Alabama B Rocket City Wings. Huntsville, Alabama

Transcription

1 GWRRA Friends For Fun, Safety, and Knowledge Alabama B Rocket City Wings Huntsville, Alabama Volume 3 Issue 7 Distributed July2017 Happy 4th of July Our Gathering is the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Blue Plate Café 7540 South Memorial Pky SW Suite E, Huntsville. Eat 6pm / Meet 7pm Come join us for food and fun! Chapter Directors are Roy & Anita Fosnight 102 Scarlet Oak Circle Harvest, AL

2 July 2017 Whats Happening in the Chapter Coming in July 1, Sat Tennessee Aquarium -- Meet at Galen's on Andrew Jackson, the old Mullins at 8 for Breakfast and ride at 9:00ish I dont know how the service is (Chattanooga) AL-N Gadsden (Coosa Valley Wings) Meeting -- Western Sizzlin, 568 US 431, Boaz, AL Eat 5:00pm / Meet 6:00pm - AL-S Russellville (Cedar Creek Wings) Meeting -- Two Fat Sister's, 1606 US-72, Tuscumbia, AL Eat 8:00am / Meet 9:00am 2, Sun Breakfast Social -- Breakfast Social -- Join us for breakfast at City Caf Diner, 2003 Drake Ave. SW, HSV, AL (next to Cracker 8am 4, Tue Dinner Social -- Join us at Hildegard's, 2357 Whitesburg Drive NE, HSV, AL 6pm. 5, Wed Steven Hollingsworth" Birthday 6, Thu Dinner Social -- Join us at Terranova's, 1420 Paramount Drive, Ste.1, HSV, AL 6pm. Bill & Bonnie Nelson's Anniversary 8, Sat Fort Payne for Glass Blowing -- Meet at Moores Mill Mapco leaving at 7am Anita Fosnight's Birthday 9, Sun Breakfast Social -- Breakfast Social -- Join us for breakfast at City Caf Diner, 2003 Drake Ave. SW, HSV, AL (next to Cracker 8am 11, Tue Rocket City Wings gathering South Memorial Pky Blue Plate Cafe, 7540 South Memorial Pky SW Suite E, Huntsville. Eat 6pm / Meet 7pm AL-Y Birmingham (Liberty Wings) Meeting -- Sherry's Cafe, 5800 Valley Rd, Trussville - Eat 6:00pm / Meet 7:00pm 13, Thu Dinner Social -- Join us at Big Ed's Pizza, 903 Memorial Pkwy. NW, HSV, AL 6pm. - AL-H Athens (Athens Eagle Wings) Meeting -- IHOP, Athens

3 14, Fri- Aaron Lambert's Birthday 15, Sat Chapter T Fun Day -- Chapter-T Fun Day ~ 10 am - 2 pm -- Admission: $12.00 per person, includes lunch plate, 50/25/25 Drawing and Door Prizes. (Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church: 1335 Hueytown Rd Hueytown AL 35023) 16, Sun Breakfast Social -- Breakfast Social -- Join us for breakfast at City Caf Diner, 2003 Drake Ave. SW, HSV, AL (next to Cracker 8am 18, Tue Dinner Social -- Join us at Red Lobster, 1818 University Drive NW, HSV, AL 6pm, 20, Thu Dinner Social -- Join us at Walton's Southern Table, 4901 Whitesburg Dr. SW, HSV, AL 6pm. 21, Fri Bike Night in Decatur -- show off your bike/trike (Streets will close at 4:30 and we can still get in during it.set up on one side or the other of the street around CF Penns hamburger.121 Moulton Street E,Decatur,Al.) 22, Sat Fall Creek Falls State Park (TN) -- Meet at Galens on Andrew Jackson At 8 for breakfast ride at 9 AL-U "Christmas in July" ~ 9am -- All Chapters are welcome. Bring a covered dish and dirty santa gift (wrap anything you are tired of looking at). (Ed Linsenby Lake; Ozark, AL) 23, Sun Breakfast Social -- Breakfast Social -- Join us for breakfast at City Caf Diner, 2003 Drake Ave. SW, HSV, AL (next to Cracker 8am 25, Tue Dinner Social -- Join us at Longhorn's Steakhouse, 1450 Perimeter Pkwy. NW, HSV, AL 6pm. 26, Wed Annette & Chris Joplin's Anniversary 27, Thu Dinner Social -- Join us at Sonic Drive-In, 366 Sutton Road SE, Hampton Cove, AL 6pm.- Fred & Teresa's Anniversary

