ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.

SOUTHWEST CHAPTER
February 2016 Volume XL Issue II

Next Chapter Meeting February 21st @ Jerseys Sports Caf at 10:30 a.m.

Member Gwynne Hickman

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.

The only Motorcyclists Rights Organization in the State of Florida
Legislative News MSAP Instructors Community Service
ABATE: American Bikers Aimed Towards Education
We lobby and educate the Government and the general public to promote motorcycling in a safe and positive image.
ABATE of Florida, Inc. 2010 ABATE of Florida, Inc., Southwest Chapter. All rights reserved. ABATE of Florida, Inc.
and the Southwest Chapter do not condone drinking while riding or driving.

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.

MISSION STATEMENT
We are a non-profit organization of
motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life.
We lobby and educate the government and the
general public to promote motorcycling in a
safe and positive image. We endeavor to enlist
the cooperation and participation of all
organizations and individuals that share a
similar interest in preserving our American
tradition of FREEDOM. We promote
motorcycle safety, training and political
awareness. We ARE NOT A CLUB OR
GANG. We fund our work through toy runs,
poker runs, campouts and other motorcycle
activities. We are your neighbors and friends
who work, pay taxes and get involved with our
community. We serve and support our country
and believe in freedom. We use all legal means
to protect our rights without infringing on the
rights of others.

SOUTHWEST CHAPTER MEETING:

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21st @ 10:30 a.m.
at JERSEYS SPORTS CAF
13971 N. Cleveland Ave.
Fort Myers, FL
(corner of 41 and Pondella)

MEMBER MATERIAL DEADLINE,

NEW ADVERTISERS AND/OR AD
CHANGE DEADLINE:
20th of the month for editorial and Board
approval

IDENTIFICATION STATEMENT
OUR GOALS
To become a powerful and viable political
force in legislative matters concerning the
motorcyclist;
To promote safe riding habits without
infringing on individual freedoms;
To motivate bikers to write letters to their
legislators before, during and after the
legislative session; and
To furnish our members with a newsletter to
keep all bikers informed in regard to upcoming
legislation.

Southwest Chapter Newsletter

Issue date: February 2016
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY
ABATE of Florida, Inc.
SOUTHWEST CHAPTER
PO Box 60745
Fort Myers, FL 33906
www.southwest.abateflorida.com

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of ABATE of Florida, Inc. and/or the
Southwest Chapter. The publication allows members to express their beliefs and opinions. ABATE of Florida, Inc., and the
Southwest Chapter accept no responsibility for the comments, opinions, or views contained in this newsletter.
Please direct correspondence in reference to this publication to: Heidi Szolga, Southwest Chapter, P.O. Box 60745, Fort
Myers, FL 33906-6745 or email at abateswc@yahoo.com.
Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc. are not deductible for Federal Tax Purposes.

ABATE of Florida, Inc./Southwest Chapter

EXECUTIVE BOARD & TRUSTEES
PO Box 60745, Fort Myers, FL 33906-6745
www.southwest.abateflorida.com

Presidents Message:

President: Moe Moser

ironcitysupplyco@yahoo.com / 412-999-3397
Vice President: Frankie Kennedy
Swchief2000@yahoo.com / 239-693-7035
Secretary: Gwynne Hickman
Gwynne_hickman@gmail.com / 239-246-2025
Treasurer: Heidi Szolga
love_of_tigers@hotmail.com / 618-616-0870
Sergeant-At-Arms: Robb Rabell
thesawguide@yahoo.com / 239-458-3136
Membership Trustee: Charlie Fisher
cfisher1032@comcast.net / 239-772-3972
Public Relations: Gwynne Hickman
Gwynne.hickman@gmail.com / 239-246-2025
Legislative Representative: Frankie Kennedy
Swchief2000@yahoo.com / 239-693-7035
Safety Director:
Newsletter: Heidi Szolga
love_of_tigers@hotmail.com / 618-616-0870
Webmasters: Taylor Musburger
ABATE@musburger.net / 360-298-1921 and
Ed Lufkin, vm101bat@gmail.com / 508-685-9220
Chapter Chaplain: Tom Provenzano
tprovenz@comcast.net
Products:
Chapter Rep: Moe Moser
Chapter Rep: Carl Nelson

HELP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MOTORCYCLE

RIGHTS ORGANIZATION (MRO)

Dear ABATE Members:

