Fairgrounds fills with Scouts

Gunnison Valley hosts International Harvester event

Abby Fostveit Times Intern

On July 22, Cathy Wilkens sat in a folding camp chair, surrounded by dozens of International Harvester Scouts. The off-road vehicles were lined-up at the entrance of the Gunnison County Fairgrounds, temporarily deemed the “Show n’ Shine Line-Up Area.” Wilkens was stationed beside her brasscolored 1971 Scout 800B, named “Gus.” A “For Sale” sign was propped on his hood.

Gus is one of the many Scouts in the 29th Annual Rocky Mountain International Harvester Rendezvous. The event lasted from Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23 and featured scenic drives, peer vehicle judging, spectator voting and four-wheel drive games, such as a teeter totter and a Ramp Travel Index ramp to show off a vehicle’s suspension. John Glancy, owner of Scout Light Line Distributors in Springfield, Ohio, has been supporting and sponsoring the rendezvous for 29 years.

“It’s a worldwide thing, but very strong in this country,” Glancy said. “There’s all kinds of groups all over the county and they have shows … but the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous is one of the larger ones and has been around longer than most of them.”

International Harvester was founded in the early 1900s as a result of a merger between two leading manufacturers of harvesting machinery. The Scout was first produced by International Harvester in 1961, but its production ended in 1980. Now, the Scout has fostered a niche community full of collectors with a shared love for the vehicle.

Some participants in the rendezvous dedicated years to modifying their Scouts. Greg LaLonde, from Hammond, Louisiana, displayed his green 1971 Scout 2 Half Cab as part of the lineup. LaLonde spent ten years building it out after finding it in West Monroe, Louisiana.

“Every nut and bolt,” LaLonde said. “I’ve had my hands on everything.”

LaLonde’s Scout won first place in the 1971-1975 Scout 2 Wild Category, best paint, best engine, spectator’s choice and best of show. The Show n’ Shine was peer-judged and had five classifications for Scout vehicles: Stock, for restored or original unrestored Scouts with no modifications; Mild, for vehicles with modifications that are not too extreme, such as certain engine upgrades; Wild, for Scouts that are specialized for off-road purposes but are still street-appropriate; Extreme, for vehicles that are highly modified for off-road use and Crawler, for vehicles with specific modifications such as certain him at the rendezvous with a “For Sale” sign in his hood. However, the memories with Gus will never fade for Wilkens.

“He’s taken us all over the Western Slope — up the passes and camping,” Wilkens said. “We’ve kept him in really good

PEOPLE & HAPPENINGS

Living Journeys

Living Journeys hosts free and confidential monthly support groups — open to all Gunnison County residents.

-Caregivers Support Group:

1st Monday of each month.

-Bereavement Support Group: 2nd Monday of each month.

-Cancer Support Group:

1st Thursday and 3rd Monday of each month. Professional therapists facilitate in-person and zoom meetings, no RSVP necessary. Get details at livingjourneys.org.

People's Fair

Considered by many to be the finale of the Crested Butte summer season, the 37th Paragon People’s Fair will be held Sept. 2-3 on Elk Avenue in Crested Butte. Booth spaces are still available, so get your applications in by visiting paragonartgallery.com or pick one up at the Paragon Gallery, 132 Elk Ave. in Crested Butte.

American Legion fundraiser

American Legion Post 54 needs help to renovate its restrooms to be ADA compliant so all veterans and community members can use their facilities. You can read more and donate at gofund.me/1e53f21c or call Mark at 970.901.8400.

Paralympics fundraiser

Landon Ruggera is a 2022 Gunnison High School grad

Cb Center For The Arts Briefs

Watercolor and wine

On Thursdays through Aug. 10, a local watercolor artist will guide you (and your wine) through a watercolor painting from start to finish, giving instruction on setting up to paint, wash and watercolor painting techniques, composition and more. Absolutely no experience is necessary. The cost is $25 per class.

Adult wheel throwing

On Thursdays in July from 6-9 p.m., students will expand their throwing knowledge to create more advanced forms. All ability ranges are welcome. The cost is $201 for members and $236 for non-members.

Reckless Kelly

The Austin-based band Reckless Kelly combines roots, rock and country influences into an uncompromising musical approach. This $35-55 performance is almost sold out. Find tickets at crestedbuttearts.org.

Monday concert series

The Alpenglow Summer Concert Series runs Monday evenings from June 19-Aug. 14 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Crested Butte. Enjoy free

‘Missoula Children’s Theater’

The Missoula Children's Theatre is back with an original adaptation of “The Secret Garden” . All children ages 6-18 are welcome to register and audition for this production. No experience is necessary. Auditions begin at 10 a.m. on August 7 at Gunnison High School for those who have registered. Rehearsals will be who is aiming to participate in the Paralympics. Ruggera is currently training with the USA Paralympic Shooting Futures Team. You can find out more information on page B7 of the July 20 edition of the Gunnison Country Times Landon needs a lot of money to continue to compete at such a high level. If you're interested in helping, contribute here: gofund.me/264f64fb.

‘Pitkin Art and Craft Show’ live music with beautiful Crested Butte Mountain and stunning Paradise Divide as the backdrop.

The Pitkin Art and Craft Show will be at the Newcomb Community Center, 800 State Street in Pitkin, on July 28-29 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All artisans are local to Pitkin or the Quartz Creek Valley. The show is sponsored by the Pitkin Historical and Community Association.

Tuesday concert series

Join us every other Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. for free live music in the Feldberg East Courtyard lounge at the Center for the Arts in Crested Butte. From classical to jazz and bluegrass, enjoy intimate live performances over cocktails from the Black Dragon Bar.