* THE 2005 ANNUAL ROY ROGERS FESTIVAL - Portsmouth, Ohio - USA *

June 1 - 4, 2005 Buffalo Jim, Felina (our chihuahua), and I headed 'The Silver Bullet' (our '99 Buick Le Sabre) towards Portsmouth, OH, early Tuesday mornin' at 12:45am CDT. It's a 14 - 15 hour drive from the ranch to the Ramada Inn. It takes that long whenever I drive. We arrived in the historical town of Portsmouth 'bout 4:00pm EDT (we lost an hour). We knew we'd be tuckered out, and ate an early dinner at the restaurant in the hotel, "Damon's". We got up and ate an early breakfast at the hotel on Wednesday, June 1st. "Watch out Portsmouth OH", for we hearded right for all the little shops and antique stores!! We purchased what we wanted and walked back to the hotel. When we arrived back at the hotel, Nancy & LaRue and the rest of Roy Rogers' Collecter's Association people was there. LaRue needed help gettin' the rest of *Roy & Dale* items needed for the festival, from the basement of their US Post Office (that's where they store some of the Roy Rogers Collector's Association things). They also have a neat Roy Rogers Hometown Exhibit displayed there, plus, other B-Western stars. It's really nice! Ray (a member of the Roy Rogers Collector's Association and happens to be a Deputy Sheriff), made me *Honorary Deputy* durin' the festival ('DARN', it was only in fun)! The 'Official Lawmen' for the festival are pictured, below. *2005 Roy Rogers Festival Peacekeepers* These fine lookin' fellas were the offical lawmen and peacemakers for the film festival. They've been 'the law' ever since Buffalo Jim, Felina and I've been attendin'. From left to right: Meet Marshall Jim, Deputy Mike, and Deputy Matt. "Thanks guys for the great job you three did of keepin' the outlaws and those aunery scoundrels outta town!" That evenin', *The EarlyBird Reception for the Stars* started WITHOUT some of the stars. They were delayed at the airport where their lugguge got sent on to another stop (Some of them had to do without a change of clothin', medicines, and etc, for a day or two). The stars 'did arrive' 'bout 10:00pm EDT. The rest of us had been EATIN' & TALKIN', renewin'old friendships, catchin' up on all the news of our Roy & Dale Extended Family members and their families. Did more EATIN' & TALKIN'. We enjoyin' the superb talented musicians and singers, provided by "The Southern Ohio Opry". It's located 5 miles west of Lucusville, OH just off Ohio State Hwy 348, on Henley Deemer Road. These great folks know how to make ya feel 'right at home' and what 'great entertainers they are'! They put on fantasic performances each night in the Hospitality Room. Right below are just a few of the many entertainers that perform at "The Southern Ohio Opry". On the left: Kaleb Wright, Pam Ash, Dick Ash is right behind her, Katie Owens, Josie Fagan and our 'sweetie pie', Bill Sanders. Our buddies, Garnet & Don Davis arranged for them to perform at the festival. *Hospitality Room Master of Ceremonies* Our Roy Rogers Extended Family member, Bill Sanders was the Masters of Ceremony for the Hospitality Room each night. He's also a member of "The Southern Ohio Opry". We've enjoyed his singin', his humor and wit these past few years. A mighty fine fella!! *Meet the 's*             *Ken Kercheval*                       *Dale Berry* *Ken Kercheval* Ken Kercheval carved a solid niche for himself on US TV as various professional types, sometimes sympathetic, sometimes devious, usually ambitious. An incisive player, Kercheval has typically played his roles with an intriguing combination of smooth dispatch and flamboyant bravado; the demands of the small screen taught him the former, while his background in stage musical comedy helped him hone the latter. He is most widely known for his fine work as Cliff Barnes, the aspiring rival to J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) and the scheming, perennial loser brother of virtuous Pamela Barnes Ewing (Victoria Principal) on the hit primetime soap, "Dallas" (CBS, 1978-91). Cliff Barnes was always havin' a run in with JR Ewing 'bout somethin'! Along with Hagman the only principal to stay with the series for its entire run, Kercheval artfully proved that, in the materialist 1980s, an underdog like Cliff, though somehow rather funny and often sympathetic, could be just as sleazy as the top dog. Ken resides in Los Angeles, CA with his wife Ava and son. *Dale Berry* He's virtually worked in every phase of show business there is. Dale started his career back in 1944, by playin' hooky and hitchhikin' to Dallas, TX with guitar in hand. Through his career in radio, television, and