  | Volume XIV, Issue 9 September 2005 | Last update Jan 21, 2020 |
Letter from the President
Guys and Gals: Rodeo is just about here! This year's rodeo celebration promises to be the best yet. We have a record number of entertainers performing this year. These talented men and women add so much to our rodeo weekend. We will host vocalists, illusionists, dance groups as well as line, two step and square dance lessons on the program. Be certain to save space on your dance card to visit the Stampede Saloon at the hotel and the Entertainment and Vendor Tent at the Fairgrounds.
Remember to invite your friends to join you at Stampede. It's the only place to be in Washington, DC on September 9, 10 and 11. See you soon! Gaither Pennington, ASGRA President
Atlantic Stampede cannot happen without the help of volunteers. Be a volunteer and help make this year a success! Volunteers are needed for set up (hanging signage, set up of fencing, clean up of the rodeo grounds), staffing the rodeo (script ticket sales, front gate, entertainment coordinators), and for breakdown (tear down of signage, clean up of rodeo grounds, hauling items back to storage). Volunteers are especially needed for set up and breakdown. Volunteers are compensated with free tickets to either one of the dances or one of the rodeo days. For details and additional information contact Paul Marengo. For a complete list of areas of volunteering see the volunteer online sign up form (http://www.asgra.org/stampede2005/volunteer/VolunteerForm.htm). Paul Marengo, Volunteer Coordinator
"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." Anne Frank Submissions for the October newsletter are due September 19
Atlantic Stampede Weekend
That's right. Atlantic Stampede is right around the corner. And the Rodeo Committee has planned a wonderful weekend of events for you all to enjoy. The fun starts Thursday night at Remington's, which is hosting the Opening Party, sponsored by 1-800-Gay-Live. Come out and meet cowgirls and cowboys from all over the country and the 2006 Royalty contestants, dance and have a Bud Light. The party starts at 9:30pm. Friday night starts with the first of our two annual dances at the Host Hotel, the Hyatt Regency on Capital Hill. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. Also that evening is our Royalty contest. Come and cheer on our contestants as they compete for the honor of wearing a 2006 ASGRA Royalty sash. On Saturday and Sunday it's the main event - rodeo! Atlantic Stampede is being held at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, in Gaithersburg MD again this year. Events are fun and exciting to watch. Come out; see your favorite athlete compete in everything from bull riding to goat dressing, to the Flag race and everything in between. Tickets are $15 for each day and can be purchased at the gate. Don't forget to stop by the vendor tent and support those that support us. Saturday night is our Harvest Moon Ball, held back at the Hyatt. It's the place for tight Wranglers, cowboy hats and boots and dancing til you drop. We have entertainers from across the country performing in both the main ballroom and across the hall in the Cabaret room. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door.
Keep an eye on the web page to be sure you are up to date on all the goings-on for Atlantic Stampede. Let's Rodeo!! Mike Sanders, ASGRA Vice President
ASGRA is still looking for delegation members for the 2005 International Gay Rodeo Association Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the weekend of October 20-23. Partial reimbursement of expenses is available for our participants. This is a great way to visit a wonderful city and find out more about the workings of ASGRA and IGRA.
If you are attending any of the upcoming summer IGRA rodeos and have an interest in serving ASGRA as a substitute trustee when our own trustee is not present, please consider doing so. The official role of a trustee at a rodeo is to observe the goings-on and assist with the formal evaluation of the event in order to help the rodeos improve from year to year. Trustees also deal with special issues that arise when necessary. Any member, whether competing or not, is eligible to serve as substitute trustee, but you must be appointed in advance by the current trustee. Please contact ASGRA Trustee, Michael Lentz if you would like to be more involved in either capacity. Michael Lentz, ASGRA Trustee
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: September 4th: Spend part of your long Labor Day weekend enjoying a cool ride on the Maryland trails. October 2nd: There is nothing more invigorating than an autumn canter through the beautiful Maryland woodlands. For further information, contact Patrick. Upcoming 2005 IGRA Rodeos
First Annual Billy Collison Volunteer Award This year, ASGRA and Carol's Western Wear will be awarding the first annual "Billy Collison Volunteer Award". This award will be given to a volunteer for ASGRA and Stampede 2005. Billy was deeply involved in many aspects of our community and the word volunteer was truly his middle name. Please keep in mind all those who work hard at ASGRA all year and make a nomination in June and July for this special belt buckle which will be donated by Carol's Western Wear. The award will be awarded at Atlantic Stampede 2005 on Sunday during Grand Entry.
