Gary & Susan Premech, Chapter AB-A Directors

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1 Gary & Susan Premech, Chapter AB-A Directors Hello everyone, H ere we are again, that time of year when the bikes are put away and the days are getting shorter. Old man winter waited until the beginning of this month to finally give us a taste of what s on its way. Our snowbird members have left to get away from the snow, and if the last couple of years are anything to go by, they ll have a taste of snow in the deep south themselves. November 9 th will be our last dinner meeting for 2015 and for most of us, we won t see each other until Monday, January 11 th for our first dinner meeting of Remember though, we still meet every Sunday morning for breakfast at Fox Hollow. Till next year, We hope that all those that will be attending this year s Christmas Party will continue to enjoy the food, dancing, and comradery that we have enjoyed over the past years. Nov 9 Nov 28 Dec Jan 8-10 Jan 11 Coming Events Nov Monthly Meeting Christmas Party No December Meeting Calgary Motorcycle Show 2016 Jan Monthly Meeting Meetings are at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 9th Street and 32nd Avenue N.E. Dinner at 6:30; Meeting at 7:00 PM. What s Inside October Meeting Notes... 2 November Region Report... 3 News & Notices... 4 Meeting Info... 4 Classifieds... 5 Calgary Area Team... 5 Fall Turkey Dinner Excursion... 6 Social Activities Calendar... 7 Do you know?... 7 Remembrance... 8 Maritimes Motorcycle Trip... 9 Maritimes Motorcycle Trip (cont)10 Maritimes Motorcycle Trip (cont)11 Lazy Dawg Motortrikes Pair-a-Dice Trikes... 12

2 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 2 Brian Hooker talked about a video and a book regarding highperformance motorcycle riding. He also shared the document he has received from Iron Butt Association regarding his endurance feats during the latest 3-Flags event. October 50/50 Winner Bruce Buckley talked about a company that his son and a partner operate called Streamline LED. The company can give our members good deals on lighting and safety products Editor s Note: Gilles Fournier reported on the October meeting and I wish to extend many thanks for his efforts and assistance with the newsletter the last few months. Gary Premech 3 Hilti hats, courtesy of James Tremblay won by: Lance Medcalf Fred Rea Lorraine Balding Rechargeable emergency flare, courtesy of Streamline LED won by: Gary Premech 2 Under Armor fleece hoodies, courtesy of Tracy Boyda won by: Dan Lenke Shirley O Brien

3 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 3 Con Williams, Region J Director W ow, time seems to be flying by at a tremendous pace. Quite a lot of our members have moved from the riding season to the winter. It is a big change and I hope everyone will enjoy the new experiences. Pat and I are here in Surrey at least until the middle of January. My medical treatments are about half finished and we need to keep seeing the doctors until then. I m sure looking forward to getting back to riding in the warm weather! We have some wonderful events happening next year. Our Region J Rally is taking place in Red Deer and then Wing Ding is going to be in Billings! Registration for our rally will be available on our website by the end of November. The Innisfail Chapter has been very busy and has worked with the Region to secured a venue, caterer, and hotel. Thank you to their team. We also have some other chapters who have volunteered to do an event at the rally. Thank you to those chapters as well. There are still lots of opportunities for your chapter to host an event. Please contact me and let me know what you would enjoy doing. been blown away. Let s continues this pace and show them that we in the west really come out and support our events! One cool fact about the registrations for Wing Ding is that Alberta is the area with the most registrations! There are 99 registrations for our members in Alberta. Congratulations at being the best! The Reno Rendezvous will be happening again next year! The dates are July This years event was a lot of fun. The Grand Sierra is a great venue and treated us really well. There will be lots of fun activities and rides available. It is very casual and the hotel is so large you don t have to even leave the building! In January, we have the motorcycle shows coming up in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary. I know we are having booths at the shows so please come out and help man the booth in your city. It is a great way to meet new people! Please be safe, and please support our veterans on Poppy Day, (Nov. 11) Wing Ding is going to be fantastic! I was told last week that there are already 795 registrations received for Wing Ding. This is beyond anyone s dreams. Head office has

