Guys and Gals:

Having come to the end of the 2002 rodeo year and the beginning of new one, I'd like to wish you the best possible 2003, and at the same time, share some thoughts. Let me begin by reaffirming my personal commitment to you as your President to devote the time and energy necessary to assure the Association's continued growth and success. The recently elected members of the Board share a deep personal loyalty to the Association and its goals. We are fully committed to the Association's success and are actively engaged in the business necessary to plan and produce Stampede 2003.

That being said, I must also note that the Board is seriously understaffed due to four vacancies. We still lack a Vice President and Secretary, along with committee chairs for Public Relations and Rodeo Events & Training. We will shortly need to recruit a Rodeo Director for Stampede 2003 as well. Vacancies limit the Association's ability to efficiently conduct normal business and make it more difficult to plan and produce quality events.

ASGRA has a well-deserved national reputation for producing high quality events. It is my hope that this coming year's rodeo will continue in that proud tradition. However, I would fail in my duties if I didn't point out the possibility that we might not be able to continue to meet our quality standard unless folks step forward to fill these vital positions. If you are willing to share your time and talents by offering your services, please contact Membership Chair Mike Sanders or me as soon as possible. A simple email to either or indicating your interest in one of the vacancies is all that we need to start the process.

We all face many personal and professional demands every day. I ask you to you become as actively involved in the on-going business of the organization as possible. ASGRA is blessed during rodeo week with folks who help make the event possible. All the activities of Hoedown or Rodeo week are preceded by months of careful preparation. Member involvement in the preparations is essential to success. Please make every effort to attend the General Membership meetings. If you must make choices about which GM meetings to attend, please be there for those during which the budget, By-Laws and elections are on the agenda.

Your current Board is committed to producing the best possible Hoedown and Stampede celebrations possible. Help us through a personal commitment to take some extra time to share more of your talent and energy with us in the coming months.
Gaither Pennington, President

This has been an exciting year for membership in Atlantic States. With the help of our Webmaster Cowboy Frank, you are now able to renew your membership online, update your information, and order merchandise from the ASGRA Store. We have a Business member, Carol's Western Wear. And we have added Sheridan's to our ranks of those companies that offer discounts to card-holding members.

Between the web page, newsletter and email announcements, attendance at General Membership meetings is up and we are doing our part to keep you informed of all that happens in and around ASGRA. Communication is at an all-time high.

Speaking of General Membership meetings, the next one is scheduled for 4:00pm, Sunday November 17th at Sheridan's. Once the Board of Directors approves the schedule for the 2003 year, it will be posted to the web site, as well as in next month's newsletter. Something you may not know…all Board meeting are open to members who wish to attend. The dates for 2003 will be decided on and published shortly.

If you have moved, changed your email address, or any of your personal info please let me know by email or via the web page. If you no longer wish to receive email announcements (or want to be added to that list) let me know and we will make sure it happens.

Remember that as your membership chair, I serve as your liaison to the board. If you have issues, concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to bring them to my attention. I can be reached by email at join@asgra.org or by phone at the number listed in the sidebar of the newsletter. In the months to come, keep an eye out for new things from the membership committee.

Just a reminder of some of your ASGRA member benefits:

• 10% discount at Carol's Western Wear;
• No cover charge on Friday or Saturday nights at Remington's;
• An average of 27.5% discount on Avis rental vehicles for business or personal use;
• 20% discount on entrees at Sheridan's.

On Sunday December 8, Remington's will be the venue and ASGRA will be the official organizer/sponsor. We will be collecting new UNwrapped toys (suitable for children 17 and under) for the Pediatric AIDS foundation and Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive, packaged (canned or boxed) foods for WWC and Food and Friends and new or gently used clothing for the Salvation Army. We will also be collecting monetary donations to benefit the programs of Joseph's House and Miriam's House.

There will be a special Sequins and Studs show that evening featuring many of your favorite entertainers, including some past and present ASGRA Royalty. If you are interested in volunteering to assist with this event, please contact Lonni La Bel.

President; Gaither Pennington, 133 Tull Place Alexandria, VA 22304
Vice President: TBD
Secretary: TBD
Treasurer: Scott Smiley, 21 Welbeck Ct. Montgomery Village, MD 20886
Membership: Michael Sanders, 7401 Eastmoreland Rd. #228 Annandale, VA 22003
Fundraising & Sponsorship: Mark Baker, 1437 Rhode Island Ave., NW #403 Public Relations: TBD
Rodeo Events & Training: TBD Social & Entertainment: JR Key, 1317 Rhode Island Ave. NW #103 Washington, DC 20005
Newsletter Editor: Lonni La Bel, 11422 Waterbury Way Germantown, MD 20876

Web Master: Frank Harrell
IGRA Trustee: Michael Lentz, 4602 Coachway Drive North Bethesda, MD 20852
Publications Chair: Billy Collison, 18600 Walkers Choice Rd. #5 Gaithersburg, MD 20886-0539
BHT Representative 2002: Bruce Forchheimer, 1535 9th St NW Washington, DC 20001-3207
CAB Representative 2002: Patrick Hunter, 410 15th Street, NE #26 Washington, DC 20002
Mr. ASGRA 2003: John Alvey, 2298 17th St., NW Apt. #7 Washington, DC 20009
Miss ASGRA 2003: Miss Courtney Lovelace, (Sam Marsh), 2298 17th St., NW Apt. #7

