The Monthly Newsletter of the Jerseypine Cruisers Motorcycle Touring Club

December

2012

Doc’s Dreams

Here we are in December, and for most of us the riding season is done. It was another wonderful season that I enjoyed even more after I got the 1500 up and running. I have heard from many of you about the successful club rides they attended during the year and I want to take this opportunity to give a “Thank You” to all those that took time to set-up an event and then a special thanks to those Ride-Leaders who took us on their journey. I hope to see all of you at the Christmas Party on December 15th and, over the winter I look forward to hearing all about everyone's travel adventures from this past summer and their plans for the coming year.

* * *

I have heard from a number of members that the Mexicali Pot Luck and Bunco Fiesta was a successful event. Everyone I have spoken with said all the food was great and that everyone had a good time. It was reported to me that one of our members is in need of some tutoring to bring her up to snuff on recent geographical changes, but other than that all rolled along smoothly. Thank you Jean and Candi for hosting this popular event and providing us with a good time.

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On Sunday, November 4th a few of us, Linda & I, Ken Vicker, Joe Hill and Cosmo & Steve Penczak along with our "Classic" cars gathered at the McDonalds in Rolling Meadows to participate in the "52nd Run to Brighton". An

annual event put on by the Waukegan-North Shore Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). that takes you on a scenic ride of approximately 100 miles to Brighton, Wisconsin where St. Francis Xavier Church would make available to us a "Delicious turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and dessert". The food must have been fantastic because the line was really, really long. Hungry as we were we decided to retire to a restaurant in Bristol where we were able to be seated immediately to satiate our hunger and provide us with an hour-and-a-half of great conversation.

There was a huge showing of vehicles to this event which we enjoyed viewing but I can assure you that the "scenic route" was not the draw (way too many construction slow-down areas). They could learn something by going along on a few Cruiser rides in the area traveled to find real scenic routes.

If you are interested, there are photos of all the cars that participated in the run at the following website: http//local.aaca.org/illinois/2012_brighton_run.htm You can see pictures of Dennis' LeMans convertible, Ken's Gran Prix and, for some reason, three pictures of Cosmo's Falcon.

* * *

Unfortunately I have no great rides to report on in this months' article. Instead I can report that Linda has sold her house and we have moved all her stuff to my (our) house. Unfortunately I can't report that we have finished re-arranging

the stuff that made its way inside the house. However I can report to you how happy I am to be at the end of this endeavor. It was a somewhat daunting task as I had forgotten how hard a move can be on a person, or on a relationship. No permanent damage was incurred and I am looking forward to the Spring, another riding season and the great club rides that will follow.

* * *

As I am sure you are all aware, as we approach the end of another riding season we also approach the end of another club year, which means it is also the time to get the nominations in to fill positions on the Cruisers' 2013 Board of Directors.

The nominating committee was chosen at our last meeting and I'm sure that by now, some of you have been approached and asked to run to fill positions on next year's Board. Please, please give serious consideration to doing your civic duty by giving serious consideration to accepting a nomination to fill a Board position when approached by a nominating committee member. Remember, there is no more important thing you can do as a Cruiser than serve on the Board. Remember that it is you, the members, that this club exists for and it is you, the members that should be running your club.

Get off your butts and volunteer to lead us and your motorcycle club in the upcoming year.

Stay safe and don't forget, when weather permits-RIDE!

Dennis ’Doc’ Hyde

2012 Board & Directors President – Dennis Hyde Chairman of the Board- Stephen Czyz Secretary –Candi Wenzon Treasurer –Joe Hill Community Relations – Frank Wenzon Public Relations –Lynn Vicker Special Activities- Steve Mendel Tour Directors- Ken McCall Ken Vicker Bill Lindwall

Frank Wenzon.

Individual Involvement – Tom Kearney Awards & Recognition - George Gauss Color Guard - Mike O'Malley Spoke & Spark - Don Malina Membership - George Barrington Community Relations-Bill Mumford Editor - Sandy McCall Meetings & Programs - Jean Mumford Parliamentarian - Bob Wagner Quartermaster - Joe Fiedler Sergeant at Arms - Steve Penczak Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:30PM at the Des Plaines Elk’s Lodge (Rt. 45 – two blocks north of Rt. 14) Submit articles and photographs to the Editor by the monthly meeting at Editor1@jerseypinecruisers.org

