FUN TIMES SOUTH FLORIDA UNIT #30

Wally Byam Caravan Club International

April / May 2014

President ’ s Report

Howdy, Our Florida State Rally at Sunshine Key was a relaxing and fun time with several folks from our Unit attending: Josephs, Racaviches, Grimes, Towsleys, Frerkings, Quara-Davises, Perrucccis, Lauries, and Weisenbergers. Going to Key West, eating out and just “hanging around” made for a great time! We started with a pre-rally at Markham Park in Ft. Lauderdale. We toured a newly opened Mor-mon Temple and also had a great time exploring an Ikea store (all floors) looking at unique items, complete kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, etc. Three units camped there but were joined by others for a pot- luck supper and then a Unit meeting. Details of the meeting are in the minutes of this Newsletter. I am writing this in Kentucky after enjoying Mother’s Day at “Blue Heron” aka Mine #18, which once employed over 200 workers and was home for nearly two dozen families. We reached this little town by riding the Kentucky-Tennessee railroad that provides trips to this historic place which was part of a large coal-mining operation owned by the Stearns Company starting in 1905. After this we traveled to Cumberland Falls that looks like a mini-Niagara Falls. Of course, this was fol-lowed by a delicious buffet dinner at the DuPont Inn. By now you have concluded that we are on the Springtime in Kentucky Caravan for 3 weeks. We, the Racaviches and the Perruccis joined 21 other rigs for this caravan. Next we will go to Kansas City to visit family and then to Gillette, Wyoming for the Airstream International Rally. Then we join our children and families for a week near Cooperstown, New York. We expect to return to Florida sometime in October. So much for “tough” Airstreaming and retirement! We have met some wonderful people along the way and seeing America from your Airstream is the only way to go! See you down the road! By the way, our next Unit Rally will be in West Palm Beach in November. So get ready to learn a little history and see some really interesting sights. John and Eileen Frerking President and First Lady South Florida WBCCI Unit 30

561.252.5250 ejfrerking@yahoo.com

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Life in our Airstream is great whether it’s for a couple of days, a week or a few months. So what-ever you can do, getting out and being with friends is the way to enjoy your Airstream. A few of us got together for a pre-rally before the Florida State Rally. It’s a lot of work to get the camper ready for just 4 or 5 days so for me a pre rally and/or post rally is really good. We gath-ered together at Markham Park and the park was very nice. We held a meeting where a lot of in-formation was shared. We also had some meals together which was enjoyable: Who can resist a pot luck dinner! We had a few extra couples who did not camp with us but joined us for the meeting and the cov-ered dish dinner. Some of us had some previous obligations to fulfill and we had to go back home for a few things that we had forgotten. The girls were in a shopping mood. However, we did not want to go to the large Sawgrass Mills Mall so we went to the large IKEA store instead. Now that's a place that you could get lost in. A few of us picked up a couple of things but nothing major. We also went to a Mormon Temple open house being held in Pembroke Pines. Some of us had

been at the Salt Lake City Temple but it was interesting to see that there was one right in our own backyard. It was quite interesting to learn something about the Mormons. I was happy to see that we were able to have a pre-rally down South. I enjoyed the extra time to rest and see something new besides just the planned rally. I think we should continue to do the pre and post rallies. We should also plan some activities where we can go which broadens our ap-preciation of our beautiful state.

Beth Racavich

Pre Rally at Markham Park

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South Florida Unit #30 of WBCCI

Pre-Rally at Markham Park Campgrounds in Sunrise, FL

Board Meeting on Sunday, March 30, 2014

President, John Frerking, called the meeting to order after a potluck dinner.

Those present were – John Frerking, Bill Racavich, Eileen Frerking, Beth Racavich, Tom Towsley, Sissy Towsley, Tony Laurie,

Donna Laurie, Max Joseph, Myra Joseph, Tammy Davis and Doug Quara. A quorum was present.

No minutes were read as they were published in the last newsletter.

Treasurer’s Report - Checking account balance is $4130.14 and CD is $17,003.63.

Correspondence – Eileen sent out sympathy cards to The Richardson’s & Towsley’s. Each family lost a sister. Get well cards

went out to Rivera’s, Joseph’s, & Perrucci’s. Dave & Fran are new Grandparents once again and Bill & Beth Racavich will soon

be Great-Grandparents.

Old Business – we had 18 attend the Unit Dinner in March. New members included: Jim & Donna Cammack, Tammy Davis &

Doug Quara, Adriane Reesey & Ann Perley, and Bob Trescott along with Racavichs, Lauries, Josephs, Perruccis, Towsleys, and

Jack Chew. We hope to have a pool gathering at the beginning of June. It was brought up that perhaps we need more regional-

ized gatherings for lunch & dinner since our unit is so spread out.

Another point was made by Tony Laurie to send out all e-mails as blind copies.

