TRA Times & Travels THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TEMPLE RIDERS ASSOCIATION JAN 2019 NOW IN OUR 31 st YEAR

Transcription

1 TRA Times & Travels THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TEMPLE RIDERS ASSOCIATION JAN 2019 NOW IN OUR 31 st YEAR Executive Committee Article By Cliff Beattie As New Year s Day 2019 has been approaching, a lot of reflecting, reminiscing, and remembering has been taking place. In 1990, Rich Caldwell, one of the original six couples who were part of the founding of the TRA, approached me about joining the group. As a newly minted Bishop, and a partner in a new business venture, I really didn t have the time to become involved in any other activities. But in June of 1995, with a release from my Church calling and the business off on a good footing, I started my journeys with the Temple Riders Association. What a terrific kaleidoscope of memories have been accumulated. I ve been privileged to know and work with all those original twelve people, six couples, who put their hearts and souls into building up an organization that has become so dear to many others who have been part of the TRA through the intervening years. I remember that new kid on the block feeling at first, but how everyone made me feel like an important part of the group. I remember learning how to improve my riding skills, how to be prepared for longer rides, how to dress to improve comfort and safety, how to follow the ride leader and help where I could. I remember learning from Rich to ride fast, gas up quick, stay on the road for hundreds of miles each day, and to pitch a tent in the dark; then get up the next day and do it again. I thought that was how all real motorcyclists rode! From Darrell I learned to always be happy, to look for ways to help others, and to have a good rain suit. Darrell was affectionately known as the rain man, long before Dustin Hoffman popularized it, because most of the rides Darrell organized included some precipitation. I remember the first Soup Suppers held in the Carriage House of the Garden Park Ward. Catherine and Frank Reese were the instigators of what has become a tradition, and the Garden Park Ward was their home ward. I d only been a member for a year or two, when the leaders of the TRA asked me to be the President of the TRA. At that time, we had members in Ogden, Salt Lake and Provo. Our Page 1 of 26

2 roster was so small that each couple had a number next to their name that denoted their enrollment order in the group. I believe Iris and I were in the late teens or early twenties of those joining. Ed and Bev Cozzens joined before us, and I believe Paul and Thais DeGrey did also. They are still active members. We would rotate our monthly dinner meetings between Ogden, SLC and Provo, and didn t have separate chapters then. I was very enthusiastic, and since Darrell and Bill Workman had each served a couple of times as TRA President, the founders asked me to take a turn. Then, shortly after I finished that, Frank Reese proposed that the TRA Executive Committee membership be expanded, and that I be invited to become the 5 th member, (Yeah, I know, kind of like the 5 th wheel). So, I joined Frank Reese, Bill Workman, Darrell Bawden and Ted May in that role. Later, the TRA Bylaws were amended to add four other members whose terms would be time limited, and would rotate, so that the Executive Committee would have exposure to new ideas and different talents to augment the experience and stability of the original, or permanent members. Thus, it has been that I have had the opportunity to serve in the leadership of the TRA for over 20 years. Lately it has just felt like it will be nice to let other good brothers and sisters carry on the behind the scenes work that is such a vital part of keeping the TRA such a special group to be a part of. From the early years, we knew that the Church leaders were aware of us. We ve always been concerned that we present a good image to any who see us, whether they are members of the Church or not. Believe it or not, there are some motorcycling groups that don t present a user friendly image. I personally contacted some administrators at Church headquarters. I told them who I was and asked if they had any guidelines we should know about. I was told that the Church would prefer that we didn t put any patches with images of the Temple, or any reference to the Church, on the back of our jackets (known as colors ), or put an image of a Temple on T-shirts, since those get old and are often used as cleaning rags. We have tried to follow those guidelines. We ve occasionally had an image of the Temple on a nice shirt, and occasionally, an individual has asked about sewing a Temple patch on the back of a jacket. We ve needed to make gentle reminders on occasion and hope we haven t hurt anyone s feelings as we ve explained the reason why. Getting back on topic, it s been a good thing to have both the wisdom and experience of seasoned riders and the enthusiasm and different viewpoint of newer members represented within the Executive Committee. I d like to give my THANKS to all who have served on the EC, AND to all who have served as our General Directors, Chapter Leaders, Newsletter Editors, Sunshine Ladies and everyone else who has helped in any way within the chapters and riding groups. Also, a big thanks to the many - many - many who have organized and led rides to temples and other destinations across the Unites States (including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, and Mexico. More thanks are directed toward our Rally Masters, along with their spouses and committee members. Sometimes it may seem as if all these fun activities just magically appear for us Page 2 of 26

