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Show ASSN. SO. 3RD 467 L. SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH UTAH PRESS 84111 Happv Special Editorials St. Patricks Day page 7 USPS VOLUME 82 NO. 16 3255-800- 0 THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1989 MAGNA, UTAH 84044 Saint Sarah Killarney Reynolds ... Utahs own Saint Patrick by W. Kent Goble Magna Times Outside, "the American flag atop Balance Rock on the leftward crest of Steamboat Mountain hung limp; the junipers on the arid slopes gave off a hot, pugent scent. A horse drawn wagon sprayed water on the dusty road. (but), minutes later, the sun (had) dried it out. Inside, the two women, busily engaged in the kitchen of the home on Bonacci Court, didn't seem to notice the heat, though the stagnant air outside the kitchen window shimmered like a desert mirage. Both stood next to the coal burning stove, eyes transfixed upon the concoction being carefully lifted from the oven. In a brogue thick with the rich enchantment of far off Ireland, the taller of the two, Sarah Killarney Reynolds, pronounced the experiment an unqualified success. Her pleasant, open face broke into a broad grin and she laughed good naturedly as her bright green eyes met the dark eyed gaze of her demure pupil, lovely Emily Zeese. Her praise swept over young Emily like the emerald green waves of the far off Irish sea as pupil and mentor embraced in joyous ecstacy. Today they had made American lemon meringue pies, with Emily doing the mixing, shaping, and baking of filling and crust. And Entitys bright eyed -- youngs daughter, Helen, had watched as her used a bleached mother had broomstick to roll out pastry. Back and forth her floured hands went, the little fingers (artfully) turning inward to her giving a graceful look creations. And, remembers Helen, when her sister was bom, Killarney gave ... Jo her American name because "Mrs. Reynolds (had) advised an American name. Then, during the influenza epidemic of 1918. Mrs. Reynolds also kept the baby Sophie all day when my mother, her heart weakened from the effects of the ... influenza had required rest. And, it was Killarney Reynolds ... (who) called the town women to bring cooking utensils, food, and blankets" after Numoer Two Mine caved in. On the devastated ground they made open fires, cooked, and heated canned milk for babies while wives d and children waited for the disaster team to bring up the brown-helmete- bodies." But, as with all true Saints, Killarney Reynolds was not spared persecution in her ministry. One night, a cross burned in the front yard of Killarney Reynold's (home)." Undeterred, the next night ... on the other side of the narrow valley . . . (there) burned a circle for the Irish word nought ... a message that the (Ku Klux) Klan were nothing ... You see. Saint Sarah Killarney Reynolds knew something about America that others had conveniently chosen to forget. She understood that America was for all races and nationalities. A land endowing all with the inalienable right of life, liberty, ... and the pursuit of happiness regardless of race, color, or creed. POSTSCRIPT Emily Zeese was Greek, Sarah Reynolds, Irish; but a closer bond of friendship could not have been found. Each had their traditions and idiosyn-cracithat seemed quaint or peculiar to the other, but both understood that it is the common denominators of love and humamtarianism that bond us, one to another, if we will but let it. es Sarah SARAH KILLARNEY REYNOLDS Killarney Reynolds children of understood that we are all the same, beneficient Creator who has granted us our own peculiar traditions and ways for his own purposes ... no doubt, to be shared; that all may be more fully edified by our learning to better understand one another. The great redeeming quality of mankind is not our conformity but our diversity; accepting that which is different, but wholesome and uplifting, as being equally efficacious with our own time honored virtues. The family Papanikolas has been a valued and respected part of our community of Magna for more than eight decades. It is to Helen Zeese Papanikolas that appreciation must be given for this remarkable account of an equally remarkable woman who was truly a Saint in the midst of a terribly troubled time in Utahs history ... at the beginning of our mining era. Sarah Killarney Reynolds was more than a Christian in name only. Her wonderful qualities were a refreshing contrast to the bigotry often manifested toward newly arrived immigrants by some Americans and Mormons. She was a true saint in both word and deed. Reproduced by permission of the Utah Historical Quarterly. day-to-d- ay The girl from Constantinople, now a woman, was a student worthy of Killarney Reynolds attention. And, Killarney, late of Ireland, and the wife of an immigrant Irish railroader ... lately come to the mines of Utah ... was sharing a bit of America ... and American cooking with her beloved Emily. And, as if by magic, the kitchen was soon filled with the pungent aroma of baking ... raisin oatmeal cookies, Parker House rolls, and fruit cakes. Saint Patrick had never trod the parched earth of this distant wilderness called Utah. But, his able assistant in the ministry, Saint Sarah Killarney Reynolds, had. And neither blazing sun nor scorching heat ... nor the ridicule of thoughtless others ... could keep this wondrously compassionate woman from her appointed rounds. She played her Irish tunes on her ... and taught American customs to her devoted Emily. She taught about cures for chijdhood diseases and, in Helens words, advised Mother (to) push her index finger dabbed with Vicks, down our throats. Redevelopment now at nuts and bolts stage The Magna Merchants Historical Redevelopment Association had their monthly meeting and appointed Ruth Andersen as secretary-treasure- r. Howard Stahle was appointed as for public relations for the group. The world motel arch is soon to be moved out to the Magna area as a land mark to Magna. The Merchants discussed possible location for the arch but still have to agree on a suitable location. Mike Retford and Leo Ware were asked to obtain further data on street lighting before the group could made