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FELTON - Dozens of vintage travel trailer owners bonded through shared childhood memories Saturday, oohing and aahing over dozens of restored relics during the fifth annual "Trailers in the Trees" rally at Smithwoods RV Park in Felton.

Slipping through a brief window in time, they relived the memories created during family camping trips, when the trailers lacked the

luxurious bells and whistles featured in today's monstrous recreational vehicles.

One had 1940s- and 1950s-era figurines sitting on the small shelves inside, while another even had a small cat door cut through the front door. Yet another had a wall hanging titled "Recipes for Keeping a Husband," and a bathroom with nylon stockings hanging over a shower rod.

"That was so classic," laughed Jim Kohl, visiting with his wife from Pleasanton. "It was right out of that time period."

Napa resident Dan Cutright said he and his wife, Susan, spent about two years restoring their 1954 aluminum Traveleze, which he likened to "a rustic cabin on wheels."

The Coasters' 1958 hit, "Yakety Yak" drifted out of a small speaker inside a fully restored, 1954 Jewel travel trailer, its pink, color-coordinated interior featuring everything from drapes and a bread box in the tiny kitchenette to a pink lamp and tissue holder in the small bedroom. A stream of late-afternoon sun shone through one of the windows, the light

gleaming off a strand of pearls coiled inside a dish next to the bed.

Thomas Birdsall, who traveled to the rally from Danville with his son, purchased the trailer in 2009, and said he got his inspiration for the interior design from two pink china dishes he inherited from his grandmother. His 12-year-old son, Alan, helped with some of the restoration and decorating work, but asked whether all the pink bothered him, he shrugged and said, "I'm used to it by now."

In the late afternoon, Steven Katkowsky took a group to view his museum in Ben Lomond, which has dozens of vintage cars and trailers, as well as fishing and camping gear. Few of

the items are actually for sale, he said, but it provided another chance for the event's participants to relive a simpler time in American history.

Santa Cruz resident Penny Cotter came up with the idea for "Trailer in the Trees" after noticing there were few such "RV rallies" in Northern California, and wanted to provide an opportunity for people who love vintage trailers to gather for a weekend of camping and solidarity. Sitting on a picnic table outside of the 1962 Shasta Airflyte she and her husband restored was a scrapbook featuring before and after pictures of the restoration project, which they completed in 2006 incorporating items owned by her grandmother.

This was Kathy Lebs's third year participating in the event, which involved traveling from Santa Rosa

with her 17-foot-long, 1962 "perfectly imperfect" Road Runner. Paneled in birch, with a small Formica kitchen table and a pull-out Gaucho bed in the bedroom, she sees her trailer's small flaws as adding the character that the "modern monsters" lack.

Most of the restoration work was cosmetic, but she's been working for the last two years on another trailer that she calls "Chiclet" - a reference to both its shape and the female version of a "man cave."

She fondly recalled memories created as a child while camping with her parents and grandparents, saying that although she only purchased the Road Runner several years ago, "it's the same smell, the same feel. It's like a song, you close your eyes and you're right there again." Article & Photos www.santacruzsentinel.com

DENVER, Aug. 3, 2011 – The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) and Skyline Corp. have negotiated an agreement that gives Skyline “preferred provider” status on park model and travel trailer sales to ARVC-member parks in the U.S. and Canada.

“I am very excited to have Skyline as a preferred provider,” said David L. Berg, ARVC chairman, adding that savings from a single park model purchase could offset the cost of ARVC dues for as much as 20 years.

“This agreement does not just cover rental units,” Berg said. “It covers all products that Skyline manufactures, including park models of all widths, towable travel trailers, park model cabins which they are designing specifically for ARVC members and mobile homes. The only restriction is that the member must use the units as rentals or sell them directly to their customers for use in their park.”

Skyline, for its part, said the preferred provider agreement with ARVC should help boost sales for the Elkhart, Ind.-based

company in an increasingly competitive market. “We’re looking forward to displaying some of our units at the upcoming Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo in Savannah,” said Terry Decio, Skyline’s vice president of sales and marketing.

Elkhart, Ind.-based Skyline has manufacturing facilities in Indiana, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Florida, Oregon and California.

“With Skyline plans from New England to California, this will be a

far reaching member benefit that the vast majority of our membership can enjoy,” Berg said.

