Howdy !!!

Summer is all but over and it’s back to the regular routines. Here’s thinking you probably collected all kinds of memories on holidays, perhaps saw different places, met new people and/or participated in activities you’ve never tried before. Summer often presents the opportunity to connect with distant family members, some of you attended family reunions. You probably took in some rodeos and horse shows, too. Taking in the Calgary Stampede was a highlight for me as was our annual Mother-Daughter retreat. But as with all holidays, there can be unexpected memories and in our case an unplanned incident.

This summer we had the pleasure of having a student minister. It prompted some thought about a new minister in my childhood and the life of horseback preachers in the early settler days. It had me wondering about the moral standards the young cowhands kept when they ‘let loose’ at the railheads after trailing cattle herds for months. Cattle were trailed north from Texas and eventually came across the ‘Medicine Line” into Canada to start the cattle industry here. We would hope they didn’t meet with too many incidents and that their unexpected memories would have been good ones.

Jen

Western Music and Cowboy Poetry Event!

Want to see Homegrown Talent?

• Go Friday afternoon to Meadowlark Village from 1:00 to 5:00 (donations accepted)
• And/or go Saturday afternoon to MH College from 12:00 to 5:00 ($10)
• Jessica Schnell from Lethbridge & Emma Rougeux from Bindloss are the young performers.
• They’re joined by entertainers of all ages, 5 local, one from Hazlet, Saskatchewan, a couple from Consort and the others from Oyen, Cochrane, Calgary, Coaldale, Coalhurst and Vulcan. They’re excited to share their music and poetry with you on Saturday, September 27th at 7:00 at Medicine Hat College.

Want to join the Open Mic? (or just cheer them on) Friday evening

• Is Western music or cowboy poetry your thing? Why not give it a try.
• Show up and put your name on the list. We wanna hear your stuff.
• If you have questions: what cowboy poetry is, or wonder if what you sing is western phone Jen at 403-529-6384.
• At the Moose Lodge from 7:00 to 9:30ish (free)
• You can even have supper, order off the menu (5:00 – 7:00)

Want a delicious Chuckwagon Supper? Saturday after the afternoon performance

• Beef on a bun with locally raised beef
• Coleslaw
• Baked beans
• Corn on the cob
• Delicious cupcakes courtesy of our good friends at South Country Co-op

Want to take in top notch Western Entertainment? Saturday 7:00 – 9:45, MH College

• Openers are a father/daughter team, Charlie Ewing and Lonni
• Headliners are Western Spirit Band (Hugh McClennan, his brother Jim McClennan (Jim’s guitar playing is superb!) and Mike Dygert (the best bass player around.)
• Hugh is a story teller, a poet, a musician and an everyday rancher with his own weekly radio show, Spirit of the West. If you haven’t been tuning into Hugh McLennan’s Spirit of the West radio show, you’ve been missing out. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find:

• – For the horseman he’s always got training tips, 
• – You’ll hear ranch folk telling their stories 
• – He’s always got a poet or two reciting.
• – Best of all are the musicians he chooses each week.

• You can find Hugh’s show on his website hugh-mclennan.com or through his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@sotw55 For a small sample to whet your whistle, check out his August 23rd show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es2V8N9lVhg

A Word About Our Sponsors

Medicine Hat Cowboy Poetry Foundation would like to acknowledge the generosity of a few of the supporters who make it possible to bring you this event, please take some time to thank these wonderful supporters:

Thanks to the generosity of Home Inn Express, the accommodation for our headliners is covered. So if you’re plannin’ on stayin’ over, why not call them (403-527-1749) and stay there for $99 bucks a night (plus tax).

South Country Co-op has blessed us with a donation to cover part of the costs of the Chuckwagon Supper.

Diamond M Ranching has provided all of the locally raised and processed beef for the Chuckwagon supper.

See you there!!

A Steerhead in the Making

We have something new this year, a “Burning of the Brands” as part of our opening
ceremonies. Here is Louise Maier and Jen getting Chester (a longhorn steer) ready for the
Opening Ceremonies. Instead of a bag pipe getting the evening program started, we’re
thinking a harmonica. After all, on the cattle drives, the handy, dandy little harmonica would
have been in many-a cowboy’s pocket.

How Chester Became a Judas Steer

It was in the late 1880’s when Chester led a cattle drive, and during the long months on the trail his good-natured, dependable leadership won the respect and affection of the cowhands. His calm demeanor was very different from that of his fellow longhorns. When the herd finally arrived at the packing plant, the wranglers refused to allow their special steer to be butchered. Meanwhile the slaughterhouse was having a problem getting livestock to go from the pens to the slaughter house on the next block. The cowboys decided to train Chester to be the “Judas” steer. He loved leading the cows to the packing plant and was able to do it without the help of human “encouragement”.

