WOW! What a great time, wonderful weekend, HONORED AND WELCOME SURPRISE this weekend was for the two of us. So many things happened that it is hard to begin, especially with tears of appreciation and joy in my eyes. First of all let me address the biggest and most important event that happened. Judy and I were presented with the GWTA of Oregon "JIM TERRELL MEMORIAL GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD". Scott said that it was discussed at a State Board Meeting. Judy and I have attended every State Meeting since we've been Oregon Chapter "A" members and did not hear that discussion. We were so surprised, honored, shocked and speechless that we failed to express to Marty, her son John Terrell and the GWTA members, what an honor we feel was awarded to us. All we ever did was to attempt to live up to the GWTA motto "In Friendship". We have made so many new friends over the years that every event is like "Old Home Week". The main purpose of GWTA is to "Have Fun" and we've lived up to that.

 

     When Judy and I arrived, at our new home in So. Oregon on Judy's Birthday, we found a bouquet of flowers on the front porch and a welcome card from Chapter A. How in the world could anyone not support such a wonderful and thoughtful bunch of fantastic people.

 

     The praise that Judy continually receives for the web-page and the support I receive from both members and National for the Safety program makes it all worthwhile and we both feel that it's the GWTA membership that should receive this award. It's a pleasure and honor to be a part of such a great organization

 

     Now, let's get to the fun part.

 

     Thursday we arrived, met with lots of friends, set-up camp and then Randi, Judy and I trusted my GPS to take us to Applebees for dinner. When we arrived the building was for lease. Now we trusted Randi's GPS and only one block away was a great Chinese Restaurant. We enjoyed dinner and lots of conversation.

 

     Friday we decorated the camp, welcomed new arrivals and spent most of the day visiting. That evening a large group of us invaded the local El Presidente Mexican Restaurant for another great dinner.

 

     Saturday started with Randi, Doris and helpers from Chapter B, Oregon preparing a fantastic breakfast. Some people went on various rides while others remained in camp and talked about old times. Ken Krois suggested that my dog Jim would like to ride on the back of my trike. I told Ken that I didn't think he would like it but I picked him up, placed him on the seat and took off around the camp. When I looked back his head was resting on the armrest and he was quite comfortable. Later in the day I asked Jim if he wanted to go for a ride and he jumped up on the trike by himself. Thanks to Ken we have now created a new monster.

 

     Opening Ceremonies were held and music was provided by a local High School Band. Just before the band finished playing I was told that several members had expressed interest in riding on a Goldwing. Well, I've seen and enjoyed the drill team before so thought it would be really great to give rides around the parking lot to the various band members (see photo's on the web page). Each one of them said thank you.

 

     Some of the people had a great time at dirty Bingo and other various activities throughout the day.

 

     Saturday evening was a fantastic Luau dinner put on by Chapter M and several wonderful Hawaiian dances put on by Lailani and her two beautiful young daughters, Cortney Keani and Cryona-Nicole Kahaleiwai. If you missed it, they were fantastic..that is until they decided that I should also learn to Hula (bump, bump, circle, circle). I guess we all better start learning the Mexican Hat Dance now because the theme next year is Fiesta Time. Maybe we'll even have a Mariachi band?

 

     After the bump, bump, circle, circle, Chapter A put on a short skit about the Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai (yours truly was the Mayor with Judy, Michele, Betty and Carmen as my Hula Girls and Joyce as the narrator/Story teller. We had a great time and hope the audience enjoyed the skit.

 

     We had a short time to get our bikes ready before Patrick led us on the route for our Light Parade which was greatly improved over last year.

 

     Lots and lots of things went on Sunday after another great Chapter B breakfast but someone else will have to share with you because I spent the whole day doing Safety Stuff. I really wish to thank Paul Carroll from Washington for instructing me and overlooking my mistakes. What a great person to work with. Also want to welcome our new Region A Rider Ed/Safety Director, Frank Miller. We now have 6 new level 4's and I want to thank each of them for participating in the safety program; Chuck Thomas (renew), Tim Abel, Diana Abel, Gary Ewing, Marty Warren and Ken Krois. One new GWTA Member and Level 1, Barry Jarrett and one Level 2 Leron Carroll.

 

     Sunday evening during, closing ceremonies, Chapter M put on a couple of skits and I won't say what the Gecko did to JR, but, he is a great sport and we all had a laugh. You might call the first skit a sort of "Roast Scott" who, as always, was also a great sport.

 

     Thanks to everyone who attended this weekend to help make it a fantastic time. Judy and I enjoyed everyone's company AND "IT DIDN'T RAIN".

 

     NOW FOR THE BIG NEWS..Scott & Cindy Peabody are the new Region "A" Asst. Directors, Randi and Doris Kobernick are the new Oregon State Directors and Tim and Diana Abel are the new Oregon State Treasurers. Joann and Patrick Densmore are still the Asst Oregon State Directors, Judy is still the Oregon State Web Master and I'm still the Oregon State Safety Director. I'm sure we're looking forward to a new and exciting year in Region "A". Please give them all the support they deserve.

 

     Don Coons