October, 2008

MMR PREPARES FOR ANNUAL SPOOKY FEST
On Saturday, October 25th, MMR will host its annual Halloween costume party from 7 to midnight at the JASC. Tickets for non-Gold Card members and member guests are $10 each and are going fast. Music will be provided by our very own club member, Crazy-man Eddie Kelley. , as we dance the night away doing the Monster Mash. There will be raffle prizes provided by various club members to help defray the costs. If you can provide a raffle item, contact an E-Board member or Paula McCallum.

Anyone who wants to help decorate the JASC, please arrive there around 3 p.m. that day. All help is appreciated. We are also asking members to bring a dish to cut down on club costs for food. We are also asking that anyone who can stay at the end to clean up, please do. Let’s not leave all the work to the same people.  MMR PROVIDES MOTORCYCLE

ESCORT FOR MMR MEMBER MIKE KENNEDY
On Sunday, MMR mustered approximately 20 bikes to escort the funeral procession of MMR former member, Mike Kennedy, from the Davis Funeral Parlor to the Plymouth Waterfront. Mike’s ashes were then to be taken out on a friend’s boat and scattered at sea. Mike had been a member in 2007 and was in charge of the MMR clothing at the 2007 meetings. Mike came down with a serious heart ailment late in the year and was unable to attend meetings or join in 2008.

Word of his passing reached us last week and the word was put out that his wife, Patricia, wanted the escort. MMR members met at Gellar’s at 9:30, moved to Davis F.P. at 10 and then provided the escort. Before leaving the funeral parlor, there was a moving ceremony and a military flag presentation to Patricia. He served in the U.S Marine Corp during Vietnam and was a disabled veteran. Patricia and some other close friends spoke about Mike and his life, at the waterfront, and everyone was then invited to a local restaurant for a meal and drinks. Although Mike was in our lives for a short time, he will be remembered by us all.  

Submitted by several MMR members Mike Kennedy Obituary 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, he is the loving father of Brendan and Davin of Plymouth and his sister Maureen Donovan of Hingham and his brother Paul Kennedy of Holbrook. He also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews and cherished family and friends. He served in the U.S Marine Corp during Vietnam and was a disabled veteran. Born in Boston, he retired from working for the city after 33 years. Michael enjoyed traveling, motorcycle road trips, he was a voracious reader, was known for baking his famous Irish bread and cheese cakes and his story telling.

He loved the holidays and decorating for Christmas with his 15 foot Christmas trees but most importantly, he loved to spend time with his loving wife and cherished sons. Visiting hours will be held at the Richard Davis Funeral Home, 619 State Rd (Rt 3A), Plymouth (Manomet) on Saturday, September 20th from 4 to 8 PM. A gathering will be held at the Plymouth Waterfront on Sunday September 21st at followed by a private scattering at sea by his family. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Homes for Our Troops, 37 Main St, Taunton, MA 02780.  

Submitted via e-mail from our good friend and MMR member, Ric Tomlinson, who has been quite ill for some time but is on the road to recovery.
Hi Gang, I thought I'd take a minute here to let you know I'm still standing and trying hard to get through this treatment. I had a set beck and was in the hospital for seven long days and that put me into depression and I'm now coming around and feeling more like myself. I want you all to know I miss you all and am glad to see that you are still e-mailing me and it will all come together for me. I want you to keep me in your prayers and please have faith that I will return to the key board as soon as I can.. I will enjoy you e's now and start to get my life back. I miss you all and you’re all in my prayers.....Ric 

Submitted by Sherri Palmer-Suggested rides for the Fall Season
1.)Wachussett Mountain- take Route 62 West off of 495, stop at www.BerlinOrchards.com on your right for homemade cider dough nuts, ice cream, breakfast, lunch, farm stand, pick your own apples, petting zoo. Continue on 62 West to 31 South (Left) for lunch or dinner at the Mountain Top Inn. Come back to 62 and 31 intersection and continue straight (31 North) for Wachussett Mountain State park on your left- (2-3 miles). Go up mountain and back down (2.00 fee). Continue 31 North, see Wachussett Ski are on left and go straight and pick up 140 East (right at end of road near reservoir) to get back to 495 back home. We did this last weekend, no foliage yet, good weather. We actually went in 140 and did this backwards to end at the Orchards later in day.

2.)Anyone interested in going to TN, NC, SC, GA area, I have a great map of the area with bike only campgrounds, cabins, 1 day rides, and suggestions of where is good and bad. I would love to share my info with any of you so just contact me. chinknut@yahoo.com 3.)24th Annual York PA Open House Factory Tour for Softail and Touring Models of Harleys. Sept 25- 27th. www.yorkopenhouse.com We toured the factory (touring only) on vacation this year. Free........ Happy riding! Sherri 

2009 MMR Officers/ Executive Board Candidates
If you’ve thought about running for a MMR office in 2009, you must come to the October 1, 2008 meeting in order to accept your nomination. Do you have leadership abilities? Are you an organized person? Ready to lend a hand when needed? Willing to go to an E-Board meeting once a month as well as attending our regular meetings? Do you have new ideas? Feel comfortable speaking to fellow bikers? Then we need you to get active in our group. Elections will take place at the November 5, 2008 meeting. A ballot will be sent to all members in the November newsletter, or online, if time runs out. If you cannot attend the November meeting, you must send in your ballot prior to the November 5th meeting in order for your vote to count.  

