Through his photos, award winning photographer Myron Beck (Los Angeles, CA) inspires us to dream and embrace the beauty that surrounds us in the people we see, the environments in which we thrive and the diverse cultures that enrich our lives.

www.myronbeck.com
 

News and Updates
at High Noon
Two upcoming auctions celebrating the joy and legacy that Roy and Dale have spread throughout the world!

June 26, 2010 - Denver, CO- The Roy Rogers Personal Firearms Collection will be sold at Brian Lebel's Old West Auction (www.DenverOldWest.com). Roy's personal firearms collection will be sold including his very first belt and double holster rig, made by Ed Gilmore of North Hollywood, CA in 1938. Artifacts supporting Roy's avid sports (hunting) interests will be offered along with his classic 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible. The 300+ lot auction includes other fine, Cowboy, Indian and Western art and artifacts and pairs with a 3-day, 200-dealer, antique and contemporary show. www.DenverOldWest.com


July 14-15th, 2010 - Manhattan, NYC- High Noon & Christie's Roy Rogers & Dale Evans Museum Sale  - The definitive and final sale of all other property including the most important and iconic pieces from the museum will be sold via a partnership with High Noon and Christie's New York City.

That sale will include silver parade saddles, Roy's autographed sports memorabilia, costuming (Nudie's clothing, hats, boots, traveling trunks), personal photos, fishing gear, badges, toys, trophies and awards. Highlights include the family dining table hand made by George Montgomery, Dale Evans' charm bracelet chronicling 40 years, legendary silver dollar and longhorn adorned Nudies of North Hollywood convertible Bonneville that Roy and Dale used in special appearances, the famous Nellybelle jeep from the 1950s TV Show and, arguably, the most famous horse of all time, Trigger. (www.highnoon.com) (www.christies.com) or call High Noon (310) 202-9010 for more information and updated information and photos.

"Cowboy Ethics" Become Law

LA Times - March 4, 2010
associated press WYOMING

The principles of "cowboy ethics" are now part of Wyoming law. Gov. Dave Freudenthal signed legislation adopting an official Wyoming state code. The symbolic measure spells out 10 ethics derived from a "Code of the West" outlined in a book by author and retired Wall Street investor James Owen. The ethics code carries no criminal penalties and is not meant to replace any civil codes. The state code admonishes residents and lawmakers to live courageously, take pride in their work, finish what they start, do what's necessary and be tough but fair. It also calls on them to keep promises, ride for the brand, talk less and say more, remember that some things aren't for sale, and know where to draw the line.

For the full story:
www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-aa2-latebriefs4-2010mar04,0,6777978.story

The Best Trick Riders in the World to Captivate Fort Worth in a Very Special Event

Not Just One Trick Pony

Ft. Worth, TX - On April 10, 2010, the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth will play host to the most celebrated female trick riders in the world. The event, entitled Not Just One Trick Pony is being produced by the Cowgirl University wing of the National Cowgirl Museum to celebrate these dynamic and daring women who still practice the dying art of trick riding.

You'll know you're in the presence of a true cowgirl at the Fort Worth Stockyards Arena when Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honoree Mitzi Lucas Riley shares her stories and techniques behind some of the best trick riding in the world. The daughter of Tad Lucas, Mitzi was born into rodeo. Learning to ride before she could walk, Mitzi made her debut at six, filling in for her injured mother in a trick-riding act. A daring rider, she routinely turned down offers from Hollywood, while performing in rodeos coast to coast for twenty years. Retired from rodeo, Mitzi served on the board of the Rodeo Historical Society, establishing the Tad Lucas Award to recognize outstanding women in rodeo.

Ms. Riley will be joined by the fabulous equestrian drill team Trish Lynn and the All American Cowgirl Chicks who will demonstrate the maneuvers that have made them world famous.

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates women, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West, and fosters an appreciation of the ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire. Each year, the Museum sponsors a three-day weekend women's retreat they call Cowgirl University. Held at a different ranch location each year, this event is designed to help women find their "inner cowgirl."

For more information about the exciting event, Not Just One Trick Pony, please visit www.cowgirl.net or call the National Cowgirl Museum at (800 476-FAME (3263).

This month, High Noon takes a look at the stunning designs worn by rodeo queens across the country.

So Who's Dressing the Rodeo Queens?


Whether it's the top spot of Miss Rodeo America or state and regional rodeo queens, one thing is certain, these cowgirls, athletes, and advocates of the Western lifestyle are always dressed to the nines in the most decadent of designs rivaling Paris haute couture, embellished with the rich inspiration of the American West.

So where do these fabulous women get their amazing clothes? Not off the rack we can assure you.

In the small town of Bastrop, Texas just outside Austin, Julie Ewing, of J Ewing Designs, spends hundreds of hours designing, hand sewing and hand beading blends of sumptuous leathers, exquisite lace, handpicked crystals and stones and the richest of fabrics into one-of-a-kind masterpieces - truly art to wear.

Julie's passion for what she does is reflected in each of her creations. Taking her inspiration from Paris haute couture and the romance of vintage designers, Julie has developed a trademark look - pure glamour, elegance and grace.

Throughout her more than twenty years in Western design, Julie has seen five Miss Rodeo America's crowned in her creations as well as numerous state and local title winners. But a close look at what she does and what she creates could undeniably be donned at the Oscar's or out for an evening in Monte Carlo. She creates the unexpected while maintaining an air of classic elegance and rare beauty.

As we watch Western-inspired designs finally begin to make their debut into mainstream America, we, who have always embraced the romance and beauty of the Western culture, wait in anticipation for the day when these designs finally hit the runways of New York.
 
