Polk County Wings
News Letter
May
2008
Newsletter Editors:
Dennis Irvin – DCIrvin2000@aol.com
Donna McCullough – dmccuLL63@aol.com
515-287-5466
Director Notes:
Well I have been out of the loop for a little while.
Took the MSF rider coach training in Cedar Rapids for nine days and didn't get to check my mail much. Then came home to a house that had electrical issues and we were lucky the house didn't burn down. Spent almost a week with limited electricity and no computer access at home.
I was really hoping that by now the weather would be improving and while it is getting warmer (for the most part) it still leaves a lot to be desired. We seem to have the same rain pattern as we had snow pattern this winter. I am praying that this changes soon and we can get out and do a lot of riding in good weather.
Lots of things coming up in the next few weeks and I hope you all can get out and do as much as you can and want to do. Region C is fast approaching. It is close enough so you don't have to travel too far. Consider going if you can, it looks like it should be a good time. We have a ride planned for Memorial weekend. We will be going to Northeast Iowa, SE Minnesota and SW Wisconsin. This will be a good time. Last year was a great time.
Keep an eye out for emails, the newsletter, and the website (www.gwtapolkcountywings.com) for listings of things going on.
Take care. Ride safe.
Dennis and Donna
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS – Out to some of our members.
Pam Guenther and Kathy Thomason are both recovering from surgeries. We wish you both fast recoveries.
IMPROMPTU RIDE APRIL 2nd – Thanks Don Thomason for sending this: The ride we had on April 2nd was great impromptu get together. We met at Dahl’s on Hubble and rode to Colfax to Poppies and had a great meal. The ride was led By Crazy Don and he did a wonderful job in the lead and got us all there in one piece in addition to the great food we had great time talking to each other. To those you could not make it you missed a wonderful time.
CHAPTER DONATIONS – Please see Pam Guenther and if you can give $10 per person it will greatly help the chapter. This is our operating budget and this year we have had lots of expenses. Your donations will help us continue to do what the chapter likes to see done.
DINNER RIDES 2008 – Get your motors running. Its time to be On the Road Again!
Monday, May 5 was The first Official Chapter I Monday Night Dinner Ride!!!! We met for this ride at Fender’s Cycle at Southridge Mall and traveled to Cal’s II in Norwalk. We had 24 bikes and 31 people enjoying dinner. What a great turnout! We will be having dinner rides every Monday, regardless of weather. If the weather is not conducive for riding a motorcycle, please show up on your 4 wheeler. Have fun and be safe! Harry has cards that list all the destinations and start locations. This year we are trying something new and are using two start locations, Shoppers Supply on NE 14th Street and Fender’s Cycle at Southridge Mall. We are hoping to avoid spending a lot of time trying to get through town and traffic and more time enjoying the country roads. If you have questions on where to go, feel free to call Rich McCullough or Tina Ramey or Dennis Irvin or Donna McCullough and they will let you know. We wish to thank Rich and Tina for the work they have put into setting our rides up for this season.
PIZZA NIGHTS – APRIL 15, 2008 was our last Pizza night for this “off riding season” We had a huge turnout and lots of laughing which is what these times are intended for. Now….Here is the question – We need to know, do you want to set up one additional night during the month for a “meet” besides our Dinner Rides. We did this last year and had a pretty darn good turn out. Please let us know via email, or at Monday rides or by calling us.
BUTTONS FOR SALE: We had these buttons designed and are selling them for 2 for $5 ($2.50 each). See or call Pam Guenther, and she will be sure she has some with her for you, (phone 264-8951)
PS--they are planning on going to Spring Fling in Grand Island, Cabella Bike Show in Omaha, Chap L & B Fun Run, Region C Rally in Nebr. City, Chap P Fun Run in Griswold and Gold Rush. If anyone around the Omaha area wants them to come and show the quilt at an event, please contact them and they will try and be there. The quilt is made of 100% cotton, with a cotton/poly batting. It is called strip quilting. Center of quilt is appliqued. Any one wanting to purchase a ticket and will not be at any of the events they can send money to them to enter them in the raffle.
