CHUCK & RONI'S 2016-2017 CHRISTMAS LETTER

A Brief on Chuck and Roni’s 2016 & 2017

2016

January – But of course, we did the usual flurry of National Western Stock Show rodeos and activities,  genuine fun 3 R banquet at the Brown, and C.S.U. Beef Club dinner at Denver Chophouse; Kristie Docheff does a terrific job organizing it! Flew to San Diego for NCBA Convention. Second time we got to enjoy dinner and 40’s big band music on the USS Midway. My niece-in-law Leah Golembesky, her husband Mike, their son Michael and Mike’s parents brought my great nieces Sophia & Rachell Bell to our hotel. Hadn’t seen those young ladies since they were babies. Because they love “Cowboy” Chuck and AMERICA, they put on a western song and dance we’ll cherish forever.

February – Dr. Anita Reeve spayed Miss Dulce Rose. 146^th Annual Meeting of the Godfrey Ditch, followed by dinner at Farmer’s Inn with Glenn & Kathy Werning. My bank acct/credit card were compromised. Property Rights meeting in LaJunta. Ag Hall of Fame. Geni’s 47^th birthday. Kevin McNicholas TKM Foundation dinner at Wings of the Rockies, Denver.

March - Equine Therapy at C.S.U. Breakfast with Warren Hammerbeck. We celebrated my 71^st at Red Lobster. Jay videoed Bob Sakata (Which we’ll turn into a short documentary.).  Chuck’s Sombrero Ride was in Patagonia, AZ.  C.S.U. Skyline rodeo. I brunched with friends for 40+ years Jo Borg & Verna LoFaro at Perfect Landing. Dinner with Lea at Elway’s. “Putting of the Water” Godfrey Ditch. Savannah turned three. Began helping Dr. Angus McIntosh form the Range Allotment Owners Association.

April –We testified on HB16-1314 at Capitol. Water meeting at Doubletree in Platteville. Albert County Republican’s Lincoln Day Dinner. Stayed at Vance and Jill Forepaugh’s.  Drove in typical Colorado April blizzard. Verna Lofaro, Chuck and I saw Denver Day Plays at Lea’s Actasana.

May – Chuck went on Rim to River ride in Canyons of the Ancients (Cortez). I drove to Utah for Protect the Harvest. Terrific fun seeing dear friends Angus McIntosh, Danny Martinez, Trent Loos, Dave Duquette and Ramona Morrison. Met Thara Tenny (LaVoy Finicum’s daughter) and Forrest Lucas. Lecy & Galen Callender moved our furniture around at The Farm. Philip turned 51. Courtesy of Craig Rucker and Marc Morano we saw Climate Hustle. Terry & Bonnie McClure invited us to dinner and “shooting” at their home. Since “the guys” are so worried I might hit an airplane with my Henry 22, they’re trying to get me into a shotgun. Kind of thinking I’d like the new Henry Ho18-410R.

June - WY Stock Growers, Laramie. Celebrated Kent Rutledge’s 70^th Birthday in Cheyenne. At Cork Meyer’s invite, I drove to Evanston, WY to speak at ICOW. Dinner with Craig Rucker at the Brown (Ship Tavern). Chuck to Casper for College Rodeo Finals; he serves on the CR Foundation and College Rodeo Alumni boards. Chuck turned 79.

July – I drove to Omaha for Doctors for Disaster Preparedness meet. Was sooo great seeing Dr. Willie Soon & Dr. David Legates. Met Scott & Susan Olson in Tekamah; Scott took over 5,000 aerial photos of the Missouri flood of 2011. Of course I had to get together with H.S. friends at Dort’s Bar in Papillion. Kind ol’ Eddie Jochim picked up tab. Lea and I saw Marc Cohen at Denver Botanic Gardens. Met WCC Julie Cozad regards debris under Hwy 85 UP and CDOT bridges. Valarie Orr and I went to Denver to help Lea move into her new studio on the corner of Pearl & Iowa. Lea re-branded Actasana™ to Lea Marlene Actors Studio and Theatre. Actasana™ is a technique created by Lea that incorporates Yoga with Acting. With Lea and Marna Dowling, we saw Bill O’Reilly and Dennis Miller. Chuck’s 3-R ride was in the Elkhead Mountains around Bear Ears. Cheyenne Frontier Days Finals with Kent Rutledge.

