There is still time to see the unaged "Peter Pan" character in an aged theater!

It appears the "Peter Pan" novel was written more than a hundred years ago and fun that it is being performed in the near hundred year old auditorium that graduated thousands of students from Nephi High, then Juab High since the 1920's. Although I felt aged sitting in the same seats of a half century ago, the local Peter Pan characters showed youthful talent in this theatrical presentation. As I have never seen the production before, we wasn't sure if Tinkerbell needed to use the bathroom or that's just how miniature and mythical pixie types are able to dance on their toes. Regardless, it was a delightful production, and pretty dang cheap. The last night is July 30th in the Nephi, Utah building on Main that was built by a guy who said the building would stand for a hundred years, and he is almost to his word. We tip our hats to the Juab Fine Arts Council and their sponsors.

Harry Harry changed his surname and three hundred years later, the Harris family arrived in Utah

Harry Harry beget Henry Harris who beget another Henry Harris, who beget John Harris, who believed early LDS missionaries in Wales, so came to Mormonville, America in 1864. John and wife Susannah Jackson beget Evan Harris and on July 28th, 1910, he and Eliza Hitesman Harris beget LaVon Harris Jones, who beget me. So for all those begets, I express thanks on this my mothers 108th Earth Birthday. For the past sixty years I have been collecting Harris family documents; artifacts and spent a month traveling throughout the Kingdom of Glywysing in Wales interviewing people; collecting cemetery and Church of England data and will send the thousand pages of maps; notes; photo's and journal's to Rachelle Humble, a Harris family kin, who may take on the task of doing what she is good at- writing a book on family history. Thanks Mom, you are now with your sister-Maggie Vera and all those begetters, and perhaps- even the Begotten!

                            Evan, Eliza Hitesman Harris and daughter LaVon Harris Jones

                                          John and Susannah Jackson Harris

 

                                                       Maggie Vera Harris

Happy Birthday to Gary B. Jones, who was raised in Nephi, Utah, but now a resident of America's Last Frontier.

To those who knew him while growing up in Utah, he is Gary B. Jones, but in Alaska, where he is the sports hero of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, he is known as G.B. Jones. As a Viet Nam Era Ranger, he was known as Jonsey, who could parachute into any area; bury himself and live off the land until his mission was accomplished. That wasn't a big deal, as he self taught himself during the deer hunt as a kid. To book writers, his published books include "Among My People"; "Reflections" and the most popular was "Winning the Iditarod", which gave hope and faith to all who may find struggles in what life demands of us. To the people of Australia, he was known as "Elder Jones", and one they called on to handle any twenty foot snakes in the bush. His brothers and sister think some of the venom he got hit with is just coming to head. Now that he is considered "elderly", this bachelor brother has adopted two young children, so he is not quite dead yet, and continues to make Alma and LaVon Jones proud of him. His mailing address is G.B. Jones, GoodMorningAlaska.com, P.O. Box 873711, Wasilla, Alaska, 99687-3711. Telephones and computers are not yet permitted in the last frontier, as they detract from real life.

On both sides of the heavely veil, July 21 is the birthdays for Harold and Ron Jones

It is up to debate as to which of the Jones boys twins were born first. One thing for sure, is both Ron and Harold were born in Nortonville, Juab County, when it was a thriving lush farming community between Mona and Nephi, with a school house that was also used for Church services. That was in 1921, when a variety of close knit families always helped each other. Both Harold and Ron kept that sense of helping others as both became public servants. Dona Jones, the late wife of Harold wrote an article about these two Jones Boys in 1987, when both were selected to be Grand Marshalls for the Western Parade of the Ute Stampede. The way the story goes, the rodeo committee asked one, but he refused unless his brother could be a co-Grand Marshall, and so it was. Dona wrote; "Keeping up with the Jones'" is a challenge extended to Ute Stampede visitors by twins, Harold and Ronald Jones of Nephi. Chosen as the first twosomes Western Parade Grand Marshals. These modern day Trail Blazers unite the past with the present, as they participated in the 1st Ute Stampede parade in 1935. We are proud of these two original Nephites of pioneer ancestry for their many years of faithful community service and support. Each one having completed 39 years of dedicated work. Harold for the Utah Department of Transportation as District Six Supervisor and Ronald as Juab County Road Foreman. Many people for many years have enjoyed the completed projects that have been done by these faithful workers. They have always given freely of their time and talents to church and community projects, being on call to assist with forest fires, flash floods, mud slides, road accidents; day and night snow removal. The Jones Boys first assignment for the Ute Stampede was at the 1935 beginning celebration, when as Boy Scouts, they assisted in cutting, gathering, hauling and constructing willows to build a large bowery, to be used for program lunch and rest areas. Harold has held various positions in the Nephi Nebo Posse Riding Club. He was recognized for his talents as a public announcer at Horse Shows, Fair, Parades and public events. Ronald enjoys people, and likes to visit and tell stories. He is a friend to young and old alike. He has been an Ambassador of good will working at the Premium Oil in meeting and greeting people from all over the United States. His cheery smile made visitors want to stop by the gas station to visit with him when passing through. He enjoys the outdoor life, especially campouts on the Deseret with the road crew. He is a good cook and enjoys sharing his talent at family and church socials. Both the Jones Boys are strictly western. Both enjoy riding the range on a horse or in the family vehicle. They love western music, both as listeners and as singers and sang a beautiful duet. They are devoted husbands, fathers and grandfathers." So wrote Dona Jones in 1987. Now that both wives of Ron and Harold have passed, as well as Harold, it may be time to go visit Ron Jones at the Red Cliffs Assisted Living Center in Nephi and listen to one of his stories. Give him some cashews and a Pepsi and he will keep you entertained until the cows come home! He is sharp as a whip with enormous retention ability if you ask him anything about Juab County people and farms. He hasn't given us the go sign yet, but he is thinking about a ride of his life for his 100th birthday, by putting him on the 15 year old unbroken bronc belonging to his son. Ron Jones-he still has true grit and may show the Milford Wright boys a thing or two about riding a bucking horse.

