2010 JANUARY NEWSLETTER

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Happy New Year, everyone…

Two thousand nine flew by, and we ended it on a great note with our two October campouts in Bellville.  Mother Nature showered us with quite a bit of love (¯row, row, row your boat…), but we endured, as always, and enjoyed one another’s company.  The Halloween campout was well-attended, with the little ones donning great costumes for trick-or-treat.  Nearly 130 folks gathered for the Turkey Roast weekend, and not a sole went away hungry after Saturday’s dinner and Sunday’s turkey soup.  Yum!!

 

My fellow officers and I wish to thank all of you for your tremendous help this past year.  Serving this club is a privilege we cherish.  The RV industry was one of the hardest hit during the economic crisis and is now rebounding.  Our local club weathered the difficult storm, and sailed through marvelously, growing in number and strength.  We faced the uncertainty of the Starcraft International Club’s future head-on, remained steadfast in our resolve, and stood strong as an example the other state chapters followed.  Your commitment to one another and this camping family is remarkable.  Well done!     

 

I am pleased to begin the New Year with great news…Jayco is updating the Starcraft plant in Topeka, IN, for reopening!  Our dear friends Joyce/Andy Skinner and Gene Downer will remain in Middlebury with the aftermarket services division.  In addition, the Dayton RV Show went very well last weekend, and both the organizer and participating dealers were pleased with the turnout and sales volume.  I will update you as I receive more information.  

 

Now, it is already time to start gearing up for our next camping season.  We will soon gather in Troy for our February Getaway Weekend, meet in March for the Marysville Potluck, and begin camping in April.  Woo-hoo!  Below is our tentative 2010 schedule.  As you can see, a few dates and locations still have yet to be confirmed.  I am awaiting information from the Mendes (June), Trochelmans (August) and Pearsons (September) to finalize the schedule.

 

                                   

2/12 - 2/14                  Getaway Weekend, Holiday Inn Express, Troy, OH

3/20                             Saturday Potluck – American Legion, Marysville, OH

4/23 - 4/25                  North Central Regional Rally, Barton Lake Jellystone, IN (Ohio, Michigan & Indiana Chapters)

5/14 - 5/16                  May Rally – Wapakoneta KOA, OH

 

6/11 - 6/13                  June Rally (location TBD)

 

7/5 - 7/9                      Starcraft International Rally - Hamburg, NY

 

8/13 - 8/15   OR   8/20 - 8/22                         August Rally (location TBD)

 

9/10 - 9/12   OR   9/17 - 9/18                         September Rally (Cedarbrook Campground,

                                                                   Lebanon, OH tentative)

                                             

10/1 - 10/3                  October Halloween Rally – Lake Timberlin Camp Resort, Bellville, OH

 

10/8 - 10/10  >              Turkey Roast – Lake Timberlin Camp Resort, Bellville, OH

 

 

Since Jayco/Starcraft is no longer an “official” sponsor of the International Starcraft Camper Club, ALL brands of RV’s are permitted to join and attend the Regional and International Rallies.  New members need not have owned a Starcraft in the past…all are welcome!  If Jayco/Starcraft chooses to again sponsor the club in the future, we will “grandfather” any SOB’s (some other brands) into membership.  Joining the International Club is easy; simply visit http://www.starcraftrvclub.com/.  A one-year membership is $25, two-year $45, and three $65.  Our Ohio Chapter dues remain only $10/year. 

NOW is the time for all non-Starcraft owners to join the International Club.  I anticipate Jayco/Starcraft eventually brining the club back into its fold.  Once that occurs, SOB’s will not be permitted to join the International Club.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions. 

If you have not yet submitted your 2010 dues to Ohio Secretary/Treasurer Debbie Yosick, please do so as soon as possible at the address listed above.  Thank you!

The 2010 International Rally is July 5th- 9th at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY (approximately 17 miles from Niagara Falls).  The fairground offers a racetrack and casino (slots) on-site, and the area is full of historic and entertaining points of interest.  Please make your reservations now!  Our club management company, RCMI, needs a minimum of 100 units to hold this rally.  You need only provide a refundable $25 deposit to initially secure a spot.  As of earlier this week, RCMI had 29 units and 70 people registered.  To ensure this rally occurs, you must make your reservations early. 

·        If you wish to travel through Canada via the “northern route” to Hamburg or visit Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, you will need a U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card (PASSCARD) to re-enter the U.S.  The new wallet-size U.S. Passport Card is a travel document that can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. The passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book.  Visit the following website for more information: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html.

 

·        Due to international concern over child abduction, children traveling with one parent, grandparents or other guardians should carry proof of custody or letters from the non-accompanying parent/s authorizing travel. (This is in addition to proof of the child's citizenship.)  Do not delay in addressing these matters.

 

·        Pets: If you bring a pet dog or cat at least three months old from the United States, you must have a certificate to show that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies within the last three years. The certificate has to be dated and signed by a veterinarian, and it must identify the animal by breed, age, sex, coloring, and any distinguishing marks. Animal tags are not acceptable in place of certificates.

 

o       If you bring a pet dog or cat less than three months old from the United States, or a guide dog from any country, you do not need a certificate, but the animal has to be in good health when it arrives.

 

A large number of International Club members requested a return trip to Wyoming, so the 2011 Starcraft International Rally is scheduled for July 11th – 15th at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas.  A $25 deposit is all that is required at this time to hold your space and ensure this rally occurs.  RCMI needs 100 confirmed units by July 1, 2010, to make this rally a reality. 

            Additional Ohio Starcraft Camper Club flags can be ordered at any time.  The flags are white and bear our OSCC logo in scarlet and grey.  We fly the flags from our units to promote the club and designate ourselves as members.  The flags are $10 each.  Contact me if you are interested.

            Many of our club members (and several family members) continue to battle and/or recover from illness.  I encourage you to keep one another in your thoughts and prayers.  Reach out and let one another know if you need any help.   Here is a list of folks I am aware of in need of prayer:

            Laura and Leroy Fritz - Laura continues her brave battle against pancreatic cancer.

            Meyer/Danielson Family – Bart is recovering from ankle surgery.

Satcher Family – Jerry lost his mother last fall, and his sister Lisa continues to recover from a very serious illness.

Galen and Lynn Neal – Galen underwent heart surgery (2 stents), which in turn permitted the removal of cancer from his colon.  He is back to his ornery self! J

Kathy Sparke – Kathy continues to recover from surgery last fall.

Donna Tumser/Jim Sparke – Donna recently suffered a cardiac incident and is recovering.

Julie Ross – Her mother Norma has fought a long battle against cancer and is now receiving treatment for pain management only.

I am pleased to congratulate two families on the anticipated births of grandchildren: Donna Tumser/Jim Sparke and David/Linda Sparke.  J

Finally, Beckie and Don Perkins are now settled into her father’s previous home: , Springfield, OH 45504.  Their telephone number and email address remain the same.

As we welcome 2010, let us be thankful for the many blessings in our lives, including the opportunities we have to gather as one family of caring, giving and loving people.

                                               

 Love and blessings to you all…

Amy

President – Ohio Starcraft Camper Club #36