Jocelyn Dorsey recently retired from WSB TV after working there for over 40 years as an announcer and lastly as its public affairs director. My encounter with her may surprise you because it has to do with motorcycles.
Some 20 years ago, my supervisor at the Citizen mentioned that there was a motorcycle meeting at the local IHOP the next Saturday night and did I want to cover it. Having absolutely nothing else to do, I said fine.
Well – my first impression of this group was quite surprising. They really weren’t too much younger than me and hearing their various committee reports blew my mind. Their concern for safety and following all the rules of the road as pertained to motorcycles caught my attention.
I kept going back each month and decided to join the group. At that time many couples each had their own motorcycle and I got to ride on the back of someone’s bike. They had strict rules as to dress such as wearing a helmut with a radio in it and loaned me items for several months to give me time to buy my own. Boots had to be up over your ankles and long trousers and long sleeves. And oh yes, leather gloves.
I got to ride on the back of Sam Hall’s bike for quite a few years as his wife had her own. On my first ride, we brought up the rear and when the leader in front said as we switched lanes, “look left, turn left” and the bikes turning in unison had a veritable ballet effect I’ll never forget.
One of the projects of the club, the Gold Wing Road Riders, was raising funds to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
One morning members of this organization all met at North Point Mall and proceeded to motor to the town of Helen. Guess who led this procession on her very own motorcycle – yep! It was Jocelyn Dorsey and she was certainly in her element.
It took several hours to get to Helen and various state patrol and sheriff deputies had stopped traffic along the way to Helen and thousands of well-wishers were on bridges, standing in their front yards and along the highway waving us on. Of course we had to wave back and after several straight hours of doing so, my arms were aching but it was for such a good cause.
While eating lunch in Helen a number of youngsters who had recovered from a pediatric tumor spoke to us. One of them said she didn’t realize so many people loved her by giving the money needed to cure her. Other cured teens told us of the college plans. My club came with $25,000 we raised and altogether the GWRR clubs in Georgia turned in a total for the year of $244,000 to this tumor foundation.
Did I ever buy my own motorcycle? Fortunately I was in my 60’s at the time, and it was all I could do to keep my old car going. I got to ride in the back of Sam’s bike, though, for over 10 years.
