Gold Wing Road Riders Association

Transcription

1 Gold Wing Road Riders Association IN THIS ISSUE: DD in Review 1-2 News from the California District DISTRICT DIRECTOR REVIEW Bill & Rene Johnson, CA District Directors November, 2012 Newsletter Editor: Pamela Puterbaugh Volume III Issue XI New District game! Heart of a Champion! The Riolo s-add & District trainer Pat & Bonnie Singer COY Coordinator 3-4 Sponsor - Wing Stuff 7 Dennis Kunter Educator 8-9 Bill Gates Words of Wisdom 10 District Couple of the Year Don & Beth Kueller Burns Mike & Ruth Burke Sponsor Law Tigers 14 Lady Riders - Diana Hibden 15 Advertising with District 16 Sponsor Schapiro & Leventhal 17 Veterans Day Well, it s November already, and Rene & I just returned from a wonderful weekend with our Newest Chapter CA-2R, Redding, CA. As you may know, until recently our furthest north chapter was CA-C of Sacramento, which left a lot of territory for them to cover. With the creation of CA-2R, those from Chico north will have someplace new to enjoy. Nestled in the north end of the Sacramento Valley, Redding sits in the middle of Shasta Count. They are located 162 miles north of Sacramento and 117 miles south of the Oregon border, so enjoy some beautiful riding country. That part of our state is over 200 miles wide, you can see there is a lot of territory for them to represent. By the showing at their last couple meetings, they have a very promising growth ahead of them. They are especially fortunate to have the support of Lee s Honda of Stockton, which can offer GWRRA exposure to dozen s of Wing riders in that area of our state. They will be meeting on the 2 nd Sunday of each month, and until a more permanent location can be found, they will hold their Chapter Gatherings at Lee s Honda located at: 2230 Larkspur Lane, Redding, CA Meeting starts at 9:00 AM with coffee & donuts being served at 8:30 AM. So if you have any trips scheduled in that area or live close by, please try to stop by and say Hi. Why is Thanksgiving celebrated on the 4th Thursday? Sponsor JBJ 22 Thanksgiving Cartoons 23 Sponsor SkyMed 24 Thanksgiving Recipes Upcoming Events 27

2 Led by a dedicated team of new Officers, Dave Wilson (CD), Jerry & Theresa Standridge (ACD s), and Denise Ferkey (Treasurer), CA-2R are showing signs of what should become a very large chapter. I have attended 2 of their last 3 meetings where they averaged over 20 attendees. This past weekend, there were 19 motorcycles in the parking lot with promise of many more to come. Everyone we spoke to all shared the same hopes of the chapter, they just want to get together as a group and ride. Sound familiar? Dave started the Chapter Gathering with quick introductions then proceeded to mention that the meeting would be short so we could all get out and go on the ride. Aside from the 20 or CA-2R attendees, there were also several members from CA-2K in attendance, plus one gent from CA-2N (Ed Westlund) who got up early to ride to Redding for the meeting and 4 of us form the District Team. As we pulled away from the meeting place, there were 17 bikes heading west towards the town of Eureka, CA. About ½ the bikes dropped off in the town of Weaverville before taking a different route home for the day, while the rest of us continued on to Eureka for the evening where several members of CA-2K & CA-2R spent the evening sharing GWRRA stories and talking about our motorcycles. After breakfast the next day at the Samoa Cookhouse (a historic lumber town restaurant), before parting ways heading for our respective homes knowing we just spent the weekend with some great new friends that we will definitely be seeing a lot more of in the future. So, what s next? Well, thanks to the heroic efforts of Gary Bowers (CA-1A CD & District MEC), we have divided up the northern most part of California zip codes and assigned them to CA-2R and submitted them along with all the appropriate documentation Phoenix Headquarters. So now all we are waiting for is their initial Chapter Charter document, which will take a few weeks to process. Once that s done, Dave, Jerry & Theresa and the gang want to invite everyone up to Redding in the spring to attend their Grand Opening ceremony. More details on that later, I promise it will not distract from any other California Chapter Rally. In the mean time, please don t forget our last California Chapter Rally of the year, CA-1N s Toys for Tots fundraiser. Their yearly support of the US Marine s annual fundraiser always draws a great crowd, and occasionally a local TV news channel or two. Details are available on the District Ride Calendar located at Until we meet again, Hang on we re going for a ride. Bill & Rene Johnson GWRRA California District Directors

