High society has many long standing traditions and one of them is the annual Debutante Ball. A debutante is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity and is introduced to society at a formal “debut”presentation. Debut presentations vary by regional culture and are also frequently referenced as “debutante balls”. These balls are elaborate formal affairs and involve not only “debs” but other family members, escorts,chauffeurs, and ushers, as well.
One of the most exclusive debutante balls in the United states is the International Debutante Ball at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, where girls from families with great wealth, are presented at the ball.
My dairy farmer neighbor, Terry Ward, agreed to help restore my pasture fences this Spring if I'd allow him to pasture his new batch of Holstein heifers till late Fall. The price and lack of availability of beef cattle feeder steers rendered the traditional use of the Schaeffer pasture impractical so I viewed Terry's offer as a win-win situation. Last week, as we unloaded ten new heifers into my pasture, I reflected on the similarities and differences of this Joe Hill event with a big city Debutante Ball.
In the big city, the debs are chauffeured to the ballroom in the latest model of luxury limousines driven by professional uniformed drivers. On Joe Hill, a stock trailer pulled by a pick up truck arrived at my corral gate driven by Don Jennings. Don's uniform was dungarees and a well worn long sleeved work shirt. In the city vs Joe Hill comparison, the chauffeurs attire and vehicles may be different but all are good drivers trained for familiar environment.
The blood lines of each city deb is impressive but I'd give the edge to my Joe Hill girls since breeding of registered Holsteins is even more selective than the parental choice of the city crowd. Absent on Joe Hill were the parents of my new pasture guests. The mothers were busy back at the Ward milking parlor earning their keep while the fathers, thanks to artificial insemination, were only names on each pedigree.
The entourage accompanying the Joe Hill debs included, in addition to Don and me, Lee, Matt, Christian, and Terry Ward. Our star attendee, veteran cattle dog Laddie, was making sure each deb behaved properly. The Joe Hill entourage may not possess as much money or fancy titles as the city crowd but I know which group I want to hang out with.
Dancing is a big part of each city event. Cosmopolitan debs feature the waltz as the center piece of their balls. Our local gals were a little less formal last week. When they saw double digit acreage of lush knee high grass they all spontaneously broke out in
what I'd call the Joe Hill Polka. They kicked and pranced their way out of the corral into the pasture, happy girls who had just been given their freedom and no restrictions on diet. My only regret that day was not having a camera or cell phone on hand to record their dance.
Later that evening Lee and I were relaxing on my deck watching my new pasture guests settle in for the evening. At that moment the biggest difference between our gals and the city debs occurred to me. Every one of the Joe Hill debs would some day be givers while a percentage of the city gals would only be takers.
Stratton Schaeffer is a retired consulting engineer and farmer who lives on Joe Hill.