Bird Tracks April 2015

From the President:

A Great Big Hello to all our Blue Bird Family of Friends. The days

are getting warmer ~ well, in the South. Some of our northern friends are

still getting snow today on Tuesday, March 31, 2015. It has been a rough

winter for most of us.

It's time to get those birds out and ready for flight/trip. Easter

is springing out most everywhere so that brings on spring fever, cleaning,

coughing and sneezing.

We have made inquiries about rallies for this year. We have looked

in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Also made calls to

several other states and made calls to many of our members. It really

makes us long for the old days in Perry, Georgia. Some of our greatest

memories were made at "Rally in the Valley". As time marches on, and we

grow older, we learn things change and we must change with them. With all

this said, we have set the Rally for the last week of October 25-30, 2015

at Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort in Webster, Florida. We are still

working on details but will give you a few things in the planning stages ~

we have a hilarious comedian for Sunday evening, Monday will be Flea

Market Day, and let us tell you, this is not your usual flea market. It is

the largest and longest running flea market in the state of Florida. It

begins at 5 AM and closes at 3 PM. It encompasses 35 acres. This is only

the beginning. Start now by calling Florida Grande to make your

reservations. We were able to secure a rate of $30.00 per night. This rate

will also be honored 3 days before and 3 days after the rally. Management

invited anyone to stay on Friday night for their campground get-together

and Saturday for the Halloween celebration. Phone 352-569-1169. We

encourage you to go to the website and look at the exclusive Class A motor

coach resort located amongst the scenic farmlands of Central Florida.

Enjoy 275 acres of pristine land with magnificent 100 year old oak trees

and a peaceful, quiet setting. We have spoken with some of the dealers and

they have expressed an interest in helping sponsor the rally and also

bring coaches.

We also want to encourage you to call some of our Blue Bird members

and former members to come to the rally. Many of our friends that may have

owned a Bird in the past but now have another brand of coach may not

realize they are welcome to come and be a part of our Family of Friends.

We want to see our club grow and want to extend an invitation to any

Class A coach owners to be a member. Come and bring a friend!

We need some of you to step forward and host a rally. We have spoken

with Jim Miller, President of Vintage Birds and are discussing a joint

rally soon in Shipshewana, Indiana. It doesn't have to be a large

planning, or numerous coaches. We can have 5, 10 or whatever. Let's renew

old friendships and spend time together. We would like to slow down the

pace and focus on our friendships.

Most of you have probably heard about our blow out on the 06 coach

in January when we were driving to Quartzite. Our original email is

located elsewhere in the newsletter but wanted o give you an update. We

are very fortunate to be alive and well. God truly shined his blessings

upon us. We had no physical injuries (at least visible injuries). The

coach felt like a twisted pretzel and so did we! One slide would not open,

it was jammed and required almost 8 hours of labor to get it to budge!

Entrance step was broken and had to be completely replaced, ball joints

were broken and have been ordered, corrugated exhaust pipe was cracked and

leaking exhaust fumes, both shocks on the front had to be replaced, we

even found 2 cracked mirrors in the coach. The coach was at Coachcraft by

MacDonald for 3 weeks for the inside, underside work. At present it is at

the body shop for body repairs, loose panels (duck tape worked well to

hold them in place while

) and fiberglass repairs.

We felt very privileged to meet with Mrs. Blue Bird herself, our

very own Brenda Rodgers last week. We enjoyed supper at the Swanson House

in Perry and discussed bringing back some of our "rally traditions". We

all know that no one knows Blue Bird better than Brenda, our great friend

and Sunshine reporter. On that note, please call or email Brenda to let

her know about birthdays, anniversaries, hospital stays and information so

she can keep us all up to date.

We look forward to seeing everyone soon. Please don't hesitate to

call if we may be of help to you. We may not be able to please everyone

but we are working hard to find places and things to bring our Blue Bird

Family together.

