Issue 152 Campground E News

The same guy who drove Soulsville to success and helped steer the NBA to Memphis is now driven to shake up the RV park and campground industry with his fledgling enterprise, RVC Outdoor Destinations.

Andy Cates accelerates his white Tahoe west on Interstate 40 to the newest -- and nearest to Memphis -- of RVC's five upscale

developments, Catherine's Landing in Hot Springs, Ark Occasionally, the radar detector suctioned to the windshield goes "beepbeep," which is followed by a sharp braking, then

by Cates telling passengers: "Sorry guys,'' then by the sight of a trooper parked in the median.

This is a man who's eager to show RV owners and outdoor enthusiasts how different Catherine's Landing is from typical RV parks and campgrounds.

So different, he refuses to label his as "RV parks," calling them "outdoor destinations'' instead.

Photos Page 2

Continued from Page 1 Lake Catherine.

Andy Cates So different, RVC claims to have invented a new category for the industry, one that offers consistently beautiful natural spaces, upscale amenities, and finetuned customer service.

So different, RVC clamors for the kind of "segmentation" in the RV park industry that hotels enjoy. Hotel travelers, for example, instantly know from seeing the signs for a Motel 6, Hampton Inn or Hilton what to expect from each in service, amenities and price.

RVC considers itself the Hilton of RV parks.

In addition to the KOA's, Jellystones and the independent campgrounds,

RVC seeks to distinguish itself from the government parks, too.

"A lot of state and federal parks have incredibly attractive outdoor environments, but an underwhelming service culture and operating culture," Cates says.

"We're trying to democratize phenomenal recreational land."

So after reaching Hot Springs in under three hours, Cates first gives a quick driving tour of a competing, independently owned RV park that's been, he says, "arguable the highest-rated in town."

On a slow Monday morning, he points out at least four motor homes worth $200,000 in a place

that offers views of the surrounding hills, but no pool or access to recreational water.

The 41-year-old Cates motors on to RVC's threemonth-old Catherine's Landing, nestled on 400 acres of a former dairy farm along the banks of Lake Catherine.

The entrance is a long, gently curving ribbon of asphalt that eventually reveals the welcome center/headquarters lodge designed by Memphis architects Hunter Fleming and John Harrison Jones.

The stone, metal and glass building, perched on a rise, is modern and striking, with an angled roof that opens the lobby's glass wall to a terraced, saline swimming pool and below to the campground and

Cates leads his guests straight to the men's restroom to show they sparkle and are extra private. Each toilet and shower stall, while illuminated in natural light from windows above, is a room to itself.

The lodge has a store, wine and coffee, large fireplace with a flat-screen TV, washers and dryers, a fitness room and even a "Wii-dia room" where families can play Wii video games on a large screen.

RVC doesn't just provide wifi and coffee, he says. "We offer good wi-fi and good coffee."

Manager Brad Boler and assistant manager Ian Horgan provide Cates a golf cart to tour the grounds.

He drives through the 120 RV spaces ($40 to $45 daily weekdays, $42 to $50 weekends), which are dotted with either motor coaches or fifth-wheel rigs.

Circles of lawn chairs and clusters of bikes sit outside nearly every RV. Planted among the concrete RV pads are young oak, elm and pine trees. The new grass turf has not yet been Continued

Continued established.

Cates stops the cart to show the fenced dog park. saying, "A huge portion of guests have pets."

He continues to the row of 25 RV sites that line the bank of calm Lake Catherine.

If the water looks more like a pretty river, it was.

Construction of Remmel Dam turned it into an 11mile-long lake in 1924.

The golf cart reaches Catherine's Landing's 13slip dock, where a pontoon boat and kayaks are available to rent.

Cates points to an extra bathroom RVC built near the dock for the convenience of boaters and fishermen.

The tour continues to the picnic pavilion, its dramatically angled roof mirroring the lodge design and sheltering 20 picnic tables. There's an ice machine and showers.

He drives the cart as far as he dares into the undeveloped Phase II property, gets out and puts his hiking shoes to use.

"I want to show y'all a neat hiking trail," says Cates, a slim road cyclist who now speed-walks ahead of the pack into the woods.

RV's not required Catherine's Landing doesn't accommodate tent campers, but does offer high-end camping -"glamping" -- with five airconditioned yurts ($50-$70 a night) clustered under a canopy of towering trees.

Each has hardwood floors,

beds, a skylight at its peak and its own picnic table and grill. The yurts -- vinyl wrapped around wood framing -- sleep four to eight-plus, depending on their size.

Close by is the pavilion with bathrooms, showers and ice.

Atop the hill behind the welcome lodge sits 10 small cottages ($140 to $160 a night) that can sleep four people within their 400 square feet.

Each includes a covered deck with ceiling fan, full kitchen and flat-screen TV. They're actually little mobile homes, but it's hard to tell by looking.

