Montana Fur Trapper Convention!

Well, last Saturday Megan I headed down to Lewistown for the Montana Fur Trapper Convention. It was quite an interesting day, due to the fact that I was feeling a little under the weather for most of it. I had a bad experience at Burger King and spent most of the morning being sick, but that didn't stop me from going to Lewistown.

After three hours of me sleeping, we arrived. We ate at subway and the people there told us that our function was at the Yogo Inn. When we got to the Yogo Inn they had no idea what we were talking about. After a little investigating we finally figured out were we were suppose to be and the festivities began.

We got to try on the most beautiful furs and fell in love with almost all of them. There was raffle for a fur, and Megan and I bought tickets hoping to get lucky. I only bought one knowing I had not chance and Megan bought three. She wanted this one white fur more than anything and it was a pretty funny thing to watch. Unfortunately she didn't win but we still had a good time.

We were suppose to be in the trap setting contest, but I had no idea how to set one and neither did Megan, and I didn't want to do it wrong and snap one of my fingers off!! We did take part in the skillet tossing contest and if it wasn't for all the late entries I would have been at least in the top 2 but instead I finished 4th.

After, dinner we got to help hand out special awards to those who have accomplished great things throughout the year. Then we got to model the furs! Kate Rueland was also there modeling and it was her 7th year modeling and it was great to see her. I also got to model the last fur which was a sheered beaver fur that had been hand painted with flowers and pearls, it was really pretty and really expensive. After the fashion show we helped with the auction and Ed IV bought a teddy bear made of some kind of fur and gave it to me and Megan got a gold purse! It was funny because she wanted my teddy bear and I got to tease her with it!

After our day with the fur trappers we went back to our hotel room and had an interesting night. It had gotten pretty cold in Lewistown and we didn't really know how to turn on our heater and Megan said she didn't want to kill us if it was a propane heater. So instead we slept in sweats and sweaters. Megan had on three shirts and her hood from her sweater and we had to cuddle to stay warm! All of the interesting things that happen on trips, at least give us good stories for later on down the road!

Now, I'm back at school trying to figure everything out without getting overwhelmed. This weekend is the first football game so I'm planning on going to that. Go Bobcats!!

Until then,

Lorissa Harris
MTRM 07

Labor Day Weekend Rodeos!!

Well, I just finished my first week of college and it was stressful and different but a ton of fun. It's way different from high school but I have been enjoying myself so far!

Labor Day weekend in Montana is know as "Montana's biggest weekend," and I started off my weekend in Dillon, for the Dillon Jaycee Rodeo.
This rodeo means a lot to me because my very first title was the Miss Dillon Jaycee Princess. There were also some visiting royalty there I hadn't gotten to see yet this year.

Thanks to ARMY NATIONAL GUARD for their participation in the Grand Entry!
Riding with a "TANK" is interesting.


"ARMY NATIONAL GUARD are GREAT Supporters of Rodeo Royalty."
Most of the Miss Southwest Montana Royalty was there, Lizzy Vaughn, Amy Haggar, and Katie Hoppe. Leslie Furness, Miss Rodeo Western Montana,was also there, and I appreciate all they did to help in the Grand Entry and clearing the arena. Dillon Jaycees Rodeo Committee worked hard providing Class "A" acts!
I had to leave Dillon early on Sunday and drive over to White Sulphur Springs, and one of my good friends from high school Alta Pelia, and my mother accompanied me. The rodeo in White Sulphur started at 5 p.m. and I wasn't going to be able to ride in the rodeo, but I wanted to at least watch most of the rodeo, so I drove a little faster than the speed limit. Right as I came over a hill outside of Dillon, going 85, I passed a cop and he whipped around and his lights went on. I pulled off the side of the road and got all my stuff ready. He came up to my window and asked me how fast I thought I was going and I told him 80. He started laughing and I told him I'm was in a hurry to get to my next rodeo. He took all of my information, and went back to his car. Surprisingly he didn't take forever and he didn't give me a ticket or even a written warning. He just told me to slow down and get there safely. I was really glad I didn't get a ticket and now I drive a little slower and more cautious!!

We arrived in White Sulphur two hours and two missed exits later. We got to watch the end of the bull riding and it was weird just being a normal person and not all dressed up. Barb and Chanda Barber were gracious enough to bring me "Sage" and I carried the Montana Flag and pushed cattle with Marca, the new Miss Southwest Montana Teen Queen.

I enjoyed my final weekend of summer rodeos and the people I met and memories are something I will never forget. I will get to focus on school for a little while and help Megan study up for Miss Rodeo America. We get to go to Lewistown this weekend for the Montana Fur Trappers Convention so I'm really excited for that can't wait to see Megan!

Until then,

Lorissa Harris
MTRM 07'