MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 20, 2013 MEETING
NEXT MEETING – NOVEMBER 17, 2013
Contents
........................................................................................................................................... 1
...................................................................................................................................................................... 1
STORY TIME: ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2
TREASURER’S REPORT: ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
SECRETARY’S REPORT:............................................................................................................................................................. 2
COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS: .............................................................................................................................................. 2
SUNSHINE REPORT: ................................................................................................................................................................. 2
SPONSOR’S REPORT: ............................................................................................................................................................... 2
OLD BUSINESS: ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3
MEMBERSHIP: ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3
MERCHANDISE: ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3
LADIES OF HARLEY (LOH): ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
LADIES OF HARLEY (LOH) CONTINUED: ................................................................................................................................... 4
ACTIVITIES: .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
SAFETY REPORT: ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4
ROAD CAPTAIN’S REPORT: ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
NEW BUSINESS: ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: .................................................................................................................................................. 6
BIRTHDAYS FOR THE MONTH.................................................................................................................................................. 6
CALENDAR OF EVENTS ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
CHAPTER OFFICERS ................................................................................................................................................................. 7
SECRETARY’S REPORT – OCTOBER 20, 2013
The meeting was called to order at 9:07 A.M. Charlie Ruggiano led us in the Pledge of Allegiance
There were 57 members and 4 guests in attendance. We had a moment of silence for our friend and
brother Mike Osiecki, who passed away suddenly on October 13, 2013.
STORY TIME: John Williams asked the membership if they had any stories to share:
 Ed Haire (Muffin), reminded everyone that you have to be alert even sitting in a parking lot, cause
someone is gonna get you. He had a pizza delivery guy back out of a space and back into him and his
bike.
 John Williams (Reeper) said that on his way back from spending time with family in South Carolina, he
stopped to call Connie. He was trying to avoid the rain that followed him from South Carolina and in
Frackville PA, he called home. Connie wanted him to be aware of something that happened to Craig
Peters and didn’t want him to hear about it on Facebook. She told him that Craig went down with the
bike and broke his ankle. John made a quick adjustment in his ride and stopped by to see Craig at the
hospital. Craig was in good spirits; his bike was at Schaeffer’s Harley Davidson in Orwigsburg, PA. They
picked up Craig’s bike no charge and kept it until Bob Ranger came back the following day with his
trailer to get Craig and the bike. If anyone is in the area of Schaeffer’s stop by say hello and thank
them, they are a good bunch of people.
 John Williams also talked about Mike Osiecki and his sudden passing. We had 15 bikes that went to
the wake and 8 bikes that went to the funeral. We are going to do something for Mike every year in
his memory; either a donation to one or both of the charities that were requested at his funeral. Every
year on or near October 18, we will do a ride for Mike. We all should reach out and keep Brenda Gaski
in our thoughts and prayers. We will be making a new sign at Yankee for our tool shed. It will be called
the “Mike Osiecki tool shed”. He fought for us to get a separate place to keep our supplies for
Customer Appreciation Days.
TREASURER’S REPORT: A full disclosure was given at the member’s only portion of the meeting.
The incidental report was relayed to the members and non-members.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: A motion was made to accept the minutes of the last meeting as they are
printed in the newsletter. The motion was accepted and seconded by the membership present.
COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS: John Williams gave the following report:
 We’ve had a problem here recently, where we can’t get coffee, John Williams is considering looking for
another venue, if this continues. Part of our contract states that coffee will be provided and there
have been a couple of instances where nothing has been served. Brian will look into the Southington
Elks. If anyone has any suggestions please let us know.
SUNSHINE REPORT: Pati Tino gave her report to the membership:
 Pati read off the birthdays for the month and those members in attendance were reminded to get their
free 50/50 Raffle Ticket.
 We sent cards to Craig Peters (Mother), Ed Haire (Muffin) and Brenda Gaski.
SPONSOR’S REPORT: Paul Robertson gave the membership the following report from our sponsor
 Paul Robertson said there was no new news on motorcycles. There is a recall on some of them, but he
didn’t have the full details. Yankee wanted to thank everybody for their help with the open house and
the customer appreciation days.
SECRETARY’S REPORT – OCTOBER 20, 2013
OLD BUSINESS: John Williams went over the following:
 John Williams stated that we need to get our Honor Guard up and running. We have had a number of
occasions recently where the Honor Guard was
needed and we should be ready to participate in
any functions where we are requested. Bruce
Messenger has some pins for the Honor Guard
available.
 John Salce was presented with a plaque for his
years of service as Assistant Director of West Conn
Hog. Craig Peters will be stepping up as Assistant
Director starting in November.
