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JULY 10th FIRST ANNIVERSARY RIDE FOR DR. VARACALLO

The tentative date for the Dr. Varacallo ride is July 10th ( another Sunday) We are waiting to finalize the date with Penn Dot, as they are having Maple Avenue paved this summer... Hope to see some of you there...

Penn Dot is working with us and even getting their PR person involved with the ride. I told them our goal is to get cooperation with all people that use the road. ... As far as they are concerned,( althought they can't give official approval) the bike will stay.......


Kathi


kathi
2011-04-29 15:26:49

It may be too far for you to come again, but thank you for getting us started last year. Had it not been for " the group" this would have never come about.


kathi
2011-04-30 12:21:36

Thanks, Kathi. Definitely keep everyone posted on the details of the event as it comes closer. Hope you are well. Best wishes.

My hope is that we will not have any new observances of this kind to arrange this year. I can hope.


edmonds59
2011-04-30 12:36:20

Who is Dr.Varacallo ??? Did he get seriously injured or killed on a bike??Why are they having an anniversay ride in his name??Can anyone please explain the details???


lenny
2011-04-30 21:22:44

Lenny, read these posts:

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/dubois-doctor-hit-and-killed-on-his-bike

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/sept-19-ride-of-silenceghost-bike-lock-up-for-dr-varacallo

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/petition-for-919


Short version: Must have been dozens of us from Pittsburgh joined several dozen more from Dubois, Altoona, Erie, Harrisburg and elsewhere to form a Ride Of Silence in honor of this Medical Doctor, a pillar of the community, who got mowed down in broad daylight while following all the rules. Kathi is his sister.


stuinmccandless
2011-04-30 21:36:29

Thanks Stu and Rubberfactory.Sorry to hear the sad news.I will try my best to go on the July 10th anniversity ride.


lenny
2011-04-30 22:09:48

You have got me bold enough to ask Penn Dot to schedule their road work around the July 10th date. They haven't even bid it out yet,and I want to get started on the events and organizing. They will be calling on Monday...

Lenny we would welcome you and any other cyclist that would care to be there for the day. I have to contact the bicycle clubs and shops again. If anyone has the names, please email them to me...

This ride will revolve around bikes, motorcycles, and automobiles again..


kathi
2011-05-01 18:07:03

It's on my calendar, Kathi. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.


ndromb
2011-05-02 22:20:56

Wonderful Nick!! I have already called the TV stations this morning and it is on their agenda. PennDot has their safety PR person working with me and we are cooking up some things as we speak.


BTW, the bike is going up as soon as we get some white paint on it... The district office of PennDot ( 9 counties) was super and couldn't have treated me nicer.. not so with the local office that promised and never delivered for 5 months. I called Harrisburg and they directed me to the district office and Pete Filo, Ryan Collins and Ron Kyme, who were wonderful. We met last Wednesday and everything was completed in an hour. They promised that they weren't going to take the bike down. They certainly put the church in its place by telling them the fence and wall were theirs and actually they owned more land than the they originally thought.If the bike goes down it is only because we are allowing the Christmas and Easter season to take presidence. The pastor called me last evening wanting to negotiate with me. This is a far cry from the anxiety and frustration that I experienced for the past 5 months... trying to get the bike up.


I accomplished what I set out to do... you all must have said a prayer that it would happen. Anyways, the community is so happy.

and the family even happier. The bike has come to mean so much to our family and community. You never had any idea when you first suggested the bike that it would be such a gift to our family and community.


So this is one point for us.... :))

.


kathi
2011-05-04 02:35:11

Kathi sent me this request, I'm putting it up here. I'm not sure what my schedule is like to go up, but I think some people said they were pretty sure of their ability to go, so take a look:


"I need to have a name immediately for a speaker, if anyone cares to talk on July 10th. I want to put it in the newspaper immediately. I can give $50.00 as a donation to the small group that you represent ( ghost bike group) or the person can use the money for their travel use. Please get back to me ASAP.


Kathi"


edmonds59
2011-06-10 14:41:58

The people organizing this ride asked me to get this out in front of a lot of people. Seriously consider going up for this, print the poster, forward it around. The turnout up in Dubois last year for the first one was really moving.



edmonds59
2011-06-10 18:56:38

I would be interested in making the trip again if I could hook a ride with someone (share gas $).


