Gold Wing Road Riders Association CHAPTER OK-X DON T MISS OUR CHAPTER GATHERINGS! They are held the second Saturday of each month, Sirloin Stockade, 208 N. Perkins, Stillwater, Oklahoma 9 a.m. - Next: May 13, 2017 the X PLANNING SESSIONS: Last Friday of the month. Subway, 908 W. 6th, Stillwater 6:30 p.m. Come join us! Website: www.xchapterok.org for more information OKLAHOMA WINS DISTRICT CHALLENGE AT REGION H RALLY Team members were Linda Oberholzer, Harry Sanders, Chapter E, John Irons and Robert Fritsche F I L E S Look What s INSIDE.. Chapter Team 2 Chapter Director 3 ACD 4 District Director 5-6 Rider s Education 7-8 Motorist Awareness 9 MEC 10 Chapter Couple 11 MA Month 12 In the Spotlight 13 District Picnic 14 PLP 15 Region H Rally 16 Rex Report 17 Cares & Concerns 18 May Calendar 19 Coming Events 20-24 OK Chapters 25 OK District Team 26 FRIENDS FOR FUN, SAFETY, AND KNOWLEDGE MAY 2017 1
Char & Ron Sadler Chapter Directors Patches/Pins char.sadler@gmail.com 918 223-5688 Steve & Carolyn Cotton Assistant Chapter Directors Senior Educator, Chapter Director District Asst. Rider Educator scotton01@cox.net 405 285-5962 Linda & Bill Stevens Assistant Chapter Directors District Couple of the Year District Asst. MEC District CHOY Coordinator stevenslinda@hotmail.com 580 336-2390 CHAPTER X OFFICERS www.xchapterok.org Steve and Marie Wilson Chapter Treasurer District Assistant Directors kd5exm@gmail.com 405 338-5393 Robert and Linda Oberholzer Mem. Enhancement Coordinators Chapter Couple Newsletter Editor-firstos@att.net PLP Facilitator Photographer rdoperryusa@gmail.com 580 336-8030 Robert Fritsche Motorist Awareness Coordinator fritz501@aol.com 405 624-6217 Jack Wagner Deputy Director of D, H & K Region Trainer jwagner10@cox.net 405 359-7892 John & Shawn Irons OK District Directors Contingency Prizes ironsline3414@gmail.com 405 747-4618 David & Cindi Hudgins Webmaster Shirt Designer Parking Lot Facilitator cindihudgins@sbcglobal.net 918 223-7523 Larry and Shiela Cramton Ride Coordinators Parking Lot Facilitator cramtonstill@aol.com 405 747-7275 Janis & Bob Day Chapter of the Year Coordinator Cares & Concerns Scrapbook dayjanis@hotmail.com 405 880-1082 Chapter X Website, www.xchapterok.org We also have a Facebook page the Chapter enjoys. Please send me any news, articles and/or photos you would like to have in the newsletter! firstos@att.net 2
Chattin with Char May - 2017 Hello Chapter X Friends April is in the books with lots of fun activities. The OK District held their picnic after the Azalea Parade in Muskogee. We had 16 from Chapter X ride in the parade and 20 attended the picnic. It was also a Gathering day for Chapter X and we had 13 in attendance. It just shows that we can be divided and still have lots of fun. We had a good group for recruitment followed by a nice dinner at Rib Crib. We talked to a couple of people that think they may come to one of our Gatherings to see if they think they would fit with our group. Of course, we already think they will fit and like our group. Looking forward to next Gathering to see if we have the chance to woo them. Chapter K had a great Anniversary Party on April 22 which Chapter X was excited to attend. Lots of contingency prizes made it home with our chapter members and I think maybe some money too. On April 17, seventeen of us met at the Region H Rally. Only three bikes from Chapter X made the ride, the rest of us came in cars. Sometimes it just does not work to ride and that is perfectly okay. We did not ride down in a big group as we usually do as some left on Tuesday, some on Wednesday and the rest on Thursday. The four on bikes were invited to ride in the cars each day to the rally site and dinner, keeping them out of the rain and all of us together. On Friday, we all went to H & W Honda for the lunch they were providing for us. There were so many people that they ran out of food and had to make a run to the market. I wish they had run out of the corn on the cob, I started to eat one and I lost my front crown! It is so nice to have such wonderful friends that I could smile at them and not have them look away, they just laughed. We had lots of laughs about my missing tooth. These friends would try to make me smile or laugh so they could laugh or try to take my picture. I do have a