Once an Educator, always an Educator!

Teaching must be a passion as much as a job! I have personally known School Superintendent's who retire....then go on teaching! Perhaps it is a DNA thing. My first research project was on Birdie Jones, who without formal education, was a teacher in the Nortonville, Juab school in the 1880's. Years later, she cooked for kids in the old Central School of Nephi. My mother spoke fondly of Supt. Ray Stewart and her 1917 teachers at Nephi High. Juab Supt. Clyde Child and I became friends as did me and Supt. Ralph Menlove, both of whom continued to teach until their last breath in this life. Although they seldom spoke of it, teachers Vaughn Paxman; Dwain Bracken; Dr. John Ord; Sherl Ferre; Dr. Clyde Child were veterans and Edna Cazier was on special assignment by the Army during World War Two. Former school boss-George A. Sperry taught me how to get my merit badge in scouts. Principal, then Supt. Clark Newell was a Veteran and it showed when he chased me down while I tried to ditch school. Professor Lambert was a brilliant chemist and called to assist the United States during World War II. One of my best teachers wasn't even a teacher! Leonard Linton was the custodian at the Central School, and taught me respect-1894 style! Fellow Nephite-Dr. Alma Pexton Burton was a respected LDS author, but we spoke "Nephi Talk" when he was my professor. Dr. Bradford continued to teach me long after he retired. After some research, I found that former Supt. Kirk Wright-although a Millard High graduate, remains a devoted follower of Juab High in Drill Competitions, Debates, FFA, Concerts and seen in Cedar City last night watching a Juab High basketball game. In his 70's, he still teaches two adult sons....how to coach properly! Teachers and parents, after observing and talking with present Juab High Super Duper Head Dude-Supt. Rick Robins.......is "Committed To Excellence" and your kids remain in good hands when they go back to school next week. Winter Recess is over!

A marriage from 1919; another in 1920 then a new old one from 1967!

With the sun shining brightly, but the temperature only 10 degrees, we found this a great day to sit by the fire and go through marriage declarations from yesteryear. The first is from "The Times News" which article was neatly folded and sent to me while residing in a far off country. The marriage was no surprise as Ann Brough and Bob Shepherd were close friends as teenagers and it didn't take an Einstein to figure they were meant for each other forever. And both came from excellent stock with Bob's father selling hay to the Jones family and a fair man he was. The next wedding invitation hailed from the oolitic beach of California involving Ester Smith and John Ingersol Cazier of Nephi, Utah. In the beginning of Juab County, the Cazier family helped settle Nephi and darn good people to be neighbors with and one of the original Jones gals tied her horse to a Cazier hitching post! Then came Della Orme who accepted a gold ring of togetherness with one of the local Tolley boys in 1920. May all marriages remain as beautiful as the cursive writing of the past.

Today, we introduce you to the beautiful Emma Tolley Bryan.

Emma Tolley was born on Nov. 12, 1853 and along with her parents, help tame Sanpete and Juab Counties under the direction of Brigham Young of LDS Church fame. We are not sure of the exact photo date but suspect it is in the 1870's. My father called her "Aunt Emma", having two sisters(Sarah Jane & Elizabeth Ann) that married two of the local Jones boys(Edward & William). In Oct. of 1874, she married a Nephite dweller by the name of Joseph Bryan and both are now doing the Juab County two-step in the heavenly halls of glory. Information on the back was hand written by my father many years ago, whose writing I recognized. Sometimes, one has to grasp the past to understand the future! The photo will be held for four hours and then up for grabs to a Nephi Bryan family direct descendant, otherwise it will be given to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum in Nephi, Utah at 1600 hours on this date. Let it be written, let it be done.

The human brain-the greatest machine to feel the warmth of winter!

Some may refer to it as presumptively unrealistic, but we can all sit by a real or imaginary fireplace and truly believe it is invitingly warm outside. Close your eyes and let the vivid imaginations commence. Each brain can systematic transfer the body to the white soft beaches of that inviting warm pacific hideaway island with floating puffy clouds drifting by. Or perhaps, glimpse at that brand new refreshing swimming pool about to open its doors in Nephi, Utah. That was the thoughts of many of us as we contributed funds to help the City build it, and the large thermometer in front of City Hall that continued to rise until the goal was met. The first photo was taken courtesy of The Times News of 1959(Judge John Robertson is with bow tie) and the second photo showing the crowd in the pool after it opened. The third photo was recently discovered and thought to be about 1930 in the playground where the Nephi Pool is now located. The North School was located east of the park which was then called "Pioneer Park", and many kids and adults hung out there. Swimming in a pool was an invited change to hitching a ride to Burraston or going to the swimming hole by the Utah Poultry of Salt Creek, as we had to share it with the railroad Hobo's that bathed there!

Christmas cards and letters remain a joy to receive.

