Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 7, 1996)
_~~ Special Edition M orrow County Fair & Rodeo Heppner Gazette-Times, Wednesday, August 7, 1996 - NINE TWELVE - Special Edition Morrow County Fair & Rodeo Heppner Gazette-Times, Wednesday, August 7, 1996 Gerald Swaggert, 1996 Fair/OTPR Parade Grand Marshal Theffe Basics. As a world leader in agribusiness, our success is characterized by the prudent use o f basic resources such as soil, water and minerals. And, while our foundation and future are irrevocably tied to these resources, we will con tinue to advance because we are also committed to basic human values The spirit of the old West lives on thanks to Grand Mar shal Gerald Swaggert of the 19% Morrow County Fair and Oregon Trail Pro rodeo. He was 12 years old at the time of the first Heppner rodeo in 1922. His father, Frank Swaggert, was one of the founders of that event held at its present site on land donated by V. Gentry. The son of pioneer settlers, Gerald grew up on the family's Little Buttercreek ranch. He remembers horse roundups on the Buttercreek Buttes that oc curred each spring, long before there were fences. Cowboys tested their skills on these horses inside wooden corrals near Lena. This was the forerunner of the Heppner Rodeo, Gerald recalls. When 'Heppner and Pendleton began putting on shows they used local bucking stock before stock contractors and bucking chutes were com mon. Wild horses were roped and blindfolded and a snubb ing horse was used in saddling and for mounting. Once turn ed loose, riders that didn't buck off still had to dismount un assisted. Due to the influence of his grandfather and father who bred race horses, Gerald's horsemanship was on a fast track. For about 20 years, Soil Builders Umatilla 922-5672 C O N TA C T: George DesBrisay, Bink Ramos, Tom Gertsch, Jack Jensen, Bob Calvert, Kevin Baker I Hn g l n j E a r t h '« R a a o u r i to Ufo Enjoy the Competitive Presentations on Friday Cameron Krebs in the 1995 presentation contest "Extracting Honey," "Hog Wash” and "Swish, Swish: A Horse's Tale" were 4-H pre sentation topics at the 1995 Morrow County Fair. "W e don't know what the topics will be for the '% fair," says Carol Michael-Bennett, Oregon State University Extension youth and FOLLETT's “ Complete in the 4-H annex. "O ne of the most important goals of the 4-H youth development is to im prove public speaking skills. Giving a short presentation in the project group is an expec tation for every member. From there, it is a natural move to the larger stage of county fair com petition," continues Michael- Bennett. Most youth select a topic related to their 4-H pro ject, which adds to their self- confidence. Excellent acoustics in the 4-H annex, interesting topics and comfortable seating out of the elements combine to make the Presentations Contest an en joyable activity. Presentations will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until around 2 p.m. The Beef Ambassadors Presentations, a combination of illustrated talk and food pre paration, will conclude the competition. Contestants al ways appreciate an audience. Stop in the 4-H annex on Fri day morning, watch a presen tation and encourage the speakers with your presence and your applause. family agent. "Members have registered for individual and team presentations and there should be a topic of interest to most everyone." Competitive presentations (called demonstrations in past years) will take place on Friday, Aug. 16, on the kitchen stage Butchering Service“ Cutting & Wrapping to Please You Game Processing*Lunchmeats»lertrSmoke< Fisii WE SO I WH0LESmVES4UAIlTEItS W e’ll Cure Most Anything’ 567-6651 H 5 r» l PEA RIDGE T-SHIRTS W/ m * C o ir t i THO USAMOS O f DESIGNS THOUSANDS OF SHIRTS > COLOR COPI ES, COi OK PHOTO SHIFTS PHOTO MUSS,HATS ETC... FULL COMPUTERIZED EM8R0IDEKV OVEK 13,000 DESI6NS TO CHOOSE FROM OREGONWASHIN6TON SOUVENIRS Su "SIGN S62" HERM1ST0N, OREGON 5 *7 -0 9 6 8 HERAUMcNARf H tV f 395 M. Morrow County Fair & Rodeo M C Chronicles now available "Morrow County Chronic les,” published annually by the Morrow County Historical So ciety (MCHS), is now available. This year's edition features "The History of the Morrow County Sheep Industry," by Darlene Hoskins; "A Grand daughter's Glimpse into the Home of Franklin Dee and Liz zie Cox," by Francis Cox Grif fin; and "Early Churches of Morrow County," by Lorene Griffith. Other local stories of interest are also included. This is the 15th year that the MCHS has collaborated with current and former residents of Morrow County to research and share recollections of 4NAPA> Simplot Gerald was a willing jockey in flat races, relay or pony express heats. He also was brave enough to ride roman style standing up on the backs of two horses running side by side. Not intending to hone bronc riding skills, Gerald had his share of wild rides and spills. Gerald recalls that his former neighbor Jerry Brosnan was one of his staunch race horse holders. One time the dust was so thick when Gerald was rac ing into change mounts, he couldn't see where Jerry was holding the next horse. By voice, he located Jerry and the horse who were both flat on the ground. Gerald says he doesn't know how many times Jerry got run over after being knock ed down, but he never let go of the horse. Those type of mix- ups, plus lap and tap starts often determined race winners before cheering crowds. It's said that there were over 4,000 people attending Heppner rodeos in those days. Besides fast horses, the Swaggert name became synon ymous with a herd of Creamo- íine horses bred by Gerald's uncle, Ben Swaggert. That herd of golden dappled horses be came widely known and were sought by Hollywood cowboy stars. stories of Morrow County. Lucile Peck has served as editor of the Chronicles since its in ception. Doris Brosnan will become editor in 1997. "Morrow County Chroni cles" is available at the Morrow County Museum, Murray Drugs, Twice Upon A Time... and at the Historical Society's booth at the Morrow County Fair. Copies of-most past issues are also available, as is an up dated index of all 15 volumes. We Print 4-H Fashion Revue, 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 15 Business Cards Competitive Presentations all day, Friday, August 16 Rodeo Dance, 9:30 p.m., Saturday, August 17 Gazette-Times 676-9228 HEPPNER AUTO PARTS TAKE TIME OUT... T O TAKE IN THE FAIR... 4-H EXHIBITS & C O N TESTS... 4-H SNACK SHACK MARKET SALE RO DEO LOG BUCKING W E ’LL SEE YOU THERE! Mike, Trade & Audra Bunch j This ad sponsored by Kinzua Resources, LLC. Heppner «* •. .r . . •* I ' * ; -, . # » '' V . : • ' • : : : /• ’ * : .• ; V, ■ V • • •*!<* \ * *•’? '■*’ * ! j! a • .V Manufacturers Of Fine Wood Produ ■ ** Pilot Rock •' : ■ • 1 • ;. ' • * ‘ ; . V • . ; * ' ■ ■■' - » i •: ‘ ’ • / : / ‘ » -./-Y' » • *, • V - ’ • • • , 1 : *■ A*'»'*,* , Ì ... •i . ; V ‘ w ' ‘ i * ’K .>. V • .7 ; V* • .MPfcv., • > . . . 4 . m 4 ^- v>. •* L t * •* ' , * ? * V* - 4 • • • K • ,1 . 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