Volume II Issue VI

Trails End.......

The May, 2003 meeting of the Memphis Tour Riders was officially gaveled to order at 8:00PM 5/8/03
ROLL CALL: Robert and Judy Crawford, Bill and Bonnie Healy, Dick and Fran Salverson, Larry Cole, Floyd Nunnelee, Charles and Darnell Gibson, Mike Hopper, Brenda Hamilton, B. J. and Hildia Max, Dan Randall, Tim Hendrickson and Stan and Jean Viets. We initially welcomed two visitors, Myron and Beverly Coney but we are happy to report they are now our latest MTR members; we appreciate their support and look forward to their participation in our many activities.
We are pleased to report that Don and Marion Oller and Joe and Deanna Kilpatrick, our members from Jackson and Toone, TN respectively were not hurt in the recent devastating tornadoes but Don and Marion did report major damage to home and automobile while Joe and Deana reported only minor damage. We are thankful for their safety. Downtown Jackson and the Industrial Park area looked like a war zone. The following is a helpful weather related safety tip from B. J. In the event of a tornado or severe weather warnings, put on your motorcycle helmet before taking cover.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Thanks to all that have paid their current dues. All dues will now be payable at the same time. April 2004. If you haven't renewed, please download the application from our web page, circle "renewal", make any corrections if necessary and mail to me. If you have any question about your dues, please check with me. If for some reason you are not going to re-up please let me know. We value your support.
We need to continue to look for additional sponsors/advertisers. Remember they get twelve credit card size ads in the newsletter and a listing on the web page; it's an excellent deal for $30 a year. The ads will run for twelve months from the date they sign on. Thanks to the businesses that have renewed for another year. Again thanks to Dan Randall for signing up our newest advertiser, Performance Plus.
CURRENT EVENTS, NEWS & COMENTS:
Bill Jones is at home. He is slowly making progress however it will be a long and drawn out recovery. Julia is busy getting him to and from the doctor and therapy. Jim Ashe is also making a slow recovery and is going to therapy three times a week; he and Judy are still at her mother's home in Memphis. I have the phone number if you would like to call. Dick Salverson had successful bypass surgery the Wednesday after our April meeting and was home within the week.

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On The Road

Well, since our last meeting we've had a couple of rides. With eleven motorcycles participating, I guess you could call our run to the Honda of Tupelo Open House and Auto Museum a success. Although it looked for all the world like it was going to pour down rain early, it held off and by noon the weather had turned perfect for motorcycling. We had three guests, co-workers of Charlie Gibson's and they claim credit for holding off the rain. Six of the MTR members won door prizes. I won a tire gauge, David won something, Charley won a can of wax, Darnell won a tee shirt. I can't remember who else won what but I'm sure one of them was Brenda Crawford. We've never been with her yet that she didn't win something. Brenda is Lady Lucky in the flesh. Ran into Jim Freeland at the event. Jim is one of MTR'S earliest members but he now keeps busy with the Christian Motorcycle Club. It was good to see Jim again.
We left the Honda dealer around noon or a little after and rode the two miles to the new Auto Museum. We paid our seven bucks and it was well worth it. One man owns this fine collection that included everything from a Stanley Steamer to a Dodge Viper. As a bonus, there was a car show going on across the street with hundreds of street rods on display.
We left around three I think and rode to Chapman's restaurant a few miles east of Corinth for supper. (That's dinner to all our Yankee members) And was it delicious. Best catfish I've had lately and the hush puppies would melt in your mouth. Hildia and I had a catfish plate but a few opted for the seafood buffet which looked great. I was stuffed when I waddled outside for the trip home. What a meal. We enjoyed this place so much that we have a dinner ride planned for the 14th of July. Supposed to be a full moon that night so in the words of Brother Love "pack up the old lady, kiss all the babies and come on along".