I assume I got in from parents, and they got it from their parents, as I have been going through the many Christmas cards and letters they had received over the past hundred years. I observed the beautiful penmanship and the timely words that were sent. I could feel the heart felt joy that my grandfather felt when in 1894, he received a letter from his pregnant wife while serving an LDS mission in England. They both had a great sense of duty and love for the Church but also their binding devotion for each other. I then read some of the letters sent by three brothers while they were serving in the military during the Viet Nam war. One sitting in a fox hole in a far off jungle made my mother feel alone and depressed but that Jones boy gave her the strength to hold on, with insightful words of encouragement.

The other day I got a Christmas card by way of my son-Justin Wm. Jones, who I lost 18 months ago. Grief and depression came over me, until I read the words which were printed on the card by his photo. I felt like it came directly from him and no longer felt the same depression he was going through at the time. I felt him from heaven and that he still loved me as much as I love him, and although not in the physical sense, he is very much alive in a spiritual manner. Once I felt him by my shoulder, I stopped the tears and felt honored to have known him in my earth life for those 38 years.

Thanks for the card Justin. As you are fully aware, our love for each other is a forever thing. 

                                                          

All are invited to the 4th Ward Christmas Party for Dec. 21st!

"Here We Come A Caroling" is the theme for the Christmas party set for Dec. 21, 1954. In case you missed it, we saved a program for you, but a little difficult to read without extreme bi-focals. I am not sure if "Are My Ears On Straight" was a Christmas song or dance, but know that Bishop Don Bailey would not permit the sketch with the performers using egg-nog! If you recognize the people involved, it may help you bring back fond memories of a great Christmas. Even as a youngin, I liked to be on the front chair in the Nephi 4th Ward of the LDS church if the beautiful Shirley Brough was going to perform. Even as a 8 year old, I was awe struck. Merry Christmas to one and all, regardless of where your reindeer may roam!

Congratulations to Barbara & Brenda who won the Utah Fair Twins contest!

The story is true, but like most things, it takes me awhile to catch up! The Times News of Juab County tells the tale of the two, so let me catch you up to present day. If you go into the "Boutique On Main" in downtown Nephi America, you will find either of the sisters there, and yes, they are just as beautiful today as they were back then. And their shop is classy too!

Are you ready for school yells of 1928!

Last night, in a rival town, rumor has it that the Juab High School basketball team won the game-68 to 66, but it took an overtime and a come from behind effort to do so. It sounded like great skill on the part of the team and the coach's. But just to prevent those potential heart attack victims watching the game, we have an idea. We offer some basketball shouts from the predecessor of Juab High, which was Nephi High way back when. Some explanation is offered about the listed administration. The only real faculty is George A. Sperry, who was the Principal. The others are part of the "Class of 28" students. In fact it was James P. McCune that wrote the school song, and gave permission to modify it from "Nephi High" to Juab High, and the song is still sang. Judge McCune was a decent man as a Freshman, as he helped re-write the yell book of 1924, when one of the songs wasn't quite decent to some folks. It is difficult to see the "N" on the side of the mountain from a hundred years ago, but the "J" remains on what is now called the "J-Hill". Once we get this sent to the world, we will give the songbook to Lisa Blackett, the present "Yell Coach" for Juab High.

Tonight is the night-the last go round of the worlds greatest sport!

I have been to a hay wagon load of sports around the world, but the best of all concludes tonight! You won't read about it in most newspapers, but it may be found if you ardently seek it. It is the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas. Only the best of the best make it to Vegas, and of the 120 athletes at that ten day event, ten are from Utah with a herd of the Wright family from Milford competing. From my grandstand point of view, the only other Utah family that did it so "right" in sports were the Fullmer brothers in boxing during the 1950's and 60's. Utah boys are Rhen Richard, Kaycee Feild, Mason Clements, Quinn Kesler, Coburn Bradshaw, Rusty Wright, Ryder Wright, Jake Wright, Joe Frost and Tyler Bingham. And if you ever get a chance to attend the NFR in real life, you will see that the true American cowboy knows how to pray for the safety of the animal & cowboy as well as sing the National Anthem correctly. If you can't find it at PRCA World Standings on the computer, you will have to wait til next summer when the Ute Stampede returns to Nephi, and welcome Cotton Rosser-just like they did in Vegas on opening night. Now if we can get those Texas rodeo Judges to keep their yellow flags in their Wrangler britches!

Weston Jones just walked off his job at Juab County...and every where else!

Weston Jones is a goner! He is all washed up! Enough is enough! After paying into Social Security for 60 plus years, he put up the surrender sign and quit working. He was the first one of us kids to work and the last of this Nephi Jones family to retire! In case he gets bored, his siblings put some suggestions together. If you find him on a corner panhandling....he only needs enough for a Keno ticket!

Phil Sperry-a true American Idol!

