April 2026
ACPA April 2026 BarbWire Dispatch Newsletter
From the desk of the ACPA President, Lewis Peterson
And he said “write something I might say or should say!” … 2026 is both a terrifying and exciting year! Our world, and our province are in a turmoil and it’s making it tougher for us to live and enjoy as we’d like to. The ACPA crew is busy working on the 2026 Trails End with a new venue and a revised website www.albertacowboypoetry.com. We hope to see you down the trails somewhere!
There is a new location for the 2026 Trails End!
Unfortunately, the Crossings Church is not available to this year’s Trails End. We thank them for their many years supporting the ACPA and Trails End.
The ACPA Executive has considered several options … including a possible move away from High River and decided to remain in High River.
The new location and HOST Hotel is the:
Heritage Inn & Convention Center
1104 – 11 Ave SE, High River T1V1M4
The Heritage Inn offers large Convention rooms for the concert & performer warmups (green room), a Restaurant and lounge for breakfast, lunch & supper, guest rooms at a discounted rate and ample parking including RV’s.
Discounted Accommodations: Until Aug 4, Heritage Inn offers a standard room + $16.00 Breakfast Voucher for $130/night + applicable taxes. To reserve, call the hotel at (403) 652-3834 and quote “Cowboy Poetry”.
2026 ACPA Trails End Poster
There are a few changes to the poster – the most obvious is the change of Venue to the Heritage Inn & Convention Centre. The dates are the same – the first Friday and Saturday of September.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts made a generous contribution to the Advertising budget.
The ticket prices have increased slightly over the past few years … a NEW “All Day Pass” has been introduced for those who wish to take in only one day. Tickets can be purchased at the door (In CASH – there is an ATM in the Hotel Lobby), or the Ticket Order Form and EFT … or “soon” order on-line on the ACPA Website.
This QR Code will get to the on-line order on the ACPA website.
Trails End Lights & Sound!
The ACPA is pleased to announce that Ben Crane & Jinglebob Music has agreed to provide both Sound and Lights for Trails End. Ben Crane, in addition to being an amazing performer, understands what is needed to present a great stage event and together with his sidekick Jesse, will enhance our 2026 Trails End!
Noel Burles has stepped away from active participation on the ACPA Executive
Sad to say, that after many years of service as the ACPA Secretary and Barbwire Dispatch (Newsletter) Editor, Noel has decided to step away. Noel tells us, he has accepted a 49 Show engagement that will make a very busy year for him. He says he has kept September 5 open! When you see him, wish him the best!
ACPA Website
Over the past few months, the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association website has undergone a series of revisions intended to make it more informative and useful.
Please have a visit — www.albertacowboypoetry.com
We welcome your comments and suggestions – send them to mdygert@telus.net
Upcoming Events
Please support the following festivals and gatherings:
- Clear Lake Music Festival at the Stavely Elks Park
June 19-21
For more information, call Joe (403) 603-0007 - Cowboy Fest in the Pines at the Northern Lights RV Resort
July 17-19, 2026
For more information, call Richard (780) 656-6559 - Trails End at the Heritage Inn & Suites, High River
Sept 4-5, 2026
For more information, call Lewis (403) 652-7818 - Caroline Cowboy Music & Poetry Gathering at the Caroline Kurt Browning Complex
September 11-13
For more information, call Darl or Joanne (403) 722-3232 - Medicine Hat Cowboy Poetry at the Moose Lodge and Victory Church
October 16-18
For more information, call Jen (403) 529-6384
Secretary-Barbwire Dispatch Editor
The ACPA is searching for a volunteer to act as the society Secretary and Editor of the Barbwire Dispatch (newsletter). Working in conjunction with the President and Vice-President, this individual would record & publish the minutes of the executive meetings and the Annual General Meeting, and would ideally quarterly, publish the Barbwire Dispatch. This position requires computer access, experience with Word (or similar program) and have email access. As an ACPA volunteer ideally this individual would attend and assist at the Trails End concert normally scheduled in September in High River. Interested – contact our Treasurer, Mike Dygert 780-573-9561 mdygert@telus.net
Membership Co-ordinator
