Chapter D-2 History Notes

by Sharon Follett, Chapter Historian, Jan. 1998

Updated by various others

1. Charter date is May 3, 1989.  Met at Clubhouse of Willows of Coventry.

2. Bruce Keenan started chapter and at that time was called the Area Representative.  It is not a spinoff from another chapter.  Frank Moser was the Assistant AR.  First several monthly meetings were at Bruce`s apartment, followed by several carryins at the Willows of Coventry.  Around the end of 1989, meetings were moved to the Pizza Hut at Coventry where they have remained ever since.

3. Charter members:

Bruce and Linda Keenan..4/89
Frank and Norma Moser..3/83
Frank and Patti Barker..5/89
Ora Blew..8/89
Rex Smithley and Cheryl Hoefpelmeyer..8/89
Kevin and Shirley Steele..5/89
Phil and Luan Fahlâ..5/89
Anthony (Tony) and Dixie Jiosa..5/89
Jerry and Betty Smith..2/89
Kirstin Kominsky Stevens

4.  Chapter directors have been:

Bruce Keenan..1989-1992
Ron Caccamo..1992-1993
Kevin Shoemaker..1993-1996
Mike and Vicki McKeeman..1996-1999
Dave Britton..1999
Jan Bloomfield..2000
Mike and Pat Murphy..2001-2004
Arnold and Joyce Danner..2004-2006
Bud and Linda Beard..2007
Arnold and Joyce Danner..2008-2009
Don and Gwen Lamley..2010-

5.  Norma Moser tells how the D-2 nickname, “Johnny Appleseed Wings” came about and the color chosen for the Chapter.  Norma and Frank and Bruce Keenon and his wife rode their motorcycles to Wings over the Smokies and on the way were talking back and forth about what would be a good name for the Chapter.  Bruce Keenon’s wife asked Norma what she thought of when she thought of Fort Wayne and Norma said Johnny Appleseed.   Thus, the nickname and the color green to represent apples.

6.  Chapter D-2 has hosted Winter Rendezvous 3 times:

1990–Holiday Inn, co-hosted with Chapter C-2
1992–Marriott Inn
1993–Marriott Inn

8.  Newsletter began in 1991, with Ron Mang as editor.  Other Editors have been Kevin Shoemaker, Earlene Bechtel, Gene Languell, Sharon Follett (2000), Earlene Bechtel  a second time (2001-20003), Brad Bloomfield (2003-2005). and Dave Marsh (2006-  )

9. Chapter formed best-dressed chapter in 1995 and performed for first time at Winter Rendezvous and won first place.  We then had the privilege to carry out the flags at the end.  Chapter D-2 won best dressed at the 1997 WingDing in Montana.

Won first place at 1996 Winter Rendezvous
Won first place at 1996 Region D
Won second place in Show Class at 1996 WingDing in Madison, WI.
Won second place at 1997 Winter Rendezvous
Won second place at 1997 Spring Wing Warmup
Won first place in Show Class at 1997 WingDing in Billings, MT.
Won first place in Chapter and Show Class at 2001 Winter Rendezvous
Won first place in Chapter and Parade Class at 2002 Winter Rendezvous
Won first place in Chapter and Parade Class at 2004 Winter Rendezvous
Won first place in Parade Class and Best Dressed at 2005 Winter Rendezvous

10.   Other contest results have included Mike McKeeman and Jim Tomlinson competing  in the Horseshoe contest at 1997 WingDing  in Billings, MT and taking first place.  In addition to the Best Dressed Competition, we have placed third in the 2001 Winter Rendezvous Theme Competition and third in the Talent Show, first in the 2002 Winter Rendezvous Theme Competition, first in the 2003 Winter Rendezvous Theme Competition and first in the Peoples Choice for the 2004 Parade Event.  Arnold Danner won first place in the 2005 District Bowling Tournament.  The Chapter’s Team won first place in the 2008 and 2009 District Bowling Tournaments, with Steve Clouse winning High Individual honors including a 300 game.

11. Chapter D-2 has hosted the following mall shows:
1990..Glenbrook Mall
1991..Southtown Mall along with Chapters C-2, G, F, and U
1992..Southtown Mall
1993..Southtown Mall
1996..Southtown Mall
2002 & 2005..Glenbrook Mall along with Chapters C-2 and G.
2012..Glenbrook Mall

12.  The Johnny Appleseed Drill Corps existed during 1990 and 1991.  The Chapter had 10 scooters for the drill corps.

13.  On October 11, 1997, there was a spinoff from Chapter D-2.  John and Linda Kreiger (formerly Assistant Directors of D-2) began Chapter T-2 in Huntington, Indiana.  There were several couples in Chapter D-2 from the Huntington area and John, along with CD Mike McKeeman, felt this was the appropriate time to start a new chapter.

14. Couples of the Year have been Kevin and Sandy Shoemaker in 1992, Jim and Ellen Tomlinson in 1993, Mike and Vickie McKeeman in 1994, Bob and Sharon Follett in 1995. Mike and Vicky McKeeman in 1996, and John and Linda Kreiger in 1997.  Later Couples of the Year have been Mike and Pat Murphy (1999), Brad and Jan Bloomfield (2000), Arnold and Joyce Danner (2001), Glen and Robin Downey (2002), Bob and Earlene Bechtel (2003), Bob and Sharon Follett (2004), Steve Paske and Cheryl Monroe (2005), Terry and Cherie Malcolm (2006-District Couple of the Year-2007), Butch and Mary Rostorfer (2007), Wayne and Judy Burkett (2008), Don and Gwen Lamley (2009), Dave and Cher Williams (2010),  Doug and Jan Ort (2011), and Arnie and Joyce Danner (2012).

The Individual of the Year award was introduced in 2009.   Howard Pletcher was the first IOY, followed by Dave Marsh in 2010. No one was selected for 2011.

15.  Chapter D-2 hosted State Ride IN at Johnny Appleseed Park on September 13, 1997, with 150 people attending.  We had the regular watermelon spitting contest, poker run, softball game and great food.  It was a  lot of work and we had the help of Chapter C-2, and G.  But it was a great success.  We had a grille that could cook 50 hamburgers at a time.  We even had Joel and Lynn Tuscan provide us with sound and microphone.

16.  In January, 2008, our first Chili Cookoff was held at the Celebration Hall in Garrrett.  This has become an annual event.
Attendance:2008-97, 2009-126, 2010-106, 2011-120, 2012-113 from 9 chapters.  Silent Auction had 70 items available.

17.  Chapter D-2 was named the Indiana District’s Chapter of the Year for 2009 and the Region D Chapter of the year as well.  We had placed second in the District for 2008.

18.  Chapter D-2 was again named the Indiana District’s Chapter of the Year for 2011 and also the Region D Chapter of the year.