Welcome to the Atlanta Chapter's Website. Harley-Davidson of Atlanta established the Atlanta Chapter on September 19, 1985. We are the oldest H.O.G. Chapter in Georgia. All of the officers hope you will take a look around and enjoy your stop here. Be sure to check out the Calendar. We try to keep a good variety of rides and events to fit into everyone's schedules. If you are a local or just passing through town and have any questions feel free to contact any of the Officers. If you are interested in joining the chapter, we have membership applications available here on the site. We are here to "Ride and Have Fun" and hope you will come out and join us soon. Atlanta Chapter Officers |
HOGWASH
Official Newsletter
Atlanta Chapter, Inc.
Chapter Number 0788
May 2009 Issue
April 24-26, 2009
Advertising
Advertising in the HOGWASH
Advertising Rates
Articles
Director's Article
Assistant Director's Article
Secretary/Treasurer's Article
Head Road Captain's Article
Safety Officer's Article
Activity Officer's Article
Membership Officer's Article
Head Photographer's Article
Historian's Article
Web Master's Article
Member Comment
Potpourri
Road Trip
Road Trip Recap
Charities We Support
MDA
Important Links
Harley-Davidson of Atlanta Web Page
GA State H.O.G. Rally Web Page
National H.O.G.Web Page
Important Stuff
Event Schedule
Tentative Event Schedule, 2009
Event Statement
Mission Statement
H.O.G. Chapter Online Privacy Statement
Member Benefit Change
Official Newsletter
Our Sponsor
Join the Group
Membership Application
Guestbook
Meet the Officers
Chapter Officers
Atlanta Chapter Picture Gallery
PhotoBucket
PhotoBucket Members ONLY
Picture Gallery
Members Only
HOGWASH Archives
HOGWASH Print as Mailed
Atlanta Chapter, 2009
Director
Chris Robey
770-367-1386
atlhogdirector@gmail.com
Assistant Director
Bobby Conway
678-384-0313
atlhogasstdirector@gmail.com
Secretary/Treasurer
Rene' Durham
770-944-1340
rene@hdatlanta.com
Head Road Captain
Diana Bodden
404-992-3548
harleybaby94@aol.com
Safety Officer
Jim Byrd
770-843-6700
atlhogsafety@gmail.com
Activity Officer
Erik Grandowski
404-580-6759
erik@grandowski.com
Membership Officer
Bret Graddy
678-567-5271
graddybr@comcast.net
Head Photographer
Chuck Fuller
404-402-4088
atlphoto@gmail.com
Newletter/Web/Historian
B.K. Ellis
770-471-0306
hog@bellsouth.net
Editor
Chris Houghton
770-944-1340
chris@hdatlanta.com
Road Captain
Andy Andresen
770-502-0847
viking@numail.org
Road Captain
Tom Arnold
770-313-3886
tomn2hd@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Ed Chowning
770-505-9404
edchowning@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Gary Easterwood
770-863-0906
easter_g@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Mack Hall
770-445-2343
usachevy1@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Jon Loewer
770-652-8645
jloewer@smurfit.com
Road Captain
Steve Magel
678-354-3560
steve.magel@shawinc.com
Road Captain
Karen Mathiasen
770-354-4779
karen.mathiasen@gexpro.com
Road Captain
John Morgan
770-947-1364
roadcaptn@yahoo.com
Road Captain
Andrea Oparnica
770-974-4332
andreaoparnica@gmail.com
Road Captain
John Provost
404-535-3447
jprov91301@yahoo.com
Road Captain
Gene Williams
404-805-8119
williamsmobilerepair@msn.com
Rallies Ride
April 25, 2009
Police Memorial Ride
April 25, 2009
Top Gun Ride
April 26, 2009
Lil' Stirgus Street
Warm Springs, GA
April 27, 2009
Breakfast Ride
May 2, 2009
Blue Ridge Scenic RR
May 2, 2009
Experienced Rider's Cource
May 5, 2009
HOGWASH Articles Due
May 5, 2009
Atlanta Chapter Business Meeting
May 9, 2009
Renaissance Festival
May 10, 2009
Mother's Day Impomptu Ride
May 15-17, 2009
Charleston Ride
May 21, 2009
Atlanta Chapter Meeting
May 25, 2009
A Sticky Ride
May 30, 2009
Ladies Only Garage Party
Ladies Only Ride
May 31, 2009
Bullock House
Chapter activities are conducted primarily for the benefit of H.O.G. chapter members. There are three categories of activities, all activities are identified as follows:
If you are interested in becoming a H.O.G. member, contact Rene' Durham, or call 770-944-1340
NEW RIDER'S REWARDS PROGRAM
General Manager Harley-Davidson of Atlanta
I want to take a moment to let you all know that Harley-Davidson of Atlanta has launched a Rider's Rewards Program. This program is designed to reward those customers who are most deserving. Consequently, customers who do more business with Harley-Davidson of Atlanta will reap more benefits as a result of the program.
