Thursday, March 19, 2026
Home Blog Page 856

BlackJack Saddle Club Honors Highpoint Riders And Presents Special Awards

By
Frank Buchman
-
0

Yearend banquet of the BlackJack Saddle Club at Leonardville was highlighted by honoring highpoint riders and presenting special awards.
Club president Albert De La Garza and points keeper Stacy Nicholas presented certificates recognizing all show participants throughout the year. Riders must have competed in four of the club’s six shows to receive yearend awards.
Buckles were presented to the highpoint and runner-up riders in each age division of both performance and speed events.
Special working prizes went to those placing third through sixth in each age group again in both the performance and speed categories.
Craig Kennedy of Manhattan was awarded the Volunteer Award for assistance provided at all the club shows this year.
Rylan Mowry, St. George, was presented with the Perseverance Award for his consistent efforts to improve while competing in junior competition.
In memory of Angela Anstaett, the Most Improved Rider Award went to Macy Lyons. Maddie Smith received the Angela Anstaett Sportsmanship Award. Both awards were presented by Madison (Rogers) Howe.
Performance division winners include:
Eighteen and over: Lyndsey Greenwood and Little Red, highpoint, and Jesslin Lamont and Miss Zandy Reminic, reserve.
Thirteen to 17: Genayla Warnken and Sunny, highpoint, and Makayla Machine and Bough See Fuss, reserve.
Eight to 12: Trista Warnken and Dixie Chicken, highpoint, and Brody Greenwood and Ruby, reserve.
Seven and under: Aubrey Brazzle and Lady, highpoint, and Laynee Greenwood and Grey, reserve
Speed division winners include:
Eighteen and over: Frank Buchman and Cody.
Thirteen to 17: Madison Hammond and Bailey, highpoint, and Ava Asbury and Suzie, reserve.
Eight to 12: Kathrine De La Garza and Snickers, highpoint, and Mia Herrera and Cowgirls Golden Dream, reserve.
Seven and under: Parker Kennedy and Fancy, highpoint, and Samuel De La Garza and Whiskey, reserve.
Special recognition was given to outgoing president Albert De La Garza for his dedicated service to the BlackJack Saddle Club.
Other 2022 officers include: Troy Warnken and Justine Staten, vice presidents; Myra George, treasurer; Frank Buchman, secretary; Stacy Nicholas and Vicki Smith, points keepers; and Tara Mowry, webmaster/social media.
Additional information about the BlackJack Saddle Club is available at www.blackjacksaddleclub.com.

CUTLINES

Brandon and Lyndse Greenwood of Alma are with their children Brody, Bradyn, and Laynee at the BlackJack Saddle Club yearend banquet. Lyndsey showed Little Red to win the highpoint mare trophy and was the highpoint performance 18 and over rider, while Brody was highpoint eight to 12 performance rider, and Laynee was the highpoint seven and under yearend performance contestant. (Kayla Bigham photo)

Troy and Genaire Warnken of Manhattan are with their children Genayla and Trista at the BlackJack Saddle Club yearend banquet. Genayla was the highpoint 13 to 17 performance rider and Trista was the highpoint eight to 12 performance rider. Incumbent, Troy has been serving as vice president of the saddle club while Genaire is a volunteer at club shows. (Kayla Bigham photo)

Albert and Kristen De La Garza of Randolph are with two of their children Samuel and Kathrine at the BlackJack Saddle Club yearend banquet. Kathrine was the highpoint eight to 12 speed event rider and Samuel was reserve highpoint seven and under speed event contestant. De La Garza has served several terms as the saddle club president and was given special recognition upon his retirement from that office. (Kayla Bigham photo)

Vince and Tara Mowry of St. George are with their children Cooper, Jacob, and Rylan at the BlackJack Saddle Club yearend banquet. Rylan received the Perseverance Award for his consistent efforts to improve while competing in junior competition. Cooper placed fourth in his age group’s performance division while Jacob was recognized for show participation. (Kayla Bigham photo)

