Region 7

Dear Fellow WBCCI Member,

After this year’s Mid Winter International Board of Trustees (IBT) meeting, I am as distressed over the future of the club as much as I was before this meeting. The reason for this distress is that I feel that the actions of your IBT have not helped improve the financial status of the club, but actually hurt it through the motions passed this weekend. The club experienced a $44,201.81 financial loss as stated in the last year’s club P & L statement and that does not include the $100,000 plus loss resulting from the Madison, WI International Rally. This year’s budget was approved by the IBT in July of 2009 and included an $81,000 deficit.

At this year’s Mid Winter IBT meeting, they cut the fixed travel expenses of the IBT and Regional officers by about $9,800 or around 25%, still leaving the club far short of a balanced budget. (This reduction does not affect their travel expenses to and from IBT meetings and international pre-rally travel.)  The IBT’s only other attempts to make up the budget deficit were to, one, award a budget increase of over $15,000 to market the club and they are gambling on an unknown return. And two, they then passed a motion to increase your dues by $10 a year. The IBT of the WBCCI feels that these actions are justified and will balance the budget!

Since this is a “Done Deal”, I am asking for your help in requesting your leadership to reduce their travel costs billed to the WBCCI. Until it is proven that the budget is balanced I am asking the IBT and all Region Officers to not travel at the club’s cost. If this group feels they must travel, that they not ask for reimbursement and instead search for economical ways to communicate such as web casts, forums, teleconferences or virtual meetings.

As a club, we must cut all costs and this includes the standard of travel accepted and expected by our officers.  This must start with all of our officers tightening their belts and reducing this cost.  Last year your club reimbursed the leadership for their travel over $131,000! 

So with the above stated, I am asking our club’s leadership: Do not ask for travel reimbursement, travel only when necessary and always be mindful of the impact you have on the club’s P&L when you do travel on club business. I am also challenging you (IBT Leaders), that if you feel you cannot travel on your own dime or are unwilling to do so, that you resign your position, step aside and allow those who are willing to help the club recover take on those responsibilities.

WBCCI membership: Do you want to help? Are you willing to step in and not ask to be reimbursed to pursue your hobby? Are you willing to explore today’s readily available technology and make our club a vibrant and solvent entity for years to come?  If so, step up and ask your leadership to cut costs and ask for no travel reimbursement!

Ed & Sandy Emerick

WBCCI # 4425

Hey Region 7 members,At the mid Winter IBT there will be a vote taken on a dues increase. I am asking you to contact our Region officers and tell them to vote “NO” on the dues increase. The club needs to cut all costs before they increase the dues, don’t let this happen.Ed EmerickPast President - Wisconsin UnitPast President - Vintage Airstream Club

Region 7 Rally
Saddle Up to Medora
August 2–9, 2010
Medora, North Dakota

The Rally flier is available here.   region7_2010_medora_rally_form.pdf

The Region 7 Fall 2009 Newsletter is posted here. Use the Newsletters tab at the right to access prior newsletters or access the current issue here.

region7-fall-2009.pdf

Saddle Up to Medora

Medora, North Dakota, a premier family entertainment destination, is the site of the 2010 Region 7 rally. Medora offers spectacular scenery and dozens of indoor and outdoor activities to make your visit a modern “Old West” experience. Rally dates are August 2–9, 2010.

Savor a delicious New York Strip steak prepared pitchfork fondue style while viewing the picturesque Badlands from atop a bluff at the Tjaden Terrace. Steaks come with all the fixin’s.

After dinner, enjoy the high-energy, western Medora Musical, which is presented in the outdoor splendor of the North Dakota Badlands in the 2,852 seat, Burning Hills Amphitheatre. This musical is proudly dedicated to the legacy of America’s 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, and his time spent in the North Dakota Badlands. The musical is professionally produced, family entertainment and always showcases American patriotism. Along with comedy and nationally known variety acts, the show combines exciting song and dance routines accompanied by professional singers and an on-stage band. An extravaganza that features fireworks, horses, and outstanding professional entertainment, the Medora Musical is fun for the whole family!

Medora is the gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the North Dakota Badlands. Enjoy the breathtaking vistas in the savagely beautiful North Dakota Badlands. View bison, prairie dogs, wild horses, mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and several species of birds in the 110 square mile park. Travel through the park to the site of President Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch and stop for a picnic lunch. Depending upon the depth of water in the Little Missouri River, we may drive through the river to the ranch site with our own four-wheel drive vehicles.

Explore the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, an interpretive $4 million facility which displays the history of Native Americans, ranching, rodeo and the western lifestyle of the north plains horse culture and the Badlands.

Tour the Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, home of the Marquis de More. The Marquis was the founder of Medora and named the town after his wife, Medora von Hoffman. Refurbished to its original splendor of yesteryear, the home includes items of interest and fascination.

Bike or hike the nationally ranked, 97 mile Maah Daah Hey Trail. This adventure lover’s dream traverses the scenic and rugged Badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Saddle up and take a trail ride with the “horsey” set, beginning at the Peaceful Valley Ranch located in the Badlands.

