One Big Team offers big help

Zina Willard

Steve Acerson (a former Green River resident),  39 young women and leaders from the Elk Ridge Stake in Utah County and 23 Outward Bound Youth and leaders from various cities, came to Green River July 10.

Coordinators from these groups contacted Joni Pace, Executive Director of the Community Center/Boys and Girls Club of Green River and asked if she had service projects that they could help with. Pace said that she is grateful for groups like these and the service that they perform for the city.
The Community Center/Boys and Girls Club has 43 youth registered in a Summer Camp Program (School of Rock), and part of the curriculum is that the youth learn about and perform service for their community. Traditionally Fridays are “Service Days” coupled with “Water Fun,” where Emery County Fire Chief Howard Burnett supplies water and ice cream for the youth after a hot day of service. However this Friday will be spent at the wave pool in Price so “Service Day” was moved to Thursday.

AmeriCorps* NCCC Team “Green 2” has also been helping with the summer camp program. The “Ladies from Elk Ridge Stake,” 23 Outward Bound youth from all across the country, nine AmeriCorps* Members and the kids from the School of Rock” were one big team on Thursday and pulled weeds, bagged garbage and cleaned up main street by the Medical Center and Broadway. Pace and her staff want to say thank you to these hard working groups and their organizations for including this city and their youth in the wonderful things that they do.

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BACA Gives Back

The Southeast Utah Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse recently had the privilege of doing their part to help the children in our communities once again this month. After holding the third annual Poker Run on June 21 to raise funds for the children, they were able to give a donation to the Children’s Justice Center and CASA for their part in the event. Approximately $1,200 was raised that day with BACA giving $1,000 of it to CJC and CASA to help them in their efforts of taking care of local children.

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Elder Michael Anthony Stream

Elder Michael Anthony Stream returned home June 27 after completing a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He served in the North Carolina, Charlotte Mission.   He will be speaking in the Huntington 5th Ward, 115 South 400 East, at 9:00 am on July 20.  He is the son of Steven and CarolAnn Stream of Huntington.

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Bena Lee Smith

PRICE-Our precious angel left us on July 8, 2008.  Mom was born July 28, 1934 to Ben and Mamie Black in Peerless, Utah.  She grew up with 3 older sisters and 3 younger brothers.  On April 18,1952 she married the love of her life F. Grant Smith, Jr.  Together they had 7 children.
Mom’s courage, quiet strength, and patience were an inspiration to everyone she met.  Her perfect soul shined like a brilliant sun in every beautiful smile.  She will be missed more than any words can describe.
Mom is survived by her Mother-In-Law: Sarah Jane Smith; Children: James Smith, E. Grant Smith, Keith Edgehouse, and Lorri  & Norman Browning; 21 Grandchildren; 19 Great-Grandchildren; Sisters: Norma Peck, Marta (Mario) DiCaro, Carolyn Black, Bonnie Smith, Colleen Hatch and Judi Baker; Brothers: Terry (Carol) Black, Arland Langford, Roger (Karen) Smith and Greg Smith; Daughter-in-law: Lorie Smith, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and Father-In-Law, Forrest Smith; husband; Children: Baby Lorri Smith, Tammy Smith, Jamie Naylor and Gary Smith; Daughter-In-Law, Benita Gomez; Great-Granddaughter, Sky Smith; Sisters: Bobby Langford, Marion Black, Evelyn Black Evona Smith and Sharon Taldo; Brothers: Laurence Black, Alan Black, Eddie Black, Earl Hinkins, Jack Peck, Mel Beckstead, Leon Smith, Duaine Hatch and George Baker.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on July 12, 2008 at the Price 1st Ward Chapel with viewing one hour prior to service.  Family and friends may view privately July 11, 2008 at Fausett Mortuary from 9-5.  Interment will be in the Price City Cemetery.  Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary.
We wish a very special hug and thank-you to Becky Tallerico, Tami from UMWA, Tisa, Sherry, Jennifer, and Holly from CNS Hospice, Dr. Monahan and his staff, Doug Garff, Bishop Terry, Sheila Larsen and her ladies and Gus & Sil.  You have all held us up through some very difficult times.  You are truly angels among us.  Also thank you to all our family and friends for all your support and love.  In lieu of flowers, send donations to CNS Hospice.