The Angela Anstaett Sportsmanship Award was presented by Madison (Rogers) Howe to Maddie Smith at the BlackJack Saddle Club yearend banquet. (Kayla Bigham photo)

Macy Lyons received the Angela Anstaett Most Improved Rider Award from Madison (Rogers) Howe at the BlackJack Saddle Club yearend banquet. (Kayla Bigham photo)

At the BlackJack Saddle Club yearend banquet, Craig Kennedy of Manhattan was awarded the Volunteer Award for assistance provided at all the club shows this year. Parker Kennedy and Fancy were highpoint yearend winner in the seven and under speed events division. (Kayla Bigham photo)

Danenberg Jewelers at Manhattan sponsored the highpoint 13-17 speed events buckle presented by Jan Danenberg to Madison Hammond at the BlackJack Saddle Club yearend banquet. (Kayla Bigham photo)

Justine Staten, executive director of the Kansas Horse Council, has been elected to serve as vice president of the BlackJack Saddle Club for the coming year. (Kayla Bigham photo)

DAD’S BILL IN THE MAIL (What goes around comes around.)

By
Sandy Pugh
-
0

If you have read my stories for awhile you should remember the one about the Bill in the Mail. It was about my dad sending my Grandmother a bogus bill every now again when he managed the T. M. Deal lumberyard in Medicine Lodge.
Grandmother hated getting a bill in the mail. She always paid cash for everything she bought. But she knew that Grandfather would go to the lumberyard to buy some lumber or nails etc. It made her mad that he wouldn’t pay for it when he bought it. He actually had paid for his stuff when he got it but never told Grandmother that he had.
Daddy knew how she was about getting a bill in the mail and he would send a bogus bill every so often just to get her going. (That and putting my dress on backwards when he took me to spend the day with her so mom could sleep after working all night as the operator at the phone company.)
My dress on backwards always had Grandmother mumbling under her breath while she took off the dress and put it on me right. I am sure that my dad’s little chuckle as he went out the door when he dropped me off made her even madder.
When we lived in Mullinville and my dad was running the TM Deal lumberyard we had an IGA store run by daddy’s friend Jim Hardesty. They were both on the city council and were in charge of getting the candy for the little brown paper sacks ready that each student received after the Christmas program every year.
Every year at the IGA there would be at least 6 large boxes of Christmas candy lined up in the store near the cash registers. My dad would go over there about once a day on his coffee break and get a handful of the candy.
Daddy thought it was funny to just put some in his pockets and leave the store. But Jim always saw him getting a piece of candy out of each of the boxes. He would yell at my dad about taking the candy and daddy would just chuckle and run out the door.
Daddy and Jim were good friends and were in card club together and this was just a running joke that my dad liked to do. He knew after Christmas that Jim would get even with him. I hate to think what either one of them would have done to me if I had been the one taking candy from the store without paying for it.
So in January there would be a bill arrive in the mail from the IGA store for a grazing fee. It was a bill for Christmas candy that daddy had walked out of the store with. I never saw the bill and I am pretty sure it was not what the candy was actually worth but it would arrive for whatever amount that Jim thought he had stuck in his pockets. Dad would laugh about it and go back over to the store and pay his bill for Christmas candy.
I have wondered how much candy he ate when he was there filling the little brown paper bags with candy for the kids at the Christmas program. Along with the candy there was always an orange and some nuts in the shells in each bag for each kid in school.
The brown paper bags would be twisted shut and placed in a box to hand out after the program. The kids always looked forward to getting the little brown paper bag of candy after the program. It was the signal that Christmas was close. It was always a time to trade candy with the other kids to get just what you liked.
The Christmas program was always on the evening of the last day of school in December. Along with the bag of candy every student received we also had a visit from Santa. Santa handed out the sacks of candy. One of the men in the city council always played Santa to hand out the sacks.
I don’t think the students over the years ever figured out that it was one of our dads who were playing Santa. As an adult I’ve thought about how naïve we were to not notice the shoes or the voice of the one that was Santa. Now that I think about it, I would have definitely known my dads dress shoes. But as kids we didn’t think about checking that out.
Dad’s bill in the mail always made me think of my Grandmother and the bills my dad sent to her that made her Irish temper flare. She couldn’t wait until he came to get me to let him know what she thought about the bill and he would just laugh and escort me out the door. Dad’s bill for candy grazing is one of my favorite Christmas memories. To contact Sandy: [email protected]

