  | Volume IX, Issue 1 February - March 1999 |
 Tracks, Treats and Two-Steppin'
The snow and ice departed just in time for the ASGRA "Home on the Range" Potluck/Awards Ceremony held at Tracks on January 10th. ASGRA members brought out a wide array of delicious food, and the ASGRA board brought out its thanks to all its volunteers.
Social & Entertainment Chairman Patrick Hunter donned a new hat for the evening as MC for this event. Steven Haber (aka Miss Mimi Ledger) also donned a new hat, or more accurately, habit, and warmed up the crowd with his performance of "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia". Steven appeared in his costume as Mother Superior from Olivia Productions' Nunsense. A lively crowd of members and volunteers cheered and clapped for ASGRA's favorite drag queen/performer/ actor/treasurer. This 'sister' sure didn't miss! Next came a pleasant surprise for ASGRA, as Lori Swain from MetroTeen AIDS presented ASGRA with a certificate of appreciation for our work with that organization. The evening continued with the crowd dancing away to a mix of country music, as well as the performances of Ms. ASGRA 1999 Lonni La Bel and first runner-up for Mr. ASGRA 1999 Brian Baker. Cindy Brendle and Daniel Lusk kicked off their fundraising efforts as second runners up for Mr. and Ms. IGRA 1999 and auctioned off an autographed Suzy Bogguss CD, raising $100 on behalf of IGRA charities. (Thanks to Joe Rodonis for his generous donation!) The Awards presentation continued intermittently throughout the evening, giving dancers a chance to catch their breath and to see all the folks that make the various ASGRA events and rodeo a reality. Jason Hays, Bruce Forchheimer and Mike Lentz each took a turn at the microphone presenting awards to the award winners (for rodeo events participation throughout the year), as well as to our loyal Sponsors. There were also several special recognition awards this year. At the end of the evening came the presentation of one that was definitely a big surprise to the recipient! President Jason Hays received the first ASGRA "Cowboy Up!" award. This award was created by the S&E Committee and will be given from this year forward to the member whose spirit "best exemplifies Cowboy (or Cowgirl) Up! more than any other individual; someone who puts the organization and its members ahead of his/her own interests to achieve a goal that benefits the organization, its members and volunteers". Patrick Hunter presented the award on behalf of ASGRA VP Les Boggs, who helped to create the award. Sandy and Jerry Thompson from Red River Western Wear were also on hand to present Jason with a $100 gift certificate to Red River Western Wear. PR Chair Micheal DiPaula helped close out the evening by offering thanks to all the members and volunteers who helped to make this ASGRA event possible. Special thanks go to the Social & Entertainment Committee: Debbie Belles, Dawn Clokey, Marion Elledge, Glenn Hayataka, Tracy Hipps, Mike Leaks, Jim Morgan, Andy Pittman, Roger Smith, and Ron Willett and to Tracks and the ASGRA Board for making this all come together for an evening to remember.
Patrick Hunter Looking for something for that "special cowboy or cowgirl" for Valentine's Day? Anyone interested in purchasing ASGRA merchandise, (caps, t-shirts, pins) should call Debbie Stark.
Sweetheart's Dance In Delaware
Bring your sweetheart or meet your sweetheart on the dance floor!
This is a smoke free, bring your own alcohol event. Sodas, snacks and ice will be provided. Dancing from 8pm-midnight; $10 cover. Keep an eye out for details on our Roughstock school/clinic coming in April! Chute dogging and Steer riding training will be offered at a cost of $50 per event. Classes will take place on Saturday and Sunday - dates TBA in the next issue of the newsletter!
Happy Trails to You 
Weather permitting, we will be holding trail rides at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, Maryland at 10:30am on the following Sundays:
February 14th: Sweethearts Trail Ride - Bring your 'significant other' or someone you'd like to become one! A beginner's roping clinic will be held @noon with our rolling calf "Woody". Rope your honey before he/she gets away!
March 14th: Spring Thaw Trail Ride - Live calf roping and practice for 1 camp event (TBD) starting @noon. April 11th: De-Stress from the IRS! Come on out and ride and relax before the April 15th crush! Contact RE&T Chair Cindy Brendle for further info. 
IT'S ALL BULL!!!
Bull Riding Schools Taking Place in the DC Area this Spring: February 5-7: Williamsport, Pennsylvania February 19-21: Lynchburg, Virginia
Jimmy Myers, 2-time Pro Bullriding Champion, instructs both Schools.
Applications can be requested from Jimmy and should be returned to:
A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Espanol Looking for something different from the usual night at the bars? Come support Ms. ASGRA as she sings and plays a variety of country, folk and Spanish songs at Franklyn's Coffeehouse Café. Lonni will be performing on Friday, January 29 from 8pm-midnight with all tips going to House of Ruth, and on Monday February 8 from 7-10pm with all tips to benefit Building Futures, an organization that provides housing and assistance to families affected by AIDS. Franklyn's is located at 2000 18th St., NW. Come chase away the winter chill with a cup of great coffee and make some new friends! 
