Volume II -- Issue 9

The Quick Lineup...

• Labor Day - Remembering what it took
• Letter from the President/Gettysburg Trail Ride
• IGRA Convention Update
• The Cowboy Ball in October
• Allentown Pride Review
• Pool Party Pics
• Review of Rob Zombie's Halloween
• Trail Rides
• Upcoming Events
• September Birthdays
• Discounts for Members

From The Editor

Being a United Auto Worker, September is a time of reflection for me. While most people are thinking about a last minute trip to the beach or year end picnics I am thinking about what it took for America's workforce to become what it is today.

I think about the people who fought 16 plus hour days. The people who worked for pennies a day and the children who lost not only fingers and toes but lives and childhoods because of greedy employers.

I think about those people who go through their daily lives not even realizing that they have benefits and paid holidays and safe work environments and even overtime because of the efforts of Labor Unions. Yes, many work places started providing these things to their employees to keep Labor Unions out of their business.

So, while you are running amok and having a great year end bash, remember for just a moment the reason why this holiday exists. Remember Walter Reuther and Dr. Martin Luther King who both endangered their lives many times over to bring Labor Unions and America a better working environment.

~Jade

Volunteers For Atlantic Stampede 2007 Needed

ASGRA needs volunteers for all areas of Atlantic Stampede 2007.

The Rodeo Dates are September 7 – 9, 2007 If you would like to volunteer to help please click on the "Sign Me Up!" Link below and fill out the form.

Sign Me Up

It will go directly to Beth Brockelman Volunteer Coordinator for ASGRA. Any questions please feel free to contact

Beth at Volunteers06@asgra.org or Ladyofsongs@aol.com

Thank you so much to all volunteers in the past and for the future.

Letter From The President

Howdy gang,
I am counting down the days until the DC Rodeo. This is their 16th consecutive year. Quite the accomplishment!! They have revived the Dolly Madison Race, a 3 person fun event that anyone can sign up for. If you are there I would love to see a Team Liberty or two. More information can be found at www.asgra.org. I would love to see a LGRA picture taken at the rodeo grounds or the hotel. Also don't forget if you are attending we will be marching into Grand Entry on Saturday and all members are encouraged to come in with us. Yes.. that means you (grins).

Trail Ride Into History.... Don't forget if you want to participate in September 29ths trailride in Gettysburg you MUST let me know now. We have 10 spaces left. This is a 2 hour horseback ride thru the battlefields of Gettysburg complete with a historian. You can not bring your own horse to this ride as per their policy.

Our playday was quite the success and our cowboys are gearing up to try out their new skills next weekend. I just got an update that the Mikes competed in chute doggin last weekend at the Windy City Rodeo in Chicago and both of them were able to get their steer down. One of the Mikes even took 3rd place. Way To Go Guys!! I would also like to personally thank them for teaching goat dressing and steer deco. We had an absolute blast and I can not wait for our spring playday.

I look forward to seeing the results posted from the Atlantic Stampede. In the meantime I hope everyone had a safe and happy summer.

Jen Vrana
President LGRA

Rodeo Play Day - Mike S.

On Saturday August 18, 2007, members of Liberty Gay Rodeo Association as well as members of Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association, staged a “play day” at Liberty’s inaugural site for their rodeo in May 2008.

There were about 15 - 20 people who showed up for the play day. Of those 15- 20, only 8 - 10 actually participated. We started with some basics about rules, some basic methods and then went on to actually running the events.

My first time “play” competing was AWESOME. There is a natural high when you dress your first goat (and milk it prior lol), throwing and decorating your first steer.

I am looking forward to competing in my first “gay rodeo” in Washington, DC, September 8th & 9th , 2007, and hoping that I can apply everything that was taught that day to be a successful competitor. Should I win any type of award it is with thanks and appreciation to the following:

Jen Vrana, President of LGRA, for her help and support. Jen and Brent of Bit By Bit Stables for opening up their arena and livestock. The “Mike’s” for their invaluable insight and instruction. My final thank you goes to Jackie, the owner of the goats. It brought back childhood memories when I had to milk cows on the farm in Missouri.

Mark S.

IGRA Convention - Ernie Bowers

Hey folks, I hope everybody is enjoying the last brief days of summer. Did this season go by quickly! As I said last month, Liberty Stampede is a-rarin’ to go, so get ready for the best party in the East come May!

As a national organization, IGRA not only brings together GLBT western enthusiasts from all over the continent, but also depends on them to help make the standards and agenda that each association abides by. The biggest sign of that is the yearly convention, this year in Barbecue City USA, Kansas City, from November 8-10. I attended our first convention last year in Nashville, and had an absolute blast. Even though there’s work involved (mostly getting together and voting on issues), there was still lots of time to get out and have fun (especially the Bar Run). There’s also the IGRA dance finals, where people can compete for a buckle and fame! Up to 11 members can represent us, so if you’d like to come, let me know at trustee@libertygra.org and I can help you along. There’s also info at http://www.mgra.us/newsletter/index.htm and http://www.igra.com/convention.htm as well. We’d love to see you there! Also ASGRA’s rodeo is a short jump from our area, so if you want to have a great time, make sure you get to the Atlantic Stampede September 7-8-9 in Gaithersburg Maryland. You can get more info at http://www.asgra.org/stampede2007/index.htm, and let us know if you’re coming!

