Hi folks!

If the following info looks familiar it's intentional. While you are keeping cool during the dog days of summer, it's a good time to look ahead to our upcoming rodeo and some other key ASGRA events.

• Rodeo Director David H and his Rodeo Roundtable are finalizing plans for Stampede 2004. He and Beth Brockelman, our Volunteer Coordinator, are seeking people willing to help. Consider offering some time this year for AS2004. Contact David at or Beth at .
• Classic Rodeo of York Springs, Pennsylvania will again be our Stock Contractor for Stampede 2004. We are planning another Rodeo School at their location for August 21-22. If you are interested in the school, contact Scott Smiley at .
• Detailed planning with the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill has begun. We're happy to say that room reservations for September are already rolling in. Reserve your room before ASGRA's guaranteed lowest rate expires on August 9!
• Board Elections will take place during Stampede weekend this year. The Association will elect a Vice-President and Secretary to two-year terms. If you are interested in serving in either of these capacities, please contact our Election Committee Chairman Billy Collison at .
• We are looking for Delegates and Alternates for IGRA Convention. Convention will be in Denver, Colorado in November. If you are interested in serving on the delegation, please contact Mike Lentz at for more information.
• And of course don't forget to let all your friends know about Atlantic Stampede 2004!! Spread the word that the only place to be in DC on September 10, 11, and 12 will be at the Rodeo! Thanks!

The wise person doesn't expect to find life worth living - he makes it that way.

Anonymous

Last Call to Renew Your Membership!

As of this writing, our membership is at 265 members. That number will drop to 131 on August 1st. "Why is that?" you might ask. ASGRA's membership year runs from August 1st to July 31st. Everyone that has not renewed by the beginning of our membership year will be taken off our rolls.

If you are a competitor and have not renewed, you will not be able to compete as an ASGRA member and will have to join a recognized association to be able to compete beyond Aug. 1st. The first rodeo that this affects will be LA.

So, enclosed in this newsletter is a membership/renewal form. If you have already renewed (your card will have a "Valid through" date of 07/05), ignore the form or share it with a non-member friend. If your card has a 07/04 date on it, consider renewing your membership with ASGRA.

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

We are still in need of volunteers for Stampede this year for all areas: Front Gate, Arena, Chutes, Security, Hospitality and Floaters (our Jack of all trades). If you are interested please fill out a Volunteer Form on the web site www.asgra.org and/or contact me at 240-447-4139. Come out, join the fun and see it all! Hope to see you at Stampede 2004!

Beth Brockelman, Volunteer Coordinator

Training will include:

• Basic First Aid/AED
• Security Awareness
• Emergency Preparedness
• Communication Skills

Ms. Tomi' Finkle, Rodeo Security Coordinator

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:
September 5th: Get ready for rodeo on a Labor Day weekend trail ride with the ASGRA cowfolk!
October 3rd: There's not much that's more beautiful than a relaxing ride through the Maryland woodlands in early autumn!
For further information and to RSVP, contact Glenn at (703) 538-2225

LA Rodeo 2004 GSGRA Los Angeles, CA August 6-8, 2004
San Francisco Bay Area Gay Rodeo GSGRA San Francisco, CA August 20-22, 2004
Windy City Rodeo ILGRA Chicago, IL August 27-29, 2004
Salt Lake City Rodeo UGRA Salt Lake City, UT August 27-29, 2004

Rodeo Training School August 21st & 22nd

Don't miss your last chance to train prior to Stampede 2004! ASGRA is hosting another Rodeo Training School on August 21st and 22nd at Classic Rodeo Ranch in York Springs, PA. Training will be offered in calf roping on foot, chute dogging, steer riding, and steer decorating. Register on-line and get all the details at www.asgra.org.

John Chaney Roping Clinics
Morning: Roping: beginner through intermediate (unmounted)
Afternoon: Horsemanship/cattle working (mounted - your horse or ours)
August 28, September 25, October 23
Against The Wind Ranch, Clarksburg, MD. 301-540-0014

Royalty Roundup

You can catch Destiny, Jymmye Jaymes and many current and former ASGRA Royalty every Sunday night at Freddie's Follies, starting at 9pm!!

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

Lambda DanceSport Association promotes partnership dancing for same-gender couples in the LGBT community. Lots of great dance opportunities of all kinds - check it out on their website: www.LambdaDanceSport.org

Capital Country Dance Club is a non-profit whose purpose is to bring the joy of dancing to the GLBT community. CCDC hosts C&W dancing from 8pm-midnight at Generations Dance Studio on the second Saturday of the month and sponsors open dancing from 7:30-10:30pm every Tuesday at De Lounge in Wheaton, MD.

At the Saturday August 14 dance, CCDC has graciously agreed to allow us to hold another ASGRA membership drive. They also will give $2 off the price of admission to anyone who shows an ASGRA membership card. Lesson starts at 8; dance starts at 9. Generations Dance Studio is located at 816 N. Saint Asaph St. in Alexandria, VA. For more details & directions, see the events section of their website at http://www.capitalcountry.org/.

