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Show Irene McEwen Named 'BPW Woman of Year' Husband Clem, unsurprised by it all, said he only wondered "why it took them so long to figure it out he knew it all along." What he knew all along and others found out only Saturday evneing was that wife Irene is "Panguitch Woman of the Year," Named Women of the Year by the Panguitch Chapter of the Business and Professional Women in Saturday evening's ceremonies, Irene McEwen was completely surprised by one of the best-kept secrets in town. Rarely has the BPW been able to keep the winner's name a total secret up until awards-time but Saturday evening's coupe had Mrs.McEwen's entire family gathered, onstage behind closed curtains while she waited unsuspectingly to play the piano for singer Pat Dix who was in on the surprise. The curtains opened to reveal her loved ones who were ready to join Panguitch business and professional people in paying respect to one of its most outstanding native daughters for her contributions to school, church and community. Mrs. McEwen developed her interest in the arts early in lfie when her father took her to see many productions performed by cultural arts exchange groups. This love of music and theatre remained with her all her life and she conveyed it to the students she taught through the years. Her concern for the community has been shown most recently with Friday evening's successful performance in Panguitch of "The Best Two Years of My Life" a stageplay about the funnier moments of missionary work. The play was arranged for and brought to Panguitch by the McEwens. Mrs. McEwen is a daughter of J. Frank and Roene Houston and the Irene McEwen eldest of 12 children. She met Clem in high school but following graduation went on to attend Brigham Young University and the University of Utah where she ultimately graduated from BYU with a double major in English and music. Following graduation from the university she traveled with her sister Fern on a circle tour of the U.S. stopping in almost every state. I She attended the McCune school of Music and Art playing mostly piano and organ. She began post-graduate work at the University of Idaho at Moscow, Idaho, attending numerous institutions for the variety they offered before completing her post-graduate work. This year marks the 30th anniversary of BPW's Woman of the year Award and the firsr time it has been open to the public. Many people were on hand to find out who BPW would honor this year. (Continued on Page 2) Irene McEwen BPW Woman (Continued from Page 1) Mrs. McEwen went briefly to California in 1938 returning to Panguitch where she married Clem. Her special evening was made even more so by the contribution of her family members who had prepared tributes and favorite songs. Pat Dix sang two selections and Mrs. McEwen's granddaughter, Stephanie Olsen, 12, sang "You Light Up My life." Husband Clem presented her with a special plaque and brothers and sisters presented her with lovely tloral bouquets. She will represent Panguitch in District Woman of the Year competition in the early spring. Those of her family in attendance were daughter Melanie (Mrs. Ken) Olsen and four children from St. George; son Clem and wife Garland and their three children also from St. George; sisters Fern (Mrs. J. L. Crawford, St. George and Opal (Mrs. Reid) Miller, Panguitch; and brotlier Dee and wife Dorothy Houston, also Panguitch. |