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President's Message
Herb Spies, President, Vintage Airstream Club 2008 - 2009
President's Message Summer/Fall 2008
I had the honor of being elected President of the VAC at this year's Bozeman Rally. But the best part was being sworn into office by Pee Wee Schwamborn. He is Wally's cousin who went on many of the famous caravans with Wally and is the son of Helen Schwamborn, who was instrumental in the running of WBCCI in the early years. Pee Wee was also one of the scouts for the 58/59 African trip. I can think of no one better to conduct the Vintage Airstream Officer Induction Ceremony. Thanks Pee Wee!
Your new VAC Officers for 2008/2009 are:
President – Herb Spies- Sidra and I have 3 Airstreams, all from the early 60s. One is restored and the other two are waiting.
1st VP – Scott Scheuermann – Scott was the VAC Membership Chairman for several years and has his grandfather's Airstream.
2nd VP = Rob Baker – Rob is an avid vintage Airstream collector and is one of the Pro's on the Vintage Airstream Podcast
3rd VP – Dallas Peak – Dallas also is a vintage Airstream collector and is an expert on the 70's models.
Secretary – Sidra Spies
Treasurer – Jim Cooper – Jim returns for another year. His thoughtful improvements to the way of handling the VAC treasury have been most appreciated.
Immediate Past President – Shari Davis
We had a large turnout for the VAC encampment at the International Rally. We had 84 units in the Parade and when we found our parking spot we were greeted by several move vintage units that had been parked earlier in the next rows. So VAC attendance was up even though overall attendance (9XX) was down this year. This year we had a good experience at the International Rally. There were no "issues" to be dealt with. All the WBCCI chairmen we were dependent on went out of their way to help us parade in, get parked and provide us with power, water and pump out service. The Sanitation Chairman, Ronnie Erb, needs special recognition. He "invented" a Dump Pump to help us get rid of wash water. He put a 250 gallon tank in the VAC area and installed this pump. You just pushed you blue boy up to the pump and connected the pump's hose to your blue boy and then tilted the blue boy up. The pump then automatically came on and sucked the blue boy dry. Really neat the way it worked.
Also the Region Presidents sponsored one of our Happy Hours. They brought all the goodies and spent several hours with us. They even brought a sheet caked with icing pictures from the VAC parade. Thanks go out to Region 7 President, Don Rogers for arranging this.
The International Rally is the only time the VAC officers meet and conduct VAC business. This year we spent most of the time discussing a draft set of description of the duties for each of the officers in the VAC. We felt it was time to put into writing what had become expected duties of each of the officers in the VAC. Since the officers change each year it doesn't take too long until all corporate memory is lost if it's not written down. These will be published during this year. Also we discussed the need for rewriting the VAC constitution and bylaws to bring them up to date and in conformance with WBCCI guidelines. This too will be published during the year and then submitted to the membership for approval at next year's membership meeting.
My goals for the year are to improve our relationships with all other Airstreamers, improve our Web Site, and to continue to promote HAVING FUN with our vintage treasures. I hope to see many of you at one of the Vintage events around the country. So go out and use your vintage trailer, make new friends, and as Wally said "SEE MORE, DO MORE and LIVE MORE in your Vintage Airstream.
Herb Spies
VAC President 2008-2009
Vintage Airstream Club
Shari Davis, President, Vintage Airstream Club 2007 - 2008
Winter/Spring 2008 Update
As I sit down to write this, near panic has set in…almost a year ago, my husband Rob & I purchased our second Airstream - a 1956 Safari. Now mind you, there is absolutely nothing wrong with our first trailer a '64 GlobeTrotter "Maxwell", it's polished and "done" (as much as any vintage trailer is ever done!) and we know all it's quirks and have enjoyed the times spent and friends met through it.
So, why a second trailer? Many "multi-trailer families" don't set out to be so…it just happens. We weren't actively looking for another Airstream either, but always thought the layout of the mid-50's front kitchen Safari was unique and very cool! We had only admired mid-50's model from afar in photos, never having seen one in real life. Once we did, at the WBCCI International Rally in Salem Oregon, we fell even more in love! It didn't hurt that the trailer we saw owned by Fred & Penny Delaney (VAC 2nd VP) was also awarded the VAC "Best in Show" during the Concourse d'Elegance. During happy hour, we casually mentioned to some friends that we would love to have one of those "someday". We liked the idea of going a little bigger and having full-time beds for those longer trips. Not to mention we love the layout of the front kitchen and who can resist those 13-panel end caps! But Safari's with that layout were made in relatively small numbers for only three years…so, chances of us finding one for sale within 5 miles of home were pretty slim? Wrong! Fast forward a year and a half later, a "little birdie" informed us of a diamond in the rough on Craig's. It followed us home.