3 to enjoy but having been involved behind the scenes in a lot of activities over the years, I know personally the time, effort, and sacrifices made by good folks who do a lot because of their love for the TRA and what it stands for. I also know of several members whose spiritual lives have been touched, and activity in the Church increased, in consequence of their joining the TRA. If nothing other than this, I m glad to be part of our Temple Riders family. I ll miss, in a large way, being involved so centrally with determining the direction of the TRA. I know that the others who will carry on have tremendous love for the TRA too and have many talents to help move things forward. If I had a wish to share, it would be that the more seasoned members will always make newer members know they are welcome and appreciated, and that we will all find pleasure in helping and building each other, both in our enjoyment of being on two wheels, and in becoming better sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us all. Benisons, Cliff Beattie Page 3 of 26

4 New Members Phoenix Chapter Brent Stowell 526 S Cactus Wren St. Gilbert, AZ @gmail.com (480) Salt Lake Chapter Jeff &Jolene Welch S. 540 E. Sandy, UT oldguy.inc@gmail.com (801) At Large Chapter Douglas Stever 5631 Bumper Road El Dorado, CA stever@gmail.com (530) Columbia River Chapter William (Kent) Madsen 1621 Venus Circle Richland, WA wkmadsen@msn.com (509) Provo Chapter Gary Smith 175 E 300 N Lehi, UT gksmith488@yahoo.com (801) Modesto Riding Group Brent Stout Lake Road Hickman, CA brentstout1@gmail.com (209) Shelly Prettyman 3905 Blue Heron St Rock Springs, WY sprett78@gmail.com Las Vegas Riding Group Blake & Lori Burr Fairfield Ave. Las Vegas, NV Blalor81@gmail.com (702) Page 4 of 26

5 Chapter & Riding Group News TRA 2019 Winter/Spring Ride Tucson Arizona March 21-29, 2019 December 28, 2018 Update: there are 27 bikes and 41 people signed up. Daily Itinerary: Thursday March 21 Because the weather is unpredictable in March you may want to trailer part of the way. If so, the following arrangements have been made: Trailer to St George. Leave trucks and trailers at Dick Bluff s property, then ride to Boulder City, NV. Dick s address is: 7937 N Sapphire, St George Phone: (435) bluff_dick@yahoo.com. Please let Dick know your approximate ETA. Then ride bikes approximately 150 miles to Boulder City, NV. Lodging in Boulder City: Best Western Hoover Dam: 704 Nevada Way, Boulder City, NV. (702) Rooms reserved at $ Contact Jeannie for questions. Reserve room for Thursday March 21 st and Thursday March 28 th. Deadline to reserve rooms is February 20. Friday March 22 Ride to Tucson, AZ; This will be approximately 390 miles. This will be a long day and quick gas/pit stops will be essential. We want to leave the motel at 8:00 AM. Lodging in Tucson is at the Airport Baymont Inn & Suites: 6995 S Tucson Blvd. (520) press option 3. These rooms will be needed Friday March 22 nd thru Wednesday March 27 th. Contact Mr. Zee. Page 5 of 26

6 We have 25 Rooms reserved at $79.99, and the confirmation number is Please reserve your room by January 5, However, some attendees have reported a lower room rate available through regular, or other online reservation services. No formal organized dinner plans. Saturday March 23 Rides - Tombstone and Bisbee Leave the hotel at 9:00 AM Tucson to Tombstone is approximately 72 miles. Tombstone to Bisbee is approximately 30 miles Bisbee to Tucson is approximat4ely 100 miles Exact times and routes forthcoming. Things to do in Tombstone: Dinner: TBD Sunday March 24 Attend Sacrament and Sunday School or Relief Society or Priesthood We will meet at the Mt Fagan Ward, 700 E Sahaurita Rd, Tucson miles from the motel 10:30 12:30 The exact times and routes will be forthcoming. Lunch: TBD Mission San Xavier Tour - Address: 1050 W San Xavier Rd, Tucson, AZ. 18 miles from the church and 5 miles from the motel. be sure to work the rotate button and the arrow buttons to go inside the cathedral. It s very ornate. Page 6 of 26