The Rider's Rewards Program will be available to our entire customer base, including our Chapter members. The Rider Rewards Program will be included FREE OF CHARGE as a part of active chapter membership. For non-chapter members there will be a cost to be a member of the Rider Rewards Program. Non-chapter members will have to acquire their Loyalty card for $9.95 annually or $29.95 for a lifetime membership.
The program is a way for Harley-Davidson of Atlanta customers to earn credit toward future purchases. Each time you make a purchase in MotorClothes, Parts and Accessories and the Service department you will earn a percentage back of every dollar spent. Moreover, points will be earned on qualifying merchandise only. Chapter members will also receive points for their participation in Chapter or dealership sanctioned events and functions (e.g., chapter meetings, chapter rides, socials, volunteer time, etc.).
DIRECTOR’S ARTICLE
This month I want to welcome all the new members to the chapter. It seems like we have someone new joining every day. Between motorcycle sales and word of mouth the Atlanta Chapter is growing by leaps and bounds. I try to personally contact every new member but like most of you, life is busy, and if I missed someone I truly apologize. With all the new members, I thought I would quickly cover the benefits of being a member of the Atlanta Chapter HOG. Besides be a member of the oldest H.O.G. Chapter in Georgia, the Officers, Road Captains, and I are working hard every day to make sure that every member has as many chances possible to participate in some type of activity that interests them. We have rides, lots of rides, long, short and everything in between. In May alone you can go on an overnight ride to Charleston, SC., take a ride on a scenic rail road, ride back to the middle ages and have a big juicy turkey leg, or take a mother out for a great ride on her day. Furthermore, in May you can advance your riding skills with the Advanced Riders Course. There are lots of different rides and events coming up this year.
However, that's not all (oohs and aahs from the background) Not only do you get all these great events and rides with your membership you also get other benefits like Riders Reward Points, these are points you accumulate while participating in chapter events. You can turn these points into a Harley-Davidson of Atlanta gift card to buy all kinds of goodies for your Harley (See Rene to sign up). We have a program called "All in the H.O.G. Family.” Do you own a business or work at a business and would like to get the word out to all your fellow chapter members? The "All in the H.O.G. Family" program is a list of business' that are either owned or have chapter members employed. This list is sent out with the Weekly Update periodically. It's free advertising so send me your information. If you would like a copy and do not have email let me know, and I'll make sure you get a copy.
I bet your saying "WOW that's a lot" BUT THERE'S MORE. Along with the benefits I've mentioned you also get us, your new biker family. We're not like the family that you dread seeing at family reunions (well not most of us) we are the family you look forward to hanging out with and sharing some of the best adventures of your life. So I again want to welcome all of our new members and thank all the members that keep coming back for more. Without all of you there would be no Atlanta Chapter and then what would I do with myself? Guess I could be on TV selling those Shams WOW and versatile choppers. I look forward to seeing you all out riding soon.
