Mind Your Own Business
Dave Bovee, President

   Did you know that our state legislature passed a law which essentially makes it illegal to park more than one recreational vehicle on any piece of property, other than a campground? If my motorhome is parked in the driveway, and my kids sleep out in a tent in the back yard, we would be in violation... a tent is a recreational vehicle under this law! We unknowingly had one Granite Staters' rally this summer which clearly was taboo, and a couple others which were questionable.
   I am told that this bill originated with a politically-connected member of the New Hampshire Campground Owners Association. It slipped through the legislative process largely un-noticed. On the surface, one would expect this law would be a boon to campgrounds. In trying to look at their side from a businessman's perspective, though, I doubt it will help them much. How many campgrounds have room for 20 or 60 of our coaches on a summer weekend? How many don't even have sites big enough to accommodate a 35' or 40' coach period?
   We often do have rallies at campgrounds, especially early or late in the season. Campgrounds are nice, but many memorable rallies have been held in a field with no amenities. Our coaches are well equipped to stay for several days like that. Forcing us to always stay at campgrounds is like banning home cooking and forcing us to always eat at full-service restaurants.
   I am proud to say we are working to repeal this new law. Dave Munroe chairs our "Legislative Advisory Committee". Many thanks to Bill Gowen, FMCA's Northeast VP, for inviting Max Durbin, chair of FMCA's Legislative Advisory Committee, to our Sandwich rally to help us get started. Max really did his homework. It is obvious he's dealt with issues like this before. We will have our first direct contact with the NH Legislature in a few days. Richard Kimball arranged a meeting with Senator Sylvia Larson in Concord.
   When you see a State Senate or House candidate out campaigning, let them know that this bill did more harm than good. As Max pointed out, a politician will become very interested when they start hearing from a lot of constituents.

Fall Season Wrap-up:
   The weather was good. the foliage was gorgeous, and the people are great.    In September, we gathered once again at the Sandwich Fairgrounds for our "Birthday Bash". Activities included a dinner. entertainment, and our fall business meeting. While much of the meeting covered routine matters, I will highlight a few items. We inaugurated Bruce Brown as our Alternate National Director, and Steve Ford as our new VP. Steve will also assume the Wagonmaster role from Louise Parsons. We voted to make a $500 donation to the Goodwill-Hinckley School in Hinckley, Maine, birthplace of FMCA. One very non-routine matter was forming the Legislative Committee I mentioned earlier. I hope this is a temporary committee whose work can be accomplished in a few months.
   October was the month for the small-but-fun Ted Williams Camp rally that I was unable to attend, and the season finale at Salisbury Beach.

   We will keep you posted on the legislative situation and next year's schedule as plans firm up. Have a great holiday season.

Tentative Schedule for 2001

Feb 7-10 FMCA SE Area Rally, Brooksville, FL
May Normandy Farms Hosts: Prentisses and Parsons
June Hosts: Roberts and ???
July 2, 3, & 4 Northeast Area Rally Essex Junction, VT
Aug 17,18 and 19 Highland Orchard Resort Park with the Jersey Gems North Stonington, CT Hosts: Reads, McSheas, and Sandstroms

A friend of Elaine and Jake Perrault has just started a new business called Whiteforest RV Repair at 802-728-3421. He will come to you for any repairs. He has a very good reputation and he is very fair. If any of our members have a problem, he is the one to call.

   The FMCA convention at Brunswick, ME is over, the kids are starting school this week, and soccer starts next week.

   It surely was an impressive sight, those thousands of people and their thousands of coaches diagonally parked in four rows on each of the two runways (which are probably 2 miles long), as well as on the infield grass, taxiways, and apron areas.

   Let’s give Stet Hunt a great big thank-you for his long days and hard work coordinating our security volunteers. At FMCA conventions, it is customary for chapters in the hosting region to volunteer for one of several vital tasks. The Granite Staters, under Stet’s able leadership, shared the security duties with the Jersey Gems.