August - About 30 beautiful ladies, including “Aunties” Jo & Verna, came to The Farm for Lea’s baby shower. We had the 21^st Bunch Quitter Soiree. Glenn & Kathy Werning received the Jack Kisling Lady and Gentlemen Bunch Quitter of the Year honor. Via invitation by WY State Fair Director James Goodrich, I learned a lot judging the photography entries. Dinner at the Greeley Chophouse with Dan & Karen Gattis (TX). Fabulous Binion and Hannah Cervi engagement party and celebration of Mike’s 80^th birthday at the Cervi Ranch!

September – Jay’s 46^th Birthday. Doc and Eunie Beeman, Kay DeLine and Don Norgren came to The Farm for dinner. I joined Kimmi Lewis for a Water tour in Kiowa. Lea turned 40^. Saw Trace Adkins at Union Colony. Rim to River dinner at Jim and Jane Carpenter’s.  John MacArthur, carpenter extraordinaire, and his crew finished building us a portico. Stayed with Jess & Shalah Perkin at their S.E. CO ranch after relishing its 100^th year anniversary!

October - NW Hide party. I went to C.S.U. with Lea to watch her speak on a C.S.U. Drama forum. Joined Rosie and Tom Niichel in Delta, CO. Good to see Thara Finicum Tenny and Sheriff Richard Mack again. Met Marjorie Haun and Jeannette Finicum.  Dinner with DVM’s Molly and Nathan Meyer at Texas Roadhouse. I was honored to get a “taste” of the fabulous authentic “tea party’s” Roann Keen puts on.

November –Enjoyed a marathon conversation with friend Kim Greenhouse who has “It’s Rainmaking Time.” Celebrated our 15th Anniversary. November 8^th, Donald J. Trump was elected President of the United States. November 10^th, Lea Marlene gave birth to Miss Faith Malea.

December – Chuck flew to N.F.R. with his buddy Ron Morris. After enjoying around 80 N.F.R. performances I stopped going a few years ago. Now it’s a guy thing with Chuck, Ron and John Wroten. Lea and I went to the lush Christmas Music Concert at Mile Hi Church. Chuck sold some of his water shares. Brought in New Year’s Eve at Greeley Chophouse.

2017

January – Great time…again…at the National Western Stock Show. We love staying at the Brown and hanging out with great 3-R folks! C.S.U. Beef Club dinner at Denver Chophouse. Umpty umph refrigerator service call. Along with Gene & Jan Kammerzell we watched Kimmi Lewis darn near pass out just before she was sworn in as Representative 64^th district. Flew to Nashville for NCBA convention.  

February – Our sweet giant Belgium “Smasher” died.  Brunch with Jo & Verna.  We testified at capitol on Gas and Oil and Equal Standing bills; both failed. Ag Hall of Fame banquet. Geni turned 48.

March - Denver Ag. Savannah’s 4^th B-day party at Casa Bonita – where TV dinners are uh OK? My 72^nd Birthday. We drove to Omaha to take in Bill O’Reilly/Jesse Watters/Dennis Miller. Steve gave his very first sermon at Christ Community Church. Ran up to Tekamah so Chuck could meet the Olson’s. And of course, we had to do “Dort’s Bar” in Papillion. There’s just something about Gary and Judy McNew’s hamburgers!  I finished writing The Magic Saddle; Sue Hollis is painting away on illustrations. 2018 we’ll focus on getting The Magic Saddle published. We envision it as a first ever children’s coffee table book. Met with Union Pacific about cleaning their easement under their trestle. They got a lion’s share done. We look forward to their finishing the job! Got Murano windshield replaced. Chuck did a 1031 trade on 2 more farms in WY.

April – Testified at capitol on Beef Placard; it failed. Did not buy a horse at the C.S.U. horse sale.

May – Chuck Rim to River Ride was in Canyon de Chelly, AZ. He bought “Sundowner,” a gorgeous paint gelding that came off the Navajo Reservation. I drove to Omaha for Protect the Harvest convention. About 22 of us crashed Dort’s Bar for – hamburgers of course!  A special treat was introducing Forrest Lucas to my drag-racing friend Eddie Jochim. Philip turned 52.

June – Chuck and Tim Fenster (who Chuck’s known over 40 years), drove to Montana to visit with Lois and celebrate Eva France’s 99^th birthday. Had an awning installed all along the front of our home. Love the shade!! Chuck’s Sombrero ride was NW of Las Vegas, NM. Dale Boggie and his daughter Linda stayed at The Farm.

