What a difference a few weeks can make. When we were here for the budget meeting, the fields were brown, and muddy, the trees barely blossoming and the spring flowers were making an appearance. Well, while the spring flowers are now gone, the trees are out and the fields are planted and up. It’s like witnessing a “rebirth” every year.  Ah yes, the sounds of train whistles, farm “fertilizer”, its Nappanee alright! Welcome!

Klub activity across the country is good. Our Regional, State/Provincial and Chapter rallies are being well attended. That is a very encouraging sign. We also have over 250 coaches signed up for the International when this was printed.  I hope to see between 500 and 600 units in Goshen. Along those lines, remember you can bring a friend this year. We are especially trying to reach those who no longer have a manufacturer to rely on.

We have never really had donations to the Klub per se; however, recently we have picked up several with all the proceeds going to the Konnection funding. We have started a “Donation Acknowledgement” column, in the Konnection, to publically thank these individuals and groups. We thank you all for your generosity and hopefully we can keep the Konnection coming!

AS THIS IS THE LAST ISSUE OF THE KONNECTION BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL, THERE ARE SEVERAL ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE COVERED:

KOUNTRY KIDS PROGRAM:   HELP!!!  We have a volunteer who is willing to help with the program; however, we do not have a Director.  If someone does not step forward to run the program we will be unable to have a separate Kids program. If you are interested or want to know what is involved, please call us at the Office. The “Kids” have had a lot of fun over the years; it would be a shame for this program to fall by the wayside.

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICE:  We will have our Church Service on Sunday morning this year.  If all goes as planned, Mr. Mahlon Miller will deliver the message for us. If you have never been to one of his Services, you can’t help but come away inspired. Our Kountry Klub Choir, directed by Dale Martin, will provide the music.

RED HAT SOCIETY TEA:  Our “Queen Mum”, Judy Faller, is planning your tea this year, so remember to bring your attire with you. Although I’m sure there are many shops in the local area that would love to sell it to you. We are glad to have Judy and the Red Hat program back again this year.

CRAFTS:  Wow!  As Barbara and I share the same computer address, I can tell you I don’t ever remember so many craft classes being offered. Every time I bring the computer up, there’s another person wanting to do a craft class. There is a great assortment this year also. Barbara has some words in our article about them. So, if you are a crafter, you will have fun this year.

CARING AND SHARING:  Ray & Maryann Houser (11008-L) came up with an idea for all of us to help the local community. They have graciously agreed to collect non-perishable food and hygiene items at the rally. There is an article elsewhere in this issue explaining the program.  Please remember to bring something along with you

PLANT TOURS: Plant tours will be offered Monday thru Friday of Rally week. There is a schedule of the planned tours on page 10 in this issue. Signup sheets will in posted in the Rally Registration area on Saturday morning. Pay particular attention to the 8:00am tour. It is a more “in-depth” tour and goes places the public tour does not. You must provide your own transportation to and from Nappanee. Also please note that you MUST BE at the tour building 15 minutes before your tour. No open toes shoes or children under age 8 will be allowed.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION:  Remember, “Early Bird” registration ends on Friday, June 12, so get those reservations in if you want to be eligible for the drawing to get your rally fee back.  There will be five lucky people.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER:  The Emergency Phone Number at the International Rally will be 877-639-5582 and is answered daily from 8:00am – 4:00pm.  After hours there is an answering machine that you can leave a message on. We recommend you give this number to a family member or friend in case you need to be contacted.  REMEMBER THIS NUMBER IS FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.   

As Barney said earlier, this year’s craft program at the International Rally is really shaping up to be one of the most diverse ever!  See the classes listed elsewhere in the Konnection. Some of the classes are limited in size, so call the Klub office early if you are interested in taking any of them. We are also still looking for Klub members who would like to teach a craft class this year. Call the Office, or e-mail us with your information. We can never have too many crafts!

We are also pleased to have some informative health seminars presented by the Goshen Hospital. We have already scheduled a seminar entitled “Living with Hypertension” with blood pressure screenings prior to and after the presentation.  We also have a seminar entitled “The Importance of Movement and Exercise”.  We are hoping to have some additional seminars that will be announced at the Rally.

While “early bird” registration ends on June 12, we will continue registering for the International Rally through July 24, 2009.

We wish every Father a wonderful Father’s Day. Hope you can spend it with family and friends. See you at the International Rally in August. Till then, be safe and enjoy your travels.

PLEASE CHECK THAT RESERVATION FORM BEFORE SENDING

We receive many reservation forms that have incorrect check amounts/credit card information or are not completely filled out. In many cases we are unable to contact you because you are on the road and this can cause your registration to be held up until we can verify information. If you have an e­mail address or cell phone, please provide it so we can contact you if necessary. Thanks for your help!!

