It was first immortalized by Mark Twain in 1865 when he wrote The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. His tale was based upon a story about a man and his frog as told to him by a bartender at the Angels Hotel in Angels Camp. Go visit the hotel May 15–18; it is now a historical landmark. By all means jump on over to Jamestown Harley-Davidson on Saturday the 17th for their Frogs/Hogs Party in the afternoon. On Sunday, take in the Jumping Frog contest at the Calaveras Fairgrounds, and see if any frog today can beat the 1968 record of 21’5 3/4″ inches set by “Rosie the Ribeter.” This is sure to be a lot of fun… How many times have you ridden to an event and bought raffle tickets that won you someone’s idea of a re-gift? Alternatively, how many times have you paid $20 or more to try to win a motorcycle or a leather jacket? Well, now you can invest in a raffle at $4 per ticket, three for $10 or seven for $20, and with these tickets you stand to win a two-year Harley-Davidson service contract that is redeemable anywhere in the United States. Don’t need that? Well, maybe you will win your choice of a two-bike motorcycle trailer or $2,000 cash. How about a Vizio L.E.D. television, or an Apple iPad and iPad Mini, or a HERO3 Series black biker camcorder? But that is not the end of all this goodness; here’s the kicker: All of these raffle prizes are redeemable/deliverable anywhere in California! Mark your calendar. This raffle will take place at the Iron Steed Harley-Davidson dealership in Vacaville on June 1. For raffle tickets contact Jim Schlachter at 707.430.2316, or e-mail pinetreebay@yahoo.com. You can also contact Iron Steed at 707.455.7000 or visit www.ironsteedhd.com. Iron Steed H-D and ABATE Local 17 have partnered up to sponsor and present the 17th annual Hot Rod and 20th annual Ride-in Motorcycle Shows. It is here that you will see some awesome motorcycles, and the hot rods are nothing but top-drawer. If you want to enter your bike or car, or participate as a vendor, contact Danielle or Dave at the dealership. The entry fee is $20 on or before May 31, and $25 after that. The Best of Show-winning motorcycle will receive a $250 gift card. There will be food and drink with music by Savannah Blue, and admission is free!… Happy birthday to all riders who celebrate in May. Happy birthday to Hannelore Hill in Watsonville, Andy Lagosh in Sacramento, Niel Macdonald in Boulder Creek, Jan Landers in Vacaville, George Lucchesi in Santa Cruz, Barbara “JJ” Wissler in Monterey, Pervis Leewright in Fairfield, Elly Rampoldi of Modesto H.O.G., Amy DeNero of Monterey Bay H.O.G.-Santa Cruz, Pam Hensley of North Coast H.O.G. in Ferndale, and Jim Statham in Spearfish, South Dakota. Happy birthday to Felicia Morgan, THUNDER PRESS Northern California bureau chief. Happy birthday to celebrity riders Cher, Clint Eastwood, George Clooney and Wynonna… Congratulations to Mitchell’s Harley-Davidson in Modesto for celebrating 25 years in business. This dealership has one of the best, if not the best, H.O.G. chapters around. I receive their newsletter each month, and I cannot wait to read it. Many thanks to Sue Chimerofsky, editor of the Hog Wash, for sending it. I want to give a strong second to a suggestion made by Joe Rosa, the assistant director, in his column for April. First, Joe pointed out that, as a H.O.G. member, you automatically receive coverage for one tow per year not to exceed $100. But Joe recommends that everyone upgrade to the deluxe road service package offered by Harley. He is so right. The cost is only $19.95 per year, and it can save you hundreds. The deluxe package includes unlimited tow service to the nearest Harley-Davidson dealership. It sure saved our bacon when Jack’s bike broke down in a remote area of Utah a couple of years ago. A tow truck picked him up at a National Bridges Ranger Station in Southern Utah and took him to the dealership in Durango, Colorado. That trip is about 400 miles, and his Road America insurance covered it completely. You can get more information about this insurance through your National H.O.G. benefits program, or contact Road America Customer Care at 866.209.8270 or www.road-america.com/hog.
