plus 3, Viewer Stories: I Lost My Job - click orlando

Viewer Stories: I Lost My Job - click orlando
RV makers are rehiring, but the industry still operates at 25-year low - Elkhart Truth
More holiday travel expected - Tallahassee Democrat
Austin's practice makes perfect - Lancaster online.com

Viewer Stories: I Lost My Job - click orlando

Posted: 22 Nov 2009 11:14 AM PST

Why Having Fun At Work Matters

If people are having fun, they're going to work harder, stay longer, maintain their composure in a crisis and take better care of the organization.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

RV makers are rehiring, but the industry still operates at 25-year low - Elkhart Truth

Posted: 21 Nov 2009 09:09 PM PST

BY JOHN W. SCHOEN

john.schoen@msnbc.com

ELKHART -- The wheels are slowly turning again for the RV industry here, the mainstay of this region's economy.

Sales are beginning to pick up again. RV makers are cautiously hiring back some of the workers they furloughed during the downturn.

Jayco Industries in Middlebury, which was producing about 150 vehicles a day in 2006 with a work force of 2,000, cut production and employment by about half during the downturn. The company recently hired back about 200 workers to keep up with a bump in demand.

"On the one hand it feels really good (to be hiring again)," said Jayco president Derald Bontrager. "But we also recognize that both nationally and globally, economies still have a long way to go to fully recover."

And that's the crux of the issue. It's clear that some regions are seeing some of their industries revive. The latest msnbc.com Adversity Index shows nearly one in four metro areas beginning to recover, including the Elkhart-Goshen area. But the recovery is faint, uneven, faces many threats and is starting from a point so low that it could take years to get up to cruising speed.

Although RV makers are hiring back workers and shortening planned holiday furloughs, the industry is still operating at its lowest level in some 25 years.

Some 70 percent of the nation's recreational vehicles are produced in Elkhart County, but the industry hit a major bump when gasoline prices surged in 2007. Then production all but ground to a halt as the recession took hold and credit froze up last year.

But as RV makers tentatively begin to ramp up production again, other businesses in Elkhart also are seeing the economy's wheels begin to turn again.

Car dealers have seen a pickup in traffic to once-empty showrooms, partly due to the government's Cash for Clunkers program, which lifted sales nationwide over the summer. Harold Zeigler, who owns 10 dealerships in the region including a Ford/Lincoln Mercury outlet in Elkhart, said the program was so successful that some of his dealerships ran out of inventory.

Another factor boosting car sales: Loans are being approved more easily than they were at the height of the financial crisis a year ago.

"At the worst of it they were pretty tight, but I don't see that as being an issue," Zeigler said. "There seems to be plenty of money for car sales for a good customers with decent credit."

Similarly, the real estate market is getting a lift from government-provided tax credits for home buyers and cheap credit for borrowers. Congress extended tax credits that were set to expire Nov. 30, and 30-year mortgage rates are at a near-record low of 4.83 percent, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac.

In Elkhart, prices seem to have stabilized, according to Barb Swartley, a real estate agent with Century 21.

"We had a nice little surge in the late spring and in the late summer, and I look for this tax credit to make a difference," she said. "I think that could spur some people to make a move that may have been on the fence."

Sales are still far below levels seen before the recession began, as they are nationwide. And the commercial real estate market remains mired in a deep slump, according to John Letherman, a commercial real estate broker and president of the Elkhart County Council.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

More holiday travel expected - Tallahassee Democrat

Posted: 21 Nov 2009 07:58 PM PST

The weak economy and high gas prices won't deter Kevin Snyder from his longstanding Thanksgiving routine. He'll get up early Thursday morning and drive his RV -- pulling two cars behind it -- from his Palm Bay home to Volusia County for the Daytona Turkey Run, the largest classic car show in the Southeast.

Once there, he and his wife Mary will hop into one of those cars and head back to Palm Bay to have Thanksgiving dinner at his mother's house. After letting the turkey and fixings digest, the Snyder's will head back to Daytona Beach, where they will stay until Sunday.

"Between the two of us, we manage to stay awake for the drive back up," Snyder said, chuckling about the 90-mile trip after a hefty meal.

The Snyders will be just two of the 38.4 million Americans expected to travel 50 miles or more this holiday weekend, according the auto club AAA's annual forecast. That's an increase of 1.4 percent over last year.

