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Show Dinosaur sculpter popular attraction with garden visitors Wednesday, August 13, 1986 Yemfll EffleM 1 7 ;. Prehistoric animal replica builder and artist, Elbert H. Porter attracted crowds of people all armed with questions to his station set up in Dinosaur Gardens on Saturday. Porter was signing copies of his new book "Dinosaur Returns" and visiting with park visitors during the annual open house celebrating Dinosaur Days in Vernal. He had brought along his latest contribution to the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park, a nest of hatching baby protoceratops which also attracted a great deal of attention. "All the while I was building the nest in my garage the neighbor children kept an eye on me. Almost everyday they would come in to see what progress I had made," noted Porter. The hatching babies will soon have a permanent home in the gardens but will be kept in a safer area until a protective environment is constructed for the display. He said the Protoceratops were some of the first dinosaur fossils found with eggs. They were discovered in the deserts of Mongolia. Porter fielded questions like: "How did you make the animals?" "How long did it take to finish them?" "Did you make them by yourself or did you have help?" "How did you move them to the garden?" "How many years of research did you do before you could build a dinosaur?" and many others. According to Porter, most of the questions are similar everywhere he travels and he likes explaining the process of production and history of his animal creations to everyone. He and his wife traveled extensively from museum to museum collecting creature to take care of it for a few information on dinosaurs. He began days. this research in 1959. The man placed the monster in his He has been very pleased with the driveway at home which was hidden "home" his prehistoric animals have on one side by a hedge. Later that in Dinosaur Gardens and said the evening a fellow out for his constitu- visitors to the garden say it is the tional strolled by just as the lights of most beautiful and authentic display a car shown on the dinosaur. That they have ever seen. man may still be running, for all anyone knows. A version of this story In a space of a few minutes on has appeared in publications in New Saturday, Porter talked with people York. from New Mexico, Wyoming, New porter's dinosaurs have been the York, France, and parts of Utah. He object of numerous stories from their reminded them that not all the conception to being transported to animals in the park are dinosaurs, varjous locations before finally settl-but settl-but that all sorts of animals lived in the early days of the Earth. He holds his audience spell bound as he tells about cockroachs as big as a dog and rhinoceros as tall as 18 foot at the shoulder. I Porter Draised his family for sup- f nortine him and hebing him with his animal building projects. His wife V'f I carried plaster and fiberglass and TmA Vi k helped him with countless other A. Jfo building tasks. He said his family all ' 90 VI pitched in to help, but his wife was his icvtij A'" "best worker." A The artist tells an amusing story about a dinosaur he built in his garage. When the giant was completed com-pleted he had to be gone for a time. "J r'i m r i" '-a. - ELBERT H. PORTER poses with his newest creation for Dinosaur Gardens, a hatching nest of protoceratops babies. ing in Dinosaur Gardens. They were hauled across the country on big flat bed trailers and caused more than one motorist to do a double take. After hearing Porter's stories of building dinosaurs in his garage, one of the park visitors stated to his wife, "And you get mad at me for having my snowmobile and my tools filling up the garage!" Porter said he is planning to return to Vernal for next year's Dinosaur Days and that he and his family had enjoyed their visit here. in.;- v-t r. -"h . i v- Mr , i' Rather than leave his dino unattend- ( '" ,J- I i ' ' ':l ''H ed on his driveway, he asked a man li t f J who had helped him build the 'V'iS? " ' ' Attn. Parents of Ashley Elementary and Maeser Students: For your children who come home to an empty house. Here Is an alternative. alter-native. I will provide a spacious, clean and friendly home for your child. A nutritious snack will be provided after school. I will see that your child does his homework if you desire. Also I will tutor In reading, spelling, math and English at your request I will provide a healthy and sale atmosphere for playing. I have an opening for 6 students only. If you art concerned about your child and what he Is doing do-ing after school, let me lake that responsibility. Dbrs Brady 1453 West 210 South Vernal - 789 3328 f", A A' LITTLE NICHOLE Dickinson is fascinated by the tales of prehistoric animals as she shares a few moments with Elbert H. Porter. Vernal City SECRET WITNESS Program 789-8888 V Vote Aug. 19 Kay Campbell School Board Candidate District 2 T4 fco'ihcal adve'l'seent ;lv .1-1 2 r ; S ftu t&rvs- f v. y;BM A VARIETY of techniques are tried in the annual Dinosaur Days Fish Scramble. One enterprising youngster stuffed his fish into a sock. Others kept theirs in plastic bags. 22H VOTE MM i f A V : 2 Year County Commissioner Uintah County At August 19th Primary Election 1. VOTE for a winner. 2. VOTE for a man . who understands the needs and concerns of the people in the County. 3. VOTE for a man who can meet the challenges of our present pre-sent economy. 4. VOTE for the man who will spend the time to do a good job. 5. VOTE for a man who is willing will-ing to listen and learn. 6. VOTE for a balance in our county commission. 7. VOTE for a man who lias worked in State and National Indian Affairs Committees. VOTE FOR THE NEXT 2 YEAR COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIM REIDHEAD Paid Political Advertisement Jim promises to be Fair, Firm & Friendly and work for the interest of all County Residents. Active In Church and Civic Affairs Take the people out of the hands of government and put the government back in the hands of the people. |