President’s Message – May/Jun 2025

Rally at Mr B's 2025

Hello Dogwood! Well, summer had arrived and brought the heat with it!  As you know FMCA is now officially Family RV Association (FRVA) and we will get around to changing our letters and blogsite material soon. In the meantime, here are some data points for you: Eastern Area gained 55 new members and GEAR 2025 has 260 coaches signed up so far! So if you are going to GEAR in Myrtle Beach, please let Tim & Sheila Schwartz know when you get registered – they are the Dogwood Coordinators for this. Some of you may have heard that GEAR 2026 has been canceled. Right; because Eastern Area is sponsoring and running the FRVA Rally that year in Perry, and we didn’t want to burn out anyone trying to run two big events. But note that GEAR 2027 will return to Lewisburg, tentatively on October 4-10, 2027.

Eastern Area is still looking for a volunteer to be the Central Region VP; this job covers six chapters in Virginia (including ours) and West Virginia. The Eastern Area web site is: www.frva-ea.com The position description is under the Documents Tab, Standing Rules Tab. This position requires travel to these six chapters and there is some reimbursement for that travel. If you are interested in how the other chapters operate and want to get more involved with the Eastern Area planning and events, this would be the job for you.

 

Dave & Ed

In case you didn’t hear, our VP of Communications, Mr. David Meyer, won the FRVA Robert L. Richter Award. This is given annually to one individual for his or her exceptional work communicating with chapter members via chapter newsletters and/or communications.  Congratulations David - the Dogwood Blog rocks!

 

I have heard from some of our folks regarding who Dogwood should vote for in the FRVA National Elections at Gillette this summer – thank you for sending me your preferences and I will post the finals in our next newsletter. Unfortunately, we still don’t have a representative going out there, so our preferences may not matter. If anyone in the club is going, please let me know ASAP, so I can get you registered for the Business/Voting meeting.

 

In the meantime, check out the latest stories on the blog; Dogwood has been doing some really fun rallies lately and I’ll see you down the road!

 

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

 

 

Dogwood VP wins the 2025 FRVA Robert L. Richter Award

Dave Meyer

Dave Meyer, our FRVA Dogwood VP of Communications won the 2025 FRVA Robert L. Richter Award!  He has served in this position since Jan 2021 and is currently in his third term.  Below is a description of the award and the letter received from FRVA announcing his selection.  

Congratulations Dave!!

The FRVA Robert L. Richter Award

 

Robert L. Richter, L1, was FMCA’s founder and first editor of Family Motor Coaching (now Family RVing) magazine. Mr. Richter began publishing the association’s cherished periodical out of his home in February 1964. The first edition was “dedicated to those far-sighted people who can realize that here we begin a new era in American travel.” His vision was for FMCA and its magazine to become a national information center for those interested. 

 

The Robert L. Richter Award is to recognize an individual who is responsible for chapter newsletters, chapter publications, or communications to the chapter and/or to the public regarding the chapter, its members, and events. 

 

____________

 

May 29, 2025

 

David Meyer, F477215 

 

Dear David,

 

Congratulations! I would like to inform you that you were chosen by FRVA’s Executive Board for the Robert L. Richter Award. The Executive Board met in Executive Session on Friday, May 23, 2025, and have chosen you for the award. The policy guideline allows for only one winner per year.

 

The Robert L. Richter Award recognizes an FRVA member for his or her exceptional work communicating with chapter members via chapter newsletters and/or communications. Your communications were reviewed by a designated committee.

 

We would like to honor you at FRVA’s International Convention in Gillette, Wyoming. Your registration for this event is complimentary. Please contact Doug Uhlenbrock Director of Events, to register if you plan to attend. We would like to recognize you at the Annual Membership meeting which takes place on Saturday, July 19. Please contact Doug at your earliest convenience for additional information. Also, an FRVA brick with your name will be displayed at the RV Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.

 

I look forward to seeing you in Gillette.

 

Should you have any questions at all, please feel free to call me directly at 513-474-3622, ext. 238 or 800-543-3622.

