Correction
The story about the Penn Coachmen chapter’s 50th anniversary in the February 2020 issue (page 90) should have included this group photo instead of the one that appeared. The photo in February relates to an upcoming article about a joint rally of the Penn Coachmen and the Dogwood chapters.
Family RVing regrets this error.
FMCA And Shrine Camping Clubs Rally Together
I am past president of a camping club that is part of the Antioch Shrine group based in Dayton, Ohio, and a member of the Murat Shrine camping club based in Indianapolis, Indiana. I am also an FMCA member and belong to the Tri-State Traveliers chapter.
In March 2017, I noticed that the Tri-State Traveliers were having a rally the same April weekend as the Murat Shrine camping club. At that time, no date had been set for the Antioch Shrine camping rally.
I asked Tri-State Traveliers wagon master Michael Overbeck whether we could welcome possibly two Shrine camping clubs to join us at the rally at Natural Springs Resort in New Paris, Ohio. He said that would be fine.
For the Friday night part of that campout weekend, the Shrine clubs invited the Tri-State Traveliers to join them for dinner at the Tarum Shrine Club facility in Richmond, Indiana. The crowd was large and included area Shrine members, campers from the Shrine camping groups I belong to, Tri-State Traveliers members, and others. Altogether, 72 people were at dinner that evening.
The members of the Tri-State Traveliers were not familiar with our Shrine hospitals, so that night’s master of ceremonies, from the Tarum Shrine, gave a history of Shrine hospitals and explained what we do. The Tri-State Traveliers were so impressed with what we do for children and our hospitals (and the good food) that they voted to come back again for dinner in April 2018, and they’ve voted to come back again each subsequent April.
In December 2019, the Tri-State Traveliers invited the Shrine campers to their Christmas dinner in Mason, Ohio. We all had a wonderful time and a good dinner. Afterward, the Tri-State Traveliers presented the Shrine with a donation of $545 for the hospitals.
Shrine members thank the Tri-State Traveliers chapter officers and all the chapter members for their generous donation. Thanks also go to the Shrine camping groups and the Tarum Shrine Club.
Ben H. Larick, F426122
Dayton, Ohio
Road Trip Continues After Stop At RV Country
While near Flagstaff, Arizona, our RV’s generator stopped working. We had no way to keep our refrigerator cool. We stopped at RV Country in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Jason in the service department had Frank, a technician, inspect the RV, and the problem turned out to be the inverter. It needed to be replaced. Although they were unable to provide a replacement that day, a Friday, Frank disconnected the inverter so the generator could still provide power to the refrigerator. And, so we could continue to our destination.
If you want an example of above-and-beyond customer service to a person in need, Jason and Frank at RV Country are two examples. RV Country is at 4316 N. U.S. 89 in Flagstaff, AZ 86004; (928) 526-6771; www.rvcountry.com/flagstaff.
Mike Noonan, F448134
Cascade, Iowa
A Pleasant Detour
We joined an RV caravan in British Columbia last summer to tour Alaska. Our travels included parts of Canada and many Alaska destinations, such as Hyder, Skagway, Chicken, Tok, Fairbanks, Denali, and Anchorage. It was a wonderful trip.
Our 2018 Coachmen Orion 24-foot motorhome, built on a Ford Transit chassis, had logged more than 7,000 trouble-free miles since we left Pennsylvania in July. However, on Labor Day, when heading for our campground in Red Deer, Alberta, the RV stopped dead. The diagnosis was a broken axle.
We give our kudos to Ford’s roadside assistance for getting help to us within two hours, and to MGM Ford Lincoln (3010-50 Ave., Red Deer, AB T4R 1M5; 855-424-3083; www.mgmfordlincoln.com) for their efficient and courteous service. They had us on the road in less than three days. But the real blessing was the warm feeling from the people of the area. A fellow named Peter directed traffic around our motorhome for two hours. We had a sympathetic tow truck operator, and we received super customer service at MGM, including a shuttle to take us to a hotel. The neighborhood near the hotel had two museums; one was dedicated to the city’s history and art, and another — sod-roofed building — focused on Norwegian history and crafts.
Instead of this being a trauma-filled experience, we felt completely embraced by the community and the people who made sure we were well taken care of.
Ken & Janet Frey, F96957
Milford Square, Pennsylvania
Amen Diesel
Near Cedar City, Utah, while traveling home to Las Vegas, Nevada, from Sturgis, South Dakota, our 2007 Monaco Camelot diesel motorhome lost power. After a few stops and a few phone calls, we found Amen Diesel in Cedar City.
They are very reliable and affordable. Steve kept us informed on the repair process with calls and texts. The RV needed a wiring harness and a new front air-conditioner compressor and Freon. It is now as good as new.
If you are ever in need of repair in the Utah/Nevada area, we suggest Amen Diesel, 1128 N. Bulldog Road, Cedar City, UT 84721; (435) 592-0661; www.amendiesel.com.
David & Karla Serrano, F434003
Las Vegas, Nevada
Getting Local Signals With The Dish Network
To receive hometown network channels via satellite dish as we travel, we do not make a phone call to the Dish Network, as described by Dish user Larry Turner (“Readers Write,” November 2019, page 10). We use the MyDish app. After downloading the app, you open it and click on a few buttons. Once the app locates you, you follow instructions to enter the secure ID on the TV screen. Less than 15 minutes later, you have the local channels.
Bob Pillion F436763
Lafayette, Louisiana
An Accommodating Nova Scotia KOA
My husband, Steve, and I were traveling with a group of 20 other Pleasure-Way motorhome owners toward Newfoundland this past August. We all arrived in Sydney, Nova Scotia, with plans to take the ferry the next evening from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland.
But the remnants of a hurricane had arrived also. The next day’s ferry was cancelled because of high winds and waves. Where could 20 Type B motorhomes stay on such short notice until we either cancelled our trip or took the ferry later?
Our group found North Sydney/Cabot Trail KOA in New Harris, Nova Scotia (902-674-2145). Owners Jason and Bonnie Christopher run one of the cleanest and friendliest campgrounds I have ever visited. They made sure all of us were parked, loaned us any needed power cords, made meeting areas available to us, and offered parking spots for towed vehicles while we were away, should we finally take the ferry.
Eventually, the trip was cancelled. I spoke to Bonnie before we departed several days later and complimented her on how accommodating they were to our group. She said to me, “Campgrounds provide accommodations; that’s what we do. If we aren’t accommodating, why are we here?”
I highly recommend this KOA when you are in the area. Hopefully, you won’t encounter any hurricanes while you’re there!
Kathy Bennett, F4703
Indianapolis, Indiana