SOUTHWEST COWBOY POETS ASSOCIATION
AMARILLO, TEXAS
LAST MONTH MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
We Meet At:
The 2nd Sat of the Month 8:00AM
HEADLINER Tibb Burnett has an ancestry of cattle people, and was reared in the Wichita River Breaks and canyons, and the rolling plains with endless horizons. Between age five and age eighteen, he did extensive cowboyin’ in the area of Benjamin, Texas his little cowtown of more large mesquites and horses than people.
He has written poetry for over 40 years; and Buck Ramsey, in 1997, encouraged him to perform publicly. He has done so in numerous places like the National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration, Lubbock, Texas, Nara Visa, New Mexico Gathering, and the National Cowboy Museum (then “Cowboy Hall”) Oklahoma City.
He has an extreme love of life in the pasture.
COW SIGN
TIBB BURNETT
I yearn for the days of the tangle-edged river
and the large trees,
and the ride from grove to thicket,
and the standing red water;
for the resonance of crows,
and squirrels skipping over the splatter,
while we passed toward old mesquite and salt-cedar jungle.
Near the river bend, the cattle were wild as snakes;
and the hard limbs battered us
as we scattered them out and held them
in a dry wash, where they tested the best of horse.
I long for the trailing back
in the drone of their bawling,
interjected with cows stewing over calves,
their scent hanging in the mineral air
as we poked along popping and chousing,
breaking thorn twig, bruising mesquite leaf,
setting it's bitter fragrance free
to mingle with the scouring upon it,
and the singing flies
that flitted around the shiny strings of calf slobber.
We constrained them tightly;
but in the continuity of smooth meandering,
and a rocking motion,
we found unforgotten freedom.
November Happenings
November 3, 2011 Canyon View Estates
Buck, Ludie, Bill, Karen, Don, Bob, Annette, Ivan and Judy entertained 22 residents and guest with poetry, story telling and music. Marion Wood, a resident and member of our poets group, read two of Genny’s poems, much to our delight. Pat, a 90 year old resident, sang a song accompanied by Ivan. Buddy, a 96 year old resident whistled “Blue River Train” while Ludie played the harmonica. A good time was had by all.
November 5, 2011 Fall Roundup
Great food and fellowship along with good poetry and song made for another notable fall roundup with about 55 people attending. The first point of the evening featured long time member, Buck Wehrbein, as Bill Crenshaw presented the well deserved Heritage Award to Buck. Young poets or new comers should emulate Buck’s presentations of classic cowboy poetry. Kiskaddon, Henry Herbert Knibbs, S. Omar Barker, Badger Clark, Jack Thorpe and Curley Fletcher led the way so we may carry fourth the legacy of cowboy poetry.
Four scholarships were presented to Emma Browning, Channing, Texas; Samantha Slaton, McLean, Texas; Kaitlyn McCarley, Happy, Texas. These were the first of many to be awarded in the future.
Janet had a great time selling the raffle tickets and drawing the winning numbers. She kept us laughing and on our toes. Thanks for a job well done in Al’s absence. Thanks goes to Twyla’s mom for giving the prize she won to one of our guest. Little things like this makes for lasting memories of our great group!
If a prize had been given, Tibb would have won it for the member traveling the farthest. Thanks to Richard for being the wandering minstrel while we filled our plates and ate. Our thanks to Larry for a willing heart to work behind the scenes and a job well done in the kitchen.
A great time was had by all.
November 11-13 Ranch Rodeo
Bob and Betty Marrs had their booth at the Ranch Rodeo Trade Show. They had some beautiful paintings on display as well as their leather work. We know they enjoyed visiting with the people attending. Our hats off to Betty and Bob for a job well done.
November 12, 2011 Panhandle Plains Museum
Ivan, Judy, Tom, Ludie, Charolyn, Bill, Karen, Don, and Buck entertained about 60 4th and 5th graders and sponsors with their songs, music, poems and stories. Charolyn made biscuits to go along with her dinner bell poem. The kids remarked that her biscuits were not burned like the biscuit from the chuck wagon. Good job Charolyn. Karen and Bill explained the clothing cowboys wear beginning with the hat and ending with the boots. The scholarship fund was presented $300.00 by the sponsors of the weekend camp.
We would encourage everyone to see the great Bugbee exhibition and the Littlefield murals and art at the Panhandle Plains Museum. It would be time well spent.
November14, 2011-Va Nursing Home
Ludi, Charolyn, Don, Tom, Buck, Ivan and Judy honored 30 veterans with their music, poems, and stories. Selba Rainy, one of our honorary members, celebrated his 96th birthday and Clarence Simpson celebrated his 90th with a dance at the Western Cowpunchers. Keep dancing, it is good exercise and keeps you young in spirit. The fellows always sing along with us.
This is a quote from Selba Rainy” every dream must have a dream.”
Our sympathy goes out to Ludie who lost her 98 year old sister, Pernecia Wygal Nov. 11th in Chattanooga, Tenn. Rudene played for the services held at Ralls, Texas.
