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Boxer Shorts, March, 2005 - 3 of 4

February Meeting Minutes

by Fred Kolack, Secretary and Clerk

Fred The February breakfast meeting, the first for the new administration, opened at 9:15, following another excellent breakfast provided by Matt Murphy, chef and owner of Stones Public House. The number of members present exceeded all expectations for turnout; 75 meals were served, and despite 30° temps and clear skies, half a dozen riders braved the winter roads, including President Craig Cleasby, who rode up from Connecticut. Breakfast Committee members Richard McElroy and Don Lapierre rose to the task on this date, greeting people at the door, collecting the meal charge and providing nametags. "Limited Edition" YB stickers, à la white oval placards placed on the backs of European vehicles to designate their country of origin, were also sold by Don. These stickers designate a Yankee Beemer, not just a place. Sold this day only for $1 each, 94 stickers "went like hot cakes", an attest to their popularity and to Don's promotional skills. Additional stickers will continue to be available, at the normal sale price of $2 each, through Dana Lewis.

Treasurer Maurice Kornreich voiced a reminder that 2005 membership dues are now "overdues" and that further editions of this fine publication in your hands will regretfully be withheld from those in arrears.

Memorial services for fellow Yankee Beemer member Fred Tausch, held the day before this meeting, was attended by 50 Yankee Beemers. Past YB President Jeff Stein delivered an inspiring and very touching eulogy, as is reported in another portion of this edition of the Boxer Shorts.

The second annual 3 Amigos South America Tour, made by Mike Andrews, Raul Laguarda and Gary Van Voorhis was briefly presented, starting with a humorous explanation from Raul that, following their trip, there is now no more wine remaining in South America. Other anecdotal remarks referred to the kindness and generosity extended by local residents they met on this trip.

Rob Nye spoke to the importance of members' voting in upcoming MOA elections. Rob, the present MOA Secretary, is not up for re-election this term, but Dave Swider is running this year for Vice President. Mike Friedle is an incumbent candidate running for a seat on the Board of Directors, and Karl Neugebauer is also running for another seat on the Board of Directors. Rob also announced that the 2006 MOA National Rally will be held at the Essex Fairgrounds in Burlington, VT. Rob, Josh Ascher and Mike Freidle will be co-chairmen for this event.

The 50/50 raffle, skillfully administered by Karl Neugebauer, raised $111 for the club, and the $56 prizes were claimed by lucky recipients Jeff Stein and new member, Sue Nightingale.

Seven new members were recognized. They included: Wayne White from Plymouth, who rides an R90; Bill Peloquin from Southbridge who rides an RT; Rob Dupre from Lakeville who rides a 1200GS; John Leone from Wakefield, who rides a R1200GS; Sue Nightingale from Rhode Island, who rides a R1100RS; Tom Costa who rides a K75S; and Bruce Erne from Wellesley, who owns an R64, a 60/2 with a sidecar, an R60, presently being converted to an R100, an R69S, and an R1200C.

Upcoming events discussed at this meeting included:

• March 4-13; Daytona Bike Week. T.J. Inman of Wagner BMW states that they will feature a big screen TV simulcast of the Daytona 200 race on Saturday the 12 in their Shrewsbury showroom, from 10:00 to 4:00.

• March 20; the next YB Breakfast meeting. The GOLD CARD will be available for purchase, at this upcoming meeting only. This card gives the purchaser free attendance to The Wacky Hat Rally, the Frosty Nuts Rally, the Pemi River Rally, The Heath Rally, and, as of this year, the Green Mountain Rally.

• April 9 is the beginning of the Annual BMW MOA Mileage Survey. Many participants plan to bring their survey forms to the April 17 YB Breakfast meeting for necessary endorsement. As a courtesy to members, Maurice Kornreich will be collecting completed forms at the meeting, and mailing them in to the MOA.

• April 30; Track Day Prep at MAX BMW in Hampton, NH. The Actual Track Day is Monday, May 9 at New Hampshire International Speedway. Cost is $225 for the day. Almost half of the 75 to 80 slots are already spoken for, and the goal is to fill up this class with Yankee Beemers and other BMW riders. Contact Doug Morrison or Max Stratton for additional information on this great chance to get the club together and learn invaluable riding lessons, in a controlled environment, from Tony Ianelli and his instructors.

• May 6-7-8; Frosty Nuts Rally, to be held at Jamaica, VT.

• May 28-30; Memorial Day Weekend has two separate events. The Black Fly Rally in Maine, organized by Fred Burgess, and also the Diane Pleines Fundraiser Ride in the Catskill region of New York, organized by Victor Cruz. Wagner BMW will match funds raised in this event, up to $750.

• July 21-24 is the BMW MOA National Rally, to be held this year in Lima, Ohio. President Craig Cleasby has volunteered the Yankee Beemers for the morning Coffee Detail, to be provided at a stationary facility and also mobile delivery via a golf cart.

• August 20-29 is The YB European Tour. This tour was arranged by Moe Lazzaro and Victor Cruz in conjunction with the Münchner Freiheit touring company. 20 members signed up before this deadline. The tour will begin at the BMW World Corporate Headquarters in Munich, extend through Switzerland into northern Italy for the Upper Italian Lakes Tour and return through Austria. 20 Yankee Beemers members are going to get their fill of Mediterranean foods, Bavarian beers and the hairpin turns of the infamous Alpine passes.

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