We plan to head north the end of the month. Your Big Sky chapter has a lot going on this summer all of which is described in this newsletter. We sure hope to see you at one of the planned rallies. Safe Travels, Mike Teague Covering the State of Montana May 2015 Welcome to our newest members Presidents Message... Hello Big Sky FMCA Family; Where did the 2014/15 winter go? I hope everyone is well and remained warm and cozy wherever you were. Our winter south started later than usual last fall. We drove the motor home to Yuma in early October and parked it in the driveway of a relative. Because of pressing family issues, we then returned to Montana until after Christmas when we returned to AZ. January consisted of attending a beautiful outdoor wedding of our cousin in San Diego and visiting friends in Quartzsite and relatives in Indio. February consisted time in Ehrenberg and Casa Grande. In late February we moved to the Phoenix International Raceway park where the Good Sam Rally was held. Dixie worked for a vendor during the rally. It had been ten years since we last attended a Good Sam rally. We had a great time! In early March we moved to a lot in the foothills of Yuma. On the 22nd we traveled with Dixie s brother and wife to Maui and later to Kona Hawaii where we spent ten wonderful days snorkeling and sightseeing. If you ve never experience Huli Huli chicken cooked by the locals, you re missing something. April 7th we celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. -1- Mike & Dori Tucker of Thompson Falls John & Millie Storment of Great Falls Don & Sue Powell of Bozeman Steve & Karen Miller of Winston Meeting Reminder! There will be a regular business meeting at the Deer Lodge Rally In June. If you have an agenda item please contact Dixie at dixieormike@yahoo.com Big Sky FMCA 2015 Chapter Officers... President: Mike Teague 406-868-6711 Vice President East: Al Baird 406-656-3606 Vice President West: Paul Bessler 406-443-3768 Secretary: Dixie Teague 406-868-6711 Treasurer: Susie Farr 406-431-9341 Wagon Master: Gene Farr 406-461-0426 National Director: TBD Historian: Karen Davis 406-360-0395 Newsletter/Membership: Susie Farr 406-431-9341
Wagon Master Message Welcome back. We are looking forward to another great summer season with our RV friends. Below is a list of the rallies to be held this year. It s time to start thinking about our 2016 rally season. I will be looking for rally hosts so please give it a thought. Ask any of our prior rally hosts and they will tell you what fun it is. If you can t host we are always looking for new locations so please call me with your ideas. This Years Rallies: June 18-20, 2015: Hosted by Tony & Sandy Heaton at Deer Lodge. The flyer is in this newsletter. July 9-12, 2015: Hosted by Ian & Bonnie Steel, at Lewis & Clark Caverns. The flyer is in this newsletter. August 2015: To be hosted by Klaas & Johanna Kloosterhof. Details will follow. September 17-20, 205: Hosted by Gene & Susie Farr. Co-hosted by Gary & Marcia Drosten. Devils Elbow Recreation Area on Hauser Lake. Details will follow. Gene Farr, Wagon Master Newsletter Editor Message Welcome Home Everyone! I asked that you let me know what you did over the winter... even if you stayed home! Look for the responses in this newsletter. I am currently working on our 2015 Roster. I have changed it up a bit. Leola Harkins suggested I use photo s of our members. I had some from previous rallies and requested photos of those I did not have. My goal is to have the roster to you by mid May. Have you changed your address, phone number or any information pertinent to Big Sky FMCA? Or FMCA National? Please make sure to send me any changes so I may keep your records current. E-mail wa2trvl@yahoo. com or 406-431-9341. However you must make these same changes to FMCA National yourself. We can not do it for you. This can be done either online or by telephone. www.fmca.com or 1-800-543-3622. - 2 - Behind the Scenes The following were submitted on the biography forms from prior newsletters. Look for other bio s as space allows. The form is on the last page of this newsletter. In our Big Sky FMCA group we have all made many friends and acquaintances but we tend to know very little about each others background. We would like to highlight a couple or two in each months newsletter. If you haven t filled out your form and sent it to me, please take a minute to do so. We would love to know more about you and your background! Thanks, Dixie LeRoy & Dorine Morse LeRoy & Dorine live in Billings, MT and have been RV ing since 1997. They are both originally from Hardin, MT. Le- Roy was in the Banking business and Dorine a Registered Nurse. Both are retired, LeRoy in 1993 and Dorine in 1996. They spent 12 years traveling south spending winters in Casa Grande and Yuma, AZ. Their last year of travel was staying at Sundance RV park in Casa Grande. They currently continue to RV part time. Leroy & Dorine were married on June 2, 1957 and are parents of 2 children, Bruce of Lowel, WY. and Karen of Billings. They are proud grandparents of 5 grandchildren 3 in Billings and 2 in WY. In August of 2013 they became great-grandparents to Tucker! (you aren t that old enough for that are you?) LeRoy & Dorine celebrate their Birthdays and Anniversary all within a months time starting with Dorine on May 27th, LeRoy on June 20th and their Anniversary in the middle on June 2. Wishing you a very Happy 58th Anniversary this year! They consider themselves very blessed to have a wonderful family and great friends! We are happy to have LeRoy and Dorine attend our rally s. Gene & Susie Farr Gene & Susie have been RV ing since 1990 Full Time since 2013. They spend their summer s in Helena and winter in Bullhead City, AZ. Gene was born in Arkansas on May 30th and Susie in California on June 26th. They met in high school and were married right after graduation on August 16, 1963. They have 2 children, a daughter, Tracy and son, Michael. Gene & Susie have 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, all of whom live in Helena. They moved to Montana in 1978. Gene went into building/ carpentry and Susie worked for the local newspaper. They semi-retired in 1990 and have since fully retired. They love RV ing but admit that after 2 years of living in it they are ready to build a house, which they will do this year. They joined Big Sky FMCA in 2007 and are currently serving as Gene, Wagon Master and Susie, Treasurer. Thank you both for your dedication to the club!
