Vancouver Islanders 2009 Update

     To all our members, a warm hello to all of you no matter where you are this spring. For those of you down south I hope the warm weather finds you and your family safe. To those still North, I hope you have not endured more back pain or muscle pain from shovelling the more than unexpected snow this year. I can only say that for once I actually choose the right time to try out retirement and head south. I don’t miss the rain or snow and actually enjoyed calling my sons and asking them to shovel the white stuff from our driveway. I must say that I do now understand why all of you that have been heading south for the winter have done so, there is nothing like waking up to sun and clear skies everyday. We have been away since mid November and I’m not sure where the time has gone, as one seems to be busy everyday with visiting friends from all over and generally just having a great time. Enough about the wonders of the south and on to the business at hand, our secretary Stella Blogg has booked Sandown Raceway in Sidney for our Spring Rally, arrival date will be the 15^th of May 2009 and departing the 18^th of May. At this time we still do not have hosts for this rally and are hoping some of the membership will step forward and give it a try. Please let the executive know if you are interested.

I hope to see as many of you at the Sandown Rally as possible, we will be having our Annual general meeting and holding elections for new officers. The following positions require new members because of term limits:

Office of President, National Director and Alternate National Director

The following positions are completing their first term:

Office of Vice President: Wayne Quesnel (current incumbent)

            Office of Director: Wayne Hardy (current incumbent)

Anyone interested in any of the above positions please let me know.

Any Vancouver Islanders who are in the Yuma area and would like to get together for lunch or dinner, please e-mail me and I will try to set something up before we all head north again. 

Just a reminder, if you haven’t paid your dues ($10.00) for 2009 Stella has asked me to pass on to you all that you please send in your VI dues to her or you can pay at the May Rally. Cheques should be made payable to “Vancouver Islanders”.

In closing, I wish you all good health and safe travels. See you at the May Rally.

Andy Balogh

President, Vancouver Islanders

Notes & Pics on Our fall rally

Our fall rally was very successful.   We had 34 coaches in all and 66 people.  The site proved to be an excellent location complete with small kitchen, fridge and stove. It sure made a huge difference when preparing meals and washing dishes although hot water would have been nice.  We will see if we can get the tank fixed before we go there again.   Many members indicated that they would like to see another rally there so Wayne is negotiating with the Easter Seal Camp manager.  The eggs in a bag on Saturday morning were interesting and we managed to get by without any disasters and the omelets were tasty. Mick Hargreaves volunteered to cook the spaghetti dinner complete with garlic bread, Caesar and coleslaw salads and desserts.  It was a big hit.  Little did Mick know that we were going to keep him in the kitchen all weekend. Saturday turned out to be a nice day and many enjoyed games and visiting during the afternoon.  The entertainment on Saturday evening was great.  The guys name is Andy Mccormack and he lives in Duncan.  There were many who wanted to know how to get in touch with him and hire him for other venues. I now have his phone number for those wanting it. The Ken Williams Memorial draw was held at the party on Saturday night.  Don and Bev Purdy will have free registration at the next rally.  Sunday morning breakfast was continental including the garlic toast left over from Saturday night dinner.  We didn't have any takers for the leftover spaghetti.  Nobody seemed to be in a big hurry to leave on Sunday so we decided to clean out the trailer and re-sort all the bins.  It will be in good order for the hosts for the rally in May.

 

Wayne and I would like to extend a great big thanks to our committee as well as all the other members who stepped in and helped us out.  It was greatly appreciated and made things much easier. 

 

Now we have to find a host for the spring rally.  I'm not going to say it's easy but I will say that any member can do it with the help of others.  It does not have to be the same as this last one and shouldn't be.  Some of the members indicated that they enjoyed the changes we made.  Remember if you are the host it is "your party and you can do what you want to"  Help is just around the corner.  All you have to do is ask. 

 

Submitted by Wayne and Marge

Rally Update

Hi Everyone:

 

We are getting things finalized now so hopefully this will be the last update before the rally.

 

The schedule for the potluck to be held on Friday night is as follows:

 

Main dishes - those with last names starting with B, C, D, G, O, P, Q

 

Salads - those with last names starting with A, I,, R, S, V & W

 

Desserts - those with last names starting with H & M

 

 

Upon arriving at the rally you have to register at our motor home (Marge and Wayne Hendricks) and receive your "goody bag"  Bring your gifts wrapped in newspaper and they will be exchanged for one ticket per gift.

These are to be used on Saturday evening.  A schedule of events will also be in your bag.

 

Don't forget the yard sale on Saturday morning from 10 - noon.  You will need a table to set up in front of your motor home.  This is a great way to get rid of all those items that you haven't used and likely won't use again.  I know some of you like to exchange books so by all means bring your books too.

 

The following are directions to the Easter Seal Camp:

 

Coming from either north or south - turn off at the South Shawnigan Lake turnoff on the Malahat.  There is a flashing light at the turnoff.  You are then on Shawnigan Lake Rd.

Continue on this road for approximately 6 km's.  At this point you can disconnect your tow vehicle on the right.  It is advisable to disconnect before proceeding to the rally which is approximately another 4 km's on East Shawnigan Lake Rd.  Watch for FMCA signs.

