Chamber receives gift from 'Echoes'

Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vicki Pritchett accepts a print of Gary Hawk's "Echoes of the Trail" print from organizer Judy Howser Friday at the Chamber office. (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

Echoes of the Trail organizer Judy Howser presented a framed Gary Hawk "Echoes of the Trail" print to the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Friday morning. The Echoes of the Trail Steering Committee offered the painting for display in the Visitor Center as a token of its appreciation to the Chamber for its support and advice.

Howser explained to Vicki Pritchett, Chamber Executive Director, that the painting was commissioned by Echoes of the Trail in 1999. Famed watercolor artist Gary Hawk took a photo on the side of a Kansas country road and then used it along with his imagination and models Arnold Schofield, John Kendrick, and Dave Carey to create the cattle herding scene. The cowboys in the painting are herding longhorns across a creek, and truly depict the meaning of Echoes of the Trail.

Hawk, a supporter of the Echoes of the Trail Cowboy Gathering from its inception in 1997, gave the first 10 prints to the Echoes of the Trail organization. Print No.1 was auctioned for $1,000, with proceeds going toward event expenses. The original painting was sold to a local bank to cover the cost of reproduction, and now hangs in the office of a bank officer. Other low-numbered prints have been auctioned over the years, and one was presented to Fort Scott Community College in appreciation for its support of the event.

Each year on the second full weekend of June at FSCC, cowboys gather from the four states and beyond to recite and sing cowboy poetry and music and entertain about 500 fans. One or two chuck wagons camp on the south lawn of the college and provide a noon meal on Saturday and a chuck wagon breakfast Sunday morning after Cowboy Church. The wagons are authentic, and wainwright Dennis Williams of Neosho, Mo., digs a pit in the ground and cooks "grub" such as cowboy stew, beans, and cobbler in Dutch ovens over an open fire.

The event features special performers such as "The Branchy Boys" on Friday and Saturday nights. A dozen talented performers entertain all day Saturday during the gathering. The music and authentic cowboy tales are on two stages in the FSCC Academic Building, along with a western trade show. The Rowlands of Arma provide authentic Mexican food in the snack bar, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday, local students read their winning poems. There is an open microphone period, and a silent auction of great western items. The weekend ends with old time hymns and inspirational cowboy poetry during Cowboy Church on Sunday morning at 9 a.m., followed by a hearty chuck wagon breakfast.

For more information, see http://www.echoesofthetrail.com. The next gathering is set for June 11-13, 2010, and organizers are involved in fund raising to cover expenses.