7 Dinner: TBD Monday March 25 Kartchner Caverns State Park. This ride is approximately 55 miles. We will be leaving the motel at 8:30 AM. The address is: 2980 S Highway 90, Benson, AZ. Big Room Tour $23.00 PP PLEASE NOTE: Advance reservations are required for this tour. We ve been advised to encourage everyone to make reservations as soon as possible as the tours are very popular and sell out quickly. We are taking the Big Room Tour at 10:45 am Monday March 25 th. There are several tours and different tour times if you prefer to do both tours or a different time. Reservations can made on line (link below) or by calling: X 2. Website information about the tour and the caves: Length: ½ mile. Time: 1¾ hours. In November 1974, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts were exploring the limestone hills at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains. They were looking for a cave no one had ever found and found it. The two kept the cave a secret until February 1978 when they told the property owners, James and Lois Kartchner, about their awesome discovery. Since unprotected caves can be seriously damaged by unregulated use, they knew the cave had to be protected. Tenen and Tufts spent several years looking into the possibility of developing the cave themselves. Some members of the Kartchner family lived in Tucson and were very impressed with the development and operation of Catalina State Park by Arizona State Parks. They decided to approach State Parks to see if the agency was interested in acquiring this outstanding resource. For the full story (which is very interesting) go to: Page 7 of 26

8 This tour is available from mid-october to mid-april and is scheduled throughout the day. It s half a mile long and takes an hour and 45 minutes to complete, one hour of which is underground. The Kartchner Cavern story is about amazing discoveries past, present, and future. Marvel at the many strange and colorful formations. Learn about the cave fauna, both living and ancient Kartchner Caverns is now following established nationwide protocols to prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome, a fungal disease that is killing bats. We request that if you have been in another cave or mine since 2005 you do not wear or bring any of the same clothes or shoes as on your other cave trips. If you arrive to Kartchner Caverns wearing shoes that have been in another cave, you will be asked to visit a White Nose Syndrome Decontamination Station, where your shoes will be sprayed down with rubbing alcohol to kill the fungus. Thank you for working with us to protect our bats! Lunch: TBD Monday Evening March 25 th : Dinner and Entertainment Gaslight Theatre 6:00PM Showtime. We should be there around 5:15 pm or so in order to get dinner ordered. For 35 years, The Gaslight Theatre has provided Tucson the finest family entertainment in Arizona. We have musical comedy melodramas 6 nights a week, and 5 different shows per year. 6:00PM Concert Bring Back That Lovin Feeling- A Salute to the Righteous Brothers. Prices start at $ dinner + tax + tip E Broadway Blvd, Tucson, AZ If you want to go to the show you need to make reservations: Call (520) for reservations - or log into Suggestion: Check the TRA registration list and coordinate making reservations with someone from the TRA that you aren t as familiar with. The theater has 4 chairs per table, and you may end up sitting next to someone you don t know. That s not bad but sitting with other TRA members might be better. State Parks. They decided to approach State Parks to see if the agency Page 8 of 26

9 acquiring this outstanding resource. ed i Tuesday March 26: Tucson Arizona Temple Session: 8:00 AM 7281 North Skyline Dr. Tucson, AZ miles from Baymont Inn. Leave Baymont at 7:00 AM No clothing rental available* No cafeteria available Limited clothing available for travelers Working on arrangements to use Stake Center by temple to change clothing after session. Change to riding gear at the temple, or the nearby stake center/chapel then we re headed off to Oracle, AZ for a fun afternoon a first for the TRA Arizona Zip Line Adventures, Oracle, AZ; 36 miles from the temple, but a 60- minute ride. Reservation Phone: (520) ask for Nicole Gale and identify yourself as a Temple Rider Page 9 of 26

10 Address: Watch this video: S. Mt. Lemmon Rd Oracle, AZ The Zipline EcoTour will give each person the opportunity to zip across and learn about the Sonoran Desert flora and fauna while pushing the limits of their comfort zones. It includes 5 ziplines ranging in length from 400-1,500 feet. The last and longest run is a dual line making it possible to zip alongside a friend or loved one! Weight Limit lbs. They monitor this closely. If you re close, bring walking shoes and take off your heavy boots. Remove riding leathers and heavy coats before getting in line. General Ticket Price - $79 TRA group discount $63 Seniors 65+/Military - $69 TRA group discount $55 We will also be served a private buffet for $12.00 each menu will be sent later for your review. I m told it s delicious!! As with the other events, you need to make reservations for the zip line: We estimate with the ride there and lunch, we should be ready for 1:30-2:00 Zip Line rides. (520) Note: their parking lot is paved. Dinner: TBD There will be optional rides available if you prefer to ride instead of zip lining. Contact Steve Empey if you have questions, ideas or suggestions. Wednesday March 27 There s good news for today: No pre-paid reservations are needed Pima Air and Space Museum E Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ Exact times and routes forthcoming We will leave the hotel at 9:00 am It is 6 miles to the museum Page 10 of 26

