ATTENDING:  Rod & Rose Fleming (and Jay); John Q. Lawrence; Skip & Cheryl Wilson; Debra Smith; Melinda Mitchell; Tom Warren; Greg & Seanna Huber; Bill Edwards; Scott Helstrom; Doc & Bonnie Cassidy; Kevin Atherton; Carole Helstrom. 

Guests Attending:  Russ Green; Ed Kalajainen. 

Greg Huber called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. 

MINUTES:  John Q. motioned that the minutes be approved as posted to the web site; Rod Fleming seconded.  The minutes were approved. 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Gary Steinweg is currently enjoying New York City, so Rose Fleming read the treasurer’s report.  After expenses for the upcoming Christmas party, and the monthly service fee were deducted, we have $481.72 in our treasury.  Rod moved that the report be accepted as read; Debra smith seconded.  The Treasurer’s Report was approved. 

Greg Huber welcomed our guests, Russ and Ed. 

OLD BUSINESS:  No old business was discussed. 

CHRISTMAS PARTY COMMITTEE REPORT:  Rose and Carole reported on the progress of the plans for the upcoming party on December 4^th.  Carole submitted the proposed menu.  Rose went over the decorating plans, and asked for volunteers to come on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning to help set up.  Volunteers are also needed for cleaning up on Sunday morning.  Rose went over the rules for the Mystery Gift Exchange game.  (There will also be written instructions at the party.)  Members were asked to remember that no one is to pay more than $10.00 for the exchange gift.  Melinda asked if it would be okay to bring something that had a higher value, and Rose repeated the instruction that the actual cost of the item could not exceed the limit, regardless of value.  If, for instance, Steve got an item on E-Bay that was valued at $50, but he only paid $10.00 for it, then that item would be acceptable. 

NEW BUSINESS:  John Q. had several ideas that he shared with us.  (So THAT’S what that faint odor was coming from…brain cells in overload!) 

            1.  Crash Bar Protectors---Use the rigid foam insulation that is normally used on water pipes, to fashion temporary protectors for the shiny parts of your bike that might get scratched when you are practicing tight turns, running circles, and u-turns.  (More about those practice sessions later.) 

            2.  Compact Tool Kit---Wal-Mart on Aero Drive now has a Motorcycle Department.  John came across a handy little all-purpose tool kit that has a set of sockets, a few Allen wrenches, a screwdriver, Universal wrench and a couple of other things.  They all fold up inside each other like a Swiss Army Knife, and fit in a small pouch that you can carry on your bike or on your belt.  The kit comes in both standard and metric, and is only available at the store on Aero Drive.  It retails for $12.00 (pouch included). 

            3.  Chrome Bolt Covers---Use the ones designed to fit over the bolts on license plate frames to cover the bolt heads on your bike.  They snap on and off easily.  A small dot of silicone inside will assure a snug fit, and make them practically impervious to vibration. 

            4.  Skills Improvement---John Q. (with input from Kent and Leon) came up with a set of exercises designed to help riders improve their skills.  These practice sessions cover warm-ups; u-turns; obstacle avoidance; emergency stops and low speed maneuvers.  John Q. also put the gist of his document on a handy card so that riders can carry it with them. “The more you practice, the better you’ll become…”.  All members are urged to get a copy from John, or download it from the web site under “members only”.  Then get out there in an empty parking lot or other safe place and practice.  (NOTE:  This last idea fit so well with our emphasis on safety, that it replaced the normal Safety First part of our meeting.   

Doc has offered to let us use the Baptist church parking lot for practice.  He is planning on painting circles, and dots, representing cones, on the asphalt.  (NOTE: Warning!  If you want to use it on Sunday morning, you will be required to attend Services, preferably before the collection plate is passed.  I think he was kidding.) 

NEW RIDES: 

            They’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round The Mountain Ride              Dec. 11, 2004

                  Ride Captain: Tom Warren 

            Holiday Lights Ride                                                                  Dec. ???

                  Ride Captain:  John Del Santo  

            Annual New Year’s Day Ride                                       Jan. 1, 2005

                  Ride Captain: Rod Fleming 

            Freeze Out VI                                                                          Jan 29, 2005

                  Ride Captain:  Don Presten (Hopefully) 

Members are reminded to check the web site often, as departure places and times for scheduled rides will be posted there.  

(NOTE: Some rides do not have dates attached to them, so it is doubly important that members go to “upcoming rides” to get the details.) 

John Q. moved to adjourn the meeting; Rod seconded.  The meeting adjourned at 10:30. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Rose Fleming

Secretary 

THERE WILL NOT BE A WANDERERS MEETING IN DECEMBER!  HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON.  RIDE SAFE!!!!