ROCKWOOD WEST

JANUARY 2012 NEWSLETTER

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:  

Rockwood West got off to a great start this year attending the WMHA rally in Indio where we participated in the Chapter Fair and had a float in the parade.  From Indio we had a gathering in the desert just outside of Quartzsite.  Unfortunately, we don't have another rally until the end of April and the rally schedule for the rest of the year is very slim.  If you haven't hosted a rally in over a year, please step up to the plate and host a rally.  If you need help finding a suitable campground, see me for suggestions.  We can't have a successful chapter if only the same members are willing to host rallies.  We need everyone to participate for our longterm success.

Paulette

MEETING MINUTES:

Dome Rock BLM area

Quartzsite, AZ

January 20, 2012, 6:15 p.m.

The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by president Paulette Kotan.

Members present:  Gerry and Lin Chetelat, Nick and Ramona Escamilla, Russ and Pat Himmer, Dennis and Paulette Kotan, Mac and Nita McAfee, Greg and Debbie Murrell, Hal and Cookie Ringhand, Steve and Mary Lee Smith, Rich and Linda Strobel and Bill and Sandy Vargo.  Guests: Bernie and Carol Juliar and Tim and Sue Lappin.

A motion to approve the minutes of our previous meeting was made by Linda S, seconded by Dennis and the motion carried.

Treasurer's report:  Balance of $2,105.04.  Motion to accept the report by Steve, seconded by Pat and the motion carried.

National Director's Report:  The national director was not in attendance but Lloyd will be attending the national convention in Indianapolis in August.

Old business:  None

New business:  Paulette informed the club that one of our charter members Bob Hagberg had passed away.  A discussion again ensued regarding people stepping up to the plate to put on a rally.  Greg gave us information about the bird houses he built for us to decorate as a craft project at a future rally.  He advised everyone to save things they would like to decorate with such as bottle caps, jewels, train track, buttons, etc.  It should be fun if everyone participates.

Paulette announced the latest rally schedule (see below for information)

A motion to adjourn was made by Ramona, seconded by Pat and the motion carried.  

Meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.

WAGONMASTER'S REPORT:

Greg and I arrived in Quartzsite a couple of days early to save a large area.  We were familiar with the Dome Rock area due to camping there with his car club.  Members rolled into the area gradually, several came indirectly from the FMCA Indio rally, others came from their homes and 2 guests: Bernie and Caro Juliar from Monument CO/Surprise, AZ and Tim and Sue Lappin from Michigan on their winter tour.  The Lappins read about our rally in the FMCA magazine and contacted us by email about joining our rally.  We met the Juliars in Monument last summer and invited them to the rally.  There were a total of 12 rigs attending the rally.

 We had surprisingly good weather (little wind except for one day and night) and needed only light jackets a few days.  It was sunny the whole time.  Members shopped, went off-roading in ATVs and jeeps and ate well.  We began the official rally with heavy appetizers, followed the next 2 nights by potluck dinners and, of course, the mandatory campfire.

One evening during happy hour we had guest speakers from HarvestHosts.com explain their program.  They are a couple that toured Europe in a motor home and came back to begin a similar program they experienced there.  We joined this program after reading about it this past summer in the FMCA magazine.  Membership entitles you to free, one night dry camping at farms, wineries and other agricultural related locations.  We had 2 memorable experiences on our trip, one in CT on a large apple orchard and one in VA at a winery.  They donated a one year membership to our rally and a few members purchased memberships.  The free membership was won by our guests Tim and Sue Lappin.

We parted ways as scheduled between Saturday and Sunday.  However, 4 rigs continued onto Alamo Lake State Park about 70 miles northeast.  The Escamillas, McAfees, Murrells and Smiths were there 3-4 nights.  It is an isolated, beautiful area that Mac and Nita had visited a few times.  We took turns on the ATVs and explored more and ate more.
Debbie Murrell

RALLY SCHEDULE:
April 27-29     Chula Vista RV Resort & Marina, hosted by Gerry and Linda Chetelat
May 25-28      Boulder Creek RV Resort, Lone Pine, CA hosted by Escamilla and McAfee
Sept. 21-23     Sweetwater Summit County Park, Bonita, CA hosted by Ringhand and Rose