President’s Message – Jan/Feb 2026

Hello Dogwood! Yes, it is winter here ALL along the East Coast. Our Florida contingent has been watching iguanas dropping from trees and this northern contingent is still digging out from the January snowstorm. Jean and I traveled to Minnesota last month to visit the grandkids – beautiful weather but colder than I ever could have imagined! Ice on the fishing lake was only 3’ thick with a wind chill around zero – I lasted 20 minutes out there! So it’s good to be back here on the Sunny East Coast….

OK, enough about weather. There are quite a few things “astir” back here for the Chapter. If you check our blog site you will note three updated rallies listed – Mr. B’s, our 30^thAnniversary, and the Joint Rally with Penn Coachmen. Excellent – good events all three, plus the other five or so listed. The FRVA 112^th Convention and RV Expo is coming up quickly down in Perry, GA; Jean and I have our reservations and if you are attending, please shoot me an e-mail. I want to set us up for the Chapter Fair and a Chapter Get-together.

For the Eastern Area (that’s us) please note that our current president, Gary Lyons, will not be running for re-election. The election process has a short and well-defined schedule. I will be glad to talk with you if you feel you have the qualifications and vision to lead the Eastern Area to the next level. In accordance with FRVA’s Bylaws and Policies and Procedures, the Area President nomination and election process are controlled by the National Office using a pretty well-defined schedule. It’s on the FRVA website and I can provide it to you as needed. Nominations are due the end of this month (February).

That’s it for now – Safe travels and I’ll see you on the road.

Ed

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

   

Treasurer’s Report – Jan/Feb 2026

Treasury balance is $4,543.59. as of 2/6/2025.

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 Membership Update – Jan/Feb 2026

 

Hello Dogwood Family,

 

We hope that all is well and that all of you had a wonderful Holiday season, And if you like cold weather and snow, you are probably enjoying our winter thus far.

 

First, I would like to extend a big welcome to new members Michael and Coreen Gelber, who joined us in December. They are from Bumpass, VA, which is southwest of Fredericksburg. We look very forward to meeting you Michael and Coreen and you can look forward to enjoying lots of "FUN, FOOD and FRIENDSHIP". Again, WELCOME.

 

Next month is the FRVA International Rally in Perry, GA. These rallies are an opportune time to gain new members during gatherings and especially at the Chapter Fair. Ed and Jean will be attending the rally and heading up the Chapter Fair, so if you are attending the rally please consider stepping up and assisting with the fair. It is a fun activity to meet new friends and bring new members to our chapter. "COME ON DOWN".

 

As we enter 2026, our membership remains steady at 56.  And as always, never miss an opportunity meet new friends and welcome them to join our great chapter.  

 

Regards and Safe travels, 

 

Jim Buelow, VP Membership

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

VP Communications Update – Jan/Feb 2026

Hello Dogwood!  The current membership directory for the Dogwood Chapter was emailed out on 7 Feb.  I made a few changes to this latest revision.  As discussed at the Dec Business Meeting, I replaced the "His" and "Hers" descriptors with "Pilot" and "Co-Pilot".  I also replaced "FMCA" with "FRVA" in the header.  And to help welcome our newest members, I added an "*" in front of the names of those who have joined us since the last directory publication.  So, Welcome to all of you!!

Let me know if you have any suggestions for the formatting.  I already have a few more updates to make, so please let me know if you have any updates or corrections.  I will plan to get a new version out next month.

 

Along with the membership directory I also updated the Member Photo Directory.  I have a few of you I need to contact and ask for a picture to add, so watch for that in your email inboxes.  A link to the photo directory is on the Menu Bar under the Banner.  

 

I’m still working on changing our Blogsite and chapter email from FMCA to FRVA and I will keep you updated on any changes.

 

There are a number of Rallies and Gatherings scheduled for the year and they are kept updated on the Blog.  And of course we need volunteers to be our rally hosts.  Co-hosting with others can make it easier and fun.  A link to the Rally Schedule and Details can be found in the menu bar at the top left of main blog page – directly under the banner.  We are constantly updating something, so put the Blog in your Favorites and check back often!!

 

 

So, as I like to say, visit often and stay up to date here on the Blog Site!  And let me offer this – If you have ANY questions about the Blog Site or where to find something, Please, Please give me a call or drop me an email at fmcadogwood@gmail.com.  I’m always ready to assist.  

 

Bruce & Renee, Bob & Lynda, Connie & Ed

And as always, please share your travels and adventures – I’d love to share your stories with the chapter!  We had some Dogwood folks brave the Florida cold and attended the SEA Rally...  What a good looking group!!  

