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By Ken “Road King” Everett
Photos by Ken Everett & Mike Rockett
In 2008 Harley-Davidson celebrated their and cars packed with families used overflow park-
105th Anniversary; not news to most H-D riders. ing lots to join in with the celebration. Kids espe-
July 18, 2009 St. Joe Harley-Davidson celebrated cially enjoyed the Moon Bounce and Dolphin
their 40th Anniversary as an H-D Dealer. St. Joe Waterslide (as did some of the volunteers). All en-
Harley-Davidson family has been selling Harley’s joyed live music performed by VandelSnook, wild
longer than most of us have been riding; and for stunt bike shows by Ill Conduct, adoptable pets
some longer than you’ve been alive. That is im- from the St. Joseph Animal Shelter, food and bev-
pressive! erages from Norty’s Bar and Grill, blinged helmets
The year was 1969 when Dewey and Susie and accessories from Crazy Chic Biker Wear, pro-
McCreary started a new life journey as owners of fessional pinstriping by Scott Thomas, Cycle
St. Joe Harley-Davidson. Richard Nixon was Pres- Sounds offering music for your ears as you ride
ident, NASA put the first man on the moon, Elvis down the highways, Patriot Guard riders who
Presley was King of rock and roll, the movie Easy added the “American” touch by lining the parking
Rider was in the theaters, and AMF owned H-D lot with American Flags, and last but by no means
(ouch!). least the Wide Open girls and Ralph Roades Wide
Fast forward to 2009, St. Joe Harley-Davidson Open bikes.
has made several transformations in the past four Early in the day, before the crowds descended
decades under the guidance of Dewey and Susie on the compound, was a scene to behold. Clay
to achieve a level of success desired by all H-D McCreary saw Ralph enter one of the port-a-
dealers. During those transformations son’s Mick potty’s for a moment of personal meditation. In-
and Clay McCreary joined the dealership creating stantly, Clay jumped onto a forklift and moved the
a true “family” atmosphere. That “family atmos- port-a-potty and Ralph to a new location. As you
phere” is one of the cornerstones of the business can guess, this started the day off in a spirit of fun
that each customer who enters the store notices. and laughter. And fun and laughter continued
The McCreary family believes in “family values throughout the day.
and morals,” has a strong love for our country, and With forty years under their belts they’re still
knows how to make customers friends. Thus, the going strong, and with grandkids growing fast they
40th Anniversary party was designated as “Cus- quite possibly may be celebrating their 105th An-
tomer Appreciation Day,” again placing their cus- niversary in sixty-five years. Makes you wonder
tomers/friends as priority. In store specials were what kind of Harley-Davidson bikes folks will be
available throughout the day. riding then…
The weather was custom ordered with Rich Of special mention, the McCreary’s expressed a
Sunglo Blue skies and warm temps. Perfect riding sincere ‘thank you” to the Pony Express Chapter
weather! And riding was the order of the day. Bik- H.O.G. volunteers for all they did to make the day
ers by the hundreds rolled in from all directions, a true “family” day.
24 Wide Open
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