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Show Page 3 The Garfield County Insider December 24, 2008 IN OUR TOWN... MISSIONS Elder Brady Glen Owens The Story of: Silent Night Father Joseph Mohr sat at the old organ. His fingers stretched over the keys, forming the notes of a chord. He took a deep breath and pressed down. Nothing. He lifted his fingers and tried again. Silence echoed through the church. Father Joseph shook his head. It was no use. The pipes were rusted, the bellows mildewed. The organ had been wheezing and growing quieter for months, and Father Joseph had been hoping it would hold together until the organ builder arrived to repair it in the spring. But now, on December 23, 1818, the organ had finally given out. St. Nicholas Church would have no music for Christmas. Father Joseph sighed. Maybe a brisk walk would make him feel better. He pulled on his overcoat and stepped out into the night. His white breath puffed out before him. Moonlight sparkled off the snow-crusted trees and houses in the village of Oberndorf. Father Joseph crunched through the snowy streets to the edge of the little Austrian town and climbed the path leading up the mountain. From high above Oberndorf, Father Joseph watched the Salzach River ripple past St. Nicholas Church. In the spring, when melting snow flowed down the mountains and the river swelled in its banks, water lapped at the foundation of the church. It was moisture from the flooding river that had caused the organ to mildew and rust. Father Joseph looked out over the Austrian Alps. Stars shone above in the still and silent night. Silent night? Father Joseph stopped. Of course! “Silent Night!” He had written a poem a few years before, when he had first become a priest, and he had given it that very title. “Silent Night.” Father Joseph scrambled down the mountain. Suddenly he knew how to bring music to the church. The next morning, Father Joseph set out on another walk. This time he carried his poem. And this time he knew exactly where he was going -- to see his friend Franz Gruber, the organist for St. Nicholas, who lived in the next village. Franz Gruber was surprised to see the priest so far from home on Christmas Eve, and even more surprised when Father Joseph handed him the poem. That night Father Joseph and Franz Gruber stood at the altar of St. Nicholas Church. Father Joseph held his guitar. He could see members of the congregation giving each other puzzled looks. They had never heard a guitar played in church before, and certainly not during midnight mass on Christmas Eve, the holiest night of the year. Father Joseph picked out a few notes on the guitar, and he and Franz Gruber began to sing. Their two voices rang out, joined by the church choir on the chorus. Franz Gruber’s melody matched the simplicity and honesty of Father Jseph’s words. When the last notes faded into the night, the congregation remained still for a moment, then began to clap their hands. Applause filled the church. The villagers of Oberndorf loved the song! Father Joseph’s plan to bring music to St. Nicholas Church had worked. A few months later, the organ builder arrived in Oberndorf and found the words and music to “Silent Night” lying on the organ. The song enchanted him, and when he left, he took a copy of it with him. The organ builder gave the song to two families of traveling singers who lived near his home. The traveling singers performed “Silent Night” in concerts all over Europe, and soon the song spread throughout the world. Today, cathedral choirs and carolers from New York to New Zealand sing the simple song that was first played in a mountain church in Austria on Christmas Eve nearly 200 years ago. Here’s a site for one of the greatest versions of O! Holy Night... (ALL the verses!) www.youtube. com/watch?v=mIDLhJGDPUY&feature=related Utah Farm Bureau Members Elect Farm and Ranch leaders Members from Utah’s 28 County Farm Bureaus met November 19-21 to select leaders for the state’s largest farming and ranching organization. Delegates re-elected Summit County sheep rancher Stephen Osguthorpe to his 5th two-year term as vice-president of the Utah Farm Bureau Federation. John Ferry, a cattle rancher from Corinne, Box Elder County, Flint Richards, a dairyman and hay farmer from Erda, Tooele County, Scott Chew, a sheep rancher and farmer from Jensen, Uintah County, and Nan Bunker, a hay producer from Delta, Millard County were all reelected to two-year terms on the Utah Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Ruth Roberts, an onion and produce farmer, whose farm is in Davis County, was re-selected as the chair of the Utah Farm Bureau Women’s Committee. Steve & Amber Martini, dairy and grain farmers from Ogden, Weber County, Bart & Alley Garrett, cattle ranchers and grain producers from Nephi, Juab County, and Jason & Melinda Goble, an FFA advisor and farmer from Aurora, Sevier County, were selected to on the state YF&R committee. Waneta Fawcett of Summit County, Alice Johnson, of Utah County, and Tawny Olsen of Sanpete County were re-elected to the state Women’s Committee. Elder Brady Glen Owens has been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He will serve in the Charleston West Virginia Mission. Elder Owens will be speaking in sacrament meeting on December 28, 2008 at 9:00 am in the Panguitch Stake Center. He will enter the MTC on January 7, 2008. Elder Owens is son of David & Lorraine Owens, the grandson of Glen & Bonnie Owens and West & Marie Orton and the Late Donald Liston. Full Time Professional Real Estate Services Serving Escalante, Boulder, Brian Head & St. George www.trailsendre.com For Great Real Estate Service.... Come Visit Us at 10 W. Main St., Escalante or Call Leslie Venuti 435-668-0540 or Denise Olson 435-680-4663. We can show all properties in the area and assist you with all your buying or selling needs. THANKS TO ALL OUR CLIENTS AND FRIENDS FOR A SUCCESSFUL 2008! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES FOR A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR! DENISE, LESLIE & BRIAN Bryce Valley Area News ...by Vicki D. Syrett 679-8687 or vickidiane36@hotmail.com Congratulations to Madison Syrett who was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her grandfather, MonDell Syrett. Madison is the daughter of Steve and Amy Syrett of Tropic. Grandparents are Moyle and Tracy Johnson and MonDell and Florence Syrett. Great-grandparents are Rella Alvey of Tropic and Jean Syrett of Cedar City. Kathern Syrett reports that daughter, Jentre’ Leishman of Bountiful Utah has been staying with Rod and Kathern Syrett while recovering from Gall Bladder surgery. She had some trouble recovering so they felt it better if she stayed with her parents for a few days. She is now better and has gone on home to her husband and baby in Bountiful. Rod and Kathern Syrett met daughter Sheila and her T.J. Johnson and they all went to Las Vegas to see the play, “Mamma Mia”. They really enjoyed it very much and since they had