2/20/14 Meeting Report

Bike Blessing

It’s Official; the date has been changed to 4/13/14 due to the Miracle Ride being on 4/27. This date has been confirmed with Ocean Beach and our website has been updated. Official advertising (print and radio) will start in March.

This gives us 2 fewer weeks to prepare, so please contact Paul regarding any potential vendors and Jason regarding any potential sponsors (T-shirt advertising).

The following businesses have already been approached, so please don’t contact them again.

1.State Street Saloon

2.B&D Autobody

3.Pennells Auto

4.Oakdale Pizza

5.Friendly's Pizza / Cakes and Cones

6.Big Gary's Package Store

7.Longshots

8.Citizens Bank (Montville)

9.Brown Derby

10.Handlebars Cafe

11.The Outpost

12.Haymond Law Firm

13.Trantolo and Trantolo

14.Mike's Famous

15.New England Cycle Works

16.Motorsports Nation

17.Valvoline Instant Oil Change

18.Chelsea Groton Bank

19.Coca Cola

20.IPC

21.Lou's Custom Paint

22.Nowhere Cafe

23.Eastern Technology

24.Foxwoods Casino

25.Mohegan Sun Casino

26.MJ Sullivan

This year’s shirt will be a royal blue with gold print.

Gates open at 11 AM; Blessing starts at 2 PM.

Chili Cook-off Saturday Night

Dana is vying for the title once again. Will this be the year he finally takes the crown or will Patty’s reign continue? Come on down and judge for yourself. Better yet, whip up your best chili recipe for the competition.

If you’re all thumbs in the kitchen, you can still contribute to what has been one of our more popular events by bringing side items such as tortilla chips, sour cream, corn bread or anything else that you think might compliment chili.

There were requests to combine this event with a “Game Night” and there may be a card game or two after the event. Feel free to bring your game of choice to share with fellow members. The fun starts at 6 PM.

Wake for Randall Perry this Sunday

Please join us in honoring this fallen member. Whether on two wheels or four, we will be departing the Dunkin Donuts on Coleman Street in New London at 11:30 AM.

Honor Guard dress is requested.

Honor Guard Uniform:

A.     Black boots that will take a shine.

B.     Black jeans

C.    White L/S or S/S T-shirt w/graphics on sleeves only. L/S or S/S will be called for by the Honor Guard Captain as the uniform of the day.

D.    Black Ascot hat w/small round patch sewn on the front. Off bike & parade wear.

E.     Black/Gloss shorty helmet for road riding into an event

F.     Black leather vest (laced sides)

1.     Large Round Patch only on the back

2.     Special Brass Nameplate only on the front left breast side

It is OK if you are not prepared to fulfill all of the aspects of the Honor Guard Uniform. Simply make the effort to do what you can.

Here is an updated obituary from the funeral home’s website:

Randall K. Perry, 54, of East Hampton passed away Sun, Feb. 16, 2014 at his home. He was born on Sept. 4, 1959 in New London the son of Anita Johnson Perry Kettner of Groton and the late George Perry. Randall had been employed for many years as a supply and equipment manager with the Environmental Services Dept at Foxwoods. He was also an active member of the New London County Motorcycle Club. Besides his mother, survivors include his daughter Julie Perry of New London, a son Nicholas Perry of East Hampton, 2 sisters Linda and Dawn, a brother Brian and 5 grandchildren Anthony, Lorenzo, Sonnja, Jayde, Alexis, and his dog Trixie. Visiting hours will be held from 11 to 1 pm Sunday Feb. 23 at the Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St, New London. At his request, there is to be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be directed to the Covenant Shelter of New London, Inc, 42 Jay St., New London, CT 06320

St. Patrick’s Day Events

Thibs will be preparing a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 15^th.

We will be participating in the New London St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16^th.

Update on The Iron Adventure

Peter came down from New Hampshire tonight to advise us on the changes being made for this year’s event and to answer our questions.

Jackson Gore will be the hub of the event with most, if not all, activities happening or starting here. They have worked out an arrangement with the venue to provide much better pricing for alcoholic beverages and the event will be providing free coffee. They have also improved lighting in the parking lot (so you can find your bike again) and have devised a system to ensure that Event Signs remain posted during the event.

They have planned more entertainment this year including comedians, popular local bands and at least one prominent national band, Déjà vu; an all-girl band that plays at many Harley Davidson events.

The scavenger hunt will be back, but the guided and unguided rides have been pared down to allow riders to participate in activities at the Hub. Certain activities, such as Biker Games (field events), have been scheduled in the afternoon so that riders can go out for a ride in the morning and participate in those events when they get back.

They have arranged for a larger number of vendors to participate, with the bulk set up at the hub and other set up downtown.

This is the second year of the event and the second time it is being held in Ludlow, VT. Next year it will be held in Massachusetts and it will move throughout New England each year after that. If you sign up ahead of time you’ll receive a complimentary T-shirt and patch.

I apologize for not dressing up this blog post with pictures, but I just found out I’m on the early shift tomorrow.