There will be no horse opera up at Bemis Hill

by Jeff Olsen

Go ahead and sit on your saddle and sing a sad song.

The social event of the season - the annual trail and wagon ride for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which treats children with catastrophic illnesses at no charge - has been cancelled.

It always brings together a cast of colorful characters and their colorful horses to spread enough fertilizer to raise a good garden.

But not this year.

"This would have been our 21st year," said Darlene Danielson, a co-organizer with Mary Cole.

"We've heard good things and bad things about our cancelling it," she said.

"And now, the way...