Polk County Wings
News Letter
October 28
Note from the Chapter Director
First I'd like to welcome our new newsletter editor. Jean Laverty has graciously agreed to take over for Donna and give it a go at doing the newsletter. This should provide a fresh look and allow for some new ideas to flow. Please welcome her, thank her for taking on this task and help her out in any way you can. We have been looking for someone to do this for some time. Donna feels he has become stagnant and really would like to do other things. This is a really big help and we are happy that Jean is willing to give it her all
I am going to spend this part of the newsletter talking about safety again. It seems as if in the last month or two, our big GWTA family has had a number of accidents. Mostly these have been caused by deer but other causes also have been involved in some of these accidents. I know a lot of you are getting ready to put the bike away for the season but some of us will be continuing to ride for awhile yet (mother nature willing) and there is a lot to watch out for. Farmers harvesting will be causing the deer to be more active so keep your eyes open for them. Road conditions are also a factor. Farmers moving equipment on the highway sometimes leaves debris, and the equipment on the road can be a hazard also so watch out for that stuff. Water, leaves, rocks, sand, dirt, frost are also all things to be aware of and to make sure you plan for to ride appropriately. Please be careful. I don't want to see any of our group go down. Be careful
Check out the blog from time to time. I try to update it with whatever events the group has been doing. It has, so far, been from my perspective only. I'd like to see other people put stuff on there as well. Your trips, happenings, etc. It can be done two ways. You can ask me and I'll give you a link allowing you to access the blog and put your stuff in or you can send me an email with what you want put on and I'll do it for you. I'd appreciate your help in doing this. This way, we can all share in events that others have done.
Until next time.
Dennis and Donna
Members Update
Health of members in Chapter I, State of Iowa, Region C, and across the nation has sure been tough this year. Seems there are frequent emails regarding accidents, hospitalizations, surgeries, and just so many things. Please know, each and every member, our thoughts and prayers are with everyone! Lets hope the winter is good to GWTA and that everyone will be ready to ride by Spring and that with that, Mother Nature will give us an actual spring and riding time.
NEW CHAPTER I LOGO
It is hoped that most or all of you have seen the new chapter logo and shirts. We are very excited about this and it seems most people are. Those who have shirts and have worn them anywhere, have received many compliments on them. Many compliments have been made about our chapter logo. Thanks to all who have assisted in getting all of this done. The Committee that was formed last November did a great job.
Ideas and Events
Everyone in this chapter can input ideas and/or host events for the chapter. The more anyone else does these things, the more fun this organization can be and the better it will be. This is NOT a group where the Chapter Director should be coming up with all the ideas, planning all things, etc.
This is YOUR chapter. If you have ANY idea, please email Dennis at gwtaiowachapteri@gmail.com with any idea, and if you want to host it, or totally plan it and then just say hey, who wants to participate, great, Dennis will get this put out to the chapter and can set it up for the replies to come to you, if you like. This could be rides, dinners, get together's, anything. If you want to do something impromtu (like recently there was a night that some went to Victory Lane at the last minute just go get out) super, let Dennis and Donna know and they will get as many called (usually this is everyone) to let them know. The most fun some people have had were the last minute things, so you don't have to plan something way ahead.
Now with subject, a few people have mentioned they enjoyed a chili dump we have had in the past. One time Chris and Sarah were persuaded to host it and one time the Busch's hosted it. Some of you might not know what a "chili dump" is. A chili dump is where everyone (or most families) bring a bowl or so of chili and it is dumped into a large roster or pot at the location of the event. All are stirred together to make a brand new chili. Some people don't bring chili and then we have a few that bring veggies and dip, cornbread, cheese and sour cream and crackers and fritos, etc. for the chili, and desserts. We have had these in garages, these are great fun and what great food. People bring lawn chairs and we eat (what we do best) and enjoy the company of others. If you are interested in hosting one of these, let Dennis know and we will get the word out. Those mentioning this just do not have the space to do one. Maybe you don't want chili, we have heard of "friendship Stew" also, where everyone brings elements to dump in for stew. There are many other ideas that would be fun to do also...the sky is the limit for gatherings and having fun!
Colorama
Two of our families from Chapter I and some others from Iowa went to Colorama. This is an event held the 2nd weekend of October every year and put on by the Lake County Riders of Missouri, another GWTA Chapter. Many have been to this event in the past years. Two years ago, the campground owners where it had been held, sold the campground. The new owners had promised to work the basic same arrangements with all the bike groups that held events there. Well, unfortunately things don't always happen. So, last year Colorama was held in Eureka Springs, and it was a great time, but something was missing. Those attending just thought it was their feelings, but evidently it was not. This year the event was held at "The Hub"(http://www.hubinfo.com/) 7 or so miles south of Harrison, Arkansas on beautiful Highway 7. Ok, The great fun comradrie came back! This is a winning location. This is a motorcycle friendly motel, that is hoping to offer camping at the same location next year. There is a restaurant and banquet hall, and a gathering location all on the property. The owners are lots of fun, prices are definitely reasonable, and the food is actually the best there has ever been. Those who went this year, and some of those who have went in the past, have already made their motel reservations for next year. Their toll free number is 800.597.9963 and just tell them you are coming to the Lake Country Riders Colorama event next October. Lots of people like to get there on Thursday night, but if you can't get there until Friday, no problem. Those who went this year, due to the nasty weather, pretty much went in cages (cars). Some towed their bikes and some dealt with the weather and just rode. No matter how you go, you will have fun. This is located in a dry county, however, the owners of the motel have a cooler of beer outside with a "donation" container. Don't miss out on this fun next year!
