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A virtual announcement of our

2021 Chapter Couple of the Year

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It is with great joy that we announce to you that Josh Ross & Nina Ross are Chapter R’s 2021 Couple of the Year! Normally announced at the Christmas Party, COVID forced us to get together on zoom to surprise our brother-sister duo. Since medallions and certificates are also held up during the pandemic, we will schedule an official “crowning” when we are able to gather in person once again.

We also want to congratulate our outgoing 2020 Couple of the Year, Bill & Janice Rowe. They bring a quality and fun to our Chapter. Thank you for a great year under very trying circumstances.

Saturday July 17, 2021

Chapter PA-R

GUMBALL RIDE Meet at Comfort Inn, Sayre, PA

Welcome from the new Chapter Directors!

You might think we know what we are

doing….but nope! We are definitely

WINGing it! That’s a joke – Dennis style,

but don’t get too used to it – they don’t roll off our tongues

like it does with him.

I think the style we are going to take with this column each

month is a little bit from me and a little bit from Ed. So here

goes...ladies first….

So, here’s a little bit about us. Ed has had motorcycles for

years. In 2015 he purchased his dream cycle, a Goldwing.

He had oogled that very cycle on a turnstyle at Bob’s

Honda when he was

younger (much younger). And he was elated to finally get to own such a

grand machine. No worries that it was now an OLD GOLDwing! 1989.

But it only had 8,900 miles on it, so it qualified as a new Goldwing to

him. That summer we took our first overnight ride on our new toy – we

drove out the length of Route 6. Absolutely gorgeous. And we won’t tell

you how we showcased the fact that we were NEW Goldwing owners.

We parked the machine on a beautiful new parking lot at the hotel in mid

August. We came out the next morning, and the foot pedal had smooshed

right down into that fresh blacktop. Note to self: get a metal plate to put

the foot pedal on.

The following summer

we went on a ride with

a group of

motorcyclists and were

very unimpressed with

group riding and group

friendliness. The

summer after that we

were looking into outfitting our “new” Goldwing. Now Ed

doesn’t buy anything new – we scour rummage sales for

EVERYthing! So we ended up at a rummage sale in Sayre

where he located a trailer hitch for a Goldwing. Jackpot! We didn’t have a trailer, but now we had a hitch.

But better than that – the homeowners at that rummage sale were Chapter PA-R members, and told us all

about the Goldwing chapter located right in our hometown! Now we are not very social people, but I guess

we were curious. Let’s go, Ed said. Groan…OK…I said. So we got there and sat right down next to Arline

Coffelt. We told her we were just checking this group out to see if we liked them. (Well, she has told me that

she will never let me forget that statement!!!) Well, the chapter members came over one by one and TALKED

to us. They were so friendly. And it wasn’t a struggle to make conversation. And they were funny! We figured

it was just a first-time fluke – it wouldn’t be the same if we went another time. So we tried another monthly

gathering. And guess what? We had fun again. So we kept going! And only three months in, Arline hit me

with “Would you like to be our newsletter editor?” So we were pretty ingrained – we went to the Ice Cream

Social, to the Gumball Rally, to most of the monthly gatherings and at the end of the year at the 2018

Christmas Party the group honored us as Couple of the Year for 2019. We were so tickled that we decided to

Continued on Page 3

Stopping by Kinzua Dam on our

first overnight trip.

Trying out a group ride in 2016

go through the process to try out for District Couple of the

Year at the 2019 Rally in York, PA. It was a scary process

getting up in front of that huge group and reciting our story in an interesting

way – but it was so worth it! We made so many connections at the Rally

following that experience. Well at the end of 2019 the Chapter Director asked

us if we would consider being Assistant Directors, with the intention of

becoming Directors the year after. Wow – this has all happened in the span of

four years! Thus we can honestly say we are WING-ing it!

