We have a little housekeeping to do concerning the 2023 nominees for the Hall of Honorees and NDCHF newsletter editor Tess Howie joins us to do just that. We also talk about the upcoming annual meeting in Minot which will be held February 17th and 18th at the Clarion Hotel Convention Center.

Western North Dakota has a huge impact on various entities including the Dickinson Convention and Visitors Bureau. Executive Director Terri Thiel has a strong passion for this area of our state and she has for going on 3 decades. We sat down with her at her office and discussed many great things including the Dickinson Dinosaur Museum, the upcoming Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and much, much more.

Our featured inductee of the week is Raymond "Butch" Luger, inducted in 2005 in the category of Modern-era Ranching. 


TAKEAWAYS

• The 2023 NDCHF Annual Meeting is filled with may informative and entertaining activities
• Terri Thiel and the Dickinson Convention and Visitors Bureau is an asset to the entire western half of North Dakota
• Raymond "Butch" Luger. ran 1,500 head of cattle, 100 head of brood mares and 150 head of buffalo. The buffalo were intended to cross breed with the cattle.  

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On this episode of Dakota Cowboy, we travel to Burlington, ND, for the coronation of Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2023 Lindsey Miller. 

While there, we sat down with Miss Rodeo North Dakota 2014 and the National Director for The Miss Rodeo ND organization, Codi Ann Miller. She gives us some insight into the importance of the coronation celebration, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the new Miss Rodeo ND. 

Lindsey received her crown from Miss Rodeo ND 2022 Elise Nicole Burwell. We traveled to The Killdeer Saddle Club, where 13 months previously, Elise had held her coronation ceremony. She talks about that night, the nine titles she had over 17 years, and her top 10 finish in the Miss Rodeo America Pageant. She also shares an essay she wrote titled "And God Made North Dakota." And while she shares that essay, we showcase beautiful images of our state courtesy of ND Tourism.

One of the judges at the 2022 Miss Rodeo America Pageant was Miss Rodeo ND 1982, Miss Rodeo America 1983, and 2017 North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductee Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett. As we share her acceptance speech, Brenda Lee is this week's NDCHF Hall of Honorees Inductee of the week.

TAKEAWAYS

• The coronation ceremony is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Miss Rodeo ND
•  "And God Made North Dakota" is a beautiful and heartfelt essay written by Elise Nicole Burwell.
•  Gratitude is the message from Brenda Lee Bonogofsky Pickett

🛠 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE: 
https://www.missrodeond.org/
https://northdakotacowboy.org/


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Kristi Toof moved from Nebraska to Fairfield, ND, a few years ago after meeting her soulmate on a street corner in Deadwood, SD. Now, she balances life on a badlands ranch with being the new gift shop manager at The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Her passion for all things North Dakota is evident, and now Kristi admits she knows more about the Peace Garden State than the Cornhusker State! 

January 18th was National Museum Selfie Day. The CEO of the National Day Calendar, Marlo Anderson, made the journey from their world headquarters in Mandan, ND, to "celebrate" at The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. We visit with Marlo and the senior living consultant at Evergreen in Dickinson, Abigail Rohrer. Abi brought several residents from Evergreen to The NDCHF, and they all had so much fun, as you will see in that segment! 

Our Hall of Honorees Inductee of the Week is Dorvan Solberg, who was inducted into the category of Cowboy Long Rider in 2020. Dorvan is an American Quarter Horse Association Director Emeritus and North Dakota Cutting Horse Association Director Emeritus. He was one of the individuals who signed the original Articles of Incorporation of the North Dakota Quarter Horse Association. We go back to the 2020 Induction Ceremony held at Tjaden Terrace in Historic Medora as a board member, and inductee Steve Tomac gives a heartfelt biography and introduction to Dorvan, who humbly and graciously accepts the honor.


