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Show Mav 5. i 1998- - Pace 13 Uintah Basin Standard Basin Life In Roosevelt Since 1938 Bob Sather retires after years in business 60-pl- us By Aldon Rachete Bob Sather, who will loon tum ia winding down hie yean u ajeweler end watch repairer at Bather's Jewelry in 60-pl- Roosevelt. He is retiring so he can spend more time with his wife Bonnie and family members. Sather is the longest continous business owner in Roosevelt and the entire Uintah Basin. I just got tired. I have a good business. My wife Bonnie and I have worked long enough. Fm going to miss all my customers," said Bob, who started working at his father, S.L. Bathers jewelry store in Vernal in 1932, which was located across from the old post office. Bob moved to Roosevelt and opened a Sadler's Jewelry near the old Roosevelt Hotel on October 25, 1938. He eventually moved to his present location at the corner of Main and Lagoon Streets in 1951 and later enlarged the store. Bobs reason for moving to Roosevelt was: My dad didnt want me in Vernal. He wanted me to get my own place. When I first came to Roosevelt I rented an old shoe shop, and put a partition down the center." Bathers family has always been in the jewelry business. Bob is orginally from Grand Rapids, Minnesota. He was graduated from a high school in Craig, Colorado, and then attended Bradley Tech in Peoria, Illinois. His wife, Bonnie is a Roosevelt High School graduate. The two were married in 1940. Soon after the couple was married, Bob went into the service during World War II. He served with the U.S. Navy in the Guam area. He said, "I taught my wife, Bonnie the jewelry business in three days. I cut her diamond ring in pieces and told her to fix it She put it back together and polished it." Bonnie added, "I ran the store and had a new baby. I havent been out of the store since. We would like to make some tripe together (Bob traveled over the years on trips to Sather businesees in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and California) and visit our home in California." The Vernal Sather Jewelry store was operated by Bonnie for 12 years. She drove every day back and forth from their home in Roosevelt, and also built the display cases. "She was good cheap help, commented Bob. My wife hired me back when I returned from my military service." Their sons, Bobby and Randy have helped out with the business over the years plus other employees. Over the years, the Sathers have sold diamonds, watches, glassware, china, silver, school rings, etc. Alterra, Roosevelt, Union, Duchesne, Altamont, Tabiona High School students purchased rings. "One year we sold six rings to Tabiona students. At first they sold for (11 for men and $8 for ladies. Now they go from 890 to (200 per ring, he said. Bob has been in the jewelry business for 66 years. He recalled repairing Queen AnnBassett'sclock. She operated a ranch in Browns Hole (eastern corner of Utah-ne- ar Manila). She was considered the best cowhand in the wild area, and knew Wild Bunch outlaws, Butch Cassidy and Elza Lay. She died in May 1956. "I was worried that if the clock wasnt working right she would have shot me. She never picked up her clock up because she died. I had her clock for several years, and then I took it to the dump. I should have held on to it." Repairing an English watch was Bather's toughest repair job since it operated on chain drive similar to one on a bicycle. "I havent see one in 50 years. I worked on it off and on for two weeks and finally repaired it I used to advertise I would pay (100 if I couldnt repair a watch. Ive never had to pay up, Bob said. When Bob first opened his business in 1938 it rained in Roosevelt. The day Main Street turned into mud and cars couldn't pull away from the curb, but he experienced better days over the next 60 years at his Roosevelt locations. Sathers were also the first to build home, which included a small pool, on what is known as the Hill, which is now located near the Rooeevelt golf course. They named streets after different members of the family and live on Bonnie Cir- left and Bob Sather, right, will be retiring soon from Sathcrs LONGTIME BUSINESS PERSON-Bonn- ie, Jewelry. Bob has been involved in the jewelry business in Roosevelt since 1938. He started working at his dads store in Vernal in 1932. cle. Driver Education Course Defensive Driving Course. The Utah Safety Council is offering a four-hoThe class will be held on Saturday May 16 from 8 a.m. til noon, at Job Service. This class is for those over age 24 only . The next class for those ages 1 6 - 24 will be held in July . To register , or for additional information, please 0 contact the Utah Safety Council at ext 305 or ext 306. ur 262-540- Aging Open House Citizens in Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah counties are invited to an Open House hosted by the State Board on Aging and Adult Services, on Tuesday , May 19, from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Crossroads Senior Center. The Board would like to hear from you concemingyour needs in the areas of: income, housing, health care, legal needs, respect for elders, transportation, and other ideas. Political Discussion Series The Duchesne County Library Staff is pleased to announce "Choices 98: A Political Discussion Series. Representative Beverly Evans will be the presenter. All programs begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 7 will be a discussion about the Middle East For more information contact a member of the library staff at "It was a bunch of sage brush out there. I had to cut in a road and move 1400 yards of dirt. There was a gulch right in front of the house," he said. Later the Millers, Shields and Harms tons built homes. Bather's Jewelry plans to stay open a few days a week through Mother's Day, and then Bob and Bonnie will go from making sure the time is right on watches to spending more time