Wow, what a rally!  Of course, we’re speaking of the just-concluded Region “A” Rally in Dothan, AL.  Nan and I can’t begin to tell you how happy we and the whole Region staff are with the outcome of the rally.  As you know, we had a new site (the Holiday Inn) and this was the first Region rally that Nan and I together with our staff had staged together, but we couldn’t have asked for better!  Nan and I would like to extend our deepest appreciating to our wonderful Region “A” staff and to the District Directors and chapter members who worked so hard to pull this off!  Everything worked as we had planned and the delegates seemed to really enjoy themselves.

        We are highly pleased to report that we had 690 loyal delegates in attendance.  In addition we had 12 vendors who provided a wide variety of products and services to the attendees.  We only had about 20 minutes of rain for the entire three-day rally with the remainder of the time warm but near perfect.

        One thing we consistently heard from the delegates attending the rally was their approval of the hotel we selected, the Holiday Inn of Dothan.  You’ve got to give the staff at this facility credit; they did everything we asked of them and kept things running smoothly.  The sleeping rooms were in good condition and the food in the hotel restaurant was great.  They kept the buffet going and service was pretty quick when you consider the number of delegates we had on the property. 

        Elsewhere in this newsletter and on the Region website we will detail the folks who won awards for things like the Bike Show, Talent Show, Newsletter, Scrap Book, Mascot, Lighted Bike Parade, etc.

        We also selected a new Region “A” Couple of the Year, Bob and Cathy Singley from Hattiesburg, MS.  Our “Congratulations!” to Bob and Cathy for a great job during the selection process and for their impressive dedication to GWRRA during their membership.  Bob and Cathy also have the distinction of recruiting 26 new members, thus making them members of GWRRA’s Hall of Honor.  We know these guys will do their best to represent Region “A” at Wing Ding in Tulsa next July.

        We’d like to extend a special “Thank You” to Spencer and Joan Hall, the Chapter Director for Dothan’s AL-U.  These folks and their Assistant Chapter Director, Jim and Sue Hussey did an outstanding job developing the Poker Runs and staffing the table for the entire rally.  They mapped out some very interesting rides as well as procuring several nice prizes for closing ceremonies.  Among those prizes were two sets of Gold Wing tires.  Spencer tells us that next year he’s going to have at least one escorted ride that will showcase the Lower Alabama area and take the riders to real out-of-the-way places.  We appreciate all the effort made by the staff and members of AL-U to make this Region “A” rally a complete success.

        Our Grand Prize at the rally was a 2008 Honda Metropolitan scooter, which we obtained from Honda-Yamaha of Ft. Walton Beach in Florida.  They made us a very attractive offer on this scooter, which enabled the Region to purchase it for the rally.  They also donated a set of Gold Wing tires.  The scooter was won by Jim Hussey the ACD of AL-U in the drawing at closing ceremonies.

        Please remember that we made a change in the rules governing the capture of the Region “A” Wanderer this year.  The rules now state that you cannot capture the Wanderer from the chapter that captured it from you.  It must pass through that chapter and be in the possession of another chapter in order for you to be eligible to go for it again.  We think this change will result in more chapters participating in the Wanderer.

        We were so pleased with Dothan in general and the Holiday Inn specifically that we have decided to return there next year for the Region rally in 2009.  We promise an even better event, with great prizes and hopefully more vendors.  We had 12 vendors this year and we certainly appreciate those who helped make the rally a success.  You need vendors to make a Gold Wing rally attractive and those who participated really helped make the rally appealing.

        Next on the calendar is the Mississippi District rally in Biloxi, MS October 16^th-18^th at the Gulf Coast Coliseum.  Gregg and Pat Harbison along with the MS District staff have worked hard to maintain the high standards always associated with the Mississippi rally.  Nan and I will be attending along with many of the Region “A” staff.  Gregg and Pat put on a good show last year and we know that this one will be even better.  We hope to see you in Biloxi!

        Nan and I look forward to seeing you on the road at a GWRRA event somewhere soon,           

Bob & Nan

      The Region Rally held September 11-13, was a blast.  The delegates some 690 strong was busy having fun in a brand new rally location.  Yep, a new venue for the Region Rally was in the heart of Region ‘A’ in Dothan, Alabama.  Wow, new roads to ride and new adventures to explore with two outstanding Poker Runs laid out by the local AL-U (The Crusin U’s) Chapter in Dothan.  A tip of the helmet to the Crusin U’s for all their help the Chapter provided.  Congratulations to Jim & Sue Hussey a member of the Crusin U’s who won the Honda Scooter Grand Prize.  Jim and Sue are Assistant Chapter Directors for ‘U’ and long time Chapter and GWRRA members. 

