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Show Opinions The Gunnison Valley Gazette Page 2 Thursday, September 21, 2006 The quest to be It doesn't get any better than this number one Just A Thought : ;. By MARK HENLINE. Several, years ago I was working.as a salesman for a company that brought in one of those high priced motivational speakers to try to get us all pumped up. The main focus of his pep talk was that we all need to strive to be #1, the best, the top in our field. He pointed out that nobody remembers those who finish in second place and if you're not number one, you are just average. Then he said, "Do you know what average is? Average is the best of the worst, the cream of the crap!" I left that meeting not motivated but a little disgusted with people like that who contribute to the attitude in society that you have to rise to the top, it doesn't matter who you hurt or step on along the way. As long as you are number one, you are winning the game of life. We seem to have this attitude thrown at us from an early age. For example at recess, it's always the same kids being chosen last to be on the team. Or in little league sports, it's usually the same kids sitting on the end of the bench or standing on the sidelines as their friends are out on the field. The attitude in sports, in business, and in many aspects of life seems to be, if you are not number one, you are losing. With that in mind, I need to tell you a little story, a different perspective on life that I have seen and experienced. Not too long ago, I was privileged to be able to go with my son Drew to the Utah Special Olympics held at the University of Utah. Special Olympians came from all over Utah to participate in basketball, swimming and Bocci ball. My son Drew, who has Downs Syndrome, participated in Bocci ball, which is an Italian game similar to lawn bowling. The day was filled with laughter, hugs and excitement from the participants. They were competing against each other, but they were playing just for the joy of playing. When another team would score or do something good, all would clap and get excited. When someone would get hurt or start crying, the game would stop and competitors would help and comfort each other. Don't get me wrong, these kids were there to compete and medals were handed out to the winners, but they all seemed to realize the true importance wasn't taking first place but just competing and having fun with each other. At one point during the day, over the loud speaker came the Chicken Dance song and almost as if it had been rehearsed, hundreds of kids stopped what they were doing and started doing the Chicken Dance. I laughed out loud as I looked around me and saw kids everywhere, with their hands tucked under their armpits,, strutting around like chickens. What I like so much about these kids is there is no pretence. They were dancing in front of everyone and they didn't care who saw them. They were just having a great time. I think the favorite time of the day for most of the athletes was lunch. Things always go better with good food. It was all you can eat chips, sandwiches, cookies and drinks. One boy of about 18 grabbed a sub in each hand, raised his arms above his head and screamed, "Pig out!" which brought cheers from the large crowd. The kids loved eating all they wanted to. The games continued after lunch until it was time to award the medals. Those who won medals were so excited, but the funny thing was is the kids who didn't win were also excited for them. It was nice to leave a competition where everyone left' happy and they all felt like winners by just competing. I think we can all learn a thing or two from the Special Olympics. men wore garters on their ple who do that and those long sleeves, and every man who rob banks and steal wore a felt hat. My father things from houses when had a nice hat he bought no one's home. Stealing is from J.C. Penney. He was stealing, and just because so proud of that hat, and there's no law doesn't mean he wore it for years. It got debts shouldn't be paid. She so stained with sweat and said she used to sit next to rain that it changed colors a lady in Relief Society who over time but he wouldn't had the nicest clothes of any throw it away. He said it lady in the ward, and when was his lucky hat because the ward would do a charity By HARRIET he was wearing it when he drive for the Red Cross or a BAUMGARTNER proposed to mother and she hospital, that lady was always too busy with her imsaid she'd marry him. Kids today have no idea portant things to help out. Eunice hosted all of us last week. Edgar came what we started out with. Her husband was a truck around and took us right Dora said she went to her driver and he met some to her front gate. The frost grandson's wedding last waitress at a truck stop in has got most of her flowers year in Ferron and it took Nevada and they got a diin the front yard and with four long tables to hold all vorce and he didn't send her her arthritis, I'd be sur- the gifts and stuff those kids a dime so she had to go to prised to see fresh plants had. They started out with work at the sewing plant next spring. Winter is on more things for the house in Manti. It