volume 3, issue 2, october 2014

Gathering Gazette
Voume 2, Issue 2
Volume 3, Issue 2
ROUNDUPS
AND RODEOS!
Roundups and Rodeos!
Editor—Ival Secrest
Whew! Time marches along toward the 2015 Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering
that will begin on Friday February 6, 2015 and not end until the last performance, on Sunday
afternoon February 8, 2015, is over The volunteers are busy getting sponsors, program
advertisers, artists, housing for the artists, coordinating with the schools to encourage student
participation and detail planning for the activities during the event. These kind of events do not happen with
magic but with a lot of hard work and cooperation within the community. You can read about the current
activities in the articles that appear in this newsletter.
Remember the theme for the 2015 Gathering is Roundups and Rodeos. Rodeo season is here and I hope
you have had or will have the opportunity to enjoy a rodeo this year. They will give you a perspective of a
cowboy but all of you know that is not the only perspective. We have not had the opportunity to attend a
rodeo this year but it may happen as we travel through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and
Colorado during the remainder of September and October. We just missed the Ellensburg, WA rodeo by a
couple days.
It was not a roundup or rodeo but we did attend the unique Mule Days in Bishop, California and it was a real
treat to watch the many events as riders and drivers handled their mules, donkeys and horses. We both
enjoyed the packing competition that is a major feature, the parade of about 300 mules plus donkeys and
horses, the driving of a 20 Mule Team using one of the original wagons from the Borax mining days, and a
special treat featuring Obbie Schlom who rode in on her mule with her zebra and bull by her side and then
after demonstrating the zebra jumping over the bull, both she and the zebra sitting on the bull, her mule
walking sideways over the bull and then she rode out of the arena on the bull leading her mule and zebra.
Check out some of her exploits at https://www.facebook.com/obbiehorse Watching something live provides
more excitement than viewing it on some screen!
Reminder—You can purchase tickets for the 2015 Gathering via the Internet beginning in November 2014.
Happy Trails!
Bucked Rider under hooves of horse at the
Douglas, Arizona rodeo in the 1950s
Photo courtesy of Delline Bohmfolk Mason
via Midge Grieshop.
Gathering Gazette
2
CCPMG Fundraiser
Date/Time: Monday, 27 October 2014, 4:00 – 9:00pm
Location: Outback Steakhouse, Sierra Vista, AZ
Cost: Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from any
CCPMG committee chair. Tickets will not be available at
the door on the day of the event.
Proceeds benefit CCPMG - $15 of the cost is considered
a charitable donation.
Menu: Choice of one entrée: 6 oz. Outback Special Sirloin, or 8 oz. Chicken on the Barbie, or Grilled Salmon, or
1/2 order of Ribs; and includes one freshly made side &
Theodore Roosevelt, at the time Governor of New York,
leads a Rough Riders parade in Las Vegas, New Mexico, in
1899
Mabel Strickland Woodward (1897–1976) started her
career as a trick rider at Walla Walla Frontier Days.
She competed with men and women and was a stunt
rider in the movies
Gathering Gazette
3
Gathering Co-Chairs
Nancy Fusco
George Wheat
Calling All Volunteers!
YEE-HAW! We are well underway to our 2015 Gathering – Roundups & Rodeos. Nancy and I would
like to send a big thanks to all the committee chairs and their numerous volunteers who work
tirelessly year-round to make the Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering one of the best in the
nation. Each year it takes several hundred volunteers to put on this extravaganza event. Every
volunteer is vital and critical to the success that we have experienced year after year. Serving as a
volunteer can be very demanding and draining, but it should also be FUN!
As with any volunteer organization however, now and then, some of our volunteers need to step
away to recharge their batteries or seek a different focus to keep their interest and energy alive.
