December 2008 news articles
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December, 2008
MMR contributed 5 baskets out of the general treasury and the following parties each contributed additional baskets out of their own pockets- Hawk Hickman & Karen DiPietro, John & Sue Eichinger, Bill Fergu Ferguson, Terry & Gail Quinn, Lee & Deb Johansson, Scottie Smith, Art Lally, Rick Mello, Butch Hilliard, Dave & Pam Larsen, Dee Dee Bennett & Jan Carlson, Leo & Ellen Dubreuil, Rich McMillan, Irving's Home Center, Colleen & Dennis Pierce, Jerry Rabbitt & Paul & Andrea O'Rouke, & Scott Ferguson. At 1:30 all the baskets were loaded into several pick-up trucks and delivered to St. B’s. Noreen, the representative who met us, expressed her whole-hearted thanks on behalf of St. B’s. All in all, a great way to kick off the Holiday season. Related Story- Butch Hiller braves the frigid cold as the only MMR rider at Thanksgiving Basket Day. (The intrepid rider, Butch Hiller, surrounded by less brave MMRs Paula, Cindy, John & Doggy-Doo, Terry, Bubbles, Jack, Kathleen, Dave, Miles, Hawk, Bill, Scottie, Dee-Dee, Pam, Barbara & Theresa, outside St. Bonaventures) A Letter from the Editor-Hawk It is with mixed emotions that we end our MMR Newsletter Editor and Presidency responsibilities. On the one hand there were many rewards and many opportunities for personal growth. On the other hand, it is a draining experience, when added to life’s regular responsibilities. This is a club that has now been in existence for 8 years and has not ever missed a beat on meeting regularly (both Executive Board and general membership monthly meetings). Each year brings many new faces and personalities who, somehow, always find a way to come to agreement, stay within budget, hold fund-raising events, ride all over creation (safely), and give generously to local charities. Each member should take a great deal of pride and satisfaction in being a part of this evolving endeavor. For some of us, MMR, especially the group riding, offers a temporary escape from the more mundane aspects of our lives. Temporarily, when we are riding, we are, in a fashion, shedding many of the self-imposed inhibitions and societal imposed behavior and dress protocols, as we temporarily attain a sense of personal freedom not ordinarily experienced in our non-riding lives. As we move into the Holidays, let’s all give thanks for what we have, especially as it relates to our love of riding, and remember to keep ourselves and brother (and sister) riders safe. It was our pleasure to bring you this newsletter for the past 14 months and we wish the incoming Editor (and President) Paula “Toots” McCallum the best, as she once again “saddles up” and once more takes the reins of MMR. We also wish all of the new Officers and E-Board members the best. Hawk 2008- The Year in review-Hawk January 2008- Frosty Nuts Ride Debbie and Lee Johansson hosted the Frosty Nuts Ride on January 1st at their house. Hardy riders assembled at Gellar’s at noon and rode to their house, on New Year’s Day, for hot chocolate, hot apple cider and other goodies. February Support for the family of Brian Mello Plymouth and Bristol County Massachusetts area motorcyclists, firefighters, and friends were encouraged to block off a few days in late February to attend the criminal trial, in support of the victims and their families, of the driver who killed Brian Mello of Raynham, (and New Bedford firefighter) and seriously injured two other riders, when he violated the right of way of three riders turning left in front of them last March, 2007, on Route 44 in Middleboro. March On Saturday night, March 22nd MMR held its annual CFP and it was a smashing success thanks to all the hard work of club members. There was great food, great music, great raffle gifts and a great time was had by all. .(The chow line at CFP 2008) (The Cindy Daley Blues Band) April 2007 Iron Butt Winners announced- In a hotly contested men’s Iron Butt Contest “dark horse” Butch Hiller shot by second place finisher, Scott Morse in the final weeks of the contest. Both entrants blew away all previous MMR mileage records by both topping 20,000 miles for the year. Butch finished with 21,706 and Scott had 20,373. In the women’s division, Katherine McHenry literally led from wire to wire and actually finished third overall, with 15,292 hard driving miles. May On June 8th, MMR held it’s previously postponed Blessing of the Bikes. On a beautiful day, approximately 50 MMR members and other interested riders gathered at Gellar’s for a short ride by the seashore and then on to Saint Bonaventures. After the blessing, which involves a short prayer ceremony and then sprinkling of Holy Water, many of the participants expressed their sympathy and solidarity for club member Lisa Lunedei by following Lisa down to Mashnee Island in Bourne for a benefit for her nephew. June Over 200 bikes participated in the Gary Gibbons Memorial Ride on Sunday, June 29th. Gary is a Verizon worker who was electrocuted last year while working on a boom truck near high voltage lines. For those of you who attended last month’s MMR meeting, you will remember that Gary’s wife Nancy spoke and asked for support. We are happy to report that we had at least 30 MMR members in attendance. (Bill & Nancy, Gary’s widow) July On Sunday July 27th, MMR held its annual Skeets Memorial Cookout and fund-raiser amidst warnings of afternoon thunderstorms. More than 130 people turned out on an iffy weather day and had a great time. August Brian Mello Ride On Sunday August 3rd, the MMR made their Sunday ride destination the second annual Brian’s Ride. At least 15 to 20 MMR members turned out for the ride and total rider attendance was 575, almost double last year’s number. MMR Nova Scotia Trip On August 9th, when the Portland Maine to Yarmouth N.S. ferry landed in Yarmouth at approximately 3 p.m. N.S. time, the MMR invasion of N.S. began. Quiet streets that were used to polite tourists walking around soon were exposed to the sound of loud reverberating pipes as the roughneck MMR gang rode from town to town. September