Staff Meeting February 12, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at King's, Rt. 19 N, Cranberry TWP. Come early to eat before the meeting.	Boy Scouts of America Founded by Sir Baden-Powell February 6, 1910	Gathering There is no February gathering. Our anniversary party will be the February gathering.

Upcoming Chapter Events

Feb 8 (Sun) - Chapter O visit.  Leave King's at 8:00 a.m. or meet at Chapter O's gathering location.  Consult our ride schedule for the location.
Feb 14 (Sat) - Anniversary Party. See flyer for details.
Feb 15 (Sun) - Chapter P visit.  Meet at the Robinson Towne Center Eat 'n Park (Intersection of Rts. 60 & 22/30) at 8:00 a.m.
Mar 1 (Sun) - Bowling Challenge at Mars Lanes (intersection of Rt 228 and Mars-Valencia Road). Meet at the bowling alley at 2:00 p.m. Dinner
will follow at Uncle Bob’s across from the bowling alley.

Coene’s Considerings
By: Chris & Linda Coene

What a great winter so far…Snow…Ice…Cold…and a SUPER BOWL!!!
What could be better? Well, I am thinking…a great ride schedule for 2009. 
We tried to listen to everyone and mixed the schedule up fairly well. We have day rides and weekend rides, some close, some far, some Saturdays some Sundays, some Restaurants some Picnics, some Dinners some Ice Cream, some places to visit some places to ride. We tried to mix a little of everything with a lots of riding to bring you a great summer with Chapter "D". Get ready to have fun with the gang! 
Another thing we are going to try to bring back is a few days with nothing planned, just meet at King's at 9:00 and we will ride and eat, and ride some more. If no one has a plan we will just "Wing" it (that was a little humor in case you missed it). Sometimes we get so tied up in building a better ride that we forget to just ride. So we will be doing that some days also.
We have also left a few dates free in case someone gets a great idea halfway through the year. We will try to fit it in somewhere. And there is no saying we may not even have some days with "2" rides, after all, different things for different folks work also.
You will also see some rides with no leader listed. Sign up to be a Ride Leader, or maybe an Ass't ride leader. Why should just one person get all of the glory? Get a friend and take a ride! 
Chris and I both want to thank all of the great people who showed up last month to help us get this schedule together. We had brand new members as well as some that have been in Chapter D for many years. They mixed up their ideas and came up with great ideas. We really appreciate the great sendoff you have all given us to help us get our term of office started on the right foot.

What did the boy rabbit say to the girl rabbit on Valentine's Day?
Some bunny likes you!

Quote of the Month..."No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is as formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women." - Ronald Reagan

From the Chapter Educator

Did you see that UPS has virtually eliminated left turns from their delivery routes? They save 3 million gallons of fuel a year by simply making all their turns right turns. So what's this have to do with us? Well, right turns take less time and have less potential for conflict with other traffic. When you're leading a ride you might be pulling a 10 or 15 bike train that could be a quarter mile long, or more, getting everyone safely cross traffic could take some time, increasing the risk of being hit from behind. I know, I know… we're supposed to be in groups of no more than 5 or 7 bikes and even when we're disciplined enough to do that, the trailing groups often catch up before group one clears the intersection. I know that to eliminate all left turns would be impractical, but it's something to consider when planning where to eat, get fuel or even how you arrive at your destination.

Ross

From Our 2009 Chapter Couple of the Year
By: Jim & Cathy Schantz

Well it was nice to meet some new people at our first meeting as COY's. We will see how well Jim and I remember your names at the next gathering. We are hoping to see everyone at the Anniversary Party on Saturday February 14th.
Here are a few more facts about your new COY's. Jim is one of five children, he has 3 younger brothers all who live in the area and 1 sister in New Mexico. Jim is a 1975 graduate of Richland High School and his big sport was High School hockey and playing in the nets at the Civic Arena (Mellon Arena). So saying good bye to the now Mellon Arena brings alot of memories to mind. I, myself have only one sister Michelle and she still lives in Conway. I was a 1976 graduate of Freedom High School in Beaver County. I played softball and volleyball and was on the Flag Unit in the High School Band.
Well, here is to new memories and a new era. So think spring!

Frogs

Once upon a time, there were a bunch of ting frogs who arranged a running competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants....
The race began....Honestly: No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. You heard statements such as:
"Oh, WAY too difficult!!"
"They will NEVER make it to the top." or:
"Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!"
The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one....Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher....
The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!" More tiny frogs got tired and gave up....
But ONE continued higher and higher and higher....
This one wouldn't give up!
At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!
THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?
A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal?
It turned out that the winner was DEAF!!!!
The wisdom of this story is: Never listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you -- the ones you have in your heart! Always think of the power words have. Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!
Therefore: ALWAYS be....POSITIVE! And above all: Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you cannot fulfill your dreams! Always think: God and I can do this!

