Rob Morris Events Moved to Saturday!

Patty and Richard have moved the Rob Morris Day events from Sunday to Saturday because of the impending hurricane.  The time and location are the same -- Abel Mountain Campground in Braintree.  Please notify anyone you know who may plan to attend.  Thanks.

GREAT TIME at the POKER RUN FUNDRAISER

Headed out to Waitsfield this morning, I drove through some low cloud cover, but by the time I reached Waitsfield, the day was gorgeous! At 8am the crowd was gathering at Mad River Lodge #77. Donations for breakfast were collected at the door, and we moved to the registration table where we were greeted by our organization committee; Jacqueline Shiner and James Chancey. We received our Score Card and first playing card. Great job you two!

The brothers of the lodge did an ‘outstanding’ job with breakfast for us all. We had an assortment of breads to start with. Note: These guys had the plates heating in the oven ahead of time! There was sausage, bacon, pancakes, waffles, juice and coffee. Yummy!!

Kenneth ‘Ken’ Gragg of the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation joined us as a rider/player. As Jackie had a prior engagement with her mom (Stowe Car Show) she did give the group a ‘send-off’ after the past grand chaplain blessed the ride.

Note: Make sure when we are ready to go, you don’t ‘have to go”!

On the road to our first check point at LaPlotte, No. 64 in Hinesburg. . . here are your 17 players;

Bike Riders: Richard Backus & Patty Rousseau, James Chancey, Melissa Chancey, Cheryl Giles & Bill, Tim Baker, Ken Gragg, Gary Sharon, Stuart Coleman & Barbara Coleman, Christopher & Natalie Billings

Car Riders (Bike Support Teams): Bunny & Richard Button, Nancy & Dan Gross

We had a nice first leg over the Gap with a quick stop at the top for our delayed starters to catch the group,

and then off to Hinesburg for the second checkpoint. Pulling into LaPlotte, we were greeted by several members for our next playing card and some refreshments. Cold water and fresh fruit seemed to be the big hit. Also available were assorted quick breads and cookies, cheese and crackers.

Rod Churchill oversaw the drawing and assisted Richard with the ‘best route’ to the next checkpoint at Chittenden Chapter #59 in Milton.

After the quick split of the group most of us headed towards Richmond. Bunny and Richard got ‘held up’ behind a tractor trailer and decided to head straight to Milton. We traveled to Richmond, over to Essex and then on to Westford to take the Milton-Westford road into Milton. At this point, Nancy and I decided to take a short cut (photo opportunity). We waited about one minute for the bikes to round the corner on the Milton - Westford Road, great timing thanks to a putt putter in front of us!

We rolled into Chittenden, where the group was greeted by Jerri Riegler and Marie Morton. Jerri was our dealer for this stop.

Bottles of cold water and off the group went. Next stop, at the Mobil in Alburgh for fuel and ‘catch up’ on our score cards.The group headed north on Route 7, through St. Albans to Swanton, and out on 78 to Alburgh. It was great to see all the boats in the water, after all the high water we had earlier this year. 

Our final stop before South Hero, we pitted at the Mobil for gas and refreshments. Thank you to Stuart for the drinks!

A nice ride down through the islands on a beautiful day, is there anything better?

We rounded the corner on the last leg to Island Chapter #73 in South Hero and I noticed a little kid in a pink shirt riding his mini motorcycle towards us waving to everyone. This was nice, I thought as we were about to turn into the parking lot. This was NO KID, it was Ron Boudreau, and he was sporting a beautiful dragon fly on his handle bars! NICE!

A great group welcomed us all as we arrived, parked our bikes and cars. We had one last card to be dealt to complete our hand. Then, if you felt you needed to ‘discard’ (one or multiple cards) to make a ‘better hand’, a complete deck of card was available for you FACE UP, and you could choose those card(s) for $5 each. The only catch, you had to throw a dart at the card (and hit it) before you could claim it!

James Chancey was your ‘dealer’ for this round! When all were done ‘discarding’ the score cards were turned in for verification and we all went off to lunch.

The Chapter had grilled burgers and hot dogs, baked beans, chips and toss salad, lemonade, water and coffee to drink. Dessert was ice cream (cones) cookies and carrot cake. Another YUM!

James announced the winners; 1^st prize and $86.25 to Tim Baker with four Kings, 2^nd prize and $17.25 to Dan Gross with a straight, 3^rd prize and $11.50 to Melissa Chancey for the worst hand.

Note: Before the prize money could be handed out, change had to be made (by Sister Jerri). We all waited until this was done, and presentations made. After which we all donated the prize money back!

Richard thanked everyone for their efforts and introduced Ken Gragg to speak on behalf of the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation.

The group raised $600.00 for the Foundation, nice work by all!

The last topic if the day was the start of discussions for a Spring Ride in the southern part of the state. . . Stay Tuned!

The next event is Grand Officers in Enosburgh with Swanton Chapter No.11 and Martha Washington Chapter No.44 on Wednesday, August 17^th. A Salad Lunch at 6:00pm followed by the Meeting at 7:30.

And when you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I Hope You Dance!

Brother Dan

DDGI #4

Poker Run is just around the corner!! August 13th

All - the first ever OES Poker Run is just around the corner - Saturday August 13th. If you haven't already - please send your RSVP to sickle.oes@gmail.com. We are trying to get a headcount for food. Please provide your name, how many are coming, how many poker hands you will be playing, how many for BBQ, and whether you will be on a bike or in a vehicle. THANKS!!!