Show a Serving Utah’s Great Pahvant Valley Delta Utah $1800 In out of months $1000 (In Advance) Senior Citizens Copy 50c and older) $1500 (65 in county $18 00 out of ® co & v & i USPS County 0 Vol 78 No 23 Dec 10 1987 Religious traditions observed The Nativity Scene by Dawn Carder a Christian celebration Christmas the birth of Jesus commemorating in the has its foundations Christ Biblical gospels written by Luke and Matthew The traditions surrounding this holiday have come from many peoples and countries Initially the observance of Christmas was probably influenced by pagan festivities The ancient Romans held year end celebrations in honor of and the god of Harvest Saturn Mithros the god of light Northern Europeans also held harvest celebrations at which time they decorated their homes with greenery gave gifts prepared special foods and joined together in singing By the late 300s Christianity was the official religion of the Roman Empire and by 1100 Christmas was the most important religious festival in Europe with St Nicholas as the symbol of gift giving The popularity of this holiday grew until the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s when many Christians considered it to be a pagan celebration was Christmas During the 1600s outlawed in England and in the English colonies in America Although gift givcelebrating remained ing continued unpopular for many years The practices of decorating trees in homes and of sending cards became customs in the 1800s Trees were used in medieval Germany and the tradition was brought to America by German John Calcott settlers in Pennsylvania Harsley an English illustrator created cards in 1843 and by 1860 the custom of sending cards was popular all over Europe The wreath is believed to symbolize the strength of life overcoming forces of winter The ancient Romans used it Auction benefits program by Dawn Carder Thanks to the generosity of Louise Nielson Pat Trujillo is the proud handmade owner of a beautiful porcelain doll and the Sub for Santa program has additional funds At the conclusion of the Blue Notes’ holiday program held on Wednesday December 2 an auction of the doll was held in the high school auditorium with Ruth Rawlinson executive secretary of the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce serving as the auctioneer Louise a retired school teacher makes dolls and their clothes as a hobby And she styles the hair! Obviously hours of intricate work are involved along with patience and love The auctioned doll was donated by Louise to benefit Christmas children's program This ear Vince Cropper is serving for Sub for Santa as Chairman Anyone interested in donating money or toys is asked to make donations at the Chamber of Commerce office 80 North 200 West in Delta as a sign of victory Ancient Celtic priests considered mistletoe sacred and they gave it to people to use as charms Early Christians called the holly bush the “holy tree” The red berries symbolize drops of blood shed by Jesus Christ The word “carol” comes from the Greek word “chorauleen” meaning dance Dance accompanied by the was popular at celebrations flute throughout Europe Later the music of the flute was replaced by singing December 6 is St Nicholas Day observed by Dutch and German people in their native lands and in the United States St Nicholas the patron saint of Holland distributes "gifts to children placing them in their wooden shoes On December 13 the Swedes observe St Lucia Day Early in the morning the oldest daughter in the home dresses in white and wears a wreath containing seven lighted candles on her head She then serves coffee and buns to other family members while they are still in bed holiKwanzaa an day is based on the traditional African festival of harvest of the first crops The word comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya meaning “first fruits” First developed in the United States in 1966 by M Ron Karenga a prostudies and a fessor of black cultural leader Kwanzaa begins on December 26 and last for seven center around Observances days Nguzo Sabo seven principals of black culture Each of the days Is dedicated to one of the principles-uni- ty Public Hearing Scheduled by Dawn Carder County organizations and ofhave ficials presented preliminary budget requests to the Millard County Commissioners Commissioner Mike that a Styler has announced Public Hearing will be held on Tuesday December 15 at 2 pm in the County Commissioners Chambers located in the Counin Fillmore ty Courthouse Comments and questions will be heard at this time All county residents are urged to attend this important and informative meeting AgReach program receives new grant b Dawn Carder Through the efforts of Senator Orin Hatch the AgReach program received a grant enabling it to operate another year Don Tompkinson of AgReach in Millard County reports that others staunchly supporting the program are Glen O Jensen National leader for Human Development and Family Relations in Washington D C Senator Cary Peterson Representative Joe Moody the Millard County Commissioners the Millard County Farm Bureau the USU Extension Service Young businessmen Farmers Association and farmers Under the direction of steering committees in both Fillmore and Delta there w ill be an AgReach Resource Conference and Workshop the first part of 1988 in probably Tomkinson February assures interested parties that as in the past there will a quality program with “something for everyone’’ A recently compiled Resource Directory will be given to all attending the conference The directory will also be available to all farm related persons W atch for future information about the upcoming conference and workshop ' collective work and responsibility cooperative economics purpose creativity faith In the evening the family lights one candle in the kinara (candle holder) discusses the principle of the day and exchanges gifts the Near the end of the holiday community gathers together for a feast called Karamu It is a typical feast ceremonies African food cluding honoring ancestors assessments of the old year and commitments for the new and dancing performances year music There are of course numerous other ethnic traditions incorporated into the celebration of Christmas in the United States The central theme however for all Christians is the miraculous birth of the baby in Bethlehem The Jews greatly outnumbered by the Syrians initially were led by When he died his son Judah Maccabee (Maccabee means hammer) became the leader reorganizing his army and leading them into the hills Despite the might of the Syrian army Judah and his followers defeated Anthe men and reclaimed tiochus’ A menorah and a dreidl are used for Hanukkah by