  | Volume XVII, Issue 7 July 2007 | Last update Jul 2, 2007 Advertise in Thirteen Spurs |
|
From the President
|
Stampede News
Howdy all,
We are less than 10 weeks from Atlantic Stampede 2007. Are you ready to put on a rodeo?? The Rodeo Committee is working very hard making sure that everything is in place for us to have a successful event this year. Contracts are coming in, as are sponsors, advertisers and entertainers. But there is always room for more. If you are coming from out of town, please contact our travel agent, Richard G. at 301-946-5200 ext 61652. He can assist you in getting here for a reasonable rate. Planning on staying at the host hotel? Be sure to book your room before the August 6th to make your reservations. Call (202) 737-1234 and ask for the ASGRA group rate. Memberships are up for renewal this month. If you haven't yet renewed, you can do so online, or you can print off an application and mail it back in. Members are eligible for the Weekend Pass Special of $45 (up to 2 per member). Weekend Passes are available for $50 until July 5th, when they increase to $55. Order soon to avoid the increase.
On the business side of ASGRA, I want to thank all those that gave their time to help us make a presence at all the Pride festivals in June. Your Royalty Team and others rode in the Washington, DC and New York Pride Parades. We had tables at New Jersey, DC, Baltimore and Leather Pride (Washington, DC) Festivals. People were really glad to see us back at DC Pride this year. At the last General Membership meeting, which was held June 23rd at Greenbelt Park, we passed the By-Laws and Standing Rule changes. Tom will share more info later in this newsletter, but I want to thank the By-Laws Committee for their dedication to making these documents more user-friendly and more inline with current business practices. The word went out that we were in need of an Elections Chair. Lonni La Bel answered the call, was appointed and approved by the board at the June board meeting. Thanks to Lonni stepping up. Read her article later in this edition. That's it from me. I hope to see you all at Atlantic Stampede!!
Mike S.
Elections
ASGRA Elections for 2007 will be held in October. This year we will be electing a President and Treasurer. Both of these positions are for 2 year terms. In addition, we will be electing a Trustee to fill out the remaining year of the 3-year term that Lonni La Bel was originally elected to. Currently that position has been filled by Mike Benner. Individuals interested in running for any of these positions will need to submit their names and fill out the candidate questionnaire by August 15, 2007 so that information may be provided to the membership for consideration and voting.
For more information and to receive a copy of the candidate questionnaire, please contact ASGRA Elections Chair, Lonni La Bel at
Entertainers
Do you have a talent you want to display, come out and show us at Atlantic Stampede. Entertainment applications are being accepted now thru July 27th. You must have submitted an appilcation to be able to entertain. So do so now, and strut your stuff at Stampede. You must submitt an application to entertain, no matter who you are, or what title you hold, either in D.C. or the Rodeo circuit.
Thank you,
Atlantic Stampede 2007 Bronze Nugget Sponsor
Report from the By-Laws CommitteeFirst, I would like to thank all of you who took the time to recommend changes, and reviewed these recommended changes to ASGRA's By-Laws and Standing Rules. ASGRA sends a special thanks to all those who voted.Secondly, I would like to thank the By-Laws Committee (Jymmye J., Jon H., Cheryl S., and Eric G.) They worked hard to review and support the recommended changes needed to bring our Association's documents up-to-date. Thirdly, I would like to thank ASGRA's Webmaster, Cowboy Frank, for coding the recommended changes to our By-Laws and Standing Rules so that they could be viewed on the website and for setting up the voting procedures. The system worked well. We had a quorum and while there was some controversy on a few issues, all of the recommended changes passed. A summary of the ballots cast per issue follow.
To see the current new By-Laws see our membership page. Thanks for all of your help and effort. By-Laws Committee Chair 2007, Tom ASGRA Awards
Howdy Folks,
The coveted Golden Lariat award is given by ASGRA to individuals who have contributed an unimaginable amount of their time and efforts to the betterment of our association. Their volunteering accomplishments are exceptional and have provided ASGRA focus and achievement which would not have been attained without these exceptional volunteers. To nominate someone, simply send an e-mail to the ASGRA secretary () with the person's name and a paragraph or two of why you believe they should be honored with the award. The first inductees were chosen in 1999 and the list has grown to include the following individuals.
The Outstanding Rodeo Volunteer Award includes a rodeo buckle similar to the one pictured here. This award is given for outstanding service in preparation for or during the rodeo. This award will be presented at our Rodeo volunteer awards party to be held sometime between October and next February, date to be announced.
To make a nomination just send an e-mail to the ASGRA secretary () including the person's name and a paragraph why you think they deserve this award. The ASGRA board of directors will chose the winner at a board meeting after the conclusion of our rodeo.