In future phases, RVC plans to sell the cottages and lease the ground they sit on.

Access to fishing The tour steps onto the pontoon boat, which Cates steers down RVC's long waterfront toward nearby Carpenter Dam. He turns to Casey Hill, who's in charge of RVC's land acquisitions, and says, "By the way, on our website, we have 'speckled trout.' Speckled trout are saltwater fish. Need to change that to lake trout."

Easy access to fishing is a big unmet need for RV'ers, Cates says, a void RVC is filling, in ways other than just developing on water.

For example, the company had the pontoon boat outfitted with fishing chairs, and has made an arrangement with a local fishing guide for guests who want the help.

Nearby attractions The tour returns to the SUV so Cates can drive home a big point: RVC chooses sites -- destinations -where guests can do a lot of activities.

As he drives by vehicles parked near the RVC lodge, he remarks with satisfaction, "There's a Colorado license plate, and a California plate."

In just a few minutes, he drives the Tahoe to Garvan Woodland Gardens, the University of Arkansas' botanical gardens with its stunning architecture of Fay Jones and his disciples; Magic Springs theme park; downtown Hot Springs and its Bathhouse Row; and the Oaklawn horse racing and gaming complex.

The great thing about Oaklawn, Cates says, is its horse racing season starts in January, which will help extend Catherine's Landing season for RV'ers.

RVC must scale up Both the corporate and independent owners of other campgrounds might acknowledge how nice their new competition is, but question the business model.

After all, they're receiving roughly the same per-unit revenue without nearly the costs RVC has born.

"On a per-unit basis, we're way out there and we know that," Cates says.

"If the consumer does not reward us, we're in trouble." RVC must enlarge

its scale exponentially, creating a network of many dozens of outdoor destinations across the nation, he says. "... If we're unable to grow this, I'll feel very stupid," he says. "We're not doing this for just six properties."

Eventually RVC may raise prices to befit its amenities, but for now the company is sharply focused on getting more and more guests.

One Memphis-area RV dealer likes that RVC is giving his customers more places to go.

"Andy is on track to fill a real need that exists in our industry," says Peter Albano, owner of American RV in Olive Branch.

"It seems to me one of the headwinds we had to face is what do people do with RV's to give them the quality of life with it, in finding campgrounds in great destinations," Albano says.

"Not to say it doesn't exist, but not in the numbers to support the 8 million RV's out there."

But RVC Outdoor Destinations is still new, and many people still don't know about the sites.

"The light is still under the bushel," Albano says.

"I had a meeting with my organization this morning.

We've got a program developed to get our sales people over to Catherine's Landing. Once you experience it, you're hooked."

Article by Tom Bailey Jnr: www.commercialappeal.com

McLean, VA; July 18, 2011. David Gorin, president and CEO of Best Parks in America, Inc., has announced the national network's latest addition to its collection of unique, independent and highly-rated RV parks and campgrounds.

"We are thrilled to announce that Bethpage Camp Resort, Urbanna, VA, and Grey's Point Camp, Topping, VA, have become a part of Best Parks in America national network. Both of these facilities are among the highest rated parks in Virginia with both being rated 5/5 and 9.5/9.5/10 with Trailer Life. The parks are situated along the Chesapeake Bay and offer RVers and campers an exceptional array of facilities and amenities.

Both feature direct access to the Bay, state of the art water parks, and a full range of activities and events throughout the spring, summer and fall.

Bethpage is a former

Beth Page Waterpark

winner of the ARVC Mega Park of the Year and it wouldn't surprise anyone if they or Grey's Point were to receive that high honor again," said Gorin.

Both parks are owned by Walt Hurley, a long time active leader in the Virginia campground industry.

Hurley and his staff have worked tirelessly for many years to keep both parks up to the highest standards of customer service, facilities and amenities.

Both parks compete with the mega parks located in Virginia Beach, along the North Carolina coastal beaches and down to Myrtle Beach and Hurley has added all of the necessary recreational activities to keep RVers from the mid-Atlantic area returning to his Virginia parks.

"With the addition of Bethpage and Grey's Point, together with the recent Best Parks affiliation of Holiday Trav-L-Park in Virginia Beach and Luray

RV Resort Country Waye in Luray, VA, Virginia now has 4 outstanding Best Parks in America affiliates for RVers and campers coming to the Atlantic Coast area. With the 150th observance of the Civil War taking place in Virginia this year, RVers and campers from across the US can enjoy the Best Parks in America during their visit to the state," said Gorin.

In addition to these new Best Parks affiliates, the group recently also welcomed Big Timber Lake in Cape May, NJ, Frontier Town in Ocean City, Maryland, and Point Sebago Resort in Casco, Maine as well as four parks that are part of RVC Outdoor Destinations.