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Goldie LaRue Anderson Alger

SUNNYSIDE - Goldie LaRue Anderson Alger, age 86, Our sweet and gentle Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister and Friend passed quietly from this life on July 9, 2008 surrounded by her family at home.  She is now reunited with the love of her life, parents, sister and grandson.
Born July 18, 1921 in Storrs, Utah to John Leslie and Ruth Ada Gardner Anderson.
Married Harold Lee Alger April 6, 1944 in Los Angeles, CA. Marriage was solemnized June 12, 1965 in the Manti LDS Temple. 
Member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Mom held many positions including Den Leader, Primary Teacher, and Relief Society President. She served  
at the Manti Temple with her sweetheart and companion for several years.
During World War II Mom helped to build airplanes at Douglas Aircraft.  Mom was a self taught cake decorator and made beautiful wedding cakes for family and friends. She was and expert at Tatting which is a lost art. Our mother had a great appreciation for the beauty of the world we live in and passed this on to her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her six daughters, Leslie (Fred) Keele, Spring Glen, Elna (Darwin) Christensen, East Carbon City;  Vicki Alger, Colleen Christensen, Sunnyside;  Donna (Walter) Smith, Green Bay, Wisconsin;  Clara (Tom) Burbank, Hurricane.  14 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and was expecting her first great, great grandson in October. Two Brothers John P. (Rayona) Anderson, Wellington;   June F. (Fonta) Anderson, West Valley City;  Three sisters, Mary Lou (David) Hight, American Fork;  Cleo (Eugene) Powell, Kearns; Leila ( Richard) Hight, Mt Pleasant.
Preceded in Death by her husband of 50 years, her parents, a sister Dora L. Clements and grandson Richard Daniel Miller.
Funeral Services were July 14, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the East Carbon LDS Church.  Interment was in the Cleveland City Cemetery.  Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary.

