Dogwood Christmas Rally - 2024 - Summary

Greetings Dogwood Members!!

 

CHRISTMAS RALLY 2024 - Summary

  What a great time we all had at ROCKAHOCK!!

The 2024 Christmas Rally capped off another year of Dogwood rallies. 

This year at Rockahock campground in Lanexa, Virginia we had 18 campers and some day trippers too for an overall attendance of 40 at the Saturday dinner. This year’s Christmas rally was hosted by Jean & Ed Herbert, Dell & Terry Tenney, and Dave & Nanette Meyer. 

The Rally started on Thursday night with .... Read More

~Click here to see the Rally Photo Album~

2024 Dogwood Christmas Rally at Rochahock in Lanexa, VA

Your Hosts,

Jean & Ed Herbert

Dell & Terry Tenney

Dave & Nanette Meyer

The Dogwood Standing Rules Updated and Posted

Care Person Update – Nancy Cummings

Nancy Cummings passed away peacefully on January 3, 2025.

Paul & Nancy

Updated 1/4/2025

 

A card was sent to Paul and a donation will be sent to a charity of Paul's choice.

Here is the information on the Viewing and Service for Nancy. 

 

 

 

Nancy Cummings Visitation and Viewing

 

Monday, January 6, 2025

6:30 P.M.- 8:00 P.M.

Weymouth Funeral Home

12746 Nettles Dr.

Newport News, VA 23606

 

Nancy Cummings Graveside Service

 

Tuesday, January 7, 2025
11:00 A.M.

Peninsula Memorial Park

12750 Warwick Blvd.

Newport News, VA 23606

Our thanks to Jim and Susan for providing us these updates.

Posted on 1/3/2025

Hello Everyone,  

It is with heavy heart that we share the news of Nancy's passing during the night.  She was out of rehab and back home, still recovering.

We will share more information on her funeral services as they become available.

Our condolences to the Cummings family.  Please keep Nancy, Paul, and family in your thoughts and prayers for strength and comfort.

Sincerely,

Nanette Meyer, Care Person
FMCA Dogwood Chapter  
 

Happy New Year Dogwood!

President’s Message – Nov/Dec 2024

If you missed it, you really missed it! Our Christmas rally was one to write home about – hey, maybe that’s what I am doing right now. Hmmm. OK, the rally was great – we had 40+ folks, lots of delicious food and fellowship, excellent gift exchanges and clear (but cold) weather. 

 We welcomed our new officers, audited (and passed) our books, reconciled our membership and, did I mention, ate lots of delicious food? Yes, furthermore we have a new Treasurer (Sonia Kuppert), a new Secretary (Mary Lou Dudziack), and a new Safety Tech Writer (Robi Robison). Dave MacFarlane joined the Nominating Committee, Dell Tenney came back as our Rally Master; Rob Hill stepped up as our new Alternate National Director; Nanette and Dave Meyer returned as our Care Person and VP of Communications respectively. Jim Buelow has taken on the role of VP of Membership and I’m back in the saddle for another two years as your president and National Director. We also picked up a new member (Dan Brooks) at the rally. 

 

We put rallies in almost every month for 2025, including the big three – Perry, Gillette, and GEAR (Myrtle Beach) – as well as club activities in Florida, Virginia, Maine and Pennsylvania.

 

Also, FMCA has a new name – we are now the Family RV Association. I’m not sure how that is going to change things like our medallions or product logos – no doubt we will get word on that in the next few months.

 

My only disappointment was that I did not get to go fishing at the rally – too dang cold on that pier but Sunday afternoon I watched the tournament Fishermen weigh in some huge bass. I need to return in the Spring and catch up on that – no pun intended. The Tenneys and the Meyers put on a great rally for us (Jean and I were hosts too); kudos to them for a really great rally. See you in Florida in January or February!

 

V/r

Ed

 

Travel safe!

Ed Herbert, President

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

      

 

Our 2025 Officers, Nominating Committee, and Appointees

 

Secretary’s Report – Nov/Dec 2024

Family Motor Coach Association

Dogwood Chapter Business Meeting Minutes

December 7, 2024

Members present: Alexander, Allen, Buelow, Dudziak, Greenwood, Herbert, Hill, Hunter, Kuiken, Kuppert, Meyer, Nixon, Robison, Schoolar, Tenney, Tilman, Torrence, and Warren

 

Guest:  Dan Brooks

 

1.  Call to Order: President, Ed Herbert ("Ed") called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. with a welcome and thanks for the good food and fellowship. 

 

2.  Minutes: On a motion by Mary Hunter, seconded by Berkley Alexander, the minutes from the July 20, 2024 FMCA Dogwood Chapter Business Meeting were unanimously approved.

 

3.  Chapter Certification:  On Friday, December 6, 2024, Jean Herbert, Mary Lou Dudziak, Dave Meyer, …

 

….  Continue Reading

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jean Herbert, Secretary
FMCA Dogwood Chapter

  

Treasurer’s Report – Nov/Dec 2024

Treasury balance is $3818.50.

 

 

REMINDER – Chapter Dues for 2025 are now due.  

The treasurer account for Dogwood was transitioned from Pat Allen to Sonia Kuppert.  Please send your Dogwood dues payments to Sonia.

 

Sonia Kuppert

FMCA Dogwood Chapter Treasurer

6113 Providence Court

Fredericksburg, VA  22407

 

Sonia's address is also updated on the Membership Form and the Dogwood Flyer in the Reference Documents Section of the Blog.