"Best Parks continues to attract the most successful independent parks that comprise the highly rated and higher end segment of the park industry. For the first time," Gorin said, "the industry has a new and broad brand that is

Greys Point Waterpark

David Gorin attracting both parks and consumers who identify with the upper end of the market in terms of service, facilities and amenities," he said.

With 80 affiliates and growing throughout the US, Best Parks in America is a marketing solution for independent, modern outdoor resorts that want to remain independent, offer a unique sense of place, and have ownership and management that want to run their own show but at the same time wants to be part of larger marketing distribution network.

Blasi Campgrounds, opened by the late Vern Blasi 40 years ago at 11409 W. Kellogg, is for sale as development land in two tracts. Asking price totals $877,000.

for any number of businesses.

The Blasi family, which has operated the campgrounds, a tire store, gas station and convenience store on the site of the family home, is ready to sell, said Stan Blasi, Vern's son and CEO of the campground company.

There's also interest from developers who specialize in large storage units, for recreational vehicles and small businesses that need to store equipment and parts.

"There are a lot of good memories there, but it's time," Stan Blasi said.

The campground property is offered in one 12.2-acre piece for $795,000, with an adjoining acre that connects the campground with 111th Street West for $82,000.

Gary Caulkins of 4 Star Real Estate, who is brokering the sale, said the land would be perfect

"It's an ideal location for a car dealership, a good distribution point because of the acreage," Caulkins said.

"And it's still a great spot for a hotel, anything needing Kellogg access," Caulkins said.

If the buyer wants to keep the campground growing, the land includes 84 parking spaces for recreational vehicles, other campers and overnighters.

The land includes a lake stocked with fish and its own water well, a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, a clubhouse and office. www.kansas.com

“We think it’s the right thing to do,” said Danielle Hanoud, vice president of Marty’s USRV, said of the park, which located near the central Massachusetts town of Brimfield.

BERKLEY, Mass., July 12, 2011 – One of New England’s largest RV dealers has launched a nationwide fundraising

effort to help Village Green Family Campground rebuild after a tornado destroyed the park June 1st

Marty’s USRV has pledged to contribute $1 to Village Green Family Campground on behalf of anyone who becomes a fan of their Facebook page during the month of July – up to a maximum of $1,000.

“We’re very pleased to see an RV dealership reaching out like this to help a campground in its time of need,” said Marcia Galvin, executive director of the Massachusetts Campground Owners Association, which has also set up a relief fund to process donations from campground owners and others who want to help Village Green Family Campground rebuild.

Continued

Continued Village Green Family Campground owners Meg and Les Twarowski have already begun rebuilding their family-owned campground and hope to open at least half of it by late October.

The tornado destroyed many RVs that had been parked in the campground as well as several campground buildings, including its 3,000-square foot pavilion, which had been a focal point for special activities and events throughout the camping season.

The camp store has also been damaged so severely that it may be condemned.

The park is also covered with fallen trees and other debris, but with the help of volunteers, a cleanup effort is well underway.

Brimfield community members have also been donating food, bottled water, Gatorade, work gloves, rakes, shovels, brooms and other supplies.

As of late June, about 30 percent of the cleanup had been completed, Meg Twarowski said, adding that insurance adjusters are frequently coming to the park to assess the damage to privately owned RVs that were there when the tornado hit.

The Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners (MACO) has rallied its

members to help the Twarowskis rebuild their park, and park operators from across the country are sending donations to help with the reconstruction effort, said Marcia Galvin, the association’s executive director.

She added that as of late June, MACO had received checks and pledges from about half of the association’s 75 Massachusetts members as well as checks from park operators, associations, and businesses in other states.

MACO also designated July 4th weekend as “Support Village Green Family Campground” Weekend!

Participating parks pledged $1.00 of every site in their park to be donated to the relief fund to help rebuild Village Green.

If you would like to donate food, equipment or supplies to help with campground reconstruction effort, please contact Meg Twarowski at (413) 245-3504 or email her at vilgrncamp@aol.com.

Campground operators can also send donations directly to Marcia Galvin of the Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners at MACO P.O. Box 47 Foxboro, MA 02035. All checks should be payable to Village Green Campground and “relief fund” printed in the memo.

November 6-9, 2011 (Expo on Nov. 9) South Point Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV Contact: (406) 248-7444 November 10-11, 2011 On the Internet Contact: (877) 901-3976 November 14-17, 2011 Embassy Suites, Covington, KY Contact: (513) 831-2100 November 28 – December 2, 2011 Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort Spa & Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, Savannah, GA Contact: (303) 681-0401

Equity LifeStyle Properties Inc. today (July 19) announced results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30.

For the second quarter, Funds From Operations (“FFO�) were $27.3 million, or $0.73 per share on a fully diluted basis, compared to $27.1 million, or $0.76 per share on a

The Red Bluff City Council Tuesday will consider amending the city's transient occupancy tax code in an effort to end a controversy between the city and Durango RV Resort.

