Fire 'n' Wheels Rally in Edgerton, and some upcoming events you don't want to miss!

Last weekend I headed out to Edgerton Alberta for the Fire 'n' Wheels Rally.

The ride down was a mixed bag of weather with it being cold and windy but dry leaving Grande Prairie. I stopped for breakfast in Valleyview at the Subway with a friend, put on my heated gear and rain gear as the sky looked positively ominous and headed off again. On the Anthony Henday it started to rain and by the time I hit the turn off to Wainwright, it was pouring.

I stopped in Tofield for a coffee and something to eat knowing I only had a 180 K to go and it was only 6PM, I could make it if I din't daly long.  That turned into I will stay right where I am, and I got a room at the Beaver Hill Motel.

Snow, ahead of me for at least a 60KM swath.
No, I was not riding through that, I have done it before, did not like it much.

I had a good night sleep and headed out bright and early.
I made it into Edgerton with about a half hour to spare before the Poker Rally left.

From the time I arrived until the time I headed in to Wainwright to sleep the day was a blur.

We went to Wainwright for the Poker Stop and I did some photography.
When we got back to the grounds I got cameras set up and interviewed a ton of folks for Ride Like a Local our Community TV Show on EastLink TV.

We had a magnificent supper and watched amazing demonstrations from the Fire department on using the jaws of life and we watched a car with no oil, no water blow up for the chance to win some$$$$.

As the evening's entertainment got started, Mother Nature dumped on the event, and not just a little, it was a deluge. Our colouring competition only saw 4 people participate but they had fun in spite of no lights in the beer gardens area.

The entire time that Mother Nature was being rotten, the auctioneer kept pressing on....
In all over $45,000 was raised by the event to help the Edgerton Volunteer Fire Department, thanks to the sponsors and volunteers that made sure the event was paid for before the gates opened!

Thank you to Greg and Dawn Curtis for the hospitality and to all of the volunteers who worked so hard - THANK YOU!!!!!

Here are some photos of the 125 bikes that participated in the poker run parade through downtown Edgerton...watch for more coverage of the Fire 'n' Whee's Rally in Edgerton Alberta on Ride Like a Local on EastLink TV....

There are three chances left to colour your way to Sturgis!

In Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community - JUNE 22nd Hafford, Saskatchewan at the Supreme Motorcycle & Auto Service Show and Shine BBQ Fundraiser for Lupus. https://www.facebook.com/events/274232606616776/

The Fatboys Motorcycle Association $10,000 Guaranteed Grand Prize Poker Run JUNE 22 - in High Level, Alberta

AND the final opportunity - July 6th at Horsethief Hideout Invermere BC BC at the Memorial Rally.

$10 to colour - Members of the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association colour for free.

This weekend I will be in High Level with Erika Oldale helping me and Kristine Olson will be in Hafford Saskatchewan.

Come on out and let's drink adult beverages and colour beavers!!!!

If you are blessed to be able to ride today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

My Time in Fort McMurray - Part 4

There are some actions that speak so loudly as to character that you bond to that person who took the action in the most profound of ways.

I hope my penmanship will allow you to understand and feel just how deep these experiences were.

I want to back up to the day that I decided I wanted to get into Fort Mac with supplies.

I made this decision in a snap, no thinking, no second guessing, it became a rock hard resolve in my heart. I was prepared to rent a truck and trailer if I had to that's how hard the resolve was set in me.

When I called Lynda Klouth, my Grande Prairie & Region publisher for the BKC News Bytes and told her what I wanted to do, there was no hesitation in her.

It was simple - she told me "I need to take care of x,y and z and then we can go."
I had already adopted this woman as a sister of my soul and her actions on May 4th, 2016, well, they have forever cemented her position in my heart.

When I talked to my team of two, contractors, and told them I needed them to help and support me in this decision, I got immediate support. Again no second guessing, no comments of don't go - it was "you tell me what you need and I will do it." Suzie and Dave helped me with communications, Suzie did my banking and answered emails for me.  I trust this woman with my life - she has been my right hand for 11 years - she is my ROCK in this business called Belt Drive Betty Media.

