Steve and Missy Strait, truly active H.O.G. chapter members at the downtown A.D. Farrow store, were in a recent accident and Missy sustained some terrible head injuries. Steve is struggling with the challenges while raising two sons. Prayers and thoughts would be greatly appreciated, and an account has been established to help with the family. If you want to donate, you can send donations to: First Merit Bank, 1 East Main St, West Jefferson, OH, 43162. Address envelopes to “Lead Teller” and make checks to Melissa K. Strait Benevolent Fund, and write “H.O.G. Officer” in the memo section. Just miss one poker run and send in your savings. How easy is that?… Eric Buell Racing is at it again. They have secured $20 million from FirstPathway Partners LLC to help design additional models of street sportbikes and to grow the business to include international exports. The company is still based in East Troy, Wisconsin, and the money will allow the company to expand locally and add local jobs, while keeping everything here in the good old U.S.A… Shannon Dodds, 33, of Wesleyville, Ohio, was crowned Miss Roar on the Shore in downtown Erie, and Amanda Metzger was first runner-up. Cecile Elfman of Lakewood, New York, won the 2012 Harley Dyna Super Glide. This was the 6th annual Roar on the Shore, which includes different runs every day including a ladies-only run, before returning to Perry Square for the vendors, entertainment and fellowship… Thumbs down to the Michigan State Police for purchasing BMW motorcycles instead of the traditional Harley-Davidsons they have been using for over 80 years. State Police spokeswoman Shannon “I’ve Never Been on a Harley and Wouldn’t Know” Banner said the choice was not easy, but in the end it was based on performance rather than place of origin (marketing strategy at work here). The annual savings of around $400 per motorcycle prompted the change. Glennis Morrell, director of Motor City H.O.G. Chapter, would like to see our state government (led by Rick “The Nerd” Snyder) support American-made and the Midwest by continuing to help our economic recovery… Open Road Harley-Davidson in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, is still helping with the fundraising of the Muskegon Motorcycle Gang members (two dead and many injured), after Clinton Lovelace crossed the center line and wiped out 10 of the 12 motorcyclists from Michigan. A fundraiser for the victims and their families was started by the dealership, and supporters used a Harley-Davidson flag to attach messages and donations. Open Road co-owner Lori Thiel felt compelled to do something to help, and help they did. The flag and more than $20,000 will be given to the members of the Muskegon Motorcycle Gang… Speaking of the Muskegon Motorcycle Gang, more than 600 riders took off from Hot Rod Harley-Davidson in Muskegon, Michigan, for their 60-mile 4th annual Freedom Run on July 14 and finished at Pat’s Roadhouse (a great biker-friendly bar) for food and music in the huge back patio and party area. All monies raised will be donated to local charities Waves of Hope, Special Olympics of Michigan Area 21, and the Child Abuse Council of Muskegon. Muskegon Motorcycle Gang member Dave Matuzeski said they expected to raise more than $20,000 by the end of the day. The first three events raised a total of $60,000 and the goal this year was to raise $30,000… The 8th annual Northern Indiana Ride for Kids was held in South Bend to raise money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Hundreds of motorcyclists rode the back roads of the Michiana (Michigan-Indiana) area to raise $75,000 for research and family support. Georgia Ford, task force leader, said that they have raised over $476,000 in the search to find a cure in their annual Ride for Kids… St. Croix Harley-Davidson in New Richmond, Wisconsin, has lost one of their own special employees following complications from routine surgery. Gary Brecht, 69, was the general sales manager for many years and retired at 66, but returned part time to the sales department. The dealership asks that you keep him in your prayers and your memories… Congratulations to Rodney Johnson of Sioux City, Iowa, on winning the 2012 Harley FLHX raffle bike at this year’s Awesome Biker Nights party. He was sitting down to dinner when the phone rang and the rep said he has two choices: $15,000 or the scoot. He wanted to think about it, but they wanted an answer right away so he said the magic word, “Harley.” He hasn’t ridden in about 30 years, but now he is getting his endorsement and hitting the open road… Hamilton Harley-Davidson in Sturgis, Michigan, and the city have started their own Sturgis Week Party. Thousands of motorcycles attended the event and the Music Fest on Saturday. The main event of the festival was a raffle for the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Road Machine,” a 2012 Nightster 1200 customized by dealership owners Tommy and Bethan Hamilton. Ten names were chosen from the thousands and put into a helmet and names were then drawn to eliminate the contenders. The last man shaking was Scott Hopson of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Second-place winner Debbie Ulmer of Sturgis won a seven-night stay in Hawaii. Scott said he already has a bike and will keep this one, too. It’s always nice to have a backup, isn’t it?… Ladies, have you visited the interactive website created by The Motor Company called the Buzz Wall? You can find it at Harley-Davidson.com/voices. You can submit your stories on why you ride or want to learn. There are plenty of stories submitted from women around the world… If you want to buy a motorcycle on Sunday, just mosey on over to Indiana. In a law that went into effect on July 1, it is now legal to buy, sell or trade motorcycles on Sundays. For the working persons out there, this is just what the economy needed… That’s it for this month folks; it’s all about you, the Midwest biker. Ride fast, but ride safe.