   Most of the security volunteers arrived in a caravan on Monday, and were given prime, close-to-the-activities parking spaces. I spent Monday night in the "holding area" to lead our second caravan on Tuesday. Regrettably, but not unexpectedly, we were parked over a mile from our first group. There was a shuttle bus service, and yes, Amy, Mara, Sam and I put a lot of mileage on our bicycles that week. "First Lady" Carol skipped most of Brunswick, so she could be with her brother in the hospital. He’s doing much better now. Thanks to all for your prayers and get-well wishes.

   I brought my kids along for my security assignment on Wednesday, "guarding" a seldom-used door to the indoor exhibits building. Amy said "that was the most boring afternoon of my life!", but yet she understands it was important. One can’t expect the glamour assignments all the time.

   On Friday and Saturday there were numerous activities for the kids, so I wasn’t able to socialize as much as I would otherwise have liked.

   It was a pleasure to meet so many of you for the first time. Big events like Brunswick are fun, but I like the smaller chapter rallies even better. We have three good ones lined up in the next few weeks... hope to see you again at one or more of them.

Bill Read, Treasurer

Email us at Granite Staters@GraniteStaters.org

To the Granite Staters Home Page

   What a wonderful weekend! We all panicked when the clouds rolled in on Friday but it lasted for 14 minutes and the rest of the weather was about perfect! No more rain until nearly everyone had cleared out on Sunday!
   Some coaches arrived a day early, but most rolled in on Friday. After the desserts we had the bonfire blazing and thanks to Kennith Adams and Sam Bovee, there were lots of marshmallow sticks cut from the apple trees and some of us enjoyed too many roasted marshmallows!
   Saturday morning we woke to clear skies and the smell of Bette’s and Carol’s pancakes and sausage. Not only did we have Market Square Day festivities, but the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was having open house. So folks went off for the day in many directions, while others just stayed at the farm. That night we had the Lobster Feed and another spectacular fire. In fact, it was nearly 11:00 when Bill and I called it quits leaving many people still sitting around the fire. (I think the fire tender, Bob Burnham, needs recognition...)
   The kids were very busy with the tree house, a scavenger hunt, and an afternoon hike into the woods. They now know how to identify the different pines and spruces and can track a deer! They also found a lucky clump of clover and every one of them found at least one 4-leaf clover! I think they all put at least 28 miles on their bikes this weekend!
   We had 32 coaches parked in and around the rows of apple trees, along with 9 kids and 5 teenagers! A few tents were set up here and there. Thank you Stet Hunt for helping with the parking.
    (Chuck and Elaine Peahl brought along 4 grandchildren, 3 boys and a girl. All the kids had plans to sleep in the tent. But come nighttime, the boys all wanted to stay in the coach. No one would stay out with Christie, except Elaine. So the men stayed inside and the two women slept in the tent. Elaine did comment that it had been 40 years since she last slept in a tent, and it would another 40 before she would do it again!)
   Each attendee received a white spruce seedling along with a few door prizes. (Thanks to Kennith and Sam for helping me dig and bag the trees).
   So, now are we forgiven for the wet weekend 2 years ago? Everyone here had a great time. This weekend was as busy or as relaxing as they chose.
   We missed Bob and Louise Parsons, who are in the process of moving. The McSheas brought in 269,000 can tabs that had been collected at the school. (I thought I had a lot of tabs in my bag of 6000). I hope the Parson’s new home has a big basement! At this rate we will have 2 million tabs by the end of the season!
   There were several first timers at the rally, as well as 2 coaches that are potential new members.
   The Bridles and the Bovees had most of the work done before Bill and I even got back from Florida. Rob brought in a generator and the Bovees’ borrowed tables from their church so the facilities were very complete. The Lobster Feed was delicious! We all appreciate the work and planning the Bridles and Bovees put in to this rally! The 2000 season is well on its way! Don’t miss any more rallies.

