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Celebrate springtime with tender, luscious lamb creations. Lamb is one of the most versatile meats for the grill, oven, skillet, or soup pot, but its high price keeps many of us from serving it more often.

The first time you see a velvet ant, you’ll be amazed by its elegance. But don’t touch it.

Even if you aren’t a movie buff, visiting old movie palaces is a treat. Below are descriptions of 16 of the several hundred classic theaters still in existence in the United States.

Did you know that FMCA has a bilingual chapter? Well, it does. In September 2000, FMCA awarded a charter to the Allô Québec (“Hello Quebec”) chapter, which is based in the Canadian province of Quebec.

William “Bill” Purser, F180 — a charter member of FMCA who is credited with starting the traditional morning coffee hour that is a mainstay at FMCA conventions — died on October 8, 2003, at the age of 72.
Bill was born February 16, 1931, in Birmingham, Alabama. After serving in the Air Force during the Korean War, he attended the University of Alabama where he earned a bachelor of science degree in management.

We recently received a call from an FMCA member who had learned that Remco has experienced failures with its Lube Pump when used on the Toyota Highlander. In checking with Remco, I was told that the company is exploring a modification that will fix this problem.

In a letter that appeared in the February 2004 “Readers’ Forum” column (“Appeal For Assistance,” page 20), Charles B. Tuley Jr.

FMCA is now more than 40 years old, and it has always grown by using the communication tools of the day. For many years the only ways members could exchange information, short of a face-to-face conversation, were by using the telephone and the postal service.

Each year FMCA loses families from its membership rolls. Approximately 85 to 90 percent do renew each year, which is a statistic that would please most associations.

As I write this article, my wife, Jeri, and I are spending the night in Amarillo, Texas. We are returning to our home in Oklahoma after attending the Western Area Rally in Indio, California, which took place January 7 through 11.

FMCA commercial members in Quebec, Canada, inadvertently were omitted from the Business Directory (a listing of all FMCA commercial members) in the January 2004 issue. Following is a list of those companies.
Information about FMCA commercial members, including companies in Quebec, is available also via the online version of the Business Directory at www.fmca.com/bd.
CAMPGROUNDS
Camping de Compton C9537
24 Station
Compton, QC J0B 1L0
Canada
(800) 563-5277
(819) 835-5277
(819) 835-5304 fax
info@campingcompton.com
www.campingcompton.com
Camping Kea Seignebrie de Soulanges C7853
195 Rd 339
P O Box 1
Coteau Du Lac, QC J0P 1B0
Canada
(800) 263-5344 Quebec only
(450) 763-5344
(450) 763-1799 fax
Camping Tete D’indien C8222
1669 Rte 132 E
St Georges Malbaie, QC G0C 2X0
Canada
(877) 530-8383
(418) 645-3845
(418) 645-2713 fax
campingtete@netscape.net
Camping Transit Inc C8870
600 Chemin St – Roch
St Joseph De Levy, QC G6V 6N4
Canada
(888) 882-0948
(418) 939-0948
(418) 838-0937 fax
miller@oricom.ca
http://quebecweb.com/campingtransit
Camping Alouette C6759
3449 De L Industrie
St Mathieo de Beloeil, QC J3G 4S5
Canada
(888) 464-7829
(450) 464-1661
(450) 464-4591 fax
www.campingalouette.com
DEALERS
Horizon Lussier C8881
Holiday Rambler, Fleetwood, Tiffin
1155 Rg De L’eglise
Marieville, QC J3M 1N9
Canada
(800) 387-4100
(450) 460-3666
(450) 460-0312 fax
horizon.lussier@videotron.ca
www.horizonlussier.com
Pierre St Cvr Auto Caravanes C8906
Coachmen, Georgie Boy
3465 Chemin de L’Industrie
St-Mathieu de Beloeil, QC J3G 4S5
Canada
(514) 990-6555
(450) 652-6555
(450) 652-5925 fax
www.autocaravane.ca

