OCR Text |
Show T 1 Page 13 - Basin LIFE October 23, 2001 Uintah Basin Standard AMERICA'S FIRST FEDERAL HIGHWAY Highway 40: A road spanning the USA with a vibrant history Submitted by J. R. Allred Travelers speedingalongUfL Highway 40 as its cuts through the Uintah Basin probably dont'realize the interesting history of the highway and its predecessor, the National Road. Coming out of Denver, Highway 40 crosses the Utah line at Wileys Resort and is the main lifeline through Vernal, Roosevelt, Duchesne and on to Heber City and Salt Lake City. It is mostly straight and easily traveled now, but a few still remember when it wound around dugways rather than the slopes of today. George Wilkins, chief cartographer for the Utah DepartmentofTranspor-tation,aBasinnative,saysUJS.4- 0 cut-and-f- ill was Wilford Conetah honors Native American veterans in his art work. He served AMERICAN INDIAN ART WORK in the Navy during the Vietnam War, and in the Utah Army National Guard during Desert Storm. Wilford doesnt sell he said hes looked at them long enough while working on them! any of his pictures, nor does he hang them up WILFORD Myton Elementary tutor has a distinctive flair for art the Duchesne County Fair. In addi- of tiny dots, and he often uses checktion Wilford has won many first and ered areas in his pictures. In one of his second place awards at the Duchesne acrylics he used glitter to create an County Fair. Wilford was honored to interesting effect on the subjects aphave one ofhis paintings selected for parel. Wilford love of America and the display at the Springville Art Museum this summer. This picture is ' Ute Tribe, of which he is a member, is expressed throughout his works. In hanging in the office at Myton three of his pictures he actually uses Wilford has a very unique style. He silver and gold star stickers to create loves to use vibrant colors and uses the star Helds on American FlagB. By SuBanCollier The BLaiT and students at Myton Elementary thoroughly enjoyed viewing the art work of Myton artist Wilford Conetah. Wilford works as a youth mentor and tutor at the school, and 41 ofhis pictures were on display 16. Oct. 15 Wilford started painting in 1995 and even had his first painting on display at the school. Wilford has not taken any formal art classes until recently when he signedup for classes at Utah State University Uintah Basin branch campus. His works have won Peoples Choice at UBIC and Best of Show at many different mediums, often mixing them in the same painting. He uses colored pencil, ink, water color, acrylic and oil, typically on a water color paper. In addition to using brilliant colors, Wilford also likes to fill in areas ofhis pictures with multitudes Basi nBriefs VT' Essay Contest The Uintah Basin Medical Center Literacy Committee and Uintah Basin the Let Freedom Ring Essay Contest The Standard contest has three divisions: ages 9 12; 6 years; and 17 and older. Essays should be 1,000 words or less. Prizes will be awarded. Watch the Standard for more details! are'eo-sponsori- -- 13-1- still unpaved from Heber City to Denver in 1932. Some of us who lived alongthe route in the 1930s and 1940s remember when the road was first graveled, then paved. Before that, farmers along the route used horse-draw- n graders to smooth the ruts and bumps. Some worked on road improvements as part of a kind of community service, Wilkins says. The N ational Road was Americas first federal highway. As the country expanded, it became the main motor route across the country. Growinginto U.S. Highway 40, it became a role player in skiing and sledding, and the main road right through the heart of Utah. Encyclopedia Americana says, Probably no other road in the United States ever presented so rich and colorful a drama of moving commerce and humanity. In 1806, President Thomas Wilford honors Native American Veterans in two ofhis works. One of the most impressive is a two panel portrayal of American Indians with depictions of the American Flag. It is entitled "Native American Veterans. Another work, entitled "Contrihu-tionofNativ- e Americans, includes a rendering of the soldiers raising the flagatlwoJima. Ira Hayes, an American Indian, was one of those soldiers. Wilford created "Tread Not, on Americans after the events of Sept. 11. Wilfords rendering of the American Flag in this work is very impressive. Wilford uses symbolism in his pictures in a unique style that has the viewer searchinghis intricate pictures for the medicine bags, war shields, and powerful animals and birds, such as eagles, elk, cougars, and buffalo. Wilford also captures the viewers attention by usingsymmetry. Wilford honors the horse in many of his because ofits importance to the SEE CONETAH on page 24 Probably no other road in the United States ever presented so rich and colorful a drama of moving commerce and humanity." and to the Pacific. When routes were mapped, paved, connected and numbered as a federal high way system, it became U.S. Highway 40 and it ran from the hoard walk at At lant ic City to the San Francisco Bay. In the Great Depression years, and particularly as World War II camp, hitchhiking became common along 40andot her roads. Servicemen cutch-ing rides homu oil leave were a common sight. My brother Glen often Jefferson signed a