David L. Berg

WOOD COUNTY (WAOW) -- It's been almost three months since a tornado hit part of Wood County, and one campground there is working to get back to normal. The Deer Trail Park Campground in Nekoosa sustained heavy damage when a tornado hit May 22, 2011. Several dozen campers were damaged.

Owner Sharon Rose says she was shocked when it happened. Now, two-and-a-half months later, people are

camping there again—but not nearly as many as usually do. "We had a very off June, everybody seemed like they didn't even know we were open, and a very off July," said Rose. "Finally this weekend and last weekend, we finally are somewhat back to having a good business." Rose says most of the damaged campers have been replaced, and crews have hauled away 13 semi loads of trees. She says she plans to plant new grass and trees soon to be ready for next spring.

"I would say by fall we will have the loop that was really wrecked planted with new grass, and we plan on planting it probably right after Labor Day," said Rose. However, the campground's insurance company did not cover the

clean-up costs, so it falls on the owners to take care of it themselves. According to Wood County Emergency Management officials, the tornado caused about $1 million in property damages. www.waow.com

Everyone has them. You know who I’m talking about.

Those Pesky Guests that insist on being catered to, even though they can see that you’re busy. Well, I have devised a sure fire way to get rid of those guests permanently. There

may be a little fall-out from this plan but it will be worth the effort.

1.) Make sure that the front desk finishes their conversation with each other before they check the guest in. After all, the people working the front

desk are as important as that Pesky Guest is, so why should they have to stop in the middle of their discussion about the great sale they found just to take care of someone standing at the front desk? And while you are at it, forbid your workers from smiling at guests. A smile will give the guest the impression that you are happy to see them check in.

2.) When a potential guest calls to ask about availability, make sure that the person answering the call gives them a base price without the extras. Don’t let them know until they check in that you have an extra charge if they want electric at their site, cable TV is in addition to the base rate and, of course, tax gets added in. This is an especially effective way of deterring Pesky Guests if you can quote them an extremely low price for the site and then more than double it at the point of check in.

3.) Do not tell anyone when your check out time is. After all, they have

been traveling for a while; they should know when the standard check out time is. And just in case they want to be difficult, send someone to their site 15 minutes before check out time to remind them that they need to be packing up. This works even better if you happen to catch them starting to pack up. We all know how Pesky Guests can drag their feet in getting ready to move on down the road.

4.) Save electricity by not replacing burned out light bulbs. This will not only help you save money, but you will also keep Pesky Guests from complaining about how dirty the laundry or showers are. If it’s that dirty, why don’t they just clean up after themselves? After all, you didn’t make the mess, they did.

5.) When you do get around to checking in those Pesky Guests, be sure to hand them paperwork that has been repeatedly copied so that there are toner smudges, crooked images and blurry type. In this day and age, you need to save everywhere you can. If you don’t already have this type of documentation, then all you have to do is make a copy of a copy of a copy until it reaches the appropriate level of unbusiness like appearance.

6.) We all know that the day is wasting away so begin your mowing, yard work or

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tree trimming early in the morning. The earlier, the better. Pesky Guests should understand that the only reason you have to perform these functions is because of them. If they weren’t around you wouldn’t have to worry about how tall the grass was or whether or not tree limbs were hanging over your sites.

7.) If you have a Pesky Guest stop you to ask a question about their site, make sure that you let them know in your outside voice that they are the stupidest creatures to ever walk this earth. And since Pesky Guest has been so inconsiderate, make sure that you go next door to let the neighbor know that it is not a problem for them to block Pesky Guests site with their guest’s vehicles. 8.) Make sure that you strictly enforce the pet leash requirement, that pet barking will not be tolerated and that picking up after your pet is mandatory. Assign a work camper to the task of monitoring and enforcing the pet rules. This work camper must be someone with a dog who rides on the golf cart and chases after the pets on a leash. After all, the work camper’s pet needs a little entertainment. Besides, Pesky Guests pet should be inside the camper anyway.

9.) Be sure that all employees cut through

sites in order to get to their next assignment quickly and efficiently. The site belongs to you not to the Pesky Guest. This will have the added benefit of making sure that nothing is put on the site (like lawn chairs) that will get in your way when you have to mow the lawn.