     I need to comment about the Holiday Inn South where the rally unfolded.  I don’t thing I have ever been associated with a better group of hotel management and staff.  I have been associated with many rallies through the years and this is the first hotel that has come through with everything that the Region Staff had set up or requested.  First, the complete facility was dedicated to the Region Rally, which was completely booked.  The food was fabulous and there was always plenty of it.  I never had to wait for a table in the restaurant.  If the restaurant was full, then the hotel management opened up the large bar area, which had plenty of seating.  There were always enough servers to wait on each delegate.  That in itself was a magical feat that was worth the price of admission. And the breakfast bar, which was included in your room rate, was well, simply outstanding and never ran out of food.  Wow, what great service.  I don’t know about you, but my room was always cleaned and ready to go by noon each day and always had plenty of towels and washcloths.  My friends you may not consider these things as great, but if you have attended many rallies you know what I am speaking of.  Please, a loud applause for the hotel management and especially for the hotel staff that worked their butts off.  Holiday Inn South, Dothan, we love you and guess what?  We are going to rally with you next September 2009 in Dothan.   

    The theme is LA (Lower Alabama) Hoedown in South Alabama.  So pull out those overalls and straw hats, bonnets, snuff, corncob pipes, brogans, and anything else you may think of that would fit the theme and join us at the Holiday Inn South in Dothan, AL in September of 2009.    We are going to treat you so many ways you are bound to like one of them.  I haven’t looked, but I’ll bet you a cold Royal Crown (RC) that the rally flyer will soon be out on the Region ‘A’ website.  Register now and avoid the rush.  You know, there may be some Royal Crown Colas and Moon pies available…….who knows?  For the Ladies perhaps some Buttercup or Railroad snuff, and for the Gents perhaps some Beechnut or Brown Mule chew.  Man, is there going to be a tobacco spit-in contest? 

    A tip of the helmet to our vendors who supported the Region Rally.  We are certainly appreciative of your support and thanks for displaying all the new Gold Wing items that we love to buy.  Hope to see you again in 2009.  

    Congratulations to Bob and Cathy Singly the new Region ‘A’ Couple of the Year.  They hale from Mississippi and certainly Cathy will represent the Region with pride and class and I hope Bob will follow her lead.  Just kidding Bob.  I am confident both will represent Region ‘A’ in the style and class of previous Region Couples.  Thanks Mississippi for allowing  Bob and Cathy to represent Region ‘A’  for the next year.      

Jim & Sue 

         The Region “A” Rally is over and if you missed it, you really missed a good one.  An overflowing crowd participated its way through a great weekend of fun, activities, food, and great weather.  Despite the threat of hurricane Gustav curing his way more north than forecasted, over 600 folks came to Dothan to take over the Holiday Inn literally.  We had the entire hotel for our activities.  It was great! 

          The Region Staff couldn’t have done it without the help of the District Directors, the District Staffs and all the members of Region “A”.  Each Region “A” staffer was in charge of overseeing that the respective District carried out their responsibilities.  Dave and I were to oversee the indoor games under the Florida Directors, and the Talent Show, Chapter and Directors Challenge under the South Carolina Directors.

          The Florida crew came in, set up the games and occasionally we would peek in to find a full house having fun playing games under a well-oiled Florida crew.  Ed and Jeanette Carr chose well, their Florida crew was the best.

          Next came the Directors challenge under the leadership of Carl and Donna Blackston and his very able SC staff.  I don’t know who laughed more, the two South Carolina staff members (both girls) who were in charge of placing the clothespins in strategic places, or the very large crowd that had gathered to watch all the District Directors and even our Region Director peeling clothespins off their partners trying to beat the clock.  Talk about timing, the one rain cloud we had the entire weekend hit us as we were all gathered under the tent for this hilarious activity. 

          After a great meal served up by the hotel staff on Friday evening, the talent show began!  Twelve very talented acts performed to a packed house.  Under the leadership of MC Danny Daniel, Chapter AL-F, the crowd was treated to a real variety of acts including an impromptu hula lesson from some of our appropriately dressed members. There were a number of hairy legs in the group but they were sure shaking their booties. Serious winners were Chapter FL2-D and Bill Deguire.  Comedy winners were Chapter AL-W and JJ Etzle from GA. 