MEMBERSHIP: Amy Ruggiano went over the
report with the members
 We have three new members who recently signed up, Deborah Borgerding, James Wise and Bonnie
Miller
 There are currently 161 active West Conn HOG members.
MERCHANDISE: Bruce Messenger went over the following:
 Bruce has the new T-shirts that were requested, stickers and patches, with West Conn’s name are also
available.
 Any special order items such as 3 season jackets, hats, etc. see Bruce during the break. Payment must
be made before it’s ordered.
LADIES OF HARLEY (LOH): Kat Ross went over the information about LOH
 Kat Ross wanted to give a HUGE thank you to all who participated and helped with the West Conn Chili
Contest. No matter if you were a contestant, you helped out at the event or just came and helped
empty the crockpots, it was a fun day and we raised $219. The following were the prize winners:
FIRST PRIZE - Gary Santorso; SECOND PRIZE - Connie Smith; THIRD PRIZE - Ginger LeClair.
 On Oct 26, 2013 @ 8:00 p.m. there will be a showing of the original HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE
DAME with live organ music at the Thomaston Opera House. There were a few members, at the last
meeting, who thought they might be interested in attending. If you are interested, see Kat at the
break. The tickets are $15.50, $11.50 if you are over 65.
 On October 27, 2013, the annual Foodshare Turkey Run will be held. If you wish to attend, you can
bring 1 frozen 12 lb. turkey or $20 per bike meet at Gengras Harley Davidson in East Hartford at 10:00
a.m. ride to Foodshare then have a lunch.
 November Food Drive - At next month’s chapter meeting we will hold our annual food drive which will
benefit Bristol Food Pantries. Please consider bringing a non-perishable canned or boxed food
item. We will post a list on the West Conn page with suggested items.
 December toy drive - We hope to coordinate our Toys for Tots with Yankee's if they do the drive on
customer appreciation day again this year. We might NOT do a bake sale this year.
SECRETARY’S REPORT – OCTOBER 20, 2013
LADIES OF HARLEY (LOH) CONTINUED:
 The LOH dinner gathering this month will be on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, 6:00 p.m. at:
The First and Last Tavern; 32 Cooke Street; Plainville
 In looking back over this first year as LOH officer I need to say thank you to each and every one of you
for your support along the way. It is only by working as a group that we were able to support some of
our favorite charities and events, raise funds and have fun socializing along the way. So thank you all
very much and I look forward to working with you all again this coming year. As always, if you have
any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, or criticism on how we can make or do things better ....please don't
hesitate to come forward with it.
ACTIVITIES: Gary Santorso reported on the following:
 The West Conn Christmas party will be held at Nuchies in Bristol on December 14, 2013 tickets will be
$30 for members $40 for guests. Cocktails at 6:30 dinner at 7:30. Limited to 80 tickets. Please contact
Joanne Cataldo or Gary Santorso if you want tickets.
 Reminder to all members about the Thursday emails, if you want to opt out let Gary know ASAP and
your name will be removed from the list. Also, if you want to join the West Conn Facebook page you
have to friend Gary Santorso, or John Williams and they will invite you to the private, secure Facebook
page.
 We will be having our Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and our resident ELF on Customer Appreciation day at
Yankee in December. Tracy McKeon will be Mrs. Claus and Ed Haire (Muffin) will be Santa.
SAFETY REPORT: Bob Ranger gave the following report and safety tips
 Bob mentioned that he has some reflectors for your helmets available today – see him at the break.
 Just a quick reminder about group riding. When you’re ready to pass on a multi -lane road the sweep
grabs the lane first and then the other bikes follow. You have to wait until the sweep has the lane if
you just pull out on your own this could become a dangerous situation for you and the other riders.
When you’re returning to a lane after passing, wait for the sweep and lead then follow.
 Hand signals are very important in communicating to other riders when is happening (i.e. gas stop,
right turn, single file, double file, etc.).
 Please be sure you have an “In Case of Emergency card” on your bike just in case. This should include,
health insurance information, medication information any medical condition, etc. This information can
come in handy if you have a medical problem and are unable to communicate with EMS personnel.
ROAD CAPTAIN’S REPORT: Brian Thibodeau gave the following report about rides
 The mileage contest that started in May will be completed at the November meeting with the pay-off
at the December meeting.
 Most of our organized rides for the season are completed. If a Road Captain wants to put a ride
together then let Gary Santorso know and he will put it on our weekly emails or put it on Facebook.
 The ride for today, after the meeting, will be to Bidwell Tavern in Coventry.
