Something Worth Saving

Friday, March 6, 2009

Page 11

AT THE SIDEBAR (Column)

Something Worth Saving

By J’AMY PACHECO

Years ago, a poker playing writer I was lucky enough to have coffee with recommended keeping a list of noteworthy things I’d experienced during my lifetime. The idea was that when I’m old and gray (er…older and grayer), I could look back on the list and say, “That’s what made it all worthwhile.”

That sounded like a good idea, and I’ve been working on my list for at least a decade. At the top of the list is one of the coolest things I’ve ever had the good fortune to experience.

Starting in 1995, I did some freelance writing for the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans family. It was one of those right place, right time opportunities, and a lot of fun. Because of that gig, I got to meet not only the King of the Cowboys and the Queen of the West, but many other celebrities.

The first time I met Roy and Dale, it was at their home in Apple Valley. I was pregnant, and very nervous about interviewing Dale for a project. My nervousness doubled when I walked in the front door and saw who was waving at me from a recliner in front of the television.

“That’s Roy Rogers,” I mumbled to the photographer who accompanied me. “Oh my gosh, that’s Roy Rogers.”

But the moment I met Dale, I relaxed. She was delighted to have an expectant mother in her house, and ushered me into the kitchen to give me cake. We chatted for hours, and I marveled at how very down-to-earth the couple was.

Some weekends, I would wander through their museum for inspiration. I’d talk to guests, who told incredible stories of traveling all the way to the High Desert just to relive a childhood memory of meeting Roy or Dale. It was clear to me that the couple had quite an effect on the people they’d encountered during their many years entertaining.

I first brought my daughter to the museum as an infant. I remember plopping her baby carrier down on a big bear rug in Dusty Rogers’ upstairs office while we went over proofs of things I’d written for him.

She grew to love the museum, and I have many pictures of her modeling outlandish hats while perched astride the wooden horses that were kept for photo opportunities.

In 2003, the Rogers family made the difficult decision to move the museum from Victorville to Branson, Missouri. The Victor Valley location just wasn’t bringing in the support necessary to maintain it, and Branson was viewed as the most logical place to put it.

When the time came to announce the museum’s move, I drafted the announcement. It pained me greatly to have to pen those words, but I knew it was the only way the museum could survive.

On its last day in existence, I took my daughter – then 7 – to wander the museum’s exhibits one last time. She spent most of the afternoon practicing roping a metal cow that was kept in the courtyard. As the sun set that day, we said our goodbyes to our beloved museum and the Rogers family and that, as they say, was that.

Like many others, I reckoned the museum would thrive in Branson. (Getting to use words like “reckoned” was one of my favorite things about writing for Roy and Dale.) I was, therefore, stunned when I read an article indicating the museum is experiencing financial difficulties, and needs saving.

Some might think that if the museum isn’t bringing in enough cash to pay its bills, maybe it’s outlived its relevance. I disagree.

Roy and Dale were American icons. They were squeaky clean role models who inspired children and adults all over the world. They set an example by working hard, living decently, helping others and giving back to the community. Over and over, they adopted children in need. And when tragedy struck and they lost not one, but three children, Dale turned her pain into inspiration by writing about it. There’s still a lot to be learned from Roy and Dale, especially in light of today’s climate of entitlement.

Museums are for preservation and learning and remembering. I’d hate to see any museum fail. But this one is near and dear to my heart, and I’m hoping there’s not another sunset on the horizon.

It’s a place where the lives of two legends are memorialized; a building filled with tangible things that show what, for Roy and Dale, made it all worthwhile.

It’s something worth saving. I just hope another hero in a white hat shows up in the nick of time.