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Show SB8BBBMHW 1 September 28. 199)- - Tagg n ll Basin LIFE Uintah Basin Standard Remember When Old one-scree- movie theatres n are part local art and history By Cheryl Meehan Many ofthe grand old movie theatre in America have rolled up their rad carpets and locked their doors, but here in the Uintah Basin two such antique theaters continue to host movie entertainment. When the Uinta Theatre in Roosevelt opened in 1925 it was called the Utopia Theatre and showed silent movies to the accompaniment oflive piano music. Seats were 5 cents a piece. The screen was framed in heavy velvet curtains standing before rows of ornamental eating. After "talkies came out the Utopia played a new movie every weekend. People flocked to Roosevelt to see Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger evenings and Captain America during the Saturday matinee. Harold Harmston owned the Utopia Theatre in the early days. In the summer of 1946 the theatre waa closed for remodeling. Harmston removed old seating for more modern. Walls were repainted, new carpeting laid. Newspaper adds teased the public to watch for the time, name and i data of the grand opening. Finally, it waa announced, the theatre would open under the new name Umta on Feb. 21, 1947. Ticket prices were 40 eepta for adults, 20 cents for children. In 1954 Leland and LaRue Stevenson purchased the Uinta Theatre and Roosevelt Theatre (built in 1942) from Harmston. The Stevensona had experience in the theatre business, they had constructed and opened the Altamont Theatre four years before, made enough money to clear the debt and were looking for a new investment. They purchased new projection equipment for the Uinta Theatre and after a time the Stevensona also took a parcel of property they owned on the west end of Roosevelt and built the Echo Drive-in- . The advent of television slowed e business somewhat, however, LaRue said her husband's business philosophy waa. "Even if youre selling 10 percent in tickets, if you ever dose you'll loose all your business." LaRue sold tickets at the Roosevelt Theatre and Leland found a couple in December of 1977 who he could trust to manage the Uinta Theatre. Larry Zufelt and his wife box-offic- Charlotte. 9 o PART OF THE PAST-T- hc Uinta Theatre has been standing in downtown Roosevelt since 1925. Before talkies came out the theatre played silent flints by the accompaniment of piano music. Volleyball Signups Limited spaces left for the Women's B League Volleyball, sign-u- p deadline isThurs..Sept. 30. Captains meetingbefore starting. Sponsor foe to bepaid 2 no later than Captains meeting. Call Melody at or 722-459- 722-349- Transportation Open Houses series ofTraivponaUon Oppn Houses throughout the state during SepC and Oct. which will focus on Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah counties and will be he Id Thursday, Sept. 30 at Vernal City Council Chamber, 447 East Main, Vernal, 6. 30-- 0 p m. Please call Wayne Jager at (801) 9654185 for more information. UDOT will present Family Support Open House Open house for the Family Support Center, behind Chicken Time, will be held Wed., Sept. 29 from 9 a m. 4 pm Many prises and refreshments. Drawing at 10 a.KL, 12 p m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Working people nre encouraged to come during their lunch. American Heart CPR Class American Heart Association CPR Class will be held Tuesday, Ort. 5 from 6- 10p.m. at the Technology Center, Lagoon Sfo. Roosevelt, Recertification for instructors only! Seating is limited! All American Heart Assoc, instructor cards issued by the UBMC will be raid after Oct. 5 unless you attend Ext. 156. this recertification class. Call today! 722-469- 1 Single Adults 31 and Over Friday, Oct. 1, Pius. Pool, Arcade at Pin. 831 W. Main, VernaL Pius and drinks provided. Air Hockey and Pool are S 1. Farm Bureau Policy Meeting The Duchesne County Farm Bureau announces its Policy Development meetings on Thursday Sept. 30 at 7 .30 p.m. at the following locations: Altamont Area: Home of Wayne Miles. Duchesne Area: Home Roosevelt Area: Moon Lake Building. Keith ofJohn Swasry, Tabiona Area: I !ome of Jessup V an TasseO, Jensen, 3 Call Wayne Miles, to express concerns. 