Tag Archives: Press Releases – 2005

Secret’s Out: Sanpete County’s Outdoor Opportunities Are Second to None

DATE 12/22/2005 1:54 PMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Secret’s Out: Sanpete County’s Outdoor Opportunities Are Second to None

The secret it out: when the weather outside starts getting frightful, there is one thing that is sure to be delightful: outdoor recreation in Sanpete County.

“More and more people are definitely discovering how wonderful winter time is in Sanpete County,” says Monte Bona, a member of the Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council.

The fantastic snowmobiling routes, friendly people and outdoor sports opportunities are among the reasons that the county has been dubbed the “best outdoor recreation experience” in Utah. And the combination of fresh snow and access to fabulous routes keep people coming back year after year, local sporting enthusiasts say.

For starters, there is Skyline Drive, one of the state’s most beautiful scenic drives. Situated on the top of the Wasatch Plateau it gets an abundance of snow, it is slowly being recognized as one of the state’s best snowmobiling areas. The drive is 87 miles long and located above the 10,000-foot elevations means it offers some spectacular views.

Fairview Canyon, which is maintained during the winter months, is a popular an snowmobiling access point for The Energy Loop: Huntington and Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway. The loop, which splits off to either Scofield or Huntington, is also known as one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the country.

The Division of Parks and Recreation also grooms about 80 miles of access trails to the plateau out of Ephraim and Manti. It makes it convenient for the snowmobilers or cross country skiers is the access to nearby towns — Fairview, Mt. Pleasant, Moroni, Spring City, Ephraim and Manti.

Then there is the redesign of the Arapeen trail system. The routes, found primarily in the Manti LaSal National Forest, have been carefully marked and mapped to ensure that riders find their way around the 370 miles that make up the trail system. The redesign was several years in the making and includes bridges, culverts and water bars. In fact, the forest holds some of the state’s largest elk and deer herds.

One of the newest winter activities is snowboarding. Economic development officials say the snowmobiling and snow boarding are huge benefits for the county, contributing by means of people eating in local restaurants, staying in hotels and bed and breakfasts and visiting stores and shops. County officials are hoping to build on the reputation for excellent winter sports venues by getting visitors to spend more time in the local cities and towns visiting local attractions.

When the snow melts and the cold weather subsides, Sanpete County is still a popular spot for outdoor sports. For starters, the back country roads are open to vehicles, ATVs and bike riders. Rock climbing is also a big draw in the summer months with the county’s rugged cliffs that draw rock climbers from all over the country. In particular, Maple Canyon, located west of Moroni, offers climbers more than 80 established routes.

Fishing, horseback riding and camping are all other popular warm-weather sports.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Holiday Celebrations Set for Sanpete County

DATE 12/08/2005 12:43 PMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Holiday Celebrations Set for Sanpete County

The cities and town along U.S. Highway 89, the Heritage Highway, are gearing up for this year’s Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, starting this weekend with the historical bed and breakfast tour and annual Messiah concert in Ephraim.

“We want people traveling down the Heritage Highway U.S. 89 to stop off in the cities and towns along the highway for an old-fashioned Christmas,” says Monte Bona, a member of the Utah Highway 89 Alliance.

The annual “Bed & Breakfasts” tour of historical and heritage homes will be held Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Nine bed and breakfasts are taking part this year and are located in Spring City, Ephraim and Manti. Many of the bed and breakfasts are historical structures that have been painstakingly and lovingly restored as bed and breakfasts. A complete listing of bed and breakfasts taking part in the tour are available online atwww.utahheritage.com

On Saturday and Sunday, the Messiah Concert will also be held in Ephraim at the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts on the Snow College campus. The 7:30 p.m. concert, which features performances by local residents, as been held every year since 1934. It includes an 50+ player orchestra as well as more than 100 local singers. Every year the concern attracts a wider and larger audience. Local resident Judy Morgan, professor of music theory and director of choral music at Snow College, has directed the performance for more than 20 years. For information, contact Contact Judy Morgan for information, 283-7469.

On Dec. 21, Sanpete County’s “hub” city will hold it annual holiday celebration at 6 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Recreation Center on Main Street. The main attraction will be a visit from Santa Claus, who will arrive by fire truck. There will also be refreshments, activities and the annual “big bucks” drawing for a shopping spree at area merchants. “Big Bucks are given out to people who visit local merchants. Santa will draw the name of the winner during the festivities. The winner need not be present to win. There will also be door prizes donated by local businesses and other holiday activities. The event is supported by local businesses in Mt. Pleasant City. For information call (435) 462-2502.

The holiday celebrations will wrap up Dec. 31 with the county’s annual New Year’s eve celebration at 9 p.m. at Manti High School. The 18 and older event is a fund raiser for the community swimming pool. The $5 entrance fee includes food, big band music and a floor show. For more information, contact John or Diane Keeler 835-9421.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Annual B & B Tour Sure to Please

DATE 11/25/2005 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Annual B & B Tour Sure to Please

Want to see what an old-fashioned Christmas celebration looks like? Then head to Sanpete County Dec. 10 for the annual “Bed & Breakfasts” tour of historical and heritage homes.

People living along the Wasatch Front are sure to delight in the decorations, decor and atmosphere of the homes included on the tour, not to mention the quaint, “small-town” feel of the cities along Sanpete County’s historical U.S. Highway 89, the Heritage Highway.

Nine bed and breakfasts are taking part this year and are located in Spring City, Ephraim and Manti. Many of the bed and breakfasts are historical structures that have been painstakingly and lovingly restored as bed and breakfasts.

The free tour runs from noon to 5 p.m. Bed and breakfasts taking part in the tour are:

Spring City

  • The Garden Bed and Breakfast,11650 N. 8500 East (take 400 South to 500 East, turn right, then travel three miles to the “bead and breakfast” sign). A “romantic getaway spot” nestled at the foot of Horseshoe Mountain. o 1894 Osbourne, 216 S. Main Street.

  • Scott Farm Bed & Breakfast, 885 N. Main Street. This country-style home is located on 10 acres of land.

Ephraim

  • Ephraim Homestead, 135 W. 100 North. This homestead features a barn and log cabins, as well as a Victorian Gothic home.

  • Pherson House, 244 S. Main Street. This Victorian cottage was built in 1895. The house is famous for being the storage place of paintings by C.C.A. Christensen. Manti: o Legacy Inn, 337 N. 100 East. The inn features a historical Victorian house and antique-filled rooms.