4 28, Fri Over night to Memphis Meet at Cracker Barrel off 565 at 8 am for break fast.- Sue Lafrance's Birthday 30, Sun Breakfast Social -- Breakfast Social -- Join us for breakfast at City Caf Diner, 2003 Drake Ave. SW, HSV, AL (next to Cracker 8am August , Thu Annette Joplin Birthday 5, Sat Granny's Fishery 340 Shippman's Creek Rd<TN Peggy Allen's Birthday AL-N Gadsden (Coosa Valley Wings) Meeting -- Western Sizzlin, 568 US 431, Boaz, AL Eat 5:00pm / Meet 6:00pm AL-S Russellville (Cedar Creek Wings) Meeting -- Two Fat Sister's, 1606 US-72, Tuscumbia, AL Eat 8:00am / Meet 9:00am 8, Tue Rocket City Wings gathering South Memorial Pky Blue Plate Cafe, 7540 South Memorial Pky SW Suite E, Huntsville. Eat 6pm / Meet 7pm AL-Y Birmingham (Liberty Wings) Meeting -- Sherry's Cafe, 5800 Valley Rd, Trussville - Eat 6:00pm / Meet 7:00pm 9, Wed Jake & Kathy Lawyer's Anniversary 10, Thu Anna Neal's Birthday AL-H Athens (Athens Eagle Wings) Meeting -- IHOP, Athens 18, Fri Bike Night in Decatur -- show off your bike/trike (Streets will close at 4:30 and we can still get in during it.set up on one side or the other of the street around CF Penns hamburger.121 Moulton Street E,Decatur,Al.) 19, Sat Michelle Moon's Birthday 26, Sat Blue Gill Grill 912 Old Awalt Rd Tullahoma,TN 37388

5 August 28, Mon Terasa Bagnall's Birthday 29, Tue Wing-Ding (Thru Saturday) Come ride with Us!

6 A Few Notes -- From the Chapter Directors CHAPTER AL-B LEADERSHIP TEAM Ride Educators Joye Williamson (386) Ride Coordinators Ride Committee Lead by Aaron Lambert Treasurer Sue LaFrance Membership Enhancement Coordinator Faye & Walter Gersch Chapter Photographer Michelle Moon Historian & Scrapbook Faye & Walter Gersch Newsletter/Webmaster Aaron & Pat Lambert Dinner Rides Kathy Lawyer

7 From the Chapter Directors July 2017 We had some really nice times in June. We ate, we rode, we ate, we rode and we had a MAD day at the welcome center, we ate, we had a picnic, we ate, we had a MFA class and we ate some more. If we could find more time to eat it would be even better. July is looking even better for riding and maybe eating. We have a trip scheduled for 1 July to the Aquarium in Chattanooga and really wanted to ride over but can t get the rain to stop. We have also scheduled an overnight to Memphis to have some great food on Beal Street. We are staying at the Peabody so we can take it off some folks Bucket List. I hope we can ride back through the southern Tennessee hills. The old highway 64 has been changed to a 4 lane but it is still pretty to ride through the small towns and along the river. Please check the website for all the activities that are scheduled for the upcoming months and join us whenever you can. If you have a special place you would like to go to please let Aaron or Kathy know and we will put it on the schedule. 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. Please ride Safe and Often, Roy and Anita

