Mayor’s 8th Poker Run another successful ride

    A good group of motorcycles and a corvette took to the road Saturday to raise funds for a worthy cause.
    The 8th annual Mayor’s Poker Run, under the direction of Imperial Mayor Dwight Coleman, was greeted by ideal weather and had a successful 199-mile ride.
    While Coleman has been at the lead of the past seven rides, this year a buy-out offer from Debbie Patten of Benkelman switched that up a bit. Patten, riding with Richard Boon, also of Benkelman, made a donation to take over the lead spot.
    Coleman agreed with taking the second spot, as more funds went to the Giving Circle, which will receive all proceeds from the event.
    Before leaving City Square at 10:30 a.m., Coleman welcomed the group. He remembered Albert Zuege, who died last week, and had judged the event’s poker hands in previous years. Zuege was also Coleman’s next-door neighbor.
    Brad Dinnel reviewed the route, led the group in prayer and they departed, led by an Imperial police car.
    After picking up their first poker card before leaving Imperial, additional cards were selected as they traveled to Benkelman, St. Francis, Kansas, Wray, Colorado and Holyoke, Colorado, with their last card determined with a dart throw at the board of playing cards back in Imperial.
    A meal prepared by Giving Circle members was served after riders picked up their final card. Poker hand winners were then announced, along with other prize winners. Door prizes to participants were also given.
    Coleman had the only reported mishap during the ride, when he ran out of gas south of Holyoke.
    Giving Circle member Jo Leyland presented the mayor with a gas can as a comical reminder of the 2021 ride.
    As in years past, all proceeds from the Poker Run were given to the Giving Circle, whose members donate to individuals or families in need, as well as local community projects.
    After expenses, the Giving Circle will receive an estimated $2,300 for its donations. There were 34 paid riders.
    Here are the list of various winners and auction buyers at the event.
    Best poker hands—1st Nick Ohrman, Benkelman, $200 Visa gift card (donated back to Giving Circle); 2nd Jason Greenman, Amherst, Colorado, $100 Visa gift card; 3rd Chris Cagle, Holyoke, Colorado, $50 Visa gift card.
    Bug spot winners—1st Linda Henderson, St. Francis; 2nd Laura Barton, Imperial. Both won buckets of cleaning products donated by AACE Wash Systems.
    Auction items—Wooden U.S. flag wall hanging purchased by Doug Gaswick, Imperial, $230; box of Winchester shells, purchased by Carole Warning, Benkelman, $100.
    50/50 raffle—Kevin Way, Lamar, won $45.