3 Page 3 A true champion is someone who wants to make a difference, who never gives up, and who gives everything they have no matter what the circumstances are. A true champion works hard and never loses sight of their dreams. Our dream this year is to reward individuals and chapters for their participation and commitment to each chapter making California one of the best districts ever! We are committed to you to help you and your chapters succeed, and ask that you commit to each other to help California grow and that we just have fun! In light of the recent Olympics and the American achievements we had at the summer games, our District game this year will be titled Heart of a Champion!

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5 Page 5 Stepping Up and Letting Go ~~~ Part 1: Stepping Up Nick & Terri Riolo Assistant District Directors & District Trainer As the summer riding season winds down and winter approaches, there are changes taking place; changes in the weather, changes in how we ride, and changes in the leadership of our Chapters. There are GWRRA Officers who are preparing to step down as others prepare to step up. Both the retiring and incoming Officers face very unique challenges. I remember when Nick and I became the Chapter Directors of CA2N. In the months before we were installed, we had the monumental task of trying to find people willing to step up and help run the Chapter. In some cases we had to give quite a sales pitch to get convince people to accept open positions. We ended up with the best leadership team ever, in spite of our recruiting learning curve. We figured out by trial and error that there are several things to remember when trying to recruit a leadership team: Learn about your members skills and talents. People are more likely to accept a position for which they have some talent, passion, and/or experience. Have a written job description including duties and estimated time requirements. People are more likely to say Yes if they understand exactly what the position entails and how much of their time it will require. Personally ask people for their help. I ve seen CDs stand in front of the group and ask, Who would like to take the position of [fill in the blank]? only to be greeted with the sound of chirping crickets. Have you ever noticed that everybody looks at each other and avoids eye contact with the leader when that type of question is asked? A better tactic is to personally ask potential candidates to consider the job. Most people are willing to help, but they re not likely to raise their hands when the Who wants to... question is asked. On the other hand, it s hard to say No when you re standing in front of them. Express your confidence in them. Let them know that you wouldn t be asking them to take on the job if you didn t know in your heart they will ROCK it. Ask someone who has served in the position to act as a mentor or consultant. The buddy system works well for giving people an easy and reliable source of answers to their questions. Be a mentor yourself. Many people are afraid that they ll get in over their heads and not have help if they need it. The job of leading a Chapter is a shared one, and your team should know that you and other team members will back each other all the way. Suggest that people share positions. There s nothing in the rule book that says you can t have 2 Chapter Educators, or have Co -MECs. Offer to work with the co-leaders to help them identify the duties each will take on. Don t take No for an answer. Instead, ask them to think about taking on the position. Let them know that you value them and would enjoy having them on the team. You can also ask them to try the job for a few months. If, after trying the job on for size they decide they don t want to do it, they can step down. Of course we all know that once someone is doing the job and is comfortable, they will generally stay with it. For those of you stepping up to serve your Chapter on the leadership team, I can tell you without fear of contradiction that helping to lead the Chapter is the most fun you ll ever have in GWRRA. I have learned that you get out of GWRRA what you put into it. The more involved you get, the more fun you ll have. What is true in the financial world is true in GWRRA: the more you invest, the bigger the dividend. Next month, look for Part 2: Letting Go. Nick & Terri