Frank Harrell |
Atlantic Stampede Silver Saddle Sponsor 
Beginning in July, the 1st Saturday of every month is Rodeo Saturday at DC's premier Country/Western bar...Remington's. Bring your association membership card to Remington's and your admission fee ($5) is waived. Rodeo Saturday is open to ALL rodeo associations...IGRA, PRCA, etc. If youre in ASGRA-country the 1st weekend of the month, come out and join us as we party at Remington's. (If there are special events going on at the bar, Rodeo Saturday is not in effect.) |
|
Talkin' Bronc Ballet BluesWritten by Dave StameyAlbum: If I Had A Horse
For a limited time, Cowboy Frank is providing a stream to listen to this great song as sung by its author.  Listen while you read. (should play on any player)
Talkin' Bronc Ballet Blues
At a hack stable or brandin' pen
If your pony breaks in two Only problem is, you can't find two in a thousand of em' that'l tell you the same thing
There're those who'll tell ya it's in your seat
Others say the thing to do Oh yeah, don't forget to stay loose
Others say to rake some fur
Some call it shameful to grab the horn Hard to catch your breath when that happens
Thing is the guys that tell you this stuff If you see your stirrups slap together above the saddle horn you're probably bucked off
For more great cowboy music and poetery visit Cowboy Frank's Cowboy Music page
ASGRA History In ReviewFrom the October, 1995 newsletter
Heart Rock Ranch, "The Positive " I asked Doug what I should use for this article. He said I'm concentrating too much on the bad luck, tough break, negative things I've encountered. "Write about something positive," he said.
Actually, the mishap with Dude has turned pretty positive. Cowboy has now been to four rodeos and I'm pretty excited about how he has progressed. He has had especially good runs on poles although we havn't been real consistent. It would be a tough choice to pick between him and Dude for poles. I actually like Cowboy better for roping. He always gives me a good shot and since he's short, I'm that much closer to the ropee. We've qualified for finals twice in team roping, once with Doug and once with Jason. I never qualified on Dude, but then with JoJo as partner, woops, I'm supposed to keep it positive. And Cowboy works real well for chasing cattle. So if and when Dude is ready for riding, I will have two good horses. The outstanding positives about this new lifestyle are the lack of traffic, the complete privacy even when I'm out of the house or out of the yard, not having to wear a suit and tie, not having a boss, and all the space, my space. The evenings are beginning to cool down and one of the things missing in DC, is the star-filled night skies. I'm starting not to notice them as much and I have to remember to pause and enjoy. It's like when I first went to DC I marveled at the Washington Monument, the Capitol, the monuments. But later they weren't even noticed. Another huge positive out here is the sense of accomplishment achieved by me and me alone. In my old job, there were many people involved and if I got hit by a truck, my duties would have been performed by someone else. Furthermore, the output was not near as visual and touchable as it is here.
Finally, on a positive note, I think I have enough money left to buy groceries for one more month! Next month the conclusion of Rocky's submissions from 1995. A poem.
ASGRA Business Members
Coosie's CornerFrom ASGRA member TomOven Fried Potatoes Ingredients
2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Put the potatoes on a baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle the parsley. Toss the potatoes to coat. Roast in the oven, until golden and crispy on the outside, tender and cooked through on the inside, about 30 minutes.
The August newsletter deadline is July 30. Send your articles to
|
|
|
PO Box 22042
Alexandria, VA 22304-9204 (202) 547-9590 |
And we can always use more volunteers. Please consider giving a few hours of your time to help us put on YOUR rodeo.
We are currently accepting nominations for our Golden Lariat and Outstanding Volunteer awards. The deadline for submissions is July 31.
If you follow his advice right down to the letter
Don't worry pard, I bet they can sew that ear back on
Hmmm... well, gee, I thought it was pretty positive that I didn't write an article about the worst day I had so far. I keep a notebook and write down major things for each day. That day was May 24 and my notes say: "Treated calves #5102, #5103, and 5104 (twice); took 5102 to vet; cow #52 couldn't get up; Dakota surgery; stuck in ditch; yearling on road; blown radiator hose; Mickey accident in creek." I'll never forget that day. But I'm not going to write about it.
Some examples: This week I put up a new fence on 80 acres that was only partially fenced. So I have three-fourths of a mile of new fence with new gates that looks real good. The anticipation of turning the cattle in on fresh grass is genuine. Over the last couple of weeks I planted 100 acres of former crop land to grass. The rains have been ideal and the grass is coming up very nicely. Every day I look out across the fields and watch the brown turn to green. As I made hay this summer it was just plain fun to watch the grass being cut and put into a windrow and then bundled up into a bale. And it's really exciting to watch the baby calves grow up. Sometimes I hardly recognize them, they grow so fast.