The only thing is…the new trailer "needs a little work". As Fred Coldwell said when we first bought it, "It's a great solid trailer, in the floor plan you want...just waiting to be released from white paint jail. Go for it!" No problem, we've "been there, done that" before with a restoration - certainly we can do it again…right? Well, that was the beginning of the slippery slope!
In 2001, when we restored our first trailer, we were total "newbies" taking on all the projects for the first time - we had no idea what we were getting into and we didn't know any better. Sound familiar? If it weren't for all the support, experience and encouragement gained through our VAC friends, the demos at VAC Rallies and having "one restoration under our belt", we never would have jumped into this second project.
Things are progressing - but not nearly as fast as we would like. Do they ever? We have decided to make this our long-term "keeper trailer" by updating all the systems, adding black & gray tanks and "doing it right". So far, we have removed the entire interior - including 3 layers of flowered upholstery and the original latex foam, stripped all the white paint from the woodwork and the "seafoam green" faux-finishing from the interior walls. We've evicted the largest colony of yellow-jackets I have ever seen! Removed the floor - because there were a couple of soft spots, the tile needed to go anyway and we know "they all have floor rot & leaks" according to the VAP panel of pros. We've also taken out all the interior lower interior panels to get to the frame - just to make sure it's sound. I've lost count how many times we've said, "While we're at it, we might as well do
I bet you're thinking, "So what's the problem? Sounds like a typical DIY restoration to me...?" As we look out to our backyard-open-air-workshop along side the 2-car garage that's too-full-of-Airstream-parts-to-park-a-car-in, we see a trailer that is a skeleton of it's former self - a kit of parts waiting for the longer, warmer days of spring. It's still winter…highs barely above freezing - at least on the weekends it seems! So much for global warming!
So, why the panic? We have a deadline! We have committed to taking BOTH trailers to the International Rally in Bozeman. Since we now have two trailers…I invited my parents to come along. If it's not finished, the alternative is very scary…we'll all be staying in the 19-foot GlobeTrotter! What was I thinking??? Wish us luck…
Hope to see you in Bozeman ~ as for us, we'll be busy putting our "trailer kit" back together. How's your project coming along?
Shari Davis
President 2007-2008
Vintage Airstream Club
Shari Davis, President, Vintage Airstream Club 2007 - 2008
Fall 2007 Update
As I step into the role of VAC President this year, I find myself reflecting on where we have been, where we are and where we are headed as the largest Intra-Club of the WBCCI. As we all recognize, the WBCCI as a whole has been struggling a bit with it's identity the last couple of years and this has been reflected in some of the issues brought up for votes of the membership.
Meanwhile, the VAC has been constant in our focus, to enjoy the simplicity of friends around a campfire, sharing our experiences in our vintage homes-away-from-home. Whether it is how we finally found a long-discontinued part made from "unobtainium", our newest upgrade or the latest off the beaten path boondocking or vacation spot – I'd like to think that "this" is what Wally had in mind in the WBCCI's infancy.
"To encourage clubs and rallies that provide an endless source
of friendships, travel fun and personal expressions."
- Wally Byam's Creed
The heart of the VAC & WBCCI is in the local gatherings of friends with a common interest – the Airstream way of life. VAC Rallies are wonderful opportunities to get the word out to the community that we exist and to attract new members. Whether it is a retro-styled vintage rally or group parking within a larger WBCCI Regional Rally – gather together, get to know each other, develop or rekindle friendships and integrate into the local Units. I truly feel, as the VAC we have an opportunity to infect our local Units and Regions and spread this style of camaraderie – why should we have all the fun?
Many of us are fortunate to already be a part of thriving local Units & Regions, where young & old – both members & trailers – co-exist and share the WBCCI experience together. Others recently have chartered new Units that better meet their camping needs or are modeled after the looser VAC style of gatherings. Some choose only to participate in "VAC Rallies", in which case I feel they may be missing out the most, as these Intra-Club specific gatherings may only occur once a year in an area. I truly believe it is more than just the age of our Airstreams that binds us together and that every rally can be VAC Rally-like, if we make an effort to become involved. Some VAC members are already stepping up and volunteering to become more involved in the WBCCI leadership roles – which is a great start! Only through being involved can we affect change – if we aren't active in the local happenings, how can we expect to influence change?