Boggie was honored by Colonel Stan Cass who organized the northern Colorado Honor Flight.  I drove to Papillion for Ron & Lou Schram’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary. Saw Toby Keith at Greeley Stampede. Celebrated Chuck’s big Eight O! Chuck to Casper for College Rodeo Finals.

July – With Roger & Verna Allgeier we saw Clay Walker at Greeley Stampede. Jeff McManus restored Chuck’s 2013 flood damaged`42 Ford Army Jeep, and brought it home from Illinois. Celebrated Kevin McNicholas’s 80^th B-Day at the NW.  

Went to Estes Rodeo with Nanette & Ron. Videoed Pete Martinez sing “We thank you” to honor our veterans. Tragically and quite suddenly, Pete Martinez died of an aggressive cancer December 10th.
Chuck’s 30 3-R ride was in the Williams Fork Mountains in central CO. C.F.D. finals with Kent & Cory Rutledge.

August – Lea, Faith & I drove to NE for our Bell Family reunion. Geni & husband Steve Hunt came with Savannah. Brother Greg came from CA, and Cheryl & George Frederick came from Lincoln. Driving home, we got stuck in a terrifying lightening rain storm. Chuck had squamous cell surgery inside his ear. Faith Malea was baptized at Mile Hi Church. Bought a 2017 Buick Envision and immediately took it on the road to Wyoming and South Dakota. I finally got to see all of Chuck’s WY farms and meet Ross and Anita Bethers. We drove on attend R-Calf convention in Rapid City. At home in CO there was a Hail/rain blizzard with up to 50 MPH winds crashed large tree branch on gazebo. Blasted its cupola into yard! Chuck went to his Circle Bar Ranch with some of his buddies to gaze at the Eclipse. I stayed home & mowed & forgot why it got dark.

September - Trees trimmed. 22^nd Bunch Quitters; Colonel Mark Trostel was honored Jack Kisling Bunch Quitter. It was cool to have present Janie Hutchison (First B.Q. of the year) and Dr. Johnny Matsushima (2015 B.Q.). Drove up to Saratoga to take in Steve & Jennifer Garland’s wedding. Nanette Morris drove her hubby Ron, Chuck and I to the Rim to River dinner at Kim & Laurie Haarbergs. Fred Stiles helped move an Outhouse they put behind our other place. Hosted Chuck’s Class of 55. Jay turned 47 and Lea turned 41.

October – NW Hide party. To give Faith and Lea some uninterrupted sleep, I brought Lea’s dog Luna to The Farm. Pat Bohlender Kendrick and I formed a non-profit corp - “The Example.” We’ll raise money to purchase The Example, a life sized sculpture by Shalah Perkins, and gift it to a place of significance.  To learn more, please go to www.TheExample.us. Rode Gopher at 3 R Aspen Ride at the Airforce Academy. So fulfilling to ride in such splendor and visit with damn good folk like Alaine Lessing.  Bruce Cameron drove us home; took 3 hours because of traffic. Chuck went hunting with his buddies at Circle Bar. Wyatt got his first Buck Antelope and Bull Elk.  I drove back to NE for my 55^th H.S. reunion, held at none other than…Dort’s Bar.  Godfrey Ditch hosted a thank-you-for-helping-lunch at Ensign. Got a tiny box freezer for our basement, & oven for shop.  I did a FUN hour radio interview on (FL) WPSM FM 91.l with Dennis Mitchell & Carolyn Ketchel. We discussed western versus eastern Water laws.

November –Formalized LAW USA Foundation. We’re honored to have C.P.A. Dan Buckner and Atty Merc Pittinos serve on the BOD. Lea hosted a rip-snorting great 1^st birthday party for Faith Malea at her studio. Jay & Lea’s dad helped them buy a home in Denver.  Jay finished his 20^th year as a Denver news photojournalist. Now he’s partnering with Lea on videos, and will do work from his own huge new studio. Jay videoed Shalah Perkins & foundry process etc. for The Example. We celebrated our 16^th Wedding Anniversary with lobster at Bonefish. Our Frigidaire broke down so many times, the service man finally appealed to Frigidaire. Sure hope they come through with his request, “Get them a new refrigerator!” We love Jewell!  So naturally we HAD to see her a second time. The bonus was getting a hug from Atz Kilcher (We love Alaska the Last Frontier).  Bill Ogg surprised us with a drop by “howdy!” On November 17 Anita gave birth to my great grandson “Zeke.” First time for a boy on my side of the family in 47 years. 

