Waking up early on Saturday morning, taking a 5:30 a.m. peek out the east front door at the just-rising sun and feeling a gentle breeze, you immediately knew this was going to be a grand day. And it didn't disappoint in any way. Truly a wonderful first full day of summer was unfolding.

A day to meet up with friends, many from the past, who have gone their own separate ways over the decades. It was a day with only one objective in mind, an afternoon spent with members and friends at the New Glarus-Monticello Apparitions motorcycle club's 50th anniversary party at their clubhouse on Holstein Prairie Road.

Walking onto the clubhouse porch you quickly spot friends going back through several decades. Our collective parents were friends for over half a century. Talks of things our parents did together, good local causes they worked for over the decades, having inherited that community spirit from their parents, our grandparents. An awful lot of, "do you remember this, what ever happened to, where did they move to when they left this area," questions, all thoroughly talked over. Talk now not about our children, but our grandchildren. Time stops for nobody. Now it's the memories of our long ago youth we talk about.

As we talk, the breeze begins to speak in a very soft and distant voice, which slowly becomes more audible. The sound of American steel and Milwaukee blue collar craftsmen and women who proudly work 40 hours each week, turning that American steel into to an international icon, a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Listening carefully to the wind, you begin hearing the words of Bob Seger's Roll Me Away. "Stood alone on a mountain top, starin' out at the Great Divide, I could go east, or I could go west, it was all up to me, I got on that big two-wheeler and rolled on the power."

Watching the numerous Harleys rolling into parking area at the Apparition's Clubhouse you see people of many ages, and in some cases several generations, on their favorite Harley, many driven by women, young and old, some, members of Women in the Wind, others Stilettos on Steel and some members of the lesbian biker group, Dykes on Bikes, with 22 chapters around the country. All are ready to partake of an afternoon of catching up, talking about their next bike trip destination, with husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, perhaps taking a grandchild on his or her first bike trip with grandma or grandpa.

When first formed in 1969, some thought of the Apparitions group as a bunch of malcontents, social failures, bent on making a lot of noise, scaring little children, creating general havoc, having no meaning, or station in life. Fortunately, the naysayers were proven wrong...very wrong. They are, in reality, good members of the community who do wonderful things for the less fortunate among us in Green County.

As you talk with bikers at the party, you find yourself in fascinating conversations on many various topics. Often times, a story about last year's 10-day bike trip to Mt. Rushmore, the Pictured Rocks of Lake Superior, the charity rides you were on, a trip to Nashville, or a trip around Lake Michigan, complete with stories about crossing the long bridge separating Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas. A day of great conversations with people you just met, learning that we often share some mutual interests.

The most touching moment in the official program on Saturday was a Moment of Silence for Scott Canon, a member who passed away earlier in the week. This group truly is one of brother and sisterhood in its finest rendering.

Live music for the event began late in the afternoon and carried over into the night, provided by two good bands. Rock Rebel Junction and Elypsys, both of which brought on many dancers and cheering listeners.

Jim Moser, a charter member of the club, said the group was very happy with the turnout, which numbered several hundred. "We were well represented with both current and a large number of former and retired members. The club started with nine members, with several still active in the club." He also said that many retired members returned to take part in the Golden Anniversary of the group.

Sue Moen

Seven of the original nine founding members of the Apparitions MC attended the 50th Anniversary celebration. Front Row (L-R): JC Yaun, Denny Marty, Jim Moser. Back Row (L-R): Bill Saunders, Ken Duerst, Mark Hoesly, Mike Duerst. Two founding members, Jeff Kernen and Charlie Bethke, have passed away.

Each riding season the group tries to get in two club rides each month, often just hitting the road but also attending other club's events as well. There is good mutual support between the numerous clubs in the area.

In 2006, Moser took a bike trip of 8,700 miles to the Arctic Circle. A trip that took three weeks, "one week up, one week back and one week of exploring various side trips along the way."

Talking with a New Glarus area couple, she said, "ask him (her husband) about the trip he's starting tomorrow morning." On Sunday morning he started out on his long planned trip to the Arctic Circle. His wife, teasing him, commented, "he was going to wait until next year, but I told him he better do it this year, you know you may not be around next year," leaving them both with a big smile and a chuckle.