4 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 4 Greeting Cards: If you know of any member, their spouse, or immediate family who would appreciate receiving a greeting card from our Chapter please contact Judy Istvan, address nucleus.com. Judy will arrange to send the appropriate card on behalf of the Calgary Chapter. Veterans Food Bank: Please remember the men and women who committed themselves to ensure the freedoms that all Canadians enjoy every day of our lives. Bring your non-perishable food items or monetary contributions to the Monthly Chapter Meetings and help support the Veteran's Food Bank. Thank you to all who choose to support this worthwhile cause. Used Hemet Donations: Jim Baker is collecting helmets to be sent to Chad, Africa. If you have any helmets that you are no longer using please consider donating these to help protect a person in another country where helmets are not only too expensive for some to buy, but difficult to find. Do you know...where this is?: If you have distinctive pictures of places you have visited on your Gold Wing motorcycle or trike we would like to share them with our readers. Submit your picture as an attachment with the specific name and location in the body of the to telus.net. Then watch for your picture to appear in future editions of Wing Wag. Details of the picture and its location will be in the following month s edition Flags Classic: At the September meeting we heard a few members talk about their 3-Flags ride. Brian Hooker has set up a webpage detailing the trip including some pictures, some stories and comments from those that rode with him. For those of you who were unable to get a card with Brian's webpage at the last meeting, or were unable to attend, the site is: *Please note the F in Flags has to be a capital. Bo Wasilewski Ride Blog: These are all rides I'm sure most of the chapter members have taken, but there are a lot of photos. To get the chronological sequence, one would have to go to the first posts and work backwards. There were 2 GL1800's in this group of five. Sunday Breakfast Winner: We had a big winner at the Sunday, October 11 th breakfast. Jim Baker rolled 5 "ones" and walked away with half the pot, a cool $136. Well done Jim! MEETING SCHEDULE DAY/DATE November 9... Monthly Meeting December... No Monthly Meeting January Monthly Meeting Monthly Meetings Monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month. This is a time to share information and to meet old and new friends who like to ride together for FUN, Safety and Knowledge. See you at the next meeting at the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 9th Street and 32nd Avenue N.E. Dinner at 6:30 PM; Meeting at 7:00 PM. Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge Come ride with us...everyone Welcome! For the latest updates on what we are doing and where we re going, check out our website: Rain, snow, or shine, we meet for breakfast every Sunday morning about 9 AM (Fox Hollow opens at 8:00). This is a great year round way to stay in touch with your GWRRA friends. So, if you have missed the opportunity to join us for breakfast recently, why don t you come on over to: Fox Hollow Golf Club, 9th Street and 32nd Avenue N.E.

5 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 5 Classified Ads The Classified ads are free to all members and associates of the GWRRA. While advertised items do not have to be Gold Wing related, we do insist that all ads pertain to motorcycling. Ads will appear on a space available basis for one month. Should you wish to continue to run your ad for a second or succeeding month, you must resubmit or renew your ad. Deadline for submission is the first Monday of each month. To post an ad or if the item is sold or the offer withdrawn, please contact Lisa Miller at: Goldwing calgary.com CALGARY AREA STAFF Chapter Director Gary & Susan Premech (403) Chapter Goldwing calgary.com Assistant D Arcy Leslie (403) Chapter Directors assistant chapter Goldwing calgary.com Quartermaster Ken Braun (403) Goldwing calgary.com Newsletter Editor Lisa Miller (403) Goldwing calgary.com Treasurer Eric Roberts (403) Goldwing calgary.com Ride Coordinator Bob Van Nes (403) ride Goldwing calgary.com Rider Educator Kim Coubrough (403) rider Goldwing calgary.com Rider Course Terry Burrill (403) Instructor Goldwing calgary.com Special Events Ron Syroishka (403) Coordinator Goldwing calgary.com Webmaster Bill Haggerty (250) Goldwing calgary.com Membership Tracy Boyda (403) Enhancement Goldwing calgary.com Coordinator GWRRA TOLL FREE NUMBER (CANADA & US) NATIONAL LEADERS Executive Directors Ray & Sandi Garris gwrra.org Region J Directors Con & Pat Williams Assist Region J Directors Arnie & Janet Tucke Region J Rider Educator Larry Harland NOTE: addresses in this publication are displayed in a manner that will deter automatic address harvesting programs. This step is taken to reduce unsolicited to any addresses we post. We regret any inconvenience caused for our legitimate visitors. REMOVE ALL THE SPAC- ES IN THE ADDRESS TO MAKE IT WORK.