11 The Pima Air & Space Museum has grown to be one of the largest non-government funded aviation museums in the world with over 100,000 square feet of indoor display space and a collection of 350 aircraft. ADMISSION 1-day Adult (ages 13 & up) $16.50 Senior (65+)/Active Military $13.75 Group of 20+ $13.50 Lunch: TBD After lunch Saguaro National Park Ride: Bring your Park Pass! Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Sitting on 80 acres the museum opened its doors to the p Page 11 of 26

12 Dinner: TBD 7:30 pm - Wrap Up Meeting: Baymont Hotel Conference Room - all are invited to attend! Thursday March 28: Ride back to Boulder City, NV. Leave at 8:00 am Friday March 29: Ride to St George, trailer up and drive home. That s all Folks!! See You On The Road Spokane Washington Riding Group By Bart Howell We re excited to announce that the Spokane Washington Riding Group is now the newest Chapter in the Temple Riders Association. Mike and Melinda Mustered have been diligent in growing the membership base in their area and have reached chapter status in record time. Just so you ll know, there are now 16 chapters across the country! Drop them a congratulatory note at mmustered@hotmail.com. Congratulations Mike and Melinda and give our best to all your members! Page 12 of 26

13 Spokane Chapter By Melinda Mustered December was a great month in Spokane! We had our first Temple Day on the 8 th at the Spokane Temple. Nine of us were able to attend the session. Afterwards we had our second official meeting. We welcomed our newest couple and added another couple during the meeting. We had a great day! Then on December 12 th we had a video meeting with the Executive Council in which we officially obtained Chapter status. It s exciting to be the newest Chapter in the Temple Riders Association! In January we will start planning the rides for the 2019 season. Our next Combined Temple Day, Chapter Meeting and Lunch will be January 19 th is promising to be a wonderful year in Spokane! St George Chapter By Dick Bluff The St. George chapter ended 2018 with a great ride to Falcon Ridge GC, Mesquite, NV for lunch. We took old highway 91 thru Santa Clara into the Joshua Tree National Landmark. In Beaverdam, AZ we rode the final 8 miles south on I 15. After a nice lunch we took the loop east of Mesquite thru Bunkerville and Senic then home. We had 12 bikes on the ride. A mix of regulars along with member friends. John Totten celebrated his birthday with us. He said 39+ but who s counting? Our next ride us scheduled for January 12th to Overton, NV for lunch. Come join us. Page 13 of 26

14 Phoenix Chapter By John Ferrin We had our monthly Breakfast Meeting on Saturday, December 1 st. There were 14 of us that were able to make it. That s a pretty big crowd for us. Once again, we loaded up and rode the 45 minutes it takes to get to Tortilla Flat. Did I mention how incredibly awesome the recently resurfaced road is? We were joined on this ride by several new members and we are excited to see our numbers start to grow. After the breakfast meeting, several of us paid a visit to our Chapter Patriarch, John Godbout. For those who may not know John, he is a long-time member of the Chapter and was involved in a very serious hit and run motorcycle crash about 7 months ago. John s recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. He told us that he was in an induced coma for 6 weeks and rattled off a laundry list of his injuries that would have made Evel Kneivel proud. From a leg that was almost amputated, to a collapsed lung, to 10 broken ribs, to the loss of his spleen, and lots of other injuries, he has defied all odds and amazed his doctors. John shared with his doctors that his church congregation had been fasting and praying for him, as well as he has received Priesthood Blessings. His Doctor said, I don t know anything about that stuff, but it is obviously working! A Couple of days before the collision, John put about $1200 into his Wing in the form of new tires, shocks, etc. I think he is most hurt over what soon after became wasted money! John won t be riding anymore but we encouraged him to continue to join us on 4 wheels when he can. I have attached a photo, and John is the young man in the middle with the white hair. Page 14 of 26