Thanks to Renee Beck for this article.

Newsletter Articles
By: Mike Ammerman, Newsletter Editor/Webmaster

If you would like to submit an article for publication in YOUR newsletter, please have the article to me no later than the last day of the month. This will ensure the article is published the month following the gathering. I prefer you send the articles to me via e-mail or as an attachment to the e-mail. My e-mail address is auwinger@verizon.net. I will accept a hardcopy or handwritten article as a last resort. Thank you.

2009 Ride Schedule

Our ride planning meeting was held Jan. 17th to put together our riding season for 2009. The schedule is in its final stages of refinement. There are still some corrections to be made, but for the most part, it is complete. You can access the ride schedule now on the chapter’s website at www.gwrrapad.org. A hardcopy will be available at the anniversary party February 14th. Keep in mind that corrections can and will be made throughout the year. These corrections will be posted in the newsletter and announced at the gatherings as well as via e-mail. A hardcopy of the ride schedule can be downloaded from the chapter’s website, but it won’t be available until we iron out some of the dates.

Humor of the Month..."How was your game, dear?" asked Jack's wife Tracy. 
"Well, I was hitting pretty well, but my eyesight's gotten so bad I couldn't see where the ball went," he answered. 
"But you're 75 years old, Jack!" admonished his wife, "Why don't you take my brother Scott along?" 
"But he's 85 and doesn't play golf anymore," protested Jack. 
"But he's got perfect eyesight. He could watch the ball for you," Tracy pointed out. 
The next day Jack teed off with Scott looking on. Jack swung and the ball disappeared down the middle of the fairway. "Do you see it?" asked Jack. 
"Yup," Scott answered. 
"Well, where is it?" yelled Jack, peering off into the distance. 
Scott replied, "I forgot."

January Gathering

In keeping with the presidential election theme for this month, this was Chris & Linda’s inauguration into being Chapter Directors and they did a fine job.

After opening ceremonies, Chris went over the list of members who have been sick. Ray Vaupel has concluded his chemo treatments and was in attendance. He gave us his first hand account of his condition. Ray thanked everyone for the cards and phone calls he got during his road to recovery. It was very warming to see Ray & Mary at the gathering. Tony Guerrera is at home recovering from congestive heart failure.

Linda covered the birthdays and anniversaries for January and it turns out nobody in the chapter has an anniversary in January, which is the only month during the year that this happens.

Tim & Lisa Williams are temporary apartment dwellers after experiencing a fire at their home prior to the Christmas holiday. Nobody was hurt and as Tim stated, the Gold Wings survived. Their home is in the process of getting the necessary repairs.

Linda announced that the Christmas party was a success and re-introduced “our babies.” Linda went on to explain the purpose of the babies and how to use them throughout the year on our various journeys on rides and vacations. “Goldie” has just gotten back from New York and one of the siblings is in Florida.

Our anniversary party is scheduled for February 14th and we need volunteers to help on the anniversary party committee. Contact Linda if you would like to help. Marilyn Banks is in charge of the Chinese Auction, so if you have anything you would like to donate, please contact Marilyn at 724-946-2183.

Mike talked about the MS Ride in June and requested volunteers to help with bicycle and traffic control at the various intersections of the ride. Details are contained in a separate article this month.

Gordon spoke about the Ride for Kids and asked for volunteers that would like to help with visitation to get the word out about the Ride for Kids so Pittsburgh can maybe break its past donation levels and attendance records.

Roy spoke briefly about his Smoke Hole ride in July and explained what happens during this three day weekend. He has been in touch with the owners of Smoke Hole and will have more details at a later date. Roy is also in charge of handing out and collecting the District Rally Raffle Tickets. The chapter has been charged with selling 200 tickets. The chapter benefits from the sell of these tickets at the end of the year when the District returns a portion of the money to the chapters depending on how many tickets they sell. If everyone takes two books of tickets, we won’t have any trouble meeting our quota. Please see Roy at the gatherings or contact him at 724-284-1421 or send him an e-mail at roykwngr@zoominternet.net to get your tickets.

Our 2009 ride schedule is still in the process of being fine tuned, but mark your calendars for the Meyersdale Maple Festival ride March 28. Traditionally, this has been our first ride of the season.

Chris mentioned that if anyone would like to see what chapter life was like in years past, he will have some of our old scrap books available at each gathering for you to examine.

Roy Kinkead won the 50/50 drawing. Lisa Williams, Roger Dambach, and Cathy Schantz won lottery tickets and Sherri Tubridy won tickets for our next 50/50 drawing. Linda Coene won the Ride for Kids raffle.

Don’t forget the anniversary party February 14th. See you there.

