President’s Message – Sep/Oct 2025

"Dogwood Row" at the Lancaster Rally 

Hello Dogwood! As I write this, the weather here in Virginia has turned absolutely beautiful and Fall has arrived with a flourish. There is just a slight tinge of yellow on the trees right now – soon to be leaf-peeping time for sure.  Jean and I are preparing for a week-long stay in Duck NC with our old college buddies. It’s funny that even after 50 years, none of us have changed and we all look exactly the same. Wait! Is this a dream? We used to talk kids, now we talk (great) grandkids. Oh well, time moves on. 

 

Hey, last month we had an excellent Rally up in Lancaster – kudos to the Tenneys and the Kuikens for putting on a great event for us. Jean and I probably spent way too much in the Sketchers store across the street, but my feet are happy now. From there, Jean and I motored across Pennsylvania on old Route 30 – what a pretty drive! We got to I-81 and headed south to Buena Vista for the Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival. And that was a hoot! Dogwood was well represented there, with us, the Davis’, Warrens and Mahanes. The Dogwood Bluegrass band jammed Wednesday and Thursday nights until way too late. On Wednesday evening, we were joined by “Claude” from Paris, France! And on Friday, kids and granddaughter rolled in; Saturday morning my son-in-law and I went fishing and caught a mess of sunfish and little bass in the Maury River. All in all, a great two weeks.

 

OK, GEAR is approaching. The event schedule will be posted on the Eastern Area Web site later this month, but what we know so far is that the concert is Friday night, the talent show and craft shows are on Saturday, along with the Business Meeting. There are some by-law changes to be approved and new leadership for the regions within the Eastern area. I suspect there will be a Chapter Fair, but don’t know time or place yet. Anybody want to do a Dogwood Gathering/dinner? We are going to GEAR, along with the Buelows, Cummings, Kupperts and Greenwoods. If you are going, PLEASE let me know – thanks in advance!

 

Lastly, on the FRVA website (and on our blogsite) the latest letters from the National President and the Executive Committee. There are several committees in the FRVA organization, and if you would like to serve at the National Level, I encourage you to read up on the latest FRVA President’s Letter and check out the various committees underway. 

 

That’s it for now – see you at GEAR and/or our upcoming Christmas Rally. Oh yes, one more thing – the Christmas Rally is also our annual planning rally. Jean and I have already marked off Mr. B’s Bluegrass Festival at the end of April. So where do you want to go next year?

 

Safe Travels –

Ed & Jean

 

Ed Herbert, President

FRVA Dogwood Chapter