2021 Dogwood Christmas Rally

2019

Yes, it is almost time for our annual Dogwood Christmas Rally and here’s the latest information on the rally. More to come so stay tuned to your favorite Blogspot!

 

Your Hosts: 

         Jean & Ed Herbert                  (540-760-4181)

         Patty & Henry Kuiken              (540 424 8134)

         Nanette & Dave Meyer            (757-813-0828)

 

Rally Dates: December 3-5, 2021.

 

Although the rally doesn’t officially begin until the 3rd, several members will arrive on the 2nd. For those that do, we plan an informal gathering for Social hour with heavy hors d’oeuvres.

 

Location: Americamps Campground

                  11322 Air Park Road

                  Ashland, VA 23005

                  804 798-5298 

 

We have 30 sites blocked out for Dogwood.  We currently have 12 confirmed reservations.  Please make your own reservations with the campground. Tell them you are with Dogwood.  Our group rate is $50.00 per night plus tax. Cutoff date for reservations is November 19, 2020.  Then, please complete the Registration Form below and send to Jean. 

 

Rally Fees: Rally fees will be $25.00 per adult and $15.00 per child.

Food Drive: We plan on doing a food drive at the rally for the local food bank. More to come later on this.

 

Note: All of our activities will be in the Rally Room.  Please bring your own drinks, plates, and utensils to all meals.

 

 

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, Dec 2 (pre-Rally)

5:00 p.m.  Informal get together in the Rally Room – Social hour, please bring a heavy hors d’oeuvre to share.

 

Friday, Dec 3

 

5:00 p.m.  Social hour in the Rally Room with light hors d’oeuvres. 

 

6:00 p.m.  Dinner provided by your hosts in the Rally Room.    

 

Games are planned for after dinner.  We will also have a Raffle with lots of fun and prizes!  

 

Saturday, Dec 5

10:00 a.m. Covered dish breakfast – Bring a prepared breakfast dish to share.

 

After breakfast, we will gather for a group photo, so please wear your favorite Dogwood apparel.

   

We will also have our Business Meeting and our Rally Planning for 2022. Please bring your thoughts on rally locations, rally activities and a willingness to host a rally for 2022. Let’s make 2022 a great year for rallies!

 

 

5:00 p.m.  Social hour in the Rally Room with light hors d’oeuvres. 

 

6:00 p.m. Dinner provided by your hosts.  

 

After dinner we’ll have the 50/25/25 Raffle sales and drawing as well as the crowd favorite Yankee Swap.  Please bring one wrapped gift per coach, valued at $25.00 to participate, and be prepared to laugh and have fun.

 

 

Sunday, Dec 6

 

9:00 a.m. Continental breakfast and rally wrap up.

Registration Form:

(Click here for a pdf version for easier printing)

Cutoff date for registration is November 19, 2021.

 

Name(s) of attendees:

 

 

Number of adults times   $25.00       =       _________     

 

Number of children times $15.00       =       _________

                                  

Total enclosed      =       _________

 

Please make checks payable to:  Jean Herbert   (not Dogwood)

 

Please mail registration forms to:       Jean Herbert

3216 Cavalry Ridge Ct.

Fredericksburg VA  22408

 

 

*** and please send her an e-mail at Jherbert125@aol.com, just in case the regular mail gets delayed!

 

 

 

Please join us for “FUN, FOOD, and FRIENDSHIP at the last rally of 2021.

 

 

CANCELLED - GEAR Rally in Lewisburg

Dogwood - we received the following email from Gaye Young.

9/14/2021

Hello all,

 

After having a meeting with Dr. Bridget Morrison of the Greenbrier Health Department and Kelly Collins of WV State Fairgrounds, along with Gary Milner, Phyllis Britz, Northern Regional VP, Garnetta Mallory WRVP, and Dennis Ducharme, Senior VP, the outlook in Lewisburg WV is devastating as they are at max capacity at the hospital with emergency ventilators being shipped to them. There have been too many breakthrough covid cases along with deaths. Afterwards, I had a conference call with my executive board and we decided to cancel GEAR until next year.

 

The health and welfare of our members are of utmost importance to me, as most of you know I dealt with this last summer.    It is with a heavy heart that we had to make this decision to postpone.  You all have worked so hard and have been so excited that we were finally getting to enjoy our area rally after not having one for 3 years.