The Classic Car Show is set to open at 10:00 AM on July 14th during the Ute Stampede.

As nearly as I recall, the first vehicle of Weston Jones of Nephi was a Ford pick up truck from the late 1930's or 40's. It was truly a classic, as it required a Fix Or Repair Daily on it, but cousin Mont Jones was always around to get it going again. Wes would give students a free ride to Juab High, but you had to ride in the back. That wasn't fun as Wes and his buddies used the truck to round up skunks in Juab Valley and then deliver them to unsuspecting people in the community. He even advertised it by spray painting "Skunk Removers" on the side of the door panel. As his little brother, I got tired of having to respond to the interrogations from Nephi Police Officer Howard Brown when a skunk was found in a business or car around town. Weston has now risen above that stench and got hooked on convertibles with his first one being a 1959 Chevy Impala. He is going to take one of these beauties and put it in the Nephi City Park for the Car Show next Sat., July 14th during the Ute Stampede, so come see all the mobile transporters on display.

Help preserve the American West! Come to Nephi for the 84th Ute Stampede rodeo!

Utah and the American West is shrinking, with population overload and reduced ranches. So here is your chance to help preserve it. A week from tonight, you are invited to visit Nephi, Utah for the 84th running of the Ute Stampede rodeo. We don't have the boxing matches or horse races like years before, but you can get your natural high by watching man and beast work together for rodeo points in the expanded 12,000 seat clean air arena. And next door you can see a real Carney operate the carnival rides. Get away from the big city jungle and help pay tribute to our Veterans with a giant American flag hooked on a parachute falling from heaven. The Boy Scouts will make you the best hamburgers north of the Pecos. Leave your comfort dog at home, as your new comfort animal can be million dollar dancing horses, or the meanest bulls west of the Mississippi herded by Cotton Rosser, a living legend and real American Cowboy!

For a big bang of celebrations, come to the Nephi, Utah City park on July 4th, 2018

As show from The Times News ad-Nephi Utah will keep all members of the family entertained for our America celebration. The only exception is the Monument Dedication near the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Log Cabin. The re-make of the Salt Creek Fork monument hasn't quite been finished, but they will gladly accept any donations to help finish the funding for it. The cabin will be open for touring from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM. It is not open often, so here is your chance to see how Mormon Pioneers lived when they settled here in 1851. Crickets won't be served, but you can get great food within the park. For a little color, DUP officials decided to ask a 167 year old dude to be at the cabin to tell stories of the pioneers. About 83% of what he says is the gospel truth, but you will have to determine which is fact and which is the old man's tall tale! Other park displays will show the Veterans who helped all us to enjoy the freedoms we have. Come and get a bang out of being an American on our local Americana Day!

Some things never change...such as the smile of Shane Jones, whose birthday is today.

At five months old, Shane Jones of Mona, Utah had a distinctive grin and used both hands to hold on for the ride of his life. Many years later while going for the gusto at Buck Capitol, Nevada, Shane was still ridin high with that same grin and one hand still holding the other for his bunch of bull ride. Even through high school, Shane rode to be a Juab High student of the week, along with his buddy Randy Steele. Although many will remember "Aunt" Emma Wilson as a good business woman, people may not know she was also a spiritual poet, and wrote the attached "Do We Need Promptings" of Randy Steele and Shane Jones during the near fatal summer of 1989. Glad to see you still kicking Shane, and by the way, Happy Birthday old man!