CHRISTIE KENNELLY/GDH Although the onset of winter snow storms can make ones schedule a little hectic with driving, the dismissal of school and just getting from point A to point B, no one can deny the beauty that comes with a heavy snow fall. This snow-packed tree is evidence of this.
By KATIE MARTIRE
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The Convention and Tourism Board held their monthly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 15. Representatives for several up and coming events were present to ask the board for some assistance for an upcoming derby on September 26. "How this came about is, Troy Smith and I go to the derbies every year and we were talking and we thought, we need to get a derby car," said Fajen. "So this Spring, we found us a derby car, at that time we started thinking about the people in our lives that are battling breast cancer, so we decide to build a pink car. We build a pink car and we come up with team pink logo, enter the derby and come in seventh place, it cost us $35 to enter and we won $35, so we broke even. While we were building the car, we didn't have any idea what we were doing. One week before the derby, all of the derby guys show up at Troy's house and help us build the car, they said since it was for a great cause, they would be happy to lend a hand. It was a 6 p.m. to midnight for six days. We made 300 t-shirts and made $1700 for cancer research. After the derby, the guys told me to hold my own derby, I told them I don't know a thing about it and this is the first time I had any part of the derby besides sitting in the stands." "We decided to hold a derby that Guymon has never seen," said Fajen. "We are going to do this for cancer research, we are going to donate it all and not keep a penny. Everyone that is helping with this, it is costing them money and time but we are doing something we love to do, it is for a great cause. I think everyone knows a friend or family member that has battled cancer, it is a nasty disease that we have to find a cure for. We are going to make this a derby a little different, we hired an independent judging team out of Pratt, Kan., seven guys, we paid them $1,000 to come inspect and judge the derby so that no one can say that they were judged incorrectly." The first place winner will take home $2500, there is $8250 in the purse. Entertainment will be held in between each heat. "Twenty-five cars have already pre-registered," said Fajen. "I got a call from Perryton, Texas, there are 10 cars coming up. Some guys have to make sure their cars are still running since they are still competing. Right now, we are looking at 50 cars to compete in the derby, the more cars, the more people in the stands. I have cars from Nebraska, three from Medicine Lodge, Kan, three from Pratt, Kan., two from Johnson, Kan., and two from Lamar, Colo. I would like to do one derby a year, all for profit, the Fire Department will be there to volunteer their time and Southern Office Supply has donated all of the printing." The Convention and Tourism Board approved the $2,000 that Fajen asked to help fund the event. T-shirts will be sold at the event and are also available at Kitchen Mart, one may also buy their wrist bracelet in advance so that the line is not an issue. Come out and have a great time as well as help find a cure for this disease that does not discriminate.