tooth today as I called the dentist about 10 minutes after I discovered it was missing on Friday, was in the dentist chair at 8:00 am on Monday. Congratulations to Chapter K on being named the Region Chapter of the Year and the International Chapter of the Year. Very exciting time for of the members. Also, congratulations to John and Sarah Hoogendoorn, Region H Couple of the Year. Chapter K is doing great! OK District won the trophy for the district challenge. Chapter X had three of the four members on the team. Oklahoma also had the most pre-registered at the rally and Chapter X had the most chapter members pre-registered. Go Oklahoma! Have a great month! Char Sadler 3
Chapter X Happenings by Steve and Carolyn Cotton Oklahoma Chapter X Assistant Chapter Directors May 2017 On The Road Again It s Rally Time so Let s Go!!! Just like the Willie Nelson song, On the Road Again, we are excited it is rally time and that we are on the road again with chapter friends. Rallies are a time to not only enjoy the comradery of fellow chapter members but a time to meet and make new friends at each rally attended! Sixteen chapter members attended the Louisiana District Rally the end of March and seventeen Chapter X members recently returned home from the Region H Rally, April 27-29, in Marshall, TX. We were recognized as the largest pre-registered chapter in attendance and they certainly knew X was in the house, as Chapter X members were found enthusiastically participating in many of the trainings, competitions and activities offered. Way to go Chapter X!!! Over the next couple of months, chapter members will be attending numerous rallies, including the Texas District Rally, May 18-20, in Wichita Falls, TX. The Missouri District Rally, June 1-3, in Branson, MO. The Kansas District Rally, June 22-24, in Hutchinson, KS. The Arkansas District Rally, July 14-15, in Eureka Springs, AR and don t forget the ultimate rally of them all, Wing Ding 39, August 29-September 2, in Grapevine, TX. If you haven t made plans to attend these rallies, it isn t too late to get your registration submitted and plans made to join in the FUN! Song lyrics: On the road again Just can't wait to get on the road again The life I love is making music with my friends And I can't wait to get on the road again On the road again Goin' places that I've never been Seein' things that I may never see again And I can't wait to get on the road again Ride Safe, and Keep Smiling! Steve and Carolyn 4
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Rider Education Oklahoma Chapter X Stillwater, OK Steve and Carolyn Cotton Senior Chapter Educators May 2017 T-CARE? To have a safe ride and trouble free trip, a good T-CLOCS inspection is required to make sure your motorcycle is in top condition. As you already know, T-CLOCS is a simple acronym used to remember motorcycle components that should be examined during a pre-ride inspection. The components are: Tires and wheels; Controls such as levers, throttle and switches; Lights and other electrics; Oils and other fluids; Chassis suspension and other drive-line components; and finally Stands. Since we have a T-CLOCS for our motorcycles, let s have a checkoff for the rider too, and we can call it: T-CARE T Training. Develop the knowledge and skills to ride safely and handle unexpected situations through class room training and supervised practice sessions. Fortunately, we have many experienced and trained riders in GWRRA to help us develop safe riding skills. The GWRRA Levels program is a good way to be recognized and be acknowledged for being a trained, safe rider. Take the rider courses and/or recertification courses every chance you have to improve your skills. C Conditioning. Fatigue is a major factor for your safety during a ride. It's hard to stay alert and focused to what's going on around you to make quick and correct decisions when fatigue sets in. It's easy to say get some exercise and lose that weight, but reality usually dictates otherwise. We all know our limits, so take a break if you find yourself getting fatigued. When riding in a group, if you are tired, call for a break. I guarantee that someone else in the group is tired also and will be grateful for a rest stop. As we grow older, we may find that we are no longer bullet