the movies, Dale worked with every 'top notched' cowboy there was! As western movies declined, he went from 'cowboy hat and boots' to 'suit and ties'. Cast as lawyers, judges, doctors and the like, he played on television show Route 66, Dallas, Walker, Texas Ranger and others. Periodically, you can still catch Dale as "special agent" Chet Whicomb, on Walker, Texas Ranger reruns, with Chuck Norris and Clarence Gilyard. Nowadays, he attends western festivals, along with other many western celebrities. Ya can also catch him at celebrity rodeos for charities and etc. Dale lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He informed Buffalo Jim and I that he's buildin' a 'western town'.                  *Bob Hoy*                          *Don Collier* *Bob Hoy*' Bob's film debut was in a Western Film, "Ambush" in 1949. He met new life-time friends, Robert Taylor, John McIntyre, and John Hodiak. While performing stuntwork alongside Walt LaRue, Jim Van Horn, and Fred McDougal he formed life-long bonds and began his career as a stuntman. On the hit TV series, "High Chaparral", Bob co-starred as Joe Butler. Bob was a series regular for the entire four years of the show. "High Chaparral" remains today a classic, and one of the most popular TV Westerns ever shown on television. It stands now in the record-books as one of the most re-run series ever produced for television. "High Chaparral" is still shown weekly in the United States and Worldwide. Bob is a member of the Motion Pictures Academy of Arts and Sciences, Directors Guild of America and is founding member of the Stuntmen's Association. Bob was honored for his 'Accomplishments and Dedication' by the Stuntmen's Association and was awarded a "Lifetime Membership". *Don Collier* As Sam Butler, Don achieved possibly his greatest fame with his fans. It was a continuing role where he was brother, mentor, friend, and champion to everyone on the ranch. What started off as a few great lines of dialog --and the prerequisite livestock roundup in the first few episodes -- quickly evolved into greater and more demanding attention, as the stories progressed. Midway through the first season, he had one whole episode as his vehicle, and his fans went wild. He became so popular as Sam Butler that when he took time off to finish a movie in the third season, his fans went into withdrawal. Today, Don is still in the picture business. He is host of the educational series "The Desert Speaks", and although he has cut back on his frenetic pace, he can still be found at public appearances and engagements, as suits his whim. He is married to Holly Hire, a casting director with a career every bit as interesting as his own. He has 6 children and 11 grandchildren.       *Cheryl Rogers - Barnett*             *Donna Martell* *Cheryl Rogers - Barnett* Cheryl was Roy and Arline's first child from the 'Hope Cottage' in Dallas, TX. When Roy visited the 'Hope Cottage' and saw her, he knew for sure that the cute little baby girl would soon be his and Arline's first child. They named her Cheryl Darlene. Cheryl appeared in only one of her parents movies. It was THE TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD. She appearred in one of their TV series shows. The one with Pat Brady showin' her how to make pancakes, and the pancakes exploded! Cheryl's the authoress of "Cowboy Princess", Life with my Parents, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans" and co-author of "All American Cowboy Grill" cookbook with Ken Beck and Jim Clark. If y'all haven't read "Cowboy Princess, Life with my Parents, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans", you're missin' out. Please pick up a copy 'fore the book stores run out completely! "All American Cowboy Grill" cookbook was released April 2005. It's similar to "The All - American Cowboy Cookbook", except with great recipies for your indoor grill and outdoor grill. Bet y'all could use them on your campin' trips too! Lot's of memorable cowboy/cowgirl heros and their families have contributed some of their favorite recipes. For more information on Cheryls two books, and how to get them, Click Here and scroll toward the bottom of the page. Cheryl's alot like her mom, Dale. She's active in many charitable organizations. She and husband Larry are workin' with Paramont Studios to help preserve alot of the old filmage. Cheryl's on the board of the Golden Boot Awards and the board of Beverly's and Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine History, in Lone Pine, CA. *Donna Martell* Real name: Irene De Mario. Donna Martell, initially using a screen name