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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2002)
JULY 1, 2002 Smoke Signals 3 Spirit Mountain Stampede Brings Top-Notch Rodeo To Grand Ronde Stampede continued from front pafp Council member Bob Haller sees in the Stam pede, "the potential of growing. It's getting bet- ,,,, -- It f iifJV JW- f X 1 r--iFi Pro- . - ; r7-v :,- AWflk Chairman Marvin Kimsey ter every year," he said. "It was well attended and well organized." Thirty-three kids participated in this year's ring toss and found that the calf they were chasing was no pushover. In fact, it sent a few kids flying before finally being run into the edge of the corral and ringed. Adults in their ver sion of the ring toss found the larger animals just as daunting. The Stampede rented a high tech scoreboard this year, a popular addi tion allowing the audience to keep track of contes tants' times and prize-winners' ticket numbers. A special thanks went out to the Willamina Future Farmers of America and McKenzie Behrl, their supervisor, for the hours they put into getting the grounds ready. They painted the bleachers, which this year were covered and included lights, and they helped work the animal shoots during the event. Winners in the Bareback event were Kirk Grovenin and Mitchell Rickman, who tied with 75 points. In the Saddle Bronc contest, Todd McKay won with 73 points. Keith Samples won the Bull Riding event with 76 points. Shane Erickson won the Calf Roping in a time of 9.03 seconds. Clint Johnson took top honors in the Steer Wrestling competition with a time of 4.87 seconds. Samantha Gallagher barely defeated Candice Eng in the Barrel Racing event with a time of 16.63 seconds. Eng finished in 16.65 sec onds. Lisa Schmidt won the Breakaway with a time of 2.44 seconds and Billy Gallagher and Pee Wee Freeman won the Team Roping competi tion with a time of 5.79 seconds. Stock was provided by the P9 Rodeo Company. The event was one of 75 sanctioned this year by the Northwest Pro Rodeo Association. . " ' Hi V I ii i Quick Draw Team Calf Roping was just one of the many events held at this year's Spirit Mountain Stampede. This year's winning time in the Team Calf Roping competition was 5.79 seconds. The Spirit Mountain Stampede Board includes Marvin Kimsey; Chairman, Dale Langley; Vice Chair, Anna White; Secretary, Michaelle Kimsey; Treasurer, and members Bud White, Duke Kimsey, Harold Lyons, Norris Merrill, Shonn Leno, and Dwayne Hussey. This year's All-Indian stampede is scheduled for September 7-8. B Tragedy Strikes Home Talcing The Lives of Tribal Members Tragedy continued from front pape caught fire on Highway 18. Loren and Eyvette Davidson, both 45, were able to escape the vehicle with their 12-year-old son Benjamin. Two other Davidson children who were riding in the back seat of the vehicle did not. Both Lucien, 11, and his sister, Janesse, 10, died in the fire. The fire occurred when the family was driv ing to their home west of Grand Ronde, after a family shopping trip in McMinnville. According to witnesses, the back of the Sub urban was suddenly engulfed in flames. Loren managed to steer the stricken vehicle to the side of the road. Then he and his wife tried helping their children to escape from the back seat. Ben jamin was pulled free, but Janesse and Lucien could not be saved. All three of the survivors suffered serious burns. The Grand Ronde Tribe and community re acted with shock and horror at the loss to one of it's most well known families. The Davidson's run Eyvette's Brookside Cafe, a restaurant along Highway 18 near Grand Ronde. The restau rant, known for it's 74 different omelettes, is a favorite of both Tribal members and highway travelers. "We're all feeling the effects of the tragedy," said Tribal Council member Jan Reibach. "It's been one of the most devastating things to hap pen to our community in a long time." Investigators continue to sort through the af termath of the vehicle fire searching for clues that could lead to a cause. At this time the cause of the fire remains a mystery. "In 25 years of police work, I've never seen anything like this," said Oregon State Police Lt. Dale Rutledge. "Usually fires start under the car's hood, that's where all of the car's fuel, elec trical systems and heat come together. But this fire didn't occur under the hood. Right now we don't have the fire's cause or origin." All three surviving family members underwent surgery for their burns on Monday, June 24. A representative at the Legacy Emanuel Hospital Burn Center said that Loren and Eyvettte's burn's are severe and Benjamin's are worse, but they hope that because Benjamin is young that he will pull through. The Loren Davidson Family Fund has been set up at the Willamina branch of Bank of America. Family members will re-open the Davidson's restaurant on July 3. Funeral services for Janesse and Lucien are pending at Bowman's Funeral Home in Dallas, Oregon. Tribal Chair Cheryle Kennedy, like others in the close-knit community, was devastated by the news of the accident. "They (Loren and Eyvette) have always been involved with their kids and always wanted what's best for them, said Kennedy. "We are praying, I am praying for them, for their sup port, comfort and healing." To Local School Hid It's a field Doy2 Kids, teachers put threat of school closure behind them and just have fun. By Ron Karten Grand Ronde Elementary's Field Day held June 11 was an opportunity for fun and a little community business, too. This event that has been a part of the community for more than 30 years, brings together service pro fessionals in the area to give the kids a fun day outside and get them acquainted with neighbor hood professionals. "We have a blast every year," said Rhonda Holder, a probation officer who leads the local Service Integration Team. Representatives from law enforcement, human services and the Tribe were on hand along with volunteers from the community. Emergency crews showed kids how ambulances work and the "Car Safety" crew demonstrated buckle up .,:.. :4 . . . .'. ... . .. -Ajh. -Y v ' I yvV :?&t 7.. ii WM techniques with car seats. Twinkle Toes the Clown was on hand as was the blow up fire engine that doubles as a huge slide. Fort Hill Texaco donated the chips. Willamina Thriftway donated the sodas and buns. Childers Meat Company in Eugene donated the hamburgers. And the Service Integration Team donated the hot dogs. "We try to fill the needs that don't get met oth erwise," said Holder. The team helped get 'School Zone' signs on the highway and they are working on a flash ing light, Holder said. "We have a blast every year," she said. B
