Middlefork Valley Illinois Chapter H.O.G.® #0954 was Chartered in November, 1988, under sponsorship of Gutterridge Harley-Davidson located in Danville, Illinois. There were 28 Charter members. Our first year was a learning experience of how our organization meetings were to be ran according to "Roberts Rule of Order". The Chapter was guided by the Charter for H.O.G.® Chapters. The goal was to offer Harley Owners Group® members activities on a local level with a family-oriented philosophy. The Chapter held monthly events for the members April-October. The meetings were and remain the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Our H.O.G.® Chapter participated in the Danville Christmas parade in 1989. We placed 4th out of 35 entries!

May 19, 1990, Chapter members met at the Salt Kettle rest area. We cleaned the windows on motor vehicles as they visited the rest area, for Motorcycle Awareness Week. Memorial Day, our Chapter honored the veterans by placing wreaths at the Korean-Vietnam Memorial in Danville, then on to Georgetown to do the same at the cemetary there. The Chapter continues to do this each year. Don L. left for Saudi Arabia during the Desert Storm conflict. Our Chapter presented him with a H.O.G. flag which members had signed. The military would not let him fly the flag, as it would be a marker for the enemy.

March 1991, the Chapter received a post card from Don L. He returned home safely in July. After the September event, a party was held in his honor. Sharon R. donated a hand-made chair to be raffled during the year. Membership grew and the Chapter had some fun events.

October 1992, the event was a Toys-For-Tots ride. We ended the ride in West Lebanon, Indiana for a meal and karaoke. Some of our members are talented singers! Our club members donated a food basket for a needy family through the Danville Food Bank. Chapter members brought in non-perishable food items. This was the first year for the "Truck Load of Cash" raffle.

Don B. of Catlin, Il. was the first winner of the "Truck Load of Cash" in the amount of $200. The folowing year the amount was raised to $500. In March 1993, the Chapter donated 5 VCR's and 10 tapes to the United Samaritians Medical Center. This was the year of the great Mississippi River flood. The Chapter sent $500 to the Quincey River Road H.O.G.® Chapter to be used for any of their members effected by the flood. The Chapter also donated $500 to the State Trooper Woodard Scholarship Fund. The 1st "Hog Prom" was held at the Gao Grotto in May 1993.

In 1994, Lanice Green, Treasurer, made a motion that the Chapter award 2-- $500 scholarships in memory of Jake and Ruth Gutterridge, who were killed in an auto accident, June 28. It was then decided by the Chapter to award scholarships every year from the profit made from the "Truck Load of Cash" and any other activities we chose. Donations of money, cat & dog food were collected for the Humane Society. The Chapter donated $200 to the 883 racing that Cozhair and Gutterridge H-D sponsored. We also donated $100 to Champaign County Health Care Consumers. Brownie Troop #437 received the Chapter's support.

In 1995, David J. R., donated the leather jacket he had won from the M.D.A. raffle. David is the son of Harry R., one of the Chapter members. David doesn't ride so he wanted the Chapter to raffle the jacket off again. There were 4-$250 scholarships given this year from the "Jake & Ruth Gutterridge Memorial Scholarship" fund. The Chapter donated $100 to "Rebob" Robert Sonne, owner of Midstate Cycle and $50 to the Dave Brown benefit. Cub Scout pack #395 received $40, $50 to the American heart Ass., and $500 to "Project Success", a program thru Daniel School, in Danville, Il. which helps needy children to have shoes, gloves or winter coats.

1996 was the year the tornado struck in Ogden where Lennie & Sue S., members of the Chapter lived. They were grateful for the help of Chapter members who could get in to help them. The Chapter sponsored Brownie Troop #437 again this year. $25 was donated to Olive Branch Lodge #38 in Danville, IL. and $25 to Chrisman, IL. American Legion in memory of Chapter member, Bill Hilts who passed away. $90 was donated to the Danville, IL. Y.W.C.A., in connection with the Sexual & Child Abuse activites. The Chapter donated $25 to the "Elmer Nabor's Scholarship Fund. $25 was donated to the Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital, in memory of Dick Andrae, owner of Andrae's Harley-Davidson located at Urbana, IL. $25 was donated to Danville Public Library in memory of H. Newell. United Samartians Hospital Hospice Fund was donated $50 in memory of Delores Hart, Beth Gutterridge's mother. The Chapter awarded $100 to the American Heart Association. The Ladies of Harley® Cookbook went to press with 200 copies ordered. There were 4-$400 scholarships given this year from the "Jake & Ruth Gutterridge Memorial Scholarship" fund.