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Lindora Jensen Draper

CASTLE DALE - Lindora Jensen Draper, our beloved mother, and grandmother passed away at her home on Monday, July 7, 2008.  Lindora was 90 years old.
Born December 18, 1917 in Cleveland, Utah, Lindora was the fifth child of eleven, born to Edward C. and Maude Eden Jensen.  She was educated in Cleveland and Huntington, Utah.  A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Lindora served thirty-two years as a Primary worker, enjoying children, especially the Trailbuilders.  She also served on he North Carbon Stake Primary Board as well as Homemaking Counselor in the Castle Dale Stake Relief Society Presidency.  
Lindora was a charitable woman who always carried a smile.  She had a positive, loving outlook and she loved cleaning, decorating, and entertaining. 
Lindora kept scrapbooks and photo albums of her families, preserving the honor and accomplishments of each.  She lived 41 years in Hiawatha, Utah with her husband Harry Leon “Bud” Draper who labored for 45 years.  Bud retired on February 2, 1978 and they moved to Castle Dale, Utah into the home they had remodeled, after purchasing the property in June 1951.  They enjoyed square dancing and she and her husband were members of several dancing groups.  Keenly interested in political issues and proud to be a lifetime Republican.  Served many years as an election judge.  Lindora loved to read, especially newspapers, historical materials and the scriptures. 
She had great love of painting, and at the age of 70 years, under the direction of a nephew Cliff Oviatt, Lindora enjoyed taking acrylic art classes.  Her paintings are in many homes, especially those given to boys who have achieved the rank of an Eagle Scout   a painting of an Eagle was given on those occasions. 
Lindora was a member of the Alaho Ladies Club, the Historical Society, and an honorary member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.  She was a woman of strength and character.  Her lifetime motto was  “Live, Love, Learn”, She firmly believed that one should do the best they can with whatever challenges life sends their way, to play the hand one is dealt, and play it the best you can so that at the end of the day you are happy and satisfied with the choices you have made. 
Always proud of her family heritage and extended family.  Lindora kept in close touch with brothers and sisters, their families, nieces and nephews, and her children and grandchildren, each holding a special place in her heart.  Lindora kindly and lovingly remembered birthdays, phone numbers and addresses.  Lunch with family and friends was also an enjoyable event in her life.  She also loved to travel, enjoying her travels throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, and Europe. 
Lindora was a mother of two sons, Gary Leon Draper (deceased) and John Edward (Betty) Draper of Laguna Hills, California: three Draper Grandsons, Samuel G. (Corinne) of St. George, Utah.  John Edward Jr.  (Stacy) of Newport Beach, California and Derek L. Draper (Marisa) of Laguna Niguel, California: two granddaughters, Kristine (Brett) Sewell, St. George Utah and Lori Ann (Robert) Taylor of Centerville Utah; fourteen great grandchildren, which includes triplets - Tim, James and Mark Draper, St George UT, Ben, Jeffery and Katie Sewell, St. George, Utah, Bridget, Max, Madison, James and Jeffery Taylor of Centerfield Utah and Jenna, Kara and Alyssa Draper of Laguna Niguel, California.  Lindora is also survived by two sisters Leora (Vernon) Leamaster of Huntington, Utah and Beth (Walter) Henzi, Ivins, Utah and three brothers, Ted, Glen (Karen) Jensen of Elmo, Utah and Roy (Zona) Jensen of Cleveland, Utah.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Leon “Bud”: parents, three brothers, Alvin, Bill and Fred Jensen, two sisters Harriet (Frank) Jensen and Annette (Wayne) Liddell.
A viewing was held on July 11, 2008 at 12:30 p.m at the Castle Dale Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 35 E. Main, Castle Dale, Utah.  Funeral services followed at 2:30 p.m.  Interment was in the Castle Dale Cemetery. Services were held under the direction of the Fausett Mortuary.

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Ruth Richards Guptill

PRICE/GRAND JUNCTION-Our loving wife, mother, sister and beloved grandmother, Ruth Alice Newton Richards Guptill, passed away July 14, 2008 in Price, Utah at the age of 91.
She was born January 25, 1917 in Reading, Kansas, the oldest daughter of Warren C. and Laura Jones Newton.
Ruth spent her childhood in Kansas, and at the age of sixteen was baptized in the Reading Baptist Church.  In 1937 she graduated from Reading High School.  On June 2, 1940 she married James Roy Richards in Kansas. 
Ruth spent her early married life in Kansas, California and Alamosa, Colorado.  On July of 1947, she moved to Grand Junction, were James passed away on March 17, 1966.
She was a former resident of Grand Junction where she spent twenty years working as a nurse at the Grand Junction Osteopathic Hospital.  On January 26, 1975 Ruth married Harold Guptill in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ruth enjoyed making quilts, and she made many for her family and friends.  She enjoyed her bowling and always said, “I didn’t know if I bowled to live or lived to bowl.”
Survived by her husband, Harold Guptill, Price; daughter, Marilyn (Dennis) Steele, Fredricksburg, IA; son, Daniel (Judy) Richards, Grand Junction, CO; step-children, Sandra Bryant, Lori Guptill both of  Lancaster, OH, Richard (Charlotte) Guptill, Craig, CO, Allen (Jann) Guptill, Price; brother, Lloyd Newton, Lindon, KS; sisters, Joyce Jennings, Butte, MT, Rachel Smith, Sacramento, CA, Betty Noll, Hutchinson, KS, Laura Mae Wyant, Junction City, KS; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Preceded in death by infant sons, James Eugene and Lowell Dean Richards; first husband, James Roy Richards; and brothers, Lee, Edwin and Ken Newton.
Funeral service, Friday, July 18, 2008, 9:30 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main Street in Price.  Family will be at Mitchell’s Thursday evening from 7:00-8:00 p.m. and Friday one hour prior to service.  Graveside service, Friday, 2:45 p.m., Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Grand Junction, Colorado.  Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home.

