Escapees March-April 2024

camping chair chat

Chapter 6 40th Anniversary Great Lakes Chapter 6 was chartered on September 9, 1984, when 14 families attended a rally at Hemming Park in Newago, Michigan. In the following years, our membership soon included families from the surrounding states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, as well as Michigan, hence the original name, “Great Lakes.” By 2005, the surrounding states had formed their own chapters and our membership consisted of mostly Michiganders. At its peak, our member ship consisted of over 200 families, now it’s about 115.

RVCOVER Having spent almost two decades using various trailer covers, I thought I could add a few helpful hints to the informa tive article “RV Cover,” that appeared in the September/October 2023 issue. First, it’s always a good idea to wash and wax your trailer before you cover it. The cover will glide on more easily once you’ve removed clinging dirt, and the wax will help to protect your trailer’s fi nish from the fl uttering cover. No cover fi ts so perfectly that it doesn’t move in the wind. Even if your trailer is clean and waxed, sharp corners on solar panels and protuberances such as water spouts and retracted scissor-jacks must be shielded or they’ll quickly poke holes in your expensive cover. Due to UV exposure and other weathering, covers may only last a few years anyway, but holes just speed up the aging process. So, before you put your cover on, evaluate your entire trailer for sharp things that’ll cut through your cover as winds cause it to shift and fl utter. Pieces of pool noodles can be cut to fi t tightly on most sharp edges, corners, antennas etc. and a tennis ball with a small hole drilled into it will snugly fi t over protruding water drain spouts. Once you’ve shielded your sharp edges, you’re ready to put the cover on. When putting it on and,

Chapter 6 was an early supporter of “Miss Kay’s Dream,” Escapees CARE in Livingston, Texas. Our fi rst contribution in the amount of $47 was sent to CARE on June 14, 1993. In 1999, Chapter 6 celebrated its 15th anniversary and became the fi rst chapter to have contributed $10K to CARE. In its honor, the street around the CARE center was named “Great Lakes Cir.” The current total of our contributions now stands at $70K. Over the years, the chapter has also made donations to local Michigan charities including “Paws With A Cause.” Our chapter has traditionally held three rallies per year, in June, July and September. Rallies have been held all over Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula. Favorite camping venues include Traverse City, Franken muth and Coldwater. Joint rallies are held in June with Chapter 51 (Hoosier Neighbors) and previously with Chapter 36 (Erie Shores) while they were active. This year we will celebrate our 40th Anniversary with a rally at the Ionia County Fairgrounds in Ionia, MI, August 22–25. The camping fee is $35/night and anyone interested in attending the rally should contact our current chapter president, Bill Daines at 269-806 3043 or e-mail BD1770@aol.com to register or obtain more information. Doug Craw #37368

20

ESCAPEES Magazine March/April 2024