New Newsletter Editor and Phone Tree Coordinator!

Vigilante Wings has a new Newsletter Editor and Phone Tree Coordinator! How about a big round of applause for Jim and Penny Swan! I asked them to send me some background to put in this newsletter:

“We moved to Montana in October 2004 from Port Hadlock, Washington to be closer to our family. Penny is a native Montanan and was raised in Havre and Great Falls. Several years ago her Sister and Brother-in-law along with their children relocated to East Helena. A couple years later our oldest Son then Daughter and Grandson moved to this area, and then it was our turn.

“After retiring from the Navy, we were looking for something we could enjoy doing together. We hadn’t owned a motorcycle for a few years so we decided to get another one. A few years earlier we owned a 1981 GL1100, and at the time thought it was probably the best bike we had ever ridden. We finally located a great looking machine in Tacoma, WA, a 1985 Aspencade. It wasn’t long after that we were asked if we knew anything about GWRRA.

“We joined GWRRA about eight years ago and have affiliated with Chapter WA-B in Bremerton, WA. What a great time we’ve had since joining GWRRA. We’ve met the most fantastic people in GWRRA and many have become lifetime friends. We were fairly active in WA-B, Penny worked the Telephone Tree and I was Newsletter Editor. We look forward to participating with the Vigilante Wings and hope we can make more lifetime friends.”

Bill wants to thanks for Jim and Penny for volunteering and is looking forward to the April Newsletter!

6th Annual Lincoln Rod Run.

After a few days of cold and rain, the skies cleared up for our scheduled ride to Lincoln for the 6th Annual Lincoln Rod Run. There were a bunch of sweet cars there. I fell in love with 1958 Pontiac Bonneville but there weren't to many cars there I would have turned down. I posted a small sample of pictures for you to see. Click on the 1958 Bonneville below to see them.

That's it for scheduled rides this year. We plan on having more next year. Hopefully, with Wing Ding so close to home next year, our membership will grow with some riders to participate with us on some more and longer rides. If you have any suggestions for rides you'd like for next year, please me or Tom Fenton, our Ride Coordinator, know.

Kick-off Pictures.

I figured it was time to post some pictures that were taken at our Kick-off. So far I have only Marie's and my pictures but hopefully I'll get more. I don't even have a picture of Lynette Layton, our 50/50 winner, yet but I will soon. Some of these pictures are in the newsletter and some aren't. Click on the plaque to see the pictures.

Memorial Day.

Well, it's been a week since the kick-off party, which was a huge success, and I'm ready to get back to work on the site and make some updates. It looks like we picked the right weekend for the kickoff. I'm trying to get as many pictures together as I can for the newletter, which will come out next weekend.

I'm currently putting together a new "Members" section with pictures. Feel free to sent me any pictures you'd like to be posted on our site along with comments. The more the better! I'll be adding pictures and links as I get them so check back often.

In spite of the weather, I hope you have a good Memorial Day weekend. I found a good flash movie which I posted on the main page - I felt it was appropriate and I hope you like it.

Motorcycle Awareness Month.

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Marie, Tom and I met up with the members of A.B.A.T.E. (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) for their Motorcycle Awareness Parade on May 7. There were about 30-35 motorcycles (just a guess). The ride ended at the State Capitol Building where we met with Lt. Governor John Bollinger.

Sad news.

I received some sad news last night from Sheri Smith: "Just Bob" Schrammeck passed away Monday evening at about 8:45 pm. He was diagnosed with leukemia on the 9th and was hospitalized to undergo treatment. On Sunday night he had a series of strokes and then went into a coma.

Darrell Robson posted the following today on the GWRRA Message Board:

Bob will be a huge loss to all of us, and especially to Chapter MT-B."

And this was posted Dale Jennison:

This was posted by Russ Parpart, MT-B Chapter Director: "Bob was a good friend and my answer man for any GWRRA questions I have had since becoming Chapter Mt."B" Director. He loved this organization and the people in it . Every where we went Just Bob knew somebody . We went to Wing Ding with him this last summer and it seemed he knew everyone , including all the vendors . He was always visiting with someone . We are going to miss him very much. We love you Bob keep that big smile . Russ"

"Just Bob" is the first guy I ever spoke with regarding the GWRRA. Bob was the Montana District Director a couple years ago when I was trying to contact people to ride with and get information on the first rally I attended. Very friendly and outgoing. He is the one who inspired me to start a local chapter. Darrell said it right, Bob DID exemplify the GWRRA motto. Whenever I posted about meeting some of the nicest people through the GWRRA, Bob was on the top of the list of people I had in mind.

I didn't know him very long but he sure did make an impression. He is definitely going to be missed. Please keep Bob and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Services are going to be held on Saturday, April 8. There will be a scheduled ride before the services - the ride will end at the place where the services will be held.

