Happy Thanksgiving!

Care Person Update – Steve Sohles

Steve & Sue Sohles

Hi all,
Want to pass on that Steve Sohles is doing well after having an ICD unit, a pacemaker/defibrillator, implanted on Monday, November 10. He went home on Wednesday, the 12th and is recovering slowly but surely, as he is asking for ice cream…Cherry Nut to be exact!! From Publix!!  Also glad to hear his sense of humor has made a good recurrence! He has a long road to go, but with prayers and encouragement, I’m sure he will do well. 

Happy Thanksgiving Steve & Sue, and of course, to all of Dogwood. 

Nanette

(Original posting - 11/3/2025)

Hi All,

I heard from Jim Buelow that Steve Sohles is in the hospital in Florida. I called and talked to Sue and she says he had 2 cardiac arrests over the weekend. He is in a medically induced coma so that his body and heart can rest, and then the doctors can figure out what to do next. Good news is that no blockages have been found. So, now they wait. Please keep both Steve & Sue in your prayers. I’ve included their Titusville address for anyone who would like to send a card or note. Let’s rally around them with Dogwood love!!   ❤️‍ 🙏

Steve & Sue Sohles

848 Plantation Drive

Titusville, FL 32780

Sincerely, 

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

   

GEAR 2025 - Summary

Hello Dogwood! The GEAR 2025 was a pretty big thing! The Eastern Area hosted approximately 360+ families and I think all Eastern Area Chapters were accounted for. The Tenneys and the Kupperts rolled in on Sunday; Jean and I, along with Jim & Susan Buelow, and Paul  Cummings rolled in on Monday.  Other Dogwood folks included the Greenwoods, Alexanders, Mahanes,  Bucklews, Britzs and Cipas. So we had a good representation, and the Penn Coachmen were there also.

 

This campground is/was HUGE – 800+ sites or houses. We definitely needed the golf cart to get around. Our campsites were all on concrete pads with full hookups. Well-tended is an appropriate term – everything seemed to be neat, organized and in its place. So we would go back anytime.

 

Wilt Greenwood hosted a terrific seafood dinner at Wahoo’s Fish House on Tuesday evening and we (Dogwood) had a gathering at our site on Thursday evening. The party was fun and it was great seeing everyone together, but, man, It was WINDY! The next day I was able to get a few hours out on the beach – for the most part the day time weather was beautiful and lots of folks and fishermen were out on the beach. There was a slew of horseback riders out there as well. 

 

So the rally went off pretty well – about a dozen vendors and some excellent evening entertainment. The seminars were good too; we only had two rooms for seminars, but it worked out. At the Chapter Fair we (Terry, Jean, Dell, Jim, Susan, Paul & me) talked to many, many folks and gave out lots of our Dogwood Flyers. It was interesting to note that several other chapters followed our lead in having flyers (tri-folds) printed for handouts at this event!

 

The Saturday morning Business Meeting was brief – several new officers were voted in including our new Central Region (that’s us) Vice President – Steven Raileanu.  The budget was presented, and the big topic of discussion was over how to use electronic voting in future FRVA elections. Nearly everyone was in favor of electronic voting, and FRVA HQ is looking into this – no timeline or dates of action for now.

 

Dave Fowler and his crew did an excellent job putting on this rally. Two things to note for us – 1) December is our business and planning meeting, so think of some places You would like to go and bring them to the meeting, and 2) The Perry Rally is occurring in March and the Eastern Area is the host. Please let me know if you want to volunteer at Perry.

Click Here for a video by Paul Cummings

 

Safe Travels –

Ed

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

  

 

Veterans Day

THANK YOU to all our Veterans and their Families!

 

Veterans Day -- originally called Armistice Day -- began as an occasion to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country's service. It falls on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I.

 

In 1954, the name of the holiday was changed from "Armistice Day" to "Veterans Day" in order to recognize veterans of all wars.

 

We celebrate and honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

 

Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans.

 

Related: Learn about the history of Veterans Day

 

 

(From the Mlitary.com website >>  Veterans Day)

 

Happy Birthday to our US Marine Corps

Happy 250th Birthday to our US Marine Corps!  

THANK YOU to all our USMC Veterans!

Tun Tavern, "birthplace" of 
the Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps was established on November 10, 1775, to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War. The recruiting headquarters was set up by Capt. Samuel Nicholas in the Tun Tavern on Water Street in Philadelphia, which is considered to be the birthplace of the Marines.

(Found on  Wikipedia)

 

President’s Message – Sep/Oct 2025

"Dogwood Row" at the Lancaster Rally 

Hello Dogwood! As I write this, the weather here in Virginia has turned absolutely beautiful and Fall has arrived with a flourish. There is just a slight tinge of yellow on the trees right now – soon to be leaf-peeping time for sure.  Jean and I are preparing for a week-long stay in Duck NC with our old college buddies. It’s funny that even after 50 years, none of us have changed and we all look exactly the same. Wait! Is this a dream? We used to talk kids, now we talk (great) grandkids. Oh well, time moves on. 

