Franklin County : 2008 PGA Memorial Golf Tournament

Dublin, OH, May 31, 2008. Each year the best golfers in the world come to Dublin, OH in May to play in The PGA Memorial Golf Tournament. The largest gathering of Circuit Riders for Stratton so far, some 18 Ohioans wearing the now famous white, orange and black Circuit Riders for Stratton shirts, came to Dublin, too, this year.

Justice Stratton and her Circuit Riders came to say thanks to all Central Ohio Stratton for Supreme Court volunteers who were invited to a special volunteer appreciation party at the home of Pete & Donna Miller in Muirfield Village.

Unlike previous events, morning showers and thunderstorms gave way to perfect afternoon weather. While the Snoopy blimp buzzed over head sending live TV images of the tournament to millions of fans around the world, Justice Stratton, her Circuit Riders and campaign volunteers discussed plans for the exciting re-election campaign ahead.

The golfing world will forever remember that Kenny Perry won the 2008 Memorial at Muirfield that day. We will always remember Justice Evelyn L. Stratton, just a few hundred feet away from Muirfield’s 18^th green, saying thanks to her volunteers all over Ohio as the long, but exciting, road to victory in November began.

Ride to Remember – Memorial Day Weekend 2008

Gibsonburg, OH, May 23, 2008. All Ohio was dressed in its best red, white and blue on Memorial Day Weekend 2008. Circuit Riders for Stratton saw bunting and American flags on homes, businesses, bridges and tunnels, and on memorials and graves in large cities, small towns and villages over the 767 miles we rode on Memorial Day weekend. In honor of those who had given their lives in service to their country we rode the circuit.

Ottawa County: Port Clinton Walleye Festival & Parade

Circuit Riders for Stratton might share at least one thing in common with the first circuit riding Ohio Supreme Court justices way back in 1802/03: A love for Lake Erie walleye and other native Ohio foods. Over two-hundred years ago, the first justices lived off the land as they traveled on horseback from county to county. As they rode along Lake Erie, they were no doubt treated to the bountiful fish harvests enjoyed by the first pioneers and native Americans. So it seemed proper and fitting that Circuit Riders for Stratton accept an invitation from the folks up in Ottawa County to begin their 2008 Memorial Day "Ride to Remember" at the Port Clinton Walleye Festival Parade.

After a hearty pancake breakfast, we joined the parade sandwiched between two fire trucks with sirens blaring. But those sirens could not match the roar of our Harleys when we revved the engines in unison, much to the delight of children along the parade route.

The Walleye Festival Parade route is unique in that it winds past people's homes in residential neighborhoods before finally emerging into historic downtown Port Clinton, Ohio. We saluted everyone we saw on the parade route, even those who sat on their porches and in their lawn chairs. This was small town Ohio at its very best and we felt proud and honored to be accepted by the local community.

And yes, the Walleye and perch were great! The circuit riders wish to thank Stratton for Supreme Court Ottawa County Coordinator Karen McTague for her support, Joyce Murphy for the invitation, and everyone in Port Clinton and Ottawa County Ohio for a wonderful day!

Cuyahoga County: Chagrin Falls Blossom Time Festival.

Motorcyclists are fond of saying, "It's not only the destination but also the ride." Circuit Riders for Stratton Ride Director, Paul Hollinger, had plotted a route from Columbus to Chagrin Falls that took us through small towns, rolling farmland and quaint Amish Country in beautiful eastern Ohio. Ohioans are a proud and patriotic people!

We greeted voters in eight counties on our ride north, and we observed, white and blue bunting and American Flags rverywhere. Circuit Riders for Stratton had American Flags flying on our motorcycles, too, as we rode along.

The Blossom Time Festival attracted thousands of Ohioans who came out to see the eclectic, two-hour parade wind through the picturesque little town of Chagrin Falls, on the eastern side of Cuyahoga County. Circuit Riders for Stratton were there, too, but, being a frugal group with thousands of miles yet to ride, we passed on the $250 parade entrance fee and celebrated from the sidelines. A big thank you to Chagrin Falls resident Sally Florkiewicz who invited us and another 500 or so of her closest friends to take in the grand view from her front lawn.

As we took our leave from Sally's, we rode south and west through the many beautiful cities and towns that make up the heart of Cuyahoga County. Our route took us from Chagrin Falls through Shaker Heights, Beachwood and several other eastern suburbs and countless Cleveland neighborhoods.

After crossing The Flats, we rode west along picturesque Lake Shore Drive through Lakewood, Bay Village, Rocky River, Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake and Lorain, ending our five-hour mini-tour in Vermilion. From there, the Hollingers headed home while the Millers rode west for overnight stay at the Catawba Island home of Gary & Pam Rowe. A beautiful Lake Erie sunset capped off another glorious day spent on the circuit and with the people of northern Ohio.