CCPMG is no different. As we reach the halfway point in our preparation for the 2015 Gathering, we
are still searching for a co-chair for our Tickets and Program Advertising committees. Both of these
are important positions as they are responsible for “bring in the bacon” that makes it possible for us
to put on this event. The Tickets committee ensures the headline performance tickets are printed,
arranges for local sales outlets, distributes tickets to the sales outlets, and prepares all ticket sales for
pickup at the Gathering. The Program Advertising committee solicits advertisements for our
Gathering program from local businesses, the income from which helps to defer the cost of printing
this impressive publication. If you have ever wondered what goes on throughout the year to prepare
for February, then we prod you to step into the chute and join our dedicated posse of committee
chairs by taking the place of one of these stray doggies.
For those who do volunteer with the Gathering, the rewards are endless. We all make life-long
friendships with many of the artist and folks from all over the country. I hope you will consider giving
us an assist with your time and talents by joining this award winning organization. For more
information of volunteer opportunities with the Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering, please
contact Tom & Genie Kelly, Volunteer Coordinators, at (520) 432-5839, or email
[email protected]; or, either Gathering Co-Chair, George Wheat, (520) 508-9359,
[email protected], or Nancy Fusco, (520)249-2511, [email protected].
See you at the Gathering Roundup, February 6-8, 2015!
Calf roping at the Douglas, AZ Rodeo in the 1950s.
Photo courtesy of Delline Bohmfolk Mason via Midge Grieshop.
Gathering Gazette
4
Historian—Bob Levline
Rodeo and Southeastern Arizona
Was it the long cattle drives, days of mending fences, or just the boredom of routine
cowboy chores that spurred the first events? Certainly as long as there were two or
more cowboys together, there has been competition. Whose pony was the fastest,
who could break a horse better, or who could rope and tie a calf the best? For over a
century the competitions grew from local
events to the international events we have
today.
In southeastern Arizona, the oldest surviving
rodeo is the Santa Cruz Labor Day Rodeo in
Sonoita. This year marks its 99th Anniversary.
The Santa Cruz County Fair and Rodeo
Association will hold this year’s rodeo from
August 30th through September 1st.
The largest event in the area will be La Fiesta de Cattle Drive, Santa Cruz River, circa 1930
los Vaqueros. Frederick Leighton Kraus, the
Arizona Polo Association, and Tucson businessmen started this Tucson Rodeo in
1925. It featured a parade and a rodeo to “Celebrate the Cowboy.” The parade is
considered to be the world’s longest non-motorized parade. The route begins at Park
Avenue and Ajo Way, continues south to Irvington Road, then heads west on
Irvington Road to South 6th Avenue. Each year, more than 200,000 people enjoy the
western-themed floats and buggies, historic horse-drawn coaches, festive Mexican
folk dancers, marching bands and outfitted riders. The nine-day event is the first
major rodeo of the year in North America. The 90th annual rodeo begins on February
21, 2015.
The Cochise County Fair Association was formed in 1924, and will be holding its 90th
annual fair starting September 25, 2014. This makes it the second oldest behind
Santa Cruz County in Southeastern Arizona. The fair includes rodeo events that
include college rodeo and pro bull riding.
There are other Cochise County events that include rodeo. Rex Allen Days in Willcox
will celebrate its 63rd annual event during the first week in October. Professional
rodeo has been a part of this celebration since its founding in 1951. Tombstone
features Tuff Enuff bull riding on weekends through the summer. In the past, award
winning Women’s Professional Rodeo events were held at Ft. Huachuca in January.
Gathering Gazette
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Volunteer Committee Co-Chairs Genie & Tom Kelly
Gathering 2015 February 6-8
It’s just around the corner ☺….the Volunteer Committee is always thinking about
where volunteers can be used and how many will be needed. Nothing gets done
without Mr. or Mrs. Volunteer. Committee chairs have their tried and true volunteers who have worked with them in the past but invariably more are needed. Although it is true that things really kick into high gear around December, the effort to
make the Gathering a success is an almost year-round beginning in earnest in
April only two months following the previous Gathering. A major part of this committee’s job is to maintain a contact roster of people who are interested in volunteering in some capacity to support the Gathering. If you’d like to volunteer this
year, please contact me at [email protected] or 520-538-6656.
