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Show Garfield County Kicks Off Centennial Celebration For the 100th birthday of the formation of Garfield County, Mrs. Bulkley's second grade class at Panguitch Elementary worked to prepare banner for presentation to Garfield County Commissioner George Middleton. Garfield County's historic old courthouse was the site for the county's centennial celebration Tuesday as residents from throughout the area gathered to kickoff the first day of a planned year-long festivities. It didn't look as though things had changed too much at first sight as the ladies of Daughters of the Utah Pioneers greeted visitors in their pioneer dresses. County commissioners made it all official with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebrants wandered through the courthouse to view exhibits of old-time memorabilia on display to add to the nostalgia of the day. Photographs of early county leaders were hung on the walls triggering memories and many conversations about how things used to be in the good old days. County assessor Doyle Cottam offered a dedicatory prayer expressing gratitude to the county's forbears and asking for continued unity of purpose and effort among the county's residents. Ireta Henrie led the gathering in a patriotic song that seemed to create a mood for appreciating the sacrifices made by the early pioneers of the county who had endured great hardships in establishing much of the area. Students from Panguitch Elemen-tary's second grade presnted County Commissioner George Middleton with a banner they had made depicting the outline of Garfield County with its geography, lifestyle and activities beautifully handcolored by the children. The Panguitch Ladies' Rhythm Band dded to the gaiety of the celebration " with their kazoos and colorful pioneer ' dresses inside the courthouse and Ariel : Fletcher added more music with his accordian outside as visitors arrived. Combined classes of the third and fourth grade at Panguitch Elementary presented a musical tribute to the county, singing songs of the old-. fashioned one-room school house and (Continued on Page 2) Garfield County Kicks Off Centennial Celebration (Continued from Page 1) playing their recorders. Mrs. Gary Fagg and children, Tracy and Trent performed two selections with a patriotic theme for those who were assembled. During a break in the program, refreshments were served with' hundreds of cookies baked by local volunteers. Participants were encouraged to register at the door and were conducted on guided tours of the courthouse facilities and historical displays by ladies of the DUP. The courthouse had been polished and prepared for the special occasion and was perhaps one of the finest displays in itself with its beautiful woods, fine craftsmanship and architecture typical of early Utah. Sheriff Vic Middleton in old-time sheriff's attire took youngsters on special tours of the jail. The group reassembled at 11 a.m. outside the courthouse to watch the Escalante marching band perform routines and parade down Main Street as traffic was stopped for the occasion. Later, while visitors' were touring the courthouse displays, Davey Rose, Henrieville, entertained with his singing. LaVenda (Mrs. Kirk) Moore baked a birtday cake with everyone enjoying a little piece to help celebrate. Activities continued throughout the day with guests continuing to arrive at intervals. County commissioners Middleton, Guy Thompson, and Dell LeFevriN. expressed their appreciation to) everyone who had worked so hard and' on such short notice to make the day a success. Garfield County School Superintendent Henry Jolley, in doing some research, discovered the date of the county's founding and realizing it was only a month until the 100th anniversary, brought the fact to commissioners'' attention. Enlisting the aid of the DUP ladies', ' countywide, Commissioner Middleton asked them to accept responsibility for the celebration. Organizing throughout-! the county .and asking for help wherever people were willing, theyi1 began planning the events for March 9: Commissioners adopted a resolution recognizing the anniversary and requesting that all county activities, throughout the year be geared to, the Centennial celebration. More activities are anticipated throughout the year as residents get into the spirit of honoring the county on its birthday, ;.C6mmissioners adopted as the official seal for Garfield County a design created by Bob Burton, Panguitch High School student. The seal was displayed on the front cover of a parchment brochure commemorating the county's centennial which was sold as a souvenir. Inside the covers were the words reproduced from the official county records noting the-founding of Garfield County on March 9, 1892. Also participating in the day's program was Davey Rose, Henrieville, . who sang for people touring the courthouse displays. Among the, many people involved , with the day's preparations were Garfield, County DUPchalrman, Leah Griffin; historian, Opal Miller and Registrar,. Ruby G. Myers. " Also' participating from the Panguitch Cornelia Camp, Captain Ireta Henrie; from the panguitch Loyhova Camp, Captain Ivadell Yardley; from the Hatch DUP, captain Velma Huntington; and from the Escalante DUP, Captain Joan Liston. |