 

Hey, last month we had an excellent Rally up in Lancaster – kudos to the Tenneys and the Kuikens for putting on a great event for us. Jean and I probably spent way too much in the Sketchers store across the street, but my feet are happy now. From there, Jean and I motored across Pennsylvania on old Route 30 – what a pretty drive! We got to I-81 and headed south to Buena Vista for the Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival. And that was a hoot! Dogwood was well represented there, with us, the Davis’, Warrens and Mahanes. The Dogwood Bluegrass band jammed Wednesday and Thursday nights until way too late. On Wednesday evening, we were joined by “Claude” from Paris, France! And on Friday, kids and granddaughter rolled in; Saturday morning my son-in-law and I went fishing and caught a mess of sunfish and little bass in the Maury River. All in all, a great two weeks.

 

OK, GEAR is approaching. The event schedule will be posted on the Eastern Area Web site later this month, but what we know so far is that the concert is Friday night, the talent show and craft shows are on Saturday, along with the Business Meeting. There are some by-law changes to be approved and new leadership for the regions within the Eastern area. I suspect there will be a Chapter Fair, but don’t know time or place yet. Anybody want to do a Dogwood Gathering/dinner? We are going to GEAR, along with the Buelows, Cummings, Kupperts and Greenwoods. If you are going, PLEASE let me know – thanks in advance!

 

Lastly, on the FRVA website (and on our blogsite) the latest letters from the National President and the Executive Committee. There are several committees in the FRVA organization, and if you would like to serve at the National Level, I encourage you to read up on the latest FRVA President’s Letter and check out the various committees underway. 

 

That’s it for now – see you at GEAR and/or our upcoming Christmas Rally. Oh yes, one more thing – the Christmas Rally is also our annual planning rally. Jean and I have already marked off Mr. B’s Bluegrass Festival at the end of April. So where do you want to go next year?

 

Safe Travels –

Ed & Jean

 

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

  

Treasurer’s Report – Sep/Oct 2025

Treasury balance is $4276.75 as of 10/01/2025.

And a Reminder - 2026 Dogwood dues are now due in the amount of $15.00/coach. I will be at GEAR if anyone wants to drop off payment. I will also be collecting at the Christmas Rally.

 

Or you can always mail them to me at:

 

Sonia Kuppert

FRVA Dogwood Chapter Treasurer

6113 Providence Court

Fredericksburg, VA  22407

 

Please make checks payable to FMCA Dogwood Chapter.

 

 

Sonia Kuppert, Treasurer

FRVA, Dogwood Chapter

VP Rallies Update – Sep/Oct 2025

2025 Lancaster Rally at Old Mill Stream

Rallies scheduled for the rest of this year:

 November 4-8:  FMCA Great Eastern Area Rally (“GEAR”); Myrtle Beach SC; "Dogwood Host":  Herbert 

December 4-7:  Dogwood Christmas Rally in Lanexa VA at Rochahock Campground;  Hosts: Kuiken, Warren, Hill

2024 Christmas Rally

 

Please see all the Rallies and updated information planned for this year.

Happy Camping, 

Dell Tenney, Rally Master

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

    

VP Membership Update – Sep/Oct 2025

Hello Dogwood Family, we hope that all is well and that you have had a great summer.

 

In past articles I have discussed ways to recruit new members including participating at Chapter Fairs at National and Area rallies. Opportunity is now upon us. The GEAR Rally is being held in Myrtle Beach, SC November 5-9, 2025, and a Chapter Fair will be held on Wednesday, November 5th at 4:00 P.M.

 

We have done very well at these fairs in the past including winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the display competition, buy most importantly, we have gained some new members.

2023 GEAR 

We will definitely be setting up a booth at GEAR in hopes of gaining some new members, and I will be the point of contact for Dogwood. If you are attending GEAR and would like to help out "working the floor:", we would very much appreciate it. It is a lot of fun and an opportunity to meet new friends. Come on down. 

 

Please contact me at 757 876-7399 if you can be there and thank you.

 

Our Dogwood membership remains steady at 53 members. Never miss an opportunity to make a new  friend and sign up a new member.

 

Regards, safe travels, and hopefully we will see you at GEAR.

 

 

Jim Buelow, VP Membership

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

  

VP Communications Update – Sep/Oct 2025

Boothbay Harbor - 2025

Hello All.  The year is just flying by.  Nanette & I are staying busy, as I suspect you all are.  We had a wonderful time at the Maine Lobsterfest Rally.  Thanks to our Hosts, the Alexanders and Bonewitzes!  Looking forward to next year 🙂.  On the way back from Maine we attended the rally in Lancaster - another great time!  Thanks to our Hosts, the Tenneys and Kuikens!

I updated and distributed our Membership Directory earlier this month.  So the latest version is now Oct 27^th.  Please let me know if you have any updates or corrections.