In Florida, the projections are even more optimistic. AAA predicts 2.1 million Floridians will venture more than 50 miles from home. The projections are based on a survey of 1,350 adults nationwide.

"We take the projected increase in travelers as a sign that economic recovery may finally be taking root, and we believe many Americans certainly share the same hope," Kevin Bakewell, senior vice president, AAA Auto Club South, which serves Florida, Georgian and Tennessee, said.

The vast majority -- about 85 percent both in Florida and nationwide -- will drive to their destinations. The percentage of Thanksgiving travelers who choose to fly has been dropping for 10 years, AAA said. The group points to higher fares, fewer flights, increased fees and frequent delays as causing the decline.

While the travel projections point to increasing confidence in the economy, it doesn't necessarily mean people are ready to splurge in their travel plans.

Martie Snyder, her daughter Chris and grandson Joshua will drive over to the Kissimmee area to do some bass fishing over the long weekend. Part of the reason for the trip is to celebrate Joshua's 14th birthday on Saturday.

"The child wanted to go to the Keys to go fishing," Stiles said. "But we couldn't really afford that."

Contact McCarthy at 752-5018 or jmccarthy@floridatoday.com

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Austin's practice makes perfect - Lancaster online.com

Posted: 21 Nov 2009 09:02 PM PST

Warwick senior Austin Kissinger notched one of his perfect games in a scholastic match.

He describes his former Warwick coach, Mike Clouser, who passed away last year, as the person who taught him the most in the sport.

Kissinger has rolled three perfect games and three 299s, and he averages over 200 in his leagues.

Add to that a couple of top five finishes in the Pennsylvania Junior Bowlers Tour and a fifth-place finish in the Eastern Pennsylvania tourney, and you have a young kegler destined to make a mark on county bowling and beyond.

Background: Austin, the son of Bruce and Cammy Kissinger, works part time at 222 Dutch Lanes and Sechan Electronics.

Leagues (averages): Junior Doubles (220) and Kegel Sport Shot League (200). During the summer, I bowled in the Dutch Lanes Saturday Morning Juniors (217).

High scores: Single, three perfect games and three 299s; series, 776.

My greatest moment in the sport: Was when I bowled my first perfect game Sept. 22, 2007.

Favorite bowling center: South Point in Las Vegas, where I rolled in a high school tournament called TeenMasters.

Bowling has helped me: Meet a lot of people and travel all over the U.S.

My interest in the sport began: When I was in second grade and I was asked to bowl in a league.

My secret to success is: Practicing and listening to what people have to say about my game.

Other bowlers would describe me as: Quiet.

My long-term bowling goal is to: Bowl on a college team and eventually bowl in the PBA.

The funniest thing that happened in bowling was: When I knocked down just the back four pins.

When I'm not bowling you will find me: At school or with friends.

Alley notes: Perfect games were rolled by Justin Hart at Garden Spot, Dave Kready at Clearview, Buddy Dimeler at Dutch.

High series (men, 800; women, 700) were rolled by Chelsey Merklinger (712) at Dutch.

Note: If you have a recommendation for the column, e-mail Sunday News Correspondent Barry Decker at deckrunner@aol.com or call him at 786-2620.

High scores

Garden Spot

Men: Rich Ferrier 673 (Family Twosome); Chase Hall 670 (Streamliners); Alan Wakefield 699, Chris Thomas 691, Justin Hart 660 (Sunday Night Mixed); Dan Brobst 696, Jerry Shank 685 (RPM); Jonathan Heisse 699, Fred Merklinger 693, Tim Lichty 689, Tim Laurento 688, Gary Walton 666, Mike McLaughlin 662, Scott Crandall 661, Marvin Cook 659, Gregg Tavalare 657, Steve Fisher 656 (Garden Spot Men); Charlie Wooten 651 (Trio); Bob Wagaman 696, John Mertz Jr. 690 (Thunder); Dan Bailey 699, Charlie Wooten 688, Don Peifer 674, Chris Jensen 667, Paul Winters (Strasburg Community); Dave Simmons 694, Jerry Thomas 660 (Levi's Classic); Charlie Bisking 687, Bob Rhoades 674, Bruce Young 664, Bob Brooks 652 (Central); Charles Young 652 (Noisemakers).