15 The Phoenix Chapter wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and we are excited about the upcoming new year. Salt Lake Chapter By Scott Higgins December has traditionally been a month where the bikes are bedded down for the winter and we focus on gatherings with friends, neighbors, and family during the holiday season. To keep our meeting tradition alive for the month, the Chapter held their December dinner meeting at Leatherby s Family Creamery on Thursday, December 20 th. Our January dinner meeting will be at Citris Grill, 3977 S. Wasatch Blvd. (near Dan s Food Store) on Friday the 18 th of January. Chapter leadership is also starting to think about group rides and gatherings they want to accomplish during the 2019 riding season. We are so blessed to live in a state that has so many wonder rides to choose from so the excitement is already starting to build regarding fun trips we might take during While it s true that as bikers we occasionally allow motorcycles and ride destinations to invade our thoughts during the holidays, it is also true that our most cherished thoughts during this Christmas Season are best focused on the gifts of this wonderful life that our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ have provided for us. We are grateful most of all during this holiday season for the wonderful gift of our Savior Jesus Christ. After all, it is the Savior and his restored gospel that are the common threads that unite us as a club most of all. Page 15 of 26

16 Saturday, March 16, 2019 Happy Hour 5:00 pm Dinner 6:00 pm MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Annual Soup Dinner Submitted by Cliff Beattie For new TRAers, or those who haven't been able to attend for a while, this is one of the really fun get-togethers of each year. Happy (visiting) hour is from 5 to 6 pm, then "Soups On" at 6:00 on the third Saturday of March. Prior to that, you decide if you want to bring a soup in a crock pot or big pot or a salad or dessert, then call Barbara so we'll know who is coming and how many of each item we'll have. Watch the weather to see if you want to bring your bike or the car. We welcome any folks that will come around 3:00 pm to help put up tables and chairs and set the tables. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the annual Soup Dinner on March 16 th at 5:00pm. AND - Here s a neat tip from observing some smart folks last year. Instead of using one bowl and getting up to sample a different soup each time, bring your own large muffin baking tin that has a half dozen built in bowls. That way, with just one swing through the tables you can sit down and enjoy your multi-course feast! 3120 West 4700 South, West Valley City Call Barbara Bawden (801) Thoughts about Value and The Temple Riders Association By Bart Howell To the best of my recollection; I joined the TRA in 2004 after I met a group of leather vested guys and their wives Sunday morning at the Tabernacle on Temple Square during a Choir broadcast. I had noticed a bunch of bikes in the parking lot across the street when Joan and I entered Temple Square. I made it a point to approach them after the concert and asked them who they were. We had a nice little chat, and then Bill Workman gave me his TRA business card and suggested I call and chat about it more later. We went with them to look at all the bikes, and I got more excited. I don t think the TRA had a website yet, so everything was done by US mail. Page 16 of 26

17 Lesson learned: wear leather vests on all TRA activities and carry TRA business cards. By the way, the group attendance at the Choir was part of the 2004 Rally activities that was held at Aspen Grove, Utah. So, I joined and began attending the monthly Provo Chapter Thursday night dinners and went on a couple of Saturday rides. I was new to group riding and soon learned how to ride in formation and became aware of the rubber-band effect and how to avoid the inherent danger therein. I think the dues were $18.00 then, and the newsletter was delivered by US Mail. I was impressed with the quality of the writing, layout and messages every month. I received a monthly phone call reminding me about the dinner and ride and I admit had it not been for that reminder every month I might not have become active in the TRA. Now the reminders are by and text. Frank Enlow called every member of the Provo Chapter every month to remind them of the meetings and rides. He was persistent, funny and always greeted Joan and me at the dinners and made us feel special. He was nearly 90 and had just retired from riding a year or two previously in his late 80 s. He wouldn t let me hang up until I committed to attend and I loved it. Over the years I went on my first overnight motorcycle trip a 3-night 4-day ride with Stan Allman through southeast Utah and Boulder Mountain. I will always remember how beautiful Fish Lake was and the fun I had with the group and what I learned about packing, riding, communicating and feeling accepted. I think there were at least 15 bikes on that ride. I had a spiritual epiphany during a session at the Monticello temple that I will never forget. I loved that ride and have done it many times again in subsequent years. I was making life-long friendships which for me, at least, was unusual. Then at the persistence of Howard and Kay Ellison I agreed to attend my first rally, the 2006 Rally At the Falls... Idaho Falls. It was another incredible experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was amazing, and it validated in my heart and mind the Temple Riders Association as something I loved and would not want to be without in my life. As time went on, the number of rides I went on increased in number, days on the road and total miles as well as the number of temples visited, not to mention all the adventures I ve had. And, the number of dear friends has grown, and sadly, but warmly, so has the number of funerals of dear friends attended. Everyone who participates in the TRA does so voluntarily and without compensation. They devote more time than we know, many times at their own expense to provide tangible items at dinners, rides, etc. without reimbursement. Page 17 of 26