The proposed amendment to the TOT ordinance would explicitly include "recreational vehicle parks" in the definition of a hotel.

TOT is collected by hotel operators from guests who stay in hotels. The TOT is then remitted to the city as revenue.

As it is now, the city code does not explicitly include RV parks and campgrounds in its definition of a hotel, but the city has maintained the code implicitly includes those types of sites.

Ever since Durango opened it has not charged its occupants TOT, City Manager Martin Nichols said. Durango has taken

fully-diluted basis, for the same period in 2010. For the six months, FFO was $67.9 million, or $1.86 per share on a fully-diluted basis, compared to $64.6 million, or $1.82 per share on a fully-diluted basis, for the same period in 2010.

Net income available to common stockholders totaled $6.8 million, or

the position that TOT does not apply to the RV park because they city's ordinance does not say RV park.

"As far as we are concerned, they are covered," Nichols said.

In a second letter of demand sent to Durango in June, City Finance Director Sandy Ryan estimates Durango owes about $42,000 in TOT between the period of June 2010 and May of this year.

The calculation is based on reservation prices listed on Durango's website and the number of spaces occupied.

For a certain number of days in June 2010, city building inspectors went and counted the occupancy, and the numbers were extrapolated from that data, Nichols said.

The June demand letter and another letter sent a year ago only asks for payments going back to June 1.2011.

$0.20 per share on a fully diluted basis, for the quarter compared to $6.0 million, or $0.20 per share on a fully-diluted basis, for the same period in 2010.

Net income available to common stockholders totaled $25.8 million, or $0.80 per share on a fullydiluted basis for the six months compared to $21.1 million, or $0.69 per share

on a fully-diluted basis, for the same period in 2010.

The TOT reportedly owed during Durango's first two years of operation are not mentioned even though Nichols said Durango owes the city TOT from day one.

In a letter obtained by the Daily News from the city, Taylor writes the TOT ordinance does not apply to Durango because it does not specifically list RV parks.

"We would certainly like to be paid for the whole time they have been open, but we hope to enter into some amicable discussions," Nichols said. "In my position as the city manager, I don't have the authority to just waive the payment, but we want to compromise. It's more important to get the process started."

"Should the City amend the ordinance to cover the renting of RV spaces, we would then collect and pay the tax ... but thus far nothing has been presented other than the City's unilateral assertion that the ordinance imposes such a tax on our business," Taylor wrote in the letter responding to the city's first demand letter of June 2010.

Nichols said should the council adopt the amendment Tuesday, it would only reinforce the city's code, as the ordinance already includes RV parks.

Durango Owner Gary Breen of GMB Realty Partners did not return messages by Friday afternoon.

Other employees who were contacted, including GMB Chief Operating Officer Russell Taylor, declined to comment and referred questions to Breen.

Equity LifeStyle Properties owns or has an interest in 342 quality properties in 30 states and British Columbia consisting of 123,065 sites.

The company is a selfadministered, selfmanaged, real estate investment trust (REIT) with headquarters in Chicago.

"Our position is, it doesn't change anything," Nichols said. "Let's end this controversy." www.redbluffdailynews.com

Searsport — Searsport Shores Ocean Campground will be taking a step back in time, for the second time — and for a good cause — as it hosts the second annual 1950s and '60s weekend family event, July 29-31.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Pine Tree Camp for handicapped children and adults.

Bob Lafontaine, who is the coastal region vice president of the Maine Snowmobile Association and also works at Searsport Shores, said he came upon the idea of the weekend fundraiser because a number of local snowmobile

clubs were raising money for Pine Tree Camp.

"So, we decided to do something last year with Searsport Shores for Pine Tree Camp," he said.

Events will be held throughout the weekend, including a horseshoe tournament, a Jell-O-eating contest, a lobster bake (prepurchased tickets required) and a carless "drive-in" showing of "American Graffiti" (bring a blanket) on Saturday, and a pancake breakfast and hula hoop contest on the beach on Sunday.

Lafontaine said he thinks

the biggest part of the weekend-long event will be a showing of classic cars in front of the campground on Route 1, on Friday night.

"Last year we had more than 200 cars that came in," he said.

Mega Twister, on Sunday, will feature what Lafontaine described as the "biggest Twister board in the state," which is not to say that it's for giants, but rather that many, many people can play at once.

donations will be gratefully accepted, with all proceeds benefiting Pine Tree Camp.

Lafontaine said the event raised over $3,000 last year.

As for what else to expect, the name pretty much says it all. http://waldo.villagesoup.com

The '50s and '60s weekend is open to all and admission is free, but

“Climate change� is the next drumbeat regarding the global environment. For the last several years it has become obvious that indeed the climate is changing. The storms in both winter and summer are getting bigger and more powerful.

