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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  • Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
  • Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
  • Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
@bailey_waldref_rew 

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
  • More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
  • 🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
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“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
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Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Results are not guaranteed, unfortunately! Read all the Rio Happenings in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 hours ago
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Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
Pictured with awards from the Triple Crown Series (#3 and #4) from bottom left Hudson Hummel (4th and 2nd), Lee Kirkpatrick (3rd and 4th), Heath Bennet (2nd and 2nd), Sawyer Hummel (1st and 3rd), Eli Bennet (1st), David Murray (Coach), Auri Murray (2nd and 1st), Taylor Bain, and Dawn Arnold (2nd). Story online at ht1885.com.
6 hours ago
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Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce!

Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues!
@bailey_waldref_rew 

💚💚💚

Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! 

#locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
Bailey is our first Marketing Mixology partner and we are excited to help her promote this fun event along with the Meeker Colorado Chamber of Commerce! Bailey and Real Estate West will host the second annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25th-29th. Go follow her page so you don't miss any clues! @bailey_waldref_rew 💚💚💚 Marketing Mixology is a FREE promotion where we spotlight one lucky local business across print, digital, and social channels each month! #locallove #locallovespotlight #lovemeeker #marketingmixology #shoplocal #superchargeyourmarketing
9 hours ago
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More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
More freudenfreude, less schadenfreude… Hear from our Editor in her column this week online at ht1885.com.
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
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🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
🍀 Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Herald Times! 🍀 According to the Census Bureau, over 31 million people - or 9.5%! - in America claim Irish ancestry! Everyone have a safe and fun Patty's Day celebrating your Irishness, real or honorary!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
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The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
The Cowboys played in their first golf tournament in the spring at Chipeta, “it was a bit of a cloudy and windy day but it was awesome to see some grass and a golf course,” commented head coach Amanda Back. Vivian Brown, pictured on the left, broke 100 and shot a 94 and Jayda May second from right shot a 99. From the far right, excluding those that have been mentioned, Averee Woodward, Joelle Soler, Mia Pinzon, Aurora Stalling, and Kailynn Watson all played scramble. This was Pinzon’s, Stalling’s and Watson’s first tournament as Meeker High School girl golfers. “It’s going to be a great season,” ended Back.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
Mountain Sage Therapeutics held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 640 Main St. in Meeker. Owners Teresa Wilde and Justin Noller offer movement, energy, and massage therapy for animals and their human companions. They are pictured here with the Chamber of Commerce and local citizens who attended. View their service on their website at www.mountainsagetherapeutics.abmp.com and contact them for an appointment 970-706-8445.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier.
“For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.”
Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
Members of the Rio Blanco Golf Association got a jump on spring this past week as volunteers shoveled and blew the snow off the greens. The winter’s snow and ice layers suffocate the fragile bent grass putting surfaces and getting the snow off allows Mother Nature to start her healing process earlier. “For 50 years I’ve waited to see Meeker’s greens come out this nice,” said Jim Cook, who is returning to help at the course.” Hats off to Hunter and Matt Fellows who did an excellent job applying the snow mold preventative last fall which has made all the difference this year.” Board members and volunteers are very hopeful that this will be a turnaround year for the local 9-hole course which plans an early April opening, weather permitting.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
The 2024 Colorado State Champions hosted their annual awards banquet Sunday. Head Coach JC Watt and Assistant Coach Carl Padilla commented on this year’s team’s success as a product of work in the room, dedication by wrestlers and coaches, and a champion mentality. Read the story online at ht1885.com.
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