Our address is
Darrell & Judy Peters, 34870 Sumac Rd, Minden, IA 51553
CHAPTER L has made a quilt that they are raffling off with the proceeds going to Helping Hands. Judy has stitched this quilt and they are planning to have it with them at the events that they attend. We are selling raffle tickets for $2.00 a chance or six chances for $10.00. Quilt is queen size. The proceeds go to Helping Hands. You may contact them at Darrell & Judy Peters, Iowa Chapter L Director, djpeters123@iowatelecom.net
REGION C RALLY - will be June 6-8, 2008. Region C looks to be a great time at Catron Camp and Retreat Center in Nebraska City, Nebraska! Pam and Glenn found a motel and several of us have made reservations to go. IF you want the information on where we are staying, please get in touch with Pam and she will let you know. There is another event in Nebraska City the same weekend, so don’t wait much longer for your reservations. There is one hotel on the flyer called Economy Inn. They will not take reservations until 1 week before AND other hotels in the area said that is one place to stay away from. At Catron Camp you can rent a bed for $5, but these are rooms for several people, not just your personal party. There are rooms that groups can reserve, say a group of closer friends, or chapters. Check out Region C site, our website or let us know what you want and we will find it out. This is a great time and the only fundraiser for the Region staff so that they may have some budget to get out to things they are required to attend. There is going to be a hot dog feast on Friday night and there will be some great information coming soon regarding this. It will add an extra “perk” to the evening. For an agenda and ideas of what to do while there visit the Region C Blog at
Iowa Chapter L and Nebraska Chapter B is having their annual Fun Run on June 1 and Lake Manawa State Park. Feed back from members who have gone in the past is that this is a great event. Wondering if there are any members interested in going up the night before and moteling or camping, or just getting a group together to ride up together on June 1st. Please let the Dennis Irvin know and he will help keep it coordinated. Let’s try to get out and support our other chapters like they have us by coming to Thaw. It will be a great ride and fun time!
Tanking Adventure – Chapter Z and G in Nebraska are having a camping and tanking event in Fullerton, Nebraska June 27-29. Check our chapter website for links to the flyer. OR you can request us to email it directly to you.
Chapter Z Fun Run and Perry Bike Day 2008 - On May 31st,2008 an event in Perry, Ia. Called Bike Day 2008 is taking place on the east edge of town. Chapter Z will hold a Fun Run. This should be a great day, Van-Wall Motor Sports has agreed to display some bikes that day and bring their Dyno too, Live Music on outside stage, and food vendors available. This ride will benefit the Perry DARE Program. So everyone come out and support our chapter and most of all, just ride and get together again. Mark your calendars it’s a day not to forget. It will be $10 to register and registration will be from noon to 1pm and first bike out at 1pm last bike in by 4pm. And remember this is for the DARE Program. Hope to see everyone there. This will be our first Fun Run.
New Membership Drive from the National – another great deal!
Sign up for 1 year and get an additional 6 months FREE or sign up for 2 or 3 years and get one additional year FREE. Additional time will automatically be applied to all new membership applications during this promotion. Promotion from January 1, 2008 through April 15, 2008. **All applications must be received in the office or postmarked by 4/15/08 – NO EXCEPTIONS! If you know anyone that is considering joining this would be a good time for them to do this.
RAFFLE TICKET SALES: The National GWTA is looking to possibly have to raise our dues. A way to help the cost of annual dues is selling raffle tickets. If every member purchased 10 tickets ($1.00 each) this would keep the organization above water and keep our dues steady. It would be very helpful if we could get volunteers to go to different bike nights and sell tickets. Victory Lane, when bike nights start, has always been very welcoming to us to set up a table and they advertise we are there selling. Please contact Dennis or Eilene Baber for tickets to sell or purchase. Think about buying some or checking some out to sell. Winner will get to choose between a 2008 Gold Wing, 2008 VTX, 2008 BMW, or a 2008 Harley Softail FXST OR $10,000 CASH! Please check some tickets out when you are going somewhere to possibly sell and think about purchasing some yourselves.
Chapter I Travels – A Memorial Weekend Trip is pretty much figured out. We need to know who is going so we can get motel rooms figured out. This is going to be a wonderful time. Thanks to Linda Boone with the great list of places to stay and eat and her and Pam on the ideas for some great things to go see in the SE Minnesota and SW Wisconsin area. If you are going, please let Dennis Irvin know so we can get you the information needed. It is probably going to be a ride where we leave on Friday night and come home sometime on Monday. Mark your calendars, start saving, get your minds ready for a GREAT TIME! Talk to those who went last year and you will hear it was one wonderful time.
MAY Birthdays: Happy GWTA Chapter I Birthday wishes to Hope you had great days. Happy Birthday to
Richard Carlson on the 9th,
Tina Ramey on the 12th,
Judy Kagin on the 17th
Kathy Thoreson on the 27th.
Hope you all have great birthdays.
FROM OUR SAFETY GUYS
WE HAVE SAFETY GUYS!!! Chris Palmer and Harry Cinnamon have volunteered to be Chapter I Safety Guys. Thank you so much for volunteering!
Chapter B in Missouri is having a ride on - Sunday, July 27th, this marks the 5th Kansas City area Ride for Kids and the 25th year of nationwide rides benefitting the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The national theme this year is “Keeping the Promise”. Finding the causes and possible cures for brain tumors is the goal of the Foundation, in addition to providing support for children and their families and scholarships for survivors.
SAFETY FORUM UPDATE
We have been in contact with those in charge of the safety forum. All people who signed up for the modulating headlight will be contacted in the near future. They are working out some things where every one will receive one. They are going to have a survey and marketing plan with this so that they can hopefully help other motorcyclists and dealers realize how much help these can be.
