Page 10
The INDEPENDENT, February 3, 2011
2011 Columbia County Fair and Rodeo queen has been chosen
Once again Columbia Coun-
ty was home to a joint rodeo
royalty coronation. The 2011
Columbia County Fair and
Rodeo Court held joint corona-
tion ceremonies with the 2011
Junior Miss Rodeo Oregon.
The 2011 Court consists of
Queen Emily Simpson of St.
Helens, Princess Kelsey Lan-
phear of Deer Island, and
Princess Emily Nodland of St.
Helens. The 2011 Junior Miss
Rodeo Oregon is Haley Jones
of St. Helens.
The ceremonies took place
at the Columbia County Pavil-
ion on Saturday, January 22.
The evening’s events included
dinner, silent and live auctions,
and coronation ceremonies. A
special, fun highlight of the
evening was a “Mr. Columbia
County Pageant.”
There was also a special
display honoring Columbia
County royalty of the last 20
years, highlighting those who
have gone on to represent oth-
er rodeos and organizations as
royalty. In the past eight years,
Columbia County has been
home to three Miss Rodeo Ore-
gons, three Miss Northwest
Professional Rodeo Associa-
tion (NPRA), three Miss Teen
Rodeo Oregons, and three Ju-
nior Miss Rodeo Oregons, as
well as representing rodeos
such as St. Paul Rodeo, Molal-
la Buckeroo, Crooked River
Roundup, Salem Rodeo, Santi-
am Canyon Stampede, Tillam-
ook Rodeo, Yamhill County Fair
& Rodeo, Benton County Fair &
Rodeo, and Umpqua Valley
Roundup.
The Columbia County Fair-
board is accepting applications
for the position of Fair and
Rodeo Court Coordinator. If in-
terested, please contact the fair
office at 503-397-4231.
Animal Control rescues Coconut
With injuries to her feet that
possibly came from a boat pro-
peller, a female Chesapeake
Bay Retriever rescued near
Mayger Beach is now on the
mend.
Columbia County Animal
Control officials recovered the
dog January 17 with serious
wounds to her hind feet and ap-
pearing to be undernourished.
Officials began cleansing and
caring for the wounds with the
help of the Companion Animal
Hospital in Scappoose. Animal
Control staff have given the re-
triever the name, “Coconut”,
and say she is very compliant
with the medical staff dealing
with her injuries.
Once the dog is stable, it is
expected she will need to have
two of her toes removed for
health reasons. After that, she
will need more special treat-
ment until she is ready for
adoption. Even then, she will
require an adoptive family that
can provide her with a proper
home for her full recovery.
The Columbia County Ani-
mal Control Unit is part of the
Enforcement Division of the
Sheriff’s Office, and operates
with revenue from dog license
fees and donations. If you
would like more information
about “Coconut,” or to make a
donation to help the Columbia
County Animal Control Shelter
with the treatment and care of
injured animals, contact the An-
imal Control Shelter at 503-
397-3935. The Shelter is locat-
ed at 2084 Oregon Street, St.
Helens.
V ALLEY V ETERINARY C LINIC
R ABIES
S PECIAL
$
50
10
Per vaccine, per animal
Through February 2011
Thursdays
9 am - 5 pm
1-503-556-3084
58376 Nehalem Hwy. S. Vernonia
Left to right; Princess Emily Nodland, Princess Kelsey Lanphear, and Queen Emily Simpson
make up the 2011 Columbia County Rodeo Court. Photos courtesy of Creekside Studios.
A farewell to a young cowboy’s pony
“Pee Wee” was his name. A
wonderful pony who was more
than just a pony to a local little
cowboy, Dustin Talbott, he was
also one of his best friends and
buddy. Even though he had
only been a part of our family
for a few short years, Pee Wee
and Dustin have had a lot of
good times together. From log-
ging thousands of miles on the
road in the truck with trailer in
tow, hauling to youth rodeos,
gaming days, poker rides,
beach trips, camping trips, rop-
ing lessons and trail rides. The
two of them spent hours togeth-
er running here, there and
everywhere, having the time of
their lives. The two of them
were a team and seemed to
love to be together. Sadly now
his stall stands empty because
we lost Pee Wee to colic on
January 4th. He has played a
big role in a lot of people’s lives
over the years but has played a
HUGE roll in Dustin’s life. He
has left HUGE hoof prints to be
filled.
Some of you will remember
Pee Wee from the Jamboree
Parades where he and Dustin
were all dressed up in different
costumes. He would play any
role Dustin wanted him to for
those parades and never fuss.
The two of them just went in the
Forest Grove Christmas Light
Parade and he was all lit up in
Christmas lights. Others of you
will remember him from the
Ridge Rider Jamboree Horse
Play Days or other little gaming
days here in town. The two of
them racing around the arena
and having fun.
At the youth rodeos, every-
one knew Pee Wee either as
Pee Wee or PW. Over the
years Pee Wee taught many
kids how to ride, rope, barrel
race, pole bend and many oth-
er events. He was great at his
job and had won many, many
Champion titles. When he was
roping he would always come
out of the box hard, fast and
strong and would always put
you where you needed to be on
the steer. He could run with the
best of them in all of his events
and seem to have fun while he
did it. He was a pony in size but
had the heart and determina-
tion bigger than any horse out
there. Pee Wee and Dustin
have been a team and have
won many things these last few
years from buckles to saddles.
At the rodeos, when not in the
rodeo arena competing, you
would find Pee Wee with Dustin
on his bare back running
around the grounds playing
and having fun with the other
kids with their ponies and hors-
es. He got along with everyone
and always stole the hearts of
all that met him.
“Pee Wee, you stole the
hearts of all who met you. You
will be missed and never for-
gotten. We love you buddy, and
pray you have fun running in
the Big Rodeo in the Sky,” said
the Talbotts, and Dustin added,
“I will love you forever Buddy.”
(Editor’s Note: We are sad-
dened and will greatly miss Pee
Wee as he and Dustin have
been favorites of ours in pa-
rades since before Dustin could
even walk.)
See pictures of Pee Wee on
page 24.