Gold Wing Road Riders Association Friends for FUN, Safety & Knowledge Region A Chapter Director Paul and Sharon Matz (813) 389-0888 Assistant Chapter Director Donny & Aimee Peters March 2015 FL1-L2 Treasurer Florida District Director of GWRRA Ray & Sandi Garris Deputy Director East Region Bob & Nan Shrader Judy Murphy Rider Education Jim Siebel Membership Enhancement Fred & Carol Bley Region A Director Jim & Sue Jackson Couple of the Year Lisa & Jeff Duffey Individuals of the Year Peggy Newman Don Hicks Ride Coordinators Florida Sr. District Director Bill & Gina Berry Bob Fox & Ron Brown Webmaster Assistant District Director Madalena & Rick Buck Carol Fleurant Newsletter Editor Ken Kloc Leadership Trainers Dana & Jo Voight Motorist Awareness Mary Palomino Membership Enhancement Bruce Griffing/Mary Haight Phone Tree Shirley & Chuck Smith Rider Educators Rick & Pam Northrop 50/50 Jan & Rick Meredith Goodie Sales Lisa Duffey Celebrations Carol Bley Charity Coordinator Debbie Kloc Chapter Gathering 1st Tuesday of each month Eat: 6:00pm Meet: 7:00pm Lexington Oaks Golf Club 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 Historian TBA District Treasurer Jim & Rebecca Iverson District Couple of the Year Tom & Linda Mitchell District Webmaster Howie Taylor District Motorist Awareness Nate & Danielle Kinion 1 www.FL1L2.com Chapter Director This past month had some wonderful rides, but for a few dollars, I really enjoyed the one we had on Saturday the 21st of February. We went to the Herrmann’s ranch to watch them put their Royal Lipizzan Stallions through a one hour amazing show. As a youngster, I remember watching the movie Miracle of the White Stallions, a 1963 film released by Walt Disney starring Robert Taylor and Lilli Palmer. The movie described the rescue of a herd of Lipizzan Stallions by George Patton’s 3rd Army from the German Army during WWII. I’m a history buff and hearing about the history and the training this particular horse went through then used as a instrument of war, was intriguing to me. As the trainer put the horses through the show, she explained how each movement was used on the battlefield. During the show, the trainer explains how this breed of horse turns from its birth color of brown or black to become the white horse we all vision in our mind. If you missed this ride you must put it on your bucket list for next year. We have our 36th Annual Florida District Gathering of the Wings, March 19 – 21. For those of you who will be attending either all three days or just doing a one day visit please stop by and spend some time at the Chapter’s hospitality room. It’s located on the third floor of the Magnuson Grand Hotel which is just across the parking lot from the Rally. As you exit the elevator proceed straight ahead and open the double door, we will have our chapter sign out front. We will have cold water in the refrigerator, snacks and a quiet place to recoup from all the rush happening at the rally. Saturday, the Chapter will host a lunch at our hospitality room prior to the Closing Ceremony. We ask that you bring a soft drink to share and a side dish, many of us pick-up something at the Publix just down the highway. We will most likely be serving Publix Subs, everyone enjoys them, and it is an easy cleanup prior to leaving for the Ceremony. Last year we had more food than everyone could eat treated the hotel cleaning staff to Wings of Wesley Chapel a free lunch on Sunday. The room will be open approximately 6:00 am each morning serving; coffee, an assortment of English muffins, bagels, cream cheese, and strawberry preserves. The one thing you must remember it’s all about Fun Fun Fun and believe me what happens at the District Rally stays at the Rally. As of February 25, 2015 the chapter still has approximately 20 books of Gold Wing Tickets left that we need to sell prior to the Rally. We have done a wonderful job of selling 1,680 tickets this year with a few of us even selling tickets at last year’s Wing Ding in Madison, Wisconsin. We only have a couple weeks left to sell them before the chapter will have to write a check from our checking account to cover any tickets left. I also want to remind everyone that our March Gathering is our Double Point month. This means that we will have a larger than normal number of visitors. Not to worry, it only means that we will have twice the amount of Fun. Most of you may have seen the overnight ride that we have planned for April 10 – 12 to Pensacola. This is their double points Gathering. Several chapter members expressed an interest in going on an overnight for this distance. We will be placing other visitations, rallies, and Double Point visitations on the ride calendar coupled with chapter rides. Remember the Ride Planning Meeting is open to everyone. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting and present your ride for inclusion to the Ride Calendar. A little research on your ride is required, we ask that the destination be within reasonable riding distance and that a restaurant for lunch be suggested (please check them on line or call them to ensure they are open on the day of our ride and can accommodate us stopping with a group of approximately 10 to 20 people). Have a wonderful month and see everyone at this year’s rally. Please ride safe and Sharon and I will see you on March 3rd, at our gathering. Paul and Sharon Matz Chapter Directors, FL1-L2 2 Membership Enhancement Coordinator Assistant Chapter Director Wings of Wesley Chapel Hello Chapter FL1-L2, Extra! Extra! Extra! Read All About It!! It’s time again for the GWRRA Rallies of Region A. First up is the Florida District Rally which will be taking place on March 19th, 20th, and 21th, 2015. Our Chapter still has rooms available for the District Rally which is quickly approaching!! If you haven't booked your room yet, what are you waiting for...An invitation? Well here it is! FRIENDS ARE THE FAMILY WE CHOOSE A unique blend of loyalty, affection, love, respect, trust and loads of fun. This is the magic that my wife Carol and I have discovered becoming members of the Wings of Wesley Chapel. You are all cordially invited to attend the 2015 Florida District Rally. As always, it promises to be a FUN time. Come and support our own Jeff and Lisa Duffey as they will be participating in the Couple of the Year selection. Let's show everybody else what being part of Chapter FL1-L2 is all about! Here is the contact information for our hotel liaison. We are staying at the Magnuson Grand Hotel (Formerly Ramada Maingate West) 7491 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, FL, 34747. The rate is $50/night with the nightly resort fee waived (13% state and local tax per room/per night NOT waived). Contact Ms. Mercedes Haibon. Members of our chapter don’t always do silly things alone. Mostly when we get together we have FUN and laugh so much we can’t stop. Some times in life you find special friends. Someone who changes your life just being a part of it. We find being a part of the GWRRA is a great feeling and makes you believe that there really are good people in the world. Next up is the Alabama District Rally will be taking place May 14th, 15th and 16th, 2015. Some of us have already booked our rooms for this event and wanted to make sure that we passed the information around to everyone. If you are interested in joining us, we will be staying at the Quality Inn, located at 631E. Barbour St. Eufaula, AL. The phone number is (334) 687-4414. The rate we got when we made our reservation was $58.50/night!! What a deal! Keep in mind that this is not the host hotel for the event. Rally. This Most of us know how crazy we are The Georgia Rally follows ththe Alabama th th rally will take place June 18 , 19 and 20 , 2015. We together and are still willing to be seen will be staying at the Dillard Gateway Inn (formerly the in public with you. We all lift each Holiday Inn Express) located at 64 White Oak Lane, Ga. This is the host hotel for the event. In order other up in times of need and help Dillard, to get the discounted rate of: weekdays $75.65 + tax when we can. It’s not all about and weekends $84.15 + tax, you must call motorcycles, but more about the (706) 746-3585 and ask for the GWRRA Rally rate. lasting friendships you will make by Please if you are interested in any of these upcoming out of state trips, get with Aimee & Donny Peters at the |belonging to a GWRRA Chapter. Gathering or you can call or email us anytime! Membership Enhancement Ride safe & have FUN Coordinator Donny & Aimee Peters Frederick Bley 3 Chapter Education Wings of Wesley Chapel Jim and I, were joined by Dave and Adrienne for the Charity Law ride again this year. We had beautiful weather for our escorted ride through the area around Kissimmee. I wanted to update everyone on the little boy Thomas who was involved in the bike accident last year, during the law ride. We had the pleasure of meeting Thomas’ mom, dad and brother, what a wonderful family. His mom told us when they were told of the accident, they were not allowed to return to the scene and were directed to meet the helicopter carrying Thomas at the hospital. The Florida District Conference is coming up soon and we have a busy month ahead with Rider Ed. I felt her pain as she explained how she felt so helpless not being able to see for herself how Thomas was doing. Our mutual friend Don let her know that Thomas was with us and he knew us personally. Small comfort, but at least it was something. We have a TRC and an ERC planned for this month. If you are interested and need this class for the |levels program, please be sure to send your check to Rick Northrup to hold your spot in the class. | Classes will also be offered at the conference, so please check the schedule upon arrival. They let us know Thomas was a real trooper through his hospital stay and one week at home with some awesome black eyes he will be able to brag on one day. Thomas is doing great and suffered no permanent injury from the accident. His scar is barely noticeable, did I mention his sparkling eyes and blonde hair, and you can hardly notice anything once he looks at you. Warmer weather is around the corner, this is a good time to brush up on your skills by attending one of the classes. We would like to thank you for purchasing the rider ed tickets, which allow us to take these classes with no cost to us. He informed me he will be 6 this year! He is full of energy and does everything with a big bold smile. What a great kid. We hope to see all of you in Kissimmee and have fun as only Wesley Chapel can do! Ride Safe, We were able to arrange dinner with some of the bikers from the ride and in walks Thomas with a bouquet of flowers for me. (Threw poor Jim right under the bus) Attached was a hand written note thanking me for the hand holding while he was hurt. He has so touched our hearts. WOW! Are kids wonderful or what? Jim and Denise ************************************* So You’re a Co-Rider Princess Denise What a great month of riding and weather we have had…….hey now at