My company is so much better for having Dave Trerice handling event communications and postings - he's a trooper and guess what - our pay day is on the 6th of the month and these good folks had to wait for me to get home to do payroll before they could get paid. NO WHINING - NO BITCHING - they were sooo damned patient.

Suzie and her husband were among the first to send me a donation as well!
How's that for loyalty and support?

My "son" Darren Burry with the Iron Order Motorcycle Club was also among the first to donate and in all he donated three times.  His club all stepped up to help him, help me.
I call Darren my son because he is one of those very special young men that moved my soul. He and his wife Em are two of the sweetest people in the world with hearts that are so generous, so genuine, well I fell in love with them the first time I met them and time after time they have proven to me the quality of their souls through their actions.  I want to thank all of the members of the Iron Order who helped Darren help me. One Albertan, Canadian and motorcyclist to another - YOU ROCK.

Then there was Jeremy Hall who called me to help coordinate the effort. He started collecting donations, cleared his schedule so that he'd be able to come and pitch in.  He sent me some money to help with supplies, and then he showed up in Fort Mac with more supplies, the donation from Nicole in Slave Lake and Will Skinner.  He also is the one who called me and asked me if we could take Grovedale Fire Fighter Jessica Kappel with us into Fort Mac.

I watched Jeremy Hall work tirelessly. When he wasn't on the BBQ he was shifting supplies and getting them palletized and sorted, running a water truck or a hoe, hand balming supplies off of the SaveOn Foods truck that came in on Thursday because no one could find a key to the forklift.
I watched him texting for supplies like windshield washer fluid, DEF Fluid for diesel trucks and making calls to rally his network of people.

How about Will Skinner - that man's story can't be told enough.  Will was in a wheelchair just 6 short months ago. Two broken legs, two broken arms and a broken neck thanks to a texting driver who crossed the centre lane and hit him on his motorcycle head on.

Now many know I am crippled up from a car crash, two buggered up feet, knees, low back, 4 compressed disks in my neck etc...and yes, there are a lot of things that I have had to learn to do creatively because I refuse to give in.

But seriously - 6 MONTHS AGO Will Skinner was in a wheelchair.

I witnessed the fatigue and pain in his face. I witnessed a man who no matter what, put a smile on his face and just kept on flipping burgers and dogs, cooking potatoes and SERVING OTHERS.

If that does not SPEAK VOLUMES of the character of the man, I seriously don't know what else could unless of course you also consider that Will slept in his seat in Jeremy's truck.

That's where both men slept. In a 3/4 ton Dodge flat deck pick up.

Then there were the others behind the scenes, the ones that no one in the main stream media wants to give any cudos to; the Hells Angels, the Syndicate, the Nomads and others - they set up a warehouse and supported the Redwater evacuee centre filling it three times and offered me help to garner air masks and filters the minute they heard of the need.

100 sets of air filters were taken to Fire Hall 3 in St Albert - courtesy of the men that so many hate.

When I told them of the need in Wandering River and Boyle - they were already all over Boyle and are now also taking up donations to Wandering River.

WHY? Why would these men that society hates and reviles so badly do that? Because it's what they always do in the time of need - they run by the same code that "bikers", "riders" everywhere follow, they are the ones in our community who taught this code to the rest of us - NEVER EVER LEAVE A BROTHER OR SISTER BEHIND.

They just never get any credit for the good things that they do, so most people only know to fear and hate them.

Then there is the flip side of that coin - the Wetaskiwin crew of the Alberta Sheriffs who ride. In an unofficial capacity, Kevin O'Conner and his crew, Malik, Lacy, Jeff Roblin (A1 Supply) and so many others in their network loaded up supplies donated by the Hutterite colonies in both Wetaskiwin and Camrose. Pine Colony in particular went way above and beyond in the quality and quantity of the things they donated. Fresh eggs, potatoes, onions, baking, home made sausage and so much more. They also had donations from John Deere, Coop and many individuals.

