Hi Vernon, Gary from down here in Clarke County. Just wanted to send you a note on the Bell Tower Festival and Templeton Bootlegger Tour Rye’d. It was a BLAST!! It was my first time to the BTF, it always looked like a lot of fun but, it’s about a two hour ride from home. Fueled by the fact that I could go to the Templeton Rye Factory, I just had to go. I would first like to thank the Green County Motorcycle Charity group for organizing the event. It was well thought out, especially to have all the riders broken into groups and to have the leaders of the group wear colored vests. Very smart! Second, the citizens of Greene County for their patience in letting tour ride go thru, I’m sure they need to get somewhere too, thank you. Keith Kerkhoff, co-founder of the present day Templeton Rye was a great host and tour guide. He explained all of the process and myths of Templeton Rye. The staff at the T.R. Factory were/are very professional and have a great passion for producing an excellent Rye Whiskey. Also, I’m sure they all get a long well with each other as I will explain later. Alex Schoeppner, his wife and father of Schoeppner Designs are very gracious hosts and make some of the coolest, neatest stuff from the old barrels from Templeton Rye Factory. They took the time to show how the barrels are broke down and to explain the need to allow the wood to completely dry (and yes, the fresh barrels smell delicious.) While I’m sure everything they offer can be seen online, it doesn’t compare with being able to put your hands on and feel the passion Alex has for the works of art he creates. Deluxe!!
had there Saturday. Great staff! Most excellent! On to Carroll Cycle Center. What can you say about a Harley Store. I do like their setup, an elongated show room that progresses from clothes to merchandise to parts and motorcycles to even more parts for the diy’ers to the service counter and shop. Nicely done. I personally had very little interaction with the staff, mainly because I was on my Wide Glide and really didn’t have room to put anything. Sorry guys, had to have room for the whiskey! Last stop was Doc’s L Stadium Bar and Grill. S This is a very cool T place. The bartender p Brett is a M.W.M. B ((Maytag Washing Machine: he has an M agitator cycle as wide a as the bar is long) and a can keep any group c of people stirred up. o I didn’t get the other bartenders name or b the waitresses but, I th believe they too were b helping Brett. Kevin, h Rodger and Rick from the Templeton Rye Factory were there and they are a HOOT!!. As I mentioned earlier, they get along well with w each other as evidenced by b giving each other a hard time as well as anybody ti else that was foolish enough e to poke their nose into the conversation (or even just c walking by at the right/wrong w time.) I had an EXCELLENT ti time. While keeping the ti T. T R. group going I noticed the th bartenders doing and excellent job of keeping the e rest of the patrons well taken r care of. Hats off to the crew at c Doc’s. D One O particular thing I noticed. Every now and then there E would be a big bright orb w in the sky. WHAT IS THAT THING!!! T My M calendar is already marked for June 11th, 2016! God willing and if the creek don’t rise, I’ll be there. Last, but certainly not least. Thank you Vern for producing TRMI and spreading the word of great motorcycle events right here in Iowa! If you’re bored in Iowa, you WANT to be bored in Iowa.
The Still (Restaurant & Bar) in Templeton was my next stop for diner (that would be lunch for you young’ns.) Keep the rubber side down. I had a very tasty grilled chicken sandwich. This is a very beautiful bar, the owners have done an excellent Gary Barr job in design and décor. Some day I hope to find the rest of their menu item are as good as the sandwich I
56 - TRMI AUGUST 2015
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