Where did our summer go? It seems like yesterday since we kicked off our rally season and now, we are winding down with our final rally of the year. We have certainly enjoyed each and every one of our rallies this year.
It was great seeing so many Buckeyes at the International Rally in Lewisburg. Thank you to all of you who volunteered at the rally. What a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Speaking of new friends, thank you to all who attended the Buckeyes Meet & Greet. If you left there hungry, it was your own fault. The highlight of the International was seeing our State Director Flash Miller cuttin’ the rug with Angie from NIRVC . I don’t think that Flash has completely recovered from his dance moves! We certainly enjoyed meeting up with Newmar friends that we have made while traveling our great country. A new Ohio Chapter, the Lake Erie Drifters was introduced at the International. Be sure to watch for their upcoming rallies.
A special thanks to the Newmar Service techs and the techs from Lippert Components for taking care of our coaches while at the rally. Although, we could have used one of the Newmar techs on Saturday morning. After firing up the coach and getting the slides in I opened the door and no steps came out. Nothing I could do to get them to work. Improvisation was key in continuing our travels to Gaffney, South Carolina for our annual chassis service.
We returned home to the grim scene of an adjacent RV storage building destroyed by fire. Eleven coaches were lost. Luckily, our building was untouched. Once back, my journey to repair the steps began. I spent four days trying different fixes and tests. Finally, I had to break down and “Call the Man.” My friends at Southwest RV worked me in their schedule. Scott had the repair completed within a couple of hours.
Our next stop, the BKT rally at the Berlin RV Park and Campground hosted by chapter members Jeff & Mary Edington and Don & Dee Nelson. We arrived on Thursday to help get things set up. However, Jeff and Don in their usual and efficient fashion had everything done. We would have sat around a campfire, but it was too hot. So, we improvised and sat in a circle laughing and joking with each other at the Millers’ coach. One thing our hosts assured me, there will be some great surprises. Upon registering attendees were presented with their “goodie bags.” Then, we received two plush beach towels that Jeff had received from Spartan and a beautiful handmade cutting board containing the BKT logo. Here’s the story on the cutting boards (or charcuteries as I was informed): The cutting boards are made out of Kentucky Coffeetree. Jeff Edington bought the wood at Keim Lumber in Charm, Ohio, sent the wood to his son-in-law in Florida who then cut the boards. Off the boards went to North Carolina where Jeff’s nephew-in-law applied the BKT logo and year to the cutting boards. Then they were all shipped back to Jeff in Ohio where he applied the finishing touches. But what a great result!
Our Friday night dinner was Shreve Businessmen’s recipe chicken. Jeff’s brother and sister-in-law dropped off the freshly cooked chicken and Jeff spent the rest of the afternoon guarding it with his life, sitting with the cooler. A special thanks to all of Jeff’s family who pitched in to help. Jeff certainly made it a “family” event.
Saturday morning was a breakfast presentation presented by Stan Schwenke and SkyMed. Thank you for a great presentation and breakfast. We later learned that Stan had a very interesting life in show business. He was part of the “Bumpy Spectacular”, his family’s acrobatic troupe. They appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and appeared with some of the greats, including Bob Hope. A little bit later we were off to the Age of Steam Museum. What an interesting place! Such a collection of steam locomotives, some completely restored and some in various stages of restoration. Our tour guide was quite informative. Additionally, our own VP Jim Fry had a hand in the building of the roundhouse. Jim’s company built the huge trusses used in the building. Jim had a very interesting story about the delivery of the trusses to the job site. Saturday evening was dinner at the Farmstead Restaurant. We didn’t go away hungry and their fresh peach pie was fantastic. Then back to the campground and sitting around the campfire.
Sunday morning, we awoke to lemon muffins and maple rolls. Jeff ran out of family members and had to pick them up himself. Before we said our goodbyes, Jeff was presented with a Flash II ball cap to match the one that BKT member Barb Tryon made for Flash earlier in the rally. Jeff liked Flash’s cap so well how could we resist. Barb can make some really cool things, while you wait. And Bev was dubbed Flashette. Yes, once again, a great time was had by all in attendance. Thank you, Jeff, Mary, Don and Dee for hosting a great rally.
Our next chapter rally is at the Camp Perry Campground in Port Clinton, Ohio, hosted by Bob & Becky Kayden and co-hosts Kevin & Diane Gannon. They have a great rally planned! Come on out and join the fun for the last BKT rally of 2021!
Finally, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. We are able to enjoy this wonderful lifestyle and travel this great country. Most of all I’m thankful to have each and every one of you as friends. I certainly enjoy the time we get to spend together at the rallies. Take care and have a safe holiday season! I can be reached by email: rgfox09@gamil.com.
Rick Fox (21684)
Buckeye Kountry Travelers – President