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| Richard & Sue Chapman |
Coming Attractions (Events)
May
The first weekend in May is the South Carolina District Rally
Friday evening all the way through to Saturday morning is the Relay for Life fundraiser and remembrance. We would love to see you come down, even if you can't stay all night.
Saturday 2nd we will be visiting with Chapter-D for the C.A.S.T. for Kids at Guntersville State Park.
Saturday 9th is the Southern Alabama District Picnic.
Remember, Sunday 10th is Mother's Day
Tuesday 12th is MAY MADNESS meeting.
The 16th we will be heading towards Talladega to visit the Cheaha State Park. For those that want, there is also the "Old Guy's" Motorcycle Races at Talladega.
On Memorial Day we will have a very special ride.
Come ride TN-129 on Saturday 30th. Please note that this is "Tennessee" 129, not US 129. TN-129 is a delightful highway that runs through middle Tennessee.
June
The first Saturday in June we will be visiting with Chapter-T for their "Blast from the Past" Fun Day. Elizabeth and I will be unable to attend because we will be attending a party for our granddaughter.
As always, the most up-to-date schedule information can be found on the website -- check it often.
John & Elizabeth Griswold
Reflections & Reminiscing (Events)
April
The month started with a delightful ride to Double Springs where we picnicked at a beautiful natural bridge. Afterwards we experienced DQ Trek. We searched and searched and searched all of the way to the western Alabama state line, looking for a Dairy Queen. It is worth mentioning that we did not find one by heading west.
We had a gigantic group that visited Miss Mary Bobo's in Lynchburg. We had some many people that we filled three separate dining rooms. As expected the food was beyond compare (ask some of the folks about the apple-cobbler).
From what I have heard the Army Emergency Relief Auto & Bike Show was a success. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend, but Elizabeth did and she said that she had a blast.
If you missed the fun last month, please join us this month.
John & Elizabeth Griswold
Progress in the Rider Education area!
-- From the Motorist Awareness Coordinators
Four of Chapter B's members submitted Master Level IV applications after last month's chapter gathering. Their applications are through the District and Region Educators hands and are on the way to National. Congratulations!
The National Rider Education Levels database has been released to Region and District Educators. It will soon be available for Chapter Educators (CE) to view. Once they can view the data, the CEs can submit changes to keep the data current and correct.
Earlier this month four of us from Chapters B and H spent the day in Kentucky with new friends from Region N. We were trained as Medic First Aid Instructors. Very soon we'll be able to conduct Medic CPR/First Aid courses right here at home.
A couple of Chapter B members are among the 7 who have submitted applications to become certified to coach either the GWRRA Advanced Rider Course or the Trike Rider Course or both. Those applications have been forwarded to Region A for approval.
Anyone interested in becoming certified as GWRRA Seminar presenters or Parking Lot Practice Facilitators should submit an application through your new Chapter Educators (we all know who they are, but they are not officially appointed yet. Congratulations anyway!!)
Jim & Carol Robinson
What If?
-- From the Motorist Awareness Coordinators
What will that car driver do if he doesn't see you? Will he turn, move, stop, go, pull out, or pull across your path? You don't know, of course.
But you can try to think like the car driver you are watching. What would you do if you were driving the car you're watching? Now take you and your bike/trike out of the situation for just a second. Try to anticipate every action the driver is likely to take assuming you are not in the situation. Then figure out what you'll do if the car driver does any of those things. You don't have a whole lot of choices. Will you speed up, slow down, stop, or move left or right?
What will happen if you don't anticipate what the driver does? I think it's better to anticipate the driver's moves than trust that he'll see you and do the polite thing.
Ride like you're invisible, because you really are!
Jim & Carol Robinson
Thinking Basics
-- From the Motorist Awareness Coordinators
During a Beginner Rider Course (BRC) this past weekend (April 17-19) my co-coach made a decision which generalizes well to everyday riding.
Here's the set-up. It rained off and on all day Saturday and Sunday. In fact, weather radar showed rain and more rain coming from Mississippi both days. The students were doing really well even though they and the pavement were wet most of the time. However, on Sunday, half-way through the riding skills evaluation (the riding test), it really starting raining hard. The next part of the evaluation was the quick stop. There was no let-up in the rain in sight. The students were in line ready to show their stopping skills. Then my co-coach walked up to me.