TAKEAWAYS

• Gift shop manager Kristi Toof is extremely passionate about her job and all things North Dakota. 
• The National Day Calendar is a very upbeat entity that spreads joy and happiness to many people, including the folks at Evergreen in Dickinson. 
• The American Quarter Horse Association began with 2020 NDCHF Inductee Dorvan Solberg

🛠 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:
https://northdakotacowboy.org/
https://nationaldaycalendar.com/
https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenDickinsonND/

Watch Dakota Cowboy statewide on BEK TV; Sundays @ 7PM Central Time!

The 2010 NDCHF inductee Rex Cook is a very seasoned saddle maker. He first honed his craft in other areas of leatherwork for many years before making over 100 saddles. Rex is on the program today discussing saddles, their origin, parts of a saddle, and more. 

With the NDCHF annual meeting coming up, there is an opportunity for attendees to take home a beautiful saddle from Miles City Saddlery courtesy of board member Nelson Heart. We chat with Nelson and give you a glimpse of that saddle. 

"The Senator" Steve Tomac was inducted into the NDCHF in 2008 in the category "Rodeo Arena," which is very appropriate as that is where he spent a lot of time as a barrel man and clown. He was also involved in politics and ranching, which is where he remains today, along with being a member of the NDCHF board of directors. His passion for this organization is evident as we visit with him today on Dakota Cowboy. 

Home on the Range Champions Ride is our featured inductee of the week. The event was inducted in 2000 in the category of Special Achievement. Founders Jim and Tom Tescher, along with The Rv Fr William Joseph Fahnlander, accepted the honor on August 5, 2000. Jim had a lot to say that hot afternoon and Father Fahnlander pointed that out at the end of the presentation!

TAKEAWAYS

• Saddles are one of the biggest tools cowboys and cowgirls use, as we point out with Rex Cook. 
• Steve Tomac's river runs deep for all things NDCHF 
• Champions Ride saddle bronc match is embedded in the history of western North Dakota.

🛠 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:
https://northdakotacowboy.org/

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https://www.bek.news/dakotacowboy

Watch Dakota Cowboy statewide on BEK TV; Sundays @ 7PM Central Time!

The NDCHF Board of Directors met recently, and through the assistance of the committee for historical accuracy, they have produced the final ballot. Testimony will be offered for each nominee, and trustees will submit their final votes. NDCHF executive director Rick Thompson joins us to reveal the names on the final ballot in each category for this year. 

The NDCHF has had some fantastic raffles in the past, and this year will be no different. NDCHF donor relations Irene Johnson joins us to discuss this year's prizes. She also shares her enthusiasm for the exciting plans that are taking shape in the community of Medora. 

Our NDCHF Hall of Honorees Inductee of the Week, The Dickinson Match of Champions, contributed significantly to the laurels of North Dakota's future Cowboy Hall of Fame rodeo inductees and the love of rodeo for all North Dakotans. Ray Schnell and sons Raymond, Howard, and Willard organized and promoted the popular event held each August near Dickinson. We go back to August 7th, 1999, when this event was inducted into the NDCHF. Jim Cook gives a brilliant biography and introduces founders Willard and Raymond Schnell, who humbly and graciously accept the honor.

TAKEAWAYS

• The announcement of the 2023 Hall of Honoree nominees 
• The announcement of the 2023 NDCHF raffle prizes 
• The history and honor of the Dickinson Match of Champions

🛠 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:
https://northdakotacowboy.org/

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https://www.bek.news/dakotacowboy

Watch Dakota Cowboy statewide on BEK TV; Sundays @ 7PM Central Time!

Joe Wiegand is a "Goodwill Ambassador" for the city of Medora and the TR Medora Foundation. His passion for all things Theodore Roosevelt is evident as we discuss the year that was and the year that is in Medora and beyond. Joe has a hectic schedule "reprising" Theodore Roosevelt, and he shares some of the upcoming events as we chat in the lobby of The Roughrider Hotel.

Across the street from the hotel is the downtown headquarters of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. We sat with a very enthusiastic Amy McCaan, the library's Community Relations Director. The philosophy, personality, and livelihood are all discussed as we look at the immediate future surrounding this very exciting project.

