Poetry event a success for hospital group

Grammy nominee Don Edwards sang a song by Ian Tyson about cowboy artist Will James at the Carson City Community Center on Saturday night.

"I've memorized those pictures, boys, they're still the very best. If whiskey was his mistress, then his true love was the West."

Edwards was one of eight performers taking turns on stage for the 10th annual Cowboy Jubilee and Poetry - the biggest annual fund-raiser for the Carson-Tahoe Hospital Auxiliary. The event, with an early and late show, was a success.

"I haven't made the final count but I know this is our biggest and best yet," said event chair Delsye Mills.

"Over all, in the nine years we've done this, we've raised almost $139,000 with the Cowboy Jubilee," she said. All of this year's earnings will go toward the auxiliary's $250,000 commitment to the new cancer center being built on the north end of town.

Auxiliary president Maudie Long thanked the crowd.

"I do want to thank you all for your love and support in helping us reach our goal," she said.

The first performer on stage was Sourdough Slim, who has played all 10 Cowboy Jubilees.

"I'm thrilled to be here," he said, accordion strapped to his chest. "Actually, as an accordion-playing, yodeling cowboy in the 20th century, I'm thrilled to be anywhere."

He thanked "trail boss" Delsye Mills.

Montana poet and former bronc rider Paul Zarzykski recited a poem about love called "Bucking Horse Moon."

"We'd revel in the music of our Buick running smooth," he said. "Skinny dip, and dry off in the breeze."

Later he sang the "Calico Fever Blues," a song about a cowboy whose love interest doesn't pan out.

"His ya-hoos turned to boo-hoos," he sang as the packed hall clapped. "She bucked him off with the Dear John news."

The event got better and better for Mills. She came out half way through and announced the donation of two more checks - one from Eagle Fitness and another from Long Engine Systems.

"She's going to get real close to selling out both shows," said her husband Caleb Mills, the chairman of the hospital board.

Between the 4 p.m. show and the 8 p.m. show there was a barbecue dinner served in the gym.

Ralph Marrone grilled tri tip over mesquite in the parking lot after marinating it for 24 hours. The meat was donated by the Nevada Beef Council.

In the lobby auxiliary member Suzi Kaufman was selling Cowboy Jubilee posters signed by all the performers.

"I've already sold six," she said before the early show. "So we're doing pretty good."

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.