10.) And finally, when Pesky Guest leaves send him multiple emails asking about his stay. However, once he fills out the information, DO NOT respond to him. Responding to him will just encourage him to tell you more. If Pesky Guest goes so far as to post a nasty review on the web, be sure you respond by telling everyone what an idiot the guy was, how his expectations were so out of line and that it is your park and you will run it the way you want to, not the way Pesky Guest wants you to.Unfortunately, in my travels, I have never seen anyone enforce all ten of the above rules, which resulted in the park having at least a few Pesky Guests to deal with. As you work at it, however, you will get better until you reach the point of having an empty park that you can sit and admire. I’m sure that there are a few more items that can be added to my rules. What would you suggest?

***Pamela and her company, FocusedWords, are dedicated to helping you promote and market your

Continued RV Park/ Resort/ Campground to RVer’s everywhere. Be sure to follow her on Twitter: @RVStops and @FocusedWords. Check out her blog at www.FocusedWords.com/blog.

Pamela has redesigned her website, FocusedWords.com, to provide a place for you to tell Rally groups what your park has to offer for their next rally. Be sure to fill out your park form with your facilities information.

Pamela Wright

This is the 149th article we have written for the E-News, but nothing has ever caused more excitement with campground owners than last week’s article dealing with the transfer of funds through the Automated Clearing House system.

Campgrounds traditionally market their sites, whether RV hookups, park models, cabins or yurts, on a daily, weekly, monthly or even seasonal basis. Campgrounds accept checks or credit cards for payment for these rentals and both have drawbacks. Daily or weekend rentals are a little problem since they don’t involve large sums of money. But payments for longer stays carry with them expenses that campgrounds have had to incur.

It gets even more expensive when these charges are recurring, such as a camper who wishes to rent a space for the season but wants to pay monthly. When these payments are made over the phone, costs rise dramatically if the payment is made by credit or debit card. The example we gave last week was a monthly transaction for a campsite for $1,500. A credit card transaction is likely to cost $45 or more at 3% plus, including all fees. Multiply that number times 10 or more campers a month, and the campground is paying

substantial fees for advance billing when it is recurring.

The answer is, of course, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), where funds are deposited through an Automated Clearing House directly into a campground owner’s bank. The camper must sign a permission agreement to allow the transfer, but this is far from rare these days. Many companies, such as utilities, insurance companies, and mortgage companies use EFTs for their customer’s billing. Direct Deposit is now the way that 35% of Americans get paid salaries and, as older folks know, Social Security does not send out checks anymore and you must have a bank account for an EFT of your monthly payment.

Most people believe that EFT is too expensive. On the contrary it is a money-saver in both time and record keeping and it makes cash flow more predictable.

It is obvious that credit card processors are not too happy with EFT. They lose all those transaction percentages and fees that merchants would pay for recurring billing.

Now, MCPS for Campgrounds is offering EFT to all campgrounds. We can set you up to accept EFT from your

We know of no other company offering this service to the campground industry. What’s more, this service could be an effective money-saving tool for suppliers who do monthly billing.

Our EFT program is beginning now. For more information you can call MCPS for Campgrounds at 877-858-9010 or e-mail us at rvcreditcards@yahoo.com

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.

customers and IF you are processing your credit cards through us, at a cost of $1 per transaction. That’s it! There is no setup fee, no equipment to buy and no long term agreement to sign. There is an application to complete with a voided check, and the process will probably take a week or so to get verified. Your customers will also have to complete an agreement to allow the transfer of funds. But the savings in credit card fees could be substantial and you won’t have to wait for checks to arrive either. EFT transfers are especially helpful to seasonal businesses and they are extremely safe. YOU maintain total control over how much and how often funds get debited.

If you aren’t a customer of ours, but still would like to take advantage of the EFT program, we will debit your account by EFT for $40 a month, plus the $1 per transaction fee, Once again you can start or stop this service at your discretion.

By Art Lieberman

New Salem/Lisbon Location is 7th KOA Added to 477-Campground System in 2011 BILLINGS, MT (August 4, 2011) – The newest campground to join Kampgrounds of America’s North American system is the Salem/Lisbon KOA, located in the northeast corner of Ohio. The Salem/Lisbon KOA Campground, formerly known as Stoneridge Terrace, is the 7th new location to join the 477-park KOA system in 2011. Other additions in 2011 include the Murphy/Pease

Valley, North Carolina KOA; Deerpark/New York City NW KOA; Chautauqua Lake, New York KOA; Meadville, Pennsylvania KOA; Montrose/Black Canyon National Park, Colorado KOA; and the Cross/Santee Cooper Lakes, South Carolina KOA. “The Salem/Lisbon KOA is another great fit for the KOA system,” said KOA President Pat Hittmeier. “We are very selective when it comes to fitting the needs and desires of our campers, and it’s always wonderful when we are

able to welcome a campground like this, with owners like the Kuders, to the KOA family.” The Salem/Lisbon KOA will be adding to its already substantial camping offerings, including more campsites and lodge accommodations. Owner Barb Weikart-Kuder said KOA’s KampSight online campground operating system will make things easier for both staff and campers. “We will be able to offer

live and online reservations now,” she said. “Becoming a KOA gives us more exposure on a local, regional and national level.” The campground has an Olympic-size, heated swimming pool, extensive clubhouse and 3.5-acre catch-and-release fishing pond.

