VOLUME 99
ISSUE 43
TIMES
FALLON County
fctimes@midrivers.com 406-778-3344
BAKER, MONTANA 59313
$1.00
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015
Baker to host 2016 State High School Rodeo Finals By Sherry Phebus Vogel Word was received earlier this week that our community has been awarded the bid to host the MHSRA finals next summer, June 7-12, 2016. When Kalispell chose not to host the event this year the Fallon County Fair Board met with the county commissioners to discuss welcoming the finals to Baker. Fallon County is prime for such a venture. The Fallon County fairgrounds is one of the finest in the state with the recent addition of the new 1338-seat capacity covered grandstand. Also completed just this past season is the pro-rodeo arena. This project was spearheaded by local cowboy, Jason “Eddie” Coul-
ter. He single-handedly “beat the bushes” for donations to revamp the arena saving the tax payers thousands of dollars. “This is a huge undertaking for a small community,” stated Jerrid Geving, fair board member. “It has always been held in a bigger community like Kalispell or Bozeman, but I think people will like the small town hospitality.” The state finals is the last big hurrah of the high school rodeo season. It is a “big deal” with an estimated 300-400 excited young cowboys and cowgirls from across the state coming together to compete. They will be followed by approximately 1200-1500 devoted family, friends, and fans. Many will be in need of food and lodging although some will come with self-
contained RV and motorhomes. This will be a tremendous boost to Baker’s economy. It’s difficult to get your head around a huge event of this magnitude. A committee of approximately 20-30 people will be needed to coordinate the happenings. As plans formulate in the next few weeks and months, area residents will have the opportunity to volunteer in various positions. The rodeo must have a fully staffed rodeo office and arena. Food and concession stands, trade show and commercial vendors, and entertainment venues will be required. Our community will “need all hands on deck” to make this spectacular rodeo a success.
Trick-or-Treat fun in downtown Baker Downtown merchants will be scaring up a delightful array of treats for trick-or-treaters the day before Halloween. The Baker Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is sponsoring the second annual “Downtown Trick-or-Treat” Friday, Oct. 30, from 3-6 p.m. Business owners not in the downtown area or in the shopping center are urged to be involved by having a table on Main Street. All businesses should register with the Chamber to be included on the list. Everyone is encouraged to dress up and join the fun! A list of participating businesses will be available at local stores. To register a business or further information, contact Nicole Schuler, Chamber Director, 406-778-2266; or email: bakerchamber@midrivers.com
4-H Shooting Sports begin in November
Photo by Jackie Jensen Photography.com
Sylvan LaCross lays his hand on the bull to get his attention away from the cowboy.
LaCross named Bullfighter of the Year By Sherry Vogel Montana cowboy Sylvan LaCross was awarded the coveted Bullfighter of the Year award by the Northern Rodeo Association (NRA) on October 11 in Butte. For nearly a decade this 27-year-old polite, soft-spoken cowboy has been competing in rodeo on both the NRA and PRCA circuits. He began bareback riding while attending Red Lodge High School, graduating in 2006, but his love for the sport began long before then. As a young boy growing up in Baker at just four years of age, family friend cowboy Gary Singer would let him come behind the chutes at the Fallon County Fair Rodeo. “He got me hooked,” quipped LaCross. While growing up he admired Plevna legend Lloyd Ketchum, former world champion bullfighter. No novice at bareback, LaCross enjoyed watching the bull riding event. He became intrigued with studying the situation “just before the wreck happens.” He began to evaluate the position of the enraged bull in regard to the bucked off cowboy. It led him to the revelation that he would like to try his hand at bullfighting. Whatever LaCross is doing must be working because although he has had no formal training his mere desire, his time spent watching and evaluating, and “just learning from hard knocks” has paid out. Cha-Ching! It has paid out not only in honor but also in his billfold. The occupation of bullfighter earns a “guaranteed paycheck.” In this past year, from April to October, LaCross has fought in 30 rodeos. He has “double dipped” in 15 of them. This means he has competed in the bareback event as well as bullfighting in the same rodeo. This year he will make a total transition focusing entirely on his bullfighting. He admitted, “It’s hard to fight ‘the itch’ to get on a bucking horse.” As of late, LaCross has become acquainted with accomplished bull-
Russell’s Clothing Baker, Montana 406-778-2427
fighter Al Sandvold, of Bozeman. Sandvold is helping to fine-tune the younger cowboy’s skills. LaCross shared the most important lesson learned concerned his timing in the arena. “After clearing a situation out, I’ve learned to move a lot slower,” he said. “This gives the bull time to recognize me as a bigger threat than the downed bull rider.” If he moves too fast the bull perceives him as a passing intruder and still remains focused on the cowboy. At times, this gutsy fighter has actually laid his hand on the bull to get his attention. Consequently, LaCross has accumulated quite a rap sheet this season. The list includes being launched in the air, ran over, and stepped on. This passionate bullfighter takes his job very seriously. His ultimate goal is to ensure that no cowboy is maimed or killed, but being a circuit rider himself he also wants to ensure that each rider remains uninjured “so that he will be able to get down the road, riding the circuit to his bigger goal of making National Finals in Las Vegas in December.” When asked what his goals are he listed his short-term goals first. He wants to participate in the Binion Bucking Bull Sale in Las Vegas right before National Finals. He is also looking forward to having his own booth in the trade show. LaCross said, “This will help get my name out there. He will be handing out his cards and showing a promotional DVD of himself fighting in the arena. In January, LaCross will continue to make circuit finals in Great Falls. In our conversation I had asked LaCross to share with me five attributes of the bullfighter. The five words he used to paint a bullfighter’s portrait were: tough, skilled, athletic, personable, and selfless. Glancing up from my notes, I realized his face reflected that very description. LaCross, a fifth-generation native of Baker, is the son of Lon and Monica LaCross of Baker and the late Patricia LaCross.
NEW ARRIVALS
The Fallon County 4-H Shooting Sports Project will begin November 17 at 6 p.m. at the new gun range indoor shooting range. Disciplines offered this year will be archery, air pistol, and air rifle. Youth must be 9 years of age or older by October 1, 2015, to participate. All 4-H shooting sports leaders have completed Montana state-approved shooting sports training and have been certified in specific disciplines. Youth interested in 4-H shooting sports are asked to contact the Fallon/Carter Extension office at 406778-7110 by November 5 so project materials can be ordered. All interested youth must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to this first meeting.
Fallon County Times trick or treats This year the Fallon County Times wants in on the action surrounding Halloween. Known as one of the most indulgent and frivolous events in American culture, the Times invites local residents to indulge themselves and grandma and grandpa a little more. For $7.50 per picture, the Times will print a photo spread of all the witches, monsters, super heroes, and princesses the area has to offer. Photos may be of a single child or a group of children. People may bring their costumed children in between 2:30-5:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, to have a photo taken.
Trust Your Journey
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SOUTH BEND CHOCOLATE COMPNAY