IT’S TIME TO GET WORKING ON THE HALL OF FAME ELECTION

By Trailblazers President, Don Emde 

As soon as we have this year’s banquet in our rearview mirrors, one of the first things the Trailblazers Board of Directors will be doing is getting to work on the election for our new class of Hall of Fame inductees. While we often hear people mentioning some deserving candidates, what might surprise some is that those who are considered for election need to be nominated by a Trailblazers member. 

If you have someone that you feel is worthy of consideration for election to the Trailblazers Hall of Fame, please read the following: 

Our annual process begins with a review of past nominees. We look at the nomination packages of everyone who had made it to the previous year’s ballot but were not elected and discuss how many years that person has been on the ballot, and if there is a reasonable expectation that they might someday get elected. From that decision, some candidates carry forward to be considered again, and others are dropped off. Unlike some Halls of Fame who have some minimum or maximum number of years before someone is dropped off, we review and decide every year. 

Once we have the “Carry Over” candidates selected, our next step is to review new nomination packages that we receive from Trailblazers members. A key thing to know is that there is no continuous path to getting elected, as if everyone who gets nominated eventually gets elected. That’s not how it works. Every year the process begins anew. Another important detail is that we don’t just select people from around the world with credible legacies in motorcycling. We only elect members from within the circle of the Trailblazers and they must have previously attended the banquet. 

Soon after the banquet every year, the Trailblazers Board of Directors begins the process of electing members for the next class of Hall of Fame inductions. Any Trailblazers member can nominate someone. What is needed is a nomination package that would consist of a relatively brief biography of the candidate (2-3 pages), plus 10-12 pages with copies of action photos, magazine articles or related material. The total package should not be more than 15 pages. 

We need 20 copies of your nomination package for use in our meetings. Members who are planning to nominate someone should contact us in advance. We can discuss if you want to print all the copies, or you could also send us the master copy and we can have copies printed for you if we receive it at least a week prior to the meeting. 

Our annual election of Hall of Fame inductees is a two-step process. The first ballot will consist of all Carry-Over candidates and all of the new nominees. From that, the top 12 vote-getters move to a second ballot where the top 6 vote-getters are elected.  

We look forward to working with any Trailblazers member on a nomination of a candidate you would like to submit. Steve Storz is the Trailblazers Hall of Fame Election chairman. His email address is: admin@storzperf.com and he can provide additional information if needed. 

We look forward to hearing from you.

2021 BANQUET UPDATE

Greetings to all of you. It is very exciting to know that the time has come to resume our long tradition of what we will still call our annual banquet. Since we announced that the 76th “annual” has been scheduled for August 28th, the Trailblazers Board of Directors has been busy getting back to work on the many details that need to be finalized.

The Covid-19 situation that caused our one-year delay dictates a lot of new thinking and procedures for events our size, but we are doing everything in our power to produce an event that will be as fun as ever, while also being responsible and as safe as we can make it for all of the attendees.

Here is an update on how this year’s event is coming together:

NEW LOCATION

The Phoenix Club is located just off the 57 Highway near Anaheim Stadium at 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806. It is a full-time event and entertainment facility with a large outdoor area that will allow us to spread out much more during the bike show hours. The courtyard at The Phoenix Club includes many picnic tables with umbrellas and bench seats for people to sit and visit during the afternoon hours. We will also have the motorcycles displayed there for our annual Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show presented by Hagerty.

There is a large, covered area alongside called the “Festhalle” and that is where we will have dinner and our awards program. The dinner this year will be served buffet style as we had done often in past years. The Phoenix Club has its own kitchen, and a very tasty meal has been ordered that many of us had a chance to sample recently.

TICKET STATUS

When it became necessary to postpone the banquet back in March of 2020, we were 100% sold out, with a waiting list of members still hoping to purchase tickets. We froze all of the files at that point, so everyone who had tables and tickets still has them, and everyone who was on the waiting list is still on it. Also, we have recently had some requests to be added to that list.

Before we can address the waiting list, however, we need to confirm with all of the existing ticket holders the status for themselves and their guests. We have reached out to most of those them and once we know where that stands, we can then determine how many, or even if any, tickets we will have available. Stay tuned.

COVID-19

I have written in previous editions of this newsletter that we need everyone’s cooperation with Covid-19 restrictions and also to please understand we are not making up the Covid-19 rules. The Phoenix Club operates until guidelines from the CDC and the Orange County Health Department and we must follow their instructions.