We have been busy posting articles to the Blog and sending out emails too.  I hope you all saw the Happy Birthday to our US Navy on Oct 13th.  Emails were sent regarding the Christmas Rally and GEAR.  I have a couple articles in the works for after the newsletter.  The Nixons shared several pictures from their Polar Bear Migration trip with Fantasy RV Tours.  Sounds like they had a wonderful trip!  I will post the pictures and share the album with everyone.  

Next, I’ll begin drafting the Rally Schedule for 2026 (WOW – 2026!).  So please get to thinking about next year and where we want to Rally!  And of course we need volunteers to be our rally hosts.  Co-hosting with others can make it easier and fun.  

Visit often and stay up to date here on the Blog Site!

And as always, please share your travels and adventures – I’d love to share your stories with the chapter!  Thanks again to the Nixons for sharing their adventures!

Looking forward to seeing you at one of the upcoming rallies. 

 

Dave Meyer, VP Communications

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

   

Care Person Update – Sep/Oct 2025

Hello Dogwood Friends…

 

I hope this finds everyone well and that you all had a good summer. Now is the time for cooler weather, holidays and Snowbirds heading south! Stay warm & safe travels to all.

 

September

 💟  Richard Bonewitz lost his younger brother in Aug. Sent a sympathy card.

 💟  Donna Gruel passed away in August after a long illness. She & husband Carl were Dogwood members for many years. Sent Carl a sympathy card. Thank you to Sue Sohles for passing this information to me.

 💟  News from Carolyn Spiezio regarding Tom from Facebook on Sep 22: 

“Thank you everyone who attended the Celebration of Life for Tom on Saturday (Sep 20). He said it was everything he had hoped for. Thank u for those who traveled from Florida, PA, VA, NC to make his day special. The food everyone brought was wonderful. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. He started new round of Chemo today."

 

October

 💟  Robert Greene had his 2nd knee replacement. Sent a get-well card.

 💟  Mary Warren had surgery on 22 Oct. Sent a get-well card.

 💟  From Carolyn Spiezio about Tom on Oct 17: 

"Tom is hanging in there. Starts 3rd round of Chemo Monday. He's on 5 days of Oral Chemo out of 28 days. Next MRI is Nov 8th."

 

Thank you to all who reached out to keep me informed of these events. Please continue to let me know whenever you hear of our members being ill, having surgery, losing a loved one (even a pet) or just not doing well for whatever reason at ndmeyer3@icloud.com or text me at 757-813-0828.

 

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FRVA Dogwood Chapter 

  

 

Celebrating Dogwood Birthdays and Anniversaries –Oct/Nov 2025

We would like to help you celebrate your annual milestones.  Please send your dates (just the month is fine) to FMCADogwood@gmail.com so we can include you on those special months.  🥳

 

 

Happy Birthday to our US Navy

Happy 250th Birthday to our US Navy!  

THANK YOU to all our Navy Veterans!

The Navy Turns 250

"A good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace." - Theodore Roosevelt

 

"I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'" - John F. Kennedy

 

October 13 marks the birthday of the U.S. Navy, which traces its roots back to the early days of the American Revolution. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress established a naval force, hoping that a small fleet of privateers could attack British commerce and offset British sea power.

Found on the Military.com Website >>   navy-birthday 

 

GEAR 2025 - Dogwood "Host" - Oct Update

Hello Dogwood,  We have an update on GEAR for you.

 

Ed Herbert is our new Dogwood "Host" for the Rally.  Unfortunately, Tim and Sheila will not be able to attend as planned.  Thanks for getting the ball rolling!

 

Jim & Susan Buelow, Paul Cummings, and Ed & Jean Herbert will arrive at Myrtle Beach on Monday, 11/3.  They are in sites 2070, 2068, and 2069 respectively.  They plan to leave home on 11/2 and caravan down together with 1 overnight at a location still TBD.

 

If you are interested in joining their caravan, please contact Jim for more information. 

 

Also, wanted you to know Oceans Lakes has hundreds of golf carts for rent on a first come first serve basis. Rental cost for 5 days is $131.76, and 6 days is $155.52.

 

Thanks! ❤️❤️  

 

 

Hope to see you there!

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

Dogwood Christmas Rally 2025

Greetings Dogwood!!

 

Dogwood Christmas Rally 2025

12/04 through 12/07

 

Rockahock Campground

Lanexa VA 

 

Happy Fall!!  Hope everyone is  enjoying the cooler beauty of fall!  Time has gone by so quickly and we don't want you to forget to RSVP for the Christmas Rally.  

 

It will be held at Rockahock Campground and officially begin on Friday night, Dec 5 for dinner.  That said, most Dogwooders come Thursday night ...

Click Here For Previous Posts and Rally Details

Please RSVP by Thanksgiving and reserve your campsite soon.  Campsites are being held under DOGWOOD.  Campground contact phone number is 804-966-8362.  NOTE:  Half of the reserved sites are being released today (Oct 1st) and the remainder will be released on Oct 31st.  

You can text me to RSVP.

 

Patty

540-760-5590 

Your hosts, 

The Kuikens, Hills, Hunters, and Warrens