Let me know if you have a preference of type of work. It could be year round or just
during the Gathering or a specific committee if you know that. A fillable volunteer
questionnaire is available on page 7. You do not need to be a full time Arizona resident to volunteer. We depend on many Winter visitors and folks who reside elsewhere in Arizona or California or Maryland. When you volunteer, you make the
Gathering possible for all the attendees through your hard work. Plus you add the
satisfaction of being part of this wonderful Gathering of talented and creative artists
on top of your personal enjoyment of the event AND give back to the community.
Think about trying us out if you haven’t done so before or think about whether
you’d like to expand your volunteer experience by working on another committee.
Marie & Dave Waldman and Nancy Rae receive
their 15 year pins at the Volunteer Reception
The Outriders (Jim & Tina Riehle and Steve
Conroy) entertain at the Volunteer Reception
Gathering Gazette
6
Sponsorship—Carmen Faucon
A Sponsor’s Thoughts
It’s pretty remarkable when one considers how much of our money for the Gathering
comes from local businesses, service organizations and individuals in support of what
we do. I have thought a lot about our sponsors and how they make this Gathering
possible. So this month, I decided to interview one of our sponsors to obtain their
perspective on CCPMG and why they continue to sponsor us through the years. I had
the opportunity to sit down with Elsie MacMillan, President of Sierra Toyota. They
have been a sponsor for CCPMG for over 10 years.
In 2001, Elsie and her husband moved from back east to Sierra Vista to take on the
Toyota/Scion Dealership. They had heard about the CCPMG around 2003 and
decided to get involved the next year by buying hoards of tickets to give to valued
customers at their Toyota/Scion dealership. Then, several years following; Toyota/
Scion sponsored a fund raiser event for CCPMG that hosted Baxter Black, a giant
among the cowboy poets.
Elsie stated that she thinks CCPMG programming helps to bring state-wide
recognition to Cochise County. Elsie also views the student poetry program as a
valued tie in for youth to the CCPMG’s program.
One of Elsie’s favorite CCPMG function to attend is the Cowboy Breakfast; mostly
because of its informal nature and quality of interactions. Elsie also enjoys when
artists come to her dealership to perform because the presentations can be up close
and personable.
And... to this day, Elsie still shares those performance tickets she gets from the
Gathering for being a sponsor.
Thank you Elsie!
Elsie with Yampa Valley Boys
Baxter Black and Elsie
Gathering Gazette
7
Artist Liaison – Margaret Glenn
As Artist Liaison, I think it’s great to see that some of this year’s Gathering artists
are performing else-where in our community. The Arizona Folklore Preserve this
fall is hosting Call of the West, Trails & Rails, Kerry Grombacher, Belinda Gail and
Arvel Bird, all of whom will be at our Gathering. Did you know that the Hideout
Ranch in Portal has artists like Janice Deardorff perform from time to time? Zia’s
Red Lake Ranch also has artists entertaining. It is helpful for our artists to schedule
other work in the area while they are here at the Gathering. Several RV parks will
host artists the Wednesday evening prior to the Gathering. If you know of someone
looking for entertainment for that evening, let me know and I will try and hook them
Trails and Rails
Kerry Grombacher
Call of the West
Arvel Bird
Belinda Gail
Gathering Gazette
8
Date: ____________
Name _________________________Telephone_________________
Alternate Telephone ___________________
E-Mail Address __________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________
City ___________________________________________State ______ ZIP ____________
E-mail Address: __________________________________________________
What Do You Like To Do?:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have Computer Experience? ___Yes____No Do you have experience with any of the following programs (please circle)? Word Excel Power Point Adobe in Design Photoshop Web Design Facebook/Twitter
What experience do have working with people?: ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have advertising, writing, and/or photographic experience: _____Yes _____No If yes, please explain
______________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have Fundraising experience: ___Yes ___No If yes, please describe:
_______________________________________________________________________________________
I am interested in volunteering for those committees checked below (select all that interest you). If you have
any questions about the activities associated with a committee, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator,
Tom Kelly [email protected] or 520-538-6656 See explanation of committee duties on the following
pages.