Last year's ride was very surreal with all the support we had. It was a short little ride through town, maybe ten miles or so, but we had several police cars holding intersections for us, an EMT unit, and a caravan of dozens of cars tagging along behind us. This was only a few weeks after the ride for Don Parker in Fox Chappell where there was zero support from outside the cycling community. The after-ride ride in Cooks Forest was way cool too.


marko82
2011-06-10 19:47:04

I'm headed up, trying to figure out if hubby will come or not. My bike rack holds 2, so if hubby comes, I'd be limited by what larger bike rack I could borrow, but am willing to carpool to the extent that resources can be scavanged to do so.


I personally plan on riding in Cooks Forrest after unless by unanimous and strong objection of my fellow carpoolers - that place feeds my soul.


ejwme
2011-06-10 19:59:01

I will be going, leaving from the east end of Monroeville a little bit late. The further limitations and logistics on who, how, what, where and when are fairly complicated.


lyle
2011-06-11 10:47:17

UPDATE:


Anyone needing posters/flyers for the DuBois event, please let me know....Lyle has taken some already....


The radio station is officially on board and doing a great job of publicizing our event


Two TV stations have agreed to cover our event. The newspaper is also doing a story.


T-shirt presales are underway, if anyone is interested... $10.00


Balloon launch tickets are $5.00 for the longest distance balloon that is reported.A prize will be given for both finer and balloon owner.


Our event is on an electric sign on the boulevard that reaches nearly all traffic that goes through DuBois.


Posters/flyers have been distributed in high traffic areas...


All we need is a sunny day and you :))


Kathi


kathi
2011-06-21 16:40:44

They haven't showed up yet, but depending on how many do, I plan to share with edmonds59


lyle
2011-06-21 16:51:48

I believe they were sent out, Lyle.. let me know if they don't get there...


Also, the radio station has notified all area police departments and they are spreading the word too. The event is on the DuBois, PA website...


kathi
2011-06-21 17:29:50

If anybody wants to car pool, I'll go and pitch in for gas. I'd be glad to join you Marko, if you'll willing to put with me :P


sgtjonson
2011-06-21 17:34:44

Thanks for the offer Pierce, I LOVE to argue over silly stuff so we'll get along great :-)


marko82
2011-06-21 19:13:33

I will be driving up and should have room for 1-2 people with bike, pending if I can find more trays. I can always rent a Zipcar.


ndromb
2011-06-21 22:14:10

Kathi, that's amazing coverage, you've done a great job.


edmonds59
2011-06-21 22:19:12

Nick, did your car fill up since you posted? I would like a ride.


stefb
2011-06-21 23:59:34

I have a tray or three.


lyle
2011-06-22 02:06:48

Actually, Bill... if it hadn't been for this wonderful group.... this would have never happened... The compassionate people that reached out to me last year enabled me to understand just what a plight cyclists have on the road ( I never knew)

If we can take the bad and turn it into some good then I have accomplished something.


kathi
2011-06-22 02:14:50

Stef, I still have room.


Lyle, looking to sell any of them? I'd graciously borrow them for the weekend if not, but I'm looking to pick one or two more up.


Kathi, it's great what you are doing. Keep it up, we all appreciate it


ndromb
2011-06-22 04:46:27

Thank-you , Nick.... !! Supporting one another is what it is all about!! If the world was more about that.... it would be so much different..But you must start somewhere....

I called Matt Gabler, their district's state representative, but he is going to reserves for two weeks on that day.. His calendar is only blocked out for congressional sessions and reserves... I am working on Scarnati now...


kathi
2011-06-22 10:02:33

Nick, I'm not really planning on selling. Three means one for the tandem, one for the single, and one for a hypothetical friend. But I'm also not planning to use any of them in the near term, so if you want to borrow them now and use them for a month, feel free.


lyle
2011-06-22 12:45:57

Speaking of selling... I have 20 tickets for the balloon launch that my SIL sent me to sell. The finder and owner of the balloon win a prize... They are looking at the one that travels the longest distance...If anyone is interested...let me know...


kathi
2011-06-22 19:02:56

Lyle, I received my posters/flyers.. Have you ??


