The rumors of Tommy Papadopolous’s annual Bike Blessing and Ride being the last one ever, as humorist Mark Twain once said, were greatly exaggerated — sort of.
For a minute there, it was going to be the last one, Papadopolous said as bikers continued to roll into Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral’s parking lot. Initially started in honor of former congregant the late Larry Papadakis, putting the ride together and securing raffle items gets tougher each year, he said.
And then the day of the ride comes, and he remembers what it’s all about.
Riders get in formation after Saints Constantine and Helen’s Rev. Ted Poteres blessed them during the church’s 10th annual Bike Blessing. The blessing was one of several that happened on May 18. (Michelle L. Quinn/Post-Tribune)
“We’re doing it for the kids,” he said as he surveyed the lot. “I do it out of my heart, and anyone is welcome. And we didn’t shy away during COVID — we just made sure to keep our distance from each other,” Papadopolous said.
In the 10 years that he’s been involved, the ride has raised $600,000 for Riley’s Children’s Health hospital in Indianapolis, Papadopolous said, a fact of which he’s extremely proud. With 153 people ready to ride after getting blessed, he may be reconsidering his position.
“I always say I’m done, but I’m probably not,” he said. “I think I’m going to be able to get more help next year, though.”
This year, the ride honored Merrillville Police Commissioners Arthur “Gene” Ward, 90, who died last month and “loved this blessing”; and John Minchuk, who died in August, fellow commissioner, Pete Dragojevic, said. They also honored Anna Kreisl, marketing director for the former Calumet Harley-Davidson in Munster, who died earlier this month.
Steve Woody, president for the Chopper Coppers Motorcycle Club in Crown Point, brought at least 35 of his closest biker friends to get blessed. He said he tries to come every year to get a little blessing from The Rev. Ted Poteres.
“I was T-boned on my bike by a drunk driver, so I’ll take any blessing I can get,” Woody said.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
