Its Springtime Rally info

Hi Everyone!

Once again it's time for our Vancouver Islanders Spring Round Up Rally and we are hoping to "round up" many, many members for a super weekend.
The dates are Friday May 24 - Sunday May 26.  It is to be held at the same location as our first one last year (The Cowichan Exhibition Grounds - north of Duncan).  I am sure most of you know where it is but for those who don't here are the directions:

If you are travelling from the south go through Duncan and pass by the new Cowichan Commons Mall with Walmart, Canadian Tire on the left.  Approximately 4 kms north of the mall you will come to a set of lights and a left turn lane which will take you up to the exhibition grounds.

If you are travelling from the north go over the Chemainus River Bridge, past Russell Farms Market on the right.  Drive approximately 5 kms and turn right into the Exhibition Park which is at a set of lights. 

You will not be allowed into the grounds until 11:00 a.m on Friday morning.  Please don't forget to let us know how long your unit is. 
Because of the large attendance expected and the broken area for parking, coaches will be parked according to length.  Please be courteous, obey the parking crew and get into place as quickly as you can so we can avoid holdups.  It would be appreciated if those bringing a toad would arrive disconnected.  It is possible to disconnect on the road into the park but please pull over and DO NOT CAUSE A ROADBLOCK!

The cutoff date for registrations is May 6, 2013.  We have to give the people buying food time to gather up and prepare their stuff for the rally.  The cost for the rally is $70 per couple and $60 for a single occupant.

Please make out the cheques to The Vancouver Islanders and mail to:

Wayne Hendricks,
4061 Cambrai Rd.,
Duncan, B. C.  V9L 6G1

Snowbird Alert!

For Member information:

Commitment Made, Commitment Kept

Dear Snowbirds,
The Canadian Snowbird Association has been working tirelessly on your behalf to extend the time that snowbirds from British Columbia can spend outside of the country from 6 to 7 months and still maintain their provincial health coverage.

The CSA is pleased to inform all snowbirds that Bill 8 passed in the British Columbia Legislative Assembly and received Royal Assent on Thursday March 14, 2013. This legislation formally amends the Medicare Protection Act, which will allow coordinating regulations to extend out-of-country stays from 6 to 7 months.

The CSA would like to thank Premier Christy Clark, the Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Health and the Honourable Shirley Bond Minister of Justice and Attorney General of B.C., and all members of the Government of British Columbia for keeping their commitment to the CSA, in passing this legislation, to make this extension a reality. The amendments received bipartisan support in the Legislative Assembly.

If you have any questions or comments related to this increase, or any other matter, please contact the CSA office toll-free at:

1-800-265-3200 or email us at csastaff@snowbirds.org.

Bob Slack, President
Rick Thorpe, Director - Western Canada
Canadian Snowbird Association
The Voice of the Traveling Canadians
www.snowbirds.org

Spring Round Up Rally

Hi there RV club members!

It's time once again for our spring rally and to round up all the members that have been lazing around in the sun all winter and others as well.

The rally will be held once again in Duncan at the Exhibition Grounds north of town.  The dates are check in May 24th and check out May 26th.  You are welcome to stay the night of the 26th at a cost of $15.  Please let Wayne know and pay the extra $15 to him.

There will be no non - members (guests) at this rally due to limited space.  We will be having rallies where there is ample space for guests and prospective members.

There will be no power available .   Charge up your batteries and run your generators during the designated times.

A meeting will be held Saturday morning when there will be nominations and election of officers for the coming year.

This is just a reminder so that you can set aside these dates.  More information will follow soon.

Bye for now,

Wayne & Marge Hendricks
Joe & Stella Blogg

Canadian Snowbird Association Advisory

        Dear Snowbirds,

In late December the Canadian Snowbird Association received some very good news from the Minister of Health, the Honourable Margaret MacDiarmid.

After working with the Minister and senior officials, the Canadian Snowbird Association received the following commitment, "with respect to the Canadian Snowbird Association request to increase out of country stays from 6 to 7 months, the Government of British Columbia's intentions are to proceed with this request through legislation once the Provincial Legislature resumes sitting now scheduled for early February 2013".

The Canadian Snowbird Association would like to thank Premier Christy Clark for her support as well as Ministers and MLAs from the British Columbia Legislature.

We will keep you posted when legislation is tabled in the House.

Have a great day, best regards ,

Bob Slack, President & Director

Rick Thorpe, Director Canadian Snow

COWICHAN BAY REDNECK RALLY AUGUST 9 –11, 2012

The “Stars and Bars” flew proudly over Cowichan Bay when the Vancouver Islanders held their Redneck Rally August 9 – 11th, hosted by Laurel and Wayne Macauley.    There were 29 motorhomes attending this fun-filled weekend.  The weather was fantastic and everyone enjoyed their “waterfront sites”.

(Click on Picture for larger view)

Thursday started with our usual Happy Hour, followed by a game of Redneck Trivia.    A lovely dinner featuring pulled pork on buns with coleslaw and baked beans was served, followed with ice cream and watermelon for dessert.  After dinner the “Seed Spitting” contest was held and the winners were Tanya Williams and Pete Norton.

Friday “Redneck Day” was off to a good start with Flapjacks, Sausages and Fruit for breakfast.   In the afternoon, the Spam Carving Contest was held and several “artists” created works of art using a tin of Spam and plastic cutlery.  Matt Blogg was the winner with his carving of his Class C motorhome and “toad”.

At Happy Hour people arrived dressed in their best Redneck attire along with Redneck names.   A vote was held and the winners of the Best Dressed Redneck were Mary Ann Tennent and Audrey Hauge (Audy-Joe) (tied for first place) and Brooke Williams (Zeke). Gary Schur cooked three delicious deep fried turkeys for dinner, along with salads and desserts provided by the members. After dinner the Plunger Game was played with 6 couples participating.  This was a very “interesting” game and provided a lot of laughs for all, both spectators and participants.   The winners were the unlikely duo of Mick Hargreaves (Mickey-Sue) and Brooke Williams (Zeke).

Saturday started with a hearty breakfast of Stuffed Redneck Toast, Taters, and Fruit.   After breakfast, Gary and Mary Ann Tennent gave a demo on the making of Redneck Wine Glasses.  Many people attended this demo and everyone went home with glasses that they had created. Dinner that evening was a delicious combo of Tacos, Mexican Rice and Corn on the Cob along with salads and desserts provided by the members. After dinner the Can Races were held, bringing out many people willing to place their bets on: Bud “bet on him and you will be wiser” Rootbeer “always root for the Beer” Pabst Blue Ribbon “already a Blue Ribbon Winner” Mountain Dew “the Dew can move mountains” The Islander “maybe a slow starter but watch him float by” Lemonade “you think he may Suck, but he could squeeze by the others”

Sunday morning started with a Continental Breakfast and then it was time to clean-up, take down the tent and head for home.

The winner of the 50/50 draw was Brian Bowden and Brian and Lynda also won the Ken Williams Memorial Award – a lucky weekend for them!

It was a wonderful, fun-filled rally and many, many thanks to Laurel and Wayne for doing such an excellent job of hosting (and cooking) at this rally.

Submitted by Stella Blogg