Chapter History

What follows is a short summary, year to year, of the Waterford Harley Owners Group since it was chartered in 1986.  It attempts to cover the changes in leadership, chapter growth, and significant additions to the Waterford HOG program.  The Chapter Cornerstones are: Fun/safe alcohol and drug free Rides, Safe Riders, Family, and Charity.

1986

On October 12, 1986 the first organized Waterford Hog Chapter meeting was held at ABC Harley to elect chapter officers. The first Director to be elected was Mick Bauers, along with Jim Sawyer as Asst Director. Judi James and Paul Dennison elected as Treasurers, Ron Guerrieri and Karen Forsberg as Secretaries, Sharon Terry as Membership Secretary.  Approximately 50 members were present for the elections.  The first 3 meetings were held at ABC Harley but then moved to the 21^st Century Bowl on M-59 in November 1986.  Chapter meetings were held at many different locations at the beginning, such as bowling alleys, parking lots, bars, etc.

1987

Total membership as of April 1987 was 139 members.  Elections were held in November 1987 to elect Chapter Officers for January 1988. Chuck Page was elected as the Director, Russ Storing as Treasurer, Pat Fuller as Recording Secretary, Darlene Bailey as Membership Secretary and Coy Bailey as Sgt at Arms. The year was filled with a host of events, such as poker runs, a pig roast, bike raffle and weekend rides.

1988

Elections were held in November 1988 to elect Chapter Officers for January 1989. Russ Storing was elected as the Director, Jack Gryglewski as Treasurer, Tammy Tressler as Membership Secretary, Debbie Storing as Recording Secretary and Tom Fuller as Sgt at Arms. The Waterford Chapter that year held three poker runs and another bike raffle. Halloween and Christmas parties were also part of the events planned.

1989

In the late 80s, Harley Davidson sponsored an Ms Harley Davidson contest with the winner announced in Daytona. The winner would then represent the Harley Davidson Motor Company throughout the year. Carolyn Safron, a Waterford Chapter member, was nominated and received enough votes to be runner up for the year of 1989.  Elections were held in November 1989 to elect Chapter Officers for January 1990. Russ Storing was re-elected and Tom Fuller was elected Asst Director. Dave Lehrman as Treasurer, Jim Malkiewicz as Recording Secretary/ Editor and Gary Walker as Sgt at Arms. 

1990

On December 16, 1990 ABC Harley withdrew its' sponsorship of the current Waterford Chapter for specified reasons. At the time of withdrawal, there were approximately 150 members.

1991

January of 1991, ABC Harley re-chartered the Waterford Chapter with 61 members. Officers were not elected by members but were appointed by ABC Harley Davidson with Tom Fuller as Director, Jay Hershberger as Asst Director, Jim Paradise as Senior Road Captain, Roy Greenberg as Treasurer, Tammy Tressler as Membership Secretary, Jack Hawley as AMA Representative and Lois Paradise as Editor. Judy Nixon was the Ladies of Harley Representative.   

 Members that did not rejoin the Waterford Chapter started their own club, which was called Michigan Independent Riders Group (MIRG).

Claudia Hershberger took over as Treasurer in May of 1991. As before, Waterford Chapter meetings were held at different locations until August 1991 when Dave Millerick arranged for "Brunch" chapter meetings at the Great American Diner on M-59. The years to follow were filled with poker runs, parties and many memorable rides. Many new and lasting friendships were made. 

1992

The first Activities Committee was formed in 1992.  Dave Millerick was Chairman and Gil And Marlene Fons were assistants.  The Activities Committee did a terrific job of scheduling events for the coming years.  Dave Szalla also accepted the position of Asst Director at this time.   Membership had grown to 150.   MSF participation stressed.  The formal list of activities had grown to weekend rides with at least one 10-day ride per year.  In November Dave Hansen became Editor. 

1993

Tom Fuller remained as Director and Dave Millerick became Asst Director.  Jim Ahlborn accepted the position of Activities Chairman, Gary Morello was his assistant.  Barb Metivier accepted position of Treasurer, Linda Decker became the Ladies of Harley Representative and Bill Decker was the Chapter’s photographer. Dave Huggins became Asst Senior Road Captain.   Gary Morello was the Asst Activities Chairman till June and then accepted the Activities Chairman position.  Mark Monismith became the Asst Activities Chairman.  Cheryl Grech became the Ladies of Harley Representative and Kathy Monismith accepted Asst Ladies of Harley position.  In December, Joan Spector became the Editor.  Membership was up to 200 people and there was a very strong ride schedule including Friday night dinner rides, a ride to the 90^th Harley Anniversary and "Sturgis and Beyond" a 4500 mile ride.  The Toys for Tots campaign consisted of collecting toys at ABC.

