GWRRA
Friends for Fun, Safety, and Knowledge
M
MMM
Chapter Z Columbia Tennessee
May 2015
MULE
Chapter Z Team
Director
Charlie and Pam Huffman
E-mail: huffmanpam26@gmail.com
National, Regional, and
District Team
GWRRA
P.O. Box 42450
Phoenix, Arizona 85080-2450
(800) 843-9460
www.gwrra.org
Director
Ray and Sandy Garris
director@gwrra.org
Region N Directors
Alan and Carolyn Little
(704) 485-4756
(704) 438-7863 (Alan’s Cell)
alanlittle02@yahoo.com
Tennessee District Directors
Gary and Pattie Hamilton
Assistant District Directors
TBD
(931) 489-9337
plumbdone34@yahoo.com
CHAPTER Z Gathering
We meet the second
Saturday of every month,
eat at 5:30 pm, meeting at
6:30 pm
Catfish Campus
2509 Keith Drive
Columbia, Tennessee
(931) 381-4871
Please join us at 5:30 for
dinner before our meeting!
We would love to have you.
Assistant Chapter Directors
Bruce and Lynn Tidwell
E-mail: brucetidwell@charter.net
Chapter Educator
James and Jerlene Smithson
E-mail skincare@ainweb.net
Member Enhancement Coordinators
Dwayne and Kim Owen
E-mail: ddowen59@gmail.com
District and Chapter Web Master
Jim Lester
E-mail: jim@lester-home.com
Treasurer
Debra Vitrano
E-mail: joedebravitrano@yahoo.com
Ride Coordinator
Larry Tatum
madtattingnanny@yahoo.com
Newsletter Editors
Mitchell and Judy Johns
Email:mitchljohns@gmail.com
Chapter Supply Store
Sandy Tatum
Email: madtattingnanny@yahoo.com
2015 Couple of the Year
Tommy and Sharon Carroll
,
Chapter Directors Charlie and Pam Huffman
Hello Chapter Z
We are off to the races so far this year. We have all been busy. It
takes a while to get everything ready for Spring Fling. So amid all that,
we still found time for a few other things.
Our Chapter gathering was on the same day as Columbia’s Mule
Day. Our gathering was a little quiet that night. I guess a lot of folks
don’t think that Goldwings and mules go together very well. We had the
Tennessee District Plaque and still do as no chapter had enough people
to take it home. It will be up for grabs again on May 9 at our gathering. I
feel that it will have a new home soon along with the Region N Plaque
and the Couple of the Year Plaque.
Chapter G had the Couple of the year plaque. Several of us went to Tullahoma to their gathering
with Tommy and Sharon Carroll, our Couple of the Year, to encourage them and help in bringing that plaque
back to Columbia. They were the successful ticket holder !!!!!!!!!!!! While we were there, we found out
where the Region N plaque was located. On the spur of the moment, six of us decided to go to Lexington, KY
the next day to try to bring it back to Tennessee. Tommy & Sharon, Bruce & Lynn and Charlie & Pam set sail
for horse country, Lexington, KY. We had great weather for a ride and to top it off, we were successful in
capturing the wood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Time to get packed for East Ridge. As usual on an overnight trip, we carried food with us so that we
can get together and eat and fellowship. Chapter Z had a great showing with 22 members in attendance.
We were responsible for the preregistration table on Thursday. James and Jerlene worked the
Riders Ed table as well. Chapter Z members are always ready
to help with whatever we are asked. Thanks to all of you.
Some of our
member went
to the Coker
Tire Museum
and others
went on the
guided ride to Georgia. Most of us were
involved with
the talent show. We found out that “WE
DON’T LOOK
GOOD NAKED ANYMORE” but, we took first place in the Comedy division of the talent show to prove
it!!!!!!!!
Several of us competed in the Chapter Challenge.
Max and Renee
went all out in
choosing some
truly challenging
events. The
plunger and toilet
paper game was
a hoot.Then
some of the couples got to get up close and personal with the fruit thru the pants game. FUNNY. The
musical questions were great as well, songs from all genres and eras brought back memories of other times.
BUT THE CREAM OF THE CROP HAD TO BE THE WATERMELON SPITTING CONTEST. OUR DISTRIST DIRECTOR,
PATTIE, MADE THE SUGGESTION FOR THIS ONE AND DID THE SHOPPING FOR THE FRUIT. IT’S KINDA HARD
TO SPIT SEEDS FROM A SEEDLESS MELON. At least everyone got a lesson in seedless spitting!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to Chapter Y for winning the Chapter Challenge overall.
