"Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge"
On June 14, 1991 Chapter I-2 was formed. Our kickoff was held at the Alpena fairgrounds with many of our new friends present along with State Directors Marty Bucholtz, Denny Stroh and Lorne Haase.
We have been very busy in our 9 years. We have seen many people come and go in our Chapter and Gold Wing Road Riders Association. But through it all we have overcome many heartaches and trials to become the Chapter we are today. Our 1st year saw a change of Chapter Directors. Bob Brookbank stepped out and Arnie and Carol Edmonds stepped in to lead us through our next five years.
During 1992 we did a Ride for Kids and put a float together for the Posen Potato Festival. Our theme was “Don’t Drive Drunk”.
1993- We were involved in the formation of a new GWRRA chapter and the making of new friends, many of which we still visit with today. M-2 in Naubinway in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was formed during a very cold and rainy day in May. It was very cold but we all had a fun time.
1994- Even though this was one of our busiest years we were saddened by the loss of one of our dear friends. George Decaire passed away on July 17. We miss him dearly. In May of that year we had our first Mall show where we sold tickets for the Bike Raffle benefiting Michigan Make-A-Wish. On the weekend of June 17-18 we had an anniversary Campout at the home of Helen Eustis and Roz Johnson. August saw our first State function. A campout and Fun Run was held at Beaver Lake Park. Camping and a Pig Roast were the order of the day for the many who joined us. We also did a second Ride for Kids on August 28.
1995- Another busy year for I-2. The year began on another sad note. Another of our dear friends passed away. Kenny Crone passed away on February 14. Kenny was affectionately know as “Frog” in our chapter and is sorely missed. But as the previous year we carried forward as our friends would have wished and proceeded to have a very productive year. April 26-28 was our Bike Show where again we sold bike raffle tickets for Michigan Make-A-Wish. We had our second Campout /Fun Run in August where a Hobo supper was prepared and enjoyed by all. The Chapter also gave it’s first high mileage trophy that went to Gary Sparks. Also our first wedding took place. Steve and Robin Cobb were married on August 10. We were to see two other couples marry in the following years. Jim and Judy Stinson and Roy and Lana Cartwright. This year also saw a change in State Directors. Lorne and Carol Haase stepped down and Ron and Dianna Miller stepped up to take the reins. We also saw another first. Our first sleigh ride was held in December with 23 present for the sleigh ride and 29 present for the dinner. Another major event in 1995 was our Special Olympics Benefit. We were very fortunate to have had the donation of a local bar as the place to hold our benefit. A local band donated their time for an afternoon of music, 50-50, raffles and good food.
1996- As in the two previous years we saw the passing of 2 more of our dear friends, Robin Cobb and Geri Gauthier. These two ladies were very close to us. Robin as a chapter member and Geri as a friend who was instrumental in helping us promote the benefit for Special Olympics and gave of her time willingly until her death. We will miss these fallen friends but they stay in our hearts forever. This year we put on our annual events of the Mall Show and Bike Show, Campout/Fun Run, where a fashion show was put on by the ladies of Chapter I-2, and our Special Olympics benefit. This year also saw a change in our Chapter Directors. We said goodbye to a couple who had carried us through the last 5 years and gave of their time so generously and unselfishly. Even though they are still active in the chapter we miss their leadership. Stepping in to try and fill their shoes were Gary and Chris Sparks. They will take office in January of 1997.
1997- As the beginning of 1997 saw the induction of our new Chapter Directors, Gary and Chris Sparks, we were busy making plans for our annual events. Our bike show held at
Wal-Mart parking lot brought Chapter members together to do our part for Michigan Make-A-Wish. This year our Campout/Fun Run was held at Campers Cove where a pig roast was held and followed by our Brown Bag auction where the proceeds went to Area 3 Special Olympics. Fun was had by all who attended and participated. Our 3rd Annual Country Jamboree for Special Olympics was set for September. With the donations of local people we did very well for Special Olympics. With the proceeds collected Special Olympians were able to purchase uniform shirts to wear at the games. This years sleigh ride was held in December and we had a lot of fun. We didn’t have a lot of snow but enough for a few members to get in a rousing snowball fight. Even though we didn’t have a lot of snow what we did have was horse who laid down on the job. In the end we had a wonderful dinner and Christmas party at the home of Arnie and Carol Edmonds.
