The News from Frederick, Maryland • Page 40

Page D-8 THE NEWS, Frederick, Thursday, June 24. 1976 Bicentennial Samboree comes to Frederick Coming to Frederick from all parts of the country to celebrate the nation's Bicentennial in their homes on wheels thin week are over members of the Good Sam Club. At left is flub founder Art House of Malibu, leader of the club which now has 200,000 worldwide subscribers. Many of the 941 recreational vehicles are decorated with decals from tourist sites all across the nation and some, such as the trailer at right, are affixed with a joke or neighborly salute. (Photos by Rollie Atkinson).

City of 'Good Sammers 9 at fairgrounds By ROLLIE ATKINSON Staff Writer A city nearly the second largest in Frederick County, next to Frederick City itself, has sprouted overnight at the Frederick Fairgrounds It's a city on wheels, full of good neighbors from all across the country, on the road to "Rediscover America" and to share in the increasinly popular a i a a i i i 'RV's--recreational vehicles. Campers, trailers and rigs of all descriptions, from grand, streamlined touring mobiles that cost up to $20,000 to more modest outfits that fit a working budget comprise the crowded, shiny metal village that will encamp here until Sunday. Over 941 rigs and as many as 3,000 people are participating in the Good Sam Club's Bicentennial Samboree at the local fairgrounds through Sunday. Good Sammers, as they call themselves, are members of the world's largest recreational vehicle owners club who gather several times a year all across the country to share in the leisurely pursuit of sightseeing across the United States and camping out on America's highways and trailer parks The i i a Samboree in Frederick is just one of several Bicentennial year activities scheduled by the Good Sam Club. "We did not come to Frederick seeking freedom and a better life," the Samboree brochure says, "but let us wear our citizenship with pride and joy, and always be grateful for the liberty which makes it possible for us to share ourspecial lifeon wheels." Campers caravaned here in long lines of motorized vehicles from all parts of the country.

A large contingent traveled from the West Coast, another from the mid-west and over 100 vehicles toured up from Florida to be here in this national gathering of Good Sammers. In opening ceremonies Wednesday night. Art Rouse, founder of the Good Sam organization and publisher of several magazines which cater to recreational vehicle owners' interests, and Maryland state director Austin Sheets, coordinator of this week's Samboree welcomed the capacity crowd of Sammers. After the introduction of all of the various state and regional coordinators, referred to as integral people to the success and popularity of Good Sam Clubs who claim over 200,000 members, the weeklong inhabitants of the motor village enjoyed music and dancing. A Samboree, one participant from the mid-west explained, "is a fun time for sharing news and the latest about different parts of the country and new camping and motoring tips." All over the local fairgrounds, flying from flagpoles, stenciled on the sides of the many vehicles and pinned to shirts was the nationally recognized logo of Good Sam, a smiling fellow with a halo in a bright red circle.

One lady Sammer proudly sported the emblem on a pair of earrings. Perhaps half of the Sammers are of retirement age and spend the best part of their summer touring America and traveling from Samboree to Samboree. Many of the campers will be heading to a Samboree in Boston on July 4 and others will head farther north into Canada to Sorelle, Ontario, for an international Samboree. "We toured out here from Las Vegas and will be heading up to Boston for the Fourth of July," said Mrs. Ben Hoffman of Nevada.

"I guess you'll be heading home afterward to rest up the rest of the summer," another Good Sammer commented. Survey shows sales up in shopping malls By M. A. MALIK Staff Writer The first half of 1976 has been more auspicious for the city's business i than the corresponding period of the last year. A News-Post survey of the sale situation in four shopping malls in Frederick revealed that business enterprises enjoyed 5 to 90 per cent sale increases during the past six months, compared to the first six months of 1975.

A similar survey in downtown recently indicated that sale proceeds in a majority of downtown stores have registered an increase, although some of the businesses complained their performance has declined Merchants at the shopping malls, who were interviewed Wednesday, cited brighter national economic climate, increased movement of people from metropolitan areas toward Frederick County and their own diligence as the basic reasons for the brisk buying activities witnessed in recent months. Two men trapped by falling wall Two men from the Hercules Construction Co. were trapped under a steel wall for a short time on Wednesday afternoon at the Ballenger Creek Sewer plant site on Md 83. half a mile south of 1-270. Both men escaped serious injury Richard Douglas Anderson 49.