We all were excited to ride in the bike parade and carry flags on our bikes. They looked stunning
going through town with all the lights and flags flying.
There were many spectators throughout the parade
route. The City of East Ridge did a spectacular job of
blocking traffic for us. We were very pleased to have
Jason
Smith, a veteran, who lost both legs in Afghanistan as our
grand
marshall. Jason is the recipient of a house to be built for
him
and his family by the Steps2Heal organization. All
proceeds received from the dunking tank went to this
organization as well as donations at the parade. It sure gives you a good feeling to be able to help someone
who has put his life on the line for us. Thank you Jason , and all other veterans who do the same thing on a
daily basis and to all the retired vets as well
The dunking booth was a great success once the water warmed a little. Gary, Tony, Jeff, Brenda,
Dennis & Charlie all manned the dunking booth throughout the weekend. Altogether over $1500.00 was
raised. Way to go guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter Z was awarded the Bronze Chapter of the Year Award. Congratulations to all Chapter Z
members. This award is given on the merits of chapter activities and involvement with other chapters and
community, as well as travel and commraderie and education.
.
Our chapter banner took second place in that competition. Charlie took first place in the class III
light show.
Charlie and I were totally shocked when we were awarded the Audrey Batson award. When we
joined GWRRA and Chapter Z we were looking for people to ride with. We never expected to meet so many
wonderful folks from so many different places. We have met people from many other cities and states from
all vocations. You learn so much from other people. We also never thought about taking classes to further
our knowledge about safety, much less becoming instructors. We are humbled by this award and would like
to thank the Tennessee District Staff and anyone else involved in naming us the recipients of the Audrey
Batson Award.
We enjoyed eating at Wally’s, the Cracker Barrell, and Sugar’s Ribs while we were in East Ridge.
We all enjoyed the dinner ride on the Southern Belle riverboat. The food was very good and we had a very
good ride.
The District Staff did a great job of putting all of the Spring Fling events together. THANKS GUYS
FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK!!!
We would like to congratulate all of the winners at Spring Fling.
We want to express our sympathy to Cindy and Mike Burkitt on the loss of her father
Five of us went to visit with Chapter A at their gathering. We enjoyed visiting with them and
enjoyed their meeting.
Till next time, Ride safe, Ride often, Ride
Charlie & Pam
Assistant Chapter Director Bruce and Lynn Tidwell
A new month and time to put a turn on the last. Weather stopped or hindered many planned rides but some
of us ride ride in the rain or cold.
Captured 3 plaques during the month, COY, MIDDLE TN TRAVELING, and went to Lexington KY on 16 hrs. notice and brought
home the REGION
N WOOD. These will be up for grabs at our monthly meeting in May so come and compete for them !!!!! We would love to have
you-all come and
visit!
Safety is always first and with the advent of great riding weather we all should revisit the basics. Group riding, T-Clock
inspections, safety training,
driving safety, these are but a few and I know you have many more but do update yourself and your ride so you can safely enjoy
the season.
We all need to become more active in recruiting new members. This activity is crucial to the continued success of GWRRA
and we all need to
be active in this process. GWRRA is declining as the average member age increases we need to get out and invite new
members. When you see a
Goldwing rider meet them ,share literature, and invite them to a meeting. Bye doing this we will reverse the downward spiral we
are currently
experiencing reduced numbers at rallies, loss of chapters, and difficulty in finding officers at all levels.
All in all it was a great month and Lynn and I are looking forward to a safe and active May !
Hope to see you on the road, Bruce and Lynn Tidwell
James & Jerlene Smithson – TN-Z- Ride Educators
RIDING IN HOT WEATHER
(I guess you noticed the orange trike. Elvis has left the building.)
We are proud of all of you for being safe to and from Spring Fling. As far as we know, there
were no bad accidents. Our group did GREAT. We are proud of you. I think we had 22
members for Spring Fling this year.
Safety can’t be expressed enough. We know that the April showers are over. W e need to get ready for the HOT
weather of summer. As is always here in Middle TN., we go from 65 degrees to 85 almost overnight.
With these thoughts it mind, I want to remind you of some good riding tips for riding in hot weather.
1. Always do your T-Clock before you ride.
2. If you are riding with a group, always meet with your gas tank full and your bladder empty.
3. Before the ride, don’t rush it, take time for the leader of your group to explain the route to be taken and/or stops
along the way for breaks, and what to do if someone has trouble along the way. If you are riding with your same group
then you pretty much know the way you ride.
