Staff Meeting June 18, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at King’s, Rt. 19 N, Cranberry TWP. Come early to eat before the meeting.		Gathering June 25, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Domenico’s Ristorante 20550 Rt. 19 N. Piazza Plaza Cranberry TWP., PA. (724) 776-6455 Meet in the back room. We can arrive as early as 5:30 p.m. to eat before the gathering.

Upcoming Chapter Events

Jun 3 (Wed) - Rocking Chair Ride. Meet at King's at 11:00 a.m.
Jun 6/7 (Sat/Sun) - MS150 Escape to the Lake bicycle ride traffic control
Jun 9 (Tue) - Dinner ride to Shakespeares, 1495 Mercer Road, Ellwood City, PA. Leave King's at 6:00 p.m. or meet at the restaurant at 7:00 p.m.  Same location as the Olde Stonewall Golf Club.
Jun 13 (Sat) - Prince Gallitzin picnic ride. Leave King's at 9:00 a.m. Mike Ammerman, 412-795-6685
Jun 14 (Sun) - Zippo factory ride. Leave King's at 9:00 a.m. Dan Mitchell, 724-898-3667
Jun 20 (Sat) - Simplier Times Museum ride. Leave King's at 9:00 a.m. Chris Coene, 724-776-2113
Jun 22 (Mon) - Ice Cream ride to JT's in Ellwood City. Leave King's at 6:00 p.m. or meet at the ice cream stand at 7:00 p.m.
Jun 27 (Sat) - Warren Goss's WV ride.  Leave King's at 8:00 a.m.
Jul 5 (Sun) - Ride to Lake Chautauqua, NY. Leave King's at 9:00 a.m.
Jul 11 (Sat) - Dinner ride to Jerry's Curb Service and then ice cream at Hank's. Leave King's at 2:00 p.m. Chris & Linda Coene, 724-776-2113
Jul 12 (Sun) - Chp G visit in Erie, PA. Leave King's at 7:00 a.m.

Coene’s Considerings
By: Chris & Linda Coene

June! Sunshine! 80 degrees! This is the time for a Gold Wing!
I hope everyone is ready to really ride this summer because it sure looks like a nice summer is on the horizon.
I want to remind everyone to keep an eye on the schedule on the web site as we may add a couple of rides on some of the empty weekends. I know of at least one right now. Also, while most rides start at 9:00, we do have a few that will be leaving earlier. I will be sending reminders to those that have email.

That reminds me, if you have not been getting my "weekly" reminders and would like to be added to my distribution list, please send me an email with the request. I will then add your address to my list. My email is: coenewing@zoominternet.net

I am starting a list of ride suggestions for next year also, so feel free to email those. We still have a few ideas from last year to work with and several suggestions I have already gotten so we are starting that list now. 

The Pig Roast is only a little over 2 months away so make sure you have your calendar marked for that. I am looking for a couple of volunteers for help on the committee. We are having the same caterer we used a couple of years ago so the work will not be extreme. We need some decorations, some game ideas, some help with desserts, and clean up committee. Let me know by email or on a run sometime.

I hope to see many of you next week at the MS150. I think we all are in the organization to ride, but it is so nice that we are able to ride and also help those less fortunate. Our charity rides are a very big part of our GWRRA heritage.
That's about all for now. Ride Safe!

Ride Schedule Ride Addition - June 27th.

One of those ride additions Linda just mentioned is Warren Goss’s ride into West Virginia. This ride is scheduled for June 27th and it leaves King’s at 8:00 a.m. If you’ve ever been on Warren’s ride, you understand the early departure time.

Quote of the Month..."Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed, there are many rewards; if you disgrace yourself, you can always write a book." - Ronald Reagan

