A Green River Christmas

Judi Bishop

The Green River Community Center / Boys and Girls Club kicked off the Christmas season with a dinner and bazaar for the community on Dec. 14. The wonderful smells of holiday goodies filled the air, along with the aroma of turkey dinner floating through the rooms. The dining area was set with festive decorations in the colors of the season. The pool table had been covered and made into a grand serving area with a variety of items. There was turkey with all the fixings, relish trays, hot rolls, Swedish meatballs and a cranberry punch.

In the other areas of the center the bazaar items had been placed for all to wander through and see. There were items from baked goods to handcrafted beautiful items. Jean Tidwell, who is a volunteer at the center and a Vista volunteer had her hands busy since January creating beautiful angels, snowflakes and numerous other items to have for sale at the bazaar. Cookies, candy and cakes were packaged to entice one to forget the diet and take something home to please that sweet tooth.

What celebration this time of year would be complete with out a visit from the jolly man in the red suit. Santa Claus made his appearance and thrilled both young and old as he listened to Christmas wishes.

Joni Pace, executive director of the center, and her merry host of helpers, Jean Tidwell, Serena Short, Kenny Sweat, Lisa Weihing, Paula Dunham, Sid Johnson, Mark and Joann Williams, Zina Willard and Amy Johnson made the event a wonderful experience for all who came. Joanne was pleased that they had raised more than $800 and hoped that with the rest of the items being available for sale at the Thrift Shop that more funds could be raised for the center.

Museum completes busy year

Annalee Thayn

This year has been a full one for the John Wesley Powell River History Museum and the Green River Archives. The Museum received a new phone system. Several employees were able to work year round. The Museum received two exhibits, “Moving Waters” and a new Range Creek exhibit. The Theater in the Museum now has high definition and surround sound.

The Museum held interesting and educational lectures this year, one of which was Katie Lee. She talked about her book “Glen Canyon Betrayed, A Sensuous Elegy”. Lee spoke about her experiences on the Colorado River. Another lecturer Brad Dimock, gave a presentation about his new book “The Very Hard Way, Bert Loper and the Colorado River”. It is the story of Bert Loper’s life on and off rivers. .

The Museum received two1930’s life jackets. The Archives has pictures of these life jackets. Gary and Beth Harper loaned them for display.

The Museum had a blank spot on its walls. It needed a picture of Andy Hattan, a member of Powell’s second expedition (1871). When descendents discovered that the Museum didn’t have a picture of Mr. Hattan they sent several. The blank spot on the wall is now filled. The Archives received a copy of his discharge papers from the Civil War.

On June 30, Shirley Venus Day was held, in honor of Joe Venus’s wife who passed away. Venus is the curator of the Art Gallery at the Museum. There were coloring contests for children, an art show for professional and amateur artists. There was food, music and a Silent Auction. Joe Venus donated all proceeds to the Museum.

A future exhibit, “Cross Roads,” is still coming. It will be available for viewing 24 hours a day seven days a week on the patio.

The Green River Archives had Family History Week in April. Each night of the week a lecture was given. One lecture was given by Mrs. Becky Harmonn, Mrs. Harmonn’s great uncle Russell George Frazier, discovered The Crossing of the Fathers, it was thought to be already discovered, but he found out where the steps were actually located. Mr. Frazier did several interviews; one of his interviews was televised. The interview was saved, but not with the video. The Utah State Archives had some old movie reels with audio but no video. Mr. Harmonn discovered that the video and the audio were of the same interview. He was able to combine the two, and those who came to Family History Week that night were able to see them as they were originally shown.

In June, the Archives employed Jo Anne Chandler, now full time manager of the Museum and Archives, and assistant Annalee Thayn. This month the Archives gained, Floyd Romack, new Easter Seals employee.

Take advantage of CERT training

Annalee Thayn

What is CERT? Do you need CERT? CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. The answer to the second question is yes, you do need CERT Training.

CERT training is a fun, easy and common sense way of learning how to help after a disaster has occurred. The goal for CERT training is that after a disaster occurs you can help in four ways:

1. Fire Safety
2. Medical operations
3. Light search and rescue
4. Disaster Psychology

CERT training began in California in the 1980’s with citizens who wanted to do more when a disaster struck to help their friends and neighbors. Many in Utah felt a need for CERT Training after 9/11.

In our class we learned the importance of turning off the gas to our homes. Karen Smith told us that many of the homes that were affected by fires this fall had additional problems when some people evacuated their homes; they left without turning off the gas that was an additional hazard to their home and property.

We learned how to check for shock in people who were injured. Karen told us sometimes treating people who are in shock is tricky because they believe they are perfectly fine, and if you turn your back on them they sometimes wander off.

Robert Smith taught us “cribbing.” Cribbing uses leverage and nearby materials to form a “crib” for support and strength so you can safely remove a person who is trapped under heavy objects.
We learned how to put out fires. Mr. Engleman and Mr. Lehnhoff helped show us how to use fire extinguishers and put out actual fires. It gives me more confidence that I will know how to use a fire extinguisher if it is ever needed.

Green River is a small town and thirty-four people in Green River are already CERT trained, but most of these people are with the fire or police department, and would be needed there. Another problem Green River has is that we are isolated as a community. Additional help it would be a long time in getting here.

Contact Karen Smith and tell her that you would like to become CERT Trained. She is hoping to have a class in March, but can’t unless she has at least six interested participants. Give Karen a call and learn about being part of Green River CERT.

Lady Pirates drop Meridian, coast past Whitehorse

Brennan Bigelow

The Lady Pirates traveled to Meridian on Dec. 19 and came out strong and finished much the same.
The Lady Pirates fought hard in the first half and they held the lead at halftime. Entering into the third quarter Green River had difficulty putting points on the scoreboard, putting Green River all knotted up with the Mongooses at 24 points a piece. With an amazing effort the Pirates out scored Meridian 22 to 8 in the fourth to end the game 46-33. Leading the Pirates, both contributing 13 points, was Bailie Packer and Brandi Webster. Also scoring in the winning effort was Crosby Hatt with 8, Cady Mecham with 6, Leah Swalberg with 5, and Tracy Engleman with 1 point.

The Lady Pirates followed up their victory over Meridian with a decisive victory over Whitehorse on Dec. 21. The Pirates outscored Whitehorse in every quarter and coasted to an easy 59-26 victory.
Leading scorer for the Lady Pirates was Brandi Webster with 24, followed by Leah Swalberg with 13, Crosby Hatt with 11, Sarah Swalberg with 7, and Bailie Packer and Tracy Engleman both scoring 2.

Pirates pick up first win of season against Meridian

Brennan Bigelow

The Green River Pirates traveled up to Spanish Fork to face Meridian on Dec. 19 and right from the tip-off showed why they came to Spanish Fork.

Green River hit shots from all points of the court. Meridian had trouble with matching Green River in the first two quarters.

The Pirates entered the half with a sizable lead. The Mongooses of Meridian came out of the half and matched the Pirates in scoring, but they could not close the gap Green River forced in the first half.

Brennan Bigelow led Green River with 23 points. Also in double digits were Kaden Mecham with 14 points and Tyson Johnson with 10. Also contributing in scoring was Mendoza with 5, Jason Johnson with 4, and both putting in two points were Holden Marshall and Marvin Arnold.

The Pirates traveled to Bicknell to face Wayne in the first round of the Holiday Classic on Dec. 28. The last time the Pirates faced Wayne, Green River came back after getting down by a 30 point deficit, leaving the Pirates just 12 shy of the win. Watch for a roundup of the Holiday Classic in the Jan. 15 edition of The Green River Review.