The ACPA is searching for a volunteer to maintain our membership list recording names, contact information and membership status. Working in conjunction with our Treasurer, the co-ordinator will receive notice of memberships as they are paid, will record the information on the excel spreadsheet, and share list of the membership to the ACPA directors. This position requires computer access, experience with Excel spreadsheets and email access. As an ACPA volunteer ideally this individual would attend and assist at the Trails End concert normally scheduled in September in High River. Interested – contact our Treasurer, Mike Dygert 780-573-9561 mdygert@telus.net
ACPA Trails End Ticket Order Form
| Cost | # Tickets | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend Pass | $80.00 | $ - | |
| Friday Afternoon (Noon-5:00pm) | $20.00 | $ - | |
| Friday Evening (7:00-10:00pm) | $30.00 | $ - | |
| Friday - All Day | $45.00 | $ - | |
| Saturday Afternoon (Noon-5:00pm) | $20.00 | $ - | |
| Saturday Evening (7:00-10:00pm) | $30.00 | $ - | |
| Saturday - All Day | $45.00 | $ - |
Name: _______________________________
Address: _______________________________
City/Town: _______________________________
Province: _____________ Postal Code: _____________
Email Address: _______________________________
Telephone #: _______________________________
Total to EFT to ACPAEventTickets@gmail.com $ ________
Please print a copy of this form — this is your ticket to Trails End
Use the QR code on your cell phone or tablet to access the ACPA Website On-Line ticket order form!
ACPA Membership
Interested in renewing your membership for another year or joining us on our ride?
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
The Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association was established in 1987 to promote Cowboy poetry and Western music and songs. The ACPA is comprised of poets, musicians and fans who embrace western values and the cowboy way of life. The ACPA draws its membership from all the Western Provinces and several U.S. States.
Members are entitled to regular issues of the Barbwire Dispatch, the official newsletter of the ACPA. Performing members can be featured on our website and offer their Books and CD’s for sale while enjoying greater opportunities to perform and present their work. Everyone benefits from the camaraderie at gatherings and events.
To apply to join the membership of the Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association. Potential performers will be considered by the Executive.
Please indicate the type of membership below (circle one): POET MUSICIAN FAN
NAME: _______________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________
POSTAL CODE: _____________ PHONE NUMBER: _____________
Email: _______________________________
Referred by: _______________________________
Make your $25.00 annual dues, cheque or money order payable to Alberta Cowboy Poetry Association
Send INTERAC e-transfer to ACPA2024@mikedygert.ca or Canada Post Mail to: Mike Dygert, 1102 13 Avenue, Cold Lake, AB T9M 1J4, Canada
For more information: visit www.albertacowboypoetry.com
2025-2026 List of Directors
- President: Lewis Pederson — lewismartinpederson@gmail.com (403) 652-7818
- Past President: Phyllis Rathwell — cowboy-poets@gmail.com (403) 957-1700
- Vice-President: Charlie Ewing — charlesewing@gmail.com (403) 625-2157
- Treasurer: Mike Dygert — mdygert@telus.net (780) 573-9561
- Secretary: currently vacant
- Membership: currently vacant
- Director: Noel Burles — noelburles195@gmail.com (403) 327-6035
- Director: Bryce Burnett — wburnett@xplornet.ca (306) 773-7065
- Director: Larry Krause — rafterkp@gmail.com (306) 961-4694
- Director: Geoff Mackay — poppamac@hotmail.com (204) 807-5479
- Director: Lynn Whitelock — lynn@shawcable.com (403) 620-5665
- Director: Bill Skene — wjskene@gmail.com (403) 478-7760
- Director: Del Pratt — delat6barc@gmail.com (403) 664-0772
- Director: Noel Burles — noelburles195@gmail.com (403) 327-6035
Jan 14th, 2026
BARBWIRE DISPATCH Jan 14th, 2026
FROM THE PRESIDENTS SADDLE
Happy new year to our members,
Thank you for your involvement and interest in the Alberta cowboy poetry association.
Our website is up and all of you poets and musicians please update your profile.
We need pictures to enhance the website email them to mdygert@telus.net
Performers - please update your bios. {if you are deceased, please notify us at our earliest convenience.
Not much has happened over the last few months other than we are looking for a new venue to hold trails end, which is tentatively set for Sept 4 -5. We will announce the new venue asap …hope to see you all there.
