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-
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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.
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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
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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