PAGE 2 HELLS CANYON MULE DAYS
THE OBSERVER, AUGUST 30, 2019
Hells Canyon Mule Days
Grand Marshal Julie Kooch
Hells Canyon Mule Days Offi cers
and Board of Directors:
Sondra Lozier - President • Clay Freels - Vice President
Erin McLaughin - Secretary • Diane Knox - Treasurer
BOARD MEMBERS:
Peggy Brennan, Chris Lozier, Christina Lozier,
Nancy Morgan and Harold Stitzel
HELLS CANYON MULE DAYS
COMMITTEE MEMBERS,
VOLUNTEERS & OTHER IMPORTANT
PEOPLE!
Julie Kooch
The Hells Canyon Mule Days board of
directors is pleased to announce that
Wallowa County native Julie Kooch is the
Grand Marshal for the 39th annual Hells
Canyon Mule Days.
Julie has deep Wallowa County roots
going back to her grandparents, Henry and
Katherine (McCrae) Davis, and Max M.
and Bertha (Womack) Mink and, Julie’s par-
ents, Melvin and Maxine (Mink) Davis,
were born and raised in the County.
Julie and her brother, Ron, were born in
Enterprise and raised on the family ranch in
the Joseph Creek Canyon. Julie spent her
growing up years in the canyon attending
the one-room Lewis School and then the
folks rented a ranch in the Joseph area dur-
ing her high school years and Julie graduat-
ed from Joseph High School in 1962. She
attended the University of Idaho and later
received her Master’s Degree from Eastern
Oregon State College. Before retiring from
teaching in 2010, Julie had been a teacher in
the Enterprise school for over 30 years, and
followed in the footsteps of her mother and
grandmother, who both taught in one-room
schools in Wallowa County.
Julie has always had a love and passion
for the Canyon Country and what she calls
“cowboying.” Over the years she has ridden
these rugged canyons, rims and breaks to
help check, move and gather cattle for local
ranches.
She has recorded her memories of her
years in the Canyon through her books. The
first one, My Life on Joseph Creek followed
by Riding the Canyons, tells of life growing
up in this remote region. They make for a
great read and record the history of area.
Julie has been part of Hells Canyon Mule
Days for years. Going back to the early days
of the event. She participated in many of the
driving events and weight pull contest. She
and her teams have escorted many Mule
Days grand marshals through the Chief
Joseph Days and Mule Days parades. In the
past few years Julie is the official greeter at
the main entrance gate and sells admission
buttons to locals and visitors alike. She
knows most all the locals by name and
makes visitors feel very welcome.
We are very grateful for Julie and her
involvement and energy she gives to Hells
Canyon Mule Days.
THANK YOU JULIE KOOCH
Arena Director: ............................................................. Clay Freels
Assistant Director: .................................................... Harold Stitzel
Arena Crew: .................................................. Allen & Cheri Miller,
Pam Stitzel, Mike McWilliams, Dick Walker,
George Burnett, Peggy Brennan and crew
Show Announcer: ............................................................ Tony Yost
Offi cial Show Judge: .................................................. Angie Turner
Trail Class Judge: .................................................... Peggy Brennan
Show Secretary: .............................................. Diane Knox & crew
Chute Boss: ................................................................... Clay Freels
Awards presentation: ............................ Pam Stitzel & Cheri Miller
Sound: ....................................................... J’s Place - Jay Connolly
Grand Marshal: ............................................................ Julie Kooch
County 4-H Court: 2019–2020
Codi Cunningham, Katie Hoffman, & Carrin Yaw
Parade Chairman: ....................................................... Nancy Beach
Parade Cochairman: .................................................. Katie Howard
National Anthem: ..................................................... Bailey Vernam
Exhibitors/Vendors: .................................................. Sondra Lozier
Marketing & Publicity: ............................................ Sondra Lozier
Sponsors: ................................................................. Sondra Lozier
Cowboy Gathering: ....................... Andy Bales & Lonnie Shurtleff
Pit B-B-Q Dinner: ...................................... Belinda Kuintz & crew
Pit B-B-Q: ................................... Harry & Ginger Daggett & crew
Dutch Oven Cook-Off: Chris Lozier, Christina Lee Lozier & crew
PT Mule Sale: ............................................ Midge Kliewer & crew
Food Booth: ............................................. Hurricane Creek Grange
Water Contractor: ...................................... Contract Water Wagons
Cattle Contractor: .................................................... Mark Ramsden
Show Logo Design: ................................................. Bonnie Shields
Graphic Designer: .................................................... Chuck Garrett
Signs & Banners: ................................. Hayes Printing & Graphics
President’s Patient Husband: ........................................ Kent Lozier
President’s Computer Specialist: ................................ Chris Lozier