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President’s Message		Chuck and Jean Carney live in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Chuck plays trombone and Jean sings in the chorus. Ron and Janice Dallas are from Arlington, MA. Ron is a behind-the –scenes helper, with experience in the technical aspects of stage and light design. Janice is a soprano soloist who enjoys performing Gilbert and Sullivan. Paul and Peggy Justus live in Advance, NC, and are already well known to the snow birds among us. Paul plays saxophone and Peggy is always willing to help out at chapter fairs, luncheons, etc. Jim and Peggy Kitchings are from Aiken, SC, and are also well known to those of us who participate in the Southeast and Eastern Area rallies. Jim plays trumpet, flugel horn, and an occasional keyboard. Peggy is another of our stalwart behind-the-scenes helpers, always ready to do whatever is needed. Robert and Mary Mack live in Pen Argyl, PA. Both sing in the chorus, and at NEAR 09 Mary finally took the plunge and performed her first solo with Maestros. We’re looking forward to many more, Mary! Glenn and Flower MacMillen are from Pulaski, NY. Both enjoy playing a variety of different harmonicas, and they can always be counted on to come up with a very interesting duet or two. Richard and Gail Polin live in Skokie, IL. After singing along from the audience for a day or two, they decided to join our group and are now members of our chorus. Ken and Carol Presthus win the prize for long distance membership among our new members. Home for them is in Yuma, AZ. Carol sings in the chorus and Ken does vocal solos in addition to playing trombone, harmonica, and various other instruments. Again – a hearty YDD welcome to all of these new folks. We are so very glad that you decided to join us! At the end of our final performance on Saturday, we added one more very important honorary member to our chapter. In recognition of his superb service to us for the past two years, we made our sound engineer, Ezra Mulheron, an official YDD. For those who did not attend NEAR 09 and therefore missed the chapter meeting, please take the time to read the meeting minutes included in this newsletter. Among other things, the minutes contain information on (1) the Bylaws change necessitated by the National Bylaws change approved in Bowling Green; (2) our new membership application form; (3) free FMCA memberships available for new members; and (4) the contest that has begun to see who in each area chapter, and in the whole Northeast Area, can recruit the most new FMCA members during the coming year. One other bit of news for everyone. Thanks to the Expo Center, the Northeast Area now has, on-site, its own private storage trailer (as in tractor trailer.) Since YDDs have quite a bit of “stuff” that we only use at our own rally, we decided to take advantage of this new facility. Those of us who have been hauling various YDD items around in our coaches from year to year will now have a little (or a lot) more space in our storage bays.
After months of living-breathing-eating-sleeping NEAR 09, the rally is finally successfully behind us. Paul and I are still in “recovery mode,” and I’m sure many of you feel the same way. A great big “Thank You!” is definitely in order for all the YDDs and other Maestros who participated during morning coffee hour, and at the other venues served by the Jazz Band and the Dixie Band. We received many compliments on our music and were glad to have added to the enjoyment of our fellow rally attendees. As is always the case at any rally, Maestros had more fun than anybody -- so much so that six of our visiting Maestro families decided to become YDDs! In addition, three other families joined us as new Maestros, giving us a total of nine coaches added to our chapter. We are delighted to welcome all of these folks and look forward to seeing them at NEA rallies in years to come. Here’s a quick introduction to our new members: Bob and Irene Benac are from Waterford, NY. Both will participate in our chorus, Bob as a bass and Irene as a soprano. Irene plays keyboard as well.

