December 2016
Gold Wing Road Riders Association
PA Chapter N, “The Lost Patrol”
Gathering 3rd Sunday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Masonic Lodge Social Hall, Main Street, Sandy Lake, PA
Pot Luck Dinner—October through March at 5:00 p.m.
No Gathering—April or December
Chapter N Website www.gwrrapan.org
Anniversary Party held in lieu of April Gathering
Christmas Party held in lieu of December Gathering
Chapter N Team
Inside this issue:
District Directors
(page 1 of 2)
2
District Directors
(page 2 of 2)
3
Chapter Directors
(page 1 of 2)
4
Chapter Directors
(page 2 of 2)
5
Chapter Educators
(page 1 of 2)
6
Chapter Educators
(page 2 of 2)
7
Fun with Chapter N
8
Fun with Chapter N
9
Fun with Chapter N
10
Calendar– December
11
Our Sponsors
12
Birthdays
13
Newsletter Ad Sheet
14
Chapter D Christmas Party
15
For Sale
16
History of the Christmas Tree
17
Christmas Tree Trivia
18
Chapter Directors
Mike & Paula Heaney
814-818-0303
[email protected]
Asst. Chapter Directors
Chapter Educators
Harold & Diane Jackson
814-589-1307
[email protected]
Membership Enhancement
Diana Zirnsak
724-789-7232
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Chapter N Webmaster
Marcia Westfall
724-544-3459
[email protected]
Ride Coordinators
Brian Jewell
724-662-5180
Joe Crytser
724-964-8262
Don Grossman 724-637-3534
Lyle Doverspike 814-437-3347
Camping Coordinator
Joe Crytser
724-964-8262
[email protected]
Card Lady
Charlene Root
814-786-9703
[email protected]
Pins & Patches
Connie Jewell
724-662-5180
[email protected]
Historian
Judy Grossman
724-637-3534
Treasurer
Cindy Shusteric
724-588-9141
[email protected]
Chapter Couple
Jerry & Betty Leary
724-932-3368
[email protected]
National, Regional, and District Team
GWRRA Directors
Ray & Sandi Garris
[email protected]
GWRRA: 21423 North 11 Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Phone: 800-843-9460
Northeast Region B Directors & International Directors of Year 2015-2016
Tom & Renee Wasluck
507-474-1014
[email protected]
PA District Directors
Rick & Andi Riek
Chapters: B-C-F-T-V-W
814-255-3147
[email protected]
GWRRA Website
www.gwrra.org
NE Region Website
www.gwrra-northeastregion.org
Assistant District Directors
Harold & Diane Jackson
Jim & Diane Heffelfinger
Chapters: D-E-G-I-P-N-Q
Chapters A-H-M-R-S-X-Y
814-589-1307
814-943-1392
[email protected]
[email protected]
PA District Website
www.gwrrapadist.org
PA District Directors
Rick and Andi Reik
Greetings everyone,
Well, the color on the leaves is changing and it is getting to where there are more
leaves on the ground than on the trees. We all know what that means. Fewer and
fewer riding days. I have seen some people on their bikes yet. Andi and I visited
Chapter PA-F at their October gathering and there was one brave soul who rode their
bike to the restaurant. Good for them. They are a lot braver that we are. If you are
brave enough to be still riding in the cooler weather, please be careful with all the
leaves lying on the road. Remember, leaves and a little rain and the road surface becomes very slippery.
Thank you to all of the chapters who sent in their annual chapter charter fees. We
were able to send a check to the region on time. That is one less end of year thing
we need to worry about. Speaking of end of year, it will soon be time for the end of
the year paperwork. I don't like saying end of year because it just goes too fast. But
it won't hurt to take a few minutes to go into the district website and review the new
financial reports that are available. National made some changes to the form to
make it easier to fill out and balance.
As the end of year approaches, we need to start thinking about the beginning of 2017
and those chapters that will have new chapter directors taking over as chapter leadership. This will be a great opportunity to bring fresh ideas to your chapters. It is always fun to try new things and see what will work and what will not. All you need is a
positive outlook and that can really boost the enthusiasm in your chapter. If you see
an active and busy chapter look at the leadership and I can guarantee you will see an
enthusiastic leader.