And for those interested in an all women dance environment: Jackie's Dance Party is a monthly non-smoking evening dance event with mixed music. 7pm-midnight. Saturday, August 28th ; Admission $12. Light snacks provided; water & soda available for purchase. Du-Shor Dance Studio, 7800 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda (Bethesda metro; free garage parking ). Info: .

1 11am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
12 7:30pm ASGRA Board Mtg; Hyatt Regency Hotel; DC
11 8pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
21 PM ASGRA 'Wear Your Colors" Night
21-22 All day ASGRA Rodeo School; York, PA
18 8pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
26 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting: Rodeo; Hyatt Regency Hotel; Washington, DC

from the 2004 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in August:
C. Marley Brown, Paul McCaffrey, Alan Truslow, Jason Bullock, Janet C., JR Key, Diane M., Waide Riddle, Tracy Childs, Barbara Tackett, Stephen Cohen, David Peredia, Chuck Wight, Richard Gertler, John Mitchell, Diesel, James Atwell, Adam Falk, Brian, Nahodil, Lonni La Bel and Gaither Pennington.

Happy Birthday to all of you!

(Note: If your birthday is this month and you aren't listed, we either don't have your birthday on file or you have requested that we not print your name. We wish you a happy birthday as well!)

Did You Know?

Mary Lynn Logsdon and Les Boggs represented ASGRA July 2-4 at the North Star Regional Rodeo in Minneapolis, MN. Mary Lynn and her Wild Drag Team of Tee T. and Justin D. placed 3rd for the weekend. Les placed 2nd in Calf Roping on Foot for Saturday. Les and Dan V. placed 7th on Saturday and 2nd on Sunday in Goat Dressing, putting them in 4th place for the weekend.

With both of them earning points during the rodeo, they are in the running for the new ASGRA Cowboy/Cowgirl of the Year buckles. Les is currently in first place for Cowboy of the Year and Bailey Kier is in first place for Cowgirl of the Year.
Congratulations to both Mary Lynn and Les!

For more information on the new Cowboy/Cowgirl of the Year buckles, or information on sponsoring a buckle, contact Mary Lynn at .

Many of us in the IGRA family lost a very dear friend and passionate proponent of gay rodeo in July. MGRA Trustee Bobbie St Jeor was killed in an automobile accident on Friday, July 2 while en route to the rodeo in Minneapolis. Judy Holt, Bobbie's partner of 12 years, was with her at the hospital when she passed. Bobbie St. Jeor was born in Mercid, CA on June 19, 1936. After graduating from high school at Placer High in Auburn, CA, she served in the Army. Bobbie worked as a cook and restaurant manager for many years until her retirement. She enjoyed many activities including travel, fishing, hunting, horses, dogs and raising livestock. Most notable was her involvement with the MGRA Rodeo Association, of which she was an officer and trustee for many years. All of us who had the good fortune to know Bobbie will miss her sense of humor and smile. Contributions are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 1131, Fairfield VA 22038-1131.*

ASGRA sends its heart-felt condolences to Judy, Bobbie's family and friends and the members of MGRA on their loss.

Lonni La Bel, Editor

(* Portions excerpted from the obituary notice published in the Kansas City Star on 7/6/2004.)

ASGRA ended the 2nd quarter of the year with a loss of $17,372. A loss of this magnitude is typical for this point in the Association's business cycle. The third quarter should see substantial improvements in our bottom line as we receive income from membership renewals and items related to Stampede 2004. Cash reserves remain healthy and should improve during the 3rd quarter.

Stampede is just around the corner and there are several ways you can ensure that Stampede 2004 is a success. You can help ensure that the event is a success by logging onto http://www.asgra.org/stampede2004/index.htm

1. Volunteer. It takes many hands to make Stampede a success. Without the help of dedicated members and friends of the Association, the event could not take place. Click on the volunteer form link at the bottom of the page to sign up to be a volunteer.
2. Book your Room at the host hotel NOW. We have a block of rooms at our host hotel, the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Rooms are selling fast, so be sure to book now to guarantee you get a room. Booking in the ASGRA block also ensures that we meet our commitments to the hotel. Click on the hotel information link.
3. Buy your tickets NOW. Advanced ticket sales enable us to plan better for the event. Knowing how many people will be attending helps us to ensure we have enough volunteers to staff key areas, plan for traffic flow at the site, and ensure adequate facilities on-site. Buy your tickets on-line - click on the on-line ticket order link.

Elections are being held during Rodeo weekend this year (September 10-12, 2004). In accordance with our ByLaws, Article VI, Section 3A, which states, "The right to vote in any election of the Corporation shall be reserved for all individual members in good standing who are entitled to a vote and who have held such membership for at least thirty (30) days preceding the date of the election."

To meet this requirement, your membership application must be postmarked no later than August 13th or received via the web page by midnight on August 13th.