Wow- what a crappy month January was. I barely got
the bike out. Lets hope February is better. Please look
at the ads in this newsletter and try to patronize our
advertisers. If you do, make sure you tell them that
youre there because of their ad. The only way they
will continue to advertise with us is if they think it is
generating business. Also regarding ads, Im asking all
members to think about their favorite bar, restaurant,
shop or whatever and consider asking them to
advertise with us. The ad rates are here in the
newsletter. We do not have enough advertising right
now to cover the cost of the newsletter. At the very
least, we need it to be a break-even proposition. Of
course, if we had enough ads, it could actually be a
money-maker. As an incentive, Im thinking that we
could offer to pay a members annual dues if he or she
brings in an ad. Please give that some thought and Ill
bring it up at the February Chapter Meeting for your
consideration.
The next ABATE State Meeting is Saturday, February
13th in Port Charlotte. All members are invited to
attend. If you want to ride there with me and Heidi, let
me know and well arrange a meet-up.
Mark your calendars- Saturday, February 13th is Cape
Coral Bike Night. We will be there with our
membership and safety tent; please stop by. While
youre at it- mark Sunday, February 21st for our
Chapter Meeting. I hope to see you there.
Ride free thanks to ABATE!
Moe

ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC./SOUTHWEST CHAPTER

GENERAL MEETING
Jerseys Sports Caf, Fort Myers on January 17, 2016
CALLED TO ORDER AT 10:38 a.m.
Salute the flag, Pledge of Allegiance, moment of silence.
Silence cell phones.
Sgt.-At-Arms account of members present - 18 and 1
visitor
President's Report - Moe Moser
Welcome to visitor Bryan, a member of Crawford County,
PA ABATE.
1) What direction do we want our chapter to take? We
should do more riding, a ride to Everglades City was
suggested. We can reach out to others and come up with
more ideas.
2) Chapter leadership - Elections are in June and
Moe does not want to be President again. People need to
step up to be on the Board. Please think about serving, the
guidelines for each position are on the website and
training is provided by State in July.
3) The condition of ABATE of FL, Inc. - we are
broke. ABATE has clout with the State of FL because of
being an organization as a whole, so it is important to not
let ABATE fail. The money in our chapter's account can
be claimed by State and they might take 20% of each
chapter's funds if needed for them to pay their bills. Will
talk more about that later.
VP Report - Frankie Kennedy
1) Thank you to all. We need people to step up and
volunteer to be on the Board.
Secretary's Report
Motion to approve minutes as written made by Rob (Big
Bird) and second by Robb Rabell. Approved.
Treasurer's Report - Heidi Szolga
Heidi may stay on as Treasurer. Heidi and President
Moser will attend the next State meeting Feb. 13th at
Peace River and someone needs to set up Bike Night in
the Cape.
Membership Report - Heidi Szolga
Charlie was excused. December had 10 new members and
2 renewals.
Motion to approve last month's report as read by Heidi
made by Robb R. and seconded by Tim. Approved.

1) The Veterans Christmas ride was a great success,

thanks to all who supported the event. President Moser
received a letter of thanks from the Veterans' Home; it
was read by the Secretary and will be put into our
records. Accounting given of monies donated and
collected, costs associated with the ride and amount given
to the veterans. Even though Moe does not wish to run
again for President, he offered to serve on the committee
for the next Christmas Veterans' ride.
2) Contributions to the State treasury - As previously
stated, the State treasury is almost broke. It was
suggested by Moe that we donate 10% of our Chapter's
account to ABATE of FL to help keep that account
solvent. The State President is also our lobbyist; his
contract expires in October, so it is unknown if ABATE
will again incur that expense. Motion made by Rob (Big
Bird) and seconded by Robb. Discussion was held. We
are hoping for a successful event next October to help the
State coffers. Vote taken to give 10% of our chapter's
account to State - 16 ayes, one nay; motion carried with
opposition.
3) One of our goals for 2016 should be to raise money for
State.
4) We will wait until Ed Lufkin is here to install him as
Safety Instructor and Webmaster (along with Taylor).
New Business:
1) Talked to Robin at Six Bends Harley Davidson.
She agreed to let us use their meeting room at no cost for
our monthly chapter meeting. Moe will bring it up at our
next meeting after he meets with Robin.
2) It was brought to our attention that the Lost Riders were
upset that our chapter did not send any representatives
from ABATE to the funeral of the president of Left for
Dead. However, it was noted that no one from ABATE
Southwest Chapter was contacted with a request for our
presence, or we would have been there.
Good of the Order
Sergeant-at-Arms Robb thanked everyone for the
Veterans' ride, especially those who helped with parking
and Santa and Mrs. Claus (Big Bird and his wife).
Motion to adjourn made by Robb and seconded by Tim.
Meeting adjourned at 11:31 a.m.