The Washington Times release of July 19, 2011 reported that the EPA is about to cut the national air-quality standard to between 60 and 70 parts per billion of allowable ozone, down from 75 ppb..

The EPA sent its proposal to the While House the previous week and a final decision was to be made by the end of July. Was this an effort to hide another “sneak attack” on our economy” under cover of the debt limit ruckus? One might ask why the speed?

Where was the media spotlight?

The Washington Times release focused on the Business Roundtable’s objections. “An interactive map released…by a coalition of leading business groups details the potential economic destruction…from toughening of air pollution rules...” The map shows that 85 percent of the nation’s counties would fall out of compliance under the new standards.

Only two counties in Virginia and none in

Maryland would meet the new standards. There are about 3100 counties in the United States, meaning that more than 2500 counties would be in trouble.

What kind of trouble?

Estimates range as high as 7.3 million jobs could be lost in the next eight years because of this rule.

Communities that fail to drop within the limit would be subject to fines and forced to place restrictions on businesses. One of the restrictions would be a rule that businesses would need to tear down one or more buildings before they could build a new one.

Folks: it does not matter what political party you belong to. You might be a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent, a Tea Party member, a liberal or a conservative.The bad economics of this rule are party blind: the rule will be an equal opportunity destroyer.

By Larry

SIERRA VISTA — Federal law enforcement agencies are conducting an investigation after explosives were found in a trailer in the outskirts of Tombstone. Investigators uncovered several hazardous items at the trailer in the Tombstone RV Park and Resort, including an “improvised explosive ordinance device,” during the ensuing investigation that began Thursday and lasted through the following morning, said Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.

On Thursday afternoon, the Tombstone Marshal’s Office contacted the sheriff’s office to report that family members were cleaning out a deceased relative’s home when they found several suspicious items, Capas said. The marshal’s office also contacted the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. When the sheriff’s bomb technician examined some of the items found by family members —“several plastic tubes with hand-written labels” — it was determined that they were blasting caps containing

the high-explosive HMTD, a substance most often used as a primary explosive in mining operations, according to the sheriff’s office. The bomb technician called in support from several other agencies, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety bomb technicians, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Division, the Oro Valley Police Department bomb-detecting dog, the Tombstone Fire Department and Health Care Innovations. A plan to safely dispose of the items was made and, while waiting for other agencies to respond, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office secured a search warrant for the trailer. Inside, they found the improvised explosive device along with “some additional non-explosive materials,” which were seized. The explosive device was detonated near the trailer by the bomb technician in a safe manner and without damaging nearby property, Capas said.Full Article:www.svherald.com

MISSION - Police say burglaries at mobile home parks in the Valley go up when Winter Texans leave for the summer months.

But John Hogan, who worked as a police detective and in corporate security for 30 years, says he's come up with a way to stop criminals.

He says the Green Gate Grove RV Park in Mission where he lives had a spike of burglaries.

"We'd have four or five a night, twice a week. And it was getting so bad that we had a lot of citizens in the park here,they'd get up and patrol the place with their golf carts," he says.

That's when the security expert put together a simple security device.

Using a riding lawn mower battery, a small siren, some fishing line, and a clothes pin, he helped cut down on crime.

Hogan uses the fishing line as a trip wire. Any time someone walks through it, it sets the siren off.

"They don't know where I'm going to put them the next night. We move them around each evening," says Hogan.

Hogan tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS since he invented the device, it's been tripped twice, and they haven't had any break-ins in the park.