Play 9 holes of golf at the world-class Bully Pulpit golf course. While there, visit the Transportation Museum, which interprets Theodore Roosevelt’s involvement with the Panama Canal.

Watch the thrilling bronco riders at the annual Champions Ride Match Rodeo. Proceeds from the rodeo benefit Home on the Range, a residential center for troubled boys and girls.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the North Dakota Badlands, and most of the events and activities are located right in Medora, just minutes from the rally site, the Red Trail Campground. More details and a coupon will be available in future Blue Berets.

Joan Lahr
262-251-2159
262-327-4336 cell
lahr@wbcci.net

Madison International photos are posted on the photo link page. Photos

Midwest Vintage Airstream Rally
Sept. 10 - 13, 2009
Osceola, Wis.

The Region 7 Vintage Airstream Club invites you and your buddies to join us for a Vintage Airstream Rally at scenic Osceola, Wis., in the beautiful St. Croix River Valley.

The Rally will take place at the L. O. Simenstad Municipal Airport, with lots of camaraderie, campfires, great meals and a public open house as part of Osceola’s Wings & Wheels event. Water and a dump facility will be available.

Thousands of people come to Osceola, Wis., each year for the Wings & Wheels event to see the varieties of sports cars, classic cars and airplanes on display — and to visit the Vintage Airstream Open House which was part of the event for the first time last year. Join this exciting rally in September for an even bigger showing of vintage Airstreams this year!

On Saturday, free shuttle buses will take visitors to the various community events, including the car show featuring nearly 1,000 cars, aircraft fly-in and display, artisan craft fair, plane and helicopter rides, Polaris Plant tours, midway rides, huge book sale sponsored by Motor Book International, and the Vintage Airstream Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. Stay through Sunday and join your fellow Airstreamers in the 1 p.m. parade and enjoy evening conversation.

View a video from the 2008 Vintage Airstream Rally at Osceola, Wis.
Registration Fees:
Camping Fee: $25 per night, per rig
2 Catered Meals on Friday and Saturday: $20 per person/per day.
Ages 12 and under no charge. Coffee and rolls for breakfast.

To register, send rally fee and contact information to (use registration form below):
Vintage Airstream Rally
Curt Gunderson,
88816 Wild Oak Loop
Kerrick, MN 55756

Indicate which days you plan to attend. Make check payable to: Curt Gunderson No refunds after Aug. 15, 2009. For more information, contact: Curt Gunderson, 218-496-5825, curgund@aol.com

Registration Form

Join your Region 7 friends for an enjoyable afternoon and a delicious lunch buffet at the Coliseum Restaurant on June 29. Lunch starts at 11:30. The Coliseum is located off site at 232 East Olin Avenue in Madison, right next to the Alliant Energy Center.
Beef tips, roasted pork loin, mashed potatoes, baby carrots, garden salad, Cole slaw, dinner rolls, brownies, coffee, milk, and soda are on our special buffet menu. Tickets cost $15.00, including tax and gratuity, and will be available at the Region 7 table at the rally. Contact Joan Lahr for questions at 262-327-4336 or email at lahr@wbcci.net.

The Folklorama Festival is the largest of its kind in the world.  In fact, people from all over the world travel to Winnipeg every year to take part in the culture, food, and entertainment.  Over 40 pavilions are available to visit during a two-week period. We will be enjoying the first week of Folklorama and, as your pass is good for the entire length of the festival, you will have the opportunity to visit more sites during the second week.
On the first night you will travel by luxury motor coach on a progressive dinner. An appetizer, beverage and entertainment will be provided at the first pavilion. Then you will be whisked off to the second pavilion for the main course, beverage and entertainment. You will end the evening at the third pavilion with dessert, beverage and more entertainment. All this, plus the opportunity to enjoy the culture, the people and VIP seating! Finally, the motor coach will return you to the rally site. On night two you will continue to explore the world with motor coach transportation to and from three different pavilions and, once again, enjoy another progressive dinner and more entertainment.
Now that you have the idea and your bearings, you will be on your own for the next couple of nights; you decide which pavilions you would like to visit. Your pass will get you in all the pavilions and you can travel on your own or carpool with a group.
Don’t forget the sign-up tours during the day. There will be golfing, fishing, and a special ladies’ outing.  And, if all that does not lure you to Winnipeg, maybe Tim Horton’s donuts and the walleye “Shore Lunch” will!
If you have never experienced Folklorama, now is your chance to enjoy the festival with your Airstream friends. If you have been to Folklorama, this is your opportunity to visit the pavilions you missed last time or revisit your favorites. See you in August and don’t forget your passport!
Don Rogers, Region VII President
 2009 Folklorama Rally Form

Folklarama Rally 2009 - Agenda

The Region 7 Winter 2008 Newsletter is posted here. Use the Newsletters tab at the right to access prior newsletters or access the current issue here.

Region7 Winter 2008 Newsletter