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| Volume I Issue VII |
July 2002 |
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Trails End....... The meeting was gaveled to order at 7:00PM.. Roll call:
Larry Cole, Rusty Higgins, Floyd Nunnelee, Hubert Gross, Jimmy
Rogers, Margaret Rogers, Dan Randall, Danny Parker, Mary Carole Scott,
Dick Salveson, Fran Salveson and yours
truly. Also in attendance were new
members Mike Hopper, Brenda Hamilton and Bill Healy.
A special welcome to these folks. We also welcomed visitors but
certainly not strangers, Ed and Evelyn Davis. Thanks
to all of you for coming. We acknowledged and
congratulated our new officers of MTR. Just in case you missed the
notice in the newsletter, forgot
to check the web page or were off the planet somewhere, the new officers
are: President: Stan Viets,
Vice-President: Terry Scott,
Secretary: Darnell Gibson,
Treasurer: Danny Parker and
Road Commander: BJ Max. Unfinished business: Progress report on the Corporation: Again
in case you didn’t know we are now a Tennessee nonprofit Corporation
effective April 18th. Our Official name is “Memphis
Tour Riders”. Our incorporation document was filed and recorded,
on April 26th, as a permanent record with the office of the
Shelby County Register. Additional information: When a new Chapter M web
site appeared on the Internet last month.
I sent the Chapter M Director an e-mail requesting the Memphis Tour Riders name be removed from the web site. The Chapter
Director forwarded my request to the GWTA Tennessee State Director Jim
Quinn. Also as a matter of interest the current Chapter Director has
subsequently resigned and returned all the old Chapter M material and
funds to the Tennessee State Director GWTA. On May 28th, I received an email from Jim Quinn, the GWTA Tennessee State Director, advising us that “we can not” use a name and letter designation that is already chartered with GWTA and GWTA has right of first use under the law? Jim also asked me why I would do such a thing? Our attorney has assured us that we have a legal right to the name as a Tennessee Non Profit Corporation and has sent a letter to the GWTA Tennessee State Director outlining our position. Additionally the State Director indicates Chapter M
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registration is paid through 2002, per my request? As you know, as Chapter M we voted to withhold this fee and I as the former Chapter M Director, did not authorized or sign the mandatory Chapter registration form required by GWTA to re-register the chapter. We have applied for our Federal Identification number and the IRS Exempt Organization Determination Letter Request forms are completed and will be mailed along with $150.00, when we get our number. We have also sent Tennessee an amendment form to correct a “typo” on our Charter requiring an additional $20.00 filing fee. Officer Comments: I have
copies of the membership applications for those that do not have access to
the Internet or haven’t downloaded the form yet. Again our
thanks to Eddie and Bonnie
for doing a great job on our first class web site. as well as BJ
and Hildia with the Happy Trails
newsletter. Also see BJ’s
latest article “Bike Droppings” in the Minnesota
Motorcycle Monthly or on our web site. “Good job folks, we appreciate
your dedication and public relations effort. Danny Parker gave
us an update on his better half, Lori.
For those of you who do not know, Lori
totaled her new Silverwing a few weeks ago and suffered some nasty injuries.