There in the centre of the pen stood Chester. As soon as the cattle came in, Chester lowed something to the effect that he was the regularly appointed guide of the establishment and would show them around. These cattle were country folk, knew how to behave, and so they followed Chester with a bland look of wonder on their faces. They passed through an alley onto the street, went east for half a block, then into another alley on the south side of the street to the elevator doors of the slaughter house. His long horns swaying, he jogged in advance of them, up, up a lime-washed incline and through the door. Minutes later, out came Chester with a virtuous air as he returned to his place in the pen that was his home.

By the time he died years later, he was named Cheater Chester. The slaughterhouse officials decided that Chester would be buried in a plot overlooking the stock pens. His name was boldly engraved on a marker so everyone would remember this beloved longhorn.

The name Judas was obviously coined after Judas Iscariot, the apostle of Jesus Christ that betrayed the “Son of God” with a simple kiss, revealing Jesus’ identity to the awaiting Roman guards who would arrest him and later crucify him.

Rodeo Royalty

Mila Stuut is the 2025 Medicine Hat Stampede Queen, Joleigh Wood is the Princess. MHCP members had the pleasure of cheering them on during the Horsemanship part of the competition and were at the Friday night rodeo when they were crowned. We’re pleased they’re able to attend our event on September 27th, so here’s your chance to get a Royalty photo before the Saturday evening show. They’ll be leading the Opening Ceremonies, each carrying a ‘Burning Brand’.

Stampede Queen and Princess Guidelines

The Queen and Princess are ambassadors for Medicine Hat, for our stampede and for rodeo in general. Yes, it’s a glamorous role, but they also dedicate a year of their life to the ‘job’. They attend many functions around Medicine Hat during their year of reign, but they also represent Medicine Hat at various rodeos and horse-related functions. The photo is them visiting the seniors at Wellington and answering questions. A favorite experience for them is being invited to ride in the Calgary Stampede Parade.

Their journey to royalty starts with being eligible (being between 18 and 24 years old, living within a 175 km radius of Medicine Hat and never having been married, pregnant, had a child or living common-law). The weeklong ‘boot camp’ (two weeks before the MH Stampede) is where they’re judged on Personality, 50%, Horsemanship, 30% and Public Speaking, 20%. The photos were taken at the Horsemanship part of the competition where each year MHCP members make a point of coming to cheer them on. There is a speech night and a fashion show. Former contestants talk with fondness about the invaluable skills learned during that week (and the year that follows if they’re the Queen or Princess).

MHCP Upcoming Activities

Saturday, August 30
-MHCP members doing Western Music/Cowboy Poetry Entertainment at 20-Mile Post Days at Irvine at 1:00
-Come and take in their parade at 11:00 and a BBQ from 12:00 to 2:00

Friday & Saturday, September 5 & 6
-MHCP members are performing at the Trail’s End Cowboy Gathering at High River

Saturday, September 13
-MHCP has a table at the ‘Art in Motion’ celebration downtown Medicine Hat
-Come and visit us from 12:00 to 5:00

Saturday, September 20
-MHCP has a table at the Farmer’s Market from 10:00 to 1:00

Friday & Saturday, Sept 26 & 27
-the MHCP Western Music and Cowboy Poetry Event

MHCP Members Celebrating Birthdays

We value our board members and our volunteers. A few have had significant birthdays during the summer, like Carol Eisenbarth’s 85th. She is one of our founding members and until this year, has served as our Treasurer and kept track of the memberships.

Pam Zollner is an annual volunteer from Calgary who on a meagre budget has furnished the Green Room with a variety of snacks and drinks for the volunteers and performers. She’s also our Roving Photographer. Her 60th birthday this summer was a big ‘splash’. (She loves swimming.)

Let’s not forget our chief decorator, Louise Maier. Happy birthday to her as well.

I’ve been helping Velma Pancoast with her memoir. She has been a faithful MHCP member since 2020 and without fail attends every AGM meeting and book launch. Our mascots, Betsy and Bob, are a result of her inspiration. She’s celebrating her 98th birthday.
(By the way, Betsy and Bob are getting married. Watch for them at the event in their wedding attire.)

Empty Saddle: Bill Haysom

Received an e-mail from Nila Haysom saying her husband, Bill, has recently passed away.

“Thank you for your wonderful e-mails (newsletters) over the years. Bill certainly enjoyed them.”

Bill was a fabulous supporter of MHCP. At our event in Kin Coulee, he was the one who ran up the auction bids on the handmade western blanket. After getting the final bid, he donated the blanket back to be auctioned off again.

