Outgoing ASGRA VP Lonni La Bel joins Newly-elected ASGRA VP Mike Sanders at the Official Event Elf Table to help count the money raised by ASGRA Royalty and Friends at the Christmas For Children Benefit at Freddie's on December 19. (Details on Page 4.)

Submissions for the February newsletter are due January 17.

We 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. President Gaither Pennington has agreed to step up as a temporary Rodeo Director for Atlantic Stampede 2005, but we need to identify a permanent Rodeo Director as soon as possible.

As you are aware, 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 our 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 Gaither Pennington as soon as possible. A simple email to us at either or to let us know about your interest in one of the vacancies is all that we need to start the process. The Board of Directors will be considering all submissions at our next board meeting scheduled for January 13th.

During the month of January, the official call will go out for ASGRA Bylaws and Standing Rules changes. Our bylaws and standing rules govern how we operate as an organization. I would like to invite all of you to take a look through our bylaws and standing rules to see if there are things you may want to see changed in how we operate. You can find them on the ASGRA Membership Information page. In the second section of that page you will find the links for the Bylaws page and the Standing Rules page.

When the official call comes out, you will be instructed who to contact with your suggestions, where to send them, the deadline for submissions, etc. Please keep an eye on your mail for this important announcement.

Have you moved, changed your email address or any other information? Don't forget to keep us informed of your changes so we can do our part to make sure you receive all the information on your association. Email with all your changes.

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:
January 2nd: Start the New Year off right with a lope along the wintery trails!
February 6th: Get ready for Valentine's Day with a romantic ride with that someone (or someone you hope to be) special!
For further information, contact Patrick at 202-352-2356.

Upcoming 2005 IGRA Rodeos
Road Runner Regional Rodeo 2005 AGRA Phoenix, AZ January 14-16, 2005

It's time again for IGRA University. This year it is being held in Dallas, TX at the American Airlines Training & Conference Center. Between now and February 12, 2005, registration is $55. After February 12, it goes up to $70. Housing is available at the Conference Center for $75 a night. For more information on University, contact Karroll Parker at: 817-909-5997 or . To reserve your room, call the Conference Center directly at 817-777-6464.

Are you a rodeo competitor? Do you like to travel to other rodeos? Well, have we got something for you!

Almost 2 years ago, a Yahoo Group was created as a place where ASGRA members could connect to find teammates and/or roommates at IGRA rodeos around the country, convention and University. Start finding teammates now for the 2005 rodeo season! To join, send an email to . Membership is free.

Mike S., ASGRA VP

January 2005
2 11am Trail Ride at Piscataway stables, Clinton, MD
5 9pm ASGRA Night at the Green Lantern
11 9pm ASGRA Bingo Night at Titan
12 8pm BHT Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
13 7:30pm ASGRA Board Meeting; Hyatt Regency Hotel
19 8pm CAB Meeting; DC Eagle; Washington, DC
25 9pm ASGRA Bingo Night at Titan
29 TBD BHT Grant Reception at Titan

…from the 2005 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in December: Les Boggs, Jeffrey Shaw, A. Scott Bullitt, Mark Hennen, Chuck Nixon, Robert Harris, Scott Smiley, Gunny, Thomas Horman, Mike Pelton, Frank Harrell, Dale Robinson and Damien Bottoms.

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!)

DANCE * DANCE * DANCE

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/.

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 . Want more info? www.brotherhelpthyself.org

On December 19, 2004 at Freddie's Beach Bar & Restaurant, Miss ASGRA 2005 Jymmye Jaymes, Miss ASGRA 2001 Blair Michaels, Miss IGRA 1st Runner-up 2005 Destiny B. Childs hosted the Brandy Dover Memorial Christmas for Children Celebration to benefit Grandma's House and Pediatric Aids. Jymmye, with help from the past and present ASGRA Royalty, raised over $6000.00 to make this Christmas a special one for the people who matter most, our kids.

New Year's Eve at Remington's

This year, New Year's Eve falls on a Friday night. As usual, Remington's is hosting its Annual New Year's Eve party, complete with champagne, noise makers and a country buffet. The cost for admission is $15.

One of the benefits to being an ASGRA member is free admission to Remington's every Friday and Saturday night. There are a few exceptions. This celebration is one of those exceptions. Because it is a special event, ASGRA members will not be granted free admission to this event. However, we encourage you to attend to show your support to Remington's and its staff.

Also going on that evening at Remington's is a going away party for Connie Morris, Ms. ASGRA 2004. Connie is moving back to Georgia and this one of the last evenings she will be in the area. Come on down and wish her well in her new ventures.

Above all...whatever you do for New Year's Eve, please drink responsibly!! Happy New Year!

The Royalty team is in the process of organizing a spaghetti dinner to benefit Brother Help Thyself (BHT) in mid March. Keep your eyes open for this up-coming event.

Rudy Benavides (Mr ASGRA 2005) will be selling Airlume Collection candles. He will be taking orders from Jan 7 - 23. Your order will be here just in time for Valentine's Day! All proceeds will benefit Servicemember's Legal Defense Network (SLDN). For more information contact Rudy at .

Welcome back to Destiny (Miss IRGA 1st Runner Up 2005). Destiny was in Reno, NV to perform at High Sierra Rodeo Association's 'Redneck X-mas Party' on December 17th. Reno will never be the same again....!!