Flash & Bev Miller (9855)
Ohio State Directors
Here it is October and we are experiencing crispy air and temperatures. Leaves are finally turning into beautiful autumn colors. Pumpkins are on porches and ‘already’ Christmas decorations are displayed in stores.
Sadly, 2021 RV rallies have ended. October 8-10 found many members and guests up north at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio. First time rally hosts Bob & Becky Kayden and Kevin & Diane Gannon certainly did not disappoint us. They kept the rally simple but made it fantastic. Visiting the Kayden storage Condo for dinner on Friday was such a treat. What an “eye opener” as to what you can do as a “Full-Time RVer” with a storage unit, during a pandemic. Plenty of storage area for a Boat, RV, Chevy Vette and even an area to call home when not out travelling the US in their Newmar Ventana or cruising Lake Erie and living on their boat. (Bob also has a bike that he rides… IT HAS NO SEAT! Guess he can’t afford one with all his other toys). Have fun Kayden’s, you only live once.
September was a busy month for us, beginning with our State Rally in Lima, Ohio. Despite two days of monsoon rains (4-8”) and with the help of several early arriving and willing Newmar friends, we managed to get all the RVs parked (There were twenty-six coaches in attendance.). Thanks to Gary Hartley who started parking folks ‘before’ Flash even woke up. Thanks also to Karen & Rich Myers, Rick Fox who took over parking ‘after’ Flash woke up and a few other folks had pitched in when we were not looking. We all looked like drowned rats by the end of day one (early-arrivals) and again on day two, the official rally start day. Thanks everyone for helping us get started.
We tried to give everyone a little different but also “safe” rally. A first for us; we had the rally at a “Fairgrounds” in Allen County, Lima, Ohio. The Fairgrounds Administration and Maintenance personnel were super helpful and accommodating. Indoor facilities were available to us as needed when the weather turned nasty. Our planned outdoor events were all rained and flooded out. We switched gears and moved everything to an indoor Activities Center… complete with a sound system, kitchen and restrooms, what a happy result. We then had local food truck vendors come and serve dinner, two breakfasts and a local favorite, “J & M Home Made Ice Cream” for our Dessert Night. The vendors we selected were all highly recommended and we were not disappointed.
Our opening night activities featured the “Thunder Bay” band with our own Rick Fox on drums. We were all amazed at that little drummer boy BKT-Fox and his unrealized talent. What a show, great entertainment and everyone stayed until the very end…. great band Rick…Thanks.
We had three fine sponsors that helped us make the rally fun/enjoyable: MIDWAY-RV CENTER, Grand Rapids, Michigan, SkyMed, and RCD-RV SUPERCENTER, Pataskala, Ohio. RCD, our main sponsor, came with a ’22 Ventana for display, gave each couple a nice carrier bag and donated a number of great grand prizes. Thanks to all our sponsors and congratulations to all those lucky prize winners.
We were pleased to have the following NKK – Directors attending our rally: Llewellyn – NKK-International; Steenwyk – Region Six; Dennis – Kentucky State; White–West Virginia State; Miller-Ohio State. Thank you all for coming and supporting our State Rally.
The BKT celebrated their 35th anniversary this year with a commemorative “laser engraved” ornament. One Commemorative “Piece” was presented to each active BKT couple that was present at our State Rally in September by BKT President Rick Fox. If you were a BKT member in 2021 but missed our State Rally and are entitled to one of those pieces, attend one of the BKT rallies in 2022 and see Rick for your valuable ornament.
The rally this year got a little busy for us but it also was fun to see everyone enjoying themselves. We’re planning to do the State Rally again next year September 8-11. Stay tuned for more info and the location will follow soon.
Ohio now has two NKK Chapters. The new Ohio Chapter was announced at the 2021 West Virginia International Rally. The new chapter name: “Lake Erie Drifters” has planned several Rallies for 2022, check out Pres.-Joe Swartz article. The Buckeye Kountry Travelers chapter is not done either. Pres.-Rick Fox has a great rally season planned as well.
The RV camping season has ended for us; we have put our RV to sleep for the winter. Many of you “Snowbirds” will have flown south for warmer climates while we intend to hold down the fort and keep the fires burning here in Ohio. We’re really looking forward to that “refreshing cold weather” and those “shiny little snowflakes”…not!
We hope everyone had a wonderful THANKSGIVING and wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a healthy “HAPPY NEW YEAR.” See you all in the spring. That’s all for now folks!
“As Always” We can be reached at: Mlips2213@roadrunner.com (Bev), Mtm2213@roadrunner.com (Flash) or 513-932-8352 (h), 937-478-9850 (c).
