Nominees for 2011-2012 Officers

The Dogwood Nominating Committee submits the following names to fill Officer positions for 2011-2012. All nominees are aware and agreeable to filling the respective positions.

• President Mann Duff
• VP Membership Bill Ferebee
• VP Rally's Fairleigh Schoolar
• VP Communications Carolyn Duff
• Secretary Karen Alexander
• Treasurer Carol Warthan
• National Director Ed Fisher
• Alt. National Director Mann Duff

President's Message

Carolyn and I just returned home from the rally at Rockahock hosted by Judy and Terry Davis and Barbara and Bobby Dyke. If you missed it, you missed a really nice time and an abundance of good food. There were too many really good dishes to mention them all but particularly noteworthy were the fried salt herring prepared by Judy Davis which were served at breakfast on Saturday morning and the BBQ chicken and ribs prepared by Barbara Dyke for Saturday dinner. Thinking about these treats makes my mouth water. Yes, it was hot but not so hot as to get in the way of enjoying our usual good times and fellowship.

Our next gathering will be in Luray next month. We'll have a business meeting on Saturday September 18 where you'll have the opportunity to vote in the election of Chapter Officers for the 2011 - 2012 term. It's important that we have a quorum present otherwise we'll have to deal with the administrative work of conducting a mail vote. Please do your part to help us avoid the hassle. Both Carolyn and I will look forward to seeing you there.

Mann

Luray Rally September 17-19

Head to the mountains for Dogwood's fall rally, September 17-19, at the Country Waye RV Resort in scenic Luray Virginia. The campground has spacious sites with full hookups and a yurt for our group gatherings. Hosts for the rally are Cil & Fairleigh Schoolar and Liz & Butch Jones.

While in the area, visit Virginia's famous Luray caverns, drive along the scenic Skyline Drive, or go tubing down the Shenandoah River. For more information about the campground or attractions in the area, click here to check out the campground's web site.

Campsite: Make your campsite reservation directly with Country Waye, 888-765-7222. Rates are $41.40 plus tax per night and include water, electric and sewer. Be sure to mention that you are with Dogwood to receive the discounted rate and to be parked with the group. Deadline for making your reservation is September 3.

Rally fees are $20 per person and cover the meals listed below. Send check, payable to Cil Schoolar at 1976 Essex Mill Road, Dunnsville VA 22454. Please register by September 3.

Schedule for the weekend (along with a preliminary menu):
Friday:
Happy Hour. Snacks. Bring your own beverage.
Dinner. Chicago take out, dessert.

Saturday:
Breakfast. Egg casserole, bacon, sausage gravy, biscuits, coffee, juice
Business meeting including election of chapter officers
Happy Hour. Snacks. Bring your own beverage.
Dinner. Beef tenderloin, roasted potatoes, veggies, dessert

Sunday:
Breakfast. Sausage gravy, biscuits, coffee, juice

Please bring your own beverage (unless noted provided), plate and utensils for all meals.

If you have any questions, call the Schoolars or Joneses.

__________________________________________

Registration Form for Dogwood Luray Rally, September 17-19, 2010

Payable to Cil Schoolar at 1976 Essex Mill Road, Dunnsville VA 22454

Names ____________________________________

Number of people attending ____________

Amount Enclosed $_______________

__________________________________________

Updates:

Attendees as of 9/5: Schoolar, Jones, Dyke, Davis, Gruel, Martin, Hicks, Duff, Gausman, Cummings, Buelow, Sohles

8/29: When I made my campsite reservation, I was told that they used the credit card number to hold the site, but I needed to pay with a check when I checked in.

Other Upcoming 2010 Rallies

Mark your calendars for these upcoming Dogwood rallies. More information will be provided closer to the rally date.

October 20 -24: GEAR (the Greater Eastern Area Rally) in Winston-Salem NC. There will be a Dogwood happy hour one evening during the rally. If you are interested in volunteering at the rally, contact Max Hicks, for driving trams (golf carts) or Berkley Alexander for monitoring seminars. Please send an email to FMCAdogwood@gmail.com and let us know if you are planning to attend.

