Country Lifestyles
Dave True to Receive National Golden Spur Award Oct. 17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09-02-15 CONTACT:
National Ranching Heritage Center Sue H. Jones
3121 Fourth St., Box 43200 [email protected]
Lubbock, Texas 79409 806.834.2646
Dave True to Receive National Golden Spur Award Oct. 17
National Ranching Heritage Center Hosts Award Dinner
Dave True recipient of the National Golden Spur Award.
Dave True, a rancher in Casper, Wyo., will receive the 2015 National Golden Spur Award during a 6 p.m. dinner Oct. 17 at the National Ranching Heritage Center (NRHC) in Lubbock, Texas.
Hosted by the Ranching Heritage Association (RHA), the dinner annually honors the National Golden Spur Award recipient in recognition of lifetime contributions to the ranching and livestock industry.
The event will begin with a reception and silent auction at 6 p.m. followed by dinner, the award presentation and entertainment provided by singer/songwriter Red Stegall.
Individual tickets are $100 each ($75 for RHA members) and a table for eight may be reserved for $1,250. Tickets must be purchased in advance by contacting Vicki Quinn-Williams at 806.834.0469 or [email protected].
The NRHC is a 27-acre museum and historical park devoted to preserving and interpreting the history of ranching and addressing contemporary ranching issues.
The National Golden Spur Award is a joint recognition given by some of the leading state and national organizations in the ranching and livestock industries, including the American Quarter Horse Association, National Cattlemen’s Foundation, Ranching Heritage Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
Established in 1978, the National Golden Spur Award honorees have represented virtually every aspect of the agribusiness industry and all of the major livestock and ranching areas throughout the United States.
“This award is one of the most prestigious honors a person can receive in our industry,” said Dr. Carl Andersen, executive director of the NRHC. “The award recognizes that devotion to land and livestock has earned a single individual notable respect and admiration from peers within the industry.”
As an owner and partner of True companies, a family business based in Casper, Dave True has spent a lifetime following the dream of his parents to build a business within the ranching and energy industries.
True Ranches grew into a multi-segmented beef operation that now spans the eastern third of Wyoming with seven commercial cow/calf operations, two feedlots and several farms. The family cattle operation takes a conception-to-slaughter floor approach to beef production with an emphasis on quality genetics that continue improvement of the foundation cattle herd and ultimately the final beef product.
“Dave’s humbleness, thoughtfulness and attention to detail, but most importantly his rancher’s common sense, make him a respected leader in the cattle business,” said Philip Ellis, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and a rancher in Chugwater, Wyo.
True was selected by his peers to be NCBA treasurer from 2011 to 2014. Those who worked alongside the financially skilled rancher say his contributions as treasurer were paramount to the success of the organization.
“His financial knowledge and communication skills are second to none,” Ellis said. “But Dave also brings a strong, steady sense to any team. Every time and everywhere I’ve served with Dave, I knew our cause would be better because of his service.”
In addition to serving as vice-chairman of the National Cattlemen’s Foundation since 2008, True has an extensive list of leadership roles, including serving on the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees since 2013, president of CattleFax in 2004, Wyoming Stock Growers Association Board of Directors since 1988, Casper Rotary Foundation Board of Directors since 2002, and International Association of Drilling Contractors Board of Directors since 1981.
True graduated cum laude in 1973 from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. in Business Administration. True and his wife, Melanie, have four children and seven grandchildren.
By Bryce
He kicked the goose down blanket to the cold and wood planked floor.
You could see his breath as he was headed for the bathroom door.
He tiptoed down the hall. His feet were bare, in need of socks. And wished that he’d at least tried on his Christmas present Crocks.
His gout caused him to stumble, bumped a cracked and aging mirror. The cowboy’s true reflection forced an old man to appear.
The cowboy hesitated. Both hands were aged and shook. But he stretched and straightened out the mirror. This time he dared a look.
His face was worn and wrinkled, gray hair knotted on his head. Eyebrows kinked and twisted showed a hint of younger red.
The wrinkles in his face proved years of riding in the sun, and maybe too much bourbon from his younger days of fun.
The cowboy quizzed the old man, “Are you sure you’re really me?” The old goat in the mirror replied, “You don’t like what you see?”
“You’ve walked past me a thousand times and never shot a glance. Your gaze into the mirror today is more than happenstance.”
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Dal Houston
I have always liked dogs. Well, to say I have always really loved dogs would be more truthful – especially mutts or dogs from the pound. Until recent years, the only dogs I really did not like were pit bulls. It seemed like every other day there would be a news story about a pit bull mauling some child or elderly person, and in some cases, killing them. After hearing these stories, I often wondered why someone would want such a dangerous dog. I even remember hearing about some wanting to ban pit bulls from their communities, and at one time, I thought that may not be a bad idea.
I do not think I had ever had an encounter with a pit bull, nor did I know anyone who did, that caused this negative opinion, rather it was what I heard about the breed from others that turned me against them. Then, about eight years ago, while looking for cattle along the river, a pit bull pup, likely having been dumped, came out of the brush. Had it been a dog of any other breed, I would have had no qualms about approaching it, but I saw that thick, wide head, and all I could think was that I had better be careful because it was probably a dangerous dog. The pup was scared and standoffish, but after a while, we finally approached each other. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship, and, as I have recently learned, a dramatic eye-opening life lesson.
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Annette Bridges
My country boy and I are in our fifth decade together, and that sounds like forever when I write it. I am thankful for our many years together, but these days I wish I could shake the feeling of time as fleeting. I am doing my best, however, to accept the progression of time as part of the miracle of life and focus on living each and every moment to its fullest potential.
Our past decade has been one of many changes, but maybe all decades are like that. Some
changes we want, some we do not. Some we create ourselves, some when we have no choice other than to accept them as part of life. I admit I have not been super happy with myself in recent years. I am carrying the extra pounds I promised myself I would not gain back. I still struggle with sadness and regret so deep that at times takes my breath away.
To read more, pick up a copy of the July issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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