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

 

  

Dave Meyer, VP Communications

FRVA Dogwood Chapter

     

Care Person Update – Jan/Feb 2026

Hello Dogwood Friends…

Is Winter about over?! I don’t know about you, but I’m DONE with this awful cold!! Hope everyone is staying warm, wherever you are!

 

January

Y  In a rough start to the new year, Tom Spiezio passed away early January 11th in Florida, after a 9-month battle with brain cancer. He & Carolyn had traveled to Florida on January 5th, but things didn’t go well and he entered hospice on January 9th. Sent a sympathy card, and a donation in his memory was sent to Delaware Hospice in Milford, DE. 

Y  Karen Alexander - She had surgery to pop her replaced hip joint back into place after moving wrong on January 8th. Sent a get-well card.

Y  Clairevon Nixon - Her mom passed away after a long illness. Sent a sympathy card.

Y  Kurt & Sonia Kuppert - Their dog Patches passed away. Sent a sympathy card.

 

February

Y  Berkley & Karen Alexander - Karen is doing PT for her hip and also for her shoulder, which she had issues with for a few months. Berkley took a tumble on the ice outside their home…he’s ok but is nursing some bruises and soreness. Sent a joint get-well card.

 

I’ve heard that Steve Sohles is doing well with his recovery from his ordeal in November with his heart and Dale Robison is coming along with her health. In fact, they are actually in Florida, where it’s cold but yet much warmer than here in Virginia!

 

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 – Jan/Feb 2026

Spring is just around the corner.  For those who have stored their RV (since the Dogwood Christmas party, right?), this article might be a refresher of “de-winterization”.

 

My RV manual probably has a few paragraphs on how to de-winterize, but I forget where that manual is.  Websites help.  YouTube has several good videos on the topic.  My plan for this article: Keep it short. Some generic ideas are universal.

 

Primary focus:  The fresh water system.  Using antifreeze for potable water systems is probably the most common method.  Blowing-out the system with compressed air was a method I used some years back, but one nasty winter, I was forced to discover that I had a “low point” in the plumbing.  Blowing didn’t clear ALL the water.  Ouch.  Failed was a 90-degree elbow that water had settled into even though I thought the blow-out was successful.  To find the damaged pipe, I had to rip out a panel in the wet bay.  As for freshening the system overall, adding a bleach solution (1/4 cup per 15 gallons water) to the freshwater tank, letting it sit for several hours, then flush thoroughly and refill.  I also run this bleach solution through all hot and cold water pipes. The flushing-out of antifreeze and/or bleach causes water to not be potable for a while, but bathing and flushing and thus using several tank-fills will eventually take the smell and/or taste out of the water system.  

 

Once using sinks, check underneath to ensure the p-trap didn’t suffer damage.

 

Were batteries disconnected?  Taken “home” to the basement?  Reconnection will be needed of course.  For those of us who merely turn the MASTER switches off, there is still a common action warranted:  Check and secure the battery terminals.  Remove corrosion if present.  Perhaps load-test the batteries individually with a device that can be had for $30 to $50.  Very handy … and might point out that a battery that is in parallel with others has weakened but the others are still strong.

 

Generator onboard (or portable)?  Check the oil level and for the adequate cooling method (coolant fluid if not air-cooled).  Then run the generator with a load applied (toaster oven for smaller gensets) or roof air conditioners that need 12 to 15 amps each to get started and run for several minutes.

 

Tires? Check for cracking or evidence of rot.  Check tire pressures.  Hint: Once the tire pressure is checked, check the valve stem Schrader valve to insure it is not leaking slowly.  If a TPMS is used, disregard the “Hint”.  

 

Replace batteries in smoke and CO detectors.  Take fire extinguishers out of their holding brackets and give them a good shake or tap (to keep any chemicals from solidifying and diminishing the extinguisher’s effectiveness).

 

Then?  Hit the road.

 

THINK

SAFETY

EVERYDAY!

 

Wishing everyone safe travels.

Robi Robison, Safety Chairman
FRVA Dogwood Chapter

 

Celebrating Dogwood Birthdays and Anniversaries – Feb/Mar 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.  🥳 

Dogwood Florida Dinner Gathering

It's time for a Dogwood Florida Dinner Gathering 😀

I am planning a 3:15pm "Early Bird" Florida dinner on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at Texas Roadhouse, 2457 S. Hwy 27, Clermont, FL.  Ed and Jean Herbert are planning to visit FL so let's get the Dogwood Chapter together.  

 

I will need a head count by March 4.  

 

Clint and Pat Allen and Ed and I will be attending.  Let me know if you would like to join us. 

