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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS 15 WEDNESDAY MAY 17, 2000 Bring your appetite to Rocking V Cafe By Barbara Pyles building is a modern style American bistro: the Rocking V Cafe. Proprietors Victor and Vicky Cooper opened their doors for business on April 29. No longer do men prop themselves up against the building to pass the time of day. Instead, they bring their families into the cafe to eat. The outside of the building is the original adobe covered by painted pink stucco. The previous owner had the adobe stuccoed because the old bricks were never fired and have begun to crumble. Entering the Rocking V Cafe . . . its like no other restaurant buildaround. The owners have transthe the Through years, ing was used as a lumber store, formed this old building into a hardware store, modern-da- y groplace that is unique and fun. They Italian restaurant cery store, painted the walls Vermilion to and a bank. The match the cliffs nearby, with the safe is still on the main floor. ceiling painted a shade darker. Back in the good old days there The blue floor has a coat of peach was an ice factory in the base- underneath, then glazed to give it ment, and was the only supplier an old look. A seamstress in Big of ice in the area. Water created the beautiful cushIn the early days, the Bow- ions for the handmade tables and man Building was a favorite loaf- chairs. The kitchen is a working ing place. On most days, groups kitchen, clean, orderly and busy. ofmen leaned against the side of The upstairs, which is the size of the store, as they talked. the entire ground floor, will one welThe year is 2000 and a day house an art gallery. come addition in the Bowman However, there is more here In 1892, Henry Bowman built a red brick building and opened a general mercantile establishment. Under one roof, folks could buy everything from groceries to mowing machines to fine lace and ribbons and a thousand other things needed for daily living. All the merchandise had to be hauled in by team and wagon from the nearest railroad. The roads were terrible and often impassable, so freighting was not easy. At times, the whole town went without flour, sugar, coal oil, and other staples. old-fashion- ed Disaster at By Barbara Pyles Writer's note: Many articles have been written about the courageous acts of four Army Chap- lains aboard the USAT Dorchester during WWII. The following article is my attempt at telling this unique story. Pastor Marc Spaeth of Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church in Page and Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Kanab will speak on the subject of the Four Chaplains, honoring the uncommon heroism of these men at a Memorial Day Program at the Kanab City Cemetery on May 29, at 10:30 a.m. On January 23, 1943, the USS Dorchester left Pier lion Staten Island, New York and headed toward an Army base in Greenland. Once a luxury coastal liner, the vessel was now a U. S. Army troopship. Aboard were 902 servicemen, merchant seamen and civilian workers. Upon enteringtorpedo alley, Captain Hans J. Danielsen or- dered the men to sleep in their clothing and to keep their life jackets on. Unfortunately, many soldiers disregarded the order. The unique part of this story is that four Army Chaplains were aboard the Dorchester at the same time. They chaplains were: Lt. George Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed; and Lt. John Washington, Roman. jathflUc-.- , It is nfcv A043; officer aboard a German submaraises the ships peririne, scope. The officer could hardly believe his good fortune. One of three ships in the SG-1- 9 convoy, the Dorchester , was making its way through torpedo alley. Because of ice floes, it had slowed to half speed. Coast Guard Cutters Tampa, Escanaba and Comanche escorted the convoy. About 0102, the officer made his move. Fire torpedoes. 