Don't get me wrong...I LOVE the big vintage focused rallies and would love to see one held annually in every Region. To me they are a wonderful opportunity to focus on the special needs of our vintage Airstreams...but by limiting ourselves to these alone, are we cutting ourselves short of a greater experience? We need to integrate ourselves into every rally and local gathering and use these to keep our friendships and camaraderie growing throughout the year. As VAC members, working together, we can have a real impact on the club as a whole. With the great group of VAC Board Members, Committee Chairpersons and Regional Reps leading the way – we can only succeed!
I look forward to this upcoming year, as a year of continued growth and infectious enthusiasm for the history of the WBCCI and the VAC!
Shari Davis
President 2007-2008
Vintage Airstream Club
Ed Emerick , President, Vintage Airstream Club 2006 - 2007
Summer 2007 Update
Hello All,
I can't believe that the year is gone and this will be my last President's Message to the Vintage Airstream Club. I want you to know that when I am asked "How did you end up as VAC President?" and I respond with "I was standing in one place too long!" that I am truly honored that I am now part of a very distinctive group of WBCCI/VAC members, a soon to be Past VAC President.
When I joined the club in 1998 and attended my first Vintage gathering in 1999, the Pre-Rally in Springfield, OH I was in awe of the VAC members I had read about and now had a chance to meet. I was amazed at the VAC parade into the International and attended every VAC sponsored seminar and event, I just wanted to be a part of the VAC. I remember working hard at polishing my 1961 Trade Wind according to the directions of the Vintage Airstream restoration guru Bud Cooper, I had read everything I could get my hands on about the subject. All in all the gathering in Dayton, OH made me want to become more involved in Airstream restoration, that rally still brings back great memories. Just as a side note, I still have a photo of my two girls sitting inside Bud and Betty Cooper's trailer; this is still one of my most favorite rally photos I have. It is the "New Breed" sitting in Airstream tradition, I just hope my girls appreciate the history that photo will represent when they go out on their own in Airstreams I restored for them.
This tradition is why I ended up as VAC President and more importantly a active member in the WBCCI and the VAC. I like this club, its people, AND the product. I wanted to offer my limited talents to help the club grow and in some way entice others to also become involved, I think I have had some success that this.
If I could offer some advice to the newer members of the VAC, those who are scratching their heads asking "Who in the heck are Bud and Betty Cooper?" it would be to get involved! Don't worry that your trailer isn't polished, that it's not original, that you have never been to a rally or you don't know anyone in the club, come out and join us. You will be welcome, you can ask any question of us and not made to feel like you just asked the dumbest question in the world (believe me I have asked many and will ask many more in the future!), me and the VAC are just asking you to be involved at some level. What I am trying to say is we all started out not knowing a damn thing about these trailers and learned as we went. I remember when Sandy and I brought home our first Airstream, we went to light the stove with no idea what to do. With me on the inside with a match (and a very good insurance policy) and Sandy outside with a fire extinguisher we lit our first stove without killing me, this in our eyes was a major accomplishment. We all start some place some how. What I like most about the VAC and its membership is that we are willing to share our adventures, our time and most of all our Vintage Airstream Club way of thinking, this will help many members light their first stove in the future.
I am amazed today that my name will be added to this list of very impressive past Presidents that have donated their time to make this club what it is today. I want to thank Bud Cooper, Clyde Wagner, Forest Bone, Tom Reed, Don Perry, Noland Vogt, Rick Davis, Tom Howarth, Wayne Moore and all the others who have come before me blazing the Vintage Airstream Club trail, your efforts made my job easier this year.
There is many other VAC members that also helped me make the year enjoyable that the club should recognized. Our Membership Chair Scott Scheuermann as spent YEARS refining our membership process, he also has put up with my ranting about a number of issues that he did not deserve to hear. Scott deserves big thanks from the VAC for all his efforts and his commitment to the club, next time you see him down the road tell him so. Also Scott and Lise were the first VAC members that Sandy and I met, what a great introduction to the club, thanks Scott for all your help.
For all of us who have enjoyed the Vintage Advantage this year we need to thank Forrest McClure for all his efforts. He and his family have had a tough year, but he has still managed to put out the promised 4 issues a year. Forrest I don't think that I could have done it, you are the man!
