What a great year! The PMC may be a weekend event, but the contributions and support runs nearly year-round... and 2008 has been incredible! We are very proud to announce that with your donations, we have raised $13,565 for the Jimmy Fund. It was noticeably more difficult to raise money this year with the tough economy, but that only makes your donations that much more appreciated. We are often thanked for our efforts, but the thanks really goes back to you... So THANK YOU!

At the Opening Ceremonies on Friday night, one of the speakers said, "With all of the bad news that we come across in our day-to-day lives, it's really great to have an event where everything feels so right." We couldn't agree more. For whatever reason, this year felt especially right. The ride on Saturday and Sunday was easily our best yet. We set a better tempo than we've ever pedaled and held our own with groups of cyclists that were well beyond our abilities. To our surprise, we had an average of 19 mph throughout the entire 192 miles... and we're still standing!

As we've stated before, this ride is so much larger than the physical mileage. The people, the stories, and the goal make it one of the very best events we'll ever be a part of. Thanks again and again.

Check out our abc40 video clip. Prime time!

As in past years, a major source of our fundraising efforts went into a calendar raffle. For each $20 personal donation we received, we put a ticket into our raffle box and pulled a winning ticket EVERY DAY during the month of July. Below is a list of the winners and their prizes:

July 01 -- $50 -- Louis Fontaine!
July 02 -- $50 in Scratch Tickets -- Derek Anghilante!
July 03 -- $50 -- Dave Sergienko!
July 04 -- $100 -- Craig Barton!
July 05 -- $50 -- Fran Cameron!
July 06 -- 2 RED SOX Tix! -- Christopher Nelson!
July 07 -- $50 -- Alisha Snow!
July 08 -- Hasbro Fun Pack! -- Doug Wedemeyer!
July 09 -- $50 -- Brynn Feyre!
July 10 -- $50 -- Robert Dupuis!
July 11 -- $100 -- Robert Faveman!
July 12 -- $50 -- Richard Morin!
July 13 -- $50 -- Craig Barton!
July 14 -- $50 -- Karen Adamski!
July 15 -- $50 -- Sarah Bowler!
July 16 -- $50 -- Dave Sergienko!
July 17 -- Hasbro Fun Pack! -- Mark Zurzola!
July 18 -- $100 -- Brian Moriarty!
July 19 -- 2 RED SOX Tix! -- Ray Bukowski!
July 20 -- $50 -- Ellen Matuza!
July 21 -- Ludlow CC GOLF PACKAGE -- John Swiatlowski!
July 22 -- $50 -- Donna Hebert!
July 23 -- $50 in Scratch Tickets -- Karen Gallik!
July 24 -- $50 -- Lorna Burns!
July 25 -- $100 -- Terry Berthiaume!
July 26 -- $50 -- Jake Jasak!
July 27 -- MASSAGE by Metamorphosis! -- Mark Morin!
July 28 -- $50 -- Tim Lynch!
July 29 -- 2 RED SOX Tix! -- Joanne Lombard!
July 30 -- $50 -- Doris Kivior!
July 31 -- $200!! -- Alice Brach!

In March of 2008, we sent out letters to local businesses in hopes of gaining much needed in-kind contributions. We are very grateful to the donations these fine folks made. The support they have provided cannot be thanked enough!

Palmer Restaurant
Robert Charles Photography
Case Handyman & Remodeling
Stephen Marhelewicz, CPA
Dr. William J. Vigneux, DMD
Beers & Story Funeral Home
Rondeau's Dairy Bar
Ludlow Printing & Copy Center
Pompanette, LLC
Kitchen Table Tax Service
Joe's Bike Garage
Edward Nadolski Photographers
St. Anne Church
Sts. Peter and Paul Church
Osterman Propane
Tender Care Kennels
Maple Leaf Distribution Services
Dr. Thomas and Charlene Schultz, O.D.
LaMarche Associates
Noonan Energy
St. Joseph's Polish Club
Ramadon's Package Store
Chudy Oil Company
Knights of Columbus, Palmer Council #376
Double A Plastics Co., Inc.
Five Star Gardens
Bierman Plumbing & Heating
Ludlow Country Club
Sherman & Frydryk
Metamorphosis Massage & Bodywork
Pebblehaven.com

In July, Jon was selected to ride around Fenway Park.

The other "Living Proof" riders at Fenway.

One handed on the dirt!

Friday night PMC Bike Expo -- Mike got great deals and Jon got Harpoon.

Great food for all of the riders and volunteers!

Even better, there's great dessert!

A romantic dinner by the lake.

Opening Ceremonies -- Billy Star, founder of the PMC.

Opening Ceremonies, center stage.

Opening Ceremonies, front row seats!

ABC40 press coverage.

Johnny on the bus to the hotel Friday night at 8:30pm.

And back on the bus Saturday morning at 4:00am.

Saturday morning breakfast bonanza.

Jon and April at the start line.

Thumbs up with Mom and Aunt Louise!

Ciaci Maureen and Babci!

Papa Swit.

A blurry shot of Senator John Forbes Kerry... moving fast!

National Anthem at the start line.

Nearly 3,000 at the Sturbridge start. (There were 5,237 riders in total.)

Lined up at 6am.

Sunrise start.

Thanks so much to Julie and Derek for meeting us at 7am in Sutton! Awesome sign!

Thumbs up Johnny!

Determined... or confused?

Fans!

Jon's mum!

Lunch time! Break time!

Johnny in the peloton!

Water stop! Snack time!

Day one complete - strike a pose!

Bourne, MA!

Those are stormclouds... take shelter in the food tent...

Our bikes all wrapped up and tied to the fence with a shoelace for safekeeping.

Probably a few million dollars of bicycle equipment.

Living Proof photo. These are all cancer survivors who ride the PMC... Jon's in there!

Home sweet home for the night. We brought fans this year... much better.

Sweet morning sunshine. 3:30am on Sunday.

We meet up with our buddy Jack -- this is why we ride!!!

That's a couch made out of ice bags. Best seat ever.

Hmmmm.

Over-the-Hill Cheerleaders! Yes!

So good! THANKS SOOOO MUCH!!!!

Coming up on the Finish Line!

192 miles for us. $13,565 for the Jimmy Fund.

Dinner time!!!

What PMC weekend is complete without a Governor Bradford's karaoke sing along?!!

THANKS SO MUCH! See you in 2009!