Care Person Update – Tom Spiezio

Tom & Carolyn Spiezio

Hello Dogwood Family,

 

We have one of our own who needs uplifting in every way possible - Tom & Carolyn Spiezio. As you all know, Tom had a stroke in April and then a few seizures after that. He had another seizure on May 10, but was home shortly after. His speech and reading skills were affected noticeably but motor skills were good, but he cannot drive. They are staying in Crystal River indefinitely as the medical care is very good and they have a great support system with their neighbors. As of June 9, it was determined by MRI that there are several tumors in Tom’s brain, with one being fairly large, and this is why he had the seizures. Carolyn shared with me on June 13 that he is seeing a surgeon at Shands, University of Florida, who only works with brain tumors, and she could tell that it’s cancer. He was scheduled June 23 for surgery, followed by Chemo & Radiation. But instead, a biopsy was done. The following was posted yesterday on Facebook by Carolyn:

 

Biopsy day was Monday 23rd. Tumor was inoperable & growing extremely fast. It is grade 4 (the worse) glioblastoma brain cancer. Main tumor in left frontal lobe, dead center speech area. He will probably lose his speech. It is sending the tentacles out to temporal & parietal lobes. We meet with oncologist/radiation doctor on Monday. The prognosis is very poor. U can look it up. The one ray of sunshine is Dr. said he will not have pain that tylenol can't handle. That is great news to us, as we both have watched our family suffer horrible from cancer. We have appreciated all the love, prayers & support from you all. I'm sure u don’t know what to say, so just say that, then send a joke, a funny picture, send a happy picture of your children or grandchildren, your pets, anything to make him laugh. We want to live life the fullest with the time he has left. So help us live. Be happy, remember the stories & call him to tell him. He's struggling with speech, but he finally gets it out. Don't be afraid to talk about the good, bad or ugly. Its therapy for both of us. If u call at a bad time, we will let u know, or leave a message & we will call ASAP. Please be there for Tom through this journey. The worst thing is silence. If u don’t feel u can talk about the illness, don't, tell him about work, your vacation, family, anything. 

Thank u for loving my Tom. 

He is my soul mate & best thing that ever happened to me.

Their address at Nature Coast Landings RV Resort, Crystal River is:

 

Tom & Carolyn Spiezio

10173 North Suncoast Blvd Lot#73

Crystal River Fl 34428

 

Keep them in your prayers.

 

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person

FRVA Dogwood Chapter    

Dogwood Rally at Breaks Interstate Park

Hello Dogwood!  

We are almost ready for the July Rally at Breaks Interstate Park!  Less than 2 weeks!  

We have a couple updates for you to be aware of.  Dan Brooks will not be able to co-host, so this means Lynn Nelson and Wayne Dancause will be hosting the Rally.  

We also have a change to the itinerary:

on 7/8  - Dinner will be at the Host's Site (C73).  Hotdogs and Hamburgers will be provided.  Please bring a side dish to share.  Times will be announced at the Rally.

And one final note - we are looking to get a final count of those attending.  

Please confirm with Lynn directly via text, call, or email (even if you sent in your registration form).  Here is her contact information:  

email: LNVB1956@outlook.com

cell:  757-651-3589

Hope to see you there!

Your Hosts,
Lynn & Wayne

_______________________

(Posted on 5/18/25)

Hello Dogwood – this is our 3^rd and final call for attendees for our July Rally at the Breaks Interstate Park, Breaks VA.  

July 7-10, 2025  

Earlier posts have listed what activities can be done in and around this beautiful area.

Continue Reading for all the Rally Details and Itinerary

Click here for the PDF version of the Rally Registration Form

Thank You!

Lynn & Dan

 

_______________________

(Posted on 4/9/25)

Update on Breaks Interstate Park Rally

 – July 7 – 11  

Based on the information we’ve gathered thus far:

The park is located on the Virginia/Kentucky border. The park encompasses 4,500 acres of greenwood lands and mountain scenery, including the "Grand Canyon of the South". History: The name "Breaks" is derived from the break in Pine Mountain created by the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River as it carved a 1,000-foot gorge on its way to the Ohio River. The Russell Fork River has carved the largest canyon east of the Mississippi. Its craggy untouched beauty reaches more than five miles long and 1,600 feet deep.

