Rocket City Wings Huntsville, Alabama -- Chapter B, Region A Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge May 2007

Cindy & I are stepping down as Chapter Directors

Cindy and I are stepping down as Chapter Directors, effective 30 April, 2007.  The decision involves matters beyond a simple explanation.  Cindy and I have discussed this issue many times over the past year.  We will embrace this turn of events as a new opportunity for us.

I am confident the appointment of John and Elizabeth Griswold by the District Director will take affect as soon as possible and the business of Chapter B will continue without interruption.

Cindy and I will always be appreciative of the friendships we have made, and continue to treasure.  Our most sincere appreciation is for those individuals who supported us and worked as the Chapter Staff.  They are the individuals responsible to the participants of Chapter B.  The Chapter belongs to those who care enough to support the goals and desires of the majority.

Best of everything to each of you

Mike and Cindy Janes

Change ...
  - From the Chapter Directors

As one of my favorite preachers used to start out, "I have three points to cover."

The first point is the most significant issue that will alter the Chapter for months to come.  So how do I ease into this?  Let's see ... we no longer have an Assistant Chapter Director.  No, that's not the right way.  I guess that we must face this head on. 

Now concerning the loss of the Assistant Chapter Directors,

We want to emphasize one very important thing.  It doesn't really matter who the Chapter Director is. 

John & Elizabeth Griswold

Dateline Lineup
  - From the Chapter Directors

For those of you that did not attend the Country Cruisers Open House, you missed a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, the weather was against us concerning riding.  Its one thing to get a little wet, but there is something about lightning that just really puts a dampener on riding.  But, we didn't let it dampen our spirits.  In addition to that we raised $280 dollars for Ride for Kids.  Pretty amazing.

Many, many thanks to all that contributed their "stuff" and their time to help with the Parking Lot Sale.  Tammy Hollingsworth, even while feeling under the weather, has done an amazing job with the fundraisers. 

And I want to give a special thanks to Heather Knapp.  Some of you attended a party to honor her.  But, she is joining the ranks of the defenders of our country, in the Air Force.  Thank you, Heather.

We have three events on the calendar that I want to highlight.

First is Relay for Life which is May 4th.  Come join us at the John Hunt Park.  You don't have to stay all night (I won't be).

We are doing something completely different for our ride meeting this month.  On Friday the 18th, we will be having our ride meeting down at Country Cruisers at 6:00pm.  Following the ride meeting we will have a Bug Run heading back to Huntsville.  We encourage everyone to attend.  It will be a short meeting.  We will actually be working on the schedule for August.  So please bring some good ideas.

John & Elizabeth Griswold

May 2007 District News
  – From the District Director

We attended the

Well folks, another

We traveled to Pigeon Forge on the 9th of April and stayed 4 days in a mountain cabin with 3 other couples, 2 from New Jersey and the other couple lives in our neighborhood.  They were classmates of Dian and myself.  Had a great time.  Left there on Friday morning and drove down to Luverne, AL and spent the night on our way to

On the 21st we attended

We are leaving Friday morning for the Tennessee Rally in Pigeon Forge.  Hope to see some of you there.  Might even visit Mel's Diner.

Please keep our Military people, our country's leaders and all those who are sick and recovering in your prayers.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you ladies! 

Till next time, hug someone you love and don't forget to wave. 

Bill & Dian Gulley

May 2007 District News
  – From the Assistant District Director
  / Rally Coordinator

Hi Folks,

The 2007 Alabama Rally is in the history books. We had a good time and trust you did too. There is always room for improvement and rest assured improve we will. Our attendance was down a little but not much. The fun was up. We had more seminars, more rider education, ERC and Trike courses and we had a dunking booth that was a "hit."  Almost everyone had a good time attempting to dunk one of their favorites. Unfortunately the threat of bad weather sent some home before closing ceremonies as a result some one lost $560 as their number was drawn from the dunking booth entries. We had to draw another number to give away that money.

2008 is already underway in the planning and promotion phases. I have already received some great suggestions for 2008 and many will be implemented. Next year we will keep the things that worked and do away with those that didn't. We are adding some new things to do such as the Swamp Boat Tours. This weekend a few of us tried it out and let me tell you, you are in for a treat! The wild life, the scenery, the feeling of traveling across the water and into places that no boat could adventure puts you on an exhilarated high that can be compared with riding a motorcycle down the road for the first time. If you have never taken a tour like this you need to. 