 

I appreciate each of you and your dedication to our Eastern Area and FMCA.  A notice will be emailed out to all of our attendees by FMCA and refunds will be given.

 

Be safe as you travel and take care of yourselves by getting the vaccine, booster, and wearing masks.

 

Gaye

FINAL 25th Anniversary Rally Update - September 17-19, Americamps, Ashland, VA

Hello Dogwood,  Here is the final update for the Anniversary Rally.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

For all rally events please bring your own utensils, plates and drinks.

 

For those arriving early (Thursday) we'll gather for our usual Dogwood Happy Hour.  Please bring an appetizer to share.  Location is TBD based on most shaded and convenient.  

 

 

Friday, September 17

4 pm Social Hour by Hosts.  This evening will include our special invited guests. 

5 pm Dinner by Hosts.

 

Following the meal, there will be group photos, introduction of special guests, videos, door prizes, and reminiscing as well as cake and ice cream.

 

Saturday, September 18

10 am (as the rally room becomes available to us) we will have a covered dish brunch. Each coach will be asked to bring prepared breakfast foods. 

 

Lunch on your own.

 

Afternoon cornhole tournament led by Roger & Andrea Monaghan.  (If you have a cornhole set - please call or text the Monaghan's at 703-981-0123).

 

5 pm Social Hour by Hosts.

6 pm Dinner by the Hosts.

 

Following dinner, we will play the Yankee Swap game. Each coach is asked to bring a $25 new, nice gift that is wrapped. Most of us like playing the Yankee Swap game. Before Covid hit, we have included it in every year's events.

 

Sunday, September 19

9 am Continental Farewell breakfast, location to be announced.

 

Be well,

 

Andrea & Roger Monaghan

Cells:A:703-981-0123 R:703-723-1733

August Update - 25th Anniversary Rally at Americamps, September 17-19, 2021

We will be celebrating Dogwood's 25th Anniversary at Americamps in Ashland September 16 through September 19!  We look forward to seeing you there.

 

---

The committee has met several times and plans are coming together nicely.

 

Here's the list I got from Americamps of those who reserved camping spots:  Czarsty, Tilman, Alexander, Sohles, Vreeland, Schoolar, Meyer, Greenwood, Dudziak, Kuiken, Monaghan, Hunter, Semster, Fisher, Mimms, Buelow, Herbert*, Cummings*, Allen*, Bonewitz*, Thorpe*, Saul*. If your name has an * after it, as I  write on August 27, I have not received your registration form or $25 rally fee.  Please make check to me and send to Connie Tilman, 3566 Old River Trail, Powhatan, VA 23139.  The application form was included in last newsletter (click here) and in a recent newsletter blast about the rally.  If you are planning to camp and are not on my list, please let me know at 804-513-7274.

 

Andrea Monaghan will be leading a cornhole tournament at the rally on Saturday afternoon. She needs more cornhole boards.  If you have one you could bring, please let me know.  Phone number above. Let me know too if your board is regulation or tailgaters style--not that I know what that means but it's important!

 

If you need ideas for Saturday's covered dish breakfast or $25 gift for Saturday night's Yankee Swap game, call or text me.  I can help you.

 

As you are packing for the rally, please bring along any pictures you have from past Dogwood rallies.

 

The committee (Andrea. Patty, Karen, and I) have invited new member Mary Lou Dudziak to join the committee at the rally. We're looking forward to her help and the opportunity to introduce her to everyone else.

 

Connie Tilman

Dogwood Rally at North Landing - Summary

The Rally was held at North Landing Beach Resort in VA Beach, VA, Aug 5-8, 2021,and hosted by the Buelows and Sohles. Attendees included the Allens, Buelows, Hills, Joyners with son RJ, Kuikens, Meyers with granddaughter Taylor, Monaghans, Schoolars, Sohles, and Vreeland.  

 

The resort amenities and the staff were outstanding. We had a beautiful rally room for the entire time. The sites were good sized and included FHU and cable. The only negative comments we heard were that we were not all parked together, and the need travel on a 2-lane road to get to the campground. The upside far outweighed the downside. Great campground, great staff. 