1994

Leadership was in for a complete change in 1994:  Dave Millerick became Chapter Director and Gary Morello became Asst Director.  Mark Monismith became Activities Chairman and Larry Hager became Asst Activities Chairman.    Terry Watson accepted the Senior Road Captain position, Brian Ennis became the Asst Road Captain and Mike Hoffman became the Chapter Safety Director.

Lynn Decker was Chapter Historian for 3 months and then accepted the Ladies of Harley position. Ann Angove became the Chapter Historian and created the "New Member Packet" which contains useful information about the chapter and the way we ride.  Major rides included Rolling Thunder, a chapter ride to Sturgis and back and a Fall color tour.  Terry Watson pushed for the Toys for Tots campaign to go "into the streets" and the chapter collected $3000.  Membership grew to 250 people.

1995

Bruce Mack became the Chapter Photographer and Peggy Fitlow became the Ladies of Harley Representative.  The ranks of road captains were increased significantly, and increased emphasis was placed on Safe Riding.  Al Spector handled the raffle of a 1995 Low Rider.  Major rides were Rolling Thunder, National HOG Rally and Southern Tour, West Virginia Tour and the Fall Color Tour.  The chapter picnic grew to 140 participants.  Toys for Tots grew to $6000, with members in the streets both days.  Membership grew to 300 people.

1996

1996 saw Dave Hansen and Mike Hoffman write the Group Riding Techniques book with the help of Terry Watson and the Road Captains.  Chapter Awards were given in March, the first Group Riding Seminar given in April, with the first group MSF class in May.  The Talented group of Road Captains/Safety Leaders along with the Group Riding Seminar and the group ERC form the backbone of the Chapter's visionary SAFETY program.   Major rides were Rolling Thunder, Laconia Bike Week and Niagara Falls. July saw the first Hooter's ride along with the Re-marriage of Rob and Ann Angove (Chapter Treasures).  August saw 230 people attend the picnic, and a 9 day Natchez Trace/Memphis National Ride.  In October, we had a wet Fall Color Tour and Gary Morello found us a new Chapter meeting place – the Deer Lake Athletic Club (The Great American Diner had gone out of business).  Toys for Tots grew to $10,000 and Membership grew to 325 people.   

1997

Bruce Himrod became Treasurer and Steve Brechelsbauer became Asst Activities Director.  Bruce established the Waterford Hog Charitable Trust, which was key to expanding our charitable activities.  We moved our meeting place again in February, this time to Gino's.  We again had about a quarter of our members take the MSF, with the Group Riding Seminar moving to a format of instruction and riding.  Al Spector again handled the Chapter raffle of a 1997 Heritage Softail.    Major rides included Rolling Thunder, Niagara on the Lake, Lima and W. Virginia Tour, Glacier Nat'l Park & Beyond and the Fall Color Tour.  240 people attending the Chapter picnic that summer and Dave Pettypiece was injured while riding in June.   The Ladies of Harley published a Chapter Cookbook (Peggy Fitlow, Lois Paradise and Lynn Hansen) and Gary Morello pushed Toys for Tots to a new level - $32,000.  Membership rose to 350.

1998

Gail Johnson and Denise Pyle volunteered to assist on the Activities Committee.    Dennis Deveja became Chapter Historian; Al Spector accepted Senior Road Captain position and Dave Hansen became Asst Senior Road Captain.  Steve Brechelsbauer became Activities Chairman and Craig Johnson joined the Activities Committee.  Major rides were The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rolling Thunder, The 95^th Harley Reunion in Milwaukee by way of the U.P., Georgian Bay, Niagara on the Lake and the Fall Color Tour.  The Toys for Tots total jumped again to $42,000, and membership grew to 400 people.   

1999

It was decided that Ladies of Harley would not need to have a unique representative in our chapter.  Craig Johnson accepted the position of Activities Chairman and Mike Coombe became Asst Activities Chairman and Chapter Photographer.   Dave Hansen coordinated the raffle of a 1999 Road King.  Major rides were to Rolling Thunder, Rock and Roll hall of Fame, Georgian Bay and the Fall Color Tour.  The Toys for Tots drive netted $57,000 and the membership hit 450.

