Chapter History

CHAPTER HISTORY

of OHIO E-2

GWRRA was established in 1977 and has grown to more than 80,000 members in the U.S. and Canada as well as members in 53 foreign countries. There are over 800 active Chapters that promote safe, enjoyable riding while also working to improve the public image of motorcycling. GWRRA designates it chapters by letters of the alphabet. Chapter E-2's history is linked to two other local chapters. Chapter L, our parent chapter, was the 12th chapter formed in Ohio and is located in the northwest side of Cincinnati. It was formed in 1985 and by 1987 had grown to more than 300 active members. Many of the members lived in Hamilton and in the eastern areas of Cincinnati. They decided to form their own chapters closer to home. The Hamilton chapter being the 27th chapter in the state was designated A-1. We were the 28th chapter formed in the state, but asked to be designated E-1 to signify our location on the Eastside of Cincinnati. We were given our charter as Chapter E-1 on November 5, 1987. In 1995 GWRRA decided to change the names of the chapters designated "1" to the number "2". On April 15, 1995 Chapter E-1 officially became E-2. We adopted the name "East Side Wing Riders" to help emphasize our location and in 2007 we celebrated our 20th birthday!

Clyde and Joyce Jones were the first Area Representatives (the title was changed to Chapter Director in 1993) of Chapter E-1. Terry and Mary Anne McGill were the Assistant Area Representatives, George Vandal the Ride Coordinator and Roberta Vandal the Secretary/Treasurer. These were the only staff members at that time. The first meeting was held at David's Buffet with almost 400 people in attendance. Nearly as many also attended the next 2 meetings. Everyone who attended the first three meetings is considered a charter member and Chapter E-2 is proud to be able to say that we have 376 charter members. Our meetings soon moved to the Western Sizzler Steakhouse across the street from David's Buffet and have moved to many different places over the years. For the last several years our meetings have been held on the first Thursday of every month at the New England Club on New England Club Drive off of 8135 Beechmont Avenue in Cincinnati. Our current Chapter Directors, Bill and Kathy Martin, and their staff of seventeen couples preside over meetings with over 60 active members in attendance.

Chapter E-2 has had many members over the years, and, sadly, some have passed away. Most notable was one of our founding mothers, Joyce Jones in 2003. Joyce is memorialized on the wall at the National Motorcycle Memorial in Hopedale, Ohio. We also lost two more of our former leaders, Larry and Denise Lay in a motorcycle accident in 2004. We miss all of our members who have passed over the years and they will remain in our hearts forever.

Chapter E-2 is a very active chapter with rides weekly during the season and many activities during the winter months as well. We participate in many area events during the year including the Owensville Parade, the Amelia Christmas Parade, Safety Saturday and The St. Mary's Lake Festival in Celina. On August 1, 2009 we sponsored our first annual Toy Run to benefit the Shriner's Hospital in Cincinnati. When ever any of us travels, we collect the little soaps and shampoos which we donate to the James Sauls Homeless Shelter in Clermont County. We help with the annual Alzheimer's Walk in Cincinnati. We also host two Ice Cream Socials every year for the residents of the New England Club to thank them for letting us hold our meetings at their facility. By participating in all these events and more we spread goodwill and improve the public image of Motorcycling throughout the area.

We are active in many GWRRA events as well. We usually have a large attendance at most Ohio District events including Cabin Fever and Buckeye Rally. We usually have a presence at the Wing Ding and Region D Rally and often attend rally's in other districts such as Tennessee's Spring Fling.

Another part to our club is the Gold Wing Retired Riders. This group, led by Russ Schauer and Heather Sutter, rides almost every Thursday during the summer and meets monthly during the winter. GWRR's picture even appeared in Georgetown, Kentucky's newspaper featuring one of our rides.

Chapter E-2 has won several awards over the years. Some of our most recent are Best Newsletter for the Southwest section for second and fourth quarters of 2007, the second quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. Our newsletter, E-2's Handlebars, also won the Ohio District Newsletter of the Year for 2007. Our website won the best in the Southwest section in the second and third quarters of 2007, the third and fourth quarters of 2008, the first quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. We are very proud that we are Region D's "January 2009 Chapter of the Month" and Ohio District "2008 Chapter of the Year"! On March 28, 2009 we were named REGION D's 2008 CHAPTER OF THE YEAR.!!!

All this, the activities and awards, the camaraderie and feeling of family, help make Chapter E-2 a great place to be. Come join us at one of our meetings or rides. You will soon learn why...