Cowboy up!

Ernie Bowers
trustee@libertygra.org
Trustee

LGRA will have a sponsorship booklet for the dance. If you or a friend have a business that would like to be included in the booklet, please contact Tom Dykes for more information. Discounted sponsorships for Liberty Stampede are also being offered.

There will be a Chinese Auction at the dance. If anyone would like to make a donation for the auction or knows of someone or business that may like to donate to the auction (remember its a great way to advertise), please ask them to contact Tom Dykes.

Hope to see everyone at the Ball!!
Tom Dykes
socent@LibertyGRA.org

Allentown Pride - Chris Maurizio

Howdy Everyone. On August 19th the LGRA made its presence at the Lehigh Valley Pride in Allentown Pa. The weather was holding up for most of the day but we did encounter some rain toward the end. It didn’t stop people from walking around and stopping by to talk to us though. We met a varied group of people who were interested not only in attending our rodeo next May but possibly even being of some help, something that we are going to need a lot of (hint hint – that’s me wearing my Volunteer Coordinator hat speaking). We were fortunate to be sitting right next to the HCRA (Human Rights Campaign), which gave us front row seats of the “Repent America” demonstration. Who are they? You know, they are those “converts” who attend all our pride functions with religious signs saying they can save us. What they are trying to save us from I have no clue. All in all it turned out to be a nice relaxing day where we got to meet people and get the word out about our rodeo and the gay country community in the Philadelphia area. Ok, now I’m going to put that Volunteer Coordinator hat back on… Our rodeo is only 8 months away. We are going to need a variety of people to volunteer their time for all different types of assignments, including setup, breakdown, security, ticket sales, etc. etc. As you know this is all new to me and I have a lot to learn. I’ve volunteered this year at ASGRA to tail their Volunteer Coordinator (Beth Brockelman). What this means is that I’ll be following her around throughout the weekend watching her, asking questions, and being assigned volunteer work when they have the need. I’ll report more to you next month about how that went and what I’ve learned. Until then, think about volunteering and enjoy the remainder of warm weather.

Jeff's Member Appreciation Pool Party

Rob Zombie's Halloween - Jade

Well...having just watched the movie only moments ago I have to say WOW. I was never a big fan of John Carpenters Halloween. I know that for many, Michael Myers was an iconic boogie man of their teen years, but it just never took with me. Then again, Friday The 13th was about the same for me. I could never see the point of screaming girls running in the wrong direction and always knowing what was going to happen next. Even watching Friday the 13th part II at the campground where it was filmed in CT didn't do anything for me.

Rob Zombie (IMHO) brought a kind of life to a horror movie that I have always wanted to see. A serious horror movie with a good cast and screaming girls only when it was necessary. I felt something for Zombie's Michael Meyers.

The story brings us from Michaels childhood through the next 15 years until he escapes from Spring Grove and returns to his home town. Its not a prequel, its not a sequel. At long last its the whole story.

There is ample showing of female anatomy and grotesque violence. If your squeamish at all about the sounds of bone crunching blows and lots of blood, I'd skip this one. For those who can take the violence of Michaels early years, its a great story.

Trail Ride - Jeff Bolognese

The next trail ride will be Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 11:00AM. (Reservations are now closed for the August Trail Ride) We will be riding once again at Sheeder Mill Farm, 12 Sheeder Mill Rd, Spring City, PA 19475. For more information about their farm, visit their web site at http://www.smfhorses.com/.

To RSVP now, you can send an email to Jeff Bolognese.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Sept. 7 - 9, 2007 ASGRA's Atlantic Stampede Rodeo

The Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association presents Stampede 2007 in Washington DC and Gaithersburg, MD.

Trail Ride Into History - LGRA Members Only September 29th, 2007

Imagine being able to literally Ride into History. Join LGRA as we do just that. We have 19 spaces reserved for a special trail ride through the Battlefields of Gettysburg through the Artillery Ridge Camping Resort and Riding Stable.

September Birthdays
LGRA wants to wish the following a special birthday wish:

Kate F
Rick H
Mike Kulp
Lord Brick
Chris Maurizio
David Lipscomb
George Hassall
Kevin McElroy
Paul Foltz
Stephen E
Jim Santoro
Ronald Burns
Robert Schell
Daniel L
John Loesch
Tobin Ost
Rocco Tatasciore
Michael Lentz
Thomas Z

Join the LGRA Yahoo Group

It has come to my attention that this "yahoo box" may not be functioning properly. If anyone else has a problem please let me know. In the meantime if you are having problems please just cut and paste the following to join the group.

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/LibertyGRA/