  • Yardley Inn and Spa, 190 S. 200 West. The inn is housed in a structure built in the 1890s. The home has two luxury, three-room suites complete with whirlpool tubs and fireplaces.

  • Historic Manti House, 401 N. Main Street. It features antiques and renovated historic rooms. It’s also home to a gift store that sells antiques and other heritage crafts.

  • Heritage House, 498 N. 400 West, a peaceful, country Victorian home. Each room is designed around a specific theme that honors a family member.


For information on the tour, phone (435) 462-7449.

For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Star Theater Expands into Family Entertainment Center, Unique Loan Program Provides Assistance

DATE 11/16/2005 8:31 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Star Theater Expands into Family Entertainment Center,
Unique Loan Program Provides Assistance

When you meet the security officer for the Star Theater and Fun Center in Huntington, you quickly realize that you are entering a most unusual operation.

The security guard, Zachary Taylor, is nine years old.

“Zachary is very diligent in helping us keep bicycles parked nearby and working hard to keep things clean and orderly,” laughs Janice Mounteer, who owns the business along with her husband, Percy.

The Star Theater and Fun Center in Huntington is quickly becoming a unique entertainment and educational center for young people and adults in Emery County and adjacent Carbon County. Theater owners Percy and Janice Mounteer are well along in a process of turning an old bank building, a former post office and a cluster of abandoned store fronts into a lively activity center that stands as a model for smaller communities in Utah and throughout the country.

“When we purchased the Star Theater three years ago, we dreamed of creating a center offering a wide variety of activities in addition to conventional movie-going,” Janice Mounteer says. “We started with the cinema and concession stand, and we have now expanded with a fun center for families, including a grill.” She added that to their surprise, the grill is also appealing to coal truck drivers from the mine. “They go by our place 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They use their CB radios to place pick-up orders.”

The theatre is also available to businesses as a corporate meeting place and training center. Additionally, a learning center equipped with 20 computers will soon be available to young people and adults. “We plan to provide small snacks for kids and encourage them to stop by to study before getting together with their friends,” Janice Mounteer says.

“We are using the services of Collette Clements, a terrific elementary school teacher in this area, for our after school program. We also plan to have the computers available for adults who want to develop their computer skills.”

As well, the “Little Theater” will be opening Nov. 19 that has an LCD projector. The center will then offer big screen sports on Monday nights, bingo on Wednesday and karioke on Friday evenings. On Saturdays, there will be free movies.

The center will soon also have a dance hall available for youth and young adults.

The Fun Center building was constructed in 1907 and originally housed the Castle Valley Bank, a toy store, and a general merchandise store. The walls were made on site, using mud and rock brick that was formed and fired by hand. Percy Mounteer currently uses the former bank vault as his office.

The Mounteers are upgrading their facilities and services through a unique loan arranged with the help of Gordon Holt, president of the Utah Business Lending Corporation. Holt’s organization acts as a lending intermediary for the Rural Development office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They provide loans for business acquisitions and construction or modernization and for the purchase of equipment and supplies. They also provide working capital for entrepreneurs.

“Our organization is uniquely positioned to strengthen the business environment in small communities throughout the state. We are also working with the Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance and Utah State Extension Services to identify businesses in rural Utah that might benefit from our programs,” Holt says.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

‘J.C. Penney’ Store Being Restored Project Has Backing of Main Street Program, Heritage Foundation

DATE 10/21/2005 10:17 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

‘J.C. Penney’ Store Being Restored
Project Has Backing of Main Street Program, Heritage Foundation

An century-old building in downtown Mt. Pleasant City that once housed one of the regions first J.C. Penney stores is being restored, thanks to the efforts of a Salt Lake City business owner.

Pete Henderson, owner of the Rio Grande Café in Salt Lake City, has purchased the old “Wasatch Block Building” at 64 W. Main Street. Built around 1889, the structure has retained much of its Victorian charm. It was originally built to house Wasatch Mercantile Company. It later was home to the Star Theatre and, in 1926, a J.C. Penney store. Most recently it was a video and general store.

Henderson is working with architect Kim Hyatt to restore the building to its former glory. “I just have a great love of old historical buildings,” he said. “But I’m quickly learning that I’ve taken on a mighty big project.”

He is receiving assistance and input from the Mt. Pleasant Main Street Program, the Utah Main Street Program, Wasatch Academy and the Utah Heritage Foundation. Currently, Henderson plans to turn the upper portion of the building into an apartment, and is in discussions with Mt. Pleasant City and Wasatch Academy on bout how to best utilize the lower portion of the building.

Through the Utah Heritage Foundation, he is taking part in a pilot project to help finance his endeavor. Working with Zion’s Bank, the Utah Heritage Foundation has started a new collaborative rehabilitation loan program that offers low-interest and flexible financing to property owners seeking to rehabilitate historical commercial buildings.

The goal of the program is to provide a resource to Main Street partner communities to further their efforts to revitalize historical downtown areas, says Monte Bona, who heads Mt. Pleasant’s Main Street Program. “The loan program is unique because it specifically targets rehabilitation efforts that are aiming to restore a building’s original character,” he says.

Restoring old buildings to their original form helps enhance the marketability of that building, as well as restoring the identity of the city, which plays a pivotal role in enhancing the experience of visitors to the region, Bona says.

“People come to Mt. Pleasant and travel along U.S. Highway 89, the heritage highway, because they want to see life as it was 100 years ago,” he says. “Projects like Peter Henderson’s are helping us preserve the cultural and architectural treasures of this pioneer heritage area and strengthen opportunities for local heritage-related businesses.”

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Canadian Astronaut Visits Sanpete County, Chris Hadfield to meet students, attend ‘Star Party’

DATE 10/07/2005 9:28 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Canadian Astronaut Visits Sanpete County,
Chris Hadfield to meet students, attend ‘Star Party’

The first Canadian astronaut to float freely in space will visit Sanpete County Oct. 11 and 12. Col. Chris Hadfield, an former space shuttle astronaut for the Canadian Space Agency, will meet with elementary and secondary students, along with the general public, and take part in a “star party.”

Hadfield will be in Utah for The Association of Space Explorer’s 19th Annual Planetary Congress, which is being held Oct. 9-15 in Salt Lake City. The Association is made up of more than 300 astronauts and cosmonauts from 29 nations who meet annually to discuss space flight experiences, technical information concerning space operations, scientific research and training. It’s the first time 10 years that the annual gathering has been held in the United States.

