>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Honor roll inductees present at Wednesday’s ceremony were, from left, Betty Trump, Odies Payne and Laurose Hibberd. Reta Hindman, who could not be present due to ill health, was also inducted into the Legends honor roll. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

Ceremony host Bud Scoubes welcomed the guests, 2008 grand marshals, dignitaries, major sponsors and fellow Stampeders to the recognition ceremony.

“Welcome to the first induction of charter members of our new honor roll,” said Scoubes. “We want to give recognition to our past leaders, and we wanted to do something like this before our 2008 Stampede rodeo.”

A selection committee screened candidates with extraordinary service records for membership into the Legends honor roll. Ultimately seven individuals were chosen, three posthumously: Dick Hibberd, Pete Trump and Billy Hindman.

Three other honorees were present at the ceremony: Laurose Hibberd, Odies Payne and Betty Trump. Reta Hindman, who could not be present due to ill health, was also inducted into the Legends honor roll.

The purpose of the Legends of the Elgin Stampede is to recognize and honor individuals who supported the Stampeders, but especially the annual Elgin Stampede rodeo, Scoubes explained.

Those inducted received a lifetime pass to the Elgin Stampede events with seating in the new VIP grandstand and a wall plaque engraved with their 2008 charter membership into the Legends of the Elgin Stampede.

for ‘extraordinary’ service: Ceremony host Bud Scoubes leads a toast in honor of the first seven individuals inducted, three posthumously, into the new “Legends of the Elgin Stampede” honor roll Wednesday evening at the Stampede Hall in Elgin. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

Scoubes unveiled the mounted, commemorative plaque with the names of the seven charter members. Those chosen this year will also serve on the committee that will select next year’s honorary members, Scoubes said.

“We want to thank you (Legends) for your many contributions to the Elgin Stampede over the many, many years behind you and for those in the many years ahead of you,” said Scoubes.

Laurose Hibberd summed up the sentiments of the honored Legends this way, “Rodeo was our summer and starting something that lasted 60 years is really something.”