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NEWSLETTER 2018 Late Edition ISSUE #9

EDITOR: JOAN HEATH

It is time to begin the process of planning the next year’s activities. If you have not already done so, the annual dues ($20) are due to Peter Widmark, please remit to Peter @ PO BOX 426 Dover, NH 03821-0426.

Need to confirm with our rally hosts that they are well on the path to planning their event. Hard to plan an event if you do not know the pro-jected attendance. That’s why I started this with the payment of dues, the annual commitment to remain an active North East Pacer.

The anniversary Rally will be held in July just ahead of the Northeast area rally, in Syracuse, NY, at the State Fairgrounds.

It is not too early to begin thinking about our upcoming elections, of both our chapter officers and the area. If you would be interested in serving on the nomination committee for our chapter, please let one of the chapter officers know.

If you would like to serve at the area level, now is the time to step up and have a hand in re-invigorating the North-East.

See the following letter from Barbara Smith, our current President of the North-East area, the letter helps to explain what is happening and the reasons for it. Ideally each chapter will have a representative on the board so that all areas within the North-East are represented and their concerns/ideas are addressed.

Respectfully submitted by your Interim President, Charlie Lawrence.

Happy New Year & Valentine’s Day too!

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To all Northeast Area Chapter National Directors and Presidents:

Fresh Start – Celebration in Syracuse, NY, 2019

July 25-28, 2019

It’s your area: what can you do to help?

You may have wondered why I have been very quiet. An independent audit of the Northeast Area was conduct-

ed by direction of the FMCA National Executive Board. The findings were sent to every chapter officer in our area.

The former Northeast Area board has resigned as requested by the National Executive Board of FMCA. Your area

is embarking on a “Fresh Start”…move forward process.

Although I have been quiet, I have been busy visiting with chapter members in the Northeast Area who have expe-

rience running large rallies. As Ed and I did these chapter visits, a team emerged to support future rally efforts.

Members volunteered to be captains and team members in key roles (i.e., parking, safety, security, etc.), and chap-

ters offered to do roles that they had performed before. These members have had input planning rally activities and

have agreed to step forward.

How are we going to move forward?

1. Elect a new board – refer to the letter sent from FMCA’s national office requesting nominations and out-

lining the process.

2. Fix the bylaws and standing rules according to the national Constitution and Bylaws Committee and Shel-

don Reder audit suggestions; due shortly after a new area board is elected.

3. Provide updates to the website nmafmca.org; and, most importantly,

4. Have a successful rally in Syracuse, NY, 2019 – registration opens in April.

5. Annual Meeting to be held Saturday at the rally in Syracuse, NY, 2019.

Planning for a Successful Rally

July 25-28, 2019, dates are reserved, to be held at the NY State Fairgrounds once again. Why there? The 2017 sur-

vey of members attending our last Syracuse rally overwhelmingly voted to return to Syracuse. Our members would

like to go back to this venue. For the people who witnessed the construction obstacles and difficulties with the tent

and entertainment, you will find a brand-new Expo Center. I have visited the fairgrounds several times and had a

tour of the new building. It is remarkable and was built in a mere 8 months. We have heard from the New York

Centrals, Fingerlakers, Niagara Frontier Travelers, and Pen-NY Mixers chapters located nearby. Also contributions

and ideas came in from the Yankee Travelers, Northeastern, Cape Codders, Granite Staters, Jersey Gems, Knot

Fore Busses Only, North East Pacers, Allo Quebec, Scotian Roamers, Long Islanders, Bussin’ Buddies, and GM

Bus Owners of New England (GMBones) chapters.

(Continued on page 3)

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What rally items are in place?

1. Our dates are listed in the magazine and marketed in many

locations.

2. Our theme was recommended by a member of the New York

Centrals and was chosen by the judge – Celebrate at Syracuse in

2019.

3. Our artwork is completed; flyer to be released soon; registra-

tion form drafted.

4. Chapter Fair and Block Party planned following First-Timers

Seminar/Event.

5. Entertainment contracts are being reviewed. NEA members

sent in their suggestions.

A great level of excitement has been expressed about our rally.

FMCA’s Eastern Area has pledged support, acknowledging our

support of GEAR, Great Eastern Area Rally. Bill Mallory, the

Eastern Area National VP, announced there would be no East-

ern Area rally in 2019 due to the Eastern Area hosting the Inter-

national Convention in Perry, GA. He stated in their October

2018 newsletter, “The Northeast Area is planning an Area Rally

in July of 2019 at a new facility. I am sure Barbara Smith would

appreciate any volunteer time you could spare.”

It’s your area: what can you do to help? Send in your ideas -

- Do you want a Dance Party?

Attend the rally, volunteer on teams, or consider being a

“team captain”; share contacts.

Chapters: take an advertisement in the program book and

offer a door prize; prepare a great table for the chapter fair.

Send the ads to Bob Mills, fourwindsbob@gmail.com, 540-

316-7844.

