Saturday July 18, 2020

Chapter PA-R

GUMBALL RIDE Meet at Comfort Inn, Sayre, PA

Announcing our 2020 Officers

WWW.GWRRAPAR.ORG VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

L-R: Ed & Carla Dawejko, Dennis & Barb Smouse, Dale McClelland,

Arline Coffelt, and Bob Eiffert. Missing: Art Markle

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope all of you had a Safe and Happy Holiday Season, getting to spend time with family and friends. For Barb & I, we spent time with both our boys

and families. We took a quick trip to South Carolina to see younger son and family. Our grandson was in a Community Play. It was fun to see. Back home, oldest son and family along with a couple of girlfriends came out for Christmas Dinner. Barb outdid herself this year. Then we got to playing games and had a real good time the rest of the afternoon. As I sit writing this, Barb is busy packing so we can take a trip up to Western New York and visit the rest of my family; dad, brother and sister. Looking forward to that.

Weren’t at the Christmas Party this year? You missed another good time. There were a few who could not make it for various reasons, and we missed them. First, though, I need to throw out a big thanks to John Nutting for all the work he did on setting up, then MC’ing the afternoon festivities. There were a couple of surprises. Sorry, can’t tell you here, but you will find out soon enough. Also want to thank Tom & Renee Wasluck,

Assistants to National Directors, and Harold & Diane Jackson, Pennsylvania District Directors. So good to see all of you.

Well, you thought you got rid of me huh?? Nope, you’re stuck with Barb & I for another year of Fun! A little change of officers for the upcoming year. While Barb & I are staying on as your Chapter Directors, Ed & Carla Dawejko have accepted the position of Assistant Chapter Directors. The other positions for Chapter R have stayed the same. Check

out the front page for a list. You’ll note there are a couple of open positions. While I have done some begging in the past, I want to let everyone know what is open.

We did some pre-planning for the upcoming year. You will have to check out the calendar to see what the group decided on. A couple of highlights, we have a Weekend Getaway planned for June 27th to the 29th. We have no idea where. The past two or three years we have talked about doing another weekend trip but never got around to it. Therefore, I figure if we put a date on our calendar, not only can everyone plan their schedules, it will force us to come up with a place to go to. We’ve also been trying to get to Steamtown for a couple of years. It is on the schedule for August 1st. The Chapter also has an anniversary

coming up in 2020, our thirtieth. I have a couple of ideas for celebrating, but no big banquet.

As for the near future, we do not have anything on our calendar in January and February. Partly by design by me as I will be chasing snow. However, we could use a couple of good ideas. A dinner get together? An

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afternoon of fun? Give it some thought. We can discuss at the short Staff Meeting right after the January Gathering.

Speaking of the January Gathering, our connection with the Comfort Inn continues for 2020. Jan Lee, Sales Manager, continues to be very gracious with us. Barb & I look forward to seeing everyone there at 8:30 for Breakfast with the Gathering starting at 9:30. That is if I do not find snow to go chasing.

I’m very glad to report Gary from Southern Tier Honda continues to Sponsor Chapter R. Make sure you take all that holiday cash you got and trek up to Southern Tier Honda. Everyone needs more Safety Chrome!! We have a new advertiser with us this year, Ad Graphics Printing. They are located in Milan, right on the corner by the blinking traffic light. I do not know all their capabilities yet. One thing they do very well is embroidery work. If you want a sample, check out John Nutting’s new fleece jacket. The left side was done by Ad Graphics. I know they also sew on patches. If you have a need, stop in and check them out.

I didn’t think I had much to write about for January. Guess I was wrong. To close it out, from my book, ‘Sit Down, Shut Up & Hang On! A Biker’s Guide To Life’, “Well trained reflexes are quicker than luck.”

Wishing everyone a Very Prosperous, Healthy and Happy New Year,

Dennis & Barb

Chapter Directors PA-R

145 Front Street, Owego, New York 13827 Great food, catering, historic bar & hotel

Continued from Page 2

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Hi everyone! We’d like to introduce ourselves as the newbies to

this group! We are Ed and Carla Dawejko of Litchfield - that will

be DaWINGko to this group!!! We only joined three years ago,

and here we are trying to take over the reins. This ought to be an

interesting ride!

But sometime these things are just meant to be. Let me take you a trip

back in time. Ed was a young dad and loved to go over to Bob’s Honda

on Elmira Street in the 1980’s. The shop had a turntable to display the

Goldwings and high end bikes and Ed took his kids to admire those

beautiful items and dream about what it would be like to ride on one. In

particular, the gold Goldwing caught his eye.

Transport now 35 years into the future! Ed learned that Craigslist had

some pretty cool bikes at more reasonable prices! He found one up

above Watkins Glen - a 1989 Goldwing with only 8900 miles. Must be

a typo, right? Well, off we trekked to look at it! The seller told us the

bike’s story. Its first owner drove it 8,000 miles, but developed diabetes

and lost a leg. He was a buddy of the seller’s so the seller bought the bike. He only got 900 miles on it before his wife

left him high and dry with 3 kids. A little hard to find time to ride! So here we were—looking at this beautiful bike that

looked just like the one he had drooled over back in the 80’s at Bob’s Honda.

Enter wife with a cautionary statement - “Do you think this bike has bad luck? We would be its third owner, ya know!”

But wife saw how extremely happy the husband looked at this dream, so we bought it—without even a test drive.

We took a weekend trip to Jamestown and wife noted very quickly that there wasn't much room to pack for more than a

day! So Ed kept his eye out for a trailer hitch, which he found in no time at a rummage sale in town. Those owners

happened to be a former sister/brother in law who enlightened us about the Goldwing chapter that met right across the

road from where the former Bob’s Honda used to stand! Ed bought that hitch, bought a used trailer, and we joined that

fun loving Goldwing Chapter!