He said, "Let's call-off the rest of the evaluation. We haven't had any falls or crashes yet. We don't need to get anyone hurt." He didn't need to twist my arm! However, I must admit, I hadn't even thought about calling off the evaluation because the students were tolerating the conditions so well. But I agreed and we went inside.
After the class was over, it dawned on me that my co-coach made the decision I should have made too. The riding conditions were not acceptable for beginning riders. They didn't know any better. The coach did know better.
The lesson generalizes to this: we must consider our own skill level and decide if we can safely continue riding in the conditions we are in. In other words, Ride Your Own Ride. If the conditions make you uncomfortable, make the decision that will make you comfortable.
I believe what someone said to me, "You don't have to get home tonight, but you do have to get home safely."
I think I'd rather forfeit a day at work than ride in conditions that I consider unsafe, just so I can get home in time to go to work the next day.
Jim & Carol Robinson
008838-01
May Trivia
199273 |
Parents' / Grandparents' Bragging Room
Lisa & Hiram Bass' daughter getting married May 2nd.
As a reminder, the "Grandparents' Bragging Room" is a section of the newsletter where we want to hear about your family. You know all of those times that you have felt guilty because you wanted to share some really neat thing that your grandchild did. Well, now you can, and you don't have to feel guilty!
Health Watch
Prayer Concerns
George Glenn (AL-D) - recently lost his loving wife Dorothy.
Jake Lawyer - recovering from sugery
Betty Werman - Gal Bladder surgery
Lori Menikheim (daughter of John & Elizabeth Griswold) - Expecting birth of daughter
If you know of other individuals please inform Lisa Bass[Hos pita lity]
Serving for Freedom
Atticus "Daniel" Fisher
- SPC Fisher, Atticus Daniel
- TF Eagle Assault
- HHC 5-101 AVN
- APO, AE 09355
- Serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan
- Tammy Hollingsworth's brother
Heather Knapp
- Air Force
- Ramstien Airbase in Germany (Just reassigned from S.Korea)
- Marty & Lisa Knapp's daughter
Randall Southerland
- Army
- We will get you details about his assignment as soon as we can
May is Motorcycle Awareness MonthWing-Ding 2009Region-A Rally 2009 |
District News
-- District Director
We have a lot to be thankful for and the biggest thing is the weather we had at the Rally. We all looked and felt like drowned rats on Wednesday and then Thursday started the same way. All of a sudden it was time to start and the sun came out, the people starting showing up and it was Rally time in Pelham. It happened Friday and Saturday also and what a great time we had with everyone. We would like to thank everyone again who braved the weather on Bikes, in cars, in RVs and any other form of transport you all used to get to Pelham to Rally with everyone. We wound up with over 500 people and we sure hope you had as good of a time as we did (even with worrying about the weather). We would like to say "Thank you" to all the worker bees that put in their time to make the 2009 Rally a success.
Anita & I and several members of Chapter B went to Chapter G's Fun Day in Samson, AL. What a time we all had. We had some great food, music and fellowship with other chapters. Chapter G did a great job with the Barbeque and the door prizes were numerous, they had to be, Anita won three. Then we went to Destin, FL for some seafood on the beach and to do some shopping. Several members of Chapter Y went with us. The girls went looking for girly bling and the guys went to see what was new at the Bass Pro shop.
The next thing we have coming on May 9th is the South picnic in Roland Cooper State Park in Camden, AL. Chapter L has agreed to cook again and hopefully we will have nice weather like we had last year. Picnic starts at 10 and we will eat about 11. We will have hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, coleslaw (for slaw dogs), potato salad, water, and sodas. Anyone is welcome to bring a dessert for all to share. We will have door prizes and a 50/25/25. Cost is $5.00 per person. Please come and join us, I don't want to give away the leftovers; I want you to show up and eat them.
Please remember that Freedom isn't Free and remember our folks who are in Harm's Way, be they Military, Law Enforcement, EMTs or Firemen.
The next time you think about riding, call a friend, they are probably thinking the same thing.
| Roy & Anita Fosnight Please Ride Safe and Often Dir ecto r*Al abam a-gw rra:org |
District News
-- Assistant District Director - Central
"If you watch the weather channel you might as well sell your bike". I heard a chapter member say this many years ago and it is still true today. The District Rally was a success and proved the weather man wrong. There was rain and some winds but mostly at night. Perfect weather during the day.
