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Director’s Note – July / August 2008

Greetings from our house to yours! It sure has been a pleasure to visit with our friends at the Spring Fling Rally in Mountain View Arkansas, and then at the Retread International Rally that was held in Cave City, KY.

If my memory serves me correctly, there were 154 people at the Spring Fling, which was only 2 less than last year’s attendance. I think that some folks were getting a little nervous thinking that the high fuel prices might keep some of the participant’s home. (Don’t tell the oil companies this, but it will take more than high fuel prices to keep Retread members away from a good Retread Rally!) Bill and Wanna Tass were unable to be at the rally the first couple of days because of the passing of Bill’s father. The folks that had been planning the rally with Bill and Wanna took the bull by the horns and all that planning showed up.

The new owners of the Mountain View R.V. Park did a good job of making all the folks feel welcome. Coming from South Louisiana, they prepared a Jambalaya to feed the early arrivals instead of the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs that Jackie and Malcom had prepared in the past. I don’t think anyone was disappointed. At the end of the rally, Bill Tass announced that he and Wanna were stepping down and that Harold and Wanda Dissmeyer would be taking their place. We want to thank Bill and Wanna for a job well done. We are also confident that Harold and Wanda will be great leaders as well. It is people like this that are willing to give of their time to put together meetings, rides and rallies that make the Retread organization what it is today. Thanks again!

As you know, the International was held in Cave City, KY once again. The Gateway Region was well represented with 26 of our members, which accounted for 13% of the total attendance. We had 2 from Arkansas, 2 from Oklahoma, 5 from Louisiana, 6 from Kansas and 11 from Missouri. I did not get a count, but I do know a big part of the Missouri members were from the Springfield area. Thank you all for coming!

We toured the Corvette factory in Bowling Green on one of our outings. Bobby Betts was chosen from our group to start a Cadillac XLR (that is Cadillac’s Corvette that is basically hand assembled at the same plant). They also had her lower and raise the hardtop (with the push of a button) to test the function of the hard top. I think someone overheard Bill saying he was going home and ordering one????

Steve Jeffers from Indianapolis (guitarist, vocalist and entertainer) really got the crowd in the mood Wednesday evening. I noticed quite a few people singing along with him on several songs. He even managed to get a few guys on the stage with him for a little monkey shine to add to his songs. It was impressive the way he ended by honoring our men and women in the armed forces, as well as past service men and women, law enforcement, firefighters, EMT’s, etc.

The awards banquet Thursday evening was very nice. A very good meal was served and no one left hungry. When it came time for the awards, Shirley Bradshaw took home the award for the oldest female to ride a motorcycle to the rally. Her husband James came close to winning the oldest male rider, but Harry Sherwood beat him out by a few years. Joe and Ruth Ellis of Cedar Hill, MO got the award for oldest combined age, two up at 156 years young!

Jim and Kay Mosley of Alma, IL and all their staff did a great job of hosting the rally. Thank again folks!

Make plans to attend next years International Rally in Spearfish, S.D. on July 27-30. Don’t miss it!

In closing, I am saddened to report to you that we have lost another one of our dear friends and members. Jan Rice passed away on June 19. She will be missed by her family and all of us who knew her.

We will be seeing you on the road again.

May 4, 2008

Hello from Russellville,

We had 23 for breakfast this morning, including Ron & Merna Tabor from the north Arkansas group.

Bobby Thompson won our 50-50 pot this morning and Ron Tabor won the $5.00 breakfast bill. Other door prizes went to Janiece Reid, Carol Trantham, Brenda Ayers, Merna Tabor, Phyllis Summerhill, Dennis Weir and Judy Collins.

Thanks to everyone that donated door prizes.

We have changed our Tuesday night supper’s to a Friday Night Supper Ride for the summer. We pick a different place to go each week and take turns leading. Also planning on having some picnics every once in a while too.

There were 7 of us that went on a ride this morning ~ we rode part of the way back with Ron and Merna. It was a beautiful day for a ride.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dennis Weir and his family on the loss of his Father ~ and also to Cynthia Dow on the loss of her Mother.

