Meet the Member Each month we are featuring members who help make the Trail Blazers the wonderful club that it is.
This month we're featuring Dwight and Mary Blythe. Dwight and Mary joined the Trail Blazers in 1956 and have been active members for the last 56 years. Dwight served on the board and was Treasurer for 26 years and Mary was on the board and Treasurer for 3 years. You could say that the Trail Blazers is a family tradition for them. Dwight's parents Ray and Florence Blythe were members. Dwight and his father carried the colors on their matching white horses in numerous parades and other club events. All 3 of their children, Linda (Larry) Dyson, Rick (Lisa) Blythe and Rus (LeeAnne) Blythe are current members in the club. They have 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren who are also active in the club. Their granddaughters, Darci Dyson Chupp and Amanda Blythe Hettinger are past Trail Blazers Rodeo Queens. Mary was the Trail Blazers Top Gun award winner in 2001 and Dwight received that honor in 2002. Even at the ages of 88 (Dwight) and 82 (Mary), they are still at every event and can be seen at the rodeo each year running the raffle booth. Here are a few memories they shared with us... Member Name: Dwight and Mary Blythe Member Since: 1956 Role in the club: Dwight was Treasurer for 26 years, Mary was Treasurer for 3 years (and according to her "that was enough!") Named Honorary Members in 1990. Mary was Top Gun in 2001 and Dwight was Top Gun in 2002 Favorite memory from the Trail Blazers: "There are so many to choose from. Some that stick out the most are on my (Mary) 72nd Birthday, my granddaughter Darci Dyson Chupp was named Trail Blazers' Rodeo Queen and that same year I was named Top Gun. The following year at the rodeo, Dwight was named Top Gun and Darci's boyfriend, Wayne Chupp, proposed to her in the arena after her final queen lap."
Favorite part of the Trail Blazers: "The rodeo is our favorite part of the Trail Blazers. It gets better every year. The Patriotic opening contains our daughter-in-law, Lisa Blythe, granddaughter Darci Dyson Chupp and Amanda Blythe Hettinger. We think the opening, presenting the flags and the serpentine drill really has added a lot to the rodeo. The early rodeos didn't have that. The Trail Blazers has been a big part of our lives. When the club house burnt down in 2006, we were devastated. The way the members pitched together to regroup and build the new clubhouse was amazing. We are so thankful for the new clubhouse and the joy the club has brought us over the years."
For any questions regarding the Piatt County Trail Blazers, the Rodeo or any upcoming events, please email us at contact@pctrailblazers.org