Website: www.jerseypinecruiser.org

From the High Chair

Greetings and salutations fellow cruisers. The month of November has slipped on by quietly with barely a whimper. We started the month off with the potluck/bunco event. With a few rule changes designed by the nefarious Mike O'Malley,

he made the event even more delightful. I would say that everybody enjoyed themselves. Of course the fact that my wife wound up having the highest bunco score and taking home a few pesos may have made me slightly prejudiced. LOL... Followed by a few Sunday rides, that while chilly from the perspective of temperature, they were nicely attended. Of course Thanksgiving Day wound up with 60+ degrees, I couldn't resist taking the bikes out for a quick romp, but alas, I had to be back for dinner. That's how the bird crumbles I guess. (And yes, Dominick's makes good turkey dinners, especially when the chef is slightly out of commission.) November's membership meeting actually went rather fast thanks to Dennis’s fast thinking. Regrettably, George G. wasn’t able to coax any nominations for the Board at the meeting. The fun will begin in earnest starting in December. So please consider running for the Board, we need your experience and your talent and time to make the club function effectively. As I'm writing this article, I see that the weather for the Toys For Tots ride may actually not snow, that should help out a lot. Come to think of it, both Saturday and Sunday arepredicated to be in the 50s, with only a small sprinkle in between the two days. A very beautiful December weekend to ride (both days)! On December 15, we will have our annual JPC Holiday Party at the Maple Meadows Golf

Course Club House. See the revised event flyer on the website for additional information, including the menu. If you're planning on coming and haven't paid yet, we need to know that you are definitely coming before the 10th of December, to get a correct count for the dinner. Don't forget; bring your dancing shoes, as Lenny D. will be our DJ for the event. (I have been told on good authority that there will be some nicely baked goods brought in by some of the members). A few days later, on December 18, we will have our monthly membership meeting. It's a week early so as to not conflict with Christmas parties, and Christmas shopping, so be sure to mark the date. I'd hate to have you come in a week later, and nobody's there. Somebody at the November meeting said that the riding season has ended. I beg to differ. Until the salt hits the road, we ride! Of course when the salt is on the roads, that's when we come on four wheels, and we will still enjoy ourselves on Sunday, with each other's company at breakfast. That's what it's all about. Good grief: New Year's Eve and New Year's Day aren't that far away. Then we begin anew. Just a year older, that's all. And a few more used parts breaking down. LOL. At this point I'd just like to say: Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year. Ride safe, be safe, and watch out for those cagers. Myself included.

Stephen Czyz, COB

There’s still time to make your

reservation for the Holiday Party

Do it today!

See the website for details!

Bounty Hunting In Style: Boba Fett Themed Motorcycle....last picture is the BEST "Those Diner and Motorcycle Guys" An ode to motorcyclists from a woman rider

Custom Iron Man Motorcycle Mia Learns to Ride a Motorcycle Garbage collectors mistake motorcycle for trash Lake Oswego police motorcycle burns up during traffic stop Some Pittsburgh motorcycle, bicycle officers now wear cameras Missing motorcycle bench angers family 10-seat Harley en route from Bonduel to Germany 2013 Honda motorcycle GOLD WING F6B 2013 Honda GOLD WING F6B

Marines embrace motorcycle safety Suzuki unveils full 2013 motorcycle lineup Like a Good Pet, the Right Used Motorcycle Often Finds You Gold-plated Motorcycle Perfect Symbol for 9/11 Memorial, Sandy Recovery Says Cuomo The only motorcycle that comes with an oar VIDEOS HOT STUFF HUMAN MOTORCYCLE “Fly me to the Moon” Unreal Motorcycle Control Skills…after the commercial Video: Muchacho's Motorcycle Commute Through The Streets of S.F. Building Custom Motorcycles For Veterans 20 Idiots on motorcycles JUST some old time fun

SLOW DOWN….PLEASE wild turkey attacks motorcycle in Easton Getting Buffaloed…..3\4 of the way through the video Monster Bike Hubless Chopper Watch This Motorcycle Rider Have An Extremely Close Call With A Flying Mattress Stunts

December 15 – Holiday Party December 18 – Board & Membership Meeting December 20 – Old Farts Coffee

January 1 – Jack Frost January 17- Old Farts Coffee January 22- Board & Membership Meeting

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From The Bleachers

Elections: Candidates Wanted.

We have reached that point in the year when officers for the following year will be chosen and later elected to serve on the Board. If you are approached by a member of the committee requesting your acceptance to be nominated please give it serious consideration. This club has thrived for almost 35 years because members have stepped forward to guide us into the future so don't wait to be contacted, step forward and volunteer.

Why I Retired:

Why I retired is a question I have been asked many times over the past 2 1/2 years and I have finally decided to come clean and reveal the real reason I eagerly accepted early retirement. The truth is I was having a vision problem.......................I just could not see myself going to work any longer!