As part of the 19th Congress, astronauts are making visits to various Utah school districts to promote the importance of space research and travel. The group is also meeting with the state’s space industry and government officials.

Mt. Pleasant’s Wasatch Academy is hosting a private dinner for Hadfield Oct. 11, followed by an 8 p.m. “Star Party” at the Garden Bed and Breakfast in Spring City. The star party is open to the general public.

There will also be a space presentation at North Sanpete High School for students in grade six, seven and eight that will include a solid fuel model rocket demonstration, bottle water rocket launching, paper rocket building, paper airplane contests, and other space demonstrations. Students will also get to experience a sack lunch including “Zero-G” astronaut food.

Hadfield, who was raised on a corn farm in southern Ontario, Canada, became interested in flying from a young age. As an Air Cadet, he won a glider pilot scholarship at age 15 and a powered pilot scholarship at age 16. He became the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft and float freely in space while serving as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor in 2001. He also served as mission specialist on NASA’s second space shuttle mission to rendezvous with the Russian Space Station Mir.

For more information on his visit, contact Dave Fullmer at (435) 462-3620.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Fall Brings Rainbow of Color to Sanpete County, U.S. Highway 89

DATE 09/24/2005 9:12 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Fall Brings Rainbow of Color to Sanpete County, U.S. Highway 89

Fall has arrived and the canyons, parks, forests and landscapes in Sanpete County and along historical U.S. Highway 89 are awash in color. There are vivid shades of orange, red, and gold, making the area a must-see for anyone wanting to tour the state’s seasonal, sensational sites.

In Sanpete County, be sure to drive along Skyline Drive, which is known as a bird watcher’s paradise with eagle and hawks circling overhead, and through the Manti La-Sal National Forest. The forest, in addition to boasting a spectacular display of color, offers mountain climbing and hiking trails. The Wasatch Plateau section of the Manti-La Sal Forest also contains a variety of recreation trails for foot, horse, and/or mountain biking.

As well, the northern, Manti-La Sal division offers scenic drives through the Huntington and Eccles Canyons National Scenic Byways known as the Energy Loop. These byways wind over the Wasatch Plateau, and there are several high elevation lakes and streams that feature excellent fishing and camping, and the Arapeen Trail System is also a popular spot.

In addition to viewing the amazing fall colors, tourists can take in the cities and towns along historical U.S. Highway 89, visiting antique shops, gift stores, bed and breakfast inns, historic sites, local history and culture, and more.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Everett Ruess Celebrations Honor Lost Adventurer

DATE 09/23/2005 9:12 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Everett Ruess Celebrations Honor Lost Adventurer

The towns of Boulder and Escalante are holding their second “Everett Ruess Days” celebrations Oct. 6 to 8. The now annual event is in honor of the 20-year-old adventurer who disappeared in the rugged canyons near Escalante in 1934. His fate has remained a mystery. Ruess set out alone several times to experience the beauty and fury of nature in the American West, particularly Utah’s “Red Rock” country. During the 1930s, he met and discussed art with painter Maynard Dixon, and with well-known photographers Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Dorothea Lange.

The festival that carries his name includes events that represent things he loved: fine art, crafts, music and folk dancing.

Events begin Thursday, Oct. 6, in Boulder featuring Western arts and crafts on display at the Anasazi State Park and a series of speakers and lectures who will discuss Ruess’ life and projects. A plaque will be dedicated to Everett Ruess at the Burr Trail Grill at 5 p.m. and there will be music and dancing that night at the Mountain Lodge.

Events in Escalante will be on Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, at the City Hall and Community Hall. They include an arts and crafts exhibit and sale, films, ethnic dance groups, walking tours of nearby historical buildings, art workshops, public lectures, a Dutch oven cook off, performances by cowboy poets and musicians. The band “Blue Sage” will perform at Escalante High School at 8 p.m., sponsored by the Utah Arts Council.

Saturday, there will be an art exhibit, cowboy poetry starting at 11 a.m., painting classes, dance and music performances, a silent action and art awards. Local residents will reenact the trials of their ancestors in the play “Last Wagon” and the Hole in the Rock Expedition, which tells the story of the wagon train that came though Escalante 125 years ago. The play will be performed at the Escalante High School Auditorium at 8 p.m. All events are free to the public.

For a complete schedule, visit the website http://www.everettruessdays.org/ .
For information, call (435) 826-4810.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Mayfield City Celebrates Heritage with Arapeen Days

DATE 09/11/2005 8:46 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Mayfield City Celebrates Heritage with Arapeen Days

Mayfield City will pay homage to its heritage during “Chief Arapeen Days” Sept. 16 & 17.

The annual event celebrates the history of the small Utah town with cowboy poetry, musical performances, wagon rides, art, quilt and craft shows, a chili cook-off, Mountain Men demonstrations and more.

Mayfield, located in south Sanpete County about 130 miles from Salt Lake City, has a population of about 500 people.

The celebration is named in honor of Chief Arapeen, leader of the Native Americans who inhabited the region before the area was settled. Arapeen was related to Chief Walker, who headed the Utes, SanPitch, Ammon and Black Hawk tribes.

Both Arapeen and Walker joined the Mormon Church, and Arapeen succeeded Walker as chief after Walker’s death in 1855. He is best known for the “Vision of Arapeen” in 1857, which is reported to have included a visit from Walker’s spirit, telling him not to fight with the settlers and to cultivate peace with them.

The festivities begin Friday with dinner in the Mayfield City Park at 5:30 p.m., followed by cowboy poetry and musical performances at 7 p.m.

Saturday there will be a 10 a.m. poker shoot, followed by a chili cook-off at 11 a.m. and historical monologues by Paul Turner and Bill Christiansen. During the day, there will also be chain saw and Mountain Men demonstrations, ironworks, leather and butter-making demonstrations and other events in the city park. At the City Hall, there will be art, bird, and quilt shows.

For more information about the event, call Mayfield City at (435) 528-5060. For more information regarding the chili cook off, phone Teri Robertson at (435) 528-3663.

For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

SANPETE COUNTY DOUBLES AS MOVIE SET FOR FEATURE FILM

DATE 08/28/2005 8:35 PMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

SANPETE COUNTY DOUBLES AS MOVIE SET FOR FEATURE FILM

Parts of Sanpete County, including its Hub City, Mt. Pleasant, doubled as a movie set this past month for the filming of the feature film “Last of the Mustangs.”

Several hundred local residents even got a chance to serve as movie extras during the filming of a parade scene that was shot on Mt. Pleasant’s Main Street.