208 Dill Ave and Robert Earl Wilbume. 21. i were standing on a reinforced steel wall while securing it to another wall when one of the walls rollaosed The two men fell backwards ana were trapped under the steel girders for a short time Other employes quickly freed them Both men were transported by United Ambulance to the Frederick Memorial Hospital where they were treated for minor abrasions and released Tpr Paul Fegan. who is the investigating officer of the 12-15 accident revealed thai the si eel wall that collapsed had not been properly secured Also responding to the accident were the United Squad truck. Independent Hose Co and Slate Police Helicopter.

Hanover Shoe Store of Frederick Towne Mall claimed an enviable 60 per cent increase in sale proceeds during the period under survey In addition to the general causes of upward economic trend, "the reputation of our store" was adduced as a fundamental cause of the increased sale activities. Dennis Whisner, assistant manager of the store, also referred to the increased traffic in the mall as a contributing factor to his store's progress. i Shoe Store at Frederick County Square had a veritable bonanza this year. "Our sales." informed store manager Herman Connatser, "lias increased 93 per cent the past six months over last year's figures." He attributed the phenomenon to "more traffic in the mall and popularity of our stores Busy Bee Inc of the same shopping center, too, liad its hay days during the past months Mrs. Loretta Brindle, manager of the store, disclosed "we have beaten our last year's (sale) figure by approximately 30 per cent." The reason? "We worked hard for it," she added.

Mehrl Norman Cosmetic Store at the Frederick Shopping Center also has witnessed increase in sale volume the past six months. Mrs Jeanette Boyd reported. "Our sale situation has definitely unproved Boyd guessed a i may come to the periphery of 30 per cent over last year's record Paul Throne, manager of the Shopping Center Liquors at the Frederick Shopping Center could not provide any ready statistics about his business performance. But he was confident, "our business is up. More and more people are coming this year." Country Legend a relatively new business at Frederick Towne Mall, has recorded "about 6 per cent increase" in sales during the past six months.

It could have accomplished more, said its manager Steve Zier. "But we are new. Many people didn't know about the store last year. We have been open for 16 months now." Barbara Scott, manager of Walden Book Store at the same shopping center said, "we have seen a healthy increase in our sales," although she declined to reveal any specific figure. Betty's Restaurant at Monocacy Shopping Center is also enjoying a heartening business experience this year.

Restaurant manager Randy Bartlett revealed his business has registered "about 12 per cent" increase in sales over the last year's record for the same period. "I think people have confidence in the economy and more and more people are spending more and more money these days," he opined, when asked to suggest reason for his improved business condition. Other stores essentially reported their performance in similar vein. "Oh no," Mrs. Hoffman replied.

"Then we'll take our rig up to Sorelle for the International and from there I believe we're going into Michigan, down through the Dakotas and Nebraska to a regional Samboree there and then we'll head to the northern Rockies for a month of Salmon fishing. "We always take in a month of salmon fishing every summer," the elderly, but vivacious lady said. Some of the mobile homes and a at the fairgrounds are well-stocked in the abundances and affluence of American middle class living. At dinner time Wednesday, many of the campers prepared their "cookouts" over electric ranges in their rigs and ate in the air conditioned interior of their shiny vehicles while watching early evening television. Just like home.

Also a part of the Bicentennial Samboree are several vendors of recreational vehicle equipment and rigs. Many of the campers talked of the latest in various equipment throughout most of their conversations. A full schedule of entertainment, workshops and other events including contests and demonstrations have been scheduled by Sheets' organizing committee. had an unbelievable response," Sheets said. "We had to close registration months ago because of all the inquiries." Another RVer from New Jersey talked about the growing popularity of the affluent pastime.

"You read all these magazines and journals about RVs and it sounds like RVs are something you only see west of the Mississippi. Well, it's just not so." The row after row of the chrome and painted homes on wheels now filling the Frederick Fairgrounds, which is very definitely east of the Mississippi bears this out. -t't KiKgfr I'rmli'-in Allou niirr on Hnind Zenith 1977 Models Pay It-ss for '77 Model at iavcr. Kunrantco lowest prices in Frederick County Gaver Discount TV lies Sinn- i I i MOVING STORAGE northAmerican VAN LINES moving in, movjng out, movingnear, moving far, move Meadows Van Storage, Inc. t63 31SS PACKING MOVING STORAGE The GENTLEmen of the Moving Industry AMC announces an JTtra value sale on Gremlin X.

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