OCR Text |
Show - V)irl i Continued from page Thinliing Out Loud The Machamahava never received so much mail. Everyday over the laal two week our mailbox haa been stuffed with holiday greetings from friend and family afar. Instead of three or fourcredit card offers 1 found half a dozen Christmas cards and letters! Ive eryoyed perusing through the stack, but ... there is one I'd like to send back, well, maybe two or three. Not through animosity, or lack of love or feeling ... solely because I am not a member of their children's fan club. Honestly! There should be a law that restricts or even prevents such parental bragging! Ilsembarrassing! As fur as 1 cun tell, the women ure authoring these sappy letters. I haven't come across one that is written by a male. And who are these women anyway?! used to know them. I found them to he interesting vital human beings. Now they are merely junior's biographer, From toddler to teen they've recorder every detail. I know when their kid was potty trained, lost his first molar, began playingorganixed sports, and his current grade point average. letThis year's worst? A two-pag-e terdetailing the lives of five children, twoof whom Ive never met. Theother three were in various stages of young adolesrence when my friend moved across the country; one in diapers, another suekinghis thumb, the oldest entering Kindergarten. They certainly werent intercstingthen. They toddled around the fringes of our friendship. When my crowd joined hers we absent mindedly handed them peanutbutter sand wichesanri sat outside on patio furniture to their play in the backyard, while we talked and talked and talked. Our conversations went deep. Wediscuseed everything that seemed important to that day.I knew she wasagnod mother, but, I also knew so much more about her then. Now, she is a mystery, a stranger really. I've waited year after year to hear anything, any little scrap or detail she'd throw my way. Patiently 1 waited for the children to grow up, to give her more time, to get hack to herself. Where hassheheen?What has sheseen?Hasshe achieved herdreamk? Whateonoernsher?Whatdelightshet? She sent a photo of her children. Did she take it? Ifshe did I could My she shows considerable talent as a n photographer. They are men, their heads crowned with wavy hair, the color of hers, and wide grins, made all the better with straight white semi-supervi- half-grow- for all those braces, and 1 think as at their glossy images ...Tm glad you're healthy, I'm glad you have good parents. That's all I need to ny Dear mother of these fine looking hoys, (1 should write) I don 'tears that your two oldest ran for Student Body Pro klontand won. I dont care if they did take the regional rock climbing competition. 1 don 't care that theyare good dancers and popular In school, because you, as their mother, would love them if they were the biggest schmucks on this earth! Thats how info on them and much more on you. Sincerely Yours, Cheryl. Do I have the guts? A much older friend relates a solid paragraph ahouteach one of her grown children and spouses. So for the grandchildren share the paragraph with their parents. I met her when she had a household of teenagers. 1 found her spunky and optimistic and loving. We hit it off! Now we are separated by hundreds of miles and commitments, bull kmgtoknowsnmethingofher.lt seems to me that if I wanted to know about them Idcollecttheiradd reuses and send them a Christmas card. My favorite Christmas letter came from a young married couple. It was full of information about their lives. Though the details may have seemed mundane to its author, they were enlightening to me. By the end of its reading, I felt like I knew them much better. And the first thing I wanted to do was respond. After all they shared, I should share something of myself. Now thats what a good Christmas does! Next year, around the first of November I think I will publish one of how to manuals those pocket-size- d all about Christmas letters with the following suggestions: Avoid writing in the third person. Its rather easy to figure out who the author is.And ifyou cannot helpyour-sel- f, dont conclude the letter with your signature. Monti on children only by stating their names, current age and health status and residence. Ifgravely ill, you may include an additional sentence only about their condition and prognosis. Family highlights should include only: births, deaths, change of residence, marriages, baptisms. However, ifa family member changed residence, was baptised and gave birth all in one year, just mention two of the three in order of Importance. Format the letter beginning with date, greeting and question of recipients health and well being. The body of the letter should be one page long and comprised mainly of details concernlngYOUendYOURSPOUSE (if applicable). Topics to include: health, activities (social and other), jobs, recreation (including vacations), place of residence (if changed), home improvement, and spiritual growth. Dont forget what youve done, what needs doing, what you cant get to, what you want to do and what youre putting off. All very important to the reader. Never write or print letters in red ink. Only Jesus in the Old Testament gets his words written in red ink. Stick to block. MUSINGS OF THE OUTBACK ESKIMO' I hope everyone took extraordinarily great Christmas jnctures this year in order to enter future Christmas Photo contests sponsored by the Uintah Basin Standard. We think we out did ourselves, as usual! As with most Christmas pictures the process starts well before the shutter opens. Ourssta rted on Christmas Eve when my son Lance successfully loaded my newly