7th Annual Wild West Weekend July 31st, August 1st & 2nd 2009 "Uniting Family & Community in Dexter"

Download Friday's Vendors and Map Download Saturday's Vendors and Map Download Schedule of Events Wild West Week-end Business Decorating Contest Results FIRST PLACE: Dexter Health Care Facility Residents at the Health Care Facility were dressed in cowboy garb and sitting or standing outside the building in the circle area. Several horses and riders were present offering rides for anyone who wanted to participate. Riders demonstrated their horsemanship abilities. Food was provided by the health care staff and tables were set under a tent in the circle area. Health care staff accommodated a pony visiting in the resident's rooms while caring for the residents as needed. Staff as well as residents were very cheerful and welcoming of all the visitors who came to their home today. A saddle with horse blanket set on a saw horse were a part of the outside decorations along with watering buckets for the horses present. The Director of Dexter's Development Assn. was present as well as Dexter's Chief of Police MAIN STREET FIRST PLACE: Country Charm The front window was decked out in one area as a saloon with characters dressed as a bar tender and a patron with a wanted picture below the bar. A player piano was set up inside the store with a character dressed in authentic clothing sitting at the piano with a dancing girl posed on top of the piano dressed in feathers and frills. Music was playing as if coming from the piano giving the air of an authentic "bar setting". A card game was taking place with characters sitting around a table with bottles of beer and a shotgun shell on the table. A hitching post was located in the store with a stick horse and saddle blanket next to it. A wanted poster was hanging at the check out counter. SECOND PLACE: Blackwell Insurance As we arrived, we were greeted by a staff member dressed in a jail bird outfit who took us inside to view the jail cell set in the back of the office area with a "stuffed person" laying on the jail bed. Other office staff were dressed in cowboy garb wielding firearms. Wanted posters hung on the wall and stuffed people were sitting at a table playing checkers. Snacks and drinks were available at the counter. THIRD PLACE: Noah's Landing A wanted poster of the owner was hanging in the front window with a $0.00 reward offered. Saloon doors were painted on the main door entering the restaurant. Wait staff were dressed in cowboy garb. Stuffed characters with blow up cactus surrounded the daily food special board. A "Wild West" sign was hung above the entrance doors to the kitchen. There were cowboy boot and cactus decorations hanging from the ceiling over tables. The drink cooler in the rear of the restaurant had a fence motif painted on the doors. FOURTH PLACE: Tillson True Value A window display featured a saddle, guitar and wooden paint box containers. The staff members were dressed in cowboy garb. Judges Note: Thank you for the opportunity to take part in the Wild West Weekend Competition. We had a great time judging the displays and talking with the wonderful people along the way. 7th Wild West Week-end this weekend DEXTER - Dexter Regional Development Corporation is saddling up for the 7th Annual Wild West Weekend on July 31st, August 1st & 2nd in 2009. Come help us "Unite Family and Community, now and in the Future". Wild West Weekend became an economic boost for area businesses, helped with fund raising, creating awareness for non-profits, and showcased our beautiful Main Street and the Town of Dexter, but will be the final year for this theme. Part of this years events include or are tentative: Dragon Den's 3rd Annual Stick Pony Rodeo on Main Street and Country Charm's 3rd Annual Wheel Barrow Race, Friday's Kiddie & Horse Parade, Debbie Myers Friday Night Concert 7 to 9 pm, P & L Markets Pig Scramble on Saturday afternoon at 2 pm, DRHS Field Hockey Maine Chicken BBQ, Maine Choice Realty Skillet Toss & New Hope Baptist Church Wild West Olympics, Ray Stafford Concert on Saturday 6 to 9 pm,, North Country Riding Club Horse Show, Wild Jim's Jamboree at Wayside Park, Christian Community Church Chicken Pie Supper & outside Sunday Service, Dexter Fire Department Ducky Race, Roger Brawn Real Estate Scavenger Hunt, Dexter Health Care Ride-In, Poulliot-Seavey Post of the American Legion Bingo, Christian Community Church Sunday Service, Kiwanis Silent Auction, Town of Dexter Silent Auction in the Town Council Chambers, Lady of the Snows Parish Yard Sale and Silent Auction at St Anne's Church, Bud's Shop'n Save Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday 10 to 4, DRHS Football team Hot Dog Sale at Buds on Saturday and lots more. Businesses, vendors, churches & organizations currently signed up; AE Robinson, Adoptions Plus, American Legion, Bangor Savings, Blackwell Insurance, Blanket Works, Buds Shop'n Save, CD Electric & ABCD Pre School, Christian Community Church, Country Charm, Country Singer Ray Stafford, CPB Food Wagon, Dexter Creamery & Community Farmers Project, Dexter Fire Department, Dexter Health Care, Dexter Highway & Facilities, Dexter Lakes Association, Dexter Municipal Golf Course, Dexter Police Department, Dexter Print Shop, Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis, Dexter Variety, Dick's Sticks, Down East Liquidation, Dragons Den, DRHS Class of 2011, DRHS Field Hockey Team, DRHS Key Club, DRHS Operation Graduation 2010, Dusters Car Club, Eastern Gazette (Hometown Advantage), Friendly Forest Day Care, Half Moon Acres, Hall's Wholesale, Horse Sense & Animal Tales, J & D's Crafts & Pantry, Judy Craig Consulting, Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union, Mainely Cookouts, Mainely Crafts, Mayo Regional Hospital, New Hope Baptist Church, Norm Nugent Trivets, North Country Riding Club, Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, P&L Market, Prudential, Renys, Roger Brawn Real Estate, S.D. Wilbur Forest Products & Trucking, SAD#48 Food Services, Sebasticook Family Doctors, Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce, Skowhegan Savings Bank, Snap of the Dragon, Spring Street Greenhouse, Tatto Temptations, Thomas Honea Balloons, Tillson True Value, Toot's Deli, Town of Dexter, Varney Insurance Agency, Yogi's Doughboys, and more... DRDC will be holding the 7th Annual Costume Contest with $250 in cash prizes to be held right before the Debbie Myers Concert on Main Street. The Dexter Fire Department will be ending Wild West Weekend at the end of the week, August 6, 7 and 8 with their Annual Auction. So grab your partna' and join us on July 31st, August 1st & 2nd in Dexter. If you would like more information, contact DRDC President Judy Wilbur Craig, Wild West Weekend Coordinator at (207) 924-3067 or email judy@DexterMaine.com and check us out on the web for more details and LOTS of pictures from the past 6 years at www.WildWestWeekend.com. Palmyra musician launches solo career Performing at Wild West Weekend Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Local musician, Gary E. Knowles of Palmyra, aka Mr. Music Entertainment, has played in bands, but he is now concentrating on his first year as a solo performer. Though he plays a variety of instruments, including guitar, keyboard, and drums, the guitar is his favorite. "I let the other talents take a backseat to focus on that. It's what gives me the most pleasure." Gary's introduction to music came first from Amie Simoneau, the music teacher at Hartland Consolidated in 1960. At age 10, Gary had the privilege of being the first third grader allowed into the school band. Previous to Mr. Simoneau's choosing a younger classman, children had to wait until the fourth grade. Learning percussions, ranging from drums to xylophone, and even the glockenspiel as his first instruments, gave Gary his first taste of the basics of rhythm, which helped develop the timing needed to learn other instruments. The opportunity to learn the guitar came from his Grandmother, Jenny Lyford, who played guitar and sang. At age 12, Gary came under her tutelage. "She taught me the chords. Basically, I'm self-taught, learning from music and chord books. Once I learned the chords, I could play by ear; hear a note or sequence of notes, recognize it, and duplicate it on my own." He and his best friend from boyhood, Buzzy Vandestine, one of the founders of the Hartland based Country Comfort Band, were learning the guitar at the same time and they swapped knowledge. Gary is currently taking lessons to enhance his abilities, moving up from playing rhythm guitar to performing more leads and fills. Gary cannot count the hours spent practicing and performing. He once forced himself to practice one song so much that his fingers bled. "For all that, I've done it joyfully. Performing live music is an adrenaline rush. When the audience enjoys what you do, and responds, it's a great feeling. I love music. I can't imagine living without it. When people, who don't know you at all, applaud, you know you're doing something special." With numerous other musicians, Gary donates his time and talents at Country Music Jams, collecting funds for various charities. These performers gather on the third Friday each month at the Corinna American Legion and again on the fourth Saturday at the Milo Town Hall. All proceeds go to different charities. As a member of the Northern Chapter of the Maine Country Music Association, he recently participated in the Corinna Old Home Days." On July 12 at Milo Town Hall, the Maine Country Music Hall of Famers held their first showcase in Northern Maine. "It was an honor when Slim Andrews asked me to be a member of the backup band for over a dozen members of the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, which include Slim Andrews, Ginger Mae, and Sonny Bickford." His history with bands includes the Hartland-based Cosmic Rays and the Madison -based Borderline Express. In 1990, the Downeast Country Music Association awarded Gary with Rhythm Guitar Player of the Year. In other years, there have been joint awards as a member of Borderline Express, winning Vocal Group, Vocal Duet, Gospel Group, Comedy Group, and Best Dressed." His repertoire includes a variety of music, covering many country songs and the Oldies from the fifties, sixties, and seventies rock. Gary considers 'Crying' by Roy Orbison, as his signature song as it's the most requested song whenever he plays in country jams. With talents ranging from lead singer to harmony vocals, he has recorded tracks that emphasis both. He is currently in the stages of recording a CD covering twelve songs that display his diversity with country and rock. Gary E. Knowles is a member of the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Sebasticook Valley Elks, and a Distinguished Past President of the Guilford Area Kiwanis Club. He is available for live performances and as DJ for any occasion, providing good, clean entertainment for any age."This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the SVWeekly.com and is used here with permission." Mr. Music will be performing on Friday afternoon from 2 to 4 pm during Wild West Weekend at Wayside Park in the Gazebo.

