October 2018 12 In all my nearly 65 years on this planet, I have been blessed with some of the most unique and interesting occupations (I don't call them jobs... a J.O.B. is something you most often "don't enjoy", and is something you long to "retire" from). I often site (blame?), my Dad for instilling in me my quest for the unusual, when it came down to "occupation choices." At 7 years of age, he said to me..."Son, if you don't have stories to tell, it means you haven't lived life." So, with this inspiring ammunition, I set out to find and create my very own "Book of Stories", and do so with a vast variety of... occupations. The shortlist would include, hardware store clerk, sign painter, video and pinball artist, Disney animator (think Robin Hood), freelance commercial artist, Hollywood stuntman and, oh yeah, the reason for this article ... the general manager of the world famous Ponderosa Ranch, of Bonanza TV fame... you remember, the home of the Cartwright's - Ben & the boys. For almost 12 years, from 2 weeks before Memorial Day to a couple of weeks past Labor Day, as the general manager of this internationally known studio and theme park, my six day a week stint (ok, so mostly seven... truth be known), started bright and early around 5:30 am and ended at around 6:30 pm, as I rounded-up the last "stray" tourists, ushered them out the front gate and proceeded to "key" or lock up an entire town full of buildings (a duty I shared with two other "dedicated" employees...sometimes.) In all those nearly 12 years, I was never, ever, late for work!!! Actually, not such an amazing feat, considering I lived right on Main Street behind a door with a sign that read "Outlaw Hideout", complete with a Dr. Buck Montgomery Stuntman - Actor & Former General Manager of the Ponderosa Ranch mannequin in the window that bore an eerie (ok, creepy) resemblance to me! (My alias... Outlaw, Buck Bloodsworth). As the general manger (oh, and the entertainment director, gunfight stunt show coordinator, assistant event planner, advertising and media coordinator) I was also responsible for making sure that everyone (everyone being 70 to 80 employees) was covered for their... lunch breaks! So, right after performing in the "High Noon" gunfight (12:00 pm for you greenhorns reading this), I was off to serve up liquid libations in a souvenir tin cup in the "Last Chance Saloon", flip some "Hoss Burgers", take a few "old time photos", give a few "ranch house tours", or... unclog that problem at one of the many state of the art restrooms! But, all of these duties seemed trivial compared to the enjoyment I got each and every day as I watched the crowds enter through the front gate (300,000 to 350,000 per season). Everyone with the same excited look of anticipation, all waiting to gaze upon the world famous Cartwright ranch house... and of course, to go inside as well! Sure, the largest percentage was good old US of A Bonanza fans, but I met fans from literally every country in the world. Spending almost 12 years on the ranch, I was always amazed when some young person, in their teens, would come up to me (as my dressed in black, bad guy persona, Buck Bloodsworth), and say, "Remember me, I was the deputy in your show 10 years ago." To which I would always respond with, "Yep, sure do pard'ner!" Speaking of the tourists/fans, I'd be wealthy beyond belief, if I had a "buck" for everyone that asked a question like... "Do any of the Cartwright relatives live nearby or come to visit?" or "Can I place some flowers on their graves?" (Graves located behind the ranch house set, and bolted in place just before opening day by...me!) Now, these questions may sound a wee bit silly, but not when you realize that the show's creator, David Dortort, incorporated several historical characters on countless episodes, like Mark Twain, Henry Comstock and more. Oh, and let's not forget that every Sunday, you saw, right before your very eyes, the Ponderosa Ranch on a map! It must have been real, you think to yourself because you're standing on the very spot, looking at "the Cartwright ranch house... and you have a souvenir map in your hands to prove it!” Although I sometimes refer to myself as the "Mickey Mouse" of the Ponderosa Ranch, you know, the character that you knew was always someplace in the MEANWHILE... BACK AT THE RANCH The World Famous "Ponderosa Ranch" That Is! For all Arizona Real Country readers and 96.3 Real Country Legends listeners... there is a "special price" offer on the DVD "Relive the Legend of the Ponderosa Ranch", that is the only documented history of the world famous Ponderosa Ranch... Only $16.00 with free shipping. Send check or money order to DR Buck Productions - PO Box 7123, Goodyear, AZ 85338 (mention Real Country). For more information email: drbuckentertainment@cox.net continued on page 16 CHECK THIS OUT!