A HOOT 'N' A HOLLER
LA FERIA CHAPTER GYPSY M/C
The month of December started off with the Area C Presidents meeting. Al "YO
MAN" Minton attended his first as president, and came back to tell us all
about the positive things that are going on in our area. "LITTLE BEN" is the
new area Sgt. At Arms, stepping in to fill the once beloved shoes of "BIG C."
"SUCHA" our secretary and "YO MAN's" wife, went with him to enjoy a little
get-a-way together. She busied herself selling tickets whiIe the meeting was
in session. She was happy to be able to sell some 30 tickets and also to
visit with some folks she hadn't seen in awhile. The following weekend, The
La Feria Chapter could be seen working hard at the Veterans Park in downtown
San Benito. It was time for the city's annual Bazaar, Carnival and Parade.
The Chapter took fair advantage of this and set up a booth to sell tickets
for the 2001 Harley Davidson Night Train. If an! y of you are interested in
buying a ticket or two, you can do so online at this address:
http://members.aol.com/laferiagypsy/. At $10 a piece, they will go fast, so
get busy and order yours today. Just tell 'em "LADY DI" sent cha. We need
everyones support with this cycle raffle, folks. The charities for Fiesta
2001 are Breast Cancer Reseach, The La Feria Vol. Fire Dept., The Shriner's
Crippled Children's Clinic, School Supplies For La Feria school children whom
otherwise would not have the necessary supplies, and another one that has to
do with scholorships that has not been defined as of yet. After selling
tickets all day, "HIGH SIDE" & his girl Shelley headed out for "DOOLITTE'S"
home. His family was having a going away party for him. He will be leaving
The La Feria Chapter after taking a job with The Texas D.O.T. in Laredo. The
family had been BBQing and partying all d! ay and by the time they arrived many
had left. They kicked back a few cold ones and headed on home. It had been
a very long day. The following saturday, The Lower Valley Chapter of The
Gypsy M/C held thier Poker Run. The La Feria Chapter was there in force. The
Poker Run encompassed some 69 miles of valley country side. The La Feria
Chapter was led out by our "new" Road Captian "BAT GIRL", whom guided them
all safely back to Chuck's Ice House in Harlengin. "SMOKEY" won 2nd Place
with 3 Aces. "TA TA" won worst hand having only 8 high. The band "Moon
Dogs" fired up around 2:30 and most everyone stuck around and had a good
time. In amonst all the good times and hard work the La Feria Chapter had
been up too, a dear and close friend passed away. Bill "WIDE LOAD" Parker,
of The Lower Valley Gypsy Motorcycle Club, was gone. His passing, along with
all those whom are love! d and had passed before him being near and dear to our
hearts, left us all shocked and bewildered. His funeral services, held at
The Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home saw Gypsies, local riders and people from and
around the community in attendence. Although we all knew him in some big or
small way, as usual, his family and closest friends suffered the most. Bill
"WIDE LOAD" Parker will never be forgotten, never. I dedicate this month's
Folly's to his passing..........May you ride your cycle on endless highways,
Bill, and never know pain or suffering. As the month progressed, and Santa
was packing his sleigh, The La Feria Chapter was also getting ready to be
Santa's elves once again. On Dec. 17th, The Chapter got together for thier
[now famous] wrapping party. For, although, we hand out many unwrapped toys,
most all toys must be wrapped. And with the growing number of children, this
is no e! asy task. But, leave it up to The La Feria Chapter to make any
occasion a party. And this, guys, was no exception. Before you knew it,
boxes of toys, bags of clothing and such, were ready for delivery. The
delivery was set for that thursday evening, dec. 21st. The traditional food
shopping trip too H.E.B. was set for earlier that afternoon. All these items
along with food fit for a King & Queen were delivered under the cloak of
darkness led by our now famous "BIG JIM" and his better half Marilyn who ride
behind "Rudolph" attached to thier sleigh, I mean motorcycle, as they fly
down those pot-holed streets to the waiting families.. Two Ghost Rider's
whom have come thru for our chapter since the beginning. As you are all
well aware, the weather in most parts of this country is so cold, that,
getting out and enjoying the holidays can and does prove to be quite
difficult. &nbs! p;Down here in The Rio Grande Valley, the weather was a bit nippy
for those of us whom have come accustomed to trying to stay cool at this time
of year. But, nothing could stop the La Feria Chapter from warming the
hearts of the 11 families with a combined total of 45 children at this
Christmas season. Our newly elected president, Al "YO MAN" Minton along with
secretary/wife Phyllis "SUCHA" Minton, carried the tradition Jim "PREACHER "
Ball had made us all live up too for years. Rallying the troups at a very
busy time of year, can and does prove to be a challenge for any president of
any organization. But, "YO MAN" proved he could do it, when the members
showed up at The Rose that evening to set in motion a La Feria tradition that
can be hard to beat. Our "THANKS" go out too "SKEET" a Lower Valley member,
whom let us use his truck for the deliveries. We showed him just how
grateful we were, whe! n we were all asked to help out a family "SKEET's"
parents were concerned about. Living in Santa Rosa, a mom & dad with 4
children needed help. "SKEET's" parents had already donated food, but,
thought, since the family was really in need, we all could do something more.
No stove or refrigerator do these poor folks have. And I was told that the
father has a job, such as it is, and rides to work each day on his bicycle.
Now there's a family whom really does need help. For even though they are
trying to help themselves, a exstra boost from those of us whom have too much
already can sure make a difference on a cold winters night. So, in true La
Feria tradition, a delivery was made on Christmas Eve. As always, I'm proud
to be a La Feria Gypsy. And although I have had my trials and tribulations
since my re-construction and then my historectomy, I'm proud to write of all
the good! my chapter has accomplished without my or "Master Chief's" usual
help. I leave you with this too think about: "A good way to strengthen your
heart is too lift up another." Dianne "LADY DI" Hammond
T.M.R.A. 32066
Email to Lady Di!
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