2000

Mike Buda, Wylie Cossar and Tad Neimi volunteered to be Chapter Event Photographers.  Dave Hansen took over as Chapter Safety Officer as well as duties of being Asst Senior Road Captain. Shelby Hansen became the Waterford Chapter Webmaster. Nelda Carpenter became Asst Chapter Historian. In December, Lynn Dunda joined the Activities Committee.  Major rides included Rolling Thunder, Pocono Mountains ride, Made in America Tour, Fall Color Tour and York/Gettysburg ride.  Toys for Tots went to $72,000, with membership leveling off at 450.  We lost Chuck Mondo, a chapter treasure on October 1 of 2000.

2001

Ken Benardino became Asst Treasurer and in November, Randy Coombe took over duties of Asst Chapter Historian.   Mike Coombe volunteered to handle the raffle of a 2001 Heritage Softail.  Midway through the year, Brunch was dropped for the first time since 1991.  Major rides were to Rolling Thunder, Lake George, White Water Rafting, Around Lake Superior, Manitowoc Ride, Pocono/New York Ride, Niagara on the Lake, Traverse City Weekend and the Cumberland, Ky. Ride.  Toys for Tots had another great year totaling $62,000 with membership again at 450.

2002

New for 2002 was the  Director's Ball and Halloween party.  Both proved to be very successful and great fun.  The group riding seminar was well attended.  Major rides were Rolling Thunder, the Dragon, Poconos, Louisville Ky, Nautical Trip, Sturgis S.D. and the Cumberland Ky Ride.  New and very successful this year was the Hobo Ride.   Extensive preparation began for the 2003 Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary by Craig Johnson and Mike Coombe.  Toys for Tots improved over last year taking in $71,000 and membership finished up the year at 450.  

2003

Major changes began to take place on the Board as our Editor Joan Spector, Senior Road Captain Al Spector and Assistant Director Gary Morello completed more then 10 years of outstanding service to the chapter.  Norm and Sharon Carson became co-editors, Mike Coombe became the Assistant Director, Ted Albensi became the Senior Road captain and John Auger became photographer and Assistant Senior Road Captain replacing Dave Hansen who remained the Safety Officer.  Randy Coombe became the Membership officer, a new position.  In October, Ken Benardino replaced Craig Johnson as Activities Director.  Keven Sheill did an outstanding job of directing the raffle of a 2003 Anniversary Screaming Eagle Softail.  What a year of highs and lows!  It started with the second annual Director's Ball which saw Emily Benardino win the raffle Buell, the first Ride to Myrtle Beach, the York Open-house, the 2nd Hobo ride and the ten day trip to Milwaukee for the Harley 100th  Celebration.  All were complete successes and high points.  The low point came in July with the death of one of our chapter treasures, Keven Sheill after a long fight with cancer.  Other major rides that year were Rolling Thunder, the Kentucky Rally, N.C. Road Trip and the Nautical Trip.  The 100th Anniversary trip through the U.P. was the trip of the year, if not the decade.  Toys for Tots set a new record for the chapter of $75,500 and membership was again 450.

2004

After ten years of dedicated service, Dave Millerick stepped down as Chapter Director, with the position being filled by Mike Coombe.  Dave remained as Assistant Director.  A WHOG Ladies of Harley group was formed with Nancy Sheill the leader.  The third year of the Director's Ball (re-named the WHOG Memorial Ball) and the second year of the Halloween party were great successes.  Major rides included the 3rd Myrtle Beach Trip, Rolling Thunder/WWII Memorial trip, Laconia, Poconos, Nautical Ride, 3rd Annual Hobo ride, Niagara on the Lake, fall Color Ride, and the 2nd York factory tour.  Primary focus this year was addition of "day trips" of which there were 25 total.  The Chapter logged 18,516 miles this year!  In October, Norm and Sharon Carson volunteered to run the 2005 chapter bike raffle.  Doug Mann became the Editor of the Newsletter.  Toys for tots was once again, very successful, and the membership remained at 450. 

2005 

The year started with Dave Millerick retiring from the Board of Director after many years of service.  Dennis Deveja replaced Dave as Assistant Director and Norm Carson became the Chapter Historian.  Many rides were added to the 2005 calendar that included the Nachez Trace Ride, St. Ignas Truck Parade and the most talked about Rustic Cabin Ride.  The chapter also hosted the Keven Sheill Memorial ride benefiting the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.  With addition of the new rides and many past favorites, the Chapter logged 14,942 miles for the year.  The none riding season was also filled with many new and old social activities.  Two of the new activities were Kart 2 Kart and a Bocci Ball Tourniment.  The year ended with our annual Toys for Tots drive that raised $73,014.