 

Sincerely,

FAMILY RV ASSOCIATION

 

Penny Gortemiller, Director of Chapter Services

 

cc: Ed Herbert, Chapter President, Dogwood Chapter 
     Gary Lyons, Eastern Area President

 

 

Secretary’s Report – May/Jun 2025

Family Recreational Vehicle Association

Dogwood Chapter Business Meeting Minutes

June 7, 2025

Members present: Alexander, Allen, Buelow, DeLagrange, Cummings, Herbert, Mahanes, Meyer, Nixon, Robison, and Warren

1.    Call to Order:

A.   President, Ed Herbert ("Ed") called the meeting to order at 10:45 a.m. with a welcome and thanks to the rally hosts, the Buelows, Meyers, and Robisons, for the good food and fellowship.

B.   Ed let everyone know…

 

….  Continue Reading

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Herbert

  for 

Mary Lou Dudziak, Secretary
FRVA Dogwood Chapter

Treasurer’s Report – May/Jun 2025

Treasury balance is $4452.26 as of 6/12/2025.

 

 

I’m happy to report Dogwood Dues are paid up 100% for 2025!  So, thanks to all of you!

 

 

 

Sonia Kuppert, Treasurer

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

VP Membership Update – May/Jun 2025

2025 North Landing Beach Rally

Hello Dogwood Family,

 

We hope that all is well with everyone and that you are having a great summer.

 

In my last 2 articles concerning Dogwood membership, I discussed recruitment which is very important. But what is equally important is member retention. which I will discuss in this article.

 

Having new folks join our chapter means absolutely nothing if they are just names on our directory, so we as officers and members need to ensure that we officially welcome them to Dogwood upon their joining. Then we need to encourage their attendance at Dogwood functions and welcome them with open arms. And lastly, we need to encourage their involvement in the chapter to include rally co-hosting and eventually and hopefully stepping up to serve as officers in our great chapter. New members are the future of Dogwood, and we are also making new friends. It is a win-win situation.

 

2025 North Landing Beach Rally

I can remember several occasions at rallies where new members were attending for the first time. They were seated at a table all alone, not a good way to welcome and treat new members. But that did not last long. Other Dogwood members joined their table which is exactly what we do in Dogwood and what we need to continue doing to retain new members. Make them feel welcome to our family.   

 

Our current  membership is 54 RV families. We lost a few members during the last membership reconciliation. During your travels, never miss an opportunity to sign up a new member.

 

Regards and Safe travels,

 

Jim Buelow, VP Membership

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

VP Rallies Update – May/Jun 2025

2025 North Landing Beach Rally

Rallies scheduled for this year:

 

July 7-11:  Breaks Interstate Park, near Marion VA;  Hosts: Nelson and Dancause

July 16-19:  FMCA 111th International Rally; Gillette WY

August:  Dogwood Luncheon, date and place TBD;  Hosts: Herbert and Kuppert

August 29-Sept 4:  Lobster Rally in Booth Bay ME; Hosts: Alexander and Bonewitz

September 11-14:  Old Mill Stream Campground in Lancaster PA;  Hosts: Tenney and Kuiken

         We have 30 seats reserved for “Noah” at Sight & Sound Theater on 9/12.  Request for tickets will be included on rally registration form.  Ticket payment will need to be paid to rally host with rally registration.

October:  Open

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

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

  

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

Happy Camping, 

Dell Tenney, Rally Master

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

  

VP Communications Update – May/Jun 2025

Dave & Ed - 2025 FRVA Robert L. Richter Award

Hello All.  

First, I want to thank those who nominated me and took the time to submit a writeup to FRVA.  Just knowing I was nominated means so much to me – getting selected is the cherry on top!  All of you have helped and supported me in this position, and I’m truly honored.  So a sincere thanks to all of YOU!!

 

Nanette & I are staying busy, as I suspect you all are.  We had a wonderful time at the NLB Rally.  Thanks to all who came out!  And if you are looking for someone to cohost with, we highly recommend the Robisons and Buelows!!  

