History of the GreeneScene Road Rally & Who is BJ Quallich?

Roberta J. “BJ” Quallich, a former resident of Pitt Gas in Greene County, was a co-founder and owner of Direct Results BSP Inc. an advertising agency in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, and the company that publishes the popular GreeneSaver magazine. BJ passed away suddenly on September 23, 2007. Soon after this tragic loss to the company, Pam Blaker, co-owner and marketing director for Direct Results, came up with the idea of staging a GreeneScene Road Rally to honor BJ’s memory and raise funds for the Greene County United Way, on whose board of directors BJ had served. Throughout her lifetime BJ was an active member of her community and a host of other civic organizations including the Lion’s Club, The Corner Cupboard Food Bank, and both Carmichaels and Waynesburg Chambers of Commerce, BJ was known best for two things – having fun and helping people. What better way to pay tribute to the team member we had lost than a fun event that would benefit local charity?
The text below is excerpted from a piece written by Shelly Brown, the other co-owner and president of the company, in the December 2007 issue of the GreeneSaver, which was dedicated to BJ Quallich, and which contained the announcement for the very first GreeneScene Road Rally, held in October of 2008.

“BJ was our co-founder, yes, and more. BJ was our friend. And a friend to many of you. The words spoken by so many people who grieve her loss demonstrate what an influence BJ had on the lives of people she knew.

If you knew BJ, you knew laughter. Giant smiles graced her face on most occasions. If she wasn’t telling a joke, she was making one about herself and some wacky incident in her own daily life. From episodes of poison ivy to sagas of surgery, only BJ could tell it that way.

If you knew BJ, you knew love. Big hugs and kisses on every greeting and parting. You couldn’t be shy around BJ. Everyone was “honey” or “sweetie” and if you were special, she’d yell across the street to tell you so.

If you knew BJ very well, you knew a compassion that had no boundary. She’d sound off – a self-proclaimed queen of complaints - then hand over whatever she had to whoever needed it. Money, clothes, food … a listening ear, a helping hand, a loving heart; BJ gave it all away.

On October 11th, 2008, the GreeneSaver invites you to a special benefit road rally to commemorate the life of BJ Quallich. We will be joined by WANB Radio in hosting this event to raise funds for Greene County United Way, where BJ served on the board of directors and appropriations committee. Mark the date on your calendar and plan to enjoy a beautiful and fun day as we celebrate her life and continue in her spirit of charity, love and laughter.”

Since that time, the GreeneScene Road Rally has been held in memory of BJ Quallich every October, with proceeds being donated to a variety of charitable causes in Greene County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The GreeneScene Road Rally

This “good times” annual event is held every October in memory of BJ Quallich to benefit local charitable causes in Greene County, Pennsylvania. Over $20,000 was raised in the first four years. That’s the lasting benefit of participating in the GreeneScene Road Rally, then add the fact that you’re going to have a few hours of sheer FUN, and it makes it all worthwhile - even before the prizes are passed out!

Still…a chance at $300 in cash and several hundreds more in products and gift certificates make for a fairly enticing experience. But first, let’s explore just exactly what a “road rally” is and why you’ll want to join the fun this October.

It all starts with the strategic plotting of a course in advance. The “Course Master” chooses a scenic route with several interesting sites along the way to serve as OCC’s (On course checks) and then prescribes exact driving directions complete with progressive tripometer readings.

OK…that’s really just a complicated way to describe the most fun road trip you can take on the scenic highways and byways of Greene County and, chances are, win a few prizes along the way! It’s not a race, and it doesn’t require a fancy car or bike. What it really amounts to is a scenic drive with a passenger or “navigator” to read the directions and keep you on course with clues relating to signs and sites you’ll see along the way.

The road rally course is timed in advance with several trial runs at safe and legal speed limits, then averaged to determine the “target time” it should take to drive the course. Scores are based on how close you come to the target time, along with bonus points for finding the answers to site-specific questions from clues provided.

While some very “official” road rallies are held by serious competitors with time clocks gauged to precise thousandths of a second, and fancy gadgets help drivers adjust speeds, the GreeneScene Road Rally is a more casual affair, designed for maximum fun by everyone – including the inexperienced - all to support a good local cause. The $300 first prize money just adds to the excitement. Second and third place prizes are also awarded, each valued at over $100, and EVERY participant gets their own “Goody Bag” loaded with neat little doodads and gadgets donated by local businesses. Plus, there are hundreds of dollars in door prizes passed out during the totally free “After Party.” Oh yes, when you come to the end of your GreeneScene Road Rally course, you will be treated to a complete dinner and refreshments, music and door prizes at the After Party, all included.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?
If you pre-register by the date on the registration form, usually about two weeks before the event (see registration form for current year), the cost is $30 for the driver and $10 per passenger. All proceeds after expenses are donated to the designated local charity that year.

