Page 14 - Laconia Rally News 2018

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“You’ve come a long way, baby!”
Charlie St. Clair & Jennifer Anderson
LACONIA MOTORCYCLE WEEK ASSOCIATION GIVES THANKS
Here we are at the 95th Anniversary of the oldest motorcycle rally in the world and as we look back at where we’ve come from, we are reminded that we could not have
come this far without the help of many. I guess you could say, ‘it takes a village to raise a rally’ and we sure are grateful for the village of friends surrounding us over the years. On behalf of the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, we say, “Thank you!” to all of the riders and rally enthusiasts who have made Laconia Motorcycle Week® ‘their rally’ over the years.
Thank you to Patrol Officer Richard Bassett and Master Patrol Officer Robert Sedgerly of Laconia PD for escorting our Gypsy Tours all week!
Of course, all great legacies are a continued work in progress, but it is our hope that visitors and residents alike will work with us, more than ever before to keep Laconia Motorcycle Week the world class event that it is.
We thank you – our visitors, our riders, for helping to make Laconia Motorcycle Week® a rally that we are all proud to pass on to future generations.
The Laconia Motorcycle Week Association is a non-profit organization with a board of directors including: The Naswa Resort with Cynthia Makris serving as our President, Half Moon Enterprises, the Town of Meredith, NH Motor Speedway, the Weirs Action Committee, local resident and rider, Ron Egalka, and our rally’s hometown host and epicenter, the City of Laconia. Our sincerest gratitude is extended to our board of directors for their active participation and support through the thrilling and often surprising rollercoaster ride that is Laconia Motorcycle Week®. For well over a decade, Laconia City Councilor – Armand Bolduc, has served as the City of Laconia’s representative on our board of directors. Armand comes from a long lineage of hard workers and his efforts to help sustain Laconia Motorcycle Week® have been a testament to his constitu- tion. We’ve been lucky over the last several years to not only have Councilor Bolduc sitting at the table but also, our very owner Mayor, Ed Engler. Mayor Engler’s thoughtful reflections on the rally history and future direc- tion have served as the productive conveyor of many dis- cussions and decisions leading to exciting new roads for the rally to explore.
Another ‘thank you’ is extended to the State of New Hampshire and our local and state representatives. The State of NH’s Department of Business and Economic Affairs gives a large financial contribution to this Rally through a matching-tourism grant because they recognize that supporting the efforts of the Rally in turn, supports the foundation and value of the State of NH. Thank you!
The challenge to meet our visitors with the same kind of support they give us, takes a year-round effort with many businesses, organizations, and partners throughout
the Lakes Region, the State of NH, and beyond.
Laconia Motorcycle Week® began in 1916 with a group of people riding to the area to enjoy the beautiful scenery and riding. What has evolved over the years is truly a phenomenon to behold. Continuing our ‘roots of riding’ is at the foundation of what this Rally is. A HUGE thank you to the dedicated tour guides for all charity rides throughout the State of NH and for the daily Gypsy Tours leaving from Weirs Beach. Thank you to all of the public works department, public safety and law enforcement officials who have worked tirelessly in order to ensure our residents’ and visitors’ safety. The evolution that this Rally
and the truest of hopes that when you, our visitor, arrives for the rally, that you feel welcomed and wanted – because you are.
You are the reason this rally has been a suc- cess – because you know that what it’s real-
Year after year, Kim Lakin of Point Positive Design has worked behind the scenes designing this Rally News, cre- ating our national advertising campaigning, and putting up with us all year. Our Rally News is coveted by visitors all year-long and it’s no secret why – it’s the most valuable resource for planning your rally trip. Thank you, Kim for, once again, enabling us to provide our visitors with the nation’s best Motorcycle Rally News magazine!
has undergone is tremendous, but it couldn’t have happened without all of the
It is through this effort that we are able to pro- vide so many motorcycle-related events in
our rally schedule, entertainment, and vendor options that help keep our visitors coming back. Though we cannot control every ele- ment of the rally, it is with best intentions
people and organizations involved.
We know that there are hundreds of rallies to choose from for your vacation and we thank you for picking New Hampshire.
To all of you – our visitors – thank you!
ly about is the riding and the great people
12 you meet and ride with. Enjoy New Hampshire
Photo Courtesy: Michael Frederic
Photo Courtesy: W. Stephen Loughlin