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

Delaware Bound

Jim and I had a great Memorial Day Weekend with our new adopted friend Speedy. Vince and Louise handed Speedy over to us on our Eat n Park ride. Speedy told me he had a great time traveling with Vince and Louise but was looking forward to a much slower pace. We packed everything up on Thursday and headed to Hagerstown, Maryland for a stay in the Hampton Inn. What a comfy place to stay, and after a great breakfast we were off to see the Monster Mile Speedway and Casino in Dover, Delaware. After a short visit to the casino and lunch, we were off to Georgetown Delaware to see Aubrey, Jim and Cathy's oldest daughter for the Memorial Day weekend. I enjoyed my visit with her and her finance Patrick. We walked the streets and The Circle of Georgetown. This is an area where all the county office buildings are located. The Circle has a beautiful fountain, flowers, benches and lamp posts a great place to sit and watch the traffic go to the area beaches. I enjoyed my visit to Bethany Beach on Sunday. I was glad that I had my snuggly on because the beach was chilly. We walked the boardwalk and shopped the beach front stores. I picked up something special to be raffled off for the Ride for Kids. I hope you like my selection; it reminded me of the Memorial Day Holiday. And before I knew it the weekend was over and we headed back to PA. The trip back to PA was beautiful, the Bay Bridge was awesome and the weather cooperated. We traveled over 800 miles that weekend and I am looking forward to my next trip. I am sure it will be an adventure.

Jim & “Speedy” on the beach.

May Gathering
By: Mike Ammerman

Chris welcomed guests Mel Lufsey (Chp I AC/D), Andy Lucas & Hilda, Andy Meyer & Pat, and Marty & Karen Miller (Chp P C/D).
Our sick list was very short (which is the way we like it) and everyone is recuperating or has recuperated. Tony Guerrera is doing much better; Greg Scott is doing well; RuthAnne Frederick had minor surgery.

At the April gathering, Brownie presented the chapter with a motorcycling book and this month Ross handed the book to Tom Banks who will pass the book on to another chapter member to enjoy. We will continue doing this until the book has been in each member’s possession for their reading enjoyment.

Linda Cochran is our “Sunshine Lady.” Linda is that special person that sends out the birthday, get well, and sympathy cards on behalf of the chapter. Please let Linda know if anyone in the chapter is in need of a card.

Linda Coene has successfully passed the GWRRA training to become an authorized trainer for the District. Linda is able to conduct training on a number of subjects related to GWRRA. Who knows? Your next Horizons training may be conducted by Linda. Way to go Linda!

Chris covered the District Rally and stressed that if you are planning to attend the Saturday night meal or participate in any of the group activities, you must have a full registration. It would be a good idea to get registered for the District Rally as soon as possible as well as making your motel reservations. You can’t have one without the other. Roy Kinkead gave us some exciting news about the rally raffle tickets the chapter was charged with selling. The chapter has sold all our allotted tickets. Nice work folks.

Andy Lucas gave us an update on the Vintage Grand Prix to be held in July. The combined Chapter D & P security detail will be from midnight Saturday to 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning, July 19. If you are interested in lending your support to the security detail, please let Chris know at the June gathering. The Vintage Grand Prix raises money for the Allegheny School for Autism.

A new baseball field has been built in Cranberry at the new Dick’s Sporting goods store that gives children with disabilities a chance to play baseball. The Blue Knights will be hosting a bike night at PNC Park on August 1 to raise funds for this “Miracle Field.” Prices are $40 for a field box and $30 for bleacher seats.

Dan & Beth Hildebrand will be handing out raffle tickets for the chapter’s fund raiser with the winning ticket drawn at the annual pig roast in August. The winning ticket will be based on that evening’s daily number. Please see Dan or Beth at your earliest convenience to get your tickets to sale or buy, whichever you prefer.

The RFK’s raffle was won by Paula Somerfield. This month’s donation was made by Tom & Marilyn Banks. Don King won the 50/50 drawing. Judi Maoli, Karen Miller, and Cathy Headland won lottery tickets and Ray Schmitt won tickets for next month’s 50/50 drawing.

From the Chapter Educator

Due to circumstances beyond Ross’s control, he was unable to provide an article this month. Instead, your friendly newsletter editor will submit something in his stead.

When talking to someone on a trike, make sure you stand a safe distance from the people on the trike. Especially when the driver has the trike running and in gear. I say this because when you are talking to the driver or co-rider, you are actually standing in front of the rear tires. If you are like me and have a big understanding (read “big feet”), your toes are actually in line with the rear wheels. If the driver decides to move the trike forward just a bit, your toes will become a mini speed bump. This actually happened to me during the second day of the MS ride at the lunch stop.

I’m guessing the weight of the trike along with rider and co-rider at the right rear wheel was in the neighborhood of 400 to 500 pounds. The only thing I could say was, “Don’t stop!” Luckily, the only damage was to my pride and a slight increase to my stupidity level.

