2009 Events

Larry "Teddy Bear" Buhrle

Some real sad news! Life time BTW member Larry "Teddy Bear"

Buhrle of the Open Prairie Trikers, passed away early on Sunday

morning March 22, around 4:30 am. He was at home sleeping in his

recliner and his brother was staying with him, sleeping on his couch.

Teddy Bear's dog jumped on his brother and woke him and when he

checked on Teddy Bear he was not breathing. EMS was called but

were unable to revive him. A memorial service will be held for him

at Pawnee Ave Church of God, 2611 E Pawnee, Wichita, KS on Thursday

morning, March 26th at 10:30 a.m.

.......OPT Chapter Director, Wayne Eck

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30th Annual Wichita Toy Run

November 1, 2009

Supported by the Marines, the Wichita Toy Run benefits Toys for Tots,

Salvation Army and the Kansas Food Bank. Depending on which

source of news you listen to, or read, anywhere from 3,000 to 3,300

motorcycles, trikes and scooters were packed into the Lawrence-Dumont

Stadium prior to the ride to the Kansas Coliseum. A large percentage

of bikes had 2 riders so you can imagine the number of people there.

We met at Spangles prior to going to the stadium so we would be together

in the parade. The line-up, officially began at 10:30 but there were

hundreds already there when we arrived. We were directed to line up

literally bumper to bumper, side to side, leaving barely enough room to

walk between the rows. Promptly at 1 p.m., the first motorcycle left the

stadium headed towards the coliseum. There were still hundreds at the

stadium waiting to leave when the first ones arrived at the coliseum.

Very impressive to say the least. It was heart-warming to see the route

lined with spectators waving and cheering our efforts. After the toy run

we met at Ryan's for dinner.

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Haysville, KS Parade

October 17, 2009

We gathered at the staging area by 8 a.m. It was very cold so there was a lot of moving

around trying to get warm. Everyone had coats and most had hats and gloves but it was

still down-right cold. The parade started at 9 a.m. and we were about in the middle of the

line-up. We threw candy to the kids (of all ages) along the route, which is always fun. The

spectators seemed to appreciate the trikes as we could see lots of pointing, lots of smiling

faces, people takng pictures, and giving the thumbs-up along the way. Following the parade,

some went to lunch, then home to warm up. Others skipped lunch in favor of home and a

warm blankie.

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Turner Falls, OK

Trike In

October 3-4, 2009

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Emporia Trike-In

September 11-13, 2009

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Wichita Black Arts Festival Parade

August 29-30

The Wichita Black Arts Festival is a 3-day African-American cultural celebration kicked

off by a parade. We started by meeting at Spangles for breakfast, then rode to the

staging area for the parade. Riding trough the neighborhoods throwing candy to the

kids is always fun and curb-side service is a big hit! After the parade, we went to

Braums then called it a day.

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Halstead Old Settlers Parade

August 8, 2009

		It was a true Old Settlers Parade. First Bill was losing a light so we stopped for a bit of a fix and then the Eck trike decided to break a wire that took a while for them to find and do a road side fix. In the meantime, the group continued to Halstead as true settlers would have so as not to miss the parade. It was a good thing that they did because after meeting up with Jr. and Deb Hester from Hutchinson and old friend Larry Smith from McPherson the remaining trikes were able to impress the judges enough to win a $30 prize for our entry in the parade. Way to go OPT and friend!

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OJ Watson Park

Picnic

July 29, 2009

Our Wednesday night dinner out turned into a potluck picnic at a local park.

Hamburgers and hotdogs were purchased from Chapter funds and everyone

brought a side dish to go with. We had a great time, in a more casual setting,

visiting and getting better acquainted. Wayne had a few announcements

regarding recent road trips but for the most part, it was just a fun evening

out at a park instead of a restaurant.

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Road Trip to Abilene, KS

July 2009

The weekend trip to Abilene, KS, in July, was great fun for all who attended. Some went up on Friday,

others joined the group on Saturday. Our weekend activities coordinator kept us on schedule as we

toured local attractions such as the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Old Abilene Town,

The Abilene & Smoky Valley Excursion Train, The Russell Stover Factory Outlet, The Seelye Mansion,

The Lebold Mansion, and The Greyhound Hall of Fame. Both the Sellye Mansion and Lebold Mansion

were recently selected as two of the eight architectual wonders of Kansas.

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	*Park City, KS* *July 4th Parade*
	A number of members turned out for the parade. Four trophies and 2 plaques were won as well as door prizes. A good time was had by all.

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	Coffeeville, KS Trike-In June 26-28, 2009
	Coffeeville, KS Trike-In June 26-28, 2009

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Shelly Androes Memorial Ride

May 2009

It seems every year OPT has to reschedule around the rainy spring. This event was again this year rescheduled

and relocated because of rain. We normally meet at Orchard Park but it was too wet to drive on the grass and so

this event was moved to Watson Park where we had pavement and a good safe place to load our passengers. The

OPT trikers showed with their trikes about 6:15 arriving in time to share in some hotdogs and drinks. Yes, you

guessed it, it showered and some of those that were there for the rides left early but many stayed and after the

shower, we began our rides. It turned out to be a very pleasant evening and we were all blessed with the overflowing

gratitude of our passengers. Leo Foster of coarse is the star attraction with his special built trike (by Dan Seely

& Bob Primm) that holds four passengers plus himself. Several asked and waited specifically to have an opportunity

to ride Leo's trike. This event was founded by Shelly Androes many years back but after her passing, this event was

named the Shelly Androes Memorial Ride in her memory. This is the 6th year and we'll be back next year, Lord

willing and the creek don't rise.

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Shop Day 2009

Shopday was just plan cold. Andrew Harris, Pete & Kathy Walter and Dan & Tish Seely braved the cold and drove their trikes. We had planned to fabricate flag holders for those that wanted them but since it was so cold and low on trike attendance, we chose to do other things. Kenny needed his brakes looked at and Pete needed to add a bumper on his trike

trailer. The food was great as it always is from the triker gals that know how to feed their men! The

gals this year sowed some blankets and Sarah will probably have more to say on that. I will say from a man's point of view, the blankets were nice and kinda girly looking but girls, what have you done to our Shopday? But for sure, we enjoy our triker ladies! We have for sure a great riding season ahead of us!