ANYONE wanting flyers for posting, please let me know, I have a few at my house...


kathi
2011-06-23 10:23:19

I just read on the ghost bike FB page that 2500 cyclists showed up for a cyclist that was killed in North Carolina. I think we

need to get some action here on Lyle's event page...


kathi
2011-06-25 10:12:24

Kathi asked me to post the t-shirt design for the ride. Still on the bike. ++



edmonds59
2011-06-25 11:51:34

I got some posters (they arrived Thurs, I think) and will be placing them over the next couple of days.


lyle
2011-06-25 14:53:14

I can't go to this, unfortunately.

If anyone in the East End needs to borrow a trunk rack, I can lend my SuperJoe 2. Holds 2 bikes on sedan-style trunks. Not so great with step-through frames, but fine with many other types.


pseudacris
2011-06-25 15:04:37

I can use that rack if there is a one solitary single person who wants a ride up from the eastern end of Monroeville.


lyle
2011-06-25 18:18:34

Lyle, can I get a tray or two off you sometime this week?


ndromb
2011-06-25 20:40:28

I'll need a ride & am willing to ride/bus/ride to get to it.


stuinmccandless
2011-06-25 21:33:37

I believe the Marko carpool still needs some people. Is this Northeast of Pittsburgh?


sgtjonson
2011-06-25 21:51:32

Nick, absolutely. I can lay my hands on one immediately, the others are somewhere in my basement or the garage, not sure.


lyle
2011-06-25 22:50:08

I just spoke with WTAJ concerning our event. They will be doing a pre interview on July 7th for their Community Day segment that highlights something of importance taking place. Jody Gill told me that we have the right focus in trying to make awareness and helping others that he promised the TV station will cover this event for years to come...


kathi
2011-06-28 15:05:06

Nearly 200 people have committed to coming on one of two event pages. THe police, so far, have allowed us to change the route from last year to a more visible ride. They may even offer a police escort. I explained that we had riders from out of town and wanted to offer them a good ride for their day. They were willing to accomodate so far.. Just FYI.


kathi
2011-06-30 12:18:11

Thank-you for helping me to get this started last year... This is all because of your kindness..Unfortunately an illness prevents me from getting involved locally ( Pittsburgh) because I am attached to the house. But you never can say never... I will be cycling again someday...( I hope)


kathi
2011-06-30 12:19:18

@Kathi -- I've been thinking this for a while. I think it time I say it out loud.


When you first showed up on this board, you were hurting, confused and wanting to do something but didn't know how. Over the last year you have transformed yourself into a woman who can confidently plan and organize something like this, then work with media, politicians, PennDOT, and the police to make it happen.


Your brother in death gave you a gift that unfortunately he couldn't know he bestowed you. You were wise enough to know you should accept it. And look what has happened as a result.


Yes, the folks on this board rose up to help you and support you. They would because they are good people who would respond to someone in their time of need. But you were the one who first chose to accept that gift and set the whole thing into motion. I think your brother would be pleased to see what you have done and who you have become.


I have found watching this evolution to be a deeply moving and emotional experience. I'm pretty good with words, but they sort of fail me here with this part of it. I guess I will just say it is an example of we humans at our best.


cdavey
2011-06-30 14:45:42

God certainly does bring words of encouragement... just when you need them the most. You have no idea what they did for my heart and soul..... AND you are VERY GOOD with your words indeed , as you said. I will print your post and frame it as a reminder of the fact that despite an illness, I can still accomplish things and have purpose... I may not be out and about like the rest of you, but within the confines of everything ....I can have purpose in my life for the good of others... I went to Washington DC in May to speak before the CFS Advisory board that meets at the Dept of Health and Human Services and reports to Kathleen Sebelius..I spoke before a panel of doctors, lawyers and MDS. I believe there were nearly 20 on the panel. I would never have done that before this time... I guess I am evolving and growing ...even at age 57. LOL


kathi
2011-06-30 18:34:35

+1 cdavies.