Club H.O.G. OKC - June 26-27
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, CLUB H.O.G. OKC is where "Home on the Range" meets "Born to be Wild" for two unforgettable days. Taking place at beautiful Oklahoma State Fair Park, CLUB H.O.G. OKC offers live musical entertainment, drill teams, stunt riders, the Biker Mania Vendor Mall, the chance to party with thousands fellow H.O.G. Members, and much more. Highlights of this year's event will include the 2nd Annual H.O.G. "Wall of Ink" a tattoo contest and a rockin' street party in the city's historic Bricktown district. As always, getting there is at least half the fun, as the surrounding are providing a mix of wide-open prairie land and lush, rolling hill country. In addition, Route 66, the most fabled road in America, runs right through Oklahoma City! For More information go to www.hog.com
Every year at CLUB H.O.G., there is a "Chapter Parade of Flags.” This year the parade will be held on Saturday, June 27. We are looking for two members (a driver and passenger) to carry our chapter flag in Oklahoma City. If you are going to CLUB H.O.G. OKC and would like to carry the chapter flag in the parade, please contact one of the Officers by Monday, May 4, 2009. The Officer will decide who will carry the flag at the May Business Meeting on May 5. I look forward to having a list of members looking to represent us at CLUB H.O.G. this year.
Chapter Meetings
With the meeting being back at the pavilion, we will be once again be serving dinner. In the interest of keeping the food cost down and keeping the cost to the members reasonable we are asking that everyone that plan to eat at the meeting RSVP by Monday night May 18. The Evite invitations will go out about a week before the meeting. If you do not receive an Evite invitation or do not have email call me at 770-367-1386 to RSVP. This will ensure we have enough food for everyone without having a lot of left over's. Everyone is welcome at the meeting so feel free to come by even if you didn't RSVP, but we cannot guarantee there will be extra food. I hope to see you all there.
Chris RobeyASSISTANT DIRECTOR'S ARTICLE
Well, it's upon us, yes riding weather. I'm ready to put some more miles on the bike with my HOG friends. I was thinking the other day, while on a chapter ride about what it means to ride together. See, I'm a big fan of "Westerns" especially "John Wayne" westerns. If you are like me, then you know in a western when you "rode" with someone it really meant something. You shared everything back in that day, your coffee, your fire, and your camaraderie and friendship. Well, we are on modern day horses when we ride our Harley. I guess that's why the overnight rides are so much fun and people enjoy them so much. You get to sit around a pool or just the parking lot of a motel or drug store and share stories (whether they are truthful or not). If you haven't been on an overnight ride, please go on one. There are several this year and they all will be a blast. You really get to know your fellow chapter members.
I look forward to riding with everyone and remember, "Paddle faster, I hear banjos."
Bobby Conway
Assistant Director, Atlanta Chapter
2009 Georgia State HOG Rally
Mark your calendars for the 2009 Georgia State HOG Rally which will be in Helen, GA, August 27, 28 & 29. This year we have three Atlanta Chapter members on the rally committee, Bobby Conway (Security Coordinator), Erik Grandowski (Media/PR) and me, Rene' Durham (Treasurer). We are always looking for new ideas and events. If you have any suggestions, please contact us, we are here for you. Let's make this rally better than the last.
Please ride safe and responsible,
Rene' Durham
Secretary/Treasurer, Atlanta Chapter
Ride Safe and have fun,
Diana Bodden
Head Road Captain, Atlanta Chapter
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
A Call to Share the Roads
May we be ambassadors for motorcycle safety awareness this month while riding?
May we be courteous to all drivers this month?
May we try to avoid road rage this month?
May we be aware of all our surroundings?
Maybe we should ride this way all year and remember to share the roads.