of Donna De Mario, began her Hollywood career around 1947, and her first major role was as the ingenue in APACHE ROSE (Republic, 1947) which starred Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. In addition to APACHE ROSE, Donna's western film credits include: HILLS OF UTAH and TWILIGHT ON THE RIO GRANDE with Gene Autry, TEN WANTED MEN with Randolph Scott, LAST OF THE DESPERADOES with James Craig, and ROBIN HOOD OF MONTEREY with Gilbert Roland (as the Cisco Kid). During the late 1940s - early 1950s, she appeared in a variety of female leads, supporting roles and bits --- she was at Monogram with Johnny Sheffield in a Bomba, the Jungle Boy flick ... with Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in a couple of their later comedies ... with western singer/musician Tex Williams at Universal ... at 20th Century Fox as the sister to Jennifer Jones in the big budget LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING (1955) ... and as the female lead in the low budget sci-fi PROJECT MOONBASE (1953). She did work with Gene Barry in BAT MASTERSON, Jock Mahoney in THE RANGE RIDER, Clint Walker in CHEYENNE, Efrem Zimbalist on 77 SUNSET STRIP ... and lots more. Donna was married to baseball player Gene Corso. In later years, she did a variety of TV commercials. And most recently, Donna has been attending some of the film festivals and conventions. **** ************ **** ************ Buffalo Jim and I got all our program books signed that we purchased for different ones; the start of the official festival mornin', (Thursday, June 2), so we got to relaxed and really enjoy the festival to it's fullest! Thursday afternoon (June 2, 2005), Buffalo Jim, Felina and I took a ride in Culley's carriage. This was Felina's second time, so she was 'a pro' at it this year. Culley's usually there at the hotel each year to take festival goers and more on a leisurely carriage ride to and from the "Floodwall Murals". He'll tell ya 'bout each one as ya ride along lookin' at the marvelous artistry each one has. *Roy Rogers Mural* Here's Roy's huge mural of his famous pose of 'rearin' up on Trigger'. It's featured along with many others along the Portsmouth, Ohio Floodwall Murals. They are an amazing and beautifully crafted piece of art and history created by internationally renowned muralist Robert Dafford. Click Here to view more murals. *Roy's Star* Roy Rogers signed star is located along the backside of the floodwall, facin' the Ohio River. Roy & Dale were there in Ohio in 1994 to attend the annual *Roy Rogers Festival*. I believe that was the last time they were there. We drove down to the floodwall and drove behind the murals. That's where all the 'signed stars' are. There's alot more then I originally thought! I thought 'bout walkin' down to the river's edge and pickin' up a ROCK or two, but I refrained myself!! I left 'all rocks' in their perspective states this trip. I know, that's very hard to believe!! **** ************ **** ************              *Luncheon & Banquet Master of Ceremonies* Darrell was our luncheon and Saturday evenin' Master of Ceremonies. He tells some cute stories and jokes. Each day, Buffalo Jim & I would gather outside to attend 'special meetin's' with Jack & Marianne below, and *Marshall Jim*. *Marshall Jim* would get upset when we started 'the meetin's' without him. Just kiddin'. *Meet Jack & Marianne* Roy & Dale Extended Family Members are Jack & Marianne. Their from Marion, OH. You should see his Roy Rogers Scrapbook! He started it as a young buckaroo back in the days of "the silver screen cowboy" when they were so popular! *Meet Marshall Jim* Here's our 'special meetin' coorinator, Marshall Jim. He was the main guy that kept ya on the straight and narrow, and watched out for the 'bad guys' durin' the festival. If they kept it up, he then kicked 'em outta town. Our many discussions kept comin' back to Buffalo Jim' heavy foot behind the wheel. Marshall Jim gave Buffalo Jim a nickname; "Speedy". I like it! *Meet Ron & Virginia* Here's our buddies, Ron and Virginia Schalow!! They're members of our *Roy & Dale Extended Family*. They're from Michigan. Buffalo Jim and I first met them back in June 2002, in Portsmouth, Ohio; at our first Roy Rogers Festival! We met up with them again, February 2003 in California at the 2003 Roy Rogers - Dale Evans Film Festival. That was 'fore the museum moved to Branson, MO. We get to have a 'family reunion' with them at the different festivals and functions for our beloved *Roy & Dale*. A great couple and dear Roy & Dale Family Members!! *Portsmouth, OH USA Trio, Plus One* Buffalo Jim, Bev