Hope to see you at the Missouri Rally and the Dutch Treat.

Bob & Sandi Moore

Russellville, AR

June 1, 2008

Hello again from Russellville,

Had 26 this morning for breakfast ~ no visitors this month.

Kathy Buttanda won the 50-50 drawing and Lavern Sturdevant won the $5.00 breakfast bill. Lots of door prizes this month and they went to Bobby Thompson, Linda Crow, Carol Trantham, Janiece Reid, Mike Crow, Dennis Weir, Bobby Moore, Cynthia Dow, Martha Shaffer, Phyllis Summerhill, Brenda Ayers, Guy Trantham, Sandi Moore and Chuck Summerhill.

Thanks to Rick & Martha Shaffer, Bobby Thompson, Janiece Reid and Phyllis Summerhill for donating some of our door prizes.

There was much discussion again on the upcoming rally and reports from everyone that attended the Spring Fling. Sounds like they all had a good time.

After breakfast a few of us went riding and enjoyed the morning.

We actually turned our Friday night ride on June 13^th into a picnic ride. Cooked burgers and dogs and had all kinds of goodies to go with them. We all seemed to have a great time.

Bobby & Sandi Moore

Russellville, AR

On vacation Bobby and Sandi Moore visited the neatest motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. If you have never been it’s a must see. All American made bikes from 1903 on and also has a lot of memorabilia and all kinds of stuff. Easy to spend a whole day there. It’s called Wheels Through Time and everything in it runs. We saw the owner riding several of the older bikes. We heard they are moving it from NC to Arizona, but don’t know when.

They have 2 web sites: www.wheelsthroughtime.com and www.wttthetimemachine.com.

We really enjoyed it.

Gold Pan Cafe
Lakeview, AR

April and May

North Retread Group

The April and May meetings were held at the Retro Café in Bull Shoals, but will be returning to the Gold Pan Café in Lakeview for the June meeting.

June 14, 2008

Gold Pan Cafe

Lakeview, AR

There were 11 members, 1 former member (rejoining) and 2 guests, with a total of 14 present. The two guests, Omar and Dorothy Crafton from Lakeview were introduced, as a welcome back to Pete Wells.

Items of business were: It was voted to have future meetings at the Western Sizzlin in Mountain Home, AR. Time will be the same (8:30 a.m.) the second Saturday of the month starting July 12, 2008.

Ron and Merna Tabor, Bill Tass and Tom Hart will be our Ride Coordinators with rides on Wednesday and Saturday. Destination and times will be determined by the coordinators or any member.

The financial report from the Rally was passed out along with the write up that was sent to the newsletter.

Harold told the members of the phone call received on the death of member, Charles Watson.

Winners of the 50/50 drawings were: Ron Tabor and Bill Tass. Carl Corwin won the $5.00 breakfast drawing.

Harold and Wanda Dissmeyer

Minutes by: Cindy Rhymer

The Retreads 22^nd Annual Spring Fling held May 16^th & 17^th at Mountain View, Arkansas was fun and a time to see old friends and meet new ones. Registration was 154. The weather was beautiful and we thank you all for joining us. You came from Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, AND, yes you even came from Wisconsin and Minnesota. Thank you all!!

A BIG thank you to Bill and Wanna Tass, the AR State Reps. – North. Bill and Wanna and their committees worked all year to organize and put together this Rally (Bill & Wanna’s second year doing it). Our condolences to Bill and Wanna on the death of Bill’s father; and thus the absence of them until Saturday evening. And here is where some extra thanks go out to Bettie Ray, MO State Rep – West. She stepped in and helped Merna Tabor on Thursday with early registration until the rest of the crew arrived.

What a representation of the District Reps….Bill & Bobby Betts of Oklahoma, Bob Pitts of Mississippi, Bettie Ray of Missouri – West and all the way from Louisiana, Jim and Lorie Bruce. Lloyd and Barbara Smith, our Regional Directors, we always appreciate your support for this Rally and throughout the year. Thank you.

The Poker run was fun, thank you Ron Tabor for mapping the run and thank you Terry and Cindy Rhymer for coordinating it. They put some new ideas into the Poker Run this year.

