Chop's Memorial Run

Hello Folks, on the 13th of May, 2006 we held what we hope to be the first of an annual event, a memorial and fund raiser run in memory of our long lost brother Steven (Chop) Lehnertz and all funds to be donated to the local Hospice.
This year the event went off better than expected, there were 102 bikes and 7 to 8 cars/pick-ups/trucks.
We left Mike's Pub at 10:30 as one long line, thanks to Wild Bill and Big Red blocking traffic for us.
First we headed south into Hernando County to Bayport Inn in Bayport out near the Gulf. There we took about a half hour break before heading back inland to the Horse & Crown in Spring Hill on US19. Again after about a 30 minute break we headed northeast to Sleepy Hollow behind Floral City on some very beautiful roads. Here we took a little more than a half hour break, we were running a little ahead of schedule. Besides, everybody was enjoying the shade of the big oak trees and the live music. After a while we headed to our next stop, Casey's on US41 just a mile or so south of Inverness. We didn't want to stay there too long because they were holding services for a friend of theirs that had died and we didn't want to interrupt anything. Our next stop was Augie's in Homosassa Springs on Grover Cleveland Blvd. From there it was back to Mike's Pub where we held services and a military salute and lots of food, music and raffles out back while inside you could watch a DVD of a picture slide show of Chop that was put together by Dave of Dave and Page.
Altogether we put better than 100 miles on our bikes during the run.

	Leaving Mike's Pub at 10:30 the count was 99 bikes and an unknown number of 4 wheelers. We picked up a few more at different stops along the way. Wild Bill driving his Big Red did a hell of a job blocking traffic so all the bikes could get out.
	Leading the pack was Scott with Pam, Chop's widow, on the back and next to them was Brian on Chop's bike with Pam's sister behind him.
	As you can see the line of bikes stretched out for miles.
	It seemed to take forever for all the bikes and 4 wheelers to pull into Bayport Inn.
	Here is Pam standing behind Chop's bike at Bayport Inn.
	It didn't take long to fill up the inside of Bayport Inn, it was already pretty hot outside and everybody wanted to cool off.
	Wild Bill getting Big Red out into position to help the bikes to get across US19 into the Horse & Crown.
	You parked where ever you could, it didn't take long for the parking lot to fill up with bikes.
	On our ride to Sleepy Hollow we rode through some very beautiful areas. The line of bikes seemed like would never end.
	Everybody was having a great time and enjoying the ride.
	Everybody enjoyed the shade of the big oak trees at Sleepy Hollow.
	Besides the shade there was food and live music.
	Our next stop was Casey's in Inverness. Every stop was one of Chop's favorite watering holes.
	From Casey's we headed to Augie's in Homosassa Springs.
	Here we are pulling into Mike's Pub after leaving Augie's. The end of a 100+ mile run that everybody enjoyed.
	Out back Bill Squires performed a short service and the local VFW had a color guard there for a military salute to Chop.
	Pam was presented with an American Flag and the empty casing of the gun salute.
	After the ceremony it was time to eat
	and listen to the band.
	On the 26th Hospice was given a check of all the money that the memorial run took in, $3,010. The guy from Hospice almost swallowed his cigar when he was told how much the check was for. He said they have never received so much at one time from a fund raiser.