The debut of a new year usually brings me a mixed bag of emotions. Neglected resolutions will stick in my craw like bugs on a headlight. Nevertheless, successfully harvested intentions, microscopic or massive, will reward me like an autumn ride through the White Mountains, the Adirondacks or the Poconos. Here’s to high mileage for all of us in the Northeast… Good deeds satisfy at any time of year, especially when a contest to help a wounded vet get into the wind is in the works. Such was the case when a custom trike was awarded on Veterans Day to Marine Cpl. Matthew Bowman of Lafayette, Indiana. The 2006 Street Glide was donated by Tramontin Harley-Davidson in Hope, New Jersey, as part of the ScootinAmerica effort. General Manager Nancy Duthie and staff hosted the contest, decided via Facebook voting for nominees. Adam Sandoval, founder of ScootinAmerica, will customize the bike to fit Bowman’s needs. Bowman is a family man and double amputee whose limbs were ravaged in 2011 by a hidden explosive in Afghanistan. The bike will be formally presented during the ScootinAmerica 3-Wheeler Giveaway at Tramontin H-D on April 29… Elsewhere, at Brothers’ Harley-Davidson in Branford, Connecticut, Mike Keehan, operations manager, shared news that the shop was named in October the “Best Motorcycle Dealer” on the seacoast in a readers’ choice hosted by ShoreLine Times, a regional newspaper. Five eligible Harley dealerships and many non-Harley shops contended. Keehan credits the win, along with an accumulation in recent years of five corporate Bar & Shield awards, silver and gold, to founders Bob Sr. and Michele Paolella, who with their sons, Bob Jr., and Ralph, have nurtured the business. Keehan said, “It’ll be 40 years in February. There aren’t a lot of gold awards. And we’re pleased to have the contest’s voters show their love.” Brothers’ H-D opened in 1977… Longevity also was celebrated on October 14 at Heritage Harley-Davidson, located in New Hampshire’s capital city of Concord. Events coordinator Rebecca Bunyard welcomed crowds saluting 34 years in business. Jim Fronk of 104.9 The Hawk broadcast highlights during his afternoon radio show. “There were games and prizes,” Bunyard said. “One of the games was to see how fast you could put on rain gear.” Others flung darts to pop balloons that held vouchers for prizes… Meanwhile, on Saturday, October 29, zombies gave up the ghost of a chance at a $100 gift card for Best Costume at Manchester Harley-Davidson in Manchester, New Hampshire. A monstrous cold front was blamed. Instead, staffers Tony Lascola, Sarah Byron, Stacey Murray, Diane Kline and Taylor Crawn used the lull to surprise Jamie Innis, assistant service manager, with a 44th birthday cake, frosted in ghoulish black, blue and yellow… Also on the 29th, motorcycle racer Jody Perewitz, this planet’s fastest female on a V-Twin and title holder to eight land speed records, was the special guest at Barb’s Harley-Davidson, located in Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey. Barb’s celebrated 29 years in business that day. Jody, daughter of motorcycle paint guru and builder Dave Perewitz, owner of Perewitz Cycle Fabrication in Halifax, Massachusetts, spent quality time with dozens of admirers. A barbecue and 29 door prizes capped the day… That’s all for now, friends. See you down the road.
