Turning the Barrels WPCA Newsletter

Transcription

1 Turning the Barrels WPCA Newsletter V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 3 rivers Troy Dorchester and Mark Sutherland D and their families along with WPCA Marketing Manager Cheryl Madden participated in the Airdrie Santa Claus Parade on December 1. D E C E M B E R WPCA In The Community: Airdrie three of the rodeo royalty ladies on the tailgate. It was a great parade, and the Encana/ WPCA/Airdrie Food Bank entry won second prize. They received a gift certificate, which Encana offered back in support of the food bank. A team of horses, Tom and Jake, supplied by Vern Kemble of Indus, pulled a wagon with banners for Encana, the WPCA and the Airdrie Food Bank. We were accompanied by rodeo royalty Miss Rodeo Canada 2013 Gillian Shields, two Airdrie Rodeo Princesses Nicole Briggs and Samantha Bilsborrow and Miss Rodeo Australia Bobbie Jo Geisler. The Encana food truck wagon driven by Dina Sutherland followed behind with the same banners. Troy Dorchester and Mark Sutherland are shown getting the truck ready. Troy and his children, Haley and Connor, rode on the wagon during the parade. They were joined by two local children who won a contest through the Airdrie Food Bank to come on the Encana float. Dina Sutherland and Jennifer Dorchester were in the truck with (Continued on page 2)

2 President s Corner I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the past few months as President. I had no idea of the amount of time that all of our volunteer board members put in doing WPCA business. I am very thankful for their loyalty and hard work and support. The challenges we face are often critical to the ongoing operations and success of the WPCA. I would also like to thank the Drivers Board for their insights, advice and support. The WPCA is grateful to our WPCA staff, current and past drivers and outriders, our sponsors, our venue race committees, our judges and the volunteers at every venue. Of course, we want to recognize the contribution of our superstars in the sport and remember the horses during this festive season. Take a minute to give them a treat if you are fortunate enough to be near them over Christmas. On behalf of the WPCA Board, the drivers, outriders and their families, my wife Dorothy and I wish everyone who loves chuckwagon racing a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR WPCA In the Community: Airdrie WPCA President Arnold McKernon (Continued from page 1) Thanks to the drivers and their families for taking part in the cheque presentation ceremony. Mark Sutherland, Jordie Fike and his new wife Tamara (just arrived back from their Bahamas honeymoon the day before), and Codey McCurrach took time to represent the WPCA in support of Encana. Codey brought his chuckwagon to collect food for the food bank and set it up in the tent so wagon fans could meet the drivers, talk to them, take pictures and get signed posters. Encana and the WPCA were involved so they could present a cheque to the Airdrie Food Bank and to the Airdrie Festival of Lights Society on December 10. That ceremony included Rob Anderson and Peter Brown (Airdrie MLA and mayor), Encana executives Mike Forgo, Larry Marshall and Maria Corcione and AFB members Dan O Neil, Carrie Peddie, Sue Methuen, Bob Abbott (Airdrie Festival of Lights Society) and Arnold McKernon (President, WPCA) and Cheryl Madden. Mark Sutherland, Codey McCurrach and Jordie Fike supporting Encana s Race Against Hunger. Lynn Fountain and her grandchildren Jaydon, Alison and Megan Stojke T U R N I N G T H E B A R R E L S W P C A N E W S L E T T E R PAGE 2

