The weather has certainly been a topic of discussion among many of our Members this past winter season in many parts of this country, Canada and the world. From extreme cold, snow levels to drought, torrential rains and floods, we have about it all. We hope everyone overcame the worst of it and we certainly hope the spring will bring milder weather for riding and enjoying the pleasures of our sport.

It was with great joy I am writing about a theme that seems to have developed from the contributions from the articles submitted this month. The first one is about women in GWRRA and how our Association would not be where we are today...OK, that's my opinion. You can agree with me or not, but allow me to state my case. GWRRA was started by Paul Hildebrand and Co-founded by Shirley Stephens-Garcia (Paul's then wife). I met Paul and Shirley back in 1979 at Wing Ding I, a year after GWRRA started and I can tell you how hard she worked to assist in the development of this organization. Her contributions are countless and go from being one of the original 7 riders to start GWRRA, to Office Manager, when they were able to hire a few employees; to being a rider educator; to being publisher of Wing World magazine; to being President of GWRRA at one point in her career (just to mention a few of her many positions). Also, of note, Shirley rode her Gold Wing to every Wing Ding until 2011! Shirley retired several years ago, but is still a vital force in the membership of GWRRA. Thank you Shirley!

Other women have played integral parts with GWRRA throughout its history as well as a continual force within our Association today. Several come to mind immediately, like BJ Lyman, who I believe was our first female National Director of Public Relations back in 1991. BJ has since passed away, but will always be remembered for her many contributions in many areas of GWRRA, COY program, as emcee at Wing Ding and in charge of its talent show, and writing and singing "Wings of Gold", which you can read about in Member Feedback below. Thank you BJ!

June Agee will also be remembered for her contributions as National Director of Member Enhancement, who also has passed. Some outstanding Regional Directors should be mentioned here, Dottie Bahrenburg from Region B and Anita Alkire from Region F, who has since become a Deputy Director. These women and many, many more volunteer as District and Chapter Directors and are great riders who serve our Members with incredible dedication and leadership. GWRRA is proud and fortunate to have not only these women support our Members, but every spouse, female volunteer who stay after their spouse has passed to support, assist and in some cases make sure the men get it done! LOL! You know what I mean guys. When I was an Area Representative, that sure dates me, my wife was essential to making sure the Chapter was contacted for all events, she also was primary greeter, while I was primary recruiter and speaker, she was the leader behind the leader, so to speak!

So, THANK YOU to all the women of GWRRA who help make us who we are...the biggest family in the world! Read more about this subject in Tom Dierig's article below. Thanks Tom!

The second, sub-theme of this month seems to be GETTING INVOLVED IN GWRRA! Anita Alkire, our Deputy Director from the West has written an article on the subject. I could not agree more. My best days in GWRRA were when I was involved with my first Chapter, CO-A, in 1980 in Aurora, CO. Back then as well as now, starting a Chapter or building a Chapter or just getting involved in a Chapter takes the same stuff! A willingness to have FUN!! If you want to get out of your comfort zone, have more FUN in your life, get involved in a Chapter! If you don't like your Chapter, change it or find another Chapter or start a new one. If you have an issue with your CD, talk with him or her and resolve the issue and focus on having FUN. Remember GWRRA's motto, "FRIENDS for FUN, Safety and Knowledge." This motto was picked with a specific purpose and each word was chosen for its meaning and placed in its chosen order of priority!

I am not here to get involved in any operational issues, I am merely saying, as Members we are here to enjoy the Association and each other for our common love of the sport and our common lifestyle. GWRRA has given us the format to do this...for 36 years, more than any other motorcycle association of its type! You can write me here with any thoughts on either subject I have mentioned. Have FUN and enjoy each other!

For those of you who are planning to attend GWRRA's Weekend at the Opry event in August, we wanted to share with you some updates. Our DJ for the dinner/dance on Saturday night will be the great Scooter Davis. His bio is below and for those who were at Wing Ding in Nashville he was the DJ at the dance at the Opryland Hotel back in 2008. We had a great time and we look forward to the same awesome night with Scooter on Saturday night, August 30, 2014. Remember, you must register for the event and buy a ticket for the dinner/dance. You can do that  by clicking here to register or by calling our Member Services folks at 800-843-9460.

