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Show page 13 - August 8, 2000 Basin LIFE Uintah Basin Standard LIVELY SENIORS SHARE MEMORIES 400 Roosevelt High 1928-5- 1 graduates return to renew old acquaintances By Lexlee E. Whiting graduates and high school sweethearts. They were surprised that more men than women are left from their Florida to attend her high school reunion over the class, it's typically the other way weekend. Toots, by the way, just turned 90. around. The Drollinger family had ten members attend the reunion. They Rooaevelt was six years ago, but then their own telephone company. "He told me I would get a tele- filled an entire table at the Crossroads it was just for few minutes. Her nickname was given to her by an uncle phone over his dead body." Well, no- Center themselves. Rhea Benson Lambert, formerly of and it stuck. She declines to give you body had to die, but bringing teleher real name, just explains that phone service out this wy wasn't an loka, now of Brigham City, was one of Toots is the only name!her friends easy job. Floyd says it is gratifying to the class of 1945 graduates who atsee the way the rural telephone com- tended the reunion. Rhea has a twin know her by. sister, Ruth, whodidnt make the trip Toots is spunky and spry for her pany has grown. They didn't want to serve us, and from her home in Mesa, Arisons. Rhea age. When she tells you she doesn't want her picture taken, but will send now Uintah Basin Telephone is going spent a good deal of the reunion anto buy their (former US West ) service swering questions about Ruth, she you one of when she was younger, related. don't area, he smiled. argue. you It was Rhea and Ruths dad, Melvin She recalls the time in high school Floyd started his career in Med Benson who wrote the song I that die decided to start a trend, and cut her hair offflike a boy. Defi- Ranch. He eventually bought one of Found You in Uintah. The tune was those ranches. He's lived in San Di- a favorite at the time, hied had the nitely a bold move in the Her friends didn't say a thing, and ego, Calif, for 27 years and owns seven song - which he wrote for his wife -published. The group of Roosevelt High grads assembled Saturday sang the song. With a twinkle in her eye, Rhea recalled her most enduring memory of high school - having much of the senior class expelled for going on a senior sneak to the Vernal Seminary of all places. That was about the only time I sloughed schooL The Senior Sneak was outlawed, it was during the war and there was rationing so they canceled it, but the next day we just didn't show up." Rhea's husband, Johnny Lambert, who grew upin Roosevelt, passedawqy 12 yean ago. Rhea keeps very busy and stays young by serving as a Den leader for the Bear Scouts in her LDS SEE REUNION on page 18 Toots" Eldredge Hitman traveled all the way from The Crossroads Center conference room ia decorated with page from page from me guinea and newspa-pe- n recalling newe evenla from the 1920a to the 1950a. There are newa briefa and picturea of Bing Crosby, "the Crooner; General Douglu McArthur, Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt, glaaaee, Fred Aataire and Ginger Rogers, drive-i- n diners, and Harry S. Truman. Voicea join in aonga they loved youth, Homeon the Range, "Springtime in the Rockiea, God Bless America, and Long, LongTraiL They are reuniting from Florida, Montana, Texas, California, Washington. From throughout Utah, and close as Vernal, Myton, Altamont and loka. They went to school together at red brick build- Rooaevelt High-t- he 3-- D u u mid-1920- s. THE BONE DOCTOR Dr. Mark Mason, now on staff at the Uintah Basin Medical Center, has had plenty ofbusiness during his first month on the job. The culprit for the largest number of summertime bone breaks? Mason says that most of the fractures he has seen have come mainly from trampolines, horseback riding falls and household-relate- d injuries. PLENTY OF PATIENTS Rural setting & need bring doctor to town By Lexlee E. Whiting Dr. Mark Mason said that when he was considering where he would establish his medical practice he looked at s lot of places, but knew he wanted to be in an area close to Utah and where there waa a significant need for orthopedics." Roosevelt fit the bill. Since the first part of July , when Dr . Mason began seeing patients at the Uintah Basin Medical Clinic and the Uintah Basin Medical Center, he ha seen the need the community has for an orthopedist. At first though, when a recruiter mentioned the possibility of considering a job in Roosevelt, Dr. Mason, who was raised in Orem, was familiar enough with