454-399- 735-562- 9, 722-314- 045-544- 454-399- St. Helen's Annual Yard Sale St. Helens Catholic Church will hold their annual yard and bake sale on Sat., Oct. 2 from 9 a m. 2 p.m. in Parish Hall, located next to the church at 433 E. 200 N. Juried Photography Show Uintah Arts Council announces its 4lh Annual Outlaw Trail Festival ofthe Aria Juried Photography Show, Expression ofLife." on Ort. 1 -- 29 at the Western Heritage Museum in VernaL Anyone amateur or professional is encouraged to enter. Entries must be submitted by Thun, Sept 30 from 5 p.m. to the Western Heritage Museum, atto: Jannalw Kinsrr, 2 350 E 200 S. Vernal UT 54078, or call Jannalee (435) or Chris at (435) 789-536- - 1-- 789-734- Ballard Town Meeting Ballard Town and Ballard Water & Sewer Improvement District will examine the pros and cons of merging the two entities together and will listen to and consider input from the public at a meeting on Tura., Oct. 5. at 7 p.m. at the Ballard Town building. Attention All Veterans The Service Officer from the American Legion, SLC will be in our area. Tues.,Oct. 5 from 1.30 3 p.m. at the Roosevelt Employment Center to help applicants understand and apply for VA benrfits. Please bring the following documents: DO Form 214, marriage divorce papers, birth adoption death certificates, childrens SS number. Mental Health Conference present their annual Mental Health Conference, Tues.Ort. NAMl-UTA- 5, 9 a m. 8 pm., Mariott Hotel in Provu for families, mental health -- consumers, and mental health professionals. For more information call 0 or tell free. (877) 230-626(801) 323-990- 4 "Larry managed the Uinta for 22 years LaRue said. In 1978 Leland underwent open heart surgery. The operation impelled the Stevenson's to sell the theatres and dnve-iJohn and Rene Chasel bought the theatres. The Zufrlts continued to managed them. Chasel eventually tore down the old Roosevelt Theatre and built the Roosevelt Twin Theatre. He went to work on the Uinta Theatre as well closing it as it had before for renovation. A new heating system was installed, new projection equipment and wall coverings were brought in, new carpet laid. He kept the old fixtures, and the original design ofthe theatre. Even some gold drapes that would drape the screen, we had them cleaned and they stayed together, that i the kind of quality they had back then. They are at the edge of the (screen) frame and at the exit door Charlotte Zufelt said. In June of 1999 Chasel sold the to .. Kenrin . theatres and drive-i- n and Cathy Johansen o (Ballard, Richard and Wilma Snow of Kaysville and Charlotte Zufelt of Roosevelt. From talkies to the technology of digital movie making and a succession of buyers it's nice to know that the Uinta Theatre will remain steadfast in the beans and memories of generations of local movie-goen. light-weig- r. The Vernal Theatre was built by brothers, Alson and Deward Shiner. It opened March 29. 1946 to lively competition with the Main and Vogue Theatres already in operation. It was billed to haw oceans of room, with seating for 530. The theatre's grand opening featured Hollywood's latest hit Ko Time for Love. starring Fred MacM array and Claudette Colbert. The first night was sold out, as well as subsequent weekends. "It was almost always a full house says Sandra Davis. Deward'sdaugh-te- r who sold candy to the crowds. The Vernal Theatre wss named by Lets Jorgensen in a contest held that spring, Lela's entry won out of 200 submissions, she won 025 in cash. Originally the building was decorated in rich reds and golds. With luxurious velvet draperies, arched doorways, plush seats, and colored light. Hollywood glamour waa reflected in theatres of the day and the Vernal Theatre waa perfection for a night at the movies -- for 40 cents a ticket. 20 cents for children. The theatre hosted lyceums, an event where the audience would be shown a short picture presentation, usually brought in by the presenter, who would then speak and answer questions. Sandra remembers a nature en-- 1 thusiast coming to the theatre who presented the lyveum to school children. Cartoons were shown as morie preview. There were also magicians who would come and perforin in front of the stage, and every Christmas season Santa Claus would eome before a show and greet the children. Sandra sold candy and her brother Bryce ran the projectors, which were then i arbon sirk and ran short reels that needed to be changed every 20 minutes. Ushers would take ticket and lead guests to seals Deward was always on scene. Sandra said. 1 know my dad absolutely love it. He would be here every night. People would come in and stand and visit with him instead of going to the movies sometimes. As welt Deward had a following, Sandra revealed. A group of teenage boya who hung around her dad. Perhaps it "kept them out oftrouble, she said, adding, "he was good to them." Sandra says much of today's theatre is original. Two of the heavy glass doors in front with frosted designs are the same, while two are replicas. As the years passed color schemes were changed when the carpeting wore out. It was red and gold, then hunters green, then blue, then orange. Ownership changed as welL Deward bought out his brother Alsoo's share ofthe theatre. A new generation found the beautiful plush seats uncomfortable and seats lacking in leg roam. with mare spacing between were Wtr HISTORICAL SITE "No Time For Ln e." barring 1 icd M M.it Claudette Colbcn wav the first min k show n at the Verna! Theatre n thru grand opening Marsh 29. 