least we are not snowed in! This month’s article is a follow up to March 2014. If you remember we had attended the charity law ride for Osceola County and I experienced for the first time a bike go down. (a reprint of the original article will follow this update) UPDATE 2015 4 February in Pictures Wings of Wesley Chapel 5 Editorial page Wings of Wesley Chapel the chapters Couple of the Year with their signature. If you are selected at District level, then the District Director forwards your application and certifies and signs. This process continues to the Region and International if we advance at each level. Hello chapter participants! To recap last month: One of the many questions Jeff and I had to discuss as you’re 2015 Couple of the Year (COY), was to make the decision to compete or not at the next level, which is District. We began to read through the Couple of the Year manual which made our decision easier. The decision was made to go out and have FUN!!! Page three is the “Nominators comments” page. On this page the Chapter Director or Assistant Chapter Director writes a brief summary as to why you were chosen for Couple of the Year. Then they sign and date. Pages four and five the applicants describe a brief history of themselves. First the Narrative and Involvement page, where you first tell a brief history about yourselves to include family (we have 4 sons) work (Jeff works for Travelers as auto appraiser and Lisa as a Lead Accounting Technician at Department of Veterans Affairs) and motorcycle history (we have owned 3 Harley’s and 2 Goldwing’s). Our first contact was an email from one half of the District COY Coordinator’s Karen Taylor, congratulating us and asking details for District. Karen then asked the question “are we are going to compete at the district level”? Our answer being yes Karen she sent another email explaining what happens at the District rally and the paperwork Next is our GWRRA Involvement and participation for the preceding 5 years. required. For a short synopsis, we joined in 2010, then Jeff asked to be the Assistant Chapter Director in 2011 while I became the Membership Enhancement Coordinator. From 2011- 2013 we were Chapter Director’s. Through the years we continue attending training/ seminars as recently as last week. First at the district convention a COY social Thursday from 4:30-5:30. Friday, from 9:30-10:30am, the judges hold interviews The judges make their selection for the 2015 District Couple of the Year at 1 PM. Jeff and I hope you will be able to join us and cheer One of the requirements is to explain what you have us on as we look forward to representing our chapter done regarding the Membership Enhancement FL1-L2 in competition and become the next 2015 Program. Jeff and I have recruited 4 and while I held Florida District Couple of the Year. MEC, we worked together on the ARL (area run list). The application process starts with completing our The ARL is a list that informs you of new prospective resume. The first page states “Candidates members to contact and possibly recruit and present Information”. It’s the usual name, address, phone members close to expiring their membership and number and first born. No not really, just joking inquire about renewing. about the first born. It also asks for GWRRA membership number, GWRRA join and expiration Next is the Rider Education Involvement. Jeff and I dates. This is to make sure you are current while are both Level IV riders and through GWRRA competing. Then you have to make a copy of both training we became Parking Lot Facilitators. We ride with all the gear all the time (our choice) and we have cards and add a picture of yourselves. FUN while doing it. We attended PLP’s to hone our Page two is “the Certification” page where you print own skills as well as set up and answer any questions and sign your name and date. The Chapter Director or others may have. Continued on page 7 Assistant Chapter Director must certify that you are 6 Letters From the Reader Wings of Wesley Chapel The Medic First Aid and CPR class we had just taken flashed before my eyes, as Jim dismounted Next is Leadership Training. Jeff and I went through the and headed for the downed rider. COY Continued from page 6 Horizons Program. The Horizon teaches members about the concepts such as; Team-building Expectations As Jim walked ahead he turned back and confirmed Communication, and how to run meetings and it was Bobby. When I got to Bobby, a more gatherings, as an officer couple. Jeff and I had more qualified rider was by his side, his left arm was FUN!! It was “All That” and more!! The Officer Certification Program (OCP) is a program that gives an in depth look at the functions of a chapter, including the financials and its operation. It was very informative and we both learned a lot about GWRRA and Chapter life. The last part is page 5 which asks: Why do you want to be District/Region/ International Couple of the Year. Jeff and I want to give back by sharing with others, the knowledge we have learned along with the FUN. We feel the decision to join and participate in this very worthwhile organization has brought us many new forever friendships far and near and to not only watch out for ourselves but others too!! immobile and his breathing labored, he felt quite sure he had broken some ribs. He was stabilized and taking short breaths so as not to cause any further injury. Bobby’s only concern was for the little boy and his condition. We assured him that he was awake, had a cut, some road rash