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Prez, continued: For any of you who do not already know, Grant and Joan Bamberger are going to take a year off from the rally schedule and remain out West next spring (when the ski season ends) to do some traveling. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for the countless hours they have devoted to YDDs over the years. Joan had the chapter presidency thrust back on her this spring and summer following Paul’s election as AVP, and as usual, did a wonderful job handling all the details, as well as coordinating and hosting the pre-rally. Despite his recent knee replacement surgery, Grant put in long hours both before and during the rally working with Ezra on the sound, lights, and stage design. To both of them the YDDs wish a time of relaxation and renewal, and safe and happy travels next summer! Grant and Joan, we will miss you! Finally, I want to thank the Nominating Committee for twisting enough arms to provide us with a slate of officers for the next two years. My personal thanks to all of you for placing your confidence in me as your president. It is no secret that, given Paul’s position, the NEA rally will be a very busy time for me for the next two years. But those of you who know me know that my first loyalty will always be to Maestros, and I will do for all of you the very best job of which I am capable. In addition, I have a terrific VP in Ricki Toppe to help me out as needed. So…we go forward from here. Plans for NEAR 2010 are already well under way. (I told Paul when we left Essex Junction that I wanted/needed one week with no mention of the next rally…it didn’t happen.) I would urge those of you who missed NEAR 09 to start planning right now to attend NEAR 2010. Judging from the avalanche of compliments the NEA Board received, we had a great rally this year. We’ll have an even better one next year. So don’t be left out! Lord willing, Paul and I will be at Music Camp in October, and at Brooksville in February. We hope to see many of you at one or both of these gatherings. Until we meet again, travel safely…and make music whenever you can! Sincerely, Diane DuBois
Ken Presthus on harmonica		Secretary’s Report Frustrated Maestros Northeast - Yankee Doodle Dandies Chapter Meeting – Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009 – Essex Jct, VT The regular summer meeting of Frustrated Maestros Northeast Yankee Doodle Dandies was called to order by Acting President Joan Bamberger on Tuesday, August 11, 2009, at 4:10 PM, at the FMCA Northeast Area Rally in Essex Junction, VT. Attendance was taken, indicating that a quorum was present. Members participated in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. By unanimous consent, the minutes of the last meeting were accepted as printed in the newsletter, and the reading of same was waived. Secretary Diane DuBois circulated a sign-in sheet, as well as a current copy of the roster and asked that all members check their entries for accuracy. Diane also provided hard copies of documents which had previously been sent to members via email: (1) a letter of thanks from Eurise Johnson, (2) Bob Toppe’s Governing Board Report from the meeting at Bowling Green, Ohio, and (3) the minutes of the Maestro Council meeting also held at Bowling Green. The audit committee, consisting of Dave Ricketts, Betty Thompson, and Nancy Heck, reported that they had examined the Treasurer’s records and found them to be in order in every respect. Old Business: (1) The question of the annual fall gathering of YDDs at Wassamki Springs Campground near Portland, Maine, was raised by Joan Bamberger. Joan and Grant have traditionally hosted this event but will be unable to do so this year. After some discussion and the failure of anyone else to volunteer to coordinate the “Jam Session and Lobster Fest,” Bob Toppe moved that it be cancelled for this year. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
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Secretary Report, continued: (2) Grant Bamberger gave a very thorough summary of the work of the committee (consisting of Bob Hadley and Grant) charged with exploring the possibility of purchasing our own sound system. After carefully weighing the pros and cons, the committee’s recommendation was that, rather than attempting to purchase our own system, we continue to “use a professional to provide and operate the sound equipment.” After a question and answer period and considerable discussion, Dave Fuller moved that we accept the committee’s recommendation rather than pursuing the purchase of equipment. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The membership expressed thanks to Grant and Bob for the work that they did in preparing and presenting the report. New Business: Joan then asked that we proceed to the election of chapter officers. The Nominating Committee, consisting of Joan Bamberger, Dave Ricketts, and Jerry Webb, presented the following slate of officers: President: Diane DuBois Vice-President: Ricki Toppe Secretary: Anne Gould Treasurer: Joan Webb National Director: Ricki Toppe Following the presentation of the presidential candidate, Glenn Meurer moved that nominations from the floor for that office be closed. The motion was seconded and unanimously carried. In the interest of time, the rest of the slate was presented as a group. There being no nominations from the floor for any of the offices, Bob Toppe moved to accept the committee’s slate. The motion was carried unanimously. Joan Bamberger then spoke regarding the importance of having an Alternate National Director who would be present at conventions when voting is taking place. Since Dick Reissig indicated that he and Connie would probably not be traveling to distant conventions, Joan asked for a volunteer to accept the position of Alternate National Director. As there were no volunteers from the floor, Diane DuBois offered