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Home , Apple River Fort, Argyle Lake State Park, Channahon State Park, David Davis Mansion, Fort Massac, Gebhard Woods State Park

Our Wings are In Motion

GWRRA Staff GWRRA Home Office 21423 North 11th Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85027 Phone: 800-843-9460

GWRRA Director: FROM THE DIRECTORS Mike Stiger March is suppose to come in like a Lion and go out like a lamb, with the weather we just had, Vina and I heard Region E Director: the roar of the wind from our basement as the violent Clayton Alcorn storm of Feb 27/28 passed over us. I think a whole District Director pride of lions ran through here. There were 3 Dan Ribbing confirmed tornados in St. Louis area. These winter storms remind us that the need to ride aware extends to Chapter “O” Officers our daily lives, as we need to live aware too, and in both cases, preparation is the key to success. Time to buy Director some fresh batteries for the flashlights. Ed and Vina Haggerty [email protected] or 618-558-4729 On the way to the training day at Kendall Assistant Director Hill, on Highway 255, I Dave Laux was in the middle lane, [email protected] there was a car in the left Treasurer lane slightly ahead, and I Vicky Dillard noticed that I was in [email protected] their blind spot. Not a

Member Enhancement good place to be in a car or while riding a motorcycle. Judi Laux Then I noticed that their passenger side mirror was [email protected] pulled in, everything on their right side was now in their blind spot. I backed off the speed to increase Educator separation, and thought how many times on the Jean Stout [email protected] Goldwing I’m aware of where I am in relation to the cars around me and make sure I’m not in anyone’s blind spot, but I never check the passenger side mirror. So you are thinking that was one in a million, a car with March 2011 their side mirror pulled in, that will never happen again.

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I thought that too. Then this car passed us. This time, the passenger side mirror was broken. I saw 2 cars in one day within hours of each other. What are the chances of seeing another car that can’t see their right side blind spot? I’d say pretty good. The need to drive aware, ride aware and live aware never changes.

Two of our chapter members lost family members last month, Mary Ruder lost her brother and Walter Potwora lost his sister. Vina and I, on behalf of Chapter “O”, extend our deepest sympathies to the families of Mary Ruder and Walter Potwora.

Mary Ruder posted a note of thanks on the chapter web page: Ray and I would like to thank all the Chapter O members who came to see my brother, Leonard Guth at his funeral wake. A special thank you to Ed and Vina and Larry who gave a patriot demonstration at the wake. Also a special thank you to Jean Potwora who did such a fine job of putting the wake notice on the club website.

And from the Potwora Family: We would like to thank all the members of Chapter O for their thoughts, prayers, and acts of kindness during our time of grief over the loss of Walter’s sister, Margaret. GWRRA is more than friends; it is truly a family and a great support system. Thank you and God Bless You All.

Walter & Jean Potwora, & Bobby Poole

On a lighter note we had two ice cream runs in February, we went to the new Dairy King in Trenton. I think this is a perfect place to have a Wednesday night ice cream run. They serve good food, the ice cream is delicious, there’s benches out side. We will visit here twice during riding season. Next we went to DQ in Columbia. As far as I know, this is a first for the chapter. I have added DQ, Columbia to the Wednesday night ice cream run schedule. During Game/Training day, I presented two Rider Ed Seminars, Crash Scene response and Motorcycling for the mature rider. Due to matters listed above, the day was cut short, however we did end up at Ravenelli’s for a delicious dinner. There’s a LTP class scheduled for March 26th, please check the chapter calendar and hope to see you there. LTP classes are for GWRRA members looking move up and bring their talents, skills and abilities to become chapter officers and be a part of chapter management. Knowledge enhancement and advanced leadership will be presented. The chapter calendar is filled out, for most of the year, Dave Laux and I think we have some new and different rides this year. We will combine some riding with the MAD poker run, riding to state parks and oddities. We scheduled an overnight ride to the motorcycle museum in Anamosa, . So get your Goldwing ready, riding season is almost here.

2 IDOT Secretary Announces 2nd Consecutive Year Illinois Experienced Less Than 1,000 Roadway Fatalities Data Confirms Historic Two-Year Mark Not Seen Since 1921 SPRINGFIELD- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois State Police (ISP) today announced that Illinois experienced fewer than 1,000 traffic fatalities in 2010 for the second straight year - reflecting record two-year lows for the state dating to 1921. Data from IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety shows Illinois experienced 911 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes in 2009. In 2010, preliminary numbers report 923 fatalities from motor vehicle crashes took place on Illinois roadways. "IDOT is encouraged by this historic accomplishment, but understands that continued perseverance and hard work are essential to maintain or decrease the number of traffic fatalities in years to come," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. "In recent decades, the goal of achieving fewer than 1,000 roadway fatalities in a state of this size was considered impossible, but now it is reality. We commend the efforts of our partners, as we spotlight the numerous effective programs administered by IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety and our partner agencies. We also applaud motorists' continued efforts to drive safely and comply with highway safety laws in Illinois." IDOT has implemented numerous life-saving awareness, training and engineering programs to dramatically improve safety in Illinois. Some of the traffic safety initiatives administered by IDOT include: the Operation Teen Safe Driving, Motorcycle Safety, Impaired Driving, Work Zone Safety, Motor Carrier Safety and Occupant Protection programs. In addition, IDOT has continued to forge strategic partnerships with state and local law enforcement departments to boost the number of patrols around holiday mobilizations, increase visibility, decrease drinking and driving occurrences and increase safety belt usage statewide.

