Gold Award project expands

When Cee-Cee Deslaurier-Tate thinks of a role model, she goes back in time to the Old West, to a television show that was a hit for several years starting in 1955.

And when the 18-year old from Milford, Mass., was thinking of a Girl Scout Gold Award project, she thought way out of the box.

Deslaurier-Tate is a huge admirer of Amanda Blake, who played the role of Miss Kitty Russell on “Gunsmoke.”

Her admiration of Blake, who also was an avid animal advocate, takes on an even larger role during her visits to Wild West City in Byram, a Western-themed amusement park.

At Wild West City, Deslaurier-Tate dresses up as Miss Kitty in 1880s clothing. Her parents, Carolyn and Tom, dress up as Miss Clementine and Marshal Matt Dillon, who was played by James Arness on “Gunsmoke.”

“I first became interested in Miss Kitty a little over four years ago as a young teen after a family member introduced me to the 1940s/50s original Gunsmoke Radio Show,” Deslaurier-Tate said.

“Not too long after, I came across a television episode of ‘Gunsmoke’ one night while flipping through channels. This episode, ‘Gold Mine,’ happened to center around the character of Miss Kitty and I quickly became hooked. It wasn’t long before the next episode came on, and then the next ... of course, I soon got both my parents just as interested in the show as I was.

“What intrigued me most about the show was the red-haired saloon owner by the name of Kitty Russell. It was not often one would find a strong, independent female character in a Western from the 1950s/60s, especially in the role of a tough yet elegant businesswoman.

“I began to research the actress behind Miss Kitty (Blake) and quickly became fascinated with her story, more interesting than any ‘Gunsmoke’ episode I’ve ever seen! Not just her accomplishments as an actress and within the animal world, but her love for all living creatures and her genuine kindness and empathy for others. It was then, upon learning how she touched so many lives, that I decided I wanted to dedicate my Gold Award project in her honor.”

Blake documentary

She has done extensive research in the past two years on Blake with the goal of producing a documentary that she hopes will be completed by the end of the summer.

“Funny enough, I recently learned while watching some old TV interviews, that Ms. Blake herself was, at one time, a Girl Scout and that she had planned on making a documentary to bring awareness to the plight of endangered animals. I guess, in a way, I am picking up where she left off without even having realized it!”

Since age 16, Deslaurier-Tate has been working on her Gold Award, the highest nationally-recognized leadership award a Girl Scout may earn.

She has spent more than 500 hours on her project, which includes the documentary and raising funds to install a memorial paving stone at the Phoenix Zoo. The stone will honor Blake’s success as one of the world’s first private individuals to breed cheetahs in captivity and helping to save the then-endangered species from extinction.

“I have traveled cross-country to film countless interviews with key individuals who either knew Amanda personally, know of her work, or are experts themselves in the field of animal welfare and conservation.

“As a special guest writer, I wrote and published an article on Ms. Blake’s work within the animal world in the Wild Times, the Phoenix Zoo’s international electronic newsletter.

She also worked with the Arizona Animal Welfare League to erect a second memorial to Blake for her role as co-founder of the organization in 1971. “Amanda’s vision in creating the sanctuary was to move away from euthanizing animals, creating the first no-kill shelter, paving the way for a movement of no-kill shelters across the country.”

Carolyn Deslaurier-Tate pointed out that her daughter has far exceeded the Gold Star project’s minimum 80-hour requirement of preparation, planning and implementation.

“This journey has taken Cee-Cee across the country in interviewing some very high-profile people as well as down roads she could never have foreseen. The Gold Award has opened doors for Cee-Cee far beyond any scenario we might have envisioned, from making life-long friends of those close to Amanda to being followed by thousands in her weekly Facebook Gold Award project updates.”

She added, “As parents, we could not be more enthusiastic over Cee-Cee’s growth toward further independence and risk-taking which the Gold Award calls for nor more proud of the incredible devotion she has shown these past two years in bringing her vision to life. The invaluable skills she has learned along the way, the experiences of a lifetime, the confidence she has gained, the memories she will keep - her dedication and commitment to her Gold Award are astounding.”

Family trip

A family trip to Tombstone, Ariz., five years ago kindled the teen’s initial love of the Old West.

Her parents felt the passion as well. “Returning to Massachusetts from our first adventure out in Arizona, we were all feeling the Old West fever, wishing to head back before even touching ground back home,” they said. “We instantly planned a return trip to Tombstone and Tucson, which was de-railed with the onset of the pandemic.

“Cee-Cee was on a mission to find a similar experience on the East Coast and while such locations were popular decades ago, all had disappeared with time, as far as we knew. Based on her research, Cee-Cee persuaded us to take a long road trip down to Wild West City in New Jersey back in the fall of 2022. ... Visiting Wild West City is definitely a long trek down and back for a whirlwind weekend, but so worth the time and effort to live in the past and enjoy adventures with the Wild West City staff, including longtime WWC actor Kenn Hill, who suggested we join the Rangers of Wild West City. We did join and everyone there has been so very welcoming.”

Katie Benson, whose family owns the 1880s Dodge City replica amusement park, said, “Cee-Cee and her parents have been a great addition at Wild West City. We have been so impressed at their dedication not only to ‘Gunsmoke’ but the Old West overall.”

Deslaurier-Tate will be returning to Arizona this fall to attend college, studying entrepreneurial leadership and theater.

“I will continue my work as a Kitty Russell tribute artist, making appearances in various Old West towns out there and perhaps interning at one or two locations as well. Of course, I will come back to Wild West City when I can!

“My ultimate goal, which I have had for several years now, is to open up my own old-fashioned western saloon, with live theatrical re-enactment shows, appetizers and drinks. It would be such a dream to work with other ‘Gunsmoke’ tribute artists, bringing Old West fans together to enjoy the comfortable nostalgia of this historic era.”