6 Page 6 Pat & Bonnie Singer COY / IOY CORNER As we finish up 2012 and move in to the new year. Mike, Ruth and Rocco are taking up the reins of the District COY/IOY program! We have only heard from one chapter about their COY/ IOY status for As a reminder, we do not have to have your selections or names yet we do need to know if you will be selecting a COY and/or IOY for your chapter as soon as possible since we need to order the required number of medals for distribution at the January Officers Meeting by the middle of December at the latest. Please let us or Mike and Ruth Burke or Rocco know your decision soon. As a reminder, our District/Region COY and IOY will be competing at Wing Ding next July in Greenville, South Carolina. If you are planning to attend, make sure you are there to cheer them on! Encourage your chapters to not only select a COY/IOY but to urge them to participate further at District. Thanks for your continuing support for this program recognizing your members for their contributions to your chapter! Pat and Bonnie Singer, District COY/IOY Coordinators

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8 Page 8 THE DARKNESS LOOMS Dennis & Julia Kunter, District Educator With the onset of winter and the time change completed, the lack of daylight hours has a potentially profound effect on the way we ride and the ability of others to notice us. I was subjected to an almost infinite amount of friendly chiding when I decided to purchase a bright orange GL1800. While others may have referred to it as punkin orange I preferred to say it was safety orange and have, to date, always remained highly visible especially with the addition of a fair smattering of safety chrome. It seems sometimes that the concept of being seen is preached to the extreme. Does it really make a difference? We ride the biggest machine out there. Can people really not see us? Maybe there is something to all that safety chrome, fluorescent clothing and bright colored paint schemes. I found this article online by Jackie Vaughan that sums it up quite nicely. Please enjoy and ride to be seen. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! ~Dennis THE INVISIBLE MAN by Jackie Vaughan The sun was balancing gently on the horizon as I packed up my gear after a long day of amusing the fish with my clumsy efforts. I was stowing the tackle box in the back of the truck when the sun abruptly winked out behind a large bank of very dark clouds. The sun lost its battle with the clouds and sank below the horizon, leaving the heavily tree-lined road in a darkness that blended into the blacktop. Storm winds set the tops of the pine trees swaying, bringing down flurries of slippery pine needles and occasional pine cones. The first drops of rain were huge, splatting on the windshield and causing the pine needles to stick to it. The wipers only smeared them. All I could do was turn the wipers on high and hope the rain would wash the needles off. Obligingly, the rain became a full-force pressure wash. The needles disappeared, but so did everything else. I crept along, the headlights beam absorbed by the darkness. A sudden movement caused by a falling branch reminded me there might well be deer, rabbits, or other animals on the side of the road, ready to cross without warning. I leaned as close to the windshield as I could get, eyes straining to see ahead and to the sides at the same time. I knew it wasn t safe to stop because there was no place to pull over. I thought I saw the red eye glow of an animal. Looking ahead, I saw it flickering between the swipes of the wipers. I immediately hit the brakes, glad for the anti-lock option I d chosen. I juddered to a halt about ten feet from the animal, which hadn t moved. I turned off my lights briefly so it would move on, but it remained.

