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Show •N t W S- Covering what matters most Spanish Fork WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2007 • A3 Policemen are our protectors Holiday Planning All That Jazz Jazlyn Crandall Whenever I see a cop patrolling the street, I freeze, glance at my speedometer and slam on the brakes. Whenever I've seen a cop come within 15 feet of my body perimeter, nothing good has happened. Amonth ago I was driving down my neighborhood street when all of a sudden this huge, hairy thing hit into the side of my car. I hurried and turned around, but nothing was there. After some thinking and analyzing the three dents embedded in the side of my car, I came to the conclusion that either a deer or the Great Dane that lived on the street randomly collided into my car. My dad and I went to the police. We finally deduced that it was the great dane that took a dash into my car side! Once, when I was just a midget, I was riding my bicycle on the sidewalk when a policeman pulled me over and told me that the sidewalk was not for biking, it was for walking. Thus the name sidewalk. Because I was only about eight years old, I was pretty much scared out of my wits and avoided police officers forever. In the early hours of Independence Day, I was sleeping out in the Provo sidewalks with my friends for the parade when we were awakened by the sounds of people dropping the fbomb and smoking behind us. Lovely. These people why is your sleep anymore vital than anyone else's?" "Well, see, I work for a newspaper and if I don't have all my wits about me, I start titling my column 'All That Jaxx' by Charla Zeeman." Yeah. The emergency phone operators would love that. At mis point, I started to not care about the kids behind me and tried to get some •shut-eye. That's right when I noticed a few cops driving past where I was sleeping. I wanted to wave them down, but my arms felt like 100 lb. dumbbells were glued to them. However, a few moments later, the cops pulled over and actually escorted those stinkin' (and I mean literally) kids out of my sight. I've never been so happy to see a policeman my whole life, and I'm so glad to know that they are really doing their job. Good work you guys! ran amuck (and I really do mean amuck) for the next two hours, swearing their heads off and drinking. I didn't want to tell them to stop. They were drunk. They'd either swear more or maybe even pull a knife to my stomach. So I let them do their thing while I searched for a solution. None came. W h a t ? Should I call 911. "This is 911, What is the emergency?" "Yeah, well, there are some kids swearing behind me and drinking. They're probably underage, but I don't know." "And this is an emergency?" "Well you see, I can't sleep and my sleep is very vital." "And 4th of July parades through town 'Round and About Benjamin Kathleen Olsen Sorry to have missed the last couple weeks reporting 'Round and About Benjamin.' Sometimes life takes unexpected detours from its normal course, but now we are back on schedule. It's good to be back. ••• We hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day with everything from parades to family gatherings to quiet moments of reflection on how this day came to be. To this writer, the most touching sight was the many flags on display. Whether lining the streets of town or on display in front of the scattered rural homes, the sight of Old Glory fluttering in the breeze was the most stirring part of the day. We are blessed with many privileges and rights and we need to always remember what the flag represents. Some years ago we had the opportunity to see patriotism represented at opposite ends. Seven years ago, we were in Juneau, Alaska, which is a rather remote area of our country, At 12:01 a.m. on July 4, a giant fireworks display took place from a barge in the middle of the channel that borders downtown Juneau. The sky was lit with the fireworks which were reflected in the waters beneath while the noise echoed back and forth from the mountains on either side of the channel. (Juneau claims to be the first city with fireworks on July 4 - they have to be held at that time since it's too light the rest of the night. In fact, by the time we got back to our apartment at 1:30 a.m., it was already getting light.) Despite the late night, the following morning promptly at 9 a. m., a raucous and joyful parade wound through the narrow streets of downtown. Hags were everywhere and there was a joyous, patriotic feeling permeating throughout the area. The following year, we were in another city in the southern part of our country. Again, we attended the Independence Day activities including a parade held in the evening because of the heat. People were enjoying each other's company as the parade approached with the American flag in the lead. We stood to pay respects to the flag and found ourselves the only ones standing while those around us continued their conversations totally disregarding the flag. It was a great disappointment and, to us, cast a pall over the rest of the celebration. we enjoy in this nation and respect its greatest emblem, our very own flag. ••• Now to try to catch up on things that have been going on in our community. ••• Congratulations to Tonie Thorpe who has completed her studies for her master's degree from Southern Utah