Andi and I recently attended the Region meeting in Mountain Top, PA and got to meet
with other directors and staff from various districts in the region. It was good to hear
how other districts are doing. There was a lot of great information passed on to our
district team leadership. If you are a chapter leader please be sure to attend our district team meeting coming up on April 29, 2017 in Altoona, PA. We hope to see officers from every one of our 21 chapters in attendance.
Autumn being in the air makes us start to plan for the end of the riding season. We
also begin to see current leaders completing their terms as chapter leaders. Even if
Directors aren’t changing, there can be other officer changes within the chapter.
2
PA District Directors
As your District Directors we are here to help with the transition of chapter leadership. We encourage the participants of each chapter to be open to the call of filling a role within your chapter. If someone approaches you, it is because they believe you can be a positive influence to your chapter. Please take it as a compliment and a positive way to help your chapter. It makes me wonder when I hear
someone being asked to help fill a position and they flat out say nope; no way do
I want to get involved with doing that. How does anyone think that a chapter
would continue to thrive if everyone has that same mentality? Get Involved! Remember you can make a difference…
We are continuing to work on the rally in State College. Jeff and Pam Kratz have
agreed to host this year's talent show on Friday evening. They will be asking for
chapters to fill the talent show very soon. So get your talent lined up for the upcoming PA District Rally in 2017.
Because of the changes in small games of chance licensing the PA District will
not be hosting a lottery calendar fund raiser next year. As soon as the district
comes up with an alternative fundraiser, we will let you know. We thank you for
your support of our past
Rick & Andi Riek
Pennsylvania District Directors
[email protected]
(814) 255-3147 Home
(814) 659-4247 Cell
Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.
3
PA Chapter N, “The Lost Patrol”
CHAPTER DIRECTORS
At this special time of year, we take time to look
back on the past year. During this time of giving
thanks, we are thankful for our Chapter N family.
Paula and I thank you for all of your friendship, help
and caring. And as we approach Christmas, we are
filled with the Hope, and Belief of the season. We
know Mr. & Mrs. Claus. As Paula and I reminisce
over this past year, there were times we laughed, cried, and took care of
one another. Short rides, long rides, wet and dry rides and a wonderful All
Chapters West. Some of us kept getting our tickets pulled for buck a ride,
some of us never got our ticket pulled! We traveled to different chapters,
found that some of us belonged on stage and others need a little work.
Chapter N has become our extended family. We cherish each and every
one of you and thank you for all the help during our first year as Chapters
Director. Please enjoy Christmas with your family and cherish each moment with them this Christmas season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Whether you are on two wheels, three wheels or four wheels. Please,
remember to always ride safe!
Mike and Paula Heaney
Chapter Directors
4
PA Chapter N, “The Lost Patrol”
December Events
5
PA Chapter N, “The Lost Patrol”
CHAPTER EDUCATORS
6
PA Chapter N, “The Lost Patrol”
7
Leaf Ride—October 15
October Birthdays
8
October Anniversaries
Jimmy Stewart Museum—October 18
9
Chapter Q Anniversary
Party - October 22
Halloween Party
Heaney’s—October 29
10
11
Please support
Our Wonderful Sponsors
THANK YOU from
Chapter N!!!
Phone:
12
724-662-4920
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
December 15—Kathy Saylor
December 16—Don Grossman
December 25—Harold Jackson
13
Attention: Add-Ons to Christmas Party
There will be a Chinese Auction (call Donna Cryster for donations) and a Gift Exchange at $10.00 a gift. Gifts are man for a
man, woman for a woman if you want to participate.
15
Toro Powerlite 98cc Single-Stage Snow Blower
Toro Snow Blower Model 38172
16”; 2 cycle
Works great.
$100.00 Call Al @ 814-758-4158
FOR SALE:
Two (large) Gerbing heated jacket liners - worn but in good condition
One pair of (small) ladies Gerbing heated gloves - only worn a couple of times
Two (large) GWRRA jackets - heavy red inner and light grey outer layers
- may have been worn once or twice at the most - like new.