“There was a huge turn out, people came from all over — decked out in Western clothes — to give their kids a chance to be in the movie or to be an extra themselves,” says Monte Bona, a member of the Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council.

Bona says that Sanpete County and Mt. Pleasant appealed to the film’s producers because of its heritage buildings and beautiful landscape. “The area suited their film perfectly. There is great scenery and a lot of horses, sheep and other animals, as well as heritage homes and farms.” The director’s spouse also grew up in Ephraim so she was familiar with the region.

The Los Angeles-based movie crew spent nearly three weeks in Sanpete County shooting the film, which is about girl who decides to photograph wild horses for a school project. After visiting a ranch and falling in love with the horses, the girl learns about illegal activities that might jeopardize the mustangs.

Much of the film was shot at a ranch only a few miles away from Mt. Pleasant. Other scenes were shot in Mt. Pleasant City Hall, in local businesses and campgrounds, and even in the city’s police station and jail.

The horses that appear in the movie are also local “movie stars.” They were supplied by Lamont Christensen of Fairview, who owns Christensen Livestock Co.

The film, which will be released in theatres, stars Miranda Cosgrove as the girl who goes to the ranch, and Fred Ward as her father. Robert Wagner also has a small role.

Bona says that the Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council hopes more movies will be filmed in the area in the future. “Sanpete County really is an ideal film location,” he says. “It’s situated near the Provo and with two hours of the Salt Lake International airport. In addition, there are a lot of wide-open spaces and not too many power lines around, which makes it perfect for people hoping to re-create a pre-1950s feel in a film.”

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

ANNUAL SANPETE COUNTY FAIR PROMISES ‘OLD-FASHIONED’ FUN

DATE 08/21/2005 8:17 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

ANNUAL SANPETE COUNTY FAIR PROMISES ‘OLD-FASHIONED’ FUN

ANNUAL SANPETE COUNTY FAIR PROMISES ‘OLD-FASHIONED’ FUN

People living in Utah’s urban cities — and anywhere else in the state for that matter – should plan to take an “old-fashioned break” this week and visit the annual Sanpete County Fair.

The fair provides people with the opportunity to take a step back in time and experience life the way it once was in rural Utah. The old-fashioned celebration features some of the many county fair traditions started decades ago, such as cattle and horse shows, rodeos, pet shows, carnival rides and more.

The fair, which is held at the county’s fairgrounds in Manti, continues this week through Saturday.

Highlights Aug. 22 and 23 include a Cowboy Poetry concert at the Manti High School auditorium Monday at 7 p.m. The event features Don Kennington “The West’s Favorite Poet.” Tuesday, there will be a 4-H horse show at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 24, is day that a lot of the popular attractions open, including the Midway Carnival, which will feature rides and games such as a giant slide, scrambler and zipper. The midway opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will be open Thursday through Saturday from noon to close.

The Exhibition Building also opens Wednesday, featuring local art and photography, crafts, food, flowers and other items. Hours of operation are Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Another popular attraction, the Small Animal Barn, will swing its doors open at 10 a.m. through to 6 p.m. The barn is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Also on Wednesday, there will be team sorting competition at 6 p.m. where local cowgirls and cowboys will try and sort cattle in numeric order. That night, there will be a talent show at the Ephraim Middle School featuring local Sanpete County performers. Winners will move on to perform at the state fair

Fair highlights of Thursday, Aug. 25, include beef, lamb and swing judging; small animal judging; local talent shows from 4 to 6 p.m. in front of the Exhibition Building; a 4-H goat show; and a Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. The annual derby will be held at the fairground arena. The popular event includes cash prizes for first through third places, as well as prizes for the “wipe-out winner” and for the “most aggressive driver.” Cost for the event is $10.

On Friday, Aug. 26, the Third Annual Antique Tractor and Farm equipment show runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., The event is being promoted as a show and not a contest, which means it’s open to any kind of farm machinery in restored or working condition. At 10 a.m., there will be an antique tractor pull

A Dutch oven cook off will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. The event allows the county’s finest “outdoor culinary experts” to test and match their skills. Trophies are awarded for first, second and third place.

There will be musical performances at 7 p.m. by the local group, LuDon and SoundQuest, and the IMPRA rodeo by Broken Heart Rodeo Company at 8 p.m. The rodeo features award-winner riders, horses and bulls.

Saturday, Aug. 27, the day begins early with a 7 a.m. “fun run” and an 8 a.m. EMT breakfast and rooster crowing contest. A livestock sale will begin at 10 a.m., along with the BLM wild horse auction.

Other events include mud volleyball, local talent shows, a clown show, horse pulling competition, pie-eating contests, and an antique car show from 6 to 7 p.m.

A mammoth parade will be held at 5 p.m. down Main Street in Manti. The event will feature the royalty from all local cites, along with fire and ambulance departments, floats and other attractions.

At 7 p.m., LuDon and SoundQuest will perform again and the IMPRA rodeo continues for a second night.

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Bluegrass Festival Coming to Wind Walker Ranch, Will Benefit Children’s Camp

DATE 01/17/2005 7:15 AMFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Bluegrass Festival Coming to Wind Walker Ranch, Will Benefit Children’s Camp

The second annual Palisade Pals and Wind Walker Guest Ranch Country and Bluegrass Festival will be held Sept. 9 to 10.

The festival will be at the Wind Walker Guest Ranch in Spring City and feature musical performances, food, vendors, and other activities. Bands scheduled to appear include Lost Highway, Blue Sage Trio, Buckhorn Mountain Boys, Ridin’ the Fault Line, Around the Bend and Shades of Grey.

Proceeds from the two-day event go to Palisade Pals, a non-profit organization that provides recreational, educational and service-oriented programs and camps that enhance the quality of life for disabled and disadvantaged children

The festivities begin Friday, Sept. 9, at 5 p.m. The band Blue Sage Trio will perform at 6 p.m. The group mixes vocals, banjo, fiddle, guitar, harmonica and bass violin and is known for its bringing a unique perspective to the songs of the American West.

At 7:30 p.m. there will be cowboy poetry, followed by a performance by the Buckhorn Mountain Boys, a group known for its tight vocal harmonies and commitment to traditional bluegrass music.

The festival begins Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with “Breakfast with the Bands.” Breakfast tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the event. Performances begin at 11 a.m. featuring numerous Sanpete County Bands and cowboy poetry at 1:30 p.m.

At 2 p.m., the band Around the Bend will perform. The group is known for playing traditional and progressive bluegrass music and blending traditional two and three-part harmonies.

