Poker run to benefit good cause

Harry Magers never met a dog he didn't like. Some would say he's never met a Harley Davidson motorcycle he didn't like, too.

On Sunday, Magers and about 200 other like-minded area residents participated in a motorcycle poker run that helped raise about $3,500 for the Humane Society of the Mid Ohio Valley in Marietta.

"It's a little bit too hot, but otherwise it's a good day for a ride," Magers said as he pulled away from the Norwood Tavern on Sunday with his wife, Carolyn seated behind him on his Harley.

The couple rode about 120 miles, zipping across Washington County and making scheduled stops at five biker-friendly taverns along the way.

Mary Eddy, owner of the Norwood Tavern and a board member at the humane society, helped organize the fund-raiser, now in its eighth year. The ride started at her Greene Street bar around 1 p.m. and wrapped up Sunday evening with a reception at the River City Boat House on Virginia Street.

"Several years ago we decided we needed to do something for the humane society and we knew people around here like to ride," Eddy said. "We just put one and two together and came up with three."

Each rider paid $10 to participate in the event. Also, tickets were sold for raffles and other games.

Fred Blake, 76, of Marietta, said this was the first year he wouldn't be riding his motorcycle in the event.

"I had to give it up this year," Blake said. "I sold my bike, so this year I'm driving pickup."

The job required Blake to drive the route after the last rider to offer assistance to any rider in the event of a breakdown or accident.

"It's still fun to just get out," Blake said. "The nice thing about a poker run is that no one will ever get hungry or thirsty. Those places really take care of you."

Eddy said the local shelter is near capacity, with about 200 animals available for adoption.

In May the shelter, located off Mount Tom Road, was named second-place winner in the Zootoo.com Shelter Makeover Contest. Eddy said the $20,000 prize is already being put to good use.

"We're in the process of building a cat room, where there are no cages and the animals can move freely," Eddy said. "We're also working on a possible spay and neuter clinic."