SERVICE AT INTERNATIONAL RALLY

In order to service as many customers as possible during the rally, the Service Department will prioritize their service. Emergency customers will be serviced first. Emergencies are considered ONLY items that would prevent a coach from leaving the rally. Next will be warranty customers. Due to the volume of work requested during the rally it is not always possible to provide service to all members. Remember, if your coach is no longer in warranty, you will be asked to pay for any parts used in repair. NOTE: In your rally confirmation package you received a yellow envelope with a Service Department work order request form. If you are requesting service at the International, please read the form and fill in ALL the information and return the designated copies to the Newmar Service Department by the designated date on the form. Be sure to bring your copy with you when checking in with Service at the rally.

PARTS DEPARTMENT

The Parts Department will again bring an inventory of the more popular parts for you to purchase during the rally. Remember, if they do not have the part at the rally you can order it for later delivery; so start working on your list of parts needed.

HANDICAP & DIABETIC MEMBERS

Please make sure we are aware of your needs. Please, double check your reservation form and make sure you are providing this information in advance so we will be able to properly assist you at the rally. For Handicap parking we require a copy of your mirror hang tag or a letter from your doctor. Please send with your reservation.

VOUNTEERS AT THE INTERNATIONAL RALLY

If you have not already contacted the Klub Office to volunteer your services, please take time to do so now. We currently have openings in all areas. Not only are you helping your fellow Klub members but it's a great way to meet new friends. Call the office toll free at 877-639-5582 and ask for Linda. She will be glad to sign you up!!

RECEIVING MAIL AT THE RALLY

You can have mail sent to you during the rally. Please make sure it is addressed as follows: Newmar Kountry Klub, Your Name and Klub number, c/o Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, 17746-D County Road 34, Goshen, IN 46528.  Also have it marked "HOLD FOR PICK-UP". Please do not have mail delivered before July 29, 2008. Any mail received after the rally will be returned to sender.

KLUB NUMBERS

Please make sure your Klub number is displayed as you come in to the International Rally so our parking crew can keep track of all our arrivals. If we need to locate your unit in the event of an emergency the visible numbers are the fastest way to find you. They are also necessary for the service department or any vendors who are working on your unit to locate you. Thank you for your cooperation.

WEBSITE FOR TRAVEL INFORMATION:

For information about Goshen and the surrounding areas you can access the following website www.AmishCountry.org.

Spring greetings everyone. In this edition of the Konnection you will find the International Rally Registration Information as well as our first Dealer ads in many years.  If you happen to stop by one of these Dealers, remember to tell them you saw their ad in the Konnection. In addition to the International Rally Registration section, there is additional rally information immediately following our article.  Make sure you check monthly as any new information will be printed there.  We are so happy to have the Konnection back in circulation.

We have two new Regional Directors that have been appointed since the first of the year. My apologizes to Gary & Tammy Beeler (9631), our new Region 1 Directors and Bob & Bonnie Krieger (7803), new Region 5 Directors.  I let last month’s Konnection get by me with announcing their appointments. Gary & Tammy are replacing Jim & Sue Hagedon (12632) as Jim is now the Member at Large.  Bob & Bonnie are replacing Doug and Linda Randolph (7803-L) who were our longest serving Region Directors.  We welcome them aboard and look forward to working with them.

The theme of this year’s International Rally is; “Extending the Hands of Friendship”.  With so many RV manufacturers falling by the wayside in the past year, it seems only appropriate that we invite owners of those products to our International Rally, in part, to checkout Newmar products and the Kountry Klub as well. If you have a friend or just someone you know who falls into this “orphan” category, invite them to come to the International Rally with you or have them call the Office and we will gladly answer any questions they may have. Other brands have never been allowed to attend our International and this is a ONE TIME exemption approved by the Newmar Board of Directors and the Kountry Klub Board of Directors.  

It Is our hope that  some of your friends, once they have attended our rally and been with you, our Klub members, that we can bring them into the Newmar and Kountry Klub family. Someone is going to “Extend a Hand” and it may as well be us. While I know some of you will object to this invitation, “extending a hand “during troubled times is never a bad thing to do.  Remember, it could have been us, and how would you feel?

Rally registrations have been coming in at a better rate than we anticipated. This is good news and uplifting for Vicky, Linda, Barbara and me.  We have all been working extremely hard under some not so great circumstances to keep things rolling. It is very gratifying to see the efforts Vicky and Linda put forth. They truly share the feelings for the Klub and our members that Barbara and I do. Next time you see them, or talk to them on the phone, let them know how you feel.

Just a reminder, we will not have tram service at the International. There are golf carts for rent from a private company. Their rental information is listed elsewhere in the Konnection.

We hope all of our Mothers enjoy their special day this month. Of course, Mothers are special every day!  And, we also salute all of our military members and Veterans this month on Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day.