To all the other Chairs, thanks to Herb Spies for taking on the Concourse, those in Perry, GA will see the fruits of your efforts. Kevin Garrett blazed a very big trail while relocating half the way across the country to set up our merchandise as VAC Quartermaster. Kevin has now stepped down and our newest Chair has stepped up to continue what Kevin set up, Bill Kerfoot will now move this effort forward, thanks Kevin and Bill. I have abused the VAC webmaster a bit this year but again another Chair steps up to the plate and does a great job, Toby Folwick has worked hard to meet everyone's demands. Bob Herman has made sure this year that the VAC's activities are part of the Blue Beret, this is the first time in a long time the VAC has had a constant column in the BB, thanks Bob. Our Historian Fred Coldwell has again shared his knowledge with the club and offered at times his perspective on how the club could change for the better, while he and I may not always see eye to eye I thank him for his insight, it did keep me grounded.
The VAC Board is in great shape, we have all positions filled at this time with members who are very dedicated to the cause. I can't say enough nice things about this group, from Sidra Spies who had to work too hard keeping me in line at meetings and within the protocol needed to ex-Treasure Kathy Green for working hard to transfer her duties to our new Treasure Jim Cooper, thanks Jim for taking on this challenging position. Shari Davis will become your new VAC President this year, and she has been my saving grace, the person I could bounce ideas off of and at times complain to (putting that comment as nicely as I could!) she will be a great VAC President. Your support of her efforts will strengthen the club and I'm glad she has a year to clean up the mess I am leaving behind!
To the VAC membership, thanks for letting me be a part of your club, I have had a blast this year. Without your support and kind words I would have been miserable at times, thanks for your support just when it was needed.
Until the next time I see you down the road, remember, yes it is about the people but more importantly it's the PRODUCT that has brought us together in the first place.
Ed Emerick
President 2006-2007
Vintage Airstream Club
Ed Emerick , President, Vintage Airstream Club 2006 - 2007
Winter 2006 - 2007 Update
Happy Holidays to all of you Vintage Airstream enthusiasts! Sandy, our girls and I wish you a happy, healthy and safe New Year. I have to say 2006 has been a good year for the VAC and I can't wait to see what 2007 will bring. I hope all of you continue to be involved and help make this a great club.
In 2006 we had many new WBCCI members also become VAC members, some by letting their coaches age into the club and some by finding the "right" vintage Airstream to purchase. The later was the avenue that one of my WBCCI friends decided to take. For the sake of protecting the innocent I'll call this friend "Bob"!
Bob has purchased a number of newer Airstreams in the past. To be honest, there are times I would like to have a newer 30-foot with a rear queen bed that needs nothing repaired. But I just can't part with my '68. Bob is a WBCCI member and has toured many vintage trailers at the different VAC open houses. After awhile he caught the fever and had to find one for himself. I'm sure many of you have received the same call that I did, it went something like this: "Where do I find a vintage Airstream?" To which I often respond, "Check out the VAC web site classifieds, e-Bay, Airstream dealers listed in the Blue Beret, or even put a want ad in your local newspaper." Bob has never had to repair his other Airstreams but said he was looking for a fixer upper. He hoped to find one that would only need a good cleaning.
A few weeks later, Bob called, saying he found his dream vintage Airstream. The seller told him it only needed a couple of new tires and wheel bearings repacked. Otherwise it was ready to be towed and all the inside needed was a good cleaning as everything worked when he last parked it. The seller forgot to mention that it had been parked eight years. I warned Bob that it might be a "money pit," but he didn't agree and purchased the trailer anyway. I went with him to rescue this poor old trailer. Bob had expectations that he would be able to take his first trip with it the next weekend. He was being too optimistic.
We packed for a quick trip to southern Wisconsin where the 1967 Sovereign had been used only as a deer camp. I should have known what was to come. My 1959 had been used as a fishing camp in South Dakota. Four years of restoration, five pints of blood, hundreds of hours of work and thousands of dollars invested were needed to get it back on the road. I admit I didn't share that fact with Bob. The look of pure joy on his face stopped me dead in my tracks.
A quick inspection of the trailer told me we should have brought a pump and chain saw along. The tires were almost flat from having sat in the same spot for so long and it took all of our driving skills just to get around the trees that had grown up around it. The seller said getting it out wouldn't be a problem - he pulled it in, it should come out!
We wiggled the truck up to the trailer only to discover the ball on the hitch was the wrong size and the power cord was reduced to a four-prong, which left us without lights or brakes. There were no stirrups for the spring bars, but since the trailer was supposed to be empty I thought it would be okay to tow without them. Further inspection revealed the old trailer had been turned into a sort of cottage with wheels. Electricity was hard wired and water hard plumbed to external sources. I didn't ask about the sewer! After cutting the lines and changing the ball we hooked up and were ready to find our way out of that forested retreat. The whole time, I prayed, "please, get me out of this scene from Deliverance."