purchased little 1978 Ferguson tractor onto a borrowed (lathed for thejourney toita new home in Roosevelt. My daughter Sara andl found the perfect hill at the neighbors on which to unload the tractor. However, the tractor seemed to know that I needed to have the trailer back in Utah County that night. It didnt start. We dont have much experience with tractors, unless you count the time 1 Jumped off the brake less tractor as it headed down the hill toward a pond. To me tractors are kind of like horses, if they 're buckingornot stopping! bail, preferably away from tires and hoofs. Because of our lack of experience we hiked home from the neighbors to call my son for advice. OK here is where our ingenuity comes into play. We grabbed the camera to record our plight. So now we have great pictures ofaara sittingon the motionless tractor. This is sure to be a Christmas winner. I have always like to record the small tragedies of life. Arent these the things we laugh about later? Ifyou were brave enough to read last weeks column you may remember that our family motto is, Youre not having fun unless you're miserable." Therefore we try to record our miserable events on film. For example,! have classic shots of my first husband, who was waiting in his car to pick upour children, watching my second husband loading his, I mean my belongings Into my horse trailer when he left me. After all, if we take wedding pictures, why not pictures A few years ago Sara took a great shed of my bleeding, toothless smile as 1 left the ice rink looking like a star copy! 1 Duchesne County residents werent at all happy when County Commissioners agrrod to listen to a proposal from Life Point, a hospital corporation who showed an interested in purchasing the Uintah hockey player. Now I dont skate with little persons who may fall in front of me. We have a similar picture of our horse and Sara covered in his blood after he impaled his head on the fence post. One of the first great shots 1 remember wasastudy in contrasts. Lance wanted to take Saturday skiing ForSarasown good I made her take lessons also, of course this also gave me a peaceful Saturday withoutchildren.Sars was pretty mad. 1 still look fondly at the snapshot ofan ecstatic Lance and an 1 irate Sara. I'll always regret that I wasnt able to get any pictures ofSara hiding out in the bathroom during her lessons. For one reason or another we havent always been able to capture every miserable moment on film. There was the time Sara and I had our cameras packed Inour luggage for our tripto Sweden. Theairport van fiill of passengers waited in our driveway while I performed the final rinse after dyingmyhairFreahNutmeg.Thus, we missed the shot of the impatient and horrified passengers as I finally boarded the van with wet "Dying Ember Orange hair and the shot of it the beauticians at OHare to "Anything but Orange during our layover. Once in Sweden we werent able to get a shot when our (Wbyear-ol- d cousins, (on my grandfathers side), demolished bicycle because we were from the scene with rsding away who hit it, (our cousinson my grandmothers side), after a family lu ncheon. At least now we know the genetic source of our evilness. However, we successfully recorded our Swedish sailing adventure, without sails, with our forgetful cousin Thomas. We really felt close to our Swedish heritage when Thomas exclaimed, 1 haven't had this much fan since we burnt down Grandpas barn. As 1 drove past Strawberry this morning many braves souls were ice fishing. I thought, What a great photographic opportunity! re-dyi- (Not her real name.) capital homicide in Gurr'sdeath. Gurr served the community for 27 years as a law enforcement officer, for 23 of those years he was the police chief. His funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners from throughout Utah and other state. He was eulogised as a man devoted to his family and to his oath to serve and protect; man who committed his life to the fight against drugs. A man who was powerful, yet humble. A man who had witnessed some ofthe harshest realities of life, but who maintained his compassion. Assistant Roosevelt Police Chief Steve Hoolcy was named as Gurr's replacement by the City Council. Hooley joined the force in 1 987, moving to Roosevelt from Lindnn. Also in July, newly hired attorneys for convicted murderer John Pinder filed court papers seekings new trial for their client, claiming that it was his ranch hand who was the trigger man in a 1998 double homicide. August and gas prices continued to brighten the economic outlook for Duchesne County. The countys assessed property value climbed by $33 million in 2001, to stand at $230.6 million. Salt Lake criminal defense attorneys Edward Brass and Walter F. Bugden were named to represent Lee Roy Wood in the death of Chief Gurr, and a Dec. 10 preliminary hearing date was set. The Community Impact Board approved the city's request for a loan for a new $fi00,000 High oil golf course clubhouse. Duchesne County teachers voted to approve a r contract which provided a base salary increase of between 3.4 to two-yea- 3.6 percent. The Ballard Town Council gave the green light to a proposal to adjust the boundary at Union High and the Uintah Basin Applied Technology College to give Roosevelt law enforcement jurisdiction over both schools. An arrest by the Uintah Basin Narcotics Strike Force resulted in shutting down two alleged drug dealers from California and preventing the sale of approximately $55,000 in methamphetamine in the area. September The nation watched in shock as terrorists crashed two commercial jetliners into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11. The