There will also be a performance by Shades of Grey, a group that mixes modern, bluegrass and acoustic country music, at 4 p.m., and Riding the Fault Line, a four-member bluegrass band, will take the stage at 6 p.m.

The band Lost Highway will perform Saturday night at 8 p.m. The popular five-member group is known for its unforgettable trio harmonies, instrumental prowess and relaxed, friendly stage manner.

Pre-event ticket prices are $10 for adults, $17 for couples and $5 for children 12 and under. Prices increase on the day of the event. Other festival sponsors include the Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council and numerous Sanpete County businesses.

Lodging is available at the ranch for one or both nights of the festival. Camping is also available on the ranch property.

The Wind Walker Guest Ranch, which is open year round, is located on 994 acres of land at the 6000 foot level of Manti-Lasal National Forest s hills. Its activities include fishing, mind and body relaxation, horse back riding, hay rides and hikes, arts, sports, games, dancing, swimming, singing, and cowboy poetry and sing a longs. The ranch also runs a number of special programs for children as part of its Wind Walker Children’s Foundation that include incorporating play and activities with learning and therapy.

Palisade Pals was started in 1982 by William Peterson after he lost his sight in a snowmobiling accident. While attending a school for the blind in Salt Lake City, Peterson met a number of disabled children and realized many of them have difficulties enjoying the activities he took for granted as a child. So he started summer camps, which, over the years, have reached more than 10,000 people. Day camps are now held in several locations around the state.

For more information, contact Loretta Johnson at Wind Walker, (435)462-0282 or Palisade Pals, (435)835-0531.

Details about the festival is also available on the Windwalker Guest Ranch’s web site,http://www.windwalker.org . Information about the Palisade Pals programs is also available online at http://www.palisadepals.com

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For more information Contact:

Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

ATV “Run” of Scenic Manti Canyon Planned – Press Release 8/7/2005

DATE 08/07/2005 7:28 PM
The incredible scenery of Manti Canyon and the Manti LaSal National Forest will be the highlight of an ATV run Aug. 19 and 20.The Manti Scenic Mountain ATV Tours are expected to attract ATV enthusiasts, dealers and others to the city for two-days of riding, exhibits, performances, a parade and more. Each day, local guides will help riders make their way through some 40 miles of intermediate ATV trails in the canyon and forest areas. Participants should bring cameras, binoculars and lots of water.Highlights of the two-day event include dinner in the park on Friday followed by musical performances and a Main Street parade. On Saturday, there will be a guided tour, “rest stops,” and a poker run. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the second day. A complete schedule of events is listed below. Information is also available on the ATV Utah website, www.atvutah.com .

August 19th: Sheep Trail Guided Tour (a portion of the ride requires advance riding skills)

7 – 8:30 a.m., Breakfast at the Historic City Hall, 200 North Main in Manti. Late registration will also be held at this time and location. T-shirts and tickets for the dinner and rides will also be available at this location.

9 a.m., Leave the LDS Stake Center for the sheep trail ride.

Noon, Lunch at 12 Mile Camp Ground.

1 p.m., Ride continues through the rustic Six Mile Canyon

4 p.m., Ride concludes at the LDS stake house

6 p.m., Dinner for trail riders and sponsors

7 p.m., Entertainment by Cindy Simmons and Mary Kanaphus

8 p.m., Assemble for the Main Street Parade at the City Park

8: 30 p.m., ATV Main Street Parade

August 20, Family Day Trail Ride and Poker Run

7 – 8:30 a.m., Breakfast at the Historic City Hall, 200 North Main in Manti. Late registration will also be held at this time and location. T-shirts and tickets for the dinner and rides will also be available at this location.

9 a.m., Leave the LDS Stake Center

10:30 a.m., Rest stop at Fox Jet Reservoir.

12:00 Noon, Lunch at Duck Fork Reservoir.

1 p.m., Continue tour thru the high mountainous area.

2:30 p.m., Rest stop at Fox Jet Reservoir

4 p.m., Arrive back at the starting point, prizes awarded for the poker run.

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For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Get Ready to Rendezvous in Mt. Pleasant – Press Release 6/3/2005

DATE 06/03/2005 12:38 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Get Ready to Rendezvous in Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant’s 6th annual Blackhawk Mountain Man Rendezvous will be held July 1 to 4 at the Sanpete County Fairgrounds. The popular four-day festival attracts hundreds of shooters, traders and enthusiasts from throughout Utah and other parts of the United States. The event is part of Mt. Pleasant’s Hub City Days and is open to the general public. It includes a Dutch-oven cook off, muzzle-loader shootouts, exhibits, trading, displays, candy cannon explosions, tomahawk and knife-throwing contests, frying pan tosses, kids games, Native American dancers, historical re-enactments and more. Many participants also camp out in authentic teepees and wall tents.A main attraction is “Traders Row” that includes historic items like those made and sold at Mountain Men Rendezvous before 1840. Traditionally at rendezvous, “flat landers,” people who did not live in the mountains, would come to the rendezvous and wander through to see what was for sale. Items that are likely to be available for purchase include handmade leather goods, clothing, tin ware, bead work, bags, belts, pipe bags, and wooden boxes.Festivities begin Friday, July 1 with a Dutch-oven cook off at the Mt. Pleasant city park. Judging will be held at 7 p.m. On Saturday, July 2, there will be muzzle-loader rifle shoots at 1 and 2 p.m. Additional shoots will be held on Sunday, including shotgun and pistol shooting. On Monday, July 4, there will be primitive demonstrations, music, kids games, food, fun and more. A raffle for a muzzle-loader rifle and other prizes will be held at 4 p.m.

The rendezvous was started and is planned yearly by David and Pat Gonzalez, who are longtime enthusiasts of Mountain Men rendezvous, with help from the Sanpete County Heritage Council. Pat Gonzalez herself produces numerous items that she sells at rendezvous, including bead work, boxes covered in animal hide, and leather and wool dresses.

For more information, contact the Dave Gonzalez, (435) 462-0152; Lynn Mikesell, (801) 785-5269; or Mt. Pleasant City, (435) 462-2456.

