The Order of St George and Becoming a Dame Part 2

Robert Pullen and Cooper

September 27th, 2018 was to be a long day of flying with Air Canada. I was dreading it as I have never had much luck with regards to customer service with Air Canada.
This series of milk run flights was a pleasant departure from the past! I thoroughly enjoyed my flights as much as anyone can enjoy flying.  It feels like the planes get smaller but I thinks that's also got
something to do with the extra 35 pounds from quitting smoking that I am still packing.

My flights took me from Grande Prairie to Calgary, Calgary to Winnipeg and Winnipeg to Kingston.

My day started at 4:30 AM and it culminated with me arriving at the Econolodge Hotel in Kingston at about 8:00 PM.  I got all checked in to the room and went in search of my sponsor and other fellow postulants.

Allan Plett from the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Units is my sponsor into the Order and he is also the sponsor of Robert Pullen and Tony Moore.

Tony Moore

Robert is a veteran who served in the Baddeck Pocket among other theatres, and he has a Citadel Canine service dog named Cooper - Cooper was the star of the weekend! Robert does a lot of work with Citadel Canine raising funds, awareness and helping other veterans.

Tony Moore is a veteran and is the president of the Whalley Legion in Surrey BC.  They are demolishing their Legion and building an Urban Veterans Facility where the Legion will have it's new digs.

When I realized the caliber of volunteerism and dedication to veterans and cadets these men had, I knew I was with the right group of people.


We enjoyed a beverage in the old pub next door to the hotel and after some chatting, we headed off to our respective rooms.

I wasn't in my room three minutes when I got a knock at the door, my friend Ron Bacon and his son Rick from Cold Lake Alberta were here a day early!!!!

So, What is the Order and Why is this an Honour?

The Order of St. George in Canada has a different mission than it's counterparts in the rest of the world.

The Order is an ancient and military order of knighthood, founded in Hungary in 1326 by King Charles I, Duke of Anjou. It is the most ancient of those Chivalric Orders, which were created as “Royal” institutions, independent of the church. The Order has enjoyed a continuous existence for almost 700 years.  Around the world, the Order raises money and assists persecuted Christians, but in Canada our mission is to serve Veterans, their families and Cadets/Youth.

The Order of St George also has it's own medal that it presents to top Staff Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR).

Here is the criterion for being awarded:
- The medal may be awarded only once to any one individual.
- The medal is awarded upon one recognized national standard.
- Each Cadet Training Centre (CTC) / Enhanced Training Session (ETS) must award this medal annually.

To be eligible for consideration, a cadet / JCR must meet the following conditions: a. meets all requirements of the CTC / ETS summer training program;
b. is regarded by peers and superiors as exemplifying the model cadet/JCR;
c. be a member in good standing of one of the three cadet organizations (Sea, Army, Air) or the JCR program;
d. has demonstrated outstanding leadership and compassion for subordinates. Was able, through different leadership techniques to motivate subordinates to do what was required;
e. has completed three years as a cadet / JCR;
f. has participated in community service events that the CTC /ETS promotes during the summer;
g. has demonstrated leadership qualities;
h. has demonstrated instructional abilities.

Friday we got to know each other as a group by walking all over Kingston's downtown core, what a beautiful place.  We had lunch with Knights and Dames from Atlantic Canada and my good friend Gabby Koch even came to visit and then we attended the meet and greet at the Four Points Sheraton.

There are many Knights and Dames in the Order of St George that are Canadian Army Veteran Motorcycle Unit members and it did not take me long to feel comfortable with all of the MP's like David Sweet, the Lords and Ladies like Lord Robbie Sprules and his wife, Lady Lucinda.  The people behind the titles of General and Admiral and all of the other military titles, coupled with the civilians who do huge fundraising and offer immense support to families and children, is utterly incredible.

Barb & Mitch

The 400 or so members of the Order of St. George in Canada come from all backgrounds and faiths but they all have one common trait - the giving of their time, talent and heart to causes they believe in.

After a wonderful evening it was time to turn in. The big day was upon us and started with a Postulants breakfast at 8:30 AM that gave us the run down of the day and made sure we were schooled in protocol.  My friend of 30 + years Barb Dransfield Fuller and her hubby Mitch came in from the Ameliasburgh area. Barb is a hair dresser and she did an amazing job of making me look good!

Pretty soon it was time to go to the St. George's Cathedral.