If you missed the funeral of Phil Sperry today, we wanted to make sure the world knows we still have hero's among us that don't make the nightly news. As kids, we watched Phil excel in all he participated in, but I especially remember him being the speedster go up and down the basketball court to help Juab High win back-to-back State Championships in 1959 and 1960. But that was just the start of his heroism. He went on to graduate from college, then work in the medical field to help others. He joined the National Guard and served in Desert Storm. When we attempted to scan the photo of Phil, the machine wouldn't accept just his photo.....not without Dorothy in it. So was their love, and everybody knew it from day one. The good guy did get the best looking gal in town, and their family love will endure forever. Although Phil suffered from Parkinson disease for several years, it didn't stop him from being a funster! He was still able to go four wheeling in Moab and a year ago he watched Juab kids play basketball with the faithful assistance of Dorothy. When I spoke to him, he tried to trip me and we both smiled. He never, ever gave up. When a medical technician has difficulty getting an IV started on a patient, they call it a "hard draw". Prior to a surgery, nobody could get the IV in Phil, so the patient calmed his physical body and did it himself. There were a lot of Juab Wasps that welcomed him on the other side, but up front was his beloved brother-Johnny. Phil Sperry, a true American Idol!

It was a hundred years ago today, but hopefully the world will never forget Armistice Day.

Since the beginning of time, there has always been Bullies, which have led to family quarrels; neighborhood fist-a-cuffs, and Dynasty battles that led to wars. Since 1776, Americans have always answered the call to scrupulously protect the Civil Rights and Liberties-not just of Americans, but people of the world, whatever their background. They often do so while protestors spit in their face. Such is the case a hundred years ago, when America didn't want to go to war, but 53 Juab County men were called to battle in the trenches of France. Today, we pay respect to those who continue to serve in the military. Not just the small percentage on the front lines, but those who help on the supply lines; the cooks; the order givers and the families of the soldiers while away. First photo is of Nephi brothers-Vic and Alma Jones. Vic was severally wounded in Germany during World War I, and had a gimp in his gallop the rest of his life, but never complained. His little brother was called up in the Army during World War II, and both served with honor. The family clock is one their grandparents brought to Utah during Mormon Pioneer days and placed on the fireplace mantle in Nortonville, Juab County. The clocks have stopped ticking for these Veterans, but we should never forget their service...ever!

The Times News is about the only newspaper you really need to read!

The Times News paper is based in Juab County, USA and does a great job reporting the news, rather than express their personal idea of what the news is. Over the decades, a Times News correspondent seldom misses a deadline, but things do happen, such as when reporter-Myrna Trauntvein slipped and fell during a family hike, causing broken bones. She so wrote about it, so it is public! The weekly gazette continues to go to press and we all hope that Myrna's new leg springs are well oiled and healed. In case you missed your Oct. 8, 1964 paper, we wanted to give you a repeat of some important events back then. We have already lost some of those you became famous then, so read up before we loose more. We also included a section that gives information of "Who's Who" in the local 4-H, and some special Peaches on sale. Oh by the way, the 100,000 Ponderosa Pine seedlings they planted in McCune Canyon behind Mt. Nebo during 1913 didn't get hit by the recent Pole Fire. You can take the Nebo Loop Road next spring for their viewing!

Election Day is tomorrow, and then we can go back to being plain Americans!

I am not sure if it is just me, or if the political ads are more distasteful than they used to be! Maybe it is the same negative stuff, just a different era. For a little break from the usual candidates being slammed in our faces, we thought we would take a delightful journey to the past, and bring you some political names, at least for Juab County and the State of Utah. These ads are from The Times News in 1964. Dr. Beckstead won the primary, but later withdrew his name, because of extended illness. If you didn't vote in 1964, tomorrow is your chance to do that American thing your parents told you to do!

After 50 plus years of full time work, Hal Jones is officially retired!

Hal Harris Jones didn't work as a kid! He had the capacity, but not the motivation! While his brothers cut lawns; delivered newspapers; bucked hay; feed animals and paid his Coke and fries bill at the Snak Shak, Hal spent his day laying under the cherry tree, with a piece of grass in his mouth. He had such a great personality, nobody seemed to mind. At about sixteen, he and Mike Royce wanted to buy a Honda 50 from Garrett Honda which was the "in thing" during the 1960's. Oh no, Hal had to go to work, and he went at it hard for fifty years, only taking time off for the deer hunt and rodeo's. He started recapping tires for Steve Greenwood, then Rancho Trailers; then 2 years as a front line medic in Viet Nam.That got him prepared for the rest of his career, spending 28 years at the Tooele Army Depot as a Paramedic; then another twenty years as a medical examiner. Along the way, he had part time jobs, but enough time to write great letters to those he loved. My hat goes off to one of the hardest working guys I know and to say his 1964 graduation prediction was way wrong. I now hope he can figure out how to put snow chains on his Harley for winter.