It has been reported on television and in the newspapers that on June 15th, some new Covid-19 guidelines will be put into effect relating to public events. We are not sure yet what will be required but are expecting that masks will be required by all attendees except when eating or drinking. We will also be taking people’s temperatures at arrival and require signatures on a liability waiver accepting your personal responsibility and have some hand washing stations and have some cleaning products available. That’s all we know right now.

I encourage everyone to get vaccinated, not only to improve your chances of not catching the coronavirus, but also it is looking like there will be less restrictive requirements for those who have been vaccinated. Based on guidelines the CDC released in April, it certainly looks like proof of vaccinations could be a possibility for events our size. We hope to know more about that on June 15th.

CANCELLATION DEADLINE

Being in the situation of having to reserve areas of The Phoenix Club, plus staff, food and more, we do not have the luxury of allowing ticket holders to wait until the last minute to decide if they are attending. We have deadlines that impact our plans, and also those on the waiting list need to know if they will be able to attend.

We know many people want to know what Covid-19 requirements will be in place before deciding if they will want to attend. As noted above, since June 15th has been reported as the date that announcements will be made about them, we will hold until then, but will then need to receive any cancellations by June 30th to obtain a refund. Cancellation refund requests need to be in writing to Don Emde via email to don@emdebooks.com or by mail to: Trailblazers M/C Inc., PO Box 6118, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607.

HOST HOTEL

For those of you coming in from out of town, maybe don’t want a long drive home after the banquet, or if you want to stay in Orange County the rest of the weekend, we have arranged a special discounted price at the nearby Ayers Hotel. The hotel is just off the 57 across the street from the Honda Center at 2550 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806.

You can book your room for one or two nights (Friday, August 27th and/or Saturday, August 28th). If you want to stay longer, the hotel has agreed to extend your discounted rate.

Here are the details to book a room with the discount:

1. Group Name: Trailblazers Motorcycle Club, Inc
2. Group Code: TB827
3. Group rate: $118 + tax per night for King rooms / $126 + tax per night for Queen/Queen rooms. Includes complimentary breakfast, parking and internet.
4. Call: 714-634-2106

Here’s a tip: to avoid getting patched over to an overseas phone center (common with hotels), as soon as the call connects and you hear the welcome recording begin, just hit “0” and it will transfer you to the operator at the hotel. Then tell them you want to book your room.

1. Don’t delay! Discounts based on availability of rooms for those nights.
2. Important note about parking: Do not book rooms at this hotel if you are pulling a trailer! There are no pull-thru style spaces. This hotel only has room for single vehicles. We are still looking for another hotel to suggest for those with trailers. Stay tuned.

EVENT SCHEDULE

1. Bike show exhibitor gate opens at 11:00 a.m.*

(*Contact Norm Bigelow at: cuzcobig@aol.com for details or questions if you are bringing a motorcycle to display.)

1. Attendee gates open at 1:00 p.m. / Check-in, Meet & Greet, Silent Auction and Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show presented by Hagerty 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
2. Buffet dinner service begins at 5:00 p.m.
3. Opening ceremonies and Awards program begins at 6:30 p.m.

HONOREES

This year’s illustrious group of honorees includes our new Hall of Fame inductees: Johnny Campbell, Scot Harden, Steve Johnson, Brad Lackey, Bruce Penhall and Bubba Shobert. We will also honor Larry Langley with the Earl & Lucile Flanders Lifetime Achievement Award and Eddie Mulder will be the recipient of the Trailblazers highest honor, the Dick Hammer Award.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW

Ticket holders: It would be appreciated if we heard if you and your guest list need any changes, or even just to confirm you are all set. Also, if anyone in your group needs any special meals, we need to know that in advance. Please let you guests know that they won’t just have dietetic or other special meals available upon request that night. Email me at: don@emdebooks.com

Wait List: Please be patient and keep the date open. We probably won’t know about available seats until July 1st.

Please watch for more banquet updates on the Trailblazers website (www.trailblazersmc.org), Facebook page and here on the member e-newsletter.

Hope to see you there!

            Sincerely,

            Don Emde

            President

After a year of watching news reports and researching the Covid-19 situation from every direction, I am starting to feel like the pilot of a 747 bringing the big plane in for a landing. We aren’t on the ground yet, but it’s finally looking like we’ll be able to get our group back together on August 28th in a similar way as we used to do before we ever heard of Coronavirus.