9 Page 9 I finally crept closer. As my headlights cut through the watery darkness, I saw it wasn t an animal, but a black motorcycle stopped in the middle of the road. The rider was making futile swipes at his face shield, succeeding only in creating greater smears. His black leather jacket and pants were no match for the rain, and he was soaked from the top of his black helmet to the soles of his black boots. He finally pushed the face shield up, started the bike, and continued his miserable trek. In a very short moment, he became the Invisible Man. Although the weather and the terrain helped to hide him, he had become invisible long before he ever slung a leg over his bike. He had done it by unknowing choice, by following tradition. When he bought his motorcycle, he took that first sometimes fatal step. He chose the most popular color for a bike black. Black is the traditional color for everything motorcycle that s not chrome. Black helmet, jacket, pants, boots, gloves, all to match the black motorcycle. Black can also be the color of death and mourning. Black, far from being the friendly identifying color of the motorcycle community, is a rider s major enemy. The majority of the time, especially when contrast is poor, such as dawn, dusk, dappled shade, or darkness, black disappears into the environment. Dress a rider in black from head to toe, put him on a black bike, especially one with a small, low taillight, and he s the Invisible Man. He cannot be seen until the very last moment, and that s sometimes too late. The typical car driver is not motorcycle-aware, and a bike suddenly appearing seemingly out of nowhere may slow the driver s reaction time or cause him to make the wrong decision. When there s an collision of this type, is it the driver s fault, or the rider s? Both were culpable, but it is the rider who must bear more of the blame. He made himself nearly impossible to see, and it worked. He chose to be the Invisible Man. Could he have become the Visible Man instead and avoided the price he paid? Yes, and all it would have taken was the right choices beginning when he bought his motorcycle. His biggest mistake was to follow motorcycle tradition in making everything about him and his bike, except for the fancy bits of chrome, black. He should have heeded the old saw, Bright is right. A light- or brightcolored motorcycle should have been the first item on his list. His next choice should have been a full-face white helmet with highly-reflective material all around it. No color matches or fancy graphics, just plain white. The first thing a motorist sees, or fails to see, is the rider s helmet, because it s the highest part visible. Next seen is the upper body, then the lower body and the motorcycle. By that time, the driver is too close for comfort. While the bike and rider don t have to look like a circus wagon, bright clothing and reflective material, especially on the upper body, are a must. A rider wanting the black leather look can wear a reflective orange vest while on the bike and tuck it into a saddlebag or tank bag when he arrives. Adding extra lights on the back and sides of the bike creates greater visibility, too. Seeing a black-dressed rider on a black bike from the side is almost impossible. There s virtually no contrast. Add a few lights and the riders bright clothing, and the bike suddenly appears. Our miserable Invisible Man? He made it home that night because I followed at a safe distance behind him until he pulled into his driveway. He might not be so lucky next time. COPYRIGHT BY JACKIE VAUGHAN.

10 Bill Gates ~ Words of wisdom!! This should be posted in every school or kid's bedroom. Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this.!!! Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School about eleven (11) things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world. Rule 1 : Life is not fair - get used to it! Rule 2 : The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself. Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both. Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: They called it opportunity. Rule 6 : If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them. Rule 7 : Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were: So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.. Rule 8 : Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. *This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life. Rule 9 : Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. *Do that on your own time. Rule 10 : Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs. Rule 11 : Be nice to nerds Chances are you'll end up working for one.. If you can read this... Thank a Teacher. If you can read this in English... Thank a Soldier! And for life and everything else you have... Thank God!!

11 Page 11 DISTRICT COUPLE OF THE YEAR! Don & Beth Kuellmer CA-2Q Greetings to all. We hope you had a wonderful October, with a horde of Trick or Treaters coming to your door in those unique costumes. And that all of your rides were successful and incident free. We, accompanied by Steve and Jacque Foster and Jerry McHugh of CA2Q and a small group from the Froggies, had the distinct opportunity to join our friends at CA2W this month at their meeting. What a great group of enthusiastic riders. Thanks to Jim & Caren Moody and Steve & Teri Rippe for the warm welcome and assisting in hailing down the Yosemite Falls Staff to get me a cup of coffee. Also, their Seasoned Rider Seminar at the local Honda dealer afterwards was superb. Thank you, Jerry Gragg for facilitating the training for all. This course really points out many of the things that we should be doing as none of us are as young as we were when we started riding motorcycles. Our route home took us over some highways and byways that I had never travelled, even though I had lived in Fresno while attending 5 semesters at CSUF and graduating just a few years ago. We even had the opportunity to engage in another of my favorite relaxers this month. While it is great to own a sailboat, it is even better to have a close friend that owns a sailboat. So, we joined our friends from Gulfport MS for an overnight sail on the Gulf of Mexico. What a wonderful time, and yet another way to get out of cell phone and Wi-Fi range and relax. But, when I got back, our Wing was wondering why we had not tried to run the wheels off of it over the weekend. Was it something it had done? Our CA2Q Chapter gathering was fun, with 23 going for a ride over 152 from Gilroy to Watsonville and then north along the coast through Santa Cruz to San Gregorio and then returning home with a stop at Alice s Restaurant. Beautiful fall weather that has some of the most radical temperature swings from day to day. Dress in layers and stop often to adjust. On Sunday, we had the opportunity to join CAC and visit with them. Thanks to Bob & Nancy Harris, Rocco and your band of merry motorcyclists for the hospitality and friendship. It was fun to catch up with you and join you on part of your chapter ride to return us home to Livermore where my lawn mower and other gardening tools were beckoning me. We hope your ride over Corral Hollow Road to the Black Bear Diner in Tracy and then eventually back to Sacramento proved to be as good as the Delta Roads from Sacramento to Livermore. What would an October be without a double dose of safety training? A trip to the Columbia Airport on the last Saturday of the month for a little PLP with CA2N was just the ticket to hone my skills for the winter riding soon to be upon us all. For some that will entail wet, slippery roads how are your tires? I just replaced mine again this year. Most of us will get the distinct opportunity to ride through the cold, fog, snow flurries, and whatever else nature throws in our path this winter. I already had my first encounter with the extremely slick wet leaves in a curb cut as I was turning into a driveway. So, slow down, be cautious, and remember that we are always your Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge on the Goldwing Highways and Byways. Don & Beth Kuellmer

