The Director's Chair,
By Glen E. Keller, Jr.
(from the Fall 1999 issue of Boots and Saddles)
It's a wonderful feeling to have finished Summer Schedule and be back to our regular fall activity, but what a summer it was! Red Team traveled to Sun Valley, Idaho, Vernal, Utah and Trinidad, Colorado. Precisionettes did shows in Idaho Springs, Evergreen and Byers; Crimson Rangers and Royal Rangers also went to Idaho Springs; Crimson Rangers went to Fountain Valley and Cavalry went to Eagle County for four shows. Add to that the entire Red Division to Estes Park; Red Team, Crimson and Royal at the Festival of the West, the Gates Corporation Picnic at the Fairgrounds; Precisionettes to Pine for the French Women's Soccer Team; Red Team to the National Western Event Center for the National Vaulting Championship Meet and for a convention of doctors and you know the Red Division was busy. The White Division had both White Division Show and White Olympics and attended seven parades. The Blue Division Interclub took place in June and their graduations have occurred in September. Top that off with the 51st Tenderfoot class in Westernaire history, the largest ever at 302 and you know it really has been a summer.
More important than the amount of activity has been the quality of the performances given. Of course, I am a little biased when it comes to the public view of our teams and I tend to be much more critical internally. Generally, I think the performances throughout the summer were, in a word, excellent. Across the area we visited, the acclaim was truly splendid and, from my observation, well deserved. We are already hearing about potential events for next summer, all as a direct result of the hard work by this years' teams.
With all of that praise, I always hate to put a black mark in the book, although this time I am not sure who gets the mark. I have had recent complaints from the Jefferson County Fairgrounds staff about Westernaires. The first came from White Olympics where, they tell me, the amount of trash left in the grandstands, some quite close to the trash barrels nearby, was overwhelming, requiring significant extra time to clean up after us. It is sad to me that our families and friends can't even be bothered to put trash in the receptacles provided. Ultimately, in a wind, that even creates a safety hazard for our riders. Let us all be more conscious of our responsibility as good citizens, if nothing else. How can the Westernaires help create the leaders of tomorrow, if the role models of today create a negative example?
The second complaint comes from the manner in which staff was directed to provide additional seating on Tenderfoot Graduation Night. I suspect from the stories that some of us have a lot to learn about common courtesy. "Nuf said?
Incidentally, the entrance to the Fairgrounds for Westernaires, unless for an evening event scheduled in the Fairgrounds Auditorium, is the Indiana Street entrance between the horse pasture and the Hutchison arena. Let's all use it …. Please!
Finally, I have a bit of truly sad news to convey. Our caretaker for the last 6 1/2 years, Taw Tamlin, and his wife are purchasing a place near Ft. Lupton and leaving Westernaires. As you all know, this is the only paid position the Westernaires have and Taw has been outstanding. I know that his skill will be sorely missed by all of us. He has cared for the horses well and helped keep the facilities clean and functional. What a loss for all of us. We must find a replacement quickly and need to count on all of you to spread the word. If you know of someone who could fill the role, let us know. Mr. Geis, Mr. Curtiss and I will all be receptive to hear about someone who would take on the job. There is a monthly stipend, a house and utilities in the deal. Help!!!
Finally, I want to thank all of you who have stepped up and volunteered for various kinds of help around the Fort. More is coming and we will all appreciate everyone's help. If you haven't yet put your name on the list, see Denise Chesson, assistant to the Director. She is keeping the list at this time. Thanks. Let's have a great fall.