Jane Williams

GRANITE STATER’S CARAVAN REGISTRATION FORM

I will be parking at the Rally with the Granite Staters and will be at the holding area by 12:30 on Tuesday, August 15. I have pre registered with FMCA for this rally.

Name ___________________________________________
FMCA#_______________
Phone#______________________
E-mail__________________________________________

WHEREVER WE GO, WE HAVE FUN
COME AND JOIN US

   Tom and Jennette Pickels provided us with a wonderful weekend at Rockingham. We had sunshine, cool breezes, and some of us sat in the shade of an underpass. We could walk to the races and it was a short drive to all kinds of shopping and eating areas. A group of us toured the Lowell National Historical Park. A sudden rain, wind and lightening storm came up at the beginning of our program so we took a trolley ride and an inside mill tour instead of the planned canal rides. We hope to go back next year for the canal tour. Lowell has many interesting places and is well worth a visit.

A PLEA
   A sudden squall on Saturday had club members running around and putting up awnings of those who were not in the rally area. One of the men asked me to have everyone put some WD40 on the handles that loosen the awnings. They had difficulty getting some of the awnings down and lost extra time trying to wrestle with stiff handles that were very hard to turn.

    Bob and I are still packing and packing and packing. Moving day is June 22.

GRANITE STATERS PRE-RALLY’ AUGUST 12 and 13TH Thomas Point Beach, Cook’s Corner, Brunswick, Maine (207) 725 6009 E mail summer@thomaspointbeach.com www.thomaspointbeach.com

FMCA International Convention, Brunswick Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine August 18-20, 2000. You do not have to go to the pre-rally in order to be a volunteer and park with the volunteers. Some volunteers will enter the Naval Air Station on Monday, August 14.
   Bob and I visited Thomas Point Beach and it is like a park with a beach and is very nice place to stay. FMCA members may bring pets.

Thanks, Louise

The 31st of May has come and gone and many of you have forgotten to pay your dues for the year 2000-2001. Instructions for sending in chapter dues seem to have slipped the minds of many of our members. PLEASE SEND YOUR CHECK AND APPLICATION TO THE TREASURER (BILL READ). ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT. THESE APPLICATIONS MUST BE SENT IN WITH YOUR CHECK. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Members that have not paid their dues for the current year will not be receiving any more copies of the newsletter. Please pay your dues and maintain your membership in the Granite Staters.

In the last newsletter, I said that this season for tab collecting has started with a bang and at that point, we had 123,200 tabs. Well I am happy to report that we are now up to over 400,00 tabs. We owe a tremendous amount of thanks to Peg McShea as she and her school children collected 268,142 tabs this past school year. At Rockingham, this past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing a picture of Peg sitting on all the boxes of tabs. Peg really deserves a lot of credit for a job well done. Several members turned in tabs this past weekend and a big thank you goes along to them.

A couple was on a trip in their motor home. The pilot was going on a diet, but when he pulled into a fast food restaurant, he ordered a large milkshake.
His wife pointed out that a shake was not exactly the best snack for someone that wants to lose weight.
He agreed, but he did not change his order. The long line must have given him time to make the connection between his order and his waistline.
As the clerk handed him his shake, she said "Sorry about the wait."
"That’s O.K.," he replied. "I’m going to lose it."

On the weekend of June 2, 3, and 4, I attended the Northeast Motorhome Association meeting held at Deer Run Campground in Schaghticoke, NY. There were 38 coaches in attendance. Dave and Carol (Bovee), our president and newsletter editor arrived for the day (on Saturday).

First of all, I would like to thank John and Gloria Demers for helping Roger and I with the parking there. Neither wind, rain or thundershowers kept us from our duty.

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 Saturday morning. Minutes from the previous meeting were read and accepted. The treasurer’s report was read and accepted. Our balance as of 6/3/2000 was $93,326.86. A complete report will be published in the next NEMA newsletter.