Next year:

• We will provide you with a better list of activities and a description of each event, where it will be held and what time. There was some confusion as to the schedule and we will have that better defined and in locations where people can see.
• We will have Jim Hubbard once again. He is great!
• We will have the dunking booth.
• We will have CPR and First Aid classes.
• We will have ERC and Trike Classes.
• We will have Road Captains Courses.
• We will have tours of the area.
• We will have a non-riding Poker Run again with a cash payoff of $150.
• We will have an observation ride.
• We will have the Air Boat Swamp Tour.
• We will give away door prizes on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in addition to the normal door prizes.
• We will give away half the money raised in the dunking booth on Friday and Saturday during closing ceremonies.
• We will have a 50/25/25 drawing, a $200 cash early bird registration drawing .
• And we will give away a 2008 Gold Wing at closing ceremonies. You will have to be fully registered and present to win!

The hotels were a great improvement over the past with just a few problems. Next year we will add some more hotels to the list. We have two that we are working with now, one at the north part of town on I65 and the other just off I10 on the west side of town close to the Greyhound Park where the ERC and Trike Classes take place. We expect these hotels to be less expensive than those that are downtown but you will have to travel to the rally each day. We will block off a portion of the rooms and see how many take advantage of the reduced rates. As we finalize our negotiations with these hotels they will be listed on the web site. Registrations are coming in already and one of the hotels, the Malaga Inn, has half of their rooms already booked! When making reservations you must specify you are with GWRRA and attending the rally. This will insure you are billed the reduced rate and give us credit for your stay. The more rooms we book the more the City will work with us on pricing and assistance. This helps us provide the ice cream social, barbeque and of course give away the Gold Wing.

For the latest information about the district and the rally you need to keep an eye on the Alabama Website. The address is www.Alabama-GWRRA.org . You can download your registration on the web.

Jim & Karen Lee

May 2007 District News
  – From the Assistant District Director
  / District Trainers

We would like to thank everyone for all the help and support we were given at the Rally. Other than being wet and COLD (thanks Al) it was great. We got to see some old friends and make some new ones, which can never be a bad thing. We have taken some information out of the latest Leadership Training Division's newsletter that we thought would be useful to all.

Insurance Liability Change

The limit of the GWRRA Liability Insurance has been increased from $1 million to $2 million. The breadth of coverage has also been extended. Please be sure that everyone in your respective areas is made aware of this change, and that this update is reflected immediately in all affected seminars.

"The two million-dollar liability insurance policy protects GWRRA Officers when involved in authorized GWRRA business for social events and a designated third party (mall, meeting place, co-sponsoring authority, etc). This policy extends coverage for approved District and Region rallies and certain Chapter-sponsored events.

The limits of this policy are stated on the Certificate of Liability Insurance that appears on GW Info Exchange. The policy numbers are stated on the Certificate of Insurance located at www.gwrra.org/officers/officerresources.

GWRRA has adequate insurance to cover officers and volunteers when representing GWRRA in authorized GWRRA business and GWRRA events internationally. Liability coverage pays, on behalf of GWRRA, sums GWRRA is legally obligated to pay for bodily injury arising out of GWRRA's business activities. Any present Directors, Officers or Volunteers of GWRRA are covered.

Other GWRRA members who volunteer their time and services at GWRRA rallies are covered by the insurance policy and are included as additional insured's. The limit of liability is $2 million.

Please refer to the Certificate of Insurance at www.gwrra.org/officers/pdf/insurance/link4.pdf.

Also, Chapter members of GWRRA who plan, assist and take leadership roles in various chapter events (mall shows, ice cream rides etc) are covered by the liability insurance provided by GWRRA.

As referenced above, there are no exclusions of coverage for volunteers. Family members or friends who volunteer at a rally are also covered under the GWRRA policy.

GWRRA Home Office and the Event Management Group support / endorse guided tour rides at rallies. If a group of GWRRA members leads a tour, they are covered by GWRRA insurance. When a Region is hosting a rally and there will be vendors present, GWRRA requires vendors to carry liability coverage with a limit of $1 million.