And, although she is getting around on crutches, she will be recovering for
the next month or so. It must be noted that Lori now
has a shiny new Rebel 250, a little something to encourage her to get well. Bill
Jones is still in critical care and in
need of our prayers. Good to see Ann Branch
at the Burnt Burger 200. Hubert Gross
had successful surgery 6 weeks ago and has completely recovered; in fact he
left June 14th to ride the 4-corners of America, approximately 10,000
miles in less that 21 days. Good luck Hubie
and ride safe. We had two scheduled events since our May meeting. June 1st: The Freedom Wings AGWA Po-Boy Picnic at Mousetail Landing State Park. Chapter F went all out and it paid off with 92 motorcycles showing and, according to Marion Oller, they fed approximately 116 souls. Hats off to Don and Marion Oller for a job well done. The Memphis Tour Riders enjoyed ourselves, especially Floyd Nunnelee who won the $168.00 50-50 drawing. Continued
on Page Three
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The Memphis Tour Riders were so busy during the month of June that I don’t know where to start. There’s really too much to tell in the small space I have available… PO-Boy Picnic June 1st: I guess the Mousetail Park ride would be as good a place as any. As usual Don and Marion Oller and Chapter A of the American Gold Wing Association hosted a great cookout…There were 116 bikes in the parking lot at one time and 98 folks were fed. Good show. Floyd Nunnelee won the 50/50 drawing, a whopping $168.00. MTR had a good turnout but I disremember how many. We’ve been riding so much lately it all runs together. I guess I’m going to have to break a standing rule of mine and start taking notes. Burnt Burger 200 June 8th: Our own cookout at Chickasaw State Park, The first annual Burnt Burger 200 was also successful, but not quite as much as the PO-Boy Picnic mentioned. We had about forty bikes in and out and fed forty-eight souls. All but seventeen were guests but still, not to shabby for a new outfit. Chickasaw doesn’t take reservations so somebody had to get up there early and homestead us a good spot for our cookout…Hats off to Jimmy and Margaret Rogers for taking care of this most important detail. And, they couldn’t have picked a better pavilion…Under the bluff and right on the lake. Good job. And a tip of the hat to Vic Motley and the Motley Crew out of Nashville who have helped make so many of our rides successful with their presence. They came through once again and helped fill the parking lot up on the bluff with motorcycles. Although they couldn’t stay long consideriing the distance they traveled, their attendance was appreciated. We need to thank David Elston and Brenda Crawford as well. The Burnt Burger 200 was David’s idea in the first place. David along with Brenda’s help also rounded up the grub, transported it to Chickasaw then grilled and prepared it. Everybody said it was delicious and it must have been because, as planned, there was nothing left but a few crumbs. There was no charge for the BB 200, the food was free. But, to help offset the cost, we did have a 50/50 drawing and recouped most of the money. Bob and Ann Branch won the 50/50…$98.00 I believe it was…Not a bad day huh Bob? Bikers for Barbara Benefit, June 29th: Seven MTR riders were joined at Shoney’s by a contingent from the Jackson, TN chapter of Blue Knights. In all there were ten motorcycles on our ride that rolled into the parking lot of the DeSoto County Civic Center for the “Biker’s for Barbara Benefit”. This worthy cause was organized to raise money for a lung transplant for Barbara Caldwell. Barbara and her husband Steve are the owners of Precision V-Twins in Nesbit, MS. From what I could tell, they did OK. There was a goodly crowd on hand to participate in the games and bike show and everyone seemed to be spending their money freely. All moneys went to help Mrs. Caldwell. I hope our group did some good. If you missed the ride, donations can be sent to the address below. Benefit for Barbara Caldwell C/O Precision V-Twins 1632 Highway 51 N. Nesbit, MS 38651 I did my part by having my picture made with four of the Hooters girls from the nearby Horn Lake Hooters Restaurant. They were on hand posing with anyone who had ten bucks for Barbara so I sacrificed myself and got my picture took. |
Honda Hoot: Five MTR members attended the Honda Hoot in Knoxville
this year. Part of the festivities was a trip to Bristol Motor Speedway.
All of us present were NASCAR fans and being inside that famed old
speedway was a real treat. We were fed a great lunch and also got to make
three hot laps around the speedway. It was a real treat to ride in the
tire tracks of such greats as Darrell Waltrip, Jeff Gordon,
Dale Earnhardt and David Pearson. But the biggest thrill, for me anyway,
was meeting TV sportscaster Dave Despain. Dave was the Grand Marshall of
the Honda Hoot and was on hand for the Bristol Do. I don’t think I’ve
ever met a celebrity that is as down to earth as Dave. After being with
him five minutes I felt as though I had known him all my life. A really
nice guy. But hey, he’s a motorcyclist, what did I expect? We had a great time at Bristol but unfortunately it was marred by tragedy. On the way back to Knoxville after the event, a black bear ran out into the middle of Interstate-81 causing a tractor-trailer and a motorcyclists to crash. A lady from Arkansas was killed…This was, to say the least, a sobering incident and made us realize just how fragile life really is. I remember thinking later that the meal we were served at Bristol Motor Speedway a couple of hours earlier, was her last…It was and still is a haunting thought….