8 What do all these abbreviations mean anyway? GWRRA Gold Wing Road Riders Association founded in 1977 DD District Director NAAD Northern Alabama Assistant Director SADD CD ACD MEC MAD COY Southern Alabama Assistant Director Chapter Director Assistant Chapter Directors Member Enhancement Coordinator Motorist Awareness Coordinator Couple Of the Year

9 Ride Educator Motorist Awareness Day The Motorist Awareness Division and Rider Education Program, through a Team effort, are committed to a goal of establishing the safest motorcycling environment possible. While Rider Education trains and educates motorcycle riders, the Motorist Awareness Division (MAD) will focus on educating the motorist community. Our primary goal in motorist awareness will be to reduce the number of motorcycle crashes with other highway users, a reduction in the loss of life, and a reduction in injuries. A New Era in Motorist Awareness - A Simple Plan The Motorist Awareness Division of GWRRA, through a "Share the Road" campaign will pursue three aspects of motorist awareness. Each of these three are supportive of each other: Awareness Education - Providing motorists with First Class, professional education through our certified seminar presentations. Our presentations will be developed for a multitude of audiences, educating them to a better understanding of motorcyclists, the risks involved, a heightened awareness of motorcycle pre-sence and what they as motorists can do in the prevention of crashes. "Drive Aware!" Awareness Advertisement - Serves as a reminder to motorists that they share the road with motorcycles. Reinforced reminder to the education aspect. Public Relations - Interaction with the motoring public has the ability to reflect highly on GWRRA and to mold public opinion on how they view motorcyclists. Our goal in this area is to build a rapport with motorists and leave them with a feeling that motorcyclists are real people who could be their friend, neighbor, or even a relative. To this end, on Saturday, June 3rd, Chapter B (along with another chapter) held a Motorist Awareness event at the TN/AL rest area off of I-65. Roy and Anita Fosnight, Sue LaFrance, Walt and Faye Gersch, Tony and Michelle Moon, Aaron Lambert, and I held down the morning shift at the rest stop. Since it was the beginning of summer vacation, the rest stop was pretty packed all day long and we got the opportunity to meet, greet, and educate hundreds of people, while providing free bottled water to all. The response of the public was overwhelmingly positive and in the spirit of fostering new motorcyclists, Roy let many of the starry eyed children present sit on his bike and showed them how it worked. Luckily the hot sun stayed away for most of our shift so we had a nice time talking with everyone. Afterwards, we stopped by Mildred s for a nice lunch.

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11 Ride Educator Joye Williamson

12 Newsletter Editors Notes Hello everyone On Saturday June 3rd we met and greeted people for Motor Awareness asking them to watch out for motorcycles on the roads and highways. On the 8th Pat and I visited Chapter H for their meeting. On the 10th Pat and I visited our old chapter up in Columbia, TN, Chapter Z. It was nice seeing old friends again. I went with Roy and Anita to Decatur for the Friday night event. It s not a bike show it s a car show. If you like old cars and rods it s the place for you to visit. We enjoyed going to Colbert Ferry Landing. We picnicked at Davey Crockett Park first. We have enjoyed riding as much as we can but with Brelen out of school we cant always go on all the rides. But we like being out as often as we can. Our family is meeting in Seattle on July 11th and boarding a cruise to the Southern shores of Alaska. We are really looking forward to the trip. Thanks, Aaron & Pat

