A Snapshot of the Nineties

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January 1994

A decision was made for the chapter meetings to move to Stan's Diner on Newmarket Street in the east end.

Regular columns included:

• From the Editor - Rick wrote a lengthy account of his "Remembrances from 1993", and talked about the roads traveled, the events, the people, and just about everything involving the chapter that year.
  

• Re-Prints - A satirical poem entitled "Christmas Spirit" promoted a message of peace (but had nothing to do with bikes) and came without credit to its source.

Part one of story entitled "Tales from the Road" appeared, but the author failed to give himself credit.

Norm contributed with a Christmas commentary, and outlined his plans as Activity Coordinator for the new riding season.

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April 1994

Regular columns included:

• From the Editor - Rick responds to Christie's article (see below) about the image of bikers.
  

• Re-Prints - From the Niagara HOG Newsletter came a humorous look at HOG's organizational structure.
  
  "Ten Tips to get your Bike out of Hibernation" was reprinted from American Iron magazine's June 91 issue.
  
  A recipe for a "Diet Cinnamon Mini-Muffin" was provided courtesy of the Blue Nights.

The big news in this issue was about Hurst. The dealer would be dropping ATV's, snowmobiles, and most of the import bikes from their line-up. According to John H., the insurance on these machines would soon triple and make them less marketable. The dealership would also be moved to a new location on Industrial Avenue .

Membership dues renewal continued to be a problem, and a final warning for delinquent members was announced; no further extensions or mercy.

Two articles appeared this month. The first came from Christie H., a new member, who was recently introduced to the biker world by her then boyfriend, Steve C. She wrote about the stereotypical opinions that were held by her friends, and how horrified they all were about her getting involved with HOG.

The other was from another new member; Joe B. He talked about how much fun he had riding around Ottawa on a frigid February weekend, and concluded that it was almost as good as Daytona Beach was a couple of weeks later. (Really??)

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May 1994

Regular columns included:

• Important Moments from previous Meeting - 70 plus members found themselves at the new store on Industrial to enjoy John and Jo-Anne's hospitality. Jo-Anne had served up pot after pot of her home cooked chili, while some members added to the feast with pot luck dishes of their own.
  

• From the Activity Coordinator - A short note about the upcoming Flog Your Hawg 3, and a proposal for monthly meetings to be held on Saturday mornings, with a ride following.

The final installment of Tales from the Road by the unknown author, and some words of wisdom from Don on packing for a long trip were the main contributions for that month.

A hot topic of the day was Bill 164 and the effect it would have on the motorcycle insurance industry. A form letter was included that could be used by chapter members when writing to their local member of parliament.

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June 1994

Another tragedy started off this issue; Joe's daughter and her boyfriend are killed in a car accident. The chapter offered its deepest sympathies.

Regular columns included:

• Important Moments from previous Meeting - A reminder for everyone looking for someone to ride with that they should contact Rocco.
  

• Editorial - The editorial focused on a recent trip made by a number of Ottawa chapter members to Boston, and what a great reception Boston HOG had given them. One thing that was observed about the Boston chapter was their high level of expertise in organization.
  

• Re-Prints - The bulk of this month's newsletter carried many of Boston HOG's regulations for riding safely in groups. This included "Safety in Group Riding," "Safe Riding in Groups," "Fifteen Suggested Guidelines for Safer Riding in Groups and Team Traveling," and "Hand Signals."
  
  On a different subject, new provincial motorcycle licensing measures took effect on April 1st . A newspaper article describing these measures, and the steps that would take a new rider to his or her final motorcycle license was reprinted for the benefit of the chapter.
  
  From the Muskoka chapter, a listing of US and Canadian motorcycle laws was provided.
  
  And finally, a short newspaper clipping is included about KD Lang riding a Harley without a helmet in her latest video. Apparently that had upset British censors, who then threatened to ban the video.

Don C had submitted an article that commented on riding skills to close out this issue of the newsletter.

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August 1994

Regular columns included:

• Important Moments from previous Meeting - The Ride Line was born, and Rocco enthusiastically promoted it.
  
  John H (Hurst) announced that one new HD model is expected next year (the Ultra), that the FXR would be gone, and that prices would increase another 5%.
  
  He also reminded everyone of his upcoming Poker Run which would include breakfast.
  
  Lise promoted her swap meet, while Don did the same for his 3rd Annual Poker Run.
  
  The post-Toy Run get together would be at Norm and Diane's in Manotick.
  

• Editorial - Rick wrote about his adventure getting to the Welland Rally.
  

• From the Director - Rocco talked about group riding safety, bike theft, mileage contests, the Christmas party, and also asked for suggestions for a new meeting place.

Irvin took on the responsibility for organizing "The Toys for Tots Parade" and was working hard on obtaining sponsors, local business support, and possibly a known celebrity. He talked about getting mayor Jackie Holtzman to ride again as she had done in '91 and '92. Start and finish locations (Tunney's Pasture) would remain the same as the previous year. Everyone was reminded that helmets were not an option during the parade, and that the police would ticket anyone caught without one.

