Michigan Chapter J2, Clare

"Gold Wing Road Riders Association"

"Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge"

In 1991 somebody said lets make a Chapter in Clare or Gladwin. There were a lot of people that live in the Clare, Evart, Mt. Pleasant, Beaverton and Gladwin area that were going to Houghton Lake, Chapter Y, to meetings. So a few of us had a meeting in Clare to see if we could do that. There was enough interest so we asked to be a spin off from Chapter Y. The state was notified, Marty Bucholz was Ass't State Rep. At that time, and they agreed and we went for it. Shortly after that Chapter J2 was formed. We really wanted to be Y2 but couldn't. Clare was the city chosen to be the home base of Chapter J2, Shamrock Wings. Our name was selected to compliment the Irish influence that Clare is known for. Every year around St, Patrick's Day, Clare becomes a "Little Ireland". The celebration is highlighted by the Irish Parade. Our Chapter wanted a nick name that would include this Irish theme, so we selected "Shamrock Wings."

Efforts were culminated when our Chapter was granted a Charter on October 5, 1991. Twenty families made up our charter membership. Our kickoff was held at the Town and Country in Clare and was attended by over 200 people. Twenty visiting Chapters were represented. The regular meetings were held the first Wednesday of every month at the Lone Pine Restaurant in Clare beginning at 6:30 PM being that would be about center of the area for our Chapter. The color of our patch was determined at that time. Jim Locker and Jeanette Garver colored the picture of the patch that Barb Marrison had designed. We all liked it so kelly green became our Chapter color, the same as Clare colors as an old Irish town.

Oct. 91 Sept 92 Clark & Sandy Wentz was the first Chapter Representative, that is what the director was called then.

March 14, 1992 Rode in the Irish Festival parade in Clare and won the "Judges Choice Award."

April 4,1992 Held a Safety Seminar with Art & Bonnie Foster telling us about group riding and trailing. 42 people attended.

April. 25, 1992 Held open house at Central Motor Sports, Mt. Pleasant.

May 9,1992 Our first Fun Run was held with 2 different rides offered. 57 people signed up and went on the ride. Eight visiting Chapters were represented.

May 30, 1992 Attended 15th Anniversary Party of GWRRA in St. Johns.

June 18-20, 1992 41 of our members attended the Michigan State Rally, Harrison. The Chapter had a first place in bike judging. Three couples did the best dressed Chapter and they were Ray & Jeanette Garver, Ed & Sharon Clock and Clark & Sandy Wentz. The Garver's and Wentz's went in for best dressed couples.

August 29, 30, 1992 Eleven members enjoyed our campout in Mackinaw City.

Chapter Representatives

Oct. 1991 Sept. 1992 Clark & Sandy Wentz
Sept. 1992 Dec. 1994 Ed & Sharon Clock

Chapter Directors

Jan. 1995 - Apr. 1997 Ron & Marsha Orwig
Apr. 1997 - Feb. 1998 Marty & Joanne Bucholz
Feb. 1998 - Jan 2000 Ron & Marsha Orwig
Feb. 1999 J2's first Senior Director
Ron & Marsha Orwig

Jan. 2000 - Dec. 2001 Chuck Maxon

Jan. 2001 - Jan. 2003 Paul & Sandy Murray

Jan. 2003 -present Sandy & Clark Wentz

Couple of the Year (COY)

1996 Mark & Mary Zingery
1997 Ron & Marsha Orwig
1998 Buzz & Barb Marrison
1999 Marty & Joanne Bucholz
2000 Clark & Sandy Wentz

2001 Paul & Sandy Murray

2002 Glen & Debra Grasley

2003 Glen & Debra Grasley

2004 Paul & Sandy Murray

2005 Rick & Michelle Andreen

2006 Dick & Sandy Diechman 

2007 Glenn & Deb Grasley 

Rally Awards

June 1992 Clark & Sandy Wentz 1st place custom with 1989 Gold Wing. Harrison.
June 1992 Chris Christman 2nd place custom trailer class with bike. Harrison.
1996 Mark Zingery 2nd figure 8 field events District Rally Berrien Springs
1998 Mark & Mary Zingery 3rd two up District Rally

1998 1st Mark Zingery Top Gun expert class Region D Rally.
1998 Clark Wentz 3rd place 1 up fields events District Rally, Midland.
1999 1st Mark Zingery 1 up field events District Rally, Midland.
1999 1st Mark Zingery sidecar class Region D Rally, Ohio.
1999 Clark Wentz 1st place 1 up 1500 class field events. District Rally, Midland.
July 1999 Ken & Phyllis Kinsey bike show 1st place custom with 1983 Asp. Gold Wing. District Rally, Midland.

2000 Sandy Wentz won 2nd place Novice class in Top Gunn in Mich. Rally

2000 Sandy Wentz won 2nd place 1up Field Events at Mich. Rally

2000 Clark Wentz-won 2nd place in Field Events at Mich. Rally

2000 Clark Wentz-won 1st place in trailering class at Mich. Rally

2000 Clark Wentz won 3rd place in Top Gunn at Wing Ding in Billings, MT

2001 Sandy Wentz got plaque for longest distance female Goldwing driver to Ohio Rally

2001 Sandy Wentz won 1st place in Top Gunn at Ohio Rally

2002 Sandy Wentz won 1st place in Experienced class in Top Gunn at Mich. Rally

2002 Sandy Wentz won 2nd place 1 up in Field Events

2005 3rd place Rick Andreen Top Gun District Rally, Midland.

2005 2nd place 1500 Novice Top Gun, Rick Andreen, Region D Rally.

Money Raisers

1998 - 2006 - Sold ice & wood with rented fire pits at District Rally Midland.

2007 - Present - Sold ice & wood at District Rally in West Branch.

Charities

Through the years we have supported Midnight Ride, Ride for Kids, Make a Wish, Rainbow Connection and helped make holidays brighter for local families in our area.