Dear BLUEgrass Runners,

August is here, and it has been hot! Please slow down and remember to drink for thirst. Congratulations to those who have been running/walking — just getting out there puts you ahead of the game.

I want to thank the BGR webmasters – Shannan Gabe, Chris Grecco, Matt Reno, & Mike Lesshafft for doing an excellent job of keeping track of membership information, sending out the monthly e-newsletter, uploading pictures to the website, and also keeping us updated on Facebook. Thanks to the four of you of taking this task on. I am still making contact with a hard copy newsletter and by mail/phone when needed.

The new website has helped increase BGR membership and allowed present and past members easier access to renew or re-join the club.

Members, we still need your articles, photos, and race results. If you ran a race that is not on John’s website, please submit your results or send us info about the race.

The Lexington Half Marathon came and went back in March. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out in various jobs the weekend of March 27 and 28.

I want to thank Debbie Jackson and Melynda Milburn Jamison for becoming part of the social committee with Mary Nagle and Bruce Carey. Thanks to Melynda for organizing a club hike at Red River Gorge in May. Twelve members participated and had a lot of fun!! They walked about 7 miles and enjoyed lunch afterwards at Miguel’s Pizza.  Thanks to Deb for organizing a karaoke social in April, a bowling get-together in June, and socials in June and August downtown at Thursday Night Live.

Thanks to Leo McMillen for putting together the Solstice celebration. We started Monday, June 21st at 6:00 am with a run beginning at the Lexington Public Library in Beaumont Center. We ran for an hour as the sun rose and followed it up with breakfast at the Waffle House. That evening, we celebrated with an ice cream social at Leo & Sue McMillen’s, watching the sunset from their house. Thanks for opening up your house to us. It was a fun way to celebrate the longest day of the year.

Finally I want to thank Mike Lesshafft for all his work chairing the Executive Committee to bring new life to BLUEgrass Runners. Thanks to Leo McMillen, Rana Johnson, Shannan Gabe, Melynda Milburn, Louise Hensley and Deborah Jackson for all their input as committee members. Through these efforts by the committee, we have outlined some specific goals and set up plans to achieve those goals through increased membership, new club runs, more outside social activities and an annual bus trip, organizing more road races, offering incentives for club participation, and implementing a system to provide more support for the local running community.

Soon I will appoint a nominating committee to work on next year’s slate of officers.  I hope when they call upon you that you will be receptive to putting your hat in the ring and running for office.  BGR Officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two directors for a two-year term.

Live on life and helping others.

Martin Bess
859-361-0071
mbessky@aol.com