Second-generation
volunteer sees
CJD as way of life
By Elane Dickenson
For the Chieftain
_______________________________________
Chief Joseph Days (CJD) — Joseph’s big rodeo
celebration at the end of July — is more than just
Wallowa County’s largest annual event. It’s part of a
deeply-rooted way of life for a small army of
volunteers who converge from all over the county
every year to donate time, talent and energy.
CJD will observe its 71st year in 2016 with five days
of western action. Second only to the county fair in its
longevity, CJD operates through volunteer labor,
coordinated by an 11-member board of directors that
works throughout the year.
“This year we ordered 300 Chief Joseph Days
volunteer shirts that were all handed out, and some
volunteers didn’t even take one,” said CJD board
treasurer Diane Witherrite, who also serves as manager
of Community Bank’s Joseph branch.
As in many households in Wallowa County,
Witherrite’s participation in the event has been a
multi-generational family affair. It started when she
was only a child — following the lead of her parents
— and has been a life-long passion.
Starting with picking rocks and garbage out of the
rodeo arena at age 8, Diane became CJD queen in 1983
as a junior at Joseph High School. Just two summers
later she took on the job of chairman of the popular
CJD Junior Parade, a role she’s filled for 30 years.
Diane’s father, the late Keith Waters, started working
for CJD in 1974, and through the years served as rodeo
co-chairman, arena director and many other roles.
Her mother, past CJD princess Nancy Wilson Waters,
was treasurer for two or more decades in the role
Witherrite now fills.
“My mom and dad’s free time always involved CJD.
My dad was involved until the time of his death, and
my mother is still involved on a much lesser scale,”
Witherrite said.
Page 6 WALLOWA COUNTY GIVING 2015
Her first memory of Chief Joseph Days was watching
the grand parade as a small child with her maternal
grandparents from the balcony of the laundromat.
“We always got new jeans,” she recalled.
Appearing in the kiddie parade, which she now
organizes, was an annual highlight. In one memorable
“Leaving Home” entry, she and her older brother Dean,
both wearing swimming suits and flip flops, led the
family’s mule, Jenny, with all their favorite toys tied all
over her.
In later years Witherrite’s own children, now grown,
appeared in every junior parade. They also are current
volunteers. Daughter Darcy is a co-chair of the annual
coronation dinner, while son Dusty and husband Mike
help with behind-the-scene projects.
Witherrite’s family is not unusual among the ranks of
CJD volunteers, where more than one generation often
is involved. Many former CJD court royals — and
members of their families — get hooked on the
celebration during their year on court, and continue to
volunteer years later.
Terry Jones co-chairman of the rodeo, got involved
when his daughter Teah — current Tuckerette leader
and CJD court clothing coordinator — was on the court
in 1991.
Witherrite does not discount the amount of work it
takes to put on the week-long event.
“We usually take a week or two off after Chief Joseph
Days every year, and then start working on the next
year,” she said. “It’s hard work, but you make it fun.
Part of the fun is being with great people.”
What keeps Witherrite and other volunteers coming
back, she said, “is the strong love of CJD and knowing
how much CJD does for the entire county. It does so
much, from helping girls grow into ladies, giving
scholarships to our valuable youth and bringing
thousands of dollars to our communities.”
The CJD director said she loves Chief Joseph Days
for its rich history and “giving Wallowa County
something to be proud of.”
Courtesy of Elane Dickenson
Chief Joseph Days treasurer Diane Waters Witherrite,
a second-generation CJD volunteer, holds a photo of the
royal court of 1983 the year she was queen. Pictured with
her are princesses Mindi West Miller and Suzanne
Toothman. The photo is displayed, along with all past CJD
courts, at the CJD Rodeo office on Main Street in Joseph.