With 32 postulants becoming Knights and Dames, this was to be a two hour ceremony.
The Cathedral has amazing history behind it and was such a fitting place for this ceremony.

The Grand Master, Gareth Greene and Charles Hill the President of the Order here in Canada were the main officiants, with Gareth wielding the sword and Charles presenting the Orders.  (I can not remember the name of the Knight who was spurring us all.)

Here is a short video of my Investiture:

The gala afterwards was an elegant affair. The meal was amazing and then it happened.....the Grand Master called on me to come to the podium.  I thought, oh oh, what is up now?


He started talking about personal commitment to the order and asked me to show the room my tattoo of the Coat of Arms for the Order.   The Inscription on our Coat of Arms stands for United in Love and Service and truly,  from what I have seen,  that motto is accurate and way I wanted it as a tattoo, it resonates with my heart.

Renita Senz of Golden Gopher Tattoo Studio in Derwent Alberta got a great plug that night!

What an amazing experience.
What an incredible honour.

Some of my Fellow Knights from C.A.V with Romeo and 80+ year old Veteran Knight!

Being a Dame in the Order of St. George is already proving to be rewarding.

To learn more about the Order of St. George in Canada visit: www.orderstgeorge.ca

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

Renee Charbonneau DStG
AKA Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Ron Bacon from Cold Lake

Rick Bacon from Cold Lake

The Order of St. George & Becoming a Dame - Part 1 of 2

The Order of St. George & Becoming a Dame - Part 1 of 2

On September 29th, I along with 31 others became Chevaliers in the Order of St. George.
The Investiture Ceremony took place at Kingston Ontario's St. George's Cathedral.

How I came to be invested into the Order

I was sponsored into the order by Allan Plett who is the Ops Manager for 3 C.A.V. (Canadian Army  Veterans Motorcycle Units). I have been an honorary member since 6 months after C.A.V. started about 16 years ago. As a member of the media I don't officially pay dues with any riding club.

I do however wear their crest proudly as a supporter member.

Both my mom and dad served and I was born on the Armed Forces Base Churchill Manitoba.
My now deceased brother, Jim was born in Downsview Ontario and had been a cadet who got his glider pilots wings.

I myself applied to join the military, I took my medical, wrote my exams and waited for two years.
There was a hiring moratorium on at the time and when I got my call to basic training the day I was getting ready to leave for California, I chose California. I ended up getting to work on jet engines and learning anyway.

I admire our military. The Canadian Military is filled with a lot of very noble people, doing work that most of us don't have the courage or the will to do. Most of these people answer a call to service that starts in their soul.

It has its ugly side, but that happens in every organization.  Look around you and you'll know what I mean. Religious leaders doing heinous things, police officers sometimes not much better, doctors and nurses who violate trust...and they make it very hard for those who answer those callings that are pure of heart and truly pushing forward good things.  It happens in the soccer mom community, the football dad community, it happens in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, it's the human condition.

As organizations go, the Canadian Military is an organization that I have dedicated a lot of my effort and time to supporting because while imperfect (such as the human condition is), it's an organization that for the most part is filed with noble, honourable people of their word.

I lived first hand the devestating results of military spouses, one with what we now call PTSD from physical and mental abuse and trauma as a kid, and the other who was a pugalist, and also suffered from trauma in his youth.

Unlike the veterans and Silver Cross families and cadets that I work to support today, I am a civilian and therefore as a rape, physical and mental abuse trauma survivor, supports are not as accessible. At least there are supports available to our veterans and their families as a group, and even if not perfect they sure are evolving in a hurry.  As a civilian, you fall through the cracks and when you live in a city like Grande Prairie, where doctors are here in order to qualify for citizenship, and you lose your doctor when they move to Calgary or Edmonton, it can take as many as 15 years to get another one.
Just ask me. I know our city is working on it, but it's tough to get skilled doctors to live in this cold but beautiful place.

Dealing with the challenges, the triggers, on your own can be difficult, but working with veterans, talking to them, becoming friends with them, you learn from them various coping methods and you grow, evolve.  Homeless veterans and people like me, well we have something in common, we are all but unidentifiable for outreach to get help. We are virtually faceless.  But together we help each other.

Sorry for being a little long winded; I guess I could have just said I identify with them, but you wouldn't have any understanding as to why.

