The 2009 annual banquet of the Lake Country Riders was held on February 7 at Carlos O’Kellys Restaurant in Springfield. 28 people attended the banquet. We had several in attendance that we hadn’t seen for some time, and a few we hadn’t met until now.

Chapter Director Steve Short started the meeting with introductions. Ron McCall offered a prayer. Much of the agenda was handled prior to the food arriving. After some visiting, the first item was the presentation of awards. It was announced that this year, new member Ray Ward made our award items. Many of these were engraved pens with the name of the recipient on one side and Lake Country Riders engraved on the other. These were engraved using a laser beam in Ray’s business. The pens were encased in a wood case with a Goldwing and the name of the recipient engraved on the lid of the case. Other awards were wooden plaques engraved appropriately for the occasion.

A set of wine glasses with a Goldwing and the name of the happy couple went to Shauna and Russell Painter as well as to Richard and Lynn Myers. This was to celebrate their newly wed status, as each couple was married during the past year.

Ron McCall was presented with an award of appreciation for his always being Johnny on the Spot to help the club by leading rides and doing anything that needed doing to help the club function. Ron had a serious motorcycle accident last fall. Thankfully he was not injured but his motorcycle was totaled. Ron is currently without a motorcycle but he and his wife, Carla, are considered close and dear friends by all of us. They have chosen to continue their association with the chapter. We are all thankful for that decision.

The high mileage award went to Burl Brown with 14,235 miles. Steve Short (65,345 miles) and Wiliferd Lair (46,377 miles) had withdrawn themselves from consideration. Robert Donkers with 14,176 miles and Ron McCall with 14,148 miles were very close competition for Burl. Congratulations to all.

Robert Donkers was presented the participation award. Robert is almost always present at our chapter activities. The rookie awards went to Steve Paul and Robert Mathre. Since joining the group these two have been at almost every activity of the club. We really like to see that level of participation. In the process they have become very good friends. A plaque was presented to Bill and Mary Jarvis in appreciation of all they have done for the chapter during the past year. Many times they have given of their time and materials as well as their considerable talent to help make our activities more successful.

Steve Short made a couple of personal awards. One went to Chris Lair in recognition of his admission into the Iron Butt Association. This is one organization in which membership must be earned. The entry-level requirement is to complete a 1,000 mile ride in 24 hours with rather extensive documentation. Chris made the ride from Tallahassee, FL to Lumberton, NC and return. Steve’s other award went to Wiliferd Lair for the same accomplishment. Wiliferd had ridden from Springfield, MO to Amarillo, TX and return. These awards were glass plaques engraved with the IBA membership number and logo. LCR now has three IBA members. Those mentioned above and long term IBA member Steve Short.

Robert Donkers donated a hand made wooden bowl of considerable appeal to the chapter as a door prize. He held a drawing and made the award to Sharla Lair. We then had drawings for a number of Motorcycle Awareness sweatshirts donated for the occasion. It was announced that the 2009 motorcycle awareness ride will be on April19 with registration beginning at 12:30 with the ride beginning at 1:30. The ride will start at Remingtons Parking Lot on West Republic Road.

In other business, the chapter opted to use the Missouri Friendship Tour as a special weekend ride for the chapter. We will try to organize that ride when the information comes from our State Director, Bob Anderson.

The chapter will involve itself in participation in events outside the chapter as chosen by the members during the coming year. Information will be sent to the members regarding those events of which we are aware. The members will then let their interest be known so we can choose which events we will try to do as a chapter.

Those present decided they would like to continue with the annual shop day. This will be held at the shop of Wiliferd Lair on a date yet to be decided. Shop day enables the riders to do most any maintenance they might desire on their bikes. Tools, a lift table, and lots of advice are furnished. The group also voted to have a rider-training day at a date yet to be determined dependent on finding a suitable location.

The election of officers yielded the following results:

Chapter Director----Steve Short

Assistant Chapter Director----Phillip Duncan

Secretary-----Shauna Painter

Treasurer-----Mary Jarvis

Ride Coordinator---Russell Painter

Safety Coordinator---Roger Martens

Newsletter Editor----Kay Ward

Educator-------Ray Ward

Assistant Webmaster----Laura Donkers

Many thanks to all volunteers for stepping up to help the chapter.

We had a good meal and did a lot of visiting with good friends. We all look forward to a fun filled 2009.