ABATE fun run sets record numbers
Nearly 300 bikers turn out for FD toy fundraiserBy SANDY MICKELSON, Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
Santa stopped by Fort Dodge Saturday, likely to see how the ABATE motorcycle riders handled the annual Santa in September fun run.
It was, after all, a day to collect toys for children for Christmas. That can't be left to chance.
Also known as Wayne Lussman, of Fort Dodge, Santa took pictures with bikers and their families for $10 each, and gave that money to the group's fundraising project.
Mrs. Claus, aka Cheryl Wiley, of Bode, is events coordinator for District 10 ABATE. ''They make me responsible for setting this up,'' she said as she sat behind Santa on his bike for a picture with Theresa Benjamin, of Laurens. The three got the giggles, but the picture got taken.
Doug Smith, Fort Dodge, spearheaded the toy drive in this, the 23rd annual fun run, with help from D.L. Peterson, Fort Dodge.
''I'm praying for 300 riders today,'' Peterson said. ''And, we might just do it.''
The number, however, fell short of that prayer by 10 - 290 bikers signed up. Still, that is a record number.
He's not concerned about cramming all those riders into the stops along the way, he said. Some riders start early; others take different routes.
''And a lot of people just come to donate,'' Peterson said.
Three of the stops - the Smoke Shop in Eagle Grove, Riverside Tap in Lehigh and Pee Wee's in Fort Dodge - also have collection bins for new toys.
Other stops include Crickets on city square in Fort Dodge; Knuckleheads, Badger; Mandi's, Vincent; Tee Gee's, Webster City; and Bootleggers, Fort Dodge.
Smith said those businesses were chosen as stops because ABATE wanted ''to pick our supporting businesses. And the reason we stop at the bars is, typically, they're open. You can get a pop or a cup of coffee. They stamp your card that you've been there.''
He said all riders get a card stamped at the stops, then draw a poker hand when they return to home base, which was Pee Wee's on Saturday. Prizes are awarded for the winning hands. There, too, an auction is held. Some of this year's auction items included a seamless gutter job for 250 feet, the size of a normal ranch-style home; an Iowa Hawkeye gazebo and collapsible chairs; fly fishing pole and reel; and nearly 150 other items.
''We do everything for the kids,'' Smith said. ''Trying to put a smile of the kids' faces at Christmas - the ones who normally wouldn't get a smile.''
His reason was echoed around the square Saturday morning before the run took off up Central Avenue at 1 p.m., led by motorcycle officers from the city and Webster County.
Marilyn McCall and Dave Mericle, both of Fort Dodge, arrived before noon to sign up for the run.
''I've been riding this ride for better than 10 years,'' Mericle said. ''It's a good cause.''
McCall, a passenger on his bike, took her second fun run ride Saturday. ''It's for the kids,'' she said. ''That's why I'm here.''
Mericle had to revamp his bike so McCall could ride after she had knee surgery, and though his bike looks a little different than others, the rumble and roar doesn't change.
As they waited, the couple talked with Ginny and Brent Shipman, of Sac City.
''I've know Pee Wee since grade school,'' he said. ''And I know a bunch of the people in the ride. It's fun to hang out with everybody once a year.''
For Janelle and Chris Lovejoy, of Humboldt, the ride shows support for the community. And they just like to ride, she said.
''We've actually been the recipient of a toy for our premature son,'' Janelle Lovejoy said. ''We used to ride for Toys for Tots in Arizona, and when our son was born prematurely at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines - he weighed 2 pounds, 2 ounces - there was a toy in his room from ABATE.''
It wasn't the toy that made a difference, as much as the knowledge that someone cared.
Contact Sandy Mickelson at (515) 573-2141 or smickelson@messengernews.net
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Gman77
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10-28-08 5:08 PM
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Oh don't start that old "loud pipes save lives" bumper sticker thing again. As I said before, "If a motor vehicle has to make as much noise as a jet engine so as not be to be run over they should not be on the road due to safety issues and should be banned". That loud pipes saves lives arguement as well as the acts of good deeds these law breakers do is just a smokescreen so no one actually enforces the noise ordinance.
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JeffHansen
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10-15-08 2:08 PM
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To reiterate this article: "It wasn't the toy that made a difference, as much as the knowledge that someone cared."
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JeffHansen
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10-15-08 2:01 PM
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"Loud Pipes Save Lives"
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VTwinJim
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10-07-08 12:16 PM
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You too yee Ole City Dweller You..L.O.L. .
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Gman77
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10-06-08 6:42 PM
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Keep up the good work. Have fun and be safe you ole see dawg. arrrrg!
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VTwinJim
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10-06-08 5:16 AM
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Gman77: Yes I agree whole heartly.I have after market pipes on my bike,and also it can be made to sound louder I chose to keep it right where it's at.It's just loud eough at highway speeds to keep the deer away so that is,but very quite in town,I couldn't stand it as loud as a lot of people have there's first off it's way to loud for the owner and passenger let a lone people in the comunity. I look at it like the smoker's do.Why be obnausious about,all your going to do is tick people off. And to me that's just rude first off and secondly it's like the stero champs as I call them. Your just trying be a jerk pushing rude to a whole new level.One thing about mine if I get beside a jerk with a loud stero it does take much time for pay back. Funny how it tick's them off and they think it's very rude ,but there loud stero is another thing to them.And I sure find the way to tell them. Now how does it feel to want.Jerk!!
