  | Volume XIII, Issue 6 June 2004 | Last update Jan 21, 2020 |
A Letter from the Vice President
Hi folks! In this issue you will find a variety of opportunities for you to participate in ASGRA's activities at Pride events in DC, Baltimore and NYC. We are always eager to see our multi-talented membership out and about at the parades, parties, festivals and special events. Your participation and presence help to make each of these activities both fun and successful. Come on out and help set up/break down booths, march in the parades, dance, help manage Bam Bam or just promote the association within our community. For details contact either our S&E Chair CJ Liotta regarding Capital Pride or MsTer ASGRA 2004 Cody Jaymes (aka Annie Carroll), who is coordinating Baltimore Pride. As I noted in my letter last month, our Rodeo Director for Atlantic Stampede 2004 is David H. He's already been busy getting some of our key coordinators in place. You will find notes in this issue from several of them, looking for volunteers for all sorts of tasks that make the annual rodeo weekend run smoothly - including such things as setup/cleanup at both the hotel dance/entertainment areas and the rodeo grounds, security, front gate, hotel hospitality table, chute and arena crews and a score of other things! We will need lots of help so don't hesitate to put your name on the list of volunteers! It's the kickoff to what promises to be a very exciting summer; I look forward to seeing you out and about at an ASGRA event soon! Lonni La Bel, Vice President
The white, the Hispanic, the black, the Arab, the Jew, the woman, the Native American, the small farmer, the businessperson, the environmentalist, the peace activist, the young, the old, the lesbian, the gay and the disabled make up the American quilt. " Rev. Jesse Jackson Submissions for the July 2004 Thirteen Spurs are due by Monday 6/21/04!!
 The Membership Corner
July is Membership Renewal Month In the next few weeks, keep an eye on your mailbox for membership renewal forms and order forms for Atlantic Stampede 2004 weekend passes. In the year or so that we have been able to accept memberships via the Internet, I have had a few people use someone else's credit card to join or renew. In all the instances the person that owns the card has authorized it. But as I'm sure you are all aware, there is a lot of fraud out there. So as a rule, we make sure that it's ok with the owner of the card before we process it. I would like to ask that if you have authorized someone to use your credit card to join or renew membership, please send me an email at and let me know that you have authorized it. This way, we can process your applications in a more timely fashion. Is your newsletter arriving with a yellow "Forward" sticker from the Post Office? Have you stopped getting email from ? This would mean that we don't have your current address, either snail mail or email. Please contact me to update your address(es) so you can continue to receive mail from us. 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 S., Membership Chair
 Yes it is that time of year again - time to begin preparing for the ASGRA Rodeo! If you have volunteered in the past and want to do it again or have not and would like to give it a try, please contact me at for more information. There is a volunteer form in the newsletter and the online form should be up soon. Thank you!
Beth Brockelman, Volunteer Coordinator
Howdy Folks! I plan on being at he next few monthly ASGRA trails rides and will be happy to answer any questions in person, or you can contact me at 301-412-5249. I thank you in advance for your consideration to give a little something back and to serve your community with pride. Thank you! Ms. Tomi' Finkle, Rodeo Security Coordinator
 Happy Trails To You!
ASGRA trail rides are the first Sunday of the month at 11:00am! Regardless of the weather, ASGRA's monthly trail rides are held at Piscataway Ranch in Clinton, MD at 11:00 am on the following days: June 6th: Kick off Pride month with your own parade on the Maryland trails. July 4th: Feel the freedom of Independence Day on a fun ride in the summer forests and fields! For further information and to RSVP, contact Glenn at (703) 538-2225. ASGRA Pride Participation This year, ASGRA will be participating in pride festivities in Washington DC, New York, and Baltimore! If you are able to help in any or all of the three cities, please contact S&E Chair CJ Liotta at . Capital Pride: http://www.capitalpride.org Baltimore Pride: http://www.baltimorepride.org/ NYC Pride: http://www.hopinc.org/home/
Upcoming 2004 IGRA Rodeos
John Chaney Roping Clinics Morning: Roping - beginner through intermediate (unmounted) Afternoon: Horsemanship/cattle working (mounted - your horse or ours) June 26, July 24, August 28, September 25, October 23 Against The Wind Ranch Clarksburg, MD 301-540-0014
Royalty Roundup 
Join MsTer ASGRA at the Phoenix in Baltimore on Saturdays for Country night starting @ 9pm. ASGRA members get domestic beers for $2.50 with an ASGRA card. For more info see www.baltimorephoenix.com You can catch Destiny, Jymmye Jaymes and many current and former ASGRA Royalty every Sunday night at Freddie's Follies, starting at 9pm!!
DANCE * DANCE * DANCE Capital Country Dance Club is a non-profit whose purpose is to bring the joy of dancing to the GLBT community. It hosts C&W dancing the second Saturday of the month and sponsor open dancing from 8-10 pm every Tuesday at De Lounge in Wheaton, MD. www.capitalcountry.org The weekly Sunday Evening LGBT Ballroom, Latin, Swing & Two Step classes/dancing at Chevy Chase Ballroom are part of the Capital Pride activities on Sunday, June 6th and June 13th Saturday, June 12th - Country/Western dance sponsored by Capital Country. DJ Jeff Cranford 9:00 pm to midnight. Snacks and an East Coast swing lesson at 8:00 are included with admission: CCDC Members $15, Non-Members $20. Generations Dance Studio, 816 N. St. Asaph St., Alexandria, VA. Smoke free, water and soft drinks for $1, BYO beer and wine only. July 1-4: Weekend in Ohio with the Columbus Stompers at the 11th annual IAGLCWDC (International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs) convention. www.stompers.org. Click on the hoedown logo and follow the links.