Temperatures are colder in the winter and hotter in the summer; precipitation is greater in some regions and much less in other regions.

We have drought and flooding on the same continent, even wildfires burning in some places that are in flood from mountain runoff flowing into droughtstricken regions.

Before anybody panics, it would be useful to put climate change in perspective. For example, when we hear that records as old as one hundred years have been broken, whether it be heat, cold, precipitation or lack of precipitation, that means the same thing has happened before.

The earth is said to have experienced at least 10 ice ages, with the last major ice age ending about 10 thousand years ago. There were at least 20 globalsized climate changes that

played out for hundreds and thousands of years before now: 10 climate changes during which the earth cooled, followed by at least 10 more eras of warming.

This should give pause to any who decide that the current climate change must be due to human causes.

It would be wise to take account of climate change in planning. For example, it would be practical to restrict oceanfront development where the oceans are expected to rise or coastal storms and tides are becoming more severe.

There are other implications for crop production, stormwater management systems, flood control, care of beachfront property, cost of flood insurance, disaster relief planning, and emergency response planning.

In a society such as ours, change usually means rising prices. Climate change for most of us will mean more expensive insurance, costlier food, higher energy prices and higher taxes.

Aren’t we lucky!

By Larry

I was on the phone the other day, perhaps feeling a bit tired, and I was babbling to a prospective customer. “Look I said, my company is an acquirer, rather than an ISA. We can set you up with interchange rates, or even as a MOTO, and if you’ll use AVS you should save yourself lots of money!” To which the customer replied “What”?

I realized I was speaking in bankese, the language of the processor, instead of English. So I decided that perhaps you’d like a small translation of what the terms that the industry uses. acquirer or acquiring bank: Recognized by Visa or MasterCard as a financial institution that links the merchant to a payment authorization. To sell bankcard services an agent must have an agreement with an acquirer. address verification service (AVS): A fraud deterrent used in “card-not-present” transactions. By entering customers address and zip code risks are lowered to processors and costs to merchants. agent bank: A bank that offers credit cards services to its customers but uses a processing bank to do so.

A middle man. authorization: An electronic exchange (usually done by

fees are added.

ISO: An independent sales organization registered with VISA & MasterCard and sponsored by an acquirer to sell credit card services.

An ISA is an Independent sales agent.

phone) between a card issuing bank and an acquiring bank confirming that the cardholder has sufficient funds or credit. batch: A collection of transactions usually sent at the end of the day. Closing a batch sends the money to the processor. card verification value (CVV): The 3 digit number on the back of a card next to the signature panel. chargeback: When a cardholder tells his issuing bank to void a transaction and that bank contacts the merchant’s bank leaving the merchant liable. A thirdparty usually settles the matter.

mail order/telephone order (MOTO): A category of processing transactions.

Usually keyed-in transactions done at a higher rate.

PCI Compliance: Following the rules and regulations of the Processing Card Industry as it relates to the security of credit/debit car transactions.

ticket only transaction: This completes an authorization transaction as above performed when the customer does a swipe transaction. transaction fee: A fee deducted from the merchant’s account for each transaction. triple DES encryption: A method of encrypting pin debit devices which is a million times more secure than those previously used.

I sure hope this minidictionary helps the next time you talk to a credit card provider!

PIN debit: A debit card transaction which is done by a merchant using the customer’s personal identification number entered into a pin-pad. processor: A company that enters transactions to consumer accounts for settlement by card networks.

encryption: A method to protect data which converts the data to unintelligible text. Used for pin-pads.

settlement: When a card company debits the issuer and credits the acquirer for a transaction and the acquirer credits the merchant (less the fees).

interchange: The basic fees on all cards and card type established by Visa, MasterCard and Discover upon which processing

signature debit: A debit card transaction that is performed without a pinpad. Also called offline debit.

(Art Lieberman is President of MCPS for Campgrounds, a credit card processor sponsored by Woodforest Bank NA. Art has been in the Credit Card industry for nearly 15 years. Art has been conducting webinars online and seminars on credit cards in many State and Regional Association Conventions. He can be contacted at rvcreditcards@yahoo.com )

Seasonal campers include people like Tami Bradshaw, a 40-year-old Reno resident and mother of a 4-year-old boy who works long hours as a hospital compliance manager.

For many families, camping is something they may only do once or twice a year.

But diehard camping aficionados – what the industry calls “seasonal campers” – rent or lease a campsite for the entire camping season, often saving 25 to 50 percent compared to what they would have paid if they only camped for a few nights during the summer.

About one third of the campgrounds, RV parks and resorts listed on CampCalifornia.com now offer seasonal camping rates.

