CGRA Newsletter

November, 2011

President

Yes, I'm old. But let's get to it. Did you miss me? I know you did and I appreciate all of you who were checking on me cause you didn't receive a letter from me last month. Well it's somewhere between send and receive. God only knows where. Perhaps I should call Mr. Gore. There is so much going on and so many things I want to share with you this may be lengthy. So, gather around, get something to drink, sit back and let's get after it...........

Where to start is always the hardest part for me and maybe that's the same for you. I'll cover that later. I often get referred to as the cheerleader for our organization, although I don't have a skirt in the house. That's okay with me cause the word leader is still there. I set out on this journey as President to do just that. Lead. We are making great strides as an organization also in doing just that. To lead. Our roads often seem long and very lonely but nonetheless we put the damn thing in gear and down the road we go. If you were a trucker, such as myself, you learn to appreciate that sign, "Rest Area 2 Miles". (hey, hey not like that). What I mean is take the challenge. Move the vehicle down the road. Who cares if we tried it before. It'll be different and better this time cause you are now involved.

This is 30 years of tried and true. Stand Up, Shout and be Proud. Can I say that again "THIRTY YEARS". Wayne himself would probably be telling us that "This AIN'T Just A Lttle Bittie Peyton Place". So come on. Get involved. That's why our slogan for RMRR this year is "Colorado (still) Rides With Pride". BTW where are your poster ideas? We need you now more than ever. I'll meet you down the road 2 Miles.

We have an opportunity coming up on November 4th to do some of what I've been talking about. Standing UP. Standing Out. Leading thru Support. We were contacted by the Heritage Church, Westword and the Denver Film Society to participate in the Denver Film Festival. Okay so maybe participate is too strong. Asked to attend is more like it.

One of the Festivals Red Carpet Events this year is the screening of "Wish Me Away". It's the documentary film of C/W Recording Artist, Chely Wright. It depicts her struggles with being gay and coming out. I was approached by the aforementioned to see if WE, as a group of GLBT Cowboys and Cowgirls would attend. I bought 40 tickets. Please join me and others who have already spoken for tickets at this event. I still have tickets for sale. They are $15.00 each. Following the screening there will be a Q & A with the film's director, producer and Ms. Chely Wright. The screening has sold out and has moved to a larger venue. I can only imagiine the statement we CAN make attending as a GROUP. (Please remove you hats during the screening, LOL).

Text me or call me at 303-304-7771 to reserve yours.

I didn't even get to the 2012 Gymkhana and Roping schedule. Hopefully Kim will cover that. Or the December 3rd M/M/M/M - Night of Sharing stuff. I'll leave that up to Rich. Or IGRA Convention. Or the planned Naked Sleigh Ride. LOL. Really after all of that something that finally got your attention. I think I'm gonna have to write another letter.

For now, I hope all is well with you and yours and don't forget the November meeting was moved to Thursday night, November 3rd. I hope to see you ALL then.

Let's Ride
Robert Thurtell
CGRA President
email address removed

Vice President

Hello again from down South!

Things are going great down here in Colorado Springs. I can't believe that another month is almost over and that IGRA Convention is just around the corner.

For those of you who enjoy music I have an event for you to attend down in the Springs. OutLoud, The Colorado Springs Men's Chorus will be holding our next concert "Expect the Unexpected" on Friday, November 18th at 7:30pm, and then again on Saturday, November 19th at 2pm and 7:30pm. All concerts will be held at First Congregational Church at 20 East St. Vrain Street here in Colorado Springs. I have been involved with this group for over a year now and I am very proud to be part of such a talented group of men! Come on down and support the Rocky Mountain Arts Association and me! For more information you can check us out at www.rmarts.org.

I want to congratulate our CGRA Royalty Team for all of the hard work they have done this year! They have been out in the Community representing CGRA and raising money for CGRA as well as their charity partners. If you see either of these dedicated individuals -- Miss CGRA Tracey Lee Saunders or Mr. CGRA Rocky Buruse - out in the Community, make sure to say hi and thank them for all of the work they've done to promote Rodeo and CGRA all year long. Also, let's wish Rocky the best of luck as he competes for the title of Mr. IGRA 2012 in San Diego on November 10th during the annual IGRA Convention. We're cheering for you Rocky!

We now have three confirmed contestants for the 2012 CGRA Royalty Team - Mr. John Beck, Ms. Paula Scougal and Miss Gia Diamante. I can't wait to see these three individuals compete for their respective titles. I am so proud of each of these three individuals and so happy that they have stepped up and want to compete.

