April 2020
By J. Rick Cipot
Funny thing about April, there isn’t much happening, especially from the perspective of wandering Airstreamers. We do have Autism Awareness; For a special observance, you can celebrate Autism Awareness Day on April 2 by wearing blue (the official color of Autism Awareness) and taking a selfie. Then, share it on social media to express your support for families with autistic members.
April is National Garden Month. Did you know that cultivating a garden eases stress and actually makes you happier? I know, not so easy when your back yard keeps changing as you travel from one rally to another. Speaking of rallies, Region One has an extensive calendar this year with so many great possibilities. This month you have the Pets & Paws Rally which for the second year is a National Event. Also, this will be the tenth anniversary of this rally. Congratulations to all who not only host but to all those wonderful members who have supported it all these years. The big event this year in Region One is our Region Rally hosted by the Charter Oak Connecticut Airstream Club! Interesting fact, there is not enough room on the “Pay to the order of” line on your checks when filling it out for the rally. May 28 through the 31st is four days chock full of events, entertainment, food and plenty of local points of interest. And don’t be surprised if you find Green Eggs & Ham on your breakfast plate.
Roses are red, violets are blue . . . my Airstream is Silver . . . Yes, April is National Poetry Month. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is one of the largest literary celebrations in the world. Now would be a good time to finally start your journal you keep promising yourself and start it out with a poem.
National Volunteer Week held annually each April, celebrates the impact service can have on an individual or a community. Volunteering for a highway or town cleanup, delivering food to those in need, walking a dog for your local pound, and visiting a nursing home are all ways you can provide service as a family. Of course, volunteering your assistance with club rallies, events or joining the board of your home club is always a great thing. Remember, we are all volunteers when it comes right down to it all with a common goal, Fun, Friendship & Adventure.
Around the turn of the 16th century, the French moved New Year’s Day from April 1st to January 1st. Some say the origins of this light-hearted holiday, April Fool’s Day (or All Fool’s Day), centered on those who refused to accept the new date. They were called “April fools.” Today, April Fool’s Day is a good time to play pranks or tricks on your loved ones. However, speaking from experience, spend a bit of serious thought to the outcome of your prank as it may haunt you for days if not weeks.
If you live in New England, you may spend Patriot’s Day attending, or even participating in the Boston Marathon. Celebrated on the third Monday of April, the day commemorates the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which started the Revolutionary War in 1775. Many public schools are closed and an array of special events are scheduled on this day.
It’s funny how some events just stay with you no matter how old you get. The very first Earth Day, April 22, 1970 found me in junior high school in Ridgefield, Connecticut. The afternoon was filled with outdoor activities, the introduction to recycling and other things we could do to preserve Mother Earth for future generations. When looking over the past fifty years since the first Earth Day, we as a people have made some progress in meeting that original goal. Sometimes one step forward and then two steps back. Fortunately for our grandchildren new incentives and science are showing us we still have a long way to go. We can celebrate the day by joining in on a community clean up day, attend one of the many local events celebrating the day or planting a tree. Speaking of trees, Arbor Day is the last Friday in April and is a great day to plant a tree and the Arbor Day Foundation agrees. This day celebrates trees and how they filter our clean air, slow climate change, provide habitat to birds and animals, and supply oxygen through their photosynthesis process. Check your community calendar on Arbor Day and attend a tree-planting event with your family. Better yet, perhaps plan an Airstream Rally for next year where each attending members can bring a tree to plant. Sounds like a very good rally theme and helping our planet at the same time.
We welcome April knowing that for us in New England, our camping season is just starting with so many options ahead of us for meeting up with old friends and making new ones. Just like everyone else, I always look forward to our Blue Beret and the first thing I do is read our presidents message then I go right to the new membership pages. It’s very exciting to see this section of our BB grow each month. Please take a moment to see our new members and welcome them to the flock. Also, please take note of those who join as members at large signified by Club/Unit 000. If they reside in your neck of the woods reach out and invite them to your next club activity.
As always, if there is anything you would like to share with your Region One members drop me a line and remember, keep the shinny side up.