6 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 6 Ron Syroishka, Chapter AB-A Special Events Coordinator I t was a beautiful crisp Fall day, Sunday, Oct 18, 2015; when 22 club members embarked on a trip to Bearberry, Alberta which is located 25 kms. west of Sundre at the base of the foothills in southwest central Alberta. It s a hidden gem close to the eastern border of the Banff National Park and belongs to the Municipality of Mountainview Country. The valleys and foothills stretch for miles towards the mountains. It s also a place where wild horses mingle with moose, deer, and elk. Black bears also roam the forest floor and chattering little squirrels peek from the branches of tall spruce and pine. To the first settlers, this was God s Country. The scenery was simply outstanding with the snow covered mountains acting as a backdrop. There was a convoy of 7 mottos (motorcycles), 1 trike, and 6-4 wheel vehicles. The day started off with high clouds and the threat of showers with a temperature of about 8 degrees Celsius. As we headed north on the QE 2, the skies started to lighten up with temperatures reaching between 12 and 14 degrees. It was early afternoon when we arrived at the Bearberry Community Center. We were all greeted with big smiles and there were several happy volunteers preparing dinner behind the scenes. It truly was a welcoming community Fall Dinner complete with a selection of salads, an assortment of seasonal vegetables (smashed potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, turnips), gravy, turkey, homemade stuffing, served with my favorite - whole cranberry sauce, fresh buns, beverages and an unbelievable array of homemade desserts. I think I must have had at least 4 different desserts but don t tell anyone it will be our little secret (tee hee hee). After filling our bellies, most of the group headed back to Sundre to fuel up and we made our way back through Water Valley with a stop in Cochrane for what we thought would be an ice cream treat (as you know most club rides have at least one ice cream stop). However, not this time. The line up to McKay s ice cream parlor was far too long and moved ever so slowly. So, most of us opted for a coffee at the coffee shop adjacent to McKay s. It was indeed a perfect day for a fall ride. The company was great with no incidents and everyone went home happy and a little heavier I m sure. In closing, I would be remiss if I did not mention how well the motto and vehicle convoys rode it was outstanding!

7 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 7 Ron Syroishka, Chapter AB-A Special Events Coordinator ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY Our Annual Christmas Party will be held once again at the Austrian-Canadian Culture Centre, th Street NE, on Saturday, November 28th, Doors open at 5:30 p.m., buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m., dance to follow. The cost is $42/person and tickets are limited. Tickets will be available at the Sunday morning breakfasts and November 9 th Monthly Meeting, and are also available by calling Gary Premech at or Ron Syroishka at or at wingit@telus.net COLD WINTER SATURDAY NIGHT EVENT If you have any ideas for a social event, say late January/early February please send them to Ron Syroishka at telus.net. More to follow. BUNCO NIGHT Based on the success of the last two Bunco Nights that were held, we will be having a Bunco Night in the New Year. More details to follow.

8 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 8 By Elisabeth Agnes Miller, written July 1944 (My friend and former neighbor who passed away May 13 th of this year at the age of 98.) Our soldiers, sailors, airmen left Their homes and friends behind To do their part in this fierce strife To benefit mankind. They gave their blood, their limbs, their sight Their days of youth and gain. How can we prove to those who fought It was not all in vain? They shed their blood so willingly That in peace we might live. They gave their all for freedom s cause What is there we can give? Stout hearts to strive for victory And willing hands to work Each at his task however small Let no one ever shirk. Let us give our assurance That in the days to be, The bloody wars and death and hate Their children shall not see. But in the world they fought to make A truer, better place There ll rule supreme a creed of love And tolerance for each race. So shall their sacrifice for us Be in some part repaid, While in the hearts of living me Their memory shall not fade!

9 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 9 Text & Photos: Sandy Morrison T he Afternoon of June 30th was the day I was to leave for Kelowna then the next day to Seattle for the flight to Boston in the late evening. Weather warnings came out that there would be a chance of severe thunderstorms from Golden to Kelowna. I decided on a different route for my own safety which was south then to the west all the way to Seattle. This meant leaving early in the morning. July 1 st At 3:00 a.m. my bed vibrator came on to shake my bed as time to get up. I m deaf so hence the bed vibrator & not the sound alarm. I got up and caught a flash outside. There was the thunderstorm and a downpour. Not good to be leaving now, hopefully better by 3:30 (my goal) so I waited, had breakfast and checked the weather forecast. It said that the rain would cease at 5:10 a.m. so I waited. It finally eased at 4:40 so that was when I left. I motorbiked from Calgary to Cochrane and continued west for Radium Hot Springs. At Radium I stopped for gas as well as a few minute break for a drink. A young gal was screaming at me for help as her car was rolling backwards out of the gas station on a slight hill. It bounced over the first curb, continued on and slammed into a stop sign at the next curb. She was running backwards at the rear of her car to try to stop it but then got out of its way. Fortunately, she was not hurt as it could have rolled over her as well. There was minimal damage to the rear of her car but the stop sign was bent 75 degrees. Two other guys and myself helped to push the car back up the hill to the gas station. I left for Cranbrook, Creston, and the USA border. I continued on for Seattle and arrived at 5:00 p.m. I took the ferry for Bainbridge Island to store my motorbike at a friend s place for ten days. I had to hurry to get back to the Seattle airport. I made it in time for the 11:05 p.m. departure to Boston. Whew! yellow and black Harley Electra with 3 bags which was fine. My friend, Ward had his BMW sports motorbike. We motorbiked northwest and stopped at Gloucester because of its fishing history and to explore Ispech hoping for a lob- July 2 nd Many thanks to the Eagle Riders shop, they arranged a taxi to get me to their shop to pick up the motorcycle. It s located in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The motorcycle was a (Continued on page 10)