Old Business:

SOUTHWEST CHAPTER LIFE MEMBERS

Kim Adair
Keith Baker
Bill Barber
Darrell Barnett
Denee Bartels
Karl Bartling
Karl Bartling, III
James Bogenrieder
Scott Blink
Chet Budz
James Burkholder
Nora Burkholder
Don Campbell
Ellen Campson
Frances Cazes
Wayne Cerra
Jonathan Conant
Terry Covington
Audrey Cran
Rick Cran
Rob Cran
Robert Cruz Crusan
Jim Crystal
Dan Curry
Biffle Davis
Lynne Davis
Mary Dicenzo-Porter
Al Diagiaco
Frank Disomma
Cindy Doak
Randy Eck
Marius Espeleta
Jeffery Fielder
Harry Foster
Leather Foster
Brian Galvin
Sonny Gartrell

Steven Goldstein
Lynnda Gray
Larry Gullin
Bob Hall
Hans Holberg
Rodney Hollingsworth
Misti Hollingsworth
Harry Hoover
Jeff Hoover
Jonathan Hunt
George Huttman
Susan Red Huttman
Dan Jackson
Cindy C.J. Jordan
Frankie Kennedy
Ed LaCombe
Julio Lopez
Mary Ann Rivera-Lopez
KD Marlowe
Don Meredith Jr.
Kenneth Miller
John Mitchell
Jay Monttetit
Moe Moser
Taylor Musburger
Carl Nelson
Steve Newton
Tami Newton
Terry Padilla
Bob Penn
Asuncsion Peppers
Richard Peppers
Kathleen Provenzano
Rev. Thomas Provenzano
Frank E. Rhorer
Bill Robinson

Janet Rolfe
Tabitha Rossi
Roland Salsberry
Bruce Scheiner
Juergen Wolfgang Schmidt
Jencye Schmitt
Jerry Schmitt
Elsie Seif
Doug Sepanak
Robert Simon
Kelly Smith
Roger Smith
Randall Spivey
Richard Stergulz
Sandy Stergulz
Grandpa Steward
Lynda Stewart
Russell Sullivan
Scott Turner
Ruth Vorys
Teresa Webster
D. Payton Wells
Michael Wieland
Jama Wyatt
Steve Wyatt

Life Members Who

Have Passed Away
Jerry Barnett
Maggie Cran
Ginny DAsti
John Kennedy
Russell May
Rev. Rea Means
Jo Ann Miller
Jim Mozeleski

To become a Life Member contact the Membership Trustee on Page 3

Southwest Chapter Products

Chapter Patch Large (Members Only) $25.00
Chapter Patch Small - $7.00
Chapter Flag - $25.00

Meet the Member

Name: Gwynne Hickman
ABATE member for 6 years.
Age: Ever so much more than 20
Employer: City of Cape Coral
Riding motorcycles for 12 years
Favorite food: Maine Lobster
Favorite movie: Chicago
Favorite song: Its a Wonderful World
Three things youll always find in my fridge: water, wine and cheese.
Person (alive or not) Id most like to have dinner with: My son, Erik.
People might be surprised to know that I was in a documentary film
Fight to Live.
If you would like to be on the cover of an upcoming newsletter, submit your favorite picture of you and
your bike along with answers to the profile questions. A random drawing will choose our next
cover girl (or boy). Email all information to abateswc@yahoo.com.

Members Only Section

This is a space where members can provide life updates, any items for sale, anything that they are involved in
and would like other members to be aware of, or anything in general with regard to our members. Should you
want to place something in this section, please email your information to abateswc@yahoo.com. All items
placed in this section are at the discretion of the Southwest Chapter Board Members.
For Sale: (price reduced)
"Member selling 2011 Roadglide Ultra FLTRU.
10,600 miles. New tires, battery, and 10k service
done. Includes hard bag inserts, bike cover,
headsets, luggage rack. Like new
condition. $16,500. John at 708 204 8483 or
jkolar0317@yahoo.

Looking to Purchase:
If anyone has an enclosed trailer for sale that will fit a Harley Road King, please contact Lynne at 239-770-5085

Misc.:
Im inviting all chapter members to put my number (412-999-3397) into their cell phones. I own a truck and an open
utility trailer. If you have a breakdown or other emergency with your motorcycle, you can call me and if Im available,
Ill pick it up for you. This is for emergency situations only; please dont call and ask me to take your bike to Haus of
Trikes for an oil change (lol). Also, if you need the use of a trailer to take your bike somewhere, Im open to lending it
out. Thanks, Moe

Membership Report:
For the month of January, we didnt have any new members or any renewals.
Memberships that will expire at the end of February are: Ronald Eiben, Dorian Gulledge, Steve Hogan,
Alaina Morris, Edward Oswalt, David Zielinski and Adam Zuhdi. Please remember to renew. Well be at the
Fathoms Bike Night on February 2nd, the Cape Coral Bike Night on February 13th or come to our Chapter
Meeting on Sunday, February 21st at 10:30 a.m. at Jerseys Sports Caf.
Each member should make an effort to sign up at least new one member per year we can double our
membership that way!
Safe riding everyone,
Charlie Fisher
Membership Trustee

Legislative Report:
As we are currently not in session, there is nothing to report at this time.
Frankie Kennedy
Legislative Representative

