OCR Text |
Show The Garfield County Insider EXPLOREL_ ESCAliAMIE Rii-AL±TuWM jana@exploreescalante.com T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE, IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE. I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE, AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE. I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE, NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE. NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND, ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS. WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS, A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND. FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY, I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY. THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE, CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME. THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER, NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER. WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ? CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED? I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT, OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT. SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY, AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY. THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR, BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE. I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE, ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME. THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE, I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY. THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE, "SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE; I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE, MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS." THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP, I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP. I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL. I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT, THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT. THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE, WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE." ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT. "MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT." Author Unknown December 24, 2009 USDA ANNOUNCES COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION LENDING RATES FOR DECEMBER 2009 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for December 2009. The CCC borrowing ratebased charge for December 2009 is 0.375 percent, unchanged from November 2009. For 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans, the interest rate for loans disbursed during December 2009 is 1.375 percent, unchanged from November 2009. In accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill, interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for December 2009 are as follows - 3.000 percent with seven-year loan terms, 3.500 percent with 10year loan terms and 3.750 percent with 12-year loan terms - unchanged with seven-year loan terms, increased from 3.375 percent with 10-year loan terms and increased from 3.625 percent with 12-year loan terms in November 2009. The interest rate for Sugar Storage Facility Loans for December 2009 is 4.125 percent, increased from 4.000 in November 2009. The maximum discount rate applicable for December 2009 for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program is 5 percent, unchanged from November 2009. This is based on the 3.250 percent prime rate plus 2 percent, rounded to the nearest whole number. Past monthly releases announcing interest rates charged by CCC on commodity and marketing assistance loans disbursed for that particular month reflect the interest rate the U.S. Treasury charged CCC for that month. This was the interest rate specified by CCC since Jan. 1, 1982, but the process of establishing the interest rate was changed by a provision of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the Act), enacted on April 4, 1996. Section 163 of the Act requires that monthly interest rates applicable to commodity and marketing assistance loans are to be 100 basis points - or 1 percent - greater than the rate determined under the applicable interest rate formula in effect on Oct. 1, 1995. This formula resulted in a rate equivalent to the amount the U.S. Treasury charged CCC for borrowing, for the month. Further program information is available from USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Financial Management Division at (703) 305-1386. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). ELIMEPAIMEWAREtan,MJI by Vicki D. Syrett 679-8687 or vickidiane36@hotmail. Thelma Bybee has been fromt he Scouting program rather busy the last little were Bryce Syrett and Gary while. She has been travel- Syrett and Alfred Foster ing with her kids to places was called as the new Scout like the Hawaiian Islands Master, Good work everyand going to the Jordan one. River Temple with her Henrieville Town held grandson Zach who was their Town Party on the preparing for a mission in 19th. It was a wonderful Russia and another grand- "Winter Wonderland". In son, Jordan who returned charge were Dale and Janfrom his mission in El Sal- ece Pollock, Bishop Jeff vador. Whe went to Og- and Kim Johnson and Loden to the homecoming of gann Eager. The auxiliaJordan and to Riverton for ries of the ward all decothe farewell of Zach. Then rated a part of the church. she went to her doctor and Each room was decorated they ended up doing a 5 by- as a different place. Andy pass and replacing a mitral Mortensen greeted you at valve. Now she is living the door and gave you a bag with her son Gary in Santa of gold coins to redeem at Clara and we miss her here each different place. There in Tropic but wish her well. was plenty of food, games, Jerry and Carol Pollock and crafts to please everywould like to let the parents one. The Youth did a funny of the Webelos know how version of "The Night Bepolite their boys were at the fore Christmas" and it was "Super Friday" event that great. Thanks to all who was held. They had such a donated their time and engood time. Also want the ergy to make