Kids collect eggs, meet Peter Cottontail, thanks to motorcycle safety group
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Kids scrambled up the hill leading to the tee for the 10th hole at the American Legion Golf Course on Saturday, but they weren’t looking to get in a round on the links. Instead, they frantically collected brightly colored Easter eggs, hoping for a special prize.
The mayhem was all part of ABATE’s Easter Egg Hunt, which took place on April 5. Nearly 100 children of all ages gathered with their families at the Legion for a lunch of pizza and hot dogs and a special visit from Peter Cottontail himself.
They participated in a coloring contest and made Easter-themed crafts, and each child went home with an Easter basket stuffed with goodies.
According to Lynn Anderson, the Howard County representative for ABATE, the Easter Egg Hunt is the kickoff event for the organization’s 50th year in the community. Nationally, ABATE has been in operation for 75 years, and a woman and motorcycling enthusiast, Wanda Hummel, decided Indiana could benefit from having a chapter.
“She found out about ABATE and what they stand for, and she started it in Indiana 50 years ago,” said Anderson. “So, we've been around for a while.”
Now in her 11th year as the local leader for ABATE, Anderson estimated that the Howard County chapter has about 400 members, and there is always room for more. The cost for an annual membership is $25, and registhttps://www.abateonline.orgration forms can be found at www.abateonline.org.
Anderson explained that there are unique benefits offered to ABATE members that can’t be found anywhere else.
“For starters, they get a $3,500 Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance policy,” said Anderson. “You're not getting that for $25 a year anywhere, right? And you get free will preparation with our ABATE legal counsel, Rod Taylor, who's a Super Lawyer.”
Beyond that, and perhaps most importantly, members get access to motorcycle training classes. That instruction can mean the difference between simply operating a motorcycle and knowing what to do when difficulties arise.
“They learn how to operate the machine and to do it safely,” said Anderson, who also serves as an instructor. “I can teach you how to operate the machine. That's the easy part. But what we really want to teach you is how to do it and stay alive as you're doing it.
“Learning the proper techniques for braking and going through curves and turning and all that is important. That's really what we're teaching you to help save your life.”
The training classes take place throughout the year during weather appropriate for riding. In fact, classes for 2025 started earlier this month. Anderson explained that the courses take place every weekend through the spring, but as the days grow longer, ABATE adds weeknight courses for those whose schedules prevent weekend attendance.
For additional information about ABATE, check out the ABATE of Howard County Facebook page or visit www.abateonline.org.
See additional photos from the ABATE Easter Egg Hunt on the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.