Volume I Issue VII

Trails End.......

ROLL CALL: Terry and Mary Carole Scott, Dan Randall, Floyd Nunnelee, Rusty Higgins, Larry Cole, Katie Yewell, Charlie and Darnell Gibson, Hubert Gross, Don Oller. Bill Healy, Bonnie Miller, Dick and Fran Salveson, Jean Viets and yours truly, Stan Viets. We had one visitor, James Taylor, Jackson, TN. Thanks to all for coming and it was nice to see that most members came on two wheels. We had a parking lot full of motorcycles.

Unfinished business:
Progress report on the Corporation status:
We received an acknowledgement of our exemption letter for our non-profit Corporation to the Internal Revenue Service on July 11, 2002. The IRS advised our application was entered into their computer system at the processing center in Covington, KY and then sent to Cincinnati for the initial review. They advised they approve some applications based on this review, if they do we will get a letter stating we are exempt, however if the initial review indicates additional information or changes are necessary we will be assigned to an Exempt Organization specialist who will call or write. Normally this procedure takes 120 days. We will just have to wait and see what happens.

Updates, news and comments:
Thanks to Floyd, our attorney has written a second letter dated August 8th to Bruce Keenon, GWTA Executive Director with a copy to Jim Quinn, GWTA TN State Director. To date we have had no response to our original June 13th letter outlining our position and right to use our Memphis Tour Riders name.

Bill Jones is still in room 506, (726-7506) Thomas Wing at Methodist Central. Please send a get well card when you can, he still has a long tough road ahead. We need to continue our prayers for Bill and Julia.

We had two fun events since our July meeting. The Dinner ride to River Heights Café and the Lunch ride to Phillips Grocery in Holly Springs, Mississippi. Details were in the August Newsletter and pictures are on the web page. Thanks for the comments and compliments from all on the rides and their enjoyment. If you missed either of these rides, you missed a great time.

Please note and if possible support the advertisers in Happy Trails. Darnell reported she was talking with some additional advertisers and hopefully they will participate. Our ads, at thirty bucks, are a good investment. In addition to exposure in the mailing to our members they are also posted on the MTR web site along with a link to their e-mail or web page if available. Our web site is a wonderful tool and thanks to Webmaster Eddie Garner's dedication and expertise, we are getting over 300 hits a month.

We have eight members leaving August 18th for a 2-week trip to Colorado and points West. BJ & Hildia Max, Charlie and Darnell Gibson, David Elston, Brenda Crawford, Floyd Nunnelee and Dorothy Shipman. You folks have a safe and fun trip and come back home safe and sound.

Bikers for Barbara: 1st Annual Cannonball Run, September 7th, 2002
The run will take place over a 24-hour period, starting at 0800 on Saturday, 9-7-02 and ending at 0800 on Sunday, 9-8-02. There will be 4 starting locations.
Precision V-Twins - Nesbit, MS
Bumpus Harley Davidson - Memphis, TN
Bumpus Harley Davidson - Jackson, TN
Outlet Mall Parking Lot - Batesville, MS
There will be only one finish line and it will be located at Precision V-Twins in Nesbit, MS. Entry fee is $25.00. The winner will receive ½ the entry pot (ie.40 riders = $500.00 to winner) The remainder of the entry fee goes to the Barbara Caldwell Transplant Fund. A representative for the run will be at each location to collect your entry fee, record your name and take your odometer reading. The winner will be the biker who puts the most miles on their bike in a 24-hour period. A tie will result in a drawing for the winner. Breakfast will be provided to each participant on Sunday, 9-8-02. Good Luck !For additional info call
Steve Caldwell, 662-429-039 or Larry Ray 662-781-2801

"Ride for Life Poker Run" The Blue Knights in Jackson, TN will have their 2nd ($250.00 cash, 1st place) to benefit the Crockett County American Cancer Society on September 14th. Registration starts at 8:30 AM at the Great Outdoor Store, 603 Vann Drive in Jackson. It will cost $20 entry with event shirt, $15 without shirt. I have some flyers for those interested in going.

Charlie Gibson handed out flyers on The Late Great Chevy's of Memphis Salute to Summer 2002 on September 14th to Benefit the "Make a Wish foundation", at Hwy. 64 & Appling Rd. and it is open to all car, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts. There will be 45 Classes for everything on wheels. Motorcycle Class: IV-Stock-all years, V2-Custom-all years. Entry fee: $15 pre registries, $20 Day of show for first vehicle. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place awards in all classes

CHILI/HOT DOG DINNER: The Freedom Wings will host a free chili and hot dog dinner on September 21st at 12:00 noon. It will be at Oakfield Park in Jackson, TN. At exit 85 in Jackson, (Christmasville Road) go north to Oakfield Road, turn left into the park.

