Motorcycle Mania Middletown 2014 in Photos!

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.

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.

Middletown Police kept the crowd safe and traffic moving around closed street. Thanks guys!

Vintage bikes from ever era provide a history lesson

Storm Roller band performed live with an electrifying set.

Crowd participation was contagious.

Custom bike in a rainbow of colors and finishes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 Leather, chrome &  tech savvy! A ride with sweet custom LED lights.

TONIGHT Book Signing for Middletown Satire: "Downtown Drive Thru"

Tonight grab your copy of Downtown Drive Thru or purchase in person and head down to the Buttonwood Tree on Main Street to meet author and resident John Killian. Proceeds benefit the Buttonwood Tree.
FREE, 7 pm.
Local Realistic Balance Party chair, and Independent Party of Middletown chair John Killian has released a new E-Book written as a satire of local Middletown politics. Previously Killian blogged on his personal blog site : http://johnpauljustlikethepope.blogspot.com/ . The site features musings on national politics, local phenomenon, poetry, and links to performances by the author and friends. Currently on his blog space Killian has posted a history of Middletown timeline which is very helpful in reading his novel.

The book  downtown Drive Thru certainly is about "everything." The time line of Middletown's history, as expressed by Killian in his novel,is woven together with what seems to be the intention of expressing just how confusing it really it to explain to a non native born. His prose in this manner fully expresses the passion with which lifers regard this history. While character names are a bit confusing, the winding story will leave you laughing and rolling on the floor, while probably peeing on yourself. And if you are only peeing, at least you are in better shape than many of the characters in this "fictional" satire. When it comes to being critical of Middletown in order to grow as a community, if even via biting humor, certainly we share the same genre and passion for the First Amendment as Killian; we welcome him to our niche. A good read.

About the Author:
17 year resident of Middletown. Co-founder of the Realistic Balance Party of Middletown.
Author of “Gospels of the New Nile”

Timeline accompanying the latest book at http://john.kilian.com 
Middletown Realistic Balance Party - alternate years aka the Independence Party of Middletown http://realisticbalance.blogspot.com/

Guest Blog: Why I Don't Beg (Through I Probably Should) by Fred Carroll

Below is a guest blog from resident Fred Carroll. The essay reflects views and opinions not necessarily shared by the Insider staff, and is published as a courtesy to readers. "Dr." Fred Carroll has shared his thoughts with us many times before via guest blog- his last can be read here: 
http://www.middletowninsider.com/2013/06/guestblog-barefooted-begging-by-fred.html

ps : Thanks Dr. Fred we finally got your name spelled right

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Why I Don't Beg {Though I Probably Should}.......I don't beg for two reasons, first, with my Middle Class Sensibilities, I've never been particularly comfortable asking for a whole lot of anything from anyone, never mind money from strangers, and second, I absolutely don't need to beg. That is, there's nothing which I need and couldn't have gotten for myself had it been sufficiently important to me. I might need this, that, or the other thing at any given moment, but again, whence from wouldst I presume to make that "your problem" by asking you for money? Money which, you of course need for your own action.......By The Way I have the very greatest contempt for Fake Indigents, those who garb up destitute to fool you out of some Pity Cash, and if I were King that would be a good profession to avoid......Continuing, I'm all about "context" in things, like "Why"? and "Why NOW"? and "Why HERE"?......so for me to feel straight with asking you for money as you go by I would have to intro it with "Hey, I'm lazy and or stupid and or self indulgent and I was just wondering if you'd maybe wanna take up some of the inevitable SLACK on all of that for me, maybe, eh?" And I'm not feelin' that......As for throwing a Hat On The Ground when I weed and sweep, well, that absolutely changes the dynamic from "Are WE in this thing together?" to "Nobody asked me to do this......but feel free to pay me, by all means!" which I'm not generally "feeling" either......Of course, I might pick up a Booze or other Hard Drug Habit tomorrow and all the fancy talk goes right out the window! But until that happens,.........." Hail thee well, fellow citizen!" And good luck paying all those Bills........

Sincerely, FRED "Misquote Me, But Spell My Name Right" CARROLL
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Did you know Fred Carroll can draw? Not only did
Fred found the "Bums with Brooms"  sidewalk
beautification movement, but he is quite the artist.
Many of Fred's slice of life illustrations are on display
at the Buttonwood Tree on Main St.
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