Chapter History

It all started when two friends got together in a small town in the U. P.  Wes Fuller, Area Rep, Chapter M and Tom Makela from Indian River, thought there were enough Gold Wing riders in the Indian River area to start a GWRRA chapter. 

Tom’s work would not permit him to take the A/R job.  Tom approached his friend, Jerry Rubert, about starting a GWRRA chapter.  Jerry took the A/R job and Tom was the Assistant A/R.

In September, 1986, ten Gold Wing owners, State Director Duane Leudecking, State PR Mike Dixon, Wes Fuller, Tom Makela and Jerry arranged the first meeting at the Township Fire Hall and Chapter Z was on its way.  We were chartered in November 1986.

Our area covers all of the “tip of the mitt”, from the Mackinac Bridge, south to Waters, from Petoskey east to Onaway, with Indian River in the middle.

Our meetings are currently held the first Tuesday evening of the month at the Inland Lakes High School in Indian River.  We have a potluck dinner which starts at 6:30 followed by our meeting.  We meet for a brunch the third Sunday of each month at 1:00 at different restaurants.  We either ride two-wheelers or four-wheelers to dinner the other Tuesday evenings.

Chapter Nickname – Straits Area Road Riders

Chapter Color – Silver

Chapter Motto – “We never go to have a bad time”

Chapter Reps/Directors

Jerry Rubert – 1986-1993

Dar & Joyce DeYoe –1994

Richard & Kandi Bunker – 1995-1996

Gary & Robin Nadell – 1997

Don & Debbie Loy – 1998-1999

Jerry & Sharon Baker – 2000-2001

Roland & Jennifer Lempke – 2002-present