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Show Parowan to observe birthday with program-dance-festivities I I 1 f u x I PAROWAN - The first band of citizens of Iron County arrived on Center Creek (Now Parowan) on January 13, 1851. One Hundred and twenty-five years later that event will be celebrated in a special way. Latter day Saint Church president Spencer W. Kimball will he the honored guest of the day and will participate par-ticipate in the celebration, in response to an invitation of Parowan City Mayor Kendall 0. Gurr. The first settlement was organized under the direction of President Brigham Young for the purpose of establishing a base to provide desperately needed iron for the west, and also to provide an outpost for the Southern borders of the Church. The "Iron Mission" Company included 120 men, 30 women, and 18 children under 14 years of age under the command of Mormon Apostle George A. Smith. The History of the community has been that of a typical pioneer frontier settlement. The first white child lobe born in Parowan arrived in the world in a wagon box covered with a canvas top. The farmers and builders made remarkable progress, a council house was built, also a fort. Upon Brigham Young's first visit to Utah LDS Slake. President Kimball will arrive in Parowan the previous evening and will enjoy a visit at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Harold Mitchell, Mit-chell, who are' long-time acquaintances, of the prophet. Planned events on the days agenda include a flag ceremony at the Parowan Elementary School. President Kimball will plan to attend. It should be noted that due to limited facilities the general public is not invited to this function. A public meeting will be held beginning at 1 1 a.m. in the Parowan High School Auditorium, with president Kimball to be the featured speaker. Music will be furnished , by the Parowan Wards combined choirs directed by Mrs. Frankie ' Lou Bentley. They will perform a number written especially for the occasion and dedicated to the prophet by Gary Jensen. Title of the selection is "He that has ears to hear". Following the morning meeting all in attendance are invited to gather in the Parowan High School gym to enjoy a community box lunch. It is anticipated an-ticipated that all participating will bring their own lunches. A session of "Old Time" dancing will follow. It is expected that President and Mrs. Kimball will remain to participate in this . activity. The days activity will conclude with the presentation of a readers theatre presentation which has been specially prepared by Dr. Albert O. Mitchell Mit-chell This will be at 8 'p.hi. in the " High School Auditorium. Titifcef the production is "Parowan -echoes from the Old Town". It presents reflective incidents about former citizens of the community and of the human side of the town. Participants will be Gary Jensen, Narrator, with Mr. and Mrs. LaMar Jensen, Jen-sen, Merna Mitchell, Karl 0. Mitchell, Joan Mortensen, and Alan Adams as readers. All those interested are invited by Mayor Gurr to join the celebration. Everyone is encouraged to wear pioneer costumes. SPENCER W.KIMBALL President of LDS Church the settlement 1,000 acres of land had been planted. Indian relationships proved both good and bad as the colonizers made friends with most but did encounter en-counter some difficulties. Parowan continued to grow and to prosper with the pioneers becoming quite self-sustaining in their efforts to provide food, fiber and the necessities for the home. With Parowan as a base much colonization look place in southern Utah, Eastern Nevada, Northern Arizona and even into Wyoming. In observance of the 125th anniversary of settlement the , people of Parowan are greatly pleased that president Kimball has accepted the invitation to join in the celebration, the days activities are a cooperative effort ef-fort of Parowan City, the Parowan Schools, sons and daughters camps of the Utah Pioneers and of the Parowan |