18 Today we have a wonderful website, an effective membership system and Facebook activity that costs more each month than most people realize. The pins, badges and patches cost more than we charge for membership. There is the Sunshine Fund that sends flowers to grieving families, or those who are seriously ill and we never ask for donations to cover those expenses. From a monetary view, the TRA is a bargain. From a personal standpoint, the friendships, the fun, the memories, the instruction, the examples, the help received and the opportunities to give help and more are priceless. The TRA is the best bargain I ve ever had, and I m proud and happy to participate and pay the dues every year even if they were twice as much as they are! I want the TRA to continue from generation to generation and to provide the same fun environment, friendships, temple service, adventures, rallies and love that it has for the past 30 years. Your annual renewal fees make all this possible and more. Riders can join our rides without being dues paying members and are welcome to do so, but I can tell you they will feel better and have a stronger sense of belonging, participating and helping, if they join and support by remitting their $ After all, it is a great value isn t it? News from the Executive Committee Executive Committee Changes for 2019 Chairman Cliff Beattie is moving on after 20 plus years of dedicated and loving service to the Temple Riders Association. Howard Ellison will assume the leadership role in the EC effective January 1, 2019 Cliff has been instrumental and effective in guiding the TRA as a Chapter Leader, member of the Executive Committee and as the Chairman. He has been the ride leader on countless rides over the years and is known for his inclusiveness and concern for every rider. He led the EC with same love and concern. It is an understatement to say that we will miss him greatly! He ll miss being in the thick of things but will enjoy being along for the ride- (pun intended). Howard also has served the TRA in many capacities for over 20 years and is aptly fit to assume the duties of Chairman. His leadership and experience will be a great blessing to the Association. Congratulations Howard! Thank you, Cliff for your example, skilled leadership and love of the TRA, and thank you Iris for your support and sacrifice over the years. Your example has been noticed and is meaningful. Please also note that General Director Bart Howell will also be moving on and will be replaced by Gail Paxton effective January 1, Bart s experience with the TRA includes being the Page 18 of 26

19 Rally Chairman for the 2010 Boise Rally, Executive Committee member for many years and General Director for the past 3 years. Like Cliff he loves the TRA and has many close friendships developed over the years. He plans to be on as many rides as possible in the years to come. His wife Joan also deserves much credit for her support, sacrifice and understanding of how important the TRA is. Gail has served as the Utah Provo Chapter Leader for the past 2 years and most recently was the Rally Chairman for the successful th Year Anniversary Rally held at Ruby s Inn last summer. Both jobs well done! Congratulations Gail! We wish both Cliff and Bart the best as they undertake new opportunities in family, community and church as they focus on other areas of life and service. We offer them heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for their years of meaningful service. We welcome and congratulate Gail and Howard and are looking forward to their leadership and guidance. The TRA is in good hands and will continue to roll forward literally and figuratively. Clint Beecroft will continue serving on the Executive Committee as a permanent member, and David Harris and Brian Noel are the newest rotating members, effective January 1 st. David will continue as treasurer and web-master both vital positions that we couldn t survive without. Congratulations to Clint, David and Brian. Sandy Hansen has served a productive term as a rotating member of the Executive Committee and served as secretary before that. Thank you, Sandy for your meaningful contributions and guidance. You will also be missed, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Sunshine Lady With much appreciation we recognize and thank Bev Cozzens for her years of special service as the Temple Riders Sunshine Lady. Her husband Ed also needs recognition as her unofficial assistant. Job well done Bev! We're happy to introduce Lois Paxton as the new Sunshine Lady to continue the tradition of service, recognition and love to those who experience the sorrow of a loved one passing or enduring life-threatening illnesses or injuries. Her husband Gail will be her unofficial assistant. The Sunshine Lady is a unique and important position within the TRA. We've been blessed to have wonderful and caring Sunshine Ladies over the years such as Barbara Bawden, Carol Lindsey and others. Page 19 of 26

