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Show Entertainment • Calendar • Arts The Park Record WED/THURS/FRI, MAY 16-18, 2007 Events Calendar Crossword Scene & Heard TV Listings Classifieds C-6 C-4 C-9 C-14 C-15 SCENE EDITOR: Anna Bloom 649-90l4ext.110arts@parkrecord.com Cowboy poet tries his hand at fiction A family secret inspires Scopes' first novel, The Life and Times of Samuel). Groo' out Groo stayed behind with his . grandmother when the rest of Of the Record staff their extended polygamist family Lannie Scopes imagines he looks a lot like went to Utah, he says. He also found Samuel J. Groo: a tall, Western poet with a mous- out, from an interview with a former tache that spans his jawline - a "walrus" style worn Cokeville mayor, that Groo might in the LSOOs by novelist Mark Twain, and United have been an outlaw. "That Sam Groo States Army cavalry commander George was a wild one. He used to run with that Armstrong Custer. Butch Cassidy," Scopes remembers the "When I was writing, it was hard for me to differ- mayor telling him. At the time, Scopes esti- • entiate between myself and Sam," he admits. mates the mayor was in his late 90s. On front cover of his first novel, "The Life and Records about Groo, end in 1903, howevTimes of Samuel J. Groo: An American er. "I searched the 48 and Alaska, and Adventure," Scopes includes a photograph of him- there's just no information about him after .. self in a brown leather hat, resting a rifle on his that time,1' he reports. -'; shoulder to give readers an idea of what Groo might According to Scopes, the Klondike have looked like. Gold Rush began with nearly 3,000 U.S. The book, which follows Groo on his journey prospectors, and, unprepared, most died from Utah to Alaska to find gold, is a work of fic- along the way. The United States eventution based on facts about Scopes' family history. So ally sent soldiers to rescue the few that if Scopes envisions he has some of the same charac- survived. teristics as his protagonist, he's probably right. Groo With some preliminary research under was his great uncle. his belt. Scopes started exploring Groo's The book cover also shows Groo's actual diary, history with a pad and a pen, patching worn and bent, likely from carrying it in his pocket what he knew about Groo with what he on his journey north, during the Alaskan knew about the history of the West and ("Klondike") Gold Rush in the late 1890s. the Alaskan Gold Rush. As Scopes explains it, the family never spoke of "What I didn't know, I guessed at, fillGroo. Clues about his great uncle didn't surface ing in the details based on historical fact until after Scopes grandmother Nelly died, leaving and what could have happened and what behind a steamer trunk she forbade anyone from should have happened," Scopes says. "It opening. Scopes found the diary beneath old dolls was great. I would just wake up at 4:30 in the and china in the trunk's false bottom a decade ago, morning and by the end, I had about 10 stowhen he and his family decided to open it. ries." When he finally began to piece together the Scopes is a musician. He writes and performs facts, his parents had also died . Originally, he read cowboy music throughout the West and has the entries without any information about who had written and produced cowboy shows, including written them. a radio program "Tunes and Tales from Then he discovered a handwritten note in an old Tumbleweed," a Western counterpart to family Bible from February 1, 1897: Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home 'in case of my sudden flight to the 'Great Companion." Recently he performed at "Saddle Beyond' I want all my belongings, and the Up!" a fundraiser for the Egyptian Theatre at the amount...from the Collett Mining Company for National Ability Center. labor, to be given to my sister - Mrs. R.W. Scopes describes writing "The Life and Times Gee...Samuel J. Groo.11 of Samuel J. Groo," as an adventure, far differMrs. R.W. Gee was Scopes' grandmother, Mary ent from songwriting which he says "condenses Elizabeth, and. as it turned out, also Groo's sister. everything." Scopes visited towns his family lived in, The story is told in first-person from Groo's and continued combing family heirlooms. He found perspective, and Scopes referred to English schoolbooks from the 1800s to simulate how Groo might have thought to convey his IMAGE COURTESY OF LANNIE SCOPES thoughts. At the time, reading capabilities were measured by how well a child could compre- A piece of paper found in a family Bible was a key due in determining the hend long sentences and big words, he identity of Samuel J. Groo, Lannie Scope's great uncle. explained. Though he wishes he could have had the chance to ask his grandmother questions, Scopes says he enjoyed the research, bringing his two daughters along with him to teach them about their past. "I think everyone should know their roots, because it helps you figure out who you are," he concludes. The book was also way for him to explore the landscape and culture he knows and loves best. "The thing about the West is that the world is still clamoring for the hearty handshake, the integrity and honesty," he says. "I think the world believes it because the world needs it so badly. The West is