Back in 1914, the still toddling town of Spanish Fork had no clue that it would have to learn to run dash in 3.9.seconds to the 400-yar- d keep up with its newest little citizen. The baby, named Marie, would one day become the first woman mayor of the town and the first mayor to have an office at City hall. With high energy and every bit as high good humor, Marie Huff has set an example for that town's citizenry. Asked for an interview for the Prime Time page of the Daily Herald, Huff responded tartly, "Why, sure. We'd be happy to let people in the valley know we're not dying on the vine over here." A typical answer, the essence of Huff's spunk and wit. And how did the old Spanish Fork differ from today's Spanish Fork? Huff remembers how the town was divided into four sections: the Welch people who settled in the north end of town where the young Marie lived, the Icelanders on the east bench, the Scandinavians "in the Fourth the Ward," and the English people." Those divisions no longer exist today in this city with a population of between 15,500 and 16,000. When Huff's husband died in 1982, they had owned the Oak Crest Inn for 34 years. Now the second generation is running the "silk-stocki- r r the present mayor was running unopposed. "I don't know why I spoke up and said, 'No, he's not.'" Asked by others who was going to run against him, Huff found herself replying, "I am." She ran. And she won in a landslide. She was 75. She reports; "The young man I ran against said, 'How can you beat a woman who has been Relief Society president in every ward in the r:, X , bps The Golden Scene city?'" Four years later, at 79, she ran again for mayor. The DeseretNews of Nov. 3 and 4, 1993, ran an article titled "Grandma, Mayor, Outdistances Challenger by a e Margin." "Oh, there were votes against me. But shucks," she asks, her eyes twinkling, "how can you get everybody to love you?" At her first election she said, "Okay, boys, I'm coming down. Sweep up the broom closet. I'm going to have an office." She now sits at her desk in an office with windows in room 150 of the city hall building. A plaque on the wall outside her door proclaims: Mayor restaurant. That it still exists as a popular place to eat is unusual, considering the short life of most restaurants. Before Oak Crest Inn, the Huffs owned the Town Cafe, which stood where Zions Bank now stands. Simultaneously, they. owned and ran the Sky View Cafe, 30 miles east in Spanish Fork Canyon. The cafe was combined with a motel and a service station. Later, Marie owned her own shop in Spanish Fork Marie's Gift Shop. In recalling times past, Marie told about how she had once entertained with readings in various places. When she read "The Passing of the Backhouse," she says, "Nobody knew what I was talking about." But she remembered. Very well. And how did she decide to run for mayor of her city? "Well, it was stupid," she replies. At a meeting one night, someone remarked that Ne-ri- Three-to-On- Marie W. Huff. The city council four men and one woman do not always take her advice because, she says, "They're smarter than I am." But Mayor Huff has a good relationship with city officials, as well as with townspeople who come to see her. Senior center offers reprieve from winter The Provo Senior Citizens Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.', and is open to all men and women 55 years of age and older without restriction as to race, religion, creed, sex, national origin, political belief or income. , This week's schedule: ; t Piano lessons 1 1 , Monday a.m.; ceramics class 9; Golden K Kiwanis 10 a.m.;" Bill Kirby piano and dance and "Sit and Stay Fit" ; ; : ' 8-- - exercise video (daily) 11 a.m.; "Seniors Over Sixty" luncheon noon; ceramics class 1 p.m.; Alzheimer's support group 3 p.m. Porcelain doll class Tuesday 9 a.m.; beginning Spanish 10 a.m.; music and dancing, "Sit and Stay Fit" exercise video (daily) 1 a.m.; outreach worker Elva Larsen 11:30- a.m, p.m.; "Seniors Qver Sixty" luncheon noon; fabric painting class 1:30; Tuesday night 1 ; ; ' ; 1 dance 8 p.m. ; ; I; Wednesday Figurine class rfccessed until February; Aspen ijbme health checks 10:30 a.m. class, bingo crochenittatting . r's Mayor Huff is proud of' her accomplishments. "I think they've been good," she says. "I haven't been an angel, but the activities I've participated in during my life have prepared me for this job." Her advice to others? "Age doesn't make a difference," she says. "If you don't have health problems, you can do so much. Lots of people need your help. Besides," she admits, "I don't want my daughter telling me what to do," bringing another chuckle from her audience. imwiiiiii iimiiiu m iJwfnrtmriii ,a wi.n'Tfcwi i iihwi iwhipmihii imi m tiibiittihimiiihimwiiiii mmmiimimii Jl Daily Herald PhotoJason Olson Spanish Fork Mayor Marie Huff, 82, talks on the phone at her desk at city hall. Huff, who is a native resident of Spanish Fork, says she decided to run for mayor six years ago when the mayor was running unopposed. She won, and now, six years later, she does everything from giving advice to residents and presenting the history of the community. Considering Mayor Huff's vitality and humor, she may be the first sitting mayor to become 100 years of age. IMIIeWlj p.m. 1 ' V:;' - : . '.. it ft fill Thursday Senior health pro11:30 motion clinic 8:30 a.m. a.m.; figurine class recessed until February;: intermediate Spanish 10 a.m.; putreach worker Mike Bene-- , 1 diet 11:30 a.m. . p.m.;" Bob Ogle pian'o iriu'sic and dancftig 1 1 a.m.; "Seniors Over Sixty" luncheon noon; entertainment by Maggie Houseberg 12:15 p.m.; duplicate bridge 12:30 p.m.; "Sewing with Clarinne" 1 p.m. Oil painting 8 a.m. Friday 12 p.m. quilting and pool (bil5 p.m.; liards) daily 8 a.m. senior variety band, "Sit and Stay Fit" exercise video 11 a.m.; "Seniors Over Sixty" luncheon health clinic 12:30 noon; 1:30 p.m.; free afternoon movie and popcorn p.m.; Hispanic dinner and activity 6 p.m. IS MI o I. 1 - Retail $24.53 '.,.: v ... ;vc' ' Dr. Pearle, I'm considering buying bifocals, but I'm "no-lin- afraid I'll have a hard time adjusting to them. Any suggestions? I'm glad you're con- jj in-ho- Our Best Durable Soft Satin Finish Washes Beautifully wnj ns 12:30 p.m.; "Sit and Stay Fit" video 1 1 a.m.; "Seniors Over Sixty" luncheon noon; entertainment by Ladies 1 Trio 12:15 ; p.m.; Devoe WONDERTONE REGENCY SATIN Latex 1 mm 1MB That she is good at personal relations is evident form the flow of people entering her open door. "Lots of days I go home thinking I've been Ann Landers," she says. Another part of her personal-relatiojob is presenting at schools a the history of the city: the of part communal dipper, the boiler, her wedding dress, a coffee grinder used, says Huff, to grind corn and grain rather than coffee. "I love to teach them about these things," she says. "And they enjoy the stories I tell. They're not always true, but ..." Huff's words trail off as loud chuckles greet her confession. sidering progressive addition lenses, or "no-lin- bifocals as they are com- - monly known. 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