13 June 2017 Newsletter from Alabama B Membership Enhancement Team Just looking at this picture makes me want to go riding. Have you ever thought about all the fun, friends and family or even strangers for that matter, would like to have with us? I thank the Lord every day for this part of my life that introduced me to GWRRA. I cannot imagine what my life would have been like if I had not met Walt and his motorcycle. I also cannot imagine having so many friends and going so many places on our Goldwing. Many people only need a few words of encouragement to be a part of what we have. I think sometimes we take for granted what we have in our lives. I catch myself doing this also. I still cannot believe that Walt and I have a new motorcycle to ride and all the places we have been on it. We have been out west to Arizona and Nevada to go to Reno Rendezvous. Glad we got to go because it was the first and only one that was put on. We went into California there at Lake Tahoe. We encountered many things across the desert, one of which was extreme heat. It was 115 degrees as we traveled and stopped frequently in search of shade. The only shade was in the cactus. We have ridden in cold on our way back from Florida. Very warm and rainy as we left from there in mid March, but as we got closer to home, in Georgia, the weather turned frigid. By the time we got home late that night, our feet were frozen and we could hardly stand. We were home and that was our goal. We have traveled to Canada, Wisconsin, Utah, Kansas and lots of other places too numerous to mention. Our goal now is to go to New England. Maine in particular. I have heard so much about Lobster and I just want to experience the ride on our Goldwing. I mention all this because it is a wonderful life to live and so many more people would love to do this very thing. Many think it is out of reach but I also thought that and found that it is in reach. My friends say they would like to be like me when they grow up. (Motorcycle Mama). If you get a chance to talk to someone about GWRRA, by all means, do so. Our group is an elite bunch of folks, so introduce them to our world. Ride safe this holiday weekend and above all have FUN. Till next time: Walt and Faye Gersch Chapter B Membership Enhancement

14 Chapter B - Photographer 2017 C.O.Y. Tony & Michelle Moon It is hard to believe June is already gone. We had some good rides and dinners. We would like to thank the Patriot Guard Riders for all they do. They were standing guard at our friends funeral. Pictured below are Paul Neal & Roy Fosnight Jr. who are also members of Rocket City Wings Chapter B. Chapter B - Photographer 2017 C.O.Y.

15 July 2017 Chapter B Newsletter From 2013 and 2015 Couple of the Year I cannot believe this month has gone and we are entering July. June has been a month of heat, rain and cool days all rolled into one. We have been busy dodging the rain drops. We started out early with our Motorist Awareness Day at the Ardmore exit of I-65, greeting people that stopped there for a break, at the Alabama- Tennessee line. School had let out for the summer and folks were going to the beach. I venture to say that we talked to thousands. Most were very nice and appreciative of what we were doing. It was an early day starting at 8 am and departing at noon. Our beautiful bikes were displayed and in awe by many. This was one of the few days Walt and I were able to ride our trike. Very enjoyable. When our session was over we mounted our beautiful bikes and rode to Mildred s Home Cooking for a wonderful buffet meal. Walt had surgery again on June 12th, on a previous area so we are not able to ride for a while. He is still doing chemo and doing very well, so far. Our monthly gathering was on June 13, in the middle of the month, but generally the second Tuesday is earlier. A new program has started on visiting other chapters, so that we see other friends in GWRRA. We had a visitor that came to visit us, Danny Baker. It was a long hot ride but we were so glad to have him. We did have about 25 members present. So good to see everyone. There was a ride to Colbert Ferry Landing on a Saturday when it wasn t raining, with a stop at Davey Crockett Park to have lunch. About thirteen riders so that was a good turnout. Another Saturday, we planned to ride up the Trace and go to the Loveless Café in Nashville. We met at Henry s Mustang Café for breakfast, which was very good. Can you guess? Rain again. Roy and Anita ventured out on their bike but the rain was supposed to come in again, which it did, so we postponed that ride. It was a good idea though. There have been lots of dinner rides,

16 which have been good. Last night was a new place to us, even though it has been here for a while. We went to the Boot Pizzeria and it was certainly good Pizza. They have an amazing menu. Walt and I had Calamari, which was excellent. It was pouring rain all day and raining during dinner so we all were in cars. Our bike is getting mildew. Hopefully, we will be able to ride soon. This is a holiday weekend with the 4th of July coming next week, so I am sure it will be busy for everyone. The traffic will be horrendous, so everyone please be careful and have a good, safe holiday. Till next time, we are: Walt and Faye Gersch Couple of the Year