20 The Sunshine Fund is not funded from our general funds or membership dues. It has been funded by some individual donations, but mainly from the proceeds of auctions held following the Soup Socials of past years. These were always fun events, and we had great auctioneers presenting a variety of handmade treasures donated by TRA folks. The fund reached a point where more wasn t needed, but as it dwindles, we may resurrect the post dinner auction fun. If you experience the loss of a dear one or know of someone close to the TRA who is undergoing life threatening procedures or treatments or suffering from an accident or illness, please let a member of the EC, Chapter Leader or the Sunshine Lady know as quickly as possible. News from Johnson City, Tennessee: And, just so you ll know, Adam Ebernickel is the new Chapter Leader for the Tennessee Mountain Chapter replacing Barry Creek, who will continue serving as a ride leader and as the historian for chapter and Newsletter contributor. Thanks for a great job Barry and congratulations Adam!! We re looking forward to great things in 2019 and beyond. New Temple Rider Belts...They are Cool! Submitted by Bart Howell Announcing the new TRA Logo belts made by the Mission Belt Company as seen on TV s Shark Tank and in many leading Men s clothing stores. They are now available in the TRA Store and come with a black strap at a Special TRA Price. Normally sold in stores for $39.95, the TRA price is $31.00 and includes shipping to your door. Wear it on a ride, to a TRA function, or as a dress belt to church, work or eating out. I wear mine all the time. Here s how it works it s cool: =mission+belt+vide&aqs Page 20 of 26

21 The Mission Belt has no holes and uses a unique ratchet mechanism that allows you to infinitely adjust the belt with the push of a button. So, whether you lose or gain weight you can adjust the belt instantly. No more drilling holes in the belt and the belt never wears out from holes that begin to tear. These belts always look new and pristine and features top-quality leather. You can change the strap in a few moments. If you have a brown mission belt and you want the TRA buckle on that belt, it s easy to change. You can purchase just about any color strap you want and attach the TRA buckle easily. Order extra straps at The Mission Belt Company also donates $1.00 for every belt sold to Humanitarian efforts worldwide with over $3,000,000 donated so far. Great idea for the upcoming Riding Season or Birthday gifts! FRIENDSHIP AGLOW AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY By Howard Ellison If a good-time is measured by the feeling of brotherhood and friendship, then this year s Christmas party had to be declared a success. It was a fitting way to close out a successful Page 21 of 26

22 year. 115 members arrived promptly at 11:30 am Saturday, December 29 th, at the Heritage Garden Reception Center in Sandy, Utah, with happy faces and cheerful countenances. The weather was nippy, but the roads were dry. On behalf of the Executive Committee, Howard Ellison welcomed everyone. Those who had joined the TRA during the year were asked to stand and be recognized. Likewise, those who were attending the event for the first time were invited to stand. Members of the Executive Committee and TRA Officers were introduced so that faces could be matched to the names listed in the newsletters. Of special note was the presence of our TRA founding father, namely Frank Reese. Also present were several surviving partners of stalwart members who have passed away the past few years: Caroleen May, Alice Smith, Ann Holdman, Tom Little, Edy Pehrson and Sue Perry. Mary Boulter of the Provo Chapter offered the opening prayer and blessing on the food. Following a very tasty meal, those who had traveled outside the Wasatch Front were introduced. Dean and Sandy Pond from Missoula, Montana; Scott and Kristi Carter from the Las Vegas Riding Group, and the DeGreys and Ericksons from the Horseshoe Mountain Chapter. EC Chairman Cliff Beattie announced a number of changes in the organization. Dave Harris reminded everyone about needing to renew their memberships and offered help if it was needed. With Kay Ellison at the piano, daughter Charisse Orton led us in some community singing of holiday songs. A big THANKS to Abby Stuart, Brian & RuthAnne Noel, and Gail Paxton for their efforts in making this event possible. Ed Pond from the Salt Lake Chapter offered our closing prayer. Page 22 of 26

23 SAFETY CORNER Riding at Night By John Ferrin My general rule of thumb regarding night time riding is simple; Don t! Yet, sometimes that is easier said than done. In late 2005 I was riding from Colorado Springs, where I had just purchased a new (to me) Goldwing, back home to Mesa, AZ. Due to extremely poor planning on my part, I found myself riding at night on a remote stretch of 2 lane highway through Central New Mexico. To say it was dark outside just doesn t do justice to the scenario I found myself in. Riding through the pitch-black darkness of the night, I was quite thankful for the bright LED headlight bulbs on my Wing. However, even those weren t enough to light the way sufficiently, as I could see somewhat down the road but I had no idea what was off to either side of the highway. What I did know however, was that every couple of miles I passed yet another roadside sign indicating there were deer in the area. We all know that night time, motorcycles, and deer do not mix well. A lot of fervent prayer got me through that 60 mile stretch to the next place I could find a motel room for the night. When riding at night, we face a higher degree of risk than we do when riding in the daylight for a host of reasons besides deer and other nocturnal animals. When I used to teach the MSF courses, we would always talk about the relative risk that we were willing to accept. There is no such thing as absolutely safe in this hobby; only varying degrees of risk. By taking certain precautions, and learning a few basic principles, we can substantially reduce the risk and take some of the danger out the darkness. #1 Be Seen: Make yourself conspicuous to other riders and drivers around you. There are many ways to do this such as using all of the available lighting you have. This means using your hi beams and any auxiliary lighting you may have, flashing your brake light when slowing or sitting at a red light, and using your turn signals. Reflective clothing and/or a reflective vest, as well as reflective tape on your helmet, can go a long way towards alerting other drivers of your presence. Page 23 of 26

