Labor Day Rodeo canceled
The Methow Valley Horsemen board of directors has decided to cancel the 2021 Labor Day Rodeo, which had been scheduled for Sept. 4-5.
“There were just too many variables,” board president Dennis Gardner said of the group’s decision, including the impact of fires and smoke on summer tourism, and school opening earlier than usual.
The Methow Valley Horsemen (MVH) were able to stage the 2021 Memorial Day Rodeo, before the summer’s wildfires affected travel and health conditions.
Gardner said the Memorial Day Rodeo was a success. “There was a great crowd, and a lot of cowboys,” he said.
This year, the MVH received relatively few inquiries from potential competitors for the Labor Day event, Gardner said.
Cycling Team dominates at Olympia
The Methow Cycling Team (MCT) sent a contingent of riders to the last event in the NW Epic mountain bike four-race series, at Capitol Forest just south of Olympia. Race conditions were excellent: cool and sunny with a little dew to keep the trail tacky, according to reports from the race.
At the end of the day, MCT held the four fastest times in the 14-mile race: 1st overall, Graham Sheley; 2nd overall, Carter Sheley; 3rd overall, Stella Scholz; 4th overall, Hanz Scholz; 2nd Jr Female, Ila Newman.
In the Capitol Forest 30-mile Epic Lite, Jeremy Newman was 9th in the Men’s 40-49 group.
Overall season winners in the NW Epic Series: Carter Sheley, top male rider in the FSA category; Stella Scholz, top female rider in the FSA category; Ila Newman, 2nd overall in FSA category; Hanz Scholz, top FSA rider for males over 50; Jeremy Newman, 2nd overall male rider 40-49 in the FSA category.
Taking the field
A collection of Methow Valley residents have teamed up to field a co-ed softball team, which has been practicing since May. The Methow Valley team played in an adult co-ed softball tournament in Wenatchee recently, and will compete in the Winthrop softball tournament in September. Above, members of the team, plus a few fans and guests, found a sunny day to pose at practice.
Forest restrictions
Due to prolonged, extreme fire conditions the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is expanding fire restrictions to include recreational shooting, effective immediately.
The expanded fire restrictions prohibit discharging a firearm on all lands, roads and trails within the forest. The restrictions do not apply to individuals with a valid hunting license.
Campfires of any type are prohibited forest-wide, even in developed campgrounds.