took her a long the way. We got to talking than I had after 57 years time before she realized that about that and how things of marriage. Lillian said folks were willing to help have changed. When we kids today don't appreciate her, and that whole affair were born there weren't very things like they should. If changed her for the better. many cars around and gaso- they don't have it, they go She never turned anyone line was cheap. We didn't buy it. It doesn't matter if down after that when there travel a lot, but as a young they don't have money, they was work to be done or a quilt girl, I went with my mother just charge everything and to tie or stitch. Some people on the train to Salt Lake to make payments for the rest might think that a bunch of elderly ladies might not get visit family. We stayed for of their lives. several days before we came Ellen said she heard much done when they get home. Dad had some milk that more people take out together, but that's not true cows and we used to help bankruptcy in Utah than in at all. We talk about things milk them twice a day be- any other state. I've seen it that are only memories, and fore we went to school. All happen a lot in my lifetime. we bring up folks who have of us kids helped. It didn't People go out and buy ev- passed away, and we show matter if we were girls, we erything they see and when pictures of our grandchilhelped with the chores ev- it's time to pay the piper, dren. Ada said it's just like... eryday right along with our they just go get a lawyer the beer commercial on TV, brothers. I love my furnace and send all those folks who it doesn't get any better today, but back in the 30's trusted them a letter that than this. most people heated their says they aren't going to pay We closed on a motion homes with wood stoves. If for the things they bought or from Vera, (Be-ulah secondthe fire wasn't tended, those the work they had done. ed) that we see if there are old houses would get cold Melba said she can't see going to be any winter speenough to store ice cream. any difference between peo- cials in Mesquite. It passed. When we'd get up in the winter, we'd get as close to the stove as we could without getting burned. My sister scorched her dress more than once on that old stove. Cold Winter Noses • Mistletoe Manor I remember mother making us wear our long stockings that were held up with a garter belt. There was no elastic badf then. The old Club News It's time to pick out your Christmas Fabric! Come in and check out our New Line of Fabrics! In the Pink • North Woods Flannel Wfi'tf- I Jills j rnoine; (_,otTip,-inii • 7-+ south M-i'n, (_junniscin ! Coupon Expires October 31,2006 byAUDREY BOORE badges at summer camp and each received a rank advancement. These six scouts spent a week at Thunder Ridge Boy Scout Camp in southern Utah the first week of August. Austin Burr received his 2nd Class and 1st Class rank. Corey Erickson received his 2nd Class rank. Ty Blackburn, Chad Boore, Dalton Burr and Chance Christiansen all received their Life rank. Keep up the good work boys, as your trail to Eagle Scout is well on and soon to be completed. I Come In to sign up for September Classes! Saturday, Septmeber 23 • 10 am - 4 pm Mr. & Mrs. Pumpkin Wall Hanging Taught by Marcia Chappell Open 74 South Main Gunnison Tuesday - Saturday 10 a . m . - 6 p.m.' 528-5100 Fabric - Kits -Machine Quilting Discover why 15 million tq/ttgage HOMEOWNERS TRUST their homes to GUNNISON VALLEY tte Lane Henderson, Publisher Mark Henline, Editor & Advertising Jodi Henline, Office Manager Call: (435) 528-5178 for subscription, news or advertising. FAX: (435) 528-5179 E-mail gazette@gtelco.net The Gunnison Valley Gazette is published each Thursday by Gunnison Valley Gazette. L.L.C., 194 South Main Suite 101, P.O. Box 143 Gunnison, Utah 84634. Bulk rate postage (permit No. I I ) is paid at Gunnison, Utah. POSTMASTER: Send address changes lo Gunnison Valley Gazette. P.O. Box 143 Gunnison, Utah 84634 Deadlines: News and advertising, close of business, Friday prior to publication. Subscription prices: One year, $25 in Sanpete County, one year, $30 outside Sanpete County. Single copy price 50 cents. Advertising rales available upon request. All articles and photographs submitted for publication are subject lo editing and only will be used if the editor deems them newsworthy. The editor reserves the right to hold submitted news items for space reasons. Copyright Gunnison Valley Gazette, Gunnison, Utah 2005. All rights reserved. Reproduction, reuse or transmittal of all matter herein is prohibited without prior written permission by the publisher or editor. ! i ON AMY FABRIC! • Axtell News The rains, wind and frost reminds us that summer is soon to be over and winter is not far off. Many gardens, if not covered were frosted Sunday morning. The Gunnison High School Homecoming football game on Friday night was cold and windy, but everyone was so excited with the win that the weather was just a slight discomfort. Way to go team. Axtell Boy Scout Troop 573 held Court of Honor Sunday evening with all six 11 & 12 year-old scours earning a number of merit fAvt «%> STATE FARM. 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