When I was sponsored into the Order of St. George, I had to provide my CV, outline the charitable work I have done, have that vetted and then my application had to go to the board for approval.
It was an interesting process that took the better part of a year.

Getting Ready for the Investiture

I needed a gown for the gala after the ceremony and was talking to my friend Kim Newberry, a
Camrose Alberta Cadet mom whose cadet corps I have sponsored for various things, about this dilemma, I had no idea where to even start and wanted some advice.

Kim recommended a place called Tish's Fashion and Finery.
I was told this was a woman's fashion boutique with a selection that would blow your mind and she got me a fitting appointment for the morning of the Run to the Hills Rally in Two Hills since I'd be in the area already!

The sales lady I dealt with was named Donna, and she was the most patient, kind hearted person inthe world.  I haven't worn a dress other than to the odd Christmas party or funerals in the last 25 years since I quit modelling for part of my living. I had NO clue what would look good on me. She let me try on 7 or 8 dresses, all were beautiful but....

She served me coffee, chatted with me about the event and made sure to help me select dresses that would wow and while all of them were spectacular....when friends and family saw me in the dress that I ultimately chose, their comments had me blushing.

And then you could have knocked me over with a feather when I was told the dress was a gift from Tish for the volunteer work I do for the cadets and veterans. 

Apparently this is something Tish does frequently. She picks out someone that she sees needs/deserves to feel beautiful and she helps make that happen.

So ladies, if you find yourself needing something to make you feel fabulous, may I recommend a dress from Tish's Fashion and Finery in Camrose Alberta!

Suffice it to say, that not only did I feel special, I felt beautiful.

After the gown, I needed to go purchase some dress clothes as we postulants would have 3 functions to get through before the gala and the gown!

It was a whirlwind time filled with learning about the Order in Canada which was brought here in 2003 by the Grande Master Gareth Green. The Order of St George has been around since 1326.

When it started here in Canada it was largely ceremonial but now the Order of St George in Canada is a working Knighthood that supports our military, veterans, cadets and many programs that support our youth.

To learn more about the Order of St. George and the Foundation visit: www.orderstgeorge.ca

Next time, photos and videos from the meet n greet, the ceremony, dinner and my thoughts on being a part of this organization.

Until then, if you are blessed to be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and cannot see you,

Renee "Belt Drive Betty" Charbonneau
Editor & Rider and Dame in the Order of St. George.

Meet in Marathon for Wish of A Lifetime

In 2005 Wayne Brand, a Marathon Ontario rider, crashed his motorcycle with his step daughter on the back. She suffered some pretty bad injuries and went through some surgeries, but for the most part, she's doing well these days.

Wayne on the other hand struggles with partial paralysis, short term memory loss (although his long term memory is crystal clear) and was moved into long term care in the Marathon Hospital a number of years ago.

I was contacted in mid August by an organization called Wish of A Lifetime Canada. They have an American parent office in Colorado for their US wishes and a Canadian branch in Toronto for Canadian wishes.

They had been Google searching motorcycling to see if they could find a partner that could help make a Senior's wish come true. (Wish of A Lifetime has a group of employees who support making wishes for Seniors com true.) Our seniors are more and more isolated, often times they have little or no family close by, and therefore very little socialization. The mission of Wish of A Lifetime is to enrich the lives of seniors by reconnecting them with others of like mind  and their own passions, helping get them out of the house, out of the hospital and helping them regain that sense of purpose, of life force, helping to enjoy life again.

Shannon, the co-ordinator I was to end up working with explained Wayne Brand's story to me and asked if I thought I could help them.

I said "No, I don't think I can, I know I can."

I asked Shannon to give me 4 hours, and after a number of phone calls, I had John and Jean Rose of the Marathon Legion (both avid riders) willing to help us in the task of hosting a poker run.
Turns out that Wayne is a member of their Legion.  They also found a gent with a side car, and because of an engine failure,  Excalibur Motorcycle Works Ltd. in Thunder Bay sent a complete stranger out on his Ural side car to ensure Wayne would go to his party in style!

I also had the help, guidance and support of Ted, Jessica and the whole crew at Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson.

I went back to Shannon with what had been accomplished in the course of an afternoon and she was thrilled.  Over the next few weeks, Jean and John Rose of the Marathon Legion worked their CANS off, getting the word out to the regional riders, all of the Legions on the route and getting a penny auction and BBQ set up for the day of the event, September 22nd, 2018.

