By Charlie Adcock, F311374
May 2016
Hello, My Fellow FMCA Family. Gloria and I recently spent time at Happy Trails Resort in Surprise, Arizona, catching our breath and getting plenty of rest. We accomplished both and feel much better. We were there for a wonderful four weeks, during which time the temperature averaged about 70 degrees each day. One reason we selected Happy Trails is that I have an aunt and uncle who live a mile from the resort, and that gave us plenty of time to reconnect with family. We really enjoyed catching up after all the years.
Even during the downtime, I still managed to keep pretty busy. For example, since we were already in the area, FMCA national senior vice president Jon Walker, who serves as chairman of the Convention Committee, joined me and some of the FMCA staff for a site visit in Chandler, Arizona, which is a suburb of Phoenix. FMCA is making plans to host the 95th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase there in 2017. We think this is going to be a wonderful location for a Family Reunion, and we are convinced that our members are going to have a really great time at the venue.
Gloria and I did have time to just relax while staying at Happy Trails Resort. We had a standing Wednesday evening dinner date with Ross and Melanie Boyer, F268985. And Gloria had a standing date with her bingo-playing buddies on Friday nights.
I just have to stop here and tell a cute story about that. Gloria went to play bingo one Friday night. I stayed home and was sound asleep when she returned. The next morning I had finished showering and was shaving. It was about 5:30 a.m., and Gloria was still asleep. Suddenly, she sat straight up in bed, jerked her C-pap mask and chin strap from her head, and starting yelling “I won! I won!” I thought she must be having a nightmare. I asked her, “What do you mean you won?” She said, “I won one of the pots — I won $116.” Of course, the rest of the story is that she did not share any of it with me!
As you all know by now, I am somewhat of a “social” person, and I love the opportunity that our lifestyle provides for us to meet and greet each other. Another fun thing we did while at Happy Trails was to attend the neighborhood coffee hour every Saturday morning. A different couple would host and supply coffee and pastries each week. What a great idea, and it was a nice way to get to know the neighbors. One evening we attended a social hosted by Harry and Susan Montgomery, F336413. Harry is a past national vice president, Rocky Mountain Area. Others present included retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jim Johnston and wife, Sallie, F415786; retired Air Force Col. Wayne Pedersen, F327289, who is a past treasurer of the Rocky Mountain Area; and Gary and Lu Verne Underhill, F303097. Our time with Gary and Lu Verne was bittersweet, because they have reached the point where they have to hang up their keys. Besides being one of the best vocalists in the Frustrated Maestros, Lu Verne also is a past treasurer of the Rocky Mountain Area. Several other couples were in attendance, and I must say a delightful time was had by all. Thanks, Harry and Susan, for inviting us.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that at Happy Trails Resort, I had the opportunity to attend a CPR/AED certification class. The class was taught by Tom and Becky Wells, F161669. I have attended similar classes five or six times in the past, and I must say this class rated right up at the top. I now feel like I’m prepared to handle an emergency situation, not that I’m looking forward to that, but a big thanks to Tom and Becky for the services they are providing to our members.
On May 30 we will observe Memorial Day in the United States. That, of course, is the day we have set aside to remember our fallen heroes. To me, this is a really sad day on the one hand. I am saddened by the loss of friends and compatriots. But on the other hand, I am so proud of their willing sacrifices for our benefit. I am sure each of you has been touched by losing a loved one, close friends, or just an acquaintance. Last year I shared about my uncle who served in World War II and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder until his death. This year I want to pay tribute to a very dear friend of mine, Staff Sgt. Pete Peterson. Pete was a loadmaster on the C-130 aircraft. Pete and his crew were shot down after taking off from Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Viet Nam, in 1969.
So, this Memorial Day say a special thanks and a prayer for all the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This also includes all of our first responders, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency service personnel in the United States, as well as our brothers and sisters in Canada who have stood beside us through it all.
FMCAssist Tips
I would like to change gears a little and talk once more about the FMCAssist Medical Emergency and Travel Assistance Program. I want to make sure every member knows how to use this most important benefit. There are only three things you need to remember in an emergency: 1) Call 9-1-1. 2) Talk to the attending physician. 3) Call Seven Corners (NOT FMCA), (877) 202-4176. Be sure to have your FMCA membership number handy when you call. Also, make sure that your immediate family members back home are aware of this important benefit and that they have the Seven Corners phone number and your FMCA membership number. Note that Seven Corners DOES NOT reimburse after the fact. If you do not know who to talk to, just give me a call. I will be glad to help you get the information you need.