APPRECIATION POT LUCK DINNER

On another note, Gene and Kathy Dennie hosted an appreciation dinner for Jimmy and Margaret Rogers and the turnout was fantastic. Probably a hundred or more came and went during the evening. Along with the MTR, there was Jimmy and Margaret's church and GWRRA Chapter W participating. This was a potluck supper and man what a variety of food to sample. Jimmy and Margaret were given a card signed by all and I never would have believed I would see it, but 'ol Jimmy kinda' choked up. Just what I thought. Nothin' but a big 'ol sissy. I first met Jimmy and Margaret at a Winona, Mississippi truck stop and by the time I left thirty minutes later I felt as if I had known them all my life. Never was there a friendlier couple than these two. Three big wheelies to Jimmy and Margaret and thanks to all who participated. Special thanks to Gene and Kathy Dennie for use of the Hog Pen

NOTICE-NOTICE-NOTICE

MONTHLY MEETING:
Thursday, June 12th

SHONEY'S

3081 Covington Pike

(click here for map)

Eat at Six-Meet at Seven

Happy Birthday!

Brenda Hamilton-June 8th
Bob Branch-June 20th
Margaret Rogers-June 22nd
Ibby Franklin-June 22nd
Mary Carol Scott-June 28th
Marion Oller-June 30th

Happy Anniversary!

Dan and Linda Randall
June 26th

Don't Forget Dear Old Dad

This Father's Day

June 16th

Welcome

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to our newest members:
Myron and Beverly Coney
Myron and Beverly hail from Cordova and ride a '98 GL1500. Myron, to his consternation I'm sure, will be forever remembered within the MTR ranks as the guy who broke his leg while taking an Motorcycle Safety Course. Tough class 'ey Myron?

Memphis Tour Riders Ride Schedule 2003

June 7th-AGWA Mousetail Park Cookout on the banks of the Tennessee River-This ride is organized by Don and Marion Oller and is always a huge hit. Don't miss this one.

June 14th- Mooning Mississippi Dinner Ride: Chapman's Restaurant. Return Home under the only Saturday night full moon this season.
June 21st-Son of Burnt Burger Cookout-Chickasaw State Park.
July 19th-Phillips Grocery-Holly Springs, Mississippi-Great Hamburgers/Atmosphere
July 26th-Tennessee River Catfish Ride-River Heights café- No rain this year though. Sorry.
August 16th-Flippin's Resturuant, Reelfoot Lake-Catfish and Hushhpuppies
Sept. 6th---Beacon Light Café, Bon Aqua, Tennessee-Home cooking-Fried Chicken-Gravy and Biscuits.
September 20th-Trail of Tears-Waterloo, Alabama-World's labiggest organized motorcycle ride
October 4th-Buns of Steel Ride-Seven states in one day
October 18th-"Blazing Saddles Three-Fall Foliage Tour- Overnighter-McMinnville, Tennessee.

Bikers for Barbara a Success

A big "THANK YOU" to all who supported this year's Barbara Caldwell Lung Transplant Rally. Though it absolutely POURED down rain all day long, we still had a fairly decent turn out at the indoor flea market. The vendors were great folks with big hearts and big wallets who helped the cause. Even though Kim and his staff were in danger setting up Friday night (a tornado touched down less than a half mile away), the place was well set up and ready.
OK, here's the news... looks like BFB II will NET a bit over $7,100.00 toward Barbara's transplant. I know it's not as much as last year, but then, we didn't have a custom bike donated for auction and let's face it, the rain didn't help. But every little bit counts, THANKS TO YOU!
"Loco" Joe
www.locojoemc.com

