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Memories

1/15/2018

15 Comments

 

​​What a Difference a Day Makes!!  How about 61 years?

It’s your movie--you are the producer, director and star.
​In those days the title was Miss Wyo Rodeo. There was no crown, chaps, buckle, saddle, trophy, wardrobe, or sponsors, however, I did receive a bouquet of red roses. I was thrilled and my parents were over the moon! Let me assure you that memories made are more precious than any awards and have become more so as the years go flying by.
​At the top of the list are:

Riding down State Street in Chicago in a parade while attending the Golden Spurs Rodeo and participating in the Miss Rodeo America Contest. It was pretty exciting; can you imagine from Saratoga, WY to that? I developed a friendship there with Lyn & Nancy Sheppard from Globe, Az. Lyn was an RCA cowboy and Nancy, a very talented trick rope and rider. Lyn passed several years ago but Nancy and I have maintained contact all of these years.
​
At the Denver Stock Show, I marched with Rex Allen in the Grand Ball at the Brown Derby Hotel. Casey Tibbs cut in on my dad and danced with me. He wanted to take me out, but my parents refused! Needless to say, I was pretty upset with them.

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Mary Kay Walker, Miss Wyo. Rodeo 1956
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Wyoming didn’t have a contest in 1957 and had me come back as Miss Wyo. State Fair. I don’t know how “Queenly” I was, as I chewed tobacco in the grand entries at the dare of some cowboys and rode the clown’s mule out of the arena and he rode my horse.
Picture
Mary Kay with Senator Milward L. Simpson and Mrs. Simpson.
I now have two grown children, Marty Howard who is an attorney with UNLV in Las Vegas
and Julie Howard, an aesthetician in Scottsdale, Az. Before I retired a year ago, I owned and operated Bronco Billy’s Saloon for 19 years here in Reno where I displayed lots of rodeo memorabilia.

I used to wear my High School All-Around Cowgirl buckle, then my brother’s, Ray Walker, team roping buckles. My son Marty said, “Mom, have your own buckle made, you deserve it.”
So, I had Montana Silversmiths make me a buckle which I proudly wear and, staying with its time, says Miss Wyo Rodeo 1956.

My dad, Len Walker died in 1957 at the age of 45. He was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2015 and I came to Casper and proudly accepted for him. 

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Well, at the age of 78, this title and honor have become all the more important to me. The memories made make me smile and have even carried me through some tough times.
​

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES! You Decide. It’s your movie--you are the producer, director and star. ‘THIS AINT NO DRESS REHEARSAL! Tighten your cinch. Cowgirl Up. “Ladies And Gentlemen, please stand for our National Anthem” GOD BLESS!!
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15 Comments
Frankie Gano Morris link
1/16/2018 08:39:14 am

Even though I was only ten at the time, I still remember how beautiful you were! My sister Janie was a friend of yours and dated Ray. Oh the memories! I enjoyed reading your memories so much.

Reply
Mary Kay Walker
1/16/2018 07:16:58 pm

Thank you for your comment. Those were the days!

Reply
Martha Jo Walker (no relation ☺️)
1/16/2018 10:27:10 pm

To my kissin’ cousin and favorite babysitter! You did a wonderful job with your forever and ever Memories! Count me among the many who will remember you always. When is your next scheduled, or not, trip to TVOTS? It’s been too long. . . . . Much love,
Martha Jo Tisdale, Mesa, AZ

Reply
marykaywalker
1/17/2018 12:33:21 pm

Thank you! Hope to get to Az. before too long!

Jack Runner
1/17/2018 07:15:35 am

You will always be our queen Mary Kay and your father my mentor and hero.

Reply
MarykayWalker
1/17/2018 12:34:29 pm

Thank you Jack!

Reply
Jean & Buddy Brooks link
1/17/2018 07:48:03 am

Hey Little Miss Mary Kay, you are and always have been a whiz at writing....maybe you need to write a book about your life in Wyoming and Alaska....I'd buy it & I'm sure Martha & Gerald would too. Sure miss you, girlfriend. We've come a long way, Baby, on our adult journey since that day at Jazzercize when you came up to me and said, "You're gonna be my friend." and we have been for about 35 yrs. now. This was a wonderful article and brings back memories of when I rode horses in the Pine Bluff Saddle Club Quadrill all around Arkansas, Miss., Okla, Louisiana,& east Texas. Those were the days, my friend!!! Jean Brooks

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marykaywalker
1/17/2018 12:36:00 pm

Yes you all are part of my memories!

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Aldo A Astilli
1/17/2018 08:42:07 pm

I truly enjoy seeing your pictures, you were beautiful then and more so now, if you were not so young I would get my lasso and chase you over these hills, you look great, thank you for letting us see your memory photos, show more at any time we will be looking for them.
Ciao! Pretty Cowgirl.

Reply
Teri Davies-Storm
1/18/2018 10:01:51 am

Miss Rodeo Wyoming- it is an honor to know you. You are beautiful on the inside and outside as well as forever young! Love this article! I must say your horse looks like he wants a bite of those flowers! Love you much!!

Reply
mary kay walker
1/18/2018 12:37:33 pm

Thank you Teri.
The horse did eat a rose!

Reply
Billy Walker link
1/30/2018 08:23:27 pm

Way t'go Cuz! You are still a knock-out. Please give us a shout next time you come to AZ.

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Peg Angwin Wheeler
2/11/2018 02:10:58 pm

Way to go! The girls of the frontier made everyone shine! I enjoyed thinking of those moments then and now. It's almost like riding home hang.... on to your hat.

Reply
Ira H
2/11/2018 10:27:40 pm

,
1956, I was 19 and finished high school and went to summer school at the U of S
I

I remember that beautiful girl. You were stunning. I was dorky but I sure liked you.

Reply
mary kay walker
2/21/2018 09:15:33 pm

You certainly were not dorky! And, I liked you too!

Reply



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