A Few Words from the Social & Entertainment ChairHappy New Year to all the cowboys and cowgirls! I hope that your 1999 has started off well and that you're looking forward to another exciting ASGRA year! Word has gotten back to me that some of you out there were not happy with some of the decisions made for this year's ASGRA Awards Ceremony. Well, this makes your Social and Entertainment Chairman (and his hard-working committee) not happy as well. As S&E Chairman, I can tell you that the committee is trying to provide you with the best of events. We are working hard to coordinate activities that are fun for all, that will be something that you will want to attend, and will give you pleasant memories afterwards. Unfortunately, I have heard that is not what happened with the 1998 Awards celebration. What bothers me most is that I have heard these concerns second-hand. If you've ever played the children's game of 'telephone' you know that messages can get confused in translation. And we all know that gossip becomes more interesting, but frequently less accurate, the more people who pass it around. So, if you have a concern, criticism or idea about the social events at ASGRA - PLEASE come to me directly. It is the only way that I can be sure I know what our members are looking for from ASGRA's many social events. I may not be able to meet every concern (with 150+ members it's hard to please everyone), but your concerns will be addressed directly. Don't know who I am? That's my picture above… feel free to approach me if you see me out and about, or contact me.
Patrick Hunter ASGRA Fun Facts Did You Know? that ASGRA members receive special discounts at the following locations? Red River Western Wear (10% off purchase w/ASGRA membership card) Carol's Western Wear (10% off purchase w/ASGRA membership card) In Cahoots Western Wear (10% off purchase w/ASGRA membership card) Tracks: Sunday afternoon Country Western Tea dance ($1 off cover charge w/ASGRA membership card) Remington's: Friday & Saturday evenings ($1 off cover charge w/ASGRA membership card)
Fundraising & Sponsorship 1535 9th Street, NW; Washington, DC meetings will be held the 2nd Thursday of every month Public Relations February meeting: Mr. Henry's Restaurant, upstairs; 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE; Washington, DC Meetings will be held the 1st Wednesday of every month Rodeo Events & Training Mr. Henry's Restaurant, upstairs; 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE; Washington, DC meetings will be held the 3rd Tuesday of every month Social & Entertainment February meeting: Mr. Henry's Restaurant; 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE; Washington, DC meetings will be held the 2nd Tuesday of every month contact Patrick Hunter for March meeting location Newsletter Mr. Henry's Restaurant, upstairs; 601 Pennsylvania Ave., SE; Washington, DC meetings will be held the 3rd Thursday of every month
Just for the Record. S&E Committee Chairman Patrick Hunter would like to extend his most sincere apology to those members who did not receive accurate and timely information about the ASGRA Awards Ceremony. Although a sincere attempt was made to ensure that all members and volunteers were notified of the awards ceremony, notification of the date change and additional information did not make it to everyone. As a result, several key folks were not in attendance, including 1998 Atlantic Stampede Rodeo Director David Herr and 1998 Women's All Around, Horse and Camp Events award winner Jennifer Vrana. On behalf of the Committee and the ASGRA Board, Patrick would like to apologize to those folks who were not contacted. We will make every attempt to ensure that this doesn't happen again in the future. ASGRA Calendar of Events January 
19 7:30pm Rodeo Events and Training Committee Meeting20 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC 21 7:30pm Newsletter Committee Meeting 24 1:00pm 1998 BHT Grants Reception; Embassy Suites Crystal City, 1300 Jefferson Davis Hwy 4:00pm General Membership Meeting, Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill February 2 7:30pm ASGRA BOD Meeting 3 7:30pm PR Committee Meeting 9 7:30pm Social & Entertainment Committee Meeting 10 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC 11 7:30pm Membership Committee Meeting 7:30pm Fundraising & Sponsorship Committee Meeting 14 10:30am Trail Ride, Piscataway Ranch, roping practice @ noon 16 7:30pm Rodeo Events and Training Committee Meeting 17 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC 18 7:30pm Newsletter Committee Meeting 28 4:00pm General Membership Meeting, 17th St. Grill, Washington, DC March 2 7:30pm ASGRA BOD Meeting 3 7:30pm PR Committee Meeting 9 7:30pm Social & Entertainment Committee Meeting 10 8:00pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC 11 7:30pm Membership Committee Meeting 7:30pm Fundraising & Sponsorship Committee Meeting 14 10:30am Trail Ride, Piscataway Ranch, live calf roping practice @ noon 15 midnight Newsletter submissions due 16 7:30pm Rodeo Events and Training Committee Meeting 17 8:00pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC Starting the Season Off Right. ASGRA Competes in San Antonio!! The ink was barely dry on the results of the 1998 finals competition when 8 of our folks headed out to San Antonio, Texas to take part in the first rodeo of the 1999 season on November 6-8. Grey skies and chilly drizzle couldn't dampen their spirits as they joined the other 68 IGRA competitors in the (mercifully) covered arena at the Guadeloupe County Fair Grounds in Seguin. Lonni La Bel (Ms. ASGRA 1999) made her first appearance as a competitor in the Goat Dressing event with partner Cindy Brendle. This rodeo was also the debut of our own AGSRA trustee Michael Lentz as an IGRA-certified rodeo Judge! (Congrats, Mike!! You did us proud!) The following is a summary of results for each of the ASGRA folks. Placements are for the top 8 each day, with overall if in the top 3. (Buckles went to 1st place overall.)
