By Richard Milewski, F380914
April 2018
The Susquenago chapter’s annual Labor Day Invitational Rally, held September 1 to 4, 2017, doubled as a celebration of the chapter’s 40th anniversary. It was the 37th consecutive year the rally took place at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, New York.
Members and guests arrived in 72 motorhomes for the event. Among the highlights were three nights of entertainment and dancing, vendor displays, games, photos of past rallies, delicious food, morning coffee and doughnuts, an old-fashioned ice cream social, and a display that featured toy motorhomes in a campout setting. In addition, members of a local antique car club brought their vehicles for us to enjoy.
Special FMCA guests included John Reynolds, national treasurer, and his wife, Jayne; Charlie Schrenkel, past national president, and his wife, Jean; and Barbara Smith, national vice president, Northeast Area. Other notable guests included Northeast Area vice presidents Thomas Ziobrowski (former national area vice president) and his wife, Connie; John Traphagen and his wife, Sharon; and Don Osterhout and his wife, Beth; as well as area secretary Donna Merlino and her husband, John.
The Susquenango chapter traces its roots to 1977 when a group of FMCA members held a rally in Syracuse, New York. At the time, gas supplies were limited and prices were high. To reduce travel distances and costs, the members split into three chapters — the New York Centrals, the Mohawk Roamers, and Susquenango. The latter combines the names of two rivers that meet in downtown Binghamton, New York — Susquehanna and Chenango.
The 2018 Susquenango Labor Day Invitational Rally again will be in Bainbridge, New York. Mark your calendars to join us at what’s known as “the biggest little rally in the Northeast.” For more information about the chapter, visit www.susqfmca.com.