attack sent the nation into war, fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan to break the cells of terrorists believed to be responsible for the devastation. Schools throughout thecounty had television sets turned on in classrooms that fateful Tuesday morning as students and teachers watched the historic events unfold. The Ute Tribe went on the record asoppnsingplana to enlarge Send wash Reservoir to provide more water storage for Duchesne Cou nty irrigators. A resolution passed by the Business Committee said the tribe would not wipport the (k?vckmcntthe project booiuse it would impact their water rights. After months of making what appeared to be promising headway, Uintah Basin Ethanol Corp. announced they were abandoningplans for an ethanol plant in Roosevelt. A lack of investors, coupled with a shortage offarmerswillingto grow com and ranchers who would commit toutilixe the spelled doom for the project. ThcUteTrihesnewestenterorise, Ute Whiterocks Water Bottling Plant, was upand running, producing 15,000 bottle of water a day under the Nu- pah, Whiterncks and Ciystal Blue la- - r.3 Basin Medical Center. Commissioners got the message. They agreed that the hospital will remain under county ownership. The Duchesne County.School Board announced they would seek voter approval in November for a $3.5 million bond to help pay for construction costa at Duchesne High. Uinta River Technology won a share of a contract with the Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Services. The subcontract resulted in the hiringor50to 75 new data entry employees and November 1 Decembcr The Dec. 10 preliminary hearing for Lee Roy Wood, the man accused in thedesthofChicfGurr was postponed to allow time for Wood to undergo a mental evaluation. Wood's mental stability became an issueafter he sent a letter to the judge from his jail cell accusing him of trying to have him poisoned. The countys 2002 budget sailed through a public hearing. With revenues up for the first time in years, the county was able to offer employees raises, and hire a third attorney. A nationwide nursingshortage hit home. The Uintah Basin Medical Center offered scholarships toattract more local folks into the nursing field. Throughout the year the hospitals medical staff has been increasing with the hiring of a number of specialists. Construction on the new physicians wing at the hospital was nearing completion aatheyearcametoadose. l Aquaculture teacher Alan Ginn ( left i and student Tony (ircarsf right (display lake trout IromS.iijtog.iNIM. is in Wildlife Service Colorado River F ish Project employee Mark the background. THb CATCH Ol- TUI; DAY Preparing tor Next Year The season of giving lasts all year for Christmas Spirit Connection organizers also donates food By Susan Collier TheChristnuwSpirit Connection's work isnt over. It isjiistgrttiiigstarU-fur next year! The Connection has a storage unit and starts immediately for next year'sproject. So as you peruse this seasons end of year sales and see great deals on gloves, hats, coats, hoots, wrapping paper, or anything else that could he used next year to help others, he sure and get it. This is a great, opportunity forthoseof uswIiocanTpassupagmid sale, but can't really use the merchandise ourselves! Plusyou will be able to donate a kit more to the Con nection by taking advantage of these sales! In addition to new items, the Connection will also accept used items for their annual garage sale. If you do spring cleaning or like to start clean-ingothe cloHelsafler Christmas you can drop your used items off at the Connection, and they will store them for the yard sale. Yard sale proceeds help cover expenses for such things as the storage unit, and any extra fendsgodirertly to help those in need next Christmas. Connection volunteers will start soon. Ifyou see some interesting material on sale or have some at home that you probably wont use, please donate it to the Connection. Lesley Hnrmston, Connection coordinator also pointed out that it is e not too late to make a donation for next years Connection r. while gettings tax This year the Connection raised $4 ,000 in cash contributions from local businesses and individuals. Pfeoplean very generous, I larmston noted. According to Harmston, cash and merchandise contributions met all nfthe Connections needs thisyixir. The cash helped 78 households with 198 children and 142 adults. Each child received a coat and a certificate for a pair of new shoes. There was also enough cash to finish fulfilling requests left on the gift trees. About 1 6 seniors at Cedar Crest Care Center received small gifts containing items such as toiletries and d last-minut- TROUT writa-offthisyea- Continued from page 1 fel people, these animals will not only providean opportunity for sport fishing, but will also be a tool to teach students aquaculture techniqucs,and also provide a Christmas donation of fresh trout fillets to tribal elders. The Ute Tribe is very grateful to the Fish and Wildlife Service for this Christmas present, said Montoya. In addition to Bottle Hollow, Midview, Twin Pots, and Clay Basin Pond are open for fishingyear round. The 2002 season permits are the same price as last year and the bag and possession limits arc likewise the same. Permits to fish on Bottle Hollow as well as other reservation waters are available now at Ute Pinza Supermarket, Duchesne County Schools showed numbers continuing their five-yea-r decline. In the 2001 2002 school year, student enrollment was down by 103 students, so too was Weighted Pupil Unit fending from the state, prompting consideration of possible The Connection natives toys from the Marine Toys for Tots, and other merchandise is donated hy businesses. Sometimes when Harmston needs a particular item to meet a specific need she picks up the phone and calls businesses tosecifthiry ran help out. They a re usua I ly very cnopera ti ve, she sa id . 