 

The rally began Thursday evening with potluck, and as usual, we had plenty to eat. Friday morning we had a Corn Hole Tournament with cash prizes. All went well, especially for the winners, and we had a fun time. Friday night included a dinner of brats, burgers, and all the trimmings. After dinner we had a raffle, which included 2 free nights of camping at North Landing Beach, and a beautiful afghan donated by Susan Buelow. After dinner, we played a game put together by Patty Kuiken, and more cash prizes were awarded. A really fun day for all. 

Saturday included a full breakfast in the morning and a Seafood Boil put on by the campground in the evening. We had heavy rain most of the day, but that did not slow us down. The dinner meal included unlimited beer, wine and soda, along with all the seafood and sides you could eat. What a deal for $20.00. The highlight of the night was Karaoke, dancing, and the great show put on by the Dogwood ladies. Be sure to check out the pictures and video, you will really enjoy it. 

I think we speak for the entire group of attendees to say that we had a BALL. Fun, Food, Friendship and a lot of Laughs, were in abundance. Thanks to all who attended and for your help in making this a truly enjoyable rally. 

 

Your Hosts, 

The Buelows and Sohles 

Apologies - the video did not load properly for me, but here's a picture from the video I think you will enjoy....  I'll continue working to publish the video for you.  v/r,  Dave

Dogwood Rally at North Landing - FINAL Update

Final Update - North Landing Beach Rally, August 5-8, 2021

This is the final update on the Dogwood Rally at the North Landing Beach Campground in VA Beach, VA scheduled for August 5-8, 2021. Attendee list, directions to the campground, the Rally Schedule, along with a list of restaurants and local information follows.

We look forward to seeing all of you. Come prepared to enjoy some “FUN, FOOD AND FRIENDSHIP with your Dogwood friends.

Your Hosts

Jim and Susan Buelow & Steve and Susan Sohles

 

 

Attendees:

Allen, Bubba and Pat

Buelow, Jim and Susan - Hosts

Greenwood, Wilt and Barbara

Hill, Rob and Donna

Joyner, Roland, Brenda and son RJ

Kuiken, Henry and Patty

Meyer, Dave, Nanette and granddaughter Taylor

Monaghan, Roger and Andrea

Schoolar, Fairleigh and Cil

Sohles, Steve and Susan – Hosts

Vreeland, Mike

 

 

Directions North Landing Beach Campground

Note:  There are several ways to get there, but many are on narrow and winding roads.  Our preferred way is from I-264, regardless of how you get to that point.

Coming from the North - we recommend taking I-64 East to I-264 East. 

From I-64 East

Take exit 284A to merge onto I-264 East toward VA Beach, Downtown Norfolk 

800 feet 

Keep left to merge onto I-264 East toward VA Beach 

9.0 miles 

Take exit 20 onto VA Beach Blvd (US-58) 

0.4 miles 

Keep right onto US-58 Business toward Oceana 

1.1 miles 

Turn right onto First Colonial Rd (this turns into Oceana Blvd)

4.0 miles 

Turn right onto General Booth Blvd 

2.5 miles

Turn left onto Princess Anne Rd 

.8 miles

Turn right to stay on Princess Anne Rd

 

Continue on Princess Anne Rd for approximately 14 miles (the last 10 miles are on a well-maintained, 2-lane road).

 

North Landing is on the right.

 

North Landing Beach Rally Schedule of Events – August 5-8, 2021

Notes: As is usual at Dogwood rallies, please bring your own drinks and utensils to all gatherings unless notified otherwise. Thank you.

We intentionally did not plan any Dogwood specific activities for Friday and Saturday afternoon because the campground has many planned activities for that weekend, and there are also interesting things to do in the area. Campground activities include crafts, beach games, super soaker wagon ride, and most interestingly, a pie eating contest and Karaoke. So bring a big appetite and your best voice. How about a performance by the renowned Dogwood Choir (LOL). There are also interesting things to visit in the local area to include the Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach, Knotts Island, a ferry ride, Cape Henry Lighthouse and more. For more and specific information on campground activities and things to do, go to northlandingbeach.com and click on Activities or Area Attractions or see additional information below for local restaurants and activities. 

Thursday, Aug 5 – 5:00 P.M. – Social hour and Heavy Hors D’oeuvres in Rally Room. This will basically be our meal, so please bring a dish to share. 

Friday, Aug 6

10:00 A.M. Corn Hole Tournament, bring your best game as prizes will be awarded.

