies. The IP includes all of the production tooling and molds for fabricating virtually every part used on previously built Country Coach motorhomes. Also included are all of the engineering drawings, bills of materials, and as-built configurations for Country Coach motorhomes and DynoMax chassis built over the years.
“We will have Country Coach factory veterans “” the people who built these coaches and know them inside and out “” answering technical calls, building new parts, and providing service,” said Country Coach CFO Dave Diamond. “If a customer calls and needs a new fender, our fiberglass shop can build the exact part to fit. It can be installed here or sent to another service center, say in Florida, for installation.”
In the announcement, Ron Lee stated that the company’s initial goal is to use the IP and factory-trained personnel to supply complete coach service, parts manufacturing, paint shop service, technical support, and consignment sales to help owners of Country Coach motorhomes maintain the value of their investment.
Mr. Diamond said that the company’s business plan includes resuming production of new Country Coach motorhomes in the near future.
RVSEF Announces Conference Dates
The Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation (RVSEF) has announced the dates for its 2011 RV Lifestyle, Education & Safety Conference. The conference will be held May 6 through 8, 2011, at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
The program, which is designed to be more like a college course than a rally, will provide an opportunity for RV consumers to meet and interact with industry experts. Instructors from RV manufacturers, dealers, and other industry segments will teach courses in a positive educational environment.
For more information, or to sign up for the conference, visit www.rvsafety.com, or call (321) 453-7673.
“Let’s Move Outside” Junior Ranger Program Encourages Family Activity
The National Park Service and the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition have teamed up to encourage American families to add outdoor activity to their daily routines. While kids earn their Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger designation, every member of the family can work toward a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA).
“We want families to enjoy time outside participating in fun, healthy activities together. Getting fit really can be as easy as a walk in the park,” National Park Service director Jon Jarvis said. “Our Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger program was a big success throughout the summer, and now, through our partnership with the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, we are adding an incentive for the whole family.” Many Junior Ranger programs are offered after school and on weekends, so they are available year-round.
People of all ages who log physical activity at least five days per week for six weeks can earn a presidential certificate and other rewards. And the variety of fun activities at national parks will prevent the exercise doldrums. Participants can take the “Secret Service” fitness test at Eisenhower National Historic Site in Pennsylvania; go fishing or horseback riding at Missouri National Recreational River in Nebraska and South Dakota; or grab a helmet for a bike ride through the Marin Headlands at Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California.
Fifty-two national parks offer the Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger program and will soon be distributing the PALA activity log. Before heading out, visit www.nps.gov/aboutus/letsmove.htm for participating parks and activities. To download an activity log and learn more about the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, visit www.presidentschallenge.org.
Monaco RV Rally At Navistar LPGA Classic
Monaco RV hosted its inaugural “Alabama Getaway” rally October 6 through 10, 2010, in Prattville, Alabama, in conjunction with the Navistar LPGA Classic Presented by Monaco RV.
According to Mike Snell, senior vice president of sales and product development for Monaco RV, the event was a tremendous success. “The city of Prattville was a first-class host,” Mr. Snell said. “This event showcased the best and brightest in women’s professional golf, and they really put on a show for us.”
More than 85 motorhomes were in attendance, representing all Monaco RV makes and models, as well as several non-Monaco RV brands. Rally attendees received tournament tickets for the LPGA event, along with five nights of dry camping; food and drinks on select nights; games; activities; and entertainment, all free of charge. Some of the LPGA tour pros were accessible during the event to meet and answer questions.
Monaco RV teamed up with dealer partner Alliance Coach of Wildwood, Florida, to bring a number of display units to the rally, including Monaco and Holiday Rambler motorized products.
Navistar, Monaco’s parent company, has committed to another two years of hosting the LPGA event, and Monaco RV officials already are making plans for the second annual “Alabama Getaway.” “We were extremely encouraged and excited about the turnout for this tournament and rally,” Mr. Snell said, “and we can’t wait to do it again next year.”
Winnebago Industries Featured In “How It’s Made” TV Show
Winnebago Industries Inc. was spotlighted in the hit show “How It’s Made” on the Science Channel. The two-part episode, which showed how a Winnebago Industries’ motorhome is made, premiered October 29, 2010.
“We are extremely proud our company’s top-notch manufacturing facilities and products were selected to be on “˜How It’s Made,'” said Winnebago Industries chairman, CEO, and president Bob Olson. “When people think RV, they think of Winnebago Industries, so being included in this show is a natural fit. The “˜How It’s Made’ episode did a great job of showing how our motorhomes are built from the ground up.”
Winnebago Industries touts its RV production facility as the largest and most sophisticated in the world, with more than 2.5 million square feet situated on 570 acres in Forest City, Iowa. With the use of automotive-style assembly lines, Winnebago Industries is one of the industry’s leading manufacturers, while maintaining stringent quality standards.
“How It’s Made” is in its 16th season of showing viewers how the everyday objects people use are created. The program is broadcast in more than 180 countries throughout the world and is translated into many different languages. It airs on the Science Channel in the United States, as well as on the Discovery Channel abroad.