Southern Illinoisan from Carbondale, Illinois • Page 21

Southern Illinoisan, Friday, October 10, 1986 Page 21 Daughter discovers that running away broke her mother's heart. Ann LandersD22 I F. 'v-' -J i 4 1 .7 's -iiiv -I c' t- 1 i 'W- 1 v) 7 i 1 -3 yj y' I '1 i rr i 1 Southern Illinoisan photos by JOHN McCUTCHEN 'Shore do like the country': Owner Don Combs relaxes at the lodge (above), south of Alto Pass; horse watches over the stable at the Black Diamond Ranch. mm tffincB naDnn Ml 'l) i "ww, I ii y- -4 lAj' 1 i That's the first thing he'll want if he comes back." Don Jr. pledges that the ranch will "stay the way it is." Unique is the best way to describe the ranch, which brandishes no gaudy tourist signs and sells no souvenirs.

Tucked into a small hollow, the ranch consists of a tidy row of six cabins decorated to resemble an old west town. Across a broad grassy "street" lies the Black Diamond Lodge, resembling an oldtime saloon, and a small cafe. The buildings are rustic in style, but modern. A typical day at the Black Diamond Ranch might include a hearty breakfast cooked up at the Black Diamond Cafe, a relaxed ride to the swimming hole on Clear Creek in the morning, and a quick lunch back at the ranch. The trails of the nearby state forest are nearly all shaded, so it's rarely, too hot for an afternoon ride through "Main Street," the biggest ridge in these parts, to the Shawnee National Forest fire tower or to pretty Limekiln Hollow.

Duplication isn't much of a problem when picking the route for a trail ride from Black Diamond Ranch. traction. He plans to keep it small. "It's just kinda one big happy family," Combs said. "The people like it that way and I like it that way.

I'm not going to let it get any bigger." Combs Jr. is a self-described "concrete cowboy" from Oklahoma City, who left the motorcycle importing business to join his father in Southern Illinois. The elder Combs bought the farm from Carl Batson, who used it to raise hogs along Illinois 127 north of Jonesboro. The ranch was named after the highway, which Combs said was originally dubbed the "Black Diamond Highway" because coal was used instead of crushed rock to build it. The ranch lost its founder on July 4, when Don Sr.

died of a massive heart attack at the age of 54. The father and son shared the same "live for today" philosophy of life, so the elder Combs' death was followed by a rowdy wake that ended only after his friends and son had smashed up the ranch's stainless steel show wagon early the following morning. "We buried him back in the woods with his boots, his stirrups and his cowboy hat," Don said, "And a half a fifth of Chivas Regal Scotch. By Dave DeWitte Of The Southern Illinoisan Don Combs Jr. is purty sure his daddy would like the way he's running the ranch.

"I've had the Cadillacs and Lin-colns and the swimming pools," Combs, said, tipping back his straw cowboy hat and sipping on a cold one outside the Black Diamond Ranch lodge. "Now I shore do like the country." The ranch, adjacent to the Trail of Tears State Park on Illinois 127 in Union County, became an immediate hit with horseback riders when it was opened two years ago by Combs and his father, Don Sr. It's become an odd kind of success story, in an unlikely way. The Combses built the ranch expecting it to be used mainly by hunters and other seasonal visitors, but it quickly became a favorite of horseback riders most of the year. An estimated 4,000 horseback riders visited the ranch in its second season, four times the visitors it had received the first year.

Before this year is out, it expects to host another 8,000 horse lovers. That doesn't mean Don wants the ranch to become a major tourist at Linda Haase frequently visits the ranch with her family of five. "A horse can go more than 10 miles a day, and a lot of places you go, you get tired of looking' at the same trees," she said. Mrs. Haase's family have seen deer, wild turkey and rattlesnakes on trail rides around Black Diamond Ranch.

Combs and his friends praise Trail of Tears State Park Superintendent Mike Wicken for his efforts to clear fire trails in the park for riders and hikers. Many of the trails are now wide enough to be used by mule and horse wagcns. Evenings at the ranch are a time for socializing with family and friends around a barbecue fire or a card game in the lodge with friends. Depending on the size of the group, Don Jr. might roast a pig.

In the fall, campers might prepare a "wild game feed." Combs has high regard for the guests at Black Diamond Ranch, and few rules are required: No off-road vehicles, no loose pets, no horseback riding after "It's not to put too much control on people," Don said, "but folks are going to party and some people will go crazy." sale, let him stay overnight. He planned to use it as the base of his Schutzhund dog training activities. Schutzhund is a German style of canine training involving obedience, guard and tracking disciplines. Don Sr. remembering his rural upbringing, decided to branch out to horses.

Soon horseback riding was a major focus of his life and of the ranch. Combs Jr. is equally comfortabie around "horse people." "It's no Silver Dollar City showbiz," Combs said. "I'm not trying to pull that kind of people. I'm trying to pull the people who own horses." Combs said it wouldn't be the first time if a horse or two strayed into the Black Diamond lodge.

Despite the old west town atmosphere, this is no dude ranch. The Black Diamond Ranch is for "horse people." The overwhelming majority of visitors wheel in with a trailer full of horses and dreams of spending a day or two riding the wooded trails of the nearby Trail of Tears State Park. It's strictly bring-your-own-horse. Combs said his father landed at the ranch when his camper broke down on the highway and the property owner, who had the property for 1Kb WesYs GODSPELL: The Gospel of St. Matthew is.

brought to life through song, dance and mime in John Michael Tebelak's and Stephen Schwartz's season opener at SlU's McLeod Theater. Performances continue today through Sunday and Oct. 17-1 9. SESSER OKTOBERFEST: More than 1 00 craftsmen, artists, antique and collectibles dealers and their wares will grace this ninth annual event Saturday and Sunday in downtown Sesser. In conjunctionthe Franklin County Arts Association will sponsor a variety show at 7 p.m.