Women: Deb Mentzer 557 (Trio); Danielle Mertz 572, Rhonda Mertz 560 (Thunder); Chaz Ballantyne 581, Jodi Book 570 (Strasburg Community).

Seniors: Jerry Shank 560, Glenn Hostetter 532, Russell Wimer 499, AJ Anderer 464, Fran Neupauer 425 (Swingin' Seniors); Dave Simmons 663, Don Neupauer 590, Abie Evans 533, Don Sherman 514, Pearl Johnson 498, Jonas Zook 488, Bob Sheaffer 462, Herb Hoover 443, Martha Garbrick 440, Bill Ortutay 434, Rita Phenneger 432, Mae Sourbear 340 (Thursday Seniors).

Juniors: Coty Johnson 719, Ashley Caldwell 517, Austin Mastriana 311, Storm Slaymaker 242, Liz DeJesus 124 (Saturday).

Clearview

Men: Bill Johns 753, Jeff Becker 688, Dave Kready 688, Michael Bierly 655, Mike Sheeler 652 (Monday HDCP); Dave Hershey 632, Stan Gall 619 (Men's Church); Jim Ritzman 716, Mike Tandl Mayer 707, Win Randler 706, Jeremy Eberle 699, Mike Sheeler 682, Mike Lewis Jr. 672, Henry Blough 669, Charlie Deitz 662 (Tuesday Businessmen); Dave Atticks 671, Gary Keck 670 (Wednesday Sportsmen); Bob Elzer 698, Josh Stiles 698, Sean Rine 678 (Donegal HDCP).

Women: Lisa Farwell 633, Cindy Moyer 602 (Ladies Classic); Sandy Nace 519, Robin Baker 512 (Pinbelles); Karen Wolgemuth 509, Nel Bender 448 (Kennels).

Mixed: Curtis Gruber 710, Dick Campbell 590, Tracy Schaeffer 489 (Thursday Industrial); Jim Watto 566, Bob Baker 544, Brenda Mowrer 502, Jeannette Thomas 484 (Friday Church); Steve Decker 768, Dave Graham 697, Darlene Anderson 675, Robyn Graham 665, Denny Rittenhouse Jr. 663, Lisa Farwell 656, Chris Stum 651, Amy Livingston 629 (Friday Mixed); Dustin Benjamin 534, Jerry Janickey 520, Tina George 452, Pat Cooper 450 (Casino League); Doug Keller 702, Ken Neidinger 667, Kelly Flowers 654, Pat Weber 645, Sally Fanus 588 (Mixed Outlaws); Jim Ritzman 699, Jesse Snyder 684, Elysia Current 672, Tracy Beck 606 (City/County Travel); Steve Decker 724, Mike Sheeler 646, Donna Decker 521, Sue Lehman 517 (Sunday Crackers); Lance O'Donnell 597, Dave Coble 588, Robin Baker 547, Wanda Chaffins 430 (Monday Mixed); Travis Martin 642, Keith Coble 613, Kayla Coble 476, Ann Kelly 476 (Clearview Leisure); Josh Becker 759, Herb Blaylock 736, Dan Ranck 716, Henry Blough 706, Harry Ebersole Jr. 697, Jim Ritzman 696, Lisa Farwell 695, EJ Farwell 694, Ray Secord 692, Carl Meachum 678, Mike Sheeler 675, Darlene Anderson 669, Matt Vanlenten 668, Tom Lancaster 661, Chris Beaver 660, Todd Lauver 658, Bob Elzer 656, Chet Eckman 655, Brendan Ford 654, Frank Telenko Jr. 654 (Monday Majors).

Seniors: John Stum 584, Charlie Goodling 573, Tom Mulleavy 572, Bert Goodling 530, Arlene Mummert 470, Sandy Leach 449 (Tuesday Seniors); Jan Olnick 513, Arlene Mummert 512, Milt Heilman 491, Warren Schaeffer 459 (Early Birds).

Juniors: Steven Ritzman 685, Justin Stillwagner 644, Danny Secord 641, Shaun Meier 636, Beth Garman 623, Austin Telenko 618, Tyler Halbleib 546, Katrina Martin 471, Amanda Jamison 447 (American); Olivia Farwell 463, Makyla Yoder 443, Patrick Hoffmaster 316, Nick Elzer 299, Kyle Myers 259 (Prep).

