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“International News & Views” is a new Wing World department aimed at providing information submitted byGWRRA Members who live outside the U.S. or by U.S. Members who have information to share about something thathas occurred in a country other than the U.S.This first installment is dedicated to the memory of InternationalDirector of Global Affairs and UK Region Director Lesley Kennedy, who passed away suddenly last fall.Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Inductee2008 CMHF Inductees. Ron is pictured in back row, center, with beard.(Photo: Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame)As a result of my successful racing career that spanned the years1966 to 1974, I (Ron Keys, GWRRA #220254, of Newcastle,Ontario, Canada) was inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall ofFame on October 25, 2008, at the Renaissance Inn and ConventionCentre in Toronto.My career of racing involved success both in Canada and the USAand was mainly within the realm of motocross, but also flat track, andISDT competitions. Should you be interested in viewing more on thesubject, here is the CMHF website: http://www.motorcyclehalloffame.ca/.Last Year’s Region J RallyBy Phil & Margaret Craven, Region J DirectorsIn 2005, after the Region J Rally in Chemainus, British Columbia, thenRegion J Directors Ron & Carol Hodgson were approached by thenYukon Director Earl Hayden. He asked if the Region could possibly lookat holding a future Rally in Whitehorse,Yukon Territory.After some discussion with the Region Staff, it was agreed that thiswould indeed take place. Since the 2006 Rally had already beenannounced (Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia), 2007 wasagreed upon.However after the announcement at Wing Ding 28 that Wing Ding29 was heading back to Billings, it was decided to move our 2007 Rallyto Lethbridge, Alberta, the weekend prior to Wing Ding. This hadproven to be a great success at previous Wing Dings in Billings becauseof the proximity of the two locations.Now it was up to us, current Region Directors Phil & MargaretCraven, to ask the Whitehorse Chapter,YT-A, if they would be willingto wait until 2008 and host the Rally then.Soon enough, the date for the Rally approached and there wasexcitement on the air waves as this northern Rally grew—many attendeesdecided to combine the Rally with an Alaska trip. But one weekbefore the Rally, we received an ominous email stating that snow wasfalling in Whitehorse.Also, one of the campgrounds we had planned onusing was under renovations, though we were told it would be readyfor our Rally.Margaret and I planned on leaving early for Whitehorse, as we knewwe had a long ride afterward to Wing Ding in Greenville, SouthCarolina.We planned a leisurely ride, camping and sightseeing, and leftour home in Ainsworth on June 12.The first day was a little cool as werode the mountain passes up to Kamloops. Next day, we hit heavy rainand—much of our trip—had to keep on our rain suits. It was also quitechilly at times, but we had a wonderful ride. (By the way, for anyoneinterested in early pioneer life, Barkerville, British Columbia, is a mustsee.).Next, we headed toward Prince George and then on to DawsonCreek—Mile 0 on the Alaska Highway—where the weather took a turnfor the better, we had a chance to visit with our son (who had recentlymoved there), and we began to see other Wingers on the roads.Theirwaves, and the occasional CB conversations, made us feel that we wereno longer by ourselves. At the campgrounds there, we visited withother rally-bound Members who were also taking extra time to sightseeon their way to Whitehorse. (In case you don’t already know, theAlaska Highway to Whitehorse is picturesque, with lots of wildlife.)We arrived in Whitehorse in a torrential rainstorm, which made itdifficult to find our aforementioned destination campground.We foundthat the renovations were not yet complete but, thankfully, the folks atthe other campground in town (High Country RV) went out of theirway to find room for us all.Once at the Rally site, we found that the Whitehorse Chapter hadleft little for us to do except to assist with packing the registrationpacks with the Rally pins—and a few brochures—that I had broughtalong. Otherwise, everything was ready, and it was “On with the show!”Registration was a breeze as everyone arrived ready to enjoy ourfirst Rally in the Yukon. At the last count, we had 197 Members registered.The Chapter welcomed everyone with a meet-and-greet withmusic by a local band, ceremonies hosted by local dignitaries, and ourNational Anthems sung by a local youth.Afterward, Members enjoyed a search for a poke of gold, after visitinglocal sights for clues. A poker run took them to Skagway, Alaska.Then there was the Grand Parade through town and, of course, theMidnight Sun Bun Run. We had approximately 88 bikes take that midnightride to the home of the biggest cinnamon buns you have everseen!Closing night came far too soon, as we had enjoyed the friendshipof our Members from all our Districts and some of our visitingMembers from the U.S. Ceremonies were kept to a minimum, with theintroduction of Region J’s Chapter of the Year—British Columbia,Chapter D, of Surrey—and runner-up—Alberta, Chapter B, ofEdmonton.Then there was a “Thank-you” to all the sponsors.The meal and show on Saturday night provided more fun and somegood photo opportunities as the Snowshoe Can-Can dancers recruitedsome new Members.The next morning, it was time for us to leaveto head for Wing Ding 30. Thankfully, we rode part of the way withCanadian Directors Ron & Carol Hodgson and Region J MADCoordinator Randy Westby because we had broken a speedo cable andcouldn’t get a new one until Edmonton.This Rally really showed us what a small, dedicated group of Wingerslike YT-A can do. It also gave rise to a request from our Alaska Membersto host the Region J Rally. Hopefully this will be at a future date on ourcalendar.To everyone in the Yukon, thanks for a great Rally. It is hard to singleanyone out, but special thanks must go to Alma Riehl for keeping meinformed and for keeping everyone on track, and also to Buddy McCue,Yukon District Director, for recruiting me for the snowshoe dancers(By the way, Buddy, I have a long memory!)For photos of the 2008 Region J Rally, visit the Yukon District website(http://gwrra-regionj.ca/Yukon/gallery2.html).And don’t forget, the next Region J Rally is in Maple Ridge, BritishColumbia July 31 - August 3, 2009.We’d love to see you there!12 Wing World