Poncho Memorial BBQ A Success

As the enticing smell of hickory and cherry chips filled the air, the noses that know knew where the aroma was originating from. Yep, as seasoned noses know, the BBQ grills were fired up at the Mint Bar last Saturday, where friends and family were anticipating great things to be ready at 5:30 p.m., following a day of slow and easy, meticulous preparation of brisket and pork.

The event was the First Annual “Poncho” Memorial BBQ, a day to recognize, honor and remember Jory Schipman and bring awareness to the signs of and needs for recognizing suicide tendencies. Jory lost his battle on May 26, 2023. The healing begins, it is never completed.

The event was the culmination of efforts of friends and family of Jory’s, including Jamie (Schipman) Jones, Susan Green, Rhonda Dalby, DeeDee Hanson, Jacy Stolem, Sherry Demarais, Gina Lamb, Dwight and Cheyenne Score, Leslie and Jesse Schipman, Robert Twiford, Pete and Don Dalby. (If a name was missed, it was not intentional, please excuse us.)

“It went AMAZING! We had a great turnout, everyone enjoyed the day!” said Jory’s sister, Jamie Jones. “We have set the weekend after Father’s Day for the event, and already have had individuals ask to be put on the list for silent auction items for next year.”

There were many, many individuals who pitched in to make it a success that it was very gratifying. This small town and community seem to consistently pull together and join hands and work side by side for a cause. This town does just that.

The judging was a difficult job, given the excellent quality of all the products. Winning first in the Appetizer category was “Team Schines” with their entry of pork skewers, consisting of Jesse and Leslie Schipman and Tasha and Jason Hines and (a combo of the last names - Schi (and) nes). Second place went to the Malta Knights with their smoked mac and cheese. Their team members were Lance Hould, Rick Nease, Larry Bauer and Cody Math.

The Dessert category winning entry was Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake entered by H&H BBQ - Chris McMullen. The Malta Knights shined again, winning second with their Peach Cobbler with Blueberries.

First place in the pork division of the BBQ went to H&H BBQ and second place went to the ‘98 Mr.’s - Trevor Verhasselt, Luke Johnson and Mike Desjarlais.

The brisket category chosen by the judges went to H&H BBQ-Chris McMullen, and the Schines, (Schipman’s and Hines’) were second place winners.

The eight teams entered included 3 Horses and a Donkey (Dwight Score, Derek Davis, Jeff Zeiger and Brayden Rhodes), H&H BBQ, The Schines, The Malta Knights, The Sh*t Sh*t Show Boys (Jay Rhodes, Shane Stolem, and Nick Butler), The Mayor and The First Lady, the Hitchin’ Post and ‘98 Mr’s (comprised of a team from Sidney, Laurel and North Dakota).

The judges for the competition were Trenton Dovre, Troy (DQ) Perry, Bobbi Knudsen, Tom LaBrie and Sheldon Neumiller.

Winning the first tournament in the Corn Hole competition were first: Jeff Howard and Tyler Ost; second: Payton Jones and Tyler Wanken; and third: Shane Stolem and Tyrel Rummel. Emerging winners in the second tournament were: Jeff Howard and Taylor Ost, first; Reno Shambo and Kazi Shambo, second; and Payton Jones and Allen Williamson, third.

PC Prevention Specialist, Gina Lamb added the following: A booth was set up, providing information on suicide prevention from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Montana DPHHS, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and ParentingMontana.org. The booth was also adorned with paper cranes - symbolizing peace, love, hope, healing and recovery; “Kindness Rocks” painted by Malta Kids Club Members; and a Memorial Luminaries activity - for us who are left behind, to write/draw messages to their loved ones on white paper bags which were placed along the sidewalk later that evening with tealights inside.

As a recipient of a generous donation to Phillips County Prevention by Poncho’s Posse, I am so grateful for the outpouring of love and support of this community and beyond! These funds will be used to help support public activities within Phillips County, such as, the upcoming Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk on September 15th, 2024; a FREE public meal prior to the re-scheduled, Laura Stack presentation “the Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana” on September 17th, and more! 

I am filled with gratitude to have played a small part in this awesome event! A time to come together and respectfully remember our loved ones, and remind one another that we are not alone, there is a community of people who genuinely care. I don’t know that you will ever forget, the trauma of suicide and what it does to those of us who are left behind. A community of support reminds us that we can make it through, together. And if we have “reached” one person, provided comfort and a sense of belonging to one person... we have succeeded!

Lamb added, “It was wonderful to visit and connect with Survivors of Suicide Loss throughout the day! And to see so many people in our community come out to support this meaningful event in honor of Jory!”