J’Ellen of the Black Hills visits Hank Frawley Ranch and Buster’s Herd

Hank Frawley with Buster on the right

Photo Credit to J'Ellen of the Black Hills - Special Thanks . . . Jann!!

Fellow Blogger, Jann Gam took Hank Frawley's invitation to tour his ranch in the Centennial Valley next to the Deadwood Exit 17 on I-90. Hank also has a herd of buffalo headed up by Buster. Jann got some great photos even with Buster nosing around :)

One of Jann's many photo interests are critters, especially buffalo. Jann provided some unique educational photos for a buffalo segment of a Elderhostel Education Program presentation by Dr. Lilah Pengra recently.

See Jann's ranch article, click =>Frawley Ranch & Buffalo. Also see her full web site, click => J'Ellen of the Black Hills. Keep paging back through "older posts" to see and enjoy an amazing range of quality photos.

COMMENTS:

Thanks Dick, very nice write up! I had a lot of fun hanging out for a little while with Hank and Buster's herd, despite the cold weather. I didn't meet Hank's wife, but maybe next time. Thanks again so very much for helping make my visit to the Frawley Ranch happen!

Jann October 11, 2009

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Hi Dick and Jann

You were not kidding when you said "up close"!! When I first saw Buster's face sticking into the truck,, I really wasn't sure if he was ....real...... until I read on and realized that Hank really does have an "up close and personal" relationship with his herd. What a wonderful opportunity of a lifetime for Jann to be able to get so close to them and to even touch them!!

It would be interesting to hear some of the experiences Hank has had with his buffalo herd. I wonder what that feels like to have a herd of buffalo running towards you! As I remember seeing buffalo from a distance years ago.......they are "pretty big guys"!!

Thanks to Hank and to Jann for braving the cold SD weather to take these great photographs and to Jann for sharing all of her beautiful work, and also to you Dick for helping to make it happen.

Peggy October 13. 2009

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Great pics. Love the buffalo.

KayN October 13, 2009

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Dick, Loved the photo of Hank and “B u ster”. Did he raise this big g u y from a calf and is that why he is so friendly? I notice hank is staying in the tr u ck however.

Yvonne, October 13, 2009

Artists of the Black Hills

This is a truly pleasant site that presents the fine artists of the Black Hills of today. There are many Signature Artists, Galleries, and Associated links . . . take your time!

Click and enjoy => Artists of the Black Hills

Gary Mule Deer tells how he launched his career in the Deadwood Buffalo Bar

Select images for larger view

~~also see music selection in right column~~

Gary Mule Deer attended the 2007 All DHS Class Reunion in Deadwood September 2007.

Shown here with his Mother Lola Miller on left and Pat Lubisher Hungerford on right.

Gary Mule Deer is an American comedian and country musician. During a career spanning five decades, he has performed on every major concert stage in the country, and made over 350 television appearances, including many on both The Tonight Show and The Late Show With David Letterman. He was one of six comedians, along with Jay Leno, to star on the first HBO comedy special "Freddie Prinze and Friends", was the co-host of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert for four years on NBC, a regular on Make Me Laugh, and a frequent judge on the Gong Show. He had over 100 appearances on The Nashville Network, including the last two years as a cast member on Hee Haw. He appeared in films such as Annie Hall', Up In Smoke and Tilt." He is currently featured on the DVDs "Jeff Foxworthy's Comedy Classics and "The World's Greatest Stand-up Comedy Collection" hosted by Norm Crosby. He also has a "Gary Mule Deer Live" CD of his comedy and music. Gary is currently one of the most played comedians on the Clean Comedy Channels of both Sirius and XM Satellite Radio.

Gary Miller was born in Deadwood and raised on a cattle ranch in Spearfish, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After high school, along with bow hunting (one of his comedy acts) and fishing, Gary attempted to further his education at local Black Hills State University, and also worked as a painter, bartender, bellman, bakers assistant, fishing guide, vacuum cleaner salesman, plumbers assistant, and owner and operator of the local movie theater before deciding that show business appeared to be the ideal job to get into because he could sleep late. Besides, after six years he was still a freshman. He changed his surname to Mule Deer in 1970.

