Dixon celebrates annual 'Demon Days'
Marla Hall Clark Fork Valley | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 5 months AGO
Cheryl Morigeau and son Shawn at the Dixon Demon Days organized by Shawn as a tribute to his father, Doug, and as a fundraiser to build and maintain a memorial park in the Moise backwaters. (Marla Hall/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Relative newcomers to the area may not know that when Dixon had a high school, the school mascot was a ‘Demon’. Some may also not remember that, until fairly recently, Dixon hosted the Dixon Melon
Days. And very few probably remember an event called the ‘Over the Hill’ race which was a team event that combined a short (1/2 mile) run, a 1 mile horseback ride, a 10 mile bicycle ride, a 2.5 mile run, a 5
mile co-ed canoe paddle and then another .5 mile run. Well, Doug Morigeau and his wife, Cheryl, not only knew about all those things, all were near and dear to their hearts.
In 2012, Doug was murdered and Cheryl was assaulted but survived in an attack in their home. A few years later, in 2016, the Morigeau’s kids decided to pay tribute to their father by beginning an annual event called Demon Days that would highlight the ‘Over the Hill’ race and raise money to build and maintain a memorial park in the Moise backwaters—at Doug’s favorite fishing spot.
The second annual Demon Days was held this past weekend in and around Dixon and in addition to the ‘Over the Hill’ race, it also featured the Mission Mountain Survivors Poker Run. The ‘Mission Mountain Survivor’ is a non-profit motorcycle club that does fund raisers—mostly for local families needing help.
The poker run involves the riders each being dealt a card at 5 different locations and at the final location the rider with the best poker hand ‘wins’.
Other activities included a trek to re-paint the Dixon “D”, a horseshoes competition and lots of socializing with friends, family, and others who stumbled onto the events. The love for Doug Morigeau and for the Dixon community was evident in those who took time in their busy summer to make the event a success. And so a small town tradition ignites—sparked in memories and love and fueled by fun and community spirit.
ARTICLES BY MARLA HALL CLARK FORK VALLEY
Helping generate a new generation of pilots
Pilots and car enthusiasts landed in Plains this past Saturday to share their gleaming vehicles of air and road with over 300 admiring fans of all ages. The event also drew a crowd for a pancake breakfast that was a fundraiser supporting a $500 scholarship given annually to a student wishing to pursue a career in aviation—as a pilot or mechanic. That scholarship, sponsored by the Sanders County Hanger group of the Montana Pilots Association and overseen by Dan Lilja, awarded this year’s scholarship to Cuahtemoc Rivera of Heron, Mont. who wants to pilot long range, hauling airplanes.
Circus performers bring smiles of delight
First-time circus visitors were obvious if not by their mere age, then by their eyes brightened with cautious curiosity at the new sights, sounds, and smells as they waited in line to enter the Big Top in Thompson Falls last week. As the audience built in numbers, the circus performers interacted with the kids both outside the tent and inside. Although many spectators may not have been aware, those working at the pony ride and bouncy houses as well as those painting faces and selling circus popcorn, cotton candy and souvenirs were the same members of the Culpepper and Merriweather troupe who entertained in the circus ring.
Cyclists in Thompson Falls Saturday were 'pedaling with a purpose'
Montana is a popular destination for cyclists who want to experience the beauty of nature up close, but some of those cyclists also ride for other motivations. This year marks the 30th anniversary that members of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, from chapters across the country, have pedaled across the U.S. working to raise funds for “The Ability Experience,” which supports people with disabilities. The 38-member team—30 riders plus eight crew, that was making its way from Thompson Falls to Missoula on Saturday is one of three cohorts traversing from the West to the East coast. The fraternity anticipates raising $650,000 through their “Journey of Hope” philanthropy this year.