Executive Report - March 2026

John Reblin

All The Fun You Can Have

Along With Sadness

Well hopefully this is the end of the cold weather. The snow is not too deep right now and with the sun out you can sense spring is around the corner. The cold weather produced some ice on the lake for Randy and Janine Ice Fish-o-ree at Nuckleheadz Bar and Grille on Little Cedar Lake. With the colder weather I thought the participants would be a little smaller group but close to 40 people braved the ice and caught some nice fish. Meat raffles and 50/50 raffles ruled the afternoon. If you were hungry there were brats and burgers out near the ice along with the bar serving off of their menu. Kevin Lesweski of Green Bay won $100 dollars on the raffle and is so impressed with the work done by ABATE of Wisconsin, donated it right back to us. Thank you for your generosity. It takes the assistance of quite a few to hold this event and some 1H regional members stepped up along with Ralph, his crew, and others. Thank you to all that supported this event by purchasing tickets, donating labor and food. Thank you to Fleet Farm for the generous donation of a gift card to be used at your stores.

As you are reading this article, we have finished up Officer Training. From what I am hearing we had a great turnout from the number of rooms that were reserved. I think the information we shared with those attending was useful. The talk of the weekend was raising and retaining membership, getting information from Steve about Lobby Day, calls to action, and much more. We also had Brandon Derry spend some time with us to talk about insurance, motor vehicle crashes, and making sure if something unfortunate happens you are financially prepared so there is no need to worry about things after the crash. We also had Tina Bondurant from the Wisconsin DOT speak about what is being seen with our motorcycle crashes. She took over for Mike Schwendau who left this position last year. I hope I had a chance to talk to you throughout the weekend concerning things going on in your regions, ideas you have for improvement, or just to check on the wife and family.

Steve Panten and I finished the last Lobby Day training session in Madison at the end of January. We had good turnouts throughout the state, along with good information shared and great questions being asked. I think it was a valuable use of time and resources to make sure our members and a couple of non-members learn how to do it the Wisconsin way.

Lobby Day was held the following week on February 17th. The CC Riders were prepared for a good turnout at the staging area by the clubhouse if you were coming in by bus or car. Afterwards stopping at the clubhouse for a soda, coffee or other beverage, and socializing with the club members and fellow grass roots lobbyists, to exchange ideas and stories is part of a great day. Remember, Lobby Day is THE most important day of the year on the ABATE of Wisconsin calendar.

On to the sad news. I am sure many of you heard already of the passing of Roger “Bug” Woodke. Long time Region Representative of 2A. He also held positions on the Board of Directors as a Board at large member, District Director, and Share The Road Lead among other things. He also chaired the Hummer for a few years when it moved to ABATE Acres. He was admired and respected for all the things he did for ABATE of Wisconsin. But it was more than what he did for the organization. He had a great way of making people feel at home and be part of the crazy 2A antics. How many people participated with him in loading elevators with furniture, or luggage cart races? The Little Flower and I were with him for a few years at the Iowa State party, and it was continual jokes and laughter with all of us in the area. Many of the group remember Hop Sing, the potato head man, getting run over by a water truck causing a RIP Hop Sing patch that makes us smile to this day. I don’t think my stomach has healed yet from the super-hot habanero pepper pickled in some witch’s brew of hot pickling juice. I thought I could handle it. I like spicy food, but a few hours later in my sleeping bag I thought it was burning a hole through my insides trying to get out.

Bug was one of a kind. He worked hard but loved to play. He knew lots of things and was willing to show and teach those that did not, the things he did. His regional meetings were fun, well attended and most importantly educational. He made everyone welcome. I am sure he, Candy man, Goofy, and Marlene among others, are looking down on us holding a beverage and having a great time messing with some plans or rearranging the room that God has going on up there.

That’s it for now, get ready for the spring. Make sure your bike is ready and that you are ready to hit the road. It’s gotta warm up soon.

John