The couple, who live near Nespelem, return each year to clear litter, prune trees and repair horseshoes that line the dike near the Stampede grounds above the Okanogan River. A few years ago, Van Tongel volunteered to create 10 horseshoes, which bear the names of famous cowboys such as Deb and Jeff Copenhaver, Alex Dick and others.
Short biographies are on the horseshoes.
The project was sponsored by the Colville Confederated Tribes and the Omak Chamber of Commerce. The chamber continues to support the horseshoes' upkeep. Last year, the couple sanded each horseshoe, and painting them with an enamel before giving them a new silver coat of paint. This year, they are hanging new, colorful flags on them. So far, the Colville Tribal Artists Association, North Cascade Trail Riders, Omak Senior Citizens, Camp Fire, Omak School District and St. Mary's Mission have had flags made.