Rocket City Wings Huntsville, Alabama -- Chapter B, Region A Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge June 2006

From The Chapter Directors
– Mike & Cindy Janes

There are so many positive things that can be said for our Country and our life style, but I don’t want to stray from my purpose.  I see so many

We live in the Greatest Society on this planet.  I encourage everyone to take time out to reflect on the sacrifices others have made, so that we may enjoy many freedoms.  I have seen wonderful things in other countries, but nothing compares to the United States.  We are willing to take the time and dedicate the effort, to take care of our country, our way of life and our Freedoms.  It just does not seem like enough to say “Thank you for the energetic support and boundless compassion for your fellow members.  Take care of your families and your health so you can ride with us soon.

Mike and Cindy

FROM THE TREASURER

Since Mick and I will be with the Parker Gang touring the Black Hills of SD doing the White Buffalo Run, I will not be at the June 13th meeting.  Therefore, I will take this opportunity to do a little cash chat.

HOW TO TURN A $5.00 INVESTMENT INTO $200 PLUS.  There is going to be a current card carrying GWRRA member who is going to leave the June 13th Get-together a very happy and prosperous person…BUT ONLY IF he or she enters the 50/50 membership contest. If your name is drawn, your GWRRA card is current, you entered the game and you have the correct answer (Oh, don’t worry….You have 50 lifelines to call on for help with the answer) you will receive over $200.00.  Some lucky soul will be doing some great vendor shopping at the Nashville Rally with that prize!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST.  Thanks to all of you that worked towards the success of the May 20th Applebee’s Pancake Breakfast.  We also thank those that supported their Chapter by coming for breakfast with your friends and family.  After expenses, we were able to fatten up the RFK piggy bank with $882.50.  Add that amount to the funds we raised at the 2005 Christmas party and we have a total of $1,118.50 to date sitting in the piggy bank.

On Sept. 17th, at the RFK money table, a special thing happens when an amount over $1000 is donated.  The RFK money handler rings a bell which signals all the worker bees to hoot and holler.  Try to be with your Director when he turns in the money. I guarantee you will get a grin and a glow of warm fuzzies when they ring the bell for CH-B!!

Have a great June meeting, Safe Travels to All and see you when we get back.  Next month I will have an article about our White Buffalo Run.

FUNDamentally yours, Julianna, AL-B Treasurer

GWRRA TRIKE SIG -  ALABAMA

TRIKE HIKE  - WED. JULY 5, 2006

MONTGOMERY STATE PARK - RESTAURANT OVERLOOKS LAKE ACORN

WING DING ATTENDEES:

• Make your reservations at the Trike SIG Table at Opryland Hotel no later than 6PM Tuesday 7/04
• Map to the Montgomery Bell  will be at the Trike Sig Table.
• It is approximately 57 miles and takes about 1.5 hours from Opryland Hotel.
• At 10:00 AM the Trike Sig Coordinators will depart from Opryland Hotel and lead you to the Park or you can get a map to the Park at the Trike Sig Table and go in your own group

Chapter B Trike Hike directly to Montgomery Bell

I will be out of town until June 15th.  If you have any questions, contact me after that
Mail checks to Julianna Polka,
27255 Denbo Circle, Harvest, AL 35749
Cell phone=(256) 230-8048  email=jul ipol ka*c hart er:net

GWRRA ALABAMA DISTRICT TRIKE SIG

District News
FROM the District Director

We would like to thank all the Chapter Officers for the work you have been doing and continue to do on behalf of our Members.  Without you and the support of the Members we would fail miserably in our attempts to make things enjoyable and interesting to folks.  THANK YOU for your support!  If you have any comments or suggestions, just let us know.

It seems the weather has played a big part in the turn out for some of our recent events.  On April 29 Chapter G had their annual Fun Day in Samson, AL.  I don’t know about the weather down there, but it threatened rain, and did rain some here that day.  I’m told that the attendance was down from last year.  We thank those of you that were able to attend this event.  We regret that we were not able to be there this year and we thank our new District COY, Frank & Linda Teasley, for being there to represent the District. It’s very important to support the Chapters in their effort to raise the needed funds to operate on for the year.  I’m told there was good support by some Florida Members and for that we want to thank all of you.  I’m not sure what the reason is for the lack of attendance at most events this year.  Most all the numbers at Rallys and Fun Days are low this year for some reason.  I’m sure the price of gas is not helping any. 