together at home and . CORNER LOCATION-Sath-ers Jewelry has been located at the same comer since 1951. The business was away on trips. originally located near the old Roosevelt Hotel in the 1930s. Note the old style cars in the background. Stretching abilities, thats what happens in Special Olympics By Cheryl Mecham "Let me win, but if I cant win let me be brave in the attempt, - motto of Special Olympics 722-444- 1. Neola Rodeo Queen Contest The Neola Rodeo Queen contest will be May 30. The age divisions are Queen: 16 years and over. Princess: 10-1- 5 years. Jr. Princess: 9 years and under. Contestants must by May 20, 1998. Contact Robin 4 for more information. Bastian at pre-regist- er 353-433- American Legion American Legion Post 64 will have their regular meeting on Wednesday, May 6 at 8 p.m. The grandstand announcer called out the names of the athletes, a whistle blows and strong legs spring forward, pushing toward the finish line with all their might ... this is the stuff the Special Olympics are made of, an event held last week at Uintah High School in Vernal, that stretches abilities and smiles. The Northeastern Area Special Olympics track and field competition was attended by 65 athletes, over 60 volunteers and a couple' hundred spectators, family and friends, cheering from the bleachers. Children and adults with more "abilities then disabilities, participated in track and field events including relays, runs, sprints, soft-ba- ll and tennis throws, soccer skills, and the standing long jump. The athletes did not compete in age groups, or with classmates, they were matched against opponents by scores collected during preliminary trials. Ribbons were awarded for placement, accompanied by applause and pats on the back. While there is an air of festivity, during the event the competition is taken seriously, said Con Amore teacher Shelly Winn. Scores are tallied and sent as a Single Adult Activity There will be a single Adult activity on F riday, May 8 at 7 p.m. at the East Stake Center. Bring a pot luck dish, meat and rolls furnished. Live entertainment. record for consideration to compete in the state event. This level of competition is highly competitive, as only six athletes may represent Utah at the international competition which is held every three years, explained organizers of the Northeastern event. Max and Sarah Young of Verna. The Youngs reported that in the past local athletes have gone on to take State and compete internationally. "The Special Olympics is mostly about families, friends, and teachers who are here to support their athletes," Max Young commented, adding pointing to the bleachers. Young admits that without the support of all of the volunteers and sponsors the Special Olympics would be a dream, and nothing more. "There are timekeepers, recorders, announcers, cooks, cheerlead ers, and the sponsors, Burger King, and Davis IGA," Young said. Preparing for the Special Olympics is as important as competing, and can go on year round. Some of the schools use their physical cd time to assist in training. Others have community coaches and peer tutors, who provide the athlete with the opportunity to build social integration with volunteer coaches and peer tutors, Sarah Young reported. Athletes who want to participate in differing sports may compete in the fall or winter games. Basketball, swimming, power lifting, and gymnastics make up events for the fall games, and skiing, ice skating, and bowling are part of the winter competition. This years Special Olympics was attended by Michael Green, program director for Utah Special Olympics. Special presentations were made during opening ceremonies to the following: Valorie Tanner, Athlete of the Year; Kathryn Walker, Coach of the Year; Susan Pease, Volunteer of the Year; Morgan Family, Family of the Year; Current Topic Club, Sponsor of the Year. Area Quilters Area Quilters will meet Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 a.m. at the Moon Lake Building. We will be working on Mystery quilts 2 & 3. For more information call 722-287- 6. Womens Aglow International Womens Aglow International ofVernal will meet Thursday, May 7, 6:30 p.m. at the Vernal City Administration Offices, Conference Room, 447 East Main, Vernal, UT. Pot Luck Fellowship Dinner. Featured speakers. Melanie Teresa For more information call: Pat 789-732- 6; 789-651- 789-376- 9. . Treasures from the Uintas The Utah Field House of Natural History will present a free evening, lecture. The Uinta Fremont, on Tuesday, May 5, at 7 p.m. Guest speaker Archaeologist Byron Loosley with a slide presentation. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information call 789-379- 9. Utah Humanities Council Utah Humanities Council would like to invite representatives of Uintah County schools, museums, historical and cultural organizations, libraries, churches, and the USU Branch campus have all been invited to attend and participate and learn how you can benefit from UHC grants, programs, and resources . They will hold a meeting at the Vernal Public Library, Thursday, May 7 from 9 p.m. 7-- Fiddle Fair Coming The Basin West 2000 Fine Arts Council is excited to announce the plans for the Basin Fiddle Fair coming this September at the Constitution Park. Any person or groups wishing for an opportunity to perform, on stage and for more information. participate can contact Rachel Wheeler at 722-862- 7, I COPY LINE UP AND KICKI-Jose- ph Scovell, a Roosevelt Junior High Con Amore student kicks a soccer ball into the net as part of the soccer skills portion of the Special Olympics held last week. Joseph took first place in running the 1 00 meter sprint and third place in the 25 meter sprint when this picture was taken. BALLOON VOLUNTEER-Teren- ce Mcmickell ties a balloon at the Olympic Village as part of his volunteer efforts at the Special Olympics held last week at Uintah High School. Over 60 volunteers supported the effort. |