We have had this information posted for years, and people still don't read it, so here it is....

DO NOT ADD EVENTS DIRECTLY TO THE CALENDAR!!
Add them to the Vannin.Com events page just like a normal topic, then use the calendar option at the bottom, under where you type.

When posting an event, please post as much info as you can, location, dates, cost, etc... the more information you provide, the better!. Include a link to the location in Google Maps to help people find it!

Please include the event name, dates, and location in the subject line.
example, "Generic Event, July 1-4, 20XX, Somewhere, State - USA/Canada

When adding the event to the calendar itself, make sure you check the box "List as event in calendar on" and select the date!
Just list it for the first day. Currently the calendar doesn't support multi-day events, but I have brought this to the creators attention and he will add that for the next version.

You can upload your flyer directly to Vannin.com now!
check out the "Event Flyers" section at the top of this section, (right below this text.)
file has to be an image, no Word files or PDF files.

Also, http://www.floridavancouncil.com has a pretty in depth listing of events that is kept up to date.

From now on, events added directly to the calendar will be deleted.

Well by now the event - Meltdown After The Thaw - is over and the vanners are headed home....I am sorry to say that we are not in that group. The weather up here in the woods has been evil, mean and nasty, and as a result I never even got the van prepped for spring.......In fact - the snow was covering the ground Saturday morning...We old folks can't get thinking of camping until the weather breaks- like wouldn't you know - today...Sunday morning sun shining and temps around 60...
Generation Next- Sorry that we weren't there to support you......

My thoughts go out to all those affected by this terrible attack in Boston on Monday.
This attack hits close to home for me, as it does for many of my fellow New England vanners.
I hope for a speedy recovery for all those injured, and for justice for those that were killed.

I ask that when discussing these events on this site, that you refrain from conspiracy theories, fear mongering, racial or religious attacks, or political finger pointing, that isn't what this site is for.

I have been slightly remiss in getting this posted..so my apologies for that!

We all know someone who has had to battle the horrible disease of cancer. We know it is a devastating illness that often takes our loved ones from us. We also know it can leave our loved ones with us, although with a very different light from them. Personally, I have lost many I love dearly to cancer, but I have also gotten to count blessings with those who were able to fight and remain with us. I won't name names, we all know who they are and we all feel the sad and glad.

The one name I will mention today is BGfNY's own Sandy. On April 14 she will be celebrating the day she had her cancer surgery. I like to call it her April Birthday. This year will be her 4th. I always wanted her to have an April one so we could have them together in the same month instead of nine days apart in separate months! (I love her!)

This year, on April 19 at the SUNY at Brockport, our Bad Girl will be leading her Warriors team in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. The Relay for Life raises funds for cancers of all kinds and for many purposes. I know the cancer center where I volunteer uses it for education materials to hand out to those with questions about diet, medications, treatments, what may be ahead and even how to aid caregivers. I have seen myself what this information can do to help people and I have been fortunate enough that I have been able to share these materials on occasion with my own loved ones dealing with this horrible illness.

SO, in honor of all those we know, survivors or lost, I am asking that you try to send what you can to help Sandy's team raise a bunch of money for the American Cancer Society to help those battling.

Sandy Persons team is called the Warriors and you can have your name listed or not...up to you. You can donate big or small...every $5 counts and it adds up very quickly.

Go to Relay For Life of SUNY Brockport to donate. You may also decide to have a luminary in memorial of a loved one!

Thank you everyone! And an added huge HUGG for those that send in their hard earned pennies!

***please note that on the site Sandy's name is spelled Cassandra! Thank you!!******

Winter VAN Play!

I WILL NEVER DRINK THAT MUCH IN THOSE FEW HOURS EVER AGAIN!!!
Or at least until next time I am with my Vanning family again!

That is how it goes with us I suppose...time seems to just freeze for all those limited moments we have and you loose all track of just how much liquid you can consume in a short time...or how much fun you can cram into a few hours, or how much huggin' you can spread, or how many smiles you can share, or how tightly souls can connect in just a short amount of time when you are with Vanners!

This winter season for us was fairly active and we loved it! Our last real outdoor eVANt was in November and we couldn't make any of the things in December due to some losses over the autumn season that cost time and money...but this year has been good so far.

In January we both took trips to visit Vanner loved ones...Steve to Oregon and me to Michigan. In February, I attended a wonderful Council of Councils in MA and we both went to the Groundhog party in IL. It is March now and we just returned from Action Vans birthday party...again another good time!

Sorry to those whose eVANts we missed for one reason or the other...but you all know....WE GO EVERYWHERE WE CAN...often the distance isn't the issue, but the scheduling or the funds to do it! I do like to remind people that Vanning doesn't stop just because your lawn is all white. It just moves indoors!

And coming up are some really fun things too...outdoor stuff starts in April with Bluegrass here and Meltdown to Spring Thaw in PA, a hall party with Ultimate Express in Detroit, then May really cranks it up with more eVANTs like Spring Back in OH, Spring Fever in MO/KS (nearbys) and Midwest in IL. In June there is Woody Boogie in CO, Provanity in NY, Van Fest in Canada then July hits it hard with the Nationals.
So, see, something for everyone, everywhere! You can get flyers at the Nats for things after July...don't want to get ahead of myself here!

And now, for a much more personal comment....

Over the past 6 months in my world, we have been hit hard with the reality of life and how we never know or can predict what will be tomorrow. I want to say that you need to really take stock of a few things in your lives so that you can be here for as long as possible and know that you have done all you could in this life to make your loved ones feel and know you love them...that is easy....TELL them. And show them too. Just going to the doctor or not eating that extra pound of bacon with a six pack followed by a cake with a nap on the couch can be a plus for so many issues. I know I sound like a overbearing Mama telling her kids to eat their veggies because they are good for you...well, guess what...without the butter and cheese sauce...they ARE good for you!

I love my Vanning family and I love having eVANts to go to and it will take ALL of us to teach the next group of Vanners to run these eVANts while we drag race our scooters on a Scooter-kana! That's why I said it!

Huggs and Vanner Love
Hope to see EVERYONE at an eVANt this year!