Members who plan to attend GEAR: Berkley & Karen Alexander, Max & Barbara Hicks, Wilt & Barbara Greenwood, Mann & Carolyn Duff, Butch & Liz Jones, Jimmy & Margie Elliott, Mo & Shirley Martin, Carl & Donna Gruel

November 5-6: Urbanna Oyster Festival. Ed Fisher's garage (and campground). Hosts: Berkley & Karen Alexander

December 3-5: Holiday Trav-L-Park Campground in Virginia Beach. Hosts: Jim & Susan Buelow, Berkley & Karen Alexander, Paul & Nancy Cummings, Mel & Dian Hughes

Click here for tentative 2011-2012 rally schedule.

Highlights from the Rockahock Rally

Twenty four coaches gathered for an enjoyable weekend at the Rockahock rally. Special thanks to the Barbara & Bobby Dyke and Judy & Terry Davis who hosted the event. We were glad that new members Dennis & Joyce Reid and charter member Amelia Winn were able to join us.

The official kickoff for the rally was Friday evening, however, several coaches arrived on Thursday. Despite the stormy weather, several carloads ventured to Colonial Heights for snow crab legs at the Chinaman Buffet. Friday evening we enjoyed a cold cut dinner (which was perfect for upper 90 degree weather) followed by music performed by Dogwood's own blue grass band . Saturday morning the men cooked bacon and eggs while Judy Davis cooked salt herring in the small, hot campground kitchen. Following breakfast there was a business meeting which included planning for next year's rallies. Saturday evening we enjoyed bbq ribs and chicken prepared by our hosts and more blue grass music. Sunday morning after a continental breakfast, we packed up and said our goodbyes. Click here for photos from the rally.

Superlative awards were presented at the rally for:

• Traveled the farthest: Donna & Carl Gruel who traveled from Michigan
• Lowest FMCA #: Ed & Anke Fisher F54400
• Married the longest: Mo & Shirley Martin 54 years
• Our newlyweds: Rachel & Bill Ferebee 2 years
• Most children: Don Warthan 5 of his own (+ 3 of Carol's)
• Newest members: Dennis & Joyce Reid April 2010

A special thanks to the band members, Donald Warthan, Mel Hughes, Dickie Cannon, Harold & Sandra Smith, Carter Clements, Curtis Brizendine and Maggie Budd for providing enjoyable entertainment throughout the weekend.

Highlights from the Tappahannock RivahFest

Several Dogwood members joined the Schoolars to attend the Tappahannock RivahFest. If you have never been, this is a really nice festival - arts, crafts, antique cars, music, food and more. We got to check out Dan Moore's famous fried pickles and the Davis' son's antique Chevrolet. Fairleigh's motorhome was parked behind the stage to be used by the bands to change clothes and relax between performances. Dogwooders also used it to "chill" from the 90+ degree weather.

We really enjoyed meeting the members of the "Band of Oz" and their beach music was very entertaining. Some members danced to the music while others swayed beneath the shade trees.

After a day at the festival, we met back at the Schoolars house for "light snacks" (Mann said if this is light snacks he couldn't imagine what dinner was like). Thanks to Cil and Fairleigh for their hospitality and a delightful day.

Business Reports

A business meeting for the Dogwood Chapter was held on Saturday August 7, 2010. Click on these links to view the treasurer's report and secretary's report.

Please note that the election of chapter officers will be held at the business meeting on September 18 at the Luray rally. A quorum (25% of the membership which is 13 coaches) must be present for the election.

The nominating committee is still looking for volunteers for the 2011-2012 slate of officers. If you are willing to serve as an officer, please contact one of the committee members - Jim Buelow, Carol Warthan and Nancy Cummings.

Membership

The Dogwood Chapter currently has 52 members. The following did not renew their Dogwood memberships: Randy & Robin Brock, George & Carolyn Callahan, Rachel Carnell, Ron & Robin Shubra, Gregory Smith & Marianne Filice, David & Bette Thomas, Jim Weaver. If you talk to any of these people tell them we miss them and welcome them back.

Be sure to keep us posted of difficulties - illness, surgery, deaths - as your Dogwood friends are concerned about you and your families. Rachel Ferebee and Nancy Cummings plan to have surgery in the near future. We wish them the best and speedy recoveries.