__ Advertising
_______School Program-Poetry/Music & Scholarship
Artist Liaison
_______ Social Events
Commemorative Art
_______ Sponsorship
Consignments
_______ Ticket Sales
History Committee
_______ Venues and Signage
Host Family (Housing)
_______ Volunteer Coordinator
Marketing and Media
_______ Videographer
___Photography
_______ Website Development
___Planning & Programming
_______Publishing (Program/Brochures/Saddlebags, etc.)
Gathering Gazette
9
Zia Bischoff and Deb Scott—Consignment Sales
Co-Chairs
Here are 2 shots of the money aprons we use. This year the Consignments
volunteers will be displaying our logo in Southwest style...including the ACE logo of
our long - time sponsors, Kathy & Les Orchekowski. If any Consignment
Volunteers have a canvas money apron at home, please contact Deb Scott to
have it customized with the CCPMG logo. (520.236.3985)
Gathering Gazette
10
Schools/Western Heritage Co-Chairs
Eileen Ahearn and David Walker
Western Heritage Schools Outreach Program
Volunteers Needed!!! It is that time of year and the volunteers of the Western
Heritage Schools Outreach Program are in full speed. During the next two
months we will contact every public, private and charter school in Cochise County
(nearly 60!!) and attempt to convince them that they should let us come into their
schools and talk to their students about
Cowboy Poetry. Sounds easy right???
Well you would be amazed. Sometimes
it takes two or three trips, multiple
phone calls and lots more smiles.
Young poet at the Sunday morning breakfast.
But once we get into the schools we
have a great time. The students are eager and ready to learn. Talking to the
students about what is cowboy poetry
opens the door to discussions about
Western and Cochise County history,
about cowboys themselves and their
equipment, about wildlife of the Arizona
desert, and so much more. We play
cowboy music and even read cowboy
poetry. It is exhaustive and exhilarating.
Anyone who is willing to shape the future
could be a perfect volunteer. Other helpful attributes, but certainly not required,
include motivational speaker, like of poetry, musician, comfortable with students
and inquiring minds, maybe some teaching experience, a bit of time to share,
and get’r done attitude. So if you want to
be a part of this tiny bit of chaos for a
good cause, or know someone who may
also be interested, please send them our
way ASAP. We can stand all the help
we can get!!!
Young poet at the Cowpie Party
Gathering Gazette
11
Housing/Host Families Co-Chairs—Mary Boyles &
Lang Secrest
If you want to have fun and make new friends, consider being a host family. Fun
seemed to be the unanimous reaction from all the host families we’ve talked to
recently. In Virginia Gannon’s opinion you meet the most wonderful people in the
world. Lois Gregan feels that it’s a really nice way to meet new people plus she
enjoys seeing someone she knows personally performing. The good feelings are
shared by the artists who stay in homes. Patty Clayton said, “It’s my 2nd home. Mike
and Lori Rutherford are truly family that greet me with open arms”, and Kristyn Harris
shared, “I loved my host home! Beth Roberts had a comfortable guest area, made a
delicious breakfast, and offered to drive me places. What amazing generosity”.
“The first time we came to the Gathering we were invited to stay with a host family,
but, as we felt we didn't want to impose on anyone, we stayed at the Windemere. The
next year, the Waldmann's talked us into trying a host family 'placement' and what a
delight it was! In our now-multiple-Gatherings, we have stayed with the most
wonderful people, all of whom who made us know we weren't a bother at all. We
would have missed out on very special Sierra Vista connections if we hadn't had the
good fortune to get to know the Rutherfords, the Boyers, the Hatfields, the
Rasmussen's and now, the Levlines . Not only does the entire CCPMG committee
make us feel so much a part of the event and the town, but our hosts have become
special friends that we look forward to seeing when here and to hearing from during
the year. There is no festival we know of that creates such an inclusive community
during an event - and the Host Families are a large part of making that happen.
