Big news on the Delmarva Peninsula! After 37 years of owning and operating the Harley-Davidson of Seaford dealership, Spuck Bennett has retired. The Delaware store closed at the end of business on June 11, and re-opened as Rommel Harley-Davidson of Delmarva on June 19. The Rommel family business also includes Harley dealerships in Annapolis, Maryland, Durham, North Carolina, New Castle, Delaware, and Smyrna, Delaware. As of this writing, Rommel H-D of Delmarva is still slated to serve as one of the four main venues for Delmarva Bike Week, just as it did last year, along with Maryland rally locations at Seacrets in Ocean City, Winterplace Park in Salisbury and directly across Route 50, the Arthur W. Perdue Stadium… On June 22, Harley-Davidson of Jamestown, New York, held their first-ever Baconfest Cook-Off Competition. Stephanie Horner took first place with her bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers and Pamela Warner won second with her fried bacon nuggets and dipping sauces. Other dishes included gnocchi with bacon Alfredo sauce, bacon cheeseburger soup, chocolate-covered bacon, a sautéed bacon, chicken and peppers tortilla, broiled bacon Amish cheddar burgers on beer bread and beer bacon cupcakes (huh?). There was plenty of entertainment, too, with live music and mud wrestling. Plus, the American Red Cross held a blood drive. Proceeds from ticket sales went to the Food Bank of Western New York, Second Harvest, Second Harvest of Northwest Pennsylvania and Chautauqua County 4-H. In addition, nonperishable food was collected and distributed to the St. Susan Center and Sugar Grove Free Methodist Church food pantry. The event was a huge success and I hear they’re already planning for next year… Victory4Veterans presented the proceeds of the 2nd annual Holyoke Soldiers Home Motorcycle Run on June 1. More than 1,000 motorcyclists participated in the annual June 1 run that raised $23,500, which will be donated to the home. Victory4Veterans’ sole purpose is to support the recreational activities at the home. Go to victory4veterans.com to find out more info about the organization and next year’s run to be held May 31… Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Police Officers Charley Raizes and Seth Tondreault stood on top of scaffolding outside Seacoast H-D for three hours on July 21 for the Cop on Top fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics New Hampshire. Seacoast Harley kicked off the fundraiser by donating $750, and total donations reached $2,334. McKinnon’s Market, a previous Cop on Top host, provided barbecue to feed the crowd. The fundraiser was one of the events leading up to the Dream Ride that takes place August 23–25. The Dream Ride, created by wholesale distributor Bozzuto’s Inc., also benefits the Special Olympics and has raised over $1.7 million since it began 12 years ago… Lots of happenings in New Jersey recently: The first-ever Poker Run for Wounded Veterans took place on June 15, starting at Penns Grove VFW Post 8840. About 150 riders and 230 other supporters participated in the run to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. After stops at five VFW posts in Salem and Gloucester Counties, the run concluded back at Penns Grove with a pig roast, live music, games and other entertainment… More than 250 riders showed up at the Public Safety Academy in Wayne, New Jersey, to raise funds for 12-year-old Jaydon Singer of Passaic. Jaydon contracted meningitis and is suffering serious side effects. The run and an associated raffle brought in over $15,000, which will be used for medical and other costs as Jaydon has already had several brain surgeries and still experiences seizures. The run was a collaboration between American Legion Post #174, where the after-party was held, and PBA Locals #286 and #197… On June 22, the 13th annual Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation charity ride took place, starting at the Izod Center parking lot in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 55-mile ride ended with a party at Ross Dock Picnic Park in Fort Lee. Over 800 riders participated and more than $500,000 dollars was raised via ticket sales and a raffle for a 2013 Road King. Proceeds will support various hospital programs and projects including an expansion of the hospital’s emergency and trauma center… The Knights of the Inferno Firefighters MC Philly Chapter, in conjunction with Barb’s H-D in Mt. Ephraim, New Jersey, held their 3rd annual Beef and Beer Fundraiser on June 9 at the Kick Start Saloon in downtown Philly. Proceeds from event ticket sales were donated to help firefighters, members of the military, first responders and their families. Along with the food and music, attendees received a free education on fire prevention, fire drills and other home safety topics… Kosco H-D in Kinnelon, New Jersey, has been purchased by the owners of Williams H-D in Lebanon, New Jersey. The former Kosco dealership is now known as Garden State H-D, and their first event, Live to Ride—Garden State Pride, was held July 27. The family-oriented event included free food, face painting and balloon art for the kids, live music, Jersey Fresh produce from local farmers, pinstriping from Kerry Buckley of K&M Signs, and a chance to meet the new staff. Stop by the store at 1149 Route 23 South to welcome them to the neighborhood!