So Happy New Year Chapter R family! In the four years that we have been

with the group it has felt more like a family setting than just going to a normal

meeting or gathering of an organization. The warmth and friendliness won us

over when we first came and I believe that this friendliness and warmth will win more people over. I am very

happy to see past members returning to an active status –like Josh and Nina and Roy, to name a few. But

going forward, we need to reach out and touch other potential members. Share with them the warmth and

comradery that Carla and I have enjoyed. So please put on your thinking helmets and consider those

motorcycle enthusiasts that you know that are not a member and that you could approach to become a

member in the upcoming year. If nothing else, invite them to go on a ride with us. Afterall, that is what it is all

about anyway, isn’t it? The beauty and majesty of riding around in the northern tier of PA and the southern

tier of NY.

And just a reminder - that as soon as this COVID craziness settles down, we will return to having our

gatherings at the Comfort Inn, and it will now be on the second Saturday of each month. Until we are able to

meet again we will stay in contact with members with a monthly email and with notices on GroupWorks. So

be looking for those in your inbox.

Carla and I are looking forward to seeing all our Chapter members in person soon in 2021. We have a lot of

riding to do in the new year! Stay safe and healthy!

Ed & Carla Dawejko

Chapter Directors PA-R

Continued from Page 2

As your Assistant Chapter Directors, we call it an

honor and privilege to serve you in whatever ways

we can in the upcoming year. We are looking

forward to working with Ed & Carla to make our

Chapter "R" a fun time for all.

2020 has definitely been a challenging year. With

the Covid Virus and with so many restrictions we

were limited to our socializing. Many scheduled

events had to be cancelled. We did manage to get

in some nice day rides with picnics along the way at

different locations where there were picnic tables so

we could distance ourselves from others but still have an enjoyable time.

We are hoping that 2021 will be a better year. We are making plans for some nice day rides

along with participating in some overnighters or weekend getaways.

Be healthy & safe!

Bill & Janice Rowe, Assistant Chapter Directors

PA-R

First I would like to thank Dennis and Barb and their staff for leading

Chapter R through tough times with most things shut down. Also I would

like to thank Ed and Carla and their staff as they get set to lead

chapter R through next year and wish them luck

As the new year starts, I thought I would look back a few years.

Chapter R was going on a long ride to a destination I can’t

remember. As we got close we pulled over as we knew we had to

take another road. G. P. S. was new to most of us but one of our

members had got one so he would lead as it would tell him where

to turn. About a mile later we turned left onto a narrow road. As

we moved on, the road got narrower, more narrower, and then to

ruts with grass growing in between. We kept

going up and came to a small clearing. Yes, this

was a logging road. Now I have paid good

money to see a show that wasn't near as good as

watching a group of Gold Wings turn around in a

small plot of dirt on the side of a mountain that

was anything but flat. We then went back down

to the main road and a mile down came to the

right road.

About a month later, in our local newspaper, a man driving on a dark night using G.P.S.

turned down a road and right into the river. The road was into a boat landing. G.P.S. has

improved since then and most people have them but as of now I don't have one. Sally

and I have traveled a lot of miles over the years, and Sally with her little map was my

G.P.S. and I

only made a

wrong turn

when I didn't

listen to

her. She tells

me I don't

listen to her a

lot and that's

why I am like I

am. Wonder

what she

means by that? 366 Broad St. Waverly, NY 607-565-8830

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HA!! Thought you’d gotten rid of me eh? Nope, our NEW Chapter Directors, Ed & Carla, have asked me to continue to contribute an article for the Newsletter. After begging all year for everyone to contribute, it was tough to say no. They especially want me to report on our events, rides etc. In case you hadn’t noticed, I enjoy writing which is kinda weird as I almost did not graduate high school. I barely scraped by in English!

Happy New Year!! Barb & I want to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year. So grateful to put 2020 in the review mirror. I don’t believe this winter will be much better for my snowmobiling efforts. I have a trip planned for Maine Presidents week. I don’t see that happening. I hope the vaccine starts to mitigate this damn thing by spring.

As I mentioned above, kudos to our NEW Chapter Directors, Ed & Carla. They have been doing a lot of legwork behind the scenes, finalizing Staff etc, getting ready to jump off. As with any organization, the more everyone contributes, not only the more enjoyment you get, it makes the group as a whole a ton more fun. We have a great Group. I look forward to seeing everyone – hopefully soon!!

Well, I’m supposed to report on our Events. So let me get to that. We had none! We cancelled our Christmas Party. It’s always nice getting together at Christmas Time. I missed it. I love being able to poke a little fun at some Members. Remember the ‘Yield Sign’ incident from last year Janice and Bill?