A big thank-you to Stratton for Supreme Court Cuyahoga County Coordinator Sante Ghetti and to Robert Frost, Chairman of the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County, who arranged our visit to the Chagrin Falls Blossom Time Festival.

Sandusky County: Fremont Memorial Day Parade

A loud clap of thunder and a flash of lightening woke us from a very deep on Memorial Day 2008. It was only a passing storm over Lake Erie, not the din of warfare that had taken the lives of the many brave Ohioans who we honor today.

After inducting Pam & Gary Rowe into Circuit Riders for Stratton, we headed south to the Fremont Memorial Day Parade. The rain had stopped and skies were clearing. Stratton for Supreme Court Sandusky County Coordinator Jean Turner had put out the word that we were coming, and we were warmly welcomed into the line of march.

Fremont and the surrounding area with its people of different races, ethnic backgrounds, and religions is the veritable melting pot of northwestern Ohio. Local residents are proud, hard-working people from differing backgrounds but with the same hopes and dreams. We could see it all come together in their smiling faces as we rode along the parade route. The parade ended with the Fremont Memorial Day Ceremonies, another moving event for all involved.

Jean Turner jumped in her husband Pat's pick-up truck and said, 'Follow me!" She must have known that we were tired and hungry after nearly three days and more than 600 miles behind us, because she invited us to her beautiful home in Gibsonburg, Ohio for lunch.

Jean and Pat Turner are no strangers to motorcycles and fast cars. They reminisced about those bygone years when they each rode motorcycles along the beaches and up into the mountains of southern California. Pat checked out our big Harley Ultra Classic touring bike and conjured strategies for getting back on two wheels again someday. We couldn't leave without first inducting Pat & Jean Turner into Circuit Riders for Stratton.

Sandusky County: Gibsonburg Veteran Memorial

The weekend had been a lot of fun and a wonderful motorcycle ride. But we had one last stop to make before turning south and riding home.

The Gibsonburg Ohio Veteran Memorial in Williams Park along State Route 300 is a must-see and very moving. The centerpiece is a life-size bronze sculpture of a lone American soldier in full battle dress, kneeling in prayer for his fallen comrades. His right hand holds his rifle, bayonet end down with his helmet resting on top. The soldier faces a simple, curving brick wall holding names of hundreds of local heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. A vintage Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, T-Bird aircraft 'flies' overhead to protect and honor the memory of these brave soldiers in perpetuity.

Near the Veteran Memorial stand colorful metal sculptures of butterflies, birds and flowers, symbols, perhaps, of the life, hope and prosperity that these fallen heroes helped to preserve for future generations.

Counties Visited

This ride included stops in Cuyahoga, Ottawa, Sandusky, Wyandot, Seneca, Morrow, Knox, Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Summit, Geuaga and Lorain Counties.

Delaware County: Armed Forces Appreciation Day

Sunbury, OH, May 3, 2008. In a drizzling rain, the color guard for Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, snapped to attention in full dress uniform and presented the colors. Circuit Riders For Stratton Pastor John Harris from Richland County gave a prayer of thanks to Armed Forces personnel and their families at the commencement of Armed Forces Appreciation Day ceremonies hosted by A. D Farrow Harley-Davidson in Delaware County.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn L. Stratton, herself a 'veteran' of the Viet Nam War, climbed upon a trailer bearing a scale model of the USS Columbus (SSN762) nuclear submarine and gave thanks to all American Armed Forces personnel and their families for their service and sacrifice to their county. Justice Stratton attended the ceremonies in conjunction with The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to help make armed service personnel and their families aware of the mental health services that are available to them.

Justice Stratton had been a very young student in South Vietnam at the beginning of the Viet Nam War. After she returned to the states, she learned that her missionary boarding school had been evacuated to Malaysia as the North Viet Nam army closed in. She had some opportunity to share 'war stories' and to thank Viet Nam War veterans for their service during the Armed Forces Appreciation Day ceremonies.

Justice Stratton also presented a piece of original artwork of the Statue of Liberty and a 'Camo Bear' to A. D. Farrow Director of Marketing Darris Blackford as a small token of her appreciation for hosting the ceremonies. The little stuffed bear (see photo) was dressed in combat fatigues and played "I am proud to be an American." Justice Stratton had received the bear and artwork along with the 2008 Ellis Island Medal of Honor at recent ceremonies in New York City. (see accompanying story).

Several Circuit Riders For Stratton manned a small tent, handed out literature & tee-shirts and also said 'Thank-you' to everyone who attended.

And 30 miles to the south at Rickenbacker Airport in Columbus, another group of Lima Company Marines were saying good-by to their families and loved-ones. They were headed to California for training before being deployed back to Iraq. Lima Company suffered the highest loss of life of an American military unit to have served in Iraq. Three years ago, 23 of the company's Marines were killed during their tour of duty.

Ride on . . . . Ride Safe . . . . Thank you!