New Business – Max Joseph has had a difficult time recruiting new officers especially for 2nd VP. This is the slate so far for next

year: President – Tony Laurie

1st VP – Bill Racavich

2nd VP – Position Open

Cor. Sec. – Donna Laurie

Recording Sec. – Doug Quara

Treasurer – Susan Quintana

1 Yr. Trustee – Tom Towsley

1 Yr. Trustee – Donna Laurie

2 Yr. Trustee – Tammy Davis

2 Yr. Trustee – Sissy Towsley

Region 3 Rally is April 30th to May 3rd in Fletcher, N.C.

Our next Unit Rally will be November 6-12, 2014 at John Prince Park in Lake Worth, FL. It is a County Park and the deadline to

reserve a site through John Frerking is July 31. The cost is $34.41 per night.

John has a list of suggested rally sites and he suggests that we make an effort to plan our rallies at least a year ahead. He has sug-

gested these dates:

Jan. 15-20, 2015

Feb. 12-17, 2015

Mar. – Region 3 at Saint Augustine

April

International is at Gillette, WY and unit responsibilities were discussed. We have $600 to work with for donations toward

Wounded Warriors, a unit luncheon may be planned, and pull tabs, stuffed animals & knitted hats are collected. The president

attends the Board of Delegates and walks with the unit flag in dark pants, white shirt & red tie.

We need to continue to follow up with new members by e-mail and phone. EACH ONE REACH ONE!

Minutes taken by Donna Laurie for Fran Perrucci

Fran Perrucci Recording Secretary

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Florida State Rally in Key West

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Dealers, Deadbeats, Depression (and Antidote) I finished almost $1500.00 for new truck batteries, complete servicing of our tow vehicle (including new belts, cooling flush, transmission and differential oil, air and fuel filters, rotation, etc.) and felt ready to go! Hooked to the trailer, I pulled out of the driveway—and the “engine” light came on immediately. Heart sinking, I crawled along to the dealer where I had the work done. Problem: The transmission fluid was LOW – VERY LOW! Evidently the tech who worked on the truck spent time on his phone with his girlfriend instead of giving my truck his full attention. So, that’s the DEALER part of this essay. DEADBEATS – Pulling into a Georgia Cracker Barrel for dinner and overnight that evening, duti-fully parking in the RVs and Busses” area, I noticed that cars were starting to use these reserved longer lanes. I asked one man why he parked in this reserved area; he told me he would only be there a short time. Two and ½ hours later he was still sitting in his car. Another lady pulled into the lane beside our Airstream, and before she got out of her car, I said, “I bet you didn’t notice that this area is reserved for trailers and busses.” “Oh, I know that,” she said. “Why, then, do you park here?” Answer: “I come here to eat all the time.” (Notice the logic) She went on to tell me other cars were parked there too, and why should I care since I had my space! (Notice the tragic self-serving selfish remarks) My thoughts: An 18- wheeler crushing her car on the way out while she ate her dinner couldn’t come too soon! What a deadbeat, I thought. This is where we are to-day. I don’t give a rap about my neighbor and what are laws for except to be broken! DEAD-BEATS! DEPRESSION: I stopped at a nursing home to visit a childhood friend two years younger than “yours truly”, convinced that she had been placed there by her son who had his eyes on mom’s assets and that I was going to rescue her from her misery. But, she was obviously suffering from dementia, living a great deal in the past, unable to walk unaided and obviously never going to leave this nursing home except to be carried out by the local funeral home. She is a girl friend that I grew up with, sharing crazy times, eating at the Open Kitchen in Charlotte, NC with our buddies from school, the friend who gave a wedding luncheon for Eileen at the Charlotte City Club, etc. I left the nursing home in tears with a reminder of my own mortality and knowing another link in my past had been severed. I won’t see her again this side of eternity. She has death written all over her. I was depressed. Where am I going with all this? Just this: There are idiot dealers and service departments, there are deadbeats that don’t give a d--- how they treat others, there are depressing moments that try to bring us down – but the antidote to all that: a caravan to Kentucky or anywhere. You meet the finest people, make the best friends, enjoy the great fellowship, see amazing sights, learn great history and feel ALIVE or REFRESHED and UPBEAT all the time! So GO, SEE, DO! See you down the road! John and Eileen Frerking

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Springtime in Kentucky Caravan

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Highlands Hammock State Park Buddy Rally

After receiving a heads up from Tammy Davis and Doug Quara through Eileen Frerking about the March 2015 rally, we decided to have a buddy rally with the Florida Suncoast Unit. I talked with Dave Sowder and thought it would great to have our spring rally with the members of Florida Sun-coast. Donna & I have reserved site 079 for 3 days.

