From the Executive Director, Melissa Eason

 The 32nd Wing Ding:  It was announced at opening ceremonies that next year’s Wing Ding 32 will be held directly in the center of our country, in Des Moines, Iowa.  The Wing Ding Raffle:  On behalf of the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, every region was given a FREE 4-night hotel stay for Wing Ding 32.  The hotel selected for our region will be announced at a later date.  So, in order to make everyone eligible to receive a chance to have their lodging at Wing Ding complimentary, the region will hold a raffle whereby each pre-registration will receive an entry to win the hotel stay.

 

From your Region Directors, Lorraine & Earl Knight,

If we are reading our October calendar correctly, we should be sleeping at home, in our own bed, for 4 straight weekends in a row. What a concept! This is something we have not done since last May. But we don’t regret it for one moment. We were very fortunate to have had such a fantastic spring and summer riding season. Yes, spring too! While the east coast was having such rainy weekends in the spring, we were taking in the sun rays around the rest of the country. We wore our rain suits only twice all season.  But, while we are home, our time will be filled with completing the honey-do list and packing our bags for our exciting cruise to the Eastern Caribbean where we will sail from Rome onboard the Celebrity Solstice and cruise to Sicily, then to Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini in Greece, Ephesus in Turkey, and head back to Italy with a stop in Naples and Capri before sailing back to Rome. All this and more, is in celebration of 40 years of wedded bliss…without killing each other first! 

So, don’t be surprised if the November newsletter comes to you a bit late, as it may take us a while to get our sea legs back and stand on “terra-firma” once again.

 

From your District Directors, Tom & Renee Wasluck, 

The start of a new chapter for us, and all of you.  We have some pretty big shoes to fill.  We thank Chuck and Evelyn for everything they have done for the Pennsylvania District.  Through the years, they have become great friends.We enjoyed working with Gordon and Pat, Jake and Cheryl, Dana and Danise and the rest of the staff.  We appreciate the time they gave us to help with the games.  The events wouldn't have been so successful without everyone's help. 

                We joined GWRRA in 1997.  Hour home chapter is Chapter H.  We were involved in many positions with the chapter as well as a Rally Events Coordinator and NE Assistant District Directors.  Our motto has always been, "don't expect someone else to do the job, if you aren't willing yourself".  Please, find out what needs to be done in your chapter and volunteer a little of your time.

             We are the proud parents of three grown children, Healther, Cyndi and Thom.  Heather is the mother of our beautiful granddaughters, Alexis and Avory.

                We are currently looking for host chapters for All Chapters West and East.  If your chapter is willing to help out and host the event, please let us, or your Assistant District Director know as soon as possible.

                The 2010 Keystone State Rally will be held in Johnstown.  The dates are August 26, 27 and 28.  The theme will be announced shortly.  Pennsylvania will be hosting the Region Couple of the Year selection.

                Pennsylvania will be implementing a new chapter visitation program in November.  Stay tuned for more information on ROLL FOR THE DOUGH.

 

Codolences

The District Staff sends condolences to Bob & Joanna Crawford ( Life Members of Chapter I ) on the recent passing of her father.  Condolences can be sent to:  Bob & Joanna Crawford -  603 Treasure Lake -  DuBois, PA 15801

 

Get Well Wishes

The District sends get well wishes to Sara Guiles.  Sara was getting out of the car, slipped on mud and broke her ankle.  Cards can be sent to:  Sara Guiles - 'RR# 2 Box 184-A -  Columbia Cross Roads, PA  16914

 

2009 Quilt Fundraiser:

                By now, all the quilt squares should have been submitted. All that is left is some hard work from some very crafty people, to put them all together and create that work of art we are all waiting to see. Perhaps we will see a photo of the finished product by next month. 

                         Remember, this is truly a fundraiser where 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit all members of GWRRA. With every $1.00 ticket sold, the Chapters will keep 50%, districts will get 30% and region will get 20%. and how the proceeds will be distributed. Please ask your CD’s to print out the tickets from the sample below, make copies and/or cut them out as separate tickets. 

The next step for District Directors to do is encourage their chapter directors to (at least) make tickets available for sale at their next few gatherings. Let the members decide for themselves whether they want to support this fundraiser or not. But they have to see the tickets, be informed about what the raffle is for,

                Once the tickets have been sold, then the chapter treasurer will deposit the money into their account, send a check in the total amount equal to 30 cents per ticket sold, to their DD, send a check in the total amount equal to 20 cents per ticket sold, to our region treasurer, Joel Johnson, and send the ticket stubs to Allen Willingham, DD for Maryland. That’s all there is to it.

 

 From your Chapter Directors, Rick & Andi Riek,

             Well here we go with another monthly newsletter. I can't get over how fast the months are going by.  I am sitting here watching the rain and wet snow coming down. I can’t believe how fast this past riding season went by. Even though the ride schedule is now done for this year there is a lot going on. We are now working on the final plans for our Chapter Halloween and Christmas parties.