12 Page 12 First Aid Burns Mike & Ruth Burke Medic First Aid What causes burns? You can get burned by heat, fire, radiation, sunlight, electricity, chemicals or hot or boiling water. There are 3 degrees of burns: First-degree burns are red and painful. They swell a little. They turn white when you press on the skin. The skin over the burn may peel off after 1 or 2 days. Second-degree burns are thicker burns, are very painful and typically produce blisters on the skin. The skin is very red or splotchy, and may be very swollen. Third-degree burns cause damage to all layers of the skin. The burned skin looks white or charred. These burns may cause little or no pain because the nerves and tissue in the skin are damaged. How long does it take for burns to heal? First-degree burns usually heal in 3 to 6 days. Second-degree burns usually heal in 2 to 3 weeks. Third-degree burns usually take a very long time to heal. How are burns treated? The treatment depends on what kind of burn you have. See a doctor if: A first- or second-degree burn covers an area larger than 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The burn is on your face, over a major joint (such as the knee or shoulder), on the hands, feet or genitals. The burn is a third-degree burn, which requires immediate medical attention. First-degree burn Soak the burn in cool water for at least 5 minutes. The cool water helps reduce swelling by pulling heat away from the burned skin. Treat the burn with a skin care product that protects and heals skin, such as aloe vera cream or an antibiotic ointment. You can wrap a dry gauze bandage loosely around the burn. This will protect the area and keep the air off of it. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (one brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (some brand names: Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (brand name: Aleve), to help with the pain. Ibuprofen and naproxen will also help with swelling.

13 Page 13 Second-degree burn Soak the burn in cool water for 15 minutes. If the burned area is small, put cool, clean, wet cloths on the burn for a few minutes every day. Then put on an antibiotic cream, or other creams or ointments prescribed by your doctor. Cover the burn with a dry nonstick dressing (for example, Telfa) held in place with gauze or tape. Check with your doctor's office to make sure you are up-to-date on tetanus shots. Change the dressing every day. First, wash your hands with soap and water. Then gently wash the burn and put antibiotic ointment on it. If the burn area is small, a dressing may not be needed during the day. Check the burn every day for signs of infection, such as increased pain, redness, swelling or pus. If you see any of these signs, see your doctor right away. To prevent infection, avoid breaking any blisters that form. Burned skin itches as it heals. Keep your fingernails cut short and don't scratch the burned skin. The burned area will be sensitive to sunlight for up to one year, so you should apply sunscreen to the area when you're outside. Third-degree burn For third-degree burns, go to the hospital right away. Don't take off any clothing that is stuck to the burn. Don't soak the burn in water or apply any ointment. If possible, raise the burned area above the level of the heart. You can cover the burn with a cool, wet sterile bandage or clean cloth until you receive medical assistance. Is there anything I shouldn't do when treating a burn? Do not put butter or oil on burns. Do not put ice or ice water directly on second- or third-degree burns. If blisters form over the burn, do not break them. These things can cause more damage to the skin. What do I need to know about electrical and chemical burns? A person who has an electrical burn (for example, from a power line) should go to the hospital right away. Electrical burns often cause serious injury to organs inside the body. This injury may not show on the skin. A chemical burn should be flushed with large amounts of cool water. Take off any clothing or jewelry that has the chemical on it. Don't put anything on the burned area, such as antibiotic ointment. This might start a chemical reaction that could make the burn worse. You can wrap the burn with dry, sterile gauze or a clean cloth. If you don't know what to do, call 911 or your local poison control center, or see your doctor right away.

