President’s Message – May/Jun 2026

Hello Dogwood! It is June and we are coming up on Dogwood’s 30^th Anniversary Rally in July – probably by the time you read this! It is going to be a big event for us and I am glad to be part of it. Jim Buelow and friends have been hard at work putting together a great program for us.

 As you know, Jean and I toured Ireland, Northern Ireland, & Scotland back in May – what a grand trip it was. In addition to the incredible scenery, we saw a robust RV culture going on throughout the countries. Now, nobody drove the big Class A coaches like we were in (read “Bus”), but the Class B’s and C’s were everywhere as were the campgrounds. Many of the RVs had our standard left-hand steering and these mostly came over from mainland Europe – France, Germany, Switzerland, etc. The roads were narrow and the “Motorways” were at best two lanes, but usually just 1-1/2 lanes. I was glad I wasn’t driving.

The next FRVA convention starts this week as I write; the issues to be voted on concern the reduction in numbers of things needed for the organization to keep working – reducing the number of club members needed to start/maintain a club; reducing the quorum size for voting at the national business meetings, etc. All necessitated by the considerable reduction in size of  FRVA over the past year. I mention that here as a reminder to all of us that we need to keep recruiting – Dogwood has been very fortunate that we have maintained an average of 50 family members annually; some join, some leave, but we hover around 50. So please talk to folks when you are in that campground and let them know about FRVA and the benefits it offers.

That’s it for now – safe travels and stay healthy.

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

   

 

Treasurer’s Report – May/Jun 2026

Treasury balance is $4673.59 as of 6/26/2026.

And a Reminder - 2026 Dogwood dues are now 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 – May/Jun 2026

Notes on our 2026 Christmas Rally Planning.  

 

The Christmas Rally is set for December 3-6 at Rockahock Campground (1428 Outpost Road Lanexa, VA.)  Jack and Mary Warren are our hosts this year.

 

I secured the following sites at Rockahock for our Christmas rally:  406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426. (Jack and Mary have reserved site 417, so it is not available.).  All sites are under the DOGWOOD name and will be held until 15 October. They will give us more once these are full.  (See the map for sites.) 

 

Sites are Standard and the weekend rates are $72.00 a night plus tax, anyone can elect to choose a Patio site which is $82.00 a night.  Please make sure when calling in your membership indicates they are with the Dogwood group.  

 

As a reminder they do offer a discount to active/retired military members and first responders.  Please let us know when making reservations.

 

WE NEED SOME MORE COUPLES TO ASSIST.  Let Jack know if you can help, copy me please.

 

We have a blog announcement with updates that will be coming out/ posted soon.

 

   

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 2026

Hello Dogwood. 
 
In the last newsletter I shared a few tips on navigating the Blog Site, and I received some positive feedback – so thanks for that.  I covered several sections on the main page including our Dogwood Banner and the menu bar with shortcuts to other areas.  I also covered the Blog posts and some of the sections along the right-hand side, including FRVA and the Eastern Area (EA) and finally, the Chapter Reference Documents.
 
In this newsletter I want to continue looking at the different sections along the right-hand side of the main Blog Page.
 
Underneath the Eastern Area section are 3 different search functions.  These can be very helpful if you are looking for specific information, or want to find older posts on various topics or rallies, etc.

ê The 1^st search function (Previous Newsletters and Posts) allows you to search by previous years and months, using the dropdown. 

ê The 2^nd search function (Search This Blog) allows you to enter a keyword you want to search on.  This is the one Robi mentions in his article 🙂

ê And the 3^rd search function (Search by Labels) allows you to select from the various labels (or Tags) assigned to the different blog posts.  The size is related to the number (in parenthesis) of posts with that label.  Note, these labels currently only date back to 2020. 

 

             

As with anytime you are scrolling down through a number of posts, when you get to the bottom, you can continue by clicking “Older Posts”, page backward by clicking “Newer Posts”, or go back to the top of the main page by clicking on “Home”  

I hope this information is helpful.  I will plan to cover additional sections in future articles.  BUT 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

     

Nominating Committee Report

Hello Dogwood Family, we hope that all is well with all of you.

 

In this article, I am again going to discuss Dogwood elections. As all of you know, this is an election year for our chapter. Elections will be held in the September time frame...

 

In the last newsletter I informed all of you that we needed  to fill 3 positions on our Governing board, President, VP of Rallies, and National Director.

 

I am very pleased to announce that we have filled two of those positions, VP of Rallies and National Director. Steve Mahanes has agreed to step up as our new VP of Rallies and Jeanette Raileanu has stepped up to be our National Director. The Raileanu's are new members to our chapter, and Steve, Jeanette's husband is the EAMA Central Region VP... Welcome to Dogwood. Thank you both very much for stepping up. I can assure you both that you will not be left hanging, and you will receive all the assistance that you need to succeed in your new positions. Thank you again.

 

So we now have only one position left to fill, that of President of our Great chapter. And as I previously stated in earlier emails, our chapter cannot function as an active chapter without a President.

 

So, who out there is going to step up to be our next President. It only takes one person to say YES, and we definitely have talented individuals in our chapter who would do a great job. So Please consider stepping up and supporting our chapter. Time is getting short.  

