WBCCI Cleveland Unit

We had a fun and informative luncheon on Sunday, 15 November at “Mario Fazio’s” in Willoughby Hills, Ohio.  Pres. Tom Christopher lead us through the “Strategic Plan” developed with help from Joe Maxwell (2nd VP) and Tom Standing (1st VP) that lays out plans for 2009/2010 and beyond.  The goal to is re-vitalized the Cleveland Unit with at least 10 new members and an offering of activities that bring “Fun, Fellowship and Adventure” to the experience of WBCCI Membership.  Highlights include the “Spirit of Cleveland” urban camping experience rally in June and a Cedar Point Rally in July.  Sustainability for the WBCCI begins at the Unit level!

After a delicious lunch, we had a good, interactive conversation with Larry Huddle who has been with Airstream Inc. since 1979.  He described the financial condition of Airstream and its parent, Thor Industries, as “very good” considering the financial shocks of the last few years.  The balance sheet is strong and orders are returning with vigor.  The mix of styles is changing with the needs of the customers and the 34 footer and the Classic model have been eliminated.  (They say that all good things must end some day.)  Airstream sales are about 45% “Flying Cloud” and 30% “International”.  The company is positioning its iconic design as a way of accessing Adventure and is partnering with the National Park system as well as KOA to have “ruggedized” units for rent on site. Other moves include design collaborations with Victorinox (Swiss Army knife), Orvis, and Cabela’s.  Finally, Airstream is working with Camping World to establish repair site that might replicate the Jackson Center experience.

A total of 17 Airstreamers joined in the luncheon including 3 from the Akron Unit.

Submitted by Tom Standing

                                             Sept. 13-20, 2009

Our 10th Annual R & R Rally was held at West Branch State Park Campground near Ravenna, Ohio. We couldn’t have had nicer weather with plenty of  sunshine and NO rain! Activities were varied with boat rides provided by Ron Swan, several went on a 10-mile bike hike on the Mill Creek trail at Canfield, some chose fishing near us on the lake, while others participated in active games and table games.

In the evening, Jim McAfee set up his horse racing game with Gary Auman as our “bookie”. Such exciting cheering took place! Dot McAfee and Charley Pyles were in charge of an evening of bingo with our white elephants as prizes. Thanks to many generous Akron members sharing their backyard wood piles, our campfires were many and enjoyable.

Seventeen trailers made up the rally in the beautiful, newly renovated campground. Those attending from the Cleveland Unit were: Charles Pyles, Sandy and Bill Johnjulio, Joe and Mary Maxwell, Bill and Gerri Sagaser, and the McAfees. Bud and Conna Whitmore joined us for our potluck supper and Ron and Marion Paugh had pizza with us on Saturday.

We want to thank Tom and Suzee Losasso (Akron Unit) for being our wonderful co-chairmen and all those who helped in putting up and taking down our club’s 29′ x 15′ dining canopy. Tom’s canopy and their club’s equipment were great in allowing us to have a dining and food preparation area. On our final evening, many enjoyed watching the colorful Hot Air Balloon Lift-Off in Ravenna. What a fitting and peaceful ending to a fun-filled week!

                      Jim & Dot McAfee

(submitted by Tom Standing #7879)

Bill and Sandy Johnjulio hosted the 33^rd  Annual Rally for our Region In Lewisburg, West Virginia from 20-24 May.  There was a large turnout with 125 Airstreams attending.  The Cleveland Unit had a good representation with 28 members registered.  The weather really cooperated with warm and sunny days and the facilities of the West Virginia State Fairgrounds were excellent.  As 2^nd Vice President for the Cleveland Unit I got the honor of carrying the flag in the opening ceremony on Wednesday evening.  This wasn’t the original plan as I had asked Bud and Conna Whitmore to handle the flag for both opening and closing knowing that Terry and I would be leaving on Friday (for a Memorial Day weekend camping trip with my daughter and two grandchildren back in Ohio).  But fate intervened when Conna took an unplanned trip to the hospital just before the Rally and the Whitmores didn’t arrive in Lewisburg until Thursday.  Fortunately Conna’s problem was not serious but it did leave me begging for appropriate clothing for the ceremony.  So with borrowed white shirt, red tie, dark pants and signature beret collected from Ron Paugh, John Turner (JJ’s successor as Region IV President) and Karen Kurkowski (Region IV 1^st VP), I posted the Cleveland colors as required. 

The highlight of the various sightseeing trips available was undoubtedly the tour of the secret fallout shelter under the West Virginia Wing of the “Greenbrier” Hotel in White Sulfur Springs.  Built as a refuge for all members of Congress in the late 1950s, the underground facility had its cover blown in 1992 by a reporter who is now on the faculty at CWRU – a nice little Cleveland tie-in.  To add color to the visit, the grounds of the hotel were in full bloom with rhododendrons and azaleas.  While that tour had historic significance, nothing could beat the whitewater rafting trip on Friday down the fast-flowing New River gorge for excitement.  Kudos to Joe Peplinski from Metro Detroit Unit for arranging this experience which was taken up by 17 Airstreamers.  The water conditions were perfect and the 3 raft crews came through the Level I-Level IV rapids like champs!  Wally said we were supposed to have fun and we did with a capital F-U-N!

Since Theresa and I headed to Burr Oak State Park right after the rafting trip, I can only surmise that the Rally ended with the same uplifted spirits as it began and that all returned home safely.  I know that the Kurkowskis  made it at least as far as Jackson Center, Ohio on their way back to Michigan since I met Larry in the men’s room there the following Tuesday.  But that’s another story.

Region IV Rally next year in Wauseon Ohio!  See the Region Newsletter for more details.

 http://Region4.wbcci.net

August 19 Wednesday - August 23 Sunday  ~ Four Mile Creek State Campground, NY - Unit Buddy Rally ~ GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.  good fellowship, good food, fun times, business meeting with installation of new officers. Rebuilt tent was awesome….thanks Jim & Dot !!! Hosts Tom & Paula Christopher…and Megan too…………..many, many thanks from all the members of the Cleveland Unit for a wonderful rally that will be long remembered.  BEST OF LUCK to our new officers (click “Officers” on the right to see who they are!).                  

September 13 Sunday -  September 20 Sunday. ~  R & R Joint Rally with Akron Unit  with early parking starting Fri.       Dot & Jim McAfee 440 365 4233, winter: 941 639 0769,   jimdotmac@peoplepc.com   

15 November - Unit Luncheon, Mario Fazio’s Restaurant, Willoughby OH, 1PM - 3 PM  FEATURE - Airstream Chairman, Larry Huddle

13 December - Unit Luncheon, Quail Hollow Restaurant, Concord OH 12 PM - 2 PM FEATURE - Recognition

9 January - Unit Luncheon, Bucci’s Restaurant, Berea OH 12 PM-2 PM  FEATURE - RV Show