FYI
If you move to Gander NFL, be aware, if your cat damages “any’ plant you can be fined $20.
In Alberta …it is illegal to set a man with a wooden leg on fire. (I guess if you remove the leg first it would be ok).
Cowboy poetry is said to have come from the cowboys on the trail as they talked to their horses. The steady rhythm is said to have made the horses walk faster…what did they write on? Pretty well on everything they knew, which was mostly cattle and horses but poems of home or a lost love, definitely were shared around the campfire, however, they talked of outlaws, stagecoach lines, and characters…unfortunately, Billy Ballou was never mentioned, to the best of my knowledge, but should have been.
Billy Ballou, started out in the gold fields of California, but was too late in getting there and all the claims were taken, so he made a deal with a ship’s captain to buy the entire cargo of beans for a 1/4 cents per pound, he shipped them to Sacramento and resold at 17 cents a pound. This started his career as an Expressman, and he followed the gold booms to the Frazier valley in BC being on the ground floor he set up a forward and receiving agent in San Francisco and another in Victoria, New Westminster and Yale and started hauling.
The Expressman was the only link to the outside world. They hauled in one cent newspapers, sold at a dollar apiece. And set up mail service from Vancouver to the gold fields as far north as Barkerville.
Another service he provided was if a miner needed a pair of jeans, he told “Bill”. Bill would then purchase said object and deliver for the exact cost, plus delivery charges...several competitors attempted the same, but all went broke or sold out to bill, who used dugout canoes and snowshoes to deliver. Eventually, big money, forced him out of business.
Sadly, he died broke in a Seattle Hotel, but he was the first to implement and carry on the express business as it is today “William, Billy’ Ballou.
ACPA Website
Although the ACPA website www.albertacowboypoetry.com appears like its predecessor major revisions and additions have been made. Please have a look and forward any comments and suggestions to Mike at mdygert@telus.net.
One major change made to the Performer page … rather than attempting to locate performers by their NAME, since for most looking do not yet know a name, a new selector by TYPE OF PERFORMER has been provided. Select a TYPE will show all a number of names with pictures … and selecting one, will present their BIO and contact information.
The Event page now shows all events ‘that we are aware of” with contact information and where available, a copy of the event’s Poster. If some a missing, please contact Mike at mdygert@telus.net.
We need Pictures to enhance the website – if you have any from any Trails End performances, please email them to Mike at mdygert@telus.net.
Trails End 2026
if you have any news or need an announcement, email me at noelburles195@gmail.com
Jan 14th, 2026
April 22, 2025
April 22, 2025
We have a free tentative dates for the ACPA.
June 21 Clear Lake, Alberta
July 1 Bar U Ranch N H Site
Sept 5th and 6th High River, Alberta
I will confirm these dates as soon as possible
We are still in need of a volunteer to look after membership. Some computer knowledge is needed. Should you wish to be that person Contact Lewis or myself.
December 19, 2024
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. This comes from the president and myself to all members and wanna be members.
We also wish Larry Miller a quick recovery after his recent medical issue.
Not much has happened since our last communication but a few things are worthy of mention.
The STOCKMENS BUNKHOUSE BONANZA in Cochrane is celebrating its Western Heritage Jan 31 and Feb 1 2025… Call Scott Grattidge at 403 932 3782 for more info
Our membership is slowly declining, so if you have friends that enjoy the poetry and songs of the ACPA send them our way.
We are already planning the next Trails End, to be held, in all probabilities first or second weekend of September. We will keep you updated on additional information as it’s processed.
so…until neXt year …once again MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
-- Noel Burles {editor)
January 21, 2024
January 21, 2024
From the Presidents Saddle
Happy New Year members
That Polar Vortex was Amazing (also cold)
My Personal condolences to all families who have lost loved ones since we last spoke.
Last fall Robbie, Charlie and I did some poetry and music for a documentary film crew from Toronto!! They want to explore Cowboy Poetry and plan on returning for the summer months to follow up. Thanks to all members for helping. Keep up the writing stories and poetry. Let the Blessings truly descend.
