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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 2019)
NEWS MyEagleNews.com Wednesday, December 4, 2019 A3 Santa and Mrs. Claus bring light and joy to John Day Kathy Moss wins international poetry award Tree-lighting ceremony kicks off Christmas season AK “Kathy” Moss of Prairie City is on top of the world after winning the International West- ern Music Association’s 2019 Cowboy Poetry CD of the Year Award on Nov. 14 for her CD titled “The Truth.” “I’ve been in IWMA for one year, so to hit number one was like an overnight success,” Moss said. “It’s kind of like the Grammy’s.” The 10 poems on the CD, including “Jingler,” “He’ll Never Ride Again” and the title track “The Truth,” are all written about people she knows. “It’s humbling because to be recognized in a remote part of the country and to be recog- nized for the Western lifestyle worldwide makes me want to keep doing what I do,” Moss said. “I’ll keep writing about those you can’t see from the road and being a spokesperson for them.” “The Truth” was written about one of her best friends. “It talks about respecting somebody’s hands, for they always tell the truth,” she said. “The CD is filled with poetry I’ve written about other peo- ple who keep the Western tradi- tions alive by story and rhyme.” “Jingler” was written after an experience she had in the 1990s, hearing 35 of rancher Mat Carter’s horses galloping toward their corral. They were following the “jingler,” a horse with a bell on it, leading the others in from the range. Mat and his wife, Jennifer, own the Crown Cattle Company in Seneca. Poetry from “The Truth” By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle By Rudy Diaz Blue Mountain Eagle It might have been 20 degrees and dark Friday night at around 5:50 p.m., but when Santa and Mrs. Claus came to light the Christmas tree at 6 p.m., excitement, carols, laughs and Christmas cheers filled downtown John Day. Santa and Mrs. Claus came in the back of a flat bed pickup truck and greeted the children who were happy to see them. Many children told Santa what they wanted for Christmas, and Santa entertained some of the kids by performing a magic trick and finding a coin behind their ears. “I am glad to see so many peo- ple here,” said Sherri Rininger, the owner of downtown business Etc. “This is something that the down- town merchants try to do every year, and it keeps growing.” Rininger had the opportunity to sing various caroling songs such as “Rudolph the Red Nosed Rein- deer” and “Frosty the Snowman,” along with the Clauses and children around. “My favorite part of the event has been the lighting of the tree,” said Mrs. Claus. “I love to see that everybody comes together, and at that very minute when the tree lights up, everyone is focused on that tree and smiling at that minute. This has been so much fun.” Right as the interview con- cluded, 3-year-old Cashel Toy came up to Mrs. Claus to say hello. They both began to sing “Jingle Bells” together and, when they The Eagle/Rudy Diaz Mrs. Claus sings ‘Jingle Bells’ with Cashel Toy, 3. The Eagle/Rudy Diaz The Clauses sing ‘Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’ and ‘Frosty the Snow- man’ along with community members in John Day. were done singing, hugged each other good-bye. Toy smiled and said it was great being able to sing with Mrs. Claus. “That made my day,” Mrs. Claus said. There will be another chance to see the Clauses at either the Christ- mas bazaar or at the Timbers Truck- ers Light Parade on Dec. 14. Fresh Cut Christmas Trees starting At $25.00 Don't forget your pets this christmas: Toys, Treats & Beds • • • • • • Bird Seed Bogs Boots Montana Jewelry Montana West Purses & Wallets Live House Plants & Bird Houses Heated Animal Supplies CD has been played at radio stations in the U.S., as well as 26 radio sta- tions in the UK, three in Austra- AK ‘Kathy’ lia and two in Moss Canada. The CD sat at No. 1 on the IWMA maga- zine Western Way’s top 10 list for spring 2019 and was at No. 2 for their summer/fall issue. At the awards ceremony, with about 500 in attendance, Moss was also nominated as Top Female Poet of the Year, along with four other artists. Moss and her husband, Tracy, own Russell’s Custom Meats in Canyon City. Next up for Moss, who is vice president of the IWMA Columbia Chapter working on youth programs, is travel- ing for performances in Col- orado, Arizona, Canada and Washington. She’s also scheduled to per- form with singer Brenn Hill and cowboy humorist Andy Nelson in Lakeview on Satur- day, Dec. 14, at a benefit con- cert for Billie Flick — “The Truth” is written about her. Moss will also share her cowboy poetry at the Grant County Fair and Rodeo Queen coronation on Dec. 15 at the fairgrounds in John Day. She’s already working on her next CD, recording at Canyon Mountain Studios in Canyon City, owned by Jim Klusmeier. “I write in the quiet moments,” she said. “The Truth” is available at Russell’s and is downloadable online at https://store.cdbaby. com/cd/akmoss. Blue Mountain Hospice Light up a Life December 5th, 2019 6:00 pm at Valley View Assisted Living Facility Contact Blue Mountain Hospice at 541-575-1648, or sross@bluemountainhospital.org S154150-1 S154152-1 For Every Adventurous Man & Woman on Your List Come in now for Great Deals Great Savings on All Snow Apparel for Holiday Gifts Checkouttheselocalspotsforgreatshopping duringtheholidaysandyearround! • • • • • • • • • • • • • Great Deals on New and Used Sleds! • • • • • • • • • • • • • Mosier’s Home Furnishings Nydam’s Ace Hardware Oxbow Trade Company Roan Outwest House to Home Etc... Chester’s Variety Radio Shack John Day Polaris Bar W-B Les Schwab Mills Building Supply Cover Works Plus Watch for additional members each week! Come Check out Our Great Deals 821 W. HWY 26, John Day • 541-575-0828 www.johndaypolaris.com A Flower Shop and More Better Blooms & Gardens Dayville Mercantile & Bike Shop Gardner Enterprises DG Driscoll’s Books John Day Auto Parts JD Rents and Power Equipment Austin House Country Store Tanni Wenger Photography John Day True Value Hardware John Day Video Shoppe Len’s Drug Log Cabin Espresso Grant County Chamber of Commerce 301 W Main St., John Day, OR 97845 541.575.0547 www.gcoregonlive.com S154116-1 S154104-1
