Bummer it looks like I have to be back in Maryland May 8 to 14 for FEMA training sooo we will try for Fri night late or Sat am.

Thanks to Lou, the following press release will be in the local Milford newspaper.

THE BARTHS ARE BACK

….Or they will be. Registration is underway at the Elkhart County Campgrounds for a rally of Barth owners who will gather May 13th thru the 16th this spring. Organizers hope to have 20 or more Barths of all models sign up for this much-anticipated gathering. Barth RVs were manufactured in Milford, Indiana from 1963 to 1998, and are considered to be one of the better-made RV brands of all time.

“We want folks who worked at the Barth factory to know that we appreciate the great coaches and trailers they produced, many of which are still in operation today,” said Bill Napolitano, leader of “www.Barthmobile.com”, a website that boasts over 1,800 members today.

Nick Cagle, organizer for the event, will be driving up with his wife, Donna, from Appling, Georgia, and says he expects a full-house. “We can’t wait to make the trip and look forward to meeting those who worked on our Barths so we can say “Thanks” to them in person.

Anyone living in the Milford, Indiana area who worked at the Barth factory or is directly related to someone who did is invited to pay a visit to the Elkhart County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at noon so Barthers can introduce themselves and welcome them to the event. “No one need prepare any speeches, but we’d sure like to get to know these folks and thank them for a job well done,” said Cagle. “And we’ll treat them to a lunch to show our gratitude, “he said. We would love for anyone to bring original pictures or literature that they may have of the factory or the Barths.

Cagle has reserved sites 457 to 476 for Barth owner registration, and if there is an overflow of attendees there will be a designated area for those who didn’t make their reservations in time. “We have comments made on our website all the time about just how much owners appreciate the quality of their Barths,” said Cagle. “And to think we can all get together near the original site of the factory and perhaps meet some of the folks who produced them has generated quite a lot of excitement among Barth owners for this event,” he said.

Cagle is asking that anyone who had worked at the Barth factory let him know through another Barthmobile.com member, Lou Thierwechter of Allegan, Michigan, that they will be able to attend the gathering. Lou will compile a list of contact information for these folks and make sure they receive any updated information about the get-together prior to the event. Lou can be reached at 269-673-2874, or by mail, at PO Box 547, Allegan, MI 49010.

(end of press release)

We currently have 13 coaches with reservations and only 3 months til the GTG. Make your reservations today.

I hope to see you there.

Nick

So Nick ? What are we feeding the masses that will show up? bARTh is what I will have on my tee shirt

quote:

Originally posted by Sloop John B:
So Nick ? What are we feeding the masses that will show up? bARTh is what I will have on my tee shirt

Probably hamburgers and hot dogs. Anybody got any other suggestions.

Nick

Burgers and dogs sound good Nick.

Burgers and dogs is what it will be.

I am good for two packs of dogs and buns and crock pot full of baked beans.

Would be nice if someone could make (or buy) some potato salad, and others could bring chips and condiments.

Helen will be happy to make potato salad. We would also like to cook a meal for the group if you guys are planning meals.

Billy, thank Helen for her offer to make tater salad, I will check with Nick and see what nite would be best for your kind offer of diner for the crowd.

I can also make potato salad, and maybe some gazpacho, and/or bring some fresh shrimp.

Rusty, your offer of tater salad is also accepted, Nick says we should have (counting us) 50 to 75 people for lunch that Saturday. Anything else that you would like to bring would be appreciated also. Patch is going to bring a Deli type sandwich as hamburgers and hot dogs are not liked by all.

We will put the Barth in the Body Shop in a week or so and if should be back 4 weeks later with the damage from the Florida GTG and The Nashville trip repaired and, if there is any money left, a new floor from bath to cockpit !

Got an email from the Wilson's yesterday and they have signed up for Milford. Check out the posting in Barth Sightings !

I know there are a lot of people out there setting on the fence and trying to decide whether or not to try and make the Milford GTG.

If you have kept up with the post on this thread you know we were going to put a release in the local paper and invite former employees to a Saturday lunch. Well the release has been posted and the following was received only hours after the paper was published:

HI I just read with much interest an article in our local paper about the upcoming Barth GTG. Let me introduce myself, my name is Cathy (Barth) Vanlaningham. I am the neice of the founder of the Barth coach (Robert Barth) and my family moved to this area so that my father could assist his brother in production of the new trailers. I was thrilled to see that there is going to be a get to gather and you are asking the prior Barth employees to attend. I can probably tell you of each employee that worked there in the early years. I can also name several that worked at the factory throughout the years. I am married to Larry whom for many years worked there in many various positions. He became the plant manager and only left the factory when he could no longer tolerate the quaility failure slipping. I spent many years at that factory either helping my father or there with my husband. Barth units were made to last and built with pride, today it's only about quanity not quality,that is a shame. As I stated I know quite a few of the precvious Barth employees, unfortunatly many have passed away including my wonderful Father William ( Bill) Barth and my brother Bill Barth and of course my Unlce Bob Barth. There are still several local people here in our town (Milford) that did work at the factory and might enjoy getting together, I myself have thought about hosting a gathering of previous employees that worked for my husband. Unfortunatly my husband took ill a few years back and had to leave the world of RV production. One of my pride and joy items is a collection of Barth glasses. My older sister owns an older Barth from the 70's and she spent her time working production on the Barth's. I also have a brother-in-law whom worked at Barth's for several years who currently is an employee of the Bison mfg. plant which is located in the old Barth factory.I know that I am babbeling on and on here, I guess you can see that this is very dear to me. I was only five when my family re-located from Elkhart , Indiana so that my father could help his brother begin production. I would like to have a bit more information on the gathering you are planning. There is no phone number to contact anyone, so I was not sure how I could find more out. I would be thrilled to give the information to others so that a wonderful turnout could be had. I have already called my mother and my sister and I told her she needs to take her unit. My fathers twin sister also owns a Barth and I will be telling her about it as well. My thanks on continuing to keep the memory of the Barth coach alive. With Regards, Cathy Barth Vanlaningham to Nick Cagle

I hope you will be there to meet the family of the founders of our beloved Barths.

Nick Cagle

This will be a most-memorable Barth GTG!! We Cannot Wait

I agree Billy and we are lucky to be a part of this GTG.