"The Illinois State Police is proud to continue its partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies to help reduce traffic crash fatalities. We remain committed to improving safety on Illinois roadways, and will utilize all available resources to provide safety education programs which promote safe driving habits," said Interim Director Patrick E. Keen. "Although it is difficult to attribute the reduction of traffic crash fatalities to a single factor, there is no doubt that the combined efforts of law enforcement personnel, the Illinois Department of Transportation and our private partners have significantly contributed to saving lives. With the continued support and cooperation from the motoring public, we can help keep the momentum going for years to come."

In 2009, the state of Illinois continued to become a safer place to travel in motor vehicles as a result of successful efforts to improve traffic safety. Illinois finished the year with 911 fatalities. Motorists wearing safety belts in 2009 reached an all-time high with a 91.7 percent usage rate. In 2010, Illinois experienced one of its best years on record concerning roadway fatalities and injuries. Traffic safety statistics are moving in the right direction, the first time since 1921 that Illinois has had two consecutive years with less than 1,000 traffic fatalities. Additionally, the safety belt usage rate increased to a record-breaking 92.6 percent in 2010 contributing to the reduced fatality rate. For more information about crash data or IDOT's traffic safety programs, log onto www.dot.state.il.us/safety.html 3

GETTING READY TO RIDE SAFE AND HAVE FUN!!!!!!!

It is March and getting ready to ride has to be in everyone’s mind. I know it’s in mine. I’m sitting here writing this on February 16th and it is 79 degrees today. As much as I want to get out and ride right now there are several things that we as Responsible, Educated Riders need to do to get ready for riding season.

Emergency Information For Rider and Co Rider should be on the bike. (Copies of recommended information will be available at the meeting)

Check you Emergency Kits. Make sure they are up to date.

There will be numerous TCLOCS printouts at the March meeting. If you would like one emailed to you, just email me at ‘[email protected]’ and I will be glad to email copies to you.

Other Items to get ready for Riding Season!

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT: Studies show that the head, arms and legs are most often injured in a crash. Protective clothing and equipment serve a three-fold purpose for motorcyclists: comfort and protection from the elements; some measure of injury protection; and through use of color or reflective material, a means for other motorists to see the motorcyclist.

Helmet: This is the most important piece of equipment. Safety helmets save lives by reducing the extent of head injuries in the event of a crash. Many good helmets are available. Make sure it fits comfortably and snugly, and is fastened for the ride. In choosing a helmet, look for the DOT label on the helmet. The DOT label on helmets constitutes the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to the federal standard. In many states, use of a helmet is required by law. Passengers should also wear a helmet.

Eye Protection: Since many motorcycles don't have windshields, riders must protect their eyes against insects, dirt, rocks or other airborne matter. Even the wind can cause the eyes to tear and blur vision, and good vision is imperative when riding. Choose good quality goggles, glasses with plastic or safety lenses, or a helmet equipped with a face shield. Goggles, glasses, and face shields should be scratch free, shatter proof, and well ventilated to prevent fog buildup. Only clear shields should be used at night since tinted shields reduce contrast and make it more difficult to see. Even if your motorcycle has a windshield,

4 eye protection is recommended.

Jackets and Trousers: Clothing worn when riding a motorcycle should provide some measure of protection from abrasion in the event of a spill. These should be of durable material (e.g., special synthetic material or leather). Jackets should have long sleeves. Trousers (not shorts) should not be baggy or flared at the bottom to prevent entanglement with the chain, kick starter, foot- pegs, or other protrusions on the sides of a motorcycle.

Gloves: Durable gloves are recommended. They should be of the non-slip type to permit a firm grip on the controls. Leather gloves are excellent, as are special fabric gloves with leather palms and grip strips on the fingers. Gauntlet-type gloves keep air out of the rider's sleeves. Appropriate gloves are available for all types of weather.

Footwear: Proper footwear affords protection for the feet, ankles, and lower parts of the legs. Leather boots are best. Durable athletic shoes that cover the ankles are a good second choice. Sandals, sneakers, and similar footwear should not be used since they provide little protection from abrasion or a crushing impact. Avoid dangling laces that can get in the way.