The Patch is Here!

The long-awaited patch is here. I think it looks great! One thing my scanner didn't do is pick up how shiny the thread is - glittery. This patch will be about 4" in diameter and is for the front of your vest (right side) and the 4" GWRRA patch (you can get that from GWRRA - it's pictured in Wing World) goes on the left. Or you could use it for whatever you'd like!

The good thing is there is no minimum order on these - most places have a minimum of 100. The bad part is that these are more expensive - but not that bad. It's going to cost us $9 each. We are going charge $10 each. If you'd like one (or more) please let me know ASAP. These things have LOTS of color! I believe they'll be the nicest ones out there!

I almost forgot: The sun is missing in this version of the patch. It will be added.

Special thanks go out to Larry and Glenda Burke for getting this done for us!

The other, more basic logo on the top left and the Kick-off page will be used on the small 1.25" pins given to everyone who attends our kick-off party on May 20.

News Update.

As you know, there is no February Newsletter yet. I plan on combining February and March and have it out next week. Sorry about that, I've been busy.

I hit a few places today for door prizes and poker stroll participants. I also hit a couple embroidery/screening places and one is going to work on our logo. It's not free but at least it will get done. It will be more simple than we had initially - basically so it will look ok on a 1" pin as well as a 4" patch or a 10" screen print.

I'm also putting together the chapter kickoff party announcement.

I'll be missing the next gathering on March 4 at 2:00 pm at Golden Corral. Bill and Debbie Starr from Great Falls said they would be there. Have fun.

Monthly Chapter Gathering.

Lou, Tom and I met and had a good lunch. We went over the logos and chose one:

This is just the "prototype" - I'm hoping we can have a real artistic type take it and redo it so it looks nicer. We discussed a couple other nice ones and took into account other suggestions. Basically we wanted to make it specific to Montana. I liked this one and the one with the state outline - we ended up picking the state seal.

Again, we could use some more people to be officers. Does anyone want to be assistant director? I'll be needing some help getting the kickoff organized - I hope everyone will help. Lately my time and energy has been consumed with working with dealers to get the best deal on my 2006 Gold Wing! But that's just about complete so I can move on to the planning.

The next gathering is on December 3 at 2:00 pm at Golden Corral.

Breakfast Gathering.

As you may already know, I have been searching to find a good deal on a 2006 Gold Wing. I've been corresponding with dealers in Western Montana for a couple weeks. Kim Tomlinson of Adventure Cycle and Sled in Dillon has been doing an outstanding job working with me - getting me prices and trying to help me get it all put together.

Kim is going to be in Helena Friday and would like to meet us at the Golden Corral for breakfast at 9:00 am. I know it is probably difficult but if you can please join us. If you're considering a new Wing (or anything else Honda) this would be an excellent opportunity.

October Gathering.

It was a pleasant surprise to have Region I Assistant Director Bob "Just Bob" Schrammeck and State District Assistant Director/Great Falls Chapter Director Bill Starr at our gathering on the 1st. We talked a bit about the logo and I asked for some volunteers for other officer positions. There are a list of positions on the Officers page or if someone wants to do something that isn't listed just let me know.

We still need to plan for the Chapter kickoff next May. We are an official chapter now - I signed the forms, took the test (and passed) and we have a bank account for our treasurer. We're rolling now!

Next gathering is on Saturday, November 5, 2005 at 2:00 pm at the Golden Corral.

Gathering with District Directors.

A few of us had dinner with Montana District Directors Mike and Sheri Smith and Assistant District Directors Bill and Debbie Starr at Golden Corral last night. We got all the paperwork signed and today we set up our checking account. So we are pretty much official now! Thanks to the Smiths and the Starrs and everyone who showed up.

We are still seeking feedback on logos and will hopefully have an official one soon. The next thing to work on is the chapter kickoff party scheduled for next May.

Next gathering is on Saturday, October 1, 2005 at 2:00 pm at the Golden Corral.

GATHERING WITH STATE DISTRICT DIRECTOR!

On the evening of Wednesday, September 21, Mike Smith, the GWRRA Montana District Director will be in Helena and wants to meet with us to talk about our chapter. We are kicking things into high gear and I will be working with him to get all of our paperwork taken care of so we can get into the 2006 Gold Book and not have to wait until the 2007 book. (Our kick-off party will still be later - tentatively May 21-22.)

Please RSVP if you can attend this function. Where it will be depends on the number of people who will show up. It can be a dinner somewhere or just a meeting.

Also, Lou sent a picture of a proposed logo. I'm going to put it on the message boards and invite comments. Please go to the message boards under "Suggestions" to see it.

