Guys and Gals:
As we come to the end of the 2004 rodeo year and begin a new one, I would like to 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 officers - Mike Sanders, Vice-President and Frank Harrell, Secretary - have this commitment because they too share a deep personal loyalty to the Association and its goals. Along with Scott Smiley, our Treasurer, please be assured that your officers are fully committed to the Association's success and will be actively engaged in the business necessary to plan and produce Stampede 2005.

I am pleased that two members of our current Board - Mary Lynn Logsdon, Fundraising and JR Key, Public Relations - will continue their excellent service to the Association in these vital roles. We do have other opportunities for service on the Board for the upcoming year. I would like to invite you to consider offering some of your time and talents as our Chairperson for Membership, Social & Entertainment or Rodeo Events & Training. We also need to identify our 2005 Rodeo Director as soon as possible.

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 that proud tradition. If you are willing to share your time and talents by offering your services, please contact Frank Harrell or me as soon as possible. A simple email to us at either secretary@asgra.org or pres@asgra.org to let us know about 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. Nevertheless, 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 -members and non-members - who help make the event possible. While it may not be obvious, all the activity of Hoedown or Rodeo week is preceded by months of careful preparation. Member involvement is our best way to ensure their success. Please make every effort to attend our General Membership meetings during the coming year. If you must make choices about which General Membership meetings you'll attend, please plan to attend those during which the budget, By-Laws and elections are on the agenda.

As I've already said, your current Board is committed to producing the best possible Hoedown and Stampede celebrations possible. Help us though 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

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Those who were out in Omaha at Rodeo Finals missed a fun time at ASGRA's first Bar Bending Tour. With the help of Turning Corners Presents, it all started and ended at the Green Lantern, as we registered teams and individuals, and headed back there at 9pm for the prizes. There were 7 teams and quite a few individuals running from one bar to another collecting bottle caps and items to let us know that they had been at each bar.

Eight bars were part of bar tour: Cobalt, Hamburger Mary's, JR's, Peppers, Green Lantern, 1409 Playbill Café, Dupont Italian Kitchen (DIK), and Titan. And we certainly had some interesting items turned in by our teams from each bar - from matchbooks and the bartenders' signatures to T-shirts and underwear. Once back, the 5 teams that survived had a chance to win prizes that ASGRA, Bud Light, Green Lantern, and Hamburger Mary's donated. Yours truly put together 4 FABULOUS baskets of cheer and prizes with such coveted items as bottles of liquor from ASGRA's liquor sponsors, Bud Light logo items, Green Lantern bar tabs, CDs/DVDs and food tickets from Hamburger Mary's. The Green Lantern's "Team America" won first prize while the ECBN (Emergency Cocktail Broadcast Network) Team took 2nd prize. Third and fourth prizes went to Team Hoochie and Ball Busters, respectively. By the time I left the bar (8 hours later…) the ASGRA Team STILL had not returned. (I think they got sidetracked at Remington's.) Well, if you missed it this year, I think we are going to do this again. It was a great time and all the bars loved having the extra business.

Billy Collison

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:

• November 7th: Thanksgiving is on the way; be thankful for all your ASGRA friends and share their company along the trails!
• December 5th: 'Tis the season for a ride through the snowy Maryland woods!

Congratulations to all the ASGRA contestants who were invited to compete at the 18th Annual IGRA Finals Rodeo in Omaha, NE! You did us real proud!! For details on who placed, see the Top 8 or Finals Results sections at www.igra.com/topeight.php3 or www.igra.com/finals.html

Road Runner Regional Rodeo 2005 AGRA Phoenix, AZ January 14-16, 2004

Correction: We neglected in the October newsletter to thank JP for the pictures from the ASGRA Royalty contest. Our apologies for the omission and thanks to JP for providing the great photos of the contestants and the 2004-2005 ASGRA Royalty teams.

ASGRA members, Do you know what BHT is? BHT stands for Brother Help Thyself, a charitable organization that funds and nurtures nonprofit organizations that serve the GBLTQ and HIV/AIDS communities in the metro Baltimore/Washington, DC area. ASGRA is a member organization with a voting representative on the Board. But we need more help!

BHT funds groups by collecting money for the Combined Federal Campaign/United Way (#8288) - groups like ASGRA that designate and donate money from its events. BHT also sponsors charitable and social events of its own. If you are interested in knowing more or getting involved with BHT, please contact Billy Collison or ASGRA rep Bruce Forchheimer at .

Keep our nonprofits running - support BHT! Want more info? www.brotherhelpthyself.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, November 27th; Admission $12. Light snacks provided; water & soda available for purchase. Du-Shor Dance Studio, 7800 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda (Bethesda metro; free garage parking ). Info: .

2004 ASGRA Meeting Schedule
Board Meetings Membership Meetings
November 3 No meeting this month
December 9 No meeting this month

A Royal Congratulations

from the 2004 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in November:
Matthew M., Debbie Chapman, Dale M., Beth Brockelman, Randy Greer, Don Horn, Annie Ruth, Timothy Evans, Matt Whealton, Ben Malinconico, Jeff B., Cindy Chance and Basil Pereyra

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!)