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Lisa Bishop
Buck Taylor

Glade and Becky Nelson of Clawson, announce the marriage of their daughter, Lisa Bishop, to Buck Taylor, son of Curtis and Bo Taylor and Dee and Renee Fillmore, on  July 19, 2008.
An outdoor reception will be held from 7–9 p.m. that evening at 45 West 300 South in Orangeville, at the home of Chuck and Deanna Harris.

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July 1, 2008

Local trainers fare well at Pinto Championship

The Pinto Horse Association of America held their annual World Championship Show in Tulsa, Okla., June 8-21.
 
For the second year in a row Rising Sun Quarter Horses of Castle Dale hauled horses from Utah, Arizona, Idaho and California to compete in this prestigious event.  In 2007 Hal and April Schiffner from Rising Sun took four horses and returned home to Utah with a World Champion.  They enjoyed the show so much that they put together a show string for 2008 especially for this show and invited several other people to attend with them. 

All together 11 horses were in the Rising Sun barn in Tulsa for 2008.  On June 16 “RH Just Ledoux It” a 3-year-old gelding owned by Mae and Robin Hutchins of Perris, Calif., was named Reserve World Champion Breeding Stock Gelding.  This nice gelding was trained and shown by Hal.  Later in the week Hal and RH Just Ledoux it were named 3rd place overall in Breeding Stock Trail.

That same day “Comedy Star” a 4-year-old stallion was named Reserve World Champion Stallion.  He is owned and was shown in the Amateur Class by Carol Stiner of Kuna, Idaho and shown in the Open Class by Schiffner, where he placed 3rd overall.

“Hi Country Socks”  an aged Gelding took  4th place overall in the Youth Leadline class, shown by Bailey Keele  who is 7 years old and lives in Richfield.

 “Comedy Kid” a yearling gelding, took 4th place overall in Yearling Breeding Stock Geldings. He is owned by Carol Stiner of Kuna and was shown by Schiffner

On  June 18, “Commotion Caused” a weanling stallion owned by John and Pam Padilla of Goodyear, Ariz., won the great honor of World Champion.  He was trained and shown by Schiffner, and  the win was very exciting both for Hal and his owners, who plan to have Hal exhibit him at the Paint World Show in November in Fort Worth, Texas.  Having lost his accomplished sire in February of this year, he is a shining star and possible replacement for John and Pam.  This was his first show and he is just starting  to fill the big shoes of his sire.

Also on June 18, “”RJK Wheel Of Fortune”  a 2-year- old gelding, won  the  World Champion designation. He is owned and was shown by Ric Keele of Richfield.

“Im Here To Play” a 4 year old mare was 4th place overall in Tobiano Mares.  She is also owned and was shown by Ric Keele of Richfield.

Tulsa is always rainy and warm in June but the Rising Sun gang barely noticed, having one full week of busy showing.  LaDonna Nelson from Price has worked for Rising Sun for more than two years and is a major part of the success story.  LaDonna fits and grooms all of the show horses for the farm.  This annual world championship show offers something for everyone, including classes for ponies, minis and gaited horses registered with the Pinto Horse Association of America.  There is a costume class, a dog show (complete with costumes), a trainer’s leadline class and the association also hosts a free barbecue with live entertainment.

Anyone wishing for information on this show or the Pinto Horse Association of America can contact them at www.pinto.org or phone them at 405-491-0111.  They can also contact Hal Schiffner at 435-749-7120. He would be happy to talk to you about registering your spotted horse as a Pinto.

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June 17, 2008

Wilderness Program up and Running in Huntington

Josie Luke

Many residents of Emery County appreciate the surrounding area because of the ability they have to have two very different environments in such close proximity, with the Manti la Sal Mountains to the west and the San Rafael Swell to the east; this also made the area a perfect place for a group of entrepreneurs looking for an area to run a wilderness therapy program.