I created posters, reached out to riders and Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson reached out and printed posters.

I flew into Thunder Bay on the 21st of September and friends from the Superior Riders, Dave and Violet Alderdice who live in Kakabeka Falls just outside of T-Bay,  agreed to pick me up, put me up and put up with me for the next three days!

It was so good to reconnect with these two, I gotta tell you I love them big time! They are just the sweetest, kindest people in the world.

Anyway, on Friday I was apparently supposed to join the HOG chapter for lunch, but I misread the email and thought it was for dinner time, so we headed in to pick up the motorcycle I was to be riding and I found out I had let the HOG Chapter down.

I felt like crap.  Ted and his girlfriend decided we'd make up for the missed meal by going out to a local hotel for a meal with myself and Dave and Vi.

The weather in Thunder Bay was turning cold and rain was forecast for the day of the event. Sigh, Mother Nature has played havoc with a whole lot of fundraiser this season. I had gotten Dave to take me to Canadian Tire BEFORE I had picked up the Sport Glide (A FUN little bike) where I proceeded to buy $35 worth of Hot Shots for my feet, hands and core.

GOOD THING I DID.

We got up bright and early on Saturday, and I headed into the dealership so I could get some interviews done. Dave and Vi would ride in on their Goldwing a little later.

I interviewed Jim, the gent who made sure that the Sport Glide I was going to be riding was good to go...he's quite the character, I gotta tell you!

I also interviewed Katie and Ted for Facebook Live.  In spite of the cold weather, and it was cold 4 degrees, we still had 10 bikes show.  Ted the owner decided that with all his obligations, he'd be better off driving the chase vehicle and he let me ride his Road Glide,  a 2018 with 5,800 K on it...OH I WANT ONE....so bad....what a gorgeous machine.

Anyway, we headed out knowing that e were stopping every hour and we road literally, one hour at a time.  When we got into Nipigon, our first stop, the smell of home made perogies fried onions was the smell that assailed us. I had to buy a dozen to take back to Dave and Vi's to add to dinner on Sunday!

The Nipigon Legion pulled out all the stops! Donuts, coffee and hugs, lots of hugs.

It was cold and over cast, but I think we all felt the same, it was worth it to be cold, we were looking forward to making a man's day...We pulled into Schriber to be met by at least another 15 bikes!  Again, the Legion was warm and inviting with free coffee!

The pack headed out to the Marathon Hospital, there Jean and John had arranged for a side car to meet us there and we planned on bringing Wayne to the Marathon Legion in the side car.

Wow, all I can say is Wow.  The emotions were so high, so raw, so grateful - the smile on Wayne's face, the tears in his wife Barb's eyes.  As a matter of fact I don't think that anyone had a dry eye.

Once at the Legion, there were BBQ'ed burgers and hot dogs, French fries and beverages. All free to the rider.

I interviewed John and Jean and some of the riders who participated and then I got to interview Wayne and Barb.

Wayne's words sum this day up the best....Watch this short video of the day

I wanted to stay overnight as had been originally planned and take in the band and the rest of the festivities, but the forecast for rain and howling winds was even worse for Sunday than they were for Saturday night and so back the Thunder Bay we went, and freeze, OMG I haven't been that cold and wet in a long time.

Thank goodness for the Hot Shots which I shared freely.  We made it back in one piece, soaked through the rain gear, and frozen to the bone, but we did it.

It was such an honour to be a part of Wayne's wish coming true and I just hope and pray that now that the community knows this man misses them, that they remember to stop in and spend some time with him.

I can't thank Thunder Bay Harley-Davidson: Ted, Jessica, Jim, Katie and the gang, the great folks from the Marathon Legion: Jean and John for all their hard work to bring the other Legions on board and to set up the BBQ, the Penny Auction etc...

Because of their efforts and the support of the Northwestern Ontario Motorcycle Community a local man won $600 on the poker run and just over $1000 went to Wish of A Lifetime Canada to help more Canadian Seniors get a wish...

WHAT AN HONOUR - thank  you Wish of A Lifetime Canada for Reaching out to me!

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider



To see other photos from this event, visit our Canadian Motorcycle Events Pages on Facebook:

Erins Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414952151982344

Michael Beno's Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414950801982479

Dave Alderdice's Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414948961982663

Jerome's Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414947308649495

My Photos: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CanadianMotorcycleEvents/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1414938245317068

It's All About the Kids - Cynthia Alberta

The "It's All about the Kid's" Day that was hosted by Bullying Enns and UBAKA (Urban Bulldogs Against Kid Abuse) was an incredible event to attend.

