October, 2005


A Call for MMR E-Board & Officers 2006

by Paula McCallum

Have you been giving it some serious thought about running for the Manomet Mystery Rider’s President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary or as a member of the MMR Executive Board? Then you must attend the October business meeting to accept your nomination. Voting for officers will take place at the November 2 meeting. You do not have to be present to vote but must mail back an absentee ballot by the November 2 meeting.

What qualities do you feel candidates should possess? Consider some of the following when nominating and voting for those who will be our leaders next year:

Character, temperament, programs, philosophy, their ability to lead, to set the agenda and bring action on issues, decisiveness, the way he/she establishes priorities, their decision making process and the confidence with which they move forward once a decision is made1.

To aid in your decision making process, ask yourself these questions to see if any specific MMR members come to mind? Is he or she a good public speaker? Outgoing and friendly? Organized? Thick-skinned? (you’ll need it with this bunch!) Have a sense of humor? Have family support? No serious indiscretions? A lot of energy? A commitment to the MMR? Will they work well with all the members of the E-board?

If you have any concerns for how we move forward with the MMR than take this opportunity to be heard. I welcome all candidates to write a brief bio of yourself in the Nov. newsletter (deadline Oct. 25) or write anything you feel will help the MMR strengthen their decision to vote for you. The group is only as strong as it’s membership and those willing to get involved. 1Source: Bruce Bartlett, senior fellow, NationalCenter for Policy Analysis, November 6  

 

Paulatics                              
by Paula McCallum


On Labor Day, my Dad had just gotten out of the hospital so I went over to visit with him and my family. He had been sick yet feisty at the "lack of" care that he received. He'd gotten quite old looking for his 75-year-old frame in this past year with congestive heart failure.

He provided me with the Rider's Safety Tip of the Month. Both my parents are concerned about my safety riding a motorcycle but it gives them solace knowing that I ride with Bill Ferguson. While we sat around the living room, he asked Bill if he was a "smart rider"? We wondered what he meant by that. He explained, that when he traveled down the Cape and got stuck in traffic, especially on the bridges, he'd see guys riding up the middle on their bikes. "You don't do that do you?" he asked. We didn't say a word but the lesson was taken to heart. You'll never catch me sneaking in-between vehicles on my scoot, my Dad warned me against that the day before he died.

Our plans to go on the Vermont trip for the weekend were put on hold. So it was very touching to see our fellow travel companions making a special detour to my Dad's wake on their way up. My family couldn't believe how many of you came. It made me feel so proud to be a member of such a fantastic group of people.

A few days before the services, I got a call from Ric Nobrega asking if I'd like to have a motorcycle escort in the funeral procession? At the wake, Ric and Bob Macedo were concerned that they couldn't find a Scottish flag to fly along with the American flag for my Dad's heritage. My Mom asked if they had an Italian one? They did. “Just put that on your bike”, she said “he’d like that” since he had become an honorary Italian during the 52 years they were married. He would be so proud of the honor that they bestowed on him as was the rest of my family.

Writing the MMR’s newsletter is a piece of cake. Capturing the essence of a man that I’ve adored my whole life in a short speech while trying to do him justice was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Thanks to all the Manomet Mystery Riders for their lovely flowers. I really appreciated all your sympathy cards, phone calls and concern when I've met you at the Wall or at Gellars. Knowing that I belong to such a thoughtful group has helped me get through this very difficult time.  

 

A Great Big Thank You! To Mike & Donna Lallier for rescuing me on the Cape two weeks ago when I broke down. I stripped the drive belt on my bike and needed to be trailered back to the shop in Marshfield. It happened on the night of the MMR meeting, so Donna drove me to the meeting (Mike rode his bike) and after the meeting we went back to Sandwich to get Mike's trailer, then to where I broke down, loaded up the bike and drove to Marshfield (and he wouldn't even take money for gas). Thanks to Sherri for making up those Rescue Cards which I keep in my bike. I was able to call Mike who is on that list and he bailed me out. Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a great organization we have.

Ed Kelley, "aka" Crazy Eddie or as Anthony calls me Sir Edward of Scituate

Kudos also go out to Lee Johansson for going to the rescue of John Daniels who had a flat tire the night of our last meeting. Lee trailered JD back to Weymouth.  

 

Word Scramble: - Road Hazards           
by Sherri Palmer

  1. ctominonrguck ... in the middle of the road coming at you. 2 words
  2. ossswcrkla (Hint: You must yield to pedestrians in them) 1 word
  3. seearg (Hint: a slippery lubricant) 1 word
  4. dasn (Hint: It gathers in corners of the road) 1 word
  5. karcc leiflr (Hint: can fly up at you before it hardens) 2 words
  6. lgevar (Hint: many loose small objects) 1 word
  7. shootple (Hint: depressions in the road) 1 word
  8. ylca (Hint: hard packed or slippery road material) 1 word
  9. gib despuld (Hint: you don’t know what is under there) 2 words
  10. ftdiibeecanhr (Hint: flying object at Pikey, owl) 4 words
  11. msloesvapg ... falling off bikes. (Hint: things you should never stop for) 2 words
  12. emlat (Hint: sharp debris that can pop your tires) 1 word
  13. ccsraugntit ... in front of you. (Hint: ignorant tourists) 2 words
  14. 1mrnyeegce tpnsopig (Hint: be in first gear at the end of this) 2 words
  15. nngecirro ... and not seeing around the bend. 1 word
  16. tamioofrn tno garesdteg (Hint: Riding side by side and having your partner in your lane) 3 words
  17.  nria ... on your goggles. (Hint: Mother nature) 1 word  

Answer key: 1. oncoming truck 2. crosswalks 3. grease 4. sand 5. crack filler 6. gravel 7. potholes 8. clay 9. big puddles 10. bird in the face 11. gloves, map 12. metal 13. cars cutting 14. emergency stopping 15. cornering 16. not staggered formation 17. rain  

 

What “CAN” You Do to Help Feed the Poor?
The MMR are sponsoring our very own food drive to help those in need in the local Plymouth area. The working poor, children and the elderly are the "face" of poverty on the South Shore. Plymouth being the town with the greatest number of people in need. So we strongly urge the MMR to please bring what you “Can” to the October 5 meeting. All donations will be given to the Greater Plymouth Area Food Group Warehouse.

Suggested Donations: Peanut butter, jelly, tuna fish, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard, cereal and breakfast foods, healthy snacks for children.

The Warehouse provides food to pantries and food kitchens in the towns of Carver, Duxbury, Hanson, Halifax, Kingston, Marshfield, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton and Wareham. Local food pantries and kitchens then “shop” at no cost at the Greater Plymouth Area Food Warehouse. People in need go to their local food pantries, food pantries come to the Warehouse.

Although most of the food collected is non-perishable, items such as canned foods and cash donations are used to supplement deliveries with fresh and seasonal foods as well as to provide operational funding.

In their first year they collected 41,488 pounds of food and distributed 39,898 pounds of food. Provided shared trucking for member pantries to access 73,365 pounds of food from the Greater Boston Food Bank. They are in their second year of operation as a program of the South Shore Community Action Council Inc. The Warehouse is at 11 Resnick Rood, Plymouth. Open Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or by appointment.