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4 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 14, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Home on the range Rocky Mountain round-up of cattle vacation for these urbane cowboys By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star For three weeks this fall, the western range was home for "Rodeo Bill" Van Camp and "Cowboy Brian" Callery. In the saddle from dawn 'til dusk, the two Port Perry men took part in a cattle drive, helping round up 2,000 head of cattle in the Rocky Mountains. For the past two years Mr. Van Camp has partici- pated in the annual cattle drive at Willow Lane Ranch, at the edge of the foothills in Claresholm, Alberta. Last year when Mr. Van Camp spotted an airport five miles from the ranch, he got the notion he would fly his four-seater Cessna 172 instead of taking a commercial flight this year. And when Mr. Callery heard of his plans, he immediately signed on as co- pilot. Leaving the airstrip at Utica on Sept. 24, it took three days of flying in sun, cloud, rain and snow before landing in Claresholm. Although the flying cowboys had spent a year planning and studying the weather patterns on their route, they say their families were up in arms about them flying after John Kennedy Jr. perished in a plane crash in July. "This wasn't a whim of ours, to fly out West. We were so diligent about our safety every hour of the trip," said Mr. Van Camp. "There were so many grave errors Kennedy made that led to his demise. As long as you practice the utmost in safety procedures, flying 1s a safe method of transportation." After landing at the spacious ranch they saddled up the next day, joining several riders in an effort to herd 2,000 animals from their summer grazing ranges in the mountains down to the valleys below. People from all over the world came to take part. In the flying cow- boys' group there were two women, from Calgary and 'Cowboy' Brian Callery and 'Rodeo' Bill Van Camp flew to the Rocky Mountain foothills in Alberta to take part in the fall round-up of 2,000 Switzerland, and a married couple from Germany. The cattle belong to several ranches, some as far away as 80 miles from the summer pasture. "Some of the ranchers send their cattle here because the animals gain so much on the lush buffalo grass," said Mr. Van Camp. On the last day of the drive the two men opted to join a group to help herd 200 head of cattle 25 miles to the home ranch. They helpéd cut the herd, separating the calves from the cows. While the calves are sent to market, the cows stay at the ranch until spring when they calve again. After the branding season they head back up to the mountains, where they stay until another cattle drive that fall. "That day we were up at 6 a.m. The land was cov- ered with snow and it was a frigid minus 4 degrees out. By late afternoon it was sunny and 20 degrees," said Mr. Callery. "That day was right out of a boyhood dream. We were 'doing the same stuff the cowboys did 100 years ago." The food was remarkable, leading them to loosen their belts a couple of notches. Starting the days off with a hardy cowboy breakfast, they packed a lunch in their saddlebags and ate Alberta beef, Mexican food and lots of desserts at night. Another highlight was visiting a Hutterite colony. Self-sufficient, these sectarian people live a frugal life, yet have GPSs on their large combines. "It was a joy to visit these people," said Mr. Callery. head of cattle from their summer pasturing ses- "ARE EER NE HY ch op ot £. £5 Sh 8S sion on the open range. They spent days from dawn until dusk in the saddle. "Their culture is so much different than ours, yet we respected theirs, just like they respect ours." All in all, the trip was bright with the exception of one dark cloud. The day before they were to leave for home, Mr. Van Camp and a fellow rancher, Joe, flew over a huge horse feedlot. "When Joe said the horses were being fattened for the international horse meat market, I felt sick," he sald. "I wished I could have touched down and opened the gate to let them all loose." The holiday was certainly a different experience for both. In Port Perry Mr. Van Camp helps run Van Camp Contracting, while Mr. Callery is a financial planner. But on Saturday mornings the two men enjoy saddling up their quarter horses for their week- ly outdoors routine. The pair flew home on Oct. 9 in time for a Thanksgiving dinner. The cowboys say it was good to get away and fulfill their dreams, but it felt wonderful to be back with their families again, too. "It was the ultimate, flying over our great land by air and seeing some of the more rugged parts on horse- back," said Mr. Van Camp. "Every day, from early dawn until dusk we saw Big Chief Mountain in Montana to the south and the B.C. Rockies to the west. The whole trip was like a boyhood dream come true. "All my life I have wanted to experience this sensa- tion. Finally it came true for me a third time. 1 always tell people, even if it is a challenge, reach for your dreams." ODA session planned for March Region plans forum on disability issues YMCA is hosting Breakfast with Santa tomorrow Individuals and organizations serv- ing Durham Region have come together to organize an Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) Forum. The Durham ODA Forum entitled "Breaking the Barriers" will take place on March 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the HMS Ajax Room at the Ajax Community Centre. Organizing and sponsoring the event are: the Region of Durham - Public Health, Grandview Children's Centre, CNIB, Easter Seal Society, Bloorview MacMillan Centre, Parents in Action for Challenged Kids, Durham Family Registry, Fairness for Durham Kids, Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic School Board. "The purpose of the Forum is to help educate the community about the barri- ers disabled people face everyday in their lives that prevent them from fully participating in all parts of society," " said Larry O'Connor, a regional council- lor and chair of the Region's Health and Social Services Committee. "These barriers lie in important areas such as education, recreation, housing, transportation, employment, and health-care services. As a result, children and youth growing up with disabilities and special needs are disad- vantaged in so many ways - socially, vocationally, economically and educa- tionally," he said. "We want Ontario to catch up with the United States and other jurisdic- tions by passing a strong and effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act." Kathryn Bremner, who co-chairs Parents in Action for Challenged Kids (PACK) points out that an ODA would make good economic sense. "With so many barriers in place, dis- abled people have little option, but to collect welfare," she said. "This law would help many persons with disabilities get off social assis- tance and get into productive jobs where they can contribute to society and become taxpayers. By preventing new barriers from being created, it would also avoid the cost in future of removing obstacles before they occur." Over the next few months the Durham ODA Forum Committee will be speaking to other local agencies, service clubs and business organizations to educate and engage them in efforts to achieve a strong and effective ODA. Join the YMCA for a fun filled morning at the fifth annual "Breakfast with Santa." Dec. 15. The fee is $4 per person which includes pancakes, sausage rolls, refreshments, holiday treats, tea or coffee for parents, crafts, "Valentine" the Clown doing face painting and a visit with the jolly old man himself, All proceeds from this event go to the YMCA Community Fund. The party is open to the community, so bring all your family and friends, It's being held on Wednesday, Dec. 15 from 10 to 11 a.m, at the Scugog Community Centre. Pre-registration is required, please call (905) 985.2824 to reserve your spot. ;