University. Tonie teaches third grade at Foothill Elementary School in Salem. ••• Sheldon and Carol Hansen hosted a 'Welcome home from Iraq' family party in honor of their grandson, LCPL Paul Davis who is home on leave from Camp Pendleton and recently returned from deployment in Iraq. Hamburgers and all the trimmings were on the menu for the supper. Those who enjoyed the evening together included Larry and Lisa Hansen, Kevin and Lisa Davis (Paul's parents), Albert Davis, Shaun and Rhonda Markworth, Tyler and Anita Ward and family, Jay and Laura Hughes and family, Jared and Sharla Butler and family, Brian and Ruth Nielson and son and assorted friends. Every Independence Day, those two celebrations and their contrasts are remembered. It is our hope that we always joyfully, thankfully remember and honor the great blessings It was an evening full of happiness and thankfulness for Paul's safe return. ••• Congratulations to Brian Lee and Katie Layne Hudson on their wedding which took Payson Fruit Growers HELP WANTED place on Friday, June 22, 2007. A reception honored them that evening at the Springville Museum of Art. Katie is the daughter of Andy and Chris Caras. ••• Several families have experienced the deaths of loved ones and we express our sympathy to them. Tom and Sherri Shepherd and Vernal and Christy Shepherd lost their father, Levi Ray Shepherd, on Thursday, June 28, 2007. Mr. Shepherd lived in Spanish Fork and his funeral and burial were held in Spanish Fork on Monday, July 2,2007. JoAnn and Dale Stevenson lost JoAnn's -brother, BlahBradford, on Friday, June 15, 2007. He died at his home in Salem and his funeral was held in Salem on Friday, June 22, 2007, with burial in the Spanish Fork Cemetery. parking in a parking lot and watching the fireworks from a distance — about 15 miles Charla Zeeman away. My plans began to Well, Independence Day sound more intriguing by is over. All the hoopla for the minute. Wait a minute, the holiday is past. Now what about my family? it's back to normal life. One child and her family But what is normal? That's were on a trip to Nauvoo. a question for the ages and I could have gone, but I really has nothing to do with had things here that were my thought process today. more pressing. None of Before the 4th, I asked which got done. I might as several friends what they well have gone. Another were going to do. My plans child was unavailable and were rather unspectacular lives a distance away. The and I thought, well, you third one had invited me know, maybe someone to her in-law's fireworks would have a better idea extravaganza. Their sons than I did. Now the problem put on quite a show. — all is that all my friends are in with legal fireworks and the same boat as I am — a very wet lawn, garden, age wise, that is. So I really area and at least one hose didn't get too many ideas. running continuously. We But we tried. don't want a fire, after all. I One friend is really could just see them calling quite active and her plans the fire department and were to go to Midway and having to face the grandson help put on a square dance who had just come in from demonstration. Midway a ten day stint offighting,a didn't sound too bad. It's fire in Idaho and one out on cooler and maybe not as Lake Mountain. crowded, but who wants to So what happened? As if go alone? you really wanted to know. Two or three others, were I haven't heard from those going with their families who were planning family somewhere. One was going activities or from the Villa, to Delta on a camping trip. but I'm sure all went well Others didn't really want and they had a wonderful to specify what they were time. Nor have I heard about doing. Maybe they simply the trip to Midway. didn't know for sure what My daughter spent the the children had planned. day in a van with her family Several in the Villa returning from Nauvoo. It's were planning a royal night a holiday. What were they complete with a pot luck thinking? meal and what? Television? The yard work lasted Visiting? Or just being too about two hours, and the tired after their busy day trip to the parking lot didn't to do much. Another one at survive because tiredness the Villa is trying to pack to set in too early. move. Now, I've been there, My evening turned out to done that, so no thanks. The be really enjoyable. How was meal didn't sound too bad, your 4th? Some of you were but it came at a time when I setting off noisy banging had been invited out. things until after midnight Another was planning to and then you wonder why I finish up some yard work look tired all the time. Who which has been going on all was it the other day who summer. Nothing new there. wanted to know how much And then maybe driving I knew about the lives of out of town to the north, senior citizens? Ramblin' Roads This loss to JoAnn and Dale comes soon on the heels of the tragic death of their son, Glen. Former Benjamin resident, Dona Rae Carter Rowe, died on Saturday, June 16, 2007. She was born to Clyde and Martha WrideCarterand spent several growing up years in Benjamin where she attended the Benjamin School. She still has many Wride relatives here in our community. Graveside services were held on Wednesday, June 20, 2007, at the Spanish Fork Cemetery. Security Insurance Keeping you safe under any circunwtance. 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