FMCA convention attendees share summer days in the Northeast.
By Robbin Gould, Editor
Photos By Guy Kasselmann, Art Director
October 2016
In early August, motorhomers from all geographic points descended on western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley, heeding the call to “Celebrate Your Freedom” — theme of the association’s 94th International Convention — August 3-6, 2016.
Festivities took place in West Springfield, Massachusetts, at Eastern States Exposition, home of The Big E. The Big E is a regional fair that attracts nearly 1.5 million visitors each fall and celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
Although FMCA was headquartered in Hanson, Massachusetts, from its founding in 1963 until March 1965, this was the first FMCA international convention ever held in the Bay State.
“What an interesting part of the country, with so much history,” said FMCA national president Charlie Adcock. “For Gloria and me, exploring it was the icing on the cake when combined with a great convention at Eastern States Exposition.”
The occupants of more than 1,000 motorhomes formed a small village at this venue. The official coach count: 1,305, which included 1,059 family coaches and 246 commercial coaches.
Celebrating History
The Eastern States Exposition held its first event, the National Dairy Show, in 1916, and now hosts more than 100 events each year. The Big E is a time for New Englanders to enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of their region. In fact, locals refer to the facility itself as The Big E.
Without leaving the grounds, FMCAers could explore 18th- and 19th-century New England. Storrowton Village Museum, a collection of re-created Early American buildings assembled around a traditional village green, held an open house of sorts for convention attendees. Inside each building, an interpreter in period dress explained its furnishings and described the typical activities of its erstwhile occupants. The informal tour included an 1845 meetinghouse, a one-room school, a general store, a private residence, a law office, and a blacksmith shop, among others.
Storrowton Tavern, another vintage structure, was created from two buildings that were rescued and brought to the site in 1928 and 1930.
Convention-goers could boast that they visited six states during their stay at Eastern States Exposition. They would be referring to the Avenue of States, whose buildings are almost exact replicas of the original statehouses of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The land on which each building sits is actually owned by that state. These grand structures are open to visitors only 17 days a year, during The Big E fair.
Education, Exhibits, Entertainment
FMCA members new to the fold — and some new to motorhoming — may have concluded that they hit the educational jackpot when selecting which of the more than 100 seminars to attend. Be it FMCA member benefits information; technical sessions on motorhome upkeep, systems, and operation; information technology; hobbies; or travel, the docket contained them all, and more.
The doors to approximately 155 motorhomes opened for touring in the coach exhibit areas, and nearly 40 coaches were available for test drives. Nick Palm from Tiffin Motorhomes Inc. noted that “interest levels were high” among convention attendees and members of the general public who toured the company’s display.
More than 330 booths were reserved for supplier and component exhibitors. These included FMCA commercial partners, who set up shop in the “FMCA Connections” area. FMCA national officers and staff worked at the membership/chapter booths and the FMCA Store.
The Coliseum, site of evening entertainment, rang with music befitting the “Celebrate Your Freedom” theme. On Thursday, August 4, The Texas Tenors presented a patriotic program called “Let Freedom Sing.” The trio is composed of classically trained vocalists John Hagen, “the Tenor”; Marcus Collins, “the Contemporary Tenor”; and JC Fisher, “the Romantic Tenor.”
The following evening, The Dave & Daphne Show livened up the stage. Musician-songwriter Dave Salyer and vocalist Daphne Anderson blended music and humor in a performance tinged with country-western and more.
On the third evening, singer-songwriter Ayla Brown shared her original country music. The daughter of Scott Brown, a former U.S. senator from Massachusetts, Ayla was a top 16 finalist on “American Idol” in 2006. She performed original numbers from her EPs “Forward” and “Heroes & Hometowns,” among others.
Fun, Games, And Exercise
Get-up-and-move events filled the schedule. These included a beanbag toss tournament; early-morning exercise sessions by Wayne and Dahelia Hunt, health and fitness educators; and a “Walk Fit” workout class led by FMCA national secretary Gaye Young. Folks curious about the sport of pickleball could attend a seminar presented by Ted Pritchett, a member of the USA Pickleball Association, and swing a racquet in open pickleball sessions.
Several competitions and games of chance attracted folks’ interest. The “Celebrate FMCA Photo Contest” encouraged members to find the life-size FMCA photo frames making their way around the grounds; snap fun photos; and share them on FMCA’s social media pages. Three winners were chosen: Jim and Pat Sennett (Facebook); John Ackley and Joyce Phillips Ackley (Instagram); and Gary and Patricia Takata (Twitter).
Rules for the “Where’s Sheldon?” game were simple: Search for cartoon images of FMCA turtle mascot Sheldon that were hidden around the grounds and redeem them for spendable “Bonus Bucks” during the convention.
“Sheldon’s Cross Country Adventure Trivia Challenge,” sponsored by the FMCA Tour Connection, powered by Fantasy RV Tours, involved some footwork. Players searched for foot-high table-tents interspersed throughout the activity areas. Attendees drew upon their knowledge of FMCA history to answer the trivia question on each. Their completed game cards were entered in a drawing for a six-day RV vacation for two to the 2017 Mesa, Arizona, Fantasy RV Tours rally, plus free admission to FMCA’s international convention in Chandler, Arizona, next March. First-time attendees Bob and Peg Merry were the happy winners.
Fantasy RV sponsored another prize drawing prior to The Texas Tenors’ appearance. Diane and Michel Dargis became recipients of a 34-day Mississippi River Run RV vacation for two.
Meetings And More
“Conventional” activities ensued elsewhere. Association business was discussed in the annual Governing Board meeting, president’s and secretary’s forums, and FMCA area caucuses and gatherings. FMCA national president Charlie Adcock presented an “Orientation For First-Time Attendees.” Numerous FMCA chapters scheduled business meetings and socials. On Saturday, August 6, the annual FMCA membership meeting and installation of new officers took place.