Delaware County: ABATE of Ohio State Rally

Sunbury, OH, May 3, 2008. Neither torrential rains nor howling winds and hail will deter Circuit Riders for Stratton from meeting voters in all 88 counties before Election Day. On May 3rd our hearty band of riders passed the 'weather test' at the American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) of Ohio State Rally in Delaware County.

A not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting safe operating practices, preserving the rights, and improving the image of Ohio motorcyclists, ABATE and Circuit Riders for Stratton share a similar goal: To help insure that all Ohioans receive fair justice.

Having enjoyed almost 30 minutes of afternoon sun following a thoroughly damp morning, the skies once again opened up. A micro burst of wind, rain and hail struck our encampment at A.D. Farrow's Harley-Davidson Shop and sent our tent crashing down around Circuit Rider Donna Miller and her Harley. No worries though; the Harley was unharmed-- as was my wife Donna. The tent was a goner!

ABATE invited two of our Circuit Riders from Richland County to join the affair, Pastor John Harris and his wife Linda. Pastor John blessed both the Circuit Riders and their police escorts from the State Patrol, Delaware County and City of Columbus. Please look for our feature on Pastor John and Linda in an upcoming issue of our campaign newsletter, The Stratton Times.

Despite the bad weather, the Circuit Riders and 65 ABATE riders made it safely from NorthStar, near Delaware, Ohio, to the Statehouse in downtown Columbus; whereupon, the month of May was proclaimed "Ohio Motorcycle Awareness Month."

With a new tent in tow, we are off to the Armed Forces Appreciation Day ceremonies in Delaware County where we will join our fellow Ohioans in giving thanks to the brave men, women, and families, who have sacrificed so much so that we may enjoy our freedoms.

Delaware County: Kick-Off Ride

Lewis Center, OH, April 26, 2008,. Circuit Riders for Stratton kicked-off their historic tour of Ohio in celebration of the 205th anniversary of The Ohio Supreme Court. And for the first time in nearly two centuries, an Ohio Supreme Court Justice rode the circuit.

Just outside the state capital she put on a helmet, buckled her chin strap, and climbed on the back of a huge Harley-Davidson motorcycle. At that same moment, in Delaware County, the Ohio Republican Party's State Central Committee was sitting down to a leisurely luncheon meal with ORP Chairman Bob Bennett, Deputy Chairman Kevin DeWine, National Republican Party Deputy Chairwoman Jo Ann Davidson and former U.S. Senator Mike DeWine.

With twin American flags flying, she rode north with Circuit Riders for Stratton Leader Pete Miller at the controls, joined by Pete's wife Donna and four other CFRS members, Mike & David Farrenkopf and Paul and Cheryl Hollinger.

As the four motorcycles roared into view, those gathered for the luncheon must have known something was up. Two riders pushed open the door and moved to the front of the room. It was only after she reached the podium and removed her helmet that the crowd recognized Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton. And they went wild!

Justice Stratton thanked Chairman Bob Bennett for letting her 'surprise' his luncheon guests. She told the State Central Committee that every Ohioan was important to her, and that with the help of her Circuit Riders for Stratton, her campaign would reach out to voters in all 88 counties. Later that afternoon, Justice Stratton spoke to the Ohio delegation to the Republican National Convention.

The historic tour of Circuit Riders for Stratton has begun. Ride on Circuit Riders for Stratton . . . . Ride on!

Our next event will be at the ABATE of Ohio Motorcycle Rally at the A.D. Farrow Harley-Davidson Shop at NorthStar, at the intersections of I-71 and SR 36/37 near Delaware, Ohio. Please join us Saturday, May 3rd, at 1:30PM to help re-elect Justice Evelyn L. Stratton to The Ohio Supreme Court!

Circuit Riders for Stratton

This year marks the 205th anniversary of The Ohio Supreme Court.

History books and court records tell us that the very first Ohio justices "road the circuit," traveling thousands of miles on horseback each year to hold court in every Ohio county. These judicial pioneers braved primitive and often dangerous conditions to lay the foundation for our legal system.

Although it's been just over two centuries since our justices rode the circuit, Justice Evelyn L. Stratton is presently crisscrossing the state in an effort to meet as many voters as possible. Two of her campaign volunteers from Franklin County, Pete & Donna Miller, have decided to join the effort by forming "Circuit Riders for Stratton".

Circuit Riders for Stratton will ride to all 88 Ohio counties by Election Day in honor of Ohio's earliest justices and in support of the re-election of Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn L. Stratton. These 21^st century Circuit Riders will have plenty of horse power!

A core group will leave Columbus and join up with local bikers and biking groups throughout Ohio. CRFS will visit every county and attend local events whenever possible.

You can join Circuit Riders for Stratton, track their progress and catalog their adventures right here on the Circuit Riders For Stratton Blog.

All bikers are welcome!

Ride on Circuit Riders for Stratton . . . . Ride on!