Bike run to benefit Karen Ann Quinlan hospice

Ogdensburg — Rain or snow, or whatever weather, virtually nothing stops the Blue Knights from heading out on New Year’s Day on a bike ride to help Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. The Chilly-Chili run has been an annual event for over three decades, going forward in all kinds of weather not for the tender, but good for the tender hearted. “Its all for a good cause, to help people have hospice who need hospice,” said Cecelia Clayton, executive director of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, a regular at the event along with her husband Richard Clayton, also a member of the Blue Knights. The run covers the same 31-mile ride as in prior years. It runs through the hills of Sparta, Hardyston, Hamburg, Vernon and Franklin, and returns to Ogdensburg. The Ogdensburg fire department cooks “Dan’s” famous chili, hot dogs and other goodies for the riders and proceeds go to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. Also at this event every year, the winner of the annual Harley Bike raffle is announced. The hospice sells tickets throughout the year with only 2000 sold at $20 a piece for the latest Harley bike. Harley tickets for 2008 are still available and may be purchased at the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice office, 99 Sparta Ave., in Newton, or by visiting www.karenannquinlanhospice.org. To participate in the Chilly Chili ride, registration opens at 9 a.m. at the Ogdensburg Fire House on the day of the ride, and the police escorted ride leaves at approximately 11 a.m. for a one-hour ride through the county. Sign up is $20 per person to ride and/or for lunch afterwards. For more information call 973-383-0115.