4. If possible it is best to travel in small groups.
5. If you are new to the group, you may want to ride up closer behind the lead biker. It’s the same if you donot have CB.
6. It is the first of May and the weather here is getting hotter. It’s important to say - DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. Drinking
soda or tea is not what you really need. Water is best. So be sure and take along bottle water to drink along the way.
You can’t drink it if you don’t have it with you. You can’t have a good time if you are dehydrated.
7. Remember when coming upon a tractor trailer and get ready to pass it, please pass it as quickly as possible, and keep
your speed up so everyone in your group can pass quickly. The reason being if some of those trailers run RECAP TIRES,
they are more likely to come apart in hot weather. So keep your mind on what you are doing and get on around.
8. Pay attention to what is ahead of you on the road, not just the bike closest to you. This is why we ride in staggered
formation, to see ahead. If at all possible, keep the “two second” rule between you and the bike directly in front of you.
This helps to keep the group together and not be strung out half mile down the road. Also, lingering way back allows
the four wheeled vehicles to cut into your group. However, if someone is determined to break into to your group, one
way or another, hold back and let them have it. It’s not worth getting run over to keep that space. Just be safe.
9. Make sure you wear your riding jackets. You may think you would be cooler riding in shorts and short sleeves but this
is not true. If you wear your safety mesh jacket and pants, you will be cooler as you ride down the road. Some people
have also purchased a COOL VEST. Just dip the cool vest in cold water and wear over your shirt, then your jacket on next.
10. The best thing that I can tell you about riding in hot weather is to use good common sense and pay attention to
what is going on around you, and what your body is telling you it needs.
We want you to have a SAFE and ENJOYABLE RIDING SEASON. BE SAFE AND RIDE AS OFTEN AS YOU WOULD LIKE.
MEC Dwayne and Kim Owen
, we’ve been waiting for warm weather and it looks like it’s here to
stay. Activities are
coming up, so let’s get ready to ride the roads in the coming months. We just got back from Spring
Fling and had a good time. All I can say is
“We don’t look good naked anymore”! Next year it moves to Sevierville and
should be even better. The next big Hi Friends,
Well event will be Roan Mountain Steak-Out.
We are looking forward to that.
We’ve been trying to step up riding and have scheduled rides, so hopefully
if you can’t make one, you can catch the next. Personally, I still think that’s the
way we are going to meet new people and try to recruit them in our chapter. Of
course we can’t ride every week. We still have responsibilities to other activities
as well.
You know folks, as much as I wish I could read minds, I can’t. So, if
there’s anything you want or place you want to go let us know and we will try to
see if we can make it happen.
Let’s enjoy the spring and summer! Be safe and watch the other guy. Look
out for each other, ride hard, leave the watches at home, and remember: “Ride to
Eat, Eat to Ride”!
Dwayne & Kim
Chapter Z MEC’s
May Rides:
2nd – Rattlesnake Saloon
8th – Millers Grocery
9th – Rock Island Park
Chapter A Fun Day
15-16 Roan Mountain
Chapter Z 2015 Couple of the year Tommy and Sharon Carroll
Hello everyone, hope you are enjoying the warmer Spring weather, I know we are.
On April 4, 2015, Chapter Z hosted a Medic First Aid at Charlie & Pam Huffman's home. We
had fifteen people to participate in the course and our instructor was Connie
Freeman. Hopefully, we won't ever need to use these skills, but if we do, we'll be ready.
We normally start the riding season off with a ride on Good Friday, however, due to
inclement weather we post pone d the ride until Saturday, April 4, 2015. Our ride is always
to the Catfish Creel in Anderson, Alabama. We had a great group that attended this ride,
there were a total of seventeen. The food was great, but the company was even better.
Then on April 11, 2015 Tommy and I went on an over night trip to Chattanooga to visit with
Chapter V.
However, to our disappointment, they did not have a meeting. It was our fault for not
checking the District web site to see if their meeting was going on. Won't make that
mistake again.
We did get back in time for our Chapter meeting that evening. We have the District
Tennessee Traveling Plaque. However, we get to keep the Plaque another month as we
only had three visitors. This was the smallest group gathering we've had. Hope to see
everyone at our May gathering.
On April 12, 2015 several of us went over to Charlie and Pam Huffman to practice for our
skit whenever we go to the District Rally. I know we will have lots of fun with this
skit. You have to see it to believe it.
