COUNTY LIFE
Female farrier turns horsin’ around into a new career
By DEBRA DUNLAP
Nikki Smith loves to horse around. In fact, the pretty, soft-spoken Wichita Falls resident spends most of her waking hours with other people’s horses working as a farrier.
There are very few female farriers. Shoeing horses has, for centuries, been a man’s world.
Not so in 2015 as Smith works up way up the ranks of horseshoeing.
How does a 30-year-old wife and mother of two get into horseshoeing? For Nikki, it was a natural progression.
Stephen had recently received a medical discharge from the military due to an active-duty injury. There they were, with all those horses to care for, his career at an end and bills piling up.
“One of the Veterans Administration programs was horseshoeing school,” recalled Nikki. “So I informed Stephen he was going to go.”
He graduated from Oklahoma State Horseshoeing School and went into business. The plan for their new venture, S&S Horseshoeing, was Nikki would to go along with Stephen on jobs to drive, hold the horses, and help him out. Read the full feature in your weekend News.
Inside today find a special section Remembering 9/11 on the 25th anniversary of this pivotal day in America’s history.
This section provides an hour by hour account of that day to inform those who may not familiar with the details. We pay tribute to all those who faced the attacks and helped save those in danger from all walks of life. May this tribute remind you of all America lost that day and how the country moved forward.
Area young people from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to take part in the Art of the Song Young Visual and Performing Arts Exhibition on Oct. 10 during the annual music festival in Nocona.
Entry is free and artists may enter up to three pieces of artwork. One entry must be music-related, while the other two can be any art medium or genre. Drop-off artwork from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 at 103 Clay Street.
Art will be displayed starting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10. Those with questions may call R. Marie Molsbee, 940-887-0165 or horse.power.ranch.nocona@gmail.com.
The performing arts portion will be at Bitters & Sweets, 206 Clay Street. If you have a child who loves to sing, dance or play an instrument or perform? Let them share their talents in a performance at the Art of the Song.
Those interested in the performing arts program may contact Carla at 940-765-5619 or carlad@bittersandsweetsbar.com.
The staff, board of directors and volunteers of Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum are making plans for the group’s major fundraiser, “Shebang” on Sept. 26.
This year Shebang will join in all the celebrations for America’s 250th birthday.
Mark your calendar when the doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and $350 for a table of eight. Shebang takes place in the H.J. Justin Building at 100 Clay Street.
The evening will feature a dinner prepared by local chefs, fun games where you could win a prize, live and silent auctions, plus the popular bucket auction where you never know who will win. A new menu is being served that will feature prime rib, roasted sweet potatoes, hominy casserole, broccoli salad and strawberry shortcake.
Reservations are being taken now, just call the museum at 825-5330. Proceeds from the Shebang help pay for annual operating costs of the museum. Call 825-5330 to purchase tickets, also visit the website at talesntrails.org to see auction items and learn more about the museum.
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