Elements Wilderness Program is one of the newest businesses to select Emery County as the place to base their operations. With an office in Huntington, the program is now up and running, and began accepting clients on May 30.

Wilderness therapy is emerging as a viable alternative option for the treatment of youth. It incorporates group and individual therapy with the opportunity for youth to learn how to take care of themselves and cooperate with others while working through challenges in an unfamiliar environment.

 Program Director Karen Hesselman described the group’s reasons for selecting the area. “Our first thought was that we’d like to be a little bit closer to our home, Salt Lake, but there really was nothing remote that would work. The elevation was a problem because we need two different field areas, one for summer and one for winter,” she said.

“So, Huntington and Emery County, this strip along Highway 10, was perfect because you have the Forest on one side and you have the Swell on the other. This is really nice, just being in between the two different field areas. ”

She also explained another benefit to the location-- safety, saying, “The time it will take for us to get to the group on either side is quick and that is a big deal for us for safety. It seems like the perfect fit.”

The partners in the business are Hesselman, Admissions Director John Karren, and Clinical Director Lynn Smith. All have previous experience with similar programs. They joined to organize a program they believe will benefit those adolescents who are involved. “We want to go back to the real wilderness piece, as in using the outdoors as a therapy tool, getting rid of all the distractions,” Hesselman stated.  

The Field Director Dan Shorb explained their program’s approach. “This program is smaller and we’re trying to specialize by dealing with less, what we would call, clinical kids, meaning, students that aren’t acting out as much as others in other programs,” he said. “I think our specialization is really a kind of a symbol of where this genre of educational programs has gone. From its real roots of being kind of boot camp style, to now where its gone to the other extreme to where its very therapeutic and very clinical.”

In this light, in the program the youth are referred to as students and staff are called field mentors. For every group of 10 students, there are four field mentors assigned. The field mentors will work with the students for eight days and then have six days off, with a another group of mentors alternating in each week.     

Most students will be referred to the program through an educational consultant who is versed in the many different treatment types and treatment providers, and selects a specific program according to the needs of the client. Parents can also find such programs online. Information on the Elements program can be found at www.elementswilderness.com.

Hesselman also revealed that it took a great deal of time to get permits and licenses in hand for the group to finally be able to open such a business in the area. A license had to be granted from the state, a business license from the city, and permits from the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.  

She related, “It would come and go, one day it would be really exciting and I would think ‘everything’s working perfectly,’ and then the next day, you’re just totally depressed and depleted because there would be another glitch. It was up and down a lot, but everything seems to be working out now that we’re up and running.”

Hesselman and her partners are pleased to be in the area and plan to look to the community for support. “We still need a lot of local support to make it happen. We will need more employees as we start to go, so I hope everyone is open to what we have to offer and know that we are very interested in bringing the community into what we’re doing. We do want to know the community and use the resources and hopefully they’re accepting,” she said.

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April 22, 2008

Medical Reserve Corps Looking for Volunteers

Josie Luke

After President George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union Address, in which he asked all Americans to volunteer in support of their country, the Medical Reserve Corps was organized. The local unit, the Southeastern Utah MRC is currently looking for volunteers.

“MRC units are community-based and function as a way to locally organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and expertise to prepare for and respond to emergencies and promote healthy living throughout the year. MRC volunteers supplement existing emergency and public health resources,” the MRC website explains.

The SEUMRC is organized under the Southeastern Utah Health Department and is currently looking for doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, veterinarians, mental health professionals, pharmacists, dentists and emergency personnel, including firefighters, EMTs and police, along with anyone else who is willing to help in an emergency.

“We are looking for people who are willing to do what needs to be done,” explained Cynthia Grant, SEUMRC Coordinator. “Basically, the people we can use is anyone who is willing to work in an emergency situation and who is dedicated and willing enough to give back to the community that they would do that without getting paid.”

Those who would volunteer for the SEUMRC, would be those who would not already be involved, including those who are retired, not working full-time, working in another field, or not currently working.

