TEDDY BEAR RUN

 To benefit the kids of Brookhaven Town Interface 

There is one thing I need to point out to my audience because I know not all of you know me and know I ride on the back of a motorcycle so when I say we went on a "run" or "ride" I'm talking about motorcycles. Some people think I'm talking about bicycles and actually had someone comment that they thought I rode a bicycle out west and back and they thought I was crazy. I said if that was true I would have some set of legs and probably be in the best shape of my life. 

Ok so we had a charity run to go on today called the Teddy Bear run. It is a benefit ride for the kids of Brookhaven Town interface that was run through the Red Knights Motorcycle Club. All bikers were scheduled to meet starting at 10:30am for registration at the Terryville Fire Department in Port Jefferson which consisted of either bringing a new teddy bear and donation of $15 or donate without a bear $20 plus and extra $15 for a passenger so all together our cost was $35.00 donation for charity. I must say it was a large turnout. 

Kickstands were up and we were getting ready to run, but wait, the Christian Motorcycle Riders Group wanted to say a prayer first and bless us all for coming out on a gorgeous day and making an effort for the children. 

So back on the bikes we went after our blessing and started our ride through the back roads of Rocky Point which I have to say was quaint. In all my years living on Long Island I have never been through any of the scenic winding roads they took us on. Officers in uniform blocked roadways and held traffic back for our procession to ride forth. With over one hundred plus bikes it must have been the site to see for onlookers. Many people stood out on their lawns with their small children and waved to us as we roared by. There was even one man on his roof hanging Christmas lights waving to us. The situation reminded me of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation when Chevy's character Clark can't get the lights lit and then his family leaves him stuck on the roof. 

Our warm and joyous ride ended at Ladakins for a hot buffet while live music played. Some staff sold 50/50 tickets while we got online to get some food. Ladkins served up a hot meal consisting of Penne Ala Vodka, BBQ chicken, sausage and peppers, meatballs and much more. I have to say it was very good and although it was warm out it was a little chilly riding so the hot meal really helped to warm your core and feet. 

We met up with a few of our friends who sat at the table with us. We didn't buy any raffles but my new friend Mary found a strip someone lost so she placed them on the table in front of us and told me the story of how she just found them on the floor and how they probably won't win because she never wins anything. Well....a few minutes later she left to use the ladies room and the staff decided they were going to call out the number on the ticket to see who won the raffle of $340.00. Since Mary wasn't there I picked up the strip of tickets and eyeballed them and listened as the entire place of over 100 plus bikers suddenly got quiet. The announcer started to read off the six numbers on the tickets and as soon as she got to the fifth number I knew one of those tickets were going to win and sure enough they called out the number and we won!! At that moment Mary came back from the bathroom and I told her one of the tickets won, go get your money. She turns to me and says, "I can't take the money because these aren't my tickets". Someone else dropped these and I have Irish guilt so I can't take the money". What do you say? I said ok and then she ran up and told the announcer what she said to me and donated the money back. I know what you want to ask me. Why didn't I take the money? Well, she found the tickets so they didn't belong to me either. Hmm, I think I may see another chalk mark on the "good" side of the board for once for me. 

Mr. Boston and my new friend Mary.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!