Bikers do it for hospice

With an attitude toward the weather that rivals the United States Postal Service’s unofficial motto, 56 dedicated motorcycle riders went on a 30-mile ride New Years Day to raise money for the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. “This is the 35 annual run,” said Nick Irons, master of ceremonies. Sign-in for the event started at 9 a.m. in the Ogdensburg Firehouse. Organizers feared the snowfall the night before may have scared away some of the riders. Event supporters must have seen the improving weather conditions and about 10:30 a.m. there was a line waiting to sign up. The Friends of Hospice were surprised to sell all 1,500 raffle tickets, at $20 each, for a 2009 Harley-Davidson Street Glide. “It has been years since we sold out,” said Jodi Butler of Blairstown, president of the Friends of Hospice. “All the tickets were gone by Monday [Dec. 25]. With the economic situation we were surprised we sold all the tickets.” Rising temperatures melted the ice and snow but Irons warned the riders to be careful. “There are reports of slush on the ramp from Weldon Road onto Route 15 and all the intersections have loose grit and salt on them,” said Irons. The procession rolled out at 11 a.m. and headed north on Route 517 for a one-hour tour. Well wishers went back inside to pass the time.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

Chili for a crowd
To make 30 gallons of Dan’s Chili:
90 pounds of meat
10 pounds of onions
12 pounds green peppers
8 pounds of red peppers
12 No. 10 cans of tomatoes
12 No. 10 cans of kidney beans
95 packages of McCormick chili mix
8 hours of chopping and dicing ingredients
4 hours sautéing meat
6 a.m. start cooking

By the numbers
56 riders
30.1-mile route
1 hour estimated time
7 different law enforcement agencies did escort duty:
Ogdensburg, Franklin, Hardyston, West Milford, Jefferson and Sparta police departments and the
Sussex County Sheriff’s Department