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15 Page 15 LADY RIDERS SIG REPRESENTATIVE Diana Hibden Well, my Oct 14 th ride did not turn out very well. No one showed up so I proceeded to have breakfast and head to the Craft show. Got some of my Christmas shopping done. I have asked before what you would prefer and no one has ed me back with any ideas. I will continue to plan rides and will ride them alone if necessary. I do like to ride as I have put on over 40,000 miles since I purchased my bike 3 and 3/4 years ago. Fall is here and time to start thinking about layering your clothes. I realize the weather is still hot but it changes very fast. I have found that putting on a thermal over a t-shirt works best as you can take it off when you get too warm and not have to worry about finding a place to change. Also wearing chaps is a good way of staying warm and dry. Till the next ride Stay Safe and keep the rubber side down. Lady rider Coordinator Diana Hibden Gwrraladyriders@gmail.com

16 Page 16 It Pays to Advertise in California Wingin! Full Page Ad $ year - includes listing on CA District Web page 1/2 Page Ad $ year Business Card $ year Please submit your advertisement artwork via to bill.johnson.gwrra@gmail.com. Checks made payable to GWRRA CA can be mailed to: Bill Johnson, 40 Tea Rose Way, Suisun City, CA

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18 Page 18 On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. The Great War & Armistice Day Though the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, November 11 remained in the public imagination as the date that marked the end of the Great War. In November 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. The day's observation included parades and public gatherings, as well as a brief pause in business activities at 11 a.m. On November 11, 1921, an unidentified American soldier killed in the war was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.; the U.S. Congress had declared the day a legal federal holiday in honor of all those who participated in the war. On the same day, unidentified soldiers were laid to rest at Westminster Abbey in London and at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. On June 4, 1926, Congress passed a resolution that the "recurring anniversary of [November 11, 1918] should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations" and that the president should issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of Armistice Day. By that time, 27 state legislatures had made November 11 a legal holiday. An act approved May 13, 1938 made November 11 a legal Federal holiday, "dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'" In actuality, there are no U.S. national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own, and the government can only designate holidays for federal employees and for the District of Columbia. In practice, however, states almost always follow the federal lead.

19 Page 19 all wars. FROM ARMISTICE DAY TO VETERANS DAY American effort during World War II ( ) saw the greatest mobilization of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force in the nation's history (more than 16 million people); some 5.7 million more served in the Korean War (1950 to 1953). In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that had made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word "Armistice" in favor of "Veterans." President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, From then on, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of The next development in the story of Veterans Day unfolded in 1968, when Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which sought to ensure three-day weekends for federal employees--and encourage tourism and travel--by celebrating four national holidays (Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Columbus Day) on Mondays. The observation of Veterans Day was set as the fourth Monday in October. The first Veterans Day under the new law was Monday, October 25, 1971; confusion ensued, as many states disapproved of this change, and continued to observe the holiday on its original date. In 1975, after it became evident that the actual date of Veterans Day carried historical and patriotic significance to many Americans, President Gerald R. Ford signed a new law returning the observation of Veterans Day to November 11th beginning in If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively. CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY AROUND THE WORLD Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November). In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11. In the United States, an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades and other celebrations are held in states around the country. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day--a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans--living or dead--but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.

