The South-Central chapter of the South Dakota A.B.A.T.E had their monthly meeting on September 10 at 1 p.m. at the Duck In in Lake Andes. A.B.A.T.E. stands for A Brotherhood for Awareness, Training and Education involving motorcycle rights on South Dakota roads. The organization’s mission includes promoting political involvement of motorcyclists, presenting and promoting a better public image of motorcyclists, helping to prevent accidents through rider and motorist awareness and education, helping improve road conditions making it safer for motorcyclists, etc.

South Dakota currently has 17 A.B.A.T.E. chapters throughout the state. The South-Central A.B.A.T.E chapter has 67 members; 19 members were present at the September meeting. The chapter officers include Greg Isakson, President; Brad Girton, Vice President; Amanda Frandsen, Secretary; Barb Sorlein, Treasurer; Darla Girton, State Representative; and Lars Sorlein, Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MFR) Representative.

The meeting started off with a moment of silence in honor of Bill Bish, marine, owner/publisher of Ridin’ On Motorcycle Magazine and a very politically active member nationally for A.B.A.T.E. who sadly passed away in August. Reports were then given by each of the officers. The group then discussed that the following weekend September 16 and 17th would be the state meeting and how they were going to vote on a membership due increase. The chapter talked about their members that road in the Wagner Labor Day Parade. They were pictured in the Platte Enterprise newspaper for riding in the parade.

One of the biggest discussions of the meeting was the upcoming chapter Poker Run fundraiser for the area cancer fund. It will be held on Saturday, September 23rd with registration beginning at 10 am, kickstands up at 11 am and back by 5 pm. The route will begin and end in Lake Andes at the Duck In.

The routes, stops and number of stops were not completely determined yet. There will be a chase truck available on the route. The fundraiser would also have a large quantity of silent auction items with the winners being announced at the end of the run. It was also decided that Jen at Custom Printing in Platte, SD would print more of the Poker Run posters and thank you cards for the Poker Run sponsors.

Finally, President Isakson asked if the chapter would be wanting to send out Christmas Cards like they had done previous years to other chapters and members of the legislature. It was approved. The next meeting for the South-Central A.B.A.T.E. chapter will be Saturday, October 7th at 6:30 pm at the Duck In.