By Charlie Adcock, F311374
FMCA National President
June 2015
Hello, My Fellow FMCA Family:
As I was pondering what to write about this month, I recalled a conversation I had with a dear friend of mine, Jean Pryor, L12913. We were discussing her long association with FMCA, and she told me that she had written about what FMCA and family mean to her. She gave me permission to share her letter, and I do so now.
Family
By Jean Pryor, L12913
My definition of “family” includes my related family (children, siblings, and other relatives) and my extended family, including FMCA friends. Both have a large impact on my life. Of course, my children and relatives support me emotionally and give support to my lifestyle, as does my extended family. Now I would like to give examples of my extended FMCA family’s support over a long period of time.
When my husband died many years ago, my FMCA friends shared my grief and encouraged me to continue my involvement in motor coaching. I was treated to several courses that taught me how to care for my coach, including “plumbing 101.” During my husband’s hospital stay, one member of the local chapter, a doctor, visited him and conferred with the treating physicians, even though he had to travel over 30 miles each way. Another FMCA family member was with me the night my husband passed away and helped me make the arrangements (the children were too young and no other family was close by).
As I drove to FMCA conventions, I was fortunate to have other FMCA families travel alongside me. When it came time to drive my daughter to college, as I had done with each of my two boys, I discovered there were no campgrounds close to her school in West Virginia. FMCA came to my rescue with the “Stoppin’ Spots” listing. A member who had a concrete pad welcomed us like long-lost friends. Later that year my motorhome had a mechanical problem, and I called a “Mechanic’s Helper” who offered to drive over 20 miles after work to help me resolve the problem, and did so. Note that neither of these members knew me before I called them. That is “family.”
When my daughter had her first baby, my first grandchild, she flew home with the two-week-old baby and came to a chapter rally. FMCA members held the baby before I did!
As time progressed, I had numerous examples of support from my FMCA extended family. When I was diagnosed with a hole in my retina, our family came to my aid (I was a long way from my home base), and one family took me in for my surgery and then back to the doctor the next day to have the bandage removed. Another member picked me up at the doctor’s office and took me home while the other family “babysat” my coach for a week. When it came time to move the coach to another park, another couple drove down, hooked up the car, and drove the coach and me to the next stop. At the new park, other members took care of me. When it was time to move the motorhome again, I awoke to four members waiting to pack me into place.
When I had two heart attacks and open-heart surgery, many families supported me and my children. An FMCA member parked across from me and helped my children, who had flown in, to live in my coach; another member gave them the car and coach keys, picked them up at the airports (and later drove them back to the airports), and helped them when needed. I had many visits from FMCA family members, as well as my children. The prayers, greeting cards, flowers, and emails were wonderful demonstrations of the caring and support of my extended family. One couple even drove four hours each way to come visit me while I was recuperating. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what it is.
To me, this shows what FMCA is all about. The people are the most wonderful part of belonging to this great organization. I daily thank God for my family and extended family.
Thank you, Jean, for such a heartfelt letter. There is not much I can add to further demonstrate the continued mutual support that we see nearly every day among FMCA members. We truly are a caring family. Even though we come from many different locations, backgrounds, interests, education levels, and stations in life, our common interest in this lifestyle binds us together in a very special way.
Family Reunion Fun
Well, the Pomona Family Reunion is in our rearview mirror, and what a great time was had by all. Fairplex is one of the finest, if not the finest, facilities I’ve ever been to. The Fairplex hospitality was tops, and the weather was warm, sunny, and pleasant. I want to thank everyone who helped make this a first-class FMCA Family Reunion. We appreciate all the volunteers who put in long hours doing their jobs. To read a recap and see pictures from the event, turn to page 64 of this issue.
Now on to the next stop: Madison, Wisconsin. You will not want to miss the 92nd Family Reunion — “Escape to Wisconsin” — at the Alliant Energy Center, July 29-August 1. You will be able to load up on learning at lots of seminars, among them technical, educational, and product-specific sessions. New motorhomes with the latest amenities will be open and ready for browsing. Vendors with any product or service you would need for your coach will be there. And great entertainment this year includes New Odyssey, William Florian, and the Frustrated Maestros.
All of this is included in your registration fee — such a deal!
Also, I would be remiss in not mentioning what a great destination Madison, Wisconsin, is. We were last there for a Family Reunion in 2011, and attendees really enjoyed some interesting sites in and around Madison. For example, the official National Mustard Museum in Middleton (west of Madison) is home to the world’s largest mustard collection, and to America’s Mustard College, Poupon U. Nearby Green County is home to the town of New Glarus, “America’s Little Switzerland.” A driving tour of “Barn Quilts” takes you past more than 100 barns in the county decorated with large painted quilt patterns. Green County also has nearly a dozen cheese-making companies (two offer tours) that together produce more than 50 cheese varieties. (Visit www.greencounty.org for details.)
In addition, Madison itself has plenty to see and do while you are visiting with your FMCA family. See the article on page 42 of the May 2015 issue of FMC magazine for details, or check out the Madison website at www.visitmadison.com.
The little town of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is the focus of this month’s issue, with two articles, one about the EAA AirVenture and the other about Lake Winnebago lighthouses.
To find ideas for how to enjoy all that Wisconsin has to offer, go to www.travelwisconsin.com. As for the Family Reunion, turn to page 88 for a preview of the entertainment and youth activities.
If you haven’t already registered for the Family Reunion in Madison, please do so online by visiting FMCA.com; by mail using the form that appears on page 85 of this magazine; or by calling the FMCA national office. The early-bird discount ends on June 1. I hope to see you there. Remember, “It’s all about having fun!”