20 Page 20 U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a lot to think about in The world had been suffering from the Great Depression for a decade and the Second World War had just erupted in Europe. On top of that, the U.S. economy continued to look bleak. So when U.S. retailers begged him to move Thanksgiving up a week to increase the shopping days before Christmas, he agreed. He probably considered it a small change; however, when FDR issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation with the new date, there was an uproar throughout the country. The First Thanksgiving As most schoolchildren know, the history of Thanksgiving began when Pilgrims and Native Americans gathered together to celebrate a successful harvest. The first Thanksgiving was held in the fall of 1621, sometime between September 21 and November 11, and was a three-day feast. The Pilgrims were joined by approximately 90 of the local Wampanoag tribe, including Chief Massasoit, in celebration. They ate fowl and deer for certain and most likely also ate berries, fish, clams, plums, and boiled pumpkin. Sporadic Thanksgivings Though the current holiday of Thanksgiving was based on the 1621 feast, it did not immediately become an annual celebration or holiday. Sporadic days of Thanksgiving followed, usually declared locally to give thanks for a specific event such as the end of a drought, victory in a specific battle, or after a harvest. It wasn't until October 1777 that all 13 colonies celebrated a day of Thanksgiving. The very first national day of Thanksgiving was held in 1789, when President George Washington proclaimed Thursday, November 26 to be "a day of public thanksgiving and prayer," to especially give thanks for the opportunity to form a new nation and the establishment of a new constitution. Yet even after a national day of Thanksgiving was declared in 1789, Thanksgiving was not an annual celebration. Mother of Thanksgiving We owe the modern concept of Thanksgiving to a woman named Sarah Josepha Hale. Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book and author of the famous "Mary Had a Little Lamb" nursery rhyme, spent 40 years advocating for a national, annual Thanksgiving holiday. In the years leading up to the Civil War, she saw the holiday as a way to infuse hope and belief in the nation and the constitution. So, when the United States was torn in half during the Civil War and Lincoln was searching for a way to bring the nation together, he discussed the matter with Hale. Lincoln Sets Date On October 3, 1863, Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving Proclamation that declared the last Thursday in November (based on Washington's date) to be a day of "thanksgiving and praise." For the first time, Thanksgiving became a national, annual holiday with a specific date.

21 Page 21 FDR Changes It For 75 years after Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation, succeeding presidents honored the tradition and annually issued their own Thanksgiving Proclamation, declaring the last Thursday in November as the day of Thanksgiving. However, in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt did not. In 1939, the last Thursday of November was going to be November 30. Retailers complained to FDR that this only left 24 shopping days to Christmas and begged him to push Thanksgiving just one week earlier. It was determined that most people do their Christmas shopping after Thanksgiving and retailers hoped that with an extra week of shopping, people would buy more. So when FDR announced his Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1939, he declared the date of Thanksgiving to be Thursday, November 23, the second-to-last Thursday of the month. Controversy The new date for Thanksgiving caused a lot of confusion. Calendars were now incorrect. Schools who had planned vacations and tests now had to reschedule. Thanksgiving had been a big day for football games, as it is today, so the game schedule had to be examined. Political opponents of FDR and many others questioned the president's right to change the holiday and stressed the breaking of precedent and disregard for tradition. Many believed that changing a cherished holiday just to appease businesses was not a sufficient reason for change. Atlantic City's mayor derogatorily called November 23 as "Franksgiving." Two Thanksgivings in 1939? Before 1939, the president annually announced his Thanksgiving Proclamation and then governors followed the president in officially proclaiming the same day as Thanksgiving for their state. In 1939, many governors did not agree with FDR's decision to change the date and refused to follow him. The country became split on which Thanksgiving they should observe. Twenty-three states followed FDR's change and declared Thanksgiving to be November 23. Twenty-three other states disagreed with FDR and kept the traditional date for Thanksgiving, November 30. Two states, Colorado and Texas, decided to honor both dates. This idea of two Thanksgiving days split some families, because not everyone had the same day off work. Did It Work? Though the confusion caused many frustrations across the country, the question remained as to whether the extended holiday shopping season caused people to spend more, thus helping the economy. The answer was no. Businesses reported that the spending was approximately the same, but the distribution of the shopping was changed. For those states who celebrated the earlier Thanksgiving date, the shopping was evenly distributed throughout the season. For those states that kept the traditional date, businesses experienced a bulk of shopping in the last week before Christmas In 1940, FDR again announced Thanksgiving to be the second-to-last Thursday of the month. This time, 31 states followed him with the earlier date and 17 kept the traditional date. Confusion over two Thanksgivings continued. Congress Fixes It Lincoln had established the Thanksgiving holiday to bring the country together, but the confusion over the date change was tearing it apart. On December 26, 1941, Congress passed a law declaring that Thanksgiving would occur every year on the fourth Thursday of November.

