SOUTH BRANCH WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Event Highlights

2007 "Ride for the River" Motorcycle Poker Run
See also: Event Photos | Event Sponsors

Motorcyclists road to protect clean water on Saturday May 19 as they traveled 63 miles through the watershed of the South Branch of the Raritan River to benefit the South Branch Watershed Association. Despite the predictions of rain that never materialized, nearly 130 motorcycle riders and 50 businesses and individuals supported the fifth annual Ride for the River event. Platinum Sponsors included financial advisors Economic Concepts, and insurance firm Lawley Sachs, LLC, both of Annandale.

The riders started out at Spruce Run reservoir, an important water supply and recreational resource within the river's watershed, with a breakfast of bagels and coffee. The route, following many scenic rural roads, took riders through the beautiful and varied segments of the watershed through 10 municipalities in Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, from the farmland of East Amwell Township to the Highlands of Lebanon Township. Wildlife and livestock dotted the countryside and riders passed miniature horses, a donkey and a herd of cows, and got a glimpse overhead of a kettle of turkey vultures and a great blue heron. Many of the riders were watershed residents while some came from more distant watersheds in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The ride was a "poker run" where participants collected playing cards at 5 stops along the route to yield a poker hand. Card stops were located at Spruce Run Reservoir, the Sky Manor Airport, Otto Farm Park, Rollin’ Fast Cycle Sports and Lebanon Memorial Park. The ride ended at a family oriented picnic of roast pork, baked beans, coleslaw and homemade cookies in the picturesque Lebanon Memorial Park, where The John Austin Band entertained the attendees.

Cash prizes were awarded to the top three hands, and gifts donated by local businesses were awarded to all participants. The event included a bike show with five motorcycle categories including best of show; judging was performed by the attendees selecting their favorite motorcycles.

Nearly fifty volunteers, including Junior Girl Scout Troop 1030 from Union Township, helped make the event a success. Volunteers registered riders, served food, sold T-shirts, hats, pins and temporary tattoos of the River Ride logo and operated the card stops.

Nearly $20,000 was raised to support South Branch Watershed Association programs. The South Branch of the Raritan River provides water supply to 1.2 million people. The goal of the SBWA is the protection and preservation of the quality and other natural resources of the South Branch Raritan River and its watershed. The watershed spans portions of Hunterdon, Morris and Somerset Counties. For nearly 50 years the SBWA has provided environmental education to schools, land use professionals and the general public; performed stream monitoring; conducted research on stormwater treatment; conducted stream cleanups; provided community well testing programs; and assisted municipalities and counties with land use and open space planning. As a recent initiative, businesses and golf courses located in the watershed are adopting river-friendly land management practices.

Riders gather at Spruce Run Reservoir	Lebanon Memorial Park Best of Show winner Barry Stires 2004 Harley Firefighter
Lebanon Memorial Park Scott Birkner winner of cruiser class

PLATINUM		Economic Concepts, Inc. (www.economicconcepts.com) Lawley Sachs, LLC (www.lawleyinsurance.com/html/home_sachs.asp)
GOLD		Amy S. Greene Environmental Consultants (www.amygreene.com) Arora Associates (www.arorapc.com) Baked in Telluride (www.bakedintelluride.com) Flemington Department Store (www.flemingtondepartmentstore) Richard Grubb & Associates (www.richardgrubb.com) JC Landscape Construction & Management Co. Kinsey Associates (www.kinseyassociates.com) Rollin' Fast Cycle Sports Victory Motorcycles (www.rollinfast.com) The Stover Foundation
SILVER		AAA Clubs of New Jersey (www.aaa.com) A. John DiMilia, Inc. (see our Blue Book ad) Air Professionals (www.airprofessionalsnj.com) AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc. (www.amec.com/earthandenvironmental) Art of Framing (www.artofframing.net) Bradshaw Awards & Engraving (www.since1920.com) Conserve Wildlife Foundation (www.conservewildlifenj.org) Thomas DiBianca, Esq. The Doggett Corporation (www.doggettcorp.com) Dover Pools & Supplies (www.doverpool.com) Jeff Alte Roofing Jon Fellgraff, A.I.A. Architect Frey Engineering (www.freyengineering.com) Hopewell Valley Community Bank (www.hvcbonline.com) Garden State Laboratories (www.gslbs.com) Gilmore Associates (www.gilmore-assoc.com) Selma Greene IEW Construction Group (www.iewconstructiongroup.com) James Toyota Scion (www.jamestoyota-scion.com) Liberty Hill Realty, Inc. Lieberman and Blecher (www.liebermanblecher.com) Mannon Excavating & Paving Co., Inc. Mr. Electric (www.mrelectric.com) Najarian Associates (www.najarian.com) Paul Carpenter Associates, Inc. (www.pcairnoise.com) Proctor Family PSE&G (www.pseg.com) Raab Coins (www.raabcoinshop.com) Gail Rosen, CPA (www.gailrosencpa.com) Samuel Stothoff Company Well Drillers (www.stothoff.com) Special T's Stowaway Self Storage (www.stowawayselfstorage.com) Swain's Private Swim Instruction (www.patmedia.net/swimjim) Team Graphics (www.teamgraphic.com) Johannah Weinhoffer Thomas L. Yager & Associates Unity Bank (www.unitybank.com)
Donations		Aesthetic Press The Old River House Restaurant The Bagel Club Giordano, Halleran & Ciesta, P.C. (www.ghclaw.com) Prestige Environmental, Inc. (www.prestige-environmental.com) Shammy Shine Car Washes (www.shammyshine.com)