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Continued
from Page One….. June 8th: Our first annual Burnt Burger 200 at Chickasaw state park. Our gratitude and thanks to David Elston and Brenda Crawford, Jimmy and Margaret Rogers and BJ and Hildia Max for all their efforts. It couldn’t been done without them. We had 48 folks sign in. MTR cash expenditures for food, drinks and goodies was $131.50 however we recouped $95.00 in the 50-50 drawing. Bob Branch won the 50-50. If you missed either of the above happenings, you missed a good time. BJ will have more about both events in the July newsletter. Don’t miss it. New Business: I passed out flyers
on the upcoming Rides and Activities BJ, David and others have planned. June the 29th is the “Bikers
for Barbara Benefit Ride” to raise money for Barbara
Caldwell’s lung transplant. We also have an afternoon dinner ride to
the Tennessee River planned for July 13th, two days after
our next meeting. Details are forthcoming in the July newsletter as
well as in the flyers and on the mtrmc.com
web site. Please mark your calendars for this great afternoon dinner
ride. We discussed having
MTR logo embroidered patches made, based on the preliminary pricing of
the 2 ½” embroidered, 3 color patches BJ located.
We had a motion by Hubert
Gross to get firm prices and authorized expenditure up to $200.00,
for 100 patches and resell to our members at double our cost. Motion
seconded by Floyd Nunnelee
and approved from the
floor by a show of hands. BJ
will proceed to obtain the patches. The following is some interesting statistics and trivia for the Memphis Tour Riders through our June 13, 2002 meeting. Our appreciation to all, we wouldn’t have any statistics if it wasn’t for each and everyone’s dedication and support. Members: 40 Months
with the most Birthdays: June, October and December, tied with five Months with the most anniversaries: August, five Months without anniversaries: April and September Total years-riding experience of MTR members: 671 years Advertisers/sponsors: five Bank
balance: $899.04 Quotation of the month: “Nothing in life just happens. You have to have the stamina to meet the obstacles and overcome them.”………….Golda Meir Our next meeting will be July 11th at Jimmy C’s. Don’t forget to display your flag the 4th of July. Ride Safe. Stan
and Jean
The June meeting of the Memphis Tour Riders was officially Adjourned at 7:45 PM 50 / 50
Winner 50/50 Jackpot: Floyd Nunnelee $42.00 |
The Memphis Tour Riders SECOND ANNUAL BLAZING SADDLES RUN I am already
getting inquiries as to the dates of this years Blazing Saddles
Ride. I know it seems early, but if you think about it, there are
only four more newsletters between now and this fall, so its not
really to early to start making your plans. Time flies huh? And, it
might be a good idea to make your reservations early anyway. The
motel where we stay is popular in that area. David Elston and I
learned the hard way that they do book solid on occasion. Listed
below is all the pertnant information you should need to reserve a
room. Reservations
should be made for Saturday
night. October12,
2002 Motel
Information: The
Best Western McMinnville Inn 2545
Sparta Street
(Hwy. 705) McMinnville,
Tennessee Triple
A rating: Three Stars Telephone
931-473-7338
WELCOME Since
the Memphis Tour Riders gained their independence we have been picking
up new members at a rapid pace. So fast in fact, that we haven’t
officially welcomed the new guys into the fold. So, would the members
listed below please forgive me for being so addle-brained and accept
my humble apologizes. This oversight proves beyond a shadow of a doubt
that in this world you get exactly what you pay for…ed. Joe
and Deanna Kilpatrick Dan
and Linda Randall Jimmy
and Margaret Rogers Bill
and Bonnie Healy Mike
Hopper/Brenda Hamilton Gene and Kathy Dennie
Don’t forget to make an extra effort to ride your motorcycle to work Wednesday, July 17th. We as motorcyclist are a minority. By riding our bikes on this day we can demonstrate to the public that motorcycling is a safe and fun sport not to mention a way to cut back on emissions and damage to our environment. For more information log on to www.ridetowork.org
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Happy Trails
is Published Monthly by Possum's Anonymous, Memphis, Tennessee
901-377-9140 |