@edmunds - That t-shirt is AWESOME, dude. Love the necktie.


mick
2011-07-01 17:18:30

I wasn't able to get off work and there's no way I can now, so Nick should have another seat in his car.


kgavala
2011-07-01 23:26:01

Good point. Assuming I make this ride, I too will wear a necktie.


stuinmccandless
2011-07-03 19:40:13

I have to share that I was able to get the route I wanted as of today 7/4.... It's now official.... they are getting the fire department to help monitor the intersections. I told them I didn't want people to see the back streets of DuBois and Sandy Township when they come to ride. The police and I went back and forth and they just now told me the ride is set for what I originally asked. It will be a beautiful ride around the city and highly visible.. no back streets this time ,I am happy to report.


We start at the park and turn left on Liberty Boulevard. Instead of going down Beaver Drive, as we did the last time, we will come to the end of Liberty and head right on 255 until we reach Shaffer Road... We make a right on Shaffer Road and travel it until we hit Maple Avenue . At this intersection ( where my brother was killed) we will turn right and head down Maple Avenue. We will be going the direction that my brother was traveling when we start on Maple. We continue down Maple and will go down the hill until we hit Liberty Boulevard. At Liberty we take a right and travel it until we hit the Park entrance.. You will not be disappointed if you are able to make the ride, I promise!!There are no hills to climb for those that need an easy ride..


PS There was a huge article in the Sunday Tri County News. They featured the ghost bike in a large picture. They also had a lengthy article my mother read to me over the phone. I have as yet to read it for myself, but my 80 year young mother thought it a very good article.


kathi
2011-07-04 21:33:16

I have a bike rack if anyone needs one..


kathi
2011-07-04 23:17:04

I'LL BE THERE!!!


bikeygirl
2011-07-05 14:49:49

I'm going to borrow my parents small SUV (ford escape). I have a rack meant for a hatchback that I’m going to try using as a roof rack. It’s worked for me previously, but I’ve yet to try it on this particular vehicle. With two on the roof, and one in the back, I should be able to take both Stu and Pierce with me. However, if anyone could loan us a receiver hitch rack I could put two on the roof and 2 or three on the back. Then we could take one or two more people with us. Anyone have one to loan out?


Also - Do those of you going want to meet at dippy like we did last year? We may be able to consolidate some space and leave a vehicle behind if we’re lucky. Besides caravanning is just more fun! Especially when Edmonds brings those cake donuts from the west end (wink).


marko82
2011-07-05 15:10:30

I'll be there, but I won't be able to car-pool from Pgh. However, if anyone from Altoona/Johnstown/Indiana needs a ride...


headloss
2011-07-05 15:19:24

Mark, I could probably use my significant other's hitch rack. What size is the hitch? It can carry two bikes


sgtjonson
2011-07-05 15:23:46

I think it's 2 inches, but I'll call the folks and double check.


marko82
2011-07-05 15:27:08

Meet at Dippy works for me, same as last year. Time? (meet by, leave by)


I'd forgotten about the donuts! I do remember bikeygirl bringing flowers, even though she herself couldn't go. Those flowers featured prominently in pictures and TV coverage. Hoping she herself can make it this year!


stuinmccandless
2011-07-05 18:15:39

I will be there this time (and will bring flowers again).


Somebody please list times for meeting @dippy.


bikeygirl
2011-07-05 18:55:40

Bikeygirl, those flowers were just beautiful last year and really made the bike pop.. the red with the white background really stood out. I will be so happy to finally meet you...Thank-you for being so thoughtful!!


kathi
2011-07-05 19:13:16

Please comment on my proposed petition. As there are many issues I could elect to stand for...., I thought sticking to what I know best would be sufficient for this petition. But the future may be different. I am not a writer, so any constructive comments would not be taken negatively. A few places need some work and any help is appreciated...


PENNSYLVANIA STATE LEGISLATORS


On July 8, 2010 , Dr Albert Varacallo was killed by a reckless driver at 7:54 AM in DuBois, PA, a rural community of approximately 7700. Dr. Varacallo was seriously injured with severe head trauma and was immediately life flighted to the Altoona Trauma Unit, where he died only a few hours later.


There are several issues of concern. The first being, the driver was not given a drug or alcohol test, despite the severity of Dr. Varacallo’s injuries. Dr. Varacallo had already passed through the intersection when he was hit head on by the motorist. Drivers with a Commercial Driving License must mandatorily submit to a drug and alcohol test when involved in any accident, despite severity of the incident. If Pennsylvania legally considers a bicycle a vehicle once it touches the road… why then in the case of severe injury or death, is not a drug /alcohol test mandatory?


