Gold Wing Road Riders AssociationPoint Mallard WingsPoint Mallard Wings

Decatur, AL - Region-A - GWRRA

News

March 2008

From Your Chapter Director,

Sorry I'm a little late getting this out.  There's just too much to do and not enough time to do what needs doing.

I hope everyone is getting out on the pretty days we are starting to have.  Soon it will be warmer, the days will be longer, and we'll be hitting the roads for some serious fun on our bikes.  With that in mind, we just had a seminar by Gary Province on Mar 4th to help us get ready for riding season.

RIDER EDUCATION SEMINAR

Even though Gary was just getting over a week off from work with a serious case of the flu, he braved the weather and drove all the way from Gardendale to Greenbrier to conduct the seminar for us.  A hearty "Thank You" to Gary for his efforts.  Chapters B and H had a good turnout and it was good to have them join with Chapter I for this event.  For all of you who did not attend, let me encourage you to thoroughly check out your bike and yourself.  Once you've checked out your bike with a T-CLOCK Inspection, do an honest evaluation of your riding skill set.  Go to a parking lot and practice your maneuvering, braking, etc.  You know the drill.  Preparation and knowing your limits are keys to risk management.  Don't just head out on a Wing and a Prayer.

CHAPTER Y FUN DAY

We had a good group ride down to Gardendale for Chapter Y's Fun Day.  After a damp morning, it cleared up and we had great weather.  Ron Orcutt was going to join us at exit 310 for the ride down.  However, Chapter H was just ahead of us and, not having a CB, he joined up with them and didn't know it until they arrived.  We had a couple of trikes join up with us on the way, so we had a quite a few in our group.

The theme was "western" and we all had a good time playing cowboys, cowgirls, and Indians.  We were like a bunch of kids.  I played the role of "Jimmy the Kid".  I want to expressly thank that no-good hombre John "the Bear" Griswold for issuing a warrant for my arrest.  I was down at the local saloon minding my own business, eating my dessert and all, when the High Sheriff showed up and hauled me off to the lockup for no good reason.  I spent quite some time behind bars before my sweet little missy showed up and bailed me out.  I almost broke out once when a deputy got too close to the bars.  I grabbed one of his six-shooters and got the drop on him, but he didn't seem too impressed.  Seems it was unloaded so I gave it back and did my time.  "The Bear" and his gang were working overtime as it was getting pretty crowded in there before I finally got released.

They raised a lot of money.  In addition to some $50 drawings and enough door prizes to fill a wagon, they gave a Grand Prize of over $1,000 hard cash!  One of the local Chapter Y yokels won it.  What with all that dough, and seeing that he didn't even buy a round or three, or even join a friendly game of poker, it's a good thing he slipped out the back door, or there might have been some serious cap gun play out in the street.

Seriously, while we all had fun, the whole thing was meant to raise money for Camp Smile-A-Mile (a camp for kids who have, or have had cancer, and their families).  Thanks to Chapter Y for a great fun day and for all they do every year for this worthy cause.  You can learn more about Camp Smile-A-Mile (SAM) at the following link: http://www.campsam.org/.  Hold CTRL & click on it, or cut and paste it into you browser's URL window.

RIDE SCHEDULE

Don't forget about our next ride on the 15th.  THIS IS A CORRECTION!  I had previously said the 14th but it is Saturday the 15th.  We will have breakfast at Tony's at 9:00 a.m. then ride…somewhere.  On the 22nd we will depart Chevron on Hwy 67 near I-65 at 9:00 a.m. and ride to Guntersville where we will visit Country Cruisers, eat at Outlaws, then ride some more.  It should be a great ride.  Your participation will make it even better!  You can see the event schedule on the web site at www.pointmallardwings.org.  For those that are interested, the Redstone Riders are having a Charity Poker Run at 10:00 a.m. on Mar 29th at the Harley store.  Proceeds go to Hope Place.  You can get more information at: http://www.redstoneriders.org/.

MONTHLY BUSINESS MEETING

We had a great meeting this month.  There were lively discussions, safety talks, door prizes, a 50/25/25 drawing, etc.  Please make every effort to share the fun with us at our monthly meetings.  Starting with the Mar 25th meeting we are going to begin the meeting at 6:45 instead of 7:00.  (It's ok if you're still eating when we start.)  Please remember to bring in any items you would like to donate to the door prize pool.