We will be holding our CGRA Past Royalty show on Friday, December 2, 2011, at Charlie's Denver starting at 8pm. I am still contacting past royalty members and hope to have a strong Royalty presence this night so that we can raise money for the Wayne Jakino Scholarship Fund.

Then on Saturday, December 3, 2011, CGRA will be hosting "A Night of Sharing" and our CGRA Royalty Contest. This will also be at Charlie's Denver starting at 7:30pm. Please join us as we thank our 2011 Royalty Team as they step down and cheer on our 2012 contestants as they compete for a place on the 2012 Royalty Team. We will also be presenting our Charity Partners with checks for the proceeds we have raised for them - both CGRA and the Royalty Team. We will also be honoring our 10 year Anniversary CGRA Royalty Team this evening - Mr. CGRA 2002 David Westman, Ms. CGRA 2002 Mary Munger, and Miss CGRA 2002 Lushus La'Rell.

I look forward to seeing you all at the December 2nd and 3rd events! If you are a past Royalty member and have not heard from me yet, please contact me via email so that we can talk further about having you come and join us both nights.

Rich Valdez
CGRA Vice President
email address removed

Gymkhana Results

Secretary

Madame Secretary would like to extend a big 'thank you' to Rich Valdez for faithfully handling the secretarial duties at all our gymkhanas this past year. The results from our final gymkhana in early October are below.

Now, without further adieu, I'd like to congratulate this year's all around winners:
Novice Horse - Foxy (Jeremy Snidow)
Novice Rider - Jeff Curtis (and Arlene Wallace just one point behind)
Advanced Horse/Rider - Stef Curtis and Oddie

A little snow, a little cold...
And here comes the holidays!
If need be, please feel free to contact me here:

CD
Secretary email address removed

Rodeo Director

Just a few more things to wrap up in 2011, but the preparations for RMRR 30 are in full speed ahead mode. I am already working on the Host Hotel negotiations, fairgrounds reservation agreement ready for Board of Director approval, and some other time-schedule items. I want everyone to start thinking how they can help out with the production of the oldest and best rodeo on the IGRA circuit. I have a rodeo planning meeting scheduled for November 19, Saturday at 11:00 AM at Hamburger Mary's. This is where your input on rodeo production is vital, so if you are unable to attend then contact me via email with your ideas.

November 11th at 7:00 PM at Charlie's, is the 2002 Royalty Team salute to Veterans. David, Lushus, and myself will be hosting a show, as the CGRA 10 year Royalty Team.

I am not much on words lately, so I look forward to seeing folks at the many up coming events!!!!!

Ride With Pride!!!!
Mary Munger
Rodeo Director RMRR 30
email address removed

Public Relations

As a reminder our meeting for Nov has been moved to Thursday Nov 3. I hope to see you all there Wow what a great reminder of what mother nature can be like. If this is any indication of what our winter months are going to be, then I hope everyone is ready or at least getting ready.

With finials now over we turn our heads to IGRA convention in San Diego. I want to wish all of our Delegates and alternates who will be seated on the floor for a weekend of had work. Good luck and have a blast.

To Rocky Buruse who will be competing for Mr. IGRA 2012 good luck, and have fun. Its a great time.

It's that time again. CGRA is opening the poster contest for RMRR 30. (Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo) This year CGRA has picked the theme for Rodeo of Colorado Rides with Pride.

The poster contest is open from Oct 20th to Nov 20th With voting held at the Dec Membership meeting on Dec 9th with the winner being notify on Monday Dec 12th. Here are the specs for your entry Print size 11 x 17 300 dbi. All entries need to be submitted in CMYK. All entries need to be submitted in pdf and jpeg format. Winning poster will earn $100.00. All entries need to be submitted to email address removed

Here is the events that are happening around CGRA

Denver's Newest GLBT Bar with Drag Shows on Friday and Saturday Night is the Pure Club Denver 5190 Brighton Blvd.

October 28

Majestic Hearts @ Pure Club Denver @ 8 PM
ICRME 38th Imperial Family show 10:30pm at Pure Denver hosted by Mama Becky Linger

October 29

Janelle St Christopher and the Cast of Lashes Present "Halloween" a show at the Isle of Capri in Black Hawk in the Orchard Garden Restaurant @ 9PM
Halloween Bash at Pure Club Denver starts at 6:30 PM
Eagle Black Eye Ball Slaughter House @ 9 PM.

November 2

ICRME hosted by Don 38, and Reina 38 Delilah Winters. Sign up at 1:30 PM game starts at 2:00 PM @ Broadways. Texas Hold-Em. Suggested donation of $25.00. Gets you the Beer Bust, food, chance drawing and in to the game. Benefits Denver Rescue Mission and ICRME.

