I want to thank everyone who came to support the Fourth Annual Lyme Disease Motorcycle Poker Run. The run is designed to bring awareness to Lyme Disease and raise money for Lyme research and education.  We had a great day with a total of 337 riders and without you, the riders, we wouldn’t have had such a successful ride.  So again, thank you!

This year’s sponsors were: Gano’s Power Equipment, John Gagnon’s Pet Resort, Industrial Air Flow Dynamics, The Law Offices of John Haymond, Medtronic, and Toyota of Colchester.  The Colchester Vet, Boyden Real Estate Company, Bauman’s Lawn Care, T.M. Burrow’s Agency and Troiano Auto were poker run stop sponsors.  Thank you to Family Pizza Restaurant, Tar River BBQ, and Noel’s Market for the food donations and to the band 1800 who put on a great show as always.

This year’s ride poker run stops were: The Pour House in Montville; The Lyme Tavern in Lyme; The Corner Family Restaurant in East Haddam; Ernie’s Café in East Hampton; and The Colchester Fish and Game Club where the ride was hosted.  Thanks to Larry Charbonnier, Ryan Spalla, Lori and Rich Eifler, Andrew Gargano, Cody Eifler, Joe and Melanie Brule, and Frank and Norma Gargano for being the staff that manned the ride stops.

Hats off to Darnell Begun of Rolling Bones Catering for out cooking yourself.  The feedback about the food says it all “Fantastic”. 

To each business that donated a raffle prize, I really appreciate it.  I know it is tough always being asked to donate, but you came through.  Raffle and 50/50 ticket sales were excellent thanks to the prizes and hard work of Lori Standish, Lynn Mancini, Maria Mcnichols and Molly Mcnichols.

Thanks to Sandy Brule, Terry Chasse, Ria (Ann Marie Carcia Gagliardi), Lori Eifler and Marlene Spalla for your help with shirt sales and registration.

I also need to recognize and thank the committee who put this ride together, including the ride route, shirt design, logo design, flyers, distribution, and publicity.  Everyone had a great time and  enjoyed the ride, so again thank you to Sandy Brule, Steve Wovkanech, Vic Chasse, Terry Chasse, Lynn Anderson and Ann Marie Carcia Gagliardi for making this ride happen.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for next year’s ride, the second Sunday in August, August 14, 2011.
 

Thank you all!
Tony Gargano
President
CT Lyme Riders, Inc.