All of you are very special to us!

Leroy Wilson

To God Be

The Glory!

Great Things He Hath Done

National Directors Report by Greg Peterson March 24, 2015

FMCA's condition is improving. After a period of declining membership and deteriorating finances FMCA has stopped the decline and begun healing. Membership is growing, all be it at a slow pace, and its finances are improving. It has established a new benefit, the FMCAssist, a medical evacuation and travel assistance program. FMCA considers this to be a key membership and recruitment tool. They have taken the investment approach for this benefit by using Association reserves to help fund this benefit in anticipation of its impact on membership recruitment and retention. Lets all hope that FMCA can continue to rebuild. Charlie Adcock has worked hard as President and I think that he has made a positive impact on FMCA. Greg Peterson, National Director

SUNSHINE ARTICLE – APRIL 2015 Special greetings to each of you from Fort Valley, Georgia, and best wishes for a wonderful

Spring! The Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, which many of you attended in years past, has just come

to a close for this year. The trees were so beautiful this year for the 33rd

festival.

Tim Scully had open heart surgery (four bypasses) February 4 and was in the hospital again a

week after going home with blood clots in his lungs. He is home now and doing much better and reports

that his nurse, Barbara, has done an outstanding job.

Sandi Bay recently had gall bladder surgery and is doing well. Her nurse, Tom, has done a great

job also.

Sam Houchin needs our prayers has he continues his battle with cancer.

Bob Coates and Bob Shepherd have both recently undergone chemo. Please remember them in

your prayers.

We extend deepest sympathy to Jean McKenzie in the recent loss of her husband, Norris. He did a

great job giving tours at the Wanderlodge factory for many years.

Our sympathy to George and Debra East on the loss of Debra's Mother, Peggy West, in early

March in Columbus, Georgia.

It was a real pleasure to visit with the Chapter President and First Lady, Leroy and Glenda

Wilson, as they came through Perry, Georgia, on March 26. They are very excited about plans they are

working on for a rally in the Fall. I sure plan to be there and hope you will too!

Congratulations I want to express my sincere appreciation to you for the many ways you showed your love during my

recent surgery. I know I had many, many prayers on my behalf from the “Family of Friends”. God has

really blessed me! I am happy to report that I am doing well.

Congratulations and best wishes to Tommy and Shirley Vance who celebrate their 62nd

Wedding

Anniversary on April 10.

Please remember that we need your input on news that we can share with the Chapter Membership.

Best wishes to all of you for safe and fun travels!

Warmest regards, Brenda

Cooking is for the Birds by Rozanne DeShazer

~~Parmesan Meatloaf ~~

2lbs Lean Ground Beef 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

1/4 cup Dijon Mustard 1/2 cup Ketchup 2 tbs Majoram

1 tbs dried basil 1 tbs dried parsley

1 tbs oregano 1 tbs thyme

2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1/4 cup green bell pepper

1 small onion, finely chopped 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce of your choice

1 tbs olive oil

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, seasonings, and dressings in a bowl. Put mixed beef, into a sprayed loaf pan. Top the meatloaf with pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Place filled loaf pan on bottom rack of oven and bake in the preheated oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes - 1 hour. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving/slicing.

Recipe is for those who are following a Low Carb meal plan Serves 8 Calories 317 Calories from fat 111 Cholesterol 115mg Sodium 560mg Fiber 1.4g Carbohydrates 8.6g Sugars 4.8g

Locked by Martha Rowe Vaughn

Charlie and I were parked in beautiful RiverBend Resort for the month of February escaping the

winter in North Carolina. So far we had had a delightful vacation visiting with Ron and Dorinda in St.

Petersburg for the previous week. Now we were reacquainting ourselves with friends at RiverBend.