Continued on Page Three

Meeting Notice

The next meeting of the Memphis Tour Riders will be held at Jimmy C’s Café, Sycamore View and Macon Road, Thursday September 12th

Eat at Six-Meet at Seven

INTO THE SUN
By the time you read this, Hildia and I along with Floyd Nunnelee, David Elston, Dorothy Shipman, Brenda Crawford and Charlie and Darnell Gibson will be somewhere near Monument Valley, Arizona. David and I have talked about a trip out west for several years but we could never seem to get the time. You see, we're Teamsters and one of the perks of belonging to the International Brotherhood of Teamster's is being able to pick vacations in February. Now don't get me wrong, February is a mighty fine time to take your vacation if you're into ice fishing, Hockey or jetting off to the slopes in Southern France to get in a bit of skiing. But for a motorcycle trip out west, it just don't work. So our trip has been simmering on the back burner for several years now.
The catalyst for this trip was Brenda's desire to visit her son who lives near Grand Junction, Colorado. She and David began making plans last year and they invited Hildia and I to tag along. Later, Charlie and Darnell expressed an interest as did Floyd and Dorothy so we wound up with four couples. This was a pre-determined cut off point. We figured four couples on a fourteen day jaunt was manageable but any more than that would create all kinds of headaches and logistical problems.
Our plan is to leave bright and early Sunday morning, August 18th. Now when I say bright and early, I mean bright and early. Like 4:30AM. The early departure is to beat the heat. Our plan, till we exit the hell zone anyway, is to leave at the crack of dawn and ride till around two or three in the afternoon, then get a motel room and spend the hottest part of the day either in the room, shopping in air conditioned stores or maybe catch a matinee and spend a couple of hours in a cool and darkened movie theater. Once we clear Kansas though, I don't think we'll have any problems with the heat. Salida, Colorado this morning was 39 degrees so things will definantly improve the further west we go…..We hope.
After visiting Brenda's son for a couple of days we will continue on to Durango and the Four Corners area, visit Monument Valley, (We have a jeep trip planned there) the Grand Canyon, the Painted Desert and anything else that looks interesting. We'll return home via New Mexico and Texas. Round trip, we estimate traveling roughly 4000 miles. A mere Sunday drive for us Iron Butt's. Piece a cake...

The following is a cool lip smacking summer salad.
SWEET CINDY'S PORK & BEAN SALAD
2 cans of your favorite pork & beans
1 medium tomato-chopped
4 green onions-chopped including green tips
¼ cup of sweet pickle relish

Drain pork & beans in a colander while you chop up the onions; and for a difference in color, add a little purple onion (opitional) In a bowl, add all ingredients. Mix well. Refrigerate. Serve cold. Add as much, more or as little of the ingredients to your taste. You'll probably end up doubling the recipe…Its just sooooo good

Happy Birthday

Kathy Dennie

September12^th

Jean Viets-September 14th

Many Happy Returns!

MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES UP.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ --
The total number of people killed in highway crashes in 2001 was 42,116, compared to 41,945 in 2000. In 2001, vehicle miles traveled increased slightly to 2.778 trillion, up from 2.75 trillion in 2000. "Though the loss of more than 42,000 people is unacceptable, the news about the nation's young people is positive," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. "Clearly, parents and caregivers are getting the message about the importance of proper restraints for children of all ages."
The 2001 statistics also continue to show the increased risk of death and injury when drivers and passengers do not wear seat belts or fail to have their children properly restrained in child safety seats: 60 percent of the passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes last year were not restrained.
NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) also shows that in 2001:

Motorcycle fatalities increased for the fourth year in a row following years of steady improvement. With 3,181 killed in 2001, it was the highest number of motorcycle fatalities since 1990. For the first time since 1997, younger motorcyclists, that is, riders under the age of 40, posted the highest percentage increases in fatalities.

The rate of alcohol-related deaths in 2001-17,448.
Fatalities in crashes involving large trucks dropped from 5,282 in 2000 to 5,082 in 2001.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Transportation

Continued from Page One…..

Don Oller also gave us a brief report on the AGWA American Gold Classic Rally at Staunton, VA. They were well received, had a wonderful time and said it was one of the best rallies they have attended. Marion Oller won one of the 50/50's for $198.00, way to go Marion.

We also have flyers on the Trail of Tears ride to Waterloo, Alabama on Saturday September 21st. We will leave in two separate groups and meet in different locations; BJ is working on details and will let us know later.

