The 2012 John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset, Iowa

[Dukesfan]

I am watching JW movies at home this weekend instead of being in Winterset.

And so do I, as an Austrian John Wayne Fan living in Germany! - Here in Germany it is now Saturday in the morning so:

Happy Birthday, Duke up there in heaven! Thank You for all the wonderful moments, the hope, the dreams, the courage and the sense for fair play You gave to us with Your movies! In our hearts You will live forever.

[Wayne]

Well, the big day (Saturday) is over. There's still the John Ford–Dreaming The Quiet Man Documentary tomorrow at 1pm and the live stage play Maurice Walsh’s The Quiet Man tomorrow at 2pm. It was a wonderful day today!

Some folks asked for a photo of the Jaunting Car; here it is:



And then there was this strange John Wayne lookalike who just showed up. Like so many others I had to have my photo taken with him:



There's more photos (with more to come!) from the event on http://www.johnwaynebirthplace.org/b...12_photos.html

[Dukesfan]

Great photos, thanks for the one with the jaunting car! - I can see everybody there must have enjoyed yesterday´s birthday party. Have another fine day today!

[ethanedwards]

Great photos Sue & Jim, well done.
What a handsome couple you make

[chester7777]

It's almost 5:30 AM and we are sitting in Omaha Airport for the flight home. By the time we got to our motel last night, we just fell into the bed and passed out!

I can honestly say that if anyone out there is even remotely considering going to one of these birthday celebrations, DO IT! I don't think there are any nicer people in the world than John Wayne fans. I don't think we encountered one grumpy person the whole weekend!

When you look like me and go to where Duke fans are, a funny thing happens - you're mobbed by people wanting to have their picture taken with you. My face is probably on more Facebook pages and sent via emails than I can imagine!

Plane is starting to board . . . gotta put the computer away . . . will finish later today . . .

[Dukesfan]

When you look like me and go to where Duke fans are, a funny thing happens - you're mobbed by people wanting to have their picture taken with you.

You looked like a living tribute to the Duke!

- Looking at the photos of the clebration I did not find too many people wearing traditional western wear there. If I go there (and I sure will one day, as soon as the new JW museum and learning center is opened), I would wear my western outfit! I am a western rider, so I have everything from boots to hat at home. And I have a very special hat, I only wear for real great events (like European Championship Shows...or the Duke´s Birthday). This hat was given by Ronald Reagan to Rider Steinriegler from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna as the Lipizzaner Horses visited the USA. Steinriegler later give it to student of him, who later became my student for dressage riding. As I left Austria about ten years ago my student gave this hat from President Reagen to me. - And You can be sure, I am proud to own this hat!

[chester7777]

You looked like a living tribute to the Duke!

Thank you for that.

Looking at the photos of the celebration I did not find too many people wearing traditional western wear there. If I go there (and I sure will one day, as soon as the new JW museum and learning center is opened) . . .

Exciting announcement by Joe Zuckschwerdt, President of the Board of Directors of the John Wayne Birthplace Society - while things have been going more slowly than anticipated (or hoped), Joe assured the folks attending the dinner on Saturday night that GROUND WILL BE BROKEN IN 2012 for the new museum and learning center. It could be October, November, maybe even as late as December 31st, but it will begin in 2012! So start saving up for a trip to Winterset!

I have a very special hat, I only wear for real great events (like European Championship Shows...or the Duke´s Birthday). This hat was given by Ronald Reagan to Rider Steinriegler from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna as the Lipizzaner Horses visited the USA. Steinriegler later give it to student of him, who later became my student for dressage riding. As I left Austria about ten years ago my student gave this hat from President Reagen to me. - And You can be sure, I am proud to own this hat!

GREAT story about your hat! The Mrs. and I look forward to meeting you face to face and seeing your hat 'up close and personal'!

[chester7777]

Now we're home, had a bite to eat and a nap, uploaded some more pictures to our Winterset 2012 album, and can tell you more about our time in Winterset.

We started our Saturday at the local firemen's pancake breakfast, then moseyed over to where the 5K Walk/Run (From the birthday celebration website - No, it’s not horses but humans who will be racing through downtown Winterset. Participants can partake of the 5K Run or the 5K Walk, with several different age groups (medals will be awarded in each age group). was finishing up. All of a sudden, one of the finishing runners approached Chester and quietly asked, "Can I get a picture with you?"

You can see what his answer was! Suddenly, more people were lined up for the same thing!

A couple of dozen pictures later, the Mrs. and I were able to get a picture in front of the John Wayne statue with JWMB member Bill of PA and Joe "Zuke" Zuckschwerdt (President of the Board of Directors of the John Wayne Birthplace).

[chester7777]

If I wasn't so broke at the moment I'd be there. lol

Keep us posted......

We discovered we were broke, too, AFTER we got there! Good thing we had round trip tickets!

[chester7777]

One highlight of the weekend was meeting Kim Lockman,

an artist who has captured John Wayne in a way that escapes most artists who try.

She was commissioned by the Birthplace to do a painting for this year's event titled "Dreaming of White O'Morn" -


which sold for $10,000 at the auction after Saturday night's dinner, a big boost for the fund to build the new museum and learning center!

She says her painting passions are horses (and things 'Western'), John Wayne, and Star Trek! Please check out her site at Kim Lockman - Fine Art. In addition to being an amazing artist, she is also a lovely woman, and it was truly a privilege and pleasure to make her acquaintance!



Some more of her artwork -


The Mrs. and I with Brian Downes, with Kim's artwork as a backdrop -

[Hondo Duke Lane]

Chester, Since your pictures are above my post, let me ask; did you buy any of those pictures? Inquiring minds are very interested. Glad you got to go. Wish I was there. Maybe soon.

Cheers Hondo

[chester7777]

Chester, Since your pictures are above my post, let me ask; did you buy any of those pictures? Inquiring minds are very interested. Glad you got to go. Wish I was there. Maybe soon.
Cheers Hondo

We put this trip together on a shoestring, two days before we flew. Didn't purchase any this time, but plan to.

Chester

[Dukesfan]

Thanks, Chester, for the great pictures!!!

She says her painting passions are horses (and things 'Western'), John Wayne, and Star Trek!

I have to meet this woman! - Is she married? My favourite things in life are horses (western horses), John Wayne and Star Trek too (and believe me people who love John Wayne & Star Trek are hard to find in Europe...).

[Dooley]

Fantastic photos Chester!
Thanks for sharing them with us.
Hugely off topic but if anyone knows what the cap the Duke wears in The Quiet Man is called or where I can get one from I'd be happy. Been looking for ages and the ones I've got aren't right!

[ethanedwards]

Great pictures Jim and Sue, and good to see Bill of PA
'Zuke' and Brian.
All fantastic and only wish I could have shared
those moments with you all