The Waterford HOG Chapter is 450 members strong.  We continue a strong heritage of riding, socializing, safety and charity.  2005 promises to be another active year, including the 1st Rustic Cabin Ride through the U.P. and the ever popular Myrtle Beach and Rolling Thunder trips.  Throughout our history many people have given their time and energy to make this all happen.  With this in mind ... get involved and become part of our future history! 

2006 

Toys for Tots was a huge success generating $70,059, plus the toys that were donated at the dealership. At the annual Paws for a Cause meeting the dogs collected $1,975 from the membership.  The annual Memorial Ball was changed to an event themed the Snowflake Ball which was a great success.  Nick Plaskon started his thought for the Day in the Pigtales.  The Chapter and ABC HD sponsored the 1st Cover Heads Heal Hearts ride.  The Rendezvous was moved from West Branch to Ionia by the HD dealers and Waterford HOG was well represented by numerous campers who joined in the fun. The Chapter logged 13,367 miles and membership was 357.  There was one Board change as Randy Coombe retired as Membership Officer and was replaced by Bob Lemon. Al Spector returned as a Road Captain. 

2007

The Bike Raffle had a new concept; Win the Bike of Your Dreams, Gift Certificates for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place and Chapter member Tim Brandt won 1^st prize.  This year's annual ball was themed event after Mardi Gras which was well attended.   John Auger started the Geezer rides for all the retired members, and anyone who was able to attend.  The Activities Committee introduced the new concept of Day Ride Co-coordinators.  There many new rides introduced including Lexington and Monticello that were extremely popular.  The Chapter logged 15,679 miles.  ABC Harley Davidson celebrated their 25^th Anniversary as the celebration was successful for both the dealership and for the Chapter Raffle.  The Board saw four changes as John Auger replaced Dave Hansen as Safety Officer, Dane Lovelady replaced Shelby Hansen as Webmaster, Norm Carson replaced John Auger as Photograph and Sharon Carson replaced Norm Carson as Historian.  Toys for Tots was successful collecting $62,000 in addition to the toys that were donated at the dealership. The Chapter lost one of the founding members, Jim Pardise.

2008

This was a year of transition for WHOG. The chapter membership started the year at 258 and ended totaling 596. Chapter meetings were moved to the Comfort Inn on M-59. February brought with it many changes to the Chapter leadership. Mike Coombe, Dennis Deveja, Ken Berardino, Ted Albensi, John Auger, Doug Mann, Dane Lovelady, Norm Carson, Sharon Carson, and Bob Lemon all resigned from their Board positions. Many of the Road Captains also resigned their positions. It was decided that Board members are once again going to be elected by the membership. Dave Millerick was asked to return as interim Chapter Director until elections could be held. Bear Ingle served as Assistant Director. The other replacements for the vacated positions were Tom Eib as Membership Officer, Bernie Fling as Lead Road Captain, Paulette Garvin as Editor, Kurt Dean as Webmaster and Historian, Jenny Rayner as Photographer.

Stationary activities included a Superbowl party, Beach party, Bowling, and the Chapter Picnic. $2600.00 was donated from the Beach party to benefit the Detroit Ronald McDonald House. There were a variety of riding events this year which included Lunch, Day, and Over-The-Hill rides. There were plenty of overnight rides to fabulous places like Rolling Thunder, West Virginia, Sturgis, and Milwaukee to celebrate the HD 105th anniversary. These, and the other rides, brought the total chapter miles to 19,612. Safe riding was stressed again this year and members were encouraged to attend both the MSF ERC class and Chapter Group Riding Seminar.

ABC sponsored a Fly-N-Ride contest to the WHOG membership where each club activity attended gave an opportunity to win. This year’s winner was Randy DiAngelo who received a trip to MAUI. Toys-for-Tots ended successfully with the chapter collecting $76,559.00 in cash and toys that were donated at the dealership.

Elected to this years open positions were Kurt Dean as Director, Nelda Carpenter as Activities Director, Dan Stoltz as Safety Officer, Mary Lou Trevino as LOH Officer, Karin Badynee-Kwolek as Historian, Penny VanHorn as Recording Secretary, and Bob Ritzler as Sergeant At Arms. New positions added to the Board were Recording Secretary, Sergeant At Arms, Toys-for-Tots Director, Merchandisers, and Welcoming Committee Chairman.

We mourned the passing of three of our chapter members. Jack Dunda, Randy Hall, and Al Winchar were taken from us and will be greatly missed.

2009