Jim Byrd
Safety Officer, Atlanta Chapter
Erik Grandowski
Activity Officer, Atlanta Chapter
Chuck Fuller
Head Photographer, Atlanta Chapter
See you on the road,
Bret Graddy
Membership Officer, Atlanta Chapter
B.K. Ellis
Historian, Atlanta Chapter
Atlanta Chapter Web Page
Due to a review of our web page by national H.O.G., I have had to do some changing. I will no longer list chapter members’ birthdays on the web page. They will still be in the HOGWASH and on the web page in the HOGWASH Print as Mailed. I had to move the HOGWASH Archives and the HOGWASH Print as Mailed to a password-protected page. You will need a UserId and password to access these pages. I will print the UserId and password in the HOGWASH each month so you will have access to these pages. This is security protection for our members who names and email addresses appear in past and/or current publications. This does not apply to chapter officer/road captains per national H.O.G. This information is for Atlanta Chapter members ONLY and is not to be disseminated to NON-Chapter Members. These changes only apply to the web site. The HOGWASH publication will remain the same.
Keep Email Address Updated!
If you have updated your e-mail address, PLEASE send me your new address. I get several undeliverable e-mail messages each time I send a message updating members on up coming or changed events. Please, keep you e-mail address up to date and stay informed! E-mail me at hog@bellsouth.net. Thanks!!
B.K. Ellis
Web Master, Atlanta Chapter
Experienced Rider’s Class
HOG Members! Enjoy a great Saturday afternoon doing all the things we enjoy doing..Riding and Eating. Harley-Davidson of Atlanta is offering the experienced riders course for our HOG chapter, it's a great opportunity to brush up on your skills, or learn some new ones. Bring your bike, and an open mind. There is no classroom, or lecture, the entire program will exist on the range, riding. Regardless of your experience, you will definitely come away a more informed rider. Lunch is being provided by the dealership. Bonus for those riders who do not have a motorcycle endorsement. If you are in possession of your motorcycle permit, completing this course can get you your motorcycle endorsement.
Chris Carr, Rider’s Edge
Pre Register for the Georgia State H.O.G. Rally
Why on Earth would I do that!
Many of you may be wondering why the Georgia H.O.G. State Rally Committee makes such a big deal of pre registering for the rally. Is it because we want fellow H.O.G. riders to validate our existence and coddle our tender egos? Heck no! The reason why we push pre registration so hard is to ensure that we can deliver a great event for YOUR MONEY! By pre registering today, you get the most bang for your buck in August; and here's how it all happens.
Before we get started, we need to review a bit of accounting jargon. All state H.O.G. Rally committees must practice "zero-based budgeting.” In simple terms, this means we can only spend what we take in – and only when it's in our hands.
Each year, the committee begins with a small amount of seed money to get started. We do not have access to any profits made from prior years. This reserve is saved in case a rally fails to cover any planned and unforeseen costs. And yes, it has happened before. Anyway, this tiny amount of startup money goes for business necessities such as incorporation fees (yes, the Georgia State H.O.G. Rally is incorporated), retainers for our accountants and attorneys, event insurance policies and finally income and sales taxes. With all these costs, there's very little cash left for the actual rally. In fact, you probably have more money in your pocket right now then the rally has after paying all these costs!
Now that you know about rallies’ starting financial position (poor). The first question we'll tackle is: " How does the committee plan and pay for the rally after the startup money is spent?" Well, we can only plan events and activities based on the money we take in BEFORE the rally. This is the only income we receive and can plan with as per the zero based budgeting format.
So, to make this process smoother in 2009, we have instituted an on line credit card registration process on the rally website. In addition, we instituted an "ala carte" system for purchasing rally merchandise to prevent over stock, which saves money. Also, it helps to ensure that you order, and get exactly what you want.
Another source of rally income is to solicit Georgia based Harley-Davidson dealerships to be a part of the Rally experience. To strengthen these alliances, the 2009 Rally Committee has developed sponsorship packages featuring great exposure at the rally, combined with excellent advertisement opportunities in the new Rally Guidebook. With these new options, EVERY Georgia-based dealership can get the most value for their contribution to the rally.
So, to summarize; by pre registering today, you will get more for your money in August, because we will have the budget to plan and deliver more events and activities for you to enjoy.
Now that we know how the rally is funded and how important your pre registration is, lets address another question: "How can I maximize the return on my entertainment expenditure" (a.k.a. how can I get the most bang for my rally buck ).