The crew from A1 Supply who donated the truck, trailer and fuel to deliver the supplies - are you starting to get the picture here?  Did you know these good people almost left after a 6 hour drive and a herculean effort to gather stuff without eating?  Their responses were "I feel like we would be taking away from the first responders".  I insisted they have a hot dog or something that driving all those hours without food was as dangerous as working without food. They capitulated finally when I ORDERED them to eat.

Then how about my family on Vancouver Island...Kristy Falconer from the Red Knights and all of the civilians and riders from Vancouver Island that filled a truck and trailer with supplies to go to the evacuee centre warehouse at the Edmonton Airport and then bring me supplies for the first responders like more foot care and pain medications, hydralyte and replenishing drinks. Her husband who drove, BC ferries who gave them free passage...

And one of my buddies named Gloria Swan who paid for masks and filters from money she fundraised for evacuee support.

Kimmy & Tony from Provost who gave my crew a trailer to sleep in and are now letting the guys from Rapid Fire use it for sleeping quarters...

There are businesses big and small that played their part in our supply chain:
Costco Grande Prairie - discount off of supplies purchased
UFA - Grande Prairie & Athabasca - free diesel for the first trip in
Honeywell - donation of 24 free air masks and filters
Greggs Distributors- discounts on air masks and filters
Brogan Safety Supply - discounts on air masks and filters
Shoppers Drug Mart Grande Prairie - discounts on insoles and foot care/personal products
London Drugs Grande Prairie - discounts on insoles and foot care/personal products
Screaming' Eagle Oilfield Sales out of Whitecourt - organized a ton off donations - tow truck loads.
Dave Perra from Perra Leatherworks in St Albert who drove a load up and a couple from Barrhead whose names I don't remember that drove a load up.

And the small businesses and citizens of GP who donated supplies in those first hours, like a single mom who helped out and an orthopaedic surgeon's office who donated and Full Draw Electric who delivered water and so many others with donations big and small.

Forever in my heart will I be grateful to these businesses and the individual people who stepped up in whatever way they could and I will be loyal with my pocket book to those businesses who helped me and the crew that stepped up to support me.

Many have asked how I was able to do what I did - I have family right across this country both blood and motorcycle related. I was able to do what I did because of each of them; those who donated their money, time and efforts - everyone of them doing their part.

I have been being criticized by some for what Global put out there in their interview, accusing me of "hogging" the limelight.  I have ZERO control of what they film compared to what hits the air.
They filmed for about an hour and used 2 minutes...Why am I getting cudo's in the media and they aren't?  Ask them, the main stream media

This is the Global Interview I have taken some shots over:
http://globalnews.ca/video/2701197/alberta-motorcyclist-revs-up-to-help-fort-mcmurray

The CBC let me give props to many of the people who helped me:

CBC - The Current Interview with Steve Quinn

Here are the links to MY Articles:

My Time in Fort McMurray - Part 1
My Time in Fort McMurray - Part 2
My Time in Fort McMurray - Part 3

I know all too well that I could not have done the work that I myself personally did if I had not had a whole ton of help and support.

For those who think that the people who get interviewed ever have control over what goes to air - think again.

I did MY personal part - making sandwiches and coffee - MOST of the time alone, and for that work I received hugs, a stuffed dalmatian, a challenge coin, a patch and a whole ton of letters and emails thanking me.

BUT I know and acknowledge that I was far from alone in this endeavour and from the very beginning made sure that I gave recognition and thanks to all involved, through posts on Facebook.

And now that I am home and able to write...please know there are many stories yet to come, many more people to thank and I aim to continue doing my best to show people the ARMY that I HAD behind me - every person, every club, every company....

I was the leader, the catalyst - the community answered the call to action - and those in my circle who did what they could deserve to get cudos too.

I WANT THEIR STORIES out there.

I want to leave you all with the most beautiful poem that was shared with me...every fire fighter I read it to cried their hearts out and I hope it gives you pause for thought...

Lisa Rufiange wrote this ...

With a heavy heart, I put pen to paper tonight. What follows is the result. I guess feel free to share if you find any measure of comfort in these words.

