2025 Meetings, Socials - Folks On Spokes

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FOS Pizza Party
November 18, 2025

The pizza party marks the unofficial end of our biking season. We know many of you will continue pedaling on regardless of the weather. And several will take their bikes to warmer places. Additionally, hiking season is in its early stages. So, although the pizza party marks the end of the season, it is just a date on the calendar for many FOS members and friends.

The pizza party is held at the Aurelio’s in Frankfort. We have been there many years and have always enjoyed great food and service. This year 28 members/guests attended the event.

After enjoying dinner and conversation with friends, raffle winners and awards were announced. Lois was a lucky winner for the most miles biked in the under 500-mile category. She received a Starbucks gift card. JoDell logged in the most miles in the under 1000-mile category. Jeff and Allison were awarded for the most miles walked. They each received gift cards.

The highlight of the presentations was the award for most miles ridden. That award went to Carol O’Brian who logged over 3,000 miles with FOS. Wow! What an achievement.

We can now all look forward to winter months where we can either enjoy relaxation or hiking – whatever feels right.

October End of Season Picnic
Goodenow Grove

Ten Folks on Spokes members (and one very lovable dog) attended the End of Season Picnic. This year the weather was not very accommodating. Our hike and bike rides had to be cancelled due to the rain, cooler temps & wind. But the picnic was still a go!

JoDell, Hugh & Andi started setting up around noon and were able to get a fire going. The rest of the members began trickling in around 12:30. By 1:00, the rain stopped. The food was delicious and plentiful (forty hot dogs & 4 different kinds of brownies). Several members walked nearby paths and enjoyed the Fall foliage. Even George had a nice walk. A good time was had by all; the ten FOS members persevered!

George

The Star of the Show

Annual Fall Picnic
August 24, 2025

This year our annual fall picnic was held at the Izaak Walton Preserve in Homewood, IL. We had a great turnout for this event. The weather was great, and cooler temperatures were a welcome relief from the blistering heat of the summer.

At 11:00, six members met up for a walk along the trails. A short while later, we were met by 4 more. We finished up about 12:30, shortly before the food arrived. We had a delicious lunch of chicken, roasted potatoes, buttered noodles and salad. Several members brought desserts. We really had a feast.

Just Lunch - August 10

Fourteen FOS members met for lunch at Fifth Quarter Tap in Homewood. As always, we had a very nice time. It’s always great to get together with friends to reconnect, share a beverage and a meal. Attending were Ladd, Elaine, Andi, Bruce, April, Wes, Lois, JoDell, Sally, Eric, Jim, Jeff, Allison and Karen. We’ll definitely do this again.

FOS Ice Cream Ride/Social
July 19

Our annual ice cream ride & social was held on Saturday, July 19. The weather forecast was not good, but two riders (JoDell & Sally) showed up for the ride portion which began at Catalina Grove, a part of the Tinley Park trail system. Due to the weather, they decided to ride the outer loop of the trail, return to their cars, and then drive to the Plush Horse. It was a good idea, because it started to rain shortly after their ride ended.

When they got to the Plush Horse, there was a welcome sight. Several FOS members were already there for ice cream. JoDell passed $5 to each member to go towards their ice cream purchase, and soon tables & chairs were pushed together so the group could sit together. There were seven people in total, and everyone sat inside because of the storm. As the rain fell, the group enjoyed the ice cream and the company. Bad weather yes, but it was a very good time.

General Meeting
May 28, 2025

FOS member Kathy M. arranged to have Orland Park library as the venue for our quarterly general meeting. Prez JoDell greeted the attendees with freshly made popcorn and the latest numbers of riders who have registered for our Spring Fling. She discussed the various volunteer positions that are being filled but the event could still use some more volunteers.
Then, Bruce H. took over the meeting with a video from 1991, a FOS program covering the history of Feminism and the bicycle. The dress of the women in the early 1900’s wore to go bicycling were so interesting. Plus, the preconceptions about women engaging in athletics/exercise sounds strange nowadays, but it was thought that women, particularly genteel women, were too delicate to engage in such pursuits. After the film, members thanked Bruce & chatted for a while, then the meeting was adjourned.

General Meeting/Social
Schoop's Hamburgers
January 13, 2025

It was cold. Bitter cold. The wind whipped about and it snowed a lot too. All right, another perfect weather setting for one of FOS’s General Meetings.

Thirteen members came out despite the elements. The venue was Schoops in Tinley Park. After ordering, JoDell spoke to the members a bit about Spring Fling, which will be on Sunday June the 8^th. She also mentioned that Ride Illinois no longer does their annual “Ride Guide”, but they will list rides on their online calendar.

JoDell also talked about the next General meeting, which will be in May. At that meeting, Bruce H. will show a recording of a “vintage” FOS program from 1991. The subject is Bicycles & Early Feminism. Popcorn will also be available.

Allson sure knows how to dress for the weather!!

2025 Jan Allison

Campfire Hike and Social
February 1, 2025

Our first social event of the year was held at the Isaak Walton in Homewood, IL. Members met at 10:00 and walked for about two hours before gathering at the fire pit for lunch. Hiking with our group was John Sailor, an IW Board member, and his dog, Norman.

This is a really beautiful area with ponds, marshes, oaks and grassland. The total distance for trail hiking is probably around four miles. The trails are popular for dog walkers and birders alike. Fishing is also allowed for members.

After hiking we all met at the fire pit for a campfire lunch. Everyone brought whatever they wanted to grill. We roasted a lot of hot dogs and much more. Toasted marshmallows were a treat, as well as S'mores. Other items brought to share included chips, dessert and roasted veggies.

An unexpected treat was a talk by one of the regular volunteers for the preserve, Jerry. He told us about the history of the area and a lot about the work volunteers do to keep the area in its natural state for visitors to enjoy. Also joining us was Steven, also a Board member. Steven spoke about the collaboration between the Homewood Science Center and Izaak Walton to develop programming for the local school district. Izaak Walton also works with the Thorn Creek Audubon Society to create events such as bird walks and the annual native plant sale held in the Spring.

The Izaak Walton Board generously allowed FOS to use the grounds for our event without charge. Members thanked them by contributing to a "tip jar". $49.00 was donated to their organization.

In all, seventeen members came out for the day. Everyone had a good time. It was a great way to spend a winter day,