2012 JANUARY NEWSLETTER

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Happy New Year, Campers…

Welcome to 2012!  Today’s balmy 50+ degree temperatures sure made it feel like spring, but I am sure Mother Nature has a big snowball behind her back just waiting to throw our way.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow… J.

 

Our chapter had a wonderful 2011!  Campouts were very well attended, including the International Rally in Wyoming, and we added many more campers to our family.  Here is a quick breakdown of the event numbers:

 

February 2011 Getaway Weekend (Troy, OH            )           22 members in attendance

March 2011 Potluck (Marysville, OH)                                    75 members in attendance

April 2011 North Central Rally, Fremont, IN              17 units total (12 Ohio)

May 2011 Wapakoneta, OH Rally                              16 units

June 2011 Bellville, OH Rally                                      18 units

2011 International Rally, Douglas, WY                       12 Ohio units

August 2011 Delaware, OH Rally                               17 units

September 2011 Lebanon, OH Rally                          22 units

Halloween 2011 Rally (Bellville, OH)                         22 units

2011 Turkey Roast (Bellville, OH)                              110 folks in attendance

 

We added two more to our Honorary Lifetime Member list last year, Ed Harpster and Dolores Pollauf.  Their contributions to our chapter are immeasurable, and their respective families continue to serve as a large part of the solid foundation of our camping family…thank you so much Ed and Dolores.  We love you dearly!

 

At the Halloween Rally last October, the membership re-elected the incumbent slate of officers for another two-year term, so you will see no changes at the header of this newsletter.  It is our distinct honor and sincere pleasure to continue to serve you.  It is truly a blessing to be a member of this family, and your confidence in our leadership is greatly appreciated.  Thank you!  We did elect (coerce?!?) a few new campout “directors,” and you’ll see those noted below.  A big “thanks” to those willing and able to serve!

 

The 2012 Getaway Weekend at the Holiday Inn Express in Troy is rapidly approaching, 2/10 – 2/12.  The flyer for this event is included, so please make your reservations now.  We have 22 rooms reserved, and I would love to need more!  Please remember, this is an “adult” event.  If you cannot attend the entire weekend, please feel free to drop in for a visit or join us for dinner out Saturday evening. 

 

Our March Potluck is 3/17 at the American Legion in Marysville.  That flyer, with instructions and directions, will be sent to you in the near future.  This lunch-time event is typically our largest yearly gathering, and as such important for all of you to attend.  It is a time to meet new friends, catch up with old ones, enjoy one another’s company, and jump start the new camping season.  Our chapter business meeting that follows the meal lays the ground work for our season and offers you all the opportunity to provide input on the direction of our club.  Your ideas, comments and concerns are appreciated and very important.  Please attend.

 

The 2012 North Central Regional Rally in Indiana will be here before you know it.  Ohio will be joining the Michigan and Indiana chapters 4/27 – 4/29 at the Barton Lake Jellystone near Fremont.  I will soon distribute the registration form for your use.  Ohio is the organizing chapter this year, so we will accept the reservations, organize Friday night’s registration and hospitality, and prepare Saturday’s dinner menu.  For “hospitality,” we last discussed purchasing and serving homemade pies from our favorite Fremont eatery, Clay’s Restaurant.  Rather than catering Saturday dinner, we will prepare a full homemade spaghetti meal with salad, garlic bread and dessert…bring your own beverage.  We should have no trouble rounding up enough roasters and griddles for dinner prep.  Dessert that evening is up in the air, so your suggestions are welcome.  The weekend always includes a free round of miniature golf, too, so start practicing!  

 

 

Here is our preliminary 2012 schedule:

 

February 10 – 12         Getaway Weekend – Holiday Inn Express, Troy, OH

                                                Directors: Linda DeCamp and Donna Sparke                        

March 17                    March Potluck – American Legion, Marysville, OH

                                                Directors: V.P. Jim and Donna Sparke

April 27 – 29               North Central Rally – Barton Lake Jellystone Park, Fremont, IN

 

May 18 – 20                May Rally – Wapakoneta KOA, Wapakoneta, OH

                                                Director: Kathy Sparke

June 15 – 17                June Rally – Location to be determined

                                                Directors: Shelly Pollauf and Rick Rickman

July 9 – 13                   Starcraft International Rally – Mackinaw City, MI

                                                Directors: Brenda/Regie Price, Starcraft Event Managers

August 17 – 19            August Rally – Location to be confirmed

                                                Directors: Kay and Jim Trochelman

September 14 – 16     September Rally – Location to be determined

                                                Directors: Lynne/Butch Downes and Joyce/Bud Glanzer

October 5 – 7              Halloween Rally – Lake Timberlin Camp Resort, Bellville, OH

                                                Directors: Debb and Jim Underwood

October 12 – 14          Turkey Roast – Lake Timberlin Camp Resort, Bellville, OH

                                                Directors: Turkey Roast Committee

 

Some of you (ahem!) still owe 2011 Ohio Chapter dues ($10/year), and it is time to pay your 2012 fee.  Please send a check made out to the Ohio Starcraft Camper Club to Debbie Yosick at the address noted in the header of this document.  You may also contact Debbie to verify your payment status.  She will also collect dues at the upcoming March potluck.

