NEWS FROM IOWA CHAPTER REP

Reprinted from Iowa Chapter “L” Newsletter

Written by Gary Williams, Chapter Rep

Wow, what a fun July this was!  First, there was the forth of July celebrations.  Our son, T-Sgt. Mark Williams, was home on leave, and it made the 4th of July really special. 

Then we left on July 15th for the Gold Classic Rally at Snowshoe Mountain resort in West Virginia.  The rally was a lot of fun, but on a low key.  Not like Americade or Wing Ding, where it is hard to really understand all of the activities occurring.  This was more like a family reunion.  You know how that is, most of the family is just like you, but there are a few relatives who are just “different”.  I was good to get to “visit a spell” with some of the participants, as they say in WV.  AGWA is made up of good people.

At the banquet on Thursday evening, Jean Reid (73) won a plaque for being the oldest female at the rally, and Bernie Reid (75) would have won the oldest male plaque if he would have stood up and participated.  (They not only were the oldest participants, they also toured the NE with us, arriving home on August 6th, they are RIDERS!)  Also the President’s award was given to Chapter L for our newsletter.  Kudos to Mary Fox, editor, for all the hard work (like nagging me to write an article).  We all wore our orange IOWA T-shirts, and were very visible to the group.  We were certainly recognized as a group with lots of enthusiasm!

Several of the Iowa participants attended the Monday night business meeting.  It was well run and everything was out in the open for discussion, including finances.  The real power of the organization rests with the State Directors.  They have voting power to change by-laws at these national meetings.  Iowa’s State Director is Don Fox.  They are elected by the Area reps of the state (me), and I am elected by the local chapter.  I have appreciated the insights Don has provided about how to organize and promote the organization.

In 2006, the Gold classic will be held near Paducah, KY.  The 2007 Gold Classic will be held in Iowa, so I am sure Don will need lots of help planning and running this rally.  If you have ideas about possible venues for the meeting, talk with Don about it.

Following the Gold Classic, Carolyn and I, Bernie and Jean Reid, and Bud and JoAnn Conner toured the Northeast U.S., arriving home on August 7th.  We covered over 5,000 miles and had a lot of fun!  Talk to any of us about our experiences, and be sure to see the pictures!

It was so much fun we are leaving in early Sept. for the West Coast!  Did I mention that retirement is great!

We “Ride like L”!