 Several people have asked about a ride to the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA. We are trying for
November 3, 2013. More information will follow.
 One of the best ways to honor Mike Osiecki will for members to visit/check on Brenda from time to
time. Brian and Dee volunteered to pick her up if she wants to attend the Christmas Party.
A motion was made and seconded and passed to adjourn the meeting at 11:01 am
SECRETARY’S REPORT – OCTOBER 20, 2013
NEW BUSINESS: John Williams went over the following information with members
 No new business
A motion was made and seconded and passed to adjourn the meeting at 11:01 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sandy Leal, Secretary
Sandy Leal, Secretary
THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:
IT’S THE FRIENDS YOU CAN CALL UP AT 4:00 A.M. THAT MATTER
MARLENE DIETRICH
BIRTHDAYS FOR THE MONTH
NAME
BIRTHDATE
NAME
BIRTHDATE
JACK DAVISON
OCTOBER 1
KEN MALONE
OCTOBER 18
DONNA
DESCOTEAUX
OCTOBER 1
CHRISTINE SPIEGEL
OCTOBER 18
FAITH GRIFFIN
OCTOBER 1
JAMES FELTY
OCTOBER 20
ROD FAYER
OCTOBER 3
RON GAGNE
OCTOBER 29
JOHNNY MILLER
OCTOBER 4
MIKE LAUZIER
OCTOBER 30
MAGGIE KRASOWSKI
OCTOBER 8
MICHELINE LAWYEA
OCTOBER 30
J. BARRY
ALEXANDER
OCTOBER 15
GARY HAGSTROM
OCTOBER 31
ALAN DUNCAN
OCTOBER 17
JEFF SMITH
OCTOBER 31
NOVEMBER, 2013
SUNDAY
3 DAYLIGHT
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
4
5 ELECTION DAY
6
7
8
9
10
11 VETERANS DAY
12
13
14
15
16
17
CHAPTER
MEETING
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
SAVINGS TIME
ENDS
THANKSGIVING
DAY
“H” INDICATES HELMET NEEDED FOR THE RIDE
“A.L.” INDICATES RIDE LEAVES FROM AMERICAN LEGION AFTER THE MEETING ON SUNDAY
ALL OTHER RIDES LEAVE FROM YANKEE HARLEY DAVIDSON, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
REMINDER – ON CHAPTER RIDES, THE TIME GIVEN IS “BOOTS-UP” TIME
CUSTOMER
APPRECIATION DAY
– YANKEE HARLEY
SO LONG AS THE MEMORY OF CERTAIN BELOVED FRIENDS LIVES IN MY HEART, I SHALL SAY THAT LIFE IS
GOOD – HELEN KELLER
THERE IS NOTHING ON THIS EARTH MORE TO BE PRIZED THAN TRUE FRIENDSHIP – THOMAS JEFFERSON
TITLE
SPONSOR
DIRECTOR
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
TREASURER
SECRETARY
WEBMASTER
ACTIVITIES COMMUNICATION
DIRECTOR
ACTIVITIES – CHAIRPERSON
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP
HEAD ROAD CAPTAIN
SAFETY OFFICER
MERCHANDISE
PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTOGRAPHER
HISTORIAN
LOH - CHAIRPERSON
LOH COMMITTEE
LOH COMMITTEE
SUNSHINE
NEWSLETTER EDITOR
NAME
AARON PATRICK
JOHN WILLIAMS
CRAIG PETERS
GAIL SARTORI
SANDY LEAL
ED MCCARTHY
GARY SANTORSO
MIKE LAUZIER
CONNIE MYLES
KAT ROSS
GAIL SARTORI
PATTY SPYROS
AMY RUGGIANO
BRIAN THIBODEAU
ROBERT RANGER
BRUCE MESSENGER
LOU OPORTO
ALECIA SCHUBERT
ALECIA SCHUBERT
KAT ROSS
GAIL SARTORI
DEANNA THIBODEAU
PATI TINO
SHARON STOCKMAN
See the website for full details of ALL upcoming events
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WESTERN CONNECTICUT CHAPTER H.O.G.
C/O YANKEE HARLEY DAVIDSON
488 FARMINGTON AVENUE – ROUTE 6
BRISTOL, CONNECTICUT 06010

MEETING SITE – AMERICAN LEGION, SOUTHINGTON
MEETINGS ARE HELD ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH
AMERICAN LEGION; 66 MAIN STREET; SOUTHINGTON, CT
STARTING TIME – 8:30 FOR MEMBERS
AND 9:00 FOR MEMBERS & GUESTS