We have taken several rides with the chapter, including one last summer where we encountered a major pothole down

near World’s End. The cycle behind us said we flew up in the air and they held their breath that we would maintain

control. Ed felt so good after being commended for his expert handling of the bike. Guess that bike didn’t have a bad

omen afterall!

Well we have come up through the chapter as Couple of the

Year and attending various events, and now we are forging

ahead as your assistant chapter directors. We want to thank

everyone involved in Chapter PA-R for becoming our new

family and we look forward to a great year of riding with

you!

Ed & Carla

Assistant Chapter Directors PA-R

OK, I get annoyed waiting, like in the doctor’s waiting room, reading one year old magazines, or in line at the checkout line at the store.

When I was young, I knew I had a lot of years ahead of me and I was in no hurry. Then

one day I'm middle aged and think I better get and do all the things on my bucket list before it's too late. As I write this article and look ahead, I don't have a lot of years left and don't want to waste a hour or a minute of it!

The worse place is the check out Express line at

my store. The Dictionary says (Express) means (prompt transportation of goods). This doesn't happen when the woman ahead of you is telling the clerk all about her kid’s birthday party, or the person with a cart full of well over the 20 item

limit. Now that I think about it, they should have a lane just for retired people over 65 years old. At our age we don't have time to wait in line.

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Hi Everyone:

It’s hard to imagine that 2019 is almost gone and 2020 is fast approaching.

Christmas is only a couple weeks away and New Years is one week behind.

Evelyn and I hope that all of you are prepared for all the activities associated with the holidays and have prepared yourself for the addition of several pounds.

As we enter 2020 you should be going on line and checking your individual training status to see what classes you need to take in order to stay current in the levels program.

With the arrival of 2020 means another GREAT YEAR of riding, attending GWRRA functions and visiting with our GWRRA friends.

The majority of us have already put our bikes/trikes away for a long winters nap, but there may be a few who continue to ride through the winter. Not everyone has the luxury of heated grips, heated seats and heated clothing.

Keep in mind when you are there riding to watch for the following: anti- skid, slippery spots on the roads, pot holes and white/yellow lines which become slippery when wet.

Take a break and stop to warm yourself. Keep in mind that cold hands and feet do not react well. If you are out riding and your fingers become numb, put latex gloves over your liners, and then put your regular gloves on over the latex gloves. It’s amazing how effective this simple idea can be.

The winter months will also provide a great opportunity to have a Training Day. These are always fun to have during the cold winter months and it only takes a couple of hours.

Again in 2020, we encourage everyone to get involved in the Rider Education program to improve your riding skills and knowledge so that you and your passenger enjoy the ride and return home safely.

Evelyn and I have enjoyed the last year as PA District Educators and would like thank all of you for all your help and support. In addition, we would like to wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Remember ATGATT.

“Ride Safe and Ride Proud”

Chuck & Evelyn Stone PA DISTRICT EDUCATORS

Chuck & Evelyn Stone

PA District Educators

The holidays are behind us and we are now looking forward to another fantastic year in 2020!

We have noticed many chapters have a full riding season planned for 2020. We look forward to 2020 and having FUN with our GWRRA family. Thank you to all the officers that have stepped forward or remaining in office for your dedication to your GWRRA chapter. And thank you to those officers that have completed their term; we appreciate everything that you have done for your chapter and GWRRA. Thank You! If you chapter has an office position that is not filled or needs your help in a non-office position, please volunteer. It will be a rewarding experience and you will be helping your GWRRA family. 2019 Chapter Directors and Chapter Treasures it is time to turn in the chapter’s year end paperwork and file the chapter’s 990N. We need to have this by January 15, 2020. Chapter Directors have you turned in your money, sold tickets and any unsold tickets for the PA District Raffle to Sharon Golanka, DT at 647 South Ridge Road, Coal Center, PA 15423? They must be turned in by January 15, 2020 Have you looked at the 2020 Calendar of Events on the PA District website? The year is going to be very busy with chapter gatherings, rides, dinners and ice cream. We hope you are planning on attending the PA District Rally, All Chapters West, district rides and Wing Ding. The Roll for the Dough program starts in January and the 2020 guidelines are posted on the PA District website. So, let’s get out there and visit your friends and GWRRA family at other chapters and events being held. And as a bonus, while you are doing your visitation you can earn points in the Roll for the Dough program. Now is a great time to send in your PA District Rally registration for “Ride Back in Time” being held May 14-16, 2020 in Altoona, PA at the Altoona Grand Hotel. If you send in your registration before February 29, 2020 you will be entered into a drawing for $100 cash! Don’t forget there are several extra events to consider signing up for on the registration.

Thursday evening Welcome Party that includes a meal. Riding Classes: Advanced Rider Course (ARC), & Trike Rider Course (TRC).

(deposit is refunded after you take the class) Road Captain Course (RCC)

GWRRA Medic-First Aid course on Saturday. (Fee is for class supplies) Don’t forget to book your room at the Altoona Grand Hotel; room rate is $95 & includes breakfast District events we hope you plan on attending: 03/14/20 Couple of the Year FUN Day 04/18/20 Officer Conference 06/12-14/20 All Chapters West (ACW) Hosted by PA-I 08/16/20 PA District Ride In 09/11-13/20 All Chapters East (ACE) Hosted by PA-X This year you, your chapter and the district need to come up with some recruitment ideas so, we can some new

members in your chapter. Please let us know what your idea is.

Remember to always ride safe! Harold and Diane Jackson Your PA District Directors

Harold & Diane Jackson

PA District Directors