News on the International Club Level:  ALL brands of RV’s are still permitted to join the International Starcraft Camper Club and attend the Regional and International Rallies.  New members need not have owned a Starcraft in the past…all are welcome!  If Jayco chooses to again sponsor the club in the future, we will “grandfather” any SOB’s (some other brands) into membership.  The time to join the International Starcraft Camper Club is now before Jayco excludes those not owning a Jayco or Starcraft unit.  Joining the International Club is easy; simply visit http://www.starcraftrvclub.com/.  A one-year membership was $25, two-year $45, and three $65.   However, the current rate is two-years for $30…jump on it!  Also, the International Starcraft Camper Club is no longer using a PO Box.  The mailing address is:  Starcraft Camper Club, 58800 Executive Drive, Mishawaka, IN 46544, 800-262-5178 or visit www.starcraftrvclub.com.  Our club management company is RCMI.  You may telephone Jackie Clady at RCMI with any questions.

            The 2012 Starcraft International Rally is in Mackinaw City, MI, July 9 – 13.    As of this week, there are 58 units (23 Ohio) and 121 people registered.  Remember, RCMI receives no financial support from Starcraft/Jayco, so it relies on us.  You must make your reservation now, so we can finalize the week-long event.  You need only pay an initial $50 deposit.  Visit http://www.starcraftrvclub.com/ and select “Featured Tours” for reservations and further information.  You may also contact Jackie Clady at the above 800-number.  We have not yet reached the goal I set for our chapter of 40+ units…I have every confidence we can reach that number.  Let’s go, Ohio!!

As the largest chapter of the International Club, we have quite a few responsibilities at the International Rally.  The “North Central Rally” chapters (OH, MI, and IN) are the “hosts” this year, so that means a few additional tasks (in bold).  Our 2012 assignments include:  Parking; Registration (Sunday and Monday); Welcome Hospitality; Red Hat; Teen Advisory; Teen Activity (Tuesday night); Children's Arts and Crafts (ages 4-7 and 8-12 Monday A.M.); and the Chapter Game.   Volunteers/organizers are needed!  If you plan to join us in Michigan, please give your time and talents to at least one of these activities.  Please note: I may be on a mission trip to Haiti in June and unable to attend our June Rally.  This is significant, as we finalize quite a few of the International Rally details at that campout.  Now more than ever, I need you to step forward and offer your services.  Please do so as soon as possible.

The theme for this year’s International Rally is “Pirates on the Lakes,” so it is time to begin planning and assembling pirate-attire for the opening ceremonies.  One of our members attended a pirate-themed birthday party and has numerous ideas for the Chapter Game…walking the plank, swabbing the deck, etc.  Let your imagination run wild (and search the internet) for pirate activities for all ages.  We cannot delay laying out the team activities and gathering props/equipment.

The RV show season began this weekend in Cleveland and Indianapolis, and the Dayton/Cincinnati show is the 13th-16th and 20th-22nd at the Dayton Expo Center in Vandalia.  All three of the Colerain RV dealerships (Colerain of Cincinnati, Midwest RV in Dayton, and Colerain of Indianapolis) are now carrying Starcraft camping/travel trailers and fifth wheels, and two of the stores will be at this show.  Come see us!  All Ohio and International Starcraft Camper Club members receive special club pricing through me, and I’ve already taken orders and/or sold units to members in Ohio, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Virginia, and Wisconsin.  I regularly ship units all across the U.S. and Canada, so please let me know if I may assist you.  Since our club membership is currently “open,” our other RV lines are available to you, as well.  You may contact me for a list or visit our website at www.midwestrvohio.com.   My telephone number at Midwest RV Center is 937-236-0200 (store) and work cell 937-723-0007. 

Tom Dewalt, the new Midwest RV Center general manager, happily and fully supports our chapter, and I anticipate some upcoming mutual advertising (such as the squishy stress balls the club distributed in the past).  If you are in the Dayton area, please stop by the upcoming show or store to meet Tom and thank him for this backing.

We are now on FaceBook!  Please visit and “like” both “Starcraft Camper Club Ohio Chapter #36” and “Midwest RV Center Ohio.”

RCMI recently ran out of our Ohio Starcraft Camper Club flags, and is searching for more.  I am still taking orders at any time.  We fly the flags from our units to promote the club and designate ourselves as members.  The flags are $10 each.  Let me know if you are interested.

            Member notes: 

·         Please continue to pray for Dolores Pollauf and the entire family.  Dolores recently entered Hospice care and is ready to be reunited with those gone before her.  She blessed us with so many memories…we love you dearly, Dolores!

 

·         The Barrett family is still mourning the loss of Peg’s father, Harrison Hooker.  I ask that you keep this family in your thoughts and prayers as they continue the ardent task of readying Harrison’s house for sale.

 

·         Ed Bowman is in need of our prayers as he battles lung cancer.

 

·         Douglas Hensley is home and recovering following surgery.

 

·         Lynne Downes recently survived a tremendous health scare, but is well on the mend!  She is grateful for all of your love and well-wishes.

 

·         The club lost Roy Boyce in November, so please keep his wife Dorcus and their family in your thoughts and prayers.

 

·         Our thoughts are with Donna and Jim Sparke in the recent loss of their canine “daughter”…we miss you our dear sweet Abby.

 

·         Finally, many of you have inquired recently about our ongoing search for another dog.  We are all still very much mourning the loss of Shelby, and Dallas desperately misses his big sister.  This “path” has been an extremely difficult one for us (enough said!), but we continue on.  We are awaiting a litter in North Carolina scheduled for a C-section on the 10th.  Fingers crossed! 

 

I welcome our new members and encourage you to join us as often as possible this year.  Please let the officers know if you have questions or need any assistance.  This group is one big family, so don’t be bashful.  J  I look forward to seeing many of you in just a few short weeks in Troy. 

Wishing you a very happy, safe, healthy and blessed New Year…

Amy

President – Ohio Starcraft Camper Club #36