This chapter will welcome fellow FMCA members to Minot, North Dakota.
By Peggy Jordan, Associate Editor
May 2019
This summer, thousands of FMCA members will flock to Minot, North Dakota, for the association’s 100th International Convention & RV Expo. “We’re looking forward to it, of course!” exclaimed Ramblin’ NoDaks president Gene Grimm. Members of the chapter will be serving doughnuts and beverages during morning coffee hour each day.
The Ramblin’ NoDaks chapter started after FMCA’s Chapter Services Department sent a letter to members living in North Dakota. Efforts to form a chapter in the state succeeded. The group is now thriving, with 49 member families. In July, they will celebrate their 25th anniversary at the fairgrounds in Rugby, North Dakota, with a sit-down dinner and more.
This is a chapter that works together to volunteer in various capacities. If an international convention or FMCA area rally is nearby, they typically assist. And you can find them helping at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds during a non-FMCA event, too. “Every fall, Minot hosts the Norsk Hostfest,” Gene explained. “Seventy-five percent of our active members are at the Hostfest volunteering; many of us get there two weeks ahead of time to park RVs.” This year’s event is September 25-28. It’s the largest Scandinavian festival in North America and typically attracts visitors from throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries.
With all that keeping them busy, the chapter still puts on its own rallies with activities in mind. June 13 through 16, the NoDaks will be at the Dale & Martha Hawk Museum & Campgrounds in Wolford, North Dakota. That is when the museum will put on a parade showcasing its antique vehicles and farm machines as part of its annual Farm Show. And guess who gets to choose vehicles to drive in the parade? Anyone who wants to! Gene laughed, recalling how last year, he selected a vintage tractor. “It was so old, I was very nervous trying to think which levers I’d use to stop it!”
Other chapter adventures have included a tour of the Minot Air Force Base. Often, too, the rally fun is shared in Canada with members of FMCA’s Canadian Northern Lights chapter. Gene said a majority of Ramblin’ NoDaks also belong to that chapter, and vice versa.
At the end of the year, to escape the long North Dakota winters, many members go south. One group of NoDaks winds up in southern Texas, and another in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. Both hold monthly socials so they can stay in touch.
If you reside in or near North Dakota and want to join this group, don’t hesitate to contact Gene Grimm at (616) 443-0442; grimmdorr@aol.com. Just be ready for an adventure! And look for their friendly faces in Minot!
For general information about FMCA chapters, contact the Chapter Services Department at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622; chapters@fmca.com.
If you would like your chapter to be featured in Chapter Spotlight, contact FRV associate editor Peggy Jordan, (800) 543-3622, ext. 212; pjordan@fmca.com.