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Show About alcoholism BERNARD M.s STORY name is Bernard M., and I am a member of the Fellowship of Alcoholics an alcoholic. This is a short Anonymous story about booze and me and Alcoholics Anonymous. I became a member of Alcoholics Anonymous after a drinking career spanning approximately. 28 years. I came into this world in a shack a few miles from a small town in North Texas. I do not remember much happiness in my early years, that is, up to about age 10. My teen-ag- e years were worse for a variety of reasons among them were my fathers long years of illness and utter poverty. In high school I felt much as Ishmael felt, I suppose that every man was against me, that I lived in a world which was compeltely indifferent to whether I succeeded or failed or even lived or died. I was bitter and disillusioned long before I graduated from high school, at the top of my class but without honor and without recognition. The depression was in full flower when I graduated from high school. There was little work and not much money; however I managed to go to college. About this time I first became acquainted with Mr. John Barleycorn. Some friends invited me to go with them to a bar. I got drunk. For a little while it seemed not to matter that I wasnt good looking, didnt have money and a car, didnt know how to dance, and was unpopular with my peers. I had a wonderful time until I got sick. I resolved that night that I would learn to drink like a gentleman, not drink until I was sick ever again; but I knew I would drink again. Finally my worldly circumstances improved, I found a regular job. The very first pay day I bought a liquor permit and a bottle of whiskey and celebrated my good fortune. The binge lasted almost 28 years. I set out to have fun to make up for all the My two-roo- m long years filled withbitterness and unhap- - ' years of age and have resided in the state for one year, in the country four months and in the precinct for 60 days prior to an election are entitled to register and vote. piness that had gone by. I drank and I drank a lot, but not all the time in the early years. I continued to work and study. Then came the war years. I returned to civilian life in 1946 to more work and study and liquor. I had dreams of sitting for the C.P.A. Examination. I never did, but I became quite proficient in my profession, I think. I almost blew it, though, because of booze. As the years went by I drank more and more at first mainly on weekends; but the weekends became longer and the weeks became shorter. I began drinking alone and in the mornings. I was what I think is sometimes called a sneaky drinker. I didnt care if my friends and acquaintances knew I drank, but I didnt want them to know how much I drank. Most of it was done at home, particularly late at PARTY ORGANIZATION Political parties are organized on four levels in Utah: 1. the election district; 2. the legislative district; 3. the county level and 4. the state level. Election districts are subdivisions of counties and are designated by county In election districts commissioners. throughout the state, district conventions (mass meetings) are held by each political party prior to every general election. These meetings are open to all qualified voters within the district, and are held to elect a district chairman and vice chairman. The chairman and the vice chairman must be of the opposite sex. There should also be elected a secretary, treasurer, three committee-me- n and a group of delegates to county conventions. Its our America It is our intent in the column Its Our America" to inform you as citizens of this area of the many problems and solutions that confront society today. We wish to enthuse you that you may become an active participant (if you are not already activated) in the important issues of this age in which we live. We welcome any subjects that you wish to introduce into this column. We shall consult both professional and political figures that you might receive expert opinions. We hope to stimulate all of our citizens to become more conversant of the problems of this day and vote come November for those beliefs for which our forefathers so valiantly fought. night. I realized I had no real, live friends men or women. There was only work, books, study and whiskey or vodka. The last few years I drank vodka mainly on the theory that it was not as noticeable on my breath as other alcoholic beverages. I didnt have much use for beer or wine. When I con- descended to drink beer (spiked with whiskey or vodka), it was usually to show my wife I didnt have to drink that hard stuf The last few years there was a fear I might sometime run out of booze. I acquired reserves liquor in my desk at the office, in the trunk and under the front seat of my car, in the bookcase at home, in the basement, in the garage, under the refrigerator. The days were not so bad. I always managed to go to work, but the nights were so long. I had no friends only books and booze and sad, unhappy thoughts. I realized I had a problem. One day it occurred to me that almost a year had passed since there had been a day completely without liquor. I admitted sadly that I was somewhat alcohol dependent, possibly even a COUNTY CONVENTIONS Following the district conventions and the elections of delegates, county conventions assemble. These are held on or before June 1 of each even numbered year. County conventions elect the party officer of the county as chairman, vice chairman and a county central committee. The county conventions also elect primary convention election judges and the delegates to a state convention. Delegates to both the county and the state party conventions are apportioned on BOTH AREAS In the preceding months before election we want to have commentary from citizens from both Spanish Fork, Paysonaswellas our state and nationally elected officials. This week we have invited Allen Brad- ford, Chairman of the Democratic party in Spanish F ork, to comment on the November election on the physical structure for POLITICAL OFFICES In 1970 there will be 13 county offices to vote on; the State House of Representatives, a United States Congressional seat and a seat in the United States Senate. this vital issue. Mr. Bradford instructs us as to the voters qualifications: Utahs constitution provides that citizens who are at least 21 semi-alcohol- ic. I began to worry about the future. long would I be able to continue working? How long