Success came in small ways. I didn't hit any trees on the way out, but once on a paved road I noticed it pulled like five tons. I decided it would be a good idea to look in the cabinets to see why it was so heavy.
We discovered canned goods hunters had saved over the years. There was stuff in every nook and cranny - Spam, beans and wieners, cases of old beer, pots and pans, fire wood - we could have opened our own roadside market! After off loading all that extra merchandise we made a run for the remaining daylight and backed Bob's "Prize" into his driveway for the night. He could hardly wait for the next day's adventure of checking out the systems. As for me, I went home and turned off my telephone. I didn't want to hear the results.
But it came anyway at six a.m. the next morning. A call from Bob, "Come on over, I'll buy breakfast and we can see how much needs to be fixed, I want to take it out next weekend." I like free breakfasts, I like Airstreams, and most of all I like to watch when someone starts a major restoration. I jumped out of bed and was out the door with camera and toolbox in hand thinking, "this should be good!"
Needless to say, that old coach did not make its first weekend maiden voyage as Bob planned. As a matter of fact, Bob spent five weekends just making the trailer roadworthy. It started with new Goodyear Marathons, new wheel bearings, a new power cord and a couple of clearance lights. Then the real fun began. Bob's wife said she wouldn't go anywhere in that "thing" until the mildewed carpet was replaced and real curtains installed. This led to an interior renovation that included repairing and installing new floor to replace the rot at the rear of the coach and around the main door. A three weekend cleaning spree was followed with couch covers and new curtains. Bob chased water leaks for weeks, and I began to think that if he said one more time "Do you see the leak yet?" I would go crazy. After 10 tubes of Vulkem, he only has 2 more leaks to find. He replaced the Armstrong air conditioner after one rainy night when it dripped water onto the head of his lovely wife at 2 a.m.! I continue to get phone calls regarding popped rivets; the door falling off; a weird buzzing noise; and why did the battery go dry? Bob reports that the rear window fell out, water is running out from under the front couch and bed, and what the heck is that black stuff coming out of the sink? On and on it goes with equipment failures while his 2003 Airstream sits idle in his yard. He is determined to fight the vintage Airstream battle. By now Bob has a couple of hundred hours of repair time and thousands of dollars sunk into his '67, and has a number of interesting scars, but he surely loves that old trailer.
I've been asked a million times, "Why do this?" and my answer is the same as Bob's, "It's the people!" He discovered the fraternity/sorority of the VAC members in his quest for information on how to put his vintage trailer back together. This group of people has offered their knowledge, experience and time. He's made many new friends by saving his trailer from being parked forever in Deliverance. Bob has attended a number of VAC sponsored events including the parade and parking at International. He's said to me more than once that he found a whole new way to look at the WBCCI and Airstreaming than what he first saw with his newer trailer.
You see Bob and his wife were WBCCI members for many years and they have enjoyed the club's offerings. But with the addition of their vintage trailer they have expanded their enjoyment through the benefits of the VAC. As with most of us in the VAC, they have learned there is more to the club than meetings, rules and protocol. There is a group of us that want to talk about restoration and history and not get sidetracked with club rules and regulations. Bob's vintage purchase and involvement with the VAC helped renew his involvement and improve his outlook.
You have the chance to help all the other "Bobs" out there do the same. In doing so we'll see more vintage rigs on the road and more "Bobs" down the road. Until next issue, I'll keep my rivet shaver tool ready for his next repair and hope he calls in time for breakfast!
Ed Emerick
President 2006-2007
Vintage Airstream Club
Ed Emerick , President, Vintage Airstream Club 2006 - 2007
Summer/Fall 2006 Update
Hello All!
I'm excited to start the 2006-2007 year as your President, there is a lot going on that will keep us all busy. The first thing I had to do was recover from attending the International rally in Salem; I don't think I sat down the whole week! There were many things to do at the rally site as well as the surrounding area, a lot of time was spent planning for the future of the Vintage Airstream Club, I think that I will focus on that in this message.
First I want to thank VAC Immediate Past President Wayne Moore for all his efforts and time he spent building this club. Wayne has a vision for the VAC and he has worked hard during the past year to improve a number of areas. Wayne was instrumental in working with Airstream on the new VAC logo, he and Linda have supported the publication of the Vintage Advantage and he has always supported club's growth and freedom from the norm. I would like to think that his ideas will be carried into my term and I hope to continue improving this club the way he did.