Cindy Brendle: Steer Riding - Saturday: 1st place (67.5 points) [2nd overall] IGRA Seminar Schedule: 1999 Marketing Media Relations - Thom Sloan, Chairperson Friday, April 6, 1999 Los Angeles, CA (Division) Friday, May 28, 1999 Oklahoma City, OK (Division III) Friday, July 9, 1999 Denver, CO (Division II) Thursday, July 29, 1999 Long Beach, CA (Convention) Friday, Sept. 10, 1999 Atlanta, GA (Division IV)
Arena Directors - Russell Bleakney, Chairperson
Chute Coordinators - Jeanne McLeod, Chairperson
Auditors/Secretaries/Scorekeepers - D.G. Hill, Chairperson Judges Seminar Schedule Not Available - Casey Jackson, Chairperson Pre-registration fees are $25 per person payable to IGRA and should be sent to the IGRA Executive Office, 900 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80218. Registration should be postmarked at least 45 days prior to the seminar date. Fees shall be refundable upon attendance; forfeited for non-attendance. Late registration is at the discretion of the Committee Chairperson. Contact the respective Certification Committee Chairperson for specific time and location information for each seminar. (Special thanks to OGRA for supplying this information via their newsletter!) Royalty Roundup Mr. ASGRA 1999 Patrick Nelson 
Ms. ASGRA 1999 Alana (Lonni) La BelMiss ASGRA 1999 Miss Patty Como (Matt Komornik) Well, another rodeo season is upon us and ASGRA's Royalty team is gearing up to do us proud by raising money for this year's designated charities! We'll be kicking things off in style with "Love Shack '99", a variety show with lots of new and exciting performers from every community, as well as some unique and classy items for auction. The fun begins at 8pm on Sunday, February 14 at Tracks 2000 and will be hostessed by Ms. ASGRA 1999, Lonni La Bel. It's a long weekend for many of us, so bring your friends and that 'special Valentine' and help us raise some money for this good cause. Proceeds from this event will be donated to House of Ruth. Keep an eye on the Blade for more details!! Next, join the entire Royalty team in March for the Second Annual Gary Robinson Memorial "Shirt Off Your Back" Auction. Details are still being finalized for this event, but plans are in place for a traditional Shirt Auction with 10-12 beautiful shirts donated by our local western wear sponsors (In Cahoots, Carol's and Red River). Some of our very own cowboys and cowgirls will model the shirts, with attendees bidding on their favorites (shirts, that is!) The highest bidder for each shirt will be allowed to remove it from the model, however! : We'll also have a 50/50 raffle and some special giveaways. The proceeds from this event will be donated to all three royalty charities (NAMES Project DC, PFLAG of Howard County and House of Ruth). Full details and location (tentatively Remington's) coming soon! Stay tuned! Remember, ASGRA's Royalty team isn't just a group of proverbial 'sash queens'… we do our best to represent ASGRA well and make our members proud, both at home and on the road at IGRA rodeos. It's our job to educate the general public on rodeo, ASGRA, IGRA and the C&W lifestyle, as well as to raise funds for our charities. We appreciate your generous support and enthusiasm!
Patrick Nelson, Mr. ASGRA 1999 ASGRA Board of Directors and Committee Chairs 1999 President Jason Hays Vice-President Les Boggs Secretary Gaither Pennington Treasurer Steven Haber Membership Daniel Lusk Fundraising & Sponsorship Bruce Forchheimer Public Relations Micheal DiPaula Rodeo Events & Training Cindy Brendle Social & Entertainment Patrick Hunter IGRA Trustee Michael Lentz Newsletter Editor Alana (Lonni) La Bel CAB Representative 1999 Billy Collison 1999 IGRA Rodeos 
Big Horn Rodeo NGRA Las Vegas, NV March 5-7 Rodeo Wichita KGRA Wichita, KS April 2-4 LA Rodeo 15 GSGRA Los Angeles, CA April 9-11 Rodeo in the Rock (NEW DATE!) DSGRA Little Rock, AR April 23-25 Great Plains Regional Rodeo OGRA Oklahoma City, OK May 28-30 Bay Area Regional Rodeo GSGRA San Jose, CA June 18-20 Heartland Regional Rodeo HGRA Omaha, NE June 25-27 Canadian Rockies International Rodeo ARGRA Calgary, Alberta, Canada July 2-4 Photos of the Herd
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| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | [an error occurred while processing this directive] | P.O. Box 22042 Alexandria, VA 22304-9204 (202) 547-9590 |
Committee Meeting Schedules
Oscar Mocelo: Steer Riding - Sunday: 5th place (66.8 points)
Committee Members: K. Dawson, F. Elam, Jr., L. Frazier