John and Marilyn McGrew We are going to the NW regional rally at Coos bay, June 23-28. Is anyone else going from Big Sky? After spending the fall east of the Mississippi, we returned to the SW. Did the FMCA rally in Indio, 10 days at Quartzsite, then 10 days in Mesa before coming south to the Tucson area. Heading to Phoenix for the Good Sam rally in a couple of days. After which we will return to Tucson area until we head for MT the 22nd of March. John and Marilyn McGrew Tim & Mariam Barth Hi Susie, we are still in Rockport, tx and have been since Nov. Love it down here. Last spring we ordered a 45 foot Entegra Aspire which we took delivery of in March. Love the coach and look forward to many fun years in it. Will try to make a rally or two this year but we still have our pizza resturant and it still demands lots of our time over the summer. We will surely try to get to one this year. Tim & Mariam Jim & Dot Hogg We traded in our motor home and got a 5th wheel. We no longer qualify for fmca. We will miss all the folks and fun times. The best to all of you, and HAPPY AND SAFE TRAV- ELS. Jim and Dot Hogg WINTER GET-A-WAYS Gene & Susie Farr We spent a very uneventful winter in Bullhead City. We left last October and took a week or so getting down there, just putzing around. My sister, Kathryn, had back surgery the day after Christmas so we stuck close to help her out. I wish I could say she has recouperated but she has not... there was a complication so she is still on the mend. We returned home here to Helena and stayed in a campground for about a week while we got a place ready on our lot to house us and the motor home. We will live on the lot while we build our house. Gene and Susie Farr Ian & Bonnie Steel We ll spend a couple of days in Helena & then off to the caverns. We had sold our house before we left Helena for Arizona. Before we left we had started the process for getting a house built in a Del Webb community in Vail, Az. Construction started in mid November and we took possession near the end of February. We had all our household goods in storage in Helena. They arrived the 7th of March. We ve been moving in ever since. During this period of time we were staying in our motor home at Rincon Country West. Ian & Bonnie Note the upcoming NW Area rally in Coos Bay, OR on June 25-28. The NW area link is http://www.fmcanw.org/pages/rallies.html or the FMCA website at http://www.fmca.com/chapters/area-rallies.html. John & Marilyn McGrew will be attending and wondered if anyone else is. If you are please contact them at jmcgrew@earthlink.net - 3 -
Heritage Days in Deer Lodge June 18, 19, & 20, 2015 Hosted by Tony & Sandy Heaton - (406) 846-2710 Rally Fee: $15 (does not include camping fee, pay to Tony & Sandy upon arrival) We have 12 spaces on hold at the KOA, 330 Park St. in Deer Lodge. 20 back in spots along the river with 30 & 50 amp & water will accommodate most size rigs, $32 + tax per night, to reserve these spaces call 800-562-1629 no later than May 29th. There are 5 pull thru sites available for longer rigs, 32+, with 50 amp, $35 + tax per night, these spaces must be reserved no later than May 11th. Mention you are with Big Sky FMCA when making your reservation. Directions: From I-90: Take Exit 184 or 187 into town and turn west at the only stoplight. Then go 3 blocks to Park St and turn right. AGENDA Thursday, June 18 - Arrival 4:00 pm - Happy Hour at the Barnappetit Patio - bring a heavy hors-d oeuvre and beverage. Also a White Elephant Gift Exchange. Bring one gift per couple not to exceed $10/or an old gift you would like to re-gift! Friday, June 19 8:30 am - Continental Breakfast - at host site 10:00 am - 4:30 pm - On your own to see area attractions 4:00 pm - Happy Hour & General business meeting at Hosts coach 5:30 pm - Potluck - at the Barnappetit Patio - bring your favorite dish to share Saturday, June 20 8:30 am - Continental Breakfast - at host site 10:00 am - Free day (see below for Heritage Day events) 4:00 