We have a new Vintage Advantage Editor; Forrest Mc Clure. He will be assisted by Airstream Life's Rich Luhr and these two volunteers will continue to publish a quality newsletter that we came to expect from Bryan Burkhart. I think that all of us owe Bryan a great deal of thanks for the time and effort he put into the Vintage Advantage. I believe he served the club for the past 7 years or so. Bryan's publication provided me hours of enjoyable reading that helped me understand Airstream history, the intricacies of restoring that product and most of all, sharing the stories about the use of a vintage Airstream, which is what this club is all about. Again, thank you Bryan for all you have done to help the Vintage Airstream Club. I think you will notice that the "New" Vintage Advantage will have a lot of Bryan Burkhart in it today but with a little "edge" that Forrest and Rich will bring to the table.
I think that most of us will agree that our parent club, the WBCCI is going through some changes most of which are dealing with the decline in membership. The VAC is holding its own with active growth noted at the Unit levels and steady numbers of Vintage activity nation wide. In other words the VAC members are active in the club and are going to impact the makeup of the WBCCI in the very near future. What I think is interesting is most of us VACer's have a very different outlook on how we fit into the WBCCI and its activities than that of a non-VAC WBCCI member. We seem to be a threat to the old school ways of doing things; we look for the fun and not the pomp and circumstance that are a large part of the WBCCI. A typical VAC sponsored event focuses on the use of the Airstream product and sharing information to help us keep these old coaches on the road. We want to take our limited time off from our jobs and see the country, talk of our adventures and expand our horizons learning new things. We are not interested in meetings, rules, and policing the membership to make sure everyone is in line, we welcome everyone to share our time and experience. In short this is not the only thing in our lives but a part of our lives, a hobby that we fight for time from our "real life" to enjoy.
When the VAC Board had a chance to meet with the WBCCI board at the International Rally this year in Salem, these differences became even more apparent. I will not bore the VAC membership with the details of that meeting(s) here but it is very clear that the two groups are very different in how to approach the future. The WBCCI Board stressed control, club liability, the Blue Book, flying the right flags, approval of activities, and attendance at meetings, they were generally combative. The VAC Board on the other hand expressed a desire to comply with the limited Inter-club rules outlined in the Blue Book, autonomy while not exposing the WBCCI to undue risk, having fun and stressing to the Board that we are on vacation and this is not a major part of our lifestyle.(at least for most of us, not yet!) For the VAC to continue to grow and our events to be enjoyable for our members we need to continue to look for ways to support the VAC member. I don't think focusing on rules and regulations are going to do that, nor do I think that mindset will increase WBCCI membership in the future. I am asking all VAC members to travel on a caravan, host a rally, meet new people, enjoy the club and most of all HAVE FUN! These basic "rules" will help keep our club strong and growing. We can't forget that Vintage Airstreaming is a state of mind, and I think the current Airstream, Inc's marketing line of "SEE MORE. DO MORE. LIVE MORE." truly expresses the Vintage Airstream Club's outlook.
Until next time, I'll be working at my real job, raising my kids, paying bills, restoring my vintage Airstreams and in my spare time, seeing you down the road.
Ed Emerick
President 2006-2007
Vintage Airstream Club
Wayne Moore , President, Vintage Airstream Club 2005 - 2006
Summer 2006 Update
Hi Gang,
Long distance traveling in your Vintage trailer can be a challenge at times. Always keep a ready supply of tools and repair items with you and think Safety First. In my last message, I gave a step by step description of winterizing a trailer. That story ended with the exclamation, "Now we can just sit back and wait for spring with the confidence that as soon as the snow is gone, we'll be "streamin" down the road to our next adventure!"
Well, we couldn't wait for Spring. In the closing days of February, the snow and cold had the northeast in its frosty grip, so we hit the road and headed to Daytona Beach Florida for the annual clash of motorcycle maniacs and the local populace of this destination resort community. With our bike strapped tightly into the bed of our Dodge pickup and our 24 foot "Stream" trailing behind us, we were on our way.
Traveling at night to avoid a major winter storm, we made our way down the east coast to southern New Jersey in about 7 hours. The following day we had planned to be in Georgia for our next stopover. Late that afternoon we were making a pit stop on I-95, when a passerby noted we had something dragging beneath the trailer. I got out thinking a piece of cardboard was stuck under the "A" frame, but when I went back to check, to my dismay, the whole front of the trailer belly pan was dragging and the front 3 inches was grated away. Well with that bad news we also received a gift, considering it was a balmy 70 degrees and clear skies, it turned out to be a good day to work on the trailer. A temporary repair to hold it up, and a stop at the Fayetteville, NC Home Depot, had us repaired and back on the road in about 2 hours. As luck would have it, a call from our friends the Jones', revealed that they were on their way north staying at the world famous "South of the Border" Shops, Campground and Amusement Center about 60 miles south of us, just off I-95 on the Border of North and South Carolina. So we decided to cut our journey short for the day for a little relaxation, refreshment and socializing after a long day behind the wheel.
