Keystone Kourier. President s Message. Howard Mergelkamp. February Upcoming Events. Stay Connected. Keystone Unit #092 Region 2 - WBCCI

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1 February 2019 Keystone Kourier President s Message Happy February Keystoners! Keystone Unit #092 Region 2 - WBCCI Would you believe, Valentines Day is just a couple weeks away! At the store recently, I was impressed with how seamlessly businesses move from one holiday to the next. As soon as the Christmas and New Year s merchandise was moved to the 50% to 75% off shelves, Valentines Cards and candy which had been waiting in the wings, took their places overnight. It dawned on me at that point that candies are the bookends of the holiday season: beginning with candy corn, mini-snickers and Milky Ways in October (actually these days, August & September) for Halloween and ending with chalky candy hearts and heart shaped boxes of Whitman s chocolates (Lindt or Godiva if you re gourmet inclined) in February. Actually if you think about it, the holiday season is effectively year-round. I forgot St. Patrick s Day (green beer & Irish Potatoes), Mother s Day, with heart boxes of chocolates (again!), and Easter, with chocolate bunnies and Reeses eggs. After a couple months of relatively candy-free living while trying to work off some of the Tooshie and other Rolls so one can sunbathe respectably in public again, the holiday/candy cycle starts all over again. And so the world turns! While we re in the midst of winter and camping downtime, we ll soon be joining fellow Keystoners for our Valentines luncheon hosted by Will and Karen Kushto at their home on February 2 which, by the way, is Groundhog Day. Let s hope the groundhog doesn t see its shadow. Shadow or no shadow, it will be great getting back together again, catching up and finalizing our camping plans. Hopefully some of our new couples will also be able to attend, including the latest members to join, Allen and Joyce Papp. Thank you, Will and Karen, for hosting this gathering. Also, thank you Karen for stepping in as our Sunshine coordinator following the retirement of our long-serving coordinator and always full of Sunshine herself, Peg Spahn. Many thanks Peg for your shining service! Arry and I are looking forward to seeing all of you February 2. My son from San Francisco will be in town that weekend for meetings so I m happy to say he ll be joining us as well. We ll show him what Keystoning is all about! Upcoming Events Saturday, Feb 2, Noon Valentine Lunch at Kushto s Flagstaff Rd, Philadelphia ( ) (snow date Sat Feb 9) Saturday, Mar 9, Noon Spring Lunch and exec comm meeting at Pitts 930 Stoney Run Dr, West Chester ( ) (snow date Sat Mar 16) April Maintenance Rally Joint rally with DelMarVa and Mid-Atlantic units. Centreville, MD May 3-5 Opener Rally Joint rally with Central Penn and Penn-Lehigh units at Lum s Pond St. Pk. Bear, DE Stay Connected Keystone on the web All the best, Howard Mergelkamp Follow us on Facebook groups/keystoneunit/ Keystone Kourier February 2019 Page 1 of 4

2 Pennsylvania Potlucks in your Future: Saturday, Feb 2, Noon (snow date Sat Feb 9) Groundhog s - Valentine Lunch at Kushto s Flagstaff Rd, Philadelphia. Let Karen & Will know if y all are coming Feb 2nd (hopefully not Feb 9th for snow date). Let them know if you re able to bring an appetizer, side or dessert. Plenty of street parking. KKushto@comcast.net or cell Saturday, Mar 9, Noon (snow date Sat Mar 16) Slidin into Spring Lunch and exec comm meeting at Pitts 930 Stoney Run Dr, West Chester. We re doing sliders and salad. Please RSVP and bring a side or dessert. R_Pitts@verizon.net or home Keystone Website Change: The location of the Keystone website has moved. If you have bookmarked or set up a shortcut for the old one just change that reference to: keystonepa.airstreamclub.net (the old one was keystone.wbcci.net). That should take you right to our familiar website complete with info, officers, newsletters and rally info. Note that this change has no impact on the unit's Facebook page. Upcoming Rally Fun: Set your calendar: Joint Maintenance Rally with DelMarVa and MAU in Centreville, MD the weekend of April DelMarVa is coordinating, and as we learn more we will send it along. Eastern PA Opener with Central Penn and Penn-Lehigh at Lum s Pond State Park, Bear, DE the weekend of May 3-5. Book now as sites are going fast (this is the same weekend as NASCAR event in Dover). This promises to be a fun weekend with rigs from our unit, Central Penn, Penn-Lehigh, MidAtlantic, DelMarVa and more. Doggy night on Friday, customary Keystone breakfasts and more!!! Region 2 Rally at nearby Biglerville Fairgrounds the extended weekend of June 6 9. Rally coupon on unit website. 62 nd International Rally this year in nearby Doswell, VA. July More than 650 rigs registered already so book your inclusion at Keystone Blast from the Past Did you know that we are about to celebrate our 55 th anniversary? Chartered in June, 1964 at the 7 th International rally in Princeton, NJ, the unit was a spinoff from the Pennsylvania Unit, and first led by Col. Robert F. Watson. At the time there were more than 75 rigs in the unit. Later, Penn-Lehigh and Central Penn became spin-offs from Keystone. If we ve counted right there have been 47 great Keystone Presidents, many caravans and countless campouts and luncheons thoroughly enjoyed by all. Let s Keep on Streamin Officers President Howard Mergelkamp 1 st Vice President Jody Dietz 2 nd Vice President Don Harrington Treasurer Rick Pitts Secretary Arry Mergelkamp 1 Year Trustee Arry Mergelkamp 1 Year Trustee Barry Heckenswiler 2 Year Trustee Andy Pitts Legislative Jody Dietz Membership Don Harrington Sunshine Karen Kushto Unit Supplies Karen Kushto Historian Caryle Brayton Kourier Web Pages Andy & Rick Pitts Keystone Kourier February 2019 Page 2 of 4

