April flowers brought May showers I do declare!  Although Mother Nature did her best to rain on our parades last month at the Blessing of the Bikes and our horseshoe tournament at the Adair Bar all went well considering the soggy, windy & cold doppler.  Thanks to those who came & braved the elements and a special thank you to Pastor Chris & Northshore Church for the fabulous entertainment, food & friends at Gibraltar in Mt. Clemens and to Keith, Karen, Melissa, Maryanne, Bruce & Tiny for making the 4^th annual horseshoe tournament successful (see photos)! Congratulations to Jim “everybody’s friend” Nowlin & Chuckles of HELLS OUR HOME M/C not only for 1^st place but for him overseeing the tournament with Denny and to Clutch our co RC & Badger of the Iron Mustangs M/C for 2^nd  place respectively…good job guys!  Although attendance was down 1/3 compared to previous years, donations & special raffle funds received for the leather vest generously donated by LiL John from Hudson Leather will again go to the 2011 May Highway Billboard campaign.  Also thank you to Bruce, Tiny & Melissa our “50/50 Queen” for the additional door prizes, oh and Keith & Karen for the box of rocks (ya just had to be there)!  John the owner of Adair Bar graciously invited us back next year and for any other venue we’d like to host at his place and he even donated hotdog proceeds back to Region 11…to you and your staff John we accept and thanks so much! Hopefully you were able to see some of the 15 billboards and 4x8 signs to see where your continued support goes and the added two new locations on 26 Mile east of I-94 and on M-29 west of Palms Rd. that were put up last month (thank you to Barb & Ray Neville & Doc Steve of Ira Chiropractic in Fair Haven).  Also thumbs up to 107.1 radio & Beenie based out of Port Huron & Keith Stieber for securing a radio spot to convey motorcycle safety on the 3^rd of May and also to month long support from WRIF and Anne Carlini…you ROCK girlfriend!

The Macomb meeting on the 28^th of April & Lapeer’s on the 5^th of May had some new faces…welcome aboard to our newest friends,  Alice reminded us that there will be an increase for catastrophic claims in July for every registered vehicle in the state for approximately $140., our region has acquired a new school for classroom instruction to teach the importance of motorcycle safety and awareness, we voted and approved a motion to shop for a new smaller tent/canopy for future venues and a few volunteers agreed to patch up our older 20x40 that is in need of repair and another motion & budget was approved for Clutch to make necessary repairs on the trailer that transports these items.  A motion was also made for members to have some fun and express their creativity and submit a potential design/logo that may be accepted by Region 11 to adorn 2011 T-shirts, etc … members shall vote at the September meeting in Macomb & Lapeer meeting in October for the fav and the winner shall receive a $50. prize so let’s see your inner artist!

The Summer Region Tour or MSL Run for Lapeer, Macomb & St. Clair county has proved to be as successful as we hoped so far and it’s not too late to join in on the fun so get your passbook, collect the stamps and party with us on August 14^th  at Gibraltar, for further info contact Keith at czace@yahoo.com.  On the assumption if you’re reading this you’re not enjoying the 17^th annual blast at Evergreen the 1^st weekend of this month, if you did make it kudos to you for supporting our sister Region 7 to the north and do hope you had as much fun as I always do *wink*. If not there you’re welcome to attend the Outlaws M/C annual summer party on the 5^th on Mt. Elliot in Detroit and on the 6^th please support Leatherworks Diamonds & Chrome Ride www.mcleatherworks.com .  Join the annual Freedom Rally Helmet Protest to Lansing on June 9^th for more info go to www.abateofmichigan.org , then the Father’s Day weekend of the 17^th – 20^th is ABATE of Michigan’s annual field meet in Oil City, 101 WRIF’s HarleyFest has moved up and over again to Northville on the 19^th www.wrif.com and the same day Leatherworks hosts their Bikes, Blues & BBQ.  Prejudged M/C invites you to their 35^th anniversary party at 7 p.m. the 26^th www.prejudgedmc.com , and for the multi taskers on the 27^th the Moose Lodge of Richmond has their annual poker run, Wolverine HD kick starts their season with the Freedom Ride www.wolverinehd.com and also Hatchy’s Poker Run flyer is at our website www.miabateregion11.info .  Moving into the holiday weekend July 3rd we hope you’ll join us for our 18^th Annual Observation Run (see flyer attached) or email Al for more info at CAPTCOPP@aol.com or send continued good wishes for his wife Jo’s successful recovery and then after all of that come down to get your wheels cleaned at our annual car/bike wash on Saturday July 10^th at HELLS OUR HOME M/C’s clubhouse at 11 & Gratiot by lots of great gals.  Of course there are lots of great bike nights around, Wednesday in Romeo, Thursday @ Dooley’s in St. Heights and of course at Gibraltar www.gibraltartrade.com/MtClemens1.html on Friday nights.

Also we would like to reach out to anyone in our area that has an event coming up (not necessary to be an ABATE member or motorcycle related) to email a flyer and we will get it posted on our website at www.miabateregion11.info/default.htm . Remember YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A MEMBER TO COME SEE WHAT ABATE IS ALL ABOUT!  The Macomb meeting is held the last Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Hamlin Pub 48929 Hayes Rd (southwest corner of 22 Mile), Shelby Township, MI 48315 - (586) 247-4100 and the Lapeer & St. Clair county meeting is held the 1st Wednesday of the month at Chicky's Paradise Saloon 133 North Main Street, Almont, MI  48003 (810) 798-9546 at 7:30 pm.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope to see you soon!