Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Friars Celebration . . .

Hello again,

I have spoken with John’s Mom Verna and she will be back in Montana this weekend. Next week plans will be made as to where and when to hold John’s final celebration in Helena Montana. She is aware that John has friends that would like to attend from far away. . . far, FAR AWAY! To help accommodate travel the date will be a couple of weeks or more from now. If you are planning on coming and need somewhere to stay please contact us and we will help find accommodations. If you have any other questions, thoughts or concerns please let us know. We should have a note out on exact details by the end of next week this is not the date but to put your minds at ease the celebration will be no sooner than June 22nd. Again this is not the date.

Sincerely,
Gene Fenske

Thanks again for taking this all upon yourself and keeping us abreast to these developments, Gene.

Thanks Gene, you are very much appreciated.

Many thanks Gene! I guess this thread could go in the Rides, Rallies, & Events section, yet I think the good Friar would let this one slide as this thread is more about when than about how.

John was cremated today in California.

Hello everyone,

I have some more information about John’s celebration. It will be Sunday June 24th 2012 in East Helena, Montana at The Kleffner Ranch Pavilion. Further details and the exact time of the day are yet to be determined but it will most likely be in the afternoon. http://www.kleffnerranch.com/

There has been a request made that photos be taken for those unable to attend. As a special request I would like to ask those that will be attending to bring a digital camera ( if you have one ) and take pictures while you are there. That way hopefully we can capture a lot of special moments. We will arrange for someone to collect all of the photos and then figure out a way to make them available.

We would also like to collect as many pics as we can before the event to put together a digital collage. Again we will find a go to for this.

There has been some question of flowers. Verna feels a donation to a charity in John’s name may be a better option. A charity or other path will be determined shortly.

Thanks,
Geno

Awesome... Karen and I will be there.

Ill gather all my FJ pics this weekend and get them in one location so you have access to them as well.

Thanks for the Information...Anyone wish to take on decideing where to stay??.. I am leaning toward the Howard Johnson in Helena.I Plan to arrive on saturday and leave monday..I dont drink but they have pools,restaurant and a bar for us to gather and share some good stories.How about the locals and Gene?Can you recommend this place or another?We have only 2 weeks and it would be nice if we all stayed in the same place."Steves Cafe" was Johns' favorite and I would like to have Breakfast monday morning..Been there once with Friar and we had a good time as He sent me back to Seattle..And yes,I will be on my Rocket!

I will talk it over with a few others about the hotel.

Depending on how many think they may come we may be able to get a block of rooms and a rate.

We also have a couple of people that have offered space in there homes. It may not be fancy but. . .

I have room at my house and a few extra beds that we can set up in different rooms of our home and a couple of couches and lots of floor space. we even have room for tents should someone be leaning that way. Just wanted to through that out. It is how we used to travel on the bike staying with friends.

BTW - We have 3 cats and a dog!

I really wish I could be there.

I wish I could be there too, I already put in for my vacation and have to work.

We need to be careful about pictures, I as well as many others would like to share in the rememberence but we don't want this to turn into a morbid curisoity for those who don't know him.

I cannot attend due to health problems and distance, but my best wishes are extended to John's family and friends.

Mornin,

Some friends and I talked over hotels yesterday and determined that we need to go look at a couple and see if they are what the net says they are. Also I will hit them up for a deal.

To make sure I am keeping count;
Attending
2 - Zmilin
1 - RKTBOB
1 - moe

Are you saying you wish you could attend or that you will attend?
1 - Celt
2 - Birchr

As for pics I agree. I will talk with one of the guys I have asked about a web based solution about password protection and if all else fails we burn discs and they get passed out to caretkers to produce and distribute?

Thanks,
Gene

I wish I could make it but I'd need a lot more time to plan a trip that far.

Fair winds and following seas to those attending.

Guys, help Gene out here, only post if you are going and need his help.

Whew what a day!

Here is what I have for hotel info.

