Guys and Gals!
I hope that you're planning time to kick back, relax a bit, visit the shore, toddle off to the mountains-assuming that the rain stops and the sun continues to shine, that is! So you won't have to spend much time indoors reading this, my comments are going to be brief:

• I'd like to recognize Mark Baker, our Fundraising Chair, for a superb job. You will be gratified to learn that through his leadership, the Association's 2003 fundraising has passed the $10,000.00 mark. I'd also like to thank everyone else who worked with Mark to make this possible. The Association is lucky indeed to have members of this caliber!
• Special thanks also are due to JR Key, Billy Collison, Ken Withers, and Patrick Hunter for helping to make Hoedown and our 2002 Pride events memorable.
• Please make plans to join us at the beach on July 13th. Our general membership meeting moves to Rehoboth, Delaware and we promise to have more fun than business. For more information on the beach get-away, visit the website.
• The Association's continued growth depends on the active involvement of its membership. Please plan to attend any General Membership or Board of Director's meeting that you can.
• Elections are not too far away. We need men and women to step forward to help guide the Association during the next two years. Stay tuned to your Newsletter for more information on vacancies and requirements for office.
• We've had a respectable response to our Volunteer mailing but we're still looking for a few good men and women. To volunteer your time, please visit the website.

Gaither Pennington, ASGRA President

MEMBERSHIPS ARE UP FOR RENEWAL DURING JULY!!!
Renewal forms and Weekend Pass order forms were mailed out the week of June 16th. You will also find them included in this month's newsletter. They will also be available in the Membership section of the web page.

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO COMPETITORS: YOU NEED TO BE A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE IGRA ASSOCIATIONS TO COMPETE IN ALL IGRA SANCTIONED RODEOS. RENEW EARLY SO YOU DON'T MISS BEING ABLE TO COMPETE!!

The July meeting will be held in conjunction with the Delaware Country Tea Dance on Sunday July 13th. Our only other membership meeting this year will be in October, held in conjunction with our annual awards ceremony.

In response to several requests, an ASGRA email list has been set up. This list can be used to find rodeo partners, rides, roommates, etc. You can access the list thru Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASGRA_Connections/. You will not be added to this list unless you subscribe to it, and you can set how you receive messages. Subscribing is easy and free.

Remember to keep me up to date on any changes in your personal information. This way, you will continue to be informed of meeting notices, special events, and receive your newsletter. And last, as your membership chair, I serve as your liaison to the board. If you have concerns or questions, please don't hesitate to bring them to my attention. I can be reached by email or by phone (see sidebar). Keep check on the web page for all announcements and updates on upcoming events.
Mike Sanders, Membership Chair

Gay Rodeo and country western enthusiasts from California to Calgary, from NYC to NC all know the only place to be Sept 5-7 is in Washington, DC, for two days and three nights of cowboys, cowgirls, competition and dancing. ASGRA has earned a reputation as one of the best rodeo entertainment weekends on the IGRA circuit, with several new improvements to our arena and rodeo grounds venue, praised by contestants and fans alike, followed each night by the largest and best evening dance/entertainment events.

Atlantic Stampede continues our tradition in 2003 to provide the highest quality all-around line-up of rodeo entertainment. This year, ATLANTIC STAMPEDE weekend has a Sunday evening CONCERT with popular Country band LACE, along with a dance at the Hyatt Regency. You won't want to miss the show! Tickets to the concert will be available as part of the weekend pass or separately priced. Start making plans now to be in DC this fall!

Check our website frequently (www.asgra.org), as new information and details are posted. Tickets for this event are now available on-line.

J.R. Key, S&E Chair

Weather permitting, we will be holding a trail ride at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, MD at 11:00 am on the following days:

July 6th: Celebrate a hot Independence weekend in the cool summer woodlands!

August 3rd: Hot fun along the summertime trails!

For further information and to RSVP, contact Glenn.

ASGRA is sponsoring a second Rodeo Training School August 9-10. This is just in time for you to learn new skills or hone existing ones before Stampede 2003. School will include beginning and intermediate instruction and practice in calf roping on foot, chute dogging, steer riding, steer deco, and breakaway roping (subject to enough interest). The school will be held at the Classic Rodeo Ranch in York Springs, PA. Directions are available on the ASGRA website.

Pre-registration is required, so that we can ensure the necessary amount of livestock for the weekend. There are two easy ways to register for this event:

1. Go online to www.asgra.org and click on the August Rodeo Training School link. This will provide you with more information about the school including driving directions, accommodation options, and a link to registration.
2. Contact Scott Smiley at .

Board Meetings
July 10
August 14
September 11
October 9
Membership Meetings
July 13 in Rehoboth
October 19

ASGRA Royalty Past and Present are featured every Sunday night at Freddie's Follies, an evening of live and drag performances at Freddie's Beach Bar & Grill in Arlington. Hosted by former Miss ASGRAs Blair Michaels and Jymmye Jaymes, the show begins at 9pm and runs till 11pm with one brief intermission. Come out and party during Pride month with the ASGRA herd!

Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association
invites you to kick up your heels at the Rehoboth Beach Western Tea Dance

Sunday, July 13, 1 PM to 5 PM
Under the pavilion at
Cape Henlopen State Park

Skip the traffic rush back to the city and join us for an afternoon of good music, live entertainment, free snacks, drinks, and great company.

DJ Shark (Sharon Messina) of Dune Tunes Mobile Disc Jockeys will be spinning your favorite country tunes while you enjoy dancing under an open-air pavilion at the beach. Free basic lessons for beginners (two-step and waltz).

ASGRA will hold a brief general membership meeting at 1 PM.

Admission for the dance is FREE. Park admission is $2.50/car (Delaware tags) or $5.00/car (out of state tags).

Arrive early to enjoy the park, which has beautiful trails, a fishing pier, beaches and a bathhouse. Stop by the park Visitor Center for more information.

Cape Henlopen State Park is located one mile east of Lewes, just past the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal. Follow signs for the Ferry Terminal, but once you see the terminal, just keep going past it. You will see the entrance to the park.

FROM DOWNTOWN REHOBOTH: Take Rehoboth Avenue out to Highway One. Turn right (go north) about 3 miles. Turn right onto Kings Highway, go east about 3 miles. When you can't go straight anymore, turn right onto Cape Henlopen Drive. The road leads into the park about 1/2 mile down.

For driving directions from your location go to http://www.destateparks.com/chsp/chspmap.htm

Links:
Dune Tunes Mobile Disc Jockeys http://www.dunetunes.net

Cape Henlopen State Park Rehoboth Beach, DE http://www.destateparks.com/chsp/

For more information, contact . August 2003 issue: Submissions due: 7/21/03