It seems that our favorite dysfunctional family is launching yet another television series, featuring the (mis)adventures of the Orange County Choppers custom bike shop. The new series has been in the works for a while, but there was one dilemma—since Paul Sr. is the only Teutel left in the family business, a new television personality/bike builder had to be found. Well, it appears the problem has finally been solved. Evan Favaro, owner of Speakeasy Motors in Paramus, is slated to become the next victim—er, ah, I mean co-star—for the show that’s slated to premier on CMT in November. A sneak preview was already aired in August. Did anyone see it?… Congratulations to White’s Harley-Davidson of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on their 60th anniversary! Owners Joe and Donna White celebrated this momentous occasion during their annual Fall Open House held on September 28. The event featured live music, demo rides, a classic bike display, tattooing and pinstriping, lunch prepared by the Blue Mountain H.O.G. chapter and more. Just over 10 years ago, Joe White opened another dealership, Iron Valley Harley-Davidson, 10 miles south in Manheim, and has now purchased Smaltz’s Chester County Harley-Davidson in Chester Springs. The dealership will be renamed Chester County Harley-Davidson… The Jersey Shore suffered another devastating blow less than a year after Hurricane Sandy decimated many of the ocean communities in the area. On September 12, a fire ripped through the communities of Seaside Heights and Seaside Park, destroying 50 boardwalk businesses and causing the destruction of eight blocks of the just-rebuilt boardwalk itself. The annual Ride the Boards Motorcycle Rally at Seaside Heights had been scheduled to take place September 19–21, and many were wondering if the event was still on. Ocean County H-D, Captain Hooks and the Hershey Motel, presenters of the event, announced that the event would still go on, and about 1,500 people showed up at the fourth-year event. Ocean County H-D owner Asa Murray said, “Our goal was to bring people into Seaside and help support the businesses.” There were bands, vendors and a motorcycle parade on a part of the boardwalk that wasn’t damaged. Stay Jersey Strong!… THUNDER PRESS contributor Dom Mazza writes: “Hi, Shadow. As you are aware, our group, the Long Island Harley Riders, visits the Sagamore Children’s Psychiatric Center during the Christmas season to deliver toys and joy to the children who are patients there. The New York State Office of Mental Health has determined that this facility will be closed next year, leaving Long Island with no in-patient mental health facilities for children. The children who would have gone to the local facility will have to go into a Queens or Bronx facility for treatment. This would put a hardship on both the children and families for transportation and visiting. There is a local effort to try and stop the closing. Go to www.savesagamore.wordpress.com for more information and to find out what you can do.”… Chris Corasio tells me that the Fidelians of America are doing another motorcycle raffle! First prize is a 2013 H-D Ultra Classic and second prize is two tickets to the 2014 Super Bowl at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Only 2,500 tickets will be sold at $20 each, and the drawing is December 18. Part of the Fidelians’ mission statement is: It is our mission to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate and disadvantaged. We believe by aiding young people with disabilities, we can empower them to reach their full potential for personal development.” A worthy cause, indeed, and in my opinion, the second prize is every bit as good as the first prize. How often is a Super Bowl played in New Jersey? More info about the Fidelians and the raffle can be found at www.fidelians.com and www.bikerraffle.com… Here is an excerpt from what THUNDER PRESS reader Stan Oakes sent in: “On September 8, ABATE of PA held their annual Flight 93 Memorial Ride from Highland H-D in Somerset, Pennsylvania, to the crash site near Shanksville. Each year ABATE honors the heroism of the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The main memorial event is held each year on 9/11 at 9:45 a.m., around the time investigators say the passengers tried to retake the plane. Each September 11, most of the passengers’ families return to the little town of Shanksville for quiet time and a chance to reflect on just what the heroes of Flight 93 had done for all Americans. ABATE of PA remembers with this short, compassionate and respectful ride each year those individuals who gave everything so that others could live on. ABATE of PA would like to thank all the riders that attended to show respect to individuals of Flight 93. Never forget those final words, ‘Let’s roll.’” If you would like to contact Stan, the public relations officer of ABATE of PA, you can e-mail him at publicrelations@abatepa.org… From THUNDER PRESS reader Luke: “I am writing you on behalf of the South Jersey Coalition of Military Clubs. We are a coalition of six military clubs from the South Jersey area that has been active for about two years. During the recent Roar to the Shore rally in Wildwood, we held our first fundraiser for charities and collected over $3,800. We are having a luncheon at the Marine Corps League in Mantua, New Jersey, on October 27 at 1:00 p.m. to present checks to representatives of the various charities. We would love a little publicity in the motorcycle community to let people who donated know the money is really being given to charity. If you could give us help through THUNDER PRESS, we would appreciate it.” Consider it done, Luke!