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18 Tuesday, August 29 8:00am - 9:00am Drill Team Practice Range 1 - Texas Motor Speedway 8:00am - 9:00am Formation Riding Range 2 - Texas Motor Speedway 8:30am - 11:30am COY Boot Camp Dallas Rooms 1&2 - Convention Center, 1st floor 8:30am - 12:30pm 9:00am - 12:00pm International COY Interviews/Luncheon* Amazing Motorcycle Challenge Texas Room 1 - Convention Center, 1st floor Range 1 - Texas Motor Speedway 9:00am - 12:00pm Drill Team Practice Range 2 - Texas Motor Speedway 12:00pm - 5:00pm Registration and Packet Pickup Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 12:00pm - 5:00pm Ticket Sales, Cash & 50/50 Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 12:00pm - 5:00pm Information Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 12:00pm - 5:00pm Local Ride Info Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 12:00pm - 5:00pm GWRRA Recruiting Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 1:00pm - 5:00pm International COY Selection/Awards Ceremony 6:00pm - 9:00pm Grapevine Welcome Party TBD Texas Ballroom - Convention Center, 3rd floor

19 Wednesday, August 30 8:00am - 9:00am Opening Ceremonies Texas Ballroom - Convention 8:00am - 9:00am Drill Team Practice Range 1 - Texas Motor Speed- 8:00am - 9:00am Formation Riding Range 2 - Texas Motor Speed- 9:00am - 5:00pm Registration and Packet Pickup Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Con- 9:00am - 12:00pm Amazing Trike Challenge Range 1 - Texas Motor Speed- 9:00am - 12:00pm Leaque of Aces Motorcycle Range 2 - Texas Motor Speed- 9:00am - 5:00pm Food Court Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Con- 9:00am - 5:00pm Local Ride Info Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Con- 9:00am - 5:00pm Door Prize Pickup Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Con- 9:00am - 5:00pm Ticket Sales - Bike & 50/50 Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Con- 9:00am - 5:00pm GWRRA Recruiting Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Con- 9:00am - 5:00pm Manufacturer Demo Rides Front of Convention Center and inside of Longhorn Exhibition Hall 9:00am - 5:00pm Information Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Con- 9:00am - 5:00pm Indoor Trade Show Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Con- 11:30am - 1:00pm Couple of the Year Reunion TBD 2:30pm - 5:00pm Rider Education Open Forum TBD 3:30pm - 4:00pm Bike Show Volunteer Team TBD 4:30pm Daily 50/50 Drawing Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Con- 5:00pm - 6:00pm Director Meeting* TBD 7:00pm - 8:30pm Light Parade Stag- TBD 8:30pm Light Parade TBD 9:00pm Light Parade Judging and TBD

20 Thursday, August 31 8:00am - 8:45am CMA Services Texas Room 1 - Convention Center, 3rd floor 8:00am - 9:00am Drill Team Practice Range 1 - Texas Motor Speedway 8:00am - 9:00am Formation Riding Range 2 - Texas Motor Speedway 9:00am - 12:00pm Top Gun Trials Range 1 - Texas Motor Speedway 9:00am - 12:00pm League of Aces Trike Range 2 - Texas Motor Speedway 9:00am - 5:00pm Registration and Packet Pickup Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 5:00pm Food Court Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 5:00pm Local Ride Info Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 5:00pm Door Prize Pickup Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 5:00pm Ticket Sales - Bike & 50/50 Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 5:00pm GWRRA Recruiting Booth Front of Convention Center and inside of Longhorn Exhibition Hall 9:00am - 5:00pm Manufacturer Demo Rides Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 5:00pm Information Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 5:00pm Indoor Trade Show Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 12:30pm - 1:30pm Mascot & Krazy Hat Contest Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 1:00pm - 2:00pm Bike Show Registration, Check-In, and Staging TBD

