everglades chapter newsletter - winter issue...

As 2010 came to a close, I can look back on a very�

exciting year of events, both here in Florida and at�

locations outside the state. I have been fortunate�

enough to participate in the Eustis National, Riding�

into History, the Rhinebeck National, the Big Sandbar�

Road Run, the Davenport National and the Lake�

Mirror Classic, as well as several Everglades Chapter�

rides and bike shows. All of these events have been�

fun and exciting and I am looking forward to 2011�

with much anticipation.�

The Everglades Chapter had our annual meeting and�

elections on September 25th at the Clewiston Inn.�

The results for the 2011 officers and board members�

are as follows: President Jack Stauffer, Vice President�

Robert Anderson, Treasurer David Porter, Secretary�

Penny Anderson, Newsletter Editor Michael�

Pruszynski, and Board of Directors members Alan�

Berry, Tommy Rosseger, Kelli Stauffer and Roy�

Wasson.�

The Everglades Chapter National Road Run is fast�

approaching. As of this writing things are coming�

together very nicely. Our ride routes have been put�

together and some exciting and fun things are�

planned for the participants at the Rodeheaver Boys�

Ranch. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there�

and at the Sunshine Chapter’s Eustis meet.�

On a sad note, our Chapter lost member Raymond�

Dhue. Gentleman Ray served tirelessly as treasurer�

for the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Inc.®�

and as vice president for the Antique Motorcycle�

Foundation Inc.®. Raymond was also instrumental in�

promoting the Lake Mirror Classic in Lakeland�

through the Everglades Chapter. You will be sorely�

missed, my friend.�

Ride Safe,�

Flathead Jack�

Issue One, Winter Issue 2011�

Back in the saddle�

Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Inc.®�®�

By Flathead Jack, Chapter President�

Everglades Chapter - Issue One, 2011 Winter Issue�

Welcome to the 2011 Everglades Chapter newsletter!�

As the new editor-in-chief, I have revamped our newsletter with a new�look that I hope you will like. This leaner, cleaner design will propel�our chapter to a new level, giving us an edge over other chapters. Of�course, the newsletter is only as good as its content, so please make it a�point to contribute! All chapter members are invited to submit any�stories and/or photographs you would like to see in our publication.�Please submit all photos, articles and suggestions to�[email protected] for inclusion in the next newsletter.�

I also would like to remind our members that our chapter website�(http://evergladeschapter.tripod.com) is a great place to find up-to-�date information on chapter runs and local non-chapter events as well.�You can also find a copy of the newsletter on the website. I have�received some complaints about pop-up ads on the site; and while I�understand the frustration, I remind you that this site is free of charge�to the chapter. I think we can put up with some ads for that cost.�

Please remember to pay your dues for 2011, which pay for the printing�and cost of mailing out the newsletters. It is my hope everyone enjoys�the newly revamped newsletter -- now let’s go ride!�

Michael Pruszynski�

· Chapter Newsletter Editor�

· Website Content Editor�

Everglades Chapter�


On Sunday, November 28�th�, Heaven Cycle in Miami celebrated their 33rd annual party and�

bike show. Thirty-three years is a long time for a bike shop to be around, but owner Steve�

Gissen must be doing something right to still be going strong after all that time.�

Kelli and I set out fairly early on Sunday with a trailer full of bikes to show in the vintage and�

antique class. We arrived close to noon to a jammed parking lot but finally found space to park�

our van and trailer and unloaded the three bikes we had brought. Once we had everything set�

up, we just drifted around in the sea of people that were already there. When you have an event�

that boasts 33 kegs of free beer, you draw quite a crowd. There was a live band on one side and�

a DJ on the other, so the place was defiantly loud. Our squirrel Nutkin didn’t care too much for�

all of the noise. Several eating establishments, along with almost any make and style of�

motorcycle, rounded things out nicely. There was a lot to see and do, so we almost missed the�

trophy awards. We brought home a first place for stock dresser with our 1970 FLH, a first�

place in the sidecar class with our 1940 U model, and a second place in the antique class with�

our 1948 Panhead.�

We certainly had a great time and look forward to next year’s show. I would like to thank�

Steve Gissen and the folks at Heaven Cycle for a great time.�

By Flathead Jack�


Last October our chapter planned a new ride, which was appropriately named the Fall Run to The Farm. The ride�

began at the Alva Country Diner, located about 40 miles west of Clewiston, and would end at Flathead Jack and�

Kelli’s new home on the farm.�

I always enjoy driving on SR27. The traffic is close to zero on weekends and the road is very safe. I set out early and�

arrived at the Country Diner by 9 a.m. There were about ten of us. We went into the diner for breakfast and an�

interesting discussion. At my end of the table, we talked about problems associated with the ethanol mix in modern�

fuels and how this can result in problems with older gas tanks, such as corrosion, degradation of tank linings, and�

whether we should use ethanol-free fuel, such as that which is still available for boats. Perhaps someone better�

qualified than I could write a technical article on this for our newsletter. Are there any volunteers?�

With a wonderful breakfast finished, we were now set to ride. Flathead Jack took lead position and I, your humble�

narrator, was in the rear with my pickup. First we meandered through the citrus growing areas of the southern part�

of Charlotte Glades. Then an easterly heading -- no traffic! We swung up onto the bridge over the Caloosahatchee�

River; a beautiful view indeed. We slowly rode down a short stretch of Hwy. 41 through a very pleasant street in�

historic downtown Fort Myers to a spot looking over the river estuary. We had no mechanical problems to report,�

aside from a small one. Chapter member Tommy Rosseger’s ancient Harley (sorry Tommy, I don’t remember the�

date of manufacture) was low on oil. Joel Davis took off and brought back a bottle of SAE 50 motor oil. The�

problem was solved and now we started off for Jack and Kelli’s home. About another 15 miles and we were there.�

We trundled up the last few yards of unpaved road to their home. The surroundings are wonderfully peaceful. The�

home is large and attractive and there is a huge garage area. Good job -- it is huge! Inside the garage were 23�

antique bikes. Mostly Harleys filled the area, with several Hondas, two classic cars and a pickup rounding out the�

collection.�

Of course we spent quite a while looking this lot over, and then some time viewing the many other antique items and�

artifacts they have in their home, such as their collection of radios, cameras and telephones. As we started to drift�

outside into the shade of the trees in their spacious garden, Kelli was preparing food for the barbecue. Apart from us�

chapter members, Jack and Kelli had invited several of their local friends, so there was a nice crowd. Thanks to Jack�

and Kelli for a very pleasant time.�

By David Porter�


Roy Wasson’s chance meeting with Rene Sardina on the campaign trail led from talk of politics to motorcycles to an�

invitation from Rene to the Liberty Motorcycle Association Annual Block Party on November 14, 2010. Rene is�

Liberty's president. Never one to pass up a membership recruitment opportunity (or a party), Roy enlisted David�

Porter and Michael Pruszynski to add to the festivities with a small antique bike exhibit.�

Liberty’s clubhouse is in a warehouse district in Medley, and they made use of the ample space between warehouses�

to offer great food and live entertainment on a beautiful late fall afternoon. David entered the premises like a rock star�

with his 1971 Triumph T100R and 1972 Norton Commando. An admiring crowd of Liberty members and Outlaws�

guests stepped back as Michael Wasson helped David unload the bikes from the trailer. As many of you may know,�

David’s Triumph reached the Winners Circle at Eustis last year with a score of 99 1/4 points out of a possible 100.�

Its mechanical perfection was well demonstrated by Roy's skillful entry in the Field Meet competition at Dania Beach�

last year in the cup race. The Norton was also recognized with a Senior award with 98 points out of 100 at Eustis last�

year. I would be remiss if I failed to mention, especially since he told me to, that both bikes were fully and beautifully�

restored by David to pristine condition.�

Folks were dazzled by Michael’s red 1950 Indian Warrior. Purchased in 1997 with some internal issues that were�

easily fixed by throwing large amounts of money at it, the bike has been running extremely well, as Mike�

demonstrated to the many onlookers. This 500 cc is credited as the first American-made OHV vertical twin. Both�

David and Mike credited Everglades Chapter member Wes Scott with help on their bikes. As block party guests�

stopped to admire the bikes, Roy made sure that Everglades Chapter applications were available for those who were�

interested.�

The Liberty Motorcycle Associations generous hospitality was reflected in the party-hearty atmosphere. The club was�

created by former members of the Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA) of Miami. The Liberty members�

organize frequent chapter rides and are justly proud of their many charitable activities. The block party included live�

entertainment by rock band Siamese Blu and the talented singer Jennie Love. A shared appreciation of wonderful�

motorcycles -- and not a little salsa dancing -- made for a great day.�

By Carol Fenello�


On January 23, 2011 we lost a great friend to us as well as our chapter. When Raymond Dhue passed away, the�

Antique Motorcycle Club of America® lost their treasurer, the Antique Motorcycle Foundation lost their Vice�

President, and the Everglades Chapter lost a dear friend. It happened so fast that we are all still in shock. Right before�

Christmas Raymond was complaining of headaches and ended up in the hospital. He was diagnosed with a malignant�

tumor in his sinuses. This is a rare and very aggressive sinus cancer and was deemed inoperable. Raymond�

immediately went through chemotherapy, followed by radiation treatments. With a weakened immune system,�

Raymond soon succumbed to pneumonia. His wife Kathy said “he kick started and rode his 1946 Indian through the�

gates of heaven.” We know that God was watching out for him!�

The last few years Jack and I were invited to stay with Raymond and Kathy for the Lake Mirror Classic. We really�

enjoyed it and looked forward to next year’s classic. Both Raymond and Kathy were very proud of Lakeland, and you�

could tell by the tour they would give of their town. Raymond always dressed in full regalia for the Lake Mirror�

Classic and he was quite a sight. He made us proud. Raymond had many hopes and dreams for the AMCA® and the�

AMF. When he would talk about them his eyes lit up. He was really looking forward to his buddy Dennis Craig,�

Antique Motorcycle Foundation president, moving to Lakeland. Dennis arrived in Lakeland just as Raymond starting�

having problems.�

Raymond once told us a story about the 1949 Harley Davidson Panhead that he bought in the 1980s. When Raymond�

purchased the bike, he had it chopped, but years later decided he preferred it in its original condition. That decision�

ended up being quite costly because he got rid of all the old parts and had to replace them. It took awhile and a good�

sum of money. “If only he would have kept those old parts,” Raymond lamented.�

It’s always sad to lose a friend who was so vibrant and full of life. Raymond was one of the kindest people we knew. He�

was always willing to lend a hand, an ear, give advice or just be there. He was a very dedicated man, to his wife Kathy,�

to the AMCA® and AMF, to his job, to the Gideons and the church. Raymond had a calming effect on people with his�

quiet patience, and he certainly practiced what he preached in his life. What a terrible loss. We will miss you, Raymond.�

He really was Gentleman Ray.�

By Kelli Stauffer�


A.M.C.A.® Everglades Chapter Membership Enrollment & Renewal Form�

Also available online ~ http://evergladeschapter.tripod.com�

Check One: New Member: ____Renewal: ____ + A.M.C.A. Member Number: _______�

Name: ______________________________________________________�

Address:_____________________________________________________�

City: ________________________________________�

Zip Code: _________________�

Phone # 1: ( ) _______________________�

Phone # 2: ( ) _______________________�

Email Address: ________________________________�

Motorcycles owned / riding experience / A.M.C.A background (optional)�

_________________________________________________________________________�

_________________________________________________________________________�

By signing below the applicant represents that he/she is a current member of the�National A.M.C.A. and agrees to abide by the by-laws and rules and regulations of the�

Everglades Chapter.�

Return this page with a $15.00 check payable to: A.M.C.A. Everglades Chapter�

Mail check to : David Porter, Everglades Chapter Treasurer�

13250 S.W. 224th Street, Miami, Florida 33170�

Signature: ________________________________________Date: ________________�

everglades chapter newsletter - winter issue...

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