proof and may require medications to stay in a healthy condition. If you find yourself losing focus and becoming fatigued due to a medical condition, take a break or call for a break to medicate and recover. A Attitude. The gray matter between your ears is another major factor for safe riding. Don't ride when you find yourself distracted from the job at hand. If you are angry or otherwise distracted - stop, collect your thoughts and get in a good place mentally. Stay focused and use the SEE (Search, Evaluate, Execute) method to stay aware of any situations around you so you can react quickly and safely. If you have a co-rider or are in a group, think of the others around you to keep them safe also. 7
R Riding Risks. There are many factors that add to the risks of riding a motorcycle. Traffic, weather, road conditions, directionally challenged (lost), fatigue, experience, skill, attitude, etc. are all part of conditions that can affect safe riding conditions. When planning a trip, keep in mind a plan to reduce risks as much as possible. Even when just riding to the store - wear ATGATT - helmet, eye protection, long sleeves, full-fingered gloves, long pants, over the ankle boots - and carry a first aid kit, tools and a cell phone. E- Expectations. The GWRRA motto is Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge. We have a lot of fun riding with our friends and welcome all who want to ride with us. We want everyone to enjoy handle-bar therapy with us and to arrive safely to the end of the ride. This just doesn't happen, it takes a lot of hard work by a lot of volunteers in GWRRA to live up to this motto. So, commit to riding safe, keep enhancing your skills and knowledge and you too can help others have an enjoyable ride. Aggressively Ride Safe! Steve and Carolyn Cotton Chapter X Rider Educators 8
MOTORIST AWARENESS Robert Fritsche Chapter MA Coordinator May, 2017 MOTORIST AWARENESS MONTH May is Motorist Awareness Month. This is the month that a lot of emphasis is put on the general public to be aware of motorcycles and sharing the road with motorcycles. I think highway safety organizations throughout the United States, both public and private, place less emphasis on motorcycle safety when compared with other modes of transportation. Helmet usage and laws gets the most attention compared to overall traffic safety on motorcycles. Public education safety campaigns are rarely focused on motorcycle safety issues. Highway safety organizations can advance motorcycle safety efforts in a number of ways. Funding for motorcycle safety programs should be increased. These programs should also be more widely publicized and promoted. This will give motorcycle safety a new legitimacy and urgency. We, as riders and co-riders, must continue to do our part with such activities as our motorist awareness events, where we reach out to the public to share the road with us. We need to take advantage of the many training programs and classes that are available through GWRRA. Knowledge is a wonderful thing. Every time I learn something I am amazed at how little I know. So during the month of May, get out there and talk to friends, neighbors, and strangers about motorcycles. BE SAFE AND ENJOY THE RIDE. Fritz This is the group of Chapter X members attending Chapter K s Anniversary in Ponca City on April 22, 2017. Jimmy Seward won the 50/50! 9
MEMBERSHIP ENHANCEMENT COORDINATORS Robert & Linda Oberholzer May, 2017 WHAT IS YOUR GWRRA MEMBERSHIP WORTH? Is your GWRRA Membership worth it? There are times we wonder if there really is a value in the investment? There are many ways to track the value of something by how many uses you get out of it. We have appraisers who tell us the value of everything from jewelry to motorcycles. Sometimes we even see people selling things and they assign a value to their items. But really, what is it worth? Like my wife would say, Only what someone is willing to pay for it. People ask about the cost of a GWRRA Membership when they come to visit an event, whether it s a Chapter Gathering, a District or Region Rally, or at Wing Ding. But, do they really know what the real worth of that Membership is? Take a bar of iron that is 1 x 2 x 12. The value of that bar is an estimated $10.00. That same bar of iron could be turned into