21 2:00pm - 4:00pm Bike Show Viewing and People's Choice Voting TBD 4:30pm Daily 50/50 Drawing Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 5:00pm - 6:00pm GWRRA Dinner* Texas Ballroom - Convention Center, 3rd floor 6:00pm - 8:00pm GWRRA's 40th Anniversary Texas Ballroom - Conven- Friday, September 1 8:00am - 8:45am CMA Services Texas Room 1 - Convention Center, 3rd floor 8:00am - 9:00am 9:00am - 5:00pm Formation & Drill Team Practice Registration and Packet Pickup Range 1 - Texas Motor Speedway Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Convention Center, 1st floor 9:00am - 5:00pm Food Court Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Convention Center, 1st floor 9:00am - 5:00pm Local Ride Info Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Convention Center, 1st floor 9:00am - 5:00pm Door Prize Pickup Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Convention Center, 1st floor 9:00am - 5:00pm Ticket Sales, Bike & 50/50 Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Convention Center, 1st floor 9:00am - 5:00pm GWRRA Recruiting Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Convention Center, 1st floor 9:00am - 5:00pm Manufacturer Demo Rides Front of Convention Center and inside of Longhorn Exhibition Hall 9:00am - 5:00pm Information Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Convention Center, 1st floor 9:00am - 5:00pm Indoor Trade Show Longhorn Exhibition Hall - Convention Center, 1st floor 12:00pm - 2:00pm Overseas Delegate Luncheon Meeting* TBD

22 4:30pm Daily 50/50 Drawing Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 5:00 pm - 6:00pm BBQ Dinner* Texas Ballroom - Convention Center, 3rd floor 6:00pm - 7:30pm Saturday, September 2 J&M Corporation Entertainment Event 7:00am - 8:30am Grand Parade Staging TBD Texas Ballroom - Convention Center, 3rd floor 8:30am - 9:00am Grand Parade Grapevine Mall 8:00am - 8:45am CMA Services Texas Room 1 - Convention Center, 3rd floor 9:00am - 11:00am Registration and Packet Pickup Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 5:00pm Food Court Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 1:30pm Local Ride Info Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 2:30pm Door Prize Pickup (may close early if all prizes awarded) Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 2:30pm Ticket Sales, Bike & 50/50 Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 2:30pm GWRRA Recruiting Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 2:30pm Manufacturer Demo Rides Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 2:30pm Information Booth Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 9:00am - 3:00pm Indoor Trade Show Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 10:00am - 12:00pm Drill Team Performances Grapevine Mall 10:00am Statistical Awards Announced (sign-up at GW Info Booth) 12:30pm - 2:00pm Masters Luncheon* TBD Longhorn Exhibition Hall - 3:30pm - 4:30pm Closing Ceremonies Texas Ballroom - Convention Center, 3rd floor

23 Senior Region "A" Region Directors Jim & Sue Jackson 2017 GWRRA Events

24 From the District Directors Greetings fellow riders, we hope you have had a very enjoyable month of riding and fellowship with other members of this great organization. There were plenty of good riding days and we hope you had the opportunity to get out and enjoy all there is to do. Saturday June 3rd was our annual MAD day. Each chapter manned an assigned visitor center around the state. We traveled up I-59 and spent the day with Chapter N. It was a great day to ride and to spend with the chapter and to say hello to all the travelers who stopped by the rest area. Judging from what we heard from around the district there were lots of contacts made with the motoring public as they were ask to watch out for motorcycles. A big THANK YOU to everyone who took time out of their weekend to participate in this important event. After our shift was over we traveled back to Boaz and attended Chapter N s gathering that evening. The room was full and filled with lots of laughter and good times. Also that evening, Chapter N s Chapter Directors John and Charlotte Nairmore stepped down from their position. We wish to thank John and Charlotte for all of their hard work and dedication to the members of Chapter N. We wish them the best as they go forward from here. Stepping up to take their place are Terry and Barbie Cleveland. Terry and Barbie have been around GWRRA for quite a while and are former Chapter Directors for Chapter N. We thank them for taking on this important position again. On Saturday June 10th we traveled to Tuscaloosa for Chapter J s poker run and brunch. Roy and Diane Beall along with the entire chapter team and chapter members certainly did a wonderful job in providing a fun and very enjoyable time for all who attended. We had 6 chapters represented that day including our own Alabama District Couple of the Year, Bill and Vicki Cater. We would like to thank all who attended and helped make this gathering a great event. Saturday June 17th found us headed for Omaha, Georgia to attend Chapter M s annual picnic. Chapter M always puts out quite a spread for everyone and this year was no exception. There were 6 chapters represented there also. Lots of good food (some really great desserts) along with fun and laughter. There were a couple of new goldwing trikes on display for all to see. Congratulations to David and Linda Snyder, the Chapter M team and all the chapter M members who made this a very enjoyable day.

