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"Sidecar
Jack" Wheeler R.I.P.
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We begin this edition of the
Update with some very sad news. We have lost a dear friend. Jack
Wheeler, also known as "Sidecar Jack", 50 years old, from
Crete, Illinois, was killed in a traffic accident last Thursday morning
(Oct. 21 2004) while driving his semi through a construction zone on I 80-94 near Cline
Avenue.
Jack was an extraordinary
individual. He had been very active in the motorcycle community for
many years. He was a member, a very active and involved member,
of many organizations. He has been a Member of the TFT Parade
Organization, and for many years as his TFT number 71 signifies.
His task at The Parade was to carrying a photographer or cameraman or VIP in
his sidecar, he organized the Parade's Sidecar Division.
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Click
pix to enlarge
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Jack was the Assistant State
Coordinator of ABATE of Illinois, a position he filled with immense
dedication and great fervor. He would attend every major ABATE function, and
also ride or drive to 5 or 6 ABATE chapter meetings every week. He
organized the Illinois "Meeting of the Minds" a few years ago, and
he directed the annual design and sales of the ABATE license plates.
He was also active in the
Ridgewood Cycle Association, Crete HOG, The United Sidecar Association, and
STAND, those opposing the Peotone airport.
A Memorial Service will be
scheduled in the near future. The family requests that in lieu of
flowers, any donations would be greatly appreciated to help with
expenses. Send your donations to The Wheeler Family, 24748 South
Michaels Boulevard, Crete, Illinois, 60417. You may sign and read a
Guest Book for Jack Wheeler, at the Chicago Tribune website until November 22,
at
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?Id=GB02744119X .
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The Southwest Community
Newspapers
The Parade Organization is happy
to announce that The Southwest Community Newspapers, which includes The
Southwest News-Herald, The Clear-Ridge Reporter, The Southwest Shopper, and
The Southwest Courier, will be a big supporter of The TFT Parade by
sponsoring a major toy drive with many of the papers' advertisers. A
special holiday advertising section will be included in the Thanksgiving
editions of the papers in Chicago's southwest side and neighboring
suburbs.
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In this special insert, ads for many businesses will carry
the TFT Parade logo of "Biker Bear" which will means that that
business is a drop-off location for the collection of toys. The
Southwest Community Newspapers, and owner James Vondrak, will further
assist us by picking-up the donated toys from the many businesses and
delivering them to the TFT Parade Warehouse. We want to thank Mr.
Vondrak for his support and the help of his publishing empire.
For more info, and the latest news, go to http://www.swnewsherald.com/index.html .
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Last year, The Dollar Tree Stores supported The
Parade by collecting and donating thousands of toys to the Parade
Organization, and this year they will be helping on a national level. What
started in Chicago has spread nationwide, with The Dollar Tree now pledging
their help to Toys for Tots campaigns all across America. Thanks
to all our friends at The Dollar Tree Stores. Please visit your local Dollar
Tree Store and contribute to the TFT Program. There are over 2,400
Dollar Tree Stores in 47 states so there is sure to be one near you. For
more info, and to find your local Dollar Tree Store, go to http://www.dollartree.com/index.cfm .
The TFT Parade TV
Show
The Chicago Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade TV Show
continues on CAN-TV, Channel 21 in Chicago, on Tuesdays at 6:30pm.
Join "Cooch," "Big Daddy," Tommy Rotto and special
guests, as they tell the world about The Parade and cycle related
topics. This is a live call-in show, so be sure to ask that Parade
question, or give your comments about The Parade. That's every Tuesday
night at 6:30pm on Chicago's cable Channel 21.
TFT
Parade Featured on Open Road Radio
Open Road Radio will feature The
Chicago TFT Motorcycle Parade on it's November 28th broadcast. Be sure
to tune in to WCKG FM105.9 at 8pm and hear Bob and Gina as they bring
the latest news about the Chicago TFT Parade. Thanks to our
friends at J.C.Whitney for sponsoring the Parade segment of Open Road
Radio. Hear all the Open Road Radio shows at http://www.theautochannel.com/cybercast/openroad/ .
Continued on Page 2... Click here
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Archived
Updates
#50
Sept. 2004
#49
Sept. 2004
#48
Aug. 2004
#47
May. 2004
#46
Mar, 2004
#45
Feb, 2004
#44
Jan, 2004
#43
Dec. 11, 2003
#42
Dec, 2003
#41
Nov., 2003
#40
Nov., 2003
#39
Oct., 2003
#38
Sept., 2003
#37
August, 2003
#36
July, 2003
#35
June, 2003
#34
May, 2003
#33
April, 2003
#32
Feb., 2003
#31
Dec, 2002
#30
Dec., 2002
#29
Nov, 2002
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