 

Here are links to those updated documents.

o   Membership Form

o   Dogwood Chapter Flyer

 

Pat Allen, Treasurer

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

     

VP Membership Update – Nov/Dec 2024

From the annual membership reconciliation this year, we added 7 new memberships and lost 5 in 2024.  Current membership count is at 59.

Christmas Rally 2025

WELCOME to our newest Dogwood Members:

 

– Dan & Karen Brooks from Newport News,  VA

 

Glad to have you and looking forward to seeing you at the upcoming Rallies!!

 

 

And a fond FAREWELL to those who left or are leaving the Chapter this year.

 

Robert & Gerry Canipe

Ron Foore 

Butch & Susie Jones

Richard & Irene Norvelle

Fred & Beverly Soutter

 

 

Pat Allen, VP Membership

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

 

VP Rallies Update – Nov/Dec 2024

Merry Christmas to one and all from your Rally Master!  

As we look back on a successful this past year let’s remember the good times and friends we shared them with. All of the fun and experiences were made possible by you the members who so graciously agreed to host these events. Lastly what a time we had at the Christmas Rally, hopefully you did not miss this great time.

A look ahead at next year.  More fun is scheduled for 2025: 

 

January:  Open

February 6:  Dogwood Luncheon in Titusville FL at Dixie Crossroads;  Hosts Tilman

March 7-8:  Southern Leisure Resort in Chiefland FL; Hosts: Kuiken, Schoolar, and Hill

March 12-15:  FMCA’s 110th International Rally; Perry GA

         Folks hoping to camp together must drive in together AND be registered for the same kind of hook-ups (examples: water, 30 amp electric, no sewer; or water, 50 amp electric, no sewer)

April:  Open

May 1-4:  Mr. B’s Bluegrass Festival in Woodford VA; Hosts: Herbert (seeking co-host)

June 5-8:  North Landing Campground, Virginia Beach VA;  Hosts: Buelow and Meyer

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

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

July:  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 Greater 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

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

 

VP Communications Update – Nov/Dec 2024

Hello All.  There were a few updates with additions and deletions to our Membership Directory – the latest version was just distributed on December 30^th.  Please let me know if you have any updates or corrections for me to make.

 

This is a busy time of the year and a number of documents are being updated for  the new year and for the new team of Dogwood Officers assuming their roles on January 1st.  Looking forward to working with all of you!  We have already shared the new Treasurer (Sonia Kuppert) information.  I’m working though the Reference Documents making updates as needed.  Already completed the new Flyer, the Membership Form, and posted the updated 2025 Rally Schedule.  The Officers picture and Photo Album for 2025 are in the works.  And speaking of Photo Albums, did you see the pictures we posted from the Christmas Rally?  And if you took pictures and would like to share them, let me know and I can send you a link for you to upload them yourself or send them to me and I will get them posted.

 

We are also working on the Standing Rules update, following the discussion and vote on the change regarding approval of miscellaneous expenses.  I’ll send out an email notice when the updates are completed and posted to the Blog.

 

As always, please share your travels and adventures – I’d love to share your stories with the chapter!

 

We had a wonderful time at the Christmas Rally – Hope you did too!

 

Looking forward to seeing many of you in Florida. 🌞

 

Dave Meyer, VP Communications

FMCA Dogwood Chapter

    

 

Safety Article – Nov/Dec 2024

Tires, Where the Rubber Meets the Road, Part 3

By Butch Jones

   We have been talking about tires for a few editions now and last time we were finishing up on trailer tires. When buying new trailer tires there are some recommendations that are worth considering. First, ST or Special Trailer tires are your best choice since they are designed and manufactured for trailer applications. Next, make sure your tires are the same load rating as the original equipment tires on your …  Continue Reading

If you missed them or just want a refresher - here are the links to the previous 2 articles:

    Part 1 

    Part 2  

THINK

SAFETY

EVERYDAY!

 

Wishing everyone safe travels.

Butch Jones, Safety Chairman
FMCA Dogwood Chapter 

  

Care Person Update – Nov/Dec 2024

 

Hello Dogwood Friends!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!.

 

Nancy Cummings is now at home and having therapists come to work with her - sent a ’thinking of you’ card to help encourage her to keep up with her physical/occupational therapy to get better. Please keep her in your prayers.

 

Bruce Bingham is undergoing “cardiac rehab” and is doing well (as of the beginning of December.) Please keep him & Renee in your thoughts & 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
FMCA Dogwood Chapter 

Celebrating Dogwood Birthdays and Anniversaries – Dec 2024/Jan 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.  🥳

 

Attention: Dogwood Business Meeting Announced - Dec 2024

Hello Dogwood.  I am proposing a business meeting during our Christmas Rally on Saturday, 7 Dec 2024.  We have 19 families signed up so far. 

 

My proposed Agenda is as follows:

2024 Dogwood Christmas Rally Business Meeting Agenda

• Opening Remarks & Welcome – Ed
• Reading/Approval of the Minutes – Jean
• Secretary Report - Jean
•  Membership Reconciliation Results
• Treasurer Report - Pat
• Financial Audit Results
• VP Of Communications - Dave
• Nomination Committee Report and Election Results - Jim
• Intro of new leadership
• Care Person Update - Nanette
• Rally Master Report – Dell
• Rally Host award pins 
• Scheduling of 2025 Rallies
• Perry – Club Meet up coordination
• GEAR – Club Meet up coordination
• National Director – Ed Fisher or Eric Britz
• Unfinished Business – Ed
• Online Directory - Dave
• New Business – Ed
• Announcements - Ed
• Adjournment

Please let me know if you have any questions or topics to add to the agenda.

 

Ed Herbert, President

FMCA Dogwood Chapter