Find a vendor who might be interested in attending and

send the information to the Vendor Captain, Patty

Pritchard, patymac46@yahoo.com, 315-593-9848.

It’s your area and your rally. Attend, volunteer, and enjoy it

to make it a success.

National Vice President, Northeast Area

bsmith@fmca.com 978-764-7484

(Continued from page 2)

Please send all

Pacer Newsletter info to:

jcookienana@aol.com

We started our weekend with a mar-velous meal at Fire & Ice (thanks to Carol & Bob for scouting this out the day before).

Saturday morning we all enjoyed Car-ol’s French Toast Casserole & Joan’s fresh fruit bowl.

(Continued on page 4)

September Rally

Kampersville, VT Hosted by Joan, John, Carol & Bob

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Fire & Ice Salad & Soup Bar The day saw some of us decorating, others enjoying the many things to do in the Middlebury area.

Saturday evening saw us all in Island Attire for our Ha-waiian Luau. Menu included pu pu platter by Cheryle, ham & pineapple, stir fry veggies, fried rice, cole slaw, rolls & 2 Hawaiian desserts!

We played some silly games with balloons & ended the evening with several rounds of Hawai-ian Bingo…… the prize ta-ble had some wine, appe-tizer vouchers to a popu-lar restaurant, coconuts & a pineapple.

Sunday morning began with John’s blueberry pancakes & bacon, then dismantle the tent & bid

ALOHA till the next rally!

(Continued from page 3)

Two stylish ladies, Dottie & Jeanne, even

wore grass skirts!

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The October rally turned out to be a ups and down

rally! First there were 4 Coaches attending then

there were 9 attending only to finish off with

7. As we get older it seems there are more and

more issues in life! Ones we can control and ones

we can't!

It turned out to be a GREAT RALLY! I think we all

had a great time. After setting up our shelter we

headed off to Savonas Trattoria a fabulous Italian

restaurant in Rhinebeck NY. Saturday morning

started with the traditional EGGS in a Bag. A favor-

ite Pacers breakfast. Once all the Cats were herd-

ed, we traveled to FDRs Library. With each mem-

ber having their National Parks card we entered at

a $6.00 pp fee. This Library was overwhelming. We

first walked the beautiful grounds of FDR and en-

tered the First Presidential Library in the USA.

This Library could have been in and of itself a two

day journey into the period of 1933 to 1945+. The

layout of events that took place in America were

overwhelming! Starting from the Depression to

World War II, you were taken back through Histo-

ry and what made this country what it is today.

From establishing National Parks, Interstates, Dams

and War, you experienced it all through the maze

of rooms, videos, pictures and memorabilia of how

Franklin molded and reshaped our country

from Depression to salvation. Our appointment to see

FDRs home on the same grounds was next on the list

of things to do.

We walked further down the pathways to see the

20,000 square foot home of Elenore and Franklin. The

home was built by his father James in 1867 and named

it "Springwood" which is located in Hyde Park,

NY. Words can't describe the beauty of both the Home

and the 750 acre farm overlooking the Hudson River.

This is a must see location for all History buffs.

After a wonderful day, the evening dinner became an

early Thanksgiving, with all the trimmings. No-one had

room for more!

Sundays pancake and sausage breakfast was followed

up by some leaving for the Quilt show, some leaving

for Kayaking, and six of us heading on a twisted trail

into the backwoods of a Overwhelming location called

"INNISFREE GARDENS".

This was another Spectacular Event! Designed and cre-

ated by Architect Lester Collins the grounds depict

Modernistic

and Romantic ide-

as with traditional

Chinese and Japa-

nese garden de-

signs - a sublime

composition of

rock, water,wood,and sky achieved with remarkable

economy and

grace. The gar-

dens were built

in the 1920's and

is recognized as

one of

the"worlds" ten

best Gar-

dens. You have

to see this to believe it. Fabulous! (Continued on page 6)

October Rally—Interlaken RV Park,

Rhinebeck, NY Hosted by Marcia & John

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Images from FDR Library,

Hyde Park

After this wonderful day of strolling through the Gardens a

mighty appetite was egging us onto our reservations at "Fosters

Coach House Tavern".

A roaring Fire was created upon arriving back to the Camp

ground and conversations of the weekend were whirling in the

air.

(Continued from page 5)

SIGN UP SHEET FOR 2019 RALLIES IS FORTHCOMING

RALLY COMPONENTS

ANSWER TO WORD SEARCH

Monday morning provided a light mist and dropping Oak nuts

on our coach roofs prompted us to say our Farewells and wish

everyone a warm and safe winter.