FEBRUARY, 2016
Sun

Mon

Tues
1

Fathoms
Bike Night

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

10

11

12

State 13
Meeting
Cape Coral
Bike Night

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

10:30 am 21
Chapter Mtg.
Jerseys
Sports Cafe

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

MARCH, 2016
Sun

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Sat

10

11

Fathoms
Bike Night
6

12
Ft. Myers
Bike Night

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

10:30 am 20
Chapter Mtg.
Jerseys Sports
Cafe

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Dear Fellow ABATE Members,

Naughty or Nice?
At the last Downtown Fort Myers Bike Night. (Who will forget that one? There were tornado
WARNINGS and a nasty one hit Cape Coral. Then, the wind in downtown Fort Myers hit 40
or 50 miles per hour. Our tent almost blew away and one of our volunteers held it down, while
the rain was blowing hard/horizontally and the rain rose several inches in the street. We were
totally drenched! And, most of our printed material was lost. We were thanking God that most
bikers had stayed home, probably watching the radar on television or the internet, as the heavy
and fast moving bands of orange and red were headed our way.)
Sorry! Got carried away and almost forgot about the story we wanted to tell!
Before the big storm, we offered a piece of chocolate from our candy basket, to someone who pays us a visit every Bike Night. He
said something like, I dont deserve it. Im back on the naughty list. He must have been on the outs with someone. We joked
for a moment about what he said and compared his statement to the fable on how Santa Claus keeps a list of whos naughty or
nice. It seems that each year, your status with Santa can change.
Then, something was said about Jesus. And, that for one who has accepted Him into their heart, as Lord and Savior, there is no
naughty list! Hebrews 8:12-New International Version (NIV) says, For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins
no more. Can you receive what He has freely given us? Can you accept His grace?
Please pray this prayer: "Dear God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, my heavenly Father, the God of Jesus, I confess that I
am a sinner and have been separated from You. I ask forgiveness of my sins. I confess with my mouth that your son Jesus is my
savior and died for me. I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead. I receive Jesus into my heart and ask Him to
become the center of my life. I ask, in the Name of Jesus. Amen."
Call us if you have prayed that prayer for the first time or if you wish to rededicate yourself to Him.
Blessings,
Tom and Kathy
Pastor Tom (Estero River ABATE Life Member and Southwest Chapter Chaplain) and Pastor Kathy (SW ABATE Life Member Foursquare Chaplain)- www.messiahsmessengers.org or tprovenz@comcast.net 239-267-8641

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ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC.

Southwest Chapter P.O. Box 60745 Fort Myers, FL 33906
ADVERTISING RATE SCHEDULE
AND APPLICATION

BUSINESS CARD
QUARTER PAGE
HALF PAGE
FULL PAGE

6 Months
$ 55.00
$ 85.00
$145.00
$200.00

12 Months
$ 80.00
$135.00
$245.00
$375.00

Please submit all artwork in PDF or JPEG format. Email advertisement artwork/information and/or questions to
abateswc@yahoo.com. All advertising MUST be approved by ABATE of Florida, Inc., Southwest Chapter.
Forward this completed form and payment to above P.O. Box. Checks payable to Southwest Chapter
Business Name:
Address:
Business Contact:
Cell Phone:

Business Phone:
Email:

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:
Print Name:
Duration of Ad:
Date Payment Received:

Ad Start Date:
Ad Renewal Date:
Form of Payment:

DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. OR SOUTHWEST CHAPTER ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE AS
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.

14

ABATE of Florida, Inc.

Southwest Chapter
P.O. Box 60745 Fort Myers, FL 33906
Southwest.abateflorida.com

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
SEE PAGE 3 FOR MEMBERSHIP TRUSTEE INFORMATION
Name (Please Print Legibly):
Mailing Address:

City

State

Zip Code + Four

Phone: (Include Area Code):

May we use your phone number for our phone tree?

YES

NO

Email Address:
Are you a registered Voter?

YES

NO

Please list your voting districts from your Voter Registration Card:
FL House

FL Senate

Name of Chapter you wish to join:

Southwest Chapter

US Congress
District

If you are a member of more than one chapter, please designate your home chapter

Select ONE of the following:

New/Renewal Annual Membership Due $30.00
Lifetime Membership $600.00
Transfer Membership to:
Change of Address:
Signature:

Date:

Sponsored by Chapter Member:

Memberships are open to anyone 18 years of age or older. All members receive with their paid membership a membership
card, our bi-monthly Masterlink magazine, Chapter Newsletter, Chapter voting privileges and personal involvement in
Statewide legislative actions and their freedom to ride.

CHAPTER USE
Dues Paid by

Cash

Mailed Date: Membership Card

Copy of By Laws

Check

Money Order
Make Checks Payable to:
ABATE of Florida, Inc.
Southwest Chapter

Membership Expiration
15

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