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Show t Free Press - Wednesday, August 30, 1989 - Page 3 Don McDermott retires Mention traveling by rail to an ordinary tourist, and hell envision Casey Jones mounted to the Cabin, or hear the noisy clickety clack of a locomotive cruising down the railroad track. But, after Don McDermott retires from his job with Union k Railroad, he intends to do some traveling in his new motor home definitely not by rail. Don will retire after 40 years work as a station agent with Union 4 moving to Omaha," Don emphasized. McDermotts vast experience has bridged the days of steam engines and telegraph keys. . "We've ended up fully automated, the steam engines were replaced with locomotives and the telegraph keys have been replaced with telephones, teletype, and more recently, radios and computers," he reminisced. "I've learned computers along the way. I've had to pick it up. "I'm sorry to see the old telegraph keys go. I thoroughly enjoyed that They were fun. Just like another language, really interesting," he smiled. "It was a dots and dashes type thing, a means of communication between offices. We did all our communicating on it. We sent messages and train orders for movement of trains all with telegraph keys. "There was very much a human element involved then compared to the automated signals now used. Nowadays they have illuminated signals operated by train dispatch-ers'iOmaha. They run the whole system from Portland and San Francisco to Omaha." Don went on to explain that because of "the" merger, U.P. now takes over such railroad stalwarts as Missouri Pacific, Great Kansas, Texas, and Western Pacific that runs from Salt Lake City to San ' Pa-cif- diesel-electr- ic - - Pacific. He and his wife Fern came to Lehi in 1960 and worked at the U.P. station four years before being transferred. Numerous transfers during the 40 years kept life interesting. The couple set up housekeeping in Boulder City, Nevada; Miraloma, California, Cedar City and Provo, then back in Lehi in 1972. The McDermotts enjoyed their first stay in Lehi so much that, even though he was transferred, they kept their house at 365 N. 200 East Street and moved back in when they returned 17 years ago. The genial agent has commuted to Salt Lake City where he has been working computers. "All the station agent jobs were consolidated in one place in Omaha, Nebraska," Don said when asked why the change. "Nowadays, the vast Union Pacific railroad system is operated by computers at the one terminal in Omaha, and T'm definitely not n Francisco. Rio Grande just bought Southern Pacific, according to Don, so they're very much in competition with Union Pacific. "Railroading is a huge industry," he said. In the meantime, Ftrn has kept busy with their now grown children, Richard, Robbyn, Pam, and a foster daughter, Patty. She is already learning about her own brand of entrepreneurship by opening a doll shop in American Fork, Dolls and Stuffe, with daughter, Robbyn. Don plans to join his wife and daughter in the doll business by adding a new dimension. Hell be making wooden toys to complement Dolls and Stuffe. He has always enjoyed working with wood. It's been his hobby. Right now, he's thinking about making a miniature baby grand piano to go with a certain doll for a display Chamber of Commerce board to meet Board members of the Lehi Chamber of Commerce wiU meet Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Porter's Place. OODTIM" 1 ) J ( (Fred Meyer Shopping Center, Am. Fork) Press 756-330- Published weekly except y for Thanksgiving and Christmas by Newtah, Inc. 2 Fori 32 West Main Lehi, lah 84043 l Telephone Numbers 9 Advertising & Circulation. 3 News Brett R. Bezzant Publisher Marc Haddock Editors Betty Fowler I j s Y . . . ff ) P i V -- p Subscription price $19" per year P ' Second class postage paid at Lehi, Utah VALID Lehi K i -- -: Kxpircs Sept. v..i Don McDermott retires after 40 years with Benefit Auction will buy birthing bed American Fork Hospital's first "Benefit Auction" will be held Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Fork High School (510 N. 600 East). Many items donated by local businesses, farmers, and citizens will be available. The public is invited to join in supporting the hospital by coming to the auction and bidding on items of interest. Mastercard and Visa purchases are welcome. All proceeds will be used to purchase a $6,000 birthing bed for the hospital's labor and delivery unit. "We appreciate the support we have received from local businesses and residents in planning this event," says American Fork Hospital Administrator Craig Smedley. "There will be a fine variety of valuable goods and services available for those who attend the auc- 30. 1989 1 VALID Lehl (with coupon) M0N.-THUR- Expires Sept. 30. 1989 (with "UP&L Helps ICids Learn Vital Lessons in Junior Achievement." Randy Maag Customer Accounting Supervisor "W hat a great program UP&L sponsored last year in Junior Achievement. "High school students formed four companies whose corporations were chartered by Junior Achievement. The kids developed their own ideas for products, figured the production costs, arranged production contracts, sold stock, organized marketing plans and First Place winners (for small and large teams) in the Rocky Mountain Dance and Drill . Competition. First Place in the Dance , Olympus Talent Search held in Las Vegas, Nevada. DANCE SHOWCASE COMPANY teaches Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Clogging and gives by building on positive experiences in performance skills, stage presence and self-estee- W, dance techniques. There are openings j ve "I'm proud to be part of a company that's involved with the community and sponsors programs that really make a difference in kids' lives like Junior Achievement." - able for Fall classes, beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5. '15.00 per FD0GOOGP month, Ages 3 to adult. U A LIGHT Janet Holdaway Assistant Director nine-to-fi- avail- Classes held in Pleasant Grove Private Studio Director "This kind of hands-opractical program not only teaches effectively the principles of our economy but gives students a sense of entrepreneurship. They realize they don't have to accept a job but can start their own business and be successful; but they also learn that it's possible to fail. n, DANCE SHOWCASE CO. 785-438- 5 Andrea Holdaway I coupon ) sold the products. Join I I S! tion." Respected auctioneer Ben Tanaka is donating his time and service to conduct this event. For more information and a list of items to be auctioned, call Cindy at 1I Rent One Movie Rt The Regular Price Get The Second Onef f ANYTIME! I I UP Railroad 2 Fori Rent One Movie fit The Regular Price Get The Second One Postmaster: Send address changes to P O Box 7. American Fork. Utah MOM l' 0 semi-weekl- p , VIDEO G00DTIME VIDEO ISSN No. 8750-466-9 U.S.P.S. No. 309-50- 0 " " spectivelv. News & Ad Deadline Monday 2 p.m type promotion. Don has come full circle from railroading to doll displays, and he has a way to go yet. He's looking forward to the change his retirement will bring. But he'll be the first to admit that he may get that "railroading feeling" whenever he hears the whistle and wail of a Union Pacific train huffing and puffing down the network of shiny steel tracks. But, instead of manipulating a telegraph key, he'll be whipping a cupboard or bed for the latest ?Ce!i Ircc They will be presenting and gathenngldeas about the direct ion that the Chamber will follow dur- l ing me coming year. Connie Nielsen and Carl Mel lor nave recently taken positions as president and vice president, re- - COMPANY WHiiiVi |
