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Show www.thespectrum.com — The Spectrum CHERYL e Continued from pg. 13 $2,500. He only made $75 a week then. The first Trigger worked with Dad in a movie. Dad. wanted.that horse for the movies only and looked for another horse to use at rodeos. That Trigger was known as Little Trigger: Trigger lived 33 years, making 89 movies, and 100 TV episodes. “When Trigger passed away, mom and dad had a heated discussion because dad wanted Trigger mounted instead of buried. Dad was a hunter and had his trophies mounted. Mom told dad “When you die, I'll have you skinned out and put you on Trigger: Dad said he thought that was a good. idea. So ended the discussion with Dale laughing” So Trigger was mounted and can be seen in the Roy Rogers ST. GEORGE NEIGHBORHOODS — especially anything that had to do with children — performing at orphanages or hospitals or supporting organizations. Roy was an active Shriner. Dale was active in the American Association of Retarded Children. The Rogers family continued doing activities together. For instance, in the summer, when they were out of school, the whole family toured together, performing at rodeos and state fairs. Cheryl and Linda sang a song with Roy and Dale “The Bible Tells Me So’ Then they all sang several songs together as a family. Dale wrote 28 books and 77 songs, and came up with costumes and melodies for their shows. Dale wrote the theme song “Happy Trails” for their show. “Mom was incredibly creative and a unique woman.’ Cheryl and Larry moved Museum in Branson. to Apple Valley to take care Roy's dream was to set up of her mom and dad in their a museum on his life. “Dad's failing health. Roy died July hero was Will Rogers. In fact, 6, 1998, and Dale followed Dad took Will's last name for shortly thereafter, dying Feb. his stage name. He saw the - 7, 2001. “They were married sparseness of Will's museum for 51 years. in Oklahoma and Dad said “After mom and dad died, he wanted more in his own Larry and I looked for a museum. Dad saved everyplace to live. We loved the St. thing. Dad ran the museum. George area, and have been I ran it for a couple of years, here for five years.’ Cheryl and now Dusty and his chiland her husband, Larry have dren are running it. Going to - seven grown children and 14 the museum is like being in grandchildren. his closet’ The museum was Now years later, Cheryl in Victorville, Calif., for 36 tries to stay close to her sibyears. It is now in Branson. lings. Since she was the oldDale's horse, Buttermilk, est, there were a few that was originally named ‘Soda’ she didn't feel close to while and was the trainer's horse growing up. “Roy and Dale that was used in the series. had a very blended family. “Dad bought Dale a beautiful For instance, there is a 26Palomino but it looked too year age span between Tom much like nS so I got and Dodie. Dodie was 6 him,’ saidC years old when I married. Another ae asked My children are her age. by fans is if “Bullet” the dog Tom, Dale's son, was in colin the series was the family lege when Dale joined the dog. It was Roy’s idea to use a family. So he didn't live with shepherd so the studio rent- us when we were children. I didn't know him well. I got ed a couple of different dogs to know Tom better after we to use in the series. Multiple “Bullets” were — for differ- moved to Apple Valley and he came to visit mom” ent scenes. Now Cheryl and Larry Along with- ‘their busy travel around the country in schedule of performances, their RV and attend different Roy and Dale loved “causes” Submitted photo Cheryl Rogers-Barnett poses with her parents, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. festivals and visit fans of Roy and Dale. The RV is not a dis- play or a museum on wheels but can be used as a back- drop to help advertise the festival in some cases. “We tailor the RV to the festival's needs.’ Cheryl = been invited to be a keynote speaker at some events as well as a vendor to sell her books. “We do a lot to help keep Mom and Dad’s memory alive and to keep alive the western movies that was so much a part of our lives when we were kids. There are so many great festivals such as the National Festival of The West, in Scottsdale, Ariz. We have participated on panels or present awards for them’ The Lone Pine = Film Festival, in Lone Pine, Calif, which is held over Columbus Day weekend, is a special place to the Rogers family. This is where Roy's first movie “Under Western Stars” was filmed. Before moving to Utah, Larry and Cheryl worked with UCLA as a sponsor to get Roy's first movie “Under Western Stars” restored. ‘A kazillion movies were made at Lone Pine, like “Gunga Din; “Charge of the Light Brigade; and some “Star Trek” movies. The Barnetts also go to Kanab every year for a film festival there. Many movies have been made there over the years. Cheryl recently ae ‘at the 25th anniversary of the Golden Boot Awards where she gave the invocation. She appeared on “Talking Television” with Dave White on March 1, 2007 She was recently a keynote speaker at the Kingman Area Book Magic Festival in Arizona; served as grand marshal for the city of Washington's Cotton Days it’s all in *. the PLUS... Tues. - Sat, tam- 6pm www.comicsplus.com — For the week of October 10, 2008 — 15 Festival, and has contributed her time and talent to many worthwhile charitable groups. Along with her mother, Dale, Cheryl was a charter member of the parent organization of Child Help USA, which leads the national battle against child abuse. Over the years, Cheryl's professional life has included anking and finance in the entertainment industry. She is currently on the Advisory Board of the Western Music Association. She is also working on the History Channel project, “When Cowboys Were King” She was interviewed for a documentary film on Kanab, and Western films being produced by Dixie State College. Cheryl has written two books — “Cowboy Princess” and “All American Cowboy . Grill’ co-authored with Ken Beck and Jim Clark. Recipes of movie stars, country western singers, and chuckwagon champions plus photos are included in the book. ~ “Ken and I knew each other. Ken and Jim asked me to join them to write a sequel to their first recipe book. They wanted to get new cowboys in the book. Ken and Jim wrote Aunt Bee's Cookbook, and All American Cowboy Cookbook. “[jumped at the chance to be a part of their project. We bugged our friends to turn in their favorite family recipes. It's gotten real good reception. I hope it has the same longevity as their first book, there are also new photos. I’m proud to. be a small part of this project: Today, Cheryl keeps busy promoting her recently released books. She serves on the executive committee of the Golden Boot Awards benefiting the Motion Picture and Television Foundation, and is on the board of directors of the Beverly and Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History, which opened June 2006, in California. “I hope that. people will remember the western movies, tune in and watch, and keep our heritage alive. I didn't realize what a huge part western movies plays in our American heritage. Foreigners ask me where to go to see cowboys. That's what I'm trying to get people to do at the events we attend” |