approval. Beautification was another priorty of the group. The Magna Clean up and Parade on April 8th was discussed. Tom Dyches, is having last years beautification banners repaired and hung up for the event. A donation to Copper Days of $300 was disburse. The group also voiced concern that the Copper Days event stay on Main Street to serve the community best. Magna has a tradition of being a real melting pot for many ethnic groups. The influence of these groups give Magna some of the flavor that makes Magna a great place to be. Blaine Riley is one Irishman that make things a lot nicer for people in the area that need a hand once in a while. A touch of Irish with no Ibleamey - KIM FOLSOM Magna Times Assistant Editor When electrician Blaine Riley retired from Hercules 14 years ago, it was probably a good thing because it gave him the time to do what he does best help his neighbors. Blaines wife of 53 years, Lillian, says, A lot of times our things go while he is doing things for someone else. Blaine has four widows and a number of other folks on his list who need his talents as a fix-- it man. Most of the time, Blaine doesnt get gas money from helping; in fact, he often ends up paying for it. Lillian shook her head and mentioned that their son Tom was just like Blaine. Around the turn of the century Blaine's father moved from Ireland to the Salt Lake Valley to work in the copper mines with many other Irish miners. His father actually ended up working in the smelting and refining operation. To Blaines father there was only one holiday a year; it wasnt Christmas or the 4th of July, but the time to celebrate was St. Patricks No Day . Blaine keeps the tradition up by wearing his Irish hat for the whole week around St. Patricks Day. Blaine has had other aspects of his Irish nature show up from time to time. During prohobition, he made his own whiskey and drove trucks for some bootleggers. Blaine was active in the union at Hercules and was local president of the mine and mill workers when some communists infiltrated the national union. Blaine took his local and joined the oil, chemical, and atomic workers union. He was president of the local for five years. He loves baseball and played in the American Legion League as a catcher against baseball great Herman Franks. He later played in the Industrial League and still enjoys a good game today. Most of his family worked for American Smelting, Utah Copper, and Kennecott but Blaine enjoyed working for Hercules. He has four children; daughters Gerry Leonelli, Sherryl Case, Kay Ogden, and son Tom Riley. Add to that twelve grandchildren and three He likes living in Magna with its casual pace. Blaine probably wont slow down his pace though as long as there is someone in need. Time has not seen any change You still spend all of your days. Unselfishly doing tor others Expecting no payment or praise. Ive heard poem by Blaines daughter Gerry probably describes Magnas Irishman best. A Dear Dad, Looking back beyond the years At reflections of the past A picture comes before my eyes Of the shadow you have cast When God was giving talent You were taken from the mold He formed your mind into a wizard And he made your heart of gold. Starting out as just a little guy There was always work to do. But you pitched right in and did it To help the ones that needed you. the words so many times same refrain, the Echoing No one can fix it. what can we do?" We better go call Blame. And drop whatever you're doing And you're there without delay. Because someone else is needing you. You can wait another day. You ask "Who is this Superman?" That everyone needs so bad. Hes just the best guy m the world And he happens to be my Dad! So, thank you Daddy, for everything For the very life I live Thank you for being so loving And having so much to give. Love. Gerry excuses ... both young and old clean up Magna KIM FOLSOM Magna Times Assistant Editor While outside newspapers, television reporters, and other media emphasize the negative aspects of Magna, the Magna Times thought it was more appropriate to look for some of the better things in our community that are missed by the bad news boys. We are getting ready for the spring clean up on Saturday, April 8th, and Commissioner Tom Shimizu will be the grand marshal of the Clean-U- p Parade. All kinds of people are getting ready, taking advantage of the good weather by cleaning and clearing. Beautification chairman Bonnie Stahle is also encouraging people to paint up things as well as clean up to give the community a fresh face. I decided to take a look around town for some examples for our Magna p effort. About half way through old Magna I saw a young woman working in a yard with her son. The young womans name was Kathy Dea and her son was Nicholas. Kathys yard was not elaborate but everything was well cared for. The yard had those little touches that would make you take a second look. A lot of young people give the ex clean-u- cuse that they just don't have the time. Kathy works as a nurse at LDS Hospital, is active in the Webster PTA, active in church, takes care of her family, keeps her yard beautiful, and has even cared for a neighboring yard that was owned by an older couple that was unable to care for the yard themselves. She did mention her husband helps her with the heavy work. Across the street from Kathy lives Bill Costanzo and his wife. He worked for 48 years on the railroad: First for the Bingham Garfield railroad, then for Utah Copper, and finally for Kennecott. His house is an old railroad section house that was moved from Garfield and, like Kathys house, is immaculate. Bill might be retired from his job but he hasnt stopped working. He thinks that the county has to get hard nosed with those people who let their yards go. He feels good about most of his neighbors yards but is not happy about the few who spoil things by letting their yards go. Bill and Kathy are just two good things about Magna. There are many more if you just take time to look. And if you arent a good reason to live in Magna, join the Magna clean-u- p and become one. Kathy Dea and her son, Nicholas are really getting in the mood for the April Clean up as Kathy teaches Nicholas the basics in yard care. |