1998- As we enter the second year of Gary and Chris Sparks’ term as Chapter Directors we have a very full year planned. With dinner and breakfast rides planned we move forward with many more activities. This year also sees the formation of another new Chapter. Chapter T-2 was formed in the Tawas area. In May we had a big bike show at Wal-Mart , where our efforts benefited Michigan Make-A-Wish. As our riding season began we were fortunate to have good weather and many beautiful, scenic rides. July came and so did the District Rally held in Midland. Many of us attended this event and enjoyed vendors, games and the beautiful light parade at dusk. At the rally a few of our members were able to get into the Battle of the Chapters games. We didn’t win but we had a lot of fun. Some of our guys looked really good in women’s clothes. August brought our Campout/Fun Run at Campers Cove. We had a pig roast prepared at the Pavilion. This was followed by our now infamous Brown Bag auction, lead by Helen Eustis. Many participated and bought many wonderful treasures to take home and enjoy. As we awoke on Sunday morning we found some of our possessions floating, courtesy of a very hard rain on Saturday night. Some of our campers were unfortunate and had their tents and campers downed by the rains. As fall came in the month of September we were again fortunate to have the opportunity to hold our 4th Annual Country Jamboree at the Hide-A-Way Bar. A local band again donated their time for an afternoon of music, raffles and 50-50. Helen Eustis again was our M.C. and made the afternoon very memorable. A substantial donation given by Don Gilmet of Gilmet Construction helped in sending some of our Special Olympians to the National Games. Thanks going out to all who participated and donated their time. As a mild winter ascends on us we have a sleigh ride planned for December. No snow made for a dry ride but none the less one enjoyed by all. As our 9th year approaches we are busy planning for another good year.
1999- What can we say about 1999. The 1st year of the century plans to be a very memorable year. Gary and Chris Sparks were granted the extension to stay on as our Chapter Directors. Larry and Barb Mink came in as our Assistant Chapter Directors. We are glad to have them aboard and welcome their thoughts. We also will welcome the opening of a new Honda shop in Alpena, who graciously let us borrow a new bike for display for our Bike Show and raffle ticket sale held at Wal-Mart on April 10. There was also a second date scheduled for May 29. June and July saw some rides and some camping weekends. One of which was the officers meeting held in Midland. July brought the District Rally and Wing Ding in Springfield MO. As the summer comes to a close August brought our Campout/Fun Run at Campers Cove. Hamburgers and Hot dogs were roasted and our Annual Brown Bag Auction where one of our Chapter members and our Assistant Chapter Director was coaxed into purchasing a Brown Bag for a very memorable $43. Another person who’s purchase was memorable was a member of Chapter M and was here visiting us for the day. He purchased a bag that held something of major worth to him. His extra helmet. Being the good sport that he was he paid and laughed. That is what it is all about. The other two events planned for the end of 1999, are our 5th Annual Event for Special Olympics, and our sleigh ride. We hope that many will come and enjoy our events and help support a very worthy charity in Special Olympics.
As we look forward to the new Millenium and a new century we will once again see a change in Officers for Chapter I-2. Gary and Chris Sparks will be leaving at the end of 1999. Our hopes and prayers for a safe life go with them in their endeavors. Stepping in will be Larry and Barb Mink and a host of new officers. We will be planning a full year.
We hope to make the new year and the years coming as memorable and fulfilled as the last 9 have been. As the new Millenium approaches and changes loom on the horizon we wish for a safe and productive planner and hope that many will join us as we ride for Fun Safety and Knowledge with Gold Wing Road Riders.
January 1, 2000 Larry and Barb Mink took the reins as Chapter Directors. Arnie and Carol also stepped up as Ass’t Chapter Directors. We had our bike raffle ticket sale at Glen’s Market in Rogers City April 29. We also had raffle ticket sales at Wal-Mart in Alpena May 13.Chapter I-2 met once a month at various restaurants in the area for evening dinner rides.Chapter I-2 helped in the building of two homes in the city of Alpena on July 22,2000, for Habitat For Humanity. This was a real rewarding event for several of our Chapter members, helping our community.