Approval was given to the executive board to enter into a contract with the Fairgrounds at Essex Junction, VT for the 2001 rally.

The By-law committee reported on changes they were recommending. They will be sent to all National Directors to be voted on.

The upcoming rally at Brunswick was touched upon (what exit to take and the holding area). Rather than confusing everyone, including myself, I will let you read it first hand when you receive your rally packet.

The nominating committee presented the following slate for NEMA officers:

Helen Caserta -1st Vice Pres.
Roger Merrill - 2nd Vice Pres.
Bill Conway - Treasurer
Ruth Moore - Secretary

A report was given on the national office candidates:

Charlie Atkinson - President
Ed Ruese - Sr. Vice Pres.
Jeff Jefcoat - Sr. Vice Pres.
Jim Jennings - Secretary
June Davis - Secretary
R. G. Wilson - Treasurer
Don McGrath - Treasurer

Evelyn Merrill

   Chichester, New Hampshire was the site for our 2000 "season opener." Over 30 Granite Staters' coaches were at Hillcrest Family Campground on that cool and occasionally rainy weekend. Yours truly got his bus stuck briefly, but a little help from the campground's tractor had me back on solid ground in a jiffy.
   Our thanks to hosts Ray and Jackie Bisson, Bob and Louise Parsons, and Bill and Ginny Read for organizing this rally. Saturday night featured a pot-luck dinner, followed by several door prizes and a raffle drawing.
   We held a business meeting after our Sunday morning coffee. I won't bore you with all the details, but do wish to hightlight two items. Evelyn Merrill, National Director, our legislative voice at FMCA, asked for input regarding summer national conventions. Currently, FMCA rules require these to be held in July or August. There is a proposal to widen this "window" to include June and September. This would be a bit of an inconvenience to those of us with kids in school, but would hopefully avoid the mid-summer heat in hotter parts of the country (a la Ames IA 1999). Most members in attendance at our meeting were in favor of this proposal, which will be voted on at this year's summer convention in Brunswick ME.
   Speaking of Brunswick, Stet hunt informs us that we now have enough volunteers for security duty. Thanks for pitching in. Security isn't a glamorous job, but it is a very important one. If you have volunteered but must drop out, or if you want to volunteer but haven't yet, let Stet know...he might appreciate a few back-ups.
Note: If you are not a recognized "security volunteer' you will not be allowed into the rally early (Monday).
   Bob Burnham continues to do a great job with our web site. The latest addition is the Granite Staters Discussion Group, (a "chat group" in computer lingo) making it possible to send a message to everyone whose e-mail address is on the list. Please note: If you use the chat group to reply to a message, expect your reply to go to everyone, too! Carol and I have received several irrelevant e-mails that way.
   Our Portsmouth rally is only a few days away. We still have room. Give me a call right away! Hope to see you there!

Dave

GRANITE STATER’S CARAVAN REGISTRATION FORM

I will be parking at the Rally with the Granite Staters and will be at the holding area by 12:30 on Tuesday, August 15. I have pre registered with FMCA for this rally.

Name ___________________________________________
FMCA#_______________
Phone#______________________
E-mail__________________________________________

The 31st of May is here again and many of you still do not have a new dues card in your pocket. A red dot on your newsletter label means that you have forgotten to pay your dues for the year 2000. Instructions for sending in dues seem to have slipped the minds of many of our members. PLEASE SEND YOUR CHECK AND APPLICATION TO THE TREASURER (BILL READ). ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT. THESE APPLICATIONS MUST BE SENT IN WITH YOUR CHECK. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

The year has started with a bang. Thanks to all the folks that turned in their tabs at the last rally. The present count is 77 ( seventy seven ) pounds or to make the amount seem even bigger that is 123,200 ( one hundred and twenty three thousand, two hundred ) tabs. It is difficult to say thank you to each individual but I want you all to know that your efforts are REALLY APPRECIATED.

A woman applying for a job in a Florida lemon grove seemed far too qualified for the job.

