The Rumblings 

NEWSLETTER FOR STAR RIDERS COLUMBIA, SC
CHAPTER #124 August 15, 2005

Our meeting began at 7:15 pm with 43 members present.  Guests this evening were Clay and Pam Johnson and Mary Lynn.  Welcome to all.

We began our evening with a challenge put out by Kurt Pratt.  This challenge is to encourage solo rides.  The challenge is to visit as many of the 48 State Parks, Natural areas, and Historic Sites in the state.  A visit is a photograph of your bike in front of a sign or other object at each location.  If at the time of your visit it is impossible or impractical to get a photograph of your bike and the sign or object, use a post office, fire station, an intersection of two routes, or anything nearby, for your photo.  Make your own album or history journal with the photos and bring them to our meetings to share in your accomplishments.  However, be very careful out there as many of the roads are not what they seem.  Kurt and Sue were unfortunate enough to learn this the hard way and found the road up close and personal.  Sue has a broken hand and Kurt is sporting some fresh gauze on his elbow and shoulder to prove it.  Please wear your helmets.

Johnny Frick has invited all riders to his Daughter-in-laws church in Swansea on Sunday, September 4, 2005, for Bikers Sunday and The Blessing of the Bikes.  Please come dressed in your riding attire.  Johnny will post a meeting place closer to the Sunday.

We were blessed this evening with the presence of our Star Riders State Representative and his wife, Earl and Phyllis Preston.  Thank you so much for joining us.  Earl spoke briefly on the Columbia chapter (we are the largest chapter in South Carolina) and how our chapter has been the inspiration for other chapters in the state.  Thanks Earl for the kudos.

He also addressed some upcoming National and State events.  October 1, 2005, will be the Fall Star Riders Breakfast in Myrtle Beach.  Charleston will again host the State Rally, as yet the date has not been set.  Next year the State Rally will be sponsored by a different Chapter in the State.  Next year Star Days will be held in Colorado, city not yet named, the 3rd week in July.

George Gooch went over Road Safety Guidelines and hand signals for all our new members.  Our chapter does have a Road Safety handout if anyone is interested please send your name and address to Betsy Gooch, secretary and she will mail one to you.

Our next ride, August 20, 2005, is to be led by our own president Jim Wood.  We will meet at the Pilot Station on 321 (at the intersection of Interstate 77 and Interstate 26) at 9:00 am w/kickstands up at 9:30.  We will be headed for Holly Hill and Sweatman's.

Cajun Cavallier informed us of an upcoming ride sponsored by Calvary Chapel Spirit Riders.  "Ride to The Farm" which will be held Saturday, October 15, 2005, beginning at 9:00 am at the Calvary Chapel on Barr Road in Lexington and will end at the Newberry Boys Farm on Hwy. 34 in Newberry.  Monetary Donations will be greatly appreciated.  All precedes benefiting Newberry Boys Farm for a Fire Sprinkler System.

Our last messenger of the evening was a new member, Scott Haney.  Scott told us the story of his new bike after not having ridden in many years.  And his trepidation at riding again.  He went on to finish with letting us all know how good he felt about joining an exceptional group of people with the same desire to ride and enjoy it.  The friendship and camaraderie he has found in the members of Chapter 124.  Thank you Scott.

Finally, the 50/50. The pot was $77.50/$77.50 and traditionally we "allow" a guest to win our drawing, but tonight we made an exception and we gave it to Cajun. (He says it's his first time, yeah sure.)  Congratulations Cajun and Lea.