Leisure

Men: Tim Weaver 705 (McCombs Supply); Mike Dooley 772, Chuck Saylor 758, Bob Kilheffer 744, Dave Kennedy 730, Bill Silverstein 714, Rick Graham 713, Brian Rothweiler 682, Glenn Huber 681 (AMF Ind); Eric Myers 653 (Klines RV); Bobby Kenneson 700, Robby Gingrich 691 (City County Ind); Gene Campbell 644 (Tues Mens Hdcp); Scott Hogarth 725, Bob Miller 688 (Indoor World); Mike Bonham 720, Bill Honer 705 (Lanc Ind); Rick Graham 743, Rob Vital 682, Chris Vital 650, Brian Zhm 642, Stan Cramer 634 (Leisure Lanes Challenge); Dave Palmo 619 (Millersville Men); Tom Brubaker 694, Tim Hoffmaster 688, Eric Keller 680 (Conestoga Ind); Jim Brown 751, Mike Lewis Jr. 721, Robby Gingrich 713, Don Copeland III 703 (Midway Hotel Men).

Women: Aluana Hoke 552 (Hopefuls); Tammy Heist 572 (Precious Gems); Pat Hiemenz 557 (Sparklers); Joyce Rehkugler 578 (Sparemakers); Gerry Skiles 457 (Jewels); Beth Graham 695, Sue Schickell 670, Ann Rummel 653, Angie Knecht 606, Robyn Graham 606 (Myers Auo Body Ladies)

Mixed: Ron Smith Jr. 721, Kristina Miller 536 (Funtime); Fred Armstrong 722, Sheri Weaver 523 (Ball and Chain); Larry Harnish 648, Catherine Kreider 538 (Turtle); Terry Schickel 675, Beth Graham 640 (Zodiac); Eric England 740, Sandy Howard 547 (AM Ind); Gene Charles 632, Beryl Herr 535 (Mixed Nuts); Chris Ashwood 657, Carrie Haines 524 (Leisure Times); Jef Kaufhold 676, Heather Grunow 534 (Southern End); Herb Migdon 560, Carol Muehling 469 (Late Mixed Nurs); Mike Barr 628, Susie Kendig 538 (BCA); Kevin Rosado 637, Ginny Hamill 555 (Garys Pro Shop); Anthony Deverter 734, Nikki Luecker 564 (Arm Eng); Rick Wolf Jr. 680, Ann Rummel 657 (Wed Mix); George Tomlinson 738, Gary Brooks 714, Carol Bushman 633, Danette Alleman 633, Emily Jacoberger 625, Donna Kurtz 623 (Thurs Mix); Brian Heil 597, Amber Heil 528 (Thurs Funtime); Ron Lehman 747, Bonnie McCoy 518 (Roses and Thorns); Nick Rose Jr. 672, Lisa Cunningham 490 (Knights of Columbus); Dennis Shufflebottom 679, Karen Laube Clark 546 (Derrs Auto Transport); Merle Farmer 589, Bette High 546 (Mix and Match); Scott Karr 666, Mary Kilheffer 497 (Mountville Mix); Rob Murray 652, Melanie Akers 558 (Mixers).

Seniors: Dick Schell 527, Fran Meyer 450 (Manor North); John Herr 558, Dorris Smith 403 (AARP); Carl Melin 481, Merilynn Hart 419 (Woodcrest); Bill Ehleiter 531, Mary Kilheffer 540 (Early Birds); Galen Zook 663, Bob Steely 658, Dave Hefner 640, Champ Bauer 589, Charlie Kauffman 576, Charlie Albin 570, Don Cunningham 569, Pat Cooper 556, Dot Shoffstall 542 (Tender Tears); Stu Wesbury 585, Elsie Wagner 463 (Lakes Campus); Don Cunningham 700, John Erney 630, Richard Kleckner 627, Bob Steely 625, Bud Yeager 619, Don Killian 614, Galen Eberly 607, Bob Buzzendore 604, Ralph Kurtz 590, Don Bissinger 585, Ron Hart 584, Bob Zimmerman 576, Red Meshey 576, Charlie Heinaman 575, Rudy Ries 566, Heiner Stoll 563, Charlie Albin 561, Clayton Heisey 552, Charlie Ezern 551, Jean Lapham 588 (Thurs Srs); Blair Treasure 544, Doris Kendall 528 (Millersville Srs).