After the talent show, the parade of Hawaiian outfits began.  There was the individual, couple, and chapter competitions.  Dolly and Bill Dodd provided some great music for these groups to parade or should I say sashay down the aisle with everyone getting into the rhythm of the music.  Winners were Individual – Miriam Andrews of Miami, FL, Couple winner was Bill and Betty Livingston, GA DDs, and chapter winner was FL2-L, the Fireballs!

          There were three MED/Leadership seminars during the weekend.  Bob and Karla Greer, Region A MED Coordinators, put on a fun seminar at 8am on Friday morning with 60 people in attendance.  At 9am, Dave Aiken, Georgia District Trainer, had a District Challenge Trivia seminar/game.  Each district was represented by 3-5 members and Dave asked them 20 Trivia questions from the Leadership Training Programs.  The audience could cheer on their group but offer no help in the answers.  It was very rewarding to us trainers to see how many of the questions the groups got right.  There was a little dissention on the question, “If there is no one around a parked bike, and the bike falls over, whose fault is it?”  The answer Dave had was “The Co-Rider”; however, I don’t think the “Co-Riders” in the room agreed.  Mississippi won the challenge with South Carolina in a very close second.  Everyone had a great time with over 60 folks participating.  Saturday morning another 70 or so folks learned how to have fun at your chapter meeting.  Rick and Madelana Buck demonstrated and presented many fun ideas to get your chapter involved at activities and at chapter gatherings.  We thank all of the presenters for their time and enthusiasm in these presentations.

          One of the last fun activities we were involved in was the Chapter Challenge.  On Saturday afternoon, under the guidance of the South Carolina staff, chapter members, at least 6 in number, had to gather tightly together and then masking tape was tightly wrapped around them.  They had to move as a unit through an obstacle course without breaking the tape to a clock.  Carl Blackston led his guys in this activity as the starter, with his “guys” running the tape tightly around the group.  This is a wonderful example of “TEAMWORK” as you had to work together to accomplish the task. The group really had to hang on to each other to move and not break the tape.   Chapter FL2-L from Lakeland was the winner and they really moved their group around the course.  Chapter AL-F from Montgomery, AL with the help of their 6^th person, Dewey Cole from Chapter AL-N, was second.  A least 100 people gathered under the tent to form a team or yell for their team with lots of noise drawing in more folks to the activity.

          I hope you can tell from this article, the key word is PARTICIPATION, and participate everyone did.  There were record numbers at every competition or activity, as you will read from the other Region “A” staff.  Everyone had a really good time from the comments we heard during the weekend and since we have returned home.  It will be same time, same place in 2009.  Be sure to be there.

          It is now off to Mississippi for the last rally in Region “A”.  Let’s go out in 2008 with style in Biloxi.  See you there!

Dave & Ellen

Well the third quarter is over and for some of us this means time for another “MAD” Quarterly report! I’m looking forward to seeing how well you guys have done in the field this past three months. Thanks as always for the efforts you make in making the road safer for us all.

If you missed the 2008 Region “A” Rally, you missed one of the best ever! This rally had everything you could ask for. The location was as close to perfect as it gets. The weather? We didn’t have NO stinking hurricane in Dothan, only a light breeze that helped keep it on the cool side especially in the shade. The Holiday Inn Dothan was outstanding in everyway. When was the last time you went to a rally that the hotel had enough staff on hand or the restaurant didn’t run out of food?  Nope, didn’t happen this time and the food was out standing. Can’t wait to do it again next year!

Besides the “MAD” table display, which spoke for itself, I was assigned the Poker Runs both Friday and Saturday. Thanks to Spencer and Joanne Hall for their help in making the Poker Run a success.  Friday winners were: 1st place, Jeremiah Parson -FL1-K and 2nd place, Patsy Milling- FL1-A.  Saturday winners were: 1st place, Pat Cargill- FL1-L2 and 2nd place, Britoni Garson- FL2-A.

I was also assigned the lighted bike parade, which we kept on the Holiday Inn property. We made four trips around the Hotel, which gave everyone a bird’s eye view of the parade. This was one of the largest lighted bike parades I have seen in a long time. No judging was done for this one; it was all just for FUN!  Last but not least was the Bike Show Saturday morning.