Motorcycle lift - used for both the Gold Wing & Tom's smaller Harley - excellent
Condition
Dual wheel covers for camper trailer - bought for our smaller trailer and never
used - only out of the box to see if they would fit the new trailer (they won't!)
Air conditioner cover for 13,500 unit - never used
Will take any reasonable offer for all.
Thanks
Sandy Allison
16
724-646-2806
THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Germany is credited with starting
the Christmas tree tradition as we now
know it in the 16th century when
devout Christians brought decorated
trees into their homes. Some
built Christmas pyramids of wood and
decorated them with evergreens
and candles if wood was scarce. It is a
widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home
one winter evening, composing a
sermon, he was awed by the brilliance
of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his
family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.
Most 19th-century Americans found Christmas trees an oddity. The first record of one being on
display was in the 1830s by the German settlers of Pennsylvania, although trees had been a
tradition in many German homes much earlier. The Pennsylvania German settlements had
community trees as early as 1747. But, as late as the 1840s Christmas trees were seen as pagan symbols and not accepted by most Americans.
It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late
in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred. The pilgrims’s second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out “pagan mockery” of the observance,
penalizing any frivolity. The influential Oliver Cromwell preached against “the heathen traditions” of Christmas carols, decorated trees, and any joyful expression that desecrated “that sacred event.” In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for
hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of
German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy.
In 1846, the popular royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were sketched in
the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Unlike the
previous royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court
immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious East Coast
American Society. The Christmas tree had arrived.
By the 1890s Christmas ornaments were arriving from Germany and Christmas tree popularity
was on the rise around the U.S. It was noted that Europeans used small trees about four feet in
height, while Americans liked their Christmas trees to reach from floor to ceiling.
The early 20th century saw Americans decorating their trees mainly with homemade ornaments, while the German-American sect continued to use apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies.
Popcorn joined in after being dyed bright colors and interlaced with berries and nuts. Electricity
brought about Christmas lights, making it possible for Christmas trees to glow for days on end.
With this, Christmas trees began to appear in town squares across the country and having a
Christmas tree in the home became an American tradition.
From www.history.com
17
CHRISTMAS TREE TRIVIA
Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the United States since about 1850.
In 1979, the National Christmas Tree was not lighted except for the top ornament. This was done in honor of the American
hostages in Iran.
Between 1887-1933 a fishing schooner called the Christmas Ship would tie up at the Clark Street bridge and sell spruce
trees from Michigan to Chicagoans.
The tallest living Christmas tree is believed to be the 122-foot, 91-year-old Douglas fir in the town of Woodinville, Washington.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition began in 1933. Franklin Pierce, the 14th president, brought the Christmas
tree tradition to the White House.
In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony now held every year on the
White House lawn.
Since 1966, the National Christmas Tree Association has given a Christmas tree to the President and first family.
Most Christmas trees are cut weeks before they get to a retail outlet.
In 1912, the first community Christmas tree in the United States was erected in New York City.
Christmas trees generally take 6-8 years to mature.
Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska.
100,000 people are employed in the Christmas tree industry.
98 percent of all Christmas trees are grown on farms.
More than 1,000,000 acres of land have been planted with Christmas trees.
77 million Christmas trees are planted each year.
On average, over 2,000 Christmas trees are planted per acre.
You should never burn your Christmas tree in the fireplace. It can contribute to creosote buildup.
Thomas Edison’s assistants came up with the idea of electric lights for Christmas trees.
In 1963, the National Christmas Tree was not lit until December 22nd because of a national 30-day period of mourning following the assassination of President Kennedy.
Teddy Roosevelt banned the Christmas tree from the White House for environmental reasons.
In the first week, a tree in your home will consume as much as a quart of water per day.
Tinsel was once banned by the government. Tinsel contained lead at one time, now it’s made of plastic.
In 1984, the National Christmas Tree was lit on December 13th with temperatures in the 70s, making it one of the warmest
tree lightings in history.
34 to 36 million Christmas trees are produced each year and 95 percent are shipped or sold directly from Christmas tree
farms.
California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina are the top Christmas tree producing states.
The
18 best selling trees are Scotch Pine, Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, and White Pine.