“Seasonal camping is quite common east of the Rockies, but it’s becoming more popular out West, too, as people look for more affordable ways to spend quality time away with their families,” said Debbie Sipe, executive director of the California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

Bradshaw, her parents, Tom and Beverly Bradshaw, and her brother, Tom, have each rented seasonal campsites from May through October at Forest Park RV Spaces in Canyon Dam, near Lake Almanor in Northern California. The campground is about a twohour drive from their homes in Reno, which is close enough for frequent weekend getaways.

Indeed, many seasonal campers find it worthwhile to rent a campsite for the whole season not only for financial reasons, but because it helps them increase the amount of quality time they can spend together as a family.

“Even though my Mom watches my son during the week, the only real time I get quality time with my family is when we go camping in the summer,” Tami Bradshaw said.

Spending quality time camping also helps the

Debbie Sipe

Bradshaw rekindle the many fond memories of summer camping trips with her family when she was growing up in northern Nevada. “We’d spend the days fishing and we’d sit around the campfire at night. Those are just the most awesome memories,” Bradshaw said, adding that seasonal camping enables her to relive those experiences at Lake Almanor.

And while Forest Park RV Spaces is more than a short drive away from home in Reno, Bradshaw said the distance itself is therapeutic.

“When you’re home,” she said, “you feel the pull of chores and responsibilities.

But if you’re two and a half hours away, it’s far enough away to get away from the stress.”

First, if you want to make the repairs yourself, you need to find a pool company that is willing give you advice and is willing to work with you troubleshooting what parts need replacing, plus give you some tips on making the repair.

There are two types of pool companies that sell pool parts. Some specialize in residential pools, others specialize in commercial pool repairs. For the most part, the pools have completely different equipment and different problems. If you have a residential pool, you should contact a company that specializes in these pools.

The same goes with commercial pools. In either case, if the company specializes in one or the other, you will receive much better help in that they will be more familiar with your equipment. The company will also be in a better position to recommend new equipment if the piece in question isn't worth, or can't be repaired.

For the commercial pools, a good share of the facilities have hired a maintenance person to make repairs.

They might work on HVAC equipment, kitchen equipment, laundry, rooms and pool equipment.

Finding a pool company that will help these facilities work through their problems, and aid in ordering the correct pool parts is critical.

Commercial pools can't afford downtime in most

situations. Most owners of the facilities will frown on hiring service companies to make repairs, especially if the maintenance person has the time and inclination to work on the pool equipment. Some commercial pool parts may be the same as residential, but for the most part, residential pools and commercial pools use different equipment, thus they require different pool parts.

Next you need to determine if you are capable, or up to, making the pool repairs.

Some equipment is not easy to work on, or in some cases it could be dangerous such as working on electrical or gas equipment.

You will need to have the manufacturer and part number for the piece of equipment you are repairing. Without this, your pool rep will be guessing and could easily send out the wrong pool parts.

Your pool company should be willing and able to help you order the correct parts.

A good pool company will have a parts catalog and/or a web site with parts listings. It is very difficult to order pool pump, pool heater and pool filter parts and if you don’t have the terminology, it is much easier to order the correct parts when you are looking at an exploded parts diagram of your pool equipment. Like they say, a picture is worth a 1,000 words.

In most cases, you do not

need the serial number when ordering parts. Most pool companies don't have a list of serial numbers.

Thus it is of little value when ordering new pool equipment or pool parts.

Never use a petroleum product on gaskets such as Vaseline. Petroleum products will ruin the gaskets. Always use a lubricant made specifically for pool repairs so they won't harm the O-rings and gaskets.

If you are ordering parts for your pool heater you will need the make and model number. For most heaters, you should find a name plate inside the front panel/door of the heater.

Most heaters have a nameplate inside this compartment. The heater types are: gas or electric.

With gas you have either natural gas or LP gas.

Then gas heaters are either electronic with spark ignition or millivolt with a pilot light.

To order parts for your pool pump you will need the make and model number off the pump end. If you need pump parts, not a motor, you should find a nameplate on the pump piece right near where the pump connects to the motor. If you need to order a motor, call your pool company and give them the horse power, voltage, phase and frame.

This information should be listed on the motor tag.

For pool filter parts, you should be able to find the manufacturer and model

number tag on the shell of the filter. If you need valve parts, the model number will be on the valve.

For pool lights, you will need to turn the power off to the light. Most lights have one top screw that you can take out to remove the light. You should be able to reach the light from the pool deck. Lights should have just enough extra cord to pull the light up onto the deck. The make and model number for the light is imprinted on the outside of the stainless steel canister.

In review: -When ordering pool parts, find a vendor that not only can send you the parts, but help you figure out what's wrong with the piece of pool equipment. The vendor should be helpful with the repairs and make you feel comfortable that you are ordering the right parts.

-Question any pool company that wants to send more than one part for the repair, especially on heaters. For example, the heat exchanger (tube bundle) might be leaking.

You don't have to replace the heat exchanger and headers at the same time.