The Florida Suncoast Unit #129 and The South Florida Unit #30 Spring 2015 Rally

2015 Spring Rally dates are March 12-15, 2015

This notice is going out early due to the popularity of this park. It is located off US 27 close to Se-bring, Fl and appears to be very popular with out of state snow birds. Last year we met some fel-low Airstreamers from Canada, Linda & David Shrumm, London ON. The eleven month window for reservations is opened. The Sowder’s, Owens, Maze along with Tammy Davis & Doug Quara have made reservations. If you want to "rally up" and camp close together sites 53-66 excluding 53 & 57 (very small) would be a good choice. Last year many of the attendees took the trolley tour for photography opportunities, hiked the many trails, went shopping in the quaint downtown area, guys went to the race track to watch practice for the 12 hour race, visited the CCC museum on the grounds. We had a good time and all wanted to come back to Highlands Hammock. Let me know when you make your reservation and I will add you to the list of attendees. Undecided if you can attend? Make your reservations now, you can cancel them later for a small fee. However let me know before you cancel them so I can publish the info in case a late comer wants your site. Hope to see you there. David Sowder gatorjds@msn.com Tony Laurie tony@ajlaurie.com Florida Suncoast Rally Chairman South Florida Rally Chairman 941-323-7104 954-971-8802

Highlands Hammock website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock/default.cfm Over 15 already signed up now!

Highlands Hammock campground download: http://www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock/doc/additionalinformation/Campground_map_2007.pdf Reservation website: http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/highlands-hammock-sp/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=FL&parkId=281036

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June 28-July 4, 2014 57th International Convention/Rally Gillette, Wyoming.

November 6-12, 2014 Installation Rally at John Prince Park in Lake Worth, FL It is a County Park and the way to reserve a site is through Tony Laurie 954-971-8802. Your payment will be made to the campground upon arrival.

March 12-15, 2015 Spring Buddy Rally at Highlands Hammock, Sebring, Fl With the Florida Suncoast Unit

Call or go online today to reserve your campsite at Highlands Hammock State Park before they are all booked! 850-245-2157

Highlands Hammock campground download: http://www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock/doc/additionalinformation/Campground_map_2007.pdf Reservation website: http://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/highlands-hammock-sp/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=FL&parkId=281036

Complete information about our rally events, registration and daily details can be

found on our Unit 30 webpage. >>> http://southflorida.wbcci.net/

UPCOMING RALLIES & CARAVANS 2014 — 2015

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May 8, 2014

President's Message Jay Thompson

The 2014 Region 3 Rally was just completed in Asheville, North Carolina with135 rigs and 260 folks attending from 19 of the 20 Units in the region. The weather was

acceptable with light rain on Tuesday, the parking day, and showers Wednesday night....and then the sun came out Thursday for the rest of the rally! The seminars

were well attended and thanks to those who presented, Dorthea Adams, Matt Hack-ney, Julian Clements, Jerry O'Connell, Steve Rosenthal, Renee Etline, Fred Etline,

Mike King, Toppy Dawson, John Plaxco, and Bob Bennett. Four of the region units volunteered to provide meals. They were: Georgia, South Carolina Coastal, Southeastern Camping, and Big Bend of Florida. Several folks used their Dutch ovens to provide desserts on Saturday. The Piedmont Unit led by John Guy and Bob Bennett handled the parking and did a great job! Carolyn White announced the opening ceremony while Matt and Beth Hackney ar-ranged the hikes. To those of you who came to the rally, thanks for attending and the officers appreci-ate your attendance and participation. To those who did not attend, we hope you may come to the next one. A Board of Directors meeting was held with representatives from 17 of the 20 Units in the region. The minutes of the meeting may be seen at this link. Board Meeting Minutes

Dick Martiny was elected as President and Matt Hackney as First Vice Presi-dent. The office of Second Vice President remains vacant. The third quarter financial report of our club may be viewed at this link. WBCCI Financial

Report- 3rd Quarter

For the complete newsletter go to the link:

http://region3.wbcci.net/newsletters/

“Happenings in Region 3”

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April Bill Stone 7

Jim Grimes 11 Bob Konnagan 11 Beth Racavich 27

May Jane May 2 Jack Glouner 4 Reid Turner 8 Tony Laurie 11 Max Joseph 14 Barbara Ritchie 27

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May Fran & Dave Perrucci 4 Tom & Sissy Towsley 12

Tom & Sissy Towsley

Dave & Fran Perrucci

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President John Frerking 1st Vice President Tony Laurie 2nd Vice President Bill Racavich Treasurer Susan Quintana Corresponding Sec. Eileen Frerking Record Sec. Fran Perrucci 1 year Trustee Myra Joseph 1 year Trustee Beth Racavich 2 year Trustee Tom Towsley 2 year Trustee Donna Laurie Past President Max Joseph

UNIT OFFICERS

UP COMING RALLIES &

CARAVANS

FUN TIMES NEWSLETTER

Tony Laurie, Editor

SOUTH FLORIDA UNIT #30 3141 NW 68 Court Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309

June 28-July 4, 2014 57th International Convention/Rally Gillette, Wyoming

November 6-12, 2014 Installation Rally at John Prince Park in Lake Worth, FL It is a County Park and the way to reserve a site is through Tony Laurie 954-971-8802. Your payment will be made to the camp-ground upon arrival.

March 12-15, 2015 Spring Buddy Rally at Highlands Hammock, Sebring, Fl With the Florida Suncoast Unit Reserve your site directly at state park.

Sunset at Markham Park

Remember our Troops in Service !