March 2005

Motorcycle Camp Night 2005 in Blue Grass, VA

Saturday June 18 - Sunday June 19 will be the fifth annual Motorcycle Camp Night in Blue Grass, VA. The event is a lot of fun between the ride out there and the folks there. Live music will be "Trooper Stump and the Uphill Ride". Basically this is an annual gathering of a core of friends of Brian and Betty who live out in Blue Grass VA. That core then multiplied and more and more folks attend. I guesstimate about 25 people may camp out, more come to have fun and sleep elsewhere. Nicole Balenger and Vas (her significant other) were avid members of WOW back in 2000 when I first joined. Their friends are Brian and Betty who hightailed it from Richmond to live in Blue Grass and restore a Civil War era farmhouse. They have lots of land and it is just beautiful out there.

Betty helps the community with grant writing and the Blue Grass night started as a fundraiser to benefit the local non-profit children’s library in the village of Blue Grass, VA. I have visited the little library...it's quite something for the children, given that there is no library for miles and villages around. Some people out there do not have running water and electricity. I am not sure how much exactly the fundraiser nets but it's modest, maybe about $2,000. But every bit helps. If you come, you can contribute whatever you can afford and your contribution would remain anonymous.

I would love to lead a group to Blue Grass on June 18, leave bright and early and pack your tent and sleeping bag on your bike, and rain gear of course. When I went in 2001 I shared my tent with a friend. Brian and Betty and friends provide food, which is a cookout dinner (hot dogs and beans namely with slaw and cookies and soda, chips, etc.) and a continental breakfast in the morning (I remember homemade coffee cake and really good coffee). Port-a-potty's are also provided with separate ones for gals and guys, which works out quite nicely. After dinner and music people just hang out, some go for a beer run, and sit around an old outdoor fireplace and toast marshmallows. There are lots of sheep on the farm and some cows. Below is an excerpt from Brian on 2004's Camp Night in Blue Grass:

Over 185 attendees made this year’s Camp Night in Blue Grass an unqualified success. The weekend’s events netted over $2,000.00 for the Blue Grass Book Bank. Everyone was very generous, but a single Duck rider came in with the largest contribution, with the Beamers and Trumpets a close second. The "80-something" age group was well represented by a friendly couple with a sidecar rig, and the long distance award goes to a family from the Czech Republic!

The entertainment was MC'ed by Highland Counties own Shawn Harvey (The Cellar Feller). The barn provided comfortable hay bale seating for the Uphill Ride Blue Grass Band. The wonderful acoustics of the old barn further complemented these talented musicians. Paul Geremia then took the stage and gave a soulful concert highlighted by some remarkable slide guitar work near the end of the evening. We were very proud to bring the talent of a nationally know artist to this intimate setting.

Cool mountain air topped off an evening under the stars. Many tucked themselves deep in their bags, while others crowded around the campfire until late in the night. The next morning came early as demanded by the crowing rooster. Coffee, crumb cake, and crystal clear skies beckoned the riders to an early departure for the open road. By noon a peaceful meadow was turned back over to Fiddle the donkey, and his many ovine companions.

For More Information Go To: www.bluegrassbookbank.org.

Donna Leigh Bliss Chapter Director

Cruising with Donna

I don’t know about you, but the weather this winter has gotten really old. While there have been a few relatively nice days to ride, our monthly rides in January and February were cancelled due to the extreme cold. Now that March is here, I tell myself that it is only a matter of time before the riding season is with us again. I can’t wait.

While we are waiting for the warmer weather to return, there are still opportunities to stay involved in chapter activities. We still have our monthly meetings. This month we are having a movie night at Gaby’s home. In addition, lots of great ideas for future events are being discussed.

To change the subject, please make sure that you sent your $15 donation toward operating expenses to Elaine by the end of March. Otherwise, you will not be able to receive The Capitol Cruiser each month nor will you be eligible to vote on chapter matters.

Also, think about taking advantage of our new Learn to Lead program. If you ever wanted to be able to lead a chapter ride, but didn’t know how to start, you don’t want to miss this opportunity.

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