The best part of the device is Hogan says it only costs about $40 to make.www.krgv.com

A veterans organization wants to buy a private RV park along Interstate 95 in Scottsmoor, Fla., to house veterans who have recently been kicked out of homeless camps, WESH-TV, Orlando, reported. Homeless veterans advocate George Taylor Sr. and some county commissioners were behind a plan to allow the veterans to live in Hatbill Park in tents on public land, but the plan didn’t go over very well. On Monday (Aug. 8), Taylor told WESH 2 News he wants to buy Crystal Lake RV Park in Scottsmoor. He

said he’ll be able to fill the place with used Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) trailers and portable classrooms. Taylor said there are 600 homeless veterans in Brevard County, and 17,000 in Florida. At the trailer park, they could get counseling, health care referrals and other benefits that could get them off the streets. Taylor’s veterans support organization needs to raise at least $700,000 to make this happen. He believes he can do it. The main fundraiser will be a 10,000-mile motorcycle ride this fall.

Leading national park interests have announced plans for a first-ever America’s Summit on National Parks on Nov. 2-3 in Washington, D.C. The summit will bring together leaders from traditional national park-focused organizations and those from “additional constituencies vital to keeping America’s national parks relevant and appreciated in the future.” The National Park Service (NPS) has agreed to play a major role in the session, including presenting its Five-Year Action Plan, which is intended to help the agency prepare for success following its 100th anniversary in 2016. Co-organizers are the National Parks Conservation Association,

National Park Foundation and National Park Hospitality Association. Among the summit topics will be strategies for boosting and improving national park experiences, reversing a decline in annual park visits over more than two decades and new strategies for partnerships and cooperation. Park friends groups, education and health community entities and tourism organizations will join key NPS staff, federal and state elected officials and park advocates at the two-day session.

Participation will be limited to approximately 300 persons and is by invitation only.Contact Julia Mitchell at jmitchell@funoutdoors.com.

First opened for business in 1971 Geneseo Campground has been providing excellence in camping for 40 years. Developed by Elon & Regina Felske as a KOA Campground, Geneseo Campground hosts thousands of visitors to Geneseo and Henry County each year.

Dropping the KOA franchise in 1983 the Felske's continued to operate Geneseo Campground as one of the best campgrounds in Illinois. Craig & Shari Weber purchased the campground from the Felske's in 1994. They continue to improve the facilities to meet the needs of today's camping public.

The new owners recognized the beauty and recreational opportunities of the historic Hennepin Canal that is their southern neighbor. A little later in 1994 the Webers added canoes and kayaks for their campers and the community to enjoy. The next improvement came in 1996 with the addition of rustic log camping cabins. These accommodate the outdoor enthusiast who does not own and RV or tent.

In 2002 the camp store was expanded to include snacks to meet the needs of those using the recreational trail along the

Hennepin Canal. A tent area designed for privacy and natural beauty was developed to accommodate guests using tents. Modern, clean restrooms and showers and meeting rooms for group potlucks and events also welcome Geneseo Campground guests.

"The larger camping units pose a challenge for an older campground but we have been able to extend our long, pull through sites and add 50 amp electric to many of our sites" said Mr. Weber. "Today's campers want to be connected to the internet. We offer wireless internet at the campsites to accommodate this need." Other amenities added to campsites over the years include patios and picnic tables with seats on four sides.

Located on the north side of the historical Hennepin Canal campers enjoy the many opportunities the canal offers. The 104 mile recreational trail offers hiking and biking in a safe and beautiful setting. Geneseo Campground rents canoes and kayaks for those who would like to enjoy paddling on the canal. Of course, fishing in the canal has always been attractive to visiting and local anglers.

Geneseo Campground has been providing excellent camping experiences for 40

years. Several of our guests enjoyed our celebration during the weekend of June 3 & 4 when we offered special pricing for the weekend. A special treat was enjoyed by the campers

Saturday afternoon. Another celebration weekend will be August 19 & 20. Enjoy Friday & Saturday night for $40 for all sites and $40 per night for the camping cabins.

New Berlin, PA 08/08/2011 MCPS for Campgrounds (www.mcpsforcampgrounds.com) has become Strategic Partners with Gulf Management Systems (GMS) to offer ACH Funding that is affordable and easy to utilize. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), is where funds are deposited through an Automated Clearing House (ACH) directly into a campground owner's bank.

Myth: My business is too small to benefit from EFTs.Fact: EFT streamlines the collection of recurring payments, making it more cost-effective than paper checks. This efficiency translates into a net increase in collections and is the perfect way to build a larger, more loyal, client base.

Myth: Accepting EFT payments will cost too much money.Fact: EFT actually saves you time and money in invoicing, postage, and bank fees. EFTs make cash flow more predictable, which is extremely important especially with a seasonal business.