Some of the situations Grant sees the SEUMRC volunteers working in are in circumstances like the Crandall Canyon mine disaster, or in the event of a pandemic, flood or earthquake. In such instances, they could help to shelter those involved, provide for medical and physical needs, assist with communications, or anything else that was needed.

Grant said the group is just getting off the ground, but eventually, she would like to see a group of 12 to 20 volunteers in each county, with over 70 percent being lay people, without much medical experience. The program will also have a team leader in each county, who would be paid for five to 10 hours a month. In a team leader, Grant said she is looking for someone with strong people skills, who would take initiative and “quickly catch the vision of the MRC”.

The MRC is designed to be of service in the community in which it is located, and so unlike the Red Cross, the MRC has much more flexibility in how it is organized and how volunteers are used.

Grant sees volunteers supporting local health initiatives and any other community event where medical experience might be needed. She revealed that in some instances, like the bus accident last year near Blanding, people were needed to “just comfort people who were involved”, or to help with logistics and record keeping.

Volunteers would need to go through required trainings in eight core competencies, including training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS), which trains volunteers on how to react in emergencies. The trainings can be taken online and according to Grant, won’t require a huge amount of time.

For questions about the Medical Reserve Corps, or to volunteer, contact Grant at (435)748-2997, on her cell phone at- (435)749-2998, or email her at cgrant@utah.gov.

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The One Stop Wedding Shop

Kathy Ockey

Jeri oddard and Jody Porter have combined two businesses to provide a “One stop wedding shop” for Southeastern Utah.  They have at least 100 wedding dresses in stock at all times and no two are alike.  If you can’t find one, they can design one for you.

Jeri Goddard said she started  “Sweet Creations” for self-preservation because she has four daughters and saw a need for this type of business in the community.  Jody Porter started “Sweet Dream Designs” because she also has two daughters and could also see a demand for this type of service in our area.  Jody can make all of the needed alterations on the wedding dresses, plus she does custom-made jewelry for the entire wedding party.  

Jeri said she started doing crafts with her mom but said “you can only hang so much on your wall before you start looking around for others to give the stuff to.”  She said it is her creative outlet because every wedding is different. Her sister-in-law had a bridal store and got her started on the wedding gown part of the business.  She said she had so much fun with her daughters and their weddings, that she carried it over to helping others.

 Their wedding gowns come in a wide variety of sizes, from 4 to 26 because there are “a large variety of sizes in young ladies.”   They also come from some of the most popular designers and are offered in sleeveless, tank top and modest styles.  There are even some that have color in them, which is becoming more popular.

They both said when the bride finds the right dress you can see it as soon as they put it on – their face lights up when they know it is the “one.”  The one-stop shopping also includes accessories such as veils, jewelry, gloves, and undergarments that can be selected at the same time as your dress. Jeri said they also have tuxedo rentals available and she enjoys working with young men for both weddings and proms.

Jody said their two businesses compliment each other almost as well as the two special friends who own them.  She said what one gets involved in the other one is also involved in and they have become like sisters. 

Jody is able to custom design and make dresses to complement each member of the wedding party, including the mother-of-the-bride and bridesmaids. Sweet Creations offers all services to present a beautiful and memorable wedding.  They have many selections to choose from and can do wedding cakes, refreshments, floral arrangements, clothing and they also have a beautiful “Oasis” outdoors for the perfect private setting.  It really is a “One Stop Wedding Shop.”  You can reach Sweet Creations by email at udreamit2@msn.com or call Jody at 748-5288 or Jeri at 381-20174.

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-Dazed-

Increased happiness is not puppy love

James L. Davis

Insanity comes in many forms and in my household the most recent form of insanity has four legs, a tail and likes to chew on my shoes.

I have always been under the impression that I was a fairly happy individual and if I was not happy then at least I wasn’t one of those people who walked around all day calling attention to the fact that I was not happy. I didn’t moan, I didn’t groan, I didn’t go on Dr. Phil and express the inner torment that plagued my soul.  If I was miserable (and I do not believe that I was), then I was silently miserably, which is not an altogether bad way to