a horseshoe and now the value has gone up to an estimated $20.00. You ve doubled your money. The bar of iron could also be turned into screwdrivers and the value goes up to an estimated $40.00 for the set. It s the same bar of iron used differently, and the value changes depending on how it was used. Our Membership is like that bar of iron. We all pay the same amount to be a Member. However what we do with it is up to each of us. The value is also up to us. So how can you add value to your Membership? Here are a few things you can do to add value: Attend Monthly Chapter Gatherings - get involved. Attend seminars - what a great way to learn about GWRRA. Get involved in the Rider Education Levels Program - just might save your life. Visit other Chapters in your area - there are amazing Wingers to meet. Attend your District, Region, and Wing Ding Rallies - you will have an awesome experience and again, the people you will meet are amazing. Take on a position - you ll always get more out of your Chapter, District, or Region by giving back. Your monthly copy of Wing World, The Gold Book, Rescue Plus. And last, Participate, Participate, and Participate! These are just a few ways you could add value to your Membership. In fact, you may have some ideas of your own that were not listed. The point is we want you to see the real worth of your Membership and that the more YOU get involved, the more your Membership has real value and worth. In my opinion, my Membership is priceless, but it s what you make of it that is important. Is Membership in GWRRA worth the investment for me? Oh heck yes, and I hope you also see the real worth of your Membership. Remember, it s all the same Membership. It s what we do with it that determines the value. The choice is yours. This was written by Bruce & Barb Beeman, Deputy Directors B, E, L 10
CHAPTER COUPLE 2017 Robert and Linda Oberholzer - May, 2017 DO YOU HAVE A LIFETIME NATIONAL PARK SENIOR PASS? If you are 62 or older NOW is the time to get that pass. If you plan on visiting a U.S. National Park in the future it will be the best $10 you ever spend. That $10 fee will be increasing to $80 some time after October, 2017. No exact date has been set but they are giving everyone fair notice. Once that rate goes up there will be two options to buy the Senior Pass: pay $80 for a lifetime pass or buy an annual Senior Pass for $20. After you buy four passes the fifth one will be free and forever. The person whose name is on the pass has to be present and admits everyone in car (or motorcycle) and will admit the owner and three additional people at sites that charge a per person fee. This is also for National Monuments, National Historical Parks as well as the National Parks. To purchase a pass, go to any National Park office, National Park, National Monument, National Historical Park, online or by mail. The internet and mail in options, have an additional fee, but if you re not near a National Parks office or site, it s worth it. Not all sites sell the passes, so be sure to check ahead. We have had our pass for several years and enjoyed every park we ve visited. It was a great purchase. Robert carries it in his wallet because we never know when we ll use it, but we are ready when we need it. Our National Parks are beautiful. Let s go see them together on our cycles and save money too! Robert and Linda Save those pull tabs for The Ronald McDonald House. We will be turning in soon! 11
MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH Members attending the meeting of the proclamation was Robert Fritsche, Char Sadler, Dennis Jefferies, and John and Shawn Irons. 12
JACK WAGNER Over the course of your life, many of you have probably been told "You don't know Jack!". I'm about to change that. I grew up in northeast OK. I attended Oklahoma State University where I met the love of my life, Shirlene, on a blind date, at the beginning of my sophomore year. We were married 11 months later. After graduation, we moved to the Dallas area where I began my career with Ford Motor Company. We started our family with the birth of our son, Jeff, a year later. My career included numerous positions with management responsibilities in dealership and customer support, training, and future product development. I retired from Ford