It was a typical Saturday morning at Suzie’s Cafe in Valparaiso. The waitstaff was hard at work to make sure that the patrons of the restaurant were comfortable and full. They wove their way through each room carrying meals to waiting customers. And mixed with the alluring smells of pancakes, fresh coffee and fried eggs was another sensory trigger: laughter. Pleasant noises were heard throughout the place and there were people talking everywhere. But one room in particular held the warmest and most pleasant grouping of vocal convivialities that any who entered immediately became curious as to what was happening in that room.
The Ladies of Harley and Duneland HOG were the room’s occupants that morning. Every Saturday they go to Suzie’s and shoot the breeze, talk shop, and eat. They graciously invited me to join them and I accepted without hesitation. Who would turn down delicious food and good company?
Many wonderful people are a part of the Duneland HOG (the Ladies of Harley is an extension of this local chapter). Sheila Tucker, historian for the Ladies of Harley, spoke of all the wonderful things that they have done and continue to do.
“I have a scrapbook of all the pictures on rides that we took and other events. I keep track of the memories,” Tucker said. "I love the HOGs. They’re great. They’re like a second family.”
Joe Cisarik, Treasurer for Duneland HOG was sitting next to Tucker and he told me what Duneland HOG was all about.
“Duneland HOG has been around for about 25 years. We are a local chapter of a National Harley owners group and we’re based out of the Valparaiso Harley-Davidson Dealership,” Cisarik said. “We’re a riding group. We have get-togethers, picnics, and dinners. And we get involved with local charities.”
The Ladies of Harley get involved with the community as well. Each year they choose a family in need and supply gifts for them at the holidays. They also are very involved with the Caring Place, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and other non-profit organizations.
Eileen Wayte, Secretary for the Ladies of Harley, has been a member for about four years. She takes the minutes at each meeting, keeps up the club database of all the memberships and other secretarial duties.
“We’ve been really focusing on charitable acts,” Wayte said. “The last two Christmases we collected money and gave it along with gifts to needy families. Besides riding, this is our main focus. I love being in this club. And I love being involved with the charitable works of the club. All walks of life are in this room. There’s tons and tons of experience in this club. We have many that are retired and many that still work. We ride and eat, and eat and ride.”
Sounds like a good time! Marsha Liess is the Officer of the Ladies of Harley and she was also at Suzie’s that morning enjoying herself with the other members and her adorable grandson. Liess is in charge of the happenings the Ladies of Harley become involved in.
“In order to become a member of the Ladies of Harley you have to first become a member of the Harley-Davidson Association. Once you pay your dues for that you are able to be part of the Ladies of Harley. I’ve been in the group for about eight years and an officer for two. It’s great because we get to help people and it’s a lot of fun. We’re all really close. It’s like a family,” Liess said.
It was like a family indeed. Everyone was very welcoming and the atmosphere was relaxed and warm. I felt like I was at home. I’m sure that this will be one of many times that you will see this group pop up on {valpo}ValpoLife{/valpo}{portage}PortageLife{/portage}{laporte}LaPorteCountyLife{/laporte}.
Click here to find out more about the Duneland Hogs and the Ladies of Harley or visit their Facebook page!
Click here to go to the Harley-Davidson of Valparaiso Facebook page!