Welcome to the Atlanta Chapter's Website. Harley-Davidson of Atlanta established the Atlanta Chapter on September 16, 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
January 2011 Issue
January 10, 2011
Atlanta Chapter, 2011
Director
Bobby Conway
678-348-0519
atlhogdirector@gmail.com
Assistant Director
Erik Grandowski
404-580-6759
Erik Grandowski.com
Treasurer
Rene' Durham
770-944-1340
rene@hdatlanta.com
Secretary
Kathy King
770-943-9856
kandwking@yahoo.com.com
Head Road Captain
Diana Bodden
404-992-3548
harleybaby94@aol.com
Safety Officer
Jim Byrd
770-843-6700
atlhogsafety@gmail.com
Activity Officer
Donna Schelhaas
770-941-3326
cesdls@bellsouth.net
Membership Officer
Mark Redmon
770-617-2944
mredmon@charter.net
LOH Officer
Melissa Folds
770-832-3332
dragonsinger@bellsouth.net
Head Photographer
Rick Parker
404-402-4088
rick@galleryparker.com
Volunteer Coordinator
Chuck Fuller
404-402-4088
cful@bellsouth.net
Chaplain
Wendell King
770-943-9856
kandwking@yahoo.com
Newsletter/Web/Historian
B.K. Ellis
770-471-0306
bkellis@atlantahog.com
Editor
Chris Houghton
770-944-1340
chris@hdatlanta.com
Road Captain
Andy Andresen
770-502-0847
andyandresen@att.net
Road Captain
Tom Arnold
770-313-3886
tomn2hd@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Rose Cardinal
404-202-6469
rosecardinal@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Ed Chowning
770-505-9404
edchowning@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Michelle Conway
404-886-0571
audwgs@yahoo.com
Road Captain
Gary Easterwood
770-836-0906
easter_g@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Tom Essex
678-640-4908
thsx51@yahoo.com
Road Captain
Glenn Folds
770-633-9128
foldslz@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Melissa Fuller
404-226-1460
gr8tchoice@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Mack Hall
770-445-2343
usachevy1@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Matt Langley
770-214-1875
acowart061@yahoo.com
Road Captain
Denny Heare
678-923-8544
dheare@yahoo.com
Road Captain
Steve Magel
678-237-7762
stevemagel@gmail.com
Road Captain
Andrea Oparnica
770-974-4332
andreaoparnica@gmail.com
Road Captain
Jack Parton
770-472-7994
jackparton@comcast.net
Road Captain
Mike Perdue
404-502-4024
jmperdue@bellsouth.net
Road Captain
Jake Redmon
770-354-3273
mustangjake1@hotmail.com
Road Captain
Luc Vermeer
630-779-6278
ljvermeer@yahoo.com
HOGWASH Articles Due
January 10, 2011
Mexi-Monday Social
January 20, 2011
Atlanta Chapter Meeting
January 23, 2011
LOH Sunday Social
January 25, 2010
Birthday Ride
January 29, 2010
Road Captain's Meeting
January 30, 2010
FYI Great American Motorcycle Show
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
Well here we are and it’s already 2011. It seems like just yesterday we were preparing for Y2K and that was now 11 years ago. And it still seems like only yesterday that we all stood in shock as the Twin Tower’s fell and that will be 10 years ago as we’re leaving to come home from the Georgia State HOG Rally. I look back on my almost six years in this chapter and the friendships I have forged and it makes me smile. I’m a big fan of westerns and in those it is simply said, “We Ride Together.” It’s like being blood relatives. This is our HOG family. As I look back, I think about the fact of how much time we spend together in the pavilion, on rides, gathered around the grill at the shop. I hope we as officers, instill that feeling of family in everyone.
I want to give a brief bio of myself and my time in the chapter. Michelle and I joined the chapter in 2005, came to the Christmas Party and didn’t know anyone. We then went to the January meeting and realized that our chapter membership ran a calendar year much differently from our national membership. So we renewed that night and I began riding in the spring. Tom and Terri Arnold were the Director and Activities officer and both Road Captains. The majority of my early rides in the chapter were theirs. They mentored Michelle and me and by the next year I was a Road Captain. And by this time Michelle had her own bike. The next year I moved into the Assistant Director’s position under Chris Robey. I served in that position for two years and moved up the Director. I’ve been the Director for 2010 (see my picture for the effect it has had, ha) and apparently you guys can tolerate me here for at least one more year. I look forward to it and am excited about this year.