After nearly 6 years of Vintage Airstreaming, what we have come to realize is that it's nearly impossible, no matter where or when we travel, to avoid some kind of emergency road repair. My advice is to keep a well stocked tool box and an assortment of repair materials. Duct tape, stainless screws, baling wire, a small roll of aluminum roof flashing, some pop-rivets, a rivet gun, portable drill and bits. I'm sure you all have had your own horror stories so, if you would like to add to this list, just email me and we'll put out a "VAC emergency road repair kit list"!
Since my last message, the request for an Airstream Life Magazine Subscription Manager has been filled. VAC member David Morrison dave@dwmorrison.com has accepted the position and is working with our Membership Director Scott Scheuermann. David is taking orders for this quarterly publication. VAC Members will get the magazine for $15/ year. There is only one catch!! We need to make bulk payment for these subscriptions. So, we need to process member subscriptions in batches to meet a quarterly deadline. This means your first issue could take up to 3 months to be delivered.
Do not let this deter you, Thanks to David, Scott and ALM Editor Rich Luhr, we will soon receive the benefits of this great magazine. Look for a subscription order in this issue. Please order your subscription today!
Last issue, I asked for a volunteer to be the new VAC Quartermaster. I'm happy to report, we have had a tremendous interest in this position, so much so, we have decided it would be best to have a network of folks working with the Quartermaster to take orders and get the items out to the membership at all VAC attended events. The Quartermaster will be responsible for coordinating sales between all the folks in the QM Network, Airstream and their authorized suppliers. So again, if you have a desire to become more involved in the club and want to ensure your region can receive this great benefit, please email me wam52@prodigy.net or our new Quartermaster Kevin Garrett kgarrett@new.rr.com and become be part of the QM Network.
Salem, Oregon, is the home of the 49th International Rally. As of this writing, the annual VAC Wagon Wheels Caravan has been cancelled. Steve Laxton and his wife Elaine spent months of planning a winding trip through the northwest countryside, but to no avail. Only a handful of members responded, making the caravan high cost per member financially unattractive to most members. However, the VAC will be at International in force with large contingents from the Midwest and California. This year Ed Emerick VAC 1st VP will coordinate the pre-rally parking and parade (details are posted in this issue and on the website).
It is my understanding that there will be 30 and 3 amp parking again this year so you will need to keep that in mind when pre-registering. A "VAC Rendezvous" sponsored by the California units will be at Sisters, Oregon, and is being planned for 4 days preceding the International Rally. Bob Stephan of the El Camino Real Unit will be the wagon master. The Rendezvous will be held from Thursday June 22 through Sunday the 25th.
They will caravan down to Salem on Sunday the 25th or Monday, the 26th to a staging area with other VAC members - including those coming in from the Region 7 and Region 11 Caravans. From there, a parade of Airstreams will converge on the International Rally site - with flags flying - to park in two groups at the site.
An 8:00 AM departure is planned to meet a 10:00AM arrival and parking time at the Rally Bullpen. The International is scheduled to run from the 28th through July 4th. Again, arrival and parking details will be available this issue and on the VAC website. For more details on the California Rendezvous contact Herb Richter by email at superquake@cox.net By now you should have received three editions of the VA, since the 2005 International. I would like to acknowledge the great job the team has done getting these out. If time allows we will try to get a late spring edition out. Many thanks to Bryan and Linda for expediting this issue of the VA to your doorstep.
As always, I like to put in a pitch for volunteers, we need your support. If you have any desire to work in any of the areas I've mentioned or are interested in becoming a VAC Region Rep/Assistant, help us work towards a better Vintage Club and volunteer some time, please email any of the current volunteers or officers, their email address's are listed in the front of VA.
I think I would be remiss if I didn't encourage you all to discuss the proposed name change with other members of your unit before International and be sure your delegate is voting your units majority position. I have my own opinion regarding the name change and the delegates vote at the business meeting in Salem, Oregon but I feel it is inappropriate to use this forum to express my personal views. They will vote by unit block to accept or decline the proposed change from the "Wally Byam Caravan Club International" to the "Airstream Owners Association International". It is your club, so please find out the pros and cons and let your vote be heard.
Thanks!
See Ya Down the Road!