That's not far off. In an exciting conversation with Julie, she revealed that she and her designs had been requested to exhibit at a show in New York this fall. Daunted by this offer yet ecstatic, the idea of this small town, multi-talented, charming Texas gal to actually have the chance for the world-class market to embrace her designs...very exciting indeed.  

Being an independent designer, her resources to accomplish this are limited, yet opportunities like this happen perhaps once in a lifetime. On behalf of Julie and the unveiling of great designs of Western America, anyone with the philanthropic spirit to encourage Julie and her debut in New York should email: info@designamerica-nyc.com. How exciting if any High Noon Smoke Signalers can help get J Ewing Designs to the Big Apple!

Julie Ewing
J Ewing Designs
www.j-ewingdesigns.us
Email: jewingdesigns@aol.com

This month, Smoke Signals talks with Mary Nyholm-Vidano who collects and sells the finest Western antiques.

Mary Nyholm-Vidano
MC Antiques


Mary Nyholm-Vidano has an enchanting way of bringing refinement and elegance into this rough and tumble world of the Great Wild West.

Mary's love and appreciation of Native American works goes back to her childhood. Her grandparents would spend their summers on a Navajo reservation working with the Indians and Mary would wait impatiently in Seattle for their return. She loved the materials, textiles, fabrics they would bring back for her. While her life evolved into other directions, that being a professional tennis player, her heart always went back to her love of the American Indian and the American West.

Post the pro-tennis circuit and now married and living in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, as she tells it "I needed something to do." "I started collecting the finest Western antiques I could find and then, as so typically happens, I became a dealer." Mary joined the "show circuit" doing Brimfield, Heart O' Country and yes, High Noon. She's been part of our family for 15 years. Each year, she comes to the show with her beautiful Bohlin buckles, Native American textiles and a wealth of finely selected and finely crafted Western antiques and artifacts.

Mary also specializes in old hickory furniture and a look at her website shows a wealth of hickory furnishings from chairs to tables to the very unusual.

The show bug captured her to an even greater extent. Mary partnered with long time friend and fellow dealer Cynthia Brooks who specializes in early Americana. Together, they decided to produce their own shows and created MC Presents. Today, as a team, they produce six art and antiques shows a year in locations such as Vail, Jackson Hole and Sun Valley.

When Mary's not doing producing or exhibiting at shows, she's traveling the world with her husband of 21 years whose career takes him (and her along) to the far reaches of the globe. Last year, their travels took them to Cambodia, Thailand and Dubai.

She's elegant, she's smart, she's fun and she's a true treasure of our High Noon family.

Mary Nyholm-Vidano
MC Antiques
www.mcpresents.com
mary@mcpresents.com
(303) 570-9763

This month, Smoke Signals makes room for more cowboy poetry from amy...


Glory Beyond the Gate
by amy elizabeth

Down in the corral, she stood alone,
That ol' woolly mare, a champion gray roan.
I knew what she was thinkin', I could see,
She was thinkin' rodeo and how it used to be.

She'd prob'ly been run plum near to death,
An' turned out for a spell till she caught her breath.
The cowboy who brought her hadn't much to say,
Except he'd be back, then winked as he walked away.

Summer was creeping into fall and I still hadn't heard,
I then searched my memory where I'd buried his parting words.
I remembered him handin' me that tattered rope,
Mumblin' somethin' 'bout fate and never losin' hope.

I knew that mare wasn't doin' us no good standin' around
An' prob'ly was more than willin' to kick up a 'lil ground.
I'd gambled with time watchin' the years come an' go,
Tellin' yesterday's stories till they were too many times told.

I thought about saddlin' her, feelin' a bit ashamed,
I was askin' her to learn me a lot between those reins.
I gotta say, it was more than a spell since I rode,
An' at her game most likely I'd get rattled or even throwed.

I reckon she knew my confidence was pretty dang low,
But knew how to learn an ol' cowgirl what she needed to know.
She once ran at the top of her game, a champion at turnin' cans,
Now at eighteen she stood even prouder at just barely fifteen hands.

I hadn't much to show for and always a little short on luck,
But that cowboy never came back, I think he knew I'd given up.
He'd retired that mare when he brought her to my ranch,
Givin' her a job and offerin' me the gift of one more chance.

She may have seen her day, but my glory beyond the gate
Was to finish correct, even if she carried me a tad too late.
So I asked of her just one more task,
Was the look in her eye that told me to ask.
I ran that mare on a Saturday night knowin' she was a winner,
But this time it was all about confidence and learnin' the beginner.
She had a willingness that shined brighter than a hundred silver buckles,
So I grabbed that horn till I could pert near see the white of my knuckles.

She turned them barrels not missin' a pocket
An' passed those timers like a smokin' gray rocket.
She passed through the gate cuttin' me no slack
An' slid to a stop with me miraculously still on her back.

It was no longer about makin' a dime,
But sharing the wisdom she gathered over time.
If only in heart, she certainly earned her keep,
She was my ladder up a mountain once way too steep.


amy elizabeth 2008 ©
amyichi@yahoo.com

     
NOW thru April 25, 2010  The Natural World: Thomas Mangelsen, Jackson, WY
NOW thru May 2, 2010 Kenneth M. Freeman Legacy Exhibition - Artists At Work  Booth Museum, Cartersville, GA
NOW thru May 9, 2010  The Photographs of Edward Sherriff Curtis  Rockwell Museum, Corning, NY
NOW thru May 16, 2010 Human/Nature: Artists As Explorers in the Early American West  Rockwell Museum, Corning, NY
NOW thru May 30, 2010  The Art of Native American Basketry: A Living Tradition Exhibit  Autry National Center, Los Angeles, CA