24 #2 See: This means you should make sure you can see things as clearly as possible. Things that can reduce your visibility are eyewear and eye protection, including face shields and windshields, that are dirty, scratched, tinted, or smudged. Seeing also means not over riding your headlight. That means you should not ride so fast that you do not have time to react to things that appear in the far reaches of your headlamp beam. We generally advocate for searching 12 seconds ahead of where you are but that can be nearly impossible at night. So, keeping your speed in check becomes especially important. One trick is to use the headlights of a vehicle in front of you to expand your view. By paying attention to what may appear in the headlights of a leading vehicle, you ll have more information at hand to help you make good riding decisions. #3 Animals: The most important part of avoiding animals in the roadway is to know when they are generally on the move. Look for them at dusk, dawn, and after dark. What should you be looking for? Shadows that move and eyes that glow on the side of the road. Make sure you are riding with your high beam on, scan the roadway and shoulders continuously, and redouble your efforts to see the unseen and expect the unexpected. #4 Don t Freak Out: Riding at night can increase your stress level. And, a higher level of stress can affect your judgement and ability to ride intelligently. Follow these tips and your night time riding will take on added confidence, safety, and enjoyment. Until next time, Ride Safe! (Source: Between the Lines HOG Magazine) Page 24 of 26

25 TRA Chapters and Riding Groups UTSL (Utah Salt Lake) - Dean & Stefani Moncur UTPR (Utah Provo) - Jay & Rebecca Danklef UTCV (Utah Cache Valley) - Dennis & Candida Jensen UTOG (Utah Ogden) - Brent & Abby Stuart UUBRG (Utah Uintah Basin Riding Group)- Kim & Emily Christiansen UTHM (Utah Horseshoe Mountain) - Paul & Cynthia DeGrey IDTV (Idaho Treasure Valley) - John & Danielle Thompson IDMV (Idaho Magic Valley) - OPEN IDSR (Idaho Snake River Valley) - OPEN CALA (California Los Angeles) - OPEN CAMRG (California Modesto Riding Group) - Alan & Allee Hamilton CAIE (California Inland Empire) - OPEN WASP (Washington Spokane) - Mike & Melinda Mustered ATLG (At Large) - Alan & Allee Hamilton ATLGE (At Large East) - Phil & Judy Brown ATLGSE (At Large Southeast) - Barry & Susan Creek COFRRG (Colorado Front Range Riding Group) - OPEN AZPX (Arizona Phoenix) - John & Angie Ferrin AUS (Australia Sydney) - OPEN UTSG (Utah St George) - Dick & Peggy Bluff NVLVRG (Nevada Las Vegas Riding Group) - Scott Carter TXNERG (Texas Northeast Riding Group)- OPEN TNMT (Tennessee Mountain) - Adam & Heather Ebernickel WACR (Washington Columbia River) - Greg Rose HIRG (Hawaii Riding Group) Toby & Maria Bohnet Page 25 of 26

26 Temple Rider Executive Committee Directory TRA Executive Committee Chairman Member Member Member Member Member Member Member General Director - Howard Ellison - Mike Simmons - Abby Stuart - Clint Beecroft - Bill Boulter - Cindy Caldwell - David Harris - Brian Noel - Gail Paxton TRA General Officers Founder / Emeritus EC Emeritus EC Secretary Treasurer / CFO Armor of God Coordinator Safety Director Newsletter Editor Newsletter Distribution Sunshine Lady Web Master Public Relations Newsletter Articles - Frank Reese - Cliff Beattie - RuthAnne Noel - David Harris - Charles Richards - John Ferrin - Eric Robison - David Harris - Bev Cozzens - David Harris - Sandy Hansen - news.at.tra@gmail.com Page 26 of 26