Year 2000 seen members at state and regional Rally’s. There were also a few members who attended Wing Ding. Our usual Campout/Fun run was held at Campers Cove in Alpena, and brought a lot of friends together for a fun filled week-end. This time it was held September 9 - 10, 2000 so as not to conflict with the Midnight Ride.
December 2, 2000 chapter and friends met for our yearly christmas party/ sleigh ride. A good time was had by all who attended.
As we begin 2001, we had our first meeting of the year at Arnie and Carol Edmonds home. Our February meeting found us at Dale and Marrietta Zampich’s home for a real nice dish to pass buffet, with our meeting and fun and games following. Larry and Barb Mink, Chapter Directors, attended both the sectional meeting April 9th. and the officers meeting held on May 19 and 20, 2001.
Our our yearly Fun Run/campout was held the weekend of June 15 and 16 at Campers Cove. On Saturday evening we had a light parade through the park. This is something all the campers look forward to each year. After the parade, a number of the chapter and friends attended a flag burning, put on by The Vietnam Veterans, to honor all lost brothers and sisters. A real heartfelt ceremony.
Several of our chapter members attended the Michigan District Rally.
September 15, 2001 held a Trauma bear run for the Alpena Central Dispatch. More than 100 bears were collected and presented. They will be carried in Fire trucks, Ambulances, and Police cars for children.
The year 2002 started with our annual Christmas party at Barb & Larry Mink’s home,with a hay ride, and meeting following. Arnie was unable to attend this function as he was in the hospital for cancer surgery. As the year went on we met at our homes, had rides and came back for food, fun, and meetings with our friends Chapter I-2 and GWRRA. Some of the rides included our famous Hobo stew with a meeting, Birthday gatherings, ride to Oscoda for a Mexican meal at the Eby’s, followed with our chapter meeting. When you want good friends, you will find them with GWRRA.
In April Arnie lost his father. You know you have friends in GWRRA when you see members of other chapters arrive to show their respects for your loved ones. July 1, 2002, we lost a chapter member, and dear friend, Chris Sparks. Gary Sparks and Chris were close friends and to everyone in our chapter, and our chapter directors. Chris will always be remembered as a fun person to be around at all our functions and our GWRRA family.
2003 started the year January 5th with our Christmas party and sleigh ride at the Mink’ home, along with a roasted lamb and the fixings, and meeting following. Everyone who attended had a great time. We had our meetings at members homes, with a meal, rides and games the rest of the year. We tried something different this year for our campout/fun run. We had the campout at the Edmonds home, and a great time was had by all. Hamburgers and hot dogs on Friday night, Continental breakfast Saturday morning, and Barbequed chicken on Saturday evening. A nice ride and campfire talks each evening.
We had a lot of Ice Cream rides, mostly on Wednesday evenings, and a good turn out most evenings. A number of us attended the Michigan District Rally, Wingless Weekend, and other chapter campouts and fun runs. Our chapter raised funds for local charities. A very good year for chapter I-2, and GWRRA.
As 2004 is starting, Arnie and I, along with Chapter I-2 are hoping and looking forward to another fun filled year in GWRRA. Our fun Run for 2004 was once again at the home of Arnie & Carol Edmonds. A good time was had by all who attended
In 2005 the fun run for 2005 was held at the Wilson Township hall & a very nice turnout was seen.
In November of 2006, Carol & Arnie Edmonds stepped down as Chapter Directors Dale & Marietta
Zampich moved up to take the reins & for a short while they also had Rex & Philipa Hill as their Assistants, until health issues caused them to step down.
In 2007 the Chapter I-2 Fun Run was held at the Posen VFW hall. There was not a large turnout, but those who attended had a nice ride and meal after. A lot of camaraderie, nice visits with friends from other chapters and talks of good old times. Also in 2007, Dale & Marietta became the Chapter Directors of Chapter I-2.
Respectfully Submitted
Carol Edmonds
Chapter Historian