5:00 P.M. Social Hour and possibly a raffle in the Rally Room

6:00 P.M. Full meal to include brats, burgers, salad, baked beans, fruit, condiments, and desert in the Rally Room.

7:00 P.M. Game time compliments of Patty Kuiken. Cash prizes, really Big Bucks, Maybe (LOL)

Saturday, Aug 7

9:00 A.M. Full breakfast to include eggs, bacon, sausage, potato casserole, biscuits, gravy, fruit, juice, and breads in the Rally Room. Please bring your own coffee.

10:00 A.M. Tentative Business Meeting 

4:00 P.M. Social Hour in the Rally Room, possible raffle.

5:00 P.M. Seafood Boil in the Pavilion. Full meal to include drinks and utensils. Note, there is a very very small possibility that the Seafood Boil could be cancelled due to high seafood costs. As of Jul 28, it is a go. If it is cancelled, the campground will provide an alternate meal. And we have other options if that isn’t acceptable to us. We will not go hungry, we promise.

Possible planned activity after dinner, social time or attend Karaoke session. 

Sunday, Aug 8

9:00 A.M. Continental Breakfast to include leftovers, fruit, juice and pastries in the Rally Room.  Again, please bring your own coffee.

Rally concludes after breakfast.

 

Hope you had a really GREAT TIME, and SAFE TRAVELS.

Your Hosts,

Jim and Susan Buelow  

Steve and Susan Sohles

 

_______________________________________

 

Restaurant Suggestions and Ferry Info  (From Jean and Ed Herbert)

1.  Blue Pete's Restaurant, 1400 N. Muddy Creek Rd. Virginia Beach (14 miles from campground)

2.  Margie & Ray Seafood Crabhouse & Restaurant, 1240 Sandbridge Rd. Virginia Beach (approximately 15 miles from campground)    

3.  Southland BBQ, 141 Cartoke Hwy, Moyock, NC (Herbert's suggest taking free Knoll Island Ferry and drive back to campground)

4.  Pass the Salt Cafe, 1388 Courthouse Rd., Currituck, N.C (close to Currituck Ferry Landing)  (I found this restaurant. Dennis and Joyce Reid ate there.)

 

Ferry Information

- Knotts Island Ferry Terminal (free) is 10 miles from the campground.  It leaves every 2 hours. People can check the website for times.  Trip is 40 minutes.

  If people wanted to return on the ferry from the Currituck Ferry Terminal.  The ferry leaves every 2 hours to return to Knotts Island. They would need to check website for times.

- Martin Farm & Winery, 213 Martin Farm Lane, Knotts Island, N.C.

Dogwood Rally at North Landing - Update

 

7/13/2021   North Landing Beach Rally - Update

Hello Dogwooders,

 

We hope all is well with all of you. Just sending an update about the August Dogwood Rally at North Landing Beach.

 

As of 7/11/21 the Registrations for the North Landing Beach Rally include the following:  Buelow, Sohles, Herbert, Vreeland, Greenwood, Meyer, Schoolar, Hill, Joyner, and Kuiken - totaling 21 attendees and 18 prepaid for the seafood dinner.

 

Anyone who made campground reservations but is not on this list please call Steve/Sue Sohles at 804-824-8525, ASAP please.

 

A final email will be sent to all about a week or so before the rally detailing meals activities etc. We look forward to seeing all of you at North Landing for some FUN, FOOD, and FRIENDSHIP. See you soon.

Regards,

The Buelows and Sohles

 -----------------------------------------

6/16/2021   North Landing Beach Rally - Update

The Dogwood Rally at North Landing Beach Campground in Virginia Beach, VA will be held Thursday August 5^th – Sunday August 9^th, 2021. 

Hosts are the Buelows and the Sohles.

We reserved 15 sites at the campground. As of today, 12 of those sites have been reserved. The campground was unable to give us the names of those registered thus far. Only 3 reserved sites are left and the cutoff date for campground and rally registration is July 5^th. If you call to reserve a site, and all are taken, please let us know and we will try to work it out.

If you have made your campground reservation, but have not sent in your rally registration form, please do so.

Rally information and registration form is on the Dogwood BLOG dated June 1^st, 2021. Check it out, and come join us for a GREAT time.

Hope to see you at North Landing in August.