Now I lay me down to sleep
Safe in my bed but still I weep
I cry for those not in their homes
And pray for all of their unknowns

The days are long, the fires rage
As we reload our Facebook page
And read of heartache and of pain
While still the beast has not been slain

It took your home, your car, your land
And on uncertainty you stand
Such shakey ground beneath your feet
Your family safe, so bitter-sweet

Now feel the circle around your soul
You're not alone, we'll make you whole
We come together, tried and true
Canada eh? It's what we do

So rise up now and take my hand
I know you're hurt, I'll help you stand
The road ahead will be so long
I'll help you walk, ‪#‎AlbertaStrong‬

May 5, 2016

If you are blessed to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

More people speak out about Joan Krenning of the SHSS

This "article" if you will, is composed of the stories from a couple that were partners with Joan for a brief time and that of a former volunteer of the 2014 SHSS (Steel Horse Sisterhood Summit).

I agreed to give them this space to share their experiences and tell their stories.

(Joan has refused to comment on any of the people and their statements of their experiences with her.
She has refused to allow me to interview her over the controversy.)

Only you the reader can decide how you feel about what you read.

BDB

My "Joan Krenning" Story 

by Darlene M.J.

I was a volunteer for the 2014 SHS Summit in Denver CO. 

I attended most of the organizational meetings prior to the Summit and my main job for the Summit was to greet attendees as part of the "ASK ME" Committee, give hugs, and I was the main transportation to and from the airport for the guest speakers.

We were encouraged to spend our own funds to get the things we needed, and were told we would be reimbursed after the Summit was over. I purchased 12 or so pink safety vests for the "Ask Me" committee to wear, never being reimbursed, but thought I was donating to a good cause.

We were caught up in this idea of Sisterhood and togetherness.

Sara Symons was her sidekick and one of her business partners, then abruptly quit. 

Sara told me that she was unable to speak to the situation till after the Summit.

George Ofiesh and Kyle Dowling took over Sara Symons in the organizational role for the Summit.

Most of the volunteers quit prior to the Summit, due to various issues that kept arising and many of those that did stay to work did not stay to the end of the Summit.

I was in attendance when Joan wanted to take out sponsor monies to fund her trip and she was told to table that till after the meeting. 

Joan made herself seem important as "Lady Road Dog" visiting all the dealerships in the US. 

I had never heard of her prior to the advertisement of the Summit on Facebook. She was a name dropper and found things she had in common with you in order to gain your loyalty and help. For instance, I am also a Christian and I also lost my husband (mine was killed on a motorcycle run), I also had to raise my kids on my own, first hubby had been military too, and I was from Wisconsin. She kept saying that after the Summit we would sit and talk, but that never happened.

I was booted out of the SHS website in early 2015 when I questioned where all the monies had gone after the summit, and had asked why they were setting up a website that would require the sisterhood members to pay for access.

I do know that George Ofiesh made out the last check to the last charity and had Joan sign it, which she did not wish to do. George told me that Joan intended to "borrow" the money to start a new business, he resigned after that.

I have no love for Joan, she uses people until she has what she needs and then discards you like dirty underwear, at least that has been my experience.

Darlene

Sara and Bill Symons Story 

We (Sara and Bill Symons) met Joan Krenning through a mutual friend in June 2013. Our friend and another couple that had met Joan in Denver during the Women’s Ride Day, May 2013 were having a meeting and we were invited.

Joan spoke with such conviction, it was difficult to resist her strong belief that she was on a mission. She envisioned a major meeting of women from all over the country, coming to bond, and hear the biggest (female) names in the motorcycling world share their stories. We were made aware that Joan was a majority shareholder in DesignWrap Brands (DWB) and felt that her business experience and knowledge of the motorcycle industry, coupled with her passionate vision made good sense.

We approached her about “buying into” the Lady Road Dog business, which included the Steel Horse Sisterhood and the Summit. We offered Joan $5,000 cash (plus our sweat equity) for 50% interest in the business. Joan countered with $10,000 cash for 15% interest. 