bill in which the hitchhiked hack and forth helween our farm and school at HYU.In 1945, U.S. Congress appropriated $7 million to flnance a federal road Lhut after I hud moved to Ogden with iny would carry traffic-freig- ht wagons parents, I once hitchhiked from Den the rivers ver to my .brother Dec's place in and horsemen maiuly-fro- m coming in from the east coast to the Bullard witli a school friend who had been with me at a summer school rivers in the Ohio Valley. Rivers provided the easiest mode of travel in progrum at the University oi l )cnvcr. those times, and the main purpose of He was Winn Kichurds, who later betiie overland route was to connect the came an Ogden physician and u state senator. After I got out at Ballard, rivers. The National Road got its name Winn continued on down U.S. 40 to because it was the first highway the Suit Luke. 1 1 was t he sa me road , coast to coast. government ever authorized and In 1 965, 1 drove to a new assignment funded. The first leg, from Maryland to Ohio, was sometimes called the in Washington, D. C.t wit li my nephew Great National Pike. When Jefferson Gene A. Sessions ofOgden.il made us signed the bill, he envisioned a road feel at home to see the same U.S. 40 through to the Mississippi River, and signsalongtlie road in Maryland that we saw headi ng east on I. of Roosevelt. perhaps even beyond, into the terriLoui-sian- a in that same lime am t her nephew, the About so acquired recently tory Purchase and explored by Lewis Earl Allred, a missionary in Indiana, and Clark and the Voyage of Discov-eiy- . was asked where liu wus from. Right down this road a ways," was his anIt didn't take many years for the swer, with u nod toward U.S. 40 runroute to extend to St. Louis. When ning through Indianapolis und right automobiles and motor trucks came out to Utah. It still follows basically the same into more common use, the road pushed on across the plains and to rou tc, but in many places it is overrid- Denver, then on to Salt Lake City and SEE I IWY 40 on page 24 across the Great Basin, Donncr Pass pic-tur- On The Mormon Trail People The Bureau Series presents, "Scamps, Scoundrels, Scalawags: Speakers Real People on the Mormon Pioneer Trail by Mel Bashore on Wednesday, 1 Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Duchesne County library. Call for more information. 722-444- Shuttle Service at Hospital The Uintah Basin Medical Center will a shuttle service operate during the reconstruction of their parking lot from approximately Oct. 17 - 31. Patients and visitors may park in the LDS Church parking lot across the street from the hospital and be picked up by the shuttle which will run continuously from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Parenting Classes Available The Family Support Center is offering parenting classes, STEP (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting), Love and Logic, and S.O.S., which began Oct 17. Though the classes have already begun, participants are still welcome. There is no class fee and an optional $15 book fee. Child care is For more information call provided for children 722-240- 1. 0. Love and Logic Parenting Class To Start East Elementary will be starting a parenting class, Jim Fays "Love and Logic, on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. There will be a $10 workbook fee. Come join us and get some fun ideas that really work. Call soon to enroll. six-wee- k 722-461- 1 For a Way To Help? Looking The Childrens Justice Center Friends Board is volunteers seeking within our own community. The Board raises funds annually to help support the financial needs of the Childrens Justice Center. If you are interested in 3 or Carolyn Wilcken at helping, please contact Cheryl Boren at 722-484- 722-500- 1 for more information. Vernal Middle School to Host Free Concert Be sure to attend the Concert for Youth, a free performance by various musical, vocal, and dance groups on Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Vernal Middle School auditorium. Bring your friends, family and neighbors. Insights Seminars Insights seminars will be presented Nov. 3 at the Crossroads Community and Senior Center in Roosevelt. Find ways to create more energy, excellence, commitment, happiness and purpose in your life. Call for more information or to enroll: Qynthia, Shanna Marilyn, or Pattie, 722-492- 454-370- 789-492- 454-371- 6. Books Are Fun For Everyone The Duchesne County Library is holding a "Books Are Fun book sale 1 for more Friday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at t he libraiy. Call 722-44- 4 information. HEAT Program Taking Applications In November, the Uintah Basin Association of Governments will open its Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) program to assist eligible people wit h home heatingcosts. The local HEAT oftices, located in Roosevelt at 855 E. 200 N. and Vernal in Room B2 of the Dinah Plaza, began 8 aceeptingphone calls Monday, Oct. 22 to schedule appointments. Call 1 or for your appointment or to find out if you qualify for assistance. low-inco- 722-321- 781-202- COPY Before it was cut through the hill, the slope THE SHAPE OF THE ROAD a sledding hill when there wasn't much traffic. ofl i.S. 40 near the Ballard church was GOLDEN KEY AWARDS Individuals & businesses honored for service to those with disabilities Duringspecial recognition ceremonies Friday, Oct. 19, at the Crossroads Center in Roosevelt, Uintah Basin professionals and businesses were honored for acts ofservice and kindness that often go unnoticed. The Utah Governors Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities presented Golden Key Awards to deserving recipients for their service to people with disabilities. Altamnnt teenager ElizabethMcConkie, herself an example someone who has excelled with coping withe serious disability, was the guest speaker for the event. From a teacher, to a physician, toarea businesses it was apparent that their lives and business practices benefited and blessed the livesof those who face the challenge of disabilities. Two disabled community members were Iso honored for reaching their goals and serving as role models. Recipients of the awards were nominated by The Interagency Disabilities Council. Those honored include: Sarah Young prestigious ACE award; Dr. Mark E.Mitchell, Service Providerofthe Year, Brent Anderson - Outstanding Citizen of the Year; Chris Gardiner - Outstanding Citizen of the Year; Tire King - Employer of the Year Stores - Em(small);Vernal area ployer of the Year (medium); Uintah Basin Medical Swift Transportation - Employer of the Year compassionate care giver, he is an author, playwright, friend, confidant, counselor, husband and father. One mother of children with disabilities describes Dr. Mitchell as a man of great compassion and understanding who has treated my children with dignity and respect, not because they are people with disabilities, but because they are people he cares about. f j ...hehastreatedmychildren with dignity and respect, not because they are people with ) disabilities, but because they H are people he cares about. f Brent Anderson, was born with a mental disability, but never complains nor lets his disability serve as a barrier to his success. He works at the Uintah Basin Applied Technology Center where and administrators praised him as a hard worker who always maintains a positive attitude. One of his colleagues described Brent this way, "His presence not only bringB a smile to ones lips because of liis pleasure in sharing a bit of good news, but he also causes you to pause (extra-large- ). in your busy schedule and appreciate the fact Sarah Young, a transition special educa- that you are an important person to him, too. tion teacher at Uintah High was lauded for Brent is an avid Jazz fan, but his real passion developingan innovative Peer Tutor Program is bowling and participating in Speciai Olymthat connects mainstream students pic events. He has an impressive collection of with transition students for work experimedals to show for his efforts. ence in the business community. The peer Chris Gardiner, is a Vernal resident who tutors support their counterparts with dis- works at t he office manager for Ziegler Chemiabilities by helping them learn good job skills cal and Mineral Corp. where he has been emas well ar appropriate social skills and behavployed for 20 years. Born with cerebral palsy, he ior. has never let his disability deter him from Sarah's ultimate goal is to touch her stu- achieving his goals. Although he walks with dents the simple principle that we are more canes, he uses a chair for his work alike than we are different. Both special and responsihilit ies. I lis passion is to design chairs regular education students have benefit ted that are more affordable and more user friendly. He knows no pretense and has a wonderful enormously from the environment created in her classroom where mutual resjwct elimiability to help people feel comfortable around nates natural barriers. him despite hisown physical disability. He has Dr. Mark Mitchell, Roosevelt physia personal commitment to continuinghis educian, forms a partnership with the family as cation, to learning and improving his skills. well as his patient. Together they work through As one of his friends commented, I think the difllcultchallenges associated wit h illness, when we review the accomplishments of this disability and financial hardship. He has a man, even though he has been severely disgreat desire to help each of his pat ients and abled since birth, it should give us a greater their families develop the skills and determination to do just a little hit better to be able to help themselves. SEE GOLD F NKEY on pagr 24 In addition to his work as a physician and I Ji.M.iik Mitchell, SERVICE IROVIDI.Rt 111 IK VI AR a Roosevelt physician, was presented w itlithc ( loldcn key Award by the Utah Governor's Committee on mplovment of People with Disabilities. Dr. Mitchell deli ) is punned with Rep. Gordon Snow (R Roosevcltl Snow seivid as master of ceremonies for the awards liuulicon 1 one-on-o- 1 int.ili ACK AWARD High educator Saiah oung was recognized al the Golden key Award hnuheou lor her creative and innovative approach to aiding disabled students. "Mrs. Young has remained on the cull mg edge, ev cn though at times this lias been a lonely pl.ue lor her to he. Often it has req. tire J creativity and mgemni;. to serve these voting people in the classroom." .aid one i.'lieagiic. Pictured with Young is Rep Gordon Snow (R Roosevelt). ! . .'1 |