DEPUTY HOG Blackstone Valley Chapter #4735 PRECISION HARLEY-DAVIDSON Blackstone Valley HOG Jan / Feb 2011 HEAD HOG Inside this issue: Over the shoulder and a look back. 2 Of Special Interest 3 Round Up, Upcoming Events Notices & Announcements Birthdays. January & February Officers, Hospitality, Dealer Information 4 5-6 7 8 The winter season continues to move along at a rapid pace. During the past two months, we completed the November Toy ride, the gift wrapping at Precision, the chapter Christmas party, Wendell s Wing night and the seasonal holiday celebrations. Say goodbye to 2010 and hello 2011. To complete the holiday season, I had hoped to lead a ride to Newport on New Years day but the weather raised its ugly head and I chose to cancel the ride. Under normal circumstances, I would have ridden but with the all the melting snow along with the dirt and salt already on the roads, I chose to keep my bike high and dry (and clean). Since we are at the mercy of the weather for the next few months and don t know when we will be able to ride again, I didn t want my ride to sit in storage with dirt and salt on it. The November Toy ride was successful and numbered approximately 196 in attendance. Eight bags of toys were collected and the chapter was able to make a sizable cash donation to The Attleboro Council for Children. The gift wrapping at Precision was also a success with numerous members volunteering their time. I consider both the Toy run and the wrapping at the dealership as the chapter kick-off to the holiday season. Next on the list was the chapter Christmas party which was held at Corinne s located in Pawtucket. There were approximately 65 members in attendance. This was the first time I had been to this particular restaurant so I had no idea what to expect. Our own John Ciampa, who chaired this event, did a great job putting this party together in a very short time and at a very reasonable cost to members. The food was good and I suspect everyone had their fill. Sometime after the gift exchange, a number of people decided to visit the main room where a dance floor was available along with a live band supplying the music. And finally, there was this year s visit to Wendell s Pub located in Norton to savor their famous chicken wings. As far as I know, this was a first time visit for the chapter and I suspect it won t be the last. Whether you ordered the wings mild or one of the various levels of burn, a good time was had by all in attendance. And although the riding season is on hold for most of us until spring, you should continue to check the Blackstone Valley event calendar for other scheduled activities you may want to attend and enjoy. Remember that chapter activities continue throughout the year and you don t want to miss out on a good time. In addition, don t forget to check the swine line prior to leaving for the event as it will always have the latest information regarding meeting time, destination changes and/or event cancellations. I hope all the membership enjoyed the holiday season and are looking forward to what s in store for 2011. Normally I don t make New Years resolutions but this year I changed my mind. I ve resolved to ride longer and further in 2011 than ever before. I am looking forward to a great year of riding and hope to share it with all of you. Until next time.firm
Page 2 OVER THE SHOULDER AND A LOOK BACK.. Ride - Charlie Horse Kingston Road Captain Paul Gaouette Eight bikes left Manmar on Sunday November 21st heading to the Charlie Horse in Kingston, Ma. Temperatures predicted for the day were a high of 45 degrees, so a few extra layers were in order. The ride took mainly back roads with a D&D stop halfway. Arriving at the Charlie Horse we met up with another Blackstone member so the number for lunch was now nine. After lunch, which was just okay, we continued home using different back roads then what we had traveled earlier in the day. All in all, it is always a good time with Blackstone. Special points of interest: Web Site: www.blackstonevalleyhog.com Swine Line: 978-316-1876 Next Chapter Meetings January 12th & February 9th