Just replace the heat exchanger. But always replace gaskets and seals when you pull a piece of equipment apart.

-Before you work on a piece of pool equipment, make sure you turn off the following: power and/or gas to all pool equipment.

DUNEDIN - After 1,000 angry residents, including several Republican lawmakers, showed up at a public hearing in this west coast town, Gov. Rick Scott this month killed a hastily contrived plan that would have allowed a private vendor to set up an RV camp at a beachfront state park .

But introducing what Scott's administration calls "family camping" to 55 other parks, including Palm Beach County's John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, is still on the table.

Critics call it the equivalent of paving the parks with Walmart parking lots, and it's just the latest of Scott's public-area proposals riling them.

Since taking office in January, Scott and his administration also have unsuccessfully considered shutting down many of the state's parks and allowing Jack Nicklaus to build golf courses within state parks, starting with Jonathan Dickinson State Park in southern Martin County.

Scott "seems to just quickly draw his gun and shoot without asking questions first," said Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, one of 14 Central Florida lawmakers, mostly

Gov. Rick Scott Republicans, who have gone on record opposing RV camping at Honeymoon Island State Park. "He does. And then he has to go back and revise either his comments or the policy."

Camping is already allowed at 53 of the state's 160 parks, but state officials in June fast-tracked plans to allow camping, including recreational vehicle camping, at four more parks, including Florida's most popular park, Honeymoon Island in Dunedin, about 20 miles north of St. Petersburg; and at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs, De Leon Springs and Fanning Springs state parks.

The state also chose 52 other parks, including Mac-Arthur, where camping could be added by allowing private companies to build and run campsites.

Republican opposition But after public hearings early this month at the four initial sites, the Scott Continued

Continued administration is slowing down.

The nearly four-hour public meeting July 5 in Dunedin drew 1,000 people - double the 500 seats available and all of them opposed to the proposal to allow RVs overnight at the park, which, like Mac-Arthur, currently closes at dusk and does not allow camping of any kind.

Patrice Weaver's plea was representative: "I have seen my state built over, paved over and drained," the frequent park visitor told the state parks officials.

"Please leave it alone. Get the dollar signs out of your eyes."

Among those objecting at the hearing were at least four Republican lawmakers.

Four days later, Scott and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard announced they were scrapping the plan for Honeymoon Island and rethinking how to go about expanding camping elsewhere. Votes on the other three parks where the plan was being fast-tracked will not be held by the state's Acquisition and Restoration Council as planned.

Asked last week about the plan, Scott said, "We want people to use our state parks. But we've got to do it in a manner that we keep our nice environment. So we should continue to look at these things. But we've

got to listen to the public.

It's their parks."

But he indicated he was still interested in possibly expanding camping at other parks.

"We're going to really look at it," he said Wednesday.

"Look at it very closely, and be very careful. I want to get that third gold medal."

Florida is the first state to twice win gold medals from the National Recreation and Parks Association for having the nation's best park system.

But critics say Scott, who has lived in Florida for less than a decade, doesn't understand what the gold medals represent.

"This is an award-winning parks system that got an award not because it created RV campgrounds but because it balances Florida's unique natural resources and the ability of people to go and enjoy those natural resources," said Audubon of Florida Executive Director Eric Draper. "That doesn't have anything to do with whether or not you pave an area to allow people to sleep in an air-conditioned building overnight."

"They're talking about putting a building with its own motor in the middle of an area that was preserved to provide a natural experience. I just don't think they're being honest with their arguments here."

Full Article: www.palmbeachpost.com

NBC Today showcased camping for upscale luxury travelers – the popular “glamping” trend -- in a three-minute segment with consumer correspondent Janice Lieberman and two female friends on the road in a stylish, luxury rental motorhome arranged by RVIA’s public relations team.

“An alternative to camping for those of us who love the great outdoors but would rather not sleep with the snakes,” quipped show host Kathie Lee Gifford, introducing the report.

The featured motorhome, a Winnebago Journey provided by high-end RV

rental company Allstar Coach, offered upscale comforts and conveniences for the women – “not your usual RV gang,” in the words of the reporter. “A luxury RV complete with a living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom,” she commented admiringly, as the camera panned through it.

At the Normandy Farms Campground in Foxboro, Mass., the group enjoyed facials and a manicure as well as more typical campground activities like making s’mores and singing around the campfire. The next morning, after preparing

breakfast in the RV’s kitchen, they dined al fresco, complete with champagne mimosas.

The consumer reporter pointed out that for a group sharing expenses, even a high-end RV glamping trip can be affordable. “Most RV rentals go for $80 to

$200 a night,” she added.

“With this story, we targeted affluent travelers who want to be pampered, showing that RV camping can equal and surpass a five-star resort hotel experience,” said James Ashurst, RVIA vice president of public relations and advertising.

The price point on these items is just right- so people will be more inclined to purchase them.