Joy, absolute joy is what was expressed on pretty much every kid's face.

The hamlet of Cynthia has a population of 50.
Mitch's Campground and RV Park is where the event was held.

They have a small motel and a pub called the Cyn City Saloon and a few other small businesses and that's about all.

What the community lacks in size, it makes up for in heart.

The volunteers and sponsors of the day worked
their hearts and souls out to give the hundreds of kids who came out a great day.  There was a silent auction both outside and in the pub.

There were lawn games, a bouncy castle, face painting, motorcycle rides, fire fighter gear and job demonstrations, a by donation BBQ...and the DUNK TANK!

I have no idea who had more fun, the adults and the kids throwing the balls or the volunteers making sure the dunk tank victims got dunked - appropriately!

It was an incredible and inspiring day that saw Bullying Enns and UBAKA walk away with over $17K in donations with which to further the programs they already offer and in the case of Bullying Enns, allow them to host a BBQ for all
of the kids they have given rides and support to and to supply them all with special back packs for school.

Steve and his non-profit board are also looking to the future and what kinds of other programs they might be able to offer to end/prevent bullying.

Like every non-profit and every event hosted, without the sponsors, these things wouldn't be possible.

Bullying Enns and UBAKA would like to thank:
Mitch's Cynthia Campground & RV Park, Cyn City Saloon, Secure Energy, and Steel Horses Photography, the Drayton Valley Fire Department, M & M Meats, the MLA Mark Smith, Hydro Vacuum Services and so many, many more sponsors and supporters. It took a ton of volunteers, and so many businesses that donated to the silent auctions, the bouncy castle that was donated, the DJ services that were donated.

But when you look at the results, when you see these children feeling confident, comfortable and strong, when you see those faces and the smiles, you know it was more than worth it.
IT WAS AMAZING and so needed.

This event was filmed for TV so start looking on YouTube on the Ride Like a Local Channel in late November for the three segments that make up the episode to begin airing! If you are on EastLink TV Look under Community TV in November....

To support Bullying Enns or UBAKA find them on Facebook.

I enjoyed this event so much, and I see the need for events like this to introduce kids to the community of motorcycling, to help empower them, the show them there adults out there who care...that I have invited Steve Enns and his non-profit Bullying Enns to help us do this same sort of day here in Grande Prairie and hopefully grow a chapter of Bullying Enns Riders. These are riders who take kids to school on their motorcycles or pick them up after - present them with some information, some support, some swag and then stay connected to them. I think that it's something Grande Prairie and pretty much every community where people live could use! Anyway June 1st 2019 is the date for Bullying Enns - It's All About the Kids - Grande Prairie AB Version!

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

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Shipping Motorcycles Across the US

Shipping a motorcycle across the US is not as mystical as many think. There are hundreds of myths floating around the internet about how to ship a motorcycle across the US. In this article, I have attempted to make some clarifications and discuss the important aspects of shipping motorcycles across the US.

Nationwide Auto Transportation is one of the largest companies across the US that specialize in this kind of shipment, and they give you  a detailed explanation of how to prepare your motorcycle for shipping.

Prepare your motorcycle for shipping

Carefully clean your entire motorcycle of dirt, from wheel to wheel and everything in between. Also, assess and observe the damages on it such as scratches and dents. This is important because you want to know the state of your motorcycle before it is loaded for shipping. Taking a series of photos of your motorcycle pre and post trip is also a good idea that helps eliminate discrepancies.

There are basically two methods of loading a motorcycle for shipping

• Individual loading – here motorbikes are individually crated  for shipping. This is the best practice because it gives extra protection to the motorcycle.
• Multiple loading – Motorcycles are braced and locked inside the crates to allow multiple bike loading

The Best Method for Shipping – Closed or Open Carrier?

Your choice of shipping method boils down to your own needs and preferences. You can ship your motorcycle(s) across the US either in an enclosed trailer or on an open carrier.

While the cheaper option is an open carrier, it is not the safest method for transporting your motorcycles. With the open carrier transport, your motorcycle will be exposed to the dangers of road hazards and environmental elements. Also, when it is in transport, it is visible to everyone if it’s not crated.