Myth: Our customers won't use EFTs.Fact: Most of your customers are probably already using ETFs but just don't realize it- for things such as automatic debits for mortgage, utilities and insurance payments, or getting paid through Direct Deposit - including Social Security.

Myth: EFT payments aren't safe.Fact: EFT payments help reduce fraud and identity theft. Nearly 85% of identity thefts start with someone seeing your personal information on paper. Since funds are transferred electronically, there's no risk of a lost or stolen check. Up to nine people may handle a check compared to just one or two for an electronic transaction.

Campgrounds traditionally market their sites, whether RV hookups, park models, cabins or yurts, on a daily, weekly, monthly or even seasonal basis.Campgrounds accept checks or credit cards for rental payment and both have drawbacks. Daily or weekend rentals are only a small problem since they don't involve large sums of money. But payments for longer stays carry with them expenses that campgrounds have had to incur.

Now, MCPS for Campgrounds is offering EFT to all campgrounds. We can set you up to accept EFT from your customers and IF YOU ARE processing your credit cards through us the cost is $1 per transaction. That's it! There is no setup fee, no equipment to buy and no long term agreement to sign. There is an application to complete with a voided check, and the process will take a week to get verified. Your customers will also have to complete an agreement to allow the transfer of funds. The savings in credit card fees could be substantial and you won't have to wait for checks to arrive either. EFT transfers are especially helpful to seasonal businesses and they are extremely safe. YOU maintain total control over how much and how often funds get debited.

If you aren't a customer of ours, but still would like to take advantage of the EFT program, we will debit your account, by EFT, $40 a month plus the $1 per transaction fee. Once again you can start or stop this service at your discretion.

We know of no other company offering this service to the campground industry. What's more, this service could be an effective money saving tool for suppliers who do monthly billing.

Our EFT program is beginning now. For more information you can call MCPS for Campgrounds at 877-858-9010 or e-mail us at rvcreditcards@yahoo.com.

CLARKSBURG -- A Washington state woman is suing a Bruceton Mills campground and its owners after being severely wounded by their dog.

Jessica Barker filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia on Tuesday.

Named as defendants are Christopher Ogden, of Shinnston; Rebecca Ogden, of Monongah; Alyeska Inc., Big Bear Lake Country Store and Big Bear Lake Real Estate, a West Virginia corporation; and Big Bear Lake Property Owners Association Inc., Bear Foot springs, also a West Virginia corporation.

The Big Bear campground is described as a privately owned campground and a "deeded" property development.

The Ogdens, who owned, leased and/or rented a site at the campground, owned a "vicious and dangerous" dog, according to Barker's lawsuit.

The defendants, she says, knew that the dog was violent, vicious and dangerous, and that it had previously attacked and bitten or attempted to attack and bite other individuals at the campground.

"The dog was known by all Defendants to be aggressive and a danger to Plaintiff and the public," the lawsuit alleges.

Barker, who was a guest at the campground, was attacked and severely bitten and wounded by the Ogdens' dog on May 21, 2010.Full Article: www.wvrecord.com

Not all facilities need to comply with the new pool lift regulations. Entities affected by the revised regulations generally fall under either Title II or Title III of the Act.

A public entity is any activity, service, program or facility owned by any governmental agency. Title III regulates places of public accommodation, commercial facilities, and private companies that offer courses and examinations related to educational and occupational certification.The ADA does not affect any type of residential dwelling, such as a private residence, an apartment complex, a condominium,

or a home owner’s association. However, if any of these residential facilities operate an element of public accommodation within their premises, these elements would be subject to ADA regulations.

Here are some examples of situations where a residential entity would fall under ADA regulations with respect to swimming pools:

1. A private residential apartment complex sells memberships to their swimming facilities. This situation would be considered providing a public accommodation.2. A Home Owner’s

Association pool is used for swimming competitions that are open to competitors from outside the association. This situation would also be considered offering a public accommodation.3. A condominium actively rents out their units when owners are absent, including advertising, taking reservations over the phone, and providing either meals or housekeeping services. In this instance, the condominium would be considered a hotel.4. A vacation timeshare that operates as a hotel. This facility would be considered a hotel.Conversely, if any residential entity strictly

limits use of their facilities to residents and their guests, they would not be subject to ADA regulations.