Did you know that everyone who pre registers before the Early Bird date of June 1 will be entered to win one of the two grand prizes of a three-day / two night vacation?! The rally has obtained two vacation vouchers from Cyndi Griffith, a committee member who is also the owner of Cyndi's Fantasy Travel. For these vouchers, travel is on your own, but any hotel on the approved list is complimentary to the winners. In these economic times, this is a great opportunity to hop on your Harley to and enjoy some free days off!
Another great way to justify your rally fee, besides all of the great riding, events and concerts, is to donate a few hours of your time by volunteering for the rally. Being a volunteer pays off in several different ways; first, you become eligible for three more chances to win more fabulous trips from Cyndi's gracious gift. Every day, lucky volunteers will win valuable door prizes that will not be available to the general rally audience including more chances at additional three day / two night travel vouchers. In addition, volunteers will also enjoy other perks such as a hospitality area, and other goodies as the rally rolls on. The most rewarding benefit of becoming a volunteer however, is the fellow H.O.G. members you will meet and help to make the rally experience better for everyone. Moreover, that is priceless!
As you can see, pre registration is very important to the rally. The committee has tried to make it easier to pre register this year and we hope you will take advantage of it. If you think you are coming to the rally, why not pre register now instead waiting to register on-site? The cost will be the same, but we'll get to use your pre registration dollars to put on a better rally for you.
The more people who pre register, the more money we get to spend on providing great entertainment for YOU!
Tom Loy, Rally Coordinator
The 2009 Georgia State H.O.G. Rally
Mother's Day Impromptu Lunch Ride - Sunday, May 10
If you are spending time with your mom on her day, that's great! For those of us whose mom is not available for lunch, this is a ride for you! I will host an impromptu lunch ride for Mother's Day, and we will try to pick a restaurant where mom's typically do not frequent, so we can get some decent service. The length of the ride will depend on the weather, so come with lunch ideas, or just a decent appetite, and we will enjoy the day no matter where we go. This will be a one to two pig ride.
Erik Grandowski, Road Captain
Charleston, SC Ride - May 15-17
We will be meeting May 15 at 8:30 a.m. and leaving at 9:00 a.m. from the pavilion at HDA. We'll go I-20 to Augusta making one rest stop about half way there. Coming into Augusta, we'll eat at Sticky Fingers. Then back roads the rest of the way. We'll be staying at the Inn at River Crossing in Mt. Pleasant Phone 843-884-5853. I have 10 rooms with King's & 10 rooms with Doubles, they all have a microwave and refrigerator, and they also have a free breakfast. The deadline for getting your room at the $89 rate has past but go ahead and call maybe you can still get the same rate, if not call me and I'll see what I can do. Saturday, 16th, there's a lot of different things we can see and do, we will decide which way to go when we get there. I'm thinking maybe the aircraft carrier then ride up the coast to Myrtle Beach for a H.O.G. pin and a tee shirt but that's not in stone, if someone else has a better suggestion. If you haven't already booked your room, do so and let's go and have some great sea food!
If you have any problems booking or have any questions, please e-mail me at easter_g@bellsouth.net or call 770-836-0906 & PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOUR GOING.
Gary Easterwood, Road Captain
A Sticky Ride Monday, May 25
I hope everyone will come out and celebrate Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 with me on a ride to Chattanooga. If you have never been to Sticky Fingers RibHouse, you can't miss this ride. I don't know which will be better, the ride or the food? The ride of course, this will be an all back road three pig ride through some beautiful country and great roads. We will meet at the pavilion at 9:30 a.m. and hit the road at 10:00 a.m. Therefore, mark your calendars now, and I'll see you there.
