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Show '4 f ' I ' t 3B LaRee THE GREEN SHEET Thursday, February 20, 1986 Hill-Pehrso- n W omam off tine Y ear I guess you could say that getting Involved with the Green Sheet was the catalyst that started my evolution from an ordinary, every-da- y housewife to a strong community activist, tells LaRee Pehrson, this years Green Sheet Woman of the Year. Up until then I was content to care for my family and raise prize winning Iris. But once I began swimming in the main stream I found that I liked what I was doing . . . and more importantly, found that my efforts could have a positive influence in making Magna a better place to live. She took the job with the Green Sheet with the intention of improving Magnas image and making residents aware of its rich historical background. But as a reporter for the Green Sheet, LaRee found herself up as far as against a stone wall news was concerned . . . because the local paper had a strong following of loyal supporters. So, at this time, she persuaded her boss, James M. Cornwell, to sponsor her as a member of the Magna Chamber of Commerce so she could obtain some of the news on a first hand basis. Once inside LaRee was elected for six ' consecutive years as secretary-treasureand in the 20 years she has been involved, has held virtually every available office. She became president in 1975, during International Womens Year, and is one of only two women who have ever been elected to that post. In the meantime LaRee found that getting information from the Magna Community Council was not that easy either, and to make it more difficult, the council was comprised of an membership, with bylaws that stated no woman could hold a seat. However Dorothy Merrill, the first woman president of the Chamber, changed all that by appointing LaRee in 1967 as the Chambers LaRee's volunteer efforts have not Womens History Week, for special representative to the council. Needless to say, the change caus- gone unnoticed. In 1978 she was recognition as one of five Utah named Utah Press Womens Women to excell in their professions ed quite a stir among the memberWoman of Achievement. In 1979 by the American Association of ship, but it was during a time when civil and womens rights were very she received the Magna Community University Women; and in 1984 was much in the fore front, and the male Councils Community Service one of 23 Utahns to receive the meritorious service states prestigious Carnation Silver membership could do nothing about Award for long Bowl Award for outstanding to her community. it. In 1983 she was singled out, during volunteer service. two professional Nevertheless, people and one Kennecott foreman liiiiiiMiiiiniiiiiiiniiiiiitii ktiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuitiaitiiiiiiiiiiitiiiifliitiiMiaitiiiiiMiiiitiVttiiMiA quit the council because they believed that a womans place was in the home. As a member of the Council, LaRee joined forces with Joan of some of the Everyone can t be a winner, but here is a list Ogden and led the fight against Salt considered. were names that Lake County establishing a garbage dump on Magnas water shed at the E E Mrs. Cash La Von Nielsen foot of the Oquirrhs. She also E StarOrullian Roberta Sweeney spearheaded a campaign to keep a E Shauna Lee Smith Cheryl DuBack feed mill from being built south of E Marlene King Cleara Brock the town, and in 1983 was instrumenLiz Edwards Ella Westley tal in preventing a fiber glass plant E Janice Fisher Jan Snider from locating in one of the buildings Genie! Rasmussen E Maria Sandoval s next door to Webster School. E Karen Wilson E Madelyn Player All three would have had a Norma Ashton Stalnaker Joyce detrimental effect upon the environiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimimiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimmiiiiiiiiiitii ment and health of the people in the ... Elva M. Fowlks Trades Vows With Alton Orton Alton B. Ortori, of Bennion will exchange wedding vows with Elva M. Fowlks of West Valley City in double ring rites performed on March 5th in the Jordan River LDS Temple. Later that same day an open house r, Center, 2295 W. 8200 South and friends and relatives are being invited to call between the hour of 6 and 8 p.m. Jeffrey Joyce Jeffrey T. Joyce will leave soon to fill and LDS mission to Montevideo, Uruguay, and a farewell meeting will be held in his honor in the Granger 25th ward, 2101 West 3100 South on Feb. 23, at 3:50 in the after- all-ma- These Also Ran will honor the two. The event will be held in the Jordan Ell Reception noon. When asked why she has remained actively involved LaRee said, I have always admired Giraffes. Giraffes, to me, are human being with long necks, who are willing to take risks, believe in themselves and care for others, willing to do their home work and roll up their sleeves to renew communities, clean up the environment, end poverty and bring peace to the world. The future missionary is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Joyce of West Valley City and an open house will be held at the home of the parents, 3227 Oriole Way, immediately following the meeting. Jeffrey will enter the training center on March 6th. He is a graduate of both Granger high and the LDS seminary. DOLL MAKING CLASSES Now Available at tl They are the brave and caring people among us who stick their necks out for the common good, and take responsibility for both themselves and the world. I try to be a Giraffe for Magna. In choosing LaRee Hill Pehrson as the Woman of the Year, it is noted that although she is an employee of the Green Sheet Newspaper, she also is in the unique situation of being in a leadership posie.b. tion in her community. II M T.J. l DOLLS Use your creative talents to make unusual cloth dolls. Two methods of joined bodies and many doll making tips will be taught. A doll making certificate can be earned. For more info call Marilyn, weekdays, noon till 5 p.m. 484-471- 5 231 East 2100 South Suite E area. As in the Chamber, LaRee has also held every office in the council inluding six years as treasurer, and She became one as the first woman to hold the office of President in 1980, and is currently serving her sixth term as the leader. In addition to being president of the council, LaRee is chairman of the Magna District Planning, a position she volunteered for when she found that the county had had but a phantom representative for Magna for more than 15 years. She is head of the Master Plan Committee, a group who is giving input into developing what unimproved ground is left, into the highest and best use. She is recording secretary for Utah Press Women, in addition to being clerk of the Magna Water and Sewer Improvement District board of trustees. Currently she is spearheading the effort to obtain a new free standing library for Magna. THE FINEST IN FACILITIES & SERVICES FOR MEN & WOMEN SWIMMING POOL AEROBICS CLASSES RELAXING WHIRLPOOL OLYMPIC FREE WEIGHTS BODY MASTERS LIFECYCLE UNIVERSAL NAUTILUS STEAM ROOM SOOTHING SAUNA NUTRITIONAL GUIDANCE MODERN CONDITIONING EQUIP. Letter to Editor Dear Mrs. Bradford, Few articles have struck home as much as yours did in this weeks Green Sheet edition. How frequently havent I bitten my tongue for saying something innocently but which may have had a real impact on someone else. I have particularly regretted saying things to people who have since passed away. I cannot make it right anymore. Although I dont feel guilty for what is just being a human being and human behavior is subject to making mistakes, the important part is to realize that, with effort, we do not make these mistakes again. People are vulnerable. We do not intend to hurt them, it just sort of happens now and then that we do say the wrong things at the wrong time. us Thanks, Ethel, for reminding we all share this common problem. It made my day complete. Keep up the good work. Maria VanDer Heyden I |