Meeting Notes

Missouri's GWTA Chapter L, Lake Country Riders, held our winter meeting March 25, 2008, in the meeting room at Carlos O'Kelly's. The business meeting was called to order by Chapter Director Steve Short at 6:55.

Selection of officers was held. The new officers are (Same as Last Year): Chapter Director: Steve Short Carla McCall, Secretary Ron McCall, Treasurer and Assistant Chapter Director Bill & Mary Jarvis, Ride Coordinators

A discussion was held about the location for Colorama. The Shoals Bend Campground, where the rally has been held for the past several years, has been sold. The new owners are less than accommodating. Wiliferd mentioned that he has been researching a location for the upcoming Region E rally, and has been centering his efforts in Eureka Springs, AR. This area is well-known to motorcyclists, and the people in that town are very receptive to motorcycle groups. The whole town is very open to motorcycle tourism, there are many restaurants, motels, some of which cater strictly to bikers, many good roads in the area, both from the standpoint of the scenery as well as the quality of the road surface. Wiliferd said that he is going to have the Region E rally hosted at the KOA campground, which is clean, has a pavilion for group events, and will let us have an evening campfire. The negotiated rate is $7 per person/per night. We will be responsible to collect the camper's fees, and turn the funds in to the campground.

The Region E rally will be held at the Eureka Springs KOA on May 2, 3, 4.

A motion was presented by Steve Short and seconded by Ron McCall, to move the Colorama Rally to this location as well. The motion passed. Colorama will be held October 10, 11, and 12. Wiliferd agreed to make the necessary arrangements with the campground for that weekend.

Other motorcycle rallies in the area:

Weston Bend, hosted by Mo Chapter N in Kansas City, will be April

Mo Chapter B will host a Fun Run, date not yet certain

Region C will host their annual rally at Nebraska City, NE, June 6-8

GWTA's GoldRush will be in Billings, Montana, July 14-17

Texas State Rally will be September 19-21, in Rusk, TX

Bikes, Blues, and BBQ will be September 26-27 in Fayetteville, AR

Very Boring Rally will be held in Duluth, MN, August 22-24. Steve Short has details on this one.

Charlie Company military poker Run, sponsored by Cruisin' 66, on April 26, rain or shine. This will be approximately a 100 mile ride. There is a $20 entry fee, which includes food. There is quite a prize for the high hand!

Relay for Life (Cancer Fundraiser) will be September 6-13. More details below.

Ron McCall gave a financial report. We started 2007 with $1800 in our checking account, and ended the year with $2986 in the bank, thanks to a very productive Colorama rally.

Ron McCall discussed the upcoming Relay for Life ride. This is a fundraiser for cancer research, which begins Labor Day weekend in Chicago, follows US Rt 66, all the way to Santa Monica, CA. The ride coordinator plans only about 200 miles per day, so it really is not a stressful ride. Wiliferd Lair made a motion that Chapter L provide a sponsorship donation in the amount of $350. This was seconded by Richard Meyers. The motion passed. At present, the following chapter members are planning to participate in this ride, to varying degrees, depending on work schedules: Roy Staeger, Phil Duncan, and Ron McCall. More information can be obtained from any of these riders, or from the website: www. Ridefortherelay.com.

May is Motorycyle Awareness Month. To that end, several suggestions were made, for our group to help the general public become more aware of motorcycles. These include: a safety demonstration/safety training, which could be held at the OTC parking lot, as they already have lines painted on the asphalt for the MSF beginner course, also safety games, and possibly a place to set up and show our bikes, such as a WalMart parking lot. Wiliferd mentioned that liability insurance is an issue that would need to be addressed, if we were to host something like safety training, or any other event where folks would be operating motor vehicles.

The 2008 Missouri Friendship Tour is being developed by the State Director, Bob Anderson. He does not quite have it finished yet, but when it's done, folks can register, and will receive a list of sites to visit and photograph their motorcycle in front of some landmark to gain credit for making the trip. It's a fun way to get out and see the state, often visiting places that we might otherwise miss. More information can be obtained on the State GWTA website, including a registration form.

Wiliferd mentioned that Raffle Tickets are available for a bike to be given away at this year's Gold Rush. This is the major fundraiser for GWTA's National office.

Mary Jarvis presented a proposed ride schedule for 2008, including dinner rides on Tuesday evenings, and day rides about twice per month, from April through October.

Saturday April 12 will be the chapter work day, to be held in Wiliferd's shop. Bring your expertise, or just your questions. If you have work to be done on your bike, bring whatever parts/supplies you will need, and come on. There will be plenty of 'experts' around to tell you what to do.

Congratulations were extended to Richard Meyers and Lynn Bennett on their upcoming wedding, to be held on April 5. Also, congratulations were given to Russell Painter on his engagement to Shauna, and they told us their wedding is to be October 18.

Charlotte Lair suggested that it might be a nice idea if we could plan to get together about once a month or so, during the winter months. It's good to keep in contact, and to keep up with what everyone is doing. The December meeting could easily be planned as a Christmas party.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Check the calendar on this website, as dinner rides are set to begin in early April.

Annual Shop Day

The annual Lake Country Riders Shop Day was held at the home of Wiliferd and Charlotte Lair on Saturday, March 17, 2007. The weather was cool and cloudy. Steve Short, Richard, Lynn and Kerry Myers, Ron and Carla McCall, Bill Jarvis, Jason Jarvis, Wiliferd, Charlotte, and Rebecca Lair, and Frank Rhinehart were among those in attendance. Frank Rhinehart is our newest member. He lives in Phillipsburg and was unable to ride his bike due to the coolness of the air. He was a very welcome guest and readily joined in with the shop crew.

Final Drive fluids were changed on 3 bikes, one headlight bulb change was demonstrated by Wiliferd on his bike only to find after the demonstration that the bulb was bad when put back in. A change of headlight bulbs was then done for real. Ron put a new belly pan on his bike after explaining to us it is possible to destroy one while it is on the bike. I shudder to think what would have been destroyed had the belly pan not been on the bike at the time. Bill Jarvis changed the coolant on his bike. A check of the brake fluid indicated little need for changing it out at this time so that project stopped after only a little disassembly. Richard put on a trailer hitch and wiring isolator. His seat bolt threads were also chased.

Lake Country Riders Shop Day

The ladies served us Chili, lasagna, deviled eggs, potatoe salad, exquisite desserts and a variety of drinks. Thanks to all who brought food. Many thanks to the ladies for the preparation and serving of the food.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time and the bantor was enlightening for most of us. Jason Jarvis just bought an '03 FJR1300 with the full tour package which he brought to the event. The silver bike is beautiful, has removable locking luggage, comfortable and very powerful. It rides great. Thanks, Jason! Jason even tried out the trials bike.

This was a fun event that resulted in accomplishment for maintenance on several bikes. If you missed it, you missed a good time and a great opportunity. Hope to see you at the next event.

Wiliferd Lair