Ride Safe and have Fun! Jean Stout

5 Ideas of March By Lloyd Acup

How many of you have been out riding in the last month. Very few I’m sure. I haven’t. Oh, I took the silver beast for a run the other day when the temperature reached 73. I put all of the one and a half miles on her. With the pre warm up before taking off, and the ride itself, it still didn’t reach half the full temperature on the gauge. I just went around the block, over by the airport on Illinois route 111 to Airline Dr., to Bender Ave, and back home. It was enough though to get the oils in the shocks up around the seals to keep them from drying up. This ride took all of five minutes to complete, and I still wore a jacket. Some of you have been or will be going out for an all day ride soon, and you want to be sure and wear the proper clothing. It may be 65 degrees at ten a.m., when you come back in at six or seven p.m., and that thin light jacket is not enough at 50 mph with 50 degrees temperature. Been there, done that! We are in the time of your now when the temperature can change very rapidly and you can be caught WYPD (with your pants down). If you have not been on a ride, it would be a really good idea to do the TCLOCK thing. I cannot for the life of me remember what each letter stands for, but I know what it all means. Check your bike out completely, check the tires for air pressure and cracks, and check all lights, maybe even change the oil if you didn’t before parking her last fall. Check the front forks air pressure and look at them over good for oil leaks. If you have the tools, pull the rotor covers off and look at your brake pads, and rotors. If you cannot do all this yourself, it would be a good idea to have your dealer’s shop to it, soon.

Editor Note: T – Tires – Condition, air pressure, spokes, cast, rims, bearings and seals C – Controls – Levers, cables, hoses, and throttle L – Lights – Battery, lenses, reflectors, wiring and headlamp O – Oils – Levels and leaks C – Chassis – Frame, suspension, chain/belt, fasteners K – Kickstand – Center stand and side stand

6 Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday to:

Mar 1st – Judy Roberson Happy Anniversary to: th Mar 5th – Judy Laux March 4 Ed and Vina Haggerty – 33 years Mar 9th – Bill Carter Mar 12th - Rick Ess th Mar 13 - Doug Bunt Mar 21st – Frank Caminiti

Mar 28th Sharon Ludwig Up Coming Events

March 2 – Ice cream run to O’Fallon Culvers

March 5th Chapter Gathering this one is a one time change

to a meet and eat at 7:30, Ponderosa Steak House, UpcomingEastport Events Plaza, Collinsville. Feb 2 Ice Cream Run To the new Dairy King in Trenton, 320 West Broadway Trenton, IL 62293 Mar 12 – The 6 pm show at the Royal Dump Theater 809 North 2nd Street St Louis, MO 63102 (314) 621 -5800. Costumes Optional. Cost is $31 each to include tax and tip. To sit together, one,

nonrefundable reservation must be made and put on a credit card. FebGood 16 Ice news Cream is payment Run to Dairy can beQueen, made 1001 by cash S Main that St. evening. ColumbiRSVPa, to IL Ed 62236 or Vina-2405 55 8-4729 by Monday, I’ll make the reservation, please bring cash that night. You are welcome to make your own

reservation, but you may not be able to sit with us. Feb 19, OCP Training Class, Gilman Mar 16, 7 Pm Ice cream Marchrun to Highland DQ, March 2 Ice Cream run to Culvers in O’Fallon March 5th Chapter “O” Gathering Mar 20 – 12 noon, Outlanders Bike Blessing, Roxanna Park, MarchRoxanna, 16 Ice Cream Il. Leave run toUncle DQ Linny’sin Highland as a group at 11. After the March 20 Outlanders Bike Blessing, Roxanna Community bike blessing, ride to the Butterfly House in Chesterfield. Park, 2 Park Dr. Roxanna

Mar 31 – 6 PM Sponsor Dinner Run to Uncle Linny’s Pontoon Beach

7 Motorist Awareness Division 2011 Poker Ride

As in the past, the MAD Poker Ride provides the opportunity and excuse to mount up and ride. This year the theme is STATE PARKS and HISTORIC SITES. The poker rides end on October 31st 2011. The poker hands will be drawn at the November Chapter Meeting and sent to me by December 15th with all checks made payable to GWRRA-IL Dist. from a chapter checking acct. no cash please. Five State Parks or Historic Sites visited will be a poker hand. Each hand will be $5.00. There will be awards given to the top three hands. The scoring for the cards drawn will be the same as last year. After the December 15th cutoff date, each card in the deck will be given a number value drawn at random. The total of these points will be given to the hand and with the three highest totals to be declared the winners. The winners will be announced at the 2012 Winter Warm-Up. (Pictures are optional for the individual poker hand). There will be a special award presented to the Member that visits the most State Parks and Historic Sites. To qualify for this award the Member Visit Sheet must be submitted, also these visits must be in a Also, if the Member is competing for the most visited, take a picture of the visit and include this in your entry. Multiple pictures can be on one sheet of paper.

