Lots of color in Paonia Town Park last weekend with all the motorcycles and tents. Beemers came from across the nation and from across the big pond to attend the rally sponsored by the BMW Motorcycle Club of Colorado. The first Beemers arrived last Wednesday and most leaving on Sunday, although some were still in town Monday morning. They just hated to leave.

The event was organized by Ken Slough, rally master; Dianne Gizzie, co-rally master; Jeff Galligan, president and entertainment co-ordinator; and a slew of volunteers. On the Paonia side making it work was Ellen Smith and volunteers at the Paonia Teen Center and a number of local non-profit organizations.

Ken Slough opened the closing ceremonies by recognizing the Town of Paonia. "I personally want to thank the folks in Paonia for allowing us to use this beautiful place. I don't think you could find a more beautiful park in the whole state."

Mayor Neal Schwieterman told the Beemers, "We look forward to see you for another 20."

Ellen Smith thanked them "for all your support for our kids."

One Beemer raised his hand to say he had attended all 20 rallies in Paonia.

Pete Maddox came the longest distance to attend the BMW Rally. He came from his home in Australia. “You’ve got a beautiful country here, nearly as good as Australia!” he quipped.

Galligan then presented the BMW Rally awards to the following:

Best touring bike - Mark Konopka with a BMW K1200LT with a fancy touring trailer;

Best dual sport bike ­- Glen Springer with a Suzuki DL650 A V-Strom 09;

Best sport bike - Jim McClellen with a 98 K1200 RS "Taxi";

Oldest bike - Jerry Sullivan with a 1975 R 90/6;

Overall field event winner - Carl Carlson;

Longest distance, male, from home to rally - Pete Maddox from Australia;

Longest distance, female - Keri Raymer from Massachusetts;

Longest distance, two-up - Trent Denison and Janet Forsberg from Pittsburg, Pa.;

Oldest female rider ­- Mary Lou Dobbs born Oct. 4, 1947;

Oldest male rider - Robert Smith born Dec. 15, 1929;

Youngest female rider ­- Jackie Richard born Sept. 29, 1991;

Youngest male rider - Glen Springer born March 27, 1992.

After the awards, Slough and Galligan shared that the club lost a member this past April in a motorcycle accident. Liz Majors was killed by a drunk driver.

Majors was in charge of the rally field events in past years. The BMW Motorcycle Club of Colorado is collecting for a granite memorial which they would like to place in Paonia Town Park at the southwest corner. The Beemers had contributed for sidewalks and landscaping for the entrance by the miner statue. The memorial for Liz Majors will list the names of Beemers who die in the future. The Beemers are in discussion with town staff to see if placing the memorial in the town park can be arranged. Galligan said it will probably cost about $2,000.

Because of the lower rally attendance this year, the BMW Motorcycle Club of Colorado was not able to say how much they would donate to non-profits in Paonia. This is over and above all the help the Beemers give to the non-profit groups who operate booths at the park. The club expects to make that announcement soon on their website www.coloradobeemers.com.

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