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Gman77
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10-06-08 2:22 AM
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It is unfortunate that a few wingnuts have to ruin it for the law abiding motorcycle drivers. But even the good ones like to ride with friends and you get 3 or 4 at the same time at an intersection... well you can't even hold a conversation. I was only saying that if the police were to crack down a little maybe the word would get around to try to keep it down.
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VTwinJim
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10-05-08 11:02 PM
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Gman77; I know full well it's a law. My point to you is this It will never be stopped as long as there are knuckle heads racing around like they think that their more important than anyone else. You can't stop it all. It just never seems to work. In everything that you do that will be considered good and fun there will always be some jerk trying there best to make it a mess. Besides you can't even spit on the sidewalk on main street with out it being amplified 20 time's after the sound bounces off all those building's. And you being a Hard *** about the bikers and them being Pirates and all. Someone needed to give you the business. Ok??
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Gman77
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10-04-08 10:41 PM
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Jimbo, it is not my bidding, it is a noise ordinance we are talking about here. It's a law! You have heard of those haven't you? If you want me to post it so you can read it I will.
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VTwinJim
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10-04-08 6:29 PM
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Gman77: As so with all big mouthed people that live on main street and think that the world should cater to them. Dress up like a pirate..L.O.L.. your pretty funny with that one. L.O.L.. The problem that you have is that you think the world is here to do your bidding. Supprise it's not. That's like living beside a Drag strip and thinking they should go out of bussines just to please you. Your thinking is warped at best.
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Gman77
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10-04-08 10:36 AM
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Yea, I want to dress up like a pirate and drive around on a phalic symbal because the lord chose not to endow me. No Way! I should not have to move because these rebels (who by the way all dress the same with jeans and black t-shirts... how original) want to draw attention to themselves with a lot or noise. They are inconsiderate idiots and should be stopped.
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VTwinJim
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10-01-08 7:39 PM
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Gman77; There are crazy driver's that ride as well as drivers in car's and pickup truck's. And their are Loud Mouthed people in this site blasting their views. Guess where you land in all of this. Your Idea of a perfect World is wishful thinking at its finest. Move if it's to loud. People do it all the time. You live on main street and you wished you were on Wall Street. Come on you really do wish that you rode a bike too, we know you do. L.O.L.
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Gman77
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09-30-08 12:56 AM
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The fact that they do a kind thing should not and does not give them or anyone the right to disturb the peace. With your kind of logic I should be able to rob a bank and it would be ok as long as along the way I performed some kind of good deed. Nope, bikes with straight pipe are illegal and operators should be fined. Period!
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gmatrue
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09-30-08 12:00 AM
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Gman77 you need to stop and think of all the children these people are helping, some of these kids could be your own. I suggest if you don't like the fact that many of us have cycles and that they are loud then maybe you should move to the country where it is quite all the time, these people are the best people you will ever find.
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Gman77
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09-29-08 6:11 PM
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And for you FATHEAD, if these bikes need loud mufflers for safety then they should be pulled off the road has a hazard to all. Motorcycles are loud, unsafe and a waste of money and fuel as they seem to be used primarily for joy riding.
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Gman77
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09-29-08 6:07 PM
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Wait a minute! I do think the toys for kids thing is a nice gesture but it does not change the fact that these loud bikes are ILLEGAL! And those of us who live in high traffic areas are sick and tired of listen to these clowns scream thru three gears just to get to the next stop light and do it all again. If you have small children sleeping they are woke up if you work third shift and are trying to get a little peace and quite to sleep you are disturbed by their rude and selfish behavior. I can't wait for winter when these weekend warriors put their expensive toys away and maybe some of can get some peace and quite.
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FDFATONE
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09-29-08 1:26 AM
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hey gman LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES! Thats not just a bumper sticker.Most people don't realize that those noisy machines prevent dummies like you from pulling out in front of riders. If you didn't see them maybe you at least heard them,
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VTwinJim
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09-28-08 9:43 PM
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A great thing for all who rode that's for sure , and a Great thing for the kid's for sure. Some may complain but many have a big Heart. Thank's to all. I wished I could have rode with you all. Maybe next time..
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nottotell
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09-28-08 5:02 PM
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GMan I thnk you need something nice in your life to make you say a positive thought once in a while. These people are helping small children who might not even get a gift for Christmas let alone know who Santa is. Maybe you should donate to something like this and then you might see what people heplping people can be like.
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justme
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09-28-08 2:57 PM
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Gman- I cant believe that these people are doing something AMAZING for the children in our community(and others) and you STILL find something to b*tch about! Who cares about the noise pollution for the day and think about all of the smiles that will be on childrens faces beoause of the toy ride...get over yourself and think about all of the children that these people are helping!
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dksprog
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09-28-08 2:03 PM
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I am glad to see that the motorcycle community supports the under privileged children.
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Gman77
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09-28-08 1:07 PM
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Collecting toys for kids at Christmas, what a nice thought. But if these motorcycle riders really want to do something nice for everyone they would get mufflers on their bikes. The noise pollution is intolerable! There is nothing like a loud bike that says to the world "Hey look at me I'm a @#%&*@! idiot". I wish the police would enforce the law on these ilegal machines.
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