Any questions contact:

Buelows   757 876-7399

Sohles        804 824-8525

 

Regards and SAFE travels,

The Buelows and Sohles

-----------------------------------------

Original Post From 5/29/2021

 

DOGWOOD RALLY TIME

WHEN - Thursday August 5 - Sunday, August 8 or 9, if you decide to stay until Monday.

WHERE - North Landing Beach Resort

161 Princess Anne Road, 

Virginia Beach, VA 23457

757 426-6241 (Contacts are Terry or Carrie) 

 

WHY - Because it is time for some “FUN, FOOD, and FRIENDSHIP”

HOSTED by - Jim and Susan Buelow and Steve and Susan Sohles

Campground and Area Information - The campground has many planned activities, and there is a lot to do in the area. The theme for the weekend we are there is Beach Party. Activities include beach games (yes, they have a nice sandy river beach) Karaoke, Super Soaker Wagon Ride, Pie Eating Contest, Crafts, and more. There are also interesting things to do in easy reach of the Campground to include Air War Museum, Ocean Beaches, Knots Island and more.

Directions to Campground - 

Note:  There are several ways to get there, but many are on narrow and winding roads.   Our preferred way is from I-264, regardless of how you get to that point.

Coming from the North - we recommend taking I-64 East to I-264 East. 

From I-64 East

Take exit 284A to merge onto I-264 East toward VA Beach, Downtown Norfolk 

800 feet 

Keep left to merge onto I-264 East toward VA Beach 

9.0 miles 

Take exit 20 onto VA Beach Blvd (US-58) 

0.4 miles 

Keep right onto US-58 Business toward Oceana 

1.1 miles 

Turn right onto First Colonial Rd  (this turns into Oceana Blvd)

4.0 miles 

Turn right onto General Booth Blvd 

2.5 miles

Turn left onto Princess Anne Rd 

.8 miles

Turn right to stay on Princess Anne Rd

 

Continue on Princess Anne Rd  for approximately 14 miles (the last 10 miles are on a well-maintained, 2-lane road).

 

North Landing is on the right.

 

Campground Reservation - We have blocked off 15 sites for the rally, all FHU, 50amp. All attendees are responsible for making their own site reservations. Contact Terry or Carrie at 757 426-6241 and let them know that you are with Dogwood to get a Discount. Cost is $224.60 for 3 nights or $293.94 for 4 nights. Not cheap, but it is August and a nice campground. Registration cutoff date is July 5^th.

Rally Fees - Rally fees will be $40.00 per person if you participate in the Seafood Boil on Saturday night, or $20.00 per person if you decide to not to attend the Seafood Broil which is on site and includes fresh seafood, sides, desert, beer, water and cold drinks. Rally registration cutoff date is July 5^th. Registration form follows.

Facilities - We have the free use of a rally room for Friday night, and all day Saturday for breakfast socializing and activities. Saturday night dinner will be in the campground pavilion, but we may use the rally room for social hour or other activities to be determined. We will set up canopies on one of our sites for Thursday gathering and Sunday continental breakfast. 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE - 

Thursday - 5:00 P.M.  Social hour and Heavy Hors d’oeuvres at site to be determined. This will basically be our meal. Please bring a dish to share.

Friday - Daytime - planned activities to be announced later.

Friday - 5:00 P.M.  Social hour in rally room.

6:00 P.M.  Full dinner to include desert.

Possible planned activity after dinner.

Saturday - 9:00 A.M.  Full breakfast and Business meeting to follow if Ed so desires. Possible planned activities during the day, or tour the area, or just lay back and relax.

Saturday - 4:00 P.M.  Social hour in rally room.

Saturday - 5:00 P.M.  Seafood Boil in Campground Pavilion. No dinner will be provided by the hosts. If you do not participate in the Seafood Boil, you are on your own for dinner.

Sunday - 9:30 A.M.  Continental Breakfast at site to be announced. Leftovers, pastries, and juice.  Rally ends after breakfast. Hope you had a great time and SAFE TRAVELS.

 

As usual, please bring your own drinks, and eating utensils to all meals, except Saturday’s Seafood Boil.

Come out and join your Dogwood friends for a great time.

Your Hosts, the Buelows and the Sohles

 

Click here to complete the REGISTRATION FORM - North Landing Rally