Randy Scott (left) is pictured with Howling Dog Saloon manager Jodi Christy and his son, J.R. Scott, during a gathering two years ago at the Howling Dog, formerly Scotty’s Bar and Grill, which Randy’s parents, Earl and Marcella Scott, owned and operated in Luverne for 11 years.By Lori EhdeAmid national press conferences, political speculation and strong personal opinions, friends and family of Randy Scott continue to mourn his loss.Scott, 55, Hardwick, was killed Aug. 16 when his Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a Cadillac driven by Congressman Bill Janklow who sped through a stop sign at a rural intersection in Moody County, S.D.While former South Dakota Governor Janklow, is left with legal and political ramifications of the accident, all Randy Scott’s family and friends have are their memories.Appropriately, Howling Dog Saloon Manager Jodi (Kunkel) Christy, along with Randy’s mother Marcella Scott, have organized a motorcycle rally in Randy’s memory.The ride will start at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Howling Dog Saloon, Luverne. Motorcycles will lead, but all vehicles are welcome."I brought up the idea to Marcella, and she really liked it, but I never thought it would be this big," Christy said Monday. "I’ve been getting calls left and right."Those calls have come from interested participants, local and national media and even from some who want to protest Janklow’s role in Scott’s death."One thing I really want to stress is this isn’t a protest rally," Christy said. "We all have our own feelings and opinions, but this is strictly a rally to remember Randy … so people can see the kind of guy Randy was by the number of people who are there."A major stop along the rally route will be the accident scene near Trent, S.D, where participants will place flowers at the intersection, and Marcella will read a prayer.In addition, stops are planned at the Kenneth Bar in Kenneth, Green Lantern in Hardwick, Tree House in Trosky, the Silver Bullet in Sherman, S.D., the Corner Bar in Valley Springs, S.D. and then back to the Howling Dog in Luverne where food and entertainment are planned.The Howling Dog is an ideal sponsor for the event, since it used to be Scotty’s Bar and Grill. For 11 years, Randy’s parents, Marcella and the late Earl Scott owned the bar."They’d have family Christmases there," Christy said. "Anybody who’s owned or managed a bar knows how much work it can be, so it becomes a big part of the family."She said she’s organizing the rally as both a business manager and as a personal friend of Randy. "He’d stop in here maybe four, five times a week, sometimes three or four times a day, to have a soda and to say ‘hi,’" she said. "I’ve known him all my life, but the last couple years I’ve gotten to know him better."Christy said the bike rally has become a mammoth event to organize because Randy was so well-known and well-liked."We can’t stop at every business along the way," she said. "We may even have to cut out a few scheduled stops, depending on how many riders we have. We want to get everyone back before dark — we don’t want any more accidents."One Rapid City, S.D., bar, the Buckin’ Gator, is sponsoring its own rally in Randy’s honor. Christy said she took a call Monday from the bar owners, who will organize a bike ride departing at the same time and riding the same distance, 100 miles.Local businesses are encouraged to participate by posting "Remember Randy" on their message boards and marquees on Oct. 4.Rally T-shirts will be sold to cover event expenses, but any leftover proceeds and donations will be directed to a local charity in Randy’s name.Christy said it’s important that participants arrive early, to work out parking issues and vehicle order.Law enforcement will be on hand to direct traffic for departure in Luverne and for the prayer service at the accident scene.