Christmas Activities
Christmas Caroling: We are looking to go Christmas caroling a couple of places in December on a Sunday afternoon. We would love to have some suggestions on places to go. We are thinking nursing homes and/or for children like at Blank. Please get all your ideas to Dennis at his email or call him so we can get this set up. IF you want to eat, have treats, or something afterwards, give any and all information and ideas on that also, please. We want to provide the lyrics for the carols, and will probably just print off the internet unless someone has an idea to share with us on this.
Iowa Chapter I Christmas Party: This year the party will be held the first Saturday of January. January 2, 2010. The Chapter will be paying for the location and the meat. This will be potluck with everyone bringing a dish and if you want some treats for after dinner. You can bring a $10 gift, bring a guys gift if you are a guy, and a gals gift if you are a gal, please wrap (creativity is encouraged) and mark Guy or Gal. The address is 2340 E 9th Street and located between Guthrie and Arthur on E. 9th. Chapter will also provide table service, please bring your own beverage. We will get a flyer out to you all with more specifics shortly.
NOVEMBER MEETING
The November meeting is very possibly going to be a full meeting. Many things are on the agenda for this meeting. Nominations for Chapter Director, Voting of the Family of the Year for Iowa Chapter I, Decision of the members on an additional dinner/gathering per month during the winter - not a business meeting, funship only. Information on Patches with Chapter Logo, Order forms to order more chapter shirts. These are just a few of the items coming up, there is more. This organization is a MEMBER organization, please come and let your opinion be heard and voted upon. Dennis put out in an email, that he is going to try to do some of the meeting after ordering and before food is delivered to try to move the meeting along. Please, during the meeting, be courteous and do not have sidebar conversations. This has been a complaint from several members who are trying to hear what is being discussed, etc. If you are not interested in this information, you are welcome to take your conversation out of the room. It is understood that some people just want to come, eat, ride and have fun. There is NO problem in that, but remember others who do want to do those things. Lets be considerate to those members who do what to take part in the discussion and vote.
Update on Members
This has been quite a year for our members. Several have had lots going on. Right now we are sending get well wishes to several, Don Reeves recently had neck surgery, Craig Wyckoff recently had hernia surgery, Ernie Green and Craig Palmer both had knee replacements and then Ernie had some difficulties that put him back in the hospital a couple weeks later. These are the most recent, we believe, at this time. We hope you can all be well and join us in having fun soon.
2010 Dinner Ride Locations
Dennis is begging for everyone to please email him EVERY idea for possible Monday Dinner Ride locations for 2010. A list will be compiled and put out for the membership to vote on the locations they want to ride to in 2010. The only problem we have is lack of locations to put on the list. Please, email these ideas to Dennis or call him with ideas.
From your Newsletter Editor
I hope that you will enjoy your upcoming newsletters. Please send anything to me that you would like in the newsletter. This could be for sale or want to purchase, it could be something about a ride you might have taken, in a group or alone. Share pictures, stories, anything you can to make this newsletter something you enjoy and look forward to.
2009
Help Us Out…If you know of any event that “might” be of interest, please send it to us so that we may include it. Sometimes people can’t go to one thing, but they could another. Lets give our members all the information we possibly can. Thanks for helping with this information!
Note: Black lettering are general events, red letter is GWTA events,
Red BOLD are pertaining to Chapter I
NOVEMBER
2 Dinner Meeting - 6:30 PM at Felix and Oscars on 50th and Westown Parkway - Election of Family of the year
Dinner/gathering?
13-14 Nebraska Fall Follies, Grand Island, NE (NOTE DATE CHANGE)
December
7 Dinner Meeting - 6:30 PM Bandana's on University, West Des Moines - Election of Chapter Director.
Caroling?
Dinner/gathering?
January 2010
2 Chapter I Christmas Party - Pot Luck at Sherman Lodge at
2340 E9th Street between Guthrie and Arthur
No January Meeting, however, it is likely that we will have a gathering for food and funship at location TBA
February 2010
1 February Dinner Meeting 6:30 TBA
13 6th Annual Iowa Chapter I February Thaw - Flyer to follow
27 Freeze Your Tush (formerly Chapter B from Minnesota)
June 2010
11-13 Region C Rally Hoedown, Spearfish, South Dakota AWESOME LOCATION
