Welcome to our web site. Tri-Cities Chapter Johnson City TN #4912 was chartered in 1988 under the sponsorship of Smith Brothers Harley-Davidson in Blountville, Tennessee. We meet every 2nd Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m. for our business meeting at Ryan's in Johnson City, TN.

OH MY, IT.S JULY. Can this be true? Half of our year is past and it was just last week we were waiting on spring to arrive it seems. We’ve had a lot of good times so far this year and more are on the way.

First, and most important, is the Fourth of July as we celebrate the birth date of our nation. I ask again that we pause to count our blessings as a nation and as individuals. We have the most freedom of any nation on this planet. We can come and go as we wish, bring up our families as we see wise, worship GOD as we please, and ride our Harleys wherever we want to go. Sure we have our problems today, but our spirit and thirst for freedom is as strong as it has ever been. We ride the best bikes in the world, made in the U.S.A. The sound of our bikes says a lot about who we are. We are loud, we are proud and we are Americans. As Harley’s new promotional campaign concludes, we have seen and overcome every kind of problem we have faced, so let’s not let today’s problems get in the way of enjoying our lives. The Motor Company’s advice, Screw it, let’s Ride. Next on the list is a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our H.O.G. Chapter. We officially turn twenty years old this July. I have enjoyed being a part of the last five years, and have learned a lot about the early years of our chapter from many of you. I definitely want to give a big sincere THANK YOU to Jason Smith and his family for twenty years of support and assistance in making our chapter what it is today.

We will celebrate our 20^th anniversary at our July 8^th business meeting. Jason will join us for this meeting, and several special events are planned. Please be sure to be there yourself, and call a member or two whom you have not seen at the last meeting and encourage them to come and join us for this special meeting.

Finally, keep a watch out for more rides and events coming in the next few months. There are several outings currently being planned that will be loads of fun. Just to tease a little, I will let you know that plans are being made as I write this, for an awesome joint outing with Gary Bagwell and the Music City Chapter. As the Tri-Cities Chapter, we represent the cities of Bristol, Kingsport, Johnson City and surrounding areas of Tennessee. You, as chapter members, know that Bristol is the birthplace of country music. Our friends in Nashville are not aware of all the celebrities who are members of our chapter. For privacy reasons we do not list them on our membership roll, but we get to enjoy them at the special socials they perform at just for us. I am pleased to say that several of these celebrities are clearing their schedules so that they can appear at this joint event. More details to follow.

In closing, remember to drink plenty of fluids, and stop a little more often in this hot humid weather. Ride safe, and have fun.

Jim Grogan, Director

Well, it is only 184 days till the party starts. Has anyone figured out what I am talking about? Maybe the Wears Valley gang from the Tennessee State HOG Rally in Townsend might have a clue as they did a lot of this during their stay at the rally. If you didn’t get a chance to attend the state rally, you missed some of best times a HOG member can have. Great food, great beverages, great riding, and most of all great times with old and new friends. It is amazing how some people will act when they get out and away from home. There was even some talk that I might get impeached before next year even starts. I have no clue what Cindy Beach was talking about. Know what I mean Mark! I want to throw out a special thank you to Randall for all the work he put into making sure everyone had an easy time at registration. Great Job Randall!

We have had some great times this year, and the rest of the year is shaping up to be even better. The West Virginia State Rally is coming up July 16-20^th in Davis WVA at Canaan Valley Resort. We have our chapter’s 20^th anniversary coming up at our July business meeting. We are going to see some butts/racks and wild cats along the way and we have an overnight trip to see the “Moon-bow” in Kentucky, details for you are in this newsletter. We are even going to mingle with those Music City bikers early in August, keep your eyes peeled for that HOG Blast. You will not want to miss that one.

July is a very important month in our countries history; take time to reflect back on what our military personnel have done for you in the past, the present and what they will do for you in the future. If you see a young man or woman in uniform, go up and thank them for all they do for you and our country.

In 2008, our chapter will be celebrating its 20^th anniversary as a chartered HOG club. Throughout this year I will be reporting on founding members and their experiences. This month I’m introducing the first ten (10) members and they are. CRASH JONES, NEIL SHIPLEY, C.K. ROGERS, DALE RICHARDSON, HOWARD EVERHART, ROBBIE CLOUD, LARRY RIGGS, RUSTY MARVEL, KEMP WETSEL, and A.D. KINKEAD. These men, their stories, and the early years of Chapter 4912 .The experiences of our founding members will enhance our love of riding Harleys and our HOG club. I am honored that I had the opportunity to ride with these men. Next newsletter C. K. Rogers and A. D. Kinkead.