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History of Chapter B
The first official meeting was held July 9, 1988, at the Western Sizzlin Steakhouse in O'Fallon, Illinois. Special guests at that meeting were Jim Mays, State Director; Marsha Merthens, owner of Belleville Honda (sponsor), members of Chapter P of Mount Vernon and Chapter C of Galesburg. The Chapter went into this meeting with 18 members and received applications for 11 more. Thanks were given to Bill Quick and Jackie Dotson who volunteered for the jobs of Treasurer and Secretary.
The other first officers were:
Bill and Dianne Twyford, Chapter
Director/Co-Director
Bill Barnhill, Assistant Director
Mike Stopp was chosen as Ride
Coordinator and passed out questionnaires to all members
and prospective members.
It was decided our regular meeting would be the second Saturday of each month at 7PM at the Western Sizzlin on Route 50 in O'Fallon.
Our first sponsors were Belleville Honda, Neihaus Cycle and Western Sizzlin Restaurant. The first 50/50 drawing was held and won by Gary Diel of Mt. Vernon, Marsha Mertens of Belleville Honda (she donated it back to the Chapter), and Freman Luallen of Galesburg. Door prizes were won by Wilma Ford & Don Markley of Galesburg (donated by Belleville Honda); Steve Crossley (donated by Western Sizzlin); and Marsha Merthens (donated by Bill Twyford - Marsha sold it and donated the proceeds back to the Chapter).
Some of the first suggestions for Chapter names given at the September 1988 meeting were: Southern Travelers, Wandering Wings, and Riverbend Riders. The logo and shirts were finalized. The color of the shirt will be slate knit sport shirt with pocket, members name on left sleeve, and "Riverbend Riders" on the right front. Vests were officially voted on at the meeting held May, 1989 (black, no pockets, chapter patch on right front, large national patch on center back, small national patch on left front).
The Official Charter was received at the meeting held December 10, 1988. Also at that meeting our first Ways and Means couple (Jerry and Donna Goff), and our first Historian couple (Harold and Marilyn Meskil) were named.