After one guitar lesson, Gary learned about 30 Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly songs in 10 days and in the Key of E. He then combined them with some deadpan humor, influenced by his comedy hero Jack Benny. Within a few weeks he was entertaining in the local bars around the Black Hills.

After a short stint with partner Dennis Writer in The Black Hills Two, Gary, along with four other musicians then formed a rock and roll band called "Gary Miller and the Vaqueros". The band suddenly found themselves opening for some famous rock and roll bands like The Crickets, Jerry Lee Lewis, and The Everly Brothers. Gary and the Vaqueros also found themselves making one night stop-overs at The Spearfish Park Pavilion!!

The Vaqueros got together in 1961 behind Gary Miller from Spearfish where he was a student at Black Hills Teachers College. The rock band was put together and named themselves from the hit song "Vaquero" by the Fireballs. The earliest members came out of the group were Larry Bell and the Continentals. They were Doug Erickson, Jimmy Anshutz and Jackie Robinson. Jimmy and Jackie were soon replaced with Duane Stroller, a Nashville steel guitar and bass player who, just out of the Air Force, came to Spearfish to attend Black Hills State Teacher's College. Denny Fredrickson from Lead, SD joined the group along with Laurie Zapf of Spearfish.

The Vaqueros played at the Franklin Hotel Gold Bar and the Old Style in Deadwood, the Lead Pavilion, Docs Place in Newcastle, WY, community halls in western SD and eastern WY, dances in Rapid City and the Rapid City Auditorium. They opened for The Champs, The Ventures, Buddy Holly's Crickets, and Gary U.S Bonds at the Spearfish Pavilion.

The Vaqueros had an original song, "Whitewash" that was a hit at their concerts but unfortunately never made it to vinyl. Some of Gary Mule Deer's best memories are getting up and singing "Summertime Blues" and "Mule Skinner Blues" with The Ventures, The Crickets, and Jerry Lee Lewis when they were in town. He also sang "Mule Skinner Blues" with Myron Lee and the Caddies whenever they played the Spearfish Pavilion.

Later on in his career Gary and his roommate, Steve Martin, began to write what would be the basis of their comedy acts for years to come, making them two of the most avant-garde comics around, with their off-the-wall prop humor, combined with Gary's guitar and Steve's banjo music.

Gary's career is still going strong. The Spearfish landmark Miller Barn is bright red and still stands on the family property east of the entrance to the Spearfish Canyon. His bio says he lives in Spearfish SD. His latest music release with the Duck and Cover Band is shown below and how to access his web site.

Gary Mule Deer Performs at the Spearfish Western Hertiage Center

In a special impromptu moment Saturday evening 9/26/09, Gary Mule Deer stepped off the stage to sing "You Are My Sunshine" to his mother Lola Miller Saturday night at the High Plains Western Heritage Center Friendraiser in Spearfish. It was the first time Muledeer performed an all Johnny Cash show, which was done as a tribute to his idol. The event boasted a sold-out crowd in the Bruce Miller Theater named for Muledeer's late father. To learn more about the Western Heritage Center go to www.westernheritagecenter.com.

Pioneer photo by Letti Lister

Article Credit: The Black Hills Pioneer dated 9-28-2009

Blog described!

Morris Toppila's 2009 DHS Dinner Is "Top" Rated

Select image for larger view

"Top" the 2009 DHS Dinner Man

Wild Bill Hickok dropped by to show me his gun!

backgound left is Wendal Banigan

and right is Betty Kettlelhut Stoner

Collector Replicas of Hickok's Guns

Originals are in the Adams Museum

Morris Toppila DHS52 and wife Jerry Clauser Toppila DHS56 planned and provided a grand DHS Dinner in Deadwood, Saturday Night, September 12, 2009. It was simply coordinated and held at the Deadwood Social Club above the Historic Old Style Saloon #10.

