December 2017 Our 29th Year From the Chapter...

Nobody has more Fun than “G”!

GWRRA Chapter NH-G The Lakes Region Wings Newsletter Page 1Gold Wing Road Riders AssociationChapter NH-G • Laconia, NH

THE LAKES REGION WINGSDecember 2017 Our 29th Year

From the Chapter Directors

Giving Back The NH-G Way!

As your Chapter Directors, John and I were asked by the Laconia Christmas Village (LCV) to come up on Saturday December 2nd and present a check for our recent donation. If you recall we raised money by parking cars at the Laconia Pumpkin Festival and donated $600 to the LCV in the memory of Bob Hamel’s mom, Gemma, who recently left us. Her memory certainly lives at this the annual LCV event in which she was active for so many years. We dropped off homemade cookies from the Sheehan’s and Russ and Cathy Neal.

After the presentation we got a tour of the event and it is so impressive. From Santa’s sleigh complete with reindeer and elves.

We spent a few minutes visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus (who by the way are former NH-G Directors, Skip and Sheryl Hounsell) and found Kaye Hamel playing the role of Elf high on her perch sending down presents for the good little boys and girls.


GWRRA Chapter NH-G The Lakes Region Wings Newsletter Page 2

It was just extraordinary. If you have never been I would recommend you check it out next year.

We have 30 folks registered for the Christmas Party on December 9th. If you have an auction item you would like to donate please let your directors know as soon as possible.

Monthly Gathering & BreakfastJanuary 21, 201810 AM Breakfast & Gathering Topic ReviewAt John & Carole Sheehan’s house13 Charles StreetFarmington, NH 03835

We will provide a wonderful breakfast with coffee and tea so just come and enjoy yourself.

The FUN will continue into 2018. We hope that you will all try to join us for the gathering as well as many of the activities you can during the year. The schedule will be published soon. If you have an activity or event you would like us to add to the calendar please let your directors know so we can fit it in. If you have a ride you would like to go on let us know that as well. We also need to decide on a location for our weekend away so suggestions are more than welcome. Your directors can negotiate but suggestions would be great. And also we will have a BBQ to celebrate NH-G’s 30th Anniversary.

Wishing you all a

John & CaroleSheehan

NH Chapter G Directors



RewindNovember Meeting• 20 members from NH-G attended and 5 guests

from NH-A.• We had a birthday cake to celebrate Charlie

Collins 90th birthday. We know there are birthday’s every month but 90 really deserves a cake for breakfast.

• 50/50 was won by for $30.00 by Lee Hirtle.• There was no ride as it was a little too cold.

SURPRISE Party for Charlie CollinsCharlie’s son, Chuck, threw a surprise birthday party for Charlie at his house on the 25th. He was kind enough to extend the invitation to NH-G members. When the Sheehan’s and Russ & Cathy Neal showed up Bob & Kaye Hamel, Ed Heath and Phil & Linda Allard were already there.

Halloween PartyCheck out the pictures for a little hint of the fun we had.



GWRRA Chapter Rider Education

RideR education Road couRses

Mike Vaillancourt

Chapter NH-G Educator

With the GWRRA Rider Education Program currently changing and in the state of “Flux”, I just wanted to take a moment and write about staying involved in Rider Education.

If there was one thing I learned a long time ago as a new member in GWRRA, it was to take advantage of everything that there was to learn about Rider Education. In those days, when you bought a new bike from your dealer, you got a certificate that would get you reimbursement from American Honda, to take a beginners course, or the ERC or Experienced Riders Course. We are very lucky here in New Hampshire, because we have a very comprehensive Rider Education Program run by the State of New Hampshire, as well as courses that are put on by various instructors in the GWRRA system.

I have been taking the ERC or ARC every two years since 1988 and every time I take a course, I can’t believe how much I learn, and how it makes me be a better rider.

I always found that it was best, for me anyways, to take my road course in the spring right after I took the bike out. It sort of “got the cobwebs out” of my riding style, and helped me not to carry on any bad habits I may have picked up since my last course.

GWRRA has all sorts of courses available, both of the road and classroom variety. The way to get those courses is to contact your GWRRA District Educator.

GWRRA New Hampshire District Educator Dick Bernier will be the official Educator for our District, and he is a very knowledgeable individual who will be more than happy to answer your rider education questions. If you need to contact Dick, you can reach him at 978-496-4363 or email him at [email protected].

