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Show if October 22. 1996- - Pace 11 (Basin Life Uintah Basin Standard Hancock Cove saddle maker learns perfection in his work By Cheryl Mecham Nothing makes Ralph Draper happier then to be in the saddle all day, "cowboyinj;" he calls it, unless he's busy making the saddles he rides in. Draper, who lives in Hancock Cove just outside of Roosevelt with his wife Sanna Rae said he began working TOOLING THE LEATHER-Ral- ph Draper, an accomplished maker demonstrates the art of tooling a decorative header into blank leather fender. . with renowned saddlcmaker Lee Mecham in 1989 and learned the ins and outs of true saddlemaking craftsmanship. "Hes learning the trade in leaps and bounds, Mecham said adding, "he's really excelled, and hes interested in learning everything he can. Adult Immunization Awareness Week Children arc not the only ones who need immunization against disease. Each year in the United States, as many as SjO.000 - 70,000 adults die needlessly from vaccine-preve- n tabic diseases or their complications. Today in the United States at least 100 times as many adults as children die from diseases. Influenza and pneumonia together arc the sixth vaccine-preventab- le leading cause of death in the nation. People of any age can get measles, but those bom after 19S6 who have not been immunized against measles, mumps and rubella are especially at risk for infection. October 20-2- 6 is National Adult Immunization Week. This week emphasizes the importance of adults being adequately immunized Continued on page 18 Draper confesses he's always been interested in horses and he finds his but saddles, to be saddlemaking hobby particularly relaxing. 1 like to take my time. I want each saddle to be an original, that fits the horse, fits the rider and is eye appealing." The "fit" that suits todays horses is found in the width across the withers (shoulders) of the animal (the gullet) and the length of the saddle or skirt. As for fitting the rider. Diaper says, hours go into shaping the underneath part rtf the saddle that "no one ever secs. Shaping involves using pliable pieces of leather, skived off until the piece is graduated to a smooth slant where the riders leg will rest. And Draper is as particular about the materials in the saddle as its fit. He uses the finest Herman Oaks ' he has sold a few, he says he doesnt take orders because "then youre meeting deadlines to suit somebody," explaining, "I like to be creative in designing." In a storage area off of his finished basement Draper works three to four hours at a stretch. trail. 4 school bus inspection completed UHP By Cheryl Mecham When Duchesne County school children get on the district buses will they be riding to school safely? The Utah Highway Patrol works each year to ensure that the buses in the school district are mechanically sound. UHP troopers just completed a thorough two-da- y inspection of Duchesne County School District buses last week, said Stan Keller, bus supervisor. Have you ever spent four days project Last week a UHP trooper from The volunteers ranged in age swinging a sledge hammer and from 17 to 67 and hailed from out of the area who is assigned the moving large rocks at an elevation over 11,000 feet? That is exactly Washington DC to Nevada. Though task of inspecting school buses what six volunteers and one Forest his wife Barbara (a math professor) throughout die state examined buses Service Ranger did to reconstruct had to convince him to make the located on the east and west side of nearly a 12 mile trail at trip, 57 year old Howard, a retired Pass late last August This survey engineer, helped lay the trail ' trail has needed repair for at least oi and said he looked forward to 10 years. Anally, with contributions volunteering again next year. Mary, from local merchants and American a nuclear engineer with the U.S. Hiking volunteers, the Forest Continued on page 18 Service was able to complete the assist trail project Fox-Quea- nt biggest leather, ornamental conchos are Those hours add up until, after sterling silver, and even the wool about three months he has lining is the finest "golden fleece completed a saddle. Word of mouth brings people to brand he can find. Cutting the scat in "just right" is the most difficult part of the work, Draper admits, but it is the leather tooling, or design work that takes the most lime. "A plain saddle will take about 90 hours, whereas a saddle with a lot of tooling can take over 120 hours." But it is the tooling that a "certain lends the saddle signature," Draper expressed. Working with a pencil and paper Draper "doodles" designs on a saddle pattern until he Ins created an "eye appealing" original. From that point he could use a pattern for the leather design, but Draper prefers designing his own patterns which will be tooled on a leather blank and then modified to satisfy his artistic eye. Under the watchful eye of Mecham "who wouldnt let IT TOOK AWHILE Before saddle maker Ralph Draper felt his v ,k anything pass without being just was accomplished enough to name and number his saddles, such as the about has a made right," Draper two he stands near. Draper is partial to the Mecham Roper, a western dozen saddles. style saddle, which is "beefed up in the shoulders" lending more height But Draper says he doesnt and strength to the saddle. make his saddles to sell ... he creates each one for the simple pleasure of the making. And while Local merchants TRAIL PROJECT A volunteer clears the way for the buy a saddle, which sell for about $1,800. And while Draper admits he would like to be able to have all the equipment to vu,, indcocndcnlly, he realizes he must reach a different level of experience before he can