Dawn Carder the Jewish Feast of Hanukkah Lights or Feast of Dedication begins each year at sundown on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev and continues for eight days This year the celebration begins on Wednesday evening December 16 Although not considered to be one of the high holy days Hanukkah is a happy time commemorating the Jewish defeat of the Syrian tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes IV in the year 165 BC Antiochus Epiphanes had tried to force the Jews in Judea to erect idols and worship the god Zeus The Jews refused to do so remaining true to their God Angered the Syrian ruler sent his armies to fight the Jews and to defile the holy Temple in Jerusalem Temple After ridding the Temple of the Syrian idols and cleansing the holy place Judah Maccabee proclaimed a festival to be observed by the Jews as they rededicated the Temple However only one small cruse of oil was found oil for just one night enough the oil lasted for eight Miraculously days and nights! Today Jews everywhere remember the miracle that happened so long ago Each night for eight nights gifts are changed contributions are made to the poor and a special candelabram called a menorah is lighted Children also play games using a dreidl (a top with Hebrew letters on each side) and special foods are prepared and enjoyed The lighting of the menorah is perhaps the most significant part of the celebration Traditional menorahs hold or sershammash nine vant and eight others On the first night one person uses the shammash to light the first candle On each subsequent night another candle is lighted until all eight in remembrance of the oil lasting for eight nights are lighted is Hanukkah meaning dedication also spelled Chanukah and Hannuka Because this celebration falls near the it Christian observance of Christmas has become more popular especially and perhaps receives with children more attention from Christians than do other more sacred Jewish religious observances Millard County Resource Development Commission plans for the future by Dawn Carder Ever mindful of the local economy the Millard County Resource Development Commission is looking at the past and present efforts that have been or need to be taken to promote the county The County Commissioners recently appointed three new members-JuDay and Alden Robinson of illmore and Mike Halloran KNAK owner of Delta-- to fill the open slots on the Resource Development Commission Now the new group chaired by Commissioner Mike Styler is planning for the future County Administrator Robyn Pearson will assume the role of taking direcIt tions from the MCRD Commission will be June Day’s responsibility to report to the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce and Mike Halloran will report to the Delta Area Chamber of business the for Commerce Community the newly According to Halloran reorganized Commission is planning a December meeting at which time members will assess what has been done and actively plan to improve the said “My concerns” economy Halloran “are to bring more jobs to the area to create orderly development without harming the environment and to look at what we have in terms of resources” The Commission will look at tourism the latter being the and agriculture backbone of Millard County Feelings and opinions of the agricultural comdesiied and welcomed are munity Another effort will be to bring new dustry into the county Senator Peterson discusses 1988 Legislative session objectives Great Salt Lake Pumping Project I will propose to sell the Great Salt Lake pumping project and use proceeds for upstream development and diversion which projects were impossible to construct and divert during the Now with recent flooding disaster streams low and water users in short supply we should get interest and participation in development and use of our surplus waters The flood plain control of the Great Salt Lake is not an appropriate role for the state of Utah The responsibility belongs with property owners and units that have congovernmental structed in the plain The first option to purchase and operate the pump project will be given to property owners in the flood plain hopefully with an The terlocal cooperation agreement state does not operate or maintain flood plain control anywhere in the state of Utah It’s inconsistent and unaffordable Interstate Highway Signing In with local comcooperation munities and Chambers of Commerce ill ask the legislature to consider terstate Highway signing in rural areas of our state that will give adequate notice for destination options and services and attractions motorist Statuatory and regulation changes will be sought where necessary Regional Prison Development First phase funding for construction at the correctional site at Gunnison will be recommended and seems to have good suppport Taxpayer Input Balancing our state budget and selec tively eliminating unnecessary services and programs such as the Great Salt Lake pumping project as opposed to across the board cuts is my recommended approach invite each citizen to participate in the public hear process Tax savings and tax rate reductions may be successful with public interest and involvement in the budget making process such as the Legislative Appropriations Hearings will be available to meet with groups and individuals by appointment prior to the 1988 legislative session Please call for an appointment Senator Cary G Peterson District 28 Jury misconduct? (2 thoffiij to jol dip by Dawn Carder Possible misconduct in the form of one or two jurors in the State versus George Wesley Hamilton trial is being investigated According to Millard County Attorney Warren Peterson Judge George Ballif was informed that a juror had taken a new s article pertaining to the case into sequestered chambers during deliberations Such an act provides the defense with a basis to call for a mistrial At this time the trial decision is on appeal to the Utah State Supreme Court The defense explained Peterson might choose one of three actions: It might ignore the claim of misconduct as 2 It might use the information part of its basis for an appeal 3 It could have the Utah Supreme Court remand the case back to the District Court to consider a mistrial declared and a new trial granted as The stand of the Prosecution stated by Peterson is: “that the jury’s misconduct was beyond the control of the Prosecution 2 that the Court called the claim of misconduct to our attention 3 that we are actively investigating the report 4 it is our job to turn over to the unDefense what the investigation The Defense then takes covers necessary steps” To date no misconduct has been uncovered The investigation continues |