 

Do not use other roads to the rally as there is a low overpass (11ft) that most would not get under.

 

PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE NOON - at that time there will be parking attendants to direct you to the rally.

 

I will have my cell phone on at all times so please feel free to call if you get lost.......250 701 2074

 

If you have any questions please give me a call at 250 748 3398 or e-mail me.

 

See you at the rally!!!

 

Wayne & Marge

Evelyn & Lorne

Gus & Else

SUMMER RALLY AT KIN BEACH, COMOX

JULY 16 – 18, 2008

A Summer Rally was held at Kin Beach Provincial Park, Comox the weekend of July 16 – 18, 2008.

There were 33 coaches attending and our hosts were Lee & Barbara Burnham, and co-hosts, Joe & Stella Blogg.

The weather was wonderful and the setting was beautiful, very close to the ocean.

 More Pictures Click HERE

On Wednesday we were treated to a delicious “Seafood Chowder” made by one of our newest members, Mick Hargreaves.  Buns with meat, cheese, tomatoes & cucumbers followed with cheesecake and carrot cake for dessert.  The evening was spent playing cards and visiting.

 Thursday morning breakfast of pancakes, fruit, whipping cream and sausages was a hit.  Following breakfast we had our choice of two very interesting tours.  One tour was to Filberg Park in Comox which included lunch at the Tea House followed by a very interesting tour of the House and Grounds.  The other tour was to the Air Force Museum including a guided tour of the Museum and Spitfire Aircraft.  Prior to that tour, there was lunch at the Griffin Pub. 

 Upon returning to the grounds, Happy Hour was on, followed by a delicious Pot Luck Supper.  Pies and ice cream ended the meal.

 After supper the answers to the “Do you Know BC” questionnaire were given.  The winner was Else Strand and the person with the least number right (3) was Russ McAvella who received a “Poor Man’s GPS” (a map of BC).  The evening ended with visiting and card games (several members were introduced to King’s Cribbage – an excellent game).

 Sunday Morning featured a “Continental Breakfast” of muffins, bagels, croissants, yoghurt, fruit salad, and beverages.

 A short meeting was held after Breakfast and then it was time to take down the equipment and head for home.  Several members stayed at Kin Beach for a few more days to enjoy the sun and several other members carried on their journey up-island to enjoy some of the sights of the Island.

 There were two 50/50 draws at this rally and the winners were Shona Franz and Kathie Balogh.

 It was a very enjoyable rally and many thanks to the Burnhams for doing such a good job.   

Submitted by Stella Blogg  

FALL RALLY INFO

FALL RALLY

Come one, come all to our rally in the fall

Date: September 26, 27, 28
Place: Easter Seal Camp - Shawnigan Lake, B. C.
Cost: $60 per coach


This is our final rally for the year so we are planning something a bit different. We are very lucky to be able to use the facilities at the Easter Seal Camp. The fields are very large and so we have room for every one. As we mentioned before there will be about 10 electrical services available for an extra $5 per coach and on a first paid basis. Please include this with your registration. I will be notifying the ones we are able to accommodate and refunding the others at the rally.

As usual we will have the potluck dinner on Friday night plus two breakfasts and a dinner on Saturday night. We will also have some musical entertainment to be held inside in the dining hall on Saturday evening from 7:30 - 10:30 (approximately). I am sure you will find this most enjoyable.

We have set aside 10 - noon on Saturday for those wishing to hold a garage sale. Just bring a table and set your valuables on it in front of your motor home.
You are on your own for lunch on Saturday.

A tour is planned to Merridale Ciderworks on Saturday at 2:00. This is a little different than the usual winery tours as they only make cider. It’s about an hour long and they will take us through their orchards as well as their cider house and of course a little tasting. There is an additional charge for this of $6 per person.
Please advise if you are interested in this tour. Tour fees will be collected at the rally.

As there is a low overpass (clearance 11ft) on one of the roads to the rally we will be sending a map later and ask that you study it carefully.I don’t think any of us want to leave our a/c behind. It would be a good idea for you to unhitch your tow vehicle at the designated spots as it is a sharp right hand turn up to the camping area. There will be someone to help you get in and if you have to back up the traffic can be stopped. IF YOU COME BEFORE NOON ON FRIDAY THERE WON’T BE ANYONE TO ASSIST YOU....

Please have your registration money in by September 12 or before so that we know how many to expect and can plan accordingly. Don’t forget - if you would like power send in the $5 with your registration fee.

For those heading north there is a dumping station at the Duncan RV Park at the second set of lights on the left going into Duncan. It is just before the bridge. They charge $5 to be paid at the office. There is plenty of room for large units.
We don’t know about any south of Duncan but will check into it.

Also don’t forget to bring along one gift (new or in good used condition). We are asking this to be a useful gift - not gags or silly ones - and that you wrap it in newspaper so that members will not know what is in the package.

We are not planning organized happy hours but you are most welcome to do these on your own.

A map and more information will follow closer to the rally date.

Please make out your cheques to Marjorie and mail them to her, at the address in her email.

Hope to see you all at the rally!!!!!

Wayne & Marge
Gus & Else
Lorne & Evelyn