ASGRA Calendar of Events JUNE 6 11am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD 8 9pm ASGRA Bingo at Titan 9 8pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC 10 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Hyatt Regency Hotel; Washington, DC 12 6pm Capital Pride Parade; Washington, DC 13 11am Capital Pride Festival; Washington, DC 16 8pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC 19 pm ASGRA 'Wear Your Colors" Night 19 5pm Baltimore Pride Parade; Charles/Franklin Sts. 19 6pm Baltimore Pride Block Party; Eager/Charles Sts. 20 11am Baltimore Pride Festival; Druid Hill Park 22 9pm ASGRA Bingo at Titan 27 Noon NYC Heritage of Pride Parade; 5th Ave/52nd St. 27 11am NYC PrideFest; Greenwich/Washington Sts.
A Royal Congratulations from the 2004 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in June: Steven Haber, Joe Judge, Bailey Walker, Bill D, Tish Kane, David Beck, Steve H., Daniel Lusk, Kert Blodgett, George M., Joe Henry!
Happy Birthday to all of you! PR is looking for talented marketing and design professionals or creative and artistic persons interested in volunteering their time and talent to help put together ASGRA's ad campaign for Atlantic Stampede 2004. Interested persons can contact JR Key via email at .
Spring Round Up with PNWGRA
Smaller in scope than a rodeo, but no smaller on the fun, PNWGRA's Spring Roundup consists of a mix of standard rodeo events such as barrel racing, along with some fun events to get the audience involved, like the hilarious Martha Washington Race. The weekend kicked off with a Meet and Greet at the Lucky Dog Saloon. This intimate bar was the venue for the start of contestant sign up and the Trustees Raffle. I worked in tandem with PNWGRA's Rob Newburn to raise some high cash (and high spirits).
These are great folks who have made me feel at home every time I have been out there. I will proudly wear the All Around Buckle and encourage everyone to make plans to come out and have their own good time at Spring Roundup. Special thanks to Rob Newburn and the Rocking R Ranch for hosting the Roundup, Cowboy James for cooking, Brittania La Fleur for serving the Pucker, Bunny and Reba for the Chicken Crap Shoot Bingo, Patrick Hunter, Roving ASGRA Reporter
I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who worked to put on the rodeo school last weekend. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of my semester at school. You all do a lot so us newer people can learn (and hurt in bed for three days...but thats my fault for getting on too many animals!--hope everyone else is feeling okay) I'm now confident that I can rig my own animal, help other people, and hopefully get lucky enough to cover a steer or two in a rodeo. It will be nice to be at a rodeo and know what I'm doing in the chute instead of playing it by ear. The food was great, the weather a little too hot, and the crowd was friendly and comforting. Thanks, Bailey
Want to give back to the community? What better way than by becoming part of the 2005 Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association Royalty Team? Travel the country as you represent ASGRA.
For more information on becoming part of ASGRA Royalty Team, Contact ASGRA Royalty 2005 Contestant Packets are available online at www.asgra.org |
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Potatoes are not the only things that Idaho does well. The Pacific Northwest Gay Rodeo Association (formerly the Idaho Gay Rodeo Association) puts on one heck of a rip-roaring time for its Spring Round Up. This year's event benefited Cowpaws, a local area charity that assists HIV positive folks with the expenses for the maintenance and upkeep of their pets.
On Saturday morning Cowboy James started things cooking with a huge breakfast feast. Shortly after noon, things got underway with Grand Entry and the presentation of the flags. The competition in the afternoon was fast and furious. This year hat fines were imposed on anyone who lost a hat during events in the arena. Unlike several others, Darla came up dusty but still 'chapeau-ed' after her drop in the dirt during 'pole bending on stick horse'. During the competition audience members could whet their whistle with beverages served up by Miss PWNGRA Brittania La Fleur, while Mr. PWNGRA Cowboy James rustled up burgers and dogs. He swapped his chef's hat for a Stetson and chaps late in the afternoon as the crowd watched the final event, the Barrel ride. This is an event that simulates bull riding for contestants - and boy does this barrel buck!
That evening, the Emerald City Club was host again for the awards ceremony and show. Performers included Mr. and Miss PWNGRA, along with a lady who could give our own Jymmye Jaymes a run for the money as Reba. Bunny entertained and looked stunning in her high-high heels and high-high shock pink wig (though the FAA DID request that she put a bike reflector on the top of her head to keep the planes from nearby Boise Airport from crashing into her head).
The leaders in the events were Rob Newburn (calf roping still target), Stormie Tisdale (calf roping moving target), Cowboy James and Brittania (Goat Dressing), The Pennsylvania Boys (three legged barrel), PA boy C.M. (Pole bending stick horse), the PA boys and me (the Martha Washington Race) and I also led in the Barrel Ride. PWNGRA has an all around title for the cowboy or cowgirl for weekend that is based on the total points earned for the events for each particular cowboy/cowgirl. I was very honored to be announced as the All Around Cowboy for PNWGRA Spring Roundup 2004. There is not enough paper in this newsletter to be able to express my gratitude to PWNGRA.
Tam Keltner for announcing, the Emerald City Club for hosting the awards ceremony/show and all the volunteers that helped out with the setup and tear down of the Spring Roundup. Check out ASGRA.org in the near future for pictures of the Spring Roundup and a link to PNWGRA's website.