Wayne A. Moore (WAM)
President 2005-06
Vintage Airstream Club
VAC/WBCCI 1511
Wayne Moore , President, Vintage Airstream Club 2005 - 2006
Fall 2005 Update
Greetings VACers,
Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that I became 3rd VP and here it is 2005 already. As I enter the year to serve the VAC Membership as President, there is much to report and to look forward to. This issue will concentrate on the events of the rally at Springfield, Missouri.
The International Rally has always been the beginning of our new year because it is where elections take place. This year's International was no different from any other when it comes to the weather. It was just plain HOT and steamy! It was however, different this year for about 40 of the VAC members that chose to have 30 amp Electric Service, which was available to anyone for an additional fee and pre-registration. Those AC units were kept humming away all week long. Those of us with older trailers or no AC, parked together in the 3 amp area about a half mile away, where some industrious members got the idea to put up portable wading pools and create quite a sensation for all the "kids" in the area.
Prior to the beginning of International, Past President Bob and First Lady Bonnie Herman ran the Wagon Wheels Caravan from St Louis to Springfield. A detailed account of this is included in this or in the next issue of the VA. The Caravan traditionally ends the night before the scheduled VAC Parade enters International. Members wishing to arrive and park together at International gathered at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds for the final 7 mile leg to the entrance of the rally site. From there we paraded through the site of the nearly 1200 trailers that were in attendance with flags flying and metal gleaming. Once we settled in, it was down to the business of greeting, visiting, exploring, seminars, business meetings, open house, concours, and awards ceremony.
The 2005 Board Meeting met with some real challenges and decisions. The major issue for the VAC this year was how to effect a positive change to correct the frequency and timeliness of the production of our Vintage Advantage Newsletter. A study was commissioned late in 2004 and during International 2005 we were presented with options on the production of our newsletter by Airstream Life Magazine. After some debate and communications with our present editor it was decided that he be retained and to avoid a conflict of interest the VAC and ALM have decided collectively not to exercise Airstream Life Magazine's proposal of publishing services at this time. We will however seek alternative printing and mailing services that meet our criteria for both cost and schedule in the distribution of the present format Vintage Advantage. To assist the editor Bryan Burkhart, in getting our newsletter to your doorstep, Linda Moore has volunteered to chair the new newsletter committee, they will be responsible for gathering articles and pictures for future publication. We will continue to evaluate effective alternatives of communication to best serve the goals of both the Board and the Membership.
The Membership meeting was highlighted by the election of Officers for 2005. The following slate was presented and voted by the members in attendance: President – Wayne Moore, 1st Vice President – Ed Emerick, 2nd Vice President – Shari Davis, 3rd Vice President – Herb Spies, Treasurer - Kathy Green, Recording Secretary – Bonnie Herman, and Past President – Robert Herman. The ceremony was performed by longtime VAC friend and supporter, Norm Hewer.
Our Webmaster Toby Folwick reports that we are testing a new VAC web site which will include a members-only section for online pay by credit card Membership and an online directory of members. Plans are to go live in the very near future. Another issue the Board has been working is the creation of an online store for VAC merchandise. After nearly 2 years of negotiations with Airstream we finally have an agreement to joint market VAC Logo merchandise. Items will be developed with Airstream's marketing department. In order to have a cost effective logo, a redesign of our present logo is underway and should be unveiled shortly. Our present Quartermaster has resigned, so we are searching for a new one, that person will be responsible for order control through Airstream and its suppliers. If you are interested please contact Shari Davis our 2nd VP maxwell@insideout-design.net
As always the high point of International was our open house and concours. It was a huge success and many fine trailers were in attendance. Our Concours Steward, Hunt Jones, has taken the process of judging and awards to new heights of objectivity and fun. He will be missed in this capacity as he steps down after two years of hard work. Steve Laxton has volunteered to become the new steward for 2006, as he lives in Oregon, the site of next years Salem International Rally. This year a trio of judges took nearly 5 hours to complete the judging of all those who wished to participate. I was a judge this year as was last year's concours winner Paul Fancy and 1st VP Ed Emerick. A detailed account is included in this issue.
A lot of notable things happened this year and I would like to thank all who came and especially all those who came and involved themselves in the business of making everyone else's time there fun and memorable. A special thanks to our Seminar Speakers Fred Coldwell and Don Grayson for bringing a bit more knowledge to those in attendance, and to Past President, Bob Herman, for all his efforts in his year as President. By Friday Lin and I had a full week and were ready for some rest and relaxation. We left shortly after the concours awards were presented, with our neighbors from NJ, Hunt and Sue Jones, for the first leg of our 1500 mile journey back to east.
See Ya, Down the Road
WAM