A crowd of 69 DHS graduates, spouses, and friends were in attendance to enjoy piano by Carlyle Richards DHS53, talk fast and furious, and have an excellent banquet style dinner. As usual there was not enough time to meet and talk to everyone.

Shelia and Carlyle Richards

Roger Geist DHS53 and wife Jerrilee were introduced and celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Charley Bill Leslie DHS51 had the best 3.25 x 5.5 business card.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Roger & Jerrilee Geist!

There were numerous cameras and I hope they will share their pictures in the near future. I also plan to get the attendees by name. No surprise, a few did not look like their original school pictures.

Many of the DHS classmates had their own mini get-to-gathers on other days and times.

~~Thanks to the Toppilas and other DHS helpers for a reunion dinner well done!

I plan this article to be a work-in-progress and grow with other dhsclassmates help and comments.

COMMENTS:

Night, Good Dinner, Good Service, Good Friends and Classmates of Deadwood High School, Good Time!

Tell Sherill and Janet that the trumpet player that serenaded Doris Dunn was Ronny Moss. He was a very accomplished trumpet player who came to Deadwood in the 50's. He really liked Doris . . . for awhile until her Dad, the Sheriff, caught him and told him he was making too much noise among other things. Man could he play the trumpet.

Thanks for coming.

Top 9-13-2009

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I would say the dinner was a great success, no doubt about it. Top did a great job in getting it together for all of us, THANKS AGAIN TOP.Couldn't have done it without you. About Doris and Ron Maas with his trumpet, I spoke with Ron today and he said it is all true. That was many years ago.

Yvonne, DHS53, 9-21-200P

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I just love the photo of you and Mr. Hickok! :o) Looks like you had a really nice reunion.

Jann G 9-28-2009

Last of the Chalk Wagner Daughters - Loretta "Nanny" Elliott

Click on Image for Larger View

This collage is from the Beshara Collection

The Merritt Grocery is now the Home of the Deadwood Magazine

Loretta “Nanny” Elliott, DHS32, at the age of 95 passed away in Rapid City, SD on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at West Hills Village Health Care Facility. Her married surname for 23 years was Gravelle.

Loretta Mae Wagner was born June 25, 1914, in Deadwood, SD, daughter of Chalk (Deadwood Wall of Fame Inductee) and Dinise Wagner. She attended schools in Deadwood, SD and graduated from Deadwood High School in 1932. Shortly after graduation, September 15, 1932, Loretta married her high school sweetheart Fred Gravelle. Moving to Panama City, FL, that same year, Fred and Loretta went to work and started to raise their family. Fred worked in a Sawmill and Loretta made a home for Gary, Sandra and Vincent. In 1941 the family left Panama City and moved to Vallejo, CA. Along with raising a family, Loretta opened a hamburger shop called Loretta’s Café to serve the local clientele. They said she had the best burgers in CA. Their last child, Michael, was born in 1949, just before the family moved back to Deadwood, SD. In the true entrepreneurial spirit she purchased a small grocery store, Merritt’s Grocery, with living quarters in the back and upstairs she was able to be self-supporting and raise her family at the same time.

Loretta married James Elliott in 1955, and moved to Hill City where Jim was employed by the US Forest Service. While in Hill City, she managed the Scandia Hut and was also the organist at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Later moving to Rapid City she ran the gift shop at Crow’s I-90 Truck Stop and for several years was the organist at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Starting in 1982 Loretta was asked by her daughter to come to work at the Colonial House Restaurant. She was head cashier until her retirement in January 2000. Loretta became a resident at West Hills Village in November of 1998, and was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral.

Loretta loved to sew, making many detailed Barbie clothes and also sewed Ragged Andy and Ann dolls and Mr.& Mrs. Pat dolls. She had a green thumb for growing violets and was a terrific container gardener. She was a great cook and was well known for her fried chicken and butterscotch pie. Loretta loved the outdoors and went camping many times.

COMMENTS:

Thanks for the tribute to Loretta . . . she was such a nice lady.

Yvonne 9-20-2009

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