Bible Words and the Cowboy Lingo Translation:

• Adam’s ale – water to drink
• Adam’s apple – cowboys called it a bread jerker
• Bible bump – a bump or cyst on the wrist or hand that old timers say would disappear if whacked by a large book such as a Bible (often the only book in a pioneer’s home)
• Bible puncher – a man who quotes the Bible
• Devil’s bite – is a root used as medicine
• Devil’s brew – whiskey
• Heaven – up yonder
• Judas steer – a bovine that could betray a herd of cattle like Judas betrayed Jesus
• Prayer book/ bible – a small packet of papers used to roll cigarettes
• Railroad bible – a deck of cards
• Sunday face – the bare buttocks
• Ten commandments – all ten fingers

Cowboy Lingo for the Traveling Clergy

• called horse preachers because they travelled around on horseback
• were called saddlebag preachers because they carried only what would fit in their saddlebag
• were named circuit riders because they travelled around in a large area to minister to the settlers
• a gospel sharp was another name (apparently the opposite of a card shark)
• was a converter when he’s able to change/convert someone bad into being good
• as a sin buster he might be able to break a man of his sinful ways
• a stump orator is any man who is passionate about something (usually the gospel) and preaches from the stump of a tree or other elevated position

Circuit Riders

Though they were given many different names, their purpose was the same, to be the religious and moral force in the early frontier days in Canada and the U.S. Although the term became more generalized, at first in the U.S. it was a group of primarily Methodist ministers who would travel to two or more rural churches that were spread in a circumference of 200-500 miles (a circuit). The circuit rider was expected to visit each church at least once a month and possibly start some new ones. He preached as often as possible and spread the gospel anywhere possible (a settler’s cabin, a barn and often in the great outdoors).

“The typical circuit rider was a young, single man whose life had been suddenly transformed by a dramatic conversion experience…Formal Biblical education was rare…They truly trusted in God to provide a place for them to lay their heads and for what food filled their bodies…Most preachers didn’t live to be 30 years old due to the wear and tear from constant travel and the harsh conditions of life…The sermons might have been blunt (repent or go to hell), but it was effective.

“To the lonely people…these circuit riders were their entertainment, their source of outside news, their moral compass, and most importantly, their preacher.”

www.appalachianmtroots.com

Young Preachers

Churches were well established in the 1940’s on the prairies, but it was still the custom for minister’s to visit the farmers in the community and work along with them. How very different it is for (young) pastors in 2025.

I was a preschooler the first time the pastor, Bill DeMaere, came to serve our little white church east of Schuler. When Pastor Bill mentioned souls, I remember wondering what souls were and thought the Pastor and Dad were out in the pasture looking for them.

The Story of Two Young Pastors by J Zollner, August, 2025

I remember Pastor Bill's first charge, at our little country church,
Came by car to our farm, lost souls he's there to search.

I'm too young to know what souls are, Pastor helped my dad for a while,
I guess he preached as they built the fence, in our parts that was the style.

He said Grace for our hearty lunch, Mom's meals were the best by far,
We sent him off with homemade buns, put gas into his car.

He soon discovered his pay was often produce from the farm,
That his job was less about the Lord, but more the use of his arm.

That mean-ing-ful connections are made by walking in another's shoes,
That the gospel taught while on the job was something the farmer could use.

I heard this far out story 'bout Pastor Tom, a new graduate,
He also had a country church but no means of travel yet.

A neighbor said, “ The last parson had a horse to get around,
“Just visit Farmer Joe, where Trusty Trinity can be found.”

Old Parson was eccentric, Bible words commanded his horse,
Poor Tom didn't know how important it was to remember those words, of course,

To get the horse a-going, PRAISE THE LORD, Old Parson would yell,
And Trusty Trinity stopped the moment he shouted the words OH HELL!

Tom is helped into the saddle, then both are led away,
As soon as the reins were in Tom's hands, PRAISE THE LORD they heard him say.

Obedient Trusty Trinity walks; it's a beautiful summer day,
Tom's thankful for a clear blue sky, PRAISE THE LORD is what he'd say.

The horse is now in canter, wind is blowing back his hair,
Tom loves this, PRAISE THE LORD, words that are welcome to the mare.

The horse is galloping full speed towards a cliff that's up ahead,
Tom pulls the reins, he shouts WHOA HORSE, looks like they'll both be dead.

In a moment of utmost panic he yells OH HELL before they dive,
The horse comes to a screeching stop, thank God they're both alive.

Young pastor wipes his sweaty brow with the side of his right hand,
He's relieved, but the words he shouts are, PRAISE THE ^ LAND.

What was said about Pastor Bill is gospel truth, ev'ry word,
And if you're thinking Bob's story ain't true, you're right, it is absurd.

Just in case you’re trailing cattle, especially longhorns:
-never herd ’em in the dark, especially if they’re black
-don’t hurry ’em, take ’em slow
-spread ’em out upstream when you come to water.

Happy Trails,

Jen