April 2007 news articles |
April, 2007Erin-Go-Brag About a month before St. Patrick’s Day, right in the middle of the horrible Winter Doldrums, I suddenly was reminded of the St. Paddy’s Day celebration in Scituate, when I saw an advertisement for the Mad Hatter’s Ball at the Barker Tavern. This is the annual fundraiser for the parade and is always a blast. All I had to see was the words DJ/music/dancing and I began making plans and spreading the word. As usual, on a Sat. night most MMR’s were tied up (in fact I think there were several Cabin Fever parties that same night). I did manage to get Dave & Pam Larsen to go, and together with some non-MMR people, we got on our most creative hats and partied down. Pam and I both won a best hat award in our categories (most elegant). See picture on page 6. Dave said it was one of the best times he ever had, and started on his hat creation for next year the day after. In addition, Pam and I made the Scituate Mariner newspaper that week. Now we were really pumped for the parade, which was to follow a few weeks later. We called Crazy Eddie Kelley, the Parade Marshall and got all the details. Then we spread the word throughout MMR-land. We had about 10 interested parties and began to get really excited because we had so much fun the prior year. Meanwhile, I was getting calls left and right with bailouts. Very discouraging!!!!!! Even big Dave Larsen bailed on me. Sunday morning I got up and it was in the 20’s! What to do! However, the sun was out and temps were predicted to rise to the high 30’s. I was right on the edge. Scituate, after all, is my hometown and I had told all my kids I would ride. I couldn’t let them down. I had a reputation to uphold. Just then the phone rang. Dennis Hoffer was calling and asking if I was a go. I said yes, it’s a go. That was it. The decision was made and I spent the next hour dressing. Off I went in full Alaskan regalia (no plug in suit for this hard-core MMR, not yet anyway-can’t afford them yet). The ride actually was not bad and when I got there, there was Butch Hiller, so we Finally it was time to go and, sure enough, snow flurries broke out while we were waiting. Oh well, we were committed. Off we went and, believe it or not, the route was jammed with spectators! Every other yard had some sort of a chiminea fire going, and many were well lubricated with the “Nectar of the Gods,” as the Irish so eloquently describe their beer. About half-way through the coffee started doing its work, and I had to break away and head to the gas-station where Lee had to fuel up last year. Off we went again, as I rejoined, and soon we were at the finish. Butch had to take off (Butch had driven all the way from the Cape), but Dennis headed to T.K. O’Malley’s with me for a few brewskies and some Irish music. We had a great time, doing the Irish Jig (me, not Dennis) and all my kids and my sister were there. Dennis then had to go as it was getting late, and the temps were falling. I looked at my watch and suddenly realized I was late on going to the Deal’s Gap July tour meeting at Lee & Debbie’s. I had planned on going home to get my truck, but since it was so late, I decided to shoot right down on the bike. What the hell, go for the whole enchilada. Besides, I forgot to announce it, but any miles when it’s below 38 are double Iron Butt miles! (just kidding). I was late but managed to get caught up on the plans. Seeing the daylight fading and beginning to feel tired & chilly, I left a little early. Then one of the worst things that can happen occurred. When I started the Harley, I had no headlights. Screw it, I wouldn’t whine, I would just go for broke and blast home. What a trip! Hanson to Humarock. Must be a good 25 miles, if not 30. Highway wasn’t too bad, because I had plenty of lights from other vehicles and knew there would be no black ice. When I hit the Marshfield exit I was still o.k. until I hit the back roads to Humarock. I had to wait for a car to go by and then fall in behind. That worked until he turned, then I lucked out with some streetlights. I stayed in the middle of the road away from the edges. Would I hit a patch of black ice? Yikes, I was a wreck. Coming down the home stretch, my road turns to dirt and icy puddles. I put the bike in first and literally walked it in the last 50 yards. I was never so glad to be home! Erin-go-Bragh! Meet the New Gal Last spring I hopped on the back of a Harley for the first time in my life and I am forever grateful. Riding brings me such a sense of freedom, fun and wonder. (I know I’m preaching to the choir here). I also love to ocean kayak which gives me the same kind of experience, just using another vehicle. Spring is here, kids. Posse out. Sweet Painted Lady by Ric Tomlinson I went to Collision the corner of Mutten Lane Washington St (Route 53) in Weymouth. I have never with a group of nicer people and I will say, they explained everything to me that I had to know. This is a family that is all involved with every aspect of the job .Del Gallo is the leader of the pack. Tami, his wife, keeps the old boy in line. Nikki, his beautiful daughter is always there and very helpful. Tony (the paint master) is the artist behind it all and the one that brings a smile to everyone’s face. He just loves to work with colors and it is just magic watching him work. I will admit that I was not very keen on the idea of seeing my baby all apart and in pieces all over the place. I learned so much and photographing the process that Tony made me a fan of the people with Tony's talent. My lady Sue was a little uneasy when I said it was going to be "dark purple and a sand color gold" she was good about it but I knew she was worried. When the day came take my bike home, it was just what Sue waited for. She had to see how everything came together. When Tony and the boys rolled it out into the sun light all I heard from Sue was WOW! I was happy and she was just crazy over the colors and just how much it the looks of the bike. I had a winner!!! I thought I'd share this with my fellow club members and see what they think... If you would like to see the work and how it's done feel free to go my site and check it. Web page is: Http://community.webshots.com/user/taximan429.... Meet the Del Gallo family. Thanks for having fun with me and my toy… Dear Lee, DEAR RICKY RACER, Dear Lee, DEAR MISSING A PASSENGER, Dear Lee, DEAR RIC, DEAR SLOW STARTER, Dear Lee, DEAR SORE BACK RIDER, TRY HAVING HER RUB SOMETHING ELSE, IT WILL TAKE YOUR MIND OFF YOUR BACK. LEE
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