This particular driver was late for work and was due to be on the floor of Lowes at the time he hit Dr. Varacallo. He still had, at minimum, a 5- 10 minute drive to even reach his work place depending on multiple traffic lights . Could the welcomed divorce decree received by the motorist the previous day prompt celebration with drugs/alcohol?? If so, it could have caused driving impairment, which may not have been visually noticeable by the police officer, although it did affect the driver’s ability to see Dr. Varacallo , who wore brightly colored safety clothes in a rural area. The driver’s adrenal hormones, or fight/ flight response, could have rendered him a biochemically different person after the accident, even though this may not have been the case a few minutes before the incident. Thus a need for testing to rule out all possibilities in a cycling/automobile accident when involving serious injury/death.


Secondly, the possibility of drowsy driving was not investigated, although there are 1500 deaths each year and 40,000 injuries according to the federal government. Our driver falls within two of three categories of the drowsy driver profile … age and time of the accident. He also traveled a considerable distance to get to work. Prior drug/alcohol use could have contributed to a drowsy driving state. In the case of death/severe injury ALL possibilities MUST be ruled out.


Dr. Varacallo was a seasoned cyclist and respected member of the community who gave his life in service to his family and community. He taught bicycle safety classes and wore safety colors while cycling. In the case of his death, it is only respectful that he should have been given the full attention of the law to rule out all possibilities. It is a little known fact that due to the efforts of the cycling community, our roads are paved. Thus, we the undersigned petition the PA legislature to consider MANDATORY DRUG/ALCOHOL TESTING in cycling accidents with serious injury/death.


kathi
2011-07-05 21:41:51

@Marko + Stu


Vegan sugar cookies... her hitch is 1 1/4. I guess we could always throw one in the back?


sgtjonson
2011-07-05 23:07:51

I don’t know what vegan sugar cookies taste like, but I have good news.


A friend is lending me his four bike (2 inch receiver) bike rack for the weekend. So besides Stu and Pierce I now have room for one more person. I’m sure the conversations on the way up to Dubois will be, um, different – so any eccentric is greatly encouraged to join us. I think I’m going to bring a fifteen minute timer too, at which point a new subject must be argued. We’ll need a point system.


marko82
2011-07-06 18:25:37

They taste pretty much like regular sugar cookies I would imagine...


If there is roominterestI learn how to unicycle before Sunday, I might bring a unicycle too


sgtjonson
2011-07-06 21:31:04

Hmmm, that's something I've never tried to figure out, a shoulder harness to carry a unicycle while bicycling. Not sure I can whip something together before the weekend.


stuinmccandless
2011-07-06 23:18:47

One more day....


kathi
2011-07-09 10:51:20

Hello to all of those planning on carpooling / caravanning up to the JULY 10th FIRST ANNIVERSARY RIDE FOR DR. VARACALLO


Ok the ride to Dubois according to the googles should take almost 2.5 hours, and we need to be there around 1:30pm. Since we’ll need to allow time to get lunch somewhere, why don’t we plan on meeting at Dippy in Oakland at 10:15am, leaving at 10:30am? Please respond here if you plan on going with us so we know to wait for you.


Also, I still have one extra seat in my vehicle if anyone is interested in joining us.


marko82
2011-07-09 11:10:11

Hey, looks like I am in but my wife can't make it so I'll take your seat if it's still unclaimed.


salty
2011-07-09 14:55:14

Marko, sounds good.


ndromb
2011-07-09 17:40:28

The seat is yours salty.


marko82
2011-07-09 20:42:19

Cool, see ya at dippy


salty
2011-07-09 20:57:06

Had a good time today. Thanks drivers for driving. Nice speeches by Nick and Lyle. Thanks Kathi for organizing this. Hopefully all the people involved went home a little more cautiously than they came and kept a closer lookout for cyclists on the road. Thanks for all the cops and EMS that were helping stop traffic along the route


sgtjonson
2011-07-11 03:17:24

+1 for everything Pierce said.


