Features, Meeker

Cowboy poets return to Meeker June 2

MEEKER | The indoor Meeker Cowboy Poet Gathering occurred from 1999-2009. Proceeds from the show went to local organizations or projects between 10th and 12th grade. Held in February each year, it drew an audience from throughout Colorado plus Wyoming, Nebraska and Utah, supporting an attendance of 200 at the matinée and 400 for the evening show. The talent for the show ranged from a spot for locals to nationally recognized cowboy entertainers.
This year the Heritage Culture Center Committee is organizing a comeback event in the same spirit. As a fundraiser for the Old West Heritage Culture Center and the local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter, the line up promises a load of “out west family fun.”
Fred Ellis, cowboy poet and preacher, moved to Meeker in the 1980s and in 1988 stumbled on some kindred spirits during a cowboy poetry recital at the Silt HeyDays Festival. From there, he put together a one-man act called Cowboy Up and toured the country with it. Ellis journeyed from coast to coast and performed in more than 20 states. He was instrumental in putting together the original Meeker Cowboy Poet Gathering, involving the FFA in the show to help with their projects and getting nationally recognized cowboy poets to come to Meeker. Today, Fred and wife Elaine live in Penrose, Colo., and plan to return June 2 for Fred to add his own flavor of cowboy poetry to the event.
Caitlyn Taussig is a real cowgirl from Kremmling, Colo., a fourth-generation rancher who runs cow-calf pairs with her mother and sister on their high-country cattle ranch. She draws inspiration for her songwriting from her own ranch experiences.
Taussig has been singing since childhood and has performed at ranch brandings, cowboy gatherings, and ranch ropings and even the famous National Cowboy Poet Gathering in Elko, Nev.
Local business manager Carly Thomson remembers Taussig from high school and is enthusiastic about her visit to Meeker.
Vic Anderson is known as “cowboy troubadour.” A Montana born cowboy, Anderson is a singer/songwriter and a fantastic entertainer. He’s a two-time Western Music Association Yodeling Champion Finalist for the Will Rogers Award of Academy Western Artists.
He is considered a “world class melodic whistler” among the top 20 whistlers worldwide. He has been performing professionally for 60 years.
Rapidgrass, playing Sons of the Pioneers, is also coming to the show. This talented front range Colorado ensemble uses classical, gypsy, bluegrass, pop, swing and other world rhythms to create their original mountain music influenced by an active, outdoor lifestyle. Brought together through music and love for the mountains, they define modern, acoustic, Colorado mountain music. For the Meeker show, they bring their talent in the form of some Texas-style fiddlin’ and collection of old classic cowboy songs Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers performed back in the day.
Dan McQueen from Rifle, Colo., is a proficient author of cowboy poetry and will debut a couple of his poems.
Added to all this exciting performance will be local youth talent. Auditions for grades 1-5 are on April 27 at the elementary school cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. with Shana Holliday and Kay Bivens searching for the top five winners to be in the June 2 show.
With sponsors like ERBM Recreation and Park District, who are also committed to supporting cultural heritage and are responsible for bringing in the main three cowboy poets, White River Electric Association Inc., Sable Mountain Outfitters, the Lodging Tax Board plus supporting sponsors Blanco Cellars, Country Raised, Giovanni’s Italian Grill in Rangely, Home on the Rangely Magazine, Meeker Chamber of Commerce, Meekerpalooza, Meeker Hotel and Cafe, Mexican House Suzan Pelloni of Steamboat Sotheby’s International Realty, the Rio Blanco Herald Times, White River Inn and Wyatt’s Sports Center—we are able to invite top notch entertainers and advertise to the surrounding areas.
Weekend events include:
June 1: Meeker rodeo on Thursday night at fairgrounds; June 2: Meeker Cowboy Poet Gathering at Meeker High School from 6:30-9:30 p.m.; June 3: Meeker Farmers Market Downtown from 8-12 a.m.; Park to Art Race at Paintbrush Park, Meekerpalooza at Ute Park, second annual Metal Arts Competition; Old Timers Reunion at Fairfield Center.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. on June 2 with some pre-show fun. There will be Western art for sale in the lobby by FFA, entertainers’ music for sale and Casserole Beans band will be cranking up early on stage with their awesome bluegrass music.
Meeker Cowboy Poet Gathering tickets went on sale May 6. Purchase tickets at the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce, Blanco Cellars or Country Raised. Advance tickets are $10 ($12 at the door), and $5 for students and seniors over 70.

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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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4 days ago
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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