Thanks to everyone who made the time and effort to enter the 2017 Cowboy Parade, thus continuing to make it Colorado’s largest motor-less parade.
A sincere thank you to: Tim Sullivan, Donny Johnson, the Hanson Family and Vic Anderson for performing during the parade; the 4 Corners Mustang Trailriders, Boo and Blizzard, Texas Longhorn and Lone Spur Cafe for being our parade headliners; Boot Barn for being the parade sponsor; Frank Lockwood and his wife, June Russell, and Dan and Sheri Rochford Figgs for serving as judges; Barry Longwell and Morris Schaeffer for taking care of the sound; Katzin Music for its donation of sound equipment; Angela Fountain for providing tables and chairs and assisting in registration of entries with Deb Duncan, Susan Livenick, Anne McDow, Laurie Van Ingen and Bob and Paulla Probeck; Gregg Darling for managing the parade line-up with Pat and Art Berg, Chuck McDow and Richard Jacobs; Scott Perez, Donna Sandoval, Steve Meigs and Adelaine Bryant for helping with the wagons and horses in the train parking lot; Bill Stewart who arranged music on Main Avenue, and Slim McWilliams, Narrow Gauge Chorus, Sheryl Jones, Chockcherry Jam and Blue Grouse; Sandy Young and Larry Zauberis of Seventy-Seven Outfit for providing the flatbed for our stage; Bill Lambert for doing such a great job as announcer; our wonderful photographer, Jonas Grushkin; the Diamond Belle Gunslingers for giving a rousing start to the parade; Sandy Florence, who offered her home on Third Avenue for restroom facilities and served pastries provided by Jean-Pierre’s; Robert Mitchell and Su Compton from Vandiv for covering parking meters; and Four Corners Broadcasting and Kelly’s Cowboy for doing a live broadcast from the Chuckwagon breakfast.
Pam Jacobs, parade coordinator
Durango Friends of the Arts would like to thank Debra and Jeff May, and Carol and Larry House for hosting “A Country BBQ,” the DFA fundraiser, on Sept. 22 at Destination Ranch. The late-afternoon party began with Jeff leading half the group (18 people) on a 1.5 hour hike up a mountain, where we enjoyed stunning views of fall colors. Meeting the other half of the group back at the barn, cocktails and appetizers were served, followed by barbecue pork, beef brisket, salads, baked beans and desserts. Each guest read their cowboy fortune during dinner; pingpong and corn-hole games were played after dinner and all, except the hike, took place inside the big warm barn, for temperatures dropped a bit that evening. Laughter and a good time was had by all, so thanks to all who attended.
Carol House
The fourth annual Southwest Colorado Veterans Stand Down was held on Oct. 5 and assisted over 130 veterans in our area. One of the goals of the event is to create community support, which was represented by the many providers who attended. Disabled American Veterans chapter 48 would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for their support of this event and making it such a success:
Colorado and New Mexico Veterans associations; Durango VA Clinic; Durango Adult Education Center; Durango Public Library; The Bunker; Nip ‘N Tuck Upholstery; Southwest Republican Women; La Plata County Fairgrounds; Southwest Center for Independence; DoubleTree Hotel; American Red Cross; Adaptive Sports; La Plata Electric Association; Colorado Workforce; New Mexico Vet Center; Bank of the San Juans; San Juan College; Durango Acupuncture Alliance; Healing Touch of Durango; Axis Health System; Express Employment Professionals; Sexual Assault Organization Services; Raylynn’s Barber Studio; Tony Gallegos; Charley’s Barber Shop; Ivan Camis; Angela Fountain; Kristine Kirkpatrick, Rod Wenzel; Sen. Cory Gardner; Sen. Michael Bennet; Volunteers of America; Zukes; SUCAP; AA/NA; DAV; VFW; Veterans for Veterans; American Legion, Durango Elks Lodge; Mail Room and Copy Center; Rocky Mountain Health Plans; Brett Van Winkle; Mark Flannigan; Kroegers Ace Hardware; Denny’s Restaurant; Brennen Oil; Basin Co-Op’; Wells Group; Durango Massage Therapists; Service Dogs of New Mexico; Southwest Rides; Fort Lewis College; Veterans Club; Choral Society; Veterans Homestead Project; Kiwanis Club; Kassidy’s Kitchen; Applebees; the Palace Restaurant; CJ’s Diner; Bart’s Deli; Peggy Schroder; Janna Schaefer; Dr. Candyce Tart; Abrianna Judson, Richard Schleeter, Bob Collette, Butch Crim, Dave Williamson; James Schaefer; Sean Kelly; Mike Hooker; Marilyn Metz; Brian Van Sickle; Harold Geer; Bob Bowker; VEYA; and other volunteers who helped throughout the day.
Disabled American Veterans
This is my way of saying a public thank you to Jeff and Linda Mannix for all they do each year to organize Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Their commitment and dedication to “preserve and perpetuate the traditions of working ranch people in the American West” fills me with appreciation and gratitude. Their careful coordination with local businesses makes us all feel involved. Their ability to draw an incredibly high caliber of local and national talents amazes and entertains us.
And, they touch the lives of our children by bringing poetry and music to their schools and supporting youth programs. The level of pride they take in making this event happen is so obvious to those of us privileged enough to work with them, and to those who travel to Durango to enjoy this celebration of the American cowboy. So I say to Jeff and Linda, “Thank you! We appreciate all you do, and can’t wait to see what next year’s Cowboy Poetry Gathering brings.”
Shanan Campbell Wells of Sorrel Sky Gallery