This information is taken directly from the GWRRA insurance policy and verified by K & K Insurance Group. In the event GWRRA insurance coverage does not satisfy the requirements of the GWRRA group putting on an event, the group may purchase additional coverage at their own expense."

The next time you think about going for a ride, call a friend; they are probably thinking the same thing.

Roy & Anita Fosnight Please Ride Safe and Often

MAD About Participation
  – Motorist Awareness Division District Coordinators

I was asked if I wanted to volunteer for this job two years ago at the district picnic and after receiving the boss's ok (Doris) I accepted. The job for the most part is not all that hard; I have to file quarterly reports and try to make the public more aware that we are out there. I do this in by writing articles to anything that is published and by trying to get into the governments eye for recognition, both are harder to do then pulling hens teeth at times. They typically don't see too many letters from someone MAD all the time and they get one from me and they may just toss it in the round file lamenting "Hey it's that MAD guy from Mobile again".

What would really help the cause though would be if several of you folks got MAD too! Write your local newspaper, TV or radio station and tell them you are MAD. Tell them you are mad about the way motorcyclists are treated as second class citizens when it comes to sharing the road with cars and trucks. Tell them you are mad about the way folks in our sport are killed daily across this nation due to folks who don't see us and tell them you are mad about the fact that we have as much right to the road as people in cars.

While I am on the ol soap box I am mad about the way some of us still ride in traffic hiding in peoples blind spots, riding in dull or dark colors and riding without headlight modulators or high beams. I am mad that we do not take advantage of seminars at district rally's that offer road captains courses and co-rider seminars and other things to help keep us safe. I am mad at myself for not doing a better job communicating the information above and will strive to do better in the future.

Until next month

Ride Safe and Ride Aware

Freddy & Doris Wheeler

'Tis the Season to be Snuffy

Your eyes are watering, your nose is dripping, your congested, your coughing, your sinuses are filled up and your head feels as if it's about to explode.  Yep, this sounds like the perfect time to go jump on a motorcycle and take a long leisurely ride in the country, doesn't it?

It's been said many times over that riding a motorcycle is 90-95% mental.  Do you really, think that you could give the proper amount of attention to road conditions, surrounding traffic, that dog waiting next to the trash cans, and a hundred other cases if you felt the way that I described in the opening paragraph?  I would venture to categorically say no.

So what's my point?  Motorcycle riding is an experience that consumes the complete rider and it requires a complete rider.  If you are feeling under the weather, then my suggestion is to find some medications that will help and then stay home.  If you can't stay home, then climb in your four-wheeled vehicle, preferably with a fresh, healthy driver.  If you don't have anyone else to drive, see if you can find a passenger that will help you look out for the motorcycles.  And don't feel bad about taking the four-wheeler.  It's just until you can get yourself feeling better.

Don't go ride until you can ride with ALL of you.

John & Elizabeth Griswold

How to Install a Home Security System in the South

1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used size 14-16 work boots.
2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns & Ammo magazine and your NRA magazines.
3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazine.
4. Leave a note on your door that reads:
   Hey Bubba, Big Jim, Duke and Slim, I went for more ammunition. Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls - they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up real bad. I don't think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all the blood. Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the house. Better wait outside.

May 2007 -  AL-B Ride Schedule

• 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 (unless noted otherwise by the ride leader).

• We need your ride suggestions!!
• We need any and all of your ideas!!
• You can be part of the Ride Committee!!
• If you want to help...
  Please e-mail us at Rid eCoo rdin ator