I had gone bicycling while Charlie went swimming. I got back to the coach before he did and punched

in the code to open the door. I heard it click but it didn’t open. I waited for him to return. Fortunately, he

had the key to the lower lock and managed to get the door open when he got back. As soon as he changed

clothes, he began to work on the lock. Out came the can of WD-40 and he proceeded to squirt it

everywhere. Still the lock was not right. Next came the tools and he took the lock off the door.

I don’t know if any of you have ever attempted to take the lock off the door. Taking it off is the easy

part. Putting it back on is, well, damn near impossible. Everything has to line up just so and any movement

will undo whatever is lined up, it takes four hands, cool heads, and several tools. We had done it once

before and nearly lost our minds and marriage.

Of course this time was no different except we did not succeed. After working for hours, we gave up

and taped over the hole. The next day we tried again with no success. If the definition of insanity is doing

the same thing over and over and expecting different results—we were insane. Charlie decided that longer

screws would help because you can’t see where the screws need to be to get them into the holes. No place

in LaBelle had the right size screws so he ordered them on line. Meanwhile, one more attempt and the

thumb lock came off the plate that holds it in place. Now we had another problem. Charlie decided that

rather than tape up the hole again he would put the lock back on the door minus the thumb lock and to

tape up the bolt so it wouldn’t engage. That worked. That is, until I forgot and hit the lock button on the

dash that night. I didn’t think a thing about it until the next morning.

Next morning, here I go cigarettes and lighter in my pocket and a cup of tea in my hand. The door

wouldn’t open. Panic! I’m locked in the steel box with wheels and I can’t get out!!! Claustrophobia Big Time,

and a nicotine fit! I start to sweat. Think, I tell myself. Call somebody to hand us the tools from the outside. I

call Mike and Judy and no answer! I leave a message, “Please call me back!” Think! I could get out the

window. It’s a long drop onto concrete from the window. On the slide side is grass. OK, slide side it is. I open

the window and put one leg out then realize the window is too small for this fat body. How to get out! The

phone rings. It’s Mike. “Help!” I explain the situation. In a few minutes he is there. He hands me the

screwdriver and I dismantle the lock and escape! Not a dry stitch on me!

Two days later, new screws in hand and the thumb lock repaired, we put the lock on in a few

minutes.

Rallies:

Panhandle Pioneer Rally – Blountstown Florida. April 9-12, 2015. Contact Richard Ramsey at 850-

447-1700 or rrsr68@gmail.com. Dry camping at Sam Atkins Park. $100.00 fee includes three days dry camp,

3 meals, and entrance to Folk Life Days Festival on Saturday April 11.

Kaibab Lake Rally in Williams, Arizona. May 22-26. Contact Mike Putz at mike.putz@coxn.net

Vintage Bird Rally: October 13-17 Palmetto Cove RV Resort in Cleveland, South Carolina. Contact

Ross or Carolyn Dover at 864-979-0870 or rossdover@att.net

WOG Rally: Pine Mountain , Ga. Oct. 21 – 25, 2015. Contact Pine Mountain Campground for reservations 706-663-

4329.

Family of Friends Annual Rally: Florida Grand RV Resort, Webster, Florida, October 24 to

October30, 2015.

Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort, nestled in the heart of Central Florida, is your luxury

Class A coach resort destination.

Beautifully landscaped with first class amenities, Florida Grande Motor Coach Resort is surrounded by beautiful 100-year-old oak trees in pristine nature preserves. Relax by our heated pool, visit with friends in the clubhouse, take a stroll through our wetland preserve, or explore the many activities in the area.

Our guests enjoy a wealth of amenities including the Florida Grande Club House that houses our fitness center, library, billiards lounge, and a fully-equipped catering-style kitchen. Our friendly and helpful staff is able to assist with your on-site needs.

Accepting only Class A motor coaches, each 2,000 sq ft concrete RV pad has a 50 amp pedestal, underground utilities, and irrigation.

Florida Grande is conveniently located just a short drive from cultural events, major attractions, sporting events, shopping, and anything else you can think of. Come see what Florida has to offer! More rally information will soon be available.