With the help of Roy and Anita Fosnight and the Alabama gang we had a great bike show.  In multiple bike classes the winners were: Class 10; 1st place, Randy Brigan- FL1-Q and 2nd place, Harry Leach- AL-Y.  Class 13; 1st Place, Ray Jernigan- FL1-D and 2nd place, Steve Long- FL2-L.  Class22; 1st place, Joanne Conrad- FL2-L and 2nd place, Johnny Molloy-- TX-Y2.  Single bike class winners: Class 1; Jeffrey Cox-FL1-X, Class 6; Kevin Thomas- FL1-H2, Class 9; Conrad Shad -FL1-H, Class 11; Raymond Snelgrove-Unkn., Class 12; Gene Heaney-FL1-H, Class 17; Michael Grimes-FL2-L, Class 23; Joe Martin--AL-G, Class 24; Jeremiah Parson-FL1-K, Class 26; Ken Tarver--MS-Y, Class 29; Jude Wheeler-FL2-L, Class 30: Betty Wermar--AL-B, Class31: Linda Wheeler-FL2-L

Thanks to all who participated and made these events possible!

Ray & Cindy  

Time Flies When You’re Having FUN !

Seems like we just wrote that last MEC article for the Region “A” monthly newsletter and here it is October already.

Wow ! What a rally.  We are being completely truthful and honest when we tell you that we did not hear one itsy bitsy complaint about the 2008 Region “A” Rally. Nothing but GOOD…

A GREAT BIG thank you goes out to Bob & Nan for leading us through this year’s adventure.  And an even BIGGER THANKS to all the volunteers and delegates who really made this year’s rally the success that it was.

We hope you enjoyed and we hope you tell others what a great time you had, gather up a few more and come back to Dothan next year.

Here are a few of the WINNERS from the rally.

MASCOT CONTEST

The 1st Place Mascot winner was FL-1D, Pensacola, FL with their Mascot M.J. Green

The 2nd Place Mascot winner was FL-1Q, Milton, FL with their Mascot Eeyore.

BANNER CONTEST

The 1st Place Banner winner was AL-W, Mobile County, AL

The 2nd Place Banner winner was FL-1X, Orange Park, FL

SCRAPBOOK CONTEST

The 1st Place Region "A" Scrapbook winner was GA-J, Hiawasee, GA

The 2nd Place Region "A" Scrapbook winner was SC-E, Greenville, SC 

NEWSLETTER CONTEST

The 1st Place Region "A" Color Newsletter winner was FL-1S, Zephyrhills, FL. Their Chapter Newsletter Editor is Sabrae Brown

The 2nd Place Region "A" Color Newsletter winner was GA-E, Thomaston, GA.  Their Chapter Newsletter Editor is Robin Peoples.

The 1st Place Region "A" Black & White Newsletter winner was GA-B-2, Douglasville, GA. Their Chapter Newsletter Editors are Larry & Debbie McMichen.

The 2nd Place Region "A" Black & White Newsletter winner was FL-1A, Tampa, FL.           Their Chapter Newsletter Editor was Jake Jacob.

Additional MEC Rally Tid Bits

We had a little FUN and passed out some good information to 51 participants at the 8:00 AM Friday Morning MEC Seminar.

The MEC Table stopped a lot of people in the hall asking them to show their current GWRRA Membership Cards.  These FUN loving volunteers were able to talk six GWRRA Families into renewing their memberships.   

Membership Enhancement gave away over $400.00 in prizes and gifts during the Rally.

“Now dat right der’s FUN, I don’t care who you are.”

Bob & Karla

          As we start October, we are thrilled that this Region staff’s first Region “A” Rally was such a resounding success! GREAT work everyone from Region “A” – you sure came through for us and we appreciate it. 

Many of you attended the Couple of the Year Selection process and were “treated” to our first attempt as coordinators. By and large, we got positive feedback. We appreciate all of you as do your respective District couples. Your enthusiastic support of all the couples made the event more fun and entertaining than Jake and I ever could (although Jake sure tries, doesn’t he?)! Thank you, GWRRA Region “A” members!

As we always say, on any given day any one of our wonderful couples could have been selected Region “A” Couple of the Year. We want to say a sincere THANK YOU and GREAT JOB to Terry & Barbie Cleveland, Dave & Betty Andrade, Rex & Tina Prince, and Larry & Sandra Kelly. We feel privileged to have you in our first “class” and know you will continue to be ambassadors for your Districts throughout your tenure and beyond. We love you all!

CONGRATULATIONS to Bob and Cathy Singley, our 2008-09 Region A Couple of the Year!  For years we’ve been seeing Bob and Cathy at functions all over Region A and beyond. We’re very proud of their achievements and look forward excitedly to Wing Ding in Tulsa -- it will be a fabulous experience!

Ride safe and we’ll see you all soon.

Jake & Joanne