Mexicali Pot Luck and Bunco Fiesta:

What can I say other than "great eats" and "great company" at a "great location" makes for a memorable event. Thank You Jean and Thank You Candi for planning and hosting this excellent event. Thanks also to all who attended you again went way over the top on the food and desserts.

Quadra-Cycle Event:

Thanks Dennis for getting us involved with the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Run from Rolling Meadows to Brighton, WI. There were only 5 of us, 4 Cruisers & 1 past member, along with about 100 others but as Cruisers always do, we managed to have our own good time. We walked around in Brighton for a while looking at the cars and then headed to a restaurant in Bristol for lunch. After a serious round of BS'ing we broke up and headed for home.

Thanks also to Dennis for finding this opportunity for some of us (not I) to get our cars out of the garage for a drive with some like minded individuals.

I'll be looking for you out on the road so ride safe!

Steve Penczak

Ken McCall - December 16tth – Dan Bogdanovich - December 19th

Dennis Hyde - December 21st – Bob Wagner - December 26th

Mexicali Pot Luck &

Bunco Fiesta

Jean Mumford

Candi Wenzon

JOB WELL DONE

It is through the sacrifices and efforts of

members like the above that keeps the JPCs

the best darn club around.

Awards & Recognition

FIESTA MUY BUENO Y LOCO!

Where can you eat a

delicious Mexican-

themed dinner, win

boxes of money, lose

boxes of money not

answering Jeopardy

questions correctly,

and learn Mexican

history all in the same

night? And where can

you get the lowest

score and STILL win a

bottle of wine and a jar

of delicious salsa?

Twenty-three JPC’s gathered at the Elgin Little

Angels facility for a night of food, feasting, and

fun on Saturday, November 3rd. With Latin

music in the background, we experienced

delicious soups, stews and entrees such as

chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, cheesy

casseroles, Mexican cheesecake and

chocolate cake (look for some of the great

recipes in this issue of the newsletter)!

Mike O’Malley kept everyone laughing as he

played “Alex Trebeck” with his Mexican history

Jeopardy-like questions. We learned that the

Mississippi River does NOT flow through New

Mexico………..and NO, there is NOT a

caterpillar in the bottom of a tequila bottle!!

Four boxes of money were won, as well as five

centerpieces of wine and salsa (complete with

a sombrero and serape)! Linda Czyz was the

high scorer for the night.

A big thank you goes to everyone for their

fantastic pot luck dishes…..to all who pitched

in, setting up tables, and breaking down tables

at the end of the night, to Jean Mumford for her

organizational skills and for being our liaison

with Little Angels; to Hermin and Shirlee for

providing us with Latin music, and to Mike

O’Malley, for his insane Mexican history

questions and crazy humor!

If you weren’t there, you missed a great and

crazy fiesta a la JPC style!

Candi Wenzon

A Few Recipes From the Fiesta

Light Corn Casserole 1 ½ Cups Crushed Saltine Crackers 3 Tablespoons sugar or Splenda 3 Cups fat free milk 1 ¼ cups egg beaters 3 tablespoons melted butter 6 cups frozen corn whole kernel 1 Jalapeno diced with rib and seeds removed 1 red pepper diced ½ teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon pepper Mix all ingredients together and put in a 2 quart casserole dish. Spray with Pam first and bake at 325 for 1 hour and 15 minutes. It’s ready to serve. Enjoy!

Linda Czyz

Mexican Wedding Cookies 1 cup butter ½ cup white sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons water 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup powdered sugar In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla and water. Add the flour Mix until blended. Cover and chill for 3 hours. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees Shape dough into balls, and roll in the powered sugar bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool on rack and store in airtight containers. This makes a small batch I always double it. Enjoy!

Linda Czyz

So Simple Mexican Sides

Spanish Rice Success brand white rice salsa (your favorite brand) Cook rice according to directions. Stir in Salsa to your taste. Serve.

Refried Beans

1 - 16 oz. can Old El Paso Spicy fat free refried beans 1 - 16 oz. can Old El Paso fat free refried beans salsa (your favorite brand, the amount is to taste) 1 cup grated Mexican cheese (or Monterey jack/cheddar mixture) Mix together beans. Blend in salsa. Heat either on the stovetop, microwave or in the oven until heated through. Top with cheese to garnish and serve.

Lynn Vicker

Sopapilla Cheesecake

1 (8 ox) pkg cream cheese 2 (8 oz) pkgs Pillsbury crescent rolls 1 cup white sugar ¼ cup melted butter 1 teas vanilla extract ½ cup white sugar + 1 teas cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13” baking dish with cooking spray.