It was good to see everyone there. Gail and I want to thank all the members for helping put this rally on. It takes a lot of work and dedication to make this happen. We are in the planning stages for next year's rally. Details will be out in the near future.
Organizing rallies and fun days is not something one person can do. It takes the total efforts of many people. Try and imagine if one person were to try and plan just a chapter fun day. How long would that person last? It would probably be their first and last effort. It takes everyone working together to make fun days and rallies a success.
The same holds true for making and growing this organization. Take advantage of all it has to offer. If you want to be a "JAM" (Just a member), then be the best member there is. Rider Education is offering many classes and courses to help make us safer and better riders. Leadership Training is here to help mold and educate the future leaders of GWRRA. Take advantage of all that is offered.
Now that the weather is getting better get out and ride. Try and make other chapter fun days and support them. We hope to see you guys in Camden at the South picnic on May 9th.
| Robert & Gail Brown The more you know the better it gets Ass tDir ecto r-Ce ntra l*Al abam a-gw rra:org |
District News
-- Assistant District Director - South
Hello my Favorite People:
First off, as Chapter G members, Corky and I would like to thank all of you who attended our FUN DAY on April 11. We had a great day with 120 members in attendance, 111 door prizes given out, 10 Boston Butts eaten, many games played and live entertainment the whole time. Not to mention, we had the best weather we have EVER had for our fun day!! Thank you all.
I don't know how you store your rides when not riding them, but I keep ours in my barn. I had a problem with my radios, all of them not working. I checked the fuse -- good there. Took it into our local Honda dealer and they found a rats nest under my seat!!! The rats had eaten quite a few of my electrical covers and wire coatings but not the wires-----yet. Come to find out, there are two (2) fuses that control the radios. One marked RADIO/CB and another marked BATTERY. Go figure? Two hours of searching, changing out radios and it was a fuse all the time! But at least we did find the rat house. Good thing huh? Guess the rat nest was built during my 8 week lay-off because of my heart operation. I thank the Andalusia Honda Dealership for their support. They dropped what they were doing and took my problem in right away. Thanks Luke, Don, and Willie.
Corky found out that the Tennessee Rally is being sponsored by Bushtec Trailers this year, so we are off to Pigeon Forge the weekend of 23-25 April. Hope to see some of ya there? It's supposed to be a great weather weekend too. Hopefully we can finally get our trailer tires replaced? We'll see. We are running MAY-POPS as it is now. You know, May Pop any time!!!! We were up there a few years ago and it was great. Talk about great roads to ride? They have them by the hundreds. + Deals Gap and the Nantahalla River (sp) were you can go White Water Rafting if ya want to, are near there as well.
I've got a 20-year warrantee on my heart repairs. I feel like a 50 year old again and the weather is starting to cooperate so I'm outta hear. See ya on the road someplace?
"Keep the Rubber Down, It Works Best that Way"
| Ron & Corky Alexander Ass tDir ecto r-So uth* Alab ama- gwrra:org |
District News
-- District Rider Educator
Lots of stuff happening in Alabama
In January I told you my goals and plans for the Alabama District RE program this year. Let me tell you about some progress toward those goals.
The first goal concerned the RE database. That goal has been accomplished. Your RE program information is now in the national RE database, and soon your Chapter Educator will be able to view your information online. When they can see it, they can keep it up to date very easily.
Another goal was to conduct Rider Education Weekends where you could attend all the riding courses and seminars that GWRRA offers in one place during one weekend. We haven't accomplished that goal yet, but we're making good progress.
- We've started making arrangements for classroom and range areas. I've located a range and classroom in the Huntsville area and we're talking with a couple of folks in the greater Birmingham area.
- Alabama now has 4 certified Medic First Aid Instructors. Last month four of us went to Kentucky for the certification training. The National Assistant Director of RE, Jim Hall, conducted the instructor training. I hope we can use our new Medic First Aid instructors (and others, I hope) during the RE Weekends. Speaking of others -- we have a lot of nurses and paramedics in our membership. Thank them for their dedication, please.
- Seven of our members have sent applications to become certified to instruct GWRRA riding courses. Those applications have been forwarded to Region A for further processing. Hopefully, Alabama can soon host a training session for those who want to become GWRRA Rider Coaches. Send applications for that training to me, please. Hopefully, we will be able to use those new Coaches during our Rider Education Weekends.
