The veterans at the Grand Rapids, Michigan Home for Veterans have 11 new computers with 27” monitors compliments of the American Legion Riders Post #179 in Grandville, Michigan. The computers are equipped with webcams and headsets. Joe Mosketti, assistant director for the Post ALR, said the money for the computers was raised at the annual Veterans Memorial Ride they host every year… Condolences from all of us to Stephen “Doc” Hopkins of Doc’s Harley-Davidson of Shawano County, Wisconsin. Doc’s fiancée Dawn Hamilton (41) passed away on December 9 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. The couple finished this year’s 3,400-mile Cannonball Run on a 1916 H-D, with Dawn riding in the wicker sidecar. Dawn is survived by her five children, her parents and brothers. An education fund for her school-age children is being set up; contact Doc’s Harley-Davidson in Bonduel for more information… The Chez Center for Wounded Veterans in Higher Education at the University of Illinois campus in Urbana, Illinois, received their final check for $7,500 from the Dinosores Motorcycle Club. In 2014 the club pledged $40,000 to the Center, and thought they could pay off their pledge in 2018. This installment helped them pay it off two years early. Scott Harper, director of Make a Difference for the Dinosores MC said many of the members are veterans and they wanted to be involved with giving back, and their donation enables them to sponsor a residence area at the center… Mark Ulinski, owner of Racine Harley-Davidson in Wisconsin, has sold his dealership to House of Harley-Davidson based in Greenfield. President of House Jeff Binkert said they will be bringing a learn-to-ride program and a Harley-Davidson rental program to the area which is 30 miles south of Milwaukee. Happy retirement, Mark… The Wetzel Motorcycle Club in Van Wert, Ohio, bought 152 children gifts and helped out one area family for Christmas in 2016. Every year the Salvation Army of Van Wert gives the club a list of children’s names and a list of four needs and three wants per child. The club spent $70 per child. In addition to the children of the area, the club donated to the women’s shelter through the YWCA of Van Wert County… Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson in Hudsonville, Michigan, is mourning the loss of their longtime service manager Korey Taphouse who was struck by a Jeep on November 27. The driver of the Jeep, Heidi Vanderbie (46), did not stop at the scene, and waited until she got home to call 911 to report that she thought she hit a deer, obviously preventing immediate emergency care. Korey Taphouse leaves behind his wife Emily and two daughters, ages 2 and 4. Korey was a great guy, liked by all and will surely be missed by many… Just before Christmas a 65-year-old Avon Lake, Ohio, man stopped his motorcycle at a red light and promptly tipped over. The guy tried to set it up and it fell over the other way, and he fell over on top of his scoot. A Westlake Police officer also a motorcycle rider, was directly behind the guy at the light and got out to help him set it up properly by putting the kickstand down first. After getting the scoot back on the kickstand the officer offered the man a breathalyzer, which he promptly refused, so he was arrested for DUI… That’s it for this month; it’s all about you, the Midwest biker. Ride fast, but ride safe.