the territory to teaaingly respond. "Have you ever been to Roosevelt?" Luckily be didn't let earlier impressions keep him from at least makings trip this way to check things out. "We looked at a lot of places. We just really liked it Roosevelt, I thought the hospital was very impressive as for as a rural setting. Dr. Mason said his family eiyoys the community, noting that while SEE DR. MASON on page 18 who attended the old Roosevelt High SchooL startingwiththeclassof 1928, RENEWING FRIENDSHIPS-Evcryo-ne were sought out by a reunion committee starling Iasi February. Their efforts pa id off as hundreds of old schoolmates came to Roosevelt over UBIC weekend to get together with old friends. The Crossroads Center was barely big enough" to hold all of the former Roosevelt High students who came to the 2000 reunion. - ing on the hill during the Depression and the war years. This year they were all called together to return to Rooaeve lt for a high school minion for everyone who attended high school in Duchesne County between 1928 to 1951. And return they did, just over 400 folks in alL The response was unexpected and overwhelming, said Ellen Rawlings, one of Uw reunion organisers. "Toots" Eldredge Hitman traveled all the wqy from Florida to attend her high school re union in Roosevelt over the weekend. Tools, by the way, just hist month. She turned graduated in 1928. Toots still has plenty of ties to the area, even though she left heie62years ago and "landed in Florida in 1938." In fact, aha says her friend Leah Alfred, "tells ms I left my mark in Roosevelt. The last time Toots was in "they didn't follow the trend," either. Kentucky Friend Chicken franchises, "My mother, bless her heart, she as well as medical office buildings and bought met hat so that my hair didn't other property. He's been married for 59 years to look so ugly while it was growingout. Hsxsl . a 82 of and Diehl, a gal he met while fhe-is Rosa, graduate Floyd tha Roosevelt liighdaas of 1938. You waa teaching school in Myton. would never guees his years. He looks considerably younger. He explains it this way, "the Lord has been good to me." Even though Floyd left Rooaevelt - in 1955 that's 45 years ago ifyou're counting -- be is still known by many people here. Floyd was the first president and general manager of UintahBaain Telephone At He's an Arcadia boy, born and raised. He bought the Dairy Queea in s, Roosevelt in the andyou can bet he remember the words one telephone executive spoke to him when the upstarts in the Uintah Basin began working to get mid-1940- When it come to the old days at the "red brick buildingon the hilL" Floyd remembers the rivalry with UiAUh High. What did kids used to do for fun in those days? Floyd says dancing and singing were "in, along with "a lot of house parties." Earl Alexander, graduated in the class of 1944. He has lived in Vernal since 1950, but will tell you without hesitation that his favorite high school memory is when "we beat Vernal over at Vernal. in baskethaU. In the clasa of 1942 there were 77 who graduated, lees than 30 made the weekend reunion. Lee and Genile Jensen, of Neola were class of 42 Roberts, (pictured at left) w as chosen by the judges as Mr. LBIC 2000. Pictured left to nght are:KickAin$wonh.Mr.Congeniality; EricPcalross, l"ancndjni;Mark Winierton. 2 attendant, andCorry Roberts, Mr. I'BIC. Corey, 1 8, is a recent Union High graduate, he is planning on a career in dentistry or medicine. Mark. 2 1 . Eric, 2 1, Strawberry River, Roosevelt, is planning to attend college and earn a degree in international is attending Snow College in forensics. Nick. 1 6, will be a junior at Union High, he isa Union High stuntman, a member of the school's drama and speech teams and avid golfer. M R. UB1C2000-Core- v ; OPENING IN DUCHESNE . Man's hobby showcased in Duchesne's "Pope Museum Duchesne County Pageant Duchesne County Fair Pageant for girls 5 -- 14 will be held August 12 at 3 p.m. Winners will reign over the Duchesne County Fair. Register with Cheryl Bowen by July 29. There is a fee. For mote information call 722-25- By Cheryl Mrcham 54 What started a a Duchesne mans hobby is now the focus of a museum that will be open for the first tune during the Duchesne County Fair Want to Fiddle Around? Performers are being lined up now for Basin Arts Councils3rd Annual Basin Fiddle Fair.Saturday.September9.at the Crossroads Center, lfyouoryour group are interested in performing, please contact Rachel Wheeler, or Ralph Slaugh, soon for farther information. Aug. 18. 