Page • The Cowboy Chronicle • November 2006
A Few Words From Darrell This has been a good year for the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. More inductees and our first full year of operation; both were
successful. People who visited the Center in Medora this summer liked what they saw. They enjoyed the story of the plains horse culture. We continue to raise money to finish paying for the Hall of Fame. The State Intermodel Transportation team stepped forward with another $100,000. So did Grassy Butte rancher Palmer Nelson. Nelson paid for the horse sculpture that sets on the south side of the building. Nelson, who recently turned 81, ranched for 46 years near Grassy Butte and says, “I didn’t do it for the rodeo part of the project. I did it to help preserve our western heritage and history. Too much of it has already been lost.” A plaque will be put on the bronze sculpture noting Palmer Nelson’s generosity. The Weinreis brothers of the VVV Ranch and the Peaceful Valley Farm of Golden Valley County also stepped forward recently with a $20,000 donation. Gene Weinreis says, “We wanted to help preserve the history of the ranching country so that story will be here for the next generation.” In recognition of their donation, the J over E and the Bar L brands currently used by the family were put on the horse and longhorn statue. Their donation also purchased a memorial plaque for their parents, Lloyd and Violet Weinreis. The VVV Ranch, operated by the Weinreis brothers, was inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame in August. Bill and Jane Marcil of Fargo also made a $25,000 donation. They own
numerous newspapers, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Forum of Fargo, The Dickinson Press and the Grand Forks Herald. They have been members of the Cowboy Hall of Fame for five years. Bill, recently awarded the state’s Rough Rider award, says, “We do business in western North Dakota, and we are interested in this state’s history. It’s unique and something we should all be proud of. We’re happy to be a part of the Hall of Fame.” Former Dickinson resident and longtime Hall of Fame Trustee Ray Gress recently made a $10,000 commitment. Gress, who won the rifle for selling the most horse raffle tickets two years in a row, says, “I just want to make sure the stories of the people’s hardships who carved out a life on the plains are preserved.” Greg and Debbie Childs of Kaysville, Utah, have donated $10,000. Greg, a native of Mandan, is the son of well-known roper Jim Childs, who competed in the 1940s and 50s. Greg has served as a trustee for eight years and says, “I think the history of rodeo and those who competed needs to be preserved, and we’re doing it at the Hall of Fame.” These past couple of months haven’t all been tall grass and summer rain, though. Long-time Trustees Elmer Agnew of Bismarck and Thelma Fenton of Killdeer died. Wes Tibbetts of Miles City and Sid Connell of Medora also went on to the big claim. All were great supporters; all will be missed. The smoke has cleared on the annual horse raffle, and the Trustees did it again. At $5 a ticket, we netted an amazing $19,000 on the colt donated by Rod and Kathryn Froelich of Selfridge. Trustee Vic Wilhelm of Halliday was the top sales person and won the 30-30 rifle we give each year to the person who sells the most tickets. Til next time, Darrell Dorgan NDCHF Executive Director
Reinarts reports successful season Pam Reinarts, site manager at the Center of Western Heritage and Cultures in Medora, reports that the 2006 season was very successful. She says, “We had 23,000 admissions and $55,000 in gift shop sales. In addition, the facility was rented for 80 events from January through October.” Here are just a few of the comments from this season’s visitors: · Beautiful facility, very helpful staff one of the gems of Medora. · I’m blown away, wow!! Building was worth the wait. · Great exhibits! · Brings back many memories; this is a wonderful place. · First class, best yet, fabulous! · Very impressive, well decorated, really enjoyable, and we’ve been to a lot of museums and galleries around the U.S. · Wonderful display of North Dakota history and a great tribute to our state! · Absolutely great--an honor to North Dakota cowboys and cowgirls! Thanks for keeping the cowboy!