3 A Family Christmas with the Tourniers W e asked different drivers to tell fans what their Christmas traditions looked like or what their favourite Christmas memories were. Michelle Tournier explained the typical Christmas at their place is built around family, much like it has always been when their kids were young. The difference now is that it centres around the grandchildren. First they get together with Luke s family at his folks home, in Duck Lake, on December 25. On the 26, they usually open their presents with their own kids and grandkids in the morning, and then Michelle s side of the family gathers later in the day for turkey dinner. This gathering is at Luke and Michelle s or at her sister s house in Saskatoon Michelle indicated that they fit in a few games of five dollar poker during the holidays with family and friends. There s always homemade Baileys and egg nog in the Tournier fridge, as well as way too many goodies and snacks around. A real tree is the Tournier tradition and is put up mid-december. All three of their kids are grown so having two grandkids give the holidays a rejuvenation. A Different Christmas for the Sutherlands T his Christmas will see the Sutherlands break from family traditions and will be the first time they will not spend Christmas at home. Mark and Dina decided to do something completely different this year: The family is headed to Hawaii for Christmas. They will be leaving cold, snowy Calgary and enjoying the warmth of Hawaii for over two weeks. Current plans include spending Christmas on Waikiki Beach. How is that for a change in traditions? After that, they plan on going to the Big Island of Hawaii where they are touring a very active volcano as well as enjoying a day of snow skiing (yes, even in Hawaii it is possible). Then it is back to Waikiki, where they will be meeting up with Marks parents Kelly and Debbie for New Year s Eve and another week of touring the island. A Traditional Christmas with the Irvines hen it comes to Christmas, Jimmi Lou Irvine W says that Doug is as traditional as anyone could possibly be. He wants his kids to know and understand the way Christmas was for him growing up. His favourite holiday treats are still his mom s homemade butter tarts, which he tries not to share with anyone. Doug insists on chopping down his own Christmas tree and would never consider buying one or giving any thought at all to putting up an artificial tree. The family celebration is at Doug s parents and there are so many people that the rule is if you actually find a place to sit you have to have at least one child on your knee. Even then, the math works better if some people have two children on their knee. Merry Christmas to all our WPCA fans from the Irvine Family. The Officers and Directors of the WPCA extend Season s Greetings to all of our drivers and outriders and their families. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 3 P A G E 3

4 WPCA in the Community for Pacekids ark and Dina Sutherland are well known M for their charitable work and this year is no exception. Mark is an ambassador for the sport he and his family dedicate their lives to. Mark has established a reputation as a media-savvy High Tech Red Neck who is always eager to get involved. This year they organized the First Annual Mark Sutherland Invitational Texas Hold em Charity Poker Tournament November 20 at Cowboys Dance Hall. It turned out to be a huge success, raising over $80,000 in support of Pacekids. Pacekids provides programs for infants and children with conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, autism and motor disabilities.and their families. Pacekids is a Calgary charity that provides education and therapy programs for infants and children The programs are familyfocused and address a broad spectrum of needs. Often, children with special needs have intellect and abilities that are hidden by their difficulties to communicate or demonstrate. The right combination of support and encouragement can draw out a child s potential and build on their other abilities. Pacekids helps kids with special needs discover their hidden potential. Kelly Sutherland enjoys a night of poker. The Table Hosts from back, left to right Reg Johnstone, four-time World Champion Jason Glass, Kirk Sutherland, Mitch Sutherland, Ed Melville, 2012 World Champion Outrider Chad Fike, Jordie Fike, Doug Irvine, 12 time World and Calgary Champion Kelly Sutherland. From front, left to right Rae Croteau, Calgary Flame Curtis Glencross, Codey McCurrach, Mark Sutherland, Bullfighter Jesse Byrne, track announcer Gary Gross and Terry Grant (Mantracker). Missing from photo CJAY 92 s Red Dawg and Mark Giordano. Eddie Melville with celebrity table host Terry Grant, aka Mantracker. T U R N I N G T H E B A R R E L S W P C A N E W S L E T T E R PAGE 4

