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Show I I December 24, 1996- - Page 9 i (Basin Life Uintah Basin Standard ' An Original Christmas Tale For Our Readers A Christmas Eve Not To Be Forgotten By Cheryl Mecham Brightly wrapped packages the plain brown shop-ping bag in the hallway. Beth paused briefly before she placed the swollen suitcase next to it, frowning in deliberation. Did she have everything? John be home within the hour and they would set out immediate- ly for Salt Lake. "Oh, sandwiches!" Beth said aloud. poked from John arrived and surveyed Beths collection - a yellow diaper bag with bulging pockets and an oblong container beading with con- densation had been added to the array. Beth, now in coat and gloves, swept oast him with a quilt tucked between her arms. He grabbed the grunted at the weight and followed her to the car. hadnt thought to nurse the baby before we began ... I hope he Beth said before taking a "I bite of sandwich. Me too," John agreed, glancing at the infant, head nodding against the padding ofhis car seat while he drove. His eyes went from baby to sky line, the latest forecast main- tained partly cloudy conditions ... correct, yet as they entered the "We could head out first thing tomorrow, your folks will under- stand. Look, this snow has gone from bad to worse and I haven't seen anyone else on the road for 20 minutes. Young and easily disappointed, Beth became emotional and looked away. "I don't know, maybe we're through the worst of it, the plows will be out with sand and salt It's the babys first Christmas. John went to speak, thought better of it and drove on. Beth, warming with her victory, quieted the still squirming baby, all the while praying that the storm would lessen. The car crept forward, John strained to judge the edge of the road, familiar landmarks now cov- ered in white confused his sense of bearing. The wind had stiffened, blowing drifts across the road. He felt enormous strain, that soon in- filtrated the tiny car. Beth, realiz- ing her error, kept silent All at once lights peering through the swirling mass emerged, John tensed as a massive truck rushed past. The confusion of lights, move- ment and the blinding white caused the tiny Escort to swerve away, and careen off of the mountain high- way. John and Beth were feeling for each other, questioning, "Are you alright? The cars mad flight had stopped suddenly, striking an ob- ject unseen from the drivers win- dow. The baby wailed. Beth bent over her seat loosening his buckles and pulled him near her. John left the car, whose head- light beams shown at an odd angle across the white field. After anx- ious moments he clambered in, dropped the flashlight between the seats and uttered, "We hit a fence post, it broke the grill and radiator. We cant get out. "We can stay here, cant we?" Beths voice rose with each word, "No. Well freeze, no radiator, no mouth of the canyon tiny wispy flakes were falling. Beth noted the concern that wrinkled his brow. "Probably just a flurry, look theyre not sticking, she announced. "Dig out a sandwich for me, will John responded. Worry was swept away by Beths cheerful conversation as the Ford Escortwhined up the steep grades, taking them from their home. The snow flurries blowing about seemed harmless enough inside the cars snug interior. The low murmur of the stereo broke in static sequences, finally becoming annoying to Beth who rummaging through the glove compartment for a cassette heat "Oh... John! tape. When her choice was made I'm going up on the highway, she pushed it into the slot and her and when I see headlights I can flag eyes again met the road. Her breath caught. Tikes!" she someone down. exclaimed at the swirling white- Beth, cold even though wrapped ness that encircled the ear. John in the heavy quilt with the baby in nodded. her arms, cried silently, acknowl- "How much farther to Soldier edging the terrible fear that shook her. John had left the car, now Summit? Beth asked. I dont know, about 10 miles, covered several inches in white over an hour ago. Beth attempted to roll he answered. They drove on, music playing, down her window and call him, but the couple silent. The beauty of the the snow fell over her, and the wind heavy snow was individually com- - carried away her cries. At the moment she determined prehended but not spoken, so too to lay the baby down and go for him noted, was its danger. John, always quiet, remained John pulled the car door open. so. Beth, Boon weaiy of the gravity "Flip on the lights Beth. Were that had fallen with the snow, going to freeze to death if we dont melted from her temporary freeze, get out of here! "John, can you see the road? Numbly she pulled the head- Slow down and turn on your lights, light control. John opened his coat its getting dark. Her abrupt com- - and Beth laid the baby against his ment woke the baby who let out a breast Hardly more than a whis- cry. John, teasing her for bossing per she asked, "Where can we go? "There, up there, can you see him, responded nonetheless. While Beth fussed to quiet her that shed, about 60 yards from here? small son, John finally brought We can have shelter, and I can pull forth the question already an- - some old wood