be on his own. "The- compliment I can give to Lee is that I try to imitate his style, he's been doing it for 30 years, lies taught me everything," Draper confessed. the county. A total of 57 buses were checked. "They inspect brakes, airlines, exhaust systems, steering, hca':nc. ' defrost, lights, they windshield wipers ... they oil leaks, basically they dicck everything," Keller said adding, are. "everything has to pass, if there any updates they make nr.any repairs (due to manulaauicr recalls) arc done." The inspections take place twice a year, in the spring and fall. Troopers give "black marks" is there are problems with the bus. . Continued on page 18 Fox-Quea- nt Choir Members Needed Anyone wishing to be a part of the choir for the production of Come to the House of the Lord are invited to attend an orientation meeting Tuesday, October 29 at 7 p.m. at the Maeser Stake Center. For more 7 information call Douglas Christensen at or Mary Nielson at 789-584- 789-946- 6. Single Adult Octoberfest All Young Single Adults are invited to attend the Octoberfest Saturday, Oct 26 at 7 p.m. at the Roosevelt Stake Center on East Lagoon. Bring a pumpkin to paint or carve. UHS Drill Team Fundraiser Hie Cougarette Drill Team is selling Pizza Hut Gold Cards. When you buy a pizza you get the next smaller size free. The cost of the cards is reasonable, they are good for 20 visits, and they would make great Christmas gifts. If you are interested in buying a card, talk to any Drill Team member or call Joyce Orton at Union High at 722-247- 4. St. Helens Bingo St. Helens Bingo will be held at Bottle Hollow Saturday, November 2 at 7 p.m. Cub Scout Leader Pow-Wo- w 722-264- w 7 1. Come to the best dance of the year! The diabetic youth in the in the Uintah Basin are hosting a dance at the old Rock N Roll Skating Rink now Alive N Kickin Saturday, Oct. 26 from 8 12 p.m. -- McGruff Meeting A McGruff meeting will be held Wednesday, Oct 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Duchesne City office building. They will be accepting applications for McGruff Safe Houses. & Dance St. Helens Catholic Church is having a Gumbo dinner and dance on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Parish Center. Dinner will be served from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. with a dance starting at 8 p.m. For tickets, call LaVem and or Albert and Patsy Richard at Pat Munch at Tickets will also be sold at the door. 722-903- 722-218- 2. 3 Make A Difference Day Hie Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and Uintah Basin Association ofGovernments is sponsoring a wood project on Saturday, Oct 26. s or trailers are needed to help haul wood for Volunteers with the elderly, disabled, and low income living in the Uintah Basin. If you can help in this worthwhile cause call pick-up- 722-451- The Head Start Policy Council has implemented a new procedure when it comes to soliciting donations from area merchants. All volunteers who represent Head Start and request money from local businesses must have a picture ID as proof that they are officially acting on behalf of Ute Tribe Head their to continue generous contributions, but not burden them. Continued on page 18 THE WHEELS ON THE BUS-A- nd just about everything else on Duchesne County School buses were inspected by officers of the Utah Highway Patrol last week during me of the safety inspections. Start. The new policy was passed due to complaints from local merchants who reported that they had received as many as eight requests a week to go to the Head Start program. The Head Start Policy Council of hopes the new system identification will allow merchants buys lot for boats and RYs By Cheryl Mecham Diabetic Youth Fundraiser Gumbo Dinner Picture ID now a must for Head Start solicitors Murray Motor Get new and fun ideas for the 1997 program year at the Kings Peak District Annual Cub Scout Leader Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m . - 4 p.m. at the Roosevelt West Stake Center. For more inform ation or Cathy Calder at.789-544call LaRae Cook at Pow-Wo- Notice To Merchants 8. Political Discussion Group Choices For the 21st Century (a public policy discussion group) will meet at the Duchesne County library in Roosevelt Wednesday, October 23. The discussion this week is titled Charting our Future: Balancing Priorities. Larry Murray, owner of Murray Motor Investment Corporation in Roosevelt has recently obtained main street property located between Lazy H Gift Gallery and Subway Sandwich Shop on U.S. Highway 40 from Cellular One. The property was originally owned by Roosevelt City and sold to Cellular One contingent on development within me year of purchase. Cellular One officials requested and were granted an extension of the anniversary development date, but later sold the lot undeveloped to Murray. Development will not take place until spring time, then, Murray said, "Well put in a roll away curb, prove up the lot, bring in utilities and blacktop the property." The improvements will be made in preparation for a "recreational salts," lot for travel trailers and bents. With plans of "building a service center complete with parts and accessories for recreational vehicles." Murray says the recreational business will benefit both Murray Motor' and Roosevelt City because "it will bring in a lot of sales tax revenue to the city," explaining that "last year alone Murray Motor brought in S8 million in revenue." - UINTAH CO. CANDIDATES Anna Marie Harrison, Dave Murray and Herb Snyder were some of the office seekers present during a "Meet The Candidates Night." CHAMBER MEETS-Duche- snc County Area Chamber of Commerce members meet at a monthly breakfast meeting at Mom Lake Electric and play a game to pass their time. |