Harley-Davidson has announced the dates of the 110th Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee as Thursday through Sunday on Labor Day Weekend 2013, and they would like to know who you would like to see perform. They are planning three separate headliners Thursday through Saturday. If you want to let them know who you would like to see, tweet it to @jeffengelmbj using Harley’s suggested hashtag, #HD110. Please, no EJ again. Tickets go on sale December 10, 2012 for H.O.G. members… Doc’s Harley-Davidson in Bonduel, Wisconsin held its 5th annual Turkey Blow-up Event. Owner Steve “Doc” Hopkins, the guy with the seven-engine Time-Line Harley, and top fuel bike pilot, zookeeper, motel owner and all-around crazy man, also likes to blow up things. He and his H.O.G. chapter built a giant paper mache turkey, filled it with explosives and plastic balls with coupons and money and blew it up for the holidays. That was the easy part, as they had to get permission from Homeland Security for the event… The city of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is going to lease two more motorcycles from Vehicle City Harley-Davidson in Flint to maintain its four-motorcycle fleet. They lease the vehicles for $1,800 per year and have the option of buying them for $14,000. So the Ann Arbor City Council will spend $28,000 to purchase and scrap two of the Harleys after they were both totaled during different training exercises. The money is coming out of the police budget, so I am sure they can easily come up with the cash, if you know what I mean… Forty-one Harley-Davidson motorcycles from Racine H.O.G. Chapter #5624 of the Southeastern Wisconsin H.O.G. paid Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints hospital their 16th annual visit. Led by Santa (Dennis Goffe), 82 riders delivered a check for $1,000 and $500 worth of toys to the Pediatrics Unit. Tim Lawrence (director), Kevin Becker (assistant) and Mike Berna (raffle director) raffle off a new H-D, buy toys and donate them to the Pediatrics Unit. Cash contributions have been used to buy furniture or items that make family members of pediatric patients more comfortable. All Saints Foundation Executive Director Chris Krizek said that every year they are here, no matter what the weather, to spread their warmth and gifts… Omaha motor patrolman Terrence Cabral is filing a lawsuit against the city, saying he is being unfairly treated because he is Hispanic. Now, wait for it—at a poker run in July, he said two women sat on his motorcycle topless without his permission. Chief Todd Schmaderer announced in October that Cabral would be suspended for seven days without pay and reassigned to a different unit. It seems Cabral got ratted out by someone who sent letters and pictures of the July 28 incident at the Chrome Lounge to his superiors. One photo shows a female wearing Cabral’s helmet with her breasts exposed while Cabral was holding either a camera or a cell phone appearing to be taking photos. Witnesses also stated the he handcuffed another female and then bent her over the motorcycle for another photo op. What does that have to do with being Hispanic? I think being a cop might be the problem!… Brian Frye (52) of Waterloo, Indiana, was out taking a ride on his ’09 Harley when he lost control at a railroad crossing causing him to slam to the ground, breaking his leg and leaving a few cuts on his head and arm. He is going to pull through, but alas, his trusty steed did not survive, as an eastbound Norfolk Southern train ran over it and sent it to hog heaven… On November 4, Archie Trapp (88) had his dream granted by Bradley Hospice Dreams center. Archie joined the Army to fight in World War II, and his ability to ride a scooter landed him in the Signal Corps in Germany. After the war he rode, repaired and rebuilt many motorcycles for friends and himself. He even has one on display at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Archie is a patient with Passages Hospice at the Illinois Vets Home. On that November day he pulled out his leathers for one last time. More than 2,000 motorcycles organized by the Tinley Park chapter of American Veterans Motorcycle Riders Association accompanied Archie on a 27-mile ride. He rode in a sidecar and waved at the spectators along the way. He’s a man of few words and when asked he said, “It was an enjoyable ride, indeed.”… Michael Hamon of Delaware, Ohio, finally had his day in court for his 2007 wreck where he hit a pothole on a state highway on-ramp. There were other accidents from that pothole and the state neglected to fix the problem. Mike had 13 separate injuries, $1.2 million in hospital expenses and $58,000 in lost wages. It took five years, but the state has finally agreed to pay him $300,000 to settle the claim… The Indiana State Museum now has an exhibit dedicated to one of its sons, James Dean. Dean was born in Marion, Ohio, and grew up in Fairmount. He made only three movies before he was killed in his Porsche. The museum has acquired his 1955 500cc Triumph and the 1949 Ford he and his date took to the high school prom. You can check out the 38th annual James Dean Festival in Fairmount September 26–29, 2013. They have a car show, swap meet, music and a run to the Park Cemetery where he is buried… Black Diamond Harley-Davidson celebrated Black Friday with a balloon drop that gave its early risers a chance to win prizes and gift cards from at least 20 local retailers. Melinda Youngblood of Mulkeytown won a $500 stereo. Trinka Altenberger won $500 worth of jewelry from TJ’s Fine Jewelry. Jason Anderson of Carterville went shopping with his fiancée and mother and ended up winning $1,000 from Rent One… That’s it for this month, folks. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season, as well as a safe 2013. Ride fast, but ride safe.