Sierra Vista will always have a special place in our hearts because of the Gathering
and our Host Families !” -----Trails & Rails
We are in the process of sending out letters and applications to those who have been
hosts to our artists in the past and who want to be a host family. Once we receive
information about who wants to be a host family, we will begin to match hosts and
artists. Hopefully we will be able to find an artist for all who want to host. We will
keep a few host homes unassigned in case we have to place artists in emergencies.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in filling out the form as some questions have
changed, and the more information we have about the host families, the better we can
match them to a specific artist. Since this is our first year as chairmen of this
committee, we’re asking everyone to return the forms they receive so that records can
be completely up to date. Thanks, also, for understanding and cooperating as we
assign artists.
If you’d like to consider being a part of this fun committee, call Mary Boyles at 8037033 or Lang Secrest at 508-6330. Not only is it fun, but Beth Roberts pointed that
by being a host family you can make a contribution to the community, and Marilyn
L’Heureux felt being a host family makes you feel a real part of the week-end. Won’t
you join us?
Gathering Gazette
Volunteer Reception
12
Socializing before Sunday Morning Breakfast
Social Events – Midge Grieshop
2015 Gathering Social Venues and Times
The social venues for the 2015 Gathering have been changed. You may want to
mark your calendars now with this information for any events you are entitled to attend.
The Volunteer Party will be at the Windemere Hotel on Sunday, February 1, 2015
from 2:00 – 4:00am.
The Friday Lunch for those artists and volunteers who are participating in the
schools and other venues Friday morning will be at the Outback Steakhouse on
February 6, 2015 at 11:00am.
The Sponsor’s Reception for the Artists and Sponsors will be at the Rendezvous
on Friday, February 6, 2015 from 3:30 to 5:30pm. Note new time and venue!
The Sunday Breakfast for the Artists and the Host Families who provided the housing will be at the Knights of Columbus Hall (Kayetan Street) on Sunday, February 8, 2015. Doors open for breakfast at 8:30am with food at 9:00am. Note the
new venue!
Jam Sessions will again be at the Windemere Hotel on Friday and Saturday evening after the headline performances.
As time gets nearer, volunteers will be contacted by various chairmen as to determine
which events you’ll be attending.
We’re looking forward to the changes and hopefully everyone will enjoy the events
Gathering Gazette
Roundup Camp, Wyoming, 1880's
13
The flat brimmed hat some of the cowboys are wearing is the Stetson "Boss of the Plains" that originated in 1865 and sold for $5.00.
By 1900 it was sold by Sears Robuck and Company for $4.50 plus
postage. Shaping of the brim and crown was done by the owner.
The chuckwagon was invented by Charles Goodnight. Brands included Studebaker, South Bend, Owensburrow, McCormickDeering and Weber. McCormick-Deering in 1907 changed its name
to International Harvester and continued to supply wagons until the
1940's. After 1936 all of the International wagons were manufactured by Keller Manufacturing Company which discontinued production in 1943 and converted to the manufacture of furniture. Studebaker also built a heavier wagon known as the "roundup wagon"
more suited to roundups but not as well suited to trail drives as the
lighter chuckwagon. On large drives an additional wagon known as
a "hoodlum wagon" was used for carrying bed rolls and personal
gear.
Not all cowboy songs date to the 19th Century. The Big Corral was
written by Romaine Lowdermilk in 1922 and based on the gospel
tune Press Along to Glory Land. Via WyomingTalesandTrails.com
The Big Corral
(Verse)
That chuckwagon brute from the cattle chute.
Press along to the Big Corral.
He should be branded on the snoot.
Press along to the Big Corral
(Chorus)
Press along cowboy, press along,
Press along with a cowboy yell.
Press along with a noise, big noise,
Press along to the Big Corral.
(Verse)
Well, early in the mornin' 'bout -- half past four.
Press along to the Big Corral.
You'll hear him open his face to roar.
Press along to the Big Corral.
(Repeat Chorus)
(Verse)
The wrangler's out a-combing the hills.
Press along to the Big Corral.
So jump in your britches and grease up your gills.
Press along to the Big Corral.
(Repeat Chorus)
(Verse)
That chuck we get ain't fit to eat.
Press along to the Big Corral.
There's rocks in the beans and sand in the meat.
Press along to the Big Corral.