and was being taken care of. He continued asking about the boy’s safety; Bobby just wanted to make sure we were not keeping anything from him. His mind was only on the condition of the boy. Since the rest of the motorcycles were blocking the road and emergency vehicles were on the way they were asked to continue on the route. My rider stayed with his friend and his bike. After Bobby was taken by ambulance, Jim stayed and helped Now the resume is almost done except for a few tweaks. with securing the motorcycle on the trailer. Next we can work on our 5 minute presentation, however, you will have to come and see that part at the I then went back to the little boy to so some hand competition. We hope that by the time the next newsletter article is due, we will be representing you as your new 2015 District Couple of the Year. That would mean our journey will continue and the next goal will be be The 2015 Region Couple of the year. If you don’ t compete and have FUN, you will miss out on that special part of your life that brings new friendship’s, laughter, FUN and memories of a lifetime. Hope to see you at the District Rally to celebrate!! Jeff & Lisa Bike Down Reprint So you’re a Co-Rider On a serious note, this month I had a new experience, these are my thoughts……………. You hear the dreaded words over the CB “Bike Down”, followed by your rider saying ‘It’s Bobby’. As your heart sinks, you remember your friend had volunteered to have a five year old co-rider; ‘Bike Down’ just took on a whole new meaning. 7 holding. What a brave little man this child was. His name is Thomas and has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. A parent’s worst nightmare was being played out right in front of me. Fellow bikers were all around keeping him calm, while his head and neck were being stabilized. Once the medic arrived he kept reassuring Thomas he was doing great. The mom in me felt helpless so I just held his hand and talked to him, I just wanted to keep his mind off what was going on. After the initial assessment, the decision was made to air lift him to the hospital. So the medic came back to Thomas and asked him if he had ever been in a helicopter, he said “no”. The medic then let him know ‘good news’ “today you will have that helicopter ride”. The corner of his mouth had a slight smile. Then came the ‘bad news’, as the medic explained”…..we are going to have to cut off your Spiderman hoodie”. I think at that moment time stood still for Thomas and he then realized what was happening. Continued on page 8 FUN n FACTS Don Hicks Wendy Ortiz Krista Taylor Ric Spearin Bob Fox Wings of Wesley Chapel 8-Mar 11-Mar 10-Mar 18-Mar 21-Mar Rick & Madalena Buck Joey & Lynn Everhart Ken & Debbie Kloc Howie & Karen Taylor 16-Mar 20-Mar 26-Mar 26-Mar 2015 FLORIDA GWRRA EVENTS Road Captains Carl Brenn Rick Buck Madalena Buck Ron Brown Lee Cargill Frank Corradini Karen Davidson Jeff Duffey Lisa Duffey Kay Durham Dave Epler Adrienne Epler Lynn Everhart Joey Everhart Matt Forman Bob Fox Donald Hicks Debbie Kloc Ken Kloc Jill Kwiatkowski Carol Fleurant Paul Matz Sharon Matz Rick Meredith Judy Murphy Doug Newman Peggy Newman Donnie Peters Aimee Peters Steve Ponder Pam Ponder Jim Siebel David Skelton Chuck Smith Shirley Smith Howie Taylor Karen Taylor Mar 19-21 Florida District Convention Kissimmee April 4 FL1-K Rally & Park St. Augustine April 11 FL1-B Road Rally Seffner Sept 3-6 Wing Ding Huntsville, AL Here are some additional endorsements to your policy that can be purchased 1. Bodily injury--this can cover the passenger, as long as they are not a family member 2. Guest Liability--only covers the co-rider 3. Medical Payment-pays medical only for you and the guest rider 4. Uninsured Motorist- will pay for an accident with an uninsured motorist Regarding the uninsured motorist ask your insurance agent if you can stack your coverage, as this maybe available if you have additional vehicles with the same company. We all try to be safe, but accidents do happen. This is just for informational purposes as it is beneficial to review the coverage we have prior to an accident. Continued from Page 7 Bike Down As I looked at him for a reaction, I noticed the quivering lip, as the slight tear started to flow. Thomas was not the only one with tears at this moment in time. The brave little man turned into a little boy who loves his Spiderman hoodie. I reassured him that he would definitely have a new Spider man hoodie! This information is courtesy of Jason Kurrack, an agent with Allstate Insurance. As of this writing Bobby and Thomas are on the mend. Bobby suffered 5 broken ribs and shoulder. Thomas had lacerations on his head, road rash and bruising. The Blue Knights chapter presented Thomas with a Spiderman helmet and he is ready to go riding as soon as the doctor gives the Okay! Once we were advised all were doing well, there were many questions as to expenses and who or what is covered in this type of accident. Sometimes we have a tendency to ask questions regarding our insurance after an accident, so I called my personal insurance agent to ask some general questions about motorcycle insurance. Co-Rider Denise Some information courtesy of Jason Kurrack, agent for Allstate Ins 8 Sponsors Wings of Wesley Chapel I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who wrote articles, provided pictures and read our newsletter for the past few years. This edition of the Wings of Wesley Chapel will be this editors final edition. Thank you 9
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