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. Lesson starts at 8; dance starts at 9. Generations Dance Studio is located at 816 N. Saint Asaph St. in Alexandria, VA. CCCD also sponsors open dancing from 7:30-10:30pm every Tuesday at De Lounge in Wheaton, MD. For more details & directions, see the events section of their website at http://www.capitalcountry.org/.

Thursday October 14th began the 2005 IGRA Royalty Competition. 17 contestants from 11 associations competed for the top 9 positions on the 2005 IGRA Royalty Team. The contestants competed in 2 of the 5 categories on Thursday: Public Presentation and Western Wear. Friday brought the rest of the competition: Interview, Horsemanship, and Entertainment.

Those in attendance were able to watch Entertainment, Western Wear and Public Presentation and judge for themselves who they thought should win. In the end, we have a new IGRA Royalty Team for 2005!

Miss IGRA: Pussy LeHoot (AGRA)
Mr. IGRA: Ken Pool (CGRA)
Ms. IGRA: Gaylia Young (AGRA)
Miss IGRA 1st Runner Up: Destiny B. Childs (ASGRA)
Mr. IGRA 1st Runner Up: Eric Ziegler (GSGRA)
Ms. IGRA 1st Runner Up: Pauline Chavez (CGRA)
Miss IGRA 2nd Runner Up: Amber Daniels (TGRA)
Mr. IGRA 2nd Runner Up: Wade Earp (TGRA)
Ms. IGRA 2nd Runner Up: Beverly Lay (TGRA)

Congratulations to all the winners, especially to our own Destiny B. Childs!!! You did us proud.

There is an award that is given out by the outgoing IGRA Royalty team called the Spirit Stick. It is a traveling award given to a Member Association of IGRA which has made significant contributions to any or all of the following: IGRA Royalty, entertainment and dance programs, rodeo event hospitality and IGRA Community/Outreach Fund Raising Committee Goals. This year, ASGRA was the proud recipient of this award.

Bright and early Saturday morning competition began in the arena. There were way too many people to keep track of, but the ASGRA competitors fared very well. Bailey Kier placed 2nd in steers on Saturday. Bailey also placed 2nd on Saturday and 1st on Sunday in Broncs, and 2nd overall for the weekend in Broncs by a very close margin (4/10 of a point!). Sonny tied for 1st on Sunday in Steers. The Wild Drag Team of MaryLynn Logsdon, Destiny B. Childs and Paco P. (HGRA) placed 4th on Sunday. Rudy Benavides covered his steer and placed 3rd in Bulls on Saturday. Destiny B. Childs and Dale M. did very well in Goat Dressing both days. Jackie Thompson dogged her steers and Rick Davidson covered his steer on Sunday.

Overall, it was a very good weekend for Atlantic States. ASGRA sends its thanks and congratulations to HRGA for putting on a terrific IGRA Finals Rodeo! Next stop…IGRA Convention, Denver, CO.

Mike Sanders, Vice President

Rhinestone Review

Every month in the calendar section of the newsletter is a listing for the BHT (Brother Help Thyself) meeting. There are many groups that make up BHT. ASGRA is one of those groups. The Academy of Washington is another.

The Academy is Washington's drag organization. Every year, they hold a benefit for BHT called "Rhinestone Review". The Academy raises amounts over $5,000 every year for BHT during this one event. The coordinator of this event has asked for assistance. He is looking for at least one contestant from every group that is part of BHT.

Here is the breakdown of the event:

There are 4 titles involved: Mr. BHT (men), Miss BHT (drag queen), Ms. BHT (women) and MsTer BHT (drag king). Those competing for the positions may collect money in advance of the actual event in many ways. Here are a few suggestions: saving tips from performances (or from a job), pledges from co-workers or friends, sponsorship checks from other organizations, donate a personal check, etc. (No IOU's will be accepted. Checks or cash must be turned in the day of the event.)

The day of the actual contest, each contestant will be given a collection bucket. They may solicit money from the audience prior to the show and during the first act. Things that have raised money in the past: selling baked goods (i.e. cookies, brownies), hershey kisses, lollipops, etc. At the end of intermission, all buckets will be turned in to the designated person and the person with the most money collected in each of the 4 categories wins.

If you are stage shy, you will be happy to know that there is no performance required to participate. No interview, no On Stage Questions. Just a desire to help those in need. If you have held one of the BHT titles in the past, or if you are a member of the 2005 ASGRA or IGRA Royalty teams, you may not run. But you can contribute to all the contestants :)

Date: Sunday, November 21, 2004
Location: Club 55
55 K St., SE (across the street from Nation's)
Time: 3:00pm (doors open at 2pm)
Admission: $7
Suggested attire for contestants: Leather or Country Western

The 2 main purposes of this event are to raise money for Brother Help Thyself (of which ASGRA is a member) and to have fun. So tape the football game and come out to support this worthy cause. Let's fill the room with cowboy hats and boots!

If you want more information on the event itself or what is required for competing for and winning the title of Mr./Miss/Ms./MsTer BHT, contact the event coordinator directly, Wayne S. (aka Lorelei Lee Maharis) at waynesulser@aol.com.

Mike Sanders, ASGRA Vice President