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Show C M Y K Gazette GUNNISON VALLEY C M Y K Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 11 Gunnison, UT ECRWSS Your Hometown Newspaper! Volume 4 • Number 9 Draperies by Dennah Gunnison native sews drapes for the State Capitol by CHRISTI GARFF Gunnison Valley native Dennah Baxter became a piece of Utah History this past year. Dennah owner of Dennahs Custom Drapes was chosen by the Utah State Capitol Renovation Project committee to sew the draperies for the newly completed State Capitol in Salt Lake City. Dennah, a 1974 graduate of Gunnison Valley High School and daughter of Mrs. Darlene Baxter and the late Marvin J. Baxter of Centerfield began her career as a seamstress as a young girl, learning to sew in 4H and in her required home education course at school. When asked why she became a seamstress Ms. Baxter replied, “When I grew up everyone’s mother had a sewing machine in their home. The clothes we wore were made by our mothers. We were required to take home economics in school and learn basic sewing skills there. As a senior we were able to leave school and receive high school work credit, I did so working in the sewing industry from there the puzzle pieces just fell into place.” Upon graduation Thursday, February 28, 2008 Dennah Baxter in her custom drape shop. Dennah left the Gunnison Valley and became employed by Pacific Trails sewing outer ware. Then twenty two years ago this summer the opportunity to purchase a small drapery company in Salt Lake City became her reality and Dennahs Custom Drapery was born. During those almost twenty two years Dennah has never had to do much advertising. The quality of her work allows her the privilege of being highly recommended by interior designers and drapery installers alike. “Having a recommendation from a drapery installer is the highest of compliments,” stated Dennah, “know one knows the quality of a drapery better than those who install them for a living.” Dennah’s work doesn’t just include draperies though, Mrs. Darlene Baxter of Centerfield said, Dennah also hems the robes of Priests for various church’s in Salt Lake, which she does so without charge. Darlene (Dennah’s Mom) went on “Dennah does not charge for this service because she feels like that would be like robbing God.” Dennah’s work has gone Copy Price • 75 cents Courtesy Photo worldwide. One local designer that Dennah has worked through moved to New York City and then enlisted the service of Dennah to complete draperies for Regis Philbin. Another well known person Dennah has done work for is Jazz great, John Stockton. “I never really meet these people I just work through their interior designer,” reminded Ms. Baxter. One of the most difficult jobs Dennah has completed was the draperies for a condo in Turkey. All of the work had to be done through interpreters. Then the opportunity for Dennah to become a piece of Utah history came, when she received word that she had been selected to sew the draperies for the Utah State Capitol Renovation Project. Dennah has completed the draperies for the Governors Reception Room, the Capitol Board Room, the Executive Board Room, and the Governors working Office thus far. She is still working on the draperies for the Senate Chambers which will be installed in mid March when the current legislative session concludes. All of the draperies for the State Capitol are made from heavy velvet and mohair, all in earth tones, with beautiful gold trim. Most of the draperies are stationary panels twenty-eight inches wide and are one hundred forty to one hundred fifty inches in length, with valances and tie backs. Dennah isn’t sure of the amount of fabric she has had to work with to complete the project but stated, “I do know that I have used well over 500 yards of lining thus far.” Dennah recently broke her arm which has made sewing a challenge but she continues. She is currently finishing up the final pieces for the Capitol and working on pillows and other items for her clients. Relay for Life 2008 Friday June 27, 2008 Sanpete County will be sponsoring their 2008 American Cancer Society Relay for Life. The Relay for Life Committee would like to invite everyone in the county to come out and support this wonderful event. Over the next few weeks we will be printing articles explaining different aspects of the celebration. Relay for Life is a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people will be camping out at the Gunnison Valley High School track and take turns walking or running around the track throughout the night. Relay for Life is an overnight event because cancer never sleeps. Relay for Life brings together millions of people across the country to raise money to help prevent cancer, save lives, and diminish suffering from the disease. While we are raising much needed funds we will also be raising awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and patient support. Relay brings people together from all walks of life with the common goal of eliminating cancer. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at our Relay. One of the highlights of the night is the Luminaria Ceremony. When the sun goes down, hundreds of luminaria light the way under the stars to remember those Mark Henline/Gunnison Valley Gazette Lowell Clark, DIO Division Director with Department of Corrections and Chuck Bigelow, Warden at Central Utah Correctional Facility meet with the Gunnison City Council last week to give an update on growth at CUCF. Main Street revitalization and airport top council agenda by MARK HENLINE Mark Henline/Gunnison Valley Gazette Jennifer Broderick fills luminary bags at last years Relay. lost to cancer, those fighting cancer, and those who have fought cancer and won. A Luminaria is simply a bag with sand in the bottom, a candle is placed in the bag to illuminate it. Each bag represent an individual story of a struggle with cancer. Every Luminaria bears the name of a person afflicted by cancer and the one who honors them. When the sun goes down, the candles are lit and light the way throughout the night. At 9 p.m. we gather for the Luminaria ceremony. This ceremony of light symbolizes the hope and perseverance with which we all continue to fight. It is one of the more inspirational moments at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Lowell Clark, DIO Division Director and Chuck Bigelow, warden at Central Utah Correctional Facility attended last week’s Gunnison City Council meeting to give an update on growth at CUCF. Currently, the inmate housing at CUCF has a maximum limit of 1320 inmates, but the facility likes to keep its numbers at about 1280. There will be another 192 bed building completed in July. This means with approval from the legislature another 60 to 70 employees will be needed by mid summer. Currently there is a shortage of employees at both CUCF and the Draper facility. “It’s a concern,” said Clark, “to staff the facility with the rapid growth that has been taking place.” To help with the staffing at CUCF there will be three POST certification academy sessions held at CUCF this spring and into the summer. For the future, Corrections is asking for approval on two more buildings to be built, but it appears at this time that only one will receive approval. Eventually CUCF is looking to top out at 2000 beds. That is the number agreed upon when CUCF moved to the valley. According to Clark, Corrections is beginning to seek another location besides Draper and Gunnison to begin work on a third facility. One possible location is in Rush Valley, located south of Tooele. Also if it ever becomes economically feasible, the Draper location could eventually be closed. Bigelow and Clark also discussed the BLM horse program at CUCF. They said that it appears to be a great success and that the BLM says the program could be much larger. Next on the city council agenda was a visit from Ernest E. Bleinberger of Strategy 5, a redevelopment agency. Bleinberger specializes in revitalization strategies and development solutions. Strategy 5 has offices in Cache Valley, Utah and Annapolis, Maryland. Bleinberger is currently working on projects for Draper City, South Weber, Davis County, Preston, Idaho and has helped with projects in over 200 cities nationwide. Bleinberger was brought in to help access the economic, fiscal impact to Gunnison caused See COUNCIL, Page 4 C M C M Y K Y K |