Park features: Olympic pool, a lake with paddleboats and fishing, hiking trails, picnic areas, camping areas, a visitor center, a gift shop, playground equipment, ziplining, cabins, a restaurant and amphitheater. Numerous events scheduled.

 

Activities include but not limited to: ...

Continue Reading for all the Rally Details

 

Your Rally hosts are Dan Brooks and Lynn Nelson

________________________

(Original Post 1/23/2025)

Hello Dogwood! Breaks Interstate Park is located on the Virginia/Kentucky boarder and called the Grand Canyon of the South because of the gorge it is located in. Access coming north or south is off I-81. For detailed instructions, check your GPS or see their website:  BreaksPark.com. Please visit the website and read the Things To Know section. If you have a problem driving in the mountains, this might not be for you. From the website: The Breaks Interstate Park is located in a remote area. While the Breaks is surrounded by rugged beauty, this can make getting here a challenge. All roads leading to the Breaks are mountainous, narrow, and curvy. Please plan accordingly. If this is your first trip to the Breaks, we recommend you plan on arriving before dark.

 

Your Rally hosts are Dan Brooks and Lynn Nelson

Continue Reading for all the Rally Details

Minutes from the Eastern Area Zoom Workshop - Jun 2025

 

Music City Motorhome Expo 2025

 Music City Motorhome Expo 2025

By Bob & Lynda Bucklew

 

Bob & Lynda Bucklew

We had a fun and amazing time at the Music City Motorhome Expo in Lebanon, TN (May 31-June 4).  It was an expo to enable about 230 potential customers to preview and test drive the 2026 models from many manufacturers. 

 

Bob and I had the opportunity to test drive 3 different Super C’s, 3 diesel pushers and a Class B van on I-40 (whoo hoo…a highway!).  One night all the coaches were lit up to view…what a sight!  

It was a delight to enjoy dinner outside with all the new 2026 coaches around us.  Although we do not have a Tiffin, it was a tribute to hear Bob Tiffin speak briefly of the RV industry.  All of our meals were provided for us and we had evening entertainment - one night was a private concert by Sara Evans and the next night by Scott McCreery, who won American Idol in 2011.  Both are popular country singing artists.  

We met many nice people, several YouTube influencers, and we made some new RV friends too!  Brett Davis, Angie Morell and the NIRVC staff were so helpful and friendly.  All the dealers at the show were gracious to take us on a test drive and listen to our RV adventures.  One of our accompanying dealers on our drive was Casey Tubman, President of Newmar and Matt Ellinger, VP of Newmar Sales.  We unexpectedly shared a breakfast table with Leigh Tiffin - fun talking about football with him and other RVers. 

We had a lot of fun chatting with such a great group of individuals.  What an amazing opportunity!

 

If you are in the market for a motorhome, you might want to consider attending this event next year.

Mr B's 2025 Spring Music Spectacular - Summary

Mr. B’s Spring Music Spectacular – a fun time for all!

We had ten RVs on site this year; there were about 90 RVs registered for the festival, but we were the largest group according to Ms. Billie Sue Goff – the manager. We kicked it off Wednesday evening with a potluck supper followed by music from the Dogwood Bluegrass Band. This little group consists of Rick & Denise Davis (on guitar, mandolin & banjo), Jack Warren (on guitar) and me (on Dobro). Note that the band is still accepting new members if you are interested. Our band played bluegrass, gospel, country/western and some other music that we’re not real sure about. We probably should practice a little more…. 

Anyway, Thursday morning started off with Tequila Sunrises and a big brunch. Music began at noon and ran all day until 9:30 that night. Many thanks to Steve & Sue Sohles for dinner that evening. The band played again that night until 10:30 or thereabouts. I guess we did Okay – nobody booed us and nothing got thrown at us. 

Friday was another great day with morning cocktails and a big brunch, followed by music from noon until 9:30. Thanks to Jim and Sue Buelow and Paul Cummings for dinner brats and chicken wings that night! 