Page 3 OF SPECIAL INTEREST. An Inside Look at the 2011 MA/RI State Rally By Jim Gildea This year I have the pleasure of serving as the Media and Public Relations Coordinator for the 2011 MA/RI State H.O.G. Rally to be held August 11 13, 2011 in Warwick, RI. In November I attended the Rally Committee Congress weekend meeting in Boxboro that drew rally committees from all over New England, New York and New Jersey. I thought it would be interesting to some of you to give an inside peek at what it takes to put on a rally. Let me start with a few details. 2011 marks the welcome move back to our usual twostate rally rather than the all-new England rally of the past few years, which will be using the Crown Plaza in Warwick, RI as the Host Hotel our own backyard! Due to popular demand, we are also reviving some of the activities that were set aside in the last few years, such as Biker Bingo and an old fashioned Chapter Challenge. Also reappearing is a new focus on a spectacular Friday Night Plated Dinner. This year s Rally Committee, headed by Ed MacDonald of Worcester H.O.G., is made up of volunteer coordinators from far flung Mass and RI chapters who are coming together to recapture the fun, fellowship and freaky-ness that always made the MA/RI State Rally one the absolute best rallies in the country. There are two things I would like you to note, however. The first is that 2011 marks Blackstone Valley H.O.G. s 20 th anniversary as a Chapter. I think it would be an awesome statement for BVH to come together and win the Chapter Preregistration in a landslide and thereby dominate the Rally. The preregistration deadline is June 23, 2011. Secondly, our Regional H.O.G. Director, Dan Mattias, has really gone over the top to support our wishes to go back to the two-state rally formula that we ve enjoyed so much. Make sure you return him your support and thanks. As things progress I ll continue, along with Dave Barton, to give you some sneak peeks inside the Rally planning process. If you want to keep up-to-date on the 2011 State Rally go to www.maristatehogrally.com/index.html and bookmark it.
Page 4 ACTIVITIES ROUND UP! After seeing the first snowfall, there is little doubt that winter is here. The activities committee has put together some great things to do this year. So take a look at our calendar, pick some events and come out to enjoy. UPCOMING EVENTS January 15th January 16th February 12th February 13th March 10th March 12th March 20th March 27th Downtown Pizza (6:00pm) Bowling (11:00am-1:00pm) North Bowl Bus Trip Seacoast HD (8:30am) Breakfast A&J (9:00am) Activities Committee Meeting (7:30pm) Elks Mardi Gras Party (7:00pm-12:00am) SA America Legion Breakfast Babes Place (9:00am) Pool Tournament (1:00pm) Green Room BVH is Hitting the Road. On Saturday February 12 th Blackstone Valley is re-launching our annual Winter Bus Trip. This year we will leave the Elks Lodge and travel via luxury motor coach to Seacoast Harley-Davidson in North Hampton, NH. The dealership will host a welcome reception for the Chapter. After our visit we will continue up the road a bit to Portsmouth s funky downtown where we will all get a couple of hours of free time to shop, people watch or do whatever you happen to be in to within reason. Later, we have a space booked for dinner at the Portsmouth Brewery, which is right downtown. From there, it s back on the bus to let our rolling party continue back to the Elks. The cost for the trip is $25 per person. You will pick up your own dinner tab at the brewery. Tickets are available at the January and February meetings or by contacting Jim Gildea, (508) 668-1697- jgildea@comcast.net. Always a good time with Blackstone..
