It was Indian Summer at the annual Fall Luncheon and Fashion Show put on by the Tehama County CattleWomen’s Association on Nov. 16 at the Red Bluff Community Center.
Guests were welcomed by Linda Durrer, who served as the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies, and the Cowboy Pantry where homemade goodies were quickly scooped up and purchased.
During a beef and blue cheese salad lunch catered by Etched in Elegance, TCCW member Kendra McCluskey presented Cindy McCarthy with the association’s Cowbell of the Year award.
“While still in diapers, Cindy McCarthy started spending her summers on her grandparents’ ranch in the San Joaquin Valley. The land they farmed was homesteaded in 1873 by her great-grandparents, starting the legacy for a family deeply involved in California agriculture,” McCluskey said.
The time spent with her grandparents was the foundation and passion for McCarthy’s love of agriculture to this day. In high school she completed her ROP veterinary aid program, followed by attendance at Sierra College and California State University, Chico, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture/Animal Science.
While living in Palo Cedro with her husband, Craig, and their children, McCarthy was community leader for Palo Cedro 4-H, treasurer for Shasta County 4-H and the 4-H dog leader. She also volunteered as a board member for the Shasta County Farm Bureau for 10 years.
“Most recently you can find Cindy in Los Molinos, close to her grandchildren,” McCluskey said. “She joined Tehama County CattleWomen to support her dear friend, Anne Owens, who was president at the time. She has continued to be a member of Tehama County CattleWomen because she feels it is important to keep promoting cattle, ranchers and the great product they produce in beef.”
The life and passing of Betty Peek was recognized and honored. Peek and her husband, Ellington, ran the Shasta Livestock Auction for years, and at the same time Peek ran her own western home and fashion business, while raising the couple’s four children.
During the luncheon the Peek family presented the Tehama County CattleWomen with a card stating, “Thank you for coming to our ‘Tornado Betty’s Celebration of Life’, to serve the wonderful meal! We appreciate you more than words can say!” Enclosed with the card was a check for a $200 donation to the Tehama County CattleWomen.
The event’s Fashion Show was a hit with the children and youths participating stealing the show. Mason Peek, Betty Peek’s teenaged grandson, put on quite a show on the catwalk to the guests’ pleasure and laughter. Clothing for the fashion show was provided by The Loft in Red Bluff.
Following the fashion show the BowWow Native American Dancers performed a beautiful and colorful dance.
Throughout the event gift baskets were presented to lucky winners.