Idaho State Rally A Success!

I think everyone had a good time at this rally. Lots of good people, games, door prizes and you couldn't ask for better weather. The ride couldn't have been better either. And free ice cream each night! Well, a donation to the Shriners was asked the first two nights and some good money was raised. The last night they just tried to get rid of what was left. The strawberry swirl was very popular.

That's a great stretch of road between Lolo an Lewiston on US 12. I loved every minute of it - except I need to find a better seat!

Thanks to Bob Schrammeck, The Region I Assistant Director, we got some great publicity during the rally opening ceremony. Lots of people asked me when the kickoff should be and I got a lot of great advice. One good recommendation, I think, was to have the kickoff on the weekend before Memorial Day weekend. That will be the target.

September meeting on the 10th.

Due to the Idaho Rally being on Labor Day weekend we initially planned to skip the September meeting but a couple people mentioned we should just postpone it a week instead and I agree - I wish I had just done that in the first place. So the next meeting will be on the second Saturday of September, the 10th, at 2:00pm. Hope to see you there.

Free Lunch A Success!

We had our second monthly meeting today and more than doubled the turnout of our first meeting with 13 people including a couple prospective new GWRRA members! We didn't do a 50/50 or anything but a couple people did donate to the chapter. We'll need to try and raise more funds for a good chapter kickoff in the spring of 2006. People seem to really like the name "Vigilante Wings" as much as I do so that name will be our name. We also appear to have lots of support for the color gray too so I believe that will be etched in stone as well.

I encourage people to attend the meetings whenever they can. It should be fun and the more the better.

The next meeting would be on September 3, however I may be going to the Idaho State Rally that weekend. Feel free to go ahead and meet if you don't have any other plans. Post on the boards - maybe a few could meet somewhere else? Endless possibilities.

We need to raise more money for a good kick-off party but we also need to have some good door prizes. If you have ideas for that please let me know - email or post on the board.

Sent Newsletter. Free Lunch!

I sent out a newsletter to everyone on my list except 4 people who responded saying they weren't interested in a chapter. I mentioned the Hoe-Down and how everyone had fun. Also mentioned the upcoming Idaho rally over Labor Day weekend. But most importantly I offered free lunch at our next meeting for all invited GWRRA members who attend. Roger Riggs had the idea to offer free lunch to get more people to show up at our next meeting and I think it's a good idea. So we'll give it a shot. I sent 29 newsletters... I hope I don't have to do any dishes that evening...

I can't take this TEAL anymore... It's got to go! I never got any positive feedback on it.

First Group Meeting

Well, we got the first meeting in. It was great to meet with fellow members interested in the chapter. I (Bill Anzik) received unanimous support as Chapter Director. Thanks! I'll meet with other Chapter Directors, the District Director and the Assistant Region Director at the Hoe Down next week and get some ideas on how to proceed.

We determined that our meetings will be the first Saturday of each month, making the next meeting August 6 at the Golden Corral at 2:00. We need to come up with a name and get a logo. Ideas are welcome!

Above: Lue O'Keefe, Bill Anzik, Roger Riggs, Marie Reinoehl, Larry Burke and Glenda Burke.

July 6, 2005

First Meeting Scheduled!

The first meeting will be at the Golden Corral right next to Wal-Mart on US Highway 12 on Saturday, July 9 at 2:00 pm. Hope to see you there.

June 27, 2005

Sent out mail to respondents.

I've sent out letters to the 12 people who returned surveys showing interest in a chapter. It's my goal to set up at least a once per month meeting. We need to come up with officers. At minimum a chapter needs a Director and Treasurer. We also need a name for our chapter. Hopefully I can get everyone together. Included a flyer for the Montana Hoe Down in the mailing.

June 15, 2005

What's the next step?

I've received 14 responses so far - 11 showing interest in a local chapter. I hope we get more response but I think it might be time to meet up with some people - I don't know anyone yet!

I'm thinking next week we could meet up somewhere like the Golden Corral for a dinner/meeting. Please post on the board if you have a preferred day and time.

June 13, 2005

Link sent!

Sent out link to this brand new web site to six GWRRA members who responded to the survey. Out of the 12 people who responded so far, they are the only ones with email addresses.

June 5, 2005

Got the boards up and running!

Will be looking for suggestions on what Categories and Forums to set up and general feedback on the site.

Sent out letters/surveys to 31 G.W.R.R.A. members in Southwestern Montana. Waiting for results...

June 3, 2005

Still working...Fun!

Coming along better than I thought.

June 1, 2005

First News Item

Started working on the web site. Received a list of all Montana G.W.R.R.A. members from the Montana District director and began working on a letter/survey and separating out people in the area to send them.

Still have lots of work to do over the next few days.

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