to accept the position, since for the next two years, she and Paul will be required to attend the national conventions. This offer was unanimously accepted. Joan then turned the meeting over to Diane, who spoke briefly to the group on the following subjects: (1) At Bowling Green, the National Bylaws were changed to require only one chapter meeting per year, rather than the two that had previously been required. (This does not mean that we cannot have two meetings per year if we wish. It only means that two are no longer required.) Our chapter bylaws must be updated to incorporate this change, but the updated version does not have to be sent to National for approval. (2) New member applications have been prepared showing Joan Webb’s address as the one to which the application and dues check should be returned. Members were asked to destroy any of the older versions that they may still have. (3) Our chapter has five free one-year FMCA memberships that can be given to any motorhome owner, in the hope that, after their first year, they will want to continue as regular dues-paying FMCA members. These must be used by December 31 of this year. Any YDD member who can use one of these should contact Diane. (4) We will need some help at our table at the Chapter Fair on Friday, 8/14, 1:30 to 3:30 in Expo South. Informational flyers have been prepared, with a membership application on the back. (5) Because of the emphasis our new President, Charlie Schrenkel, is placing on the importance of gaining new FMCA members, Paul DuBois, as Northeast Area VP, is offering some special incentives for those who sign up the most new members between August 1, 2009, and July 1, 2010. The member in each chapter who enrolls the most new FMCA members will receive special seating at entertainment at NEAR 2010. The top recruiter in the entire Northeast Area for that time period will receive free use of a golf cart for all of NEAR 2010. In addition, there will be one other very special prize for the top recruiter in the Northeast Area. This will be announced at Evening Entertainment later this week. Treasurer Joan Webb offered one addition to her report presented earlier: receipts for the pre-rally totaled $1,471.50 as of the date of the meeting. There being no further new business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 PM. Respectfully submitted, Diane DuBois, out-going secretary

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Treasurer’s Report Rally income: $795.50 Rally expenses: $609.87 (incl. memorial contribution) Payment for pre-rally sites: $1535.50 Updated Checkbook balance: $1077.77 Respectfully submitted, Joan Webb, Treasurer
National Director Report The FMCA Governing Board Meeting was held on Monday, July 20, 2009 in Bowling Green, OH National Officers were elected as follows: President - Charlie Schrenkel (2^nd ballot) Senior Vice-President - Judy Czarsty Secretary – Joanne Durbin Treasurer –Wilburn Young The 2010 Operating Budget was passed with an operating deficit of $794,000. -Medex was retained at a cost of $518,600. -Administrative costs were reduced by $2.2 million. -Travel costs were cut by 50%. -Dues were raised by $5.00 (to be voted on by the membership). -Magazine revenue is down $5M from 2005. -FMCA’s Investment position will drop $794,000 to cover the operating loss. Membership continues to decline to about 105,000. Sixty-five percent of members do not belong to a Chapter. Required Chapter meetings reduced from two to one per year.				2010 will be a difficult year for FMCA and the RV industry in general. I believe that costs and staff were reduced in a responsible manner while trying to retain the heart and member benefits of FMCA. Each of us should work to increase membership and Chapter participation. Best Regards, Bob Toppe National Director
A Note of Thanks As Past President and Past Vice President I would like to thank all of the Yankee Doodle Dandies for making my job fun. There was a fair amount of work involved, mostly revolving around the Northeast Area Rallies and our lobster fest in Maine, but all of you volunteered your services and time in order to lighten my load. The members of the Board, who performed their duties with excellence, were a pleasure to work with. I also have to give a lot of credit to my husband, Grant, who made sure that I looked like I knew what I was doing. With the help of all of you, Yankee Doodle Dandies, we can all feel good about having a successful Rally and having a good time while doing it. I have enjoyed my time as an officer and mostly I have enjoyed knowing all of you. We may not be at the 2010 Rally because of other travel plans, but we will be around after that. We will miss seeing all of you next year, but I know that under our new President Diane DuBois, the new Board members, and Pete Eckhardt as band director, the YDD will only get better. Grant and I look forward to seeing you all in 2011. Sincerely, Joan Bamberger, YDD
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NEAR 2009 - Yankee Doodle Dandies – Band and Chorus Photo courtesy of Roxie Marston				Bob Toppe Photo courtesy of Dick Reissig
N.E.A.R. 2009 “It’s a family affair” Champlain Valley Exposition Essex Junction, VT Volunteer Captain, Chapter Members, On behalf of the Northeast Motor-home AssociationExecutive Board I would like to extend my sincerest “thanks”to you and your Chapter members for a job “well done” at this years rally in Essex Junction, VT. As you well know it takes a coordinated effort involving many volunteers to ensure success in a rally of this magnitude and proportion. It is only with your dedicated leadership and the assistance of your Chapter members that this can be accomplished successfully. Working together, we look forward to our 2010 NMA rally with much anticipation knowing that “we can make it even better”. Hope to see you all again at the Champlain Valley Expo next year. Lou Snow NMA 1^st VP