Regional Postings

Region 5 Director

02/05/2013

2012 Year End Report

Another year has come and gone and we’re looking towards another busy year.

I attended the Spring meetings as well as the Western in New Denver B.C. Thanks to AB.11 for hosting a great experience and wonderful rides in the Rockies. I also attended the International Convention in Gettysburg PA. which was a great success.

Great job PA. 12.

I also attended the Fall board meetings which has been extended for an extra day as the work load increases with the increase in Chapters World over and the large numbers of MALs.

I have been in contact with the Chapters and MALs in my region by email and phone whenever there is information to share or if they have any questions for their concerns.

I will be attending the Spring meeting in Syracuse but must return home on the Saturday instead of Sunday as I have a family wedding that day.

The Western rally is being planned for the week-end of June 20, 21 and 22 in Seaside Oregan, sounds like a fun week-end, If you can make it it would be great to have you all. Kudos to the organizing Chapters.

I usually spend anywhere from 4 to 5 hours a week on RedKnights business. My time log is being submiited with this report.

I look forward to meeting and corresponding with all of the members and will continue to be in contact with you.

Gil Rekken

Region 5 Director

12/23/2012

December 24, 2012

From my family to yours all the best wishes

for a safe and happy holiday. We have a lot to look

 forward to in 2013 – Region 5 Rally will be hosted in Oregon and the Convention in Vermont. 

We are saddened by the tragic events this morning in Webster, New York, and all our thoughts and prayers go out to the Firefighters and their families.

All the best

Gil Rekken

Region 5 Director

The Red Knights 2012 Region 5 Western Rally

– Graham Clark Alberta 11

Everyone got home safe and sound after the Western Red Knights Rally in New Denver B.C. The venue was slightly different than the Western Rally’s in the past, as this time we picked a location where there was no local Chapter based entirely on the location. This does not mean we did not solicit help from the local fire departments though. The New Denver Volunteer Fire Department and Nelson Composite Fire Department both helped out even though 135 Kilometers apart.

The  event  started  with  members  arriving  Thursday after riding through fabulous motorcycle roads to get there. As Friday unfolded more members started arriving  while  the  group  that  had  arrived  the  day before drove off the visit the Halcyon Hot springs. This hot   springs   had   4   pools   each   with   a   different temperature.    Lunch  at  the  hot  springs  was  enjoyed  overlooking  the  lake  and  mountains followed by a stop at Nakusp for ice cream and shopping.  

By  Friday  evening  attendees  had  arrived  including three members of ND-1 who covered 2060 Kilometers in two days. After Dinner and refreshment, we did not see them until the following day. North Dakota won the longest rider award. Several members of the new Alberta-11 (the host organizing Chapter) covered a seemingly  short  585  Kilometers,  which still represented the longest ride many of the new chapter members had yet ventured on.

During  the  event  we  were  honored  with  members from AB-1, AB-4, AB-5, AB-9, AB-11, MB-1, ND-1, ID-1 and one MAL.  Forty members had registered for the event with an additional Red Knight that was in the area for another event, joining us for the Saturday ride.

The  Saturday  event  took  us  down  Highway  6  along  Upper  and  Lower  Arrow  Lakes  and connecting streams. The sun was out and the road was full  of  lazy  curves.  Traffic  was  light  and  the  group traveled in single file with lots of space between the 25 participation motorcycles. Our first stop was the Nelson Fire Hall made famous as the fire hall staring in Steve Martins Roxanne. This is still a functioning fire hall built when horses were still used for response. The fire hall is located above the original town on a hill that made it  

Nelson Fire Hall easier for the horses to get to the fires with a full load of water as the town was downhill from the station. Chief Grypma of the Nelson Fire Department made us all welcome with several of their active and retired members assisting with the lunch. Proceeds from lunch were going to the BC Burn Center. Parking was interesting as there was little level ground outside but as the apparatus had been moved outside, many were able to park in the bays.

By  Friday  the  temperature  had  really  started  to  climb.  Many  were  concerned  about  the weather as a week before most of BC was in the monsoons but starting Wednesday there were blue skies and steadily elevating temperatures. Saturday hit about 34 C which is about 90 F. We had only two “rider events” one sport bike slipped on some gravel on the tight passes on the way to the event causing scratched paint and injured pride and one “practice pick up off the pavement” of a Gold Wing in front of the Nelson Fire Hall.

