Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, September 18, 1997 13
The storm
The open sky is peaceful
but a storm is building here,
The creatures of the land withdraw
as they sense it growing near.
Out there on a distant ridge
the dust is stirring round,
I smell moisture in the air
yet no drops have felt the ground.
And then it's quick upon me
cool breezes kiss my face,
Dark clouds overcome me
as I walk a faster pace.
I've only gained a few more steps
as clouds open in the sky,
flowing rain sheds from my cheek
like tears from nature's eye.
Then an eerie sense tells me
a flash I should expect,
electrons in the air produce
raised hair upon my neck.
Then suddenly it consumes me
a lump forms in my throat,
a flash of light and all is bright
from a thunderous lightning bolt.
"Crack" I feel the energy
and the static in the air,
The lightning searches for my ground
but no where am I there.
So, here I lie upon the ground
and here I will remain.
The nearest tree had took the charge
that sent it up in flame.
Down and down the rain did fall
it seemed as though all day,
Rampaged rivers streams became
their paths would have their way.
The mighty storm had shown it's strength
all in it's path had paid,
The driving fury scraped the land
with the rampage it had made.
But soon the darkness vanished
sunbeams stretch from heavens high,
No sign of "The Storm" remains
as clouds patch the clear blue sky.
by Beverly Mabry.
Blue ribbon lot champion and judges choice
4 of a Kind
on card of day
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Roll of CoiJrm
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Rodeo calf gets a name and a new life
by Patti Babcock
Gazette Staff
Tufty has a new name as she starts her new life. The
rodeo calf tried for her moment of glory Friday night Sept.
12 at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA)
Rodeo in Pahrump. She bolted out of the chute at a dead run
trying to out run the cowboy's lasso. She didn't.
The cowboy's lasso circled the calf's head. He was off
his horse and down the rope to the calf. The calf was put
down and three legs tied. When the cowboy raised both
hands to show he was done and to be timed, it was over.
Normally, the calf struggles some until the ropes are re-
moved then she runs off to join the other calves.
This time, the calf didn't get up. Help raced into the
arena to check the little gal. She was carried from the arena
to an area where the veterinary could check her. The PRCA
requires a veterinary be on
duty at every sanctioned ro-
deo. Dr. Gerald Henseler bad
volunteered his time for all
three rodeos during the Har-
vest Festival weekend. He
was just starting to eat a ham-
burger when he heard the
call for help. Goodbye din-
ner. Hello calf.
The calf's left hind leg
was injured. Dr. Henselerput
the leg in a fiberglass cast.
He says prognosis for a M1
recovery is good. The Krazy
Kritters 4-H Club volun-
teered to care of the calf. She
was placed in a pen in their
area where she became an
instant star. The little blond
calf had lots of visitors in the
next two days. She had care.
She had constant attention.
But, she didn't have a name.
Rodeo Chairman Bob
Holleman, the Arena Com-
mittee members and all the
rodeo folks agreed the young
lady needed a name. The 4-
H members suggested a few
names: Pahrump's Pride,
Tufty, TLC and Steve's Best
(after Steve Gilbert, who
with wife Cyndi is the stock
contractor and owns the
calf). Rodeo fans attending
Sunday night's event voted
on the names. They clapped
loudest for Tuffy. And, that's
how the calf got her name.
Tufty is getting a new
life, too. She won't be a ro-
deo calf anymore, but she
will be special. Tufty is "go-
ing home" to a 40 acre ranch
in Utah. Cyndi Gilbert is giv-
ing the calf to her grand-
daughter Kristen Gazlay, 6,
Tuesday
& Thursday
7p.m.-12a.m
• OPEN
24 HRS
Frl & Sat
who has been begging for "a pet of my own."
Tuffy's accident made everyone sad. But, because it
happened, a little girl's wish comes true, and Tufty will be
happy, too. This makes everyone glad.
Cyndi says in 1998 the "California Calf Roping Rules"
will be followed at all Diamond G rodeos. (Diamond G is the
name of the Gilbert's stock contracting company.) She says
the new rules are even tougher than the PRCA rules. Cyndi
always looks for a place for animals when they need to leave
the rodeo team. Last year, when it was time to retire some
of the animals from the demands of top athletic perfor-
mance, the Gilberts donated them to the College of Southern
Idaho where they will help train amateur rodeo performers.
Holleman has promised to give us updated news about Tufty
and even a picture of her with Kristen.
MY NAME IS TUFFY-I was named at the Sunday PRCA rodeo and now I'm going
home to Utah to live with Kristen and be her "very own pet."
photo by Path" Babcock
On The Air America
A nostalgic look at the
Golden Years of Radio
September 27, 1997
7:00 p.m.
Pahrump Valley Vineyards
Sponsored by Pahrump Visual
and Performing Arts Council
Adults $4.00
Children under 7 free
Barbecue and wine available
Advance tickets at Chamber of
Commerce, The Reading Oasis
or Pahrump Winery.
