What does Remembrance mean to you?

November 11^th is fast approaching and the question I have had on my mind for the last few days’ centers around remembrance and what it means to you.

After the unveiling ceremony for the Afghanistan War Monument here in Grande Prairie, it became very obvious to me that like everything in life, there are varying degrees of remembrance and various reasons for remembrance.

Our monument and the 4 individual memorials that pay tribute to the fallen connected to Grande Prairie and region attracted approximately 70 citizens for the dedication ceremony. In spite of having done a lot of marketing on radio, social media etc. the weather tanked on us and therefore people just didn’t come out.

My question is a simple one, what moves you to honour or remember our soldiers and their sacrifices, their families and their enduring sacrifices?

I ask as a kid who grew up in a military family. My father did not care of it was 40 below out, on Remembrance day, unless you were advanced in your years and infirm, you were at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day, no ifs, ands or buts.

I remember his diatribes well, “Those soldiers fought in all kinds of weather, conditions, they didn’t get snow days, or days off while in the battlefield, a little snow and cold isn’t gonna’ hurt you for an hour.”

When I compare where we live to the images I see around the world, when I get on my motorcycle or attend a meeting with other business women, I feel so blessed and grateful and I know I have to opportunity I have in part because of our military, their service and their sacrifice and the sacrifices their families make as a result.

Do you honour Remembrance Day?

Do you attend an indoor or outdoor ceremony? Tell me why you chose the service you did too please.

If you don’t honour Remembrance Day, may I ask why? I really, truly would like to try and understand.

Here in Grande Prairie we have two services on Remembrance Day, I’ll be at the cenotaph, because that’s what my father would expect of me were he still alive.

I leave you with this snippet of the poem “For the Fallen”

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

For the Fallen (stanzas 2-3)

Robert Laurence Binyon, by artist William Strang.

Poem by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), published in The Times newspaper on 21^st September 1914.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Things are heating up!

Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest is about halfway through the second public voting phase. Over the last number of days we have seen a horse race between Kaslo BC and Two Hills Alberta erupt.

When I checked in this morning at about 8 am,  the race in the western "conference" was just as tight as it has been from the beginning.

Two Hills was in the lead with 2,689 votes and Kaslo was on their heels at 2,683 votes.

It's 9:50 am as I write this and for about the 24-5th time, the lead has changed yet again with Kaslo at 2,713 votes and Two Hills at 2,711.

Things are starting to heat up out East too.  Moncton New Brunswick is holding on to a slim lead with Digby Nova Scotia closing the gap.

One of the most rewarding things about this contest has been seeing all of the articles and hearing the various radio interviews that these communities are generating.  These little communities that don't tend to get a whole lot of notoriety are all garnering some great press.

The one thing a lot of rural communities struggle with is how to catch the attention of tourist.
They don't have big budgets and they have a shortage of man power to help them get the press and attention they need.

A contest like this truly does give them all a little shot in the arm, some notoriety, and instills a sense of community pride in the riders and other community members. The voting proves it!

These communities are vying for the title "Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community 2015"
The top prize is a $35,000 marketing package that will be put together for them by using the inventory provided by our sponsors.

TV, Radio, Print Media, Digital Media, Social Media - they get it all and all from other riders who own media outlets!

Which communities are going to slug it out for that title? Well, we'll know in about 14 days time.
Only one community from the West and one from the East will meet up in the next round...

But PLEASE remember folks, places like Kaslo BC, have their faction who really don't like the constant rumble of bikes and I just hope and pray that the selfish few don't ruin it for the rest of us.
Loud Pipes, among many other things, annoy many people in the places we want to ride most, so PLEASE ride with respect. Remember we all have to share this earth. Consideration and respect, please riding with both at the fore front of your mind.

We, all riders, have a lot to be grateful for in this country. We are blesses with so many place we can ride to that do truly want our business.  In many of these places we riders make new life long friendships...Blessed - that truly is a good word for this community of Riders here in Canada.

In other news, a couple of local businesses here in Grande Prairie have some stellar offers on the table right now...

There is a Mastermind being held in Grande Prairie on March 18th for anyone who might be interested, $49 for this three hour seminar.

One of our advertisers, Happy Trails RV is giving away $1,000.

All you have to do is like and share their post on Facebook and fill out the form:

And our Rider Friendly Business Partner, Bear Creek Funeral Home is celebrating the achievement of Eunice Friesen - and her volunteer recognition award.

If you are blessed enough to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you, and please consider dressing for the slide, not the ride.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

The Inaugural Wild West Motorcycle & Tattoo Fest

Dirk Vermin

This weekend the Inaugural Wild West Motorcycle & Tattoo Fest is on at the Entrec Centre out at Evergreen Park.

Hosted by Peter Robertson from Peace River, the Grande Prairie show is one of two shows hosted by Robertson. The Grimshaw show is on next weekend at the Mile Zero Multiplex!

The show here in Grande Prairie is affordable ($10 for adults to get in), has a reasonable number of vendors for a first effort, its well laid out and offers up some wicked music.

There's a beer gardens, tattooists plying their crafts, leather shops, clothing, some nice old automobiles and a good showing of motorcycles...yes, definitely a great way to spend a few hours.

You'll get the chance to meet Dirk Vermin of Bad Ink and Athena Lee who is an American musician, drummer and actor. 

Her older brother is none other that Mötley Crüe's drummer Tommy Lee and that makes her the ex-sister-in-law of actresses Heather Locklear and Pamela Anderson. 

She and her daughter are Tobi also part of the TV series Ex Wives of Rock.

I had the pleasure of judging the tattoo contest with Athena and Tobi, Dirk was on Emcee duties.

What a hoot!  

There was some nice ink to gander at and I think the tattoos that were chosen to win their classes truly deserved to win, although I will say, there truly wasn't what you'd call a bad tattoo in the bunch!

I spent some time looking over the booths, catching up with old friends that I had not seen in what seems like forever....yes, all in all a great way to spend a few hours on a rainy, drizzly great day.

If you haven't already checked it out, stop in tomorrow!

The Wild West Motorcycle & Tattoo Fest is on from 10 a.m. 

to 5 p.m. at Evergreen Park's Entrec Centre!

Visit my Facebook Page to see the photos of all the tattoos, vendor booths etc!

Have a great Saturday evening folks!

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Writer