May - 2007

1	Tue	Supper at Olive Garden -- 5:30pm - 3730 University Dr NW
		CMA - Huntsville Forgiven Riders -- Ryan's on University Drive - Eat 6:00pm / Meet 6:45pm
3	Thu	Bike Night at Sonic -- off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00pm. Then Bruister's Ice Cream on County Line Rd.
		GWRRA - SC District Rally
		GWRRA - MO District Rally
4	Fri	Loading for Relay for Life -- Before 4:00pm
		Relay for Life -- 6:45pm - Survivors' Walk
		Relay for Life -- 7pm - 7am
		Poke Salat Festival -- Historic Downtown Arab
		Basic Rider Course -- Madison County Executive Airport
		Louisiana Bike Expo
5	Sat	Poke Salat Festival -- 7:30am - Depart old Jaycees Building. Ride to Granny Nells for Breakfast. Then ride to Poke Salat Festival.
		AL-K (Shoals Wings) Meeting -- Florence, Underwood Community Center 840 County Rd. 7, eat 8:00am / meet 9:00am
		AL-H (Eagle Wings) Official Kick Off Picnic -- 11am-3pm - Joe Wheeler State Park, Day Use Area Shelter #1. Door Prizes, 50/25/25, Chapter Bocce competition, $5 Meal ticket
6	Sun	Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD.
8	Tue	Rocket City Wings meeting -- Ryan's, S. Pkwy, Huntsville.  Eat 6:00pm / Meet 7:00pm
10	Thu	Bike Night at Sonic -- off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00pm. Then Bruister's Ice Cream on County Line Rd.
		Arkansas Rally
		GWRRA - Texas District Rally
		GWRRA - AR District Rally
11	Fri	Arkansas Rally
12	Sat	Ride to Cherokee Rock Village -- Noon - Depart Hobbs Island/Texaco - Texaco Station located at Hobbs Island Rd & S. Memorial Pky. Ride across to Cajun Kitchen south of river for Lunch. Then to Country Cruisers. Leave CC at 2:30pm for ride to the Rock Village.
		Arkansas Rally
		AL District Picnic -- (South) Roland Cooper State Park, Camden, AL
13	Sun	Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD.
		Mother's Day
14	Mon	AL-E Meeting -- Fish Creel Restaurant, Hwy 207, Anderson, AL - Eat 6:00pm / Meet 7:00pm
15	Tue	Birthday Dinner at Logan's -- 5:30pm - 6226 University Drive Nw (Across from Target Shopping Center)
17	Thu	Bike Night at Sonic -- off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00pm. Then Bruister's Ice Cream on County Line Rd.
		Branson Motorcycle Rally
18	Fri	Ride Meeting -- 6:00pm - Country Cruisers. Bug Run following
		Niehaus Goldwing Appreciation Days
		Bike-O-Rama
		River City Ride, Bike Rally and Blues Festival -- thru 20th
		Myrtle Beach Bike Week
		Trike Riders International -- Rally
19	Sat	Chrome Ride -- 8:00am - meet at Drake Cracker Barrel for Breakfast.  Leasurely ride with stop at Country Cruisers. After purchasing chrome, lights, etc, and picking up Rich, then ride back to Huntsville to an installation party (Richard's House).
		AL-H (Eagle Wings) Meeting -- McKinney's Corner Restaurant, 11980 US Hwy 31, Tanner; Eat/Meet 8:00am
		American Legion Post 122 Armed Forces Day Poker Run -- Reg: 9am, $10-1-hand, $20-3-hands, at Post #122 American Legion, Doster Rd, Prattville, AL. FBO: 10am, LBI: 1pm
20	Sun	Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD.
		Ride for Kids Meeting -- 2:00pm
21	Mon	Staff Meeting -- 5:30pm
22	Tue	Supper at Donatos Pizza -- 5:30pm - 7500 S Memorial Parkway
		AL-I (Point Mallard Wings) Meeting -- OH!Bryan's, 727 Main St W, Hartselle. Eat 6:00pm / Meet 7:00pm
24	Thu	Bike Night at Sonic -- off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00pm. Then Bruister's Ice Cream on County Line Rd.
25	Fri	GWRRA - IN District Spring Wing Warmup
27	Sun	Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD.
		Rolling Thunder Ride -- Washington, DC. Never forget POW
28	Mon	Memorial Ride -- 9:00am - Depart Campus Corner BP (Corner of Holmes and Jordan). We ride to visit & honor our fallen and departed brethren
		Memorial Holiday
29	Tue	Dinner  at Posey's in Hazel Green -- 5:30pm
31	Thu	Street Strategies Seminar -- Indigo Joe's - 7404 Highway 72 West, Huntsville - Eat 5:30pm / Meet 6:30pm
		Bike Night at Sonic -- off Hwy 20 on Wall Triana, Madison, at 6:00pm. Then Bruister's Ice Cream on County Line Rd.

June - 2007