Regards and Safe travels, 

 

Jim Buelow, Nominating Committee Chairman

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

  

Care Person Update – May/Jun 2026

 

 

Hello Dogwood Friends…

 

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the warm weather, whether outside or inside. 

 

May 

Y  Steve Sohles - Sent a get-well/thinking of you card as the process of healing was taking time.

Y  Jim Buelow - Sent a get-well card as he was still having some issues.

Y  Pat Allen - She had a knee replacement at the end of April. Sent a get-well card.

 

June

Y  Berkley Alexander - He is having some health issues. Sent a get-well card.

 

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 2026

It was Dave Meyer that recently reminded me of the “Search This Blog” function on the Dogwood blogspot.  From the HOME page, view the righthand column, scroll down and you’ll find the box at which you can start your search.  I searched on the word “Safety” and immediately found several excellent articles submitted by Butch Jones over the years … most of which I could not improve upon! So, with a tip-of-the-hat to Butch, the below “Pre-Trip Safety Checklist” is, well, re-posted.

 

But first, I’d like to amplify the “Tires – sidewall cracks” entry.  Some years back, my aging Goodyear tires appeared quite “healthy” on the exposed sidewalls, but when I crawled under my rig, I found that the inside sidewalls of the “duals” (i.e., the dual’s sidewalls that “face” each other) where showing significant cracking.  Immediate replacement was call for.  

 

One additional safety action:  Have a golf putter (or driver) at-the-ready for use as a “tire thumper” before hitting the road.  Even if you have a TPMS (tire pressure motor system), perform a walk-around with the putter (mine: purchased from a Goodwill store).  I whack (thump) each tire on the tire’s tread (not the sidewall).  A solid THUMP of a tire reveals a low-frequency sound (a short “ring” of sorts).  An under-inflated tire or a tire that is suffering some sort of failure (tread separation?) will have a different sound than the other/good tires.   

 

Pre-Trip Safety Checklist

 

Before Every Trip

 

1. Engine Compartment
2. Tires – check cold, 3 hours without usage
3. External Lights (I usually check these just before we pull off)
4. Glass
5. Exterior Walk Around
6. Towed Vehicle
7. Interior Walk Around
8. Start-up
9. Buckle Up
10. Look around one more time. Now it is time to be “on the road again”.

 

There may be some items that you may want to add or subtract from this list; however, if it got you thinking about motorhome safety then we are on the right track.

Click here for the full article

Click here for the complete Checklist

 

  

THINK

SAFETY

EVERYDAY!

 

Wishing everyone safe travels.

Robi Robison, Safety Chairman
FRVA Dogwood Chapter

  

Celebrating Dogwood Birthdays and Anniversaries – Jun/Jul 2026

 

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.  🥳 

 

Wishing you a Happy Independence Day!

 

 

This year, Independence Day marks an extraordinary milestone as America celebrates 250 years since the founding of our country. It's a great reminder of the spirit of resilience, freedom, and togetherness that this day is all about. Wishing you a safe and fun Independence Day. 

 

Enjoy your holiday!

 

 

Happy 251st Birthday U.S. Army

                   

 

 

 THIS WE'LL DEFEND

Since 1775, America's Army has stood ready to protect the nation and its people and will fight to defend its values. Help the Army celebrate its 251st birthday on June 14!

THE FOUNDING

Since its official establishment, June 14, 1775 — more than a year before the Declaration of Independence — the U.S. Army has played a vital role in the growth and development of the American nation. Drawing on both long-standing militia traditions and recently introduced professional standards, it won the new republic's independence in an arduous eight-year struggle against Great Britain. At times, the Army provided the lone symbol of nationhood around which patriots rallied.

TODAY'S ARMY

Older than the nation it defends, the U.S. Army has made a difference in the history and founding of America. This year we are celebrating how America's Army has challenged, empowered and equipped our Soldiers, because 

“Be All You Can Be” is more than just a slogan, it's the Army way of life.

 

 

The source for this post is from Army.mil.  For more information click here:  

Or copy and paste this URL into your web browser:

        https://www.army.mil/1775/index.html 

Dogwood 30th Anniversary Rally

1996 ~ FRVA Dogwood Chapter ~ 2026

UPDATED 6/6/2026

 

Hello Dogwood Family, hope all is well.

 

In February, we announced the dates and location for the Dogwood 30th Anniversary rally. Since that time we have coordinated with the campground and are now providing Dogwood members with additional information about the rally.  

 

Rally Location:    Rockahock Campground

                             1428 Outpost Road

                             Lanexa, VA 23089

                             804 966-8362

 

Rally Dates: Thursday, July 23 - Sunday, July 26, 2026

NOTE: The cutoff date for making your campground reservation and sending in your registration form is June 15th, 2026.

 

We have reserved 34 sites at Rockahock and ...  Click here to continue reading all the Rally Details

Click here for the Rally Registration Form

 

Thank you and Safe Travels,

Jim Buelow

757-876-7399

 

 

Mr. B’s 2026 Spring Music Spectacular - Summary

 

What a hoot! Three really good days of music, fun, food, and festivities. We got up each morning, dined a delicious brunch, gathered our chairs and bodies, and ambled over to the wooded stage area. There we flopped down and heard  some of the best live music one could want to hear. Each night, dinners "just appeared" - Dogwood folks know how to throw a party.