Vintage Bird Rally: October 13-18 Palmetto Cove RV Resort in Cleveland, South Carolina. Contact

Ross or Carolyn Dover at 864-979-0870 or rossdover@att.net

Beautiful Mountains of South Carolina

Dates October 13, 2015 to October 18, 2015

Arrive on the 13th and leave on the 18th

Fee: $ Includes: 4 Breakfasts

Arrive on Tuesday with free afternoon to renew friendships and get to know the area.

Wednesday we will leave early around 8 O’clock to go to the Flea Market.

Thursday we will tour the BMW Plant, in Greer, SC.

Friday is a free day

This will be a relaxed weekend with time to visit, exchange ideas, look at our coaches and tell old stories that

we have heard many times.

A tranquil and scenic place to get away, get together and get outdoors.

You will need to make you own reservations. They DO NOT accept Credit Cards. All sites are grassy and

equipped with full hook ups which include water, electric and sewer.

I will need: your name and mates name, email address, phone number, mailing address, your money, and your

arrival date by Oct. 1, 2015, Send all this to:

Ross Dover

PO Box 711

Marietta, SC 29661

Name___________________________ Spouse _____________

Address________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Phone Number__________________________________

E-Mail____________________________________________

Arrival Date_____________________

Money enclosed ___________________ Palmetto cove is in a volunteer -run RV Park located in upstate South Carolina . It's a quiet and family-friendly spot nestled at the very edge of the Blue Ridge escarpment on a river, and near the intersection of two famously scenic roads. ( SC11 and US 276). You'll love the many attractions in and around Palmetto Cove. No matter what your interests, you'll love the beautiful scenery and easy parking. Rates are only $22.00 a night, and all sites have full hooks up . Most sites are open, with lots of lush, green grass underfoot. Wi-fi access is also available at most sites. You can make reservations at (864) 836-6221 Looking forward to seeing you at the South Carolina Rally in October 2015, Have safe travels and hope to see you out there. Ross and Carolyn Dover

Stock Quote ($) $9.91 BLBD : NASDAQ

Blue Bird is now a Public Company! Stock: BLBD.

Blue Bird offers a complete line of Type A, C and D school buses in a variety of options and configurations. Since

1927, Blue Bird Corporation has continued to set industry standards with its innovative design and manufacturing

capabilities. Additionally, Blue Bird provides comprehensive financial solutions through Blue Bird Capital Services.

Today, Blue Bird has more than 1,600 employees, Georgia-based manufacturing facilities and an extensive network

of Dealers and Parts & Service.

Wreck! By Glenda Wilson

This year we will celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary. We decided we would celebrate

every month - even if we just hold hands and walk to the mailbox together. We left home

Wednesday headed to Quartzite and made it to the first Meridian, Mississippi exit when the

front drivers tire blew out. The cruise was set at 65. We headed across I20 toward oncoming

traffic. The median was very muddy due to recent rain and stopped the coach. The same

coach that is still overweight in the front and has been responsible for accidents like this is

also the same coach with a great safety record that saved our lives!

We were not injured but have damage to the coach. Panels knocked loose at both rear tires,

air bags damaged, busted shock on drivers front, rod on leveling valve bent, fiberglass busted

across the front, had to remove generator "door" in front. We have at least 10 to 12 inches

deep in mud from front to rear under the coach. Not sure what we will find when we remove

the mud. We were towing our trailer but so far, no damage apparent to it.

The tire blew out on the inside, was less than 2 years old and had less than 7,000 miles. We

are still in Meridian waiting for front shock to come from Blue Bird in Ohio. We will then limp

back to Georgia.

To our friends at Quartzite, we are sorry we won't be with you but hope to see you at a rally

very soon.

Leroy & Glenda Wilson

To God be the Glory!

Great Things He Hath Done

Leroy mobile 423-593-0779

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