The Chapter S kick-off also took place on April 29th.  There was very little support from outside the Chapter at this event.  None of the local Chapter Members came out to this event. There were only 7 Members from outside Chapter S in attendance and they were from Guntersville Chapter N.  Hopefully we will get back to socializing with our friends at these events.

May 4th we left home, with the weather threatening, heading to Spartanburg, SC and the SC Rally.  We stopped for gas in the northwest corner of Georgia and that’s where the rain caught us.  We suited up and headed on up the road in the rain.  We rode through the Ocoees on Hwy 64 and it rained all the way through.  We decided to stop in Ducktown for lunch.  The rain stopped while we were eating.  The rest of the trip was without rain.  We arrived late Thursday afternoon and got checked in at the host Hotel, Radisson.  The hotel facilities were great.  On Friday we went on a Safari in an animal preserve.  Ask Patti Lingo about her cow experience.  We had a great time at the Rally and spent time with friends as well as made some new acquaintances.  The winner of the Gold Wing was a local Member and was present at the Rally.  I didn’t hear any final numbers for attendance. Thanks Joe and Terri for another good Rally.

May 13 we had our 2nd annual District Picnic at Tannehill State Park.  The weather did not cooperate again for this event.  Things looked dismal at the beginning of the day and we started making plans for the possibility of having the picnic again at a different date this year due to the weather.  As the morning wore on, bikes began to arrive so we fired up the grill and began to cook.  The outcome was great considering the weather.  Even though we cooked in the rain, and most folks arrived in the rain, we had close to 200 folks show up for the picnic.  They came from Mobile, Gadsden and all points in between.  That’s outstanding and we thank you for your support and fellowship.  We gave away numerous door prizes and talked about next year’s picnic.  The general consensus was to have it at Tannehill again next year.  We’ll let you know as soon as the date is set.  Thanks to the District Staff for all your hard work and support.  And a special thanks to all of you who braved the elements and came out to enjoy the day with us!

As I write this we are preparing to leave for Santuck and the Chapter Z Fun Day.  We anticipate another great time with the Z bunch.  Hope you all made it if possible.

June 4th we will be leaving on a 10 day trip out west with 4-5 other couples. We will cover roughly 4000 miles and 10 states.  Going as far as Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. We will return on the 14th in time to head for Rome, GA on the 15th for the Georgia Rally. 

At a Region A Staff meeting in South Carolina, I learned that we have to be in Nashville at the Gaylord Hotel on Sunday morning at 7 AM for training on Alabama District responsibilities at Wing Ding.  We are really going to need you help and support on Wednesday, July 5.  Alabama has the duty of working on-site registration this day.  I’m told we will need 36 people at all time during the day.  If you will be able to assist for a while, please let me know.  I need to have some idea of who will be willing to help out.  With your help we can make the District of Alabama look good.  In the past we have been responsible for selling tickets and we set records in this area.  I know we can set another good example with your help.  I would like to compile a list of available people if you will let me know. 

Chapter N yard sale scheduled for June 9-10 has been cancelled.  Check your calendars and attend as many events as possible.  The Fun comes from being with our extended family.  Come on out and join in on the Fun!

Start making plans now for the Region A Rally in Perry, FL.  This is shaping up to be a great Rally.  Sure hope you don’t miss this one in a new location that promises to be fantastic.  The date is August 31-Sept 2.  Perry is about 40 miles south of Tallahassee.  The Rally will take place at the 4-H center.  There will be a parade down town and the lighted bike show will take place down town at the end of the parade route.  There will also be a street party sponsored by the city.  Sounds like it will be loads of fun!  Come on down.