Most to the fourteen bands were local, and while none were “big-time radio”, they were as professional and entertaining as any group I’ve ever seen. The skills those players had still amazes me – how can they move their fingers that fast across the neck of the instrument (guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro, fiddle, etc)? And how can those voices hit the notes they hit? The music was great; the a-cappella songs ("How great thou art...") were uplifting.

So we had ten Dogwood families for about eighteen folks and a dog. We fit right in with the 90+ other RVers and 100+ walk-ins; our camping site allowed us to hear the music without having to walk very far. The Manager and Hostess, Ms. Billy Sue Goff, checked in with us every morning as we dished up brunch and the drink-of-the-day. The days gave us good weather and the evenings were downright chilly, although that didn’t stop the late-night jamming that started after the bands quit. Lots of pictures and videos were taken and I suspect they will show up on our blog site with this write-up.

So next year, prepare for another Music Festival in early May; Dogwood has a reserved spot already and the bands are awaiting our return!

 

Ed & Jean

Click here to see the Photo Album

 

On Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country

Arlington National Cemetery 
graves decorated with flags
during Memorial Day weekend

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.^[1][2] It is observed on the last Monday of May. It is also considered to be the unofficial beginning of summer.^[3]

Memorial Day is a time for visiting cemeteries and memorials to mourn the military personnel who died in the line of duty. Volunteers will place American flags on the graves of those military personnel in national cemeteries.^[4]

The first national observance of what would become Memorial Day occurred on May 30, 1868.^[5] Then known as Decoration Day, the holiday was proclaimed by Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic – a fraternal organization of veterans – to honor Union soldiers who had died in the American Civil War.^[6] This national observance followed the example of many local observances which were begun between the end of the Civil War and Logan's declaration. Many cities and people have claimed to be the first to observe it, however, the National Cemetery Administration, a division of the Department of Veterans Affairs, credits Mary Ann Williams of the Ladies Memorial Association of Columbus, Georgia with originating the idea of an annual date to decorate the graves of Civil War veterans with flowers.^[7]

Official recognition as a holiday spread among the states, beginning with New York in 1873.^[7] By 1890, every union state had adopted it. The world wars turned it into a day of remembrance for all members of the U.S. military who fought and died in service. In 1968, Congress changed its observance to the last Monday in May, and in 1971 standardized its name as "Memorial Day.” Two other days celebrate those who have served or are serving in the U.S. military: Armed Forces Day, which is earlier in May, a ceremonial U.S. day of commemoration for honoring those currently serving in the armed forces, and Veterans Day on November 11, a legal holiday which honors all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.^[8]

 

** This article is from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Here is a link to the webpage:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

 

 

President’s Message – Mar/Apr 2026

Ed addressing the Dogwood
gathering at Perry 2026

Hello Dogwood! Spring is here and I am sneezing way more than I should – probably keeping the Kleenex makers in business, I’m sure. Anyway, we have a lot of rallies going on this summer – Mr. B’s at the end of this month (April), the Dogwood 30^th Anniversary in July, and the Joint Rally with Penn Coachmen up in Luray in August. There are still a lot of open sites for the 30^th Anniversary Rally in Rockahock and the Joint Rally with Penn Coachmen up at Spacious Skies. Probably by the time you read this, we will have passed Mr. B’s, but I’ll give a write-up on that later. And finally, don’t forget FRVA’s International Rally July 1-4 in Sedalia, Mo. Busy times, indeed! If you are planning on attending this rally please send me a note – we’ll need someone to attend the Business Meeting there.

Ed and Jean with Dogwood in Titusville

Jean and I spent several weeks in Florida and Georgia back in March visiting the Dogwood-Florida contingent! We got to Titusville and spent time with the Sohles and Spains; then on to Clermont with the Allens and Tilmans –we had a great dinner with them and the rest of the chapter; I think there were 18 of us there! From there, over to Chiefland with the Kuikens and Tenneys and finally up to Perry for the FRVA rally, and even more Dogwood folks. Wilt Greenwood, Sonia Kuppert, Gaye Young and I did some official FRVA business – auditing the Eastern Area Finances and we had a really good gathering at the Kuppert’s on the last night. I think we picked up several new member families at the Chapter Fair. This was a very good trip for us; I learned a lot about RV resort life. Things to consider…..Hmmm…..

 

Along with the upcoming rallies, we have chapter elections coming up. Jim Buelow and his Nominating Committee are working hard to ensure we have the Officer candidates slated for our elections this fall. Alas, I will not be running again; after six years I am ready to hand off the reins to someone else. Please look at your schedules and activities for the coming year. We must have officers to continue as a bona fide chapter in FRVA.  Attached is an article I posted a few years back on my “take” on the leadership jobs in the club. I hope that you will consider running for office after reading it.

 

Thanks and we’ll see you down the road.

 

Ed & Jean

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter