50
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2014 • VOL. 112, NO. 12
¢
Cowboy Frank Beard Is A Real Museum Of A Man
By Erick Peterson Sit down with Frank Beard and you are likely to hear a tale — several tales, actually. And if you are extremely fortunate, the Ellensburg rancher, who has been working with rodeo horses since the 1940s, will give you a tour of his home and tell you about a cowboy life well lived. The home is a place the locals call “the museum,” a log cabin that stores what seems to be an endless number of Western collectibles. From floor to ceiling, the interior of his home is covered with old bits, saddles, belt buckles, and other items of the cowboy lifestyle. Many items are especially personal, bringing to life memories of his past. He picks up item after item, recalling his life, telling how he was born to a family of horse traders who roamed the country, but usually called the Yakima Valley home. He was actually born in an olive grove in California, but he grew up in Toppenish, where Beard’s earliest work as a boy was helping his family raise workhorses, clear sagebrush, harvest potatoes and string hops. Living in Toppenish, a town that today has the slogan “Where the West still lives,” Beard became evermore a cowboy. “Horses were my life,” he said. He does not remember a time when horses did not play a central role, and he doesn’t recall ever being afraid to ride them. When he was 10,
a horse kicked him in the hip. “It was as much my fault as it was his, I guess,” Beard said. He improved his communication skills with horses and showed them more respect after that. But it was only the first of many injuries that would follow. Undeterred by pain, he stuck with horses, and he was ready to work training horses when he was only a young man. When his uncle Mel Beard made the transition to raising and Now living in Ellensburg, Frank Beard grew up in Toppenish and has several family training thorough- members who still reside in the Lower Yakima Valley. bred race horsOne former boss, Ruth Parton, was recalls her fondly, mentioning her as es, Frank’s dad inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of he showed items that she gave to him followed suit. Frank became a “bug Fame and is the subject of a mural in many years ago. Such items were boy,” exercising horses in preparaToppenish. often received as payment for his tion for the track. Beard began galloping Parton’s services. Beard’s employers included peoracehorses when he was 14. He ple who attained legendary status. Continued on page 7�
Fun Run And Walk To Benefit Police Explorers
By Erick Peterson The Toppenish Police Explorers are planning an event that they hope will become an annual tradition. Called the “First Annual” Mural In a Day 5K Fun Run and Walk, this event is June 7 at 9 a.m. Hosted by the Toppenish Police Explorers — an organization of high-school-aged boys and girls who are training as police officers — proceeds from the race will be used to benefit the local Explorer group. The fee for pre-registration is $25 for entry and a “tech-style running T-shirt” or $15 for entry and no T-shirt. Registration and packet pickup starts at 8 a.m. at Pioneer Park. Pre-race packets are also available at the Toppenish Police Department (1 W. First Ave.), starting June 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sgt. Jake Church of the Toppenish Police Department said that, though this event is a few months down the road, racers are probably already considering their plans. Fun runs are common throughout this
area, and he wants locals to know that this race is special. The race begins at Pioneer Park (512 W. Second Ave., Toppenish) at the site of the 2014 Mural Painting, and it will take runners past 40 of Toppenish’s murals, giving participants an excellent view of the town. Also, participants will receive a finisher’s medal that is unique to this particular event. And the overall first, second and third place men and women runners will receive additional place awards. If this is not enough, participants will also receive water and treats at the finish line, Church said. In addition to seeking more participants, he is also looking for local businesses to help sponsor the event. He said that he is looking forward to the event, especially as it might encourage people to start running. He has recently started running, and it has changed his life. “I’ve been doing these fun runs and races for three years now,” he said. “It started as a way to lose
weight and it really took off.” He has done races such as ones in Zillah, Leavenworth, Yakima, Portland and Las Vegas. In so doing, he lost up to 50 pounds. Right now, he is training for his first full marathon, which will take place in July. He encourages people to run, as it is a healthy activity that will make them feel better, and tells people that they should not be discouraged at the prospect of starting something new. When he started, he said, he was slow and could not run far. With some practice, however, improved quickly, and he is still getting better. The Toppenish Fun Run and Walk, he said, is an excellent event for new runners, as it includes people of many different abilities. For more information about the Toppenish race, contact Church at 865-4355 or jchurch@cityoftoppenish.us. You may also reach Detective Juan Ceja, also of the Toppenish Police Department at 865-4355 or jceja@cityoftoppenish.us.