In 1997, the Chapter again sponsored the Y.W.C.A. with the amount of $100 during the "Sexual Assault Awareness Week". Three collectiable Harley-Davidson airplane banks donated to the Illinois State H.O.G.® Rally for prizes. Our 5th annual "Hog Prom" was held with a continued success. The Chapter donated $200 to the Grand Forks H.O.G.® Chapter, sponsored by Andy's H-D of Grand Forks, North Dakota to assist members in need from the Red River flood. There were 4-$400 scholarships given this year from the "Jake & Ruth Gutterridge Memorial Scholarship" fund. Village of Tilton, IL. where our winter monthly meetings are held was given $50 towards the fireworks fund for the city. Kelsey Creek of Fairmount, Il. was given $600 to help with the purchase of a "stander" for her to use in strengthening the muscles. Kelsey had no immune system. We were sorry to hear that she passed away about a year later.

The Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum was at Gutterridge Harley-Davidson in June of 1998. Everyone enjoyed seeing the museum. Cozihar Harley-Davidson dealership, Decatur, IL., was lost due to a fire in the spring. They had a pet "Quaker Parrott" perish in the loss of their shop. After many phone calls etc. the Chapter found Cozihar's a replacement bird! The Chapter was very pleased to give them "Fat Boy"! Thanks to Carol & Wes McC. for all the time they spent finding "Fat Boy" for the Cozihars! This year was the 95th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson. There were several members attend the activities, reporting back with a great time had by all. There 8-$400 scholarships given this year from the "Jake & Ruth Gutterridge Memorial Scholarship" fund. Our Chapter celebrated our 10th year anniversary! Joe Dre. drew the design images and logo for our special 10th Anniverary T-Shirts. Thanks, Joe! The Chapter lost another member, Jurgen Tross. $250 was donated to the Danville Police Association. Champaign County Health Care Consumers was given $215 for their projects.

The "Busiest H.O.G. Member" contest was started this year, 1999, by Maggie F. The Chapter enjoyed a field trip by bus to the Chicago Motorcycle Musuem. $150 was donated to the "Brittany McIntosh fund" sponsored by Project Success. Brittany, 3 years old, was diagnosed with Retinal Blastoma loss of the right eye. Lake View College of Nursing was given $100 to help the students with their project Health Fair. Nancy and Frank D., Chapter members lost their daughter due to automoblile accident. The Chapter donated $200 plus $164 from passing the hat for Kyle Allison, 6 years old, who has prostrate cancer. $1000 was given to the Vermilon County Museum building fund. Gutterridge Harley-Davidson celebrated their Grand Opening June 11-12 with a parade, Blessing of the Bikes and lots of great food. The Chapter was very excited to see the new look at the shop! Danville Police Association was again donated $200. Carle Cancer Center was given $50 in memory of Jurgen Tross. The Chapter was saddened to hear of Maggie F.'s son, Joe's, death due to an automobile accident. Maggie's father also passd away a few days later. There were 5-$400 scholarships awarded this year from the "Jake & Ruth Memorial Scholarship" fund. Congratulations to Maggie F. and Wayne S. on their marriage Oct.2, 1999.

Middlefork Valley Illinois Chapter H.O.G.® #0954 continues to grow each year. Our monthly events are fun and we enjoy meeting new guests. We continue to support M.D.A. every year. The "Hog Prom" has been a continued success and if you missed attending, plan on being there next year! A big "Thank You" to Michael B., Chapter Historian, for presenting the information for our History page.