 

Well, it is Lacrosse Season in the northeast for the travel teams.  We started in Allentown PA with one of our grandsons.  Last week we were in Hershey PA with our granddaughter (many of you may remember Taylor) and this weekend we are parked in Schenectady NY with games in Amherst MA and Albany NY!!  We are definitely getting our steps in at the games!  And I’m happy to report our new refrigerator is working as expected.  After it crapped out on us 2 years in a row, we decided not to have it repaired again, and bought a new one.  The challenge of course is getting the old one out and the new one in.  Because it won’t fit through the door, they have to remove the driver’s side seat and window – UGH.  We did have to make a second visit and have since found a couple bumps and scrapes around the coach, but we are happy with our decision to replace it.  The old one is home in the garage – another project or scrap metal??  We’ll see (Nanette says the latter!)…

 

On to Dogwood business.  I updated and distributed our Membership Directory earlier this month.  So the latest version is now June 19^th.  Please let me know if you have any updates or corrections for me to make.  

 

I will start changing the Blog and some of our documents to reflect the change from FMCA to FRVA.  It will be slow going, but wanted to let you know it was coming.  We have been busy posting articles to the Blog and sending out emails too.  I have a couple more articles in the works for after the newsletter.  My goal is to keep everyone updated on all the latest.  I hope we are being successful!  If not – I would like to hear from you.  Constructive criticism is always welcome.  We continue to post updates for the upcoming Rallies, and it is a busy year!  Stay on top of all the latest information - Visit often and stay up to date here on the Blog Site!

 

As always, please share your travels and adventures – I’d love to share your stories with the chapter!  Thanks to the Bucklews for sharing their adventures at the Music City Motorhome Expo.  Sounds like it was a lot of fun!

 

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

Dave Meyer, VP Communications

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

Care Person Update – May/Jun 2025

Hello Dogwood Friends...

 

     💟  At the end of April I found out that Ed & Jean Herbert lost a brother-in-law. Sent a sympathy card.

 

     💟  Bonnie Spain’s brother passed away on May 19. Sent a sympathy card.

 💟   Mary Lou Dudziak had 2 back surgeries-one May 19 & the 2nd May 20. She is doing well but not enough that she could attend the NLB Rally in Virginia Beach on June 4. Sent a get-well card

 

 💟  Richard Bonewitz had knee replacement surgery. Sent a get-well card.

 

 💟  Susan Buelow had a fall in the RV and ended up with several fractures in her left shoulder. She had shoulder replacement surgery on 12 June which went very well. She will have 3 months of physical therapy. Sent her a get-well card.

 

 💟  I have shared the latest news I have on Tom Spiezio in other mailings and blog posts. His biopsy on Monday, Jun 23rd confirmed he has stage 4 glioblastoma brain cancer. The tumor is inoperable and growing extremely fast. The prognosis is very poor. Please keep Tom and Carolyn in your thoughts and prayers.

 

 

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 

  

Safety Article – May/Jun 2025

Safety topic for this report:  Campground (or Rig?) Power Issues.

 

This topic “hits home” for me.  The week following the Dogwood Rally at North Landing Beach campground, Dale and I checked into the Sun Outdoors “resort” Ocean City, MD for some more fun.  Power at the campsite worked correctly for about 36 hours, then: Oops.  We’ve all experienced it, right? CG power fails occasionally; Sometimes it is a planned outage.  Having just had my morning coffee, a loss-of-power (LoP) at 9:30 a.m. was no surprise.  As the hour passed, I finally asked a neighboring site if they had power.  They did.  Hmmm.  First step: Check the 50-amp breaker at my site’s power pedestal.  The breakers …

 

  …  Continue Reading

THINK

SAFETY

EVERYDAY!

 

Wishing everyone safe travels.

Robi Robison, Safety Chairman
FRVA Dogwood Chapter

   

 

Celebrating Dogwood Birthdays and Anniversaries – Jun/Jul 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.  🥳

 

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