722-862- 7, 722-495- 2, Show County FairFairBaby Show will he hud The Duchesne Baby County Saturday, August 12 at Duchesne High for ages 0 - 4 years old. Deadline is July 29, no exceptions. Dree will be a swimsuit. Registration forms are at the local grocery stores. For questions call Cheryl Bowen at 722-255- : 4. Altamont Blood Drive 1 American Red Cross and the Altamont Utah Stake Blood Drive will be 6 Thursday, Aug. 10 from S 8 p.m. at the Altamont Church. Contact for information or to schedule. 454-317- AW Floyd Ross, who now lives in San Dwgo, Calif helped his former organize the minion. da-mat- es The "Pope Museum, established by Duchesne City, recaptures moments of history through miniature scene depicting the lives of Uintah Basin residents over 1 00 year ago. The late Fred and Marie Pope created the displays years ago and act in their hornets the public to walk through and view. The extensive collection was an inters set thenas it is now.said Yiyie Nirlspn. Duchesne Cit v Council member. "He wasa Justice of the Peace here in Duchesne." Nelson related, a man who knew Uie law as well as something about artistry and imaguut ioo. The city purchased the Pope home and property, complete with the dis plays, for f 25.000 in October 1995 at the invitation of the family, who thought the scenes should remain intact. Since that tune theaty ha shown the home to certain groups, but their goal was to open it up to the public under regular hour With a few finishing touches the Pope Museum located just off US Highway 43 at 380 will be complete. West 100 North Ftexiglaa covers protect the displays, which are worked with amazing accuracy. One scene depicts draft horses in fall harness pulling two loaded freight wagons through Nine Mile Canyon. The horse and townsfolk in the display are plastic "models." but Fred Pope himself carefully crafted all the accessories, a log cabin, carnages, and toofr. Each pares is done to scale, with meticulous attention to detail A photograph of the actual canyon serves as a backdrop to the scene. Pope created an entire ranch scene six-tea- with a lighted, famished cabin, bams, corrals, farm implements, blacksmith shopand hay derrick withamoundof hay. Flops 's work area divulges some of his secrets. There is a hay press, w here he took dried carrot tons and pressed into miniature hale. There is an old leather work glove, taken apart for materials yet. there are some secrets that will never be known, such as how did he forge tiny horoe shoes the sue ofa dune? Or make actual working bellows? However he did it. the displays are something to marvel at and surely worth seeing, along with the residence of the couple who must have spent hundreds of hours workmeto recapture a bit of yesteryear. The Pope Museum will beopen Aug 18 & 19 and 6 through Cur week held Aug. from noon - 8 p m. 21-2- Veterans Outreach Mr. John Maher, Department Service Officer for the Disabled American Veterans will be available Tuesday, Aug. 15 at the Rnoeeveit Workforce Office, 140 W. 425 S., from 1:30 p m. -- 3 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Vmud Workforce Offtce.9-- 1 la.m.; and Ft. Duchesne at EfotUelloIlow, Room 302, from 12 noon 1 p.m. to provide assistance with VA issue. 4H Day Camp Dy camp will be held at the Miners' Gulch Group sits; below Yellow Pins, Rock Creek on Thursday, Aug. 10 from 1 7 p.m. From 1 2p.m. will be a greeting and mixers; 2 3 p.m.. wilderness survival; 4 p ut, craft; 6 p m. Dinner - provided by extension Campfire pn, skits; 411 -- -- 3-- 67 4-- Activities. Bring your own drinking water. Each club provide a skit. Bring band-ai- d pucket-aiscontainer for survival kit (example-met- al box) Reg. form due Aug. 2, cost S3. e Single Adults Over 31 An LDS Singles 3 day rendezvous, being held Aug. This wifi he at the Green dal East Group Area Campground. Friday, dance 8 p.m.; Saturday, river nin, 10 a. nL, dutch oven dinner with a program that evening. Costt 15 forcamp,f 15 more for river run. For more information on camp out call Kathv. For questions call Diane, or Reah, Kathy, 11-1- 722-426- 6; 781-669- 0 3. 781-137- 7; AMAZING DETAIL-- A six horse team harnessed to stage coach shows the amazing detail Fivd Pope pul mm his display of western life. The hand-hew- n carnages and harnesses are not only intricate, but are built to scale and have all working parts. The displays are part of the Pope Museum, which will be open to the public during the Duchesne Count) fair. BUILT TO SCAlT-- A carefully crafted log cabin, fatly famished with electrical lighting and miniature furnishings, depict life m a western village 00 years ago. This is jud one part of a unique display now open to the public at the Pope Museum in Duchesne. 1 |