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TIGER TALES - DECEMBER 2009
Greetings
to my Brothers and Sisters in the Riding Community! Well,
it's finally arrived-my last month in office serving as ABATE of
Oklahoma's State Coordinator, and next month I'll step down and let some
younger folks lead Oklahoma's Motorcyclist Rights Organization into a
bright future. The future certainly looks bright indeed, as ABATE's
membership has doubled over the past six months, to over 1,300! In that
vein, since we held elections at the October Board Meeting, I want to
offer my heartfelt congratulations to our new ABATE State Officers for
the 2010-2011 term: State Coordinator Garry "2R" Canaday; State
Sgt-at-Arms Jack "Shooter" Shelley; State Secretary Brook
"X-Man"
Bullock; and State Treasurer Callie "Strawberry" Catcher.
These fine
folks are eminently qualified to perform a terrific job, with varied
backgrounds in business, politics, education, and finance. Many thanks
for volunteering your time and talents to improve the Quality of Life
for Oklahoma's Motorcycling Community. I very much look forward to us
working closely together as ABATE continues to defend Motorcycling
Freedom in our state and Nationwide.
Our new officers will be formally invested at our "Oklahoma
S.M.I.L.E." ABATE General Membership Meeting at the Quartz Mountain
Resort in Lone Wolf, OK January 8-9, 2010. That'll be the first action
to accomplish at the January ABATE State Board Meeting which will begin
Saturday's activities. For those who've never attended, the General
Membership meeting is a terrific opportunity to discuss Motorcycling
Freedom issues, and socialize with ABATE Members from all over the
state. We were inspired by our membership in the Mid-South M.I.L.E. to
call the Meeting "State Motorcyclists Improving Legislative
Effectiveness"--with a name like that, you have to smile! The
meeting
will feature a Keynote Legislative Speaker, informative and educational
seminars, and an Open Format Town Hall Meeting where ABATE Members can
ask questions, share ideas, and air their views. We'll also feature a
fun party with lots of door prizes. Once again, our Great Plains
Chapter will be hosting the event, which they've done admirably for a
couple of years now, and will feature a well-stocked Hospitality Room on
Friday and Saturday night. Paul Champagne, our "Jukebox
Junkie", will
be set up for some excellent Karaoke both nights, so be prepared to
carry a tune! It's a worthwhile event, so please make plans to attend..
With our increased membership rolls, I hope we enjoy our best turnout
ever. Mention your ABATE membership to get the discount hotel
rate--I'll be looking for you!
I hope all of you who attended ABATE's "Party On The Plains"
at the
Westlake Sportsmen's Complex in Enid October 2-4 had a good time. I know
I did! One of the best things to happen to me was when I showed up at
the front gate Friday night, and Garry "2R" showed me a stack of 35
applications for new ABATE Members who signed up at arrival! A couple
of hundred riders joined us for a festive weekend, which included
On-Stage Karaoke with the Jukebox Junkie from the Great Plains Chapter,
an Observation Poker Run (won by Andy Huddleston), a Bike Show, Bike
Games, People Games, a Tattoo Contest, and live music from Ten-Foot
Chicken on Saturday night. There were a number of vendors set up, and
the food trailer was serving up some pretty good chow. Attendees
enjoyed a weekend of Biker Brotherhood around roaring campfires under a
full moon by a beautiful lake, and it doesn't get much better! Speaking
of a "Full Moon", "2R" seemed to outrun his kilt a lot,
and one of our
ladies decided to go skinny-dipping at night in 40-degree weather.
Pretty courageous, "Dipper"! Ilka Heiskell from the Great
Plains
Chapter, ABATE's "Tooth Fairy", was in fine form, as was the
Sisterhood
Of The Traveling Tents. She always seemed to have a full bottle of
Apple Korn at the ready, and kept everybody in high spirits. Ilka had
an additional reason to celebrate this year, as she officially became an
American Citizen--congratulations!! Many thanks to all our ABATE
Chapters for logistical support, security staffing, and providing the
awesome trophies and plaques. We'll be hosting this event the first
weekend in October next year, so put it on your schedule and get in on
the good times!