November 3

CGRA Meeting at Charlie's BOD at 6 PM, Membership @ 8 PM.

November 5

GALLA at Club M door @7 PM. A comedy roast featuring Emperor 32 Lamar Cooper. Door is $5.00
ICRME Turn a About at Club M @ 9:00 PM.
Majestic Hearts at Pure Club Denver @ 8 PM

November 6

ICRME Wet Jockey Contest at Boyztown. Hosted by Emperor 35 Johnny Romero and Empress 38 Stephanie Paul

November 9-13

IGRA Annual Convention and 2012 IGRA Royalty Competetion in San Diego

November 11

CGRA Mr., Ms, and Miss 2002 David Westman, Mary Munger and Lushus LaRell host a show (Celebrating our Veterans) to benefit CAP Thanksgiving Food Bank. Beer and Liquor bust start at @8 PM
Denver Cycle Sluts, Turkey Bingo benefiting CAP food bank bingo games are $10 for 10 games. Door opens @ 7 PM and balls drop @ 8PM. The Alcoholicdaze show is also $10 with door @ 7 PM and show @ 8 PM at Club M.

November 12

UCPPE Coronation in Colorado Springs 18th Majestic Hearts at Pure Club Denver @ 8 PM

November 19

Snow Ball at the Studio Loft located at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Theme A Magic Evening , Aboard the Polar Express. More info www.DenverCourt.Org

November 20

Transgender Day of Rememberance @ 7 PM at The Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC) 14350 W. 32nd Avenue Golden, CO 80401

November 26

Kelly Byingtons Birthday Show at Club Pure @ 8 PM for Gay Pride of all Colorado.

December 2

ICRME 38th Imperial Family Show at Pure Club Denver 10:30 PM
CGRA Mr, Ms and Miss Past Royalty Show @ 8 PM at Charlie's hosted by Lushus LaRell & Janet Jenkins. A benefit for Wayne Jakino Scholarship Fund

December 3

CGRA Mr, Ms and Miss Step Downat Charlie's @ 8PM

December 4

Gay Pride Christmas Show at Club M 10th Denver Cycle Sluts, Alcoholicdaze 2011 benefiting Chesney Klienjohn at Club M

December 16

ICRME Baron and Baroness 38 host A Country Christmas Toys for Tots at Charlie's @ 7 PM

December 17

GALLA Pageant Club M Door @ 6 PM

December 30

ICRME All Boys Show @ 8:30PM at Pure Club Denver Hosted By Dan Yates and the 38th Male Line.

January 13-15

IGRA - University 2012 Saint Louis, Missouri Denver. Show @ 9 PM. to Benefit, White Rose Scholarship, Horizon House and ICRME. Hosted by Princess Royale 36 Sue Anne Michaels

January 20

ICRME Adopted Monarch Show at Charlie's Denver Beer bust @ 7 PM and Show @ 7:30pm. Hosted by Jason Pankey and Kelly Rose

January 21

CGRA Night at the Stock Show @ 8 PM. Tickets are available to active members for $18.00 each. Each member is entitled to purchase TWO tickets. Contact Vince Montez.

January 28

Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Show Case hosted by Grand Duke 38 Mike Martinez and Grand Duchess 38 Miranda Morgan at Charlie's from 6 -9 PM.

February 4

ICRME The College of Cardinals show at Club M More information to come.

February 17-19

CGRA Valentine Extravaganza at Charlie's

Colorado Rides with Pride
Dan Rutledge
Public Relations Chair 2011
email address removed

Membership

Hey all...hope everyone is fully defrosted from the October snow and enjoying the cooler fall temps. Remember that before you head indoors to hibernate for the winter that you should come on out to Charlie's for the November membership meeting on November 3rd. Among the topics of this meeting will be choosing our Charity partners for 2012, so come on out and make sure your voice is heard. Board of Directors meet at 6PM, and the general membership meeting is at 8PM.

I've been talking about the CGRA Greeter program for a few months now, and I want to make sure we are getting the feedback necessary to make this program a success. To help with this, I am having a meeting on November 2nd for anyone interested in participating. We will meet up at the Starbucks at 2975 East Colfax Avenue in Denver at 7PM. This location is a couple of miles east of Charlie's to help give you some bearing. Please bring your ideas, your concerns and your enthusiasm to the meeting. The goal will be to pull together a proposal that can be presented to the Board of Directors to help identify what the position will be.

As always, if you have any questions, you can send them on along to me at email address removed. Until we get the payment website back up and running, you can send any renewals to:
PO Box 202604 Denver, CO 80220

John Hill
CGRA-Membership
email address removed

Royality

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