We left the Nelson Fire Hall via Highway 3A and 31 and headed north around the other side of the mountains. This route followed the shores of Kootenay Lake. The pace was slow until Highway 31 as this is cottage country with lots of tree lined curves. As we were passing another hot springs several members requested that we stop at Ainsworth Hot springs to explore the caves and the rest continued on to Kaslo for shopping and ice cream. Highway 31A, the pass back to New Denver did not provide much relief from the heat but is a beautiful ride following the swift flowing river with lots of trees and twisties.

We arrived back at the Valhalla Inn where the New Denver Volunteers had set up outside in the shade to  put on a great  BBQ  with  steak  cooked  to  individual  preference. Chief Casley & Deputy Chief Fischer ensured almost all of the 17 member Department showed up host the BBQ. The department is working on funding a forest sprinkler system needed for their interface area. With the Red Knights full of steak the event wound down as members were anticipating  an  early  start  for home  Sunday  morning.  Most  stopped  in  at  the Valhalla Inn for breakfast before departing.

Alberta 11 members were packed up and on the road for home at 7AM and arrived safely home counting. This was the first Red Knights event most of these members had participated in.

The  Valhalla  Inn  treated  us  well  by  providing  a garden hose, cleaning cloths and a bucket. The staff  was helpful even though English was a challenging language for them. An older motel, most of the rooms had been recently renovated and was most importantly, clean.

All in all this was intended on being a low cost casual event for the Red Knights and it met the challenge. Lots of time was available for visiting and socializing which is the most important part of belonging to the Red Knights.

Next year we will see if there is interest in exploring the Oregon Coast!!!!!!.

07/25/2012

REGION FIVE REPORT report for the 2012 Convention

            First let me congratulate PA. 12 for hosting the 2012 International Convention.

This has been a busy year with communications with the Chapters and MAL’s in my region.

            I spend about 8 to 12 hours a month on emails and phone calls to the Chapters and MAL’s. This doesn’t include the travel and meetings in the fall and spring in Syracuse.

The board is in constant contact as required to conduct the business of the International.

            I returned from attending the Western Rally in New Denver B.C. which was hosted by Alberta 11. This was a very scenic area with wonderful twisty turns roads. We spent a couple of hours in the hot springs on Friday. Saturday we took a ride to Nelson B.C. and were welcomed at the Nelson Fire Dept. by the Chief. They hosted a barbecue and the proceeds went to their Burn Fund. Saturday night the New Denver Fire Dept. hosted a great steak barbecue for all attendees.

            In attendance were Ab.1 Ab.4 Ab.5 Ab.9 Ab.11 Mb.1 Nd.1 Id.1 and an MAL from B.C.

            Next year the Western is looking like it will be held in Oregon.

            The elections this year was to be held electronically but due to all incumbents be uncontested there was no election voting required. The board was looking forward to holding a vote to see how well voter turnout would have been.

            This means I’m your regional director for another 2 years, Thanks for your confidence.

            I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at convention and meeting new members.

Everyone have a Safe trip to and from Convention.

Gil Rekken, Region 5 Director

07/16/2012

2012 Convention Report

First let me congratulate PA. 12 for hosting the 2012 International Convention.

This has been a busy year with communications with the Chapters and MAL’s in my region.

I spend about 8 to 12 hours a month on emails and phone calls to the Chapters and MAL’s.

This doesn’t include the travel and meetings in the fall and spring in Syracuse.

The board is in constant contact as required to conduct the business of the International.

I returned from attending the Western Rally in New Denver B.C. which was hosted by Alberta 11.

This was a very scenic area with wonderful twisty turnie roads.

We spent a couple of hours in the hot springs on Friday.

Saturday we took a ride to Nelson B.C. and were welcomed at the Nelson Fire Dept. by the Chief.

They hosted a barbecue and the proceeds went to their Burn Fund.

Saturday night the New Denver Fire Dept. hosted a great steak barbecue for all attendees.

In attendance were Ab.1 Ab.4 Ab.5 Ab.9 Ab.11 Mb.1 Nd.1 Id.1 and an MAL from B.C.

Next year the Western is looking like it will be held in Oregon.

The elections this year was to be held electronically but due to all incumbents be uncontested there was no election voting required. The board was looking forward to holding a vote to see how well voter turnout would have been.

This means I’m your regional director for another 2 years, Thanks for your confidence.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at convention and meeting new members.

Everyone have a Safe trip to and from Convention.

Region 5 Director

Gil Rekken