25 As this is written we are preparing for our trip to Dalton, Ga for the Georgia District Rally. The Dalton civic center is a great location and we are looking forward to a wonderful weekend (report to follow next month). That s all we have for this month. As you can see there always lots to see and do around the Alabama District so keep an eye on the district calendar and come on out and join us and have some fun. Please keep all of our men and women in uniform and all of our first responders and their families in your thoughts and prayers. See you out on the road, Frank and Linda

26 North Alabama ADD NADD As stated last month, this month s topic will be the dissemination of information or communications, Newsletters. I hope you could get out and enjoy some rides and especially the rallies this past month and your memorial weekend was good, with remembrance of those who sacrificed all to allow us, you and me to enjoy the freedoms we so enjoy. My last hope is that you could participate with our annual MAD Day. It was a beautiful day (at least where I was at on I-20 at the Georgia state line.) If we managed through our effort to save one life, it was worth our time. There are several ways to communicate, our primary method will be through the Chapter Newsletter and s. This is the simplest and most efficient method for our participants to receive information concerning what is happening in our Chapter, District, Region and GWRRA. What should be put in the Newsletter is left to the discretion of the Chapter Director and Newsletter Editor. As such I will not attempt to state what should or should not be published, but will provide an opinion of what the minimum should be. At a minimum, the date and location of your next monthly gathering, an article from the Chapter Director and the Chapter Educator and the District Directors comments (may be synopsized). Last, the most important item, the Chapter calendar of events. This is normally the page each member in the Chapter will refer to. Can we put more in our Newsletter s, of course, we want our Newsletters to be fun and pleasing to read, but the most important aspect is to inform our members what has and is about to occur in the chapter. The FUN enjoyed last month and the FUN to be had this month through participation. None of this information is useful if we fail to distribute it to the member. Communication! Per our officer hand book, we are to ensure each member of our Chapter has access to or receives a copy of the Chapter Newsletter. This can be accomplished or completed in many ways. Post it on our web site with an that the Newsletter is posted. You do have a Web Site? Attach it to an (in.pdf format) and send it to the member and attach the hyper link to your web site in your comments. Mail it to the member or hand carry it to the member (if he/she is unable to access it or make one of our events.) Post it on Face Book as being posted with a hyper link to the Chapter web site. Always have a few copies available at the monthly gathering for distribution or in your bike as a handout to a prospective member you may meet at the service station/restaurant. Refer to the Officer Handbook, Chapter D, pg. 8 for complete information for articles/distribution. Regardless of the method(s) of distribution, it is important that each member of the chapter has access. Not only does the Newsletter need to be distributed to the Chapter members, but should be distributed to each Chapter Director in the District and the District Director. Why? Chapter Directors will utilize it in conjunction with the district visitation program at a minimum.

