Glastonbury Woman Chooses Leather Over LaceGLASTONBURY, Conn. -- Her fingers firmly gripping the slender needle, she gently tugs then effortlessly pulls its thread through the textured fabric in her grasp. Hand-fashioning intricate designs heretofore only in her imagination is her greatest passion. From the time she was a young girl growing up in Glastonbury, she has imaginatively married linen, Egyptian cotton, sparkling organza and vintage silk to needle and thread to create whimsical, one-of-a-kind designs. Come May, however, Stephanie Capsolas, 32, will lay aside linen and lace she adores to instead don studded leather apparel virtually from head to toe. Capsolas, who rides a 2008 Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster, is a member of the Iron Maidens and The Band of Brothers, a group of bikers riding together and raising funds to help in the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS).
“Iron Maidens saddle up from all walks of life,” says Capsolas, as she again dips the sharp pointed implement into the cloth unfurling from her hand into her lap. “We have one thing in common, however. We are dedicated to making a difference in our communities. Multiple sclerosis robs people of mobility and independence. We hit the road to make sure it doesn’t.” More than 6,000 Connecticut residents battle the potentially debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. There is no cure. Symptoms can include, among other things, numbness in the limbs, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness, loss of mobility and, in some more severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted. The Iron Maidens & The Band of Brothers was named the 2007 MS Motorcycle Ride top fundraisers. Although the annual ride will not take place until July, the team is jump starting its fundraising efforts. The Iron Maidens is teaming up with City Sports Grill in Bristol, Conn., to host the first Iron Maidens’ HOG Wild Pig Roast Saturday, May 17. The event will benefit the National MS Society, Connecticut Chapter 2008 MS Motorcycle Ride and Connecticut residents battling the unpredictable effects of multiple sclerosis. The event features a pig roast with the all the fixins, two kegs of Miller Lite, courtesy of Rogo Distributors, a Full Throttle Magazine Bike Night contest, live bands including 1800 Band and acoustic rock originals by Sean Rivers Music. The roast will also feature a 50/50 drawing, give-a-ways, drawings for prizes and much more. “The Iron Maidens is on a quest to double the number of team members and more than triple the amount raised by the team last year,” says Butler, Iron Maidens team captain and the owner of a 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob. “Bikers are generous and always ready to support worthy causes. We’re uniting tires to pavement and hearts to an adventure-laden destination to a cure.” Last year's benefit ride attracted more than 1,200 bikers and raised more than $40,000. Funds raised through chapter events, such as the MS Motorcycle Ride, ensure ongoing scientific research to find better treatments and a cure. These funds also provide for vital programs and services offered by the chapter to those in Connecticut living with multiple sclerosis. The 2008 MS Motorcycle Ride will start and finish this year at Cadillac Ranch in Southington, Conn., Sunday, July 20. “I love riding,” says Capsolas, who is currently studying fashion and design in Manhattan. “It’s great to be able to unite my love for motorcycling with this worthy cause. We invite bikers everywhere to come on out May 17. It’s going to be a great opportunity to have a great time with people who share the same passions biking and caring for community.” The Iron Maidens’ HOG Wild Pig Roast and Miller Lite tasting will be held at Spare Time/City Sports Grill, located at 177 Farmington Ave., in Bristol, Conn., Saturday, May 17, from 5 to 11 p.m. There is a $25 fee. In the case of rain, the event will be held on Saturday, May 31. Capsolas’ original designs can be found at http://www.lilliwanda.com/. Iron Maidens’ HOG Wild Pig Roast sponsors and partners include City Sports Grill, Rog Distributors and Miller Lite, 4everdesign.net, Connecticut Cruise News and Integrity Graphics. To learn more about City Sports Grill, please call 860-852-9668. For more information on the HOG Wild Pig Roast, please contact Karen Butler at kbutler@ctfightsMS.org. To join the 2008 Iron Maidens & The Band of Brothers team and register for the MS Motorcycle Ride, please contact Karen Butler at 860-714-2300, ext. 230, or visit http://www.ctfightsms.org/. For More Information
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