 

Debt and politics

By
John Marshall
-
1
john marshal

First, the debt:
Each year the Congress blesses an extravagant number of programs that keep America going, from the farm bill and highways through health care, housing, education, welfare and so on. The cost of these programs usually outruns the money available to pay for them. The Treasury Department then borrows money (sells bonds) to cover the difference. The country can pay its bills and bond holders have a reliable investment and steady returns.
Over time, the budget deficits add to the national debt, now near $31 trillion and running up against the federal debt limit, a stricture controlled by the Congress. The debt limit will need to be raised early next year to extend the borrowing authority of the Treasury Department.
Raising the debt limit has been a necessary, if guarded, procedure in Congress. According to the Treasury Department, Congress has raised the limit 78 times since 1960.The alternative is bleak. Failing an extension would prompt an American default, shatter global financial markets and risk a recession tsunami. American credit would plummet, and the dollar with it.
A study last year, before Congress last raised the limit, said such a failure could erase $15 trillion in wealth and cost up to six million jobs. Try raising sympathy for a farm bill, or federal revenue sharing after that.
In October 2015, the federal debt was $18.1 trillion. By the summer of 2022 it was $23 trillion. Congress raised the debt limit last year by $2.5 trillion. Estimates say the debt may reach the $31 trillion ceiling in less than a year.
During the Biden administration, $5 trillion has been added to deficits. This includes the president’s $2 trillion (Covid) economic stimulus bill, a list of trillions in spending initiatives approved by Congress, and student-loan debt forgiveness estimated to cost $400 billion over 30 years.
*
Now the politics:
House and Senate Republicans have threatened to play fast and loose with the debt limit. With a razor-thin majority in the House and almost half the Senate, they may threaten President Biden with holding the debt ceiling hostage to force cuts in such federal programs as Social Security and Medicare, and clean energy platforms; they may slow or reverse plans to boost Internal Revenue Service enforcement of tax laws, or squeeze social welfare components from a farm bill. And they have threatened to cut, or end, aid to Ukraine.
The nation’s credit and the global markets have become chits in high-stakes brinkmanship. Given the rampant lunacy in Congress, default is possible.
Imagine: The U.S. government, a $6.3 trillion annual enterprise, rifling the sock drawer and scratching about the sofa pillows for money to pay its big bills, including Social Security payments, federal salaries and interest on the debt.
The “conservatives” in Congress insist on trading spending cuts for raising the debt limit. The antagonists fail to see that the federal debt is a by-product of spending authorized by the House and Senate. The government borrows to pay bills rung up by the Congress and ordered on credit. The debt ceiling is a bit like the limit on a credit card. The government has maxed out.
Republicans have hoped to use every deadline next year to cut spending and address rising prices, immigration, education, and energy independence.
The issue is not one-sided, because unattended debt brings pain and dilemma. The spending fights will stress Democrats in the House and Senate. Officials in the Biden administration are divided on the issue of debt, extension, and the ceiling itself.
*
Saying no to a credit increase is the Congress’ way of saying we bought all this stuff but now we don’t want to pay for it. This does nothing to resolve the issue of spending in the first place, but should the United States be known as the world’s wealthiest deadbeat?
Obstructionists in Congress don’t care. Procrastination and political gridlock again threaten to keep Congress from raising the debt ceiling.
There is no reason to stiff the credit ceiling. The budget deficit in fiscal 2022 was $1.38 trillion, half the deficit in 2021 and $1.8 trillion lower than the deficit that Biden inherited from Trump.
The deficit is fueled by spending (including tax cuts) that outpaces revenue. Our over-spending (Pentagon) and under-taxing (loopholes for the wealthy) only add to the deficit and the debt.
We have a deficit problem and a credit problem. Above all we have a problem in the Congress, where self interest rules and the national interest goes begging.