Closed transport may cost more in the end, but it is the wiser choice when shipping your motorcycle.  The bike is totally enclosed from the pick up to delivery point. With the closed carrier, your motorbike is safe from debris and the elements (ex. rain, hail, snow, dust). Your motorbike is most likely going to be delivered in the exact condition it was before loading. So you have no worries about scratches, damages or even theft. You may still want to take a pre and post photo in the event of unavoidable accidents or possible damage.

How Shipping a motorcycle differs from shipping a car

Cars are relatively safer to ship, providing more stability from the hand brake and having four tires. They can therefore, stand firmly during shipping. Motorcycles are lighter in weight, having just two wheels with nothing providing it stability other than the fulcrum stand, and maybe straps and/or load bars. Therefore the carriers that transport motorcycles are always extra careful.

It is a general belief that motorcycle shipping is usually cheaper than car shipping due to the difference in size and weight of the vehicles. However, this is not always the case as motorcycle shipping calls for special items such as specially closed carriers to transport them.

There is a wide range of different services that courier companies  offer, that combined with the distance to travel and your needs will determine the cost of transporting your motorcycle, which will vary from company to company.

The Airdrie Bikes & Bulls, Rumble on the Runway 2018

The last weekend of July I headed for Airdrie and the Airdrie Bikes & Bulls, Rumble on the Runway put on by the Alberta Oilmen's Association. This was to be my second time attending this event, last year's was held at the rodeo grounds, this year was to be held at the Airdrie Air Park.

The AOA had decided that the old rodeo grounds, while an accommodating venue to work with, just wasn't the location to help the event really take off the way it should and so they negotiated a deal with the Airdrie Airpark.

What a great move!

While they had lots of little hiccups, the venue itself, being such an open canvas is amazing and will give this event the chance it needs to truly flourish.

Adrian Pruden, the event coordinator realized very quickly that they had made the beer gardens too big with no people mover, and yes, it made it tough on people. However, based on the numbers of people who did attend, the beer gardens is the right size, it just truly requires a people mover!
And more seating and garbage cans will be needed next year, but truly, for the first time at this venue, well done! Very well done.

They got around some of the challenges by having waitresses serving at the rodeo event, it made a lot of people happy that they did not have to loose their seats in order to have an adult beverage.
The food vendors were camped out in the middle area of the event so no one had too far to walk.  The Perogy truck was one of the favourites along with the Porky's Catering truck. There were vendors selling jewelry, clothing, makeup and all sorts of gadgets too!

They had a party bus shuttle service that took people to and from various hotels and other locations in Airdrie, to ensure no one had to drink and drive. I used the service extensively and was so grateful for it. I left my motorcycle in town at a friends house.

They had fantastic security folks on the gates, but there were one or two folk that needed to be told not to be so aggressive in the way they handled things. The senior management of the security team were incredible folks to work with.

The campsite was enormous, there were light towers with power hook ups everywhere, lots of port o potties, the biggest single challenge - no people movers but this is being remedied for 2019!

On Friday when I arrived I volunteered along with my friend Marnie Thibodeau to hang banners for sponsors, I am not sure either of us knew what we signed up for but four hours later we were done!

When the show opened Friday evening, the cowboys and cowgirls took centre stage and my lord they put on a show.  I love the silky voice of rodeo announcer Emery Erickson, the man has been working at his trade for decades and he's damned good at.

The bucking stock came from a wide variety of stock contractors and they brought out some amazingly rank horses and bulls.

In all there were 28 failed bull ride attempts. Three successful rides by some of pro rodeos TOP cowboys in the Bull Riders of Canada Association.

But it was the kids that stole the show.
Between the wild mini horses and mutton busting, the kids won the hearts of so many.

I love watching family sports and when you think about it, rodeo, drag racing and motorcycling are all very much family sports. I guess that's why this trifecta seems to work so well.

All weekend there were amazing bands too, but I was so wiped out from walking that venue, doing photography, video and interviews that I never got to enjoy them.  I hear the IKONS, the Kiss Tribute band was utterly amazing.

The big day - Saturday was jam packed with events like the Show 'n' Shine:

There were motorcycle rodeo games like the engine toss:

There was some serious drag racing going on with the Didsbury Car Club hosting!
Get a load of these twins in their matching race cars:

Folks, although this event is 9 years old, when you move to a new venue, it's like being a brand new event,  ALMOST.

