The 2011 Motor Maid convention was officially opened at 8:30 a.m. sharp with the Welcome Meeting. Since the Executive Board was still in a meeting, the meeting was conducted by the Vice President, Glennadine. There were 327 registered members – now the largest convention yet. All 
members were recognized – Regular (less than 10 yrs), Life (10 yrs), Silver Life (25 yrs), Silver Plus (30+ yrs), Golden Life (50 yrs), Golden Plus (60 yrs). This year, Betty (FL) and Gloria (NJ) were recognized with 65 yrs. 
Remember, one of the requirements are you must ride your motorcycle to convention and Gloria celebrated her 86th birthday at convention!
This is an election year and nominations were opened. PA district had three members running for an office. Cathy D. for President, Sammy W. for Treasurer and Diane R. for Publicity Officer … Diane was unopposed and was elected. Unfortunately Cathy and Sammy were not but we were 
still proud that they through their “hats in the ring” for an office. The meeting ended by noon and had some free time until our 4:00 District Meeting in my room, followed by the group picture at 6:00 p.m. followed by the parade at 7:00 - if you want to call it a parade! Unfortunately, the Town Council and Mayor would not block off 28th St. for us to parade but arranged a route for us 
through a residential development. Needless to say, Grand Rapids was not motorcycle friendly as we found out after one of our ladies was ran off the road during the Dot Robinson Timed Run when the police officer commented “… he was not surprised!”
On Wednesday, if you did not do the timed run, it was another free day for riding. 
Karen, Rich, Mary & myself went on a ride that ended at the casino. Of course, I had no luck. At 4:30, there was a group which left the hotel to go to the “Blues on the Mall” in downtown GR. We left downtown and headed to Bike Nite at Quaker Steak & Lube for dinner.
Thursday was the Business Meeting at 8:30. The location of the 2013 Convention was announced – Bend, OR. At that convention, I will receive my Life Member pin! After the helmet vote and voting for the new officers, the meeting was closed at 12:15 and we were free until the banquet at 5:00. Of course, the afternoon was spent packing and getting ready to head for home the next morning.
Denise, Nancy & myself were ready to roll around 7:15 a.m. Our stop for the evening was in Youngstown, OH and back on the road Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and I was safely home at 3:30 p.m. The end of another convention. Next year, Spartanburg, SC ….