 

 

 

New cattlemen essentials

By
Milo Yield
-
0
Thayne Cozart
Milo Yield

In this era with inflationary money seemingly falling into folks’ pockets, quite a few city folks have made a bundle and figured that moving out of the city, out of a corner office, away from the crime and congestion might be smart move.
And, many of those smart urban folks decide to move to the country and raise cattle. They think it can’t be as hard as running the Yellowstone Ranch. They figger it’s an ideal way to live a bucolic ranching lifestyle and make some easy money.
So, they make the move onto 10-acres to raise their cattle. It’s a plot too poor for anything else. Once moved in, they commence to gather the following status-conscious, cattle-raising equipment:
• Wide-brimmed cowboy hats (one felt, one straw), four pair of tight denims, and a pair of $600 snakeskin boots.
• A leather belt with a big silver buckle that a sizeable belly can hang over comfortably.
• A new custom-painted, air-conditioned pickup truck with automatic transmission, power steering, ear-splitting entertainment system, never-get-lost GPS feature, cattle-coaxing front bumper, and close-to-automatic rear trailer hitch.
• A gun rack for the rear window of the pickup, but no rifle. Use it for displaying a walking stick and a rope.
• A bumper sticker declaring “Cowboys Do It All!”
• Two gooseneck trailers — one big enough to make people gawk in envy when they spy it going down the highway and one small enough to park in front of the local cafe.
• A $400 horse and a $2,000 saddle.
• At least two heeler dogs — one blue and one red —to ride in the pickup bed, plus a tiny, yappy Yorkie that fits snugly into a denim jacket wool-lined pocket.
• At least four head of cattle — Watusi, Dexter or Scottish Highlander — one bull, one steer and two cows or heifers.
• Four big round bale feeders and a $100,000 new shed for hay storage.
• A half-spool of barbed wire, three steel fence posts, post driver, and a split-open mineral sack as permanent pickup bed fixtures.
• An open line of credit at the bank.
• And, finally, always a big smile, even when there’s no reason to have one.
***
I’ve a friend, ol’ Hans R. Greezy, who’s a mechanic. He’s an automotive specialist — specializing in cars and pickups.
Not long ago, he and I were visiting while he changed the oil in my old 1997 Ford pickup, and Hans said he wuz thinking about changing his fee structure.
He said, “Yep. I’m thinking about charging veterinarian, zoo keeper and aquarian fees, not repair fees.”
“Why’s that?” I asked.
Hans replied with a smile, “Because, over the years, I’ve worked on lots of Pintos, Mustangs, Colts, Bobcats, Broncos, Rams, Cougars, Bison, and Wildcats. And, I’ve worked on a fair share of Barracudas, Beetles, Cheetahs, Cobras, Eagles, Larks, Rabbits, Raptors, Road Runners, Sables, Skylarks, Stingrays, and Vipers, too.”
***
It’s getting closer to Christmas, so it’s time I start including some holiday stories in this column. Here’s one:
Two rural nephews were talking about what gifts to give this year to their various family members.
One brother said to the other, “We’ve got to get a present for rich old aunt MayBelle . She can hardly walk around any more. Got any suggestions?
His brother looked at him, grinned and winked, “How about floor wax?”
***
Found this little note from ol’ Santa Claus while going through my downsizing “stuff:”
“I’m sending this note to remind you
That taxes has taken away.
The things I find most essential,
My reindeer, my workshop and my sleigh.
So, this year I’ll make rounds on a donkey.
He’s old and crippled and slow.
So, you’ll know if you don’t see me this Christmas.
I’m out on my a** in the snow.”
***
Words of wisdom for the week: “Anyone with a chip on his shoulder isn’t chopping much wood.”
“Not long ago the marriage knot was a splice, not a half-hitch.”
And, finally, “With the new morality, so few words are naughty or offensive any more that a child can grow up without once having his or her mouth washed out with soap.
Have a good ‘un.