Longman, Buffalo Gal and Felina (Plus One) are relaxin' out front of the hotel on Friday June 3, after she arrived. Bev's a member of the "Official Roy Rogers - Dale Evans Fans Message Board", where Buffalo Jim & I are members also. Bev drove on Friday mornin' to come to "Luncheon for the Stars*". She brought her Roy & Dale scrapbooks. She brought the grand openin' one, of "Roy Rogers - Dale Evans Museum & Happy Trails Theatre" in Branson; plus one she's done of Roy & Dale. It's even more special than the grand openin!! She also brought a special scrapbook she's fixin' up for 'one of her friends' that was recently ordained as a minister. I know he must be proud of it! Bev has put such creative work and much, much love into each of the scrapbooks. She's one special lady! *Darrell & Debbie* Here's two of our friends, Debbie and Darrell. They're a goodlookin' couple!! Debbie and Darrell are welcomed fixtures each year at the Roy Rogers Film Festival in Portsmouth, OH. It's been a pleasure gettin' to know and love them these past years. Thanks you two, you're the greatest! *Visitin' with the 's* *Cheryl & Larry Barnett* Here we are with Cheryl - Rogers - Barnett and her hubby Larry. Buffalo Jim and I had a nice long visit with them. I hadn't seen them since last fall in Abilene, TX, at Dean Smith's Celebrity Rodeo. It had been two years since Buffalo Jim had seen Cheryl & Larry, so they had lots to catch up on. I'm surprised the fellas didn't go 'gun shoppin' again. They love shoppin'! *Buffalo Gal & Freinds* Buffalo Jim & I first met Donna Martell at the "2003 Roy Rogers - Dale Evans Western Film Festival" in Victorville, CA. Since that time, we've seen her at several different festivals. She is a true 'cowboy's sweetheart'! Athough her luggage didn't arrive at the same time as she did, she was such a dear and a real trooper!! I'm standin' in between Donna and her friend, Becky Cook. Their children used to play with each other when their children were young. These ladies have known each other since the mid 60's. Buffalo Jim and I had the pleasure of eatin' breakfast with Becky a few mornin's at the hotel. She's a real sweet lady! Donna, hope she's with ya in Gene Autry, OK; in September 2006! *Friend, Bob F. Hoy* Here I am with Bob Hoy. Robert F. Hoy is a TRUE GENTLEMAN cowboy! Buffalo Jim and I got to visit with him a few times durin' the festival. It was our first time actually meetin' Bob. He was at the "Roy Rogers - Dale Evans Western Film Festival" in Victorville in 2003, but we never got to meet him. There were so many stars! It sure won't be our last!! Buffalo Jim & I enjoyed his interestin' stories of his stuntwork and many movies through the years. We also loved the stories he told us while workin' on the television series, "High Chaparral". Nancy had told us he was a 'true gentleman cowboy'. She sure was right!! *Buffalo Gal & Don Collier* Here's another TRUE GENTLEMAN cowboy, Don Collier! Listenin' to his and Bob's stories and shenanigans they used to pull on others they worked with were so humorous! Listenin' to him talk, he sounded sorta like our friend, William Smith (from Larado fame). Don is a 'teddy bear' like my Buffalo Jim. Thanks Don for treatin' us like 'family' and bein' the cowboy gentleman that you are! We'll keep in touch and hope to see ya 'down the trail' soon. *Our Buddy, Dale* The whole family got in this photo; Buffalo Jim, Buffalo Gal, and even Felina with Dale! Dale's our buddy from way back. We've gotten to know him through the years. Believe we first met in Portsmouth, OH at the Roy Rogers Festival, the first year we went. Since then, we've driven to Texas to visit with him a few times, while visitin' other family members. We keep runnin' into Dale at different festivals and charities events. He's SO GOOD to do charities and epecially for children! Thanks Pal!! We'll talk to ya soon!! ******************** ******** Sorry Guys, Buffalo Jim and I were havin' such a great time visitin' with some of our 'Roy & Dale Family' that we missed the costume contest right after lunch on Saturday!!