November 14, 2011 Cowboy Gelato
Charolyn, Ludie, ad Ivan enjoyed the music of the Red Hot Rhythm Rustlers. They are an entertaining group from California. Ludie even played one song on her harmonica with them.
November 16, 2011 Dallas, Texas
Ludie performed in Dallas Nov.16th and 17th at the Westin Hotel for the Expo Talent Contest. She won 2 trophies. She won for a commerical cold reading and for a monologue. She played Amazing Grace for the closing number at the Expo. Congratulations!
November 17-18, 2011 WMA Showcase and Awards
Ivan and Judy attended this affair in Albuquerque, N.M. We attended several work shops and they all stressed the importance of being aware of your time on stage, don’t perform on other performers time, have a positive attitude, set a high standard for success, accept true criticism and learn from it. Successful people have the 5 Ps: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Three more Ps: Practice, Practice, Practice. The work shops were very helpful.
Allan Chapman, who entertained at Palo Duro Canyon this summer with our poets, was nominated for album of the year, outstanding songwriter of the year and the best original song of the year. It is quite an honor just to be nominated.
R.W. Hampton was inducted into the WMA Hall of Fame. He truly exemplifies the cowboy way of life.
November 29, 2011 Texan Nursing Home
Ludie, Charolyn, Bill, Buck, and Ivan entertained 16 residents of the home with their music, poetry, and story telling. The residents really enjoy the group coming to entertain.
November 30, 2011 - Wildorado School
Charolyn, Ludie, Bill, Karen, Ivan and Judy entertained about 90 students, teachers, and parents with the history of the chuckwagon and the cowboy with poems, music, stories, and Charolyn's home made biscuits. The students were very attentive and partacipated in the program. We closed with the singing of "Jingle Bells". This was time well spent with our future leaders.
December 1, 2011 Canyon View Retirement Center
We started our third year entertaining the most appreciative folks ever. We are always welcomed with cookies, cinnamon rolls, coffee or lemonade and lots of smiles and friendliness.
Know that circumstances keep many folks from performing the first Thursday night of each month. You'll be blessed for sure if you can come. We try to include the residents in singing and we were blest to have 90 year old Pat sing two songs in his rich baritone voice. It is worth your time just to hear him!
There were 24 residents singing, clapping and just having a good time. They didn't want to hear all Christmas songs, wanted Bob Wills music!
They are so much fun.
Ivan Cates:
Christmas time's coming, enjoy your family and be blessed with health and look forward to a New Year. Tell your family and friends about the Southwest Cowboy Poets.
Steering Committee – December 8, 2011 – at Bob and Annette Muncy
27 members and guests enjoyed a wonderful barbeque dinner at the beautiful home of Bob and Annette Muncy on Dec. 8, before the meeting started.
President Crenshaw called the meeting to order The minutes of the last meeting were read by the Secretary, and were approved by all.
The Treasurer read her report of disbursements and income. This report was also approved by all.
The Scholarship fund provided $600.00 each to 4 participants.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, Dec 12, our monthly gathering at the V.A. 10:00 a.m.
Weds. Dec. 14, Potter House 3:00 p.m.
Thurs. Dec 15, the Cottages 6:00 p.m.
Tues. Dec. 27, Texan Nursing Home and Rehab.
SWCPA dues are due and payable in January. They are still $15.00 per member.
Lavern Fritts announced her upcoming marriage on Jan. 7, to her new husband to be, Don.
NEW BUSINESS
A slate of officers for the next two years was presented to all those present. Pat Henry made a motion that this slate of officers be accepted as listed. Their duties will begin on January 1, 2012.
The new officers are as follows:
President - Bob Muncy
Vice President - Janet Eggleston
Treasurer - Charolyn Gouldy
Secretary - Judy Cates
The Country Barn is again open for our breakfasts beginning in December.
The Headliner for December is Tibb Burnett, B.J. Muncy will be M.C. and Christmas music will be provided by Ivan and Judy Cates.
Al Peters wants everyone to know that as soon as he is well again he will resume duties as ticket seller for our raffles. In the meantime Bill and Don will sub for him.
Our prayer list: Al Peters, Don & Lou DeHay, Mary Haradin, Bob & Betty Marrs, Charlie and Mary Jo Bell, BJ Muncy and James Harris who we welcomed back to our family Thursday night.
This is my last report as Secretary of the SWCPA, a post which I have held for the last 4 years. I confidently leave the duties to a most capable Judy Cates, whom I am sure will serve as a dedicated Secretary.
Respectfully submitted, Genny Peters, Secretary to the SWCPA
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Ludie Stone with two new trophies won at the Westin Hotel November 16th and 17th for the Expo Talent Contest. She won for a commercial cold reading and monologue.
Tibb Burnett
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Al Peters:
For those of you who asked, Al is progressing slowly.
Home Health Care is coming every day to dress his wounds and once a week he goes to Northwest for dressings too.
He is improving and we are still waiting as to when he can have the knee put back in place.
He gets lonely and would love to see anyone who is in this part of town.
It would be wise to call first if possible, because of his Home Health treatments and doctor appointments.
He no longer has infection.
Genny