Mr. Al Bacon, you did it again this year! What a salesman for the 50/50!!!

Hopefully, we haven’t missed anyone in our thanks and we want you all to know how much we appreciated your being at the Rally!!! For those of you who volunteered your help next year we say, “Wow, what a great group of people.. Gateway Regional Retreads”. We hope to see you all next year, May 15 & 16, 2009.

Bill & Wanna Tass, Retiring AR State Rep North

Wanda & Harold Dissmeyer, AR State Rep North

Ron & Merna Tabor (Registration & Poker Run)

Bette Despard (Registration and ‘mentor’)

Nietje & James Rogers (Photographer)

Carl & Sharon Corwin (Rally Committee)

Terry & Cindy Rhymer (Poker Run)

Joplin Retreads

May 18, 2008

This was the time for the Rally in Mountain View, Arkansas; therefore we had 11 Retreads and guests present for the meeting. A new prospect came with Ray Henry from Oklahoma. His name is Sherman Garrett. We want to welcome him back. Craig decided we wouldn't have any drawing this morning, just a lot of conversations. We hope all who went to the Rally had a really good time.

See you all in June.

Joplin Retreads

June 15, 2008

25 Retreads and guests arrived for the meeting on this Fathers Day. A birthday also for Hannah Scroggs. Tickets were handed out for Fathers Day to each male. The winner was Wayne Robison from Kansas. 33 door prizes were won and the cash winners were Bill Galloway and Bettie Ray. It was good to see Jim and Della French back and both doing well.

A meeting was held following the regular meeting pertaining to the Rally next month. Shannett and Bettie explained the daily events. Hope to see a good turn out for the Missouri Rally in Carthage, Mo. at the Red Barn camping site.

Ride Safe

Janice Galloway

Springfield, MO

May and June meetings were held at The Waffle House in Ozark on the 1^st Saturday nights of each month. Good attendance enjoyed camaraderie and fellowship during and after the meal and drawings. In May, the Springfield Camping group camped at Mountain View, MO. Beautiful riding in that area! Also, in May the Springfield Chapter was well represented at the Spring Fling in Mountain View, AR., with 28 attending during the course of the 3 days. Some of us stayed as much as 11 days in the area to enjoy the riding and scenery.

May 31^st the annual picnic was held at Ozark Park with 80+ attending. Food was delicious – barbequed pork steaks with all the trimmings, and games were enjoyed by all. Thanks to Dale & Cathy for a great job done on the picnic!!!! Despite the rain showers, the ride preceding the picnic was successful.

Our June campout was well attended at Lost Bridges North Campground on Baxter Lake in AR. We had 5 rigs camping and several members rode down to visit for the day and ride with us for a total of 14 people enjoying the beauty of the area. Again some of us stayed from one to two weeks in the area. We urge any of you to join us on any of our campouts.

July’s campout will be at Hog Heaven Campground near Jasper, AR.

Catfish Cabin

Lake Charles, La.

July 3, 2008

Hope everyone had a safe 4^th of July. We had 31 in attendance at our meeting on the 3^rd . Thank you Lorie Bruce, for conducting the meeting while your husband Jim was out teaching folks how to ride a motorcycle and motorcycle safety.

Thank you to all the retreads who were able to ride in the funeral procession for Cpl. Thomas who was killed in Iraq. God Bless our soldiers who give the ultimate and the soldiers who are still fighting for our freedom.

We would like to thank Lewis & Angie Hill for visiting. Please join us again. You are welcome any time

50/50 was won by Dennis Creech.

I know this is late, and I am sorry, but I missed sending in my notes for the last newsletter. Another thank you (yes I know I am full of thank‘s) goes out to Florence Foreman for all the donated door prizes that were given out at the June 5^th meeting. Winners were Mary Jane Sensat, Dennis Creech, Ronnie Dartez and Lloyd Smith. 50/50 won by Wanda Duran and she gave it all back. Here I go again, thanks Wanda.

Hope to see everyone at the Missouri Rally.

Safe riding,

Maggie

Director’s Note – July / August 2008