RV REPAIR
Motorise Roland Bosse Inc C5147
3540 Boul des Entreprises
Terrebonne, QC J6W 5C7
Canada
(450) 477-2825 Business
(450) 965-0524 Residence
Pierre St Cvr Auto Caravanes C8906
Coachmen, Georgie Boy
3465 Chemin de L’Industrie
St-Mathieu de Beloeil, QC J3G 4S5
Canada
(514) 990-6555
(450) 652-6555
(450) 652-5925 fax
www.autocaravane.ca
CUSTOM COACH CONVERTERS/MOTOR COACH MANUFACTURERS
Prevost Car Inc C632
35 Gagnon Boulevard
St Claire, QC G0R 2V0
Canada
(418) 883-3391
(418) 883-4157 fax
www.prevostcar.com
SERVICES
Electrical Equipment, Parts & Supplies
Pran Systems Inc C9014
2245 Leon Harmel
Quebec, QC G1N 4J6
Canada
(418) 688-7726
(418) 688-7738 fax
f.arteau@pransystems.com
www.pransystems.com
Murals
Gecko Design Inc C9539
617 Begin
P O Box 843
St Anselme, QC G0R 2N0
Canada
(418) 885-4400
(418) 885-8480 fax
lmorin@geckocommunication.com
www.ezart.ca/www.gecko-design.com
Security Systems
Universal Boot Inc C9743
681 Meloche Street
Dorval, QC H9P 2S4
Canada
(888) 354-5699
(514) 631-5005
(514) 631-4114 fax
info@universalboot.com
www.universalboot.com
Solar Products
ICP Global Technologies C9151
6995 Jeanne Mance St
Montreal, QC H3P 1W5
Canada
(514) 270-5770
(514) 270-3677 fax
dkruger@icpglobal.com.

To racing fans, Darrell Waltrip is an American icon, a modern-day folk hero, and a three-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion. And now, Darrell Waltrip, or DW as he’s known to friends and fans, has become a TV celebrity.

Family owned and operated since its inception in 1968, Liberty Coach Inc. has grown to become a pivotal player in the coach conversion market.

On a winter morning, as the sun reddens the sky, thousands of snow geese scattered on a big pond begin to waken and disrupt the quiet air with loud honks. One bird powers into the sky, sees no followers, and plummets back to the water.

It starts with that little twitch that begins to stir inside. That’s the first symptom.

Removing fuses from the towed vehicle in preparation for towing has always been a problem because of their small size. But I’ve found that wrapping a small tie-wrap around the body of the fuse and then another one through that tie-wrap, leaving a loop to use as a finger pull, makes it easier to remove the fuses.

Vesta DWV303B compact dishwasherThe Vesta DWV303B dishwasher is described in company literature as “America’s first high-quality, space-saving dishwasher designed to be built into a cabinet or placed on a kitchen counter.” Measuring 22-3/8 inches wide, 18-1/8 inches high, and 19-3/8 inches deep, the unit weighs less than 60 pounds and can be installed under a cook top, above a wheel well, or inside any cabinet with room and access.
The Vesta DWV303B is capable of washing up to four, four-piece place settings per load and uses only 3.3 gallons of water per normal cycle. A pullout dish rack and a removable silverware basket simplify loading and unloading.

Buddy Gregg Motor Homes, C3326, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, recently celebrated its 20th anniversary in the motorhome sales business. The company was founded in 1984 by Buddy Gregg and his wife, Carole, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, after the Greggs purchased an existing motorhome dealership.

Last summer I had the opportunity to experience true luxury aboard an Elegant Lady bus conversion, crafted by Liberty Coach Inc. of North Chicago, Illinois.

Imagine that you’re hiking along a stream and run across a beaver, North America’s largest rodent, busy at work. An adult beaver can grow to be four feet long (including its 12- to 16-inch tail) and weigh anywhere from 30 to 68 pounds.

Produced by General Motors from 1973 through 1978, the innovative GMC Motorhome gained a following that is still as strong — if not stronger — today. This three-part series explores the fascinating history of a motorhome still considered by many to have been far ahead of its time.

Following World War II and a lapse of auto production of nearly four years, former GIs and the general public longed for new cars.

It has been said that “necessity is the mother of invention.” Well, here is another motorhome modification that came about because of need. Most of the credit should go to my lovely wife, Jennifer.

Our 2000 Allegro Bay 36IB has a walk-through bathroom, as do many motorhomes in the 36-foot size range.

Despite its freedoms and joys, full-timing also presents its share of challenges and problems. Here are some solutions that might work for your life on the go.

Whether you’re a vegetarian or are looking for economical meals, here is a collection of recipes that do not call for meat. Imitation sausage- and ground beef-flavored crumbles are meat substitutes that are made from soy and seasonings.

As much as we love travel, there are days when our bodies can’t do anything but complain. However, that doesn’t mean we sit in a chair and pout — what fun would that be? Many minor aches and pains respond to a little TLC, so give these tips a try when you’re feeling a little under the weather.

In June, July, and August of 2003 a limited trial of a new highway symbol was conducted in Oregon on a small portion of Interstate 5. The symbol, a 12-inch circle with 8-inch-high “RV” letters inside, was created to help RV travelers locate businesses that offer easy access and parking.

A majority of FMCA members are volunteers. Whether they serve as national officers or help to put on a chapter rally, they like to give.

Father Ralph Carney, F309996, is a retired Catholic priest who serves members of FMCA as the chaplain of a new chapter called The Roamin’ Catholics, and also as chaplain of FMCA’s Northwest Area.

