Seniors treated on Grandparents Day

For the second year, the Ladies of Harley will offer a free barbecue and bingo to seniors on Sunday for Grandparents Day at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center.

The women are part of the Carson-Tahoe Chapter of Harley Owners Group.

"We do fund-raisers all year long to have this event and to help out Meals on Wheels," said Heidi McGuinan, secretary of Ladies of Harley. "This is our second year. We do this as a celebration for Grandparents Day."

The group will prepare a barbecue and hold a bingo session, offering donated prizes. McGuinan said a gift bag will be given to every attendee, and there will be live music for the barbecue.

"We had 150 seniors attend last year. The (senior center) director said the word's gotten out, and we may have about 300 Sunday," McGuinan said.

The barbecue will kick off around 11:30 a.m.

"We get cool prizes donated to us throughout the year to give away at bingo," McGuinan said. "Then we go outside, visit and take pictures of the seniors on the motorcycles. It's really great - then they want the jacket, the helmet, everything."

The Carson-Tahoe chapter meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Carson City Harley-Davidson on North Carson Street. Members hold a raffle within their own club every other month to raise money for the Grandparents Day barbecue. They also solicit local businesses for prizes.

Male members of the Carson-Tahoe Harley Owners Group will assist at the barbecue.

"The Ladies of Harley, they're the group putting this on," said Doug Loberg, a member of Carson-Tahoe HOG. "Us guys just kind of help out. We all pitch in to make it a successful event."

Loberg, 60, said he helped serve food last year and will serve food again and talk Harleys with the seniors.

"I have a basic black with chrome Electra Glide Standard, the 2003 anniversary model. I think they talked with me because I'm an older rider, you could say. They asked what it's like being older and riding a motorcycle. I told them you get out and ride the bike, and it's a whole different world. We got a standing ovation from the seniors last year."

The Carson City chapter has about 110 members. Membership is open to any Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner.

"This is at no cost to the seniors," McGuinan said. "We are still accepting contributions from businesses or individuals who want to make them."

IF YOU GO

What: Grandparents Day barbecue and bingo

When: 11:30 a.m. Sunday

Where: Carson City Senior Citizens Center, 911 Beverly Drive

Cost: Free

Call: 852-1347

E-mail: dngharleys@aol.com or magical1@sbcglobal.net

Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.