Some of the things coming up, we have some great Road Captains and I know we are going to have some great rides on the calendar. Also as we’ve already had a history of in our chapter, we have a great Activities Officer, Donna Schelhaas. I know she will have a lot of great ideas for activities. I also have heard of many other year long rides and activities that are in the hopper. Please, if you have any ideas for activities, rides or anything either contact Donna, or for a ride contact Diana Bodden, head road captain and as always I’m available. Also, something new for our chapter this year is we have a Chaplain. Wendell King has graciously offered his services as our Chaplain. If you or someone in your family has a need, then by all means contact Wendell. With the recent losses in our chapter I felt this was a very appropriate thing to do. I’m not trying to make us a religious organization, but it’s a service that I wanted to make available to our members if needed.
Well, off we go into 2011. I look forward to riding and just hanging out with all of you.
Bobby ConwayErik Grandowski
Assistant Director, Atlanta Chapter
2011 Treasurer – Rene’ Durham
Hi, my name is Rene' Durham. I am your Treasurer. I have been married to Jimmy Durham for 43 years. (No BK is not my husband) We have one daughter, Monica and two grand kids, Kayla ) and Brandon. We also have one dog, Max (Yellow lab). I started riding with Jimmy before we got married, I think I was 13. I was a passenger for many years and then one day I decided to learn how to ride. I took the MSF course with the state in 1989. I was so excited that first time I rode by myself. I loved every minute of it and still ride when I get the chance. Jimmy does not ride any more because of a stroke he had 11 years ago. Jimmy used to build custom bikes for Harley-Davidson of Atlanta. He customized his 1985 FXWG for me, but I don't ride it much. I had rather ride something with a windshield and floorboards. I guess by now you all know I work at Harley-Davidson of Atlanta. This is my 21th year here, and I love every day I come to work. Eddie hired me to answer the phones when we were on Sylvan Road, in East Point. From there I learned how to work in parts, shipping and receiving, selling Motorclothes and then to the accounting office. Every day is a great day here at the dealership.
Jimmy and I joined the Atlanta Chapter when it began. We love being in the chapter and hope, everyone will have a great New Year in 2011.
Please ride safe and responsible,
Rene' Durham
Treasurer, Atlanta Chapter
2011 Secretary – Kathy King
I have only been riding myself, for about two years now where I took the Riders Edge Class because it seems so cool to be in control of your own bike. Wendell took the course with me for support and I have to love being apart of the Chapter. Wendell and I will be celebrating our 41st anniversary on Christmas Eve and to let you know a little bit about our family, We have three children of our own, one daughter and two sons, and are blessed with precious daughters-in-law and a great son-in-law, and of course our pride and joy six grandchildren (Five boys and one girl). We are looking forward to another great year in the chapter and hope to make many more new friends.
Kathy King
Secretary, Atlanta Chapter
2011 Head Road Captain – Diana Bodden
This is actually my second time around with the Atlanta Chapter, my ex-husband and I rode with the Atlanta Chapter on and off for several years from 84 to the 90's. Previously, I was in the Marietta Chapter with my boyfriend. We found it hard to make friends in the Atlanta Chapter at that time in our lives, but I found it easier later when I rejoined the chapter several years ago. I wanted to find a place and people to ride with, that wanted to ride and a place I could bring my nephew, that I wouldn't have to blind fold him at every event.
I have been riding since I was nine (a mother's nightmare). I started on a Harley 90 (originally bought for my brother). I loved it and have been hooked ever since. I rode during the years when a woman didn't ride or were told they couldn't ride. There were times their bikes were taken from them by men that thought differently. I was lucky to be with men that loved the fact that I could choose to ride with them or ride my own. I have owned numerous bikes over the years, many that had to be re-built daily and several new. I have found peace in my 94 Ultra. I have had several bikes (including the 84 Sportster bought from HDA on Sylvan Road, two Fat Boy's and 69 Shovel/Pan) while owning with this one, but this one holds my heart. I love to ride and see the wonders of our world. I have ridden in the US and oversea's. I love to be on a bike, no matter where I am.