Although residential facilities are not required to comply with ADA regulations for swimming pools, they must comply with the Fair Housing Act. Under this legislation, a

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privately owned residential community must provide a barrier free pathway up to the edge of a pool. In addition, they cannot prevent a resident from using their own apparatus to gain access to the pool, providing it does not provide a hazard for other residents. In other words, if a resident has a portable pool lift and keeps it in storage when not in use, the facility cannot prevent that resident from using the lift to gain access to the pool.

Private clubs are also excluded from ADA regulations in some cases. Final determination would be based on the control of operations, membership requirements, and the amount of fees involved. Operations that have limited or no membership requirements and minimal dues charges do not fall under the private club exclusion. If a private club limits use of their facilities strictly to members and their guests, then the club would not be subject to ADA regulations. However, if that club hosts swimming competitions or any other type of activity that opens the pool to non-members, the club would be required to follow ADA regulations for their pool.

For further information on this or any other ADA issue, visit our website, www.poollifts.com

242 Swimming Pools, Wading Pools, and Spas

242.1 General. Swimming pools, wading pools, and spas shall comply with 242. 242.2 Swimming Pools. At least two accessible means of entry shall be provided for swimming pools. Accessible means of entry shall be swimming pool lifts complying with 1009.2; sloped entries complying with 1009.3; transfer walls complying with 1009.4; transfer systems complying with 1009.5; and pool stairs complying with 1009.6. At least one accessible means of entry provided shall comply with 1009.2 or 1009.3.

EXCEPTIONS: 1. Where a swimming pool has less than 300 linear feet (91 m) of swimming pool wall, no more than one accessible means of entry shall be required provided that the accessible means of entry is a swimming pool lift complying with 1009.2 or sloped entry complying with 1009.3. 2. Wave action pools,

leisure rivers, sand bottom pools, and other pools where user access is limited to one area shall not be required to provide more than one accessible means of entry provided that the accessible means of entry is a swimming pool lift complying with 1009.2, a sloped entry complying with 1009.3, or a transfer system complying with 1009.5. 3. Catch pools shall not be required to provide an accessible means of entry provided that the catch pool edge is on an accessible route.

Advisory 242.2 Swimming Pools. Where more than one means of access is provided into the water, it is recommended that the means be different.

Providing different means of access will better serve the varying needs of people with disabilities in getting into and out of a swimming pool. It is also

recommended that where two or more means of access are provided, they not be provided in the same location in the pool.

Different locations will provide increased options for entry and exit, especially in larger pools.

Advisory 242.2 Swimming Pools Exception 1. Pool walls at diving areas and areas along pool walls where there is no pool entry because of landscaping or adjacent structures are to be counted when determining the number of accessible means of entry required.

242.3 Wading Pools. At least one accessible means of entry shall be provided for wading pools. Accessible means of entry shall comply with sloped entries complying with 1009.3.

242.4 Spas. At least one accessible means of entry shall be provided for spas. Accessible means of entry shall comply with swimming pool lifts complying with1009.2; transfer walls complying with 1009.4; or transfer systems complying with 1009.5. EXCEPTION: Where spas are provided in a cluster, no more than 5 percent, but no fewer than one, spa in each cluster shall be required to comply with 242.4.

Article supplied ny Commercial Pool Supplies: Readers should check with their local authorities.

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November 6-9, 2011 (Expo on Nov. 9)South Point Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NVContact: (406) 248-7444

November 10-11, 2011 On the InternetContact: (877) 901-3976

November 14-17, 2011Embassy Suites, Covington, KYContact: (513) 831-2100

November 28 – December 2, 2011Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort Spa & Savannah International Trade & Convention Center, Savannah, GAContact: (303) 681-0401

The use of Twitter has been a booming success to promoting the E news.

Every day we receive at least three new people wanting to sign up to receive our "tweets". The bonus is, of course, is that it is free.

Campground owners who are not already on the social media bandwagon are missing out. The use of twitter and facebook are becoming hugely popular with not only the younger fraternity but the older community as well.

You can join twitter here- http://twitter.com/and facebook here- www.facebook.com

Dennis Macready

BROWNSVILLE - Authorities say a faulty water heater may be to blame for an incident that left an elderly Brownsville couple in the hospital.

Firefighters were called out to Paul’s RV Park to reports of an elderly unconscious couple found inside their home Monday. Crews rushed the 81-year-old man and his 69-year-old wife to the hospital where they remain.

Investigators suspect the water heater leaked toxic fumes into the couple’s home. It was a neighbor who may have saved their lives.