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For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Great Basin Experiment Station Restoration – Press Release 5/23/2005

DATE 05/23/2005 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Great Basin Experiment Station Restoration

In 1912 a research station was created nine miles up Ephraim Canyon, which later became known as the Great Basin Experiment Station. The mission was to find the causes and a remedy for the summertime floods that had been devastating the communities and farms below. For the following 60 years, the Station was in the forefront of watershed and rangeland research. In time, after researchers moved on, the old station sat virtually unused and fell into disrepair.Determined to preserve this important part of the community’s and the Nation’s heritage, Snow College, the USDA Forest Service, and the city of Ephraim began working together to find a way to preserve and use the facilities. Through the foresight and vision of those involved, the old Station was given an expanded role and rededicated in 1992 as the Great Basin Environmental Education Center.

During the summer of 2005 the center will host workshops including Mythology in the Night Sky, Dutch Oven Cooking, Geo-caching OHV ride, Utah’s Native Plants, Back Country First Aid and several Star Parties. We also accept groups who want to use the facilities for educational conferences, youth service projects, or other purposes. The center can accommodate 42 people.

For more information and to register visit www.snow.edu/gbeec or call us at 435-283-7261.

 

Where we are & how far it is to:

Logan, Utah . . . . . . . .   205
Moab, Utah . . . . . . . . .  225
Ogden, Utah . . . . . . . .  155
Provo, Utah . . . . . . . . . . 75
Salt Lake City, Utah . . . 120
St. George, Utah . . . . . .225
Mc Donald’s . . . . . . . . . . 10
The Nearest Mall . . . . . .  75
Peace and Quiet . . . . . . .  0
Pure Spring Water . . . . . . 0
A Warm, Friendly Staff . .  0

 

For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Spring City’s Annual Heritage Day May 28 – Press Release 5/15/2005

ATE 05/15/2005 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Spring City’s Annual Heritage Day May 28

This year Spring City’s Annual Heritage Day will be held on Saturday, May 28 and include a tour of historic homes and an art and antiques show.The entire town of Spring City is designated as a National Register Historic District due to its large concentration of historic houses, barns, log cabins and outbuildings built by English and Scandinavian pioneers.

Fifteen homes and buildings are included in this year’s tour. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children and are available at the Old Spring City School.

The art and antiques show will include paintings of current Spring City artists including Osral Allred, Lee Bennion, Kathy Peterson, Linda Budd, Susan Gallacher, M’Lisa Paulsen, and Cassandria Parsons. In addition, this year’s show will feature “Art Squared,” a wall of one foot square paintings by these and other artists and nationally known Utah artists, including Michael Workman and Brian Kershinik, that will be auctioned during the day.

Breakfast and lunch will also be available at the City Bowery on Center Street.

Proceeds from Heritage Day go to support ongoing efforts to save and restore the Old Spring City School, a 100-year-old Victorian structure that has stood proudly in downtown Spring City for more than 100 years. It is featured on city council letterhead and is prominently displayed on the city’s logo.

Built in 1899, the school has eight classrooms, four on each level, as well as a large attic space, complete with windows. At one time, it housed all the grades, and was even used as a middle school and high school. A “new” elementary school was built next to the Historical Old School in 1920 and uses for the old school began to diminish. Eventually, the old schoolhouse became a make-shift storage facility for the school district. It hasn’t been used as a school since the 1950s.

Several years ago, friends of Historic Spring City started raising money to save the building, including adding the historic home tour and art sale to Heritage Day events to help raise money. The group also received a grant from the National Parks Service (Save America’s Treasures program). Plans call for using the building as a community center.

For more information on Spring City Heritage Days, contact Kay Watson at (435) 462-2211.

For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Scandinavian Festival a Celebration of History, Heritage – Press Release 5/14/2005

DATE 05/14/2005 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Scandinavian Festival a Celebration of History, Heritage

The 200th birthday of storyteller Hans Christian Anderson will be celebrated at this year’s Scandinavian Heritage Festival and Conference May 26 to 28 in Ephraim.The popular annual event, which combines food, fun and heritage, attracts thousands of people to Sanpete County every year, many of whom travel along U.S. Highway 89, the Heritage Highway.

The conference celebrates Mormon pioneers from Scandinavia who colonized Central Utah in the 1800s and the estimated 600,000 Utahans who can trace their ancestry to Scandinavian immigrants.

Sanpete County’s culture has been greatly influenced by settlers who arrived first in the Salt Lake Valley from the Scandinavian countries and then were assigned to colonize central Utah. Many were farmers, carpenters, stone masons, cabinetmakers and furniture builders. The architecture of their farm buildings, cabins and houses were influenced by construction techniques and building forms from back home, uniqueness that is still present today.

Many local residents dress in Scandinavian costume for the annual festival, which provides an opportunity for people to learn about the influence of Scandinavians in Utah; connect with their Scandinavian roots; experience art and culture; and taste great food.

Events include a parade, golf tournament, a 5K run, softball tournament, storytelling, bread making and activities such as rock climbing and pony rides. There will also be live music, an art show, street dance, and other attractions. The festival begins with an afternoon golf tournament on Thursday.

Events will be held from noon until 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 27, and from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28. Display and food booths will line College Avenue between 100 and 300 East from noon until dark on Friday and from 9 a.m. until dark on Saturday. There will also be numerous opportunities to sample heritage cooking, including a “Little Denmark Supper” and a barbeque turkey dinner.

The festival also includes a special Scandinavian history conference at Snow College from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday headed by Brigham Young University professor Lynn Henrickson. The purpose is to give participants an understanding of the Scandinavian influence in the development of the West. The conference includes keynote speakers and workshops. It is held on the campus of Snow College in the historic Noyes Building’s Founders Hall. For more information or to register, contact Kim Cragun, (435) 283-4747.

For more information on the Scandinavian Festival and a complete schedule of events, visit the website, www.ScandinavianHeritageFestival.com .

For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Sanpete County Parades to Feature Hotrod, Antique Cars, Ugly Trucks – Press Release 5/6/2005

DATE 05/06/2005 9:05 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Sanpete County Parades to Feature Hotrod, Antique Cars, Ugly Trucks

If you are an antique car, a hotrod car or even an “ugly truck” enthusiast, the place to be May 13 and 14 is Sanpete County.Two events being held that weekend will highlight antique and hotrod cars and worn-out, beat-out pick-up trucks.

On Friday, May 13, there will be an antique car and a hotrod car parade in Manti at 7 p.m. It is part of the annual Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s Rat Fink Reunion, which honors the life of renowned artist/car designer Ed Roth. Roth was famous for designing and building hotrod cars and for creating the cartoon characters the Beatnik Bandit and “Rat Fink” in the 1960s.