HOW ABOUT A GOOD BOOK OR CD?

By
Roger Ringer
-
0
Roger Ringer
Roger Ringer

“MAIL YOUR PACKAGES EARLY SO THE POST OFFICE

CAN LOSE THEM IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS.”

Johnny Carson

 

OK, so you don’t want to go to a store to buy Christmas gifts. Then how about buying some good books or music? You cannot go wrong with either. Kansas has some great writers and musicians and a good share of cowboy poets.

You cannot go wrong with music from the Diamond W Wranglers. www.thediamondw.com

Orin Friesen has written some great books. GOAT GLANDS & RANCH HANDS, HONKY TONKERS & WESTERN SWINGERS, and he contributed to WINFIELDS WALNUT VALLEY FESTIVAL. You can get them at Watermark Books in Wichita (my favorite book store).

Annie Wilson and the Tallgrass Express String Band has some great music from the Flint Hills. www.tallgrassexpress.com

If you have not heard 3 Trails West or heard the Eilts brothers on the Americana Roadshow on Truckers Radio, you should. www.3trailswest.com

Jeff Davidson is an original Flint Hills entertainer who does wonderful poems and music. www.jeffdavidson.com

Have you ever watched the TV show Best of America by Horseback? Del Shields has been singing to the trail riders for years and now hosts the show. He is a great musician and you should have his music for yourself and share it with others. www.DelShieldswesternworld.com

A good cowboy poet is always good to listen to and Floyd Beard is one of Kansas Finest. www.floydbeard.com

Scott Wiswell has a book of cowboy and western Poetry called WHEN THE STARS SANG: A COLLECTION OF COWBOY & WESTERN POETRY BY SCOTT WISWELL. It is available on Amazon books.

My old neighbor Scott Bergkamp has traveled the world starting by teaching in Africa in the Peace Corp and ended up teaching advanced Physics at Maize High School. He remembers a story about a dog that his Dad told him years ago. He has put that story into a children’s book. LOOPIE: THE SPIRIT OF A COWDOG is available from Watermark Books. I just got mine ordered. The proceeds go to the Maize School Solar Project. The first solar project that Stan had built has saved the district several thousands of dollars in a short time. This new project will fund another solar array at a middle school in Maize.

My friend Barry Ward is a fourth generation Kansas farmer who took the calling to spread his music and the good news to people everywhere. He and his wife Victoria have now entertained in all 48 states and Canada. They have even been to Alaska. This leaves only Hawai as the only state left that has not been entertained by Barry. Not only can you buy his CD’s but Victoria has three books that throws Barry under the bus on their many mis-adventures. You have to get the Prune Pie series to laugh at all the things that they have seen and the scrapes that they have been through without injury. For true western songs, sacred songs, and Christmas CD’s go to www.barryward.com

How about art? Earl Kuhn at Sagebrush Gallery has Prints, gifts, and will even do you an original western painting if you want something really special. www.earlkuhn.com

Also Jerry Thomas out north of Scott City has his studio and museum shop by Scott County Lake. www.jerrythomasartgallery.com

Now you had better get cracking because the delivery services are going to be scrambling.

1...855856857...4,819Page 856 of 4,819

Kansas News, Auctions & Classifieds

Trending

Categories

© Rural Messenger