This year was a proving ground and while yes there were challenges, they proved to themselves that they, the Airdrie Oilmen's Association can do an amazing job no matter where they host their event because of the most incredible sponsors they have.

The sponsors that support the Airdrie Bikes & Bulls Event are STELLAR!

TARA Energy, Razor Energy, TOS (Tubular Optimization Service & Products), Pentagon, Airdrie Honda, Cam Clark Ford, IFC, RDI, HSE Integrated, AWM, Muirfield Lakes Golf Club, Cratex
Guns & Hoses, PF Collins, Astro Oilfield Rentals, Core Lab Reservoir Optimization, Destination Cycles, Evolution, McKee Homes, Rig Dawgz Consulting, StreamFlo and so very many others stepped up to assist with WHATEVER this crew needed and I can guarantee that next year's event is going to rock!

I know the causes are what truly motivate a lot of these sponsors along with the Airdrie Oilmen's Association to do what they do and to give back into their communities of the Airdrie region (Over $250K).  Airdrie Community Links, Airdrie Victims Assistance, and the Airdrie Food Bank are the focal charities.

I know I plan on attending the 2019 edition - I had a blast this year, but I also know of many of the changes coming for next year and folks, you'll want to be there too, I am sure of it!

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

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

The Show Car Circuit Lost a Legend

Last night at Norway Speedway in Michigan, the show car circuit lost a man that was probably one of the greatest showmen of his time, my ex husband, Doug Rose.

Born on December 6th, 1937 to Jim and Dorothy Rose of Milwaukee Wisconsin, Doug was his mother's middle child. Geoffrey was his oldest brother, and after her divorce from Jim, Dorothy remarried and had a third son, Charlie.

Dorothy ended up raising the boys on her own and struggled her way to the top of the real estate profession in Milwaukee. Dorthy was a force to be reckoned with.

Doug spent some time in the Navy (1958-1961) and when he got out, he went to work doing track photography at Union Grove Wisconsin's, Great Lakes Dragaway.

It was there that Doug met half brothers, Walt and Art Arfons and he fell in love with Jet Cars.

Art was known as the king of jet cars and the king of junk.
Art would put jet engines in the craziest things to see how fast he/they could go.
Doug chased the Green Monster and the Cyclops of the Arfons brothers around the USA until finally Walt and Art allowed him to drive. He and Bobbie Tatroe who often drove the Cyclops, (Bobby also drove the Exodus) chased each other around the country putting on shows for the drag racing fans of the US of A.

His first wife, Stephanie was a beautiful blonde from Missouri and she saw him though one of the darkest periods of his life, losing his legs during a July 4th race in Richland Virginia in 1966.

Partially because of his character, but also because of her encouragement, Doug got back in a jet car quickly.

That September, Doug was back racing the Monster, but after a disagreement over wages, he decided to strike out on his own and build his own Jet Car, he quit racing for the Arfons family in 1967.

He moved to California.

Broadway Bob Metzler (Photo: Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio)
at Doug Rose's home track Great Lakes Dragaway

By 1968 Doug was commanding his own Jet Car, the Green Mamba, named after the venomous tree snake that causes death in 90 seconds. Do you remember the window louvers that were so popular in the 70's and 80's? A man named Dick "Korky" Korkes of Korky's Kustom Studios - was their creator and he is the man who did the paint on the Mamba. 24 Karat Gold Leaf inlaid, with moana pearl paint (crushed moana pearls were mixed in an icy white paint) for the eyes.
The Mamba literally watched you everywhere you went.

Doug was one of the most talented Jet Car jockeys to ever strap into a car.
He knew his car so intimately that triple zero reaction times were his norm and the man set hundreds of track and world records.

I was Doug's middle wife.  He and I were only a very tiny, albeit important, chapter in his very big, bold 80 year life.

I met Doug in 1979 at Edmonton International Speedway.
I had just graduated the year before and moved to Edmonton and had begun hanging out at the drag strip.

My girlfriend Dana Eva Leskovski was who Doug was interested in, but Dana was not reciprocating and so every time he called our apartment, I ended up talking to Doug for hours.
In 1980 Doug flew me into Salt Lake City and there I met his Crewman Frenchie (AKA John Archer). I fell in love with the salt flats, racing and all of the commotion and people. I travelled with them back to California, stopping to race twice along the way. I loved the life, Doug could see it and he asked me to come back, to live in Los Angeles with him.