Anniversary Party - Feb. 14, 2009

Don’t forget to register for our anniversary party if you haven’t already done so. Details are in the flyer, which is contained in the newsletter. We are in need of items for the Chinese Auction, so please contact Marilyn Banks at 724-301-2121. We will also need items for door prizes.
The theme for the party is a “Beach Party Bash,” so dress appropriately.

MS 150 Escape to the Lake Bike Ride
By: Mike Ammerman

This year’s MS bike-a-thon will be held June 6 & 7. Chapter D has been the backbone of this ride for as long as I have been a member of Chapter D and I would like to continue to see us in this role.

The ride route has changed this year and the number of intersections we need to cover has increased. Instead of leaving from Cranberry, the ride will originate from Moraine State Park North Shore and will terminate on Saturday at Edinboro University. The second day will still end at Conneaut Park, Ohio. Both Saturday and Sunday routes will incorporate parts of the old routes for those days. As in the past, those helping with both days will be provided a room at the college. Only this year, the rooms will be air conditioned. RAH! Our Saturday evening meal and Sunday breakfast will be provided. We are also permitted access to the snacks along the route at each of the rest stops to help keep our energies up while we provide safe passage for the bicyclist.

For those of you who are new to the chapter and are unfamiliar with the MS ride, this is a two-day bicycle ride that raises money for the fight against MS. Volunteers from various GWRRA chapters in Western PA provide traffic and bicycle control at all the intersections along the two-day route to safely get the bicyclists across an intersection or point them in the right direction if there is a turn involved. We also provide phone support in case of an emergency or if a bicyclist needs assistance from a SAG (service and gear) wagon. The work is not hard, but the rewards are many. The number of bicyclists will range from 1400 - 1600 and you will hear that many and more “Thank You's” from the bicyclists and from the MS committee members. The bicyclists really do appreciate what we do.

A sign-up sheet will be available at each of the gatherings from now until May. If you are unable to attend any gathering and would like to help, please call me at 412-795-6685 or send me an e-mail at auwinger@verizon.net. I will need your t-shirt size (did I forget to mention that each volunteer will get a t-shirt?), cell phone number, and e-mail address.

Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you at the MS ride.

Bowling Challenge

The chapter has once again challenged Chapter P to a bowling duel. Other chapters may be involved, but it is too early to know if they have accepted the challenge.

The challenge will again be at the Mars Lanes at the intersection of Rt. 228 and Mars-Valentica Road in Mars at 2:00 p.m. A dinner will follow at Uncle Bob’s across from the bowling alley. A sign-up sheet will be available again at the anniversary party. If you would like to come but have not signed up, don’t worry, just show up. You will be more than welcomed.

Brain Teaser  - What is it?

Trike conversion parts from 2003 Candy Red GL1800. Contact Ray Vaupel at 412-364-9245.

Black leather coat and chaps. Has purple rose inserts. Excellent condition, like new. Discovered Gerbings. Size XL. Fits Deb Rice. Contact her at 724-316-0912. Let's Deal.

1984 Midnight Blue 1200 Gold Wing Aspencade, 45 accessories (chrome, Hartco Seat etc.) costing over $3,000, 93,000 miles, asking $3,250, Have purchased a GL1500. Contact Gary White at 412-767-4712

From the District

Get Well: The District sends get well wishes to Duane Linhart, Participant of Chapter PA "G"who recently had surgery. We hope that he is up and around and good as new soon. His mailing address is: Duane Linhart - 2820 Gloth Ave. - Erie, PA 16504

Keystone State Rally: The Rally Registration form has been sent out to all the Chapter Directors, Assistant Directors, and appears on the PA web page as well as being included in this month's newsletter, so Register early and avoid the rush.
Just a reminder that again this year as last year "TO COMPETE IN ANY RALLY EVENT, YOU MUST BE FULLY REGISTERED FOR THE RALLY ", i.e. Bike Show, Light Show, Chapter Competitions, Hospitality Room and COY Competition.
<NO FULL REGISTRATIONS WILL BE SOLD AT THE RALLY>

New Rally Logo for 2009: The winner this year is Linda Mathias, NE Region B, PA Chapter "Y"

Someone Special Award: Do not forget to submit your nomination for the Someone Special Award. 
Nominations are to be submitted to us no later than July 17. There are many deserving individuals out there, so please take a few minutes and submit that individual's story to be considered for the Someone Special Award. We should receive entries from every Chapter.

PA District Rider Educator & MAD Coordinator:
Happy New Year Everyone,
I’m looking forward to a great new year, with good things happening.

First of all, welcome to the new officers coming on board. Some new ideas and some old ones that really work well. More fun, enjoyable rides, new adventures. With cold weather setting in, we have a few months to make some terrific plans. These are good months to have CPR, First-aid, Co-Rider classes. If, you have had them already, it doesn't hurt to refresh your memory.