The parade will feature both hotrod and antique cars. Roth was known for building one-of-a-kind show cars and is famous for his “plaster and fiberglass” creation method. His original “Tweety Bird” Rat Fink car is currently being restored after being in storage for more than 30 years.

Roth died in Manti on April 4, 2001, at the age of 69. His wife, Ilene Roth, decided she needed to find a way for people who loved and respected her late husband and his work to honor his memory. She came up with the idea for the reunion and it is now an annual event. This year it is being held May 12-14.

People interested in being in the May 13 parade should meet in the parking lot of Kent’s Market in Ephraim at 6:30 p.m. More information about Roth’s cars can be found at the website www.mrgasser.com.

On Saturday, May 14, Mt. Pleasant City will host an “Ugly Truck” parade at noon down Main Street. The parade is part of the annual Rhubarb Festival, which literally honors the rhubarb, and Soap Box Derby races, which will be held following the parade.

The parade features, well, ugly trucks. Past entries have included beat-up and rusted-out trucks, trucks that are more than 50 years old, vehicles with weird paint jobs and even those with funny wheels. The only requirement is the truck must be able to make it down Main Street by its own devices.

Past parade participants have said that truck owners often take pride in the dents, marks and other “battle wounds” on their trucks because they are memories of where it has been and what’s been done with it. Ugly Truck contests have gained in popularity over the years and are now featured events throughout the United States and Canada on their own or as part of other festivals and fairs.

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For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Tree Utah Helps Plant Another “History” Chapter – Press Release 4/29/2005

ATE 04/29/2005 1:56 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Tree Utah Helps Plant Another “History” Chapter.

Tree Utah continues to plant history in the cities and towns along U.S. Highway 89, this time at Mt. Pleasant’s historical Wasatch Academy.Officials from Tree Utah visited the 130-year-old academy May 1 and helped students, faculty and staff plant 24 trees on campus, including many historical varieties. Wasatch Academy is one of Utah’s oldest schools, covering 17 acres and boasting some of the oldest buildings in the region. In fact, the entire campus earned national historical designation.

This latest planting is the most recent regional project initiated by Tree Utah, a non-profit, citizens group dedicated to tree planting and education. Previously, it has partnered with the Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance and Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council to plant historical trees along U.S. Highway 89 from Fairview to Kanab.

Tree Utah also visited communities along the Heritage Highway, offering people the chance to purchase the same historical trees that they are planting, including maple, oak and ash and a variety of shade trees. The agency also held formal tree planting ceremonies in many communities, as well as a series of free workshops to provide advice and education about caring for and planting trees. It has also awarded grants to numerous communities throughout the state to encourage tree planting.

Trees are an important part of Utah’s heritage, Justina Parsons-Bernstein, executive director of Tree Utah, has said. The group appreciates the opportunity to help plant more trees along the historical highway and its associated cities and towns, she says.

In addition to its partnership with Tree Utah, the Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council and Utah Community Forest Council previously commissioned Brad VanDyke to take an inventory of historical trees in the area. The trees were identified, their condition noted and a historical analysis conducted. The trees and stories of their pasts were entered into a data base for use as both historical and geographical landmarks.

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For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Annual Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth’s Rat Fink Reunion May 12-14 – Press Release 4/26/2005

DATE 04/26/2005 7:46 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Annual Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth’s Rat Fink Reunion May 12-14

Hundreds of people are expected in Manti for the third Annual Ed ‘Big Daddy’ Roth’s Rat Fink Reunion May 12-14. The event honors the life of the renowned artist/car designer Ed Roth.Roth was famous for designing and building hotrod cars and for creating the cartoon characters the Beatnik Bandit and “Rat Fink” in the 1960s. He died in Manti on April 4, 2001, at the age of 69. His wife, Ilene Roth, decided she needed to find a way for people who loved and respected her late husband and his work to honor his memory. She came up with the idea for the reunion and it is now an annual event.

The event is held at the museum that Ilene Roth created for her late husband, located at 404 East 300 North in Manti. The reunion will be held from noon to 9 p.m. May 12; from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 13; and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. May 14.

The museum, which is an addition on Ilene Roth’s home, will be open during the reunion. It includes displays of Ed Roth’s art work and other memorabilia. The museum is also open to the public year-round by appointment.

The reunion will also include musical performances by the bands Kindred Spirit, All That Jazz and Plan B, as well and displays of show cars. There will also be air brushers and pin stripers at the reunion all three days. The “stripers” will pin stripe “anything conceivable, as well as air brushers.

Other special events include a car parade on Friday night from 7 to 8 p.m. on Manti’s Main Street. People who want to be in the parade should meet in parking lot of Kent’s Market in Ephraim at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, there will also be a Dutch oven dinner at 6 p.m. at Roth’s home. Videos and slides of Ed Roth’s life will also be shown each evening of the reunion.

Ilene Roth met her husband after he moved to Manti from California in 1987. An avid hotrod enthusiast from the age of 12, Ed Roth started out by fixing up old cars in his garage. He then moved on to building cars from scratch and quickly became known as an artist rather than a mechanic, with his creations earning the title “sculptures on wheels.” He financed his passion by making cartoons and T-shirts, including drawings of cars and monsters driving cars. His most famous cartoon character was a rodent named Rat Fink, which became very popular in the 1960s and was featured on posters, T-shirts and more.

In addition to the reunion, Ed Roth is being honored this year in a new documentary by Canadian film maker Ron Mann. The movie, Confessions of a Hot Roddin’, Pinstripin’, Kustomizin’ Teenage Icon is set to be released later this year. Mann met with both Ilene and Ed Roth about the film in 2000. “It was Ed’s dream to have the movie made and it will soon be a reality.”

For more information about the Ed “Big Daddy” Roth Rat Fink reunion, contact Ilene Roth at (435) 835-2393.

For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Rhubarb Festival, Soap Box Derby Set for May 14 – Press Release 4/21/2005

DATE 04/21/2005 2:30 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Rhubarb Festival, Soap Box Derby Set for May 14

Utah’s only celebration dedicated to honoring the rhubarb and one of the state’s few remaining Soap Box Derby races will take place in Mt. Pleasant Saturday, May 14.The Annual Rhubarb Festival, sponsored by Native Wines and area merchants, will be held from noon to 6 p.m. at the winery, 72 South 500 West. The event literally honors the rhubarb, a common garden plant used in making food products ranging from pies, bread and wine to jams, jellies and ice cream sauce.The Soap Box Derby races are part of the Rhubarb Festival and begin following a noon “Ugly Truck” parade down Main Street.