3 Sunshine Report February may be the shortest month but it is filled with Groundhogs, the Super Bowl, Valentines and the Keystone Luncheon at the Kushto s. Sadly, winter also brings the season of nasty viruses. Lesley Heckenswiler is still battling the bug that kept her from attending our Holiday Luncheon but has started on a new medication with promising results. Barb Hillegass took a tumble at her grandson s ice hockey game. Thank goodness tests were negative. Barb is sporting a shiner (appropriate for ice hockey) and still pretty sore. Best wishes to you both for speedy recoveries! Sure would like to hear from anyone who keeps in touch with our alumni. We miss them and would love to know how they are. Safe travels to the Pitts heading South and envious of y all who wisely chose warmer climates. I m hoping the Groundhog doesn t see his shadow! Updates may be sent to my (kkushto@comcast.net) or cell ( ) since we re often on the road. Karen Happy Birthday to: February Lesley Heckenswiler (19th) Dan Keefe February None to report Happy Anniversary to: March Wilson Yerk (6th) Caryle Brayton (12th) Andy Pitts (13th) March Barb & Jerry Hillegass Sharon & Dan Keefe Introducing: It s a pleasure to introduce our newest members to the unit: Joyce & Allen Papp and family residing in Clarks Summit. They are joining us from the Pennsylvania Unit with their Flying Cloud We look forward to meeting and greeting at upcoming luncheons and rallies! Keystone Kourier February 2019 Page 3 of 4

4 Updated 2019Activities Schedule Attached is the Activities Schedule as it stands now. We have an interesting year lined up and we encourage all of you to participate as much as you can. We are still looking for hosts and travel ideas so please let us know your suggestions as soon as you can February 2 (Sat) Valentine s luncheon at Karen & Will Kushto s home, Philadelphia, PA (snow date 2/9) Please bring appetizer, side dish or dessert. Thanks! March 9 (Sat) Spring luncheon and executive committee meeting at Andy & Rick Pitts home, West Chester, PA (snow date 3/16) April (Fri-Sun) Joint maintenance rally with DelMarVa and MAU Queen Anne s 4-H Park, Centreville, MD - Howard Mergelkamp to coordinate May 3-5 (Fri-Sun) Eastern Pennsylvania Airstream Opener rally Lum s Pond State Park, Bear, DE - Rick Pitts to coordinate June 6-9 (Thur-Sun) Region 2 rally at Biglerville Fairgrounds, Biglerville, PA Don Harrington to coordinate June 6-9 (Thu-Sun) invitation to join NYC Basecamp National Rally, Liberty Harbor Marina, Jersey City, NJ. July (Sat-Sat) International Rally, Doswell, VA, Howard Mergelkamp to coordinate August 8-12 or August (Thu-Mon) Exploring Central PA, Keystone Unit Caravan. Visiting Carlisle, U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center, Indian School, Harrisburg and others. Coordinator needed. September 5-8 (Fri-Sun) Pennsylvania State Rally, Penn-Lehigh coordinating. Keystone coordinator needed. October 3-7 or October (Thu-Mon) alternative to WBCCI caravans to Balloon Fiesta. TBD. Coordinator and suggestions welcome November - Local Day Trip and lunch -- Date & locations to be determined. Howard Mergelkamp and another to coordinate December 14 (Sat) Holiday luncheon at Plumsteadville Inn, Plumsteadville, PA; Peg and George Spahn coordinating Keystone Kourier February 2019 Page 4 of 4

5 RED WHITE and BLUE WBCCI REGION 2 RALLY June 6 th - 9 th, 2019 South Mountain Fairgrounds 615 Narrows Rd., Biglerville, PA South Mt. Fairgrounds is in Adams County, PA., home of the historic Civil War Battlefield of Gettysburg, the South Mountain Fruit Belt, covered bridges and portions of the Appalachian Trail and the Underground Railroad. The Rally promises you two breakfasts, a catered dinner, two nights of entertainment and nightly ice cream socials. Morning activities will include a golf outing, seminars, and the Region 2 Business Meeting. Afternoons are free to explore the area...bicycling, hiking, kayaking and fishing are as close as the nearby Caledonia State Park. Take a tour of Gettysburg or one of several local wineries! Mark your calendars now! Name(s) Address Phone WBCCI# Unit# Handicap Parking? (yes) Golf? (yes) Volunteer? (yes!) Rally Fee includes two breakfasts, catered dinner, 2 nights entertainment, ice cream socials. Sites include water & electricity (W/E), with dump station available. Rally Fee (Ages 13 and up) $65 x = $ Rally Fee (Children 3-12) $30 x = $ Camping per night (W/E and dump) $20 x = $ (May arrive on Wed. June 5 th and must depart Mon. June 10 th. Max 5 nights) Total Enclosed $ RSVP by May 01, Make check (USD) payable to: Region 2 WBCCI Mail to: Will Kushto, Tres. 114 Flagstaff Rd., Phila., PA Children and pets welcome! Contact: Rune Moeller (443) gpickr@icloud.com CMU #166/WBCCI

6 Andy and Rick Pitts 930 Stoney Run Dr. West Chester, Pa INTERESTED IN JOINING THE KEYSTONE UNIT? Contact: President: Howard Mergelkamp Membership: Don Harrington Keystone Kourier February 2019