We countered with a $10,000 loan to the company, to be paid back to us after the first year, for 25% interest; everyone agreed to these terms.  

Looking back, we now realize that the only thing she was bringing to the table was the Lady Road Dog name, a persona she presented to the public.  There was no company; no products, no business license, just a name.  Joan provided a list of things for Sara to do, which included filing for the business license, and obtaining trademarks for LRD and the SHS. There was no “business” to buy into; Sara created it.

Joan said she could get a vendor spot on Main Street for the Sturgis Rally, but didn’t know how she could run it by herself. We “volunteered” to help, as we go to Sturgis for a week every year. Bill did the majority of the work, as JK was always on her computer “working” or walking around to find what she called “sponsors” (i.e. free gear or parts to put on her bike.) 

We worked long days (8am to 10pm) and sold DesignWrap Brands headbands and t-shirts as “Lady Road Dog” gear. The huge banner outside with “Lady Road Dog” and “Made in America” announced our presence. Over the 10 days of Sturgis, we made enough to cover the store rent and the Sturgis taxes, but not much more. Joan, who stayed in our motorhome the entire time neither paid, nor offered to pay anything, towards her own upkeep. For those of you who have been to the Sturgis Rally, you know what a motorhome spot in downtown Sturgis costs, and it’s not cheap.

By September 2013, things were in full swing with planning the SHS Summit. Sara had found a hotel big enough to accommodate the 1,000 women Joan was expecting. As LRD/SHSS had no income or credit, Sara put the hotel deposit on my personal credit card.

In December 2013, Joan brought on a man named George Ofiesh, to be the event facilitator for the Summit. Sara readily gave up that role, and informed George that she and Bill were business partners, and would be his main contacts in Denver. Also in December, Bill had agreed to become the warehouse manager for DesignWrap Brands and moved the warehouse to Denver. Part of the deal was that once the move was completed, we would have the option to become an equal partner in DesignWrap Brands.

In early January 2014, Joan flew into Denver for another volunteer meeting. There was already a draft Summit schedule, but things kept being added and removed. We were frustrated, as we felt the summit needed to start small and build itself up. This seemed to upset Joan, who said that we didn’t understand her vision, that we “needed to do what she wanted because other people agreed with her.” This happened many time while in business with her. If we didn’t agree she would ask people outside the business to side with her in order to sway our decision.

In mid-January 2014, Joan started demanding money for travel expenses, yet we had understood that DesignWraps Brands was paying those expenses. Joan insisted the Summit registration money should be used to pay her expenses, which Sara refused to do, as it did not seem appropriate. At the end of January 2014, we sent Joan a cease and desist letter via our attorney; the intent was to stop her from talking to others, namely George Ofeish and Kyle Doying, about our business. Joan promptly changed the Summit’s PayPal email so that the funds went to her personal account and Sara could no longer access any data or funds. Also at this time, the emails from everyone involved with the summit that were making major decisions were withheld from us.

In mid-February, it was discovered that George and Kyle had tried to convince the hotel contact that Sara was no longer the contact person, in spite of it being her personal credit card that held the hotel for the Summit. After a nasty conversation with George, Sara resigned from the Summit on February 25^th; Bill resigned from the Summit shortly thereafter.

On April 18, 2014, the contract for the hotel was finally, after some doing, transferred out of Sara’s name. 

We subsequently learned that Joan, George and Kyle had filed for a Colorado Business License for the Steel Horse Sisterhood Charities, (which is the same license that after the summit George and Kyle were removed from and Charles Guthrie was assigned to) in contravention to our contract that had made us business partners in the Summit and Lady Road Dog. 

We chose to take the high road and stay quiet and not tell our side of what transpired, while Joan did a whole lot of talking and blaming.

We walked away from our investment and all of the time we spent working for Lady Road Dog and the SHSS, we lost “friendships”, and are embarrassed and angry that we got conned the way we did. 

We are speaking out now, after having heard/read the stories of others who have experienced similar treatment at Joan’s hands.

Sara & Bill

Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.