Bert at the Howard Johnson was great when I told him what was up. He droped his rate to $65 plus tax and If five or more rooms are booked we can get it at $60 plus tax. The rooms are decent and clean. I just need to let him know if this is where everyone wants to go and they will set us up with a code.

We also looked at the Days Inn and they gave us a funeral/cotract rate of $79.99 plus tax. It is a bit nicer with all pillow top beds and a made to order breakfast. To get the rate just tell them why you are coming and that someone had checked and was quoted the price.

Thus far we have,

Attending
2 - Zmilin
1 - RKTBOB
1 - moe

Let me know what else I can do!

Thanks all,
Gene

Thanks for the Leg work Gene.Thats more than I expected you to do when I asked about Rooms,etc.I think the Howard Johnson deal seems reasonable as well as Days Inn.Will decide in a few days..let "Z' and Karen decide..either is fine with me.Thanks Again..RKTBOB

Again we have room at Casa de Fenske ( a name another buddy coined ) We have two rooms tentatively spoken for and at least one more and we can probably muster another! Our only challenge is Nancy ( my wife ) and I have to cut out monday some time. Work and stuff . . .

Later,
Geno

Ill book at the HJ in a few days.

Id take you up on the room Gene but I am allergic to cats in a bad way.

Zmillin - Good to know! That bums me out for future stuff . . .

I'll be attending.

And Moe makes 4

Attending
2 - Zmilin
1 - RKTBOB
1 - Moe

add Gmike to the list as well. I just PMd with him about the hotel info.

Yes, I am booked at Howard Johnsons, Helena.

Mike

Hotel rate!

If you want what might be a better rate at the HOJO call them back and tell them that you would like the negotiated rate for BEDARD. It should be at least $65 per night for a single queen. Sorry it took until today I was playing phone tag with the manager. This rate is good if you book by the 19th.

Later,
Gene

Celebration for the Life of John Bedard

John ( a.k.a. Friar John ) loved riding his Triumph possibly more than he loved spending time on his computer gaming with friends. On June 5th 2012, John took his final ride on this earth. John's family would like to invite all of his friends to a celebration of his life on Sunday, June 24th at The Kleffner Ranch in East Helena, MT. Starting at 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. There will be a BBQ of hamburger & hotdogs with salads, beans, chips, cookies, water & sodas. If there is something else you would like to bring please feel free, this includes your favorite adult beverage. John would bring Crown as this is a celebration. Dress casual and bring your best story about John to share with his friends & family. Please do not send flowers, the family wishes donations be made to your favorite charity of choice, Helena Food Share, or Lewis & Clark Humane Society

Booked at the Howard Johnson for saturday and sunday,leaving monday am.Thanks Gene for your leg work.Got my stories organized and my respect in stowe..See you all there!

Dwight and wrwallpi makes 6

Attending
2 - Zmilin
1 - RKTBOB
1 - Moe
1 - Dwight
1 - wrwallpi (tentative)

Dwight, wrwallpi do you need a place to stay or picked up at airport? My house is full(7) short of couches at this point but we have others with bed space! Just let me know.

If you have photos of John please e-mail them to johnbedardpics@gmail.com so we can put together a digital photo album to play at his celebration.

Thanks,
Gene

Gene, I will be there also. Booked at the HJ the 23rd & 24th.

Mike

Gene, could you see if there's a room available at that HoJo for me?

And, do you know if that HoJo has A/P pickup or not?

Thanks,
Dwight

***Edit/Update to follow***

Gene, please disregard the above query. I've just got off the phone with Hojo in Helena and booked my two nights with them directly.

Btw, they said there was no airport pickup, but Shelley with HoJo there said it's only about 8 bucks by taxi, and so I'll just do that.

Cheers.

Dwight & anyone - I'm in HOJO 223. 970-250-2193

Brought my truck if anyone needs p/u or d/o (on mon)

Glad to hear your Montana passport is valid. Sorry to miss you man.

jh

Thinking of you guys there today

Yeah, I caught myself there in spirit more than once today too....