Mountaineer BMW
Riders, Inc.
The Cass 02 Memorial Day Rally
Well, it wasn’t dusty; in fact there was a brief shower on Sunday. But, overall, the weather at the Cass 02 Rally was terrific. The moderate temperatures and sunny days inspired most of the 217 registered guests to take to the roads and partake of the joys of the Potomac Highlands. Each morning the gathering area (around the coffee pots) was abuzz with riders who were cleaning their visors and making plans to explore the area. One question most often ask was “What time is dinner?” followed by the comment Why so early? I want to ride longer/later. We hear you and we will address this issue for Cass 03.
By midmorning on Saturday and Sunday the campground resembled a ghost town - a city of tents but few riders or motorcycles. The Mountaineers had little time to contemplate the loneliness, as we were all quite busy preparing for the evening activities.
On Friday evening Bonnie and Betty registered new arrivals, provided them with a rally packet, the traditional mug and a rain poncho (to keep Thor and his friends at bay) and delivered a brief orientation lecture to each registrant. Frank and Susie (the campground proprietors) served the rally goers homemade vegetable soup and hotdogs. As more family members arrived, they reveled in the promise of a beautiful weekend and spent Friday evening greeting friends and making plans. After dark, the campfire circle was the focal point of the rally. The Schwartz sisters were assigned the job of removing John Baxter from the fire, should he require that service.
By sunrise on Saturday, the dawn fog had dissipated and the sunshine and warm temperature held the promise of a beautiful day. That promise was fulfilled. Bonnie and Betty continued to register latecomers while Pete and Pat had the Observation Ride organized to provide everyone an opportunity to win the $50 first place or $25 second place prizes. A number of riders demonstrated their powers of observation while riding the circuitous OR route. On returning, each rider completed a 20-question test to determine who was most observant. Although the test did not produce clear-cut winners, it narrowed the field to six motorcycles. Pete and Pat administered a test of 5 tiebreaker questions, which had been prepared in advance for such an occasion. However, after all tests were completed, there remained a four-way tie. The only option at this point was to abandon the idea of selecting the winners by testing their skill and go with the luck of the draw. At the awards ceremony, Pete and Pat produced a deck of cards to break the tie and determined that Steve Pedersen has passed two tests and survived the hand of fate to win the $50 first place prize and OR shirt. Elwood and Meg were observant enough and lucky enough to claim the $25 second place award and shirts. Charlie Smith is determined that the Observation Ride test for Cass 03 will be adjusted to reduce the probability of a multi-way tie. Standby!
The majority of folks elected to spend Saturday on two wheels and enjoy the bounty of the Potomac Highlands. For the evening meal Frank, Susie and their staff served a ham and roast beef dinner with all the trimmings and dessert. After dinner everyone gathered at the awards ceremony in hopes of winning a doorprize. Ron requested a moment of silence to remember our fallen comrades and Cass Rally regulars:
Sam Hill Sonny Norton Dale Newcomb
Bob Deck Rex Ballinger Bob Cooper
Ron employed his communication skills to entertain the family while presenting the awards and door prizes. Frank and Susie received a certificate of appreciation from the Mountaineer Riders for their continued support during the Cass Rally. The Mountaineer BMW Riders Club proclaimed Kenny Mallow (Kenny) Rally Foreman and Chili Cook for future Cass gatherings and he was made a life member of the club.
The winners of the five award categories are:
Sanford Nash - Oldest Male Rider
Dixie Emler - Oldest Female Rider
David Fowley - Youngest Rider
Joe Katz - Long Distance Rider
Knobbies - Largest Club (members attending rally)
Doorprize winners were drawn and the prizes distributed. The grand finally of the ceremony was the drawing for the grand doorprize - a Belstaff riding jacket. Paul Hoshyla was a very happy camper when his name was drawn to win the jacket.
