By Sally Gracie
Riding his mule Sadie, Willie Kemper led riders from around the West out of the Beaver Creek Campground and onto the trail for the 31st annual Methow Valley Back Country Horsemen (MVBCH) Spring Ride on Saturday (April 25). Some new riders were able to attend because Washington Pass opened so early. Jan Ford was very pleased with the auction. The Spring Ride is the club’s only source of funds, which they use to mend winter-damaged trails used by riders, hikers and mountain bikers. Nancy Palagruti called the event a big success.
A week before the big ride, Betty Wagoner, Jackie Iddings (my source for this information) and a number of others flagged the path by pinning ribbons to shrubs along the trail. Safety for the riders, who would arrive at the campground from all over the West, was Betty’s first concern, and she did have to make changes from the usual path. She looked for damage from last summer’s fires, which left the campground untouched but did cause some damage in the area that included the trail. Susan Davis, also a club member, volunteered to “drag” the route to remove the flags after riders had returned to camp Saturday afternoon. MVBCH takes very seriously their motto “leave no trace.”
Jackie says she rode in the area last fall after the fires and that rejuvenation of the landscape is apparent now. Though there are some fallen and blackened trees, there are green hills and balsamroot blooming in abundance.
Chris Rogers and granddaughter Autumn Edwards helped out in the kitchen.
I was having so much fun at the fundraiser for Richard and Jennifer Edwards at the Eagles on Saturday night that I didn’t arrive at the Trashion Show until 8:30 p.m. As for the latter, the production, sound, lights, etc., were best ever as were the models and designers. Pet hair? Toilet paper? Zippers? So many creative people in this valley!
Everyone was having a good time at the Eagles. I enjoyed catching up with Karen and Richard Lundgren, whose table I shared. I introduced myself to the Eagles president Mike Hanley Sr., who is most a sponsor of fundraisers like this one for Richard.
Richard and Jennifer will both remain in Seattle until August while Richard continues treatment for leukemia. Jennifer’s mom, Chris Rogers, and the Edwards’ daughter Autumn were helping out in the kitchen. Autumn and her brother will stay with Chris and Hank Rogers while their parents are on the west side.
During the live auction, the auctioneers closed each sale by calling out “Richard thanks you.” Attendees were generous with their bids in the auction, paying $85 for Charlene McGee’s beautiful huckleberry cheesecake, and about $700 for a Lakers basketball signed by Shaq and Kobe. Several small wood mosaics, carved by Richard Edwards, brought generous bids. One of the reasons I couldn’t leave was because I had my heart set on taking home Mary Coltz’s quilted runner from the silent auction.
On Monday morning, with not all proceeds counted, the event had raised over $7,000 for the Edwards family. The fundraiser was sponsored by the Eagles Aerie and the women’s auxiliary.
Chris said she is “so thankful she lives in this community.”
A friend of the family told me today that Richard sends word that the generous help of his friends and neighbors will ease his mind while he is unable to work.
Judy Caputo, a Methow friend who is also a Baltimore native, celebrated her 45th anniversary of marriage to her husband Ralph Caputo. They married in Seattle on April 17, 1970. The couple has four daughters: Mary Jane Lasever, Tammy Nelson, Dawn Bartlow and Melanie Turney. All four daughters live in Washington. The couple will take a trip together when the weather warms a bit. Congratulations and many more.