Chris Robey, Road Captain
Calling All Ladies - May 30
Harley-Davidson of Atlanta is having their first Garage Party Event. We are asking that all ladies of the Atlanta Chapter to come to this event. When we say all, I mean all H.O.G. Members who ride or don't ride. Ladies who are chapter members, spouses of men chapter members and girlfriends who may not be a H.O.G. Member but want to know more about the Harley-Davidson family. This is a social gathering for women with little or no riding experience. An opportunity to meet other women interested in riding and the Harley-Davidson culture. This is also a way to address some of the barriers women face. We will have this great event on Saturday, May 30, 2009. We will be sending out an Evite to all the chapter members for you to RSVP by a certain date. We will be serving lunch and afterwards we will have a ride for our group of fantastic ladies. Our hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Rene’ Durham, Secretary/Treasurer
Women's Ride, Saturday, May 30
Ok Lady's this is the ride. May is Harley's Celebration of Women Riders. We will gather at HDA for lunch with Fellow riders where we will have enjoyed the Garage Party and then take off on a ride for Ladies Only. We have wanted to do this ride for our fabulous Women Riders for some time. All levels of riders are welcome. This will be a fun ride. Remember what happens on the ladies ride stays on the ladies ride. I hope to see all our women riders out, including those that ride on the back. Let me know if someone wants a backseat, we have several women that can hook you up with a nice seat! You can meet your man later! Contact me for more details at harleybaby94@aol.com. Come share the day with us.
Diana Bodden, Road Captain
Cherry Blossom Festival Ride Recap
I was a little cool in the morning when we left, but the day just got better and better. We had seven bikes and nine people and took a scenic route to Forsyth and then the interstate down to the park in Macon where, thanks to my Mom's boyfriend "Crawford Lovett" the unofficial mayor of Macon, we had "rock star parking." There were carnival rides, pet shows, dogs catching Frisbees, and the carnival food. I had some apple cobbler with ice cream that you could set on top of your head and your tongue would slap your brains out trying to get to. It was great! I would like to give special thanks to "Fashion" who rode sweep for me and Kevin Magill who took us on a wonderful route back through the "country." I can't wait to do it again.
Bobby Conway, Road Captain
Atlanta Chapter is accepting business and personal advertisements for the HOGWASH! What a great way to promote your business, organization, service or personal information to all Atlanta Chapter members each month!
For advertising rates please click HERE.
Please contact Rene' Durham at 770-944-1340 for more information or to place your ad today!
January 2009
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March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
H.O.G. CHAPTER ONLINE PRIVACY STATEMENT
Personal privacy and security of information are mutual concerns of H.O.G., its members, and visitors to Atlanta Chapter web site. This Statement explains H.O.G.'s Internet policies and security measures relating to personal privacy and information security.
The Atlanta Chapter collects and stores the following information about you when you visit the Atlanta Chapter web site: the name of the domain from which you access the Internet (for example, aol.com, if you are connecting from an America Online account); the date and time you access the site; and the Internet address of the web site from which you linked directly to our site. The chapter uses this information to measure the number of visitors to the different sections of its site. This helps H.O.G. to make its site more responsive to its members and prospective members.
H.O.G. will not obtain personally identifying information about you when you visit our site unless you choose to provide such information. If you choose to send e-mail, registration, or other personal information over the Internet, you do so voluntarily.
The Atlanta Chapter will not disclose personal information provided to it except as follows:
At your request, which may be oral, in writing, by telephone, electronic or other means we recognize;
To assist H.O.G. in evaluating its programs and to continue to improve the quality of your on-line and membership experience;
When disclosure is required by law, such as pursuant to court order, subpoena, legal process or government agency examination or investigation, or to protect or enforce our rights;
To companies that perform services for H.O.G. in connection with your membership, such as data processing and financial transaction processing companies and agencies;
To Harley-Davidson affiliated companies and carefully selected third parties for their own use to provide products and services, or other opportunities to you, unless you have instructed us in writing not to do so; and
In connection with Harley-Davidson corporate due diligence and audits.
By your use of and connection to our web site, you understand and consent to this privacy statement. If for any reason you are concerned that the personal or member information maintained by H.O.G. is not correct or if for some reason you believe H.O.G. has not adhered to these privacy principles, please notify us by calling 1-800-CLUB-HOG.