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The Northwest STAR BQ was held in Medford, Oregon this year benefiting the Crater Lake Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Over 220 registrants and many members of the cycling public took part in the festivities, and enjoyed unseasonable (it is usually near 100) near perfect weather in the mid-eighties for the entire weekend.
The event kicked off on Thursday evening August 13th at the host hotel, The Ramada Inn, in Medford , with a wine and cheese tasting hosted by local wineries and the Medford OR Chapter 253. This was also a family friendly event with sparkling cider for the non-drinkers and the STAR Teens and Kids. It was a fun social event as many reconnected with old friends and made new ones.
Riders traveled from as far as Wisconsin and British Columbia, Canada to attend the event. Our vagabond Canadian brother had just done a 4000 mile loop route to attend the STAR BQ, thus winning the “furthest distance” award.
Registration took place Thursday and Friday. The highlight of Friday’s activities was the annual “Crater Lake Ride” which has become a multi-chapter event in past years, and will continue to be in the future. Well over a hundred riders and passengers made the ride which is about a 150 mile round trip. The ride takes you north out of Medford through picturesque Shady Cove (home of the annual Spam Festival), then on to Union Creek and its Becky’s Café-famous for local huckleberry pie, then on to the west entrance to Crater Lake National Park. At the park entrance, many had a great buffet lunch at Annie Creek Lodge/Restaurant where STAR members were given special discounts by park operators. After lunch the ride went to the Rim Drive, with a stop at the magnificent Crater Lake Lodge, perched on the very edge of the lake rim, high above the water. After a pause there, riders completed the loop drive around the rim of the lake with many scenic stops. The return ride included a stop at Phil’s Frosty in Shady Cove for a refreshing soda or ice cream. Many expressed real awe at the beauty of Crater Lake and its 1900 foot deep pool of azure water.
While the ride was going on the event activities continued at Naumes Oregon Motorsports, where their lot was turned into event headquarters both Friday and Saturday. Vendors sold food and wares, while the Star/Yamaha Demo Truck provided rides on the latest Star/Yamaha models right up to the mind blowing 200 hp VMax. Taking riders on a 10 mile loop through rolling hills and farm land the riders had a chance to see just how well the various models performed.
Saturday, activity centered at Naumes, where even more vendors had arrived and were providing meals from Taylor’s Sausage of Cave Junction, Oregon, Mexican food from one of our best local Taco Trucks, Umpqua Ice Cream straight from the creamery, and hot dogs and other treats. Ace High Leathers provided a booth with riderwear and other custom leather items, and other vendors sold fine jewelry, eye protection, and fun stuff like photo buttons and magnets.
A Show & Shine was held Saturday afternoon conducted by Redding California Chapter 302 with winners in five categories. Bike Games were conducted with such fun games as “The Road Kill Race”, “Slow Race” and others by the Cottage Grove OR Chapter 395.
Also on Saturday, a Poker run was held, another event conducted by Redding CA Chapter 302. The ride was a 70 mile run to Applegate Lake, South West of Medford, and the high hand and low hands each took home nice cash prizes.
Saturday evening, the event ended with a banquet and dance at the Ramada. A 50/50 drawing was held and a fat pot of $575 went to the winner. During the event several Chapters were recognized with IWMAOFS rockers. Karen Thomas of Cottage Grove Chapter 395 spoke on the real meaning of the STAR Family. Also Randy Peterson, president of the Cottage Grove Chapter was presented the Rising STAR award in acknowledgement of his work for STAR particularly several years of producing the Cottage Grove Bike Fest, a Spring event each year. A special recognition was presented to Rockford (Rocky) Lewis and Betty Lewis. In recognition for his many years of service and support of STAR, in Sacramento CA and the Medford Chapters, Rocky and Betty received a plaque presented by Oregon State Director Rich Powers and Regional Directors Sam Laughlin and Shauna Manina. STAR founder Alan Cease, though unable to attend, also honored Rocky and Betty with a Life Membership with STAR Touring & Riding Association, a recognition received by a limited few.
Dinner at the banquet was catered by Roscoe’s BBQ of Phoenix Oregon, who brought his huge smokers to the site, and filled all present with BBQ ribs and chicken and all the fixings. This really was lip smackin’ BBQ a real cut above the “rubber chicken circuit” meals of many hotel catered banquets.
After the presentations dance music was provided by a local band, “The Blues Dusters” they kept people on the dance floor through the rest of the evening when the event closed with the same enthusiasm that had been seen throughout.
The Medford OR Chapter wants to especially recognize several who made this a special event. Sam Laughlin and Shauna Manina provided special assistance in helping a chapter of rookies pull off a successful event through their counsel and experience. Rich Powers our State Director was a great help in event management, and particularly in helping when our no-host bar failed to appear for the banquet. Rich (who will hereafter be known as the “Beer Fairy”) spearheaded a procurement of necessary libations which kept all happy and well oiled. Also thank you to all those who gave generously to the “Tips Jar” for those drinks, as it more than covered the unexpected cost. Scott and Bonnie Strickland (Arizona State Directors) who are also former members of 253 where Scott was founding member and president offered much counsel and experience.
During this event we had a fender bender on the Crater Lake Ride, with two STAR sisters going down, and receiving minor injuries to their bodies and egos, and somewhat more damage to their bikes. Special thanks goes to Laurie Parrish of the Medford Chapter who was on the scene and spearheaded getting the matter handled expeditiously and supportively to our scuffed up members. She was a true STAR Samaritan.
Redding California Chapter 302 and Cottage Grove Chapter 395 contributed substantially to the success of the event by their handling of individual activities (show and shine, poker run and bike games), and donations obtained for event use.
Over $2,300. was presented to Crater Lake Counsel of the Boy Scouts of America and the National Jamboree Troop of the Crater Lake Counsel from proceeds of the STAR BQ. Rob Merriman, District Scouter accepted the checks on behalf of the Council and Scouts at the Chapter’s October meeting.
And finally a really big thank you to the member of Medford OR Chapter 253, particularly Mark Fowler (VP and Event Chairman). Mark stepped up after our former VP and event chair resigned in the middle of the planning process and really had to start from scratch just a couple of months before the event to make it happen. His diligence along with the support of Chapter 253 members is what really made it happen. |
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STAR Touring & Riding |
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Recap - North West Star BQ – A Star Event |