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Show break ANN LANDERS, F-6 @ RSVP. F-2 Profiles BY DAN Mf THEBACKPAGES, F-6 CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE Mi PET OF THE WEEK, F-7 SUNDAY Ml TAKE A BOW,F-7 \HELIVING Little Green Friends EGAN Joyce Gordon Welcoming New American Citizens A Family Tradition Joyce Gordon andherkin have been welcoming immigrants to America for a long time. Embarrassingly long,as far as she is concerned. “Myfirst ancestors came over in 1632, butlet’s not get into that,” she says. “It soundsa little pompous.” But Gordon doesn’t mind little pomp. A memberof the Daughters of the American Revolution, the 87-year-old has fallen into a rather interesting job. She greets Utah's newest Americancitizensat their swearing in cere- monies. Last week, 243 people from countries raised their right hands and pledged allegiance to the United States of America in a special session of federal court held at the Villa Theatre on HighlandDrive. as theassistant director ential housing — and di A federal judge presided over the ceremony, but Gordon took care of the informal welcoming. “Yes, my ancestors did fight in the American Revolution,”she told the group, whose members were pulled to Americansoil from places as nearby as Canada and as far away as Iraq and Tran. “That was about225 years ago fits probably don’t stop at . Ina recently comstudy,officials at ssociated Landscape merica concluded help cleanse and puuted with three &, trichloroethyl. No plants | . [but] they too were people who camefrom another country. They, too, were people who had to learn new ways.” Gordon didn’t ask anyoneto forget where they camefrom. “I just hope you will bring with youthe verybest that you have from your own countries. . . and add to whatis alreadyhere,” she said, as cameras flashed and videotapes rolled.“It's a wonderful country. Not perfect, but wonderful.” Gordonisn’t shy about talking about what can make America better. She laments that somenewcitizens aren't as fluentin Englishas she wouldlike. Sheinsists citizens should be bonded by more than a piece of paper and a commonset of borders. A shared language is critical, she says, otherwise newcomers tend to have difficulty assimilating. She says without a working knowledge of English, many American resi. dents remainisolated from interact ing with their neighbors, and are consequently exposed only to the “froth” of American culture — cartoons,sitcoms, pop musicandthelike. Shesays language barriers cut both ways, and it is the nation that suffers when newblood settles in isolated pools instead of entering the American mainstream. _ ; or courbeseine:ao Photos by Paul Fraughton/‘TheSalt LakeTribune “Without that mix, we wouldn't have Among the houseplants at Cactus & Tropicals, from the top down: an orange bloom on a cactus;a spiral of cactus needles, which channels wa- America.” terto the roots of the plant; and white peace lily blooms against an emerald background.In the background,a close-upof a prayerplant. HOW this is a home page' Search local real estate on the internet. With The Salt Lake Tribune's and Deseret News’ Real Estate Web sites, now you can find your next home out of thousandsavailable in the current MLS listings of participating local agents or brokers.just go to wwwisitrib.com or www.deseretnews.com and click on an the Homes link.The Quick Search and Advanced Search options will help you easily find what you wantin seconds. Photosand listings of similar local properties mean that you won't have to waste valuable time going from hometo hometo find exactly what you want! When you've found a home you're interested in, contact the local agent or broker through the Web site. You can get more information on the home, set up an appointment, or find out about financing programs and specials.It's just oneof the services The Sait Lake Tribune's and Deseret News’ Real Estate Web sites offer that will help make you a more informed buyer. @ “lake Be took leo® __Aipro Resity Group. tne. Bell Realty : Preston Milier Real Estate Probe Realtors Professional Brokers InfinityReal Estate Group Ramsey Group Real Estate Remax Results Miller’& Company Real &state Services, inc. Your Utah Home Team CartsonRealtors onli Plumb & Co. Realtors Cambridge Realty ‘Chapman-Richards & Associates fvory & Company Homes Ulrich Realtors For information on how you can become a featured realtor, contact Dave Almond at (801) 237-2568 or dalmond@nacorp.com. Get local. Copy © sitrib.com *. deseretnews.com TheSalt LakeTribune Deseret News |