******************** ******** *Viewin' the Floodwall Murals* Our saddlepals, The Texas Trailhands from Fort Worth, TX, have just arrived back at the hotel, after viewin' the Floodwall Murals and listenin' to Culley tell 'em bout each one. We got this photo of 'em with Culley and our pal Garnet Davis (she and her husband Don were the 'official photographers' durin' the festival). *Thanks Culley* A few of the stars enjoyed their ride back to the hotel. Culley picked them up from the restaurant they were eatin', Saturday afternoon. Pictured here are, from left to right: Marshall Jim, Culley, Becky, Donna, Bob and Don. *Saturday Night Banquet* Saturday evenin' was the banquet with the stars. Damon's (restaurant in the hotel) served us all a delicious meal!! We had a wonderful time talkin' with so many of our extended family members and visitin' with the stars. We were entertained by "The Texas Trailhands". They brought their special brand of 'Cowboy Swing' to Portsmouth, Ohio. They have many awards under their belts. They're WINNERS of: "The Academy of Western Artists' WESTERN GROUP OF THE YEAR 2000" "The WESTERN MUSIC ASSOCIATION Western Swing Album of the Year 2001 "IN THE MOO" "The WESTERN MUSIC ASSOCIATION Western Swing Album of the Year 2002 "LONE STAR SWING" WESTERN MUSIC ASSOCIATION Western Swing GROUP of the Year 2004 They were terrific!! *Meet The Texas Trailhands* Buffalo Jim and I've gotten to know these great entertainers the past few years. We've been at western events and festival's where they've appeared. If y'all love the western swing, you'll really enjoy these folks! They're fantastic!! Please checkout their website The Texas Trailhands. After the banquet, our pal Dale Berry was the auctioneer at the auction. The auction brought over $700.00 for the Roy Rogers Scholarship Fund. "The Roy Rogers Collector's Association" are one of the proud sponsors of Roy's scholarship fund. Thank y'all for biddin' and raisin' money for a great cause! Roy would be so proud! *Saturday Night Hospitality Room* We were enjoyin' great music provided by The Texas Trailhands and others, when Cheryl Rogers - Barnett came in and announced that Nancy Horsley had taken a fall in the registration room. Nancy didn't believe she was hurt bad, but they wanted her to go to the hospital, for good measure. Well, that put a damper on things a bit, but everyone thought it wasn't too serious, so we all stayed in the hospitality room and enjoyed more great music and sounds. We didn't hear anymore news 'bout Nancy that evenin'. After sayin' our goodbyes to 'our Roy & Dale Family Members' and friends; and lettin' the stars know how very much we enjoyed them bein' there with us for a few days; Buffalo Jim helped Georgia Fuhr put the "Roy Rogers - Dale Evans Collector's Association" and festival belongin's, back in the room; while I took Felina outside for the night. We awakened the next mornin' with a little bit of fog and clouds settlin' over the Ohio River (view from our 5th floor window). See the fog below. We learned that mornin' Nancy had really messed up both of her shoulders. The left one was more severe than the right one, but both were bad. We were eatin' breakfast and while we were finishin' up, Jim Derr came over and we started chattin'. Jim is the one who brought "The Texas Trailhands" to Portsmouth, Ohio. Buffalo Jim and him talked cars while I took Felina out so we wouldn't have to stop right off. When I got back, they were still talkin' and our buddy, Dale Berry joined us. His flight would be takin' off later that afternoon. Well, we all talked of many things and I decided to go ahead and get us checked out while the men's conversation continued. I returned and Jim Derr decided he'd better start his trip home. We gave big hugs and said another goodbye to our Roy & Dale Family member. Dale and us visited for a while and we thought we'd better get on down the road. We gave our buddy hugs and kisses and said "we'll see ya soon along the trail". We slid into 'The Silver Bullet' and headed her towards home. Felina got so excited! She loves to 'ride in the car' and go BYE BYE. You have to spell it out when ya don't want her to know what you're talkin' 'bout. She's VERY SMART! She does real good ridin', but she did get a bit tired this trip (goin' up and returnin' home). She's such a well behaved 'little gal'! We arrived home 'bout 2:30am Monday mornin'. It took us a shorter time drivin' home. Bet it's 'cause Buffalo Jim ('Speedy') was spendin' more time behind the wheel headin' home. We had a great time! Felina even spent more time 'hob-knobbin'' with the stars this year! Only bad thing that happened this trip was Nancy's terrible fall. Nancy is still mendin' from her terrible fall and she continues to need our "special prayers". 'Am Lookin' forward to 2007!! Hope y'all are enjoyin' readin' and lookin' at our photos from the 2005 Annual Roy Rogers Festival in Portsmouth, OH. Please check out Page 3 of our adventures 'On the Road'! Happy Trails, ~Buffalo Gal~ Return to Top of Page Copyright © 2002 - 2008 All rights reserved. Rockn' V Southwestern Ranch™ is a registered trademark of RVSWR INC ®.