Trails End…………………Continued From Page One

A remarkable recovery and Dick is now anxiously awaiting his doctor's permission to ride. We need to continue our prayers for all.
Remember our MTR patches are available at $3.00/each. Also the rockers "WHERE WE GO ONE, WE GO ALL" are available at a cost of $2.00 per set. We need to sell them.
We had two MTR events since our last meeting, The Paris Fish Fry and the ride to the Tupelo Honda Open House and Auto Museum and Chapman's Restaurant. Everyone seemed to enjoy the rides; we have another ride to Chapman's Restaurant planned in June. Pictures are on our web site; although Eddie had had a problem getting them to uploaded but expects we will be able to access them soon.
Mike and Brenda reported on their adventure packed trip to Maine and the Northeast last month. They experienced their bike trailer being damaged by an 18-wheeler; they were lucky not to have been hurt, requiring a two-day loss of sightseeing while the damaged trailer tongue was replaced. They reported that the scenery was spectacular however offered the following words of advice. Avoid New York City, all toll roads and be extra careful if you are pulling a trailer. A trailer behind a motorcycle is hard to see, especially in a big truck following closely, i.e. a tollbooth. A lot of folks tend to see the bike but not the attached trailer.
Charlie Gibson reviewed his NASCAR driving experience at the Memphis Motorsports Park. Charley ran ten laps and averaged 110 MPH. Bring on the Big Boys.. Charley reported that all the waiting around made it a tiring experience and said he wouldn't want to do it again. Jimmy Rogers also experienced a similar ride but wasn't feeling up to par and unable to really enjoy it.
Dan Randall reported on his continuing efforts, as a volunteer for the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home and MTR support. More details are forthcoming.

NEW BUSINESS:
Robert Crawford has been sporting a sharp Memphis Tour Rider tee shirt lately. He reports that the good folks at Kan Do Printing in Somerville, TN created the shirt. Kan Do does excellent work and at a reasonable cost. We passed out price sheets for all those that are interested and would like to order shirts, caps, etc. If you are interested you can call them at 465-4272 in Somerville.
We finalized details of the May 9th potluck supper honoring Jimmy and Margaret Rogers, to be hosted by Gene and Kathy Dennie in Oakland. We had a good turn out for this meaningful event. (Update: We had twenty-one Memphis Tour Riders in attendance. The MTR along with members of the GWRRA and Jimmy and Margaret's church was near a hundred folks all told…Great turnout.)
I briefly covered the events that will take place before our June meeting. Note; please arrive at the departure location with a full tank of gas and be ready to roll. B.J. & Gabby (GPS) have worked long and hard to schedule rest stops etc. with minimal delays so lets do our part to make our rides come off without a hitch.
Saturday June 7th. AWGA, Chapter F Picnic at the Mousetail S.P. Details on departure and time will be e-mailed later. Be sure to reserve Saturday June 21st for the

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Son of Burnt Burger Cookout at Chickasaw State Park. Jimmy Rogers who usually gets there early and saves us a pavilion will be fishing in a tournament this year so we have drafted Robert Crawford. Actually Robert volunteered. Remember this will be a Free Lunch. MTR will again furnish the food and drinks. However, like last year, we will have a 50/50 drawing during the event to help offset the cost.. Details will be finalized at the June meeting. Also our thanks to all that brought door prizes and, as you will note, not all relate to motorcycling. Win one bring one. Your support is appreciated and adds to the merriment.

Quotation of the Month: "To a friend's house the road is never long."………Anonymous

Our next meeting will be Thursday June 12, 2003.
Thanks for coming, see y'all next month.
God Bless America.

Ride Safe.
Stan and Jean
The May meeting was officially adjourned at 7:57 PM

March 50/50

DONATED BY:	PRIZE:	WINNER:
Floyd Nunnelee	Honda Coolant	Jean Viets
Stan & Jean Viets	Peanut Clusters	Bonnie Healy
Robert & Judy Crawford	Polish	Floyd Nunnelee
Larry Cole	Car Wash	Brenda Hamilton
B.J. & Hildia Max	Guardian Angle Pin	Fran Salverson
Robert & Judy Crawford	Peach Candle	Hildia Max
Dan Randall	Gift Certificate	Robert Crawford
Bill & Bonnie Healy	Surprise Bag	Beverly Coney
Tim Hendrickson	Necklace/Ear Rings	Floyd Nunnelee

Winner 50/50 Jackpot: Floyd Nunnelee-$39.00

MTR ORGANIZED RIDE MILAGE-2003

For your info, the Memphis Tour Riders have ridden a grand total of 682 miles for the year 2003. I did not include the Tunica race. That would be cheating. Now this is organized trip miles and does not include you own personal riding. However, it would be interesting to somehow recognize the long distance champs at the end of the year. We'll discuss this intriguing project at next month's meeting, and maybe set some guidelines.

I've learned that everyone deserves to be greeted with a smile……