Hello Region 20 members, family
and friends. May’s meetings were combined due to Bikin for Burns. May’s meeting was held in Genesee, 65 individuals attended. New members
included (2) John Krupp and Tiffany Brown (5) guests Neil Darnell, Peggy Dye, Tamarra Desmond, Leif Garrison and Jack Krammer. On to the May news……
The Awareness Team is busy teaching the young adults in
the community to “LOOK TWICE SAVE A LIFE”.
(5) classes are scheduled for the month of May. Please thank the team members for their efforts in keeping our travels safe. The Awareness Ride was a “huge”
success. Close to 100 bikes road together through the county. The goal of the
ride was to be VISIBLE. Passengers held up LOOK TWICE SAVE a Life signs. All intersections we stopped at bikers “honked their horns” and got the
motorists attention. Special thanks to Ed from Top End and Rocky’s Outdoor’s
for helping us with the event. Thanks goes to all the riders who attended the
event. THANKS FOR GIVING A SHIT REGION 20 FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Region 20 will
be attending the Burton Memorial Day Parade on May 25th. If you are interested in attending the event call one
of Region20 officers for the meeting spot and time of arrival. On to the Legislative News……………
Abate has introduced a clean bill. No fees attached. Check out Jim Rhoades “State LO”
section for the most update information. June 3rd is our Helmet Protest Ride.
Genesee riders will be meeting at Capital Coney Island on the corner of VanSlyke and Bristol. The group leaves at 10:00am sharp traveling to the Burger King in Perry ( I-69 and
M-52). Together Genesee and Shiawassee riders will leave at 11:00 sharp and head to Lansing. If you can attend the ride you are encouraged to do so. Every rider counts and makes a difference in our abilities to “ride free” in 2009. Special thanks to our region LO’s (G) Chuck Beals and (S) Mark “The Bus” Berger who attends
the Lansing legislative events and keeps us informed on the “happenings”.
On to the Care and Concerns report…...
New products are in.
There are more choices than ever before. Many styles are very popular. See
your Products officers at a local meeting for the awesome choices of Region 20 apparel.
Special thanks to (G) Steve/Roz Decourval and (S) Terry “Cupcake” Berger and Marty for all or your efforts. YOU ROCK!!!!!! Our Products officers also handle Care and Concerns. On a sad note Kevin Wheaton one of our Region 20 members who attend the Genesee County meetings lost his mother. Our prayers and thoughts go out to Kevin and his family as they go through this difficult
time. God Bless….On to the Regional Coordinator’s report.
Randy would like to thank all of the individuals who helped
out at the Awareness Party and Ride. These were great events and proceeds will
be used to pay for the Awareness Billboard “LOOK TWICE SAVE A LIFE” on I-75 and Mt.Morris/Pierson Rd area. Members of the
Month for May was (G)Beth Bruce and (S) “Crazy Kimmy”. They helped
out at the Awareness Party volunteering at the last minute to be in the “bird cage” and have water balloons thrown
at them as a “money maker”. And let me tell you…it was COLDER than a witches ti?????? in the month of January….LOL….
Continue to write letters to you local legislatures and encourage them to vote yes for our efforts to ride free. Region 20
will again be attending our annual pool tournament in May with the Iron Wheel M/C in Shiawassee. This is an awesome time. The Iron Wheels are a great group
of people. Good friends and a great party…If you are planning on attending
our state field meet see Mac and Holly for tickets. The last time to get the
“discounted rate” will be at June’s meeting in Genesee. Tickets at the door are slightly more. Region 20 will be buying
the food. All we ask is that individuals sign up to help “cook and clean”. Everyone always does a great job. As
last year Gary “Flatbed” will be fixing Saturday
night’s dinner…..roasted pork loin on an open flame…Yummy!!!!!!!!!! On to the “main event” Bikin
for Burns….
As I write this newsletter, it’s our Bikin for Burns
weekend. Weather wasn’t great, but what the hell it didn’t snow. Attendance was down, but fun was had by all who attended. This was the first year attendees could take their beer into the vendor area. As the sun broke through the clouds you could see people sitting at the picnic tables and “having
beer”. All of the individuals who helped with the event were too many to
name. All I know is that we should be damn proud of hosting a “first class”
event. Everyone busted their ass..and were exhausted by midnight..if you asked
anyone , they would say..it’s all worth it. The parade route was awesome. Families,
small children ,young and old stood beside the area roads and clapped as we drove past.
In the “shitty economy” that we are “blessed with” this is a “good thing”, a little
ray of hope and sunshine. One of the on lookers lined his yard with American Flags and posted a “huge ass” American
Flag (20 x 20). There was one impression that really stuck with me as we left
Perani’s Area. It was a small child on the side of the road with a sign
that simply said THANK YOU. You just can’t say it any better than that. Thank you to all of the members, friends and family who helped and the riders who
GAVE A SHIT paid their $10.00 donation and supported our cause. Words can’t express the emotion. I don’t have
any “hard numbers”. All of the specifics from our 9th
Annual Bikin for Burns will be announced at June’s meeting. Special thanks
to Bob Carroll (Region 20 Life Member and Shriner) who helped us with all of the “park details”, Ed from Top End
Cycle who did preregistration during the month of April, Eric from Scooter’s Bar and Grill for preregistration the day
of the event, Candy from Tom Ryan Distributing, Clio area Boy Scouts for clean up, and of special note “Nics Barbeque
(Mac, Holly and family) for all of the eats, Dennis Mitchell who spun the tunes
on Friday and Saturday, our Co-sponsor THE FOX 103.9 and Roy Moore, rock’n bands on Saturday- Alter Ego, The Whip and
The Zone who played for free, all of the police officers who volunteered their
time blocked the intersections and kept us safe, all of the businesses who donated live auction items, local media for the
event coverage, and our 1st Annual Grand Marshall Jeff Wade. These are just some of the individuals outside of Region 20 who volunteered their time. If I missed anyone, I apologize, there is no harm intended. Well the 2009 Bikin for Burns is officially closed. Just
think in 6 months we get to start all over again for the 2010 10th Annual Special Edition of Bikin for Burns.
Well it’s
time to close…As always, if you haven’t attended a meeting lately, please do..we host two meetings a month; one
in Genesee the 1st Tuesday of the month at Kimberly’s Pub and one the Sunday
following the 1st Tuesday of the month in Shiawassee at the Hickory Lounge.
If you can’t do to personal obligations, we understand..we know you are here in spirit…. Check out our
website at: http://www.abatemichregion20.com
Be Safe,
Georgia
