ATTN: MA III MEMBERS       
 
The bike races will be on 8:00 am Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at the Quabbin.  So, mark that date on your calendar and please schedule to help out the chapter.  We will have a chapter meeting on Wedneday, April 18th.  We are so well in advance at this time, I am asking the members where they would like to meet for dinner.  I will  be taking suggestions. 
 
RWP Charlie

 

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!
 
This message is a reminder that we have a chapter meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, 2012.  I had originally sent a message back in February, and one request was for members to contact me of where they would like to hold the meeting.  Only three members did so, and the choice is "Abudanza Ristorante" 2341 Boston Rd in Wilbraham, (we held our meeting there last April).  I recently spoke to the owner/manager of the restuarant, and he has agreed to give us a room downstairs to hold the meeting.  We will hold the meeting promptly at 7pm, so I would suggest members & guests come early to order their meals.
 
The most important topic will be of course the bike escorts for the Quabbin Race on Saturday, April 28th.  We have been requested to report there by 8:30am and the races will start at 9.  We need all the help we can get, so please make an extra effort to help out.  If you can't make the meeting, but will be at the races, please let me know.  We need to get those names to Member Joel Norton, so he can schedule the escorts.
 
At our last meeting in January, I asked members to think about extra rides we can do this coming season.  It can be a day ride, or maybe a two or three day event.  Just one I can think maybe of doing is a trip to Copperstown, NY to the Baseball Hall of Fame and then Howe Caverans.  So, please bring your ideas!  Another issue to discuss is Recruitment.  Unfortunately, our numbers are down.  Let's not fail our two Honorary members who are a great asset to our chapter.  Certainly, there is someone you work with, or know, who would like to join us.
Just talk to them about us.
 
Hoping to see you on the 18th. 
 
Ride with Pride,  Charlie

Last eveining, April 28th we held our scheduled chapter meeting. Those members in attendance were:

Jerry Aiken

Fran Fox

Roger Jalbert

Kevin Kopacz

Joel Norton

John Raymer

Roger Tucker

Gary Woods

and myself

Treasurers Report $516.12

Quartermasters Report: Jerry will have our safety vests at the races, but some of us have still got some. So bring them with you. He will also have chapter patches to sell to members at the event.

New Business: Again, it is very important to attempt to recruit new members. Our membership is down! I have gone the extra distance in

contacting Tim Alosio, who writes a column for the Springfield Newspaper re motorcycle matters to do an article on the

Blue Knights, as well as, us recruiting. Maybe this will bring in some new members.

As it stands now, there are eight races on the 28th. We have eight members who have signed-on and a couple of volunteers. We need more members to help out. Please contact me and offer your assistance please.

Old Business: None to report

Rides: No members have come forward with any ride plans, so here is some rides I will put together. I am only giving the dates and destinations at this time, and will post the meeting place and times about two weeks prior to the ride.

Ride #1: A ride to Wright's Chicken Farm in Rhode Island, Saturday May 19th. If you have never been, the chicken & fries are great. All you can eat and at a modest price, (cheap!)

Ride #2: A ride to Cooperstown, NY to the Baseball Hall of Fame and to nearby Howe Caverns. This will have to be at least a two day event, and it would be best to do during the work week. Mark your calendars for Wed-Thurs June 13-14. Several members at the meeting last night showed interest. I will need a count of those who want to go, by June 1st, so that I can contact a motel in Oneonta, NY for rooms. There is a similar restaurant to Wright's nearby, called Brooks. We can eat there on Wednesday evening if everyone wants to.

Ride #3: NY II Suicide Run weekend. Fri-Sun, Aug 10 - 12th. Karen & I will be heading down on Friday for those who want to go down a day early. For reservations call the Crown Plaza Hotel at 914-682-0050 and tell them you are with the Blue Knights for the discount.

Ride #4: Annual Run to Saratoga. Thursday Aug 23rd.

Please, if anyone has any ride ideas, contact me. We have nothing scheduled for July.

Ride with Pride, Charlie Leveille, President, MAIII

Subject: Holyoke Soldiers Home Ride

As you may or may not know, there is a run to benefit the Holyoke Soldiers Home to be held on June 30th, starting at the HSH. We have gotten many veterans groups and clubs on board so far and would appreciate any help you could give in the way of spreading the word to your respective groups. I can tell you that this is shaping up to be an event of epic proportions and something we feel could become a staple on the Western Mass bike scene for years to come. Attached you will find a poster with the various details, We hope to see you all there.

Tim

ATTN MA III Members: Attach this ride to our 2012 schedule. It looks to be a great functon and hopefully a fun event! Also, planning way ahead, over the Labor Day weekend in early September is the Woodstock Fair in Conn. At this time, there is no stage schedule, but they do draw some very good music venues, and I enjoy attending every year. The cost to attend is very cheap, like $12, and that gets you into the fairgrounds. There is no additional costs for the entertainment. I will keep you posted once that stage schedule is made.

RWP Charlie

 

Charlie's Email and Phone #

 Hammerbk@charter.net  413-245-1088