Good Times In Georgia
As I am writing this, we have just finished enjoying gorgeous weather and renewing wonderful friendships, as well as making new ones, in Perry, Georgia, at FMCA’s 93rd Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase. What a great event! We did experience a bit of rain in the evenings, but the weather during the day cooperated nicely, with warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. A total of 2,601 motorhomes were part of the experience, including 415 commercial units.
The official kick-off day for the Family Reunion coincided with St. Patrick’s Day. Of course, green was everyone’s favorite color that day, and we got into the spirit with a decorating contest for members, who decked out their golf carts and other forms of transportation in honor of St. Paddy’s Day.
Attendees boosted their knowledge by sitting in on seminars; explored the local area via organized tours arranged by FMCA; and participated in social activities such as coffee hour each morning and an ice cream social one afternoon. We were able to check out the latest motorhome offerings, and some attendees even left with new wheels! We also could shop till we dropped in the indoor exhibit areas.
We enjoyed three great nights of entertainment — plenty of laughs courtesy of comedian Lee Marvin Adams; a night of “Country Unplugged” featuring country music stars Mark Chesnutt, Lorrie Morgan, and Joe Diffie; and a fun time with musicians Pamela G. and Jackie B. on the final night. My wife, Gloria, and Sondra Walker, wife of national senior vice president Jon Walker, even got in the act, literally, when they joined Pamela and Jackie on stage and played the spoons.
Plenty of other good times took place as well. Be sure to check out the article that starts on page 60 of this issue to read more about the activities we enjoyed and to see photos taken during the Family Reunion.
Celebrate Your Freedom!
Now that the event in Perry is part of FMCA’s history, we look forward to the next opportunity we’ll have to gather as a large group — FMCA’s 94th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase, set to take place August 3 through 6, 2016, in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Speaking of history, we’re calling this Reunion “Find Your Freedom,” in honor of the host area and the role its early residents played in securing freedom during the Revolutionary War. We’ll gather at the Eastern States Exposition, home of the BIG E. Space is limited at this venue, so you’ll want to register early. An ad with information and the registration form appears starting on page 56 of this issue of the magazine.
Hope to see you in West Springfield, or even before that at one of the area rallies set to take place this summer. For details, check out the registration forms that appear elsewhere in this magazine for the Great Lakes, Northwest, and Midwest area rallies.
Safe travels, and remember, “It’s all about having fun!”
Work Campers Needed At FMCA
FMCA currently is expanding its call center, the goals being to welcome new members with a personal phone call; to communicate by phone with FMCA members who need to renew their dues; and possibly to help with overflow inbound calls to the FMCA Member Services Department. To assist with these efforts, we are seeking FMCA members who might like to join the team as work campers based at the FMCA campground in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. Members who have prior customer service or call center experience and would enjoy interacting with other members by phone would be ideal for these positions. A minimum commitment of one month would be required. For more information, please contact Penny Gortemiller, pgortemiller@fmca.com; 800-543-3622, ext. 238.
Dues Renewal Changes
English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy once said, “Time changes everything except something within us which is always surprised by change.” We want to let FMCA members know about a couple of changes to the association’s dues renewal process.
For many years FMCA has been sending updated membership cards to FMCA members along with their dues renewal notice, noting that the card will be valid upon receipt of the members’ dues payment. Starting this year, renewing members will be sent an updated card AFTER their dues renewal payment has been received by the FMCA national office. This will avoid the confusion that sometimes resulted when folks thought they had a valid membership card but had not yet paid their dues.
Also, dues renewal notices will be sent via email and via regular postal mail and no longer inside a plastic wrap with Family Motor Coaching magazine. Of course, we would ask that members respond as promptly as possible so that we don’t have to bother you with additional notices, and to save the association the cost of sending subsequent mailings. Members occasionally express concern that they’ll lose a month or two of their membership if they pay in advance of their expiration date. Don’t worry; that won’t happen. The renewal membership will start on the date the current membership expires.
If you have a question about when your membership expires, check the label on your copy of FMC magazine, or look up that information at FMCA.com. Sign into the website using your log-in information; click on My Account and then View My Member Profile. (If you currently do not have an online account, click Create An Account.) You also can update your membership information there or print a new membership card. If you experience difficulty logging in, please feel free to contact the FMCA national office for assistance. And if you don’t have an email address on file, please share it, either via FMCA.com, by sending an email to updateemail@fmca.com, or by calling the FMCA national office at (800) 543-3622 or (513) 474-3622.
As always, please feel free to contact the FMCA national office if you have questions.