The February 2008 monthly gathering was held for the first time at the Lone Star Cafe.  After 2 years of meeting at the Golden Corral in Universal City, Chapter U had outgrown the private room and returned to the private room of a restaurant just 2 blocks down, and the same restaurant where Chapter U originally met!  As Brad and I pulled into the restaurant parking lot, well before the 6 pm greet and eat time, we found several chapter members already visiting and looking over Sal and Phyllis Pesta's new Caliente Red 1800 GoldWing!  By the time we moved into the restaurant, we had picked up about 20 people in chapter vests and shirts, and we formed quite a "rush hour" for the restaurant staff on an otherwise quiet Wednesday night.

         Mac & Lee from K2                                        Jim & Morgan Triplett, been a while!

J.D. & Millie Kvapil                                                           Linda Navin

Selecting from a wide variety of offerings (Connie Jordan's fried pickles were delicious), we filled up our drinks and found chairs around a "U" shaped formation of tables (what else would it be?).  By 7 pm, time for our gathering to begin, the room was full, we had brought in more chairs, we had greeted and eated (I mean eaten), and eaten and greet'n (I mean greeted) familiar and new faces.  We were happy to see new GWRRA member Chester Johnson join us, and familiar faces from our sister chapter, K2, in Kerrville.

               Jack Dowda                                                    Duke & Chela with Joyce Fitzgerald

Ken Jordan & Wes Lewis                                               Ron Delaughter

We had the air-conditioning on high and the room full by the time the information sharing portion of the evening began.  Brad Severe opened up the meeting, and invited Jack Dowda to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  The Chapter has an American flag, donated by Tom and Nancy Byrd.  After the Pledge, Brad recognized new members, first-time visitors, old friends and special visitors from K2; Chapter Director Mac McKinney, Lee Adams & Ken & Pat Schieber.  Previous Chapter U Chapter Directors, Tony and Cheryl Stokeley were present as were previous Chapter U Assistant Chapter Directors, JR and Joyce Fitzgerald.  Also present were John and Judy Curtis who helped start GWRRA in San Antonio!  Brad then put out some announcements, a quick modeling of some Chapter shirts we had for sale in the Chapter store, and we quickly moved to words from our new Chapter Educator, Court Van Stickler.  Court continued on from his presentation last month and warmed up the group for the following training awards by Senior Chapter Educator and District Trainer Charlie Brown.  Charlie and Candy Brown hosted the first local Road Captain’s Course at their home last month and 7 certificates and Road Captain pins, provided by the Chapter, were presented to Jill Severe, Mike and Ako Mills, Ken & Connie Jordan, Tom and Nancy Byrd and Dave Weaver!  Charlie also presented level awards to several members.  Remember, if you go, Candy makes great cookies!  Court Van Stickler received Level 1, 2 and 3 (a go-getter for a Chapter Educator!)!

         Court getting his Rider Levels 1-3                        Charlie presenting Jill with the Road Captain certificate!

Ken & Connie Jordan             Road Captain Certificates                   Tom & Nancy Byrd

Mike & Ako Mills                Road Captain Certificates              Dave Weaver

Steve Ochs and a view of the group!                                   J.R. Fitzgerald passing the food!

      Wes, Chester, Jill and Dave!                             Joyce Fitzgerald with Sheryl & Tony Stokely

After a quick update from our Chapter Treasurer, Martha Gover ("Chapter bank account looks good!"), next up was Millie Kvapil to talk about a new chapter fund-raiser which allows each member to buy one ticket for a dollar at each chapter event with a drawing at the annual Chapter Christmas party for half of the amount raised during the year while the Chapter keeps the other half.  Millie and JD had done this at their chapter in Kansas and brought this idea to the first Rally Coordination meeting last month.  JD Kvapil, who volunteered to coordinate our rally and has lots of experience, was next up and gave those present a summary of what had been accomplished at the first Rally Coordination meeting and who had volunteered for key activities.  Top awards for member most on the move to get things done for the rally goes to Maria Delaughter who has lined up 6 vendors already for the chapter rally and has already started hunting for a donor for bottle water.  Another highlight is that we have donations of 2 toilets for the Off Bike Games (see Jack Dowda and Linda Brackeen for more about that!)J  We will needs of help planning the rally and then running it the day of the rally so look form more information on who to contact to help in specific areas.  

J.D. Kvapil talking about the rally.                                             Millie Kvapil selling tickets

                  Mike Mills Talking Rides!                            Lisa Moore & Richard Perez, soon-to-be members!

Dave Weaver, our Membership Enhancement Chair, then talked about the upcoming first chapter mall show in March at Rolling Oaks mall.  Watch the website for more information as plans progress.  An initial hand’s survey indicated about 15 people were interested in bringing their bikes to the mall for a show.  Dave has worked to get information from DPS to handout on motorcycle awareness and Brad Severe has contacted GWRRA International about getting more handouts on GWRRA.

New participant, Chester Johnson!                                        K-2 member Pat Schieber!

Mike Mills, our Ride Coordinator, then gave us a recap on recent rides and a preview of upcoming rides.  Mike had passed out slips of paper for ride suggestions, and the Chapter is always interested in ride suggestions and volunteers to plan and lead rides.  I think he got quite a few suggestions!

With a bit of time for input from the floor, our K2 visitors shared some thoughts on safe riding and how helpful their Chapter’s and GWRRA’s safety training and education was in a time of need.  K2 volunteered to work with Dave Meadows on a traveling trophy that passes from chapter to chapter.  Jack Dowda suggested that we have a “Member of the Month” in our chapter with a rotating windshield cover!  

After lots more comments and fun later, we moved to pulling tickets to give out door prizes.  Thanks to Duke and Chela Thompson, Jack Dowda, Olin and Martha Gover, Ron and Maria Delaughter and our sponsors Joe Harrison Motorsports and Cyclerider for their donations.  We had lots of great and fun things to give away!

As we adjourned, we realized we had carried the “Friends for Fun, Knowledge and Safety” from our previous gathering place to our new one.  After all, it is the people that make the Chapter, not the place!  Hope to see you next month!

Jill Severe

Co-Riding Chapter Director