WINDBER — Hundreds of motorcyclists and their riders ignored overcast skies – and even, at times, some drizzle – to join Saturday in the first Windber Rumbles, a poker run to raise money for the community.
It’s the successor to the Dog Run, which had been held annually for years but the six founders and leaders of that event decided to bow
out.
Barry Jerley, one of the organizers of the Windber Rumbles, estimated that more than 800 bikes
– most of them with both an operator and a rider – were in Saturday’s event, which had stops during a
100-mile route in Bedford, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.
In addition, cyclists who decided not to go on the run because of the weather, turned out at Windber Recreation Park for parties, both Friday night and Saturday afternoon-evening, Jerley said.
Mike Borischak of Windber said in an interview Saturday before starting the run that he and his wife, Lory, had been riding in the Windber event since 2004.
“We like to give back to the community, and we like to ride,” he said.
Jonathan Beskid of Windber, a motorcycle enthusiastist, said, “All my buddies do it, and it’s a good thing for the town. It gives you something to do on the weekend and on the bike. I just like being out there with everybody.”
Dave Wright of Beaver Falls, along with his friend Le Murtha
of Johnstown, said he decided
to join the run again “because
it’s a great ride, and I like the people.”
Kevin Franklin of Lawrenceburg, Ky., made the trip back to his wife’s hometown for Windber Rumbles because “it’s a family thing. We have five or six family members who will be riding. It’s a good way to get together with family from all over the country,”
Darlene Siska of Windber, who sat out this year’s ride because of a leg injury, but still volunteered in organizing, said it’s a family event for many.
Her two daughters – Taryn Block and Leah Cook – were volunteers at stops along Saturday’s route while her mother, Dolores Block, was working in the kitchen at the park.
Jerley was unsure how much money was raised by Saturday’s event, but he said that some of it would be kept to start building a fund for next year’s event. Proceeds also will be used for charitable projects, he said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
John Rucosky
Discussion
New tradition rumbles in Windber
- Local News
-
-
$27.1B budget proposed
Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday proposed a budget of $27.1 billion, with no tax increases, deep cuts to higher education assistance and a range of cost-cutting in services for the poor, elderly and disabled.
-
Highlights of Gov. Corbett's state spending plan
Read on to see a bulleted list of Gov. Tom Corbett’s $27.1 billion state spending plan for the year that starts July 1.
-
Universities face steep cuts
State universities still trying to recover from deep cuts last year would have their public funding slashed even further under a budget plan unveiled Tuesday, leading some institutions to warn of a choice between maintaining buildings and offering academic programs students need to graduate.
-
Plan hurts middle class, local Democrats contend
While members of his own party praised Gov. Tom Corbett’s fiscal restraint, some local Democratic lawmakers said the Republican’s proposed budget panders to corporate interests while inflicting pain on the middle class.
-
Senate approves proposed fee on shale drilling
The state Senate voted today to impose a fee on natural-gas drilling in Pennsylvania and expand regulations for the booming industry, a milestone in a debate that has raged in the Capitol for several years.
Senators voted 31-19 to approve the 174-page bill that would fund road work and environmental clean-ups and give local governments the power to decide if the fee would be imposed on their local wells.
“Could we have done better? Supposedly, but it has taken three years to get this far,” said supporter Sen. John Wozniak, D-Johnstown, among a handful who crossed party lines. “It is time to turn the page.” -
Blogging with heart
I've got so much stuff for this Sunday's American Heart Month package, that some of the stories will spill over onto Monday. But I don't know what to leave out, or hold for the next week, so it looks like a double hit this week.
-
Pa. gas drilling fee bill debate ends without vote
Pennsylvania, the only major gas-producing state that does not tax the taking of natural gas from its soil, moved closer Tuesday to imposing a fee on the drilling in the vast Marcellus Shale reserves that have transformed the state in recent years.
-
Detour hurting some Portage businesses
Craig Mazzarese’s business depends heavily on drive-by customers, but since last week fewer drive-bys have been stopping
-
Local airport funding intact
Airport leaders here are breathing sighs of relief after Congress approved funding to support local commercial air service through 2015.
-
With state revenue tight, Westmont seeks school budget input
The Westmont Hilltop school board on Tuesday night held a public forum at the middle school to explain why the district, already one of the most efficient in the state, must raise taxes each year.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes MN, MO, CO
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