The Killington Classicsubmitted by Dave Larsen.
.It's a sunny Thursday after Labor Day, Little Victories has new brakes, a fresh set of Metzlers, and a full tank of Sunoco 93 octane. I'm newly retired and off to my 6th Killington Classic. This is Lady Pamela's 5th, and all as my passenger. How lucky can a guy get? We pull into the exit 12 Dunkie's at 9 A.M. sharp. Terry Quinn is already waiting on us, and while I'm slamming my first Java of the day, Bill Ferguson pulls in just as Lisa " The Legend " is ringing me up on my cell. " I'm on my way now, can you wait a few minutes and I’ll be right there? As I'm tossing my coffee cup into the trash, Lisa slides into home plate on her Sportster. Greetings exchanged, we're on the highway by 9:45. Rte 3 to 128 to rte 2a, and 119 to 63 ( N.H. ) into Vermont, and Curtis's Barbeque, the" 9th Wonder of the World", in Putney, on rte 5 for lunch. Everyone has a big barbeque sauce smile on their face.

The weather couldn't be better, the company is great, and the scenery in Vermont is the best. We continue on 5 to rte 103 and onto Good Ole rte 100 in Ludlow. We find the Killington Chamber of Commerce, and are registered by 5:00 P.M. Pulling into Mountain Green Condos only minutes ahead of us are Rick and Donna Dockendorf, who left 2 hours after us. While registering we learn that "Three's Company" ( Scott Ferguson, Carla, and Maryanne ) had arrived by truck and trailer about an hour earlier.

Just as I'm wondering if any other coincidences will be forthcoming, Dave and Lorrie McGilveary roar out of the parking lot and towards the welcome party down the street. The only members of our stalwart crew not on the radar yet are " The Lovebirds " ( Kathleen and Rod ). Short work is made of unpacking, and soon we are all blasting down to the Pasta Pot to join Dave and Lorrie. Upon arriving we find the fare to be Hot Dogs and Hamburgs, with a side of horseshoes and conversation. Rick and Donna head off in search of tofu and sprouts; Lisa gives Pam a massage; I make a new friend; life is good.

The following morning dawns even more beautiful than the day before as I sleepwalk across the street to the Grand Hotel and pick up 2 cups of Starbuck's finest for myself and Pamela. After a sumptuous breakfast of juice and Cheerios in " Three's Company's " palatial digs, Scott heads off for a round of golf, while the rest of us head off for a ride through southern Vermont. Has anyone seen the Lovebirds? Heading south down rte 30 we stop at Mac's Country store, then continue on to Manchester Center where we pick up lunch at a little deli, pack it up, and head for Mount Equinox.

After an exciting ride up the Equinox Auto Road, we arrive at the summit where you can see 4 states: Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, and...... Quebec? Although the summit was a bit windy, and half our food blew away, we had a nice picnic lunch with some incredible views. After lunch we slowly ground our way down the mountain, brakes smoking, transmissions whining, and again headed south to Bennington where we stopped to see the Bennington Battle Monument. At 306 feet, it is the tallest structure in Vermont. The day was growing short, and people were concerned about getting back to make the bike parade from Killington down into Rutland ( a really good goof. ), but it didn't look good to make it in time. Rick and Donna took off, and backtracked on rte 30 and did make the parade and actually saw and spent some time with Kathleen and Rod. The rest of us struck out on rte 9 to rte 100 and back to Killington. Along the way Bill insisted we stop at a spot he knew of for a Maple Dairy Freeze. Thank you Bill!! Thank You! Thank you! We didn't even come close to making the parade, so we headed back to the condos, and who should we run into, but Lee Johannson and Paul O'Rourke who were staying down the road at a relative of Paul's.

We all headed over to The Grist Mill for supper outside on the deck. After that we found ourselves in a bar where your faithful scribe dutifully ran interference listening to a barfly named Pete, while everyone else enjoyed themselves When I couldn't take anymore of Pete's blathering I gathered up Pamela and headed back to the condo for a late night dip in the pool and off to bed. We awoke to heavy cloud cover Saturday morning, had breakfast at the Three's Company Cafe' and headed out into a gloomy day with Bill on point. Heading north on rte 100 we began getting rained on after a bit, but nothing stops MMR when there are places to go , and things to see.

We stopped at Moss River Falls for photo ops and a stretch. When we went to leave, Scott and Maryanne decided to turn back. Maryanne having nothing but a poncho for rain gear, and Scott's faithful ride having a bad starter that eventually quit completely. We pressed on to rte 17 at Mad River Glen for another thrilling ride up a rainy mountain road, and onto rte 116 and then to rte 125 which was a real challenge on the east side of the mountain. Several weeks before, the Middlebury River had flooded the area and washed away much of rte 125. Somehow we all made it back to Killington in one piece just in time for the pig roast put on by the Killington Volunteer Fire Dept.

After returning to base camp for dry clothes, Maryanne very graciously shuttled us all down to the Outback Pub for the Ozzie Osburne/Black Sabbath Tribute Concert. Everything was going well until I was falsely and maliciously accused of befouling the dance floor. I am innocent. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Sunday morning came and as I looked out the front window in my condo, what did my eyes behold, but a " Lovebird "sighting.

After a few quick hellos and some small talk they got off to an early start to be home for the Pats' game. They were followed soon by Bill, Lee, Paul, the Dockendorfs, and the Mc Gilvearys all making Banzai Runs home for a like reason." Three's Company" were all 4 wheeling it home and that left Lisa, Terry, Pam, and myself. We decided to take advantage of another nice day and take the scenic way home. All in all, it was a great time, and I'm sure everyone is looking forward To next year's Classic. Hope to see you there.