Welcome to new Chapter Rider Educators

Please, remember to send an activity report to me before the end of each month, so I can send it on to Region. This very important part of our motto, Friends, for Fun, SAFETY, and Knowledge. There has been a few chapters, I have not heard from, wouldn't it be great to have a 100% report! So, please take a few minutes (maybe, right after an event, or that same day, so as not to forget) Safety, is a very important part of all we do. As, things can happen in an instant, then it is too late, therefore, safety is always on our minds. Great job to those who are C/E's, knowing what you do can make a difference.

I'm looking forward to a SAFE and Happy New Year. Also, hearing from 24 chapters. Please, remember, if you do not have a C/E in your chapter, the Asst. C/D is to do Safety, or if no Asst. then the C/D. Again have a Safe and Happy New Year.

Mae Welker, District Educator

From our Northwest Assistant District Director

Living in Punxsutawney and watching the month of February come along means it is time again to experience the emergence of the Seer of Seers, Punxsutawney Phil. Phil has been hard at work doing what groundhogs do this time of year, sleeping. Not so of the chapters calling the northwest corner of the state home.

January 10 gave Danise and I an opportunity to enjoy the sunshine on Presque Isle in Erie with Chapter G at their Winter Picnic. Although I much prefer riding the peninsula during the warmth of summer, the pristine blanket of white snow over the park was spectacular. So was seeing folks from Chapters I, N and Q come out to enjoy the picnic. Much like Groundhog Day when Phil rises to see his old friends from the Groundhog Club, these members from other chapters came out of their dens to see old friends from other chapters. 

We went to Chapter I's Anniversary party on the 17th of January and again witnessed what fun being a member of GWRRA is. There were over 80 people in attendance with 36 of those from other chapters. Guest came from R, O, N, G, and Q. I know I am boring you with my soapbox talks on visiting other chapters but it is one of the greatest things about being a member of this organization. I looked out at them and knew each one by name as they are friends I have met from many parties and gatherings through the years. 

We are heading out this month to Chapter N's Anniversary Party to help them celebrate their 20th Anniversary. What a great accomplishment and I can't wait to be part of their Hollywood Stars event. Hello Daaarling. We are also taking off for Chapter D's Anniversary Party on February 14th to enjoy their Beach Party Bash theme. Time to dust off the Speedo and say hello. (I know the old saying the mind's eye cannot be poked out. Sorry for the mental picture you now have.)

Chapter O has moved their meeting date to the second Sunday of the month and is now meeting at Theresa's Royle Allegheny in West Kittanning. Please plan on making it a stop on one of your rides this summer. 

Don't forget the District Meeting in Bedford March 21st and to that end, Chapter Directors make sure and let your ADD's know as soon as possible who from your chapter will be in attendance.

No matter what our resident rodent from Punxsutawney predicts, spring is not far off.

Dana & Danise Hartle, PA ADD Northwest

District Rally Raffle Tickets

The district is once again selling raffle tickets to help with normal operating expenses and to fund the District Rally in August. Each chapter in the district is tasked with selling 200 tickets. Roy Kinkead started handing out the tickets at the January gathering and will continue to do so for the next couple of months. We want to get these tickets sold before the chapter starts our own fund raiser for the chapter’s operating expenses.
It is each member’s responsibility to help complete this task. If each chapter couple took one or two books (10 tickets total) to sell, it would be a great help to the chapter.
The winning ticket could win one of the following prizes:

2 - $1000 winners
2 - $500 winners
4 - $250 winners
10 - $100 winners
22 - $50 winners

The District will also return some of the proceeds to each chapter proportionate to the amount of tickets sold.

Brain Teaser #2 - 

A man needs something specific for his house, so he goes to ta hardware store to purchase it. When he asks the clerk the price, the clerk answers that “the price of one is fifty cents, the price of thirty is one dollar, and the price of one hundred forty-four is one dollar and fifty cents.” What is the man buying? (Answer)

Answers to the Brain Teasers: 
Brain teaser #1 - It’s an egg
Brain teaser #2 - House numbers.

Misplaced that flyer or form you picked up at the last gathering?
Want to print out the newsletter or ride schedule?
If so please go to our "Flyers and Forms" page.

Thank you to the folks who support GWRRA Pennsylvania Chapter "D".

Francis J. Craig Agency, Inc. (724) 935-5753

Lutzs Leather (724) 843-6220 - Lutzs Leather

McMahon's Cycle Sales - (724) 846-6251

Youngs Auto Sales & Service - (724) 728-3374

Youngs Custard (Rt 68 3mi W. of Zelienople)

Your The Star - Karaoke and DJ Services
Bob and Ruth Messenger - (724) 495-1653

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