I have enjoyed meeting so many people that love to ride like I do, I am glad I came back to the Atlanta Chapter. It was a hard decision at the time. I was coming from a Motorcycle Club that I have been with for many years, and I was walking (or riding) into a new situation all alone. I was afraid I wouldn't make friends. Nevertheless, I was willing to get involved and share my experiences and that made it easier to meet so many great people. I looked for a place to be myself and not be judged for who I am or what I want.
I look forward to making more friends and go more places. See you next to me on the road.
Road Captains Meeting
Please join us to help plan our 2011 ride season on Saturday, January 29, 6:00 P.M. at the BBQ House by HDA You don't have to be or become a road captain to attend, your idea's and experience will help us plan a fun year of Awesome Riding. If you are interested in becoming a Road Captain please join us and we will help you in your quest.
Feel free to send me ride ideas to discuss at our meeting.
Join us for a Ride in 2011
We have some very exciting rides planned and some oldie's come back to life and other popular rides that have become somewhat a tradition. We have some new road captains that have joined us and some new ride programs. Most of the programs will be described in detail in the upcoming months. We look forward to seeing you on the rides!
New rides for 2011:
Cemetery Ride Challenge w/pin Mike Perdue and his team
Iron Butt Ride Yes, they threaten to do it for real this time
Southern Highroads Tour
ABC's of Touring The Magnificent Fuller's will have all the rules and regulations, some are here to review:
Know Your ABCs (ABCs of Touring)
Knowing your HOG® benefits should be like knowing your ABCs. Take, for instance, the ABCs of Touring … it’s not as if any of us really need an extra incentive to ride. But there’s something thrilling about exploring the back roads and happening upon a town that begins with the letter “Z.” It’s the little discoveries that make riding so fulfilling. Not to mention, all the great prizes you could win.
It doesn't take much to take part in the ABCs of Touring. All you do is collect photos of yourself and your Harley holding a current edition of HOG Magazine in front of “official” signs for various entities – cities, counties, states, countries, etc. – and you could be eligible for great prizes. Check your HOG Benefits Guide for more details on how to take part, or visit www.members.hog.com. and so much more!
Thank you for all your help and support. If you have a ride idea please feel free to contact any of the road captains.
On behalf of all our Atlanta Chapter Road Captains
Ride Safe and have fun,
Diana Bodden
Head Road Captain, Atlanta Chapter
Jim Byrd
Safety Officer, Atlanta Chapter
2011 Activities Officer – Donna Schelhaas
I’d like to introduce myself, my name is Donna Schelhaas and I have accepted the position to be your new Activities Officer for 2011. Your current Activities Officer, Melissa Fuller has done a great job this past year and I hope I can do the same. I’m looking forward to all the new challenges and having fun with our HOG family.
In our January Chapter Meeting I will be passing out a sheet of paper asking each of you to list your ideas of activities and fund raisers’ that you would like to see the Chapter do. I’m looking forward to all your ideas and suggestions.
This is a brief summary about me. I ride a turquoise and antique white 2009 Harley Softail Deluxe. I’ve been riding since April 2009 and this is my first motorcycle. I took the Riders Edge Course and passed with flying colors! You may recognize me when you see me, I ‘think’ I may be the shortest rider in the Chapter and I have my Chihuahua mascot mounted on my handlebars. I’m also known to many members as the one who drops her bike a lot when trying to park it (being short makes this a challenge for me). My husband Carl and I have been members of the Chapter since 2008 and have enjoyed being a part of the HOG family.
Whatever it is, it's better in the wind,
Donna Schelhaas
Activity Officer, Atlanta Chapter
2011 Volunteer Coordinator - Chuck Fuller
I’m Chuck Fuller (a.k.a. Chaos) and will be your Volunteer Coordinator for 2011. I’ve been an Atlanta Chapter member since 2005 and a National HOG Life Member since 1989. My 1st H-D was a 1951 Panhead purchased in 1971. I currently have a small collection of H-D’s, -2006 Electra Glide, 1992 Heritage, and 1967 Electra Glide. I split up my riding time among all three of them and really enjoy my Atlanta HOG Chapter extended family. My wife Melissa also shares a love of riding and we have had many happy adventures out on the bikes. Melissa rides a 2007 Softail Deluxe.
Two thousand and ten was a great year for Atlanta Chapter HOG participation. There were lots of events, rides, and social meetings that brought our chapter closer together. Our chapter’s success depends on our members and their willingness to be involved in the fun! Early indications lean toward another great year in 2011. There will be lots of opportunities throughout the year, so make the most of your Atlanta HOG Chapter experience and volunteer…for the fun of it!
