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Midway Route Coordinator – Newsletter – March 2020

Greetings RFTW Midway Family!

There is so much going on right now and I have a lot to share with you.  However, first thing, I regret to inform everyone that the Cookeville, Lebanon and Nashville, Tennessee areas were hit tragically by severe Tornados.  The community of Cookeville has been a longtime supporter of our route and mission and received the most damage.  That community has adopted us, and they truly have become part of our RFTW family.  This year, we will have another breakout to Lebanon for a wreath laying ceremony, a visit to their museum and a donated fuel stop.  I am excited to announce that, for the first time, we will have a breakout team visit the VA hospital in Nashville.  All three of these communities have become a part of our RFTW family and I ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they struggle through this tragic situation.  If you find it in your heart to help, I will be doing something on the route for us to collect money for RFTW Midway to donate to help with this disaster.

Now, on to more pleasant Ontario topics.  Carol Olmstead, our Ontario Coordinator, has made arrangements for our RFTW family to have some social time on the Sunday prior to our departure.  This will take place at the Gateway hotel during and following the Leadership Registration time and will be held by the pool.  There will be some finger foods and a cash beer and wine bar. There will also be a spaghetti dinner on Tuesday in Lot D after the meeting for $10.00 and all proceeds will go to RFTW.   If you will be in Ontario that Sunday and will attend this event and/or will want the Tuesday spaghetti dinner,  please email our ARC Jerry Wilkins at Jerry.Wilkins@rftw.us so he can get the headcount  for both events to Carol.  Please email Jerry ASAP.  Late Monday afternoon Chaffey College students earning their catering and baking degrees will have a cake baking contest.  We get to be the judges and eat the cakes! The bike wash this year at the Gateway will be in the front to the right as you enter the parking lot off of Holt.  Carol has been busy and we appreciate all her hard work.  A lot is going on in Ontario!

Life has been a little crazy for Midway planning lately.  We have had major changes in North Carolina. The Itinerary has been taken down from the website and the draft copies of the books are being printed. Once reviewed and finalized, the revised itinerary will be posted back on the website.  I would encourage everyone to read the new itinerary prior to arrival in Ontario.  Several changes and additions have been made.

As a reminder:  All animals, no matter what their designation, must be kept on a leash while around others.  A posting of RFTW Animal Leash Policy has been added to the Itinerary.  Also, everyone is welcome!  However, if you are a member of a motorcycle club, you must comply with all RFTW ‘s rules, policies and procedures. For the safety of the pack you will be assigned to platoons and may or may not be riding together.  With all due respect, this Run is not about anyone’s club or organization. It is a time for us all to become one RFTW family serving one mission. Thank you for your understanding.

RFTW will have the opportunity and honor to participate in the washing of the Korean Memorial Wall on the Sunday prior to Memorial Day.   I am looking for 6 more volunteers from Midway to serve on this detail.  I will also need 2 Midway Road Guards to assist with this mission.  If you are available on that Sunday for this and would like to participate, please email me as soon as possible.

We now have an opening for a Camping Coordinator.  If you are a camper and are interested in taking on this position, please let me know. 

Leadership, please review your team’s list on the website contact page to make sure it is accurate.  Let me know if any changes or additions are needed.

Hotel Raffle update: Your odds of winning the $1000 hotel raffle are still good.  Currently you have a 1 out of 32 people chance of winning!  Good news is that we have covered the cost of the prize plus a fuel stop with this raffle!  The 2-5 free tickets for purchasing the raffle tickets before the end of February has ended.  However, I believe we can get another fuel stop paid for with this raffle.  What do you think?  If interested, the cost per ticket is $10.00 or you can purchase 10 tickets for $50.00.  If you purchase $100.00 worth, you will get 25 tickets!    If you purchase 10 tickets or more before the end of April, you will receive 1 extra ticket (per 10) for free.  The tickets will be capped at 27 per person. Get your tickets early.  There will be no free tickets and the tickets capped at 25 after April!  If you would like to purchase the Hotel raffle tickets, please make check out to RFTW and send to:
Ken Dugas
9849 Loblolly Pines Lane
Denham Springs, La. 70726
You may also electronically send the money through Zelle.  Use my phone 225-405-2735.  Please send me an email at ken.dugas@rftw.us to let me know if you are sending money

What an awesome team we have on Midway!  So many people are doing so much work to make sure our 2020 route is a safe, successful and meaningful experience for everyone.  I thank you all for all of your hard work, dedication and support. I cant wait to see everyone again and I am looking forward to meeting all the FNGs. Welcome Home!

Have I told you lately?……………..I love my RFTW Family!
Is it May yet!

Honor * Hope* Healing

Ken “Six String” Dugas
RFTW 2020  Route Coordinator, Midway / ARC , Sandbox
Four Routes, One Mission!
Proud Father of a U.S. Marine and U.S. Sailor!
In God we Trust!”

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