Happy Birthday to our US Marine Corps

Happy 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 2026

Ed in 2022

Hello Dogwood! It is October and I think Autumn is in the air. We just returned from the Outer Banks (Duck NC) where I ate too much and spent way too much time fishing…Wait - -that’s not right; no, I did not spend ENOUGH time fishing. Anyway, the weather was great, as was the company and shared meals. My sunburn hurts and my tackle box is a mess.

This has been a busy summer for Dogwood – we had the Bluegrass Festival in May, the 30th Anniversary Rally in July, the Co-Rally in August, and a bunch of folks just got back from Maine eating all sorts of Lobster dishes. By the time this gets published, we will have rallied in Urbanna for the Oyster Fest, and don’t forget the upcoming Christmas Rally at Rockahock Campground. Check the Dogwood blogsite and get your reservations in ASAP – this is the really, really important rally for Dogwood! First up, we elect new officers – this club works (very well) because of our officers. Second up, this is the meeting where we do things required by FRVA in order to function as a chapter – the annual business meeting, financial audit, chapter member audit, membership reconciliation (with FRVA’s records) and finally, plan for next year. Where do you want to go next year? The calendar is wide open. I read that reservations are underway for next year’s Maine Rally; note that Jean and I will be hosting the Spring Bluegrass Rally at Mr. B’s Park next May. So pick a month, pick a place, hold your hand up and say “Let’s Go!” Details, planning, supplies, activities, menus, etc.  – not to worry, they all get worked out by the chapter.

 

Stay safe and have fun-

 

Ed

 

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

   

   

Nominating Committee Report - Officer Election Results

Hello Dogwood Family,

 

We hope that all is well with you and your families.

 

As you know, we were in the process of conducting an election of new officers and nominating committee members. The balloting concluded on October 12th, 2026, and the results are as follows.

 

Fifty-nine (59) ballots were sent out to all Dogwood members.

 

Twenty-six (26) ballots were returned for a participation rate of 44%.

 

This far exceeds our requirement for a quorum of 15 Families or 25% of members, therefore, our election meets requirements. Many thanks to VP of Comm, Dave Meyer, for putting together the mailing and compiling the results. 

 

With that said, I introduce to you our new Executive Board, Nominating Committee, and Appointed Positions.

 

Executive Board

President:                      Dave McFarlane

VP of Membership:        Jim Buelow 

VP of Comm:                 Dave Meyer

VP of Rallies:                 Steve Mahanes

Secretary:                      Mary Lou Dudziak

Treasurer:                      Sonia Kuppert

National Director:           Jeanette Raileanu

Alt. National Director:     Rob Hill

 

Nominating Committee

Chairman:                     Ed Herbert

Member:                       Jim Buelow

Member:                       Rob Hill

 

Appointed Positions

Safety Director:              Robi Robison

Care Person:                 Nanette Meyer

 

Our sincere thanks to all members who stepped up to guide our chapter through the 2027-2028 term. We have a great team put together to take Dogwood to the next level.

 

Regards and Safe travels,

 

Jim Buelow, Nominating Committee Chairman

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

  

  

Treasurer’s Report – Sep/Oct 2026

Treasury balance is $3,693.91 as of 10/16/2026.

And a Reminder - 2027 Dogwood dues are coming due in the amount of $15.00/coach. 

 

Please 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 2026

Fall has arrived but there are a few opportunities to still camp with friends.

 

1.      November 6-8: Urbanna Oyster Festival (Fisher and Alexander host) 

 

2.      December 4-6: Dogwood Christmas Rally at Rockahock Campground 1428 Outpost Road Lanexa VA.

 

Although the reserved spots may have been released, the campground may still be able to accommodate you. Be sure to mention the DOGWOOD GROUP when reserving.  The Warrens are this year’s host.

Don’t miss this great end of the year gathering!!

 

   

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

Happy Camping, 

Dell Tenney, Rally Master

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

    

   

VP Communications Update – Sep/Oct 2026

Lokee Hikee Campground in Leroy, NY

Hello Dogwood. 

We were recently in upstate NY and the fall colors were on full display.  It was cold but always a great time visiting family!  Many of you know our granddaughter, Taylor.  It is so hard to believe she turned 18 and is off to college already!  

 

Ok, so hey - Following up on what we were working on last time...

I posted pictures and rally summaries for our 30^th Anniversary Rally, our wonderful joint Rally with Penn-Coachmen at Spacious Skies in Luray VA, and our tasty Lobster Fest Rally at Shore Hills in Boothbay Harbor ME.  The locations were spectacular and the food was great!  I hope you saw them... If not, the are on the Blog just waiting for you.  Enjoy 😊

 

I also posted a couple videos of our Dogwood Sing-Along, featuring Robi, from the 30^th Rally, courtesy of Robi and Dale.

 

The details have been posted for the Christmas Rally.  The Rally Hosts are working hard on the plans and it is promising to be a great rally – hope you can make it to Rockahock this year!   

 

And we completed our officer elections for the next term.  Thanks to all who participated.  Looking forward to the transition meetings at the Christmas Rally... We'll get some photos of the new Executive Board then too.  

