FMCA Update
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April is a month of renewal and change. Here in the Midwest, spring bursts forth, and we — and the landscape around us — shake off the winter doldrums. April is one of the months of the year that holds special meaning for me. My first child, Lyla, was born in April five years ago. When I started working at FMCA, she was only 4 months old. One of my favorite pictures of her is the one we took of her sitting in my office chair shortly after I was hired. Another is of the two of us braving the snow, the photo I’ve shared in this column. She sure was tiny. The adage “Time flies when you are having fun” has never rung more true.
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Greetings from Cincinnati! As you read this, the national office staff will be wrapping up registrations for FMCA’s 97th International Convention and RV Expo, set to take place March 15 through 18 in Perry, Georgia. Registration figures for “Southern Charm” have us trending toward the biggest event in a number of years. If you want to join the party, it is not too late. You can go to https://site.fmca.com/fmca-perry-learn-more, or call us at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622 to sign up or learn more about the event.
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The FMCA staff certainly has been busy over the past couple of months. As you probably have read or heard by now, FMCA has announced three new or revised member benefits since November 1, 2017.
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As I sit down to write my January column, it is late November, and all I can think is, “Wow, what a wild month it’s been” — in a good way!
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Where did the year go? It seems like just yesterday I was writing about how the weather was warming up and the FMCA family would be out there enjoying it. Now the chill is in the air here in Cincinnati! And by the time you read this column, winter will be on its way, and some of you will be lucky enough to be making your way down South to continue enjoying the nice weather. And the holidays will be upon us. Whatever you celebrate during the month of December, enjoy the season.
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Like all of you, I’m sure, I have many things to be thankful for. I have a wonderful, healthy family, with a new addition, a son, on the way in December. My wife and I recently found our forever home here in Cincinnati, and by the time you read this, we should be settled in there.
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It’s looking like October will be a very busy month in the Smith household. By the time this magazine reaches you, we either will be searching for our forever home or settling into it. We have an exciting reason for this new home search: my wife, Jill, and I are expecting the third, and likely last, addition to our family. Our new son is due to arrive on or around December 6…
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You might have already figured out that I am a big sports fan. I shared in the March issue that the NCAA men’s basketball tournament is my favorite sporting event. My favorite season is football season, and my favorite team is the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. As the weather turns a bit cooler, in my mind there is nothing better than relaxing in front of the TV on a Sunday afternoon with friends and family while cheering on the Bengals.
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The July issue of Family Motor Coaching magazine included an announcement regarding a wireless internet plan that FMCA had intended to make available to all members. Unfortunately, Verizon officials have informed FMCA that this plan cannot be made available to members after all.
FMCA did its due diligence in working with Verizon regarding details for this offering, with several months of communication, including approval from Verizon officials of the July 2017 article and ad. We had every reason to believe that Verizon understood what FMCA’s plans were in launching this program.
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This month we officially welcome summer. I hope you all have been out enjoying the beautiful weather in your motorhome. As you make plans for the summer, be sure to include FMCA’s big July event in Indianapolis, Indiana.
FMCA will host its 96th International Convention and RV Expo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center, Wednesday through Saturday, July 12 through July 15. The theme for this event is “Crossroads To Fun.” And that’s just what we are planning – FUN! -
I have spoken in the past about months that are special to me. May is one of them. I am fortunate to have married my beautiful wife, Jill, six years ago this month. She is a wonderful mother to my children and words cannot express how lucky I am to have her. I hear great stories about how many of our members have been with their loved ones for much longer than that. My hope is that I am blessed enough to enjoy the journey of life with her for many years to come.
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It’s Time To Go RVing!
For those who placed their motorhomes in mothballs for the winter, April often is the time when thoughts turn to prepping it for spring travels and hitting the road. In case you missed it, last month’s issue of the magazine contained an article about “dewinterizing” an RV and getting it ready for the travel season ahead (page 46).
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March is one of my favorite times of the year. With the start of spring this month, it is time here in Cincinnati to dig ourselves out of the cold winter conditions and look forward to blooming flowers and warmer weather. If you are lucky enough to be a snowbird, you can leave the comfy spot where you stayed over the winter and head back to your home.
Insuring Your Fun
As you read this newest issue of Family Motor Coaching, I’m hoping you are snuggled up with a loved one in a warm place. It is February after all. Here in Cincinnati, we are …I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, shared with close friends and family. 2016 was a fantastic year all around, in my opinion. I welcomed my second child and accepted the job of my dreams. Here’s to 2017 being even more successful!Since I am not a writer by trade, deciding how to introduce myself via this column took considerable thought. First impressions are everything, so, of course, I want to make a good one. I thought I would start off by sharing some information about my personal life.