With nothing to report, I would like to tell you about my Christmas Day. It was a magical day, right up until I got a black eye! It started out perfect. Barb made a wonderful traditional Christmas ham dinner with all the trimmings; baked beans, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, sweet potatoes and pink gravy. It was really great! This is with Christmas music playing in the background. At this moment, lazy snowflakes started falling from the sky. It was so romantic, just like a Hallmark Christmas movie. So I jumped on Barb for a Hallmark hug and kiss……..and POW! Now I have a black eye!

Well, there you have what I got for you this month. No sayings. My little book of “Sit Down, Shut UP & Hang On! A Biker’s Guide to Life” has been depleted. So I am just going toa…….

Bye for now,

Dennis & Barb

Outgoing Chapter Directors PA-R (Seeing as it is still December and we haven’t officially left yet!)

These Chapter Member Pages are open for any Chapter R member to contribute to.

Please send your articles to crd24@cornell.edu for inclusion in a future newsletter.

We would love to hear your thoughts!

January 22

Edie Rider

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January 9 Bob & Sally Eiffert

January 20 Gary & Sandy Jordan

Our meetings have been reduced to Zoom get togethers!

Is there such a thing as the New Normal?

Welcome to the wild world of COVID. Well I don’t know about you but I kind of feel like we have been doing the COVID 19 two step. One step forward and two steps back. Our state had a shutdown. And then they reopened. And then they put all kinds of restrictions on how far you had to stand apart, how many people could be in one place, whether or not you could get your hair cut, and then they opened everything back up. And then they closed everything until the first of the year. Well, guess what? Welcome to the first of the year!

I don’t know about you but I miss having our Gatherings. With the rise in cases in our area and with the newfound fact that the vaccines are not going to be administered to the general public for an extended amount of time, I wonder where we are going to be as to having gatherings. I feel that in a lot of respects it is safer not to have the Gathering because let’s look at the fact that largest majority of us are over 65—and some up into the 80’s, which puts us at a major risk factor. So as the upcoming year is here, I will be talking with Jan at the Comfort Inn in Sayre and see if any protocols have changed. And then when I find that information out, I will send out an email asking everyone's opinion on whether we should start or hold off having Gatherings until the numbers go down.

At this point I just want to take the opportunity to wish all my Chapter R family a Happy and Safe New Year!

Carla and Ed Dawejko

Chapter Directors, PA-R

145 Front Street, Owego, New York 13827 Great food, catering, historic bar & hotel

1907 State Route 14 Montour Falls, New York

Owner: Gary House

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The new

Goldwings are on the

floor! Come see

them!

We hope everyone enjoyed festivities over the holidays with their

families and friends. Happy New Year everyone, may it be a prosperous,

happy, and healthy one for you and yours. As you are reading this, Crystal and

I are only a week or two into our tenure as your new District Directors for the

Pennsylvania District. We would like to thank Harold and Diane Jackson for

all their hard work and dedication to our Pennsylvania District. It is always a

pleasure to work with someone who has a friendly and inspiring nature. It was

fun working under their guidance because problems became much easier. Harold and Diane left us a great

District to work with and we want to make it even better.

The COVID-19 virus has changed our lifestyles; how we work, how we shop, how we learn, how we

socialize and how we communicate. Socializing is critical for mental and emotional health. We have developed

friendships and an extended family due to this Association. We have ridden, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s

company by being part of GWRRA. How we socialize is changing, but we will get through this together. All of

us are learning to adjust to the varied restrictions. During the next couple of months, instead of social distancing,

we should try distant socializing. Our cell phones, FaceTime, Zoom and other tools like these are our friends

right now. And when the weather gets warmer, we look forward to joining in on the Events Chapters are

planning and spending time with all of you - our extended family.

We would like to give a big WELCOME to the new Chapter Officers that have agreed to step up and take

a leadership position. Thank you again for offering your time and services to your Chapters. We are looking

forward to working with you. Just learn and have fun. If you ever need help or have any questions, Crystal and

I, along with the rest of the District Team, are available to help. Give us a call or email us, anytime.