Tim was born and raised in Staunton, VA, home of the famous country vocal group The Statler Brothers. He has sung on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and performed at the Jim Ed Brown Theatre in Nashville. Tim was a regional winner in the 2002 Colgate Country Music Round-Up and was Mr. Mid-Atlantic in 2001. Last year, he won the Pioneer Days Singing Contest, providing him with studio time that has resulted in Don't Worry 'Bout Me, his first CD, with songs ranging from bluegrass to contemporary and traditional country. Tim is currently planning an East Coast tour. He includes among his influences George Jones, Jim Reeves, and Conway Twitty. Tim will be performing Friday and Saturday evenings at the Stampede Saloon, both days at the rodeo and at the Rodeo Roundup Party on Sunday Night at Remington's.
Royalty Roundup
Christmas for Children Join the fun at a number of events leading up to rodeo! Join ASGRA and the Green Lantern for "Rodeo Ropin' Karaoke" at 10pm on Saturday September 3. Get roped or rope a cowboy! Hosted by Miss ASGRA 2005 Jymmye Jaymes. Men in underwear drink free from midnight til 1am ! Relax and mingle at the Green Lantern for a post-rodeo happy hour party, 6-9:30pm. Look for your free drink coupons over the rodeo weekend! Remington's will host the official round-up party on Sunday, September 11, starting at 9:30pm. There will be a show and plenty of country dancing. There is a $6.00 cover, but ASGRA members and Rodeo contestants get in free, so don't forget your card!
ASGRA Calendar of Events
September
A Royal Congratulations…
…from the 2005 ASGRA Royalty Team to the following ASGRA members who will celebrate birthdays in September:
Michael Lentz, Rick H., Bailey Kier, Jackie Thompson, Ed Soga and Lew Klinge
Watch for a flurry of fun events leading up to AS2005. I will need some volunteers for each of these events; also needed are 5 volunteers Friday, Sept. 9th and over AS2005 weekend to work with the vendors. Free weekend passes for a 10 hour commitment of your time. Please e-mail me. Thanks in advance for your continued support of ASGRA and Atlantic Stampede 2005. Mary Lynn Logsdon, Fundraising Chair |
|
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | [an error occurred while processing this directive] |
Stampede weekend also brings our annual election of Officers. This year, the Association will select a President, a Treasurer and a Trustee. Take time to become acquainted with the candidates and, most importantly, vote. You may vote by mail, on the website, or in person. Please remember to carefully follow instructions - especially when voting by mail.
The Back to School sales are almost over. The kids are back in school. It's starting to get dark a little earlier. Summer vacations are over. County Fairs are popping up all over. This could only mean one thing…Atlantic Stampede is next week!!
Want to help out? There are plenty of places to volunteer over the course of the weekend. Click on the 2005 Rodeo link on the web page and at the bottom of that page is the Volunteer Form. Fill it out and submit it. Be part of the crew that helps put this wonderful event.
Show Me State Rodeo 2005 MGRA Kansas City, MO September 2-4, 2005
Special AS2005 Entertainer Tim Fitzgerald
8 9:30pm Rodeo Kickoff Party at Remington's
We are also looking for additional vendors and sponsors. If you would like to be a vendor, sell your items, be a food vendor, or if you give a great massage, please check out the sponsorship/ vendor page at asgra.org. You can pay by credit card or by electronic check. We also need a contestant tent sponsor, shirt sponsor, ribbon sponsor and more. Some sponsorships are as little as $25.00. Go to ASGRA.org for the information on all the opportunities available.