It is never easy to see a ghost bike - to stand in that spot and survey at the scene and imagine what happened there... And, I thought hearing his sons speak was particularly heartbreaking. I mostly just wish that there would never have to be another ghost bike, never have to be kids growing up without a father just because someone in a car is in a hurry...


salty
2011-07-11 03:36:28

It was nice to meet everyone that made it out! Great time at Cook Forest too (although I feel like I need to go ride some more and burn off that ice cream).


Kathi, if you have the chance, could you please give us a list of organizations that made the ride possible (cops, ems stations, etc.) I'd like to send a thank you card to them.


headloss
2011-07-11 03:45:06

@Kathi – what a great event! You have really grown into an activist for the cycling community, thank you. "L"


Thanks also to all who came out for this ride.


marko82
2011-07-11 03:45:37

Were you holding a lighter under that thing? Temps are crazy for the Memorial Ride...


Cool info, thanks for sharing.


headloss
2011-07-11 05:13:51

I think it was because it was sitting in direct sunlight before the ride, and then it takes a while to cool off. I see that on winter rides too, it mostly shows the temperature of my basement... wish it would adjust a little faster.


salty
2011-07-11 05:23:36

A great memorial and great people on a nice day.


stefb
2011-07-11 12:49:09

Thank-you to everyone that attended our memorial ride and walk from Pittsburgh.. We so appreciate your taking the time out of your busy lives and scedules to celebrate my brother with us.. I think I got some great pictures of the event and all of you that drove up.. If you care to befriend me on FB, you can see the entire collection of photos for the day...It was televised on TV ( on channel 6) but I didn't see it yet. I am looking for the video online, but haven't seen that either.. Thank you to all who have inspired me to do more than I ever thought possible.. And I will get you the names of the organizations as soon as I can.


Hugs and love to my special friends,

Kathi


kathi
2011-07-11 16:00:06

I think I speak for everyone when I say "it was our pleasure to be there" Kathy :)


Very nice to meet you, and thank you for honoring your brother, and for supporting cyclist's rights along the way :) You really are an inspiration :)


bikeygirl
2011-07-11 17:30:06

I was pretty dehydrated. I'd tell you how I know, but it's TMI.


lyle
2011-07-11 17:32:48

Wonderful speeches... Nick and Lyle..

Lyle, didn't you get any of the free beverages and foods?? If you did, hopefully the dehydration was under control.


kathi
2011-07-11 18:05:45

I snagged a water, but I should have snagged three or four, since I had been out in the heat since 9. After our ride in Cook Forest, my blood volume was probably a pint low :(


lyle
2011-07-11 19:29:07

I downed the entire three liters of water in my camelbak yesterday.


headloss
2011-07-11 19:41:23

@Lyle- it's nice that you pointed the camera backwards to get people's faces, as opposed to the famous ButtCam.®


mick
2011-07-11 20:40:51

@ Lyle - That video plus GPS is really neat.


ieverhart
2011-07-11 20:43:39

That kid was pedaling in like 200 rpm bursts -cost a bit- 200 rpm burst - repeat. He was having a blast!


marko82
2011-07-11 21:38:16

Lyle, a friend of mine gets weekly IV's for low blood volume.. so I am familiar with it. Thanks for the mini video... I so missed at least not driving the drive.... At least I felt like I had a glimpse . I wish there was more video.. :(If anyone has more, please let me know..


kathi
2011-07-11 22:49:14

Bikeygirl, it was good to meet you too!!


kathi
2011-07-11 22:49:56

The newspaper article by Dena ... This appeared in the Sunday Tri County News


DuBOIS — Family and friends of the late Dr. Albert Varacallo are hoping to turn a tragic event into a positive one for the entire community with the First Anniversary Memorial Ride/Walk July 10.


Varacallo died in July 2010 as a result of a bicycle accident and his sister, Kathleen Manganaro, said, “Our goal is community cooperation and making a positive difference out of tragedy. If we can prevent one other family from experiencing what we went through, then we have done good from bad.”


The event begins at 2 p.m. and registration begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 10, in DuBois City Memorial Park.


There is no registration fee, but Manganaro said they want everyone to register so there is a record of who is signed up and what modes of transportation are used.


“We already have a minimum of 200 people signed up so far,” she said. “So this is a great thing for DuBois, publicly and economically.”


The day will commence with a 5 mile ride, which will be held rain or shine, around DuBois starting at the park. All forms of transportation are welcome including: Bicycles, cars, trucks, motorcycles and scooters. Walkers will have an alternate route.