would I be able to present myself to the world as a whole man? How long could I conceal from my business associates and my clients that I was a slave to Pure Mont Nephi and the communities contained Hospital occupancy is pretty well evenly distributed from residents from the Springville area, the Spanish Fork area, the general Payson area, and also areas south of Payson. Hospital employees are quite well distributed throughout all these communities; but, of course, a few therein. basis of the number of votes cast in each district or county for the party candidates for congress at the preceding general election. The state central committee which is responsible for the affairs of the party in the state is filled on a representative basis. As part of the duties, the committee elects an executive committee for the party, arranges for the state convention and selects a replacement candidate in the event of death of the candidate or disqualification of a candidate for primary election. the 8 THE PAYSON CHRONICLE Thursday, February 5, 1970 Men honored Men having served twenty-fiv- e years at Geneva for U.S. Steel Corporation were honored at a special Service Awards luncheon at Riverside Country Club January 30. Those honored from Spanish Fork were: William P. Wood, Elwin E, Peay, Clifford R. McKell and Thomas M. Keele. From Payson: LeBaron Robbins, Walter Senn, Carl E. Lee, Tim S. Jensen, George E. Ainge, Gordon C. Tervort and Milan A. Jacobson. From Salem: Carl M. Nybo and Arthur Sperry. From Santaquin: A. Bernell Stewart. General Superintendent Raymond fund-qui- st presented the awards. more from Payson, being closely located. The Professional Staff is made up of six doctors from Springville, six from Spanish Fork, three from Payson, and one from Nephi area. In general, we are an area-wiservice hospital and as such are programming and developing constantly to meet the needs of all people in this area. As a minor step, yet a very vital move forward, the Hospital Governing Board and the Payson City Council have voted to change the name of the hospital from Payson City Hospital to Payson Hosde pital. Perhaps a minor change, but truly a good step forward in the right direction for total area involvement! BRICKE Y W E LECTRONICS Provo 274 North 100 West "Sears is across from us" liquor? Fiameiess Electric meat ts Hospital Administration, the Hospital Governing Board, and the Pay son City Council, very well uniformly agree that pursuit toward ultimate growth and development in the Hospital will very much be a result of total involvement of the communities of our area. It is recognized that Payson Hospital is truly backed and supported by the taxpayers of Payson City. But, it is also recognized very clearly that the Hospital is planned and programmed and very much desires to serve all communities of the southern half of Utah County and many communities in the neighboring counties. The total programming and developing at the Hospital is geared to giving service to the choice people of the total area from Provo to ACCURACY MTEGftITY How HOSPITAL HAPPENINGS Could I stop drinking? I didnt know, I had never tried. Then I made the attempt, alone but without complete success. Then I attended my first A.A. Meeting. I was impressed with the obvious sincerity of the members of the group who talked. Clearly many of them were well educated and intelligent. They didnt look like bums from skid row; all were clean and many of them were weU dressed. I didnt intend to stay, but somehowl felt the members of the group were extending sympathy, encouragement and friendship. They were proud of the years they had been on the program and sober. I wondered if it could be possible that one could be sober for 30 days, six months, a year, and years and years into the future? One day at a time? They said anyone, even the most alcohol soaked bum, can stay sober 24 hours. I thought they might have something. It might be possible to stay sober one period, then another and another. I continued to go to the meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. I became a member It has been several years since I had my last drink. I have built a new life. There is a poem which, as I remember it, begins: COLOR TV & STEREO REPAIR SERVICE THE DAY YOU CALL HOUSE CALLS 8 of 75 24-ho- ur a.m. to 10 p.m. ALL SETS REPAIRED In THE HOME 90-DA- I wish there were some wonderful place called the Land of Beginning Again." There is. I found it in the Fellowship of Alcoholics PARTS GUARANTEE Y FIRST IN ELECTRONIC SERVICING Anonymous. QWCF FACTS A0O(T ALCOHOUCS mo A WY? AZ mey OVCATP? wmrs Of JOG WHAT TY mff sx? DO TWT HOLD? 25X puts a springtime freshness in every room Flameless heat gives you a special carefree comfort in every room as fresh as the morning sun on a mountain meadow. Odorless. Quiet. And the pure warmth extends from floor to ceiling. Now . . It's So Easy and Economical to - AN ESTIMATED COLLAR WHITE ONE 457. PROFESSIONAL &or HGR'L THERE ARE 13,425 MORE THAN 1 ALCOHOLICS IN UTAH. 4,000 PROBLEM DRINKERS It is estimated that 4 out of 5 existing homes now can be converted to electric heat . . . with reasonable operating costs. All this is possible through lower electric heating costs (reduced 20 last year for heating in Total Electric homes on our lines) . . and new methods of installing insulation such as spraying chemical foam into existing masonry walls. For more information about electric heat, look across the page. OR IN UTAH. For information contact CfflffifflL (JIM A division Utah Power & Light Co. Tffto PHONE i A r V Av. - 373-656- 2 1 We've Switched to Electric Heat And So Can You " Utah Alcoholism Foundation Universotty "Weve had oil and coal heat in our home, but electric heat is superior. We like the even heat. Set the thermostat, and it never varies. No noisy fans or blowers." "If couldnt buy another electric home I wouldn't think of selling my present home. Mrs. H. D. Cooper 132 Grassy Trail Drive Dragerton, Utah Square Footage. 1.200 Annual Healing Cost: Est. $218 00 Type of Heat: Ceiling Cable off . 'ihu J'li Mrs. H. D. Cooper . Switch to Carefree Electric Heat - rtj, i; J vft. OF ARE LABOR 'll I' i,h- EVERY THIRTEEN USERS BECOMES ALCOHOL HABITUATED. OUT THERE 30X MANUAL 467. OF ALL ADULT UTAHNS USE BEVERAGES. ALCOHOLIC Prove For free information, phone Utah Power & Light Co and ask for a heating specialist, or write: R M. Pixza Sales and Marketing Dept. Utah Power ft Light Co. P O. Box 899 Salt Lake City. Utah 64110 Utah Power & Light Co. |