Tullahoma Chapter G had the COY Plaque, so you know where we went along with Charlie
and Pam Huffman, Bob Markham and Bruce & Lynn Tidwell, this was on April 16,
2015. There were several couples in attendance to try for the Plaque, but as luck would
have it Tommy's number was drawn and it was 735998. So now, we have three Plaques,
so you have to come and get them. Looking forward to a large group at next gathering in
May.
Charlie and Pam Huffman asked if Tommy, Sharon, Bruce & Lynn Tidwell wanted to go on
an over night trip to Lexington, Ky to get the Region N Plaque on April 18, 2015. We went,
we got the Region N Plaque with total miles of 3,431.22. Now we have two Plaques to give
away at our May gathering.
Now we are onto the District Rally in East Ridge, Tennessee which was from April 23-26,
2015. We had twenty two people to go from our Chapter. On arrival at rally site we had to
do Registration, once done we were free to do whatever. One of whatever was to
participate in the talent contest. There were six groups competing in the talent
show. Now I told you earlier in this article that were going to enter, will we did in the
comedy section and our skit was "You Don't Look Good Naked". You had to be there to
appreciate how we looked (funny). The costumes made the skit as well as the actors. We
did come in first place in the comedy section. Another fun thing that was done, Charlie
Huffman offered to be in the dunking booth, he got very wet. Even Pam (his wife) got
him. We even participated in the Team Challenge portion of the games, however, not
everyone can be a winners. We did receive several more awards one being the Tennessee
Audrey Bastion Award which Charlie and Pam Huffman won. What an honor. Our Chapter
received the Bronze Award for the Chapter of the Year. Way to go Chapter. Everyone had
a great time-look forward to next year.
We've had a busy month. Look forward to seeing other Chapters thru out the state that is
our goal for this year.
Visitation is great!
Tommy & Sharon Carroll
COY 2015
Chapter Z Birthdays and Anniversaries
James and Jerlene Smithson 21st
Gary and Terri Dinger 21th
Tommy and Vickie Logue 21st
Ralph Conkle 17th
1.
Kicking Mule Trading Post
Pair of 1800 gold wing mufflers take offs when I triked my bike.
30.00 For them. Can call me at 931-987-2728. Thanks Bob.
2014 American Legend with cooler package carpet inside, lights on fender, spare tire, cover for
cooler pulled one time. $2,400.00 Call Bob at (931)987-2728
Eurowing front end. Bike had 14,700 miles when taken off. Will sell for $185.00. Call George Nuber at (931)446-1741
For pictures and more information,
1. Complete front suspension assembly for GL1800. No damage, never been modified or forks taken
apart; changed out
GWRRA Upcoming Events
May 2015
6
16th Annual St. Jude Benefit Golf
Tournament
Lunch 11:30 to 12:30, Tee time at 1:00pm
Tri-Cities Golf Course - Blountville, TN
Flyer & Registration
9
15-16
Chapter A FunDay! "A May Thing"
Flyer
All-indoor Fun - BBQ lunch - Live Music, Games, Poker Run,
Cake Walk
Gladeville Community Center 95 McCrary RD, Lebanon TN
10 am - 2pm
$10 per person
Contact: Troy Hurt gwrrachaptera@gmail.com 615-351-6629
32nd Annual Roan Mountain
Steakout.
Bean Supper May 15th at 6:00pm.
1st Steak Out at 5:00pm May 16th
Flyer & Registration
June 2015
6
TN-Q Funday
July 2015
9-11
North Carolina "Wings Over the Smokies" District Convention
24-25
West Virginia "Down Home WV Rally" District Convention
August 2015
6
Tennessee Chapter C Presents the 6th Annual Putt Putt Tournament
for St. Jude Children’s’ Research Hospital. "Putt For a Cure"
Location: 346 West Stone Drive Putt Putt Kingsport, Tennessee MAP
FLYER
CDs: Richard & Connie Pendleton r-cpend@charter.net 423-245-8484
13
15
Kentucky "Kentucy Blast" District Convention
September 2015
3-6
WING DING 37
26
Tennessee Chapter N Fun Day
Location: Bob's House of Honda, 603 Vann Dr., Jackson, TN
38305 MAP
Senior CDs: Tony & Lori Douglas tony_douglas@live.com 731-6769917
October 2015
13
Virginia "Rally In The Valley" District Convention
November 2015
6-7
Tennessee Chapter Q Veterans Day Parade.