December – Delighted in watching Zoe in White Christmas play at her school. Dr. Angus McIntosh stopped by and boy howdy did we have a great visit! Next week Chuck heads back to the N.F.R., and I’ll head to Lamar for a meeting with Belinda Groner and Mark Geist on a help veterans vote effort.

Interwoven throughout the two years…

Water & Property Rights meets & fights continue along with the usual Doc appts, phone calls and drop in’s.

Sometimes we get away with Tom & Rosie Niichel to do stuff like eat and track down Congressman Ken Buck so we can hound him to sign his hot book “Drain the Swamp” – a spot on read!

We enjoy bringing Don Norgren with us to Denver Ag, ARDEC and whatever C.S.U. or NW events come along.

We’re blessed to have team of youngsters, including Philip, Bink Kitzman, John McArthur and Gary Odenbaugh, who check in and help us elders.

Angie Plumb’s going into her 14^th year cleaning twice a month for us. After Angie’s through each time, I thank Chuck for providing her service. Without Angie, this old house would be pretty doggone cobweb blanketed. 

This past year our Rodeo family lost three legends: Hadley Barrett, Winston Bruce and Harry Vold. So sad…

Gave our little Haflinger “Adel” to the Temple Grandin Equine Therapy. Adam Daurio said he’s doing great! Glad Adel’s providing a valuable service to the handicapped. Makes us happy!

For an 80 year old, Chuck stays immensely busy! Buys farms, sells water, and keeps his attorneys Jeremy Cohen, Kent Rutledge, Merc Pittinos and Sam Oldenburg hopping! He juggles MSPR, Class of `55, 3-R, NW, Weld County Farm Bureau, Weld County Fair’s 100^th,  T-Bone and northern CO 3-R breakfasts. He loves moving trees with Michigan front loader, going on day rides at Pat Grant’s or around Estes Park, and visiting his grandchildren.

Chuck’s sanctioned new theme song is: “Woke up this morning and still not dead,” by Willie Nelson.

Besides being a funny boy, it’s my honor to know Chuck. He’s truly an incredible gentleman! And one heck of a hubby!

Facebook’s still my laboratory. I still shoot squirrels, do all the mowing and yard work and secretarial for Chuck.

2018 may be the last year Barbie tractor will harrow the 15 acre patch. Chuck’s thinking about having a lessee convert it into corn too.

Brother Stuart calls often to update me on his investigations regards the whereabouts of our Mother and Father’s remains. Though Mom and Dad have plots at the Fairview Cemetery, there’s no record of their interment.  

I’ve slowed down my Water theft research considerably. Their interwoven thievery serve as tight roadblocks. And I’m tired.

Found my music compositions and old Real Critters columns; maybe renew music copyrights?

Growing up on a farm in the late 40’s and 50’s didn’t allow much time for T.V. watching.  60 years later, Gunsmoke, The Virginian and Big Valley are “new” to me, and I’m addicted.

LOVE babysitting and photographing Faith. We all agree, “She’s special smart.”
Each time Chuck and I glance at a little basket that holds our thank you’s, we are reminded of our abundant blessings.  

We count our wealth in YOU – our friend! Each of you. You, are special. You, are what makes our lives so rich. Thank you!

Merry Christmas and God speed.

Roni written, and Chuck approved. J

Legend

Chuck’s family: Daughter Lois Blasberg; Eva France (former mother-in-law); 

grandchildren Charley, Sarah,Patty and Wyatt Sylvester. 

Great granddaughter Trinity Sylvester.

Roni’s family: Daughter’s Geni Kay (husband Steve) & Lea Marlene. Son’s Philip E. (wife Beth) & Jay C. Hutcheson. Granddaughters Anita, Kaylyn, Kinsey, Zoe, Faith. Great granddaughter Savannah. Great grandson Ezekiel Gabriel.

Critters: Miss Dulce Rose (dog). Seek & June (cats). 

Gopher, Wolf, Azteca, Sundowner (horses).

Warning!  2016 & 2017 are in lump form. No proper paragraphs.