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 334 Members Riding Strong as of August 1, 2008 |
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History of American Eagle HOG Chapter
Year Three (2004) narrative
by Mike Howell
The American Eagle HOG chapter started the year 2004 with a new slate of officers. A few of them carried over in their same positions from the prior year and some carried over in new positions, but, overall, it was a new team of leaders for the chapter. The officer group was:
Don Riley Director Tony Madsen Assistant Director Dave Gan Treasurer Kellie Long Secretary Steve Long Activities Officer Rebecca Lane Ladies of Harley Officer Glenn Coleman Editor Ed Underwood Webmaster Joei Madsen Membership Officer Art Fleming Historian Marybeth Linich Photographer David Barnes Head Road Captain Bill Bending Safety Officer
Because of the need to modernize the AEHOG website, Art Fleming became the Co-Webmaster with the assignment to bring online a new web site. Mike Howell was selected in September 2004 to replace Art Fleming as the Historian.
January 1st the second annual Brass Monkey Ride was held. The weather was cool and light rain on and off but it didn’t stop 70 people and 30 motorcycles from participating. The ride started from the AEHD dealership and headed to the first stop for lunch. The lunch, including blackeyed peas, was hosted by Tony and Joei Madsen. The ride continued to the final stop for desserts hosted by Ted and Marybeth Linich. It was a great start to the year.
On January 10th the first chapter meeting of the year was followed by a ride to Nick’s Bar and Grille in The Colony for lunch and the chapter pool tournament. Earl Coppinger won the men’s division and Penny Diamond won the women’s division.
The chapter chili cook-off was won by Grumpy Old Men (Dave Ebbett, Mike Schaneman and Don Riley). Grumpy Old Men went on to win the 4th annual HOG South West regional chili cook-off.
On March 27th AEHOG visited Lone Oak Vineyards for a tour and lunch.
On April 5th, the Flower Mound Town Council issued a proclamation declaring May as Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month. A group of Eagles attended to accept the proclamation for the area motorcycle community.
April 16th thru the 18th the AEHOG Thrill in the Hills Weekend Ride to the Texas Hill Country lead by B D and L Tours Ltd.
Despite cool wet weather on May 1st the AEHOG Pass the Pigs II benefiting the March of Dimes filled the Lake Dallas VFW with riders from all over the area. Kevin Diamond walked away with the big prize of $500.
Even rain and flooding didn’t stop AEHOG from showing up in great number to the Texas State HOG rally in Conroe. AEHOG distinguished itself by running a highly successful bike games at the rally.
The Mike Arnondin benefit ride to lunch in Muenster took place on May 23rd. Mike is a fallen Eagle who will be missed by all who knew him.
In June, six motorcycles took off on a ride called the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous. This was a 8 night/9 day ride from Texas to New Mexico and Colorado covering over 2,500 miles. This group returned with many great stories of rain, hail and high altitudes.
Six motorcycles took off on the 3 day Painted Churches Ride Tour to see the famous churches built by German and Czech immigrants in the 19th century in Schulenburg, Texas.
The annual AEHOG Summer Picnic was hosted by Art Fleming. As always the summer picnic was a big success. Makes you want a purple Jell-O shot, doesn’t it?
The AE HOG 2004 Bug Run ended with the hanging of the AEHOG banner at the Thunderhorse Saloon.
Nineteen bikes and twenty seven Eagles set out on the first ever (maybe any where in the world) Sliders Lunch Ride to Killeen for Krystal’s hamburgers. After filling up on belly boomers, the group continued on to Waco for a visit to the Dr Pepper Museum, Buzzard Billy’s for dinner, and cold beverages at Cricket’s Grill.
At the 3rd Annual Chicken Run, hosted by Barry and Fran Buchner at their house at Lake Whitney, AEHOG raised over $4000 to benefit the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
The new AEHOG website came online September 16th, 2004. Sir Don proudly signed the first entry on the new Guest book.
At the Lone Star Biker Bash AEHOG won the trophy for biggest home base.
The Halloween Dinner Ride was a great success.
The second Annual Fall Leaf ride followed a route though Arkansas that enabled group of 31 Eagles to enjoy all the fall colors.
The Holiday party was held at the Radisson in Denton and turned out to be a great success. The band, Souldoubt, kept the dance floor full, the food, and the friendship was off the charts.
As a fitting way to end 2004 a “HOOTER'S WING PARTY MEGA BLOWOUT” was hosted by Dave Gan, Bill Bending, and Shana Spence.
What a great year 2004 was. It took a lot of work by a lot of AEHOG members to make all these and many other events a success, thank you and congratulation to all.