1987-199- governing county governments that make or conduct temporary and spe- ary of $55,000 with no benefits or allows counties to employ persons to time-limite- d cial Inquiries, investigations, or ex- aminations on behalf of county legislative bodies. Bigelow will have no legislative or administrative authority. The Commissioners emphasized tiAt he was not hired ax a manager or administra tor. Bigelow will be a resource to the Commissioners. He will assist them in gnlheringacciirale information and make management practice recommendations to help strengthen and improve county government. Members of the County Commission expressed confidence that filling the Organization Efficiency Analyst position will move the cou nty government in a positive direction with respect to efficiency and taxpayer After explaininghow he intends to accomplish hix assignments in his new position, Bigelow asked for the help and cooperation of county officialxand department heads to ensure his suc cess. will be going back do to work at the office on a part time basis. Practice limited strictly to denture prosthetics. Starting on Mon. Jan 7th. apX)lntmonts call the receptionist that you want an appointment with Dr. Dale Larsen for denture work. For Tell n-f- u 722-921- 0 Check out our Classifieds! To order call a 435-722-51- 31 ROOSEVEL One Show Sunday 7:30 PLrAYI TgTT-- ) an ai Lord of the Rings " Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius XT Fully Animated One Show Only 7:30p.m. Shallow Hal Gwyneth Pal trow One Show Only 9:10 p.m. Dr. Dale has hit projects all caught up and most of Jonis Honey projects done. I miss visiting with the people. I s One Show Only 7:30 p.m. Uintah County Commissioners Bigelow was elected to the Uintah have announced the hiring of former County Commission in November of Uintah County Commissioner Nyle 1988. He served as a county commisr 0 sioner from and was inBigelow as an Organizational the county. Bigelow strumental in the construction of ciency Analyst will make recommendations to the Western Park. In 1990 Bigelow opted County Commission after evaluating to move to Salt Lake rather than run the effectiveness and efficiency of for Commissioners hired Bigelow uncounty government over the course of der a provision in the state statutes the next year. r, make it so unused merchandise goes n I larmston bark into t explained. Recipient come to Harmston 's home on an apminlment haws to pick up tlu-i- r Cbrihtrnns gifts. In the prian- - able to vacy or her home pan-ntexamine the gifts to make sure they are age appropriate and the correct size for their childron. I We do mi r progni in ra ly a nd prayerfu lly and try to meet the needs of the family as rniich as possible hiu! basic needs from toilet paper on up, I larrriKton explained. If anything is within our means, we do it. We include seniors, handicapped, and misplaced persons. If we are mnde aware of a need, like someone being released from jail, we kind of adopt them and meet, what extra need they might have, Harmston noted. to Please call Lesley lit donate used or new gissla to next. year's Conncrlion. Brv.-i3- Uintah Commission hires consultant to review government efficiency Effi-'o- to families, and any food goods left after the holiday an- - donated to the Crossroads Senior Center. We try to The Fellowship Temporary Position vacation time. He was hired under a one-yeaemployment agreement Funds from the countys general miscellaneous fend will he transferred to the general fend tosup-por- t this new position. Following a preliminary evaluation of county policies, practices and procedures, he will recommend changes and Improvements to the County Commission. As other areas of concern are identified he will conduct further evaluations and recommendations in these areas. He Isslso responsible to check that assignment and taska have been implemented as discussed in county commission meetings to ensure that appropriate actions ars taken on matter of county business. Bigelow will also serve as an ombudsman for the county and address complaints and concerns of county residents. sj - The word is go for the enlargement of Sand wash Reservoir. The Central Utah Water Conservancy District awarded the engineering design contract and began to prepare bids for construction. If all goes according to plan, construction of the $48 million water storage and enhancement project could hegin in two years. Duchesne County voters gave overwhelming approval to a plan to borrow $3.5 million to build a new gym and more classrooms at Duchesne High. For the second year in a row, Moon Lake Electric Association gave cooperative members credit on their electric bills thanks to the economic position they found themselves in due to their ownership in the Bonanza Power Plant. The community was invited to celebrate the transition of the Uintah Basin Applied Technokigy Center to a technology college, and the Ute Tribe announced plans to begin construction of30 new homes on the reservation. student enrollment report for Bigelow will receive an annual sal- a. ' ar October A PagcJ - V-"- for-prof- it mothers are, and I wouldn't care if they were schmucks either, because that's how friends are. So, please, less letter UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. spendingcuthack within the district. 2001 REVIEW 722-229- 3. IIVIYIIJ TlirATOEM Kate & Leopold MPG-13- M One Show Only 7:30p.m. |