in 2005. Some of you have heard the story of how we became GWRRA members. Attending Shirlene's 35th high school reunion in 2005, we were reunited with my college fraternity brother, Steve Cotton, and his wife Carolyn, who is Shirlene's cousin. The four of us had lost touch after graduation took us in separate directions. Shirlene and I had been looking for a social 'hobby' to enjoy together. Steve and Carolyn told us about GWRRA and the fun they were having. That was all it took. Ten days later we bought our first Goldwing - a well cared for 1993 GL1500 (which was on the May, 2008, cover of Wing World), and just a few days after taking delivery, joined GWRRA. We hoped we hadn't made a mistake jumping off and buying the bike not knowing if we would enjoy it. It didn't take long before we knew there was no mistake made. We were really enjoying the freedom of early retirement and having a blast with our new found friends. We couldn't believe the fun we were having and the friends we were making. It was just what we had been searching for. However, Shirlene's enjoyment was cut short. In Oct., 2007, she was diagnosed with cancer and lost the battle in Feb., 2008. Having our GWRRA 'family' for support made that time easier for both of us then - and continues supporting me today. My GWRRA family is a very important part of my life! I truly 'live to ride' averaging around 19,000 miles per year. In November, 2015, I purchased my 3 rd Goldwing, a 40 th anniversary silver 2015 (which has already accumulated over 22,000 miles in just 16 months), and a matching Hannigan trailer,. When I'm not riding, I enjoy spending time with my 7 year old grandson, playing around the workshop (I enjoy both wood and metal working), tinkering with my street rods ('36 Ford pickup and '49 Mercury both of which have also been in Wing World) and yard work (okay, I don't really enjoy the yard work, but its a necessary evil). I am always willing to help others with projects on their bikes. In my time with GWRRA, I have held many offices including Assistant Chapter Director (for 2 Chapters), Chapter Director, District Trainer, Assistant Region Trainer, Region Trainer, Region Director and currently serve as a Deputy Director. I am a University Instructor (previous Master University Trainer), Certified Officer Trainer, and Rider Course Instructor (certified for ARC and 2-wheel trailer). In 2013 I was honored to be recognized as International Trainer of the Year. I am a Level IV Senior Master and have accumulated just under 190,000 accident free, ticket free miles touring thru 48 U.S. states and nine Canadian provinces since joining GWRRA. Now, when someone says "You don't know Jack!", you can respond "Yes I do!". 13
OUR LAST GATHERING - April 8,2017 There were 13 attending the April meeting. Char Sadler, Chapter Director, encouraged the others to attend the District Campout/Picnic and Azalea Parade in Muskogee. A beautiful day for a picnic and parade! 14
PARKING LOT PRACTICE April 23, 2017 Perry, OK This practice was a little different from past ones. The participants drove through the Shiny Side Up course. They all said they really enjoyed it and the weather was perfect! Thanks to David Hudgins and Robert Oberholzer, PLP facilitators, and Cindi Hudgins for helping set up the course. 15
REGION H RALLY-Marshall, Texas-April 27-29, 2017 Working the Registration and MEC Tables! Jimmy Seward won LA Registration Bill Stevens won 50/50! Biggest Chapter attending Out of District X! Biggest District out of Texas OKLAHOMA Region Couple John & Sarah Hoogendorn Chapter K OKLAHOMA Region District Challenge OKLAHOMA 1st Place 16
Riding with REX All my bags are packed, I m ready to go!!! I don t plan to be Leaving on a Jet Plane (like in the John Denver song) but I do hope to be leaving soon on a Gold Wing, because it is riding season and I m ready to ride! My first adventure with the Cottons was attending Chapter K s Anniversary but since it was raining that day, we traveled by car. Besides having to ride in a car, I was a little disappointed that I didn t have my new royal blue shirt to wear, so I would match the other Chapter X members like I usually do, but it s not ready yet. I had to wear another of my many shirts. As you can see in the picture, I am very fortunate to have