The 46th annual WBAY RV and Camping Show thursday afternoon. This year as attendance is expected to be strong, maybe even so with a slumping economy.

Rick Walker set up his station for Yogi’s Bear Jellystone Park at the show. He’s confident setting up his campground will succeed even in this slow economy.

Walker says “Reservation are coming in fine. I think people are staying closer to home, the family atmosphere that we create. Everything will be fine for us.”

Russ Drake of Van Boxtel RV said regarding economic storm adjustments “We have been able to arrange with certain banks financing that’s important. You know, these are objects that usually require financing. They’re selling smaller recreational vehicles.”

There are lot of manufacturers are making them smaller, making them lighter, and they’re putting more amenities in them. People with small SUVs and the minivans can pull these trailers around.

Drake added, “I’ve been doing this for 30 years, and it seems like the last thing that people will willingly give up is their leisure-time activities. “

The WBAY RV and Camping Show runs thursday through Sunday at the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena and Shopko Hall across from Lambeau Field.

Admission for WBAY RV and Camping Show
* $8 for aduls
* free for children 17 year old and below.

Chicago businessman Art Shelton has formed a Trail M-Sports, a NASCAR team that will field entries Nationwide for the Camping World Trucks and Camping World East Series.

The new announced two drivers:
- Jarit Johnson, a younger brother of Jimmie Johnson, three-time reigning cup champion. Jarit will drive in the Camping World Series.

- Chase Austin, 19 year old, will be in the team’s truck.

The Nationwide driver and several sponsors are expected to be announced next week. Shelton’s team will be directed team owner Armando Fitz, former Nationwide Series team.

Fitz said “There’s a lot of great talent out there right now that wants to go to work. And there’s a lot of equipment out there right now really cheap, good equipment. It’s the perfect year to go racing.”

A Dutch tourist at a camping ground was allegedly raped and robbed at knife point. She and her partner robbed at knife point. Camping ground will be closed due to the incident.

A 25 year old man attacked the tourists who are a 25 year old man, and a 22 year old woman where they stayed at Five Mountains Holiday Park in Tuatapere, west of Invercargill.

The man with a knife had entered their station wagon as they slept around 6:40 in the morning, Thursday. Police said “he allegedly raped the woman and stole the money about $700. He was given interim name suppression and remanded in Custody when he appeared in the Invercargill District Court with charged rape. He would face further charges when he appeared in the Court on Friday.”

Shearing contractors Zane Barrett and Tina Barrett, a camping ground owners said they were devastated by the attack and they decided to close the holiday park at the end of March.

Tina Barrett reported to the New Zealand Herald “We help a lot for young people out and try and give them work and this is just a massive blow to us”. Zane Barrett replied “It is such a stupid, mindless thing to have done. The whole community felt down”.

Chairman Les Johnston, Tuatapere Community Board deputy said the town are fully backed her and was proud of the stand she had taken. He said “She’s a straightforward sort of person, she doesn’t beat around the bush and she wouldn’t stand for anything like that. It’s great she could do that”.

Detective Scott McKenzie of Invercargill said Police had talked to the man before his mother intervened and her call had played a part in overall scheme of things.

The dutch couple who were helping police, had not yet decided whether they would continue on their holiday camping.

Most people camping in the cold in Sullivan County. Boy Scouts of the Andaste District, the perfect atmosphere to learn about cold weather climates. Scouts from Sullivan and Bradford counties gathered at chilly camp Brule for the Polar Bear Expedition this weekend. According to Dave Coolbaugh, around 160 to 180 scouts showed up to brave this year. Dave Coolbaugh with his wife Cindy, chairs the event. He said the event has been held annually for 51 consecutive years at Camp Brule. The organizers explained that the event usually is held on the third weekend of January.

The Andaste District Chairman Gary Neiley said “It is a part of the Five Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America.” The Andaste District consists of mainly Sullivan and Bradford counties. Scouts mostly consists from ages 11 to 18 participated in the event, according to Neiley.

Some scouts registered for the event didn’t come because of the extreme cold. 19 scouts troops stayed at the camp over Friday night with the rest arriving Saturday morning. According to Nick Ross, the temperatures in the early morning at Camp Brule has been dropped as low as 15 to 17 degrees below zero. Ross works with the Andaste District.

Because of the extreme cold, some events has been moved to indoors instead of outdoors. The extreme cold is sometimes easier to deal with than moderate temperatures which can lead to wet snow and consequently, wet scouts, commented from Neiley and Coolbaugh.

The event considered of classes and workshops with games and competition.

Neiley said to be comfortable in the cold, scouts place cardboard or straw under their tents to keep insulated from the camping ground cold and snow.

If anyone interested in scouting can contact the Andaste District executive Nick Ross at this number (570) 265-1268 or you may visit the website at www.fiverivers.org for more information.

Camping Trip gathering during recent Valley Forge trip with the Sebastian Cook of Sparta Boy Scout Troop 150, Tyler Hepp, Aaron Keck, Andrew Smith, Matthew Saba, Mike Kehoe and Fred Clauss.

The trip: to explore the historic Revolutionary War encampment such as log cabins, a field hospital and the 18th century farmhouse. Giving them an idea of how the soldiers lived since 1777-1778 through the winter season.

Younger scouts navigating by compass to find monuments, old weapons like canons and wooden barricades, honed their orienteering skills and historical notes. Camper allowed them to explore the Historic Revolutionary weapons and monuments.