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Show Basin dance band honored at party Dee and Ora Curfew, residents in the Uintah Basin, sponsored a surprise party and dance last Thursday night at the Uintah County Golden Age Center for the "Newel's Harmony Four" dance band. "Someone in the community should do something for this great band," Dee Curfew said, "as they have given of their time and talents to the community for many years and have made many people happy." About 150 friends and relatives attended at-tended the party which honored Newel Behunin, Marie P. Hatch, Elma Smith and Vena Wardell, members of the band. Curfew reflected about when he was with his uncle Charlie Hunt in Wayne County years ago, where Newel Behunin's kin and family would get together and play to the late hours of the morning. He also related how in Jensen the three Rasmussen sisters were always singing and wherever they went a musical note was in the air. Former Senator Bry Stringham commented on how he enjoyed the band members, being one of Behunin's bosses for over 29 years at the Hotel Vernal. Woodey Searle related how he took Marie, Elma and Vena to Hawaii a few years ago and they entertained the people with the broom dance and some playing. Elma Smith, the accordionist, told of her family starting in the band with her and her sister. A son, Leland, who is now deceased, played with the band at Club 40 and many places at Rangely, before Behunin joined the band. Marie Hatch said it was her idea to change the name and add Newel's name to the title as leader of the band, The band had been known as "The Harmony Dance Band" at its origination, but was later changed to "Harmony Three" and then to "Newel's Harmony Four." Santa Claus arrived at 10 p.m. and presented the band members with a lovely decorated package of fruit and gave candy to the others. The band's first record, out three years ago, was played and the hall was filled with dancers, followed by organ dance music by Thora Mulford, Roosevelt. Refreshments included a beautiful vv.f 'Y -- --A V.' i l-' ' ' ft 1 Mi: : , MARIE P. HATCH, Newell Behunin, Elma Smith and Vena Wardell display the cake presented them last Thursday night at the Golden Age Center. decorated cake with the band's picture , on it furnished by Dee and Ora Curfew, and Jay and Pat Searle, Melba Sargent and Tony Woodhouse, Elma and Grant Campbell, Julina Massey, and Ellen Stephensen. |