                 If anyone is planning on going to the Christmas Party make sure to get their money to Sue Berkey by the November 13th gathering at the latest. The Dinner will be at the Somerset Country Club on December 5, 2009. Social hour will be starting at 5:30pm and dinner will be at 6:30. The cost to everyone will be $22.00@ person including taxes and gratuity. This will be a buffet style and all you can eat meal. There will also be a Chinese auction and door prizes. Also we are thinking about a gift exchange. We will discuss this at the upcoming gathering. Anyone needing a flier or any questions about the party please let me know.

                The Halloween party will be at Paul and Mary Lavely's house. It will be Saturday October 31 starting at 5:00 and will be a covered dish affair. Please come and enjoy some great fun and laughs with us. I can’t wait to see everyone there. We will be decorating there on October 24 around 3:00pm and then going out for dinner somewhere after we get done decorating. If you would like to come and join us for this we will see you there.

                Joel will need a total mileage count by the November gathering so he can get the awards completed. We will be giving these out at the Christmas Dinner also. Last year there was a little confusion on the mileage total. Just to clear this up it is the total miles you put on in a year. Not just the mileage you put on chapter functions but total miles for the year.

 We will be working on the 2010 ride schedule soon so if you have a favorite place you like to ride to please bring your suggestion to the November gathering. We would love to put it on next year’s ride schedule. We are always looking for new places to ride to.  

                The chapter fund raiser went well and we collected over $215.00 dollars for the Somerset County Salvation Army. We also collected a nice supply of food items for the Somerset County Food Pantry. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all who donated and participated in the Chapter fund raiser this year. Another job well done for Chapter T.

 We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Leonard and Snooks for having us at their house for the rained out hay ride this past September. We had another wonderful time. I never saw so much food in one place.  Every time we get together there is a lot of fun.

                 Just like before please keep Norm and Suzanne Gray in all your prayers. Just by seeing and talking to them I really believe it’s working. Also we need to add Bob Knupp to our prayer list as we just heard he is in the hospital for heart problems. He is in Latrobe Area Hospital, 121 West Second Ave Latrobe Pa. 15650. His room is MSU Bed #7.

 We are still waiting to hear from Penn Dot on our Adopt a Highway Program. As soon as we hear anything we will let everyone know. I just want to let everyone know we are still working on this adventure and didn't forget about it.

                We just read in the Region newsletter that there is a change in Officer Term Tenure. The three year tenure is no longer in effect. The term now is one year. As of right now Andi and I aren't planning on giving up Chapter Directors. When we took over as Directors we said we would stay on for the three year term. We will stand by that commitment. We would like to thank our staff and friends for all the support that they give us. Without them we would not have a clue as to what to do. I really appreciate the fact that if I have a question on a issue all I have to do is make a phone call and someone will be there to help with an answer. I really think we have one heck of a Chapter. I can't believe the bonds that we have made with the members of Chapter T. Their friendship will never be forgotten. We keep on saying that if anyone has any questions or suggestions please feel free to bring them to our attention.

 

From your Assistant Chapter Directors, Gene and Cathy Stahl,

             Hi All!  Hear it is near the end of October, it’s raining and cold. The time of year none of us are really looking forward to, winter is just around the corner. I guess that is the way things are in western Pa. I still think there will be warm afternoons we will be able to take a ride around the block. Within our Chapter we hear a lot about those secret rides, well we went on a couple of them this summer, they are not really secret everyone knows about them, come join us next day its nice enough to ride.

                At our October Gathering members came out of the woodwork, it was great to see everyone there. Our good friends Norm and Suzanne made the long trip from Ruffsdale to be with us really made my evening.

                Our Chapter Christmas Banquet set for Dec.5 is being held at Somerset Country Club we are looking forward to seeing everyone there for a evening of good food and laughter. Don’t forget to bring something for the Chinese auction, and for a door prize.

                That’s all for now, God be with you and your families.

 

From your Chapter Educator, Joel Shaffer,

                It’s hard to believe that November is upon us. For many of you it might mean that the Wing is safely tucked away for the winter and you are already suffering from that dreaded winter disease PMS, “Parked Motorcycle Syndrome”. For those die hard riders who will manage to squeak out every possible mile this year, when it is time to finally park your bike for the winter, be sure to prepare your bike for winter storage. For those who are not sure how to winterize your Wing, there is a very good article in the November 2009 issue of “Wing World” magazine. Please take time to read this worthwhile article.

                Chapter T had a safe, fun-filled riding season in 2009. No accidents or problems to report. I commend everyone for riding smart and riding safe. If you are participating in the annual riding mileage contest, I want to remind you that I need your odometer reading turned in to me no later than our November 13^th gathering. If you can’t be at the gathering, please call or e-mail it to me.

                As a reminder, if there is somewhere you would like to go on a chapter ride in 2010, please give your suggestions to any of the chapter officers, so that when it is time to plan next year’s ride schedule we have lots of great ideas for rides to choose from.

                I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday and to all our deer slayers a safe, successful hunt.