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The Herald and The l-antem

Wedneaday, Febmary l», IM1

A Family Romance with Cycling

by VA Hamctl COLD SPRING-Whit* the bMt way to spend s winter weekend day with the Hhermometer registering in the 20s and arctic winds gusting in from Canada? Curl up In front of a roaring fire with a good book and a mug of something hot handy, of

Not if you're Ralph and Mary JoGallaher FOR TOEM. it’s a fun thing to slip into several layers of clothes, beginning with long Johns and ending with insulated coveralls, topped Off with their light green Silver Spokes overbests, and climb aboard a shiny brute of a motorcycle

for a 900-mile Jaunt. It’s all part of what amounts to a family romance with motorcycles and cycling for the GaDahers. The romance began when Ralph, Just out of the Navy in 1946. acquired his -first cycle. IT TOOK another twist when Mary Jo' O’Brien, a Philadelphia native transplanted with her family to Wildwood, enter*) the picture , A girl-friend, with her eye on one of Ralph's cycling buddies, Induced Mary Jo to take a spin with Ralph on his trusty Indian. That was in 1947 They were married in Septembr.

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1949, and honeymooned in Kay West - by motorcycle, of course. There followed setting up housekeeping — the GaUshers have occupied their doey home in Cold Spring since 1961 — and the debut of Michael and Patrice. Keeping rubber on the Indian yielded to keeping shoes on the youngsters' feet. BY THE Ms. Ralph had about decided he was getting a little old for Jaunting around on two wheels. Then son Michael became interested in cycling and Ralph changed his mind. Both are now members of the Silver Spokes Motorcycle Club of Cape May County. So’s Patrice, who, Ralph notes with a touch of envy, pilots a sports model 1900 cc Harley. That’s 100 cc more- power than Gallaher's big road bike. IT WAS A natural switch from four-legged horsepower to two-wheeled cycle power for Patrice, who was active in the 4-H program from 7 to 17, caring for eight horses Which roamed the GaUaher property. It was alsp a labor-saving move, points

BEHIND HIS 12M cc road bike, Ralph GaUaher. wife Mary Jo and daughter Patrice wear their cycling vests, replete with AMA and Silver Spokes insignia.

out Ralph. There's no need for a shovel to dean out a motorcycle staU. But what about the flirtation with chilblains and frostbite mentioned earlier? That involves the Polar Bear meets, which occupy dedicated/cyclists after the Grand Tour season ends in December. IN THIS mobile Rite of

_ 1 kissed George goodbye and joined the Marines.

George was such a beautiful money machine. And only one bank had him. That’s why I banked there. He was so new. He had such great promise. But I found out I could never really depend on his Guarantee. How could he do this to me? • He dropped every' checking account except N.O.VV. And even though I like N.O.W.. it was still nice to know I could get regular checking there too. Not anymore. Then he eliminated senior citizen accounts. < To top it all off. he charged rhe more when bank personnel handled my transaction tfian.\vhen he did! By Georg*. I’d had it. That’S when I decided to join the Marines. They've still gof all the great sen-ices'! used to love George for. Checking • with interest ond* regular checking. Senior Citizen accounts. No charges for holding my

njoney. And a beautiful way with people. Yes. people. That's my story. I joined up and it paid off. Wouldn’t you know It? I had to learn a lesson before I learned to depend on the Marines. f Depend on the Marines

National Bank.

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NORTH (JAPE MAY Bavihorr and Town Bank CAP^MAY COURT HOUSE Mannolia and Onnitvllle

Winter, bikers from duba throughout the state converge on a designated point, sometimes wheeling ISO to 900 mllea to get there, to earn 2 points for signing in and 1 point for each 100 miles covered all in the interests of fresh air and acquiring trophies. The aim is to rack up 90 points. Plaques are the best, confides Mary Jo. They’re easier to dust. THE REST OF the cycling year is taken up with Grand Tour runs, beginning in March, which take the hikers to various destinations, including Brigantine Castle, Morven, Ft Mott State Park, and Teterboro Airport. Overnight destinations are such distant points as Mt. Vernon, Erie, Pa., and Kennebunkport, Me. Points are earned for each place visited, and trophies awarded for completing the tour. Ralph does the piloting for the tour, with Mary Jo providing ballast, navigation and encouragement. And there are separate awards, proudly displayed, for making the tour as a passenger. HE WAS recently renamed road representative of the American Motorcyclist Assn, for New Jersey, serving as a recruiter and troubleshooter for motorcycle clubs and members. A carpenter and general contractor, Ralph is also a past commander of Peterson Little VFW Post, Cape May, and active in post affairs. Mary Jo, when she's not dusting the plaques, finds time to bowl twice a week. MAINTAINING family togetherness isn’t much of

a problem for the Ga Ushers. Patrice, who works for the county Board of Elections, lives at home; and Michael, an over the road truck driver, nearby in Cold Spring with wife Linda and young Michael, 5, Colleen, 2, and Jennifer, who bowed in Jan. 6. It really should never be a problem. No matter where they are, getting together is only a matter of getting on a motorcycle. ON THE OTHER hand, did anyone ever calculate the wind chill factor of subfreezing temperatures and zooming along at highway speeds on two wheels? There may be some who’s opt for the roaring fire. ' Not, obviously, the Gallahers. But probably niece Tracey O’Brien, who’s lived with them since she was ll months ok). She prefers bicycles.

Lund, Sayre Are Appointed

Mayor Tom Clydesdale has named Robert Lund of Fishing Creek and Jack Sayre of Cold Spring to the Lower Township Planning Board. Lund has been appointed a regular member for a term expiring the end of this year, while Sayre was named alternate number II to fill Lund’s unexpired term in that position, which runs til the end of 1963.

AVALON MIDGE RESULTS February 11 1 Marian Zuch I, IK 2. Kathy Kurian 5,100 2 Staaia Eatrada 4,710

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