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     A look at our history over the last 31 years was compiled by Chapter Historian Herb Buttler.

     Muskoka Harley Owners Group^® Chapter 9031 was originally sponsored by Quinlan’s of Huntsville and is now sponsored by Barrie Harley-Davidson^®/Buell^®. Our first meeting to discuss the forming of a H.O.G.^® Chapter for Muskoka was held on the 12th day of May 1988 at the Baysville Curling Club. This meeting was chaired by Mr. Barry Wilcox, the national Director of the Harley Owners Group^®. Our second meeting at the Lincoln Tavern was the June 5th where we applied to form the Muskoka H.O.G.^® Chapter with Ron Hammond – Director, and Marg Hammond as Secretary / Treasurer. These were the only executive positions back then. In order to help out, Pete Black assumed the position of Chairman. Over the years we have put on Hockey Tournaments (4yrs) been "Security" for a "Glass Tiger" concert, held Toy and Food Rides, Originated "Pokipiggyshodan" (4yrs), which was a (Poker Run-Pig Roast & Show &Shine Dance), not to mention our annual Poker Runs for the past 12 years. These were all in order to raise money for charities such as MDA, Salvation Army, Ride for Sight, Minor Hockey, Kids Camps, local needy fami-lies and overseas troops. We have had Sleigh Rides, Snow Shoe days, Bowling Parties, BBQ’s and Card Parties in the "Off Riding Season". Muskoka member Ron Martin was the organizer of the Rick Franklin Memorial Run (in conjunction with Oshawa) which has been going for 16 years. This ride is now known as the "Memorial Run" and is held the last Sunday in May.

     Over the years we have had help and co-ordination from H.O.G.^® Canada regional directors Bill (Swill) Hopkins, Ted Powell, Ralph Kitchen, & John Trevinsanutto. After the closing of Quinlans in Huntsville, Barrie Harley-Davidson^®/Buell^® who was already sponsor for Huronia H.O.G.^® chapter took us under their wing and became our Sponsoring Dealer in October 2006.

     We hold meetings once a month and have a Chapter Breakfast every Sunday, usually followed by a ride. Our average membership number is about 30, small in numbers but big in Heart and Enthusiasm. Since inception, Charter Members are still active in the Chapter. A quote by Marg Hammond in our October 1998 Newsletter best describes this chapter. "For the past 10 years, we have not only had the Chapter in Common, we also have a friendship that has grown stronger each time we met, not only at the meetings or the rides but the Birthdays, Anniversaries, during an illness or at the loss of a loved one." The main objectives of the Muskoka H.O.G.^® Chapter are still to ride and enjoy the friendships we have, to meet other Chapter members and strike up new friendships. Thanks go to Herb for all the hard work he has spent assembling this information.