So, remember, when talking to someone on a trike, “STAND BACK.”

A Note from the Editor

I apologize for not having the newsletter published sooner, but I was pretty busy with the MS bicycle ride this year. It seems they were making changes to the bicycle route daily and it was hard to keep up. Unfortunately, the newsletter took a back seat until after the ride.

MS Escape to the Lake
By: Mike Ammerman

I want to thank everyone who helped with the MS Escape to the Lake bicycle ride. You have once again proved that Gold Wing riders (and a few others) are a great bunch of people that are willing to help with events such as this. If this was your first time helping or a returning veteran, I'm sure you were praised by each and every bicyclist that passed your intersection. If not there, they may have thanked you at the college. They are truly appreciative of what we do to help make it safe for them to ride. And I am very appreciative of all of you who gave up your valued weekend time to help these bicyclists and the MS Society. I hope this past weekend experience was good for you and that you are willing to once again help out with next year's ride.

The MS Society usually has an awards dinner in August for all the bicyclists and Gold Wingers that helped with the ride. I will keep you posted.

Again, I give you a huge THANK YOU!

Brain Teaser - There are 8 marbles that weigh 1 ounce each, and 1 marble that weighs 1.1 ounces. The marbles are all uniform in size, appearance, and shape. You have a balance that contains 2 trays. You are only able to use the scale 2 times. How do you determine which marble is the heaviest using only the scale and marbles in 2 weighings?
(Answer)

Deepest Sympathies

The chapter extends its deepest sympathies to Cheryl Salamone and her family on the recent death of her brother, Gary Ours. Cards can be sent to Cheryl at 117 Bonzo Road, Rochester, PA. 15074.

Must Have Tool for the Motorcycle Enthusiast: • Wire Wheel - cleans rust off old bolts and then throws them somewhere under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints and hard-earned guitar calluses in about the time it takes you to say, "Hand me 'nother beer, Bubba!" 

Chapter Fundraiser

It’s that time of the year again for our annual fundraiser to keep the chapter solvent. Dan & Beth Hildebrand will be handing out raffle tickets for everyone to sell. This is your chapter and everyone has a responsibility to help generate funds for the chapter.

As usual, the winner will be determined by the evening drawing the day of our pig roast, August 15th. You can either sell the tickets or purchase them yourself.

God's Busy! 

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU. 

One day the professor shocked the class. When he came in he looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.’ The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am God. I'm still waiting.' It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him, knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. 

The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked, stunned, and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, 'What the heck is the matter with you? Why did you do that?' The Marine calmly replied, 'God was too busy today protecting American soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So, He sent me.'

Humor of the Month...According to a news report, a certain private school in Washington was recently faced with a unique problem.
A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick, they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints.

Every night the maintenance man would remove them, and the next day the girls would put them back. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done.

She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night (you can just imagine the yawns from the little princesses).
To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required.

He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.
Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror. There are teachers ... and then there are educators.

Thanks to Bill Corbett for this month’s humor.

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

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

Honda Shadow - 750cc • 2007 Dark Gray/Black • Mint Condition • 500 miles • Full Windshield • Crash bars • Asking $6000 ($8500 invested) • Contact Lloyd Wright at 412-364-8757

From your District Director

Hi everyone:
We hope all of you had a GREAT MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY, which officially signals the start of the riding season. Overall the weather was good and we enjoyed spending time with our friends and family.
Remember when you see a VETRAN, say thanks for preserving our freedom.

KEYSTONE STATE RALLY:
The Keystone State Rally plans are complete and we are proceeding with final preparation. In addition your Chapter Director now knows your Chapter Assignment for the Rally, so check with him to see how you can help. (Editor’s note: Chapter D is responsible for the Bike Show judging on Saturday morning, August 22nd.)

“REMEMBER IF EVERYONE HELPS A LITTLE NO ONE HAS TO DO A LOT”.

As in years past we will be looking for help and participation from ALL CHAPTERS. This is the only way our Rally will be a success and everyone can enjoy it. SO REMEMBER WHEN SOMEONE ASKS YOU TO HELP JUST SAY “YES”.
The Rally Registration form has been sent out to all the Chapter Directors, Assistant Directors, and appears on the PA web page. Register early and avoid the rush. We must receive all Full Registrations on or before August 14th to be included in the meal count.
“HAVE YOU SENT IN YOUR REGISTRATION YET”?

