Volume III -- Issue 5

Happy August to all of you. As you can see in the following articles, we have been busy and trying to enjoy the summer. One thing that we are now looking forward to is ASGRA's 2009 Atlantic Stampede to be held the weekend of September 5-7 at the Gaithersburg Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg MD. We hope that there will be alot of LGRA members that will have the time to attend their rodeo if not both days of that weekend, at least one to help show our support and have a great time.

In this newsletter you will find information on the following:

A message from the President, Jeff
Notes from the Secretary, Chris
Up-coming elections, Michael, Elections Chair
Membership Chair invitation, Cliff
Social and Entertainment, Tom
A note on Fundraising
Pride Events, Stephen, Newsletter Chair
September Trailride
August Birthdays

From the desk of the President, Jeff

My message this month is going to be short and I apologize for that. I have been busy putting the proposal together for the Liberty Stampede 2009 so that it could be submitted and sanctioned by IGRA at the upcoming rodeo. I will be passing along any information concerning the Stampede 09 when it comes in.

Also, I would hope that I will be seeing quite a few of our members at the Atlantic Stampede in DC on the weekend of September 5-7 to show our support to the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association.

Jeff Bolognese
President
LGRA

From the Volunteer Coordinator, Chris

Howdy everybody!!! Summer is starting to wind down and soon we’ll be seeing the beautiful colors of fall. Of course this means one very exciting thing – the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Associations (ASGRA) production of “Atlantic Stampede 2008” rodeo will be upon us!! That’s the D.C. Rodeo for those of you who don’t know the official name - I didn’t until I joined the LGRA and I’ve been going since 1996! The “Atlantic Stampede 2008” rodeo is the weekend of September 5 – 7. They are also looking for some volunteers – I’ve already signed up! Whether you would like to volunteer or you are just planning on going and having a great time, visit their website at http://www.asgra.org/stampede2008/index.htm for all the information you need!

Some more exciting news is that the LGRA has found a perfect match for the open board position of Membership Chairman. Cliff Roberts is an LGRA member who seen the posting on the LGRA Yahoo Group and responded. His qualifications, motivation, and ideas won the board over and he was voted in unanimously. You’ve seen him as one of the DJs at “Lassos and Lariats” and recently at our own “Liberty Stampede 2008” rodeo! Please join me in welcoming Cliff Roberts to the LGRA Board of Directors! WELCOME CLIFF!!

Chris Maurizio
Secretary, LGRA

Upcoming Elections, Michael Flynn, Election Committee Chairperson

UPCOMING LGRA ELECTIONS
Per the bylaws of the Liberty Gay Rodeo Association, we will be having our yearly Officer Elections on Saturday, October 25th. Time and place will be announced in next month's newsletter. Anyone who has been a member of LGRA for at least six months, as of October 25, 2008, is eligible to run for an officer's position. The deadline for candidates inclusion will be September 25th, 2008.
This year's two-year terms up for election are the LGRA's President and Secretary. These positions start January 1, 2009. Because of recent position-changing on our Board, the Vice President and Treasurer offices will also be up for election. Since these two positions are in the middle of their terms, the persons elected will take affect immediateley and run through December 31, 2009.

This is an exciting time in our new rodeo association, coming off our first successful rodeo and already planning for 2009's. Anyone interested in any of these positions is asked to check out the officer descriptions, which can be found in our bylaws. These bylaws can be downloaded from our website. If you're interested in more information, or if you've decided to "toss your cowboy/girl hat into the ring," please send me an e-mail at mflynn@libertygra.org. You can also call me directly at 215-413-5821.
- Michael Flynn, Chair, Election Committee

Membership Chair, Cliff introduces himself...

