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Show Volume IX Issue X THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 9 March 1, 2004 Valley Memories—Nicknames of yesteryear By LeMoyne (Sherm) Hislop Nicknames were plentiful in the Valley. However, there are many names of which I’m not acquainted with and do not recall. There was an unwritten law in the Valley: You never spoke despairingly of any female—whether it was a sister, a mother, a teacher, a spinster, or whoever. Whether they were young or old, you never gave them nicknames. The name often used was “Aunt” for identifying various spinster ladies. Nicknames ran rampant and helped clarify of whom you were speaking. For example, just the name “Joe.” There were at least five Joe’s. Rather than use their family name, there were such names as Monkey Joe, Pinky Joe, Goody Joe, Pugsley Joe, and Whiskey Joe. There was never any doubt among the citizens of the Valley of whom you were speaking. Also, the name John was prevalent in many families. Rather than use their family name, there was Long John, Big John, Little John, and Shagpoke John. Big John and Little John seemed confusing because Little John was much bigger than Big John, and Big John was smaller than almost any grown man in the Valley. Frequently names were passed on from father to son, to son. A local coined a ditty on Jake. “Here to Old Jake to Young Jake, and to Young Jake’s son. If it had not been for Old Jake, there would have been none.” A favorite use of nicknames was for the old bachelors in the Valley. Often the bachelors were immigrants who came over from Holland, Denmark, or Sweden. Such names as Chris the Danish Man, Karl Dutchey, and Fartin Martin. With those titles, the neighbors of the Valley knew of whom you meant. Often nicknames or titles were identified with individuals because of some act they’d done. Such as the two teenagers who broke into the small Huntsville post office. They were later identified by the police and were given the nicknames Sing-Sing and LeavenWorth. Sterling Wood, who became a Huntsville mayor, and was also on the Stake High Council, gave many nicknames forever identified with a given person. He first identified Sing-Sing and Leaven-Worth. Later, an individual who seemed to live his entire life on a liquid diet was titled by Sterling as Whiskey Joe. Other names identified with Valley residents were Horse-Face, Pin-Head, Sticky Fingers, Slug, and Yay Yay. While most such names had a derogatory meaning, there were many nicknames that were given because of some characteristic of the individual. Slim was called that because he was actually fat, and Frog received his nickname because he was very skinny and had long legs. Three Fingers was called that because he had parts, or all, of three of his fingers cut off in a shop accident. There was also Blondie, Curly, Speed, and others. There were names given because they just seemed to fit, such as Banker, Circus, Dinny, Scurp, Fuzzy, Poley, Squeaky, Clumsy, Onetooth, and Wet Pants, to name a few. One man received the title “Heavy Hittin’ Hackson.” He was identified as such because when he hit, he needed only one blow and the man would go down. Someone said, “When you fight him, you better have four or five to help you. Even then you will still probably lose.” I believe time has passed us by in many respects, for nicknames in the Valley, and the type of characters that lived here. Regardless, I pray all still treat members of the female sex with respect and proper titles. BALLET cont. from page 4 Royal Opera House after the war in 1946. “I have been very inspired while working with the dancers on this great masterpiece,” said Kåge. “It has been intriguing to consider the different versions of Petipa’s original choreography that have been presented through the years and identify the important aspects that have kept the ballet alive and popular.” The sets and costumes for Ballet West’s The Sleeping Beauty were designed by Peter Cazalet in 1985. Cazalet is known for his period work, and The Sleeping Beauty costumes and sets are among the most lavish in the Ballet West repertoire. The Sleeping Beauty will be accompanied by the Utah Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Terence Kern. Tickets are available through the Ogden Symphony Ballet Association at 638 East 26th Street or by calling (801) 399-9214. Students receive $5 tickets to the ballet when they purchase their tickets in person at the Val A. Browning Center one week prior to the performance date. This offer is good for two tickets. About