off and start a fire. swered in his own mind, "Think we in Beth nodded should turn back? acknowledgement, but she couldnt Beth stiffened, attentive eyes see anything in the billowing white, "I dont know, Fm not a Together wrapped in the quilt, J ohn of such situations, clutching the baby and the contain- very goodjudge er-o- f do you?" ' water Beth had filled to go with their sandwiches, they set out Tep. "Oh." pushing through the knee deep Receiving Center Bike Sale a bike! Hie Duchesne County Receiving Center with assistance from Boy Scout Troop 751 are having a bike sale Saturday, Dec. 28 from noon - 3 p.m. at the Receiving Center located in the old library at the corner of State and Lagoon Streets in Roosevelt. The unclaimed bicycles were donated by the Roosevelt City Police Depart- snow. "We'll follow the beam from our headlights, John assured her. The walk took longer than either anticipated. Shivering, John's unfeeling hands tried to work the rusted latch holding the door. Beth took her hand from her pocket and pulled it away. They stumbled side, then froze at the sounds with in. Beth waved the flashlight wildly around her. It revealed make- shift pens, where wooly heads bobbed, and glowing eyes shown. The frigid air held the smell of hay, animals and manure, and rotting wood, "We've got company, John whispered, "I think we are the company, Beth answered. They shuffled around on chilled limbs, survey-suitcas- e, ing their surroundings. Two pens held a total of five sheep and a young cow. Chickens clucked from the corners. John called out, notic-keep- s, ing long weathered wood slabs stacked against the wall, obvious- ly the material the pens were built from. Hay confiscated from tight bails and spread out on the shed floor made their bed. Attempts to light a fire filled the dwelling with smoke before it took, escaping through the cracks and door left slightly ajar. Beths prayer had changed as she watched John tend the flames, Lying with her tiny babe now fed, freshly diapered and snug she looked gratefully about in the dark-you- ? ness, at the stout poles holding together blessed walls and roof, at the curious animals poking their heads over uneven boards. She thought of her stubborn desire to forge ahead in the storm, that surely God would take away, Shamefully she realized that all could have been lost, and her par- ents, now anxious, would be phon ing for help, a Christmas Eve ined. Or was it? For there in a quiet worn shack, tucked away from the world, from jingle bells and tinsel, she stroked her sleeping babe whos eyelids flicked in dreaming, The thought ofanother stable long ago, and the infant who's coming changed the world came to her mind. Who was this tiny one asleep on the hay, who would he grow to be? She wondered. What sort of moth- er would he need? Her small frame quivered with the thought, was she enough? Beths eyes went to John, his face illuminated in fires glow. Oh that he would be kind, as her John -- and strong and sure like he. Just then he turned his gaze to Beths, his slow smile unfolding. While he stirred the flames, his thoughti mirrored his young wifes, A close call . He should have turned back, he knew the danger. This infant, so vulnerable. Beth too, they were in his hands. Would he be able to protect them, care for them? As the boy grew he would teach him to throw a ball, to ride a bike, how to manage the school yard bully. John knew the value esty, of work, of respect, these things he would teach, Beth's head lay across her arm, her eyes closed now sleeping along Continued on page 18 ld -- ru-beg- ofhon-wideae- Brazilian In Duchesne Exchange student enjoys a "Wight" Christmas By Dixit R. Brown When Sofia Filipows cousin returned to Brazil after a year as a foreign exchange student, she told Sofia to go, it would be wonderful After four months in Duchesne, Sofia agrees with her cousin and acknowledges that she would do it all over again. Sofia, a native of Recife, a city of over one million people located in Northern Brazil is staying with Sue Wight and her family. will According to Sofia, her biggest Christmas Experiencing adjustments have been living in Single Adult Activity Denver wins recipe contest Hie Uintah Basin Standard wishes to congratulate Linda Denver, of Roosevelt as the grand prize winner of the Tractions Recipe Contest! Lindas recipe, promenaded to .the calls features both original or light versions and our judges found in creamy, tangy and delicious. Linda won a three year subscription to the Uintah Basin Standard a $25 gift certificate to IGA and a $25 to STEWARTS. Linda, we hope youll be stirring up wonderful dishes for years yet to come! Celebrate the new year with the Single Adults Tuesday, Dec. 31 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Naples Ward building. East Hwy. 40 in Vernal. Eryoy a New Years Eve dinner, dancing and a midnight snack. Dress casual. Attn. Veterans, Dependents & Widows from the American Legion will be in the Roosevelt Job Service Tuesday, Jan. 7 from 1:30 - 3 p.m. to assist you in understanding and applying for VA benefits. Hie Service Officer History Center Closes For Holidays The Roosevelt Family History Center will be closed until Wednesday, Jan. 1 for