Better late than never photos of the 9th Annual Motorcycle Mania that took place on the event's scheduled rain date of August 20th from 5 -9pm. Many in attendance made the observation it was the largest crowd they had seen at the event. (click to enlarge photos) |
| The Haymond Girls strike a pose from one of the events sponsors the Haymond Law Firm, which specializes in motorcycle accident cases. |
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| Many Main Street businesses got in on the fun and had special sales & dinner items exclusive to the evening. Here, Sandra James Boutique owned by Councilwoman Sandra Russo Driska accesorized her husband Bruce Driska's bike with "His & Hers" pillows. Deputy Fire Chief Steve LaRosa takes a photo of Driska's ride. |
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| Middletown Police kept the crowd safe and traffic moving around closed street. Thanks guys! |
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| Vintage bikes from ever era provide a history lesson |
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| Storm Roller band performed live with an electrifying set. |
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| Crowd participation was contagious. |
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| Custom bike in a rainbow of colors and finishes. |
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| When in Rome.. blue jeans and black tee shirts were the fashion of choice for the evening accessorized with a club leather vest for many. |
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| Connecticut Calender Girlz had a booth to showcase their retro styled pin-up calendar from which sales go to various domestic violence prevention group. Here the group snaps a photo with BOE member & candidate for state rep Linda Szynkowicz. |
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| Face painters for children & children at heart. Many a stroller was spotted between Harley making a family friendly evening enjoyed by riders of all ages. |
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| A variety of special interest biker clubs came out to play. Here Servant's of Christ members check out the Chamber's booth. Groups included women, Hispanic, African American, veteran, Christian, GLBT, firefighter etc riders plus countless others proudly wore their colors and co-mingled on Main Street during Mania. |
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| Leather, chrome & tech savvy! A ride with sweet custom LED lights. |
Its hard to beleive that the city of Middletown leaders can support this great event but continually ignore Middletown's history in the development of the motorcycle as a means of daily transportation.
ReplyDeleteThe building currently described as the " Remington Rand " building was designed and built in 1896 by Robert M. Keating, for the sole purpose of making world-class bicycles, the most popular mode of transportation at the time. The "Keating Wheel Company" was one of the first factories run by electricity in the USA. The factory made bicycles, then progressed on to develop horseless carriages, cars, trucks, and eventually motorcycles. Robert M.Keating’s patent for a motorcycle in 1901 predates "Indian" by a year!!!!! Keating’s patents in this area allowed motorcycle greats such as Indian and Harley Davidson to develop their own cycles. In fact, Keating sued both companies for patent infringement and won both cases. There needs to be a more concentrated effort by the media, and Middletown officials, to have the buildings original builder and designer acknowledged for his patents, and innovations, and historical significant in Middletown history. The building should be recognized as the "Keating Wheel Company". Robert M.Keating holds a much more romantic, innovative, and historically important role in Middletown's history then Remington Rand!!!!!!! Just because Remington Rand was the last occupier of the building should not limit the buildings true history and its importance in U.S.A. and Middletown history of transportation development.
The point is, Middletown's history and the history of that remarkable historical asset on Johnson street is not about typewriters. It's about 19th century industrial innovation in America. Specifically, it's all about the pioneering efforts that forever changed the nation's transportation history. No exaggeration. Middletown owns that distinction and should celebrate it. With some creative thinking and planning (what Keating would have called "Yankee Ingenuity"), that distinction might also be branded to attract interests (and dollars) towards historic preservation, tourism and economic development.
My two brothers Rob and Brian Keating and I have done extensive research on “Keating”, his building, and his contributions to the history of transportation in the USA. A biography of Robert M. Keating by my brother Rob is currently at the publishers. We would like to see the “Keating Wheel Company” building and “Robert M. Keating” be recognized
and their place in Middletown and America’s transportation history honored.
We would like to see the building officially recognized as “The Keating Wheel Company” with a sign or plaque stating the buildings original use and its historical importance. We need your help in this venture, and are asking for your support.
Thank you,
Gary Keating
Mr. Keating we welcome guest essay's especially those sharing Middletown's history! write to us: middletowninsider@gmail.com
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