Ballet West Currently celebrating its 40th Anniversary season, Ballet West was founded by Willam F. Christensen in 1963 as the Utah Civic Ballet. As the company’s first artistic director, Christensen is heralded for establishing the first ballet department in an American university, the University of Utah in 1951, and for being the first American to choreograph fulllength versions of The Nutcracker, Coppélia and Cinderella. In 1997, Jonas Kåge joined Ballet West as Artistic Director. Through his extensive association with ballet as dancer, choreographer and director, Kåge established significant relationships with many international masters of the art form that cover a broad spectrum of choreographers like George Balanchine, Kenneth MacMillan, Glen Tetley, Jiøì Kyliàn, Christopher Bruce and Hans van Manen. As a result, Ballet West has added a wide range to its repertoire, including works by van Manen, Val Caniparoli, Ted Brandsen, and William Forsythe, as well as classics like The Sleeping Beauty and Kåge’s own award-winning staging of Swan Lake. Ballet West’s highly acclaimed Education Outreach program reaches 74,000 students annually. Ballet West is committed to enhancing the lives of youth, reaching every child in Utah during their elementary years. Currently, the professional company is Historical Photo Anderson’s Valley Garage. Photo courtesy of Gordon Madsen of Granada Hills, California OVBA cont. from page 5 OVBA 2004 Board of Directors Chair Lisa Karam – Ogden Valley Associates Vice Chair Jeannie Wendell – The Ogden Valley News Immediate Past Chair Paul Judd – Great American Realty Secretary Lori Mortensen – Diamond Peak Mountain Sports Treasurer Pamela Mitchell – Website by Design At Large Members Jim Halay – Alpine Pizza Nancy Seraphin – Wolf Creek Resort Janice Yoak – Red Rock Ranch & Outfitters Legal Counsel Celeste Canning Lisa reviewed the 2004 goals and highlights of projects and events that the OVBA will be undertaking in 2004. These goals and projects include taking the membership from the current 96 members to at least 120 by year’s end. A newly organized committee, entitled the “Buy Local” committee, has been formed by the Association to focus on ideas/programs to increase resident patronage of Ogden Valley businesses. The OVBA will continue its successful projects, including an Ogden Valley map and magazine. The map project, in its third printing, should be available shortly to member’s business locations. The organiza- tion will also begin production of the second edition of the widely successful Valley Views Magazine in a few weeks. The OVBA plans to either participate in or organize several events during the year including The Ogden Marathon, The Xterra Off Road Triathlon, The Convention and Visitors Bureau Partners in Tourism Golf Tournament, The Eden Balloon Festival, The Ogden Valley Triathlon, and The Snow Dance, to name a few. For information on how you and your business can become a part of this exciting Association, or to find out more about the OVBA events and projects, log on to <www.ovba.org> VOLUNTEERS Magazine Committee Nancy Seraphin - Wolf Creek - CHAIR Pam Mitchell - Website by Design Drienie Hattingh - Drienie Hattingh Rob King - Rainbow Gardens Clay Murphy - Perception Graphics Janice Yoak - Red Rock Ranch Jim Halay - Alpine Pizza Map Committee Pam Mitchell - Website by Design CHAIR Clay Murphy - Perception Graphics Rob King - Rainbow Gardens Sarah Hoffman - Rainbow Gardens Nancy Seraphin - Wolf Creek Janice Yoak - Red Rock Ranch Jim Halay - Alpine Pizza OVBA cont. on page 11 comprised of 40 dancers, who perform in more than 70 performances annually in the Salt Lake Valley and throughout the U.S. BRING YOUR ID - WE WASH FOR FREE Happy Birthday 16 and older 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. For Details Call Kristan Kap at 781-0855 2612 N. Valley Junction Dr. Eden St. Florence Catholic Community MASSES: Saturday: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. WEEKDAY MASS: Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. followed by The Rosary Phone: 745 - LORD Huntsville, Utah PASTORAL ADMINISTRATOR: Fr. Charles Cummins 399-9531 RECONCILIATION: 30 minutes before Mass KEN TURNER OGDEN VALLEY SPECIALIST Multi-Million Dollar Producer President’s Club Award Winner - Sales Master 801.710.8800 turner@relia.net Eden Office at Valley Market SOLD! Lot #14 Durfee Creek For more area information and property listings log on to: Come celebrate with us God’s good news. Intersection of Highway 39 & Snowbasin Road www.OgdenValleyProperties.com |