Christinas vacation. Myton Firemans Ball Myton Volunteer fire department presents the first annual Firemans Ball to be held at the Myton Legion Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. Live band and refreshments. All proceeds will go to the Myton Volunteer Fire Department. Winning Recipe Yummy . Praam Cake - Linda Denver 1 Betty Crocker Sour 1 12 oz. Cool Whip Cream white cake mix (add whole egg) 2 lg. pkg. instant vanilla pudding 2 8 oz. cream cheese, (room temp.) 4 cans crushed pineapple, drained 4 cups milk Make cake as directed on box, bake at 350 for 12 to 15 min. or until done - dont over bake. Bake in cookie sheet pan, cool. Mix cream cheese then add milk, whip until smooth. Spread on top of cake, put pineapple on top of pudding then top with Cool Whip. Add nuts or coconut on top. Refrigerate for one - two hours before serving. Better the second day. Can be made two to three days ahead. Keep well Will serve 24-3covered in refrigeratin'. 0. Dream Cake Lite - Linda Denver Sour Cream white cake mix (use egg substitute) or fat free cool whip lg. pkg. instant vanilla sugar free pudding 8 oz. Lite cream cheese (room temp.) cans crushed pineapple (drained) cups skim milk 1 Betty Crocker 1 12 oz. box lite 2 2 2 4 This variation cuts fat in half. Use same preparation directions as other Dream Cake. be white. her first CHRISTMAS DANCE-T- he Roosevelt Wolverine square dancers were treated to a Christmas dance last Thursday. Six squares of dancers filled the Roosevelt Middle School lunchroom as 4th, 5th an j 6th graders Senior Citizens New Years Celebration Come help usher in the new year! Hie Senior Citizens are holding a New Years Eve dance on Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 8:30 p.m. at the Roosevelt Center. Breakfast will be served. There is a fee. such a rural area and that "people talk too fast for her to understand. This is the first Christmas that Sofia has spent away from her family and she says that she is mare than a little homesick. "I call home once a month and that helps. Ill call my mother next week and wish her a Merry Christmas." A Brazilian Christmas is not much different than an American holiday, except hopefully this snowstorm has been one of her most memorable experiences thus far. According to Sofia, the Wights took her skiing last week at Park City and even though she was "bad" on the slopes, she hopes to go again soon. Hosting an exchange student is an experience for the Wight family as well. According to Linzic Wight, it gets better with lime. "Its mostly the learning to understand and communicate with each other. The only advice she offers to families who are considering hosting a student is to get to know as much as you can about your student before they arrive. d, Looking for ment THE CHILDREN WERE NESTLED ALL SNUG IN THEIR BEDS -- East Elementary kindergarten students performed Christmas songs for residents and staff at Stewart's Cedar Crest Care Center. of renown square-danc- e caller Fred Brown. Christmas to be merry because of folks who care Hu best of Santas helpers, donations by the community, and efforts of volunteers and parents have worked together under the Community Christinas Coalition to once again make a miracle of love and sacrifice that will bring smiles and hope to the many less fortunate children of the Uintah Basin. Since early November Coalition volunteers have been in full swing; organizing, fund raising, refurbishing, making toys and crafts, all for those would not have much of a Christinas without a little assistance. The Coalition sponsored a bake sale, and a raffle to stimulate last minute fluids. Approximately $400 was raised during the bake sale held in the parking lot of Roosevelt Variety. Hie raffle for a Victorian doll house, quilt, decorative video storage unit and Tonka Truck generated about $800. Kristy Steinmetz, Coalition coordinator and director of the Duchesne County Fbod Pantry said that even as the last hours ticked away to the December 19 deadline, gifts and cash donations continued to come in. Lata last week the coalition kindness and charity of many in the community. One of the fund rawing aetivitiee conducted by Coalition volunteers wot the tale of tickets for a chance to win several donated items. Winners of that drawing wen: Charlotte Zufelt, who won the doll house; Kathy Smith won the quilt; Tammy Ferguson will receive the bird house! video case holder; and the Tonka truck goes to Nancy Gilbert. Christmas Day Christmas is the sweetest day of the year, for the reason that it is in its proper observance utterly unselfish, and because it is the golden link of time that serves to link heaven and earth in a closer understanding. Christmas Observance The observance of Christmas It began about the Fourth century. in became a general custom only the Thirteenth century. was lacking approximately $1,000 towards their goal, but Steinmetz, Christmas Carols said die was very hopeful the Singing money would coma in. this week Christmas carolds were sung as the Christmas Coalition will deliver boxes to the families of 298 far back as 1521 and were said to children in Duchesne and west be the songs sung by angels at the Uintah Cuuntiea, thanks to the brith of Christ |