2020

Friends and Family,

I hope this email finds you safe and sound during this trying time for the world and our country. Connecting with so many of you lately has been a silver lining. Hearing how you are staying strong for your family, friends and professional teams is incredibly motivating. I have learned there is no custom-made solution, and now is the time for leadership,

creativity and resilience. Keep it up everyone; you amaze me each and every day!

Personally, COVID-19 came hard and fast for our family. Marie and Will went from attending various activities on a weekly basis to a complete standstill. We missed our extended families who were hundreds of miles away from us and also on a total lockdown.

By mid-March, Tru Family Dental was only completing emergency dental services on an asneeded basis, and the great majority of the company was furloughed. This reality was a bitter pill to swallow.

Fortunately, we have all remained healthy and can now appreciate the extra time quarantine has brought us...time with our immediate family, time to connect with family and friends far and wide, and, also, time to prioritize what matters most. Marie and Will are closer than ever as they are each other’s best play buddies. We have been enjoying the trail and lake we live on daily. Our kids got Jennie’s swimming gene, and we can’t keep them out of the water. We also have had time to prepare for the next addition. That’s right, this fall we will be a family of five! Baby Halcott #3 is due around Thanksgiving, and we are SO excited.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF RIDERS FOR THE COPPER TRIANGLE It’s that time of year again when I normally update you on the previous year and ask for your support for this year’s Copper Triangle ride. Let’s start with last year’s highlights. The 2019 Copper Triangle was, once again, another resounding success. Wild Bill’s Warriors (WBW) raised over $10,000 to support two organizations that made a positive impact on my

dad’s life, the Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF) (https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/)

and The Illinois Valley Brain Injury (IVBI) Clubhouse. Thank you all!!! As part of the successful fundraising year, we gave away 15 WBW visors to donors who contributed $250 or more. I LOVE seeing the pictures of you guys wearing the visors and can only hope you are taking the WBW moto to heart and trying to #BEWILD.

2019 also completed my first year as a DPF Board member. Being able to hear the stories and see firsthand the impact DPF has on individuals’ lives was humbling. It is rare to have the actual constituents or customers of your product or service with you in the room when strategic decisions are made. Some board members are currently battling Parkinson’s and their perspectives and stories are able to help guide the organization. I continue to be inspired by such an incredible group.

That brings us to the 2020 Copper Triangle to benefit WBW. As you can expect, due to COVID-19, the official ride is cancelled. I’ve wrestled with what to do. I have participated in this ride for 13 years, and it holds a dear place in my heart. I started raising money for Parkinson’s research at this ride to honor my father as his disease progressed. I’ve done the ride with my dad, sister, mom, wife, brother-in-law and countless friends. It’s 78 miles that bring back great memories, create new ones and make a difference for important organizations. Individuals living with Parkinson’s and brain diseases are more sheltered and more alone now due to COVID-19. Programming and services DPF and IVBI Clubhouse offer depend on support from organizations like WBW. Without it, they struggle to survive. I can’t just throw in the towel this year. We are dealing with a global pandemic though and need to do our part. As a family, we weighed all these variables and have attempted to plot our course as best as we can. We are renting a minivan and packing up for the family for a drive out West. I’ll complete the same 78-mile route in Colorado that I always ride. This year, as an added bonus, my business partner at Tru Family Dental is also making the road trip with his wife.

He was inspired by WBW and bought a road bike this spring (after lots of Peloton rides) with the hope of completing the ride with me. So, together, we are going to make it happen!

I always say life is anything but linear. Each and every day we face countless challenges, big and small. Right now, we are all facing a challenge that was unimaginable a short five months ago. I hope everyone continues to find strength in one another and the human spirit. Together we will prevail.

To support my ride, which will be taking place on August 8th, please visit http://www.wildbillswarriors.org/.

As always, BE WILD...and thank you all for the continued support!

Love you all,

BH

Friends and Family,

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! In the spirit of the holiday, I thought this would be a perfect time to update you on Wild Bill’s Warriors and all that we are thankful for during this crazy year.

I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your continued support of Wild Bill’s Warriors and the annual Copper Triangle bike ride. With your generous giving, Wild Bill’s Warriors can continue to support the Davis Phinney Foundation (DPF)

(https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/) and The Illinois Valley Brain Injury (IVBI)

Clubhouse. This is no small feat given the state of affairs we are all living in right now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support!!

This year’s ride was not normal by any measure, but the tradition continued! The ride changes began with a 20-hour drive from Detroit to Colorado instead of a quick plane ride.

I cannot stress how much “fun” the drive was with two toddlers and a pregnant wife. We were lucky to make it 50 miles between potty breaks, diaper changes and needing to find a lost blankie. The changes continued through to the ride, which was a group of three friends instead of more than 3,000 riders. Although some of these changes challenged us,

the outcome was the same as every year -- support for great organizations.

As I mentioned in a previous letter, my business partner, Naimish, joinined the ride this year along with long-time friend and Wild Bill’s Warriors supporter, Brad Anderson. From a crazy idea during lockdown in March, to Naimish completing all 78 miles and four mountain passes a few months later, his determination and effort were simply extraordinary. Brad and I were honored to do the ride with him and know Wild Bill would have approved of this showing!!

Finally, but definitely not least, I want to introduce you to the newest little buddle of joy.

Yesterday, on Thanksgiving morning at 5:23 am, we welcomed Evelyn Ann Halcott into the world. Will and I are officially outnumbered by women in our house and for that we are truly blessed. Evie is taking after her big sister with her jet-black hair and fierce cries for food.

Both Jennie and Evie are doing great!! To end such a difficult year with the addition of a healthy baby is a true blessing and miracle. We are so thankful for the family we are building and the love and support from family and friends like you.

Evie after her first bath J

Stay safe everyone and once again thank you for the support of the 2020 COVID Copper Triangle. If you did not have a chance to support the ride earlier you can still visit http://www.wildbillswarriors.org/ to make a donation. I look forward to re-connecting with everyone next year for the 2021 Copper Triangle.

Love you all,

BH PS – JD, Jeremy and anyone else out there, let me know if you need a training plan for 2021!