Juniors: Jordan Turner 473, Hailey Petrosky 326 (Bantam Prep Div); Cody Simet 589, Lisa Denlinger 551 (Jr Div); Tyler Schickell 701, Ben Bieganski 669, Brendon Yarnall 650, Becky Gerhart 544 (Major Div).

Dutch

Men: Carl Weaver 672 (Sunday Night Mix); Bob Kennedy 761, Dick Alexander 723, Jim Dinicola 720 (Industrial Service); Curt Baker 661, Dale Pannebecker 645, Karl Wentzel Jr. 634 (Brownstown Mix); Jeff Widders 670, Kevin Boyer 611, Bruce Snader 604 (Tri-Town Church); Gene Sholly 698, Josh Ruhl 627 (Woodstream); Dylan Shirk 763, Charlie Baney 683, Chris Brown 601 (Ephrata Mix); John Mertz Jr. 762, Dave Brill 751, Buddy Dimeler 741, 300, Kevin Hackman 728 (Lancaster County Travel); Gene Sholly 741, Andy Gockley 684, Bob Kennedy 680 (Lincoln Forest); Steve Martin 664, Scott Goebel 651, Russ Crockett 636 (Lancaster North End); Dan Hambleton 784, Jamie Eberhart 771, Troy Lint 747, Scott Canfield 726, Pete Reese 725, Randy Miller 714, Buddy Dimeler 713 (Commercial); Ron Witwer 703, Randy Haldeman 666, Barry Goldbach 631 (New Holland Men); Lester Wise 620, Bill Mansbery 617, Andy Glass 608 (Simply Everthing); Rex Litzenberger 664, Don Rineer 603 (Ephrata Church); Don Eckert 638, Diet Aseli 606, Dale Kohler 606 (North End Mix); Carl Miller 637, Ron Humpries 629 (Friday Night Mix); Ricky Yocum Jr. 689, Chris Mace 639, Rick Miller 628 (TGIF).

Women: Nancy Hafer 466 (Sunday Night Mix); Jaclyn Greenly 611 (New Holland Ladies); Ellen Merklinger 622, Christy Ayres 621, Sandy Harnish 607, Stacy Sauder 605 (Brownstown Mix); Becky Nickles 539 (Tri-Town Church); Janice Meckley 587 (Ephrata Mix); Pat Schappell 554, Teresa Martin 527 (Lincoln Forest); Denise Woodworth 638 (Ephrata Ladies); Carol Garman 542, Marian Ganster 529 (Simply Everything); Cheryl Mengel 533, Mary Lepera 509 (North End Mix); Marilyn Sedlak 426 (Friday Night Mix); Amy Reichwein 495 (TGIF).

Seniors: Jim Shober 582, Al Johnson 543, Elmer Strause 525, Shirley Royer 522, Ruth Eddy 470, Peggy Schmidt 455 (Young At Heart); Carl Partridge 696, Joe Pirrello 661 (Monday Seniors).

Juniors: Kenny Burdge 324, Tyrus Current 250, Tristan Current 176, Kaleigh Kramer 225, KC Miller 179 (Bantum); Kyle Kramer 436, Ian Wettlauffer 405, Matthew Snyder 358, Rachell Waddell 312, Cheyenne Angelo 285, Jazlyn Keith 231 (Zoo); Matt Cover 491, Justin Cramer 426, Ian Garcia 351, Katie Redcay 365, Elizabeth Mace 315 (Co-Ed); Austin Kissinger 703, Kerry Cooper 661, Justin Eberhart 584, Chelsey Merklinger 712, Brianna Nihoff 533, Briana Ord 519 (Seniors).

Cain's

Men: Brian Cain 626 (Sun. Mixers); Kevin Ecenrode 648 (Church); Bill Loercher 649 (Merchants); Gary Rynier 619 (Lititz).

Women: Stacey Summers 445 (Sun. Mixers); Jen Seaber 524 (Church).

Youth, Boys: Garrett Martin 500; Youth, Girls: Amy May 496; Juniors, Boys: Tanner Michael 398, Richard Deck 299; Juniors, Girls: Brittany Lantz 368; Bumpers, Boys: Bayley Ranck 238; Bumpers, Girls: Emilee Wallace 265.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.