Firefighters say gas leaks usually end in tragedy. They believe this story may have a different ending.

Paul's RV Park prides itself on being a close-knit community. When a couple was found unconscious in their RV, word spread quickly.

"Of course, it's sad, especially if they had any kids. Of course, it's sad. I really don't know what to say about it. It's a bad

thing. It's going to happen, especially if they are an elderly couple,” says resident Elias Olivares.

Fire investigators say the quick action of the couple’s neighbor saved their lives. He saw the water heater had burst so he went to tell them about it.

"After he didn't get any response or anything, he made entry and found them unconscious in the bedroom,” says Brownsville fire Marshal Ben Nunez.

The neighbor immediately called authorities.

"We believe it was a propane leak, which accounted for the individuals going unconscious,” says Nunez.

They say a dog survived the incident without any problems. Friends and family are hoping for the same from the elderly couple, who remains in intensive care.www.krgv.com

ASHLAND, W.Va. -- There's really no need for a welcome mat at Ashland Resort.

The lush setting, charming log cabins, the quaint restored company store, and Dave and Julie Teasdale are all that guests need to feel welcome here at this thriving campground on 1,800 acres next to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail.

The Teasdales are campground managers for

Ashland Resort. They worked in the KOA campground system across the country for years before landing in Southern West Virginia. They greet guests to the McDowell County facility as they would welcome old friends into their home.

While it feels homey, this isn't your grandma's campground. In addition to gas grills, porch swings and comfortable beds, the cabins and cottages have LCD televisions, air

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conditioning and modern kitchens and baths. Many RV hookups include cable television. There's free wireless Internet, a well-stocked camp store, a playground, a Laundromat and a covered camper kitchen. And then there's the bathhouse, complete with flat-screen TVs to enjoy while washing off the mud from the day's trail ride.

Guests can stay in a small beds-only camping cabin and use the campground bathhouse, kitchen and other amenities. Or they can go all out with a lodge that has two queen beds and a full-size bunk, linens and towels, and full-size kitchen appliances. There's a place for tent camping -- site fees range from $21 for a basic spot to $40 for one with electricity (on holidays).

Other nightly prices range from $41 for a one-room cabin to $275 for a lodge on a holiday. RV hookups/pull-throughs run $23 for water/electric access to $49 for full hookup on a holiday.

Campground camaraderie is evident at the end of the day as trail riders sit at picnic tables and tell tales of big mud holes and steep climbs. On a recent weekend, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia license plates were seen on visitors' ATV trailers.

"We've been here before, and we'll be back," one

Pennsylvania family exclaimed with enthusiasm as they sat on the front porch of their lodge.

"We've had Dale Earnhardt Jr. here, and Tony Stewart as well," Dave Teasdale said, naming many other NASCAR stars who have visited the site. "The people from North Carolina love NASCAR, and they love to four-wheel, so we see a lot of them."

The campground is right on the Indian Ridge portion of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail and near the Pinnacle Heights section. There's a connector planned that will make the new Pocahontas Trail System easily accessible.

The ever-expanding Hatfield-McCoy Trail, with its 1.1 million acres of private land under lease agreement and 600 miles of trails, has added 44 new lodging providers in the past year.

"These are micro entrepreneurs," according to Jeff Lusk, executive director of the trail. "Folks are taking Grandma's house and turning it into a bed and breakfast, and they are making money. Ten years ago, in Gilbert, there were 15 rooms with a total of 30 beds available. Now we have 250 beds. Lodging providers are gobbling up houses for sale."

Lusk added, "We would love to see more places

like the Ashland Resort along the trail. The lodging providers can't keep up with the demand for rooms, and it's a year-round issue.

"An economic survey determined that an average person spends $250 when they visit the trail. That's direct spending. That little campground will have a $2.6 million impact."

Last year, it's estimated that more than 20,000 people visited Ashland Resort, and they had reached nearly 11,000 by June, so they are expecting to break last year's record. The store at

Ashland sells more Hatfield-McCoy permits than any other location.

Developed by The Ashland Group, the campground was the dream of Atlanta businessman Ken Bazzle. Bazzle hired retired U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development specialist Jim Anderson, of Elkview, to bring the campground to life. Anderson, in turn, worked with local contractors, area architects and others to create the little slice of civilization in the wilds of coal country. He now oversees operations for Bazzle.By Sara Bussehttp://wvgazette.com

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