Chuck Fuller
Volunteer Coordinator, Atlanta Chapter
2011 Ladies of Harley Officer – Melissa Folds
When our director, Bobby Conway, first approached me about being the LOH Officer for 2011, I thought he might have lost his mind. However, I have given it a lot of thought and I find myself very excited about the opportunity to take the lead for the Atlanta Chapter’s LOH. My first two-wheel ride was a Yamaha Majesty scooter. Yeah, I know…go ahead and laugh. Of course it did not take long to decide I needed something with a little more muscle. So, my husband took me shopping for a bike. He literally made me sit on every bike that Harley-Davidson of Atlanta carries. After several trips to the dealership and after having sat on NUMEROUS bikes, I finally found the perfect fit on my ’09 Softail Deluxe. I have always ridden as a passenger with my husband, but riding my own has opened up a whole new world for me. It is a world of freedom and pure, unbridled joy! I want to take the opportunity that being the 2011 LOH Officer affords me and share my absolute love of riding with other women. So, that being said I would like to invite everyone to join me for our first LOH Sunday Social on Sunday, January 23, 2011 at Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant in Hiram at 1:00 p.m. This meeting will essentially be an open forum for ideas on what direction we would like to take our Atlanta Chapter of LOH. I look forward to seeing you all there and hearing your ideas for 2011.
See ya on the road!
Melissa Folds
LOH Officers,Atlanta Chapter
See you on the next ride,
Rick Parker
Head Photographer, Atlanta Chapter
2011 Membership Officer – Mark Redmond
I have been a member of the Atlanta Chapter HOG since October of 2007. I have been riding most of my life starting out with a Honda 50 at the age of 14. I took my first ride on my uncle’s Harley-Davidson at the age of five sitting on the gas tank and holding on to the gas caps. It was a black and orange 1957 Panhead. It only took 47 years for me to get my own Harley-Davidson.
Mark Redmon2011 Newsletter/Web/Historian - BK Ellis
I would like to take a few minutes of your time and introduce myself for those of you who are new to the Atlanta Chapter. I am doing this because our Director asks me to and since he is bigger than I, I thought I should comply. I have been riding motorcycles more than I like to remember. I got my first Harley in 1981. A friend and I were riding in North GA, I was riding a Gold Wing, and he was riding a Harley Low Rider. We decided to swap rides and when we got to Helen, we swapped keys, and I have had a Harley ever since. I was in the Gold Wing Club, they told me, since I did not have a Gold Wing anymore, they were going to kick me out of the club, so I went and bought another Gold Wing. They could not kick out of the club, and I still rode my Harley, much to their chagrin.
I am a Charter and Life Member of national H.O.G. I currently have only one motorcycle, a 2001 Harley-Davidson Heritage. I started the Atlanta Chapter in 1985 after a lot of arm twisting from Eddie. Our first ride was to the Harley-Davidson Test Facility Open House at the Talladega Speedway on October 19, 1985. I served as Director from 1985 to 1990 and again in 2001. Back in 1985 to 1990, we were the first and only H.O.G. Chapter in the Atlanta area, so we had great participation and support from the Harley owners around town. We held our first meeting on Thursday, September 19, 1985.
Check the HOGWASH Web Pages Archives of the Atlanta Chapter Web page to read the History of the Atlanta Chapter, Twenty-six years strong this year.
B.K. Ellis
Historian, Atlanta Chapter
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
New Years Day Good Luck Ride
Join me on New Years Day at 9:30 A.M. at the Pavilion at Harley-Davidson of Atlanta for our Good Luck Ride. We will leave there at 10:00 A.M. and head down to Buckner’s in Jackson, GA. There we will enjoy some of the best fried chicken you will find along with our black-eyed peas and greens. Please remember. Buckner’s is CASH ONLY. It’s a family style buffet and the approximate cost for the meal and drink is $13, so please be prepared. You will marvel at the number of bikes in their parking lot, and hopefully history won’t repeat itself and it will be nice and toasty. It’s approximately a two and a half hour ride with a break at about the halfway point. So show up with a full tank and empty bladder and be prepared to fill your belly when we get there. If you leave there hungry, it’s your own fault.
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 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 2011
October 2011
November 2011
December 2011
January 2012
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.