Street Closings during 7th Wild West Weekend: Main Street Friday: 1 pm to 9 pm Saturday: 9 am to 2 pm Intersection of Zions Hill & Main Street to Howard Insurance (Vendor Alley) Friday: 8 am to 9 pm Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm Municipal Parking Lot: Saturday: 4 to 10 pm Dexter Historical Society WWW activities The Dexter Historical Society will participate in The Wild West Weekend activities by offering expanded open hours on Friday and Saturday from 10 to 9 at the Grist Mill Museum. The Carr School will also be open that day. Thanks for your generousity 3rd Annual Wheel Barrow Race: $50 Bucks! Country Charm Gift Shop is pleased to sponsor the 3rd Annual Wheel Barrow Race for adults ages 16 and older will be held on Main Street, Saturday, August 1st sponsored by Country Charm during Dexter's 7th Annual Wild West Weekend with a whooping $50 Cash Prize (winner takes all). Registration required: Check in time is at 1:30 in front of Country Charm on Main Street. The rules are as follows: RULES: 2 teams of 2 Partna's face off per run. Partna' #1 loads a hay bale into their wheelbarrow, gallops around obstacles to the opposite end of course, tosses out hay bale and then passes wheelbarrow off to Partna' #2. Partna' #2 then loads the wheelbarrow with bale of hay and repeats the same course to the finish line. The slowest team in each run is eliminated ---à The fastest team moves on. The Overall Winning team is the last team standing and wins $50 for the team! Wild West Business Decorating Showdown Dress up your window(s) and/or create displays in your Dexter business for Wild West Weekend. Dexter Regional Development will once again be sponsoring the "Wild West Business Decorating Showdown" taking place with judging on Friday and announced during the Debbie Myers Concert on Friday night on Main Street. Dress up your window(s) and/or create displays in your business for Wild West Weekend and an impartial panel of judges will be discreetly going around town during WWW and choosing who will have the honor of hanging the Wild West Weekend Plaque for 2009. Please let me know what your plans are to make your business, club, church or home "wildly" stand out. Also, please invite your business neighbors to participate. NCRC celebrates Wild West Weekend with 7th Annual WWW Trophy Show DEXTER – North Country Riding Club is pleased to present one of their biggest shows of the season Sunday, August 2nd at Bud Elms Field in Dexter during the 7th Annual Wild West Weekend with Judge Melissa Spencer. In honor of Wild West, NCRC holds the Western Classes in the morning and the English Classes in the afternoon, just reversed from the usual show. The upcoming Equitation Show has 38 Classes including halter classes, English & Western Equitation classes, Lead Line for the youngest rider, draft / draft-cross halter class and jumping, plus (2) Carriage Classes. NCRC shows are held at Bud Elms Field in the North Country Riding Club Show Arena in Dexter. Show registration starts at 7:00 am; Show time is 8:30 AM and will be held rain or shine (unless extreme conditions). All horses must have current rabies and coggins papers upon entering the Show Grounds for the safety of all horses. Free spectator admission Great food available all day by CPB Food Wagon of Bradford from breakfast thru the day! Ice Cream Vendor, Tack Shop, Blanket Works and more 50/50 raffle Handmade Horse Bench Raffle Fresh Water available for horses Free parking to all Ride to music Pre-registration forms, Rules & Regulation List and Class Lists are all available at www.DexterRidingClub.com. Also, check out the NCRC website for directions/map to the arena and/or monthly meetings and show pictures. This show is very festive and spectators will enjoy food vendors and other type of vendors. Bring your family & favorite chairs and enjoy a day full of family fun. Spectator admission & parking is free and food is available for the entire day. The Dexter Fire Department also takes part with watering down the ring. Equine lovers are also invited to NCRC monthly meetings, held the last Wednesday of the month and the public is invited.   The next monthly meeting will be held Wednesday, July 29th; 6:30 pm at the show ring. We hold our "off season" meetings at the Town Hall on Hall Street in Dexter; across from Abbott Memorial Library and during show season at the NCRC Show Ring at Bud Elms Field in Dexter NCRC is pleased to announce the re-formation of the Junior NCRC Club with advisor Sarah Rand. The juniors hold a separate meeting to voice their ideas, concerns as well as doing fund raising. Please let us know if you are interested. The Wild West Committee would also like to invite you and your friends to join us around town both Friday and Saturday with your horses.  Dexter is a "horse friendly town" especially during Wild West.  Citizens will enjoy seeing people riding around in carts and on horse back on Main Street and about town! Did you know that there is a Maine Law that "Horses Have the Right of Way" on the roads? You can find it at State of Maine Statutes & Laws; Title 29-A - §2055. Animals on a public way. The Annual Ride In to the Dexter Health Care (nursing home) is on Friday at 10 am and we would love to see LOTS of riders join us.  We meet on Grove Street by the Dexter Police State at 9:30 am. The residents wait all year now for this day!  It reminds them of their past. After that trip, we head back downtown to Main Street, where you are invited to join the Kiddy & Horse Parade at 1 pm. Trailer parking can be found down by the Watering Hole, or wherever you can find a nice spot. Water for the horses is provided on Main Street and at some businesses. We hope to see you soon with smiling faces, festive moods and a safe day during our 7th Annual Wild West Weekend Trophy Equitation Show.