10 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 10 (Continued from page 9) ster meal, but there were too many people. Then on through New Hampshire to Portland, Maine. We had to hurry from Boston to Portland to board the ship by 4:00 p.m. for the overnight trip to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. I was exhausted from the recent overnight flight from Seattle to Boston. Thankfully, I had a good sleep in the two-bed cabin we had booked for the journey. July 3 rd We arrived at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and travelled to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. More interesting fishing history like Gloucester and more steep hills to go down a few blocks to the wharfs. We walked around the town and then left for Peggy s Cove. Wow, it s so special with the lighthouse, the rocks around and the big waves crashing against it. We took lots of pictures and continued on to Halifax. That evening in Halifax we got a room and walked down to the wharf. We bumped into a deaf group from across Canada attending their big meeting so we chatted with them for a while. Fireworks came next (much to our luck) they had been postponed from July 1 st, Canada s birthday, due to heavy fogs that night. The fireworks display was good and was much enjoyed. Then we walked back up the hill to our room. July 4 th We motorbiked across Nova Scotia to Truro then to Prince Edward Island. We crossed the Confederation Bridge which took us only ten minutes. We went to the south and west of Prince Edward Island to see the red sand beaches. After that, we explored around and went north to the National and Provincial Parks. The beaches and dunes were just beautiful. I would not mind living there for its quietness and nice countryside. We rode to Charlottetown to get a room for the night. Michel was the host and the room was good with two single beds, laundry, and breakfast. I had a good sleep and we left the next morning to return to Nova Scotia. July 6 th We motorbiked 20 kms to Sydney to see The Big Fiddle. The fiddle stands outside and is 14 metres tall, weighs 8 tons, and was made by a welder in I was impressed. We then motorbiked to the terminal to catch the ferry to Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland which is a 6 hour trip and arrived there at 6:00 p.m. We stopped at Steady Brook for the night. July 5 th We were in a hurry to catch the ferry to Nova Scotia so we could get to Cape Breton Island. It took us an hour and we made it in time to board. We motorbiked along the Cabot Trail around the north tip to the National Park and then south. Nice views of the ocean and lots of curves and potholes to watch out for. We stopped at Sydney Mines and got a room. (Continued on page 11)

11 Wing Wag November 2015 Page 11 (Continued from page 10) July 7 th 10 th We motorbiked north and east and stopped at Indian Arm to get a room. The host recommended we go further north to Twillingate to see the icebergs and whales. So we went up to Twillingate an hour away and saw some icebergs and humpback whales but they were a little too far away to see well. On the way back south we stopped for a big lobster dinner. We traveled back to our room in total darkness. The next day we continued on to Gander, Cape Spear, and St. John s. Cape Spear is the furthest east point of all the coast in North America. St. John s is a delight to visit for its museums, houses of many colours, and Signal Hill where there is a fort built during 1670 s by the British. July 11 th 13 th We took the ship from Argentia near St. John s to North Sydney and got a room for the night. From North Sydney we motorbiked south and stopped at Baddeck, Nova Scotia where Alexander Graham Bell lived; the Fundy Bay in New Brunswick; Camden, Maine; and Freeport, Maine and arrived at Foxborough, Massachusetts to return the motorbike. We bid our farewells and I went to Logan International airport for the overnight flight back Seattle. I arrived at Seattle and took the ferry to Bainbridge Island to pick up my motorbike, and chatted with my friend Dean, and his wife for a while. Then it was time for me to catch the ferry back to Seattle then to Vancouver on my way to Victoria. I have residences in Victoria and in Calgary because of work. Traveling in the Maritimes was just fantastic. I motorbiked 5000 kms and enjoyed great sites. I would go there again soon!

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