Click on the photo for the video

Saturday was a repeat of Friday (and Thursday) with beautiful weather and good entertainment. At our Saturday morning brunch, the band Code Blue brought their instruments over and gave us a short concert – it was warm-up for them and we loved it; our own little private jam session! Dinner Saturday night was pizza (Lots, and it was good) courtesy of Barbara and Wilt Greenwood. With rain in the Saturday night forecast, we dismantled and took down all the canopies, tables, chairs, etc – sure enough the rain poured down, but stopped by morning so we had a dry close-out. Steve Sohles decided to off-road it in his RV with not much luck. The ground was pretty soggy that morning, but I won’t say anymore – you can talk to him about it… Paul Cummings took lots of video and other folks were snapping pictures left and right so we ought to have a good photo set to review.  

This was really fun and the music was pretty good. Even if you don’t like bluegrass, consider joining us – sit up close to the stage and watch (with wonder) the skills of the players and pickers, and listen to the harmonies of their voices. Some of those songs will touch your soul! I can hardly wait until next year!

Your Hosts,

Ed & Jean Herbert

Click here to see the Rally Photo Album

Dogwood Rally at North Landing Beach

North Landing Beach in Virginia Beach

Final update - emailed to attendees on 5/29/2025

Click here to view the email

______________________

Updated 4/8/2025

 

The Dogwood Rally at North Landing Beach Campground in Virginia Beach, VA will be held Thursday June 5^th – Sunday June 8^th, 2025. 

 

Hosts are the Buelows, Robisons, and Meyers.

 

We reserved 19 sites at the campground. As of today, 8 of those sites have been reserved.  Attendee names to be provided in final notice.  There are 11 reserved sites left and the cutoff date for campground and rally registration is May 5^th. If you call to reserve a site, and all are taken, please let us know and we will try to work it out.

 Continue Reading - For all the latest rally details, registration form, and more 

____________________

(Original Post - 2/21/2025)

Hello Dogwood!   It’s time for another Dogwood Rally at North Landing Beach RV Resort in Virginia Beach.  

Your Rally Hosts are Jim & Susan Buelow, Robi & Dale Robison, and Dave & Nanette Meyer.  We hope to see you there.  

 

The Rally dates are Thursday, June 5^th – Sunday, June 8^th. 

Location:     …  Continue Reading

 

Attention: Dogwood Meeting Announced - Jun 2025

 

Hello Dogwood.  I am proposing a meeting during our Rally at North Landing Beach on Saturday, 7 Jun 2025.  We have 12 families signed up, so we do not have a quorum for a full-blown business meeting. 

 

I need to address the three elections coming up and importance thereof to our club: 

1) the big FRVA governance board election in Gillette this summer, 

2) the Review Board elections also at Gillette, and 

3) the Eastern Area elections for Sr. VP, Secretary, and regional VPs to be elected at GEAR in November. 

 

Additional information on these items:

 

·      The FRVA candidate resumes are out on the FRVA website and in the latest magazine.

·      Duties of the Review Council are also on the FRVA site and listed under the "Governance" section.

·      The Eastern Area position descriptions are on the EA web site for reference.

 

We will have time, if any of our officers want to provide any updates. 

If anyone has a topic they would like addressed, please let me know.  Send your question/topic to FMCADogwood@gmail.com.  

 

We will publish the meeting notes after the Rally.

 

 

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

We need a chapter representative for Gillette 2025

 Hello Dogwood.  I am looking for a club member going to the FRVA International Rally in Gillette, WY, this summer July 16-19. Jean and I have family coming in from out-of-town that week and our alternate, Rob Hill, has already booked a caravan tour with friends.  So, we will need a chapter representative for the business meeting and Officer Voting process. 

If you are going (and would be willing to be our rep at the meeting), please let me know ASAP so I can direct the representative notification to FRVA and the information packet to you.

 

Thanks,

Ed

 

Ed Herbert, National Director

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

FRVA May 16, 2025 Governing Board Mailing is Available Online

Click to View this email online

Click to View this email online

Dogwood Rally at Old Mill Stream Campground

Hello Dogwood! 

This is a call for all interested in the September 11-14 (Thur-Sun) rally in Lancaster. The Kuikens and Tenneys are hosting this year. Details of meals and Rally fees are forthcoming. 

I have some sites reserved at the Old Mill Stream Campground under the DOGWOOD name, and if you contact me I will give you a site number and you can arrange payment directly with the campground.

On Friday the 12^th, our outing is to Sight & Sound Theatre to see a live performance of NOAH. The show starts at 3:00 and lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes with an intermission break. If you haven’t been to see one of their show, I highly recommend it.  