3, Three torpedoes McCaughan, who is genuinely proud of what he creates, offers a variety of specialties, including homemade soups and vegetarian dishes to make the most flavorful meals ever. Just try them and see! His dinner menu includes many other items: steaks, seafood, poultry, pasta favorites, and more. The chef will offer daily specials, along with the regular menu. He will post the menu in the cafe window. Of course, the desserts are wonderful: New Yorkstyle house made cheesecake, key lime tarts , Rocking V chocolate cake and southern pecan pie. Be sure and ask your server for other dessert specials. If you choose The Rocking V Cafe for lunch, youll find a different menu but the same hearty portions. Sandwiches include turkey, baked ham or roast beef-aroasted and sliced fresh each morning. The menu includes g many other items: grilled chicken caesar, buffalo burger, Kanab burger, veggie sandwiches and more. We do much ofthe home style cooking that people look forward ll mouth-waterin- Dorchester Sea-USA- T U-22- than meets the eye. ChefPatrick hissed panic and confusion, the four chaplains moved around the deck aiding the wounded and calming the men. After finding a supply locker, the four chaplains began handing out lifejackets. When the locker was empty, the chaplains took off their own vests and gave them to the next in line. They comforted the frightened, directed the disoriented to life boats, and prayed with the dying. According to one witness: I could hear men crying, pleading, praying. I could also hear through the icy waters, striking the transport ship below the the chaplains preaching courwater line with tremendous age. Their voices were the only force. The hit knocked out power thing that kept me going. (Four and radio contact with the three Chaplains website) Flames and the sea swallowed escort ships. Due to heavy winds the escorts did not hear the ex- up the ship as men desperately plosions. They were unaware of looked for an escape. Two of 14 the scene being played out on lifeboats and a few rafts were the Dorchester. successfully launched. AccordAll hell broke loose aboard the ing to eyewitnesses many lifeDorchester as the ocean began boats capsized from overloadto flood through the ships hull. ing. Several empty rafts drifted As the impact threw soldiers off in the freezing sea before from their bunks, they reached anyone could get into them. Time out uncertainly in the darkness. was running out; more men were Many left their life jackets be- about to die. Survivors reported that as the hind or could not find them as to their make tried way ship went down, the four they scores-ooil d and f chaplains-arm- s topside. Ammonia, wounded to men were offer prayers. Approxidead and No wonder even 27 the everywhere. mately minutes after the exbest trained sailor panicked. plosions, the Dorchester slipped Abandon Ship, beneath the icy waters. Only 230 A consistent picture of what men survived. Greater love hath no man happened was drawn from eyewitness accounts: The four courageou- than this: that a man lay down were among the ltyfkfcpvhis friends" IJohn s-chaplains 1 h:t r-- - H $ y ti fe. X - The Rocking V Cafe is the latest restaurant to open up in Kanab. Check them out at 97 kVesf Center. Photo by Barbara Pyles. to, says Vicky. We will serve the freshest foods available and use only the finest ingredients. Your hosts Victor and Vicky met when they were working for the same TV station in Oklahoma City. They got married in Zion National Park 13 years ago. She was raised in the Salt Lake City area and introduced to the restaurant business while working at her grandmothers restaurant. She served fabulous food, says Vicky. Victor was raised in Dallas, Texas and presently works as a camera man for CBS. Victor says that he is looking forward to calling Kanab his home. Victor and Vicky began to think about opening a restaurant while working on a grizzly bear documentary in Montana. Sometimes we had to drive three hours to find a good restaurant, she says. Thats when we began to talk about opening a restaurant in a small town. Chef Patrick, who has been in the food industry business for about 20 years, grew up near Detroit, Michigan. Besides running kitchens in Phoenix and Michigan, he has worked for several restaurant tours. I am in this industry because I enjoy it. The rush of the kitchen . . . and successfully getting everything out . . . its awesome. There is no feeling like it. The Rocking V Cafe, the newest addition to Kanabs dining scene, is located at 97 W est Center. Their business hours: SundayMonday Tuesdays 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday the cafe is open from 11 am. until 12 p.m. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Appetizers will be served until 11 p.m. The Rocking V Cafe is not open on Wednesdays. Plans are to have the cafe open for breakfast sometime in May. For more information call oL-- .15031.,, mm mm mm 644-800- 1. Memorial Day Program presented by American Legion Post 69 linked-contin-ue- fif$t on dock, fcvt&isQ u May 29, 2000 4 m 10:30 a.m. |