-- Lewis Peterson , President
Wild tales of the west
ALBERTA Mar 10, 1907
A sleigh with two passengers and an oddball team is noticed proceeding down an unopened road near Millet. Normally not a big thing but the team consisted of a large magnificent black with a heavy neck and a small insignificant bay. A couple of hours later the sleigh returned, this time with only one passenger. Later on another person on the trail discovered a blood trail and a cut muskrat bloodstained cap. The cap was taken to the RNWMP in Wetaskawin. An investigation by Staff Segeart C Phillips lead to Leduc where an A. Schimdt had taken the sleigh to the local livery overnight and left early in the morning. An Oscar Koenig was questioned as he fit the description of A. Schimdt but nothing became of it.. The cap and a report was sent to the Detachment in Edmonton. After several months the cap began to have a rather horrible odor and the commanding officer ordered it destroyed. The constable however took in down to the basement and set it on a beam. Fast forward September 1908: A William Oscar King, imprisoned on a charge of fraud and horse theft sends for Detective Sgt Nickelson, {Nickelson was the officer who arrested him} claiming he had information on his two companions { still at large] Gus Borden and August Tyman, in exchange for leniency. King claimed Borden had murdered a man near Clover Bar Ridge and buried the body in a manure pile. He also claimed he could lead them to the place. A body was discovered but it had been burnt beyond all recognition. The remains were sent to a pathologist. in hopes of identification. King then claimed he knew of another body near Innisfail buried in a brush pile. After searching several bush piles King vanished.
Nickelson noticed however, while interviewing some of the locals around Innisfail a photo of King, a woman and two children. It was learned the woman was the wife of King, and thinking King may try to contact her set up watch. King was recaptured Aug 23 1909.
Fate now got into the game. Sgt Phillips happened to be at the Edmonton detachment and recognized King as Oscar Koenig, a man he had questioned two years earlier. He mentioned the bloodstained cap to Nickelson who saw a connection with the body at Clover Bar. Further investigation lead to the office who had disobeyed orders and placed the cap in the basement, it was recovered and sent to the pathologist also.
1909, King was given 7 years for fraud and horse theft. His estranged wife then began to talk. She said a Joesph Hindahl might be the man in question. Nickelson continued to probe and discovered the horses in question had been sold, but found new owner, Yes people in Innisfail said those were Hindahl horses . 1910. Nickelson and Mrs King returned to the manure pile near Millet and sifting through found the remains of a suit which Mrs. King identified as Hindahls. She also had a bank book and other personal belongs of Hindahl given to her by King to hold. King was charged with murder, convicted and hung Aug 2 1910. He proclaimed his innocence until the trap door opened.
Poetry Corner
A Rose for Mother 04-06-2021
A lonely man on an empty street
Here time and years often meet
Passing the chapel as bells ring loud
A lonely old man, an empty crowd
On past the corner to a field of stone
Holding a rose, he walks alone
He kneels here by a stone of grey
Softly places the rose upon the clay
The words he spoke, no one to hear
While from his eyes, he brushed a tear
His mother’s grave, alone he grieves
As hours passed, he did not leave
A face of emotion, a silent prayer
Countless times, he’s been there
A son whose mother has long ben gone
A child’s love, continues on
I envision a mother with her baby boy
Her eyes her face, her greatest joy
Her son her boy, growing each day
A mothers love, lives on today
Today I witnessed, one more time
A mother’s love, gentle and kind
Her son’s love, in a bright red rose
A mother’s love, only a child know.
Copyright 2021 Eric Shaffer
Not to be published or used without author’s permission
Gone, but not forgotten
Although they were no longer members we have lost a few that were highly praised for their work and contributions to the ACPA
It is with heavy heart that I relay the news of the passing of Louise Perrin {Maple Creek], Bryn Thiessen (Sundre), and Garth Bibby (Westlock).
Our deepest condolences to the families
Poet Geoff Mackay has been putting on the miles driving from Manitoba to Ft Worth, Texas to perform ( I hope it was worth it) .
FYI
The Mona Lisa painting, she has no eyebrows, They were originally painted on but cleaning and time has erased them.
Apple Pie The American pride and joy…Is actually British origin
TRAILS END WILL BE HAPPENING AGAIN
SEPT 6-8 Full Gospel Church, High River…Volunteers are gratefully accepted.
Until we meet again
Wishing you all the best If you have any info you think I should pass on send it to me
-- Noel Burles Editor in Chief. Bottle Washer, Cleanup Man and general roustabout