Volume VI Issue I

Well it is a new year and a small change to the format of the newsletter is in order. Let me know what you think. This way I can save a little bit of paper each time print and still get the message out to all of our members and sponsors. I hope you like the change.

On another note I went to the World Liquidators on HWY 64. It was worth the trip. I saw some other members there doing a little post Christmas shopping as well. He has some bargains and some junk so buyer beware but he has a good section right now on motorcycle gear and a lot of helmets, well half helmets anyway.

I look forward to getting out and riding this spring and summer, it could be a great year of rides waiting for us.

A note from Stan on the Polar Bear Run.. Sorry I missed it.. I was sick with a head cold.

“We had a good turnout for our first ride of 2007, 8 MTR members and 2 guests on a total of 8 bikes. A cool 36 degree when we leftShoney’s, warmed up to 43 on the way home and the sun was coming out We had a good lunch at the Pig and Whistle in Kerrville TN. In all the ride was about 50 miles from Shoney’s, a good start for 2007. Thanks to all that ventured out on a partly cloudy cold day."

Ride it like you Stole It and Keep the Shinny side Up

Dan

Trails End Minutes by Stan Viets

January 2007

The Memphis Tour Riders had a Merry Christmas Party and are looking forward to a Happy New Year. We started off 2007 with our annual Polar Bear Ride, January 1; actual destination depended on the weather. We again look forward to our 2007 ride Schedule, thanks to our Road Commander, Billy Max; we will have another great year of riding and fellowship. Billy is steady working on another good one. If anyone has any special requests for rides or activities please pass on to Billy.
We ended 2006 with our Christmas Party on December 15th at the TBCH Boys Ranch, members in attendance at the Party were, Mike and Brenda Hopper, Charlie and Darnell Gibson, Terry and MC Scott, Rick and Dana Totty, Paul and Dian Talkington, Floyd Nunnelee, Russell (Rusty) Higgins, Dan Randall, Tim Hendrickson and yours truly. We had two guests, Don and Teresa Hester, they are one of our MTR advertisers, Mulch Works. In all we had 17 members and guests in attendance. The TBCH boys and house parents and children added 36, giving us a total of 55, a nice turnout.
Our MTR gifts this year for the boys were 13 pairs of roller blade skates, sizes 3 to 13, a basketball and a football. We thank U.S. Foods for donating the pork butts, potato salad, slaw, Sigma Supply and John Williams for 21 gift certificates, Dan for the chicken and Kroger, at Trinity Commons for the 7 cases of "K” soft drinks. The boy’s loved the additional door prizes, the wonderful food and desserts all graciously donated and furnished by MTR members and guests In all it was great with everyone really enjoyed the abundance of food, thanks to the great MTR group of folks.
I received the following note from Ray Moss, Vice President of the entire West Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes. Stan, just another great party for the boys and I want to say thank you again for the gift certificate. You are more than donors or contributors to our ministry but friends and family to our boys and staff. You are a gracious, giving bunch of folks God bless you all. Ray Moss
Tim did his usual excellent job of cooking all the pork butts and then the chicken, using his secret basting sauce.
We will have 8 Birthdays in January, Dana Totty on the 3rd, Tim Hendrickson on the 4th, Kim Pauley on the 7th, Dian Talkington on the 8th, Hildia Max on the 9th, Charlie Gibson on the 17th, Myron Coney on the 18th and Ann Branch on the 22nd. There is 1 anniversary, Bob and Ann Branch on the 22nd. Congratulations and best wishes to all.
MTR will start 2007 with 26 memberships and we do appreciate your support.
We have renewed our AMA Social Charter for 2007.
As always please use all our advertisers and sponsors when you have a need for their service.
Following up on our discussion at our last meeting, reviewed again in the December Happy Trails and then by email, Rick Totty, along with some others are trying to find a replacement engine for the Russian girl ,Elena’s motorcycle, enabling her to continue her work She rides a Kawasaki Ninja ZZR-l 100 (ZX-1I) http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/kiddofspeed/. Rick has checked around for a placement engine and found the average price for a ZXR 1100 D used engines is around $1500 as is, in varying conditions and miles. This is a lot of money for an engine we would know nothing about. Rick did more checking and found you can buy a new crankshaft for $782 but this will require getting the original bearing size and also determine the other parts necessary to reassemble the engine. At this time we do not know if she would have access to a mechanic/shop, to disassemble the engine, and with the know how to check for the additional parts needed or the tools to reassemble the engine? Not knowing exactly what other components may be needed, including the bearings, but feel it would again be approaching $1,500 cost. Bill at the Kawasaki shop suggested the best approach may be to ship the engine to Memphis, rebuild the motor and send it back with the knowledge it was done right but this would cost approximately $2,100 plus freight charges. Rick says if she could get the engine to the nearest FedEx facility the freight could be handled. In any event it will cost a lot of money and Rick will need additional volunteer monetary help no matter what direction is considered. Rick is asking for suggestions or thoughts on how best to help Elena and would like some input from ‘Call, if you have any interest in helping, before he emails her back, hopefully with some options. Additionally it may be best to only consider monetary help? Please let Rick rtotty@midsouth.rr.com or me know what you think about the project and trying to help her get back to riding again. Any comments will be appreciated. Please remember any participation is entirely voluntary, Rick will have further input at the January meeting.
Our January 11,2007 meeting will again be at Fox Ridge Pizza, hope to see you then.
Eat at 6:00 PM, Meet at 7:00 PM, Gone by 8:00 PM
Riding safely is as simple as ABC... Always Be Careful
Stan

“If winning isn’t important
why do they keep score?

Adolph Rupp

Barbara Walters of 20/20 did a story on gender roles in Kabul, Afghanistan, several years before the Afghan conflict. She noted that the women customarily walked 5 paces behind their husbands. She recently returned to Kabul and observed that women still walk behind their husbands. From Ms. Walters vantage point, despite the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban regime, the women now seem to walk even further back behind their husbands and are happy to maintain the old custom. Ms. Walters approached one of the Afghani women and asked

“Why do you now seem happy with the old custom that you once tried so desperately to change?

The woman looked Ms. Walters straight in the eyes and without hesitation said, “Land mines.”

Moral of the story: behind every man is a smart woman

Carmel Pie Recipe From the Kitchen of Stan Viets

Ingredients:
Two (2)14 ounce cans of sweetened condensed milk
One (1) 9” prepared graham cracker crust pie shell
One (1) 12 ounce container of frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:
I .In a large pot, place the cans of sweetened condensed milk, with the label removed, in the pot and cover with water. Cook on high until water comes to a boil, then turn down to medium/high for 4 hours, only adding water to keep the cans covered. Cans must be kept covered.
2.Carefully open cans and pour/spoon into pie shell. Cool pie in refrigerator. When completely cooled, top with frozen whipped topping. Ready to serve!
3.As a suggestion boil 4 cans and make 2 pies, they freeze great.