Just a reminder that again this year as last year “TO COMPETE IN ANY RALLY EVENT, YOU MUST BE FULLY REGISTERED FOR THE RALLY “, EX: Bike Show, Light Show, Chapter Competitions, Hospitality Room and COY Competition.
<NO FULL REGISTRATIONS WILL BE SOLD AT THE RALLY>
You should have received your new listing of Hotels/Motels and Campgrounds in the Johnstown area. These have been sent out to the Chapter Directors, Assistant Directors, and appear on the PA web page.
RALLY RAFFLE TICKETS:
Remember, 50% of the net profits will be divided among the 24 chapters based on the number of tickets each sold to do with as they see fit. So the more tickets the chapter sells the bigger their percent of return in the final distribution.

SOMEONE SPECIAL AWARD:
Do not forget to submit your nomination for the SOMEONE SPECIAL AWARD. We have already received three nominations and are looking for 21 more. 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.

FOOD DRIVE:
Don’t forget to start gathering up your food items to support the WEST END FOOD PANTRY, Johnstown, PA. Your Chapter Director has a list of the items which are needed and a list of those items will appear in the District Newsletter. We will be looking for support from ALL OUR CHAPTERS to make sure this very worthy event is a real success. You folks did a Great Job last year and we are hoping for the same this year. 

UPCOMING EVENTS:
PA ALL CHAPTERS EAST – 6/6/09 at Evansville Lake, Lake Rd., Berwick, PA 18602. Hosted by Chapter “H”
PA ALL CHAPTERS WEST – 7/24 & 25 at Sparrow Pond Family Campground & Recreation Facility, Waterford, PA 16441. Hosted by Chapter “G”.
Fliers for both of these events are available in the news letter or on the web page.

Plan now to get out and support these events. If we work together, both events will be successful.
“Ride Safe & Ride Proud”
Chuck & Evelyn Stone, PA-District Directors

From the NW AD/D
By: Dana & Danise Hartle

Different Strokes for Different Folks

A series of conversations with folks made me think about the difficulties the chapter leaders have in trying to meet the definition of fun by all their members. You have some folks who like long rides, some like short rides. You have some folks who want to ride for the social things and others that don't want to talk to anyone and would rather just ride. 

Then you have the folks who are not able to ride but are still active and some who can ride but would rather just keep the old girl polished up and let it sit in the garage. You ask yourself the question," How can I make all these folks enjoy the chapter life?" Then you start yanking out your hair, banging your head against the wall and questioning why you even considered taking a leadership role.

Well friends, here are my thoughts. You gather information in an attempt to find what the majority of your chapter really enjoys and concentrate your greatest effort there. Now that doesn't mean you don't take other's needs into consideration, quite the contrary. There needs to be a blend of events that hit your folk's happy button. There is a natural tendency to think about what you, the leader, want to do instead of doing what the chapter wants to do. It can be hard to put aside your wants and instead deliver what the chapter wants. How do you know if the chapter is happy? Look at your attendance. Listen to others or, better yet, ask the folks who aren't participating what they would attend if you put it together.

I have said it before and I will stand on a soapbox and scream it to anyone who will listen. If you continue to do the same thing year in and year out people are going to quit coming. You have to mix it up. You have to build excitement by providing new experiences. You don't need to scrap your successful events but if no one seems excited about the annual ride that you have been doing for the last 13 years to the local sewage processing plant and then going out for a sauerkraut supper, you may want to consider stopping the madness.

Unless of course the sewage plant ride is a winner.

Make it FUN. Your chapter just wants to have FUN. 

Brain Teaser Answer - Place 3 marbles on each tray.
- If the first weighing doesn't balance, remove all the marbles from the lighter side, and place one marble on each tray from the heavier tray. The heavier side is the 1.1 ounce marble, but if they balance, then the marble from the heavier tray from the first weighing that was not weighed in the second weighing is the heavier one(1.1).
- If the marbles balance on the first wieiging, remove the marbles from the trays, and place the two remaining unweighed marbles on the trays, one on each tray. One will be the heavier marble.

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

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

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