A Reminder to IGRA CONTESTANTS:
It is your responsibility to keep IGRA informed of address, phone, and email changes. You can update your information with them at http://www.igra.com/address.html

Our elections for the 2003 Board of Directors returned the following results:
Fundraising Chair: Mark Baker (1 year term)
Social & Entertainment Chair: J.R. Key (1 year term)
Membership Chair: Mike Sanders (1 year term)
IGRA Trustee: Michael Lentz (3 year term)
Vice-President, Secretary, PR and Rodeo Events & Training are still open.
(President Gaither Pennington and Treasurer Scott Smiley's positions were not up for reelection)

The afternoon was a nice mix of business, dancing, fun, entertainment and food. Included in this newsletter is a list of all the recipients of the new ASGRA Star awards.

Paul, Steve and the staff of Sheridan's outdid themselves with the food. DJ Dawn provided music for us to dance by, and our Royalty Teams consisting of Miss ASGRA 2002 Jymmye Jaymes, Ms. ASGRA 2002 Beth Brockelman, Miss ASGRA 2003 Courtney Lovelace, Mr. ASGRA 2003 John Alvey and SSSLY (So, So, So Last Year) Ms. ASGRA 1999 Lonni LaBel provided special entertainment, as well as a fundraiser for the General Fund. From all accounts, a good time was had by all.

Thanks to the awards committee for putting this wonderful afternoon together. And a special thanks to Sheridan's for hosting the banquet for the second year in a row.
Mike Sanders, Membership Chair

Category 1:
"For continuing outstanding support in a volunteer capacity to the Association through the years"
John Alvey, Glenn Hayataka, Gaither Pennington, Andy Andruscavage, Jason Hays, David Peredia, Justin Ball, David H, Eric, Powell, Les Boggs, Donna Hitchens, Keith Reeves, Terry Boyles, Don Horn, Justin Resley, Jeffrey Brasseur, Patrick Hunter, Stan Slutter, Cindy Brendle, Jymmye Jaymes, Bill Stolis, Beth Brockelman, Lew Klinge, John Stortz, Glenn Brown, Sonny Koerner, Jim Vaughn, Chris Brush, Matt Komornik, Rudy Wagner, Dawn Clokey, Eric Korpon, Alexander Yearley, Billy Collison, Lonni LaBel, Jeff Cranford, Sandy Lee, Michael DiPaula, Michael Lentz, Lawrence Ennis, Daniel Lusk, Chris Eskelinen, Paul McCaffrey, Bruce Forchheimer, MaDonna Medina, Eric Gangloff, Oscar Mocelo, Steven Haber, Todd Palmer, Lance Haverly, Susan Pawlikowski

Category 2:
"For providing service above and beyond the expectations of an elected office"
Mike Sanders, Scott Smiley

Category 3:
"For providing service during a term of appointment to a critical supportive role" Mark Baker, Cowboy Frank, J.R. Key, Diane Mejia

Category 4:
"For consistent support by a Business or Organization to the Association through the year"
Gaithersburg Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department, Hideaway Stables, Piscataway Stables, Potomac Motorcycle Club, Spartan Motorcycle Club

Category 5:
"For volunteer support to the Association in the production of Atlantic Stampede"
Ashley Anderson, David Hallwood, David Pool, David Beck, Michael Hancock, John Kelly Poorman, David Benton, John Harmon, Guy Puglisi, Corey Bowen, Catherine Heston, Carlos Rosa, Ralph Bradley, Donald Hickman, Kevin Rost, Valyri Broder, David Hill, James Roth, Lori Butcher-Benjamin, Gardiner Greg Hill, Annie Ruth, Joe Casey, J. Keith Hixson, Lori Ryan, Loyd Cassler, Peter Huestis, Glen Sams, Mark Clark, Tom Johnson, Angel Schepp, Nicholas Clark, Joe Judge, Vladislav Schwartz, Bill Cochran, Mary Kelley, John Sharon, Chris Cochran, Karl Klingener, Chris Shell, Mike Coffey, Mark Lefin, Scott Shelly, Tony Colleli, Peter Loyd, Doug Smith, William Craig, Sam Marsh, Larry Stansbury, Thomas Cullen, Charles McManus, Eric Steere, Dean Daniel, Marcia Middleton, Travis Sweitzer, Charles Davidson, Mitch Mitchell, Saify Talib, Skip Dawson, Richard Naviglla, Gary Thompson, Don DeGeorge, Lynn Nelson, Dusty Thompson, Melanie Duckworth-Kallas, John Ochsenfeld, Bill Upperman, Frank Elam, Jr., Michael Oswald, Kevin Urda, Paul Eve, Jack O'Leary, David Vetal, Matt Ford, Gary Patton, Randy Welsh, Glenn Garelik, John Perry, Gary Williams, Johnathan Gentry, Don Phillips, Ken Withers, Mitch Gill, Mark Piccolo, Scott Young, Tim Gregory, Sharma Pilluiza, Dee Zuspann, Matt Guyette, Jack Pitzer

2002 ASGRA Meeting Schedule
Membership Meetings November 17
Board Meetings November 12

Contact Newsletter Editor Lonni La Bel for details on advertising rates!!

December 2002 issue: Submissions due: 11/25/02, Mail out date: 12/2/02