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PUZZLE CORNER: words are located horizontally, vertically & along both diagonals;

After you’ve found all 36 words, cross out any remaining Q W X Z

Unscramble the remaining letters to form a two word phrase

Q S I L V E R W A R E S O X P Z X W Q X

X Q Z E X Q R G Q X L S X Q R Z X Q R W

T E X R G Z X I N I B A D Q I Q Z X Q G

W E X I X A X Q A I A L M N Z L W Q U A

C F Q F X X B T P H T G Q U E F X R Q L

A F Z P R Q K B K Q C E P S S I O X W F

S O W M U C Z E I X I N E E E I R O Z Q

H C Q A O X Q Y N R N I W M T Z C F D X

E X Q C H W A Z S X C W W A A S X W Z M

W N X Q Y R X Q X O I Z P G L W L Z X O

S X Z X P Z W X O Q P W E W P Z X Q X V

W Q Z S P Y X K W Z X L X T Q P Z W Q I

Y Z G N A Q O P X W I Q Z X O Z X Q Z E

Z U Q A H U W L Z M Z W Q X Z U Q W C Z

B W Z C T Z Q A S W Q X A X X Z R Q Z Q

X N Z K Z E X Y S Q Z W W A Z X Q S X Z

X Q W Z X Z M Z Q X N W Z X R A I N Q Z

Q X Y Z W X Q A Z I T I C K E T Q 0 Z X

W Z Q H G U A L N X M W X Z W Q Q W X Q

Z X W Q Z X Q G Z X O Z P A N C A K E S

AWNING BUGSPRAY CAMPFIRE CASHEWS COKTAILS COFFEE COOKOUT CRIBBAGE FLAG

FOOD FRIENDS GAMES HAPPY HOUR LAUGH LAWN CHAIR MEETING MOVIE MUSIC

NAME TAG NAPKINS PANCAKES PATIO RUG PETS PICINC TABLE PLATES PLAY PRIZES

RAIN SILVERWARE SMILE SNACK SNOW SUN TICKET TOURS WINEGLASS

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The following Reservation Process guidelines are meant to better establish both host

and attendee’s expectations for our monthly rallies in 2017.

Rally Host Guidelines

A. Find a campground that can accommodate 8 to 12 coaches. Be aware of obstacles in the campground that may im-

pede entry or egress. Try to find adequate services for all campsites.

b. Negotiate a rate of stay per night with the campground.

c. Confirm a deposit cost for the CG and request a check from the Treasurer of NEP. (Keep in touch with the Wagon-

master, keep him informed of your progress)

d. Establish a site with the CG owners for a location of the 20’ by 30’ tent.

Try to negotiate a FREE spot for the tent. (Tent, sometimes can be set up between two coaches)

e. Create an itinerary of activities for the weekend, i.e. pot luck dinner, reservations for an area restaurant, local activi-

ties in the town, games under the tent, etc. Be creative.

f. Work with your NEP Wagonmaster. The Wagonmaster has the total number of attendees for each rally. He will sup-

ply you with a list that includes all pertinent info about attendees for your rally. The list includes names, addresses,

contact numbers, coach length, etc.

g. Before your rally starts, the campground should be paid in FULL. The final payment should be requested at least

two weeks before the rally begins. The request should be made to the Wagonmaster so that all final details can be

gone over by both parties.

h. The Rally host should include as part of the rally expense a $10.00 additional fee (Per Coach) to cover coffee and

other breakfast foods for the morning coffee.

i. If the Rally Host schedules an activity that includes an expense, they can either add that cost to the Rally fee, or ask

the member to pay at the time of activity. The Goal of the Rally is to be self-sustaining and not to create an expense

from the general fund.

j. Upon completion of the Rally, it is the responsibility of the Rally Host to complete the “Rally Report Form”. This form

will be given to the Host by the Wagonmaster. The form provides information that identifies all costs related to the

Rally. The Host will be reimbursed for their expenses upon submission of the Rally Form to the Treasurer.

k. If an unscheduled member wishes to attend a Rally that he/she has not previously signed up for, he/she must notify

the Rally Host. It is completely up to the Host to decide if there is room at his/her rally for that member to attend. The

unscheduled member must pay the Campground expense directly to the CG for his/her nights stay and submit a sepa-

rate check for the Coffee fund fee at the time of arrival.

l. If any member wishes to come to a Rally early or stay late, it is the Member’s responsibility to notify the

Campground and make his/her reservations, and pay for those additional nights.

m. If a Rally Host creates a rally with specific dates, and specifies a defined cost, and that cost is advertised and re-

served, it is the responsibility of each attending member to adhere to those terms. Unless agreed prior to the actual

rally event, the Host is under no obligation to refund a member any expenses due to an early departure of that mem-

ber. It is the responsibility of that member to address any of these issues with the Rally Host prior to the rally.

n. In the event of a member notifying the Host that he can not stay for all of the booked nights, after all reservations

are made, a cancelation fee may be charged to the Club for that member. It is the member’s responsibility to pay for

that fee.

It should be noted, that the CG may NOT refund any portion of the site cost. If this is the case, the Host and Club are

not responsible for repayment to the member.