How many people in a car?
It is strongly recommended that all drivers have at least one passenger to serve as a “navigator” who can read the course directions, on course clue questions and tripometer readings. It is difficult, and not safe, for a lone driver to participate. How many passengers you have is totally up to you, but remember that all participants are required to obey all traffic laws, including those governing the number and seating arrangements of passengers.

How is the official course time determined?
In advance, the road rally course master will run the course multiple times under normal conditions, following all traffic laws, and record the time it takes to complete the course. These times are averaged together to come up with the official course time, also called the target time.

How are participants scored?
The closer you come to the official course time, the higher your score. Also, correct answers to the questions in the On Course Checks (OCCs) add points to your score. In the event of a tie, the closest time to the official time will determine the winner. Remember, it is not the fastest time – but the time closest to the official course time set in advance by the course master.

Where does the course take you?
While the actual course is a secret in advance, the GreeneScene Road Rally is designed to justify its name by taking you on a scenic tour through Greene County, Pennsylvania and perhaps bordering communities – the same area served by the monthly GreeneSaver publication from which the “GreeneScene” name is derived. The course will include only public access roads.

How long does it take?
The typical GreeneScene Road Rally course is designed to take approximately two hours of driving time, give or take a little. The actual mileage of the route is between 45-65 miles. After registration and check-in, there may be a waiting period before your car is ‘released” to begin driving the course. This time could vary from a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on the number of participants and your position in the starting line-up.

When do you get the course directions?
After you have registered and checked in at the Greene County Fairgrounds, you will be directed to park in a line-up. Right before each car is clocked for beginning time and released, the course directions will be handed to you.

What if it’s raining?
Then we’ll drive in the rain! The GreeneScene Road Rally will not be canceled or postponed for inclement weather.

What is an OCC?
OCC stands for “On Course Check.” Included with the written directions you are given at the beginning of the course are questions about landmarks, signs and many other sights that are visible along the course. When you see these, you know that you are “on course” and you will also receive a point added to your score if you answer the question accurately. For example, the course may take you past a mailbox that looks like a John Deere Tractor. The OCC written on your directions for that stretch of road might say “What color is the tractor mail box?” When you see such a mail box, you’ll know you’re on-course, and if you fill in the word “green” in the answer space, you’ll receive an extra point to your score.

What does SRIP mean?
SRIP stands for “Sign Reads In Part” and it is a very common abbreviation used in the questions that serve as on course checks (OCCs) in your driving directions. For example, the course may take you past a barn painted with the famous Mail Pouch advertisement. On your driving directions for that stretch of road there may be an OCC question that says “SRIP Chew _____ Pouch Tobacco.”. When you see a Mail Pouch Barn on that stretch of road, you will know you are on course, and if you fill in the blank with the missing word from the sign “Mail” you will receive a point added to your score.

Are there stops or rest breaks?
Usually, the on course checks (OCCs) will include a few questions that will require you to stop and even exit the vehicle to obtain a correct answer. These are brief stops, and are accounted for in the official course time. The course is also designed to include at least one stop that will provide restroom facilities.

What is the After Party?
When course directions bring you to the end of the rally, you will be at the site of the After Party, where you will “clock out” to get your official ending time and turn in your score sheet. Then you’ll be treated to free appetizers, dinner and soft drinks. The After Party is also where the door prizes are awarded, and where the winners of the rally are announced once the scores have been tabulated. The location of the party may change from year to year (see registration form for this year’s location). In addition to the dinner and soft drinks, the after party may also include music and a cash bar.

Do I have to go to the After Party?
You do have to “clock out” and turn in your score sheet to be eligible to win the 1st, 2nd or 3rd place prize, but you do not have to remain at the After Party to receive it. If you are among the top three scores, you will be contacted to receive your prize. To enjoy the free meal, beverages, win door prizes and have a great time – you will need to remain at the After Party!

Can I bring guests to the After Party?
The registration fee for all drivers and passengers includes admission to the free After Party. If you would like to invite a guest who was not a registered participant in the actual road rally to join you at the After Party, that person may pay a $10 admission fee at the door and join the After Party.

Can Kids participate?
Yes, however any driver or passenger under the age of 18 must be in the company of a parent or legal guardian to participate. Children aged six and under will not be charged a passenger fee. Parents should be aware that alcoholic beverages may be served from a cash bar during the After Party.

Doorprizes
Literally dozens of free door prizes will be awarded during the After Party, including such goodies as $25 gift cards, car washes, pizza and dining certificates; groceries; tanning and salon services; pool passes; free gasoline; auto parts and tools and much more.