Congratulations to Brunswick Harley-Davidson on its 40th anniversary! The dealership held its anniversary celebration on July 14, with festivities including food and music. A 50/50 was held with half the proceeds going to Mohawk Hudson River Humane Society, a favorite charity of the Brunswick crew. The Troy, New York, Harley dealer has been family owned and operated since Jean Ginsberg opened the doors in 1972, and all four of her children, Stuart, Adam, Cheryl and Andrea, now work in the dealership… Cycle City in Sloatsburg, New York, is celebrating its first anniversary on September 15. They promise free food, live music, giveaways, a 50/50 and a raffle to win tickets to see KISS and Motley Crüe at the PNC Center in New Jersey. Go to www.cyclecityofny.com for more information… The Bone to be Wild run on July 15 brought in somewhere between $4,000 and $5,000 for the Humane Society of Washington County, Maryland. The 40-mile ride began at the Humane Society’s headquarters in Hagerstown and ended at Washington County Regional Park. It began in 2004 as a memorial ride for HSWC board member Peggy Bushey’s husband Dave Alderson, and has grown to become a major fundraiser for the organization… In other animal news, the second annual Chefs Go Fresh farm tour took place, stopping at several farms and restaurants in the Washington, D.C./Maryland area. Led by popular local chef Robert Wiedmaier, the motorcycle tour began with breakfast at one of his restaurants, Brasserie Beck, in downtown D.C. (I met the chef and dined at Brasserie Beck during last year’s Stars and Stripes and Spokes motorcycle rally in D.C. where he played a key role. Need I say it was a cultural and culinary delight?) The tour’s first stop was Shepherds Manor Creamery in New Windsor, Maryland, where artisan sheep’s milk cheese is produced. Next was a visit to Black Ankle Vineyards just down the road, and nearby England Acres beef, sheep and chicken farm. The day concluded with a pig roast hosted by Frederick, Maryland, chef Bryan Voltaggio at his Fredericksburg restaurant Family Meal. The tour was sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Agriculture to build relationships among local providers of farm-raised food products… George and Teri Hutchins of York, Maine, both children of World War II veterans, wanted to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and decided to donate their little-used ’98 Harley-Davidson to raise funds. The Curtins asked Mike Succi of RPMs Cycles in Somersworth, New Hampshire, to get the bike in good enough shape to raffle off. That’s when York Police Sergeant Brian Curtin and his son Cameron began hauling the bike around to local events, selling raffle tickets at $100 each. The winning ticket was drawn on July 8, and Joe Szeniawski, an active-duty graduate of the Air Force Academy, took home the big prize. The raffle raised nearly $12,000 and proceeds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that assists veterans who suffered service-related injuries on or after 9/11… The 3rd annual Fallen Soldier Memorial Bike Run was held July 15 to honor Army Pfc. David J. Bentz III, a 20-year-old New Jersey native killed in action five years ago in Iraq. More than 300 rode from the Glassboro VFW Post 679, stopping at a soccer complex named in Bentz’s honor, the Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Williamstown where he’s buried, and ending at Toadfish Bar & Grill in Bridgeton where a ceremony was held followed by dinner, drinks and live music. The money raised will go to the David J. Bentz III Scholarship Fund (www.djbentzscholarship.org if you’d like to donate)… On July 8, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Highway Patrol Officer Brian Lorenzo was struck and killed by a drunk driver while riding his Road King after his shift. The 48-year-old officer’s funeral was held July 13, with hundreds of officers from all over the Northeast joining his family in solidarity. The 23-year police veteran was well respected, both within the police force and in the community, having been a decorated officer, a police motorcycle instructor and involved in raising scholarship money for children of police officers and firefighters. The car driver who was driving his Audi southbound in the northbound lane when he caused the deadly accident was charged with third-degree murder and homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 has set up a fund for his wife and three children. Donations to the Brian Lorenzo Memorial Fund, Account #84157201, can be made at any Police and Fire Federal Credit Union branch… Over 100 motorcycles showed up June 23 for a ride to benefit a young West Milford, New Jersey, boy who suffers from Burkett’s leukemia. Nicholas Hahn is nearly finished with his treatments and is now in remission, but the family faces significant medical bills. Over $10,000 was raised at the run, sponsored by the West Milford Midget Football Association and the Mountain Rest Inn, a popular biker bar in the township. Donations can be made to the Nick Hahn Fund c/o Lakeland Bank, 1527 Union Valley Road, West Milford, NJ 07480… The Keystone Chapter of ABATE of Pennsylvania held its annual Christmas in July parade and cookout on July 22. About 200 riders left M&S Harley-Davidson in Chambersburg and arrived at the Detrich-Brechbill Post 612 American Legion picnic grounds in St. Thomas for food and drinks. A total of $11,300 was donated to the Royal Family Kids (www.royalfamilykids.org), an organization that provides foster children who have been abused the opportunity to attend camp and receive mentoring to help them overcome the challenges they’ve faced in their young lives. The money raised is about a third of the nonprofit’s annual budget…
