community
march8
2011
7
Happy Trails: A Report From the Rodeo Road
Mackenzie Carr
Miss Rodeo Oregon 2011
Hello again!
Since
my
last
article I have
been quite
the jet setter.
My time in
San Antonio,
Texas
on
January
18th through
February
2nd
was
amazing. I
attended the Miss Rodeo Texas Clinic,
spent time with Miss Rodeo Texas
Celesta Harvey, and ate a lot of Tex-
Mex. During the clinic, I was given tips
on how to improve and prepare for the
Miss Rodeo America Pageant. A few of
the girls and I visited The Alamo and
the Riverwalk in San Antonio. I truly
enjoyed my stay while I was there and
hope to visit the many friends I made
very soon.
On February 2nd, I flew from
San Antonio to Rapid City, South
Dakota. I had the pleasure of not only
going through the full body scanner in
the San Antonio airport, but I also was
treated to a full pat down. I must have
looked especially suspicious, because
they even searched through my hair. I
found it quite comical, as did the rest of
the people in the airport security line.
Thankfully upon arriving in Rapid City,
I just missed the negative temperatures
they were experiencing. I spent the next
few days touring around South Dakota
and attending the Black Hills Stock
Show and Rodeo. The other state queens
and I attended the rodeo and helped at
many sponsor events. Thank you to
Sutton Rodeo for providing the horses
and for all of your kindness throughout
the week. I also had the opportunity
to visit Mt. Rushmore and make many
fond, unforgettable memories with all of
the other girls.
Once I returned home on
February 6th, I was back in the swing of
things the next weekend. On February
12th, I attended the Molalla Buckaroo
Cowboy Ball. Close to 600 people
and I braved the extreme wind gusts
underneath a large tent in downtown
Molalla. I honestly thought the tent was
going to come down at least three or
four times. Apparently securing the tent
to water barrels and two pickup trucks
was not enough. J Congratulations to
Jeanine Johnson on becoming the new
Miss Molalla Buckaroo and best wishes
on your upcoming year.
After Molalla, I was once again
found in the airport. I flew to Kissimmee,
Florida on Valentine’s Day for the
Silver Spurs Rodeo. It was so nice to
experience warm weather again! The 20
other state queens and I began the week
visiting numerous schools throughout
the Kissimmee area. I was asked by a
little girl in kindergarten, “Are there
porcupines at the rodeo?” Kids definitely
say the darnedest things.
As the week progressed, I had the
opportunity to go on my first hog hunt.
While traipsing through the swamps at
night, our dogs caught a hog’s scent.
They chased it near a canal separating
the swamp from a local housing
development. The hog tried to escape by
swimming across the canal and seeking
refuge in some man’s backyard. The two
boys who were helping us on the hunt,
swam after the hog and caught it in the
man’s yard. We hopped in the truck and
drove over to meet them in the housing
development as fast as we could. When
we arrived, we found the two boys being
held at gunpoint by the local police.
Apparently, the homeowner thought
Vernonian Named
Eagle Scout
2011 Vernonia Lake
Trout Stocking by
Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife
Vernonia resident Drew Cheney has been awarded the
highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout Program, Eagle Scout.
Cheney, who is just thirteen years old, represents Troop
#860 in Vernonia. Cheney cleared Alder trees at the Tillamook
Forestry Center as his Eagle Scout Project.
Cheney is a third generation Eagle Scout—both his
grandfathers are Eagle Scouts, and so is his father, as well
as numerous uncles and many cousins. In fact, his mother
believes he is the twentieth Eagle Scout in the immediate
family. Congratulations to Drew Cheney!
March 7 3,500 Rainbow
March 14 4,000 Rainbow
April 11 3,000 Rainbow
May 2 2,500 Rainbow
Stocking dates subject to change without notice
Boy Scout Drew Cheney, 13, from Vernonia
Troop #860, is a third generation Eagle Scout.
Upgrades Underway
at Columbia County
Courthouse
A new construction project has begun to upgrade
the Columbia County Courthouse and Annex in St.
Helens, OR. The historic courthouse was built in 1906.
The project will enhance the life safety system and bring
HVAC up to higher energy efficiency.
The improvements and upgrades include
installing a fire alarm and sprinkler system, and replacing
the HVAC system, boiler and new controls system. The
projects, funded by federal and state stimulus funds, will
be completed in early fall.
Ethos Project Management is leading the
project team, which includes LRS Architects, Interface
Engineering, PBS Environmental, the Oregon Department
of Administrative Services and Columbia County.
we were poachers. Miss Rodeo Florida
marched over and explained what was
going on. They let everyone go and even
let us keep the hog. I don’t think I have
ever laughed so hard or experienced
anything even close to this.
The following day we went on
an airboat ride, saw some gators, and
went to the beach. With the weekend
came the rodeo. I rode a great big red
horse named Junior. I would have taken
him home with me if I could have fit him
in my luggage. I was reluctant to fly back
home on Monday the 21st. I didn’t want
to leave the warm weather only to return
to the snow. Thank you to everyone who
made my Florida trip special; I had the
time of my life!
During the last weekend in
February, I helped out at the Miss Rodeo
Oregon Cowgirls and Crowns Clinic and
supported my best friend and 2011 Miss
NPRA Shalaina Joiner at her coronation.
It was a long, but wonderful day and I
am so glad I got to support Shalaina on
her special evening.
I would like to thank my family
and all of my local sponsors for all of
your help. Thank you to Vernonia Florist,
Wauna Federal Credit Union, Spiralz
Salon, Black Bear Coffee Shop, the
Vernonia Lions, Mike Pihl Logging, the
Natal Grange, Valley Veterinary Clinic,
Delemos Light and Heavy Equipment,
and the many other Vernonia individuals
who have supported me. I am so thankful
to have such amazing people in my life
and I am truly grateful for your kindness.
Until next time...
Go online for
more information
DairyCreekFarm.com
or
Call Debi & David
503-324-7819
Shares are limited
so don’t delay!
Now Available at
Sentry Market
Made with fresh
ingredients in Vernonia
Not just a salad dressing
Delicious as a dip for wings & vegies
Try it on chicken or steak
An experience you
should not miss!
C ommunity S upported A griculture
Come Join Our CSA!
Pre-pay for a weekly share of fresh
locally grown produce for the season.
Full or partial shares available.
Pick up options are the farm, at a
local farmers’ market or home direct.