I would like to share with you a quote from a Steven King novel (and movie) that years ago put me on a path that (even today) continues to change my life: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

During the first 3-4 years of NY19's existence, we spent countless hours planning, organizing, and conducting chapter fundraisers, functions, and charity rides, all of which are important elements of a motorcycle club. However, somewhere along the way we have overlooked the other side of what a club is about, the spirit of motorcycling, the open road, the esprit de corps, the camaraderie, and interaction as a social group.

Simply put, we need to get out and have more fun as a group! This applies not only to the members on two wheels, but also the members who ride on four wheels. Currently there are plans underway to organize weekend trips to Pennsylvania (Gettysburg anyone?), overnighters along Lake Ontario, to the Sterling Renaissance Festival, and to explore the wine trails of the Finger Lakes. It was also proposed that we visit Boylston, Massachusetts, the birthplace of the Red Knights.

My 19 year-old son Tomass recently asked if these trips had destinations, or if we were "Wild Hog"-in'. You know, he may be right - maybe we need to go out on "Wild Hog"-in' trips! If you have any ideas of places you think we can go, please let me know.

We also need to reach out to potential members in the Emergency Service fields across our respective counties, not only to bolster our own membership, but also the memberships of our neighboring chapters. We should continue to keep past members in mind, who, for whatever reason, have taken a path different from ours. However, they are still Red Knights even though they do not wear our colors. I would like to offer an open invitation to any past member, of any chapter, to come back "home" to NY19, NY2, or NY14.

As we are reaching out to new and past members, we must also continue to reach out to our neighboring Red Knights Chapters and get to know them better. I cannot properly express how proud I am of how NY19 and NY2 have embraced each other over the past few years. Not only have we supported each chapter's respective events, but more importantly, we have started to interact and socialize more. It's an incredible accomplishment, and something to be proud of. In addition, we are looking forward to getting together with NY14, as we have done in the past.

However, in all of this we must not lose sight of a simple fact - regardless of the numbers we wear on our backs, we are all Red Knights! We serve, or have served, our respective communities. We are family members, friends, comrades, lovers, and neighbors of these "citizen heroes" - the men and women who ride "steel horses," and when called upon, "combat the dragon" and save lives.

I look forward to seeing all of you in my 12 o'clock, checking my 6, or riding alongside me in 2008.

Ride Safe,

Ken Ernenwein, President
RKMC, NY19