It had long been a dream of mine to see the original TV mini-series "Lonesome Dove" (first shown in 1989) on a full-size theater screen. Apparently I shared that dream with a few others, because we made it happen today at the Rex Theater in Thompson Falls. A small but enthusiastic first-time crowd of 23 turned out at 11 a.m. to see all six-plus hours, shown straight through except for a one-hour lunch/eyeball break in the middle.
Sponsoring the event was the Rocky Mountain Rangers cowboy action shooting club from up the road in Noxon. This is is Don's cowboy shooting club, and they're a fine bunch of folks. Joining them at the theater today were cowboys shooters from Missoula, Kettle Falls, Wash., and some locals from Thompson Falls.
We decided beforehand to donate any proceeds to the Sanders County Sheriff's Office fund for the care and feeding of horses it has rescued. We took in enough to make a nice little donation.
Next year we may try this feat again, with more regional advertising to draw outsiders. Maybe we'll look into getting some good musical entertainment for a dance after the show. The possibilities are endless!