Has everyone made your plans and motel reservations for the 2nd annual Blazing Saddles Run, October 12th? This will be an overnighter. You can make reservations on the Internet also. Time is getting short and they may not have a vacancy. Again check the website and newsletter for details. MTR doesn't have any special room rates for the motel but Best Western does offer AAA and AARP discounts.
We have our MTR patches on order and expect them before our next meeting. Remember the cost will be $3.00/each.

Since MTR is a new organization BJ has proposed a new motto for Memphis Tour Riders to go along with our new status. It is a different take on the "overused" phrase "All for one and one for all", it's more poetic, will add class to our organization and inspire camaraderie…. His Proposal, are you ready?

"WHERE WE GO ONE, WE GO ALL!"

BJ also proposes rockers made for the top and bottom of our patch. It's so fitting for The Memphis Tour Riders because we have always said that we never leave anyone on the side of the road. A motion was made by Charlie Gibson to approve the above motto and purchase rockers. It was seconded by Bill Healy and approved unanimously by a show of hands.

MTR Vice President Terry Scott will chair a three-member committee to begin working on the MTR first annual Christmas Charity involvement. Dan Randall volunteered to help. If you are interested please call Terry and offer your services.

Thanks to Bill Healy for the MTR custom made cap and all that brought door prizes, win one bring one. Our next meeting will be September 12th again here at Jimmy C's. Thanks for coming and we encourage each and every one of you to try and make some of the rides. We have a lot of fun so get up off that couch and come on along…Its good for you.
Quotation of the month: "Where we go one, we go all"…..

Ride Safe….Stan and Jean

The meeting was officially gaveled to a close at 7:55 PM.

50/50

DONATED BY:	PRIZE:	WINNER:
Stan & Jean Viets	Black Cap	Bonnie Miller
Stan & Jean Viets	Black Cap	Mary Carol Scott
Stan & Jean Viets	Picture Frame	Darnell Gibson
Larry Cole	Car Wash	Bill Healy
Terry & Mary Carol Scott	Surprise Gift	Bonnie Miller
Don Oller	Bird House	Floyd Nunnelee
Bill & Bonnie Healy	MTR Cap	Floyd Nunnelee
Dick & Fran Salverson	Surprise Gift	Floyd Nunnelee

Winner 50/50 Jackpot: Don ( Mr.Unbelieveably Lucky) Oller-$40.00

The Jackson Tennessee Chapter of

The Blue Knights

PRESENTS THE 2^nd ANNUAL RIDE FOR LIFE POKER RUN

BENEFITING THE CROCKETT COUNTY

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

SEPTEMBER 14^th 2002

REGISTRATION AT 8:30

FIRST BIKES OUT AT 9:00, LAST BIKE OUT AT NOON

LAST BIKE IN BY 4:00

THE GREAT OUTDOOR STORE

603 Vann Drive

Jackson, Tennessee

Live Music ~ Door Prizes Galore ~ Concessions

Cash Prizes-Surprise Awards

See Flyer

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

The

Memphis

Tour

Riders

will join forces with 130,000 other motorcyclist on Saturday, September 21^st to pay homage to the American Indians who suffered and died during the infamous and brutal Trail of Tears Indian removal act of 1830. For more information contact trailoftears.com

We will meet at Shoney’s, Sycamore View and Summer Ave. at 8:30AM and depart at 9:30AM. There will be no lunch break in route so you are advised to eat a good breakfast. Instead, We will dine on cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs and steaming brat’s hot off the grease racks of the vendors. Yum Yum. For those interested, we will return via the Catfish Hotel on the beautiful Tennessee River and enjoy a good supper of catfish and hushpuppies.

Itinerary

Meet at Shoney’s: 8:30AM

Depart Shoney’s: 9:30AM

Arrive Selmer, TN: 11:00AM

Depart Selmer: 11:20AM

Arrive Waterloo, AL: 12:30PM

ROUTE

Shoney’s to I-40 to exit 18 and US 64 Hwy. East to Savannah, TN where we will pick up Hwy. 69 South to Halcomb Road. Halcomb Road, a back door to Waterloo, is one of the best kept secrets about the TOT Rally so keep it under your hat.

Don Oller and the

AGWA Freedom Wings will host a

FREE

CHILI & HOT DOG DINNER

Saturday, September 21^st –12:00 Noon

Location: Oakfield Park, Jackson, Tennessee.

This will be a good ‘un folks. We know from past experience that Don & Marion do know how to throw a cookout. And, its Free, what more could we ask?

For More Info

Eat at Six-Meet at Seven

Kathy Dennie

September12th

September12^th