2. Beat the cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and the vanilla extract until smooth.

3. Unroll the cans of crescent dough, rolling each into 9x13 size. Press one of the sheets into the pan.

4. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture on top of dough, then cover with the remaining piece of dough and brush top of dough with melted butter.

5. Stilr together ½ cup of sugar with cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over the top of the butter.

6. Bake in oven until dough has puffed and turned golden brown, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

7. You can make this a day ahead and keep refrigerated.

Candi Wenzon

SLOW COOKER TACO SOUP (FROM: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker) Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 5 hours Servings: 8 "This slow cooker soup will remind you of tacos" INGREDIENTS: 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey) 1 (15ounce) can black beans, undrained 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning 1 (15 ounce) can sliced black olives 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix 1 onion, diced 1 (4.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 cup tomato juice (or 8ounce tomato sauce) 1 (15 ounce) can corn, undrained DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir ground beef (or ground turkey) until crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink. Drain and discard any excess grease. Transfer beef to a slow cooker and sprinkle with the taco seasoning mix and ranch dressing mix. 2. Add the diced tomatoes and green chiles, corn, and black beans, all with their liquid, to the slow cooker. Stir in the black olives, onion, bell pepper, and tomato juice (or tomato sauce) into the ground beef mixture. Cook on low until the vegetables are completely tender, about 5 hours. Since Marge doesn't care for spicy food, I used diced tomatoes without the green chiles. If you don't care that much for black olives, I would suggest reducing them to 8 ounces. I'd give this recipe 5 stars -- easy to make and very good.

Joe Hill

Mexican Chicken 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 can cheddar cheese soup 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes 4 cups chopped cooked chicken 1 pkg. 11 ½ ounce flour tortillas 2 C shredded cheddar cheese In a large bowl, stir together the soups and the tomatoes. Stir in the chicken. In a greased 9X13 pan, layer the tortillas and the chicken mixture, beginning and ending with tortillas. Sprinkle the cheese over the casserole and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Sandy McCall

TACO SOUP

1 pound lean ground beef 1 can Rotel Tomatoes (10 oz.) 1 can red kidney beans (15-16 oz.) 1 can yellow corn (15-16 oz.) 1 can pinto beans (15-16 oz.) 1 can hominy (15-16 oz.) 1 or 2 cans of beef broth (15-16 oz.) 1 envelope dry ranch dressing 1 envelope dry taco seasoning 1 vermicelli, 5 oz. box (optional) Brown ground beef in large soup pot. Drain ground beef of any excess grease. Add remaining ingredients, liquid and all. Do not drain any of the canned goods. Add the beef broth and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes. Level of "heat" can be adjusted by type of Rotel Tomatoes and type of taco seasoning used. Can use "hotter" or "milder" of either or both. Optional: 10 Minutes before the soup is finished simmering, add one 5 oz. box of vermicelli noodles and another can of beef broth to the mixture.

Steve Penczak

A Biker’s Christmas Gift List

By: Carol Silverman

So what would you hope for this Christmas Day?

Is it something Santa can fit on his sleigh?

Now remember his sleigh is two wheels and chrome

That sounds like thunder from home to home.

He brings us the road and the wind in our hair

And those that deliver the occasional stare.

He brings us a lifestyle and a culture of our own

And he made us all brothers so we’re never alone

He brings us our rallies and toy runs and gear

And he gave us the ability to stare down a fear.

He knows we like t-shirts and leather and lace

And an undying need to pick up the pace.

He knows we like parties and custom beer mugs

And even the usual teeth full of bugs.

We like swap meets and bike parts, old and new

And buckles and belts and black boots too.

So what will you ask of the jolly ole’ guy

Whose chrome reflects off the cold winter sky?

Will it be goodies or garments or parts or a spare;

A new seat or bags or new tins if you dare.

Now these all would be great, fine gifts I would say

But here’s some suggestions, if I may:

I’ll take more time to ride and more biker days

More winding roads and more sun rays

I’ll take more biker friends old and new

And a guardian angel to watch over me too

I’ll take the wind and the rush and the smells in the air

And brothers and sisters everywhere.

I’ll take the feeling of freedom, it’s my therapy

Cause riding is all that I hoped it would be!

Whatever you celebrate, whenever you celebrate and whoever

you celebrate with, take time to enjoy the holiday season with

family and friends.

Wishing everyone a joyous and wonderful holiday season!

-Editor