Two other goals have not been accomplished yet: Parking Lot Facilitator training and Seminar Instructor training. Keep the faith. We're working on those too.
Please consider taking a riding course soon. It may save your life and your passenger's life.
Ride as if you are invisible, because you are!
| Jim & Carol Robinson Rid erEd ucat or*A laba ma-g wrra:org |
District News
-- Motorist Awareness Division District Coordinators
Hello everyone,
What a great time we had at the Alabama rally! It was so good to see all of our friends. We just wished we could have spent more time with everyone. Thanks to everyone who stopped by the MAD table and spoke with us. We really got some great input and suggestions on where to take the MAD program in Alabama. Speaking of MAD, we hope everyone reads the article in this month's Wing World magazine written by Charles & Nancy Mallet, the National Motorist Awareness Directors. They seem to have a good plan on how to get the word out to motorists about motorcycles. As most of you may know, May is motorcycle awareness month. We do not have anything planned this year, as a group, to observe this. Hopefully, by next year, we will have some kind of ride or event to recognize this month.Plans are in the works as we speak. If any Chapter or individual has a ride or event planned to observe motorcycle awareness month this year, please let us know. We would love to hear from you.
Ride Aware
| Terry & Barbie Cleveland Mot oris tAwa rene ss*A laba ma-g wrra:org |
Chapter Reports
-- District Membership Enhancement Coordinators
Chapter Directors and/or Chapter Membership Enhancement Coordinators please fill out the yes/no, date contacted and comment column on the Chapter Reports and return them back to me and also to Region "A" Membership Enhancement Coordinators, Bob & Karla Greer. It is important to do it on all the tabs. New Members--Expiring Dues--Prospective Member--Expired dues. Every person on every tab needs to be contacted.
A member that is listed in one chapter and wants to be placed in another chapter has to call Phoenix and request it be done. If a member says they have tried it before, ask them to try it one more time.
- Call: 1-800-843-9460
- E-mail: cus tome rser vice *gwr ra:org
- On line: www.gwrra.org/members and follow the instructions.
Members are only listed in one chapter, but they can attend and be active with as many chapters as they choose.
The January & July Area Report is NOT a Chapter Roster. It is a tool for knowing the location of Members.
"EVERY MEMBER MATTERS"
| Dewey & Alice Cole Mem bers hipE nhan ceme nt*A laba ma-g wrra:org |
District News
-- MED / PR Coordinators
Hello all,
We had an awesome rally. Thank you to all the chapters that provided the Couple of the year baskets. The baskets were all fantastic. The baskets made the Couple of the year a little over $1,000. I know Steven and Tammy now will have the money to do what is necessary to compete in the Region selection.
We have just gotten back from the Tennessee Rally in Pigeon Forge. The riding was great; the weather was nice for going into the mountains. Several of our Alabama chapters were represented. The Goldwing rally was in Pigeon Forge and the Harley rally was in Cherokee NC. Boy o Boy there is a big difference between the groups. GW folks wear their protective gear while the Harley group wore their daisy dukes.
I knew that Harleys were loud, but in the tunnels it sounded like jets taking off. I could go on comparing the two groups, but we all know the differences.
We hope to see everyone at the South picnic at Roland State Park on May 9, 2009. This picnic is always a lot of fun. If you have missed the picnic in the past you missed out on a lot of fun. I hope to see everyone there this year.
See ya soon.
Ride safe.