Looking ahead, June 15th is a big day coming up. That’s when the Governor is supposed to release the details of the new regulations for public events in California. We are hopeful that early details we are seeing will make it into his final plan. That will allow us to hold the event with not too many restrictions, but we also want to stay within the guidelines to keep it safe and fun for everyone.

***If you are on the Wait List – hang on. Not sure yet how many seats will open up. We will know more after the June 30th cancellation deadline and will start contacting those on the list.

Things for Ticket Holders to Know and Do

If you have tickets on hold from the 2020 banquet postponement, please, if you haven’t already, let me know if you need to cancel any seats you reserved. Deadline for a refundable cancellation is June 30, 2021. 

Name changes for badges need to be done by August 1st. Otherwise, your tickets will be at Will Call at the event as ordered and filed either under the name of attendee or if not, then the person who bought your table (if that’s the case).

For ticket holders, here are some things to know:

1. Location: The Phoenix Club, 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806
2. Date: August 28, 2021. 
3. Time schedule for the event:

• 11:00 a.m. Bike Show check-in and bike move-in (motorcycles only / no displays needed, a plastic sign holder and form will be provided - bring your own lock and good drip pan.

• 1:00 p.m. Check-in at Will Call / Pit Gate opens / Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show presented by Hagerty and Trailblazers Silent Auction bidding begins.

• 4:00 p.m. Bike Show Awards in Courtyard / Silent Auction bidding closed

• 5:00 p.m. 1st call for Buffet dinner service

• 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner (Buffet style)

• 6:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies / Annual Toast / In Memoriam / Awards 

• 8:00 p.m. Award program completed

• 8:00 p.m. Call for Trailblazers Hall of Fame group photo (2021 and previous)

• 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Bike Show move-out

COVID-19 Warning / Regulations / Cancellation Notice 

The Trailblazers have taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you and your guests, plus the Trailblazers Directors and staff of The Phoenix Club who will be working to produce the event. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting The Phoenix Club.

An inherit risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. 

By attending the 2021 Trailblazers banquet and Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show presented by Hagerty, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Help keep each other healthy.

While the Coronavirus situation has been improving in recent months, we are going to hold off until June 15th before we specify any mask, social distancing or vaccination requirements. We have set the cancellation deadline for two weeks after that announcement. If you feel that the Covid-19 requirements may be too strict, or not strict enough, any requests for refundable cancellations must be received by June 30th.

Things to See and Do at the Bike Show (other than visiting with your friends):

• The courtyard has a number of picnic tables with bench seats and umbrellas. 

• There will also be some refreshment bars open to purchase drinks.

• Get one free drink ticket with proof of completed Covid-19 vaccinations.

• Attendees will be able to cast votes for your favorite motorcycles in the bike show. Class winners will receive some very nice trophies.

• For the first time ever, the Trailblazers has received enough donations of motorcycle memorabilia to justify a fundraiser Silent Auction. Payments can be made with cash or credit cards, no checks.

• Official Trailblazers apparel items will be for sale. Payments can be made with cash or credit cards, no checks.

Other Banquet News:

Thanks to the following banquet sponsors who are helping us off-set some expenses that would not be possible with their generosity:

• Motion Pro / Rod Lake

• Barnett Tool & Engineering – Toast to members, friends & legends lost

• American Honda Motor Company Inc.

• Hagerty – Presenting sponsor of Tom Cates Memorial Bike Show

• K&N Engineering

• Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA

• Yamaha Motor Corp., USA

Special thanks to Ron Pierce who is donating Racer’s Edge wine for our dinners!

Host Hotel: For those who would like to stay in the area on the Friday and/or Saturday nights of the banquet, we have arranged a discounted rate at the Ayres Hotel, just minutes away from The Phoenix Club. The hotel is located at 2550 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim CA 92806.

You can book a room for one night or two (Friday Aug, 27th and/or Sat. Aug 28th)

Here are the details to book a room with the discount:

1. Group Name: Trailblazers Motorcycle Club, Inc.
2. Group Code: TB827
3. Group rate: $118 + tax per night for King rooms / $126 + tax per night for Queen / Queen rooms. Includes complimentary breakfast, parking and internet.
4. Call: 714-634-2106

Important note about parking: DO NOT BOOK ROOMS AT THIS HOTEL IF YOU ARE PULLING A TRAILER! THERE ARE NO PULL-THRU STYLE SPACES. This hotel only has room for single vehicles. 

