Cattlemen's Days

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108 Cattlemen's Days

YEARS

COLORADO'S OLDEST PROFESSIONAL RODEO EVENT

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Cattlemen's Days

2008

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2008

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Cattlemen's Days

2008 Schedule of Events Wednesday, July 9

Saturday, July 12

Watershed Team Roping and Barrel Racing, Auction

5 p.m.

Watershed Team Roping and Barrel Racing

7 p.m.

Cattlemen’s Days Parade 10 a.m. Kiwanis BBQ @ Legion Park 11:30 a.m. Buyers BBQ 12:30 p.m. Awards and Scholarship Presentation 1:30 p.m. Junior Livestock Auction 2 p.m. PRCA Evening Rodeo (Family Night) 7 p.m. Dance at The Elks Lodge 9 p.m. Carnival at The Rodeo Grounds

Evening Carnival at the Rodeo Grounds

Thursday, July 10 Swine Show and Open Showmanship

10 a.m.

8 a.m.

Sheep Show and Open Showmanship

2:30 p.m.

6 p.m.

Pioneer Banquet at The Elks Lodge

6 p.m.

Tough Enough To Wear Pink PRCA Evening Rodeo

7 p.m.

Saturday, July 5 4-H Horse Show Kickoff Dinner and Dance Everyone’s Invited

Sunday, July 6 Open Horse Show

8 a.m.

Monday, July 7 4-H Project Judging and Interviews 8:30 a.m. 4-H Dog Obedience Show 9 a.m. 4-H Project Review 7 p.m.

Tuesday, July 8 Rabbit and Poultry Show 8:30 a.m. Open Wool Show, Fiber Sheep/Goat Show and Open Showmanship 10 a.m. Cowboy Poetry @ Fred Field Heritage Center 7 p.m.

TETWP Post Rodeo Dance & Auction (The Last Chance)

9:30 p.m.

Evening Carnival at the Rodeo Grounds

Friday, July 11 Market Goat Show Beef Show and Adult Showmanship Round Robin Showmanship

9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m.

PRCA Evening Rodeo

7 p.m.

Dance at The Elks Lodge

9 p.m.

Gunnison Country Publications, LLC

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Stephen J. Pierotti publisher@gunnisontimes.com

Managing Editor

Editorial

Chris Dickey editor@gunnisontimes.com Michelle Burkhart michelle@gunnisontimes.com

Michelle Allen classifieds@gunnisontimes.com Will Shoemaker will@gunnisontimes.com Matt Smith mattsmith@gunnisontimes.com Advertising

Sunday, July 13 Cowboy Church/FCA Services-Rodeo Grounds 9 a.m. Horse Race Meet 12:30 p.m.

Tickets for the rodeo performances are on sale at the Gunnison Bank & Trust parking lot. Hours are: 9-5:30 daily. General Admission is $12 and reserved grandstand is $15. Saturday evening (a change from previous years, where Saturday was a matinee performance), July 12, is family night and with a paid adult kids get in free for general seating and $5 for grandstand. For ticket information call: 970.596.1413.

GCP

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Production Manager

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Layout/Ad Design Jennie Wren adbuilder@gunnisontimes.com Online

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For more information regarding this publication or other special publications of the Gunnison Country Publications, call 970.641.1414, or write ads@gunnisontimes.com Copyright© No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. Copyright© 2008. No part may be transmitted in any form by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without permission of the publisher. Any work (written, photographic or graphic) which the publishers “hired-out” becomes the property of the publisher. Publisher accepts no liability for solicited or unsolicited materials lost, damaged or otherwise.

2008

MEMBER

2008

Carnival at The Rodeo Grounds

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Karen Redden, Broker Karen Redden Broker / Owner

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Cattlemen's Days

2008

A century of celebrations The “Powderhornets.” Early 1900s photo of Powderhorn cowboys posing for a Cattlemen’s Days picture (above).

The Gunnison Country pulled out all the stops in the early days; some things haven’t changed

A 1911 Cattlemen’s Days program (right) and a 1918 souvenir ribbon (next page).

Early 1900s Cattlemen’s Days parade.

Photos courtesy Walt Barron

by Judy Buffington Sammons “He rides, oh, my eye, how he rides: sticks like a cocklebur, no matter what the battering ram underneath does. It gave me thrills to last a lifetime ... the crowd ate it alive and yelled for more.” -Polly Pry, Denver newspaper reporter, describing an early 1900s Gunnison rodeo.

A

lmost every year since 1902, Gunnison has hosted some version of a Western summer celebration called Cattlemen’s Days. The early-day events were a staged showing-off of range skills used by the local cowboy. The earliest rodeos in the area had been “ranch rodeos,” where cowboys would gather at a corral and ride wild broncs

or practice calf roping. The audience sat on the fence and cheered them on. Eventually these informal rodeos moved to town, where more of the community could participate and observe. Rodeo cowboys of these early times — the local working cowboys — did nothing at these early informal gatherings that they did not do each day of their working lives on ranches. Breaking horses, roping steers, cutting cows from the herd, or riding a fast horse across the range were all in a day’s work. These first town rodeos were a chance for the local hands to turn their skills into some pocket money. They got up early, did their chores, and headed for

town on horseback to start the celebration — first as participants in a Main Street parade and later as candidates for the prize money at the rodeo grounds. The Tomichi and Main Street location was the logical spot for the earliest events. It was later abandoned in favor of a fairground site, which was located for a brief time on part of what is now the Western State College campus. The local railroads contributed to the success of the event by offering excursion rates to visitors from around the state. Over the years the look of Cattlemen’s Days celebrations began to change. A 1910 parade saw, along with the traditional horse and buggy entries, many new motorcars driven by their proud owners. The

108ThAnnual cattlemen’s days july 5-13 s 0!2!$% s #!2.)6!, s (/23% 3(/73 s ( %6%.43 s 4%!- 2/0).' s (/23% 2!#%3 s 02#! 2/$%/3 Round up the family and head out to the Gunnison Rodeo Grounds for boot-stompin’ entertainment -- in the Valley’s finest tradition.

Rodeo: Thursday July 10th 7:00 p.m. Tough Enough to Wear Pink PRCA Evenng Rodeo

Friday July 11th 7:00 p.m. PRCA Evening Rodeo

Saturday July 12th PRCA evening Rodeo- Family Night, Kids 10 and under free with paid adult general admission; $5 grandstand

Parade: Saturday, July 12, 10:00 a.m Mainstreet Gunnison

Races: Sunday, July 13, 12:30 p.m.

Dances: Thursday July 10th 9:30 p.m. TETWP Post Rodeo Dance & Auction

Friday July 11th 9:00 Dance at the Elks Lodge

Saturday July 12th 9:00 Dance at the Elks Lodge

www.cattlemensdays.com Colorado’s Oldest Rodeo & Race Meet

For more information, call Gunnison Chamber of Commerce at (970) 641-1501.

2008

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Cattlemen's Days

cars were festooned with garlands of flowers, which were woven among the wheel spokes. Pretty bonneted and parasoled ladies rode in the cars alongside gentlemen attired in suits and hats. As time went on, all kinds of new events were added to the original program of traditional “cowboy events.” For example, couples attired in matching Western garb performed Quadrilles, a kind of square dance on horseback. All kinds and descriptions of races were performed, including trying to thread a needle or pick up a rooster out of a flock of hens, while on horseback. One year there was even a “prettiest baby” contest. Certain dress codes and behavior codes were enacted, mainly to the effect that one must wear some form of Western attire and that too much alcohol consumption would not be tolerated. The town of Gunnison has changed greatly, as has Cattlemens Days, since its inception more than a century ago. A 1911 program in possession of the Gunnison County Stockgrower’s Association provides a look at events of nearly a hundred years ago. The participants in these early-day events were, for the most part, locals. Prizes ranged from $5 to $50.

The following is a day’s jam-packed schedule from 1911: 9:30 — Grand Parade, riders to wear cowboy clothes 10:35 — Quadrille on horseback, judging of floats and best decorated automobiles 11 — Boys and girls pony race (horses under 13 1/2 hands) 11:45 — Ladies quarter mile dash 12 — Community fish fry 2 — Girls foot race 2:30 — Trotting and pacing races in buggies 2:45 — High jumping contest on horseback (cow horses only) 3:15 — Ladies relay race, 2 1/2 miles. Each lady to have five horses and change horses every quarter mile 3:30 — Free for all horse race, 600 yards 4 — Baseball game (prize $100) 4 — Barrel race, 100 yards and return, each to run around three barrels, turn the fourth and return circling three barrels the opposite way 5 — Judging the best draft team and best light driving team 5:20 — Needle race on horseback. Gentlemen will race 200 yards. Lady partner on horseback threads needle. Gentleman returns to starting place. The following day had a schedule much the same but with the addition of a bucking contest, boys stilt race, and a gate race that involved opening and shutting five gates while on horseback. The grand finale of the 1911 two-day Cattlemen’s Days celebration was the “Grand Ball” at the posh La Veta Hotel. It started at 9 p.m. and lasted until the wee hours of the morning. While many things have changed since those early years, the common theme of taking a mid-summer time-out to celebrate a lifestyle remains much the same.

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& Cattlemen’s Days We Grew Up Together

W

estern’s chartering in 1901 signaled the beginning of higher education on Colorado’s Western Slope.

Today Western is a four-year college with students from every state in the nation and many foreign countries. Our faculty includes men and women with degrees from the most prestigious colleges and universities. Degree programs are offered in a wide variety of fields including new programs in Petroleum Geology and Professional Land and Resource Management. Come see the brand new Borick Building. We’re proud to be a part of the Gunnison Country and to share a rich heritage with our city, our state and with Cattlemen’s Days.

Early on, Cattlemen’s Days utilized a part of the Western State College campus, as in this photo from 1916.

While attending Cattlemen’s Days ...

plan a visit to Western! For more information: 1-800-876-5309 Western State College Admissions Office Gunnison, CO 81231

admissions@western.edu www.western.edu

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Cattlemen's Days

2008

Parade Marshals Bill Elze

by Catherine Hausler

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Bill Elze. Photo by Mark Todd

ach year the Cattlemen’s Days committee selects a few people to be parade marshals. Chosen because of their on-going involvement in agriculture in the Gunnison Valley, parade marshals hold honored spots in the Cattlemen’s Days celebration. This year, one parade marshal is Gunnison native Bill Elze. A rancher for decades, Elze’s history in Gunnison is long and interesting. Elze’s grandfather, John, immigrated from the “old country” to the Gunnison Valley to homestead. John worked a piece of land up Ohio Creek that was christened “Elze Lane.” Raising cattle and growing hay, John built up a thriving ranch. Elze grew up on this ranch, learning the tricks of the trade from both his father and grandfather. Elze’s mother worked the ranch as well. “It was definitely a family operation,” Elze says. After a few years of work on the ranch, Elze went to school in Baldwin. Upon finishing, he was drafted by the army and spent two years in service before returning to Gunnison. He then went into business with his father-in-law, Vernon Harris, and started a ranch up Mill Creek. It was on this ranch that Elze spent the rest of his ranching career. On the “Mill

Creek place,” Elze ran cattle and hayed with the help of his wife, Marilyn, and her father. It wasn’t just on the ranch that Elze made his mark, though. In the 1960s, he won the bareback riding competition three years in a row at the Cattlemen’s Days rodeo. “I used to like to ride ‘em,” Elze says, smiling as he recounts his adventures in bronc and bull riding. Elze also showed cutting horses. Learning the art of cutting from a man from Kansas, as a 20-year-old Elze found a passion in “cutting cows.” Finding a fellow cutting competitor in the late Fred Field, Elze immensely enjoyed competing in the Cattlemen’s Days Open Horse Show. Later in life, Elze took control of this horse show. Serving on the Cattlemen’s Days committee for 10 years, he was able to run one of his favorite Cattlemen’s Days events. For his service in this respect, Elze received a pair of autographed Tony Lama boots that he will wear in this year’s parade. “It’s a great honor being a parade marshal and Tony Lama doesn’t just give autographed boots to anyone,” Elze says of wearing these treasures. As far as Cattlemen’s Days goes, Elze is excited for the entire week, but especially for the rodeo. “I’ve been going to that rodeo for 20 years. I wouldn’t miss it.”

Richard and Phyllis Guerrieri by Sandra Cortner

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ichard and Phyllis Guerrieri repre sent five generations of ranching in Gunnison County. She is the laughing, outgoing extrovert. Quiet at first, he is admittedly shy. Yet lively stories flow out of both. Hers come quickly — tales of her grandmother, Olive Imobersterg Spann, swimming her team of horses and wagon across the East River to visit her sister in Baldwin, and later planting the row of tall pine trees at Jack’s Cabin Cemetery. Born in Crested Butte in 1931, Richard describes his childhood as “the best years of my life” — skinny-dipping with his buddies in the Slate River and hiking up to the Buckley Mine to visit his dad at work. Richard arrives for this interview after a day on their 600 acres of hay meadows, which carpet both sides of the Gunnison River between County Road 10 and Hwy. 135, up to Ohio Creek. Pulling off his silky pink bandana, he props a leg atop the table and quietly explains that the snow has caved the bordering willows into the irrigation ditches. He’s pulling them out with his backhoe. “I’m usually getting water on the fields by mid May. This is the latest I can ever remember. This morning the water froze in the ditches.” It’s mid-June. Another cold day has followed one of the heaviest winters in the Gunnison Country. Like fellow ranchers, the Guerrieris had trouble with deer in their hay last winter; they even sampled Phyllis’ lilac bushes. “For the first time, antelope, too, came up hunting for food. Two fawns curled up each night between the garage and the house to keep warm,” she says. Phyllis was born in 1932 on her parents’, Aubrey and Ernestine Eastman Spann,

Phyllis and Richard Guerrieri. Photo by Wendy Jacobs

ranch, across the river from their current home. She and Richard wed in 1951. Adds Richard, “Her dowry was four beef cows and a horse. At the time, my parents were building the house we’re in while

they were working in town. They sold us the ranch, but it took us 20 years to finish the house.” For the first four years of their marriage they ran a 30-cow dairy. One winter

the water line to their barn froze, forcing them to wash the milking machines in their basement. The inspector nixed that. So Richard purchased three calves for each cow and put them on to nurse.

2008

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Cattlemen's Days

Cattlemen's Royalty

Erika Chamberland, Avery Dobie and Kylee Spencer by Catherine Hausler

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attlemen’s Days is one of the most vibrant and exciting events to happen in Gunnison each year. A week of wild fun, Cattlemen’s Days brings the community together. Though represented in many ways, the “faces” of this time-honored celebration are the members of the Cattlemen’s Days Court. This year, Erika Chamberland, Avery Dobie and Kylee Spencer proudly wear the crowns. Erika Chamberland, 2008 Cattlemen’s Days Queen, has been riding horses for nine years. Starting with lessons from Lori Smock, Chamberland learned to love horses at a young age. When she was 10, Erika got her first horse and began to train with Chris Henkel. Six years later, Erika is still training with Henkel and shows her paint horse, “Slick Sensation,” nationally. As a part of the American Junior Paint Horse Association, Chamberland shows her horse all over the country in a variety of events. Though Erika shows in both English and Western events, she says her favorites are the pattern classes, such as equitation and showmanship. This year’s Cattlemen’s Days Attendant, Avery Dobie, has been riding horses her entire life. Born into a family of ranchers, Avery was raised around agriculture and rodeo. She started showing when she was a mere 8 years old. And now at Gunnison High School, where she will be a sophomore in the fall, Avery competes on the rodeo team. The speed events are her specialty, but she also shows in Western showmanship and English events. Avery competes on her horse “Shimmer” and especially enjoys barrel racing. The 2008 Junior Miss is 9-year-old Kylee Spencer. Also growing up around horses,

“That’s how we got started in the beef cattle business,” he explains. “We had no cash flow, just really friendly bankers. If they believed in a person, they loaned you money.” By now the children were coming, two years apart: Mike, Dexter, Burt, Cara and Ruth. As each child entered kindergarten, Richard taught them to drive the truck, standing on the seat to see over the steering wheel. He put it in low gear and then threw hay off the bed to the cows. “They grew up thinking they were important to the ranch, and they were,” he says. When the boys were in grade school, Richard helped start some cattle cutting competitions at the Gunnison County Rodeo Grounds. “Just for fun.” He, Burt and Dexter joined the Continental Roping Club, which traveled to neighboring towns. Richard taught the boys team roping. He usually was the header and the boys took turns heeling (roping the hind legs) and heading. Over the years Burt and Dexter won trophies, a saddle and a horse trailer. Richard shows his Champion Header silver belt buckles from 2002 and ’03. According to Phyllis, “They did well enough (in prize money) to buy groceries for all seven of us when they were in high school.” “And, of course, we ate a lot of wild game,” says Richard. Richard’s green eyes light up as he tells of summers spent at their upper ranch at Mill Creek, where the family lived in a small one-room cabin. “The boys would practice roping. One would roll a tire

Kylee has been riding for as long as she can remember. With a father who is an accomplished cutting horseman, Kylee was trained to ride from a young age. She started showing on lead rope at the age of 5 and went on to show by herself at the age of 7. Participating in mostly speed events, Kylee also shows her horse “Sissy” in the trail events. Though being on the Cattlemen’s Days Court involves a multitude of good times, these girls had to work hard for their titles. Girls from all over the county, from the ages of 8 to 20, compete for these three treasured spots. Held a year in advance, the tryouts for Cattlemen’s Days Court are long and difficult. Each contestant is required to complete a reigning pattern on horseback, attend an interview and answer multiple questions about the care and make-up of horses. Tryouts are taken seriously and no one thing can make or break a person. “They’re looking for the whole package. A girl who knows horses, is present in the community and can represent Cattlemen’s Days well,” Erika says of what the panel of judges seek in a Cattlemen’s Days Queen, Attendant, or Junior Miss. All the hard work seems to have paid off. All three members of this year’s court are in high spirits about this year’s Cattlemen’s Days. Having already completed a number of community service projects, the three are now preparing for parades, horse shows and rodeos. “Cattlemen’s Days is really great for the community.” Avery says. “Yea, everybody loves it,” Erika adds. The court would like to thank their parents, sponsors and especially their “Queen Mother” and Cattlemen’s Days Secretary, Margo Patton.

Avery Dobie, Kylee Spencer and Erika Chamberland. Photo by Matt Smith

“

We’re trying to retire. But Richard says you can’t retire when you live here and see all the things that have to be done.

” Phyllis Guerrieri downhill while the others would take off, trying to rope it. They also practiced on the goats and pigs around the ranch.” “But I’d always take their ropes away if they went after the girls,” adds Phyllis. “The younger ones loved to hunt snowshoe rabbits behind the house up in the sagebrush. Dexter would crawl around in the grass with his bow and arrow while it was raining and we took a break from haying.” Those summers up Mill Creek were Phyllis’ favorite part of ranch life. “I loved to ride in the forest.” Her tone is wistful. At 76, she’s slowed by both age and physical impairments. For many years, she rode

sidesaddle in the Cattlemen’s Days Parade. “We’re trying to retire,” she explains. “But Richard says you can’t retire when you live here and see all the things that have to be done.” “I’m here when I’m needed and I have a lot of experience with the land,” Richard says. Then, he adds with a grin, “These days I work from the ears down. Burt does all the thinking.” Son Burt and his wife, Sandy, bought the Mill Creek ranch and stock six years ago and sell Mill Creek Natural Beef. The rest of the children are scattered across the country from Maine to Washington. “I’m

sure glad that one wanted to stick around,” says Phyllis. She and Richard are particularly proud of Sandy as the first female president of the Stockgrowers Association (see related story on page 14), and are delighted and honored that all their children and grandchildren will ride with them in the parade. Richard’s years of hard work and raising a family didn’t leave much time for getting involved in organizations, other than volunteering for the 4-H and Chamber of Commerce boards. He’s been a Gunnison Country Stockgrowers Association member for more than 50 years. Phyllis is active in the League of Women Voters and a director of the Basil David and Margaret Krueger Memorial Scholarship. She loves her activities with the Gunnison Valley Cattlewomen’s Association, which puts on “Agventure Day” for school kids every year. “One year they fixed me up with a rocking chair. I told the fourth to sixth graders stories about my grandmother, like how she strapped my father Aubrey and his brother Virgil to a sled, or how they fed the cows in the winter, (or how) her husband tied gunny sacks to his skis and climbed the hill to ski down to help build the first bridge on the Taylor River.” During the July 12 parade, Phyllis and Richard Guerrieri will be sitting on a wagon, not a rocker, and savoring what Richard describes as “probably the most honorable thing that’s ever happened to us.”

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Cattlemen's Days

A true vestige of the Old West Ray Van Tuyl by Tracey Coleman

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fter 98 years riding in the Gunnison Country, rancher Ray Van Tuyl saddled up his horse one last time on Feb. 6 and rode off into the sunset. During those years, Ray figured he’d “pretty much seen and done it all,� and was the first to admit, “it was all worth the ride.� Van Tuyl was born in 1909 to Annie Rouviere and Reed Porter Van Tuyl just east of Gunnison at Rainbow Ranch on Tomichi Creek, the second of seven children. Annie’s parents, Cyprian and Euphrasia Rouviere, were pioneer ranchers who arrived in the valley in 1888 and carved out a large spread west of Gunnison at Iola. Reed Porter, or Port Van Tuyl, was by some accounts a local sheep man. Ray figured he’d called five ranches home in his 98 years. The early years were tough for Ray’s parents and keeping food on the table was an ever growing challenge. The

Ray in his “office�(top). A group of cowboys and their horses on a hunting trip (bottom left). Ray is the second from the left. Ray and his brother Louie (bottom right) operated a successful guiding service for many years. Courtesy photos

Having a rough day? $LEE@JFE 38CC<P %FJG@K8C N<YI< ?<I< N?<E PFL E<<; LJ

2008

2008

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Cattlemen's Days

family spent several stints in town, where Port built up a dairy business on Tomichi Avenue, where Ace Hardware now stands. “My dad built a barn and shed there and we would keep 10 to 15 cows,� Ray explained. “We would milk every morning and then walk those cows up 11th Street, north to our pasture near what is now Spencer Avenue. Then we would walk them back at night. “My dad also sold hay around town to people for their horses and a lot of people had their own cows. We would go load the hay from stacks left in our fields. The going price was $10 a ton, free delivery. My dad would pay me 10 cents and a bag of hard candy for helping.� Ray’s family also raised, broke and trained horses and mules for the army and area mines. “We did cavalry horses, artillery horses and every other kind of horse people needed to ride or to pull.� Port converted that knowledge of animals into a hunting guide business. Ray remembered, “We’d drive pack mules and horses up Gold Basin Road along the Los Pinos Trail into Saguache Park and Sky City for the hunters, maybe 30 at a time. We were always hunting. We almost never slaughtered and ate our own beef, they were too valuable. We supplemented with wild meat. My mother could make the best jack rabbit stew. We also ate cottontail, but mother would fry them.� Ray and his brother Louie continued their father’s guide business, building it into Rocky Mountain Guide Service. Their customers came to Gunnison from all over the U.S. and the world, some returning 10 years straight to hunt with them in the high country. Until his last days, Ray would describe in detail the many beautiful places he and his horse had traveled as if he was there. In the late ’40s, the brothers got a call to

Courtesy photos

train and wrangle stock for the Randolph Scott movie, “The Caribou Trail,� to be filmed at several locations in the Gunnison Country. While Ray deemed the plot, “kinda hokey,� he had a different opinion altogether regarding the film crew and stunt men. “They were crazy and dangerous.� Ray also filmed commercials with the Marlboro Man, finding locations and providing stock. Ray, who never smoked, just laughed and said, “I may be one of the few guys who knew the Marlboro Man and lived to tell about it.� Ray was not short on civic responsibility. He was a proud member of the Gunnison Elks Club for 67 years. He was a long time supporter of Cattleman’s Days, for which he was recognized in 2001 as Parade Marshal.

He loved to tell stories about the original location — Main and Tomichi — for Colorado’s oldest rodeo. “We would block it all off and run the whole thing right there between the stores.� Additionally, Ray’s continual support of Gunnison schools, 4-H, and the Gunnison County Library, to whom he donated 5.5 acres of land before his passing, is much appreciated. His North Ranch property is now in public hands, deeded to the City of Gunnison, for watershed protection and river access. Ray never married. His box of memories contained more pictures of horses than of people. He spoke with fondness of each one. Even when he was too old to ride anymore,

he spent long days in his “office,� the front seat of his pick-up, just watching the cows in the fields on the North Ranch, in the shadow of the Palisades, where he hung his hat for the last 48 years of his life. Thanks to the help of friends and neighbors, he never had to leave that place, dying in his sleep one cold winter night. In his lifetime, Ray Van Tuyl wore many kinds of hats: cowboy, cattleman, horseman, hunter, outfitter, rancher, benefactor and friend. Cantankerous and kind, he was a true vestige of the Old West. (Tracey Coleman’s full story is available in the Gunnison County Public Library — on the shelf and in the “Rouviere File,� both located in the Western Heritage room.)

GET YOUR BOOTS ON

IT’S PINK TIME

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Performers

DEAN DILLON PAUL OVERSTREET

Dean makes both Nashville and Crested Butte home. Living in CB a large part of the year with his beautiful wife Susie, Dean is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. With 31 No. 1 County Hits to his career, Dean has and is writing for some of Nashville’s top recording artists. Dean and George Strait have a string of #1 hits together, including “The Chair�, Easy Come, Easy Go, and “She Let Herself Go�. Welcome Home Dean!

SCOTTY EMERICK This is a return trip to Crested Butte for Scotty and he is thrilled to be involved . Scotty has been working on an amazing volume of hits recently with Toby Keith, including “How Do You Like Me Now�, “I’m Just Talkin About Tonight�, “Beer for My Horses�, and “As Good As I Once Was�.

Paul is a 2 time Grammy Award Winner, and BMI Songwriter of the Year for 5 consecutive years among other distinguished awards for his writing, singing and personal achievements. Paul graciously accepted our invitation to Crested Butte this year. With such hits for Allison Krauss as “When you Say Nothing at All�, and for The Judds “Love Can Build a Bridge�. Just recently Paul penned “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy� for Entertainer of the Year – Kenny Chesney.

Since October of 2006 through May of 2008 local TETWP dollars have assisted (3) families of breast cancer survivors, provided (84) mammograms and ultra-sounds, and supported (4) biopsies totaling $ 37,800. In 2007 TETWP presented the Gunnison Valley Hospital with a check for $27,000 to help upgrade GVH to a digital technology platform that will compliment and enhance mammography in our area. TETWP has also sponsored Public Health luncheons & seminars on breast cancer awareness and education. In 2007 TETWP sponsored a breast cancer education seminar for 300 young women attending a WSC volleyball clinic. For more information about donations or to volunteer for this year’s activities, please contact Edie Gibson at 970-596-4458. Please join and support our cause for our community at the July 10th Tough Enough to Wear Pink Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo.

Auction

Both silent and live. Included items: Autographed guitar from George Strait, collector’s items from Toby Keith, exclusive ďŹ shing party on the East River on Private Water, Ski Racing with the Crested Butte Ski Club, limited edition Montana Silversmith Belt Buckles made only for Gunnison Tough Enough to Wear Pink Event, Autographed Pants from Kenny Chesney and a Pink Guitar autographed by newcomer Taylor Swift and much more.

JULY

Autographed guitar from George Strait

Taylor Swift autographed pink guitar

Autographed Pants from Kenny Chesney

10TH

2008

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Cattlemen's Days

Open for lunch & dinner Tuesday—Saturday Brunch—Sunday 10—2

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The Pink Pooches will miss you, Miya.

2008

Texas bullfighter one of the top in the PRCA Weatherford, Texas, bullfighter Darran Robertson will be the main man keeping cowboys performing in Cattlemen’s Days marque rodeo event safe. He was nominated in 2007 as one of the top bullfighters in the PRCA, and regularly works large events — including the Texas Circuit Finals in Waco. Courtesy photo

Stewart calls the shots Sixteen-year professional announcer Andy Stewart returns to Cattlemen’s Days this year to call all the action at the three local PRCA rodeos. Stewart, 37, hails from Monroe, La. He announces more than 43 rodeos a year, including other big-time events such as Frontier Days, the Dodge National Circuit Finals and the CBR Finals in Las Vegas, Nev. For eight years, Stewart has hosted television programs as well, including CBR on the Outdoor Channel. Stewart and his wife, Shelley, have two children, Kash and Shaye.

Courtesy photo

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Cattlemen's Days

Tim ‘Wild Thang’ Lepard An introduction from this year’s specialty act “I was born in 1962 in Memphis, Tenn., and hang my hat at home on the outskirts of Tupelo, Miss. I guess that is why I feel I have a bit of Elvis in my soul. I have been involved with rodeo for 28 years and began my career riding bulls, which evolved into bullfighting. After nine major surgeries encountered while fighting bulls, I began to put together the dog and monkey act and concentrated on comedy. I wanted an act that no one would forget in rodeo and felt performing with three dogs and three monkeys would accomplish my goal. Working with and training animals involves a lot of hard work. Traveling across the United States with animals requires even more dedication and responsibility. The animals are like family and require 24/7 care to ensure their wellbeing. When I see the crowd smiling and hear the laughter, it makes all the hard work worthwhile. My accomplishments include the International Finals Rodeo, three time winner of ‘Comedy Act of the Year,’ three time winner for ‘Dress Act of the Year,’ and one time winner for ‘Barrel Man of the Year.’ I am the only showman to win all three awards in the same year. I have been featured on America’s Funniest Home Videos, FHM Magazine, Sports Illustrated and had a scheduled appearance on the Jay Leno Show and Steve Harvey’s ‘Big Show.’ Out of all of my accomplishments, my most rewarding by far was participating in the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Nothing can

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rain

Rodeo Champions Bull Riding Sets & Barrel Racing Series Breyer Horses & Horse Trailers Vests, Chaps & Holster Sets

Courtesy photo

compare to making a little girl’s wish come true. It hits you in the heart when a child can wish for anything and she wishes to meet you and your animals. It was my pleasure to grant her wish and also present her with my 2002 Dress Act of the Year buckle. That experience left me with a feeling I will never forget. I strongly believe in the ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ campaign that the PRCA has become involved in over the past few years. Together we can make a difference. I have been a member of the PRCA, Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, since 2004 and am loving every minute of it. Hope to see and meet you on the trail.” - Tim “Wild Thang” Lepard

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2008

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Even with a broken arm, Hannah Anderson is proud to show her heifer donated by Benson Limousins.

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Courtesy photo

Next generation of stockgrowers get head start The “Heifer on the House” program was started in 2007 by the Junior Livestock Committee as a way to promote the 4-H and FFA cattle breeding projects in Gunnison. This past year four kids qualified to receive heifers donated by local ranchers. These four heifers will be shown at the beef show on Friday, July 11, at 10:30 a.m. This year the awarded heifers went to Hannah Anderson and Avery Dobie — two girls who had never shown a cattle project but always wanted to — and Tyler Haus and Molly Cannon — who had shown steers before, but were looking to start their own cattle herds. All the kids have done a wonderful job and look forward to showing off their work in the beef breeding show. Hannah received a nice Limousin calf from Benson Limousins. Avery received a beautiful White Park calf from Scott Redden. Tyler received an Angus cross calf named Betsy from Castleton Ranch. And Molly received a gentle cinnamon colored calf from Deldorita Ranches, and subsequently named her “Cinnamon.” Here’s how the program works: To be involved, a 4-H or FFA member must submit an application, in essay form, answering four questions about care of the animal and desire to be in the project. A

sub-committee from the Jr. Livestock committee will then interview, in person, each candidate to select qualified applicants. Once selected, applicants and their respective heifer donors are announced at the 4-H awards ceremony in the fall. Liability for the animal becomes the kid’s responsibility when the transfer happens. The Jr. Livestock committee then oversees the management to make sure the kid and donor have a good project experience. Requirements include keeping management records up-to-date from day one; writing monthly progress letters to their donors; attempting to breed the heifer by Cattlemen’s Days the following year; showing the heifer on halter in the breeding class at Cattlemen’s; and pregnancy checking the heifer the next fall before the next annual awards ceremony. It is at this point that kids are released from any contracts and can then hopefully be considered a Gunnison cattle producer for the future. “The Heifer on the House program has been a total success this year thanks to the gracious people who have donated calves,” said CSU Cooperative Extension Director Eric McPhail. “We look forward to the future of the program whereby we will continue to educate and keep kids involved in the Gunnison cattle industry.”

2008

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Cattlemen's Days

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Cattlemen’s Days documentary available

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“

Cattlemen’s Days, The Granddaddy of Colorado Rodeos� is a featurelength documentary about the first 100 years of Gunnison’s community celebration of ranching. It is the end result of the Cattlemen’s Days Documentary Project that, between 1998 and 2000, recorded thousands of still photographs, 13 hours of video tape, and many hours of oral histories. We worked in cooperation with the Cattlemen’s Days Association, Western State College, The Pioneer Museum, insightful valley businesses, the 4-H and individuals who stepped forward to volunteer time and services to support our efforts to help record and preserve the history of Cattlemen’s Days. During the first half-hour, the DVD tells the story from the 1800s to 1999 using still photographs, music, poetry and oral histories. The remainder of the documentary was taped by a crew of 13 during the 2000 celebration and is a series of short vignettes about the 100th consecutive

rodeo. We had the good fortune to be able to hire videographer Don Mills — who had grown up in Gunnison, had attended Western State and had gained experience working in television in Denver. Don shot our main camera and his work is a critical part of the documentary. From its inception it has been our intention to donate most of our collections to a non-profit depository for preservation. We presented much of the still photography collection and a framed photography exhibit to the Cattlemen’s Days Association in 2001. The exhibit had been displayed at the Western State College main gallery during Cattlemen’s Days 2000. Both the photo collection and the exhibit have been presented to the Pioneer Museum. The DVD is dedicated to all of the true cowboys and cowgirls who rode and ride the high country of the Gunnison Valley. It is available for on-line purchase (Amazon.com).

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Cattlemen's Days

2008

There’s a new president in town Sandy Guerrieri becomes first female Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association president in organization’s 114-year history On June 7, at the annual banquet of the Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association, Sandy Guerrieri became the organization’s first female president. The Gunnison Country Times conducted an interview with the history-making local rancher. Excerpts are below: Can you give us a little ‘background’ on yourself. Guerrieri: I love Gunnison, and know it very well. I worked for the Forest Service for 17 years managing wilderness, trails, travel management, outfitter and guides and scenic byways. I worked in Montrose, Lake City, Delta and Gunnison. My work with the Forest Service took me from Montrose to the top of Monarch Pass, and from Slumgullion Pass in Lake City to Schofield Pass above Crested Butte. I feel very fortunate to know the Gunnison Basin backcountry so well. Towards the end of my Forest Service career, I worked in Forest Planning in Delta out of the Supervisor’s Office, as a public affairs specialist. Since leaving the Forest Service, I have focused my life on ranching on Ohio Creek with my husband Burt Guerrieri. I have one daughter Sarah, age 26, who lives in Denver. How did you get to be the GCSA president, and do you find significance in your being the first female president in the 114-year history of the organization? Guerrieri: I love land management, agriculture and working through issues and projects, so working with the GCSA seemed like a natural place to be for me. I strive to be active in the comSandy Guerrieri. munity. I have been on the board of the Roping Club and Barrel Club, chairperson for the Colorado Cooperative Extension Advisory Board, and Grouse, which meets monthly. I also am the Gunnison County Land Preservation a member of Gunnison Cattlewomen. I Board. I am the alternative stockgrower take pride in all of these organizations. member for the Gunnison County StraI have been on the Gunnison County tegic Committee for Gunnison Sage Stockgrowers Association board for four

organization that consisted of mostly men. I saw many “firsts” for women and minorities while working since 1986 with the Forest Service. A lot has changed in the past few decades with the workforce, where one does not even think of gender or race in filling positions. I guess what I am trying to say is that I just have learned to think of the job or the task at hand, rather than the organizational make-up. I am honored to be president of the Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association. What does the GCSA do, and what are some of the things you’d like to accomplish as its president? Guerrieri: For 114 years, the GCSA has been an organization whose membership (is made up of) ranchers and stockgrowers who live in the Gunnison Basin. To put it simply, we support the ranching industry within the Gunnison Basin. The board and membership focus on issues that either may have an effect on ranching, as well as issues that will enhance the agricultural industry in Gunnison. There is no shortage of issues right now! We focus on local land planning issues with the county, to state issues relating to wildlife management, to federal issues relating to federal land grazing, water use issues and threatened and endangered species. We are very fortunate to have such active members, who are not only GCSA members, but serve on state and national water and river boards and districts, a state legislator, a board member for Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, a lawyer, and ranchers who have five generations of knowledge before Photo by Chris Rourke them. In addition, we have younger members who are employed as years, and served as vice-president for ranch employees on ranches. the past two years, with neighbor Curtis We have two members who have served Allen as president. for over 12 years, voluntarily, on local My tenure with the Forest Service Gunnison Sage-grouse working groups. certainly helped me to work within an In the next two years, I see several topic

2008

areas that we will continue to work on: Keep the Gunnison Sage-grouse off the Endangered Species List. Remove the Gunnison Prairie Dog from the Endangered Species List. Work with the BLM and Forest Service on public land grazing issues, to ensure that viable and sustainable grazing on public lands continue. Work with the community and the Colorado Division of Wildlife to have an elk population that the public land can sustain. Elk populations are too high in some game units, which impacts domestic grazing and the health of the ecosystem, in addition to feeding conflicts on ranches in winter months. I foresee that water issues will only worsen for agriculture in Colorado, as an increase of population and growth occurs across the state. We will focus on water issues, and as I mentioned previously, we have members who work on water issues at the local, state and federal levels. What are some of the primary challenges you see facing the industry today, both locally and broader? Guerrieri: I think agriculture in this country is hanging in a balance ... and can be easily kiltered. Agriculture has many pressures right now, and what we see globally and nationally, affects us locally. With less than 2 percent of our national population in the agriculture industry, the base of the challenges we face is the general population’s lack of understanding of agriculture, its needs and what it provides. Therefore, neighbors, governments, politicians, environmental groups do things that purposely, or inadvertently, have a negative affect on agriculture.

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Cattlemen's Days

What I do know is that no issue is an island of its own. Issues intertwine. The decline of the Gunnison Sage-grouse, over-population of elk, growth of people and houses (development), gasoline prices, immigration, cattle prices, increased speed limits on roads, increasing recreational use, high health care costs, escalating land values ... these all relate, and affect ranching here in Gunnison. I think the greatest challenge for the Gunnison rancher is to go out and work every day on the ranch and face his or her everyday work challenges, with these greater challenges clouding you every day as well.

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Opportunities? Guerrieri: We have a unique community in Gunnison. I see us working together more than other communities, and I see us able to work through issues. This is an opportunity. In some regards we shine. Take for example the Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy. More than 16,000 acres of agriculture lands in the basin have been placed in conservation easements. This non-profit organization started here, and is incentive based. A few people saw an opportunity and jumped in. I see opportunity at the county level to develop a land use process that can help conserve agriculture lands with incentives, not regulations. I see us also looking for the opportunities to foster relationships at various levels with key people who understand agriculture, whether that is at a federal agency, state or federal government, or the neighbor who lives across the lane. Or, I suppose, our newspaper editor. ...

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Cattlemen's Days

4-H member Hayley Weak is one of the many kids enrolled in the sewing project.

2008

4-H members (l-r) Maia Harrison, Kelly McKee and Kirstie Stahlnecker enjoy baking class at 4-H agent Nadine Henry’s house.

Something for everyone 4-H offers more than 50 hands-on projects for youth Youngsters involved in the local 4-H after-school program are still wondering what happened to a small green and black model rocket that flew way off course this spring. Luckily, there were many other successful launches and recoveries made that day by kids who built their rockets for a 4-H project. The lost rocket is a prime example of what a 4-H project experience is all about: learning by doing. In the rocketry case, one of the lessons was what happens when your engine has more power than your small rocket needs. Many 4-H experiences start in the fall and continue through the winter. Several groups of kids have been building skills in a wide

range of projects. Building skills is another piece of 4-H. Research indicates that handson activities — which result in a product or performance or some way demonstrating mastery — contribute to positive development. There are over 50 4-H projects that a youth can do, so choosing one usually starts with past experience, a parent’s influence, or just something they think they would like to try. For the kids taking the baking project, it’s about eating. “We like to eat yummy stuff so we needed to learn to make it.” That’s the universal response from baking participants. The multiple 4-H food projects encourage members to try new recipes. At the same

time they are learning science skills and various kitchen concepts. “I think it is cool to learn about ingredients and what they do and learn how to measure,” says Maia Harrison. “And it is just fun to bake.” Similar comments are echoed in the multiple sewing projects. For Luis Bustos, it’s all about the machine. “I like learning how to use and run a sewing machine,” she says. “Making things is fun.” “It’s also neat to start with a bunch of confusing pieces and make it all come together,” says Hayley Weak. At the same time sewing program kids are having fun, they are using math and discov-

ering that the clothes they make start as an agricultural product — not as an item on a store shelf. Members are presenting what they have accomplished at their Project Revue July 7 at 7 p.m. at the Fred Field Heritage Center. The public is invited. Their exhibits, ranging from woodworking and shooting sports to photography and global citizenship, will remain on display through Cattlemen’s Days. There is a project for every one in 4-H. Youth 8-18 can join a club. Adult volunteers are needed to guide members in the multiple project areas. To get involved, contact Colorado State University Extension at 641.1260 or check 4-H out at www.gunnison.colostate.edu.

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+ Team Physician of Western State College of Colorado Athletics

GUNNISON 112 W. Spencer TELLURIDE Telluride Medical Center

+ Board Eligible Orthopaedic Surgeon with fellowship training in upper extremity, shoulder, elbow and hand surgery + Accomplished cyclist & skier

Alonso Escalante, M.D. + Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon since 1970 + Medical School graduate at National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico + Orthopaedic Residency and fellowship of surgery of the hand at Tulane University of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana + 30-year private practice in general orthopaedics and hand surgery in San Antonio, Texas and relocated to Gunnison June 2008 + Fluent in Spanish

2008

17

Cattlemen's Days

TOMICHI TIRE & TOWING SERVICE FOREIGN • DOMESTIC

• ALIGNMENT • CUSTOM & REAR AXLE ALIGNMENT • COMPUTERIZED BALANCING

641-2314

(L-r) 4-H Leader Justin Mick and 4-H members Willy Henry and Tanner Williams, shown here building picnic tables at the Fred Field Western Heritage Center for a community service project.

Building connections

C 10 at A tle n 8t h n m u Ju e ly nĘźs al 5- D 13 ay s,

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. How do they do that? One powerful way is to connect with a volunteer leader. Justin Mick and Tanner Williams exemplify the best of 4-H youth-adult partnerships in Gunnison County. 2007 was Tanner’s first year as a 4-H member, but as an employee and friend of 4-H alum Justin Mick, he takes advantage of all that 4-H and his leader offer. Tanner successfully demonstrated improved horse riding skills and horse knowledge by taking advantage of Forever Fund loan dollars to purchase a horse, care for and train him, and then sell him to a happy buyer. Tanner also exhibited a great small en-

gine project, thanks to what he learned from Justin. He picked up leadership skills by becoming fully involved with his newly formed club and 4-H County Council. Tanner was a positive influence and example for younger members and contributed to several community service projects. Tanner will be a sophomore at Western State College, but feels he is not done with 4-H. He gladly continues to be involved as an officer and serves as the 4-H member to the horse committee. According to Tanner, there is more to learn and more to give back. He also credits Justin for getting him to college. Completing a couple of record books, documenting his work from goals to finished projects has helped him.

C

11/2 MI. E. OF GUNNISON ON HWY 50 E. NO CITY SALES TAX CHARGE*

Jon Beaumont Band * +() / +"/ * ( / +"/ *

U-47

) *+( / +"/ *

Ride our mechanical bull!

%#& * *% - $ &( 0 )

The 0EWX 'LERGI

The outdoor pavillion is OPEN!

Nightly Drink Specials Join us this Thursday for the Tough Enough to Wear Pink pre and post-parties!

1Block East of Days Inn on 9th and Rio Grande

'SPHIWX &IIV MR 8S[R

l u a t t a i r o n g s! n o 2008 Junior Miss, Kylee Spencer

Erika Chamberland, 2008 Cattlemen's Days Queen

2008 Attendant, Avery Dobie

FDIC INSURED

Equal Housing Lender

GUNNISON SAVINGS & LOAN 303 N. Main Street, Gunnison

641-2171 gsl@gunnsonsl.com

Bank online at www.gunnisonsl.com

501 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte

349-1677

cbsl@gunnisonsl.com

Serving the Gunnison Country Since 1911

18

Cattlemen's Days

Farmers Insurance Next Generation Homeowners Policy, customized for your needs.

2008

TETWP effort continues

Complete insurance for home owners.

Auto Home Life Business Workers Comp Recreational BristolWest Insurance offered through Farmers Insurance Agent’s provides competitive priced auto insurance! Call or stop by for a free quote. With Gas and Diesel prices at $4 plus a gallon, why not save some money on your auto insurance? Bristol West Auto Insurance only available at Farmers Insurance, Call or Stop by for a free quote 219 N. Iowa Street. 641-3641

WWW FARMERSAGENT COM GSHORT s s . )OWA 3T 'UNNISON

Garage Doors & Openers

Last year, the TETWP activities included unveiling this giant pink ribbon atop Gunnison’s famous “W Mountain.�

Cabinetry & Countertops

Courtesy photo

(VEOI ;SSHW Sales & Services

716 S. 9th Gunnison, CO 81230

Mike Peterson 970-641-5053

Since October 2006 through May 2008, local Tough Enough to Wear Pink dollars have assisted three families of breast cancer survivors and provided 84 mammograms and ultra-sounds. Plus, the funds have supported four biopsies totaling $37,800. In 2007, TETWP presented the Gunnison Valley Hospital with a check for $27,000 to help upgrade GVH to a digital technology platform that will compliment and enhance mammography in this area. TETWP has also sponsored Public Health luncheons and seminars on breast cancer awareness and education. In 2007, TETWP sponsored a breast cancer education seminar for 300 young women

attending a WSC volleyball clinic. For more information about donations or to volunteer for this year’s activities, contact Edie Gibson at 970.596.4458. Join and support this cause at the July 10 Tough Enough to Wear Pink Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo. Thursday, July 10 • Pre Party at The Last Chance. Featuring a smorgasbord from The Gunnisack, 5-6:30 p.m. • Cattleman’s Days & TETWP Rodeo, 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds • Post Party at The Last Chance, 9 p.m. until the cows come home. Benefit auction and live music, with all proceeds donated to TETWP. $25 at the door.

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE 2008 4-H & FFA LIVESTOCK AUCTION SATURDAY, JULY 12 12:30 p.m. Buyer’s BBQ (F-Bar Catering) 1:30 p.m. Scholarship Presentation

Generous support provided by:

2:00 p.m. Jr. Livestock Auction Multi-Purpose Building at Fred R. Field Western Heritage Center For information contact Gunnison County Extension Office 641-1260

232 WEST TOMICHI • GUNNISON

641•0320 WWW.GUNNISONBANK.COM

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE 2007 LIVESTOCK BUYERS: Wilderson, O'Hayre, Dawson & Norris PC

Chamberland Orthopedics

Delta Implement

Linda Meredith

Grand Champion Market Hog

Grand Champion Market Lamb

Grand Champion Market Chickens

116 6th ST. (HWY 135) • CRESTED BUTTE

Gunnison Auto & Feed

Century 21

Castleton Ranch

Ray's Trucking & Backhoe

Reserve Champion Market Steer

Reserve Champion Market Hog

Reserve Champion Market Lamb

Grand Champion Market Goat

WWW.CRESTEDBUTTEBANK.COM

Ed Howard Jr. F Bar Catering Field Land and Cattle Co. Fullmer's ACE Hardware Gears Inc. Golden Eagle Trash Service Gunnison Country Times Gunnison Excavation & Septic Gunnison Savings & Loan Gunnison Valley Hospital Gunnison Veterinary Clinic Harold Fields Concrete High Country Laundry & Service High Mountain Improvements

Jack David Backhoe Jay David Backhoe Jeff, Kris, and Lauren Cole Joe Danni John Roberts Motor Works Lazy F Bar Outfitters Lost Miner Ranch L.L.C. Miller Furniture Monte Vista COOP Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply Paula Swenson Pike Builders Inc. Puchek Construction Ray Archuleta

Grand Champion Market Steer

Alexander Orthodontics Archuleta Construction Atmos Energy Bank of the West Bonnie & Stan Irby Brett & Karen Redden Chuck Orr Circus Train Clyde Gilespie Community Banks of CO Concrete Systems Inc. Cynthia Beigeo DelDorita Ranches Donner Tevis

Ray Vantuyl Rocky Mountain Real Estate Safeway Store of Gunnison Spallone Construction Sun Sports Unlimited Sweitzer Oil Inc Take Away Food Store The Gunnison Bank The Redden Group United Country Wilson Associates Williams Enterprises

349•0170

Trucking Sale Provided by: Clerked Gunnison Trucking By: Donny Coleman Sponsored by: Gunnison Junior Livestock Committee

WILSON ASSOCIATES REALTY

2008

19

Cattlemen's Days

123 W. Tomichi Ave

641-4051

COWBOYS

Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1996

$90.00 (With new 2 year select Plan) - 50.00 (mail in rebate) $40.00

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A Watershed moment Every year, one of the highlights of Cattlemen’s Days is the Gunnison Watershed evening of team roping, barrel racing, food and fun. This year’s “locals only� competitions take place Wednesday, July 9. The evening kicks off with a team roping and barrel racing auction at 5 p.m., and then the fast-paced racing and roping action begins at 7. Spectators are welcome, and there’s no charge. There’s plenty of food at the concession stand, and the carnival is revved up by that evening as well. Times file photo, 2007.

Congratulations

Cattlemen’s Days on your 108th Year!

$1.,1* ,1 6+( 4$',6,21 2) 6+( /' "(56 ,03/( 564$,*+6)248$4' 8,6+ $ +$1'5+$.( $1' $ 50,/(

Energy, Honesty, Dedication for all of Gunnison County

756 6+( .,1' 2) 64$',6,21 8( $// (1-29 $6 $66/(0(1:5 $95 "(:4( 3427' 62 %( 3$46 2) $ &20071,69 8+(4( 57&+ 64$',6,215 $4( 56,// ,03246$16 623 ,1 520(6,0( $1' 5$9 +(//2 $65 $1' %2265 8(/&20(

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Paid for by Citizens for Hap Channell • Larrry Parachini, Treasurer

CONTINUE THE PROGRESS

20

Cattlemen's Days

2008

Horse, rider rise to the challenge Stefanie Reinhardt didn’t believe vets who said her injured horse would likely never be ridden again; Cadilac Jack proved her right

Denis Hall Special to the Times

R

ider and trainer Stefanie Reinhardt and her 8-year-old horse, Cadilac Jack, captured top honors in the novice division in mid June at Colorado Horse Park’s Spring Horse Trials and CCI in Parker. Reinhardt, who lives at Jack’s Cabin between Gunnison and Crested Butte, and Jack took first place in a challenging field of international competitors at one of Colorado’s premiere equestrian events. In Parker, horse and rider competed in dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping. A combined score in all three disciplines demonstrates a partnership between horse and rider, and all-around competence in three very different

Salutes!

Photo by Amy E. Cody/Cristy Cumberworth Photography

232 W. Tomichi Ave. Gunnison, CO 81230 Phone: 970-641-0320 Fax: 970-641-0054 www.gunnisonbank.com

116 6th St. (Hwy 135) Crested Butte, CO 81224 Phone: 970-349-0170 Fax: 970-349-0175 www.crestedbuttebank.com

The Ranching Community Pride of Gunnison Country Gunnison Bank & Trust has proudly served Gunnison’s ranching community since 1910.

Full Service Mortgage Department 970-641-7841 Courteous Service with Integrity since 1910

2008

21

Cattlemen's Days

aspects of equestrian training. Dressage, according to Reinhardt, is a test of obedience and training. Cadilac Jack had one of the best dressage scores (28) of the entire event. “Jack was really calm and obedient,� said Reinhardt. “He was really ‘on’ that morning. I felt pretty good about our test, but I didn’t expect it to be that good. I about fell over when I saw our dressage score.� Reinhardt and Jack’s winning streak continued into Saturday’s cross-country competition, where a horse must show courage at facing an unknown course with difficult “questions,� or problems a horse must confront while maintaining a measured pace. Jumps can be intimidating because they are heavy and solid, and don’t fall apart when hit. Horses can baulk at decorations placed on and around jumps, designed to show the horse’s trust in his rider. Cross-country is judged on optimum time, an average determined by the length of the course covered at (for this division) 350 meters per minute. “Jack is amazing at cross-country,� Reinhardt said. “We are a team. He just eats it up and loves it out there. It’s our best phase of the three-day, so I was really confident.� Reinhardt and Jack covered the crosscountry course “clean,� with no refusals or jumping faults, and within a minute of optimum time. The final phase of a three-day event is stadium jumping, which tests the skill of horse and rider over jumps that fall down if hit.