The festival will also include cheese and wine tasting plus a variety of foods and drinks made from rhubarb, including a new addition this year, “rhu-burgers.” There will be contests for rhubarb eating and rhubarb pie baking and awards for the best food products in a variety of categories, judged by a panel of “food experts.” There will also be a ugly truck contest, vendors, sidewalk sales, live music and street dancing are all part of the day long activities. The “Rhubarb Queen” and “Defender of the Rhubarb” will also be crowned.

The Rhubarb Festival was started several years ago by Native Wines owners Winnie Wood and Bob Sorenson and attracts crowds of visitors to the region each year. Native Wines uses locally grown and gathered fruit from heirloom trees, gardens and the countryside in its products. For more information, phone Native Wines at (435)462-9261.

The Soap Box Derby races were added to the festival in recent years. The event was designed to bring the once-popular races back to the streets of Mt. Pleasant. The races are sponsored by the Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council and local resident John McClellan.

Soap Box Derby races used to be a popular event in Sanpete County, with a lot of local residents taking part as children. The races first became popular in the 1930s. As to be expected, Soap Box derby races have grown in popularity and sophistication over the years, with contests now full of regulations and restrictions. But Sanpete County’s races remain true to the original “anything goes” soap box derby philosophy. Cars can be made of any material, including plastic, wood, metal. They should be about six to seven feet long and about three feet wide. Drivers should range in age from about eight to 16 years.

“Anything goes,” says McClellan, who also oversaw last year’s festivities. “And we get anything and everything too, from a two-by-10-foot board with wheel barrel wheels, to streamlined, competitive cars. We leave it open so that the kid who just has a set of lawnmower wheels can come and have fun too. There is something for everyone.” For additional information, contact McClellan at (435) 462-3808.

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For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Airport Manager Has Lofty Goals Aims to Attract More Pilots into Region – Press Release 4/11/2005

DATE 04/11/2005 9:28 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Airport Manager Has Lofty Goals Aims to Attract More Pilots into Region

David Fullmer has big plans for Mt. Pleasant’s little airport.Fullmer, the volunteer manager at the municipal airport, hopes to make some improvements and add new facilities aimed at attracting recreational pilots.” If we truly want to get people thinking that Sanpete County is a great place to see and visit, we need to widen the road a little, so to speak,” he says.

Once word gets out that there is a place that caters to those who fly for pleasure, the city and county will benefit from the increased traffic, he says.

Fullmer is working with city and county officials to try and make his ideas reality. A recreational pilot himself, he says it wouldn’t take much to entice recreational pilots to come into the region for an afternoon, a day or even longer.

“Our airport is unique among rural airports because it’s so close to town,” says Fullmer, who has managed the airport for more than a decade. Most rural airports are miles away from the nearest town, making it difficult for pilots to access services such as restaurants or motels.” But our airport is only about a half a mile from the edge of town, it gives us a lot of options.”

What Fullmer has in mind includes exploring setting up a campground at the airport for pilots. “It would be something totally unique. There are a lot of pilots, and entire networks of pilots, who would fly to a place just because they know that when they get there, they can put up a tent and stay overnight,” he says.

Of course, he adds, there are countless other attractions in the area that would add to the appeal factors: snowmobiling in the winter, fishing, mountain biking, and other recreational opportunities.

“Once the airport becomes known in the pilot community in Utah and the Intermountain West as this place that caters to pilot and as a great place to visit, all kinds of things can happen,” Fullmer says.

He also hopes to make aviation fuel available at the airport. “I’ve driven pilots into town before to purchase automobile fuel because there was nothing else,” he says. “To get more pilots to come here, we have to have fuel.” He also hopes to have rental cars available at the airport.

Currently, Mt. Pleasant’s municipal airport is home to a few recreational and business-use planes, with most of its general business coming from a local flight school.

Fullmer says he starting thinking up ways to attract more pilots into the region after state funding for small airports was eliminated a few years ago. One program he started is an annual “fly in” where pilots from all over come to Mt. Pleasant over one or two weekends.

This year, the fly-in will be held over the first two weekends in June. “Every year, I try something new and different to stir things up,” Fullmer says.This year, the first weekend will be for radio-controlled aircraft and ultra light planes, and the second weekend will be “for everyone else,” Fullmer says. This includes the “Young Eagle Rally” that is put on annually by the Experimental Aircraft Association. Aimed at enticing young people to aviation, the group offers free airplane rides to children as a way of getting them exciting about flying.

Mt. Pleasant city council member Monte Bona says attracting recreational pilots to the city and county is line with the larger economic development plan for the city’s Industrial Park, located near the airport. Having the airport become a hub of activity for recreational and even business pilots would be a natural fit with the Industrial Park, which has a goal of attracting new people and businesses to the community. The park is now in Phase 2 of development.For more information about the Mt. Pleasant airport, contact Fullmer at (435)462-3620 or in Salt Lake City at 801-966-0562. Information about the fly in is available online at www.sanpeteflyin.org. Fullmer may also be reached via email at tpjr@cut.net.

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* Note to media: Fullmer, a licensed pilot, is willing to take interested reporters on ultra light aircraft trips. Please contact him directly to arrange an excursion.

For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Talking, Listening to the Animals Key to Young Horse Trainer’s Success – Press Release 4/4/2005

DATE 04/04/2005 7:15 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Talking, Listening to the Animals Key to Young Horse Trainer’s Success.

Ruth (Mellor) Livingston’s gift for working with horses was spotted by one of the best-known trainers in the country when she was only 15 years old.She was enrolled in a clinic taught by horseman Richard Shrake, renowned internationally for his resistance free training techniques that involve learning to understand what a horse is saying.

“After the clinic was over, he called me up and said he’d like to take me under his wing,” Livingston said. She started studying with Shrake and, at age 17, became the youngest-ever person to be nationally certified in resistance free training. She traveled around the country with Shrake training and hosting clinics.

“I guess I was just a natural at it,” she says with a laugh. Livingston’s love for horses developed at age 10 when she moved to the small town of Chester after her mother had remarried. Her stepfather was involved with horses and fostered Livingston’s interest in the animals.

Now, at age 23, she runs her own successful horse training center, Silver Dance Ranch, in Moroni. She works with horses in need of all kinds of training, from getting them ready to accept riders to preparing them for competition and to figuring out complex behavior issues. She also holds horse clinics around the state, including a session for “spooked horses” in Lakeshore later this month and a youth clinic in Ephraim in May.

“