1946. r I r f Kjt'Vfc i )s brought in, eventually the none screen was replaced. The original ticket booth was removed and a new one created to the aide ofthe build-i- n In the mid 1950'a Deward sanded business, buying the Star-Drivo-in- . Another contest was the Sunset held, it was I , --- b '-- . i I ; , 1 'Mf4 Q ' v e-- ,- ftiV-.j- r Vw r-- v B . ?. , J . in4 f V- - 4 Drive-In- . Unfortunately the dnve-i- n waa destroyed in a devastating fire, but Deward had it rebuilt and continued on. In December 1979 tragedy struck the Shiners. Deward was killed in a car accident. Sandra and her first husband Robert Retgan were helping to manage it at the time. Shortly there after her mother Ella sold the Vernal Theatre and the Sunset Drive-I- n to the Reigans and Ssndra's brothers Brent and Bryce Shiner. They incorporated at the same time. Three years ago the Vernal Theatre underwent yet another renovation. The restrooms were updated. STILL POFPLNG-T- he vjvora pppa at the Vcnul Theatre i cii! popping corn while owner Sandra Dasiv who ha worked at tl-- c ibeaire since the was twelve it at the Aw even night taking ukc: new tile and carpeting were added. Today Sandra takes tickets at the front door and movies are shown by a high-tecplatter system Today's audiences are a little different too. We have less families, unless they're here on vacation. Parents drop the kid offfor baby sitting We have a lot of single fathers who bring their kid on weekend. Then there's ahray teenagers on dates, that's never changed." Sandra divulged. Sandra manages the Verna! The h ater while her brother Srer.t run the Tn Cinema or. the rK si of town Under the Shiner bought th Tn Cim m :'ira Krntlambm 194 Thsf.;l fourth screen and aud.hinum h. I.i r.g 2 VJ seats w ill be added to the bu:i J.nj Next spring. Sandra y a f.ftn screen sod audit nuiii xr.b the same staling rapacity t?-.- "Single creer.s are a thing ofthe tr.ul at r Coni' nued on pa 20 past." Sandra mis. and his heavy muscled draft horses pull off state championship Small-tow- n Will tn Gines, won state champ rears pat. Tal says r hunses Tai's fo ci.ir.i r..tt i Tom too and Bud aic a rally herd of 6 f the beefy hnvj, w!i r-muscle that cleared fields Sear fogs and moved mountains Tutu Today competition w and Bud pulled ngaint h-- tu-ro- By Cheryl Meehan d Tom and Bud, a couple of draft horses ow ned by Tal Fabrixio, have just returned home as lightweight champions of the Rocky Mountain Intermountain Hone Pull but they're not bragging, just flicking their tails at flies and eating meadow grass in their Duchesne pasture. To earn the chain ptoeship, Bud and Tom pulled a total of 12,500 pounda, which amounts to 4 ton. Both horse are Bay Shire raised by Tal. They stand about 15 hands tall and weigh in at around 3.000 pound. Both geldings are the offspring of his Uncle Dale Ginee's mare from Tabiona. Tal. a lineman for Uintah Basin Telephone Association, has followed the Rocky Mountain Horae rulla circuit throughout Utah. Wyoming and Idaho. Each competition began with a flat sleigh loaded at 1,000 pounds. The horses are required to pull the load 20 fret within the pulling son. The driver urea a verbal "Its! (whips are not allowed) to pur the team on and keep them moving. As they lunge forward the driver must also keep them on a straight course. If on hoof crossce over the team is automatically disqualified. When a team successfully compulL another 1,000 pletes the pound is added and another 20 fret must be spanned The routine continue. as the weaker teams give in and give, up one after the ocher, until only two teams remain. With separate but matching burdens the horses strain forward, and the team traveling farthest wins the match Championships are won within fret of the second place winner. TaTs wife, Debbie, and their four children travel with Tat and watch from the stand as their beloved heavy-muscle- - horses compel. Tal says the secret to success is in horses with a win to work horse who have been trained to believe they can pull anywell-cared-f- thing. - ou have to build their confiTal said and divulged his training method in accomplishing thi. The horse are required to pull Steel stone boat eva 1.500-poun- d ery day wr two or three hours. The dence horeesworkui 100-folengths with time to rest in between difficult for Training and Bud. but doe require a "can do attitude, which they both havr This is Tom's third year in hone pulls end Bud' t first, though Tal has been driving draft teams in competition since the early HO He come by his fascination for horse pulls honestly both his grandfather. Shake Gines. ot int T-x- n .: ctwKt teams impert- - d from the t and raised by the Anush. Ta; remarked Wh.le ( nde and the U nrv of championship t certainly at stake, the price itself for winning remain the same a t has f r ure. a blue nhtvn. a i Mr te': buskle and a few hundred dJ.lare in cie-- Just enough to keep T al heft v st V ictes in gram for a tew mirths 20-fo- mum-- . . , x V r-- w VK, " v VNJ adLwi raiwriiiam wwar.TM CHAMPIONSHIP Fabrirw darts off his mighty draft horses Tom anJ Bod wsh a during a horse pull at the Liberty County l air, part of the intcrmouruam horse fO circuit. iri'y I!" 4 |