"Look Miss", said the foreman, "have you really had any actual experience in picking lemons?"

"Well as a matter of fact sir, yes I have!", she replied, "I have been divorced three times".

Make sure you bring lots of lucky two-dollar bills to Rockingham

From Dave Bovee, President

Some days I’m not sure which side of the line I’m on. I saw that quote somewhere... I think it came from Dave Barry.

When I was a kid, probably 10 or 12, I read a magazine article about a big Airstream Trailer rally. There was an aerial picture showing hundreds of them parked in a field somewhere. I couldn’t imagine why people would want to bake themselves in their tin-cans-on-wheels in the hot sun. I still don’t quite understand it, but thirty-some years later, I am one of those people!

Driving my old Greyhound is one of my favorite hobbies. Carol, my wife, is less enthusiastic about the bus, especially in hot weather. It has no A.C. If I were completely sane, I wouldn’t own a 45-year old bus, and probably not a "store-bought" motorhome either. We’d drive our van or fly on vacations, and stay in hotels like "normal" people. But would that be as much fun? See you soon, sane or not

Coming attractions

Our first meet is coming up soon in Chichester, followed three weekends later in Portsmouth. Our complete season schedule is inside this newsletter. I’d also like to highlight a couple rallies of interest that are not on your schedule.

Chapter Leaders Spring Rally, 2-4 June, Schaghticoke NY. Bruce Brown is hosting this spring’s gathering for Northeast Area Leaders, and any other interested FMCA members. The various meetings and workshops sound like great opportunities to learn more about how our association and its chapters work, and making them even better. Those of you who haven’t yet volunteered for a leadership position in a chapter will also benefit from this weekend. Speaking of which, a couple of our key people would like to step down after this year. Please make it known that you’d like to help the Granite Staters thrive. Please volunteer for something... it’s a very rewarding experience.

Co-Pilots’ Rodeo, 27 Sep-1 Oct, Devens MA.
I often hear comments about how people will buy a huge motorhome and start driving it, with no experience or training. If you and/or your spouse want to improve your driving skills and be more comfortable behind the wheel, or are considering trading up to a bigger coach, here’s your golden opportunity.

Here we are again for another season of motorhoming. I feel that this report from your Membership Chairman should start by welcoming all the new members who have joined the chapter since the beginning of the new millienium.

I hope you like the 2000 schedule, which is in this newsletter. It is possible because of the cooperation of volunteers. Other members not listed are Stet Hunt who helps with parking, Norman and Barbara Cote who have gone for morning goodies, Alan Bryant who cooks a mean pancake.. Those names come to my mind right away but there are certainly others involved. We needa few more helpers. . Please contact me and volunteer and you will discover that ACTIVE MEMBERS ARE HAPPY MEMBERS.

Have you checked out our www site? It is www.granitestaters.org and is super, thanks to our computer guru Bob Burnham. There is a list server started for Granite Staters and that will give you the latest information. So far, only a few are on it but more will be added. Bob has had difficulty reading the correct e-mail addresses from your applications.

GRANITE STATERS 'PRE-RALLY’ AUGUST 12 and 13TH

FMCA International Convention, Brunswick Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine August 18-20, 2000You do not have to go to the pre-rally in order to be a volunteer and park with the Granite Staters. Some volunteers will enter the Naval Air Station on Monday, August 14. We are planning to have a pre-rally at Thomas Point Beach in Brunswick Maine. This campground is less than 2 miles from theconvention site and we will be able to avoid the main road entrance. I am taking reservations for Thomas Point and I will take care of letting them know how many sites we need. If you plan to arrive before Saturday, you can contact the campground directly with your expected arrival date but youstill need to let me know about your Saturday /Sunday plans so my count will be accurate. The Jersey Gems are sharing security duties with us and are staying at Thomas Point Beach.

Motor home clubs from all over the United States are trying to stay at Thomas Point Beach so we must get our reservations in early to assure our spaces will be reserved.