shirts to match almost every shirt worn by Chapter X members - I know I am loved. Everyone said I looked handsome but I was still a little self-conscious. The next day was beautiful for the PLP practice in Perry and we rode the bike Yippee!!! Now that is the way to travel - it is good to be on a Gold Wing again! I had hoped to travel to the Region H Rally on the Cotton s Gold Wing too, but due to impending weather, we had to travel in their Chevrolet Equinox instead. I rode in the back seat, safety belted in, so it wasn t too bad. At least I could enjoy the scenery to and from Marshall and during the rainy times, I was protected from the elements. While there, I audited the ITCP training in which the Cottons participated. I didn t get to fully participate, so I didn t earn my instructor certification, like Steve and Carolyn, but as you can see, I did get my picture made with the group. At the rally I entered the mascot competition, sporting my new boogie woogie down to Marshall outfit: derby hat, white bow tie, black and white leg bands and carrying my musical instrument. Of course, I was also wearing my GWRRA vest. I looked pretty sharp, if I do say so myself! I placed second in the competition. First place was Texas Chapter U s mascot, the piano player, but there is always the next rally s competition and you can bet I ll be ready for that! You know what? If I am good, the Cotton s said they might even take me to Branson with them on their mini-vacation. I love Branson but since that trip hasn t happened yet, I ll have to report on it next time! 17
MAY BIRTHDAYS Steve Wilson 7th Marilyn Corr 20th John Hoover 24th GWRRA MAY ANNIVERSARIES Curtis & Tammy Burns 1996 Larry & Shiela Cramton 2010 Randy & Linda Hart 2014 Please keep Bob Day in your thoughts and prayers. MAY ANNIVERSARIES Ron & Char Sadler 1st Larry & Marilyn Corr 5th Carl & Karol Parsons 13th John & Shawn Irons 21st David & Cindi Hudgins 24th Marie & Steve Wilson 30th 18
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2017 May 6 Chapter N Anniversary, Goldsby May 18-20 TX District Rally, Wichita Falls June 1-3 Missouri Rally, Branson June 10 Chapter J Anniversary, Edmond June 17 Chapter L Anniversary, Lawton June 22-24 KS District Rally, Hutchinson July 13-15 AR District Rally, Eureka Springs July 22 Chapter E Scavenger Hunt, Tulsa Aug 12 Chapter E Bug Gut Run, Sand Springs Aug 19 Chapter P Anniversary, Claremore Aug 29-Sept.2 Wing Ding, Grapevine, TX Sept 28-30 OK District Rally, Muskogee 20
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Directors & Meeting Information Oklahoma Chapter Directors Chapter B Carol Haynes 405-255-3589 carouselranch@hotmail.com Gathering: 4 th Tuesday at Golden Corral, 2513 N. Harrison, Shawnee OK, meet at 7pm Chapter E Harry Sanders 918-402-9170 hsanders96@yahoo.com Gathering: 2 nd Tuesday at Golden Corral, 8144 E. 21 st St., Tulsa OK, meet at 7pm Chapter G Jim & Binnie Gullane 918-331-5859 S52jim@aol.com Gathering: 1 st Tuesday at Montana Mikes Steakhouse, 3825 S.E. Adams Rd., Bartlesville OK, meet at 7pm Chapter I Dennis & Ann Mullins 918 760-0374 meathead9337@gmail.com Gathering: 4 th Monday at East China Buffet, 13202 S. Memorial Dr., Bixby OK, meet at 7pm Chapter J Bill Duvall 405 348-0754 wduvall@sbcglobal.net Gathering: 3 rd Thursday at Johnnies Charcoal Broiler, 33 E. 33 rd, Edmond OK, meet at 7:15pm Chapter K Lee & Cindy Headrick 580-716-1385 jinglesdog101@yahoo.com Gathering: 2 nd Thursday at Pizza Hut in Ponca City, meet at 7pm Chapter L Max Rowlett 580 704-8290 maxer50@aol.com Gathering: 1 st Monday at Golden Corral in Lawton OK, meet at 7:30pm Chapter M Robert & Angela Jackson 918-260-5000 rj3ballman@gmail.com Gathering: 2 nd Thursday at Hamlin s El Toro, 3731 W. Okmulgee, Muskogee, OK, meet at 7pm Chapter N Mark & Cindy Hoover 405-834-7516 soonerfan1962@hotmail.com Gathering: 3 rd Tuesday at Libby s Café, 111 E. Center Street, Goldsby, OK, meet at 7pm Chapter P Bobby & Dianah Hall 918 706-9632 halehome@sbcglobal.net Gathering: 2 nd Monday at Pizza Hut, 600 Lynn Riggs Blvd., Claremore OK, meet at 7pm Chapter X Char and Ron Sadler 918-223-5688 char.sadler@gmail.com Gathering: 2 nd Saturday at Sirloin Stockade, 208 N. Perkins Rd., Stillwater OK, meet at 9AM 25
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