something that's inspirational." This Saturday will be his very first book signing, says Scopes, and he hopes it won't be his last. "I would like to finish the story," he says. "Sam deserves to have the rest of his story told." Lannie Scopes will discuss his book and sign copies of "The Life and Times of Samuel J. Groo: An American Adventure" at the Spotted Frog Saturday, Lannie Scopes will have a book Bookstore at 1635 Redstone Center PHOTO COURTESY LANNIE SCOPES signing and discussion at the Spotted Frog Drive on Saturday, May 19. The event The Gee family, including Robert "Pops" Gee, center, and his wife, Bookstore for his book, "TTie Life and Times of is from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. For more infor- Nelly, were author Lannie Scopes grandparents. Samuel Groo, the proSamuel J. Groo" based on his great uncle's jour- mation, call (435) 575-2665. tagonist of his book, was Nelly Gee's brother. By ANNA BLOOM Quilters gather at the farm The Friends of the Farm invites the public to join them for an afternoon of free entertainment, food and a beautiful quilt exhibit at the McPolin Farm on Saturday, May 19, 2-4 p.m. Corey Kunde, a local quilter, will display her collection of quilts entitled "Storybook Quilts." She has made these quilts as her interpretation of some of her favorite children's books. Erin Haugh, quilt appraiser, will also talk about antique quilts and quilt appraisals - the special care, storage and display techniques for preserving your special quilts. She will also explain the reason for obtaining a quilt appraisal. Dave Howard and Winsong band will be performing. Light refreshments will be available from Kumbayah Kitchens. Please join the Friends of the Farm and remember to walk, bike or ride the city bus to the Farm. Parking is available on Meadows Drive. For more information on the event or handicap accessibility, call Jim at 640-3347. Film Series will screen The Best of Slamdance" This Thursday, May 17, join Park City Film Series as it screens "the Best of Slamdance," films that were part of the independent film festival that runs during the Sundance Film Festival in the Treasure Mountain Inn. The screenings will be held at 7 p.m. at the Jim Santy Auditorium, located at 1255 Park Avenue. Call 435-615-8291 for more information, visit www.parkcityfilmseries.com. Join the library board Park City Mayor Dana Williams is currently accepting applications for Park City Library Board vacancies for terms of three years. Appointments will be effective July 1. Applicants must be Park City residents and willing to attend monthly meetings as well as see to other business demands. Applications are available at the Park City Library at 1255 Park Avenue. For more information, contact Linda Tillson at 615-5605. Summer concert tickets sell fast Tickets for the Park City Performing Arts Foundation's "Big Stars, Bright Lights" concert series are selling fast. Reserved seating for the July 14 performance of Lyle Lovett and k.d. lang, as well as the Aug. 31 show featuring Vince Gill, Amy Grant and the Del McCoury Band have already sold out. Lawn seat tickets for all shows are still available. Call the Eccles Center Box Office at 655-3114, or log onto parkcitytickets.com for more information. ney to Alaska in the late 1800s. A Bill White Enterprises, LLC. Restaurant Group SUNDAY BRUNCH Two FOR AT W I N D Y RIDGE CAFE ONE ENTREE SUNDAY, MAY20TH Valid at Ghidotti's Wednesday - Saturday May 16'h-l 9*2007 9:00 AM TO 3:00 PM MENU PURCHASE I ENTREE, AND RECEIVE AN EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE ENTREE COMPLIMENTARY KACUN, DUTCH OVTN PANCAKTS WITH CARAMm/m Aims OMM m r SIATIUN. DUNUEN[^ OtAli AND AiPAIlAGUS Q y i O U . KOUMARY ROAS H I) riNGnillNlj PUTATO1S. I'OAUltn SALMON CAISAH WITH CHILI CKGU1ONS -\NO GUI I.N Ol.lVI.1. EAfuun PASTA SALAD WITH A LEMON CILANTKO VINAK.UL I H o i u i u n I'LACH SALAD W I I n A SWLLI CULMI FHAk.ni ANH AUUGULA hiCKiN CORDON ULUJWITH KICL M.oiUNnNt AND SPINAUI CUCAM SAUCC. TRADITIONAL CAHNE ASADA WITH HIANK &TANS AND MANUO SALSA. CARVING STATION •MARINATED PIT H A M WITH AlM'U: COMPOTT: : •MAKINAThD LEG Ol LAMH WITH M I N T JELLY •CH.ILL.ED GREEN BEANS W I T H UAKFI") PLARS •ASSORTED C H I T S I S •FRUIT TRAY W I T H YOGURT •SMOkrD SALMON 2007 SUMMER SEASON WELCOME EXECUTIVE CHEF ALEX MALMHORG WIND 1 ! Kim.i t'Ai i PARK O IY Valid at Chimayo Wednesday- Saturday May 16"-19*2007 Chimoyo will close on Sunday.May 20' ,Rc-OpenMay 31*' GRAPPA ITALIAN IUSTAURANT 151 M A I N STKEF.T PARK CITY, UTAH P 435.645-0636 WWW.C.RAITARESTAURANTXOM REDSTONE VILLAGE 435-65S-0669 OPEN NIGHTLY FOR DINNER • Credit Cards Ohly - No Cash • Not Valid with any other Offers • Reservations Appreciated Not Valid with any other Offers •FRESHLY BAKED PASTRITS FROM TMF BAKERY •ASSORTMENT OF JUICES, COFFEE OR TEA. SOFT DRINKS GHIDOTTI'S CLASSIC ITALIAN 6030 N. MARKET SUNDAY-THURSDAY 5~9 PM FRIDAY * SATURDAY 5~K> I'M WWW.GHlDOTriS.COM OPENS THURSDAY. MAY 24TH THURSDAY - MONDAY 6:00 PM Not Valid with any other Offers CHLMAYO 36e M A I N STREET 435-649-6222 Oi'i-.N TURS-SAT FOR DINNER AT 6 PM WWW.ailMAVOR.ESTAURANT.COM $25.00 ©fF WI + H +H6 PURCHASE 0 F 2 EN + RfifiS PURCHASE ©NE EN + REE, A+ FTIENU PRICE, RECEIVE A $25.00 DISC0UN+ ©N AN©+HER PURCHASED EN + REE. Co) |