I can't forget to mention what a terrific occasion this year's
Mid-South M.I.L.E. Motorcyclist Rights Seminar was, held in Emporia, KS
October 16-18. It was one of the best-attended M.I.L.E. events in
almost 20 years, with close to 200 folks taking part. ABATE of Oklahoma
didn't beat out ABATE of Kansas for the most attendees, but we had over
60 members show up, and we definitely made our presence felt! The
Hospitality Suite provided opportunity for Rights Activists to network
from the five member states, as well as with Liberty Advocates from
other states such as Pennsylvania, and Freedom Fighters from Belgium as
well. The event featured educational and informative seminars on such
diverse topics as the Global Situation, Legislative Effectiveness,
Federal-level Issues, and MRO Membership Retention, which was presented
by our own John Pierce. The Kick-Start Membership Forum provided
rank-and-file members a platform to voice concerns, ask questions and
share ideas. Keynote speakers included Kirk "Hardtail"
Willard,
President of the Motorcyclist Rights Foundation; Imre Sautzer of the
American Motorcyclist Association; and State Senator Jim "Putter"
Putnam
of South Dakota, who is on the Legislative Task Force of the National
Coalition Of Motorcyclists. The Saturday night banquet and auction was
festive, and ABATE of Oklahoma emerged the big winner: not only did we
successfully bid on the marble Traveling Trophy, but we came away with
our own Oklahoma Basket crammed with locally-made products, and with the
Arkansas Basket as well! All the State Baskets were outstanding this
year, but the ladies of our Lakes Area Chapter once again outdid
themselves with an arrangement highlighted by a cedar dining-room set.
Kudos once more to our Three Amigas!! Next year's M.I.L.E. event is
being planned for Sherman Texas, and our friends to the South are
planning to live up to their state's "Bigger Is Better"
reputation. I
hope to see all of you there!
ABATE once again took part in honoring America's Veterans through
hosting its 13th Annual Veterans' Day Run to the State Capitol on
Wednesday, November 11. Hundreds of riders participated in our
traditional Bike Parade from the Skyline Restaurant parking lot in
Southeast Oklahoma City to the Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Park. It's an
impressive sight to see a long line of bikes and trikes proceeding
around the State House and filling the Capitol South Parking lot to
honor our Armed Forces members who have given so much to defend our
Freedom, especially since so many have to work on Veterans Day and many
schools are in session. Our Riding Community joined in for the 11:00AM
services at the War Memorial, which dates from Armistice Day established
to commemorate the end of World War I (in a very short time, all our
World War I Veterans will be gone), and celebrated the many
contributions of our Veterans. It is especially important that we do
this with so many service members in harm's way as the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan continue. Many thanks to all the attendees, and to the
American Legion Riders Post #1340 and Charley's Last Stand for your
continued support--it's greatly appreciated.
Tiger's Tip O' The Month: A lot of research is being conducted
on
what's causing motorcyclist deaths and injuries, what with the Crash
Causation Study authorized to be accomplished in Oklahoma and the
Federal Government's increased focus on Distracted Driving. One key
element we all need to remember is that being aware of your surroundings
is critically important, both for ourselves as motorcyclists and for
those who share the Road with us. That awareness needs to be increased
as we head into the Winter months, since the last thing an automobile
driver is going to be looking for out in the cold weather is a
motorcycle! So, anticipate anything, and be prepared to expect the
unexpected, like icy patches caused from runoff by lawn sprinklers
ignorant homeowners allow to activate year-round!
Well, it's time for me to bring 2009 to a close, and I can look in the
mirror feeling satisfied that I leave the post of State Coordinator with
ABATE a vibrant, energetic Motorcyclist Rights Organization prepared to
lead the Freedom Fight into next year and beyond. If anyone expects me
to fade away, they'll be disappointed. You'll still see me hanging
around bothering folks in the future, as I plan to stay active with my
local ABATE Chapter, the Central Oklahoma District. I plan to make my
presence known routinely to Legislators at the State Capitol, and look
forward to interacting closely with ABATE's Legislative Committee.
Speaking of which, don't forget to put ABATE's 2010 Legislative
Breakfast at the State House on your calendars. It'll be held
Wednesday, February 10, from 7:30AM to 12 Noon at the Capitol Fourth
Floor Rotunda. It's a terrific opportunity to get to know your
Legislators! I'll also continue as Liaison for the Oklahoma
Confederation Of Clubs, and ABATE wants me to stay on as a member of the
NCOM Board Of Directors. I'm honored and privileged to function in both
these positions. ABATE also requested me to continue writing Tiger
Tales, which I've done pretty much without missing a month since
1997--believe me, it's been an honor and a pleasure! Since this isn't
at all a good-bye, I'll close with a thank-you to all my ABATE Family
for placing your confidence in me as a Motorcyclist Rights Leader, and
for your support, prayers and respect for we've tried to accomplish
together all these years. Any successes we've achieved, such as getting
Jaggers' Law passed, we've accomplished as an Organization--I couldn't
have done what I've been able to do without the help of Freedom-loving
motorcyclists of all backgrounds. Continue to Ride Free, Safely, Sober
and Aware, especially during the numerous Toy Runs our generous,
community-spirited ABATE Chapters are hosting. Best wishes for a Merry
Christmas and a happy Holiday Season, and for God's Watchfulness and all
good things in the coming New Year. I'll look forward to seeing you on
the Road in the future as we continue together the fight to enhance
Motorcycling Liberty on all levels, and keep Oklahoma one of the best
states in the Union in which to enjoy life on two- and three wheels!
Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,
Tiger Mike
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