Blazing Happy Trails for Kids

The Scene: Friday’s black-tie gala at the Beverly Hilton where the “King of the Cowboys and the Queen of the Cowgirls,” Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, received the UniHealth America Foundation’s Pinnacle Community Service Award. In answer to the most commonly asked pre-gala question by far: Yes, they are definitely still alive.

Who Was There: Nine hundred members of the health-care business industry. Opportunities abounded for fascinating discussions of rising hospital costs. Among the guests were Pinnacle Award honoree Dr. Steven Schroeder; Volunteer of the Year Linda Butler; state Controller Gray Davis; the Rev. Karl Kniseley, UniHealth Foundation president; ex-Angel Bobby Grich; Dr. Howard House and performers Nanette Fabray, Christine Ebersole, Bonnie Franklin, Zale Kessler, Montie Montana, Lara Teeter and Dusty Rogers.

Dress Mode: The invitation called for “black-tie or country formal.” Guess which Roy and Dale chose? He went for black boots, a floral print jacket, a ruffled blue shirt with a silver bolo tie inscribed RR and Trigger and, of course, a white cowboy hat. She was in a chiffon blouse, black velour skirt with a red sash and silver pumps. Other guests who opted for country formal looked like dweebs.

Money Matters: Tickets were $300 and $600; the net to Roy and Dale’s Happy Trails Children’s Foundation and UniHealth’s pediatric health-care programs was $80,000.

How They Look: Roy is 81, while Dale--the pre-Hillary equal-partner role model if there ever was one--is 80. Dale’s derisive comment on plastic surgery was, “You can get everything lifted on your whole body, but you still got the mileage inside.”

How They Feel: “I don’t have the energy or stamina I used to,” says Roy. “Every year, my bowling ball gets heavier and my horse gets taller.”

Their Current Situation: Roy’s not the mogul that the other “King of the Cowboys,” Gene Autry, is--but then, he’s also not dumping big bucks into a second-division baseball team. Rogers says he “don’t need nothin’, don’t want nothin’, don’t owe nothin’ and I’m happy as a bear.”

On Their Relationship: “We share a Christian faith and we communicate,” says Dale. “If you have any problems, you shouldn’t try to remake the person you fell in love with. You should remake yourself first.”

Pastimes: Middle-aged fans recounting how much they loved the honorees’ early-’50s TV show. However, memories seemed limited to: Bad guys steal payroll, Dale taken hostage, Roy rides Trigger to rescue, what’s-his-name sidekick arrives too late in sputtering Jeep. Bonus points were awarded for knowing the Jeep’s name.

(Answer: Nellybelle.)