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Show Cyan Magenta Yellow Black A2 Sanpete Messenger/Gunnison Valley Edition Pillar (Continued from A1) sat in the bleachers year in and year out, cheering on the players involved. Don Despain was also born and raised in the Gunnison Valley. He attended schools in Centerfield and graduated from GVHS. Following high school, Don lived in the Salt Lake area for a number of years, then moved back to his hometown and went to work at Redmond Minerals. A member of the LDS church, Don has served in the Axtell Ward bishopric on two occasions, and is currently serving as the first counselor. He has also held the Santa (Continued from A1) child—with a few extras in case some households have visitors. The tradition “has been going on for as long as I know of,” says Mayor John Christensen. “I’ve been here for 12 years, and it’s been going on for much longer than that.” Now that the Barbers have become familiar Christmas Eve Service (Continued from A1) so ingrained in the community that the program just puts itself together. Consisting of musical numbers and inspirational thoughts, people and groups from throughout the community just call the church to schedule themselves on the program. One of the perennial groups that Boge said he takes particular pleasure in is the North Sanpete High School Choir. “It is an excellent choir… and they sing the most inspiring songs.” As the service progresses, everyone in the audience, seems to forget their sectarian differences and just enjoy the spirit of the season, Boge said. duties of ward clerk, executive secretary, and worked with the young men’s organization, as well as with the Boy Scouts. Don serves on the Axtell Culinary Water Board and also maintains the Axtell Cemetery. He is known for the time and service he gives to the community and its people. Little children also love him because like a kid, he likes ice cream and candy. Eunice Despain was raised in Aurora and met Don on a blind date that mutual friends had arranged. After they married, they moved into the old family home in Axtell. Eunice demonstrates com- passion as she gives service to others. She likes to make quilts, and many people have been recipients of those hand-worked pieces over the years. She has served in the community and in many church c a l l i n g s i n c l u d i n g Yo u n g Women president, Relief Society president, librarian, and she currently serves in the Primary. Music for the award program was furnished by the middle school bands, choruses, and orchestra. The orchestra numbers included the tune of “Jingle Bells” played with the sound and flare of several countries, such as Mexico, Japan, Austria, Scotland, and the United States. Markell Cox, representing the sixth grade, announced that they would not be singing traditional Christmas songs, but the songs “You Are Our Heroes” and “Christmas From the Red, White, and Blue.” Braylie Peterson, daughter of Roger and Hollie Perterson, dedicated the songs to her father and all the men of the 145th Battalion of the Manti National Guard who are serving in Iraq. There was scarcely a dry eye in the audience as they finished the program. visitors, Jackie says she receives calls as early as October asking if they can visit at a certain time on Christmas Eve, sometimes in the middle of a family party. During visits, children often remind Santa about Christmas wishes. George lets kids sit on his lap if they want to. And he always reminds them about the importance of education and reading. Jackie and George married nine years ago when both were in their middle years. George had started playing Santa several years earlier. While they were dating, he gave Jackie a Mrs. Claus costume for her birthday. “I just want to make sure you’re going to fit in right,” he told her. The Barbers moved from Lehi to Mayfield four years ago to get away from the city. Jackie works at Wal-Mart, and George is retired. “It’s the greatest feeling on earth to serve” the community by playing Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, Jackie says. “It’s just an awesome, awesome thing to do. It’s wonderful.” He attributes this to music that is performed. “I personally think music is… a language that speaks to all people no matter what their background.” This service, along with the community food bank and projects such as Sub for Santa, has done a lot to bring the community together, Boge said. The service represents and idea that Boge says he hopes is his lasting legacy, “We are all one in Jesus Christ or even deeper, and if you’re not a Christian, the power of love.” Even though Boge has officially retired, he says he hopes to remain active in the community and continue to see people draw together and focus on what they have in common. Wednesday, December 26, 2007 Centerfield Courier By Elva Jensen 528-3382 I received a few Christmas cards in which readers stated they had missed my Centerfield news article this past month. So I thought I should write an explanation. I became ill on Nov. 29 and was taken by ambulance to Utah Valley Hospital, where I was in the intensive care unit for one week. My lungs were inflamed, which had made my blood oxygen level go very low. I was given a lot of antibiotics and then I had another week in the hospital to recover. I am finally starting to feel better. I will try to be more punctual in getting my articles written. Bernell and Donna Manwill held their annual family Christmas party last week at their home in Centerfield. Donna is a great hostess and spent the week before the party getting ready. The group that used to be Bernell, Donna, Kim, Troy and Lisa now filled their house with fun and memories. The grandparents on both sides have passed away. They were Ray and Verna Andreason and Hal and Berniece Manwill. Kelly and Diane Hendrickson recently returned from a cruise to Mexico. They were glad for this opportunity, and they had such a good time. Dixie and Richard Smith have both been ailing with leg and arm problems. Richard’s knee will probably have to have another operation, and Dixie has had a complicated operation on her hand that keeps her form playing the piano. We have missed hearing their talents during the holiday season. Best wishes to both of them. Shara and Brandon Olsen had their baby boy named Dec. 2. His name is Tyzack Brandon Olsen. Tyzack is great-grandpa Mardell Jensen’s mother’s maiden name. It was an honor for Mardell to give this little boy his name and a blessing. Grandparents are Keith and Deann Jensen; Barbara and Brent Olsen and Loralee and Ed Mickelson. Great-grandparents are Bonnie Nat, Mardell and Elva Jensen and Allen Olsen. The Centerfield Legion and Auxiliary held its Christmas party on Dec. 13. There was a good crowd and the food was great. The auxiliary had been selling tickets during the week prior to the party. The group had a drawing for many lovely items that had been donated. The money will go to help with Sub for Santa and for the business of the auxiliary. The auxiliary would like to thank those who donated and those who sold and bought tickets. Sara Hansen / Messenger Photo Pastor David Boge of the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant takes a moment to reminisce over his years as minister and the role he has played in organizing the community’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Cedar West Real Estate Jill Lynch Mt. Pleasant 462-2141 Let me help! We thank Gunnison City for allowing us to serve. May the spirit of this season find you and your families well and happy. Sincerely, Gunnison City Mayor Scott Hermansen Councilmembers: Jerolyn Young, Larry Jensen, Lori Nay, Rodney Taylor, Steve Buchanan Writers!! The Sanpete Messenger wants to be the best little newspaper in America! If you want to get on board with an award-winning county newspaper, call us! If you love to write, have an interest in politics and community news, and are confident about your grammar and punctuation skills, call Suzanne at 835-4241 and/or email a one-page resume to: Suzanne@sanpetemessenger.com Drug Problem? We can help. Narcotics Anonymous Meetings in Sanpete Fri: 7:30 p.m. Ephraim 390 W. 100 N. Closed meeting, for addicts only. As your home is filled with fine furniture, we also hope your homes are full of Christmas Spirit - giving, sharing, and caring. As we reflect on our blessings during this holiday season, we thank you for your patronage and friendship! We thank you all for your patronage the past year, and wish you the brightest future for the coming New Year! Happy Holidays, from all of us at Anderson Drug & Floral 1 N. Main, Ephraim 283-4444 You’re reading... The Sanpete Messenger/ Gunnison Valley Edition The news that matters to you ... |