It has been my pleasure being your Chapter NH-G Educator this past year. It has taught me a lot.

To You and your Families, please accept my sincere wish to you all for a “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.



NATIONAL, REGIONAL &N.H. DISTRICT STAFF

GWRRA President, Anita Alkire 800-843-9460 [email protected]

International Director of GWRRA, Ray & Sandy Garris 800-843-9460 [email protected]

Region B Directors, Tom & Renee Wasluck 570-474-1014 [email protected]

2017 Region B couple of the Year Bob & Julie Ahear 301-997-1254 [email protected]

NH District Directors, David & Bonnie Bolster 603-315-9471 [email protected]

NH Asst. District Director, Ron & Susie Black 603-532-9342 [email protected] NH District Educator, Dick Bernier 978-496-4363 [email protected]

District Memb. Enhancement Coord., Carole Sheehan 603-973-4011

[email protected]

District Treasurer, Julie Bernier [email protected]

NH CHApTER G STAFFChapter Directors, Carole & John Sheehan [email protected] 603-973-4011

Assistant Chapter Directors, Beryl & Bob Reid [email protected] 603-892-6854

Chapter Treasurer, Linda Allard [email protected] 603-491-9377

Membership Enhancement Coordinators Meri & Lee Hirtle [email protected]

Chapter Store Keepers, Bob & Kaye Hamel [email protected] 603-524-6360

Chapter Educator, Mike Vaillancourt [email protected] 603-276-0715

Chapter Ride Coordinator, please Volunteer

Chapter Photographer, Bob Reid [email protected] 603-892-6854

Chapter G Goodwill Ambassador, Charles Collins 603-875-0184

Chapter Sunshine Coordinator, Kaye Hamel [email protected] 603-524-6360

2017 Chapter Couple of the Year, Meri & Lee Hirtle msgtlee@metrocastnet

Newsletter Editor, Carol Cloutier [email protected] 603-569-3288

Website Coordinator, Carole Sheehan [email protected] 603-973-4011

2017 NEW HAmpSHIRE CHApTER DIRECTORSA – Concord/manchester .................... Chris & Lynne Christiansen [email protected]

G – Laconia/Lakes Region ................... John & Carole Sheehan 603-755-3414 [email protected]

E – Keene/monadnock Region ............. Ron & Suzie Black 603-532-9342 [email protected]

T – Hampton/Seacoast Region…… ...... Tom & Kathy Fallon 978-294-9772 [email protected]



Saturday, december 9 NH-G cHriStmaS Party 6Pm

Greenside @ Lochmere, 360 Laconia Road, Tilton, NH

2017 ride ScHedule

NH-G (laconia)2nd Sunday of the month at 8:30 am @ Greenside restaurant at the lochmere country club360 laconia road, tilton, N.H**breakfast is at 8 am meeting starts promptly at 9 am

NH-a (manchester)3rd Friday of the month at 7:00 pm @ Wingate Hall/bethany chapel (adjacent to manchester airport) 54 Newbury road, manchester NH 03103

New Hampshire Goldwing Chapter Gathrings

NH-e (Keene)last Friday of every month at 6:30 pm @ emma’s321 Pub & Kitchen, 377 uS route 202, rindge NH 03461

NH-t (epping)2nd Saturday of the month at 10:00 am - american legion Post 51, lower level meeting room 232 calef Hwy (route 125)epping, NH 03042



Until the Chapter gets a Motorist Awareness Coordinator, Nick Hoppner from the Colorado District, will graciously provide us with MAD articles. Editor

tie One on For Safety by Nick Hoppner

Some of the most dangerous days of the year on our nation’s roadways are between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. That is why every holiday season Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

asks you to display a MADD red ribbon in a visible location to remind others to always designate a non-drinking driver.

Started in 1986, Tie One On For Safety® is MADD’s longest running and most visible public awareness project. The name comes from the phrase “tie one on,” which is slang for drinking alcohol. But at MADD the phrase is used to remind everyone that drinking and driving don’t mix.Americans take 233 billion trips in cars each year. Most of us increase both the frequency and distance of our driving during the holidays, and many of us also increase the frequency of our drinking and the amounts consumed as a part of our holiday festivities.

Every 53 minutes on average, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash (approximately 10,000 people in total) and every two minutes, someone is injured because of this entirely preventable crime.

About a third of the drunk driving problem – arrests, crashes, deaths, and injuries – comes from repeat offenders. Even though many of these drinkers have had their drivers licenses revoked, they drive anyway! But these repeat offenders are only 30% of the problem!

