Clayton was a well-known, well-loved and involved person who personified brotherhood. His collection of motorcycles was admired by all. He would throw a huge birthday bash at his "farm" every June, open to all. After he died in 1988 we kept having the affair, but it became the "Clayton Memorial for Fallen Brothers and Sisters". It is an occasion to remember our departed friends' lives and keep their memories alive.
In August 2007 there will be a new run pin and the name of the run will no longer bear Clayton's name to emphasize that the run is about all lost brothers and sisters. Clayton probably would have liked it that way.
Clayton was loved by many
The Hosler family generously allowed us to continue Clayton's annual birthday party at his farm until it was sold in 2005. It used to be an outdoor event held in a field. Some set-up free, overnight camp and brought their own BBQ. There was a huge bonfire that burned late into the night over which many tales were swapped. Activities included a short bike run, always to the Kapowsin Tavern, Clayton's favorite watering hole. The competition in the bike games was intense for the ribbons that were awarded as prizes.
The event is now a run, which will always include a stop at the Kapowsin Tavern, but there is no more overnight camping spot or games. Instead we'll find some other form of friendly competition and inviting places to stop and get acquainted with one another, all in memory of our cherished loved ones.
Return to Top of PageThe weather for the 19th Annual Memorial Run was pleasant, if not beautiful - better than the forecast had indicated. In spite of several other events occurring the same day, the turn out was not bad with around 70 bikes and several trikes. The route was complicated somewhat by a construction detour around a section of Mountain Highway, the sign for which was improperly placed. As far as I know all who wanted to, made it to Mineral.
At our third stop, the Headquarters Tavern in Mineral
The proprietors of all our stops donated door prizes ranging from T-shirts to free pizzas - 19 prizes in all. The River Road Lodge provided 2 tacos and a bowl of soup for $3. Very tasty and extremely affordable. The optional $5 game consisted of a dice roll at the Junction City Grill and the River Road Lodge, a dart throw at Jody's Outlaw Bar and the Kapowsin Tavern, and a card draw at the Headquarters Tavern. Total possible score was 85.
Good to see Astro, a previous Tacoma Chapter Coordinator
37 entries at $5 each made a pot of $185 which was broken down to $93 for first place, won with 65 points by Cindy Berger (Rat City Coordinator), $55 for second place, won with 57 points by Bruce Ramsey (Tacoma Chapter Treasurer/Membership), and $37 for third place, won with 55 points by Chuck Leach (Tacoma Chapter Member).
Ruth Clarke won $73 for the 50/50 drawing.
Door prizes were won in the following order by: Ruth Clarke, Roy Fisher, Shirley Whitting, Diana Covington, Debby Miller, Doc Covington, Lisa Clise, Chuck Leach, Neal Parrett, Tim Bronow, Bill Horn, Angie Miller, Jay Frazier, Pam Frazier, Cindy Berger, Mike Campbell, Tony Hosler, Mailman, and Linda Lou Thomas.
Following the drawings we gathered for a moment of silence for our departed brothers and sisters. Next, the smart ones rode home before it started raining and the rest of us stayed till it was pouring out. No biggie, the pants needed washing anyway. To all who participated, many thanks.
(L-R) Jay Frazier, Bruce Ramsey, Mailman, Mike Campbell and Windy Blum.
Tacoma Chapter's Coordinator, Treasurer/Membership, Road Captain, Legislative and Deputy Coordinator, respectively
Here's the most recent run flyer from August 2007
The 18th Annual Clayton Memorial for Fallen Brothers and Sisters took place on a beautiful, warm, sunny Saturday, the 19th of August, 2006. Never got an accurate attendance count, what with the coming and going, early leaving, late arriving, and generally independent nature of the participants, but I'm guessing around 65 or so. The start at the Thunderbird lounge, stops at Kapowsin, Beam's Firehouse, Naches in Greenwater, City Hall in Cumberland, and finish at the Right Spot in Fife, made for a great ride on mostly rural roads with ample time for socializing and re-hydrating and not-too-long stretches in the saddle in between. I liked that people rode in small groups at different times, eliminating the safety and liability concerns of riding in a large pack.
The optional card "game" had 63 entrants who each donated $5 to the pot, all of which was returned to the best hand (50% of pot), 2nd (30%), and worst hand (20%). Game winners were Shirley with an ace/king-high flush, Paulette with an ace/queen-high flush, and Mailman with ace, 2, 3, 4, 6 low score.
The raffle ticket was drawn for the motorcycle art sculpture, generously donated by the extraordinary welder, Mike Beckler. Tim Wilkins was the lucky winner of this unique piece. There were 129 raffle tickets sold which raised $645 - Thank You, Mike! And a big Thank You to all the folks who sold tickets.
We observed a moment of silence to reflect on the purpose of this run which is to remember those who have "gone on ahead". Everyone seemed to enjoy the run. I know I certainly did.