5 Wagon Driver Gets Married F ans of Jordie Fike will be pleased to hear that he married Tamara Noble on November 17 in High River. The wedding ceremony took place at Little Bow Pheasant Ranch and the reception took place at the Heritage Inn. The wedding party included several WPCA colleagues such as best man Chad Fike; groomsmen Quaid Tournier, Doug Thomson and Mark Oldfield. Tamara s maid of honour was Chantal Allan and bridesmaids were Jaycee Gorst (Dustin Gorst s wife), Kelsey Letendre and Rachel Jones. Ushers were Shawn Noble (bride s brother) and Gina Berreth (farrier on WPCA Circuit). The ring bearer was Riley Noble (bride s nephew) and the flower girl was Graycee Bolton. The MC was Dustin Gorst. Jordie Fike s first time in the ocean Photo by Danielle Bossert Photography Wedding party photo by Danielle Bossert Photography Other drivers and outriders that came to share this important day included Troy and Jenn Dorchester and family, Chad Cosgrave, Jason and Brienne Glass and family, Dave and Gail Rookes (WPCA judge), Eddie Melville, John and Bonnie Walters. WPCA alumni in attendance included Ron and Barb David (Jordie s grandparents) and Garry and Dauna Dorchester. The wedding colors were camouflage (same as Jordie s wagon) Tamara s comments included- The honeymoon was in Nassua, Bahamas. This was Jordie s first time in the ocean, which was definitely a highlight! We visited the worldfamous resort Atlantis, which was pretty neat to see! Other than that we just relaxed on the beach in the beautiful sun! Photo by Danielle Bossert Photography V O L U M E 1 I S S U E 3 P A G E 5

6 A King s Christmas T he best wagon driver ever has a wagon full of Christmas memories. When asked to recall the best Christmas presents or family memories, King Kelly Sutherland went strangely silent for some minutes while a lifetime of memories went through his mind. Finally, he said there were just too many to pick out just one. He said that the best present ever may have been the year his dad gave him a horse. It was early in his career and came at a time he really needed the help. Then, the private Kelly Sutherland that many fans may not be aware of came to the fore. His favourite Christmas memories show clearly what an intensely loyal family man Kelly is. He talked about growing up in a small house with seven siblings and what a family Christmas looked like in those days. Clearly these memories explain the kind of parent and grandparent Kelly became. It is why he thinks every Christmas with family is special and the best ever. The private Kelly is not afraid to say that Christmas 1995 is special to him as it was the first year he could claim to be sober in many years and has remained that way ever since. Having his oldest grandson Dayton born just before Christmas 1997 changed Christmas forever. Kelly says they got an early Christmas present this year when their daughter recently had a baby girl. If you enjoy the WPCA newsletter and have family or friends who you think would also like to receive it each month, just send their name and address to Ed Wittchen ed.wittchen@telus.net T U R N I N G T H E B A R R E L S W P C A N E W S L E T T E R Supporting a Legend The WPCA is supporting the nomination of retired chuckwagon superstar Tom Glass for the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. They will select their Class of 2013 later this winter and the WPCA fully supports Tom Glass for this honour. Tom has been a member of the WPCA since its inception in the early days of his racing career. He was a founding member of the WPCA and was on the first Board of Directors. He remains active in the sport, helping son Jason Glass train horses in the spring and assisting in Jason s barn regularly during the season. He also serves as the colour analyst for CBC s television coverage of the Calgary Stampede. He is a credit to the sport, his family and the WPCA. Christmas Memories ason Glass comes from perhaps the most famous family in the history of wagon racing. J As a result, it shouldn t surprise anyone that his best Christmas memories involve family times. Jason s best Christmas memory is about the entire Glass/Cosgrave family going to Grandma Iris Glass s house on the Glass ranch. The whole family got together for three days and it was so much fun for everyone. Christmas was special for young Jason with his Grandma and just isn't the same now for Jason without his Gram. Christmas 2012 will be spent with wife Brienne s family on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day will be with Tom and Joanne Glass and Jason s sister Kristy and family. Boxing Day will be spent with the Hurlburt family (Brienne s family) in Fort Macleod. Jason's best Christmas present ever was his first chuckwagon given to him by his dad and Grandma Iris! These days, Christmas revolves around Jason s young family and spending time with Brienne and their kids. PAGE 6