Tennessee District Chapter Gathering Schedule
Last Tuesday of Eat 6:00 pm /
the Month
Meet 7:00 pm
Golden Corral, 315 Old
CDs: Troy &
Lebanon Dirt Rd., Hermitage,
Vickie Hurt
TN.
615-3516629
3rf Monday of
the Month
Eat 6:00 pm /
Meet 6:30 pm
Old Charlie’s Restaurant,
364Fountain View Circle,
Alcoa TN 37701
CDs: Wayne
Howe & Brandi
Ellard
865-9240136
1st Tuesday of
the Month
Eat 6:00 pm /
Meet 7:00 pm
Shoney's Restaurant, 2405
Andersonville Hwy, Clinton,
TN 37716
Sr. CDs: Tom &
Kathy Peck
423-9079712
3rd Tuesday of
the Month
Eat 6:00 pm /
Meet 7:00 pm
Mama's House Buffet, 2608
North John B Dennis Hwy,
Kingsport, TN.
CDs: Richard &
Connie
Pendleton
423-2458484
3rd Saturday of
the Month
Eat 8:00 am /
Meet 9:00 am
Shoney's, 4148 U.S. 127,
Crossville, TN 38571
CDs: David &
Dianna Hamby
931-5105595
3rd Thursday of
the Month
Eat 6:00pm /
Meet 7:00 pm
Golden Corral, 2905 West
Andrew Johnson Highway,
Morristown, TN
CD: Bill Potter
865-2549218
3rd Thursday of
the Month
Eat 6:00 pm /
Meet 7:00 pm
Gondola Pizza and Steak
House, 412 E Carroll ST,
Tullahoma, TN
CDs: Dennis &
Anne Greer
931-7281463
4th Saturday of
the Month
Eat 8:00 am /
Meet 9:00 am
Honda of Cool Springs, 1096
West McEwen Dr, Franklin,
TN
CDs: David &
Barbara Jordan
931-6075836
1st Saturday of
the Month
Eat 8:00 am /
Meet 9:00 am
Ryan's, 405 S. Cumberland ,
Lebanon, TN
CDs: Andrew &
Debbie Smith
615-7849772
2nd Tuesday of
the Month
Eat 6:00 pm /
Meet 7:00 pm
550 Fort Loudon Medical
Center Dr., Lenior City, TN
37772
CDs: Mel &
Renee
McInerney
865-8091466
1st Saturday of
the Month
Eat 5:00 pm /
Meet 6:00 pm
1st Saturday of
the Month
Golden Corral, 350 Stuart Rd.
Eat 9:00 am /
CDs: Brenda
NE (I-75 Exit 27), Cleveland,
Meet 10:00 am
Perkinson
TN
Brookie's Barn, 561 Oil Well
Rd, Jackson, TN
Sr. CDs: Tony &
Lori Douglas
Last Monday of Eat 6:00 pm /
the Month
Meet 7:00 pm
Golden Corral, 2811 Wilma
Rudolph Boulevard
Clarksville, TN
CDs: Al & Cindy
Bidwell
3rd Saturday of
the Month
My Time Cafe, 125 Main St,
Portland, TN
CDs: Ronny &
Dee England
Eat 1:00 pm /
Meet 2:00 pm
731-6769917
423-3101551
615-4284611
4th Tuesday of
the Month
Eat 6:00pm /
Meet 7:00pm
CDs: Kimberly
and Robert
Burleson
865-2936955
2nd Saturday of
the Month
Honda Southern Power
Eat 9:00 am /
Sports, 1394 Workman Road, CD: Gary Boyd
Meet 10:00 am
Chattanooga, TN
423-7186807
3rd Saturday of
the Month
Eat 6:00 pm /
Meet 7:00 pm
Perkins, 1340 S. Germantown CDs: Ivan &
Pkwy, Memphis, TN
Leesa Coburn
423-7186807
3rd Saturday of
the Month
Eat 8:00 am /
Meet 9:00 am
The Murfreesboro Jaycees
CDs: Allen &
Colonel’s Club, 403 Hickerson
Dottie Wessels
Dr, Murfreesboro TN 37129
615-2184904
2nd Saturday of
the Month
Eat 5:30 pm /
Meet 6:30 pm
Catfish Campus Restaurant, CDs: Charlie &
2509 Keith Dr, Columbia, TN Pam Huffman
931-2151650
Shoney's 315 E Emory Road
Powell, TN
To a great New Year!