 

Connie Tilman 

804-513-7274

Mr. B’s 2026 Spring Music Spectacular

Hello Dogwood! This is the second call for the upcoming Mr. B’s Bluegrass Spring Music Spectacular on 30 Apr – 2 May 2026. Like last year, it will be held at Mr. B’s Event Park in Woodford, VA – on the west side of old Route 1 just north of the Ladysmith exit off I-95. Ms. Billie Sue Goff (Event Director and good friend of the club) has set aside 10 spots for us – all together. If more sign up, that’s fine, you just might not be right next door to us. But that’s OK because the campground is easily crossed in minutes from wherever you get parked. The directions and signup sheet are below.

 

Jean and I are hosting again for the brunch. Like last year... Continue Reading and see all the details

 

Ed & Jean Herbert 

540-760-4181  

2026 Mr B's Rally Registration Form

2026 Mr B's Flyer - Front

2026 Mr B's Flyer - Back

Dogwood 30th Anniversary Rally

1996 ~ FRVA Dogwood Chapter ~ 2026

Hello Dogwood Family, hope all is well.

 

We are pleased to announce that the Dogwood 30th Anniversary Rally is now official. It will be held  Thursday July 23 through Sunday July 26, 2026 at Rockahock Campground in Lanexa, VA. This is the initial announcement and more information will be forthcoming as plans are made.

 

Tentative hosts at this time include:

Jim and Susan Buelow

Paul Cummings

Ed and Jean Herbert

Connie and Ed Tilman

Jack and Mary Warren

 

We have reserved 32 sites along with the rally pavilion. Rates are as follows:

 

Standard site:    3 nights  $206 + tax

                           weekly   $342 + tax

 

Premium site:   3 nights   $236 + tax

                         weekly     $396 + tax

 

Deluxe site:      3 nights   $266 + tax     

                         weekly     $450 + tax

 

A 10% discount is available to active/retired military and First Responders. 

 

NOTE: very important. Do not call and make your reservations yet. I will inform you when to do so.

 

What I and the campground need at this time is whether or not you wish to stay longer than 3 days. If you desire to come in before the 23rd or stay after the 26th, or stay for a week, I and the campground need to know that for site reservation purposes.

 

If you plan on attending only 3 days, no need to respond to this email. If you plan on staying longer, simply send me a short note indicating your intentions. Once we have that information, I will notify all members when it is OK to make your reservations.

 

We look forward to seeing you at the 30th anniversary celebration, so please plan on attending and get ready for a lot of "FUN, FOOD, and FRIENDSHIP".

 

If applicable, please respond to this email NLT February 22, 2026.

 

Send to:

jandsbuelow@aol.com

 

Thank you and Safe Travels,

Jim Buelow

757 876-7399

 

 

Dogwood-Penn Coachmen Co-Rally in Luray VA

First Call for the Dogwood-Penn Coachmen Co-Rally August 10-14, 2026

Hey Dogwood and Penn Coachmen – this is first call for signups to our upcoming co-rally.

 

Dates: August 10-14, 2026. 

Place: Spacious Skies/Shenandoah Views Campground, Luray, VA 

3402 Kimball Rd.

Luray, VA 22835

540-743-7222

 

Spacious Skies/Shenandoah Views ...

Click Here For Rally Details and Registration Form

Eastern Area Meeting Notes - Jan 15, 2026

Dogwood Christmas Rally 2025 - Summary

Christmas Rally 2025 Summary

 

 

The Christmas Rally was a huge success!!  Why?  Because we all got together and we ate too much, laughed too hard and hugged too tight!!  But that is how we Dogwooders Roll!

We had a group come in on Wednesday, so we went to a delicious restaurant on the lake and had a great time!!  Thursday everyone brought delicious appetizers to share, which was a great kick start to the Rally!  Friday morning we woke up to an inch of snow on the ground, but it did not put a damper on the fun!! Friday night an Italian dinner was provided by the hosts, followed by  a Raffle drawing, and a fun game of Left, Right and Center!!  

 

Eggs By Berkley

Saturday morning a full breakfast was provided by the hosts including Berkley’s famous eggs to order!  Followed by a business meeting.

Saturday the hosts provided a ham dinner, followed by Connie Tilman officiating our traditional Yankee Gift Exchange.  A lot of laughter and memories were made. 

Connie - Time for Yankee Swap

We wrapped up our Rally with a continental breakfast Sunday morning.

 

We had a great team work together to provide the Rally:  The Hills, Kuikens and Warrens! 

 

It was a lot of fun pulling it together, now it’s someone else's turn.

 

Looking forward to next year!!

 

Your Hosts,

 

Rob & Donna

Henry & Patty

Jack & Mary

Click here for the Rally Photo Album

Christmas Rally - 2025