Honorees:

This year’s illustrious group of honorees includes our new Hall of Fame inductees: Johnny Campbell, Scot Harden, Steve Johnson, Brad Lackey, Bruce Penhall and Bubba Shobert. We will also honor Larry Langley with the Earl & Lucile Flanders Lifetime Achievement Award and Eddie Mulder will be the recipient of the Trailblazers highest honor, the Dick Hammer Award.

Speaking for all of the Trailblazers Directors, we look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Don Emde

President

We really did think the Coronavirus was behind us after the big rule revisions of June 15th . Now here we are a month out and the state, country and world are dealing with a new spike in the number of new cases and hospitalizations.

I would be surprised if you have not seen on TV how quickly the rules are again changing and what every ticket holder for the August 28h banquet needs to understand is any new rules issued by the CDC, President, Governor, or local health authorities needs to be followed at our event. Those new rules could include:

• Masks required? Maybe.

• Required proof of vaccination or test within 72 hours showing no Covid-19? Maybe.

NO WHINERS

Right now, we can’t really know what rules will be required on August 28th , but I think everyone would agree we’ve come too far now to postpone the event again. Please, no whining. Be a Trailblazer and work with us. We are still proceeding ahead with our plan to offer any banquet attendee who brings proof of full vaccination a free drink and green dot on their badge. For those of you who haven’t got it done yet, there is still time. Get it done and a free drink is on me.

CANCELLATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO AUGUST 10!

For those not willing to attend under the uncertainty of what Covid-19 rules might be in place on August 28th, we are extending the cancellation deadline to August 10th . To cancel, please email me at: don@emdebooks.com or call 949-632-4668. A full refund will be sent out if I am notified by August 10th . Right now, we have 750 meals ordered and if we don’t hear from you by August 10th, yours will be at your table at the banquet.

THINGS TO KNOW IF YOU ARE ATTENDING THE BANQUET

1. Badge Printing Deadline: The date is fast approaching that we need your final guest list. Friday, August 6th is the final date for any name changes.

2. Special Meals: For those with any dietary issues who need special meals, the Phoenix Club has them available, but they must be ordered in advance. There is only one meal available that covers all the major dietetic limitations. Email me by August 10th at don@emdebooks.com if you have the need.

3. Dress Code: Over the years, the banquet has usually been held in the Spring and heat was never a problem. Our options were few for an available banquet facility and our August 28th date presents a real possibility of being rather warm – likely 90-degrees or more. There will be water and other refreshments, and some shade during the day, but we encourage everyone to dress for the kind of day Mother Nature has in store for us. Hats, sunscreen, summer apparel, etc are recommended.

4. Silent Auction: The Trailblazers is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and we have no one to bail us out if we don’t raise enough funds to pay the bills. For the first time ever, we will hold a Silent Auction during the bike show on the afternoon of the banquet. We have a number of unique motorcycle collectible items that will be available, so be sure to check that out at the event.

5. Trailblazers apparel: In addition to a table with our standard Trailblazers branded apparel, this year we will have a 76th annual banquet event shirt for sale – quantities are limited.

6. Bike Show: While the dinner and awards program will be held Saturday evening, we encourage everyone to come early and see the many cool old motorcycles that will be on display, some very historic. The gates open at 1:00 p.m. Note: if you plan to bring a motorcycle for the show, we don’t pre-arrange show entries, just be there at 11:00 a.m. and know all motorcycles need oil drip pans and bring your own locks. No other display material is allowed – motorcycles only. Entries are available at your own risk and on a first-come, first served basis for space available. There are some very nice trophies that will be awarded.

7. Parking: The Phoenix Club has paved parking in front for motorcycles, cars and trucks that fit in single vehicle spaces. Larger vehicles or any with trailers will be directed by attendants to a secondary lot on the backside. Please follow directions.

That’s all we know right now. Postings on the Trailblazers website will be the official method we will use from this date to notify attendees about any new details we learn of. Check it often at: www.trailblazersmc.org.

Stay well and I hope to see you at The Phoenix Club on August 28th .

Don Emde

President / Executive Director

Trailblazers Motorcycle Club Inc.