We have added a segment to our meetings called "Knowledge Exchange".  This is where we share information with each other.  It can be anything from new products you want information about, information you can share about new products you've bought, experiences you want to share, maintenance issues, or just about any other kind of information.  Think about anything you'd like to ask or share with your fellow riders at the next meeting.

ANNIVERSARIES

BIRTHDAYS

Congratulations to our members celebrating these special days in their lives.  I hope I didn't miss anyone, but if I did, please bear with me as I rebuild our database of birthdays and anniversaries.  All together now…

(:  Happy __ to you, happy __ to you, happy __, happy __, happy __ to yoooou!  :)

WEB SITE

While you are visiting our web site, you might want to create a shortcut on your desktop and/or add it to your favorites.  First go to [HOME] then right click on the page.  A menu will pop up where you can do both things.

NEWSLETTER

We still don't have a newsletter because we don't have an editor.  We really need someone to help us in this area.  H-E-L-P!!!!

OFFICER TRAINING

Myrna and I spent three recent weekends attending Horizons Training in Bessemer.  It was fun to see everyone there and to get training in being a chapter officer.  Thanks to Frank Teasley and all the instructors for some great training.

ALABAMA DISTRICT RALLY IN MOBILE

The Alabama District Rally is almost upon us.  It will be April 3-5.  The past rallies were really good and I expect this one will be even better.  There will be more vendors, plenty of activities, classes, etc. and some airboat rides.  There are still rooms available and time to register.  In fact, I have two extra registrations for sale.  Just let me know if you're interested.  I can save you a few dollars.  Oh, and don't forget that minor fact of them giving away a Goldwing!  Come on down and you just might be the one that jumps up and dances around screaming, "I won, I won a GOLDWING"!!!!  You do have to be present to win.  We don't want to miss all of the excitement.

DISTRICT PICNICS

We are having two Alabama District Picnics again this year.  The first one (South) will be at Roland Cooper State Park, at Camden on May 31st.  The second one (North) will be at Tannehill State Park, near McCalla on August 9th.  Please try to join us.  There will be lots of good food and fun for all (except maybe the cooks).  You can get more information on the District web site at: http://www.alabama-gwrra.org/

DISTRICT CRUISE

The cutoff date for the cruise on Nov 29th has been extended.  If you are interested in going Call Jullian Ferguson-Wiley @ 866.721.3225 x24251 between the hours of 11-7 M-F.  The group name is Gold Wingers and the booking code is 4WW553.  It's a really good deal and promises to be a lot of fun.  I sure hope we have a good turnout.  You can get more information on the District web site at: http://www.alabama-gwrra.org/.  You can also go to www.carnival.com.

MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS

Due to the cost of snail mail these days, we are attempting to communicate with the membership via email.  I know some of you don't have email and that is something we have to work out.  One thought is to get a buddy that has email to call you and relay important information, i.e. event schedules.  Also, I'll try to have copies of my articles, ride schedules, etc. at the meetings.  For those without email, it is very easy and inexpensive to set up a computer just for that purpose.  I'm sure you can find a friend that will guide you through the process.  Another idea is to let you sign up for text message reminders of chapter activities.  In theory, I would broadcast a text message to those of you that sign up and you'd get it right away on your cell phone.  I still have to investigate this further.  I know if you don't have a text message package on your phone, it can cost .10 or .15 cents to receive one.  I guess I'd have to pay for a package or pay .10 or .15 cents for each one I send.  I'll check into this further if members are interested.

RECRUITING

I see a lot of people riding around on Goldwings that I don't know.  Maybe they are just passing through or maybe they are local and just don't know about us.  Let's all make an extra effort to speak to these people and invite them to our meetings.  I would love to see us needing a bigger place to meet in the next few months.

TIME TO PARK IT

Well, it's been fun, but it is time to put it in the garage, so to speak.  I've run out of gas, my fingers are cramping, my back hurts, and I just want to kick back and relax.  Please remember that this is your chapter and it takes your participation to make it work, just like any other organization.  Please come out to all the meetings and events you can.  We really miss you when you can't make it.

Remember… When In Doubt, Just Wing It,

Jim & Myrna Walker
Director, GWRRA Chapter AL-I
Point Mallard Wings
Decatur, AL
256.351.9255
j_walker48@hotmail.com