We also want to remind everyone attending GWRRA's Weekend at the Opry, some free seminars will be offered during the event. "Meet GWRRA's President and Directors", and "GWRRA's Benefits" are scheduled. For all events, seminars, tours and dinner/dance your armband will be required. This comes free with your paid registration fee of $15. You also receive a pin and t-shirt with your registration fee. Again as a reminder, please register for the event, book your hotel as we are almost 74% sold out and book your tours. Regarding the tours, the tour company wanted to remind us that if we do not get a minimum of 35 people per tour, that particular tour may be cancelled. So, please book your tour now as it may be cancelled prior to arrival if we do not get enough people to make the minimums. On site registration for tours is based on space available. Click here to register.

We have also received some great feedback about the songs for GWRRA. This subject reminds me of BJ Lyman who wrote and sang "Wings of Gold" for many years prior to her passing, at many GWRRA events, especially all the Wing Dings she attended. For those who never met BJ, she was a Life Member, rider, former National Director, former COY, emcee at Wing Ding and the Talent Show and wife of Kit Lyman. She also had a PhD in psychology, founded a rock band in her youth, was a dear friend and is missed by many. Many people wrote in about their thoughts on what should be the official song for GWRRA. Read the Member Feedback section below to read their suggestions. If you have more comments about these ideas or any of the above feedback, please write me here.
 

GWRRA is also very excited about Wing Ding 36, "Light up the Lakes" in Madison, July 2-5, 2014. There are many new events being planned and as always, the city of Madison loves our Members! So, make sure you get registered for Wing Ding early  and save on preregistration. Check out the Wing Ding 36 site here and get registered now or call one of our friendly Member Services agents at 800-843-9460! 2014 is going to be a great year full of activities for all our Members including a "Big Wisconsin Welcome" on July 1st in conjunction with the City of Middleton, as well as the "A Taste of Wisconsin" on July 2nd at the Alliant Energy Center Coliseum, just to name a few!         

 

We want to appreciate and acknowledge the contributors to the April issue of Wingin' It. Thank you to Ray and Sandi Garris for their articles. We want to thank Joe & Gracie Mazza for their Rider Education articles, Gene Hanselman for his wonderful stories, and Tom Hendricks for your continued supply of great jokes. There is a great article  from our Deputy Director, Anita & JR Alkire, and a very informative article about the women in his Chapter from Tom Dierig, CD, KY-G. There is another Deputy Director article from Bill & Dea Ann Gray about Getting Back to Basics! Also, don't forget to read the coupon at the bottom of the Wingin' It to save 33% off Women's Winged Wheel T-Shirt! Say that three times fast...

We really hope you become a contributor to your newsletter, the Wingin' It. It is great to receive your articles, Chapter activities, jokes and stories! Please keep sending us your travelogues, rides, Chapter stories, Gold Book stories and favorite rides or spring adventures. Remember, don't worry if you think you are not a great writer, we have awesome editors here who will make your story sound terrific. Send your contribution to us here or to my email at the bottom of this article. 

  

 

4 older ladies are sitting around playing bridge. The first lady says, "You know girls, I have known you all a long time and there is something I must get off my chest. I am a kleptomaniac. But, don't worry, I have never stolen from you and I never will; we have been friends for too long."

 

The second lady says, "Well, since we are having true confessions here, I must get something off my chest too. I am a nymphomaniac. But don't worry, I have not hit on your husbands. They don't interest me and never will; we have been friends for too long."

 

"Well," says the third lady, "I, too, must confess something. I am a lesbian. But do not worry, I will not hit on you. You are not my type. We have been friends too long for me to ruin our friendship."

 

The fourth lady stands up, says, "I have a confession to make also. I am an uncontrollable gossip, and I have some phone calls to make!"

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