If you are interested in ordering from Wilcor, you can contact the sales department at 1-800-346-2345 ext. 707.

is an importer and distributor to the camping industry throughout the US. They are constantly creating new and unique product lines. These exclusive items have been designed specifically with the camping and RV industry in mind.

With the rapid growth of the camping and RV industry, they wanted to design a line of products that focused on camping and RVing. This is why the gift line was created.

These items include ornaments, magnets, pens and frames and have been very popular since they were first launched. Many of these items have proven to be profitable.

When people purchase an item such as a picture frame, they will see this item year round. They will remember the fun times that they had on their last camping trip and will be more likely to book another one.

RVing is a lifestyle, so people are looking to purchase these products. The unique design of these products makes them the perfect souvenir item to remember your family camping trip.

If camping and RV stores are looking to increase profits, these items would be a great start.

www.Wilcor.net.

JACKSON CENTER, Ohio -- Thor Industries, Inc., has announced that Jeff Kime will become president of Thor Motor Coach effective Aug. 1.

"Jeff formerly served as president of Four Winds for a period of 16 years when it was Thor's largest motorhome division. Jeff has a track record of success in the industry and is a seasoned Thor company president. We are very excited to have him back," said Peter Orthwein, Thor's CEO. Ron Fenech, recreation vehicle senior group president, and Bill Fenech, president of Thor Motor Coach, have decided to

leave the company. Ron Fenech will be staying for a transitional period during which Thor's RV Company presidents will continue to report to him. Bill Fenech's resignation takes effect July 31, which is the end of Thor's fiscal year.

"Ron and Bill have been instrumental in Thor's success in building Keystone into the No. 1 RV manufacturer and recently in their current positions," said Orthwein. "Bill oversaw the combination of Four Winds and Damon to form Thor Motor Coach, and Ron oversaw the reorganization of several of our towable companies as well as the integration of the Heartland acquisition. Their leadership will be missed."

While few RV parks and campgrounds have master meter gas/propane systems, those that do will need to comply with new federal regulations beginning August 2, 2011.

Operators of a master meter gas/propane system (natural or propane gas hard-piped to each site), similar to those used at mobilehome parks, must develop and implement a written plan that addresses the integrity of gas and propane pipeline systems

by August 2, 2011.

Inspectors from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will begin to review said plans during routine inspections of your gas pipeline system.

Park owners may want to contact your utility service provider for assistance in developing this written plan.

Park owners can also call the CPUC at 213-576-7020 for more information how this program impacts your park

HERSHEY, Penn. -Guests staying at Hershey Highmeadow Campground this October can enjoy both the beautiful fall foliage and family-friendly Halloween festivities taking place throughout the town.

the Night provides a familyfriendly, educational Halloween alternative in which guests are encouraged to bring flashlights to view ZooAmerica residents in their nocturnal settings.

The official campground of Hersheypark, Hershey Highmeadow Campground provides guests with discounted rates and a free shuttle service to Hersheypark in the Dark, the park's annual Halloween event.

Campground guests visiting Hersheypark in the Dark pay just $23.50 for ages 9 to 54 and $16.50 for ages 3 to 8 and 55 and older. Children 2 and under are always free.

(The regular admission rate is $28.95, and $19.95 for juniors and seniors.)

Open for three weekends in October, including Oct. 16 to 17, Oct. 21 to 23 and Oct. 28 to 30, Hersheypark offers treats for every member of the family, said Rachel Dinbokowitz, with Hershey Highmeadow Campground.

Hersheypark in the Dark includes live entertainment and more than 50 rides that are re-named for the season. They include Ghost Runner (Storm Runner) and Wicked Racer (Lightning Racer) offer thrilling nighttime coaster rides, while guests both young and old delight in Bats in the Belfry (Kissing Tower) and Night Mares (Carrousel).

One-price admission to the park also includes access to ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, which transforms into Creatures of the Night during those October weekends. Creatures of

In addition, other Hershey attractions, such as The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue; Hershey Gardens; and Hershey's Chocolate World, provide guests with even more Halloween entertainment options. Campground guests receive a discounted admission rate to both The Hershey Story and Hershey Gardens.

Visitors staying at the campground also can enjoy Halloween festivities right at Highmeadow, including trick-or-treating at campsites, costume contests, site decorating, pumpkin decorating and more.

Hershey Highmeadow Campground is a 55-acre campground that offers more than 300 open and shaded sites, including 27 cabins with heat, air conditioning, a flat-screen

television and DVD player; full hook-up sites with electric, water, sewer and cable television; partial sites with electric, water and cable television; and no hook-up tent sites. Pullthrough sites are also available. The

Campground provides free wi-fi services.

A year-round destination, Hershey is located in central Pennsylvania, three hours from New York City, 90 minutes from Philadelphia or Baltimore, and two hours from Washington.