The family has also established the Dr. Albert Varacallo Memorial Scholarship at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey. Manganaro said T-shirts with a picture of Varacallo on a bike with a lab coat and stethoscope on them will be available the day of the event for $10. Tickets for a balloon launch are also being sold for $5. The owner and finder of the balloon that travels the greatest distance will win a prize. Proceeds from both these events will benefit the scholarship fund.


Varacallo graduated from Hershey in 1983 and was clinical assistant professor there. According to his family, he was also a mentor to many Hershey medical students as they would do monthly rotations with him. “Our goal is to establish this scholarship so that those medical students who qualify can receive scholarship money to assist in their studies,” they said. “We believe this to be something Al would wholeheartedly support.”


A scholarship has already been given to Ohio University.


Our theme is to share the road,” Manganaro said. “All forms of transportation have equal rights to the road. As you may or may not know, it was the cyclist that originally fought for the roads to be paved. Pennsylvania is one of the states that says a bicycle is to be treated as a vehicle once its tires hit the road.”


Manganaro said people must be respectful of each other on the road and pay attention when behind the wheel, and said an automobile can be dangerous because, “it not only affected his immediate and extended family, it affected an entire community because 2,000 patients lost their doctor.”


Manganaro said the day will end with several speakers and the balloon launch.


The Rev. Msgr. Charles Kaza, pastor of St. Tobias Church in Brockway, will reflect and pay tribute to Varacallo. Manganaro said Kaza was not only one of his patients, but also a good friend.


Lyle Seaman, a League of American Bicyclists certified instructor from Pittsburgh, as well as a director and long-standing member of the West Penn Wheelmen, will also speak. The League of American Bicyclists was formed in 1880 as the League of American Wheelmen and is the preeminent national bicycle advocacy group and bicycle education provider in the United States.


Nick Drombosky, president of Flock of Cycles, is also scheduled to speak. Flock of Cycles strives to promote safe road use by increasing public understanding of the presence of bicycle riders on the roads and encouraging responsible cycling practices through exemplification and education.


Drombosky is also responsible for creating the Ghost Bike for Varacallo which is located at the intersection of Maple and Shaffer avenues in DuBois, the area where he was killed.


According to Manganaro, a Ghost Bike is a world-wide symbol that is placed to recognize a fallen or injured cyclist. She said the practice was started in Missouri in 2003 and is now recognized in 23 countries. Varacallo’s Ghost Bike was installed during a 5-mile memorial bike ride for him last September.


Regarding the upcoming event, Manganaro said this is something the family hopes to continue doing every year.


“We hope to keep increasing awareness,” she said. “This is a great event on so many levels.”


For those who cannot attend the event, but still want to order a T-shirt, call: 375-7856.


Donations may be made, without purchasing a ticket for the balloon launch, to: Pennsylvania State University with Dr. Albert Varacallo Memorial Scholarship Fund written on the “FOR” line of the check. All donations are tax deductible and can be donated July 10 at the registration table.


kathi
2011-07-12 14:47:01

-1 for "bike accident" (car-bike crash maybe)

+1 on the rest of the article and great coverage


tabby
2011-07-12 17:25:03

It was a fantastic event, and I was truly honored to speak. I will look forward to it years to come.


ndromb
2011-07-12 22:13:58

This is the address of the Sandy Township Police Dept, who coordinated the traffic for the route. I believe they got the Sandy Township Volunteer Fire Dept to help. If you saw anyone else out there on the ride ( which I didn't do) please let me know. I will get the addresses. I had also planned on sending the police dept a thank-you. I think it is necessary to show them our appreciation for the event, as you stated..


Sandy Township Police Dept

Attn: Officer Johnston

1094 Chestnut Ave

Du Bois, PA 15801


Nick, you and all the others helped to make it the day that it was... We all joined in unity and that is what makes things successful.


kathi
2011-07-13 15:02:54

My mother just told me that one balloon from our event has been recovered from Phoenixville, PA ( 28 miles NW of Philadelphia) That is amazing!! Just wanted to let you know... I don't know who sold the ticket and I don't know who the will win the prize because it goes until August 10th...


kathi
2011-07-17 20:48:00