MMR member Mike Kennedy Memorial Service Michael Joseph Kennedy, of Plymouth, passed away at Mass. General Hospital in Boston at the age of 58. Survived by his beloved wife Patricia (Coffey) of Plymouth, A gathering was held at the Plymouth Waterfront on Sunday September 21st followed by a private scattering of Mike’s ashes at sea by his family. A large contingent of MMR members attended. October On Saturday October 25th, MMR held its most successful Halloween Party ever. The Costumes were great, the food (donated by guests) was delicious. The music (provided by Crazy Eddie Kelley) was excellent, attendance was at a record level (127) and we made a good profit. November On Saturday, November 22, a group of MMR members gathered at Bill Ferguson’s house to put the Thanksgiving Baskets together for delivery to St. Bonaventures. December MMR Toy Run-Sunday, November 30. Meet at Metro Café at 10:00 for breakfast, then on to Benny’s to purchase toys, then on to the Plymouth Hospital, pediatrics section to leave the toys for the kids. What a great year! Thanks to all for your contributions. Hawk A letter from the President-The second time around. As we look forward to our annual Toy Run and Christmas Party, a few words before leaving office. We had another relatively accident free year. updates. Paula McCallum, past (and future) President, for lending constant support, in all areas, all year. Scottie Smith and Lee Johansson for handling the 50/50 whenever needed. Dave Larsen for being a great V.P. and listening to all the President’s gripes. Bubbles Quinn for being a great Secretary and just being bubbly bubbles. John Eichinger for writing checks as fast as we were spending, and giving the ultimate in detailed, monthly, financial reports. Pam Larsen, Scottie Smith, Terry Quinn and Scott Morse for all their E-Board member support. As we write this, it is Thanksgiving Eve and we have the following for which to be thankful- A great group of members, the chance to ride frequently with other members, long weekend trips and some of longer duration (which are always tremendous), caring people who are there when you need them, the availability of many competent area mechanics, both in MMR and outside, to keep our bikes rolling. Heated Jackets, pants and gloves, our families and our wonderful country. Hawk Toys for Tots at Jordan Hospital (always go to Doppler Radar) Today, Sunday 11/30, with a very “iffy” weather forecast, MMR members gathered at Metro Café for breakfast and to prepare for the Toy Run. The weatherman on Channel 5 specifically stated that the precip would not start until around noon to 2 p.m.. Consequently, several MMR made the decision to ride their bikes, keeping their fingers crossed that the bad weather would hold off until 2 p.m. or so. Sad to say, it began to precipitate at 10 a.m., in the form of snow pellets and then frozen rain. Crazy-Man, Ed Kelley, and Hawk, who had driven down from Scituate on their 2 wheel vehicles, looked at each other in dismay. A quick decision was made to finish breakfast, turn over our toy money to V.P. Larsen, give him the Benny’s and Jordan contacts, give Paula the camera, and immediately head back home. Other riders from the Plymouth area, including Dean, Billy F., Jay (Marshfield) and Jack Daniels (Weymouth) were thinking along similar lines (i.e. get the bikes back to someone’s garage quickly). If you have ever ridden in cold rain without a full face mask or helmet face shield, you know that when it hits you in the face, it feels like someone is throwing little tacks at your face. Turn that rain into frozen rain/sleet, and the analogy changes to African Pygmies blowing poisonous darts at your face. That is what Eddie and Hawk encountered as they counted each exit number from 4 to 12 on the way home. Never before had the numbers progressed so slowly. A huge sigh of relief was issued when we hit Exit 12, both arriving home safely. Meanwhile back in Plymouth, the Toy Run was moving along in 4 wheel mode. Some people (John Eichinger) had gone to Sweet Lemons in error. Some (Bubbles and Terry) had skipped breakfast and gone directly to Benny’s. The remaining Metro gang had gone back to Billy’s for more hot coffee. Bubbles and Terry thought they might have missed everything, when no one showed up at Benny’s at 11ish. We apprised them by phone as to the weather delays and that people would be along shortly. At Benny’s several other members appeared and by the time everyone got to Jordan Hospital, there were about 20 people, including Mark and Bob Reed from Upland Riders. To the best of our remembrance and knowledge, this is the list of participants– Hawk, Eddie Kelly., Billy Ferguson, Scottie Smith, Maureen Therrien, Jerry McHale, Dave & Pam Larsen, Deane Laitinen, Jay Donovan, Jack Daniels., Dick and Joyce Tupper, Billy Pike and Skinny, Rob Staines, Katherine McHenry, Paula McCallum, Scott Ferguson and his daughter, Dennis Pierce, Dixie Mello. Gordon and Missy Terry, Ken & Tammy Hawes, Mark ? and Bob Reed from Upland Riders. Additionally, donations were received from the following people who could not attend; John & Sue Eichinger, Clem Walsh, Cindi Metro and Steve Celli. At Jordan’s, there were several children in residence, including a new-born infant, born on Thanksgiving Day (Sidney). Sidney’s parents as well as the parents of a two year old boy named Colin, who had the Croup, and an 8 year old named Mathew, just out of surgery. They and their parents were very grateful for the presents and thanked the club. Santa (Skinny did his usual great job) held the infant and visited the other two youngsters. They were delighted with him. On the way to Jordan’s, Bill Ferguson and Paula dropped off a nice framed picture of MMR members standing in front of Gellar’s from last year. Each year MMR gives Susie Gellar a present in appreciation of her allowing us to meet there each week. Paula took care of this item this year. See attached pictures, below and on Page 4, courtesy of Terry Quinn & Paula, for details on the Toy Run.
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