The remaining two thirds of the drunk driving problem comes from people who, before they kill or injure themselves or others, have yet to be arrested. Perhaps they’ve been getting

away with driving “buzzed” for years. In all likelihood, they’re just well-intentioned folks who delude themselves into believing “they’re okay to drive.” (Remember, that one of the first things to go when you’ve been drinking is your good judgement.)

What can you, I and our fellow drivers do to improve things this holiday season? Here are a few tips from MADD:

1. Designate a non-drinking driver BEFORE the celebration begins to ensure everyone arrives home safely. The time to decide not to drink is before you get to the party, restaurant or bar.

2. Drink moderately, early in the party, eat food as well, then stop drinking early so the body can metabolize the alcohol.

3. Being a good host may mean staying sober enough to drive a guest home safely! Providing alternate transportation or accommodations for guests who have been drinking. Some taxi companies offer low-cost or free rides as a public service.

4. Host parties responsibly by offering bottled water, “mocktails” and other non-alcoholic beverages.

5. Be a true friend. If someone in your party should not be allowed to get behind the wheel, do your utmost to take away their car keys. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.

6. Display a MADD red ribbon in a visible location on your vehicles. Red ribbons, magnets and window decals are available through MADD.org.

Have a happy, healthy and accident-free holiday season this year.



Guest GWRRA Rider Education

“AlPHA ANd oMEGA”by Ace (Howie) PetersonGuest Educator CO-Q

This month it is my intention to stay in tune with the Holidays, so there is nothing on riding this issue. As we approach the end of 2017, perhaps we all could take a moment to give thanks for our many blessings including living among some of the best scenery and riding to be had anywhere. Now is the time, with all the catalogs arriving in the mail boxes to take the opportunity to peruse all the new and neat “stuff” for the new season in 2018. A visit to our local motorcycle dealers may inspire us to get that new riding jacket, riding pants, helmets, and of course “goodies” of whatever nature. I have been noticing some new innovations in heated gear that look enticing, cordless, and lighter in bulk than my Gerber’s. Along with those, looking ahead for next season new lines of evaporative styles of vests are also on the market; and along with those, even evaporative helmet liners. These may definitely be worth checking out.

Of course the biggest thing on most folk’s wish list this year is the stunning new 2018 Gold Wing GL1800. A lot of options to choose from model wise, and also with mechanics of the motorcycle including electronics, heated seats, electric windshields, higher geared transmissions, traction controls and much more. Definitely a whole new motorcycle. Prices run the gamut from $26K to $31.5 given model and options desired. The model options are definitely going to appeal to the younger riding cadre with the “bobber” look, etc. As the new model is sleeker as well, the Wing no longer has the “road sofa” look about it, again appealing to the next generations of riders. The Goldwing has definitely moved into the 21st century, and is NOT your “daddies” Wing paraphrasing an Oldsmobile car advertisement from past years.

As the title also indicates, GWRRA is moving into the end of an era, and towards a new era of changes in many forms of which we have become so familiar with over the years. Even though we have read and heard bits and snippets of what is to come, the nuts and bolts have yet to be revealed down to the member level. What does all this mean for both GWRRA and the membership? It is difficult to tell exactly at this point. We have a broad brush picture, and hopefully the picture will become clearer as we move into 2018.

At this time I am not real sure whether the education articles can or will continue, and this may be my last article under the heading of Rider Education. Perhaps the Chapter will be able to keep this form of article under the current headings, or perhaps the articles will address many of the training and information needs under a new heading. I have enjoyed researching and passing on lessons learned to you members, and as such hopefully have fulfilled the intent of the Rider Education training via the written word plus being entertaining in some guises.

Lastly, as we head into the New Year along with all the changes in our organization, and other areas as well, let us do so as my old mentor Charlie Thayer always said, “Head up, eyes on the horizon”.

ride WitH Pride aNd cONFideNce.



Birthdays & AnniversariesHappy Birthday and Anniversary to all those listed below

Chapter G Wishes You All The Best!Remember, We can’t post your Birthdays and Anniversaries if we don’t know the dates.

Let us know.

December 1 Lee & Meri Hirtle

December 18 Carol Cloutier December 18 Carole Sheehan December 19 Lynda HartleyDecember 20 Mike DecellesDecember 28 Mike WilliamsDecember 28 Mike Vaillancourt

To AllAnd to All

A Good Night



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