Our NDCHF Hall of Honorees Inductee of the Week is the first-ever inductee into the Hall of Honorees. We take you back to the inaugural ceremony held on August 1st, 1998, at Tjaden Terrace in Historic Medora. Watch as Rev Fr. William Joseph Fahnlander gives a fabulous introduction to the first inductee, Duane Howard.

TAKEAWAYS

• The passion for all things Medora from Joe Wiegand 
• The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is a game changer for Medora, North Dakota, and the entire country. 
• The first ever inductee into The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, Duane Howard, was a very humble man.

🛠 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:
https://medora.com/teddy-roosevelt-show/ 
https://www.trlibrary.com/ 
https://northdakotacowboy.org/

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The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame executive director Rick Thompson joins us to talk about the year that was and the year to come and to wish everyone associated with The NDCHF a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Scott Bachmeir ranches near Golva, ND. We sit with him at The Golva Bar and talk about his support of The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, his broadcasting career, fellow broadcasters, and much more.

We also go back to the inaugural NDCHF induction ceremonies as Jim and Tom Tecsher become among the very first people inducted into the Hall of Honorees. They both were strong, tough cowboys but also carried a special place for their loved ones in their hearts as they expressed gratitude to those responsible for leading their journey into The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. The first NDCHF induction ceremony was held on August 1, 1998, at Tjaden Terrace in Historic Medora.

TAKEAWAYS

• It's been and continues to be great times for The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. 
• Scott Bachmeier loves rural America, the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, and his broadcasting peers. 
• Jim and Tom Tescher were strong, tough cowboys who also carried a soft spot for their loved ones as they expressed gratitude to those responsible for leading their journey into The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

🛠 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:
https://northdakotacowboy.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sbachmeier

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Our sample testimony today includes Jay Doan testifying on behalf of The Black Leg Ranch. He tells us a very interesting fact concerning his grandfather's birth and death. 

Plus, Jim Lowman testifies for Ralph "Doc" Hubbard, who has not been inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. Yet. 

Dawn Carson is the NDRA 2022 All Around Champion Cowgirl and Reserve Barrel Racing Champion. Her knowledge and understanding of horses are admired by all who know her. Tisa Peek of Dakota Horse Magazine is a close friend. She sits down with Dawn for a conversation about her relationship with horses, instilling a work ethic in her two young sons, and juggling a rodeo career with her husband. This conversation occurred just after the 2022 NDRA annual meeting and before the awards banquet, where Dawn received her trophy saddle and buckle. 

Also receiving a saddle and buckle that evening was 2022 NDRA tie-down roping champion Jon Peek who is Tisa's husband. Jon also talks about the importance of family, a strong work ethic, and a zest for all things rodeo. This includes his equestrian partnerships, which contribute significantly to his success. 

Our Hall of Honorees inductee of The Week is arguably the most recognizable North Dakotan there ever was. Chad Berger has been around rodeo his entire life, and his notoriety comes from being on the nationally televised Professional Bull Riders tour. He is also that organization's Stock Contractor of the Year a whopping twelve times. In 2018, Chad took his place in the Hall of Honorees alongside his dad Joe Berger who was inducted in 2016, and their famous bull Little Yellow Jacket inducted in 2006.

TAKEAWAYS

-Dawn Carson juggles horses, family, and a successful rodeo career, and she is admired for it.

-Jon Peek also juggles his career, horses, family, and a successful rodeo career. 

-Chad Berger's induction speech is filled with humbleness, gratefulness, humor, and emotion on the day he took his place next to his dad and their famous bull in The North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.

🛠 TOOLS AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE:
https://dakotahorsemagazine.com/
https://www.ndrodeo.com/
https://www.chadbergerbuckingbulls.com/
https://northdakotacowboy.org/

📺WATCH MORE EPISODES:
https://www.bek.news/dakotacowboy

Watch Dakota Cowboy statewide on BEK TV; Sundays @ 7PM Central Time!