This year GARTRA’s Christmas party returned to the Honda Rider Education Center in Alpharetta, GA. The last time we were able to hold this event here was pre-pandemic, Dec 2019.
This year the main course was catered by Williamson Brothers BBQ of Marietta. While the BBQ and side dishes were all great (see all the smiling faces in the line), the desert table was awesome (as Scott Abernathy is caught eying the pecan pie).
The Christmas also serves as our December meeting, so as folks settled in, GARTRA President Bill Shilling brought everyone up to date on all the great things GARTRA has accomplished in 2022, and plans for next year 2023.
Treasurer Sam Shaw then went over GARTRA’s financials.
OHV Trail Systems Status. Then we heard from each of our trail captains to update us on the status of the OHV trail systems including Bob Connett (Davenport), Larry Odom (Houston Valley), James Wascher (Whissenhunt), Ryan Morgan (Windy Gap), and Chris Fowler (Town Creek). Frank Spencer (Oakey Mountain) was not available, so Bill Shilling filled us in.
Glenn Sarver Steps Down as VP. GARTRA Vice President Glenn Sarver announced that we would no longer server as VP due to his commitments to multiple other organizations. Glenn will continue as an active GARTRA member, but felt that he couldn’t commit the time required to be VP. Glenn has been a positive and enthusiastic force in GARTRA for several years. So we all thank Glenn for all his support and his help. Most notably Glen was instrumental in acquiring our 501(c)(3) charitable status, as well as implementing our on-line event and membership registration services.
Election of Club Officers. The next order of business was our annual election of club officers. Those positions that will remain the same are: Bill Shilling (President), Sam Shaw (Treasure), Ryan Morgan (Secretary), Bruce Dreher (State Liaison), and Board members John Medicus and Nathan Wascher. New officers include Chris Fowler (Vice President), Board Members Hannah Shilling and Scott Abernathy.
Fun and Games. A GARTRA party would not be a party without our BINGO game for prizes. This is one of the highlights of the evening. We play BINGO until everyone has a BINGO and picks a prize. Below John Medicus calls the BINGO numbers.
We all chuckle and smile as we begin. It’s fun to see who is the first to call BINGO!
Chris Fowler has the notoriety of being the first BINGO!
And James Wascher is 2nd.
I wasn’t so lucky. I was one of the last four waiting to call BINGO! when John Medicus said “everyone that hasn’t called BINGO yet, go up and pick a prize”.
But in all we had such a great time that I will look forward to it again next year.
GARTRA recognizes the following folks and organizations that made the party a success:
- Honda Rider Education Center/Motorcycle Safety Foundation for once again allowing us to hold our party at their facility.
- Deana Dreher (for arranging catering and preparing main courses of the meal).
- Susan Shilling (for table coverings and decorations)
- Ryan Morgan (for soft drinks and ice)
- John Medicus, Bill Shilling, Glenn Sarver, and Kim Harris (for collecting prizes for our BINGO games from the following dealerships)
- Highland Park Off-Road Resort, Cedartown, GA
- Wooly’s Motorcycles of Atlanta, Marietta, GA
- All Terrain Powersports, Dahlonega, GA
- Cycle Gear, Lawrenceville, GA,
- Cycle Gear, Roswell, GA