Saturday in the historic Opera House (downtown Sesser). Cash prizes will be awarded to winners in categories ranging from pre-school through grade 12. Admission is $2 per person. The production enjoyed an extended run on Broadway and focuses on the transition from mankind's confusion to the discovery of truth. Tickets are $6 for Friday and Saturday nights; $4 for Thursday and Sunday.

For ticket information call 453-3001. Chief AJ is a 50-year-old bodybuilder who holds titles from the Mr. Illinois Physique Contest and Mr. Prairie State and Mr. America competitions.

He will display a Roy Rogers six-gun personally traded to him by Rogers, as well as present lectures on physical fitness and nutrition. Persons who have Indian ancestors can obtain forms for tribal membership. ANTIQUES, COLLECTIBLES: The fall market will be from 9 a.m. to 44 p.m. Sunday in the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau.

Exhibitors from four states will offer coins, jewelry, primitives, dolls and paper Americana. More information: Mike Newell at 314-334-2451. CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS: An all-you-can-eat dinner sponsored by the Coello Volunteer Fire Department from 1 1 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at City Hall.

Cost is $3 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Carryouts available. 367-6330. FOX THEATRE: Maze, a rhythm and blues band from San Francisco featuring Frankie Beverly, to perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Fox Theatre in St.

Louis, with special guest S.O.S. Maze is known for its emphasis on harmony, melody and a sound that is described as part soul, part funk. Tickets are $18.50 and $16.50. Information: 314-534-1111. LAND OF THE DRAGON: A children's play, will be performed today and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

in the Humanities Center Theater on the campus of John A. Logan College. More information: Gary Kent or Pris-cilla Winkler at 549-7335, FIREMAN'S BALL: The Pinckney-ville Volunteer Firemen's Dance will be from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Pinckneyville Knights of Columbus Hall. Tickets are available from the firefighters or at the door.

BENEFIT GOSPEL SING: For the Marion Fire Department's snorkel fund, 6 p.m. Sunday at Marion Cultural and Civic Center. SIU FILMS: "Brazil" at 7 and 9:30 p.m. today and Saturday; "The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith" at 7 and 9:15 p.m. Sunday and Monday; "Boy of Two Worlds" at 7 and 9 p.m.

Tuesday; All at the Student Center Auditorium. Admission, $2. WOMEN'S FILMS: A six-film showcase of award-winning international films, "Current Women Directors," continues Thursday as part of SlU's inaugural International Film Series. "Diary for My Children," a 1984 Hungarian film directed by Marta Meszaros, is the autobiographical story of a girl who returns to Stalinist Hungary to live with her stern aunt. Shows are at 7 and 9 p.m.

in the SIU-C Student Center Auditorium. Admission $2. FARMER'S MARKET: The Carbon-dale Farmer's Market is held each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in Westown Mall behind McDonald's. Produce, plants, flowers, baked goods and crafts are offered.

EXECUTIVE-INN: The Four Aces and the Jack Morgan Orchestra will perform at 9 p.m. today and at 9 and 1 1 p.m. Saturday, at the Executive-Inn Riverfront in Paducah. Tickets are $18 for dinner and show and $7.50 for show only. More information: play tells the story of a British visitor to a Southern family who pretends he cannot understand English and overhears more than he anticipated.

In a whirlwind finale he works dramatic changes in the lives of the mountain residents of a resort hotel. Tickets are $6 for shows today and Saturday, and $4 for Sunday matinees. Call 549-5466 or visit the Stage Company box office. AIR SHOW: At the Pinckneyville-Du Quoin Airport, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday. (If rain, will reschedule for Oct. 19.) Events will include a stunt pilot, aerobatics, a hot air balloon display, remote control model planes in flight, as well as displays, airplane rides, and refreshments. OCTOBERFEST: Fourth annual event sponsored by the Steeleville Jaycess begins at 8 a.m. today.

Craft stands, concessions. ST. LOUIS ARTS FESTIVAL: More than 160 arts programs, performances and exhibits are featured in the 17-day festival that continues through Oct. 26 at various locations throughout the St. Louis area.

The event will spotlight local artistic talent and showcase the community's array of visual and performing arts. For a complete schedule, call the Arts and Education Council at 314- Knights of Columbus. Serving of Italian beef sandwiches and spaghetti and meatballs from noon to 8:30 p.m. A dance with music by Bill Spill-er begins at 9 a.m. (until midnight).

SOUTHEAST MO. GUN SHOW: In Cape Girardeau this Saturday and Sunday at Holiday Inn Convention Center. More information: 314-335-1007. DU QUOIN FAIRGROUND: Will be the site of a personal appearance today through Sunday by Chief AJ, native American of the modern-day Algonquin Tribe based at Tuscola. OCTOBERFEST: Bald Knob Cross Octoberfest activities are scheduled for each weekend this month at the cross site, near Alto Pass.

From 1 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday there will be food, gospel music, demonstrations, flea market items and crafts. This weekend, a fried chicken dinner and slide shows inside the cross are featured. STAGE COMPANY: "The Foreigner," directed by Denice Cocking, concludes this weekend with performances set for 8 p.m.

today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Stage Company in Carbondale. The FLOWER SHOW: At University Mall in Carbondale this Sunday and Monday. "Discovery," featuring more than 60 floral designs and hundreds of horticulture specimens, will be judged at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The standard flower show is sponsored by the Carbondale Council of Gardens Clubs. HERRIN COLUMBUS DAY: today sponsored by Herrin.