“This landmark production takes you on board one of the world’s best-known voyages as live animals fill the stage and aisles.”   https://www.sight-sound.com/

I have reserved a block of tickets at ~$100 each. Please contact me for tickets and arrange payment directly to me as we are getting a group discount assuming we sell enough tickets.

My mailing address for payment is: 19645 Tower Hill Road, Leonardtown MD. 20650. 

Dell & Terry Tenney

240-298-5553 or 240-925-0023

 

GEAR 2025 Registration is Open

Hello Dogwood,  

We’re sharing a message from the GEAR Rally Master.

 

Registration for GEAR 25 is now open!

 

 

 

Sent: Monday, May 5, 2025

Subject: GEAR 25 Registration open

 

Hi all,  I just wanted you to be aware that the registration for GEAR 25 is open.  Please let your member know this and that they MUST register for camping with Ocean Lakes Family Campground by CALLING (877) 510-1413, not online.

 

Go to the FMCA website. rallies, area rallies, Eastern area rally, or follow the link on the EA website.

 

Dave Fowler

GEAR Rally Master

 

 

Here is link to the GEAR Registration Form – for your convenience.  

 

Or copy&paste the URL:

 

https://www.fmca-ea.com/wpcontent/uploads/2025/05/EA25RegistrationForm.pdf

 

And a Reminder -  Tim & Sheila Schwartz volunteered to be our Dogwood "Hosts" for the event.  Thank You, Tim and Sheila!

Here's a link to Tim's article on the Blog and contact information ... 

    GEAR 2025 - Dogwood "Hosts"

 

Tim: (540) 226-5263, email TimSchwartz63@msn.com

Sheila: (540) 659-6578, email GMtoHHM@msn.com

Hope to see you there!

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

Open Invitation for Something In October - Not a Rally -

Here’s the website for your reading pleasure.   

2025 Mountain State Forest Festival

   Or copy&paste the URL:   https://www.forestfestival.com/

And be sure to contact Stephen Mahanes at 757-705-8281 for more information!

President’s Message – Mar/Apr 2025

Hello Dogwood! Spring has sprung and Virginia is blooming – ACHOO! This club has been doing some traveling, giving us great stories to go with those travels. The stories from Chiefland (thanks Patty & Henry) and Perry (thanks Dave, Dell, Nanette & Terry) are really fun to read; the plans for the upcoming rallies are exciting and all remind me of how nice these rallies can be. Good friends, good fellowship, and of course, good food. 

 

Family RV Association (FRVA) will be holding its 111^th International Convention out in Gillette, WY in July and a new slate of candidates will be voted in. Their resumes should come out in the next FRVA magazine, but here’s a sneak peek just for you - FRVA Candidates for National Office.  Please read over these and let me know who you think Dogwood should vote for. I also serve as your National Director, and depending on family visits this summer,  I plan on attending the convention. However, please let me know if you are planning to attend as well.

💔 On a sad note, our hearts go out to families of members we lost this year – David Gilbert, Nancy Cummings, and Marion Cockrell as well as family members lost – Clint’s brother Bob, Steve’s sister, Patricia, and Dave’s brother Tom. On the other hand, we are glad to read about Tom Spiezio’s recovery, and your president (me!) is nicely recovering from his surgery. I did not realize the number of things a right-handed person can’t do with the left hand. (Ha-ha, Nanette, I can almost shave again!) Also, our rig has been nicely repaired from our little fender-bender of last September and we are looking forward to getting back on the road again. Many thanks to Nanette for keeping us appraised of these things.

 

That’s it for now – safe travels and we’ll see you down the road.

 

Ed and Jean Herbert

 

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

Treasurer’s Report – Mar/Apr 2025

Treasury balance is $4,452.26.

 

 

 

REMINDER – Chapter Dues for 2025 are now due.  Many of you have already paid – so thanks to all of you!

 

Dues are $15/coach/year.  And remember we have a new Treasurer this year - Please send your Dogwood dues payment to Sonia.

 

Sonia Kuppert

FRVA Dogwood Chapter Treasurer

6113 Providence Court

Fredericksburg, VA  22407

 

 

Sonia Kuppert, Treasurer

FRVA Dogwood Chapter