Q: I want to use a tow dolly and pull my 2004 Porsche mid-engine Boxster with its drive wheels on the dolly. Your article states not to pull backward.

At press time it was discovered that FMCA commercial members in Quebec, Canada, were omitted from the Business Directory, a listing of all FMCA commercial members, in the January 2004 issue (page 1073). Unfortunately, because of time and space constraints, it was not possible to publish a list of these missing companies this month.

It amazes me how much communication has changed just in the past few years, and how these changes have paved the way for smooth travels for motorhome owners. One example is telephone communications.

Why would you go to Louisville, Kentucky, in early December in your motorhome? Believe me, it’s not to camp out and enjoy the outdoors. In December 2002 when we visited Louisville, we encountered eight inches of snow.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, with its history, architecture, and art, will likely be the most popular side trip for FMCA members who visit Albuquerque in March for the association’s 71st International Convention. You can travel from Albuquerque to Santa Fe in just less than an hour if you take pedal-to-the-metal Interstate 25.

FMCA and Hartford Life Insurance Company have just put the finishing touches on a brand-new accident insurance plan for family members. It’s called the “Loyal Years Plan,” and it’s quite different from anything you’ve seen before.

As any careful insurance shopper knows, not all accident insurance plans are the same.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, site of FMCA’s 71st International Convention, March 16, 17, and 18, is a city so diverse that it cannot be defined simply by its geography, history, or inhabitants.

These differences provide the foundation for the city’s distinctive spirit. Albuquerque is ancient and contemporary; traditional Hispanic and red, white, and blue American; small town and big city.

When Spanish colonists arrived in what is now New Mexico in 1607, they found the ruins of an American Indian pueblo at the site where the state’s capital city now stands. Among the colonists were aristocrats who knew how a proper Spanish city should be laid out.

For many years, a number of leading industry suppliers and manufacturers have been offering some degree of repair service at FMCA’s major rallies and conventions. Initially, this service was incidental to displaying their equipment and talking with coach owners, and was usually offered for emergency situations only.

In our travels across the country, we sometimes cross time zones as well as state lines. It is customary for us to call relatives in the evening after settling in a campground.

Outdoor activities are a major part of motorhoming for many people, but wet boots and gloves can put a damper on further outdoor fun. The Sahara Shoe and Boot Dryer may be the answer to this dilemma.

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, C1731, located in Newport Beach, California, will offer married couples staying at the resort’s RV park on Valentine’s Day, February 14, a special discount based on the number of years that they’ve been married. For instance, a couple that’s been married 10 years will receive a 10 percent discount.

Motorhomers interested in taking advantage of the resort’s Valentine’s Day promotion simply need to state the number of years they’ve been married when making their reservation.

Newport Dunes’ 406-site RV park features double-wide spaces that are individually fenced for maximum privacy; cable TV outlets; and 20-, 30-, and 50-amp electrical service.

Someone once said, and I’m undoubtedly paraphrasing, “Travel is not just about the exercise of getting from point A to point B, but rather the trip itself.” RVing, in general, and motorhoming, to be more specific, confirm that notion. And RVing in a Fleetwood Excursion, to be even more specific, is the proof at the bottom of the pudding bowl.

On one of our earliest trips to see coast redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens), we discovered a huge redwood tree stump, crosscut so that the tree rings could be marked with the corresponding dates of historic events. To our surprise, the marker associated with the year Christopher Columbus discovered America was much closer to the outside bark than to the center of the stump.

It’s not on the interstate. It’s not anywhere between here and there.

It was a war that no one won. It was a time and place where even the men with badges wore black hats.

Hot and tasty are the key words for winter RV recipes that are quick and uncomplicated. There is nothing more inviting than an appetizing aroma, whether it’s cinnamon and cloves, onions sizzling with fresh peppers, or a long-simmering stew.

Change is a fact of modern life, but each day seems to present more challenges for the full-timer. You must be nimble to keep your balance (and your bankroll), and even small changes can mean a big difference in comforts or costs.

This month’s column is devoted to discovering the age of trees, also known as the science of dendrochronology. Listed here are 13 tree species found in North America that include some of the oldest trees in the world, although several of the largest are no longer standing.

The 100%ers chapter of FMCA is a fun-loving group whose membership includes full-timers who have no residence other than their motorhomes. The chapter received its charter on March 6, 1989, and has four founding members still active: R.J.

FMCA’s South Central Area celebrated the 30th anniversary of its Six-State Rally at the Multi-Purpose Events Center (MPEC) in Wichita Falls, Texas, from September 29 through October 2, 2003. Dubbed “Waltz Across Texas,” it was the first Six-State rally held in the Lone Star State since 1992.

While driving through town one day, I stopped for a red light, and when I started to move again, the brakes did not completely release on both front wheels.