Ride Safe And Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

Larry Kolling ILDist. MAD 28 Rosewood Dr. Maryville, IL 62062 [email protected]

8 X Date State Parks Address Location APPLE RIVER CANYON STATE PARK 8763 EAST CANYON RD APPLE RIVER 640 ARGYLE PARK RD COLCHESTER CASTLE ROCK STATE PARK 1365 CASTLE ROAD OREGON EAST 2350TH ROAD MARSEILLES 1411 NORTH RIVER RD OREGON MISSISSIPPI PALISADES STATE PARK ROUTE 84 SAVANNA HARLEM ROAD LOVES PARK STARVED RICK STATE PARK RT 178 AND RT 71 UTICA WHITE PINES FOREST STATE PARK WEST PINES RD MT. MORRIS WEST STORY STREET CHANNAHON OTTAWA STREET MORRIS STATE PARK WEST ROUTE 102 BOURBONNAIS SOUTH RIVER ROAD McHENRY EAGLE CREEK STATE PARK FINDLAY CHARLESTON KICKAPOO STATE PARK KICKAPOO PARK RD OAKWOOD E. 1350TH ROAD MARSHALL WALNUT PARK STATE PARK ECR 370N OAKLAND WELDON SPRINGS STATE PARK WELDON SPRINGS RD CLINTON WINDSOR BEAVER DAM STATE PARK BEAVER DAM LANE PLAINVIEW HORSESHOE LAKE STATE PARK HIGHWAY 111 GRANITE CITY NAUVOO PERE MARQUETTE STATE PARK GRAFTON SILOAM SPRINGS STATE PARK SOUTH OF CLAYTON CLAYTON CARLYLE ELDON HAZLETT STATE PARK CARLYLE BEALL WOOD STATE PARK BEALL WOODS AVE MT. CARMEL CAVE IN ROCK STATE PARK CAVE IN ROCK DIXON SRINGS STATE PARK RT 146 GOLCONDA FERNE CLIFF STATE PARK RT 37 GOREVILLE STATE PARK METROPOLIS GIANT CITY RD MAKANDA LAKE MURPHYSBORO STATE PARK CINDER HILL DR MURPHYSBORO PYRAMID STATE PARK HIGHWAY 127 PINCKNEYVILLE 1100N & 400E SUMNER RAMSEY LAKE STATE PARK RAMSEY

9 X DATE Illinois Historic Sites 311 E. Myrtle St. Elizabeth Bishop Hill Museum Bishop Hill Road Bishop Hill 1510 46th Avenue Rock Island Bryant Cottage 146 E. Wilson Ave Bement Buel House Madison & Columbus Sts Golconda Courthouse 107 Elm St Cahokia Cahokia Mounds 30 Ramey St Collinsville Cambell's Island Memorial Island Ave East Moline Carl Sandburg 313 E. Third St Galesburg 1000 Monroe Drive Bloomington 1350 IL Route 155 du Rocher Fort Kaskaskia 4372 Park Road Ellis Grove Halfway Tavern US Route 50, .5 miles north Iuka Jarrot Mansion Intersection of IL Rte 3 & 157 Cahokia Lewis and Clark 1 Lewis & Clark Trail Hartford Lincoln Log Cabin 402 S. Lincoln Highway Lerna Lincoln Trail Memorial US Route 50 Lawrenceville Lincoln's New Salem 15588 History Lane Petersburg Martin Boismenue House 2110 1st St East Carondolet Metamora Courthouse 113 E. Partridge St Metamora Mount Pulaski Courthouse 113 S. Washington St Mt. Pulaski Old Market House 123 N. Commerce St Galena Old State Capitol near 6th & Adams Sts Springfield Pierre Menard Home 4230 Kaskaskia Rd Ellis Grove Postville Courthouse 9145 S. 5th St Lincoln Main & Front Sts Elizabethtown Vandalia State House 315 W. Gallatin St Vandalia

10 Sponsors

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Belleville Honda 2100 N. Belt West Belleville, Il 62226 618-233-1318

Welcome our newest Sponsor Wild Goose Saloon 1505 West Main St. Grafton, Il 62037

Uncle Linny’s Restaurant

4112 Pontoon Rd. Pontoon Beach Il, 62040-4372 6th Street Diner (618) 797-3333

6th St and Madison Ave Family Restaurant Wood River Full American Menu Breakfast served all day Daily specials Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

Winter Hrs 5:30 - 8:00 Open 6am to 9pm Daily 618 - 251- 9715 These are the people that ran the Pancake Ranch

Thanks to Lloyd and Linda Acup

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