Along with welcoming the new Officers coming on board, we would like to thank the current Officers

who are staying on as leaders of their Chapters. Your dedication and contributions to your Chapters are deeply

appreciated by both your Chapter participants and your District Team. We also would like to thank all the

Chapter Officers who have stepped aside. You all did a great job for your Chapters, which makes our job easier.

The PA District Team deserves many thanks. They volunteered their time to organize, promote, instruct

GWU, Medic First Aide and rider classes, and host great Rallies for the members of the PA District. Let’s add

Zoom calls and GroupWorks to the list of accomplishments. Thank you to a wonderful District Team. Your

effort is truly appreciated.

We want to mention there are several Officers needed to complete the 2021 District Team. If you are

interested in stepping up to a District leadership position, please consider volunteering. Crystal and I cannot

manage the District without filling these key positions. The Officer position descriptions are included in the last

few pages of the newsletter. After reading the descriptions, please let us know if you are ready to be part of the

District Team. Additionally, we are hoping to find a District Newsletter Editor, Photographer, and Rally Book

Editor.

As 2020 ends and 2021 begins, let us remember loved ones who have gone before us, and our fallen

military, police, fire fighters and other first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice so we may enjoy the

freedoms we have in this great country.

All our best,

Tim & Crystal Brakebill

Your PA District Directors

Tim & Crystal Brakebill

PA District Directors

“The GWRRA Rider Education Program (REP) is intended to make the

motorcycle environment safer by reducing injuries and fatalities and

increasing motorcyclist skills and awareness.” Through Commitment,

Education and Application, we can reduce our accident rate significantly (Gold Wing

Road Riders Association Rider Education).

Level I: Safety by Commitment - The first big step to success.

Level I of the Rider Education Program is also referred to as Safe Miles. It

represents the commitment of the Rider and/or the Co-Rider to practice safe motorcycle

operation whenever they operate their motorcycle.

Safety is a state of mind which can only be attained through total commitment.

Every successful accomplishment begins with a commitment to reach the intended

objective. This is true of the Rider Education Program and includes a promise to learn for

the sake of Rider, Co-Rider, friends and family, and others on the road.

Though there is no mileage requirement to enter Level I, the commitment to safe

riding is tracked by the number of accident-free miles since joining GWRRA. Accident-

free miles are accumulated in 5,000-mile increments and may be updated at yearly

intervals. Requirement: Verbal commitment to ride safely at all times. No cost to sign up.

Level II: Safety by Education

Level II of the REP is also referred to as Tour Rider. It represents the

commitment of the Rider and/or Co-Rider to be safer motorcycle riders by taking

approved motorcycle riding courses at regular intervals.

GWRRA has chosen several educational training programs for the Riders and Co-

Riders such as the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) programs, the United Sidecar

Association course, the CSC (Canadian Safety Council) programs, and the GWRRA's

Advanced Riding courses.

Completing these courses provides the foundation and skills for your quest to be a

safe motorcycle rider. All recognized programs are taught by qualified and Nationally

certified instructors.

For the Co-Rider, we have provided an excellent seminar and "Two Up"

programs to assist in their role in the safety aspect of motorcycle riding.

Motorcycle education goes "hand in hand" with commitment. The "on bike" education

by MSF, USCA, CSC and GWRRA for the Rider and Co-Rider and the "off bike"

education designed specifically for the Co-Rider, provide a very effective approach to

motorcycle safety. This is when a REP participant truly begins to understand what the

Level I commitment means and sees the value in the program.

Requirement: Rider - a Certified Rider Course with 5,000 safe miles. Co-Rider -

certified Co-rider Seminar or 2-up Rider Course. No cost to sign up.

Crystal and I encourage everyone to get involved in the Rider Education program

to improve your riding skills and knowledge so everyone enjoys the ride and returns

home safely.

Ride safe & participate,

Tim & Crystal Brakebill

Your PA District Directors

Patches available at

$6.00 per participant.

"Safe Miles" patch, Rider

(or Co-rider) Rocker, and

mileage pin.

Patches available at

$5.00 per participant.

"Red Triangle" patch for

either Rider or Co-rider

signifying Level II partici-

pant.