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

Executive Director’s Commentary: The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts

July 1, 2012

By Jerry Yeatts, F390000
Executive Director
June 2012

Ah, those college days. Ohio University, my alma mater, had a tradition that was carried on from the 1950s to the 1980s involving J-Prom. In honor of this springtime event, fraternities and sororities put on little traveling shows around campus. Most were created by writing a script, arranging music, designing sets, and choreographing dance movements.

The rules were pretty strict. The scenery/sets needed to be carried from one college green to another. If anyone talked while walking to and from each performance area on the campus, the group would be penalized. As soon as the scenery touched the ground, a timer started with a specific amount of time for us to finish the skit and vacate the performance area.

I remember walking up Richland Avenue on the Ohio University campus in Athens in my Donald Duck costume, helping to carry one of the scenery panels. We would then turn the corner onto Park Place and make our way to the terraced hillside of Carnegie Hall to perform our skit. Yes, I can actually say that I performed at Carnegie Hall! We cradled the scenery panels on our feet so as to prevent them from touching the ground until we were ready to perform.

The picture above was from a J-Prom skit in 1979 contrived by the men of Delta Tau Delta and the women of Alpha Gamma Delta. The theme for all J-Prom skits that particular year was “Behind the Scenes.” The name of our skit was “Behind the Scenes, What if the Mouseketeers went Delinquent?” The skit opened with Daisy and Donald waddling out, “talking” in duck. As you can imagine, it was a little difficult to dance in felt webbed feet! The fun and fellowship we all experienced were well worth the hard work of putting this all together.

Aristotle was right:”The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The enjoyment experienced by dozens of one-time strangers in putting together this whimsical skit was far greater than the performance of any one individual. Likewise, the friendships we make as members of Family Motor Coach Association seem to accentuate the overall feeling of fun, fellowship, and camaraderie that our association created as a foundation nearly 50 years ago.

Some pretty wacky theme days have been designated during the month of June. I could flip a coin and bet you didn’t know that Flip a Coin Day is celebrated on June 1. Yes, I could flip a coin and bet you didn’t know; oh, wait, that’s Repeat Day on June 3. It’s National Chocolate Ice Cream Day on June 7; Best Friends Day on June 8; and, the whole reason I even included a different photo with this month’s column, Donald Duck Day on June 9. If that’s not enough excitement for you, the month of June also features Go Fishing Day, Swim a Lap Day, Waffle Iron Day, Insurance Awareness Day, and Forgiveness Day! Just throw in Father’s Day and Hug Holiday Day, and your month is pretty complete.

Visit www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/june.htm (see the accompanying QR code) for a complete list.

Donald Duck Day commemorates Donald’s cartoon debut. He first appeared in The Wise Little Hen on June 9, 1934. While Donald celebrates his 78th birthday this year, he doesn’t act a day over 20! Donald even has a middle name, Fauntleroy.

Whenever I think of Walt Disney, I think of characters such as Donald, Daisy, Mickey, and Minnie. These endearing personalities have become great ambassadors for the Disney empire and symbolize fun for children of all ages. I’m sure these ambassadors started out as merely ideas in Mr. Disney’s imagination and transformed into the adorable figures we have grown to love.

Over the past few months, FMCA members have submitted ideas for our own ambassador to help celebrate FMCA’s 50th anniversary. More than 150 entries were received.  Just as Walt Disney did many years ago, FMCA art director Guy Kasselmann translated some of the best ideas into designs for you to consider. They appear on page 56 of this magazine, and you may also view them at FMCA.com. Pick the one you like best. Voting will be open through the month of June, with an unveiling of our new ambassador at the 87th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase August 27-30, 2012, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana.

While you are at it, take a sneak peek at the partial list of entertainment offerings for our Family Reunion on page 52. You can register now for the event online at FMCA.com; by calling the Events Department at (800) 543-3622 or (513) 474-3622; or by using the registration form that appears on page 48 of this issue.

Walt Disney has helped generations of “kids” to step back, act a little silly at times, relive a favorite childhood experience, and to dream. Through your experiences with FMCA, I hope you can also step back, act a little silly at times, relive favorite adventures, and dare to dream. So, during the month of June, vote for your favorite character to represent FMCA; go get a doughnut in honor of National Doughnut Day; splurge a little on National Splurge Day; and let our FMCA magazine staff know how much you appreciate Family Motor Coaching magazine on National Columnists Day on June 23. I dare you . . . but only on June 1 – Dare Day.

 

previous post
Severe Weather And Disaster Preparedness
next post
Rear View: August 2012

You may also like

Installing A Residential Refrigerator In A Motorhome

July 1, 2012

RV News: August 2012

August 1, 2012

Indianapolis: A Formula For Fun

May 1, 2012

A “Bucket List” For Arizona’s 100th

September 1, 2012

Family & Friends: Florida Ramblers Celebrate Silver Anniversary

August 1, 2012

Family & Friends: Mohawk Roamers Help Tidy Up...

December 1, 2012

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park

January 1, 2012

Tech & Travel Tips

December 1, 2012

Rear View: February 2012

March 1, 2012

Family & Friends: R.G. And Jeri Wilson Recognized...

July 1, 2012




Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Youtube

FMCA on Social Media

  • There are only 3 days left before the early-bird deadline for FMCA
  • Reflecting on our 2020...⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #fmcaRV #rvclub #rvliving #rvlife #rv #rvtravel #fulltimerv #gorving #camping #rvthereyet #homeonwheels #wanderlust #travel #adventure #explore #homeiswhereyouparkit #memories #newyear #reflection #2020 #reflect
  • 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
  • Hit ♥️ if you think campfires in the morning don
  • "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)⁠ ⁠
  • "Winter! Some love it, some hate it. Winter is a time when there is a stillness in the air but there is also a dryness which can lead to issues with our immune system. Couple that with shorter days, lack of sunlight (which can lead to low energy levels), layers of clothing to keep our skin from absorbing the nutrients of Vitamin D from the sun (crucial for maintaining a strong immune system), and lack of proper hydration due to not feeling thirsty (caused by to cooler temps and less perspiration); ALL of this can lead to our immune systems
  • #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
  • 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
  • Let

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