March 2004 Newsletter Emerald Coast Riders

I guess I picked the ideal time to have knee surgery, for it seems as if it has rained almost every day. I want to apologize for the mess up at the meeting for not having our normal room, but it seems as if we slipped through the cracks. We weren’t transferred to the 2004 schedule, but they have us listed each month now. I think a dozen or so members complained to the manager. It made it difficult for Larry to give her presentation on the Miracle League, and it is very important for everyone to have the opportunity to understand what we are trying to accomplish. We will have another opportunity for him to come again for the ones who missed it, or could not hear what he had to say.

The last officer’s meeting covered several things, including the rides and the up coming events such as the annual picnic, and the Miracle League Ride. We would like to have some input from you, the members, on rides you would like to have. Also, David has developed a call list, starting with the officers, so everyone can be notified if a ride has to be cancelled or changed for some reason. Make sure we have your correct phone number. Also, make sure we have your correct email address so we can notify you of any ride changes, or other information, by email. The newsletter is available online shortly after the meeting; you will be notified if we have your email address, otherwise navigate to the newsletter from the main page. This saves considerably in postage costs. The only money in our treasury is from the 50/50, which is used for the newsletter postage, our annual picnic and our Christmas project.

The picnic is May 8^th. We will meet at the K-Mart parking lot for a ride to Little River State Park in Alabama, north of Atmore. This even is free to members, with a $5.00 fee for each guest. The picnic has always been fun, lots of food, door prizes and good times, so please see Mary to sign up. We will need cooks to help get the food ready, and help cleaning up before we leave. Maybe it won’t rain on us on the way home this year!

If you have any questions about how we ride, who the officers are, or just want to give input, please let me know.

I just can't believe it but it's true. We finally got a decent weekend for riding. February 21st and 22nd was absolutely beautiful and Fay and I, along with some close friends and relatives, took advantage of both days.

Saturday we rode over to Gulf Shores and Foley. On Sunday, the group ride to Loxley was great! Twenty bikes and a cripple in a Ford Expedition showed up for the ride to Burris' and some good ole cobbler. If you missed it, I am sorry, because we had a great time.

Since the Valentine's Day Sweetheart Ride was rained out, we decided to hold on the the $25.00 gift certificate for some lucky lady. Mary Scandrol will be giving this gift away at our picnic on May 9th. We will reschedule the ride to Guisseppi's later in the year. I know the Retreads "LOVE" to eat and believe me, this is a great place to do that.

Beginning in March you will notice the calendar getting a little busy. Hopefully by then the weather will be better and more people will show up for the rides. We have some good rides scheduled so check your calendar and try to make as many as you can. J.D. Charles will be taking us to Gator's in Baker after our meeting and he really knows a cool way to get there.

Ricky Sears will take us on a "Redneck Ride" on the 13th and the always popular ride to Lamberts, in Foley, on the 27th.

I want to mention a ride in March you really should try to make. ON the 21st we have a brunch ride to Mr. Manatees downtown. We have been there several times and it is absolutely fantastic. If you have never been you really need to make this one, it is sooo good.

I always want to say that we are way ahead of schedule with our plans for the June 6th Miracle League ride. Larry Thompson plans on being at the May meeting with this ride being our heaviest topic. he will show another tape on the Miracle League Foundation. "Doc" Fish, owner of southern cycles and president of ABATE, said to expect anywhere from 300 to 500 bikes for this ride.

Before I close out I want to welcome all the new members who have joined our group, including the ones who have been freeloading for the past couple of months (Raymond Gambill). Tony and Lauri Gibson joined February 21st on our cobbler ride. We enjoyed meeting you both. Also a reminder that beginning in April we will return to Sonic every Wednesday night.

Alrighty then!!! Let's get out the bikes, blow the dust off and get ready to ride. Until next time, keep the rubber side down and ride safe!! Slim Shady says....."The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it."

Two lane black top isn't a highway; it's an attitude.

When you look down the road, it seems to never end....but you better believe it does.

A bike can smell a party 5,000 miles away.

People are like motorcycles: Each is customized a bit differently.

Well trained reflexes are quicker than lunch.

The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome.

New leather don't smell right.

When you are riding lead, don't spit.

If you really want to know what is going on, watch what's happening at least five cars ahead.

What's your "Southern Sign"? Some of us, especially Southerners, are pretty skeptical of horoscopes, and it has become obvious that what we need are "Southern" symbols:

Boll Weevil (Feb 20 - March 20) You have an overwhelming curiosity. You're unsatisfied with the surface of things, and you feel the need to bore deep into the interior of everything. Needless to say, you are very intense and driven as if you had some inner hunger. Nobody in their right mind is going to marry you, so don't worry about it.

All views and opinions expressed by the author of articles in this newsletter are purely their own, and do not necessarily represent Retreads International, Emerald Coast Riders, Members or Officers, or Webmaster of this site.

	Pensacola, Florida


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