2018 Litestar & Pulse Convention

Marion, Indiana

Labor Day Weekend

20th Annual


15 Pulses attended the 2018 Rally


Phil & Royce Ann Martin

Doug Baer and his Pulse #61

Jan & Leo Doyle

At the Quilt Museum

Phil Martin at the Garfield Museum


PULSE RALLY 2018

by Royce Ann Martin

The 20th annual Litestar/Pulse Rally began on Friday afternoon, August 31, with attendees arriving at the Comfort Suites. The registration desk was opened and Pulse owners “new” and “old” began checking in and getting their goodie bags which were filled with lots of cool stuff. Dinner on Friday was at the Sirloin Stockade and the hospitality room at Comfort Suites was opened after dinner. Snacks and beverages were served until the wee hours of the morning as members caught up on Pulse stories from the past year.

The Fly/In Cruise/In opened at the Marion Municipal Airport on Saturday morning and we were there to help kick it off. Fourteen autocycles were lined up on static display along with vintage cars, tractors, motorcycles, helicopters and airplanes. Gilead Ministries did an outstanding job of serving up all-you-can eat pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. The lines moved quickly for breakfast so people could enjoy all the vehicles on display.

Judy Johnson and her crew served up a delicious hamburger/hot dog lunch with all the trimmings including homemade pies and cookies. After the Pulse Group had their fill, we embarked on a short poker run. Starting at the Marion Airport, we stopped at Garfield statues including Speedking Garfield, College Bound Garfield and Dr. Garfield before returning to the Comfort Suites and collecting all score sheets.

Peace and Plenty again catered an outstanding meal for us at The Thompson-Ray House in Gas City. After dinner, we held an auction for 2 additional cards for the Poker Run to enhance the bidding participants’ hand. At that time, we announced the winner to be Bill Skinner. We drew for our annual 50/50 raffle and the winner was June Miller We also gave out our infamous awards:

First Person to Register – Ken Weger
Rally Support Awards – Leo Doyle, Ray Johnson, Phil Martin & Mike Lechlitner
New Member Award – Doug Baer
Facelift Award – Walt Miller
Pulse Driven the Farthest – Craig Heavenridge
Pulse Trailered the Farthest – Dan Acker
Person That Traveled the Farthest – Bud & Jeannette Sucha
Person With the Most Operating Pulses at the Rally – Doug Baer
Persons who attended the Most Rallies – Ray & Judy Johnson & Craig Heavenridge
The Drowned Rat Award – Brendan Minert & Drew Webster

Afterward, many door prizes were given out, then everyone returned to the hospitality room at the hotel and enjoyed each other’s company.

On Sunday, our road trip took us to some interesting places. The first was the Marie Webster House and International Quilters Hall of Fame. There was a short description of the items in the house and we were given time to view all the quilts. The next four stops were Garfield statues that included Garfield Glass Blower, Garfield Firefighter, British Soldier Garfield and Garfield Gone Fishing. Lots of pictures were taken along the way.

A barbeque lunch was served at Bird’s Smokehouse BBQ before heading to PAWS, Inc. (Jim Davis Studio and Company) where we were given the grand tour. We were hoping Mr. Davis would be there but, unfortunately, he wasn’t. However we were all given Garfield books as souvenirs.

For the Friendship Dinner, we all gathered at the Comfort Suite’s hospitality room for another great meal catered by Peace and Plenty of Spaghetti with meatballs, chicken alfredo and all the trimmings. After dinner, we all enjoyed cherry cheesecake and chocolate mousse. Door prizes were passed out and the evening was enjoyed by all.

As much as we hated it, Monday morning found us gathering in the breakfast room at the hotel for hugs and “Bon Voyage” until next year. Cindy and Royce Ann reminded everyone to make their hotel reservations before leaving and to be sure to send in the registration forms as soon as possible each year after receiving the email with the registration form.


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