pm - Happy Hour - bring your drink & a snack (DINNER ON YOUR OWN) Sunday, June 21 - Departure Day - Good Bye to our friends - safe travels 8:30 am - Continental Breakfast and good byes at the covered pavilion AREA ATTRACTIONS: - The Territorial Days Parade starts at 11:30 am. Assemble at the corner of Pennsylvania and Main (by Muriah s Restaurant) at 11:00 am. The Pioneer Power and Tractor Association Antique Tractor Show will be held on Main Street after the Parade. Jaywalkers Jamboree starts after the parade, with vendors along Main Street selling everything from food and drink to jewelry, clothing, toys, craft items, etc. Rides will be available for kids and those young at heart. At 1 pm the Country Showdown starts on the stage at Missouri and Main. The Live Band tbd perform on stage at 7 pm for our Free Street Dance, until 11 pm. Other events are also taking place in Deer Lodge on Saturday, including book signings, special sales and events at most local stores. Check local paper and flyers for details. On Sunday, the Annual Father s Day Golf Tournament takes place at the Deer Park Golf Course. - Grant Kohrs Ranch - Call 846-2070 for tours - Old Montana Prison - Open 10am - 4 pm daily - William K. Kohrs Memorial Library - Rialto Theater - Pintler Scenic Loop - Approx 120 miles, 3 hours - 4 - Must reserve no later than May 11th for pull thru sites and May 29th for back in sites along the river! Call Now!!!
Lewis & Clark Caverns July 9-12, 2015 Hosted by: Ian & Bonnie Steel Rally Fee: $75 (Includes 3 nights dry camping & food). Pay to Ian or Bonnie Day of Arrival. We have spaces for 12 motor homes reserved so call us immediately to reserve your space. More spaces may be available but not with the group. Please Respond to Ian or Bonnie at 202-0167 or videoex@msn.com by July 1st. Directions: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is located 19 miles west of Three Forks on Montana 2 or 15 miles east of Whitehall on Montana 2. AGENDA Thursday, July 9 - Arrival 2 PM 5:00 pm - Social - bring your favorite heavy hors-d oeuvre and beverage (at the covered pavilion) A game is planned for after the social, if any of you have a game bring it! Otherwise we have Farkel, 5 Crowns and Hand & Foot. Friday, July 10 8:30 am - Continental Breakfast at the covered pavilion 10:00 am - 4:30 pm - On your own (see list of area attractions) 5:30 pm - Potluck - at the covered pavilion (A-K Main Dish) (L-Q Salad) (R-Z Dessert) Saturday, July 11 8:30 am - Continental Breakfast at the covered pavilion 10:00 am - 4:30 pm - On your own (see list of area attractions) 5:30 pm - dinner at either at Willow Creek or LaHood (not included in rally fee) Sunday, July 12 - Departure Day 8:30 am - Continental Breakfast and good byes at the covered pavilion Area Attractions: Montana Folk Festival July 10-12- Butte (montanafolkfestival.com); Virginia & Nevada Cities; Bannack; Lewis & Clark Caverns; Museum of the Rockies - Bozeman; Pony, MT. Remember to call us to hold your space. Deadline is July 1st. We hope to see you there! -5 -
Big Sky FMCA Member 'Bio' Return Return to Dixie to Dixie Teague ~ Mail: ~ PO Box 126 235, Hogeland, Turner, MT 59529 (or) Provide (or) Provide info in info an Email: in an Email: dixieormike@yahoo.com Name(s): Summer location: Winter location (city, park): Rv'ing Since: Full Time RV'er 'MISTER' Originally From: Vocation(s): Retired ~ if so, when? Birthday: Part Time RV'er 'MRS. / MS.' Originally From: Vocation(s): Retired ~ if so, when? Birthday: Anniversary: Additional background or current info you would like to provide: BIG SKY FMCA MEMBERSHIP FORM Name FMCA# Address City State Zip Phone Cell# (Optional) E-Mail(s) Annual dues $15.00 plus one time new member sign up fee of $5.00. Badges (not required) $12/pair (pin); $15/pair (Magnetic) (Circle one) Make checks out to Big Sky FMCA. Multi-year memberships available. Circle: 1 yr 2 yr. 3 yr. Total amount Enclosed Mail to Susie Farr, Treasurer,1811 Townsend Avenue, Helena, MT 59601