Local News
Schultz is Freedom's Old Cowhand
By Michelle Seeber
Staff Writer
Ask Phillip Schultz about his most fond memory, and he’ll tell you a story about when he worked calves in the spring and fall near Freedom,
“I remember how all the neighbors got together,” he said. “We would help each other out.”
Seventy-four-year-old Schultz is this year’s Honored Old Cowhand for the Freedom Rodeo and Old Cowhand Reunion, which will be held this weekend.
The Freedom Chamber of Commerce selected him for this honor because he is a long-time area rancher “of excellent character and accomplishment and because he sets a good example for the rest of us to follow,” said rodeo spokesman Brett Smith.
Schultz said, “I was a rancher all my life until I was 74 and retired. Now I’m not doing much of anything.”
The Coldwater, Kan.-born rancher may not think he is doing anything, but he has impacted his community of Freedom.
Schultz was picked for the award by the community, Smith said.
“It was a pleasant surprise,” Schultz said.
Schultz will ride on a horse around the Rhodes Arena located on the edge of Freedom, where the rodeo is being held tonight, Friday and Saturday night. He also will attend the Old Cowhand Reunion at noon Saturday at the town park .
The rodeo begins at 8 p.m. all three nights.
“This year is the first for it to be billed with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association,” Smith said. “All our cowboys will be professional. It’s similar to the Woodward Elks Rodeo.”
All day activities will be held Saturday at the town park, including a 5K run and a fun run, which begins at 8:30 a.m.
At 10 a.m., the Western Arts Show will open in the American Legion building and continue until 4 p.m. The free chuckwagon feed will be held in the park at noon.
Smith said a full meal of brisket, beans, mashed potatoes and gravy will be served.
“There’ll be live entertainment in the park at 2:30 p.m.,” he said, “followed by the Great Freedom Bank Robbery and Shootout on Main Street.”
“It’s like an old time melodrama involving 35 outlaws with men, women and children,” he said, noting, “There will be a posse.”
“It’s quite a show,” he said, “a big shoot ‘em up.”
Each night after the rodeo is a dance, he said.
The one tonight will begin about 10:30 p.m. in downtown Freedom. The other two will be held at the American Legion after the rodeo.
Tickets to the rodeo can be purchased at the gate. Children six years old and younger will be admitted free, Smith said.
- Local News
-
-
Dedication held to show off park improvements
One of Oklahoma’s original 7 state parks is in the process of getting a facelift.
And a big part of the renovation at Boiling Springs was dedicated in a Wednesday morning ceremony and ribbon cutting. -
'Elvis' coming to Woodward
It’s time to get the sparkly jumpsuits out and head to the Woodward Arts Theatre.
Because?
Elvis is on the way. -
Camping areas going fast at parks
Labor Day Weekend marks the final major holiday of the summer season.
-
Appreciation Day to include free health screenings
The Family Wellness Center will be holding free health screenings for emergency service responders on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pioneer Room.
-
Remote pilots plan fun event
Remote control pilots like to fly their planes as a group to share in the fun.
-
Fargo sets open house at school
Fargo Public Schools is inviting past and present students, parents and community members to attend its open house tonight from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m.
-
Enrollment up at several schools
Several local schools in the area had quite an increase in student enrollment for the 2010 - 2011 school year.
-
Heisman winners enjoy visit
Saturday afternoon hundreds of University of Oklahoma football fans attended an autograph signing at Southgate United Supermarket featuring Sooner Heisman Trophy Winners Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978), and Jason White (2003).
-
Cupcake decorating among High Plains courses
Cupcakes are everywhere.
Just turn on your cable and you’ll see shows like “Cupcake Wars” on the Food Network and “DC Cupcakes” on The Learning Channel (TLC). -
CBR ticket sales to help area non-profits
The Woodward Tourism and Convention Bureau is spending $30,000 to bring in a Championship Bull Riding (CBR) event on Sept. 18.
- More Local News Headlines
-