Social events included morning Coffee Hour, where early-risers could start their day with doughnuts and a hot beverage. Many lingered to listen to the playlist performed by singers and musicians from FMCA’s Frustrated Maestros chapters.
The Frustrated Maestros also entertained during the Ice Cream Social. An upbeat crowd moved down a line of tables as volunteer servers efficiently hand-scooped ice cream into their bowls. Attendees personalized their treats with toppings. More than 1,500 people were served 183 gallons of ice cream, with 11 gallons of chocolate syrup and 72 canisters of whipped cream at their disposal. Judging by the smiles, more than a few folks love their ice cream.
“Wow,” commented Tom Ziobrowski, FMCA national vice president, Northeast Area, host area for the convention. “So many attendees loaded my email inbox with words like ‘awesome,’ ‘outstanding,’ ‘fabulous,’ and said the ice cream was delicious.”
Participants at the Ladies’ Tea enjoyed an afternoon of friendship, refreshments, and door prizes. Also, historian Dennis Picard, Storrowton Village Museum director, brought the site to life during an informative presentation.
FMCA Energized
Several new events were organized by FMCA Energized, an enthusiastic group of younger and young-at-heart FMCA members who believe that fun has no age limit. First off was the “Kidz Meet ‘n Greet,” held in conjunction with the FMCA Youth Committee, which enabled families attending the convention with young children or grandchildren to become acquainted.
All spots were filled for “Paint and Sip,” a guided painting party held at Storrowton Tavern, where an artist taught participants how to create their own masterpieces.
On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday mornings, leashed canines set off with their owners on a walk around the grounds during the appropriately named “Dogz On Tour.”
Although the FMCA Energized group targets events to attendees ages 60 and younger, “You don’t have to be under 60 to have fun with us!” said chairman Jeff Walukonis.
Youth On The Run
The Youth Activities Committee hosted four days of off-site excursions for the youngest convention attendees. On day one, they experienced life in an 1830s rural New England town at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Day two included three stops: first, McCray’s Farm, home to a farm animal petting zoo and a functioning creamery (with fresh-made ice cream); next, a cruise of the Connecticut River aboard the Lady Bea riverboat; and last, a stop at the Dr. Seuss Memorial Sculpture Garden in Springfield, Massachusetts. Day three involved a trip to the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, Connecticut. On day four, the children explored the Zoo In Forest Park and Education Center in Springfield.
David and Loretta Marlowe, Youth Committee chairs, reported that participants ranged from 6 to 15 years old. “I think the children really liked Thursday, when we went to three different places,” David said, noting that the river cruise seemed to be their favorite activity.
The Art Of Giving
FMCA members left a positive mark on the area with their generosity. This included the efforts of the On-Road Quilters, a group of FMCA members who enjoy quilting and sewing. At a gathering during which individuals displayed and discussed their creations, the group presented nearly 90 quilts and crocheted and knitted blankets to Ronald McDonald House of Springfield, which provides a home away from home for children receiving treatment at area hospitals.
When accepting th
e items, the representative spied an infant-sized hat, sweater, and blanket. “She remarked that they were assisting a family that would be taking home a small baby from the hospital the week after the convention, and this would make the family joyous,” noted FMCA volunteer Jean Pryor.
The Converted Coach chapter donated approximately 15 afghans and a dozen baby hats to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Springfield, whose pediatric patients receive treatment for orthopedic, rheumatologic, and cleft lip/palate issues.
An eyeglass collection netted 67 pairs of used glasses, which were donated to the Agawam, Massachusetts, Lions Club, furthering Lions’ Club International’s dedication to eyesight-related causes.
The Professional RV Vendors Chapter hosted a food drive, encouraging convention attendees to drop off nonperishable items in the indoor exhibits. Coordinator Lloyd “Smitty” Smith reported that 118 pounds of food and $138 in cash were collected for Open Pantry Community Services of Springfield.
Members of FMCA Chapter: Habitat For Humanity® donated $1,000 to a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Falls Village, Connecticut.
Convention attendees heeded the call to donate blood by visiting the bloodmobile brought to the grounds by the American Red Cross, and coordinated by Lou and Lucille Snow. Lou reported that 24 units of blood were collected and that four first-time donors were registered. He added that FMCA’s Massachusetts Minutemen chapter has sponsored many blood drives over the years in the Northeast, which led to this effort in West Springfield.
Valuable Volunteers
With so many facets, an FMCA convention can occur only with the help of hundreds. In West Springfield, approximately 650 volunteers worked shifts in many areas, including security, seminars, parking, information, coffee hour, entertainment, trams, and handicapped and activity golf carts. Thank you, one and all.
The Northeast Area’s Tom Ziobrowski added his gratitude: “Kudos to everyone who was involved in putting the event together, from the Convention Committee to the Northeast Area volunteers, to the Cincinnati staff, and so many more doing all the behind-the-scenes work. None of this could have happened in our area without the cooperation from everyone.”
Next Up: An Arizona Adventure
It’ll be somethin’ to see, pardners, when the Family Motor Coach Association sets up camp for FMCA’s 95th International Convention at Rawhide Western Town and Event Center, at Wild Horse Pass, in Chandler, Arizona, March 7-10, 2017. Plan to point your wagon toward the desert for a Western-style experience. See the registration form in this issue, and visit FMCA.com for updates as they become available.
In early August, motorhomers from all geographic points descended on western Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley, heeding the call to “Celebrate Your Freedom” — theme of the association’s 94th International Convention — August 3-6, 2016.