Greetings to all my fellow Country Fans.
Allow me to introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me yet, my name is Cliff Roberts but I go by the handle of DJCowboyCliff. I have been a country DJ for 15+ years now in the New Jersey New York Pennsylvania areas.
I am proud to announce that I have arranged with The Den in Somerset New Jersey to have a once a month ALL NIGHT Country Dance Party. Starting Saturday August 23, 2008 at 9pm and go til 2am. We will have the entire dance club for Country dancing ALL NIGHT. Starting in September it will be held on the second Saturday of each month beginning September 13, 2008.
The night will include dance lessons at 930pm with different guest instructors from the area. I also will be encouraging customers to request their favorite two-step, waltz or even a line dance. My music selection ranges from early Honky Tonk to New Country and everything in-between. This allows everyone from the newcomer to the old-timers to enjoy a night out of socializing and dancing.
There will be a cover charge of $10 and includes a free drink with paid admission.
LGRA –Liberty Gay Rodeo Association members get free admission.
For more information please email me at djcowboycliff@gmail.com.
To be added to the Evite list just reply to this email and type ADD ME. I look forward to seeing everyone at these events.
The Den is located at 700 Hamilton St, Somerset NJ 08873
Dennightclub.com is their website

Social and Entertainment News - Tom D.

Hello everyone,

I hope that everyone had a GREAT summer and that you'all are ready for the Fall. We are getting our calendar of events together for the coming months. If you have anything that you think our members and friends would enjoy, please let me know. You can reach me at TDykes@libertygra.org I look forward to catching up with everyone and finding out all the fun things you did this summer. Just a reminder to everyone. Don't forget our Sister organization, Lassos and Lariats, they have a huge event coming up in October. Let's support our Country Western Community.

Fundraising

The Association has now formed a Fundraising Committee to put together some great ideas to raise some funds for our next rodeo. They are in the process of getting some bar nights together along with some other exciting activities. We are putting the word out to any member who might have an idea that none of us thought about, to please share that with us. If you would like to be a part of this committee or have any ideas for the association, contact Steve O. by emailing him at soliver@libertygra.org. We hope to have some fun and raise a lot of money to help make next year's rodeo great.

Pride Events note from Stephen, Newsletter Chair

I just want to take a moment to thank all of the members who either helped with the Pride Events this summer or to those who stopped by our tent when we were at Philly, Harrisburg, Reading and Allentown. We had numerous individuals come up to us saying "We have never heard of a gay rodeo" and were intrigued and fascinated to learn more. They looked at the pictures that we had displayed that were taken at last year's Atlantic Stampede and of our inaugural Liberty Stampede and excited to see when the next one would be in the area and looking forward to Liberty Stamede 2009. This shows that getting the word out to individuals is an important aspect of promoting our association.
Thanks to all of you.

September Trailride

We are sorry to announce that due to the Atlantic Stampede coming up the first weekend in September, the Trailride will be postponed until next month. However, this does not mean that you can't come out and have fun with all the other "country folk" at the Atlantic Stampede. Last year was a blast and I am sure that this year will be the same. If you don't have plans for that weekend as of yet, please go to their website and check out what they are offering for the weekend...I am sure it promises to be fun-filled...even if you don't compete, there is always room for spectators to share their enthusiasm, rodeo spirit and support for the Atlantic States Gay Rodeo Association.

Remember that is the Atlantic Stampede running from Friday, September 5 through Sunday Septmember 7. Hope to see alot of Liberty people there supporting them.

August Birthdays - - - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE AND ALL!!!!

Our August birthday boys and girls are:

Hondaine Szymanski
Bill Horton
Jennifer Vrana
Tom Dykes
Jennifer Vindal
Lorie F.

And a very "special" birthday greeting to our Trustee, Ernie Bowers who is making this year an even number...

I will be back next month to give you updates on the various things that we have listed here as far as the elections, fundraising and a report on the Atlantic Stampede. I hope you all are enjoying your summer and hope to see you at the Atlantic Stampede to hoot and holler support and encouragement for all the competitors who will be putting there all into winning a ribbon, a buckle and just plain HAVING FUN!!!!