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25 Page 25 Classic Sweet Potato Casserole Ingredients 4 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/4 cup milk 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed 1/4 cup chopped pecans 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows Preparation Preheat oven to 400. Bake sweet potatoes at 400 for 1 hour or until tender. Let stand until cool to touch (about 20 minutes); peel and mash sweet potatoes. Reduce oven temperature to Beat mashed sweet potatoes, granulated sugar, and next 5 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon potato mixture into a greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish Combine cornflakes cereal and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over casserole in diagonal rows 2 inches apart. 4. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle marshmallows in alternate rows between cornflake mixture; bake 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

26 Page 26 Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breasts Ingredients 10 servings 1 (12 ounce) package herb-seasoned bread stuffing mix 2 skinless boneless turkey breasts 1 cup chopped pecans 2 (8 ounce) packages dried, sweetened cranberries 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 lettuce leaves Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions. Set aside to cool. 2. With a sharp knife, butterfly breasts open to lay flat. Place each breast between two sheets of waxed paper, and flatten with a mallet. Spread the prepared stuffing to within 1/4 inch of the edge of each breast. Sprinkle each one with chopped pecans and dried cranberries, reserving some of the cranberries for garnish. Roll up tightly in a jellyroll style, starting with the long end. Tuck in ends, and tie in sections with string, about 4 sections around the middle and one running the length of the roll to secure the ends. 3. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully brown rolls on all sides. 4. Place skillet in oven, uncovered. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature is at 170 degrees F (78 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Do not let these get overly dry. 5. Allow rolls to set for 15 minutes before removing string, and slicing into 1/2 to 3/4 inch circles. Leave one roll whole, and slice the other for presentation. Stuffing will be spiraled into meat. Present on your prettiest platter on a bed of curly lettuce, and garnish by sprinkling with the remaining 1/2 cup pecan halves and the reserved dried cranberries.

27 Friends for Fun, Safety & Knowledge GWRRA CALIFORNIA DISTRICT Bill & Rene Johnson District Directors 40 Tea Rose Way Suisun City, CA GWRRA National Divisions: Visit us on the web at: Upcoming Events November 17 CA-1N 2013 (If your chapter is not listed please give us your date) February 9 CA-1I March 2 CA-1C March CA-1R April 20 CA-1A April 27 CA-1D April 28 CA-1Q May 4 CA-1K May 11 CA-1M May Region F June 22 CA-2N July 13 CAC August 29/Sept. 1 CA District September 21 CA-2W September 28 CA-1Z October 5 CA-1L October 26 CA-1F GO TO: AND CLICK ON CALIFORNIA RALLIES TO DOWNLOAD EACH CHAPTERS FLYER. REMEMBER ALL FLYERS NEED TO BE APPROVED BY THE DISTRICT BEFORE DISTRIBUTING THEM.