| Lynn & Lyn Edwards MED *Ala bama -gwr ra:org |
May 2009 - 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 - 2009
| 1 | Fri | Relay for Life -- 7pm - 7am |
| Rocket City BBQ -- Historic Huntsville Depot | ||
| 2 | Sat | C.A.S.T for Kids at Guntersville State Park -- 10:00am - Depart Mountain-Gap/Kangaroos - Kangaroos Stations across from Mountain-Gap on S. Memorial Pky |
| GWRRA - South Carolina District Rally (Starts Thursday) | ||
| GWRRA - MO District Rally (Starts Thursday) | ||
| Rocket City BBQ -- Historic Huntsville Depot | ||
| 3 | Sun | Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD. |
| 5 | Tue | Supper at Cheeburger Cheeburger -- 6:00pm - Town Center Drive, Village of Providence |
| 7 | Thu | Supper at Macaroni Grill -- 6:00pm - 5901 University Dr NW (In front of Madison Square Mall) |
| Great Smoky Mountain Bike Week (Thru Sunday) | ||
| 9 | Sat | Have a Great Mother's Day Weekend |
| AL District Picnic (South) -- 10am-2pm - Roland Cooper State Park, Camden | ||
| 10 | Sun | Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD. |
| Mother's Day | ||
| 12 | Tue | Rocket City Wings gathering -- Ryan's, S. Pkwy, Huntsville. Eat 6pm / Meet 7pm |
| 13 | Wed | Branson Motorcycle Rally (Thru Saturday) |
| 14 | Thu | Supper at Lenny's Sub Shop -- 6:00pm - 7830 Highway 72 W #150 (couple of doors down from Books A Million) |
| GWRRA - TX District Rally (Thru Saturday) | ||
| 16 | Sat | Cheaha State Park -- 9:00am -- Depart Mountain-Gap/Kangaroos - Kangaroos Stations across from Mountain-Gap on S. Memorial Pky |
| 17 | Sun | Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD. |
| Middle Tennessee Ride for Kids -- Franklin, TN | ||
| 19 | Tue | Birthday Dinner at El Palacio -- 6:00pm - 2008 Memorial Parkway S |
| 21 | Thu | Supper at Red Lobster -- 6:00pm - 1818 University Drive NW, Huntsville, AL |
| GWRRA - AR District Rally (Thru Saturday) | ||
| 24 | Sun | Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD. |
| Rolling Thunder Ride -- Washington, DC. Never forget POW | ||
| 25 | Mon | Memorial Day Ride -- 9:00am -- Depart Campus Corner - BP Station location at the corner of Holmes Ave & Jordan Lane |
| Memorial Holiday | ||
| 28 | Thu | Supper at OH!Bryan's -- 6:00pm - 2136 Highway 72 E |
| 29 | Fri | GWRRA - IN District Spring Wing Warmup |
| 30 | Sat | Visit Chapter-N - Mountain Lake River Run -- 8:00am - Depart Mountain-Gap/Kangaroos - Kangaroos Stations across from Mountain-Gap on S. Memorial Pky |
| Chapter-N - Mountain Lake River Run -- Poker Run to Benefit Ogden House Teen Shelter - One Rider: $10, Two: $15, Reg: 8am, FBO: 9am, LBO: 10am, LBI: 1pm. - Best & Worst hands, Souvenir Photos available - Beautiful Mountain Ride - L.B. Wallace Park Pavilion, Guntersville, off 431 on Sunset Drive. Info: 256-582-0377 | ||
| 31 | Sun | Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD. |
June - 2009
| 1 | Mon | Americade (Thru Saturday) -- Motorcycle Touring Rally |
| 2 | Tue | Supper at Olive Garden -- 6:00pm - 3730 University Dr NW |
| 4 | Thu | Supper at El Coyote Mexican Restaurant -- 6:00pm - 6027 Hwy 72 E, Gurley |
| 5 | Fri | Wakin' the Dragon Biker Rally -- Punkin Center Motorcycle Resort, Maryville, Tennessee |
| 6 | Sat | Chapter-T Funday Visit -- 8:00am - Depart Madison CB/Shell - Shell station in front of the Cracker Barrel in Madison, AL |
| Chapter-T "Blast from the Past" Fun Day -- 10am-2pm - Brookwood Elem. School Gym - 16049 Highway 216, Brookwood, AL - Chapter-T Band and Actors - New and Old Friends - Door Prizes, 50/25/25, Cold Drinks, Hot Lunches, Adm: $10 - Benefiting Eldridge Childrens Home - Contact: Frank Teasley | ||
| 7 | Sun | Breakfast at Mullins -- 8:30am - 607 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville. Ride TBD. |
| 9 | Tue | Rocket City Wings gathering -- Ryan's, S. Pkwy, Huntsville. Eat 6pm / Meet 7pm |
| 11 | Thu | GWRRA Georgia District Rally (Thru Saturday) |
| 12 | Fri | Analog TV Obsolete |
| 21 | Sun | Father's Day |
| First Day of Summer -- 06:06 UTC |
July - 2009
| 1 | Wed | Wing-Ding (Thru Sunday) |
| 3 | Fri | Independence Holiday |
| 4 | Sat | Independence Day |
| 15 | Wed | 18th Annual Ride to Work Day |
| 19 | Sun | Ice Cream Day |