Another plea went out for newsletter contributions, this time coming from the editor. He was running out of interesting content to print and was beginning to feel that he alone was putting out the newsletter.

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September 1994

Monthly meetings were moving to The Sunken Dory on Merivale Road.

Regular columns included:

• Important Moments from previous Meeting - Upcoming events like the Toy Run, the Show Your Hearts Poker Run with Dan Aykroyd in Kingston, and the Smith Falls Poker Run were highlighted.
  

• From Our President - Rocco expressed his pleasure with the chapter's participation at recent bike events, and reviewed the various past activities. The Toy Run, for example, had over 400 participants that year.
  

• Norm's News - Norm reported on many activities that month. On the Toy Run, he added that besides a truck load of toys and food, the Sally Ann received $215 in cash donations, $85 from the fifty-fifty draw, and $85 from the Flog Your Hawg run in May. Hawkesbury HOG chapter had the largest attendance with 33 members attending.
  
  He then went on about Andrew's Weekend in Burnstown and how it had been well attended by the chapter. Both Andrew and Lynn deserved a "big thanks" for their hospitality.
  
  He also noted that 200 riders had attended Don F's "Smith Falls Poker Run," and that a procession of almost fifty Harleys escorted Jerry Banville to his final resting place in Smith Falls cemetery. (Deepest sympathy from the chapter went sent out to Dawn, his wife.)
  
  Finally, he reported on both Rosie's Roast, and the Hawkesbury HOG Roast.
  

• Re-Prints - Two reprints were found in this issue of the newsletter. The first was an advertisement notice describing a "Two Wheels Only" resort in Georgia .
  
  The second was from Capital Knights News and was for a recipe for Mexican Soup.

Lise's swap meet and BBQ brought in $40 to the chapter's coffers.

Russ S wrote a travel log of his trip to Sturgis '94, while another story by Rick F was about a trip through the North-East (part one).

The attached membership listed boasted a total of 79 members.

And finally, congratulations went out to John And Joanne on their 10 th wedding anniversary.

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October 1994

Regular columns included:

• Important Moments from previous Meeting - Rockers that were ordered would be in by the end of the month, while Eastern Ontario HOG Chapter pins could be ordered through Russ.
  
  Also, volunteers were required for Hurst 's upcoming Harley Ride Day.
  
  Don Flynn's Classic had raised $1700 for Big Brothers and Sisters Association.
  
  One particularly interesting event was the chapter's participation in the wedding of a HOG chapter member from Toronto . Nineteen bikes escorted the gent to the church on Riverside Drive , and he in turn had made a donation to our chapter's treasury in thanks .
  

• From Our Director - Rocco reviewed past events, and provided reminders for many upcoming events.
  
  Up to this point the newsletters had been mailed out prior to the meeting. This would now be changed to help save on mailing costs. Newsletters would now be distributed to members at the meeting, and the membership would be asked to sign for receipt. Those who were not able to attend would receive their copy a week or two later.
  

• Re-Prints - 1994 Official Charter for Local Chapters.

Elections were coming up soon, and the call for nominations, or finding conscripts went out. Apparently finding candidates for the executive was not an easy proposition.

Russ S continued his story on his trip to Sturgis from the previous newsletter issue, and so did Rick F with another installment of the Trip Out East.

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November 1994

Regular columns included:

• Important Moments from previous Meeting - Rocco thanked Graham and Laurie for hosting the 1st Fall Colors Run.
  
  HOG cards were made available for $1 for a pack of 20. Next meeting would possibly be held at Baxter's.
  

• Re-Prints - Material from the Boston chapter's Bar and Shield once again found itself within the pages, but so did re-print articles from the Muskoka chapter "Helping Your Hog Hibernate," and the Hamilton chapter "So You Think Your Bike is Safe, Eh?"

Rick F contributed no less than three articles: the first was a detailed report on the chapter's Halloween party hosted by Lise; the next entitled "Rumors Rumors Rumors" was about his mishap on a ride; and the last reminisced about the past year's chapter activities.

Russ continued with the third installment of his Sturgis 94 saga, while a new contributor, Frank S poured his heart out about the loss of his FLHS (divorce settlement), his sin of having replaced it with a ZX-11 (temporarily, he claimed), and begged for his forgiveness. Gary and Carole added a short piece on the group ride (18 bikes) that took place the day after Lise's party.

Also found in this month's newsletter, a photo page "of Lise's Halloween Party" (though the photocopying nearly destroyed all the photos' clarity).

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December 1994

The new executive for 1995 was announced. There were now fifteen identified positions on the executive, and for each one, a short bio of the elected member was included.

Regular columns included:

• Important Moments from previous Meeting - It was election night, and Hurst had donated $100 to the chapter.
  

• Editorial - Rick thanks all the members who had contributed to the chapter.
  

• Norm's News - Norm wrote about many of the events he had attended in the past month.
  

• Re-Prints - One re-print was found from the Eastern Tread about insurance, and how it is affected by traffic violations.

Russ's trip to Sturgis 94 story finally (I think) came to a conclusion.

Also included this month was a chapter survey, and a member application renewal form.

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