such a fun boys to know the meetings evening for those who atfor their Den is going back tended. The next day all to Tuesday's right after were treated to a musical school in the Tropic Ward program at church with the Cultural Hall. The next Ward Choir and the Young meeting will be the 5th of Women singing for us. It January 2010. was under the direction of The next few weeks will Milton Rose with Colette be a lot of traveling for Jer- Mathews and Sandy Johnry and Carol Pollock. They son giving the musical acare going to St. George to companiment and Lael see the Forgotten Carols Chynoweth narrating the this week. They will then program. The Henrieville Ward Pricome home for the Christmas Program and then go mary Presidency changed on to Alabama for Christ- also. Going out with a great mas with son Shane and his big thank you was presifamily. Travel safely folks. dent Nancy Chynoweth, In the Wolf Den the 1st counselor Heather N. boys have been busy mak- Johnson, and 2nd counselor ing progress and they made Colette Mathews. Called a game to give as a gift to fill those postions were to someone they love for Janece Pollock as PresiChristmas. Herb Baugh dent, 1st counselor Shauna came and helpt the Wolves Mortensen, 2nd counselor learn and practice folding Stephanie Roberts. Louise the American Flag. They Patterson will again serve also learned about raising as the secretary. Congratuand lowering the flag. It lations everyone. helped them to pass off 4 We have had a lot of visiachievements during that tors in Henrieville lately. meeting. The Pinewood The Platt's and the JohnDerby will be held on the son's have had lots of com12th of January. Kameron pany, as well as many other Talbot earned his Wolf families. Patch, 1 gold arrow and 4 We welcome Jim Nielsilver arrows. Colby Wise- son back to the Henriveille man earned his Wolf patch, area. He is the son of Doyle 1 gold arrow and 6 silver ar- and Katherine Nielson. rows. Godd job boys. And Stake Leaders of the Single Young Adults held a big a special thank you to the families who support their social for them at the Pizza Cub Scout. Place in Tropic. A fun eveCannonville Ward has ning for all. McClain and a new Young Women's Merrilee Mecham are the Presidency. Released with leaders. a huge vote of thanks were We send out get well Holly Baugh as president, wishes to Sheila Syrett Teresa Thompson as 1st Johnson of Flagstaff Aricounselor, Arjean Ivie as zona who just had to have a 2nd counselor and Shan- stent put into her heart. She tel Manning as secretary. is the daughter of Rod and Called to serve in the posi- Kathern Syrett. tions were Tracy Roundy as Bryce Canyon City Counthe president, Georgia Wil- cil met and they have many lis as the 1st counselor, Hei- new projects coming up to di Shakespeare as the 2nd build up their new town. counselor and Emilee Clark They are excited about the as secretary. Congratula- entry signs that are being tions to all of you ladies. put up to announce the city Well J. J. Dunham was and the new paved roads. supposed to fly into Las Ve- Sure cuts down on the dust gas on Saturday but due to and makes travel easier for the heavy snow storms his all. A City Park plan is in flight has been changed and the future with playground he will fly in Sunday night. equipment for the kids and a Marty and Ethel Rich are Main street project to beaugoing down to pick him up tify the main street through and do a little shopping. the city. Sounds like there Lonnie Comp was or- will be a lot of busy people dained to the office of Elder over the next few months in Cannonville. Congratu- and/or years getting these lations Lonnie. projects completed. Great In Tropic the Ward Choir going. put on a beautiful ChristON 19 December the mas program. Released Arthur and Vicki Syrett family got together to celebrate an early Christmas together. Everyone enjoyed good food and fun and sharing stories. Only members missing were our missionary grandson, Joseph Jensen who is in Chile' and Tammi Syrett, wife of Allen. Everyone have a great week and especially a wonderful Christmas. Remember the Reason for the Season and pay tribute to Jesus as we celebrate His birth. BRYCE VALLEY SCHOOLS NEWS.... School breakfast has been cancelled by the School Board for lack of funds. This means the buses will run later each morning than usual. This is sad because so many kids counted on this breakfast in the mornings. The Girl's Basketball team played Piute on Wednesday and the JV won but the Varsity lost. Then they traveled to Valley where they played Freshmen, JV, and Varsity games and won all three of them. Coming games are Tuesday with Panguitch, the 2930 of Dec will play in the Kanab Cowgirl Classic in Kanab, and on January 2nd will go to Wayne County to play Wayne HS. Keep up the good work girls. The High School held a Christmas Dance. The students of BVHS went caroling around town on three flatbed trailer/trucks. The whole studentbody went on the caroling journey and afterward came back to Hot Chocolate and cake made by Jean Hall. Yummy. Looking forward to the Debate team that is still working on getting it up and running. The Boy's Basketball team is improving more and more and the coaches are pleased with their progress. They played Piute and lost by eight points. On the 2930 of December they will travel to Tabiona and back to Salina for games. Keep on working you are doing great. In the Elementary the students were treated to a visit from Santa Claus as he came into town on a big red fire engine with Ron Harris at the wheel. Santa gave each student a huge orange and a candy cane and listened to what they wanted for Christmas. On the 16th the students in grades K-8 participated in a bird count with Marilyn Bulkley and Farah from BCNP. The students really enjoyed this event and they knew the names of the birds. The schools that participated were Bryce Valley, Escalante, and Kanab by invitation. Even Marilyn and Farah counted birds as well. I hope they counted the "zillions" we get at our bird feeders along with all the chickens around. All week long the elementary gathered around the Christmas tree and sang Christmas Carols. It is always fun to do this. Kindergarten through third grade had a great time enjoying the snow for a while on a special time out in it. The Sixth grade plays were wonderful and very entertaining. The support of the |