After the awards ceremony the tables were moved to the sides and those with happy feet danced to the music while DJ, Jimmy Rider, searched his extensive collection for requested songs. Kenny displayed his boundless energy and danced with the ladies and Charlie seized the opportunity to model his BMW pants. The reveling and festivities continued into the wee hours.
The music provided a nice background for the campfire where many of the family were busily recapping past adventures and resolving the significance of motorcycles as regards life in the cosmos. The synergistic effect of ethyl alcohol, when liberally applied to philosophical musing and accompanied by a campfire, is quite amazing!
On Sunday morning, the warm temperature and overcast sky called many of us to the open road. Some to return to the real world of jobs and obligations and others to ride and enjoy the local offerings. Still others elected to hang around the shelter and watch the Indy and NASCAR races on TV. Kenny cooked up a big pot of his "getting to be famous" chili and served it up along with grilled cheese sandwiches. Ron added a pan of Cowboy beans and Sharry produced a tray of crackers, cream cheese and her (excellent) homemade jalapeño jelly. Frank and Susie added two big trays of brownies to the mix. All of this fare was available during the afternoon to the rally goers as they came and went. A five minute shower passed through the area to authenticate the Cass 02 Rally and make it official. The evening campfire provided the terminus of another terrific day.
During the weekend Bonnie, Betty, Sharon and Sharry sold 50/50 tickets for the two drawings held on Friday and Saturday evenings. The Mountaineers deposit their half of the proceeds into our charity fund and at Christmas time the fund is used to purchase presents for underprivileged children. Last year we sponsored ten children and we were able to purchase and wrap all the items on their wish list. This year your generosity provided $452.50 for the charity fund. Karl and Clara Mace, Cass regulars, were not able to attend the rally this year, but sent a generous donation for the charity fund. Jamie Haney won the Friday drawing and collected $181.50. Warren Brey received $271.00 when his name was drawn on Saturday evening. The Mountaineers wish to express their gratitude and send along an especial "thank you" to everyone who buys the tickets and helps us help the kids. Also, we appreciate the local Wal-Mart store who gives us a discount and provides employees to help us find the right items when we purchase the toys and clothes.
Last year Clara Mace and Freddie Powell demonstrated their salesmanship when they teamed up to sell the 50/50 tickets. This year Freddie has suffered a broken hip with complications and she and David were not able to attend the rally. We all wish her a speedy recovery.
In summary, Cass 02 was a great rally and I want to thank all 217 of you who supported our effort in hosting the rally. Our club is a small group of "worker bees" where whining is not an option. Bonnie is our President. She takes care of registration and pays the bills. Ron is the Vice President who organizes the doorprize drawings and conducts the awards ceremony, along with keeping the coffee hot, fresh and available. Betty is the club secretary and Girl Friday. She works at registration and everywhere she can help and also does more than her share to supply the doorprizes and drinks. (We Hillbillies regret the Advanced Driving Award she received in West Virginia while traveling to the rally. She proclaims her innocence and declares that she never has such misfortune in her native state of Ohio) Charlie journeys to Boyer two weeks in advance of the rally and maps out the observation ride and generates the OR questions. David (Evad) runs the soda pop and popcorn concessions. He is a self-made popcorn artisan and works tirelessly to satisfy your popcorn craving and keep you hydrated. Sharon ties up the loose ends and helps out everywhere. She is also one fine cookie baker and maintains the morale with her wares during work parties and planning sessions. : ) Kenny is the ever-smiling and helpful Rally Foreman and Chili Cook. Pete and Pat are friends and volunteers who administer the observation ride and help wherever needed. Patrick and Sharry are always available for any task and are models of the perfect rally attitude. Patrick personally patrols all the roads within a 100 miles of the rally site each year. And me; I'm the rally chairman and SLJPO. I attempt to make everything come together at Boyer on Memorial Day weekend. With all the hard work and enthusiasm of the club members and volunteers and the support of all of you who attend, my job is made easy and enjoyable. Thanks to you all. See you at Cass 03.
Bill Sands