Horses must be highly disciplined and careful not to knock down a rail; faults are levied against a horse for every knock-down. “Stadium jumping is not usually our best phase,� admitted Reinhardt. “We do okay, but I went into it with a little bit of trepidation. After the two previous days, I was only one point ahead of the second place rider, and if I’d knocked down a rail, I’d have been out of first place. I had to go clean. It was pretty nerve wracking, but Jack was super careful, he wasn’t nervous at all, and the two of us came out clean. We ended up in first place and we were super excited. And that was the end of it.� But that isn’t the end of the story. The story of Reinhardt and Cadilac Jack is one of perseverance and resurrection. Gifted to Stefanie by her father, Dr. Jules Reinhardt, when the horse was 4 years-old, in 2005 Jack ran through a fence, which severed the extensor muscle on his left front leg. Veterinarians advised Reinhardt she would probably never ride him again. “We thought he was going to bleed to death,� Reinhardt remembered. “It took a whole year for him to walk even semi-normally. That Jack was sound enough to go to a show of this caliber is amazing.� Reinhardt credits “time, work and tons of patience,� for bringing her horse back to competitive levels. Reinhardt advised, “Don’t ever give up. If I had given up, I would never have ridden in the Horse Trials. Winning was vindication. But most of all, I wouldn’t have such a great horse if it wasn’t for my father.�

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Cattlemen's Days

2008

Longtime announcer honored in Texas Bud Townsend announced hundreds of rodeos in his 50-year career. He called Cattlemen’s Days his favorite. Bud Townsend has announced a lot of rodeos in his days, none more than Cattlemen’s Days. In April, the rodeo legend and Texas native was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. A handful of representatives of Cattlemen’s Days, including Gene Hollenbeck and Crandall Howard, were on hand to celebrate the lifetime accomplishment. “Other than my actual induction, their coming over 1,000 miles for the ceremony was the thing most precious to me,” Townsend said. “It was appropriate, since I spent 36 years of my 50-year rodeo career at the Cattlemen’s Days rodeo, longer than any other of the hundreds of rodeos I announced.” Townsend’s list of accomplishments is a long one. In addition to traveling the rodeo circuit in the summer, he was a scholar, receiving a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. He was a longtime professor at West Texas State. He was also a writer, receiv-

(L-r) Crandall Howard, Mrs. Ed Howard, Bud Townsend, Mary Townsend, Gene Hollenbeck and Ed Howard Jr., celebrating Townsend’s induction into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in April. Courtesy photo

ing a Grammy Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for his work on the Bob Wills biography, “San Antonio Rose, The Life and Music of Bob Wills.” Hollenbeck first got to know Townsend back when he was riding broncs and bull-

Breakfast

•

dogging at Cattlemen’s Days. “If you were around him much, you couldn’t help but get to know Bud,” Hollenbeck said. “He’s a friendly cuss.” Townsend and his wife, Mary, have three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He’s planning

Lunch

•

on returning to Gunnison this summer to check in on his old stomping grounds. “I am looking forward to a much overdue return visit to my favorite rodeo and a visit with many old friends at Cattlemen’s Days,” he said.

Dinner ST 1 BL O

MAI CK OF N ST .

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See us for your catering needs. We specialize in weddings and special events.

2008

23

Cattlemen's Days

Western word and music July 8 2007 Cattlemen’s Days highlights

Times file photos

Don’t miss Gunnison’s summer celebration of western word and music at the annual Cattlemen’s Days Cowboy Poetry Reading, Tuesday, July 8, starting at 7 p.m. in the Concrete Room of the Rodeo Ground’s Multi-Purpose Building. This year’s event features headliner John Nelson with local favorites Shorty George, Mac McGraw and Joe Dixon alongside emcee Mark Todd. The reading will also feature young gun Brent Winston and western music with Evelyn Roper and Chris Coady. Even younger guns will take part this year. In cooperation with the local 4-H chapter, the audience will hear buckaroo readings by grade-schoolers and middle school poets. Local recording artist, writer and singer Evelyn Roper will also be on hand to both recite poetry and sing, along with singer Chris Coady, who plays in her band, Opal Moon. Join this lineup of young and long-time poets for a free evening of round-robin poetry and music at the 13th annual gathering. The event is made possible by the Cattlemen’s Days Board of Directors and the Gunnison Friends of the Library. For more information, contact Todd at 970.641.2682.

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24

Cattlemen's Days

2008

GET YOUR BOOTS ON

IT’S PINK TIME 2008 CATTLEMEN’S DAYS • TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK

2008 Schedule of Events r 4BUVSEBZ +VMZ UI Kick-Off Dinner with live music, 6-9pm @ Fred R. Field Building. Tickets $50 per family of four, $30 per couple, $15 single, and kids under 11 FREE! Slogars Chicken and 5Bs Barbeque

r 5VFTEBZ +VMZ UI Benefit Auction & Concert featuring Nashville’s premier songwriters, Dean Dillon, Scotty Emerick & Paul Overstreet. Mountaineer Square in Crested Butte, 6:30-10pm. For tickets and information please call 970-596-3402.

r ă VSTEBZ +VMZ UI Pre Party at The Last Chance. Featuring a smorgasbord from The Gunnisack. 5-6:30pm

r ă VSTEBZ +VMZ UI Cattleman’s Days & TETWP Rodeo 7pm at the Fairgrounds

r ă VSTEBZ +VMZ UI Post Party at The Last Chance 9pm until the cows come home! Benefit Auction & Live Music with all proceeds donated to TETWP and the fight against breast cancer! $ 25 at the door.

r 4BUVSEBZ +VMZ UI 5K Fun Run/Walk before the parade. Contact Kevin Coblentz at 970-641-2368 for more information.

2008 Cattlemen’s Days Kick-o Dinner Saturday, July 5th 0- s &2%$ 2 &)%,$ "5),$).' 7% ,, (!6% 30%#)!, &!"5,/53 &)8). 3 #//+%$ 50 "9 3,/'!2 3 !.$ " 3 "!2"%#5% "2).' 9/52 $!.#). 3(/%3 "%#!53% 7% ,, (!6% ,)6% -53)# 4// PER FAMILY OF s PER COUPLE s PER PERSON s +IDS UNDER &2%% (tickets available at the door)

BeneďŹ t Concert & Auction DEAN DILLON

0!5, OVERSTREET

SCOTTY EMERICK

Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 0- s #/.#%24 !4 0-/5.4!).%%2 315!2% #/.&%2%.#% #%.4%2 #/#+4!),3 !.$ (/23 $ /%562%3 TICKETS: $ '%.%2!, !$-)33)/. s $100 VIP*

(*VIP includes Tough Enough to Wear Pink t-shirt, hat and general admission tickets to Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo) 4ICKETS )N #RESTED "UTTE VISIT #ENTURY /Fl CE OR 3LOGARS In Gunnison visit Western World or The Toggery or CALL

5K Run/Walk

Saturday, July 12th, 2008 ODDFELLOW’S PARK, 8:00 AM

Cattlemen’s Days TETWP program is dedicated to providing local funding for breast cancer awareness, education, support, breast screenings and equipment. One hundred percent of the money raised during the TETWP program will stay in the community of Gunnison, Colorado. Cancer knows no boundaries. ENTRY FEE: $30.00 PRE-REGISTRATION, $35.00 DAY OF RACE. Return entry fee and registration form to KC Barber, 302 N. Main, Gunnison. Contact Sara Coblentz at 970-275-8985 for more information.

Since October of 2006 through May of 2008 local TETWP dollars have assisted (3) families of breast cancer survivors, provided (84) mammograms and ultra-sounds, and supported (4) biopsies totaling $37,800. In 2007 TETWP presented the Gunnison Valley Hospital with a check for $27,000 to help upgrade GVH to a digital technology JULY platform that will compliment and enhance mammography in our area. TETWP has 10TH also sponsored Public Health luncheons & seminars on breast cancer awareness and edu- 2008 cation. In 2007 TETWP sponsored a breast cancer education seminar for 300 young women attending a WSC volleyball clinic. For more information about donations or to volunteer for this year’s activities, please contact Edie Gibson at 970-596-4458. Please join and support our cause for our community at the July 10th Tough Enough to Wear Pink Cattlemen’s Days Rodeo.

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