Community Event, South County

George Steel Memorial Poker Run Was a Hit

The American Legion Riders (ALR) from Post 92, in their 9th month after starting their Chapter, held their first event called The George Steel Memorial Poker Run.  

This Poker run was open to the public and cars as well as motorcycles were welcome to participate.

The George Steel Memorial Poker Run is a 54.9 mile ride from the American Legion Post 92 in McCloud to Mt Shasta’s fish hatchery, Bunny Flats which is at 6,950 feet elevation, Shastice Park, Snowman’s Hill and back to the Legion with 5 stops to pick up cards along the  way to build up their poker hand. The best and the worst hands at the end of the run win cash prizes. And a Barbeque lunch of ribs and chicken with lots of side dishes was held afterwards along with a big raffle.  

Many ALRs from other Charters came to support and join in the fun on this Poker Run that was held on Saturday, June 22nd.    Glen Lilly (past president)  and Mike Smith current Director are both from Chapter 20 near Porterville. They rode their bikes over 500 miles taking 10 hours to come for “mutual helpfulness” as Legionnaires call it.  A group of  American Legion Riders from the Chapter 95 of Oroville won the 1st challenge by sending 5 Riders.  Chapter 20 of Porterville won the 2nd challenge by traveling the furthest to attend.

This event is a fundraiser and named after George Steel who was a prominent member of Post 92 for many years. His wife, Liz Steel, helped with this event and was acknowledged with a small gift of a plant from past Auxiliary Presidents Judy Sarti and Carolyn Glenn. 

Though the funds raised in this event has not been assigned yet, the 4 pillars of the American Legion are; supporting Vets in rehab, child/youth, Americanism, and national security. It will be voted on what these funds will go towards supporting. Most likely, something local. 

Every American Legion Rider has a road name. Some from Post 92 include Larry Harpe as Old Man, Judy and Tom Sarti are Momma Bear and Papa Bear, Mike Hicklin is Geezer, Mike Buwalda is Mountain Mike, and Jon Hans is Turbo Dog.

A shout out to all the big supporters that offered so much to this event (especially the raffle) include Solano’s, Win-River Papa’s Donuts, Shasta Harley-Davidson, Jon Thomas Fine Jewelry in Mt. Shasta, Radio Shack, Walmart, Sierra Steel Harley-Davidson in Chico, Cycle Gear, Heart of the Earth, Heart Side Hair & Nail Co., Costco Wholesale in Redding, McCloud River B & B, and High Country Music Radio KORT 95.7 FM. 

It takes a lot to put on these events and it couldn’t have been done without the generous donations of time and money from the American Legion Family Post 92 of ALA, SALs and their friends: Felicia and James Aisthorpe, Colleen Blount and Jon Hans, Mike and Karen Buwalda, Kenna Edwards, Sam Fergason-Chapter 119 ALR, Debbie Friend, Larry and Suzanne Harpe, Carolyn and Brenn Jacobs, Michael and Mary McElwee, Sherrie Rouiller, Liz Steel, Jeff and Deborah VanBlarcom, Linda Allison, Joyce and Rick Brubaker, Jeff Durand, David Reynolds, Julie Ponzi, Martin and Carolyn Glenn, Mike and Linda Hicklin, Becky and Jim Langum,Shareen Strauss, Judy and Tom Sarti, and Debi Tollison.

check out the photo’s of the event on SISKIYOU·NEWS
Carolyn Glenn of Auxiliary Post 92 with best poker hand winner Carol VanBlarcom and Tom Downie who won 2nd place of worst hand of the poker run. 

Sitting down to a barbeque lunch of ribs and chicken with many side dishes and desserts. 
Riders gather for a photo op at Bunny Flats which is the midpoint of the run.
Riders coming up Everett Memorial Hwy
Stopping at Bunny Flats which is at 6,950′ elevation.
Lining up at the start of the Poker Run
Jon Hans and Colleen Blount heading out on the Poker Run
Riders Carolyn Jacobs converses with Judy Sarti during a break at midpoint of the poker run
The turn around point of the poker ride at the base of Mt Shasta called Bunny Flats
Becky Langum with the auxiliary, made the patriotic cookies for the lunch which consists of BBQ ribs and Chicken
Friends from the American Legion Post 92 Riders out of town friends at one of the stops on the poker run get together for a picture

4 Comments

  1. Carolyn Glenn

    A big shout out to the Weed Grocery Outlet. Without their generosity Chapter 92 could not have offered the fabulous BbQ lunch.

  2. Carolyn Glenn

    A minor correction. Chapter 95 of Oroville won the 1st challenge by sending 5 Riders. Chapter 20 of Porterville won the 2nd challenge by traveling the furthest to attend. It’s common practice for American Legion Riders to support each other’s events but the support from Oroville and Porterville included mentoring our new chapter well before the run.

  3. Rod Tessier

    Wish I could have been there.George was a great friend of mine for many years.Hope you do it next year

  4. Tom Downie

    Thank u all, it was a blessing to attend this and support the American legion riders#92, Well done!!!

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