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Show , 'V-vV ) i V I,S;t , - 1 V' i ' l : - , ' ? I . i 1 f f 7' i . , . . - - . : "Chuck" and Lillian Henderson 50 years ago when they were united in marriage. Hendersons celebrate 50 years of marriage together "Chuck" and Lillian Henderson will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 28. Their many friends and relatives are invited to join in the festivities at the Vernal Elks Lodge from 7 to 10 p.m. Lillian and Charles have made their home in Vernal for all of their married life. Charles Henderson was born and raised in Vernal. "Chuck" always says that he only made it a block from the house where he was born. - - Lillian Turner Henderson was born in Fruita, Colo. Her parents were pioneers in the cattle industry in the Bookcliff Mountains. She was raised on a ranch on the upper part of Willow Creek. She went to grade school in Fruita and entered high school at Wasatch Academy, but in 1931 the depr ession hit the country and money ran too low for her to stay in boarding school. She transferred in the winter semester to Uintah High School. Lillian had only been in Vernal a few weeks when she met "Chuck". He was working in the Cobble Rock service station in the center of town, trying to scrape together enough money to return to BYU and finish college. In March of 1932, Uintah School District ran out of funds and all the schools were closed for the year. Lillian went home to the ranch. "Chuck's" friends said they knew Chuck was a "goner", when he would leave for Willow Creek late at night. There was no bridge at Ouray and the Indian who ran the ferry did not care where or how he left the ferry. If the ferry was on the other side of the river, Chuck would have to swim across, find it, sometimes build a new approach before he could get his car across Green River. He then had to drive another sixty miles, over unbelievable roads, open 27 gates and be back in town the next day. "Chuck's" friends were right, he and Lillian were married at the ranch on Willow Creek Aug. 28, 1932. Family and friends never tire of telling the story of "Going to the Wedding." The young couple had, inadvertently, chose the rainy season on Willow Creek to say their vows. The rain started the week previous to the planned event, and continued the downpour, washing out roads and bridges. Flash floods were still greeting the guests the evening before the wedding. Everyone abandoned their cars at the Jim Luster ranch and finished the trip by wagon. The only car to make it to the Hazelbush ranch was "Chuck" in his model A, equipped with balloon tires. He brought with him the Revered Giles and the best man, Art Wooley. According to the oft repeated story, even the grassy spot that had been picked for the ceremony was floating deep in water. Changes were made, and Mrs. Hazelbush spread Navajo rugs over and around the root cellar, and the marriage took place, with the sun finally joining the occasfon. The Model A, the bride and groom "were bound for Trappers Lake, with advance reservations at the lodge. The couple build roads and make-do bridges, and finally arrived in Rangely late at night. There they found the road completely washed out and tourists and 'travelers stranded for the night. Lil and Chuck spent their wedding night in the lobby of the Rangely Hotel, their bridal suite was the lobby-dining room combination of the hotel. The little hotel building is still doing fine in Rangely and is now a real estate office. Lillian says that when they were married, Chuck was already following in his father's footsteps as a community worker. She learned that way of life in a hurry. She became a charter member of the Current Topics Club at the age of 17. That club was, and still is, the channel for a great deal of Lil's community involvement. During the years Lillian had headed all the major charity drives, has served as County Chairman of the American Cancer Society and was war-time Red Cross Uintah County chairman. She was one of the early organizers and leaders of the Girl Scouts in this community. In 1961 she was named "Uintah County's Outstanding Woman." This award she received for her various services to the community, club projects, political affiliations and her work with the young people of Vernal. Because of Chuck's continued interest and work in the Chamber of Commerce, Lillian became involved in this organization. In 1973 she was elected to the board of directors, the only woman to be elected to the board. She served as treasurer and vice president and in 1977, she was elected the first woman president of the Vernal Area Chamber. Climaxing a successful term were many recognitions and honors that Lil is very proud of. One of the most impressive was to be named the "Woman of the Year" by the Vernal Business and Professional Women's Club. She was presented their famed "N'ike" award, which is an international marble statuette that l I ' " r . w i -;v'f-V ; dr :; :. I r " . 1 , . . I ' : ' : "Chuck" and Lillian Henderson celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. graces the desks of women all over the world. Chuck started his community service in the Vernal Jaycees where he was a charter member and held all the offices. He was an active member of that group's efforts to build the Vernal City swimming pool. He was the Lion's Club chairman of the committee that successfully achieved the funding and completion of the Dinosaur National History Museum. He was also finance chairman to raise the local money to build the Uintah County Hospital. Chuck served two terms on the Vernal City Council and was called back in 1952 by the Vernal City Council to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Hanson. He agreed to take the job of mayor until the next election could vote another mayor into office. Chuck was chairman of the Colorado River Development Committee and the first President of the Uintah Water Conservancy District. C.R. has a long list of businesses and business affiliations. His first business was to own and operate the old Cobble Rock Conoco service station in the center of town. He established the Luminous Glass Company, building and installing neon signs. He was owner-manager of the Dinosaur Motel and was a partner in the Basin Television Company. He installed the cable television in the valley. the Colorado River project. Serving as co-chairmen for the Lion's convention, they have also worked together for the Field House and most recently for the Dinosaur Gardens. They both are charter members of the Dinah-Mites, " the newly organized goodwill group of the Chamber of Commerce. They laughingly admit that they were both candidates one year for Dan Valentine's yearly valentine Chuck for his work on the Colorado River development and Lillian for her contributions and work with the young people of Vernal. At an age when most couples are looking to retirement, the Hendersons are going on with community service as usual. When asked for some advice on a Ions and happy married life, Lillian and Chuck answered: Stay active and interested and share these interests and activities, but to also have personal goals and commitments of your own. Lillian and Chuck's family will be hosting their parents 50th' anniversary party. They are: Jim and Verna Changos, Berwick, La.; Buz and Renee Buzarde and son, Brett, Jakarta, Indonesia; Mike Mealer, Linda and Cliff Grua, Jessi Grua, Vernal; Verna and Stewart Shimmin, Salt Lake City. Also helping to host the occasion are Jim and Lee Dowling, Vernal; Vern and Georgine Buzarde, Lafayette, La., and Laura Buzarde, Maine. In 1957 Governor George Clyde appointed Charles as the first chairman of the new Utah State Land Board and the Oil and Gas Commission, a position he held until the Commissions were divided. Chuck was then chairman of the Oil and Gas Division until political parties changed in the Statehouse; he resigned to allow Governor Calvin Rampton to appoint a member of his party. He continued to be a member of the commission. This year Governor Matheson again named Chuck as chairman of the Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. While Chuck has held many important positions and been involved in many worthwhile projects, to his townspeople he is known the best for being "Vernal's Handyman." Anyone who knows him will claim that he can, and will, fix or repair anything. If anyone has an emergency, furnace, water or electric problem, it is Chuck they call. Lillian and Chuck have served many times on the same committee and have worked on the same projects. Both devoted many hours to the promotion of |