I was young, impetuous and I ended up moving to California and for the next 3.5 years I crewed on the Mamba. We travelled 100K miles each summer and I gotta tell you it was culture shock that first year. I was 20, had no clue what big city living was. I learned a lot that first season.

Going from California where I learned how to use and pack a weapon to the mid west and meeting the indomitable woman who would become my mother in law to spending three months in the deep south and the hairy stuff I learned while there and then a month in Texas and finally heading home to California.

I came into Doug's life just before the NHRA outlawed his car on their drag strips for being too old and being made of mild steel instead of chrome moly. His career was hitting a wall for a variety of reasons.  Most of it;  he was stubborn.  He had become an amateur metallurgist and he knew that his square tubed, mild steel car was just fine - but even with frame X-rays done at a military base, the NHRA wasn't budging and Doug didn't have the money to build a new car.  In spite of it all, Doug and I raced and performed exhibitions at all sorts of racetracks - oval and drag.

I learned to eat foods like gator and snake, learned a lot about being a jet engine tech and a crew chief and I experienced all sorts of craziness.

One of our very first official outings as a couple saw us at an Arabian restaurant at a birthday party for one of the multitude of Doug's friends.

We were all on pillows, at a very low table, Doug was sitting at the end of the table as he couldn't cross his legs.

The poor waitress kept tripping over Doug's feet as she would cut the corner of our table on her way to the kitchen since no one was sitting there.  After her third time tripping over his feet, she asked Doug if he could please move his feet and when he complied, she almost passed out from embarrassment.  She had come by the table, and when she didn't trip, she thanked him for moving his feet, he said no problem, I put them in the corner. And he literally had put them in the corner.

Doug was a consumate showman.  

All he cared about was making that crowd and that track promoter happy. If he could do that, then he knew they'd have him back. If they'd have him back, that meant that he could be in the cockpit of his beloved Mamba going fast and blowing stuff up.

Doug genuinely loved what he did and while there are a lot of reasons why I am his Ex wife, (some belonging to him, some belonging to me), there truly was a lot I admired about the man.
His sense of humour and sense of adventure are top of that list.

Because of my brief marriage to Doug Rose, I got to know people that I had idolized as a kid growing up on a farm in Alberta. Folks like Don and Pat Garlits, Chris Karamesines, Don Prudhomme, Tom McEwen,  Johnny Force, TV Tommy Ivo, Craig Breedlove and his wife Lee, Ky the Rocket Man Michaelson and so many, many more.

Because of Doug, I saw shuttle launchings and landings, several of them.
I went to NASA, several times and not just on tours.
I experienced one on one time with Tammy Wynette, one of my she-roes in Orlando because of him.
I met Tom T Hall, Dan Haggerty & Gentle Ben and so many more.
I also had Dorothy Rose as a mother in law, a woman I loved and admired with all my heart.

And he also gave me the biggest gift of my life.

Doug and his daughter Nickey (AKA Jin Jin)

On September 16th, 1984 Doug and I had a daughter, (Jonique Marie Rose AKA Nickey).

After Doug and I divorced, he married his childhood friend, Wally Oestreich's daughter Jeanne.

I wasn't very happy when it first happened, but I have come to understand a lot about life in my 40's and 50's that eluded me in my 20's.

Jeanne and Doug really truly loved each other and love knows no age, no bounds, no restrictions.

It will find its way no matter what.



Because of Doug, my daughter has "brothers" and "sisters" that I could never give her and a whole host of "moms" like Beth and Joanne...and Jeanne, Jeanne loves Nickey and Nickey loves her.

There was a time when I cursed and railed at Doug for being the worst thing that happened to me, but as I grew up and grabbed a brain, I realized he was responsible for a lot of the good that has happened in my life.

Doug Rose was courageous and funny, determined and hard working, hard headed - hell even pig headed. He was a consummate showman, one of the greatest of his era and he brought a lot of people to their feet and made them smile and ooooh and awe in wonderment.

He loved being a Jet Car Jockey and he died doing what he loved.

Rest in Peace Douglas Yates Rose.

My condolences to Jeanne and "our' daughter Nickey Ball.


Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

From Ky Michaelson's Web Page - The Rocketman
http://www.the-rocketman.com/jet_cars_3.html

Orange County International, 1983, this was the last race I attended at this track.

Doug's reaction time was a tad off but still better than Bill's