When the dust cleared and the mountain of envelopes and packing material was cleared from the office, we had checked in 313 entries for this year’s photo contest. Last year we had 180 photos. In my wildest dreams, I never felt we would surpass that number in the future. The challenge with so many photos was to break up the categories so they would be manageable for the judges and be fair to the contestants. Last year we had thirteen categories, and this year we have a whopping twenty-one.

This year we brought in a panel of four judges to sort, ponder and deliberate the winners for each category. Joining us on the team was none other than our own publisher James Danekas. Each year he has only gotten to watch as the selections were being made, so I felt it was time to get him in the hot seat. He brings to the plate an excellent array of credentials from his 30 plus years in the magazine business, to the fact that he himself possesses remarkable photography skills and his photos are often used in this magazine. His input and time put into this contest have been invaluable. Next on the docket was Levi Douglas of Bryan, Texas. We were fortunate to have Levi at the ranch doing consulting work for a week in mid October, so we also put him to work on the photo contest. Levi is currently working towards his Masters degree in Animal Science and has worked as a consultant to numerous ranches across the nation about breeding decisions, marketing strategies and promotional options. His creative proficiency was a great advantage in judging the photos and we appreciate the time and thoughtfulness he gave us.

Next on our esteemed list was JJ Reinhardt. JJ, along with her husband Craig, own and manage Bar R Angus in Sloughhouse, CA, which has had a number of Angus champions throughout California. JJ is also in the Marketing industry and brings an excellent set of credentials to our contest. When she is not busy with her job and the ranch she also finds time to serve as President of the California Angus Association. We appreciate the imaginative eye she gave the contest while spending an entire evening reflecting on our entries. Our next judge is Kerry Parker, Chief Administrative Officer at Tri-State Livestock Credit Corporation. Kerry’s credentials and association with the livestock industry gave her the talent and keen eyes to thoroughly evaluate each and every photo for skill and content. We appreciate the time she took from her position to spend with us pouring over our abundant harvest of photos.

Again this year, many of you sent me heartfelt letters and notes about your photography and your subjects. Some were very humorous, while others touched my heart. One such note accompanied this beautiful little Corgi pictured here in Trails. Her name is Roxie, and she is thirteen years old and owned by Karla Schwoerer of Oakdale, CA. Roxie was diagnosed with Lymphoma Cancer and is currently taking chemo and is doing fine. This photo touched me, as I too have a thirteen year old gal with diabetes that has robbed her of her sight, but not her character. She stills feeds with me every morning and night. Those notes and letters were insights to the beautiful readership that make up this magazine and this very special industry we all belong to.

I don’t believe many of you can argue about the exceptional photograph that was the Editor’s Choice and graces this month’s cover. The photography skills are excellent and the subject certainly possesses some remarkable eyes. My congratulations to Erin Melville of Wallowa, Oregon. This is an extraordinary issue and contains some special reads as well.

As I write this editorial, fires are ravaging Southern California and destroying many lives and homes by the hour. I’m a born and raised SoCal girl, and I understand the force of what those Santa Ana winds can do. Our thoughts today are with the ranchers that have lost so much and to those whose homes sit on the fire lines. Too often this past month I’ve been a witness to way too much sanctimonious rhetoric and whining about insignificant subjects and events. I want to encourage all of us as we enter the trail of thanks this month to take a stop at the bend and reflect on what’s really important when we step out of the saddle each night, and give thanks for this industry and the good that it holds. I wish all of you an abundant and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. And Roxie, hang in there.

Happy Trails……