Page 5 NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS Breaking News The MA/RI State HOG Rally is Back For Immediate Release That s right, after a three year absence the MA/RI State HOG Rally is going back to a three day Rally. HOG members from all over the area will be coming to Warwick, RI on August 11-13, 2011. Our host hotel The Crown Plaza (401-732-6000) and its sister Hotel The Holiday INN (401-736-5000) will be opening up room reservations at 1pm on Jan. 8, 2011 at the very special price of $99.00 a night. Book early, do not be left out. The best part of the Rally is the riding of course. With many guided and self guided rides along the seacoast and the very scenic back roads of RI. For most this will keep them busy, however with many other activities such as bike games, ride in bike show and yes we are bringing back the Old Fashion Chapter Challenge there will be something for every one at this Rally. Rallies are a great place to make new friends and see old friends from the other Chapters. Check out our Web-Site for more information. On-line registration will be opening very shortly and mail in s will be ready for Jan. 8 th. For more information check out our web-site. www.maristatehogrally.com Contact: Ed McDonald 508-987-8858 or 508-245-1659 E-mail Ed671@msn.com
Page 6 NOTICES & ANNOUNCEMENTS Brought to you by Friends of Kevin Dow Please join the friends and family of Kevin Dow in a charity event that will celebrate Kevin s life and recovery. This charity event will assist in off setting the rising costs of healthcare after Kevin s life altering accident. Kevin was hit by a car head on while driving his motorcycle home from work on July 27, 2010. He was lifeflighted to Beth Israel Hospital with a spinal cord injury. He under went a 6 hr. surgery to repair his spinal cord, only to suffer and almost die from a staph infection. He has undergone intense physical and occupational therapy. Without full use of his arms and the intense pain Kevin still feels he can no longer work. Kevin still undergoes physical and occupational therapy. With many more Dr.'s appointments ahead of him and possibly more surgery, he is facing some extremely rough times physically, mentally and financially. Please come show your support. Saturday February 19th, 2011 Elks Lodge 52 Bullfinch St, North Attleboro 7pm 12am Tickets $20pp DJ-Dancing-Games-Prizes Follow it on Facebook, search Kevin Dow Donations can also be made to Friends of Kevin Dow
Page 7 Deb Lallier January 2nd Bonnie Bristow January 4th Stephen Sanville January 5th Christine Bergeron January 7th Jennifer Kinder January 7th William Scanlon January 12th Jan Locke January 12th Richard Gittens January 13th Fred Buckley III January 20th Allen Queen January 21st Mel Dean Sr. January 22nd Mary Whitty January 23rd Patty Haskins January 28th Michael Pontes January 31st Steve Kalliavas February 4th Robert Frappier February 5th Doreen Faga February 8th Robert Truken February 10th Mary Lewis February 15th Ray LeFrancois February 16th Larry Croteau February 18th Karl Ganter February 19th Al Paquette February 24th Kevin Shea February 27th Kevin Morris February 28th Did we miss your birthday? Our apologies! We might not have it on record! E-mail the Editor @ bvhognews@yahoo.com
Chapter Officers Director Firm Locke 508-543-3457 flocke@naisp.net Assistant Director Dave Barton 508-369-6155 drbar@yahoo.com Secretary Wendy Ganter 508-369-9002 Ladybikr60@aol.com Treasurer Ed Blair 508-509-1239 eddie420030@yahoo.com Activities Officer Paul Gaouette 508-639-5753 pgaouette@comcast.net L.O.H. Officer Charlene Hawkins 508-997-1737 bvhogloh@yahoo.com Head Road Captain Gary Oldham 508-699-2861 garyjoldham@aol.com Sergeant Norm Plante 508-631-3874 stormanorman@comcast.net Sergeant Scott Johnson scootaj369@comcast.net Safety Officer Bill Jackson Johnson 978-810-0013 Hogman75@comcast.net Photographer Charlene Hawkins 508-761-7706 bvhogloh@yahoo.com Merchandising Christine Gaouette 508-639-5753 pqaouette@comcast.net Historian Shelley Reynolds 774-254-1244 bvhoghistory@hotmail.com Publicity Jim Gildea 508-505-6199 jgildea@com cast.net Hospitality Officer Lori Barton 401-941-5671 lv136@cox.net Membership Officer Ed Blair 508-509-1239 eddie420030@yahoo.com WebMaster John Ciampa 508-415-9665 blackstonejoker@yahoo.com Newsletter Editor Mary Whitty 508-222-5383 bvhognews@yahoo.com Blackstone Valley HOG Jan / Feb 2011 IN LOVING MEMORY OF Walter Mcauley Rick Kane Allen Moulton Paul Ledoux Leroy Richardson Carlton Conrad James Berry George Buttler Peter LaPlume Phone: 401-724-0010 Fax: 401-724-3610 Web: www.precisionhd.com E-Mail: info@precisionhd.com NEW MEMBERS Please Welcome these new members when you see them! Greg Dufault Linda Gordon Chris Legere Steve Paul Rich Paulhus Dennis Gordon Mark Legere SPONSORING DEALER Precision Harley- Davidson 269 Armistice Blvd Pawtucket, RI 02860