OCR Text |
Show iyiiniyiriiW'lyiWll'Nl 11111' rvyMty ry" "' S' ' , HMPSK 4 Harry York works in his workshop with the intriguing name of Grandma Grunts, in the little town of Hatch, Garfield County. Shop has a rustic west located y- nj- r(' - j,- - 'saJ '' - The Salt Lake Tribune, Wednesday, June i V 10, 1(jhi !J 5 rf ern flavor and features some of most skillful leather work in United States. World Beats Path to This Craftsman By Nancy Bales Tribune Correspondent HATCH, Garfield County What traveler could resist stopping at a shop with the intriguing name of Grandma Grunts? Located in- this tiny community (population just over 100) on U.S. 89, the clever shop with the rustic western flavor features some of the most skillful and intricate leather work in the west. The touch, feel, smell and sound of leather contribute to its appeal for leatherworker Harry York who pointed out that the use of four of the five human senses enters into the work he does with custom-designeleather. York has been working with leather for more than 25 years and specializes in all leather clothing, he finds a ready market with local cowboys. The local market, however, is not Yorks only outlet for his workmanship since he receives orders from all over the world and ships his designs on a regular basis to satisfied customers who first sampled his wares on a trip through southern Utah. Word Spread York and his wife Ethel moved to Hatch from California seven yars ago where they opened a service station and York began a sideline of repairing saddles for local ranchers. Word of his skill spread quickly. The nearest leather repair shops were close to 100 miles away. As the demand rose for Yorks special skills, the couple decided to take a chance and transform their service station into the unique shop focusing on leather and handicrafts and selling gasoline as a sideline. They were surprised to discover that their shop became an almost instant success with travelers from all over the world attracted by its clever design and equally attracting handmade merchandise. Always Artistic Always artistic, York had spent much of his life delving into other art forms and was skiued with oils, water colors and charcoal drawings. A fishing trip to Canada many years ago introduced him to leather work. He - d Self-traine- d, was amazed at the number of leather shops and the intricacy of fine leather work, never realizing before the variety, skill and imagination required for the craft. He began experimenting on his own, gradually developing his talents, when he met the Drake family in Montebello, Calif., owners of Drake Leather. They were instrumental in encouraging Yorks natural talent, providing books and ideas and teaching him the proper use of leather tools and unusual techniques. He credits them with much of his later success with the art form. Begin With Gifts Initially he began working with belts, holsters and rifle slings and other items associated with his favorite sports of hunting and fishing, giving most of his early works to friends as gifts. As his work became more in demand, he decided he might be able to work his hobby profitable at the same time. The work that he does in leather not only makes him happy and satisfied with life but he finds that it makes others happy too. Taking great pride in his workmanship, he says he has a particular vision for each individualized product as he works on it. unborn or slunk calf hide. He also dyes and hand burnishes leather himself to achieve special antique finishes. Much of his leather must be shipped in, however, since it is not available in Utah. Unusual Effects For unusual decorative effect, York will use sliced and polished deer hooves for clasps, fashion old Indian nickles into snaps for his clothing, and often use rosettes (such as seen on saddles) for decorating his vests and jackets. It was Ethel who suggested the name Grandma Grunts a Midwest term familiar to both Ethel and her husband who spent their childhood in Iowa. Grandma Grunt was a term commonly used to denote anyone too slow and easy going to move very fast. The two transplanted Californians they lived in California for most of their adult lives g weary of the pace theyd been used to for so long, decided the name would signify n new way of living for them. Sharpens Skills York is not the only talent at Grandma Grunts. Ethel also has many skills and for the past seven years in Hatch she has been sharpening them. d Her and hand-kn- it items vie for attention from shop visitors. Ethel and Harry met as kindergarteners in Des Moines, Iowa, but Ethel moved to California with her family when she was 11. They kept in touch by mail for all the years they were growing up and when Harry, as a young man, joined the Marine Corps, they were married. fast-movin- hand-crochete- They reared three daughters in California before trying their new life style. Harry York uses specialized tools to finish design on belt His work includes the leather craft chaps and other of practical side repairing saddles, well-use- d and necessary items for local wranglers. It also has its creative side when he gets the opportunity to special order a complete leather outfit for a customer. He makes chaps, vests, jackets, sheepskin coats and many other clothing items. North S.L. Tannery York often works with hides which he purchases locally (cow, deerk, elk, calf) which he ships to Fox Valley Tannery in North Salt Lake. The tannery has been working with York for many years and is accustomed to his orders, it tans hides to his special specifications. He sews on two heavy-dut- y Singer machines, vintage 1929 and 1932, which he treats like old friends and repairs himself when needed. He also has newer industrial machines. Currently, York is the only leather worker in southern Utah working with r Deposit $1,000 in a Charter Passbook or Statement Savings Account at the new U.S. Thrift &. Loan and watch your money grow at the interest rate of 10 a Wyoming Tourism Is Thriving ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. (AP) Signs so far this year indicate that tourism in Wyoming is up from last year, with the outlook even better, says Wyoming Gov. Eld Herschler. The Democratic governor addressed a meeting of the Wyoming State Liquor Association in Rock Springs Monday, and said prosperity in the tourism industry should be good news for liquor operations. Wyomings tourism industry is in a much stronger position now than last year, he said. While travel isdown 13 percent I CM K M Mitt tW 8 M EW M US K nationwide, Herschler said the trend in Wyoming seems to be heading to opposite direction. More people year. are traveling in personal vehicles or buses, he said, noting a lsight drop in air travel produced an insignificant impact. More people are traveling this ar summer and staying longer, Herschler said. Those people, he said, buy groceries, stay in motels and hotels and have even been known to frequent all boosting Wyomings nightspots, tourism business. 3E IttS U.S.THKlCT3nlftN Qiartev Account six-mon- itfl KI six-mon- B 8 a START THAT SUMMERTIME JOB NOW! part time now after school and on Saturdays, durif you want and more You months. can the summer ing earn $30 to $60 per week getting You can work fl I H ! I R H I I B R H R H H for Salt Lake newhave an exciting We spapers. program for junior high and high school students to earn good money and also win exciting trips and cash bonuses. Transportation from your home and return is Sounds extraordinary, doesnt it? Well, theres more. Your money earns 10V2 on a y Certificate of Deposit and 11 certificate. Your on a One-Yemoney can earn even more when you buy a 2Vi year or Money Market certificate. Why, at present rates on a Money Market certificate, you could almost double your money in five years. Interest, though, isnt all thats extraordinary about U.S. Thrift &. Loan. When you save with U.S., youre secure in knowing youre part of the $5 billion U.S. Bancorp family. And heir as well to the traditions of hard work, common sense, and planning upon which our state was built. We think youll find U.S. Thrift &. Loan the most interesting financial institution in Utah. Quite modestly, we think were just enough to make a statement like 90-da- , B prior to applying paint and finisher for a final product. subscribers knifes ,, vn th th that. available. NO DELIVERING INVOLVED THIS IS NOT A PAI ER ROUTE! CALL 364-911- U.S.THRIFr8LOAN 8 Helping yon build for tomorrow If not in, bo turm to Atk for Mr. King your nomo, oddrott, phono, 090, and tchool you atlond. First com will bo Call so don't dolay first sorvod Itovt todayll YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AND EVERYTHING TO GAINI sXv 7822 South 1700 West, West Jordan. Utah Available to Charter customer! opening an account within 60 da of the grand opening of any U. S. Thrift 6l Loan office. The Charter rate u available so long as the balance exceeds $1,000.00. Substantial interest penalty for early withdrawal of time deports. Rates subject to change. |