As Ed mentioned, we have a few annual FRVA chores to take care of at the Christmas Rally Business Meeting.  One of those is the Chapter's Roster Reconciliation... So let me take this opportunity to mention our Chapter dues.  We'll collect dues again at the rally.  If you aren't attending the Rally, Sonia's address is listed in her post - so please take a few minutes and send in your 2027 Dues now.  It will help us take care of business is short order - Thank You!

 

If you have any questions now, please email me at FMCADogwood@gmail.com, and I will respond as soon as possible.  Also, if you have ideas for items that would be useful to Dogwood members, please submit them via email and we will look at how to incorporate them into the Blog.

 

Hope to see you at one of the upcoming rallies!

   

Dave Meyer, VP Communications

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

     

  

Care Person Update – Sep/Oct 2026

 

 

Hello Dogwood Friends,

 

Happy Fall, and soon, Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope everyone is doing well.  

 

Sept 

Y  Richard Bonewitz: He was diagnosed with cancer. It was caught early & the prognosis is GOOD! Sent a get-well card. Please keep him in your prayers as he goes through radiation & chemo treatments as he will need strength to help him through.

 

Oct 

Y  Tim Schwartz: He had knee replacement surgery on the 19th. Sent a get-well card. 

 

Y  Update on Berkley & Karen Alexander: Karen told me they are doing ok, even taking Coco for walks. Also, they are doing the Oyster Fest. That is great news! Please keep Tim, Berkley & Karen in your prayers for healing & good health as well!

 

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 – Sep/Oct 2026

Hello Dogwooders.  It could be said that using a vehicle tow-bar is a “year round” event.  But as winter comes closer, it could also be said that long-distance towing (to Florida or points out west) is fast approaching … where substantially more miles will be placed on all parts on the tow system.  Certainly, the stress on this product is more pronounced when the vehicle being towed is larger (i.e., heavier).  So here are some personal thoughts as to towing safety.  

 

A new towbar and “tow point” (bolted to the towed vehicle’s frame) needs only a quick inspection as part of your “walk around” before starting your RV trip.  For my Blue Ox system, it was purchased “nearly new” back in 2005.  Grant you, Blue Ox has re-engineered their tow bar product over the years, so what I am writing about is specific to the older Blue Ox design but there are similarities within the product line.  I have observed wear at three points: (1) The main bolt into the 2” “tongue”, (2) any and all spacers/washers, and (3) the rounding-out of any connecting point where there is a “through bolt” holding any two flexible pieces together (i.e., at the up-front yoke area or the triple-lug attaching brackets).  And to a lesser degree, let’s include the cable-ties that hold the rubber sleeves in place.

 

The “main bolt” is tightened only to a point where the monster-sized washer, located there, allows rotation.  The goal: Minimize slop.  To tighten this bolt, only occasionally, I needed the correct-sized socket, my breaker-bar, and a breaker-bar extension (a 3 foot length of steel pipe).  Let’s just say that this bolt is WELL secured.  About a quarter-of-a-turn was all the tightening needed to reduce the slop.

 

On another occasion, I ordered the washer replacement kit offered by Blue Ox.  In preparation for this overhaul, I had noticed that there was slop at the two, triple-lug connectors (devices that connect the bar to the towed tow-points).  So, in addition to the order for the washer replacement kit was the additional $$ for two, new, triple-lug connectors.

 

Over the past 20 years of towing, I occasionally removed the cable-ties that secure the rubber sleeves (i.e., rubber boots) in order to clean and then lubricate the shafts with wheel bearing grease.  Certainly, this is the least expensive maintenance effort.

 

Point is: Tow-bar safety is that of careful examination for parts that are wearing and in need of tightening or replacement.  But opposite of “safety”, I’d like to close with the thought of possible theft.  More than likely, our tow-bars are secured with a locked receiver pin.  That’s good.  But what about those aluminum connectors that comprise the “tow point” on the towed vehicle.  Mine (and yours?) are removable!  In today’s world, the theft of metal (performed by a thief for the purpose of selling same to a scrap yard) is far too commonplace.  Just imagine driving your “towed”  to a restaurant, only to return to the vehicle after dinner to find that these two devices have been stolen.  Replacing/purchasing these two devices might delay your travels just a bit!!!  My method: When I disconnect my vehicle at a campground, I remove these items from my tow.  Whew.

 

Speaking of “whew”, this YouTube video reveals an RVer who learned how NOT to install the vehicle “tow point” bracket.  Might this installation have been accomplished by a “shade-tree mechanic”?!?

    

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/27NDWsz8pbg

 

 

“Whereas Blue Ox was the focus above, please note a recent safety / recall action from Roadmaster:  “Affecting motorhome mounted tow bars with roll pin holes…”

 

Use link:  https://www.roadmasterinc.com/content/nw/recall.html   for info.

  

 

Robi

  

THINK

SAFETY

EVERYDAY!

 

Wishing everyone safe travels.

Robi Robison, Safety Chairman
FRVA Dogwood Chapter

    

Celebrating Dogwood Birthdays and Anniversaries – Oct/Nov 2026

We would like to celebrate your annual milestones with you!  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 251st Birthday to our US Navy!  

THANK YOU to all our Navy Veterans!

The Navy Turns 251

"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