WBCCI Cleveland Unit

There was a lot doin’ down in Gallia County from 15-18 September as members of the Cleveland Unit and two affiliates camped out at the Bob Evans Farm campground in Rio Grande, Ohio.  We were immersed in farm life on Friday with a visit to the Laurel Valley Creamery run by Cleleste and Nick Nolan reminded us that such a lifestyle makes for a long, long day…especially with 4 young children.  After a Bob Evans lunch we got a look at where it all started…a tour of the Farm itself with the Farm Manager showing us around from the back of a hay wagon.  On Saturday we sampled small river town life on the banks of the Ohio River in Gallipolis.  A walking tour of town led by the Visitors’ Bureau Director, Bob Hood, a 50s style lunch at a parkside cafe and a visit to the 1819 “Our House” tavern let us peak back at an earlier time in Ohio.  The weather cooperated and the facilities at the campground were excellent.  Now the PawPaw Festival….that’s another story.

Nine RVs lined up for a great rally at Four Mile Creek State Park near Youngstown NY at the mouth of the Niagara River.  Folks generally set their own schedule for each day after the usual great breakfast prepared by Paula Christopher and her helpers.  Tom and JJ fetched the great donuts from Camillo’s in Lewiston each morning and then we headed off to the Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, some wineries, the Carrousel Museum (among others).  Members attending were Christophers (hosts), Standings, Maxwells, Johnjulios, Maties, Jenkinses, and first-timers, Tom and Kay Vishnia.  We also had two buddy RVs to enjoy the fun.  Adding to the enthusiasm were four teenagers and two grandchildren.

The next rally is a joint one with Akron at Maxwell’s 100 acre wood in W. Springfield PA, right on Lake Erie and the Ohio border.  The dates are 18-22 August but you are welcome to come and depart at any time.  Contact Joe and Mary Maxwell for details.

A new National Rally had its inaugural on the North Coast as the “Spirit of Cleveland” event was unveiled on June 8 through June 12 at Burke Lakefront Airport.  The facility’s large parking lot allowed 84 WBCCI Units to snuggle up to each other and the terminal building housed the “chow hall”, a store for Sirpilla RV to refresh camping supplies and a “Wally’s Pub” for socializing.  A set of exciting tours were on tap for 180 plus attendees from over 25 different local units.  The sight of these Silver Bullets along the Shoreway drew media attention from local and national news outlets.  Co-Chairmen Tom Christopher and Bill Johnjulio were cited by Unit President Tom Standing for their vision and implementation skills.  “This will become an exciting annual rally thanks to their energy and that of their spouses, Paula Christopher and Theresa Standing, who handled tours and meals.”  Scheduling the rally between Alumapalooza (hosted by “Airstream Life” magazine in Jackson Center, OH) and the International Rally makes it a great destination for members touring between Memorial Day and Independence Day.  As the rigs moved on it was clear that a new gem had been added to WBCCI’s treasure chest of wonderful adventures.    

Thanks to the hard work of Marion Paugh we have a paper directory you can easily carry with you or reference when needed.  This is a good supplement to the electronic copy distributed by Tom Christopher as Membership Chair.  I urge everyone to review the directory and report any errors or — especially — changes to the information as it occurs.  Let Marion know of any changes for the directory at  liberty262@aol.com   .   If for some reason you haven’t received your directory in the mail, please let Marion know.  Again, thanks Marion.

Come join us at the Cleveland Unit’s first Urban Rally to be held at the beautiful Burke Lakefront Airport located on banks of Lake Erie, June 8^th through June 12^th, 2011. For those of you traveling from the North, East, or South please consider joining us for a fun filled 4 days on your way to the International to be held in Du Quoin, Illinois.

The rally fee will be $100.00 for two in a trailer and only $75.00 for singles. Three breakfasts, three catered dinners,(one will be a dinner cruise on the Goodtime II) and parking for 4 nights will be included in the rally fee!

There will be tour of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; The Cleveland Browns Stadium; The Science Center; Lolly the Trolley City of Cleveland Tour and many other exciting places in  Downtown Cleveland.

There will be other activities for folks to do on their own during the day ie: Fishing, Helicopter Rides, Fixed Wing Tours, boating, and many others. There will be 24/7 security in a gated parking area.

We will limit the Rally to the first 100 Units so make reservations asap by contacting Tom Christopher or Bill (JJ) Johnjulio Co-Chairman, at (Tom) 440-953-9559 or (Bill) 216-533-1752 or watch for the coupon in the Blue Beret. Don’t hesitate to make your reservation now, as we can only accept 100 Units this first year. We promise you a fun filled Rally. (see www.cleveland.wbcci.net)

The WBCCI is all about Fun, Fellowship and Adventure.  Part of the “fellowship” mission is building the community of Airstream owners so that they can share their excitement about their “silver twinkies”.  The Facebook social networking site is ideal for this purpose as it adds real time spontaneity to our communications.  Keep in touch with fellow Airstreamers and our activities by becoming a member of this Facebook Group centered about the Cleveland Unit of WBCCI!  Go to the “links” area and click on the Facebook connection.