I just received word from Mississippi about new hotels that will be available for the Mississippi Rally in October.  Biloxi and rally dates of October 12-14, rooms become available at the Best Western Swan Motel at 1726 Beach Blvd. Rates are in the $55- $79 range. People have to book online because the Motel is not open at this time. They will not take reservations over the phone. They are scheduled to open before the rally and are giving confirmation.  Here’s the link to make a reservation.  http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/selectHotel.do
You will receive a confirmation by email.

Please keep our Military folks and all those who are sick and recovering in your prayers.  Till next time, Hug someone you love and don’t forget to wave.

Bill & Dian

District News
FROM the Assistant District Director

During the rally we had a CD round  table discussion. It was very good, very informative and many shared information. We had one of the new CD’s speak up from a new chapter and voice a common question. He said he had tried very hard to grow his chapter but didn’t seem to be getting any results. What should he do? When I heard it I knew exactly what the answer was. There was silence so I had to speak up. The answer is simple. Stop trying to build a chapter and just have fun. If you schedule your rides, show up, inform others what you are doing and enjoy yourselves, others will naturally want to be around to enjoy. Growth will come because you are having fun.

For the last two years I have filled the position of Rally Coordinator. I have worked diligently to try to build a larger more successful rally. It just dawned on me. Stop trying to build a rally and just have fun. If you schedule the activities, make the rally interesting, do things the people enjoy, give away all you can give away, enjoy yourselves and get the word out others will naturally want to be around to have fun also. Growth will come because we are having fun.
The rally for 2007 will have more opportunity for you to have fun. We have eliminated the Lafayette Plaza Hotel and will use the Ramada and Malaga Inns. The Admiral Semmes, a 3 Star Hotel, is also on our list as a place to stay. We plan to have at least one other hotel that will provide rooms at a lower rate. You will have to drive to and from the Civic Center but at least there will be alternatives. If you have campers you will be able to stay in the parking lot for a reduced rate if you want to. We are searching for a location to provide a Trike Course. We will be having two Dinner Cruises and we will feed you on Friday night as well as provide an Ice Cream Social on Thursday night. What’s more we will have a dance after the talent show on Friday night.

I don’t know of anyone in this state that would not like to give a Gold Wing away. When we give one away the person needs to be present and that person needs to be one of us. That said, a raffle is out. What we will do is continue to provide a fun atmosphere and plenty of activities for you to enjoy. As our turnouts increase we will increase the amount of money we will give away. At the 2007 rally we will give away $2500 in first prize money, 1000 second and 500 for third. We will grow and as we do the prizes will become larger. When we get to the point where we can give away a Gold Wing we may or we may simply give away that much money. With your help and desire to reach that goal we can do it. How can you help? Pre-register, come to the rally, spread the word about how much fun you had at the rally this year and encourage throughout the year others to commit to coming to the Alabama Rally. Our turnout this year was awesome but most were in day passes. That doesn’t help reach the goal of larger grand prizes. Pre-registration does.

We hope to see you down the road. As always, ride safe and ride often.

Jim & Karen Lee

June 2006 - AL-B RIDE SCHEDULE

Information About Our Group Rides

• Unless otherwise indicated, all rides will leave from the ride meeting place at scheduled time.
• As a courtesy to all members, it is important to be ready to leave at the departure time.
• All bikes should be fueled and bladders emptied ahead of time.
• We plan a variety of rides.  Time and money might make it hard to make all events.  We hope this variety will give you an opportunity to pick and choose, and at least enjoy some of them.
• If the weather is bad---come in your car.
• If you have a CB, you will find us on Channel 1.
• We will meet at Mullins for our Sunday morning breakfast at 8:30 am, most of the time.  However, there are some rides to breakfast at other locations.  CHECK THE RIDE SCHEDULE.
• WE NEED YOUR RIDE SUGGESTIONS!! PLEASE E-MAIL US AT Rid eCoo rdin ator  WITH ANY AND ALL IDEAS .

June 2006

July 2006

Ride Maps & Directions

RIDE TO ALL STEAK

Summary:  185.4 miles (4 hours, 48 minutes)