loved the movie the play was a bonus. A few familiar faces in Sacrament meeting today were Greg and Megan Leech from S. Carolina who are home for a visit over the holidays. Greg is the son of Elaine Haas of Tropic and Megan is the daughter of Wes and Ellen Clarke of Tropic. Eric Clarke and his family were also visiting. They sure have cute little kids. I know there were many others but don’t have names at this time. The Tropic Ward Choir put on the Sacrament meeting today with speakers Crystal Mortensen and Spring Seiler. It was beautifully done and they sounded like angels. It was especially fun to see Miriam Wagstaff and Natalie Pollock in the choir with their bright, smiling faces and lovely voices. Miriam is the daughter of Clay and Rebecca Wagstaff and Natalie is the daughter of Gayle and Marie Pollock. Kalena Kilfoyle lead off one song with a solo and then the choir joined and they all were wonderful. It was all under the leadership of Marie Pollock with Gwen Brinkerhoff at the piano. Thank you folks for a lovely meeting. Mike and Kami Stevens were released as Nursery Leaders with a big vote of thanks. The lights around the Bryce Valley Area are looking beautiful. It is nice to see them shining upon the white snow that we have on the ground. Too bad my own house is so undecorated. Age took over the climbing up to do it. Part of the package I guess but we sure do enjoy everyone elses lights. Thanks for the efforts to everyone. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas this year. Stay safe and enjoy the company of family. Remember our Savior Jesus Christ who is the reason we celebrate Christmas. He is the one that gives us so much and this is the special time to pay love and respect to Him at this time of year. (And all year as well!!) Also to Ryan Davis and his family and staff we say Merry Christmas and thanks for the year of wonderful newspapers and your hard work. Please call in your news or email me with your Christmas visitors. Thanks VS Working For the Rally Senior Class Secretary Logan McLemore Last week was a great one here at EHS. Each class had the opportunity to compete in decorating their Advisor’s doors with a Christmas theme. The seventh graders came in first place, with a 3-D snowman. The sophomores were a close second, with a look through window of Santa’s workshop. The came freshman in third, with a cocacola bear Christmas. The seniors trailed as runner-up, with a Christmas graduation present. It was tons of fun and congrats to the seventh graders on their victory. With the new week also came a new set of Academic Achievers. In the area of reading, Jared Noyes and JaDee Stewart, excelled in their work ethic. Their outstanding test scores caught their teacher’s eye. Way to go guys, keep up the good work. As the Christmas break grows nearer, students are working harder than ever to get their grades up to parr. Students have high hopes and are trying to reach one of the four desired levels of recognition for the upcoming Renaissance Rally on January 22. The levels include Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Great job students! Keep working hard! USDA ANNOUNCES NEW OFFICE OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND MARKETS Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer today announced the intention to establish a new USDA Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets and the creation of a federal government-wide Conservation and Land Management Environmental Services Board to assist the Secretary of Agriculture in the development of new technical guidelines and science-based methods to assess environmental service benefits which will in turn promote markets for ecosystem services including carbon trading to mitigate climate change. “Our Nation’s farms, ranches and forests provide goods and services that are vital to society - natural assets we call “ecosystem services,” said Schafer. “The Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets will enable America’s agriculture producers to better compete, trade their services around the world, and make significant contributions to help improve the environment.” Agriculture producers provide many ecosystem services which have historically been viewed as free benefits to society clean water and air, wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and scenic landscapes. Lacking a formal structure to market these services, farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are not generally compensated for providing these critical public benefits. Market-based approaches to conservation are proven to be a cost-effective method to achieve environmental goals and sustain working and natural landscapes. Without financial incentives, these ecosystem services may be lost as privately-owned lands are sold or converted to development. Secretary Shafer intends to name Sally Collins Director of the Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets (OESM). Organizationally, OESM will be located within the Office of the Secretary providing direct access to the Secretary. Collins will assume this position after serving as Associate Chief of the USDA Forest Service for the past 8 years, where she pioneered concepts for ecosystem services and markets as part of that agency’s sustainable land management mission. OESM will provide administrative and technical assistance to the Secretary in developing the uniform guidelines and tools needed to create and expand markets for these vital ecosystem services and will support the work of the Conservation and Land Management Environmental Services Board. As directed by the authorizing legislation the first ecosystem services to be examined will be carbon sequestration. The Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets and the Conservation and Land Management Environmental Services Board will be established to implement actions authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill. The Conservation and Land Management Environmental Services Board will be comprised of the Secretaries of Interior, Energy, Commerce, Transportation, and Defense; the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors; the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology ; the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and, the Commander of the Army Corps of Engineers. The Secretary of Agriculture will Chair the Board. The Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Administrator of Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs will serve as vice-chairs. Nominations will be sought in the near future for a federally chartered public Advisory Committee to advise the Board. The Advisory Committee will include farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, Tribal representatives, as well as representatives from State natural resource and environmental agencies, agriculture departments, and conservation and environmental organizations. Advertise in the Insider Call 676-2621 Ads start at just $5 / week! |