27 This brings us back to the calendar of events. When we plan our events, and put them on the calendar, put down the location of your destination. Not all individuals who read the calendar know where Charlie s BBQ is! Maybe some in the Chapter as well. Remember, the Newsletter is not only read by Chapter members, but whoever may browse our web sites! Distribution of the calendar does not stop here. As a re-enforcer or reminder, we may want to send an to each member 48 hours prior to the event. We tend to forget in our younger years (being facetious) some of us fail to look at the calendar on a weekly or daily basis. Again, use all means possible as with the distribution of the Newsletter, , phone call, Face Book, etc. Face Book is a great tool but remember, some in the Chapter will not have Face Book. We want as many as possible to know of our events. As you can see, Newsletters and s are our primary method of communication of not only Chapter news, but District, Region and National news. Some Chapters still utilize the phone tree method for notifications, this is the best method, but with today s technology most prefer . Use all methods described above in conjunction with one another. Some in our community will not read their s, but will look at Face Book. Some are not members of Face Book and will rely on , and some don t have access to either. One thing certain, we cannot have participation if the word does not get distributed. Communication is our only hope. Keep the rubber to the ground, the sunny side up and ALWAYS ENJOY the Ride!! Ron Ron Landers, NADD Phone: ashkii@gmail.com

28 Alabama District MEC Well here we are and the year is half gone. How have you participated this year compared to this time last year? I bet not as much. Why? I can tell you one thing Recruiting is down and expired members are way up compared to this time last year. MECs and or CD s should be contacting some of these expiring members and asking why. Then maybe we will know where to concentrate on retention of members. I thought this new visitation program would work better than what it has proved so for. I know for a fact some of you have visited other chapters but have not sent a MapQuest or score sheet in. Send them all in no matter how small the score is. Two people two bikes 10 miles is still a visitation and a score, send it to me. CD s Web Page Calendars and News Letter Calendars are very important. If no one knows what or where you re doing no one can meet and visit. I think it is a good program and will help get chapters visiting each other but it takes cooperation from all chapters to put their stuff out for others to see. I am late again as usual LOL Thanks for all that you do and hope to see a lot of you in Dalton GA. Ride safe hope to see you all in mobile. Kenneth & Veronica Campbell PO Box 575 Heflin, AL aldistmec@aol.com slomotion365@gmail.com

29 Carl & Jan Breeding Rider Education / Motorist Awareness July 2017 I would like to thank all who participated in the Alabama Motorist Awareness Day! Together we made 5,157 contacts with the potential of saving many lives. You did a great job. We have several things coming up that I would encourage you to participate in. The first one I wish to mention is a Medic First Aid course that Robert and Gail Brown have scheduled at Chapter U in Dothan. On August 5th Chapter U will be having an 8 hour MFA class. This is for those that have not ever taken a First Aid class or it has been a long time since they attended. There are some openings so it is open to the first come first served for these spaces. The class will be in Troy Alabama and will begin promptly at 8am. The cost is $25.00 per person The attendees must be in the levels program. Please contact Robert Brown if you wish to attend. In October, we plan to present a ARC and TRC in the central area of the state, and another in November in Russellville. The classes will cost $25 per bike or trike to help defray the costs of supplies used in presenting the courses, and can be sent to me once the dates are firm. The hot summer months are just too rough on both the students and instructors. Of course, there are also numerous offerings at Wing Ding in Grapevine, TX, so make sure your riding skills are up to date by attending one of these. I know, Texas is as hot as Alabama, but I feel obligated to support the program by teaching there even in the heat. Jan and I were among those who recently completed the new Instructor Training and Certification Program; James Clayson of Chapter U, Danny Baker of Chapter T, Gail Brown of Chapter Y, Jim Jackson of Chapter M (and Region Director), Randy Mink and Stella Pettus of Chapter S were in the class also. Hopefully this training will enhance the quality of our presentations to you the members. I was in Dalton this past weekend for the Georgia Rally, so I am still drying out. I hope you all have an enjoyable Summer. Ride safely, ride often, call a friend.