Winter Solstice Party - 2003

Fellow DOGS:

Mother Nature dealt NJ a one-two punch just as the DOGS Annual Winter Solstice Party was about to launch at its new venue--the beautiful country home of Team Bergstrom (Alan and Pam), who now live in Frenchtown--a much more central location for the party. Thank you, Pam and Alan, for opening your new home to the DOGS. Your hospitality was beyond anything we could have imagined.

As Linda and I were driving toward 1433 Country Route 519 (their home), we were contemplating the number and grade of hills that we were encountering along the way. It looks like good tandeming country, albeit hilly in almost every direction! Because we were talking, we actually missed their drive/private road and the "DOGS" sign that Alan had posted at the end of their road, so that everybody could venture down their snow covered driveway.

As usual, we were a little early (okay, a lot early (1 1/2 hours); George is just a little bit obsessive-compulsive about arriving on time)! But that was great because it gave us time to chat with Pam and Alan and express all of our Ooh's and Ahh's over their new home before the rest of the DOGS arrived. Dave and Marji were first--about 12:30 PM. No sooner had they arrived, then everybody else started showing up, within only minutes of each other.

With the arrival of each team, there was the usual increase in delectable food items added to the center island in Pam's "dream kitchen." And, as usual, the DOGS all seemed to congregate in the kitchen (so as not to be too far from the food--are we really an "eating club with a tandeming disorder," or is it the other way 'round--"a tandem club with an eating disorder?")

The DOGS who were able to attend the 2003 Winter Solstice Party included the following teams: Bergstrom (Pam and Alan, of course), Wells (Linda and George), Kristol/Brandriss (Dave and Marji), Isherwood (Brenda and Larry), Snope/Nicolich (Dave and Susan), Cook/Prudhomme (Mark and Cheryl), Willard/Hamanaka (Walt and Claire), Cudworth (Debbie and Alan), LeGrande/Chan (Rich and Chris), Kruimer (Anne and Mike), Smith/Witz (Ann and Gisela), and Boyd/Allison (Malcolm and Judy).

Along with each Team's addition to Pam's center island, Team Cook/Prudhomme (Mark and Cheryl) modeled the latest in DOGS Logo-Wear. They have matching yellow anoraks with the DOGS logo, and Mark was wearing a short sleeve shirt with the DOGS logo over the pocket. Stay alert for future information about what might be offered for sale, regarding on- and off-tandem clothing.

We presented the Superior DOGS awards (plaques designed by Mark's company) for 2003, to the following Teams:

DOGS Best Friend--Team MaDDOGS (Dave and Marji) with "special mention" to Dave for all his work for the club.

Water Spaniel--Team Troike (Ed and Trish), because it rained on their parade so many times this year.

Working DOGS--Team DBLS DOGS (Larry and Brenda, Dave and Susan), for "hosting" the "most" rides that actually occurred in 2003.

Faithful DOGS--Team DoubleOccupancy (Walt and Claire) for "participating" in the "most" rides this season.

And a Special "Thank You Award" went to Team Engleke/Mertens for "hosting" the 6th Anniversary DOGS Ride (despite the weather).

After a brief meeting, we attacked the food with vigor, just like we attack the hills. Pretty soon we were all stuffed--and there was still food left over! It was then that a few teams got out their snow toys and headed out to the slope in the Bergstrom's back yard. Snow saucers flew down the hill while some snow-shoed through their property. The rest of us stayed inside looking out the window watching them wipe-out while going down the hill. We were going to have more than a few wet DOGS pretty soon. (Wonder who had the most fun yesterday?)

As the sun was setting, we all drifted into the living room (even the wet DOGS), to enjoy Dave Kristol's array of pictures from the various DOGS rides and other cycling events where the DOGS were in attendance. The pictures brought back memories of the DOGS' Riding Season-2003, as well as the promise of many more rides yet to come.

A few Teams said their goodbyes (which also included the Wells--about 5:30 PM), leaving several teams on the couch, in chairs and on the living room floor, some near Alan's crackling fireplace, so that they could continue watching the pictures. Pam sent us an e-mail this morning, saying that they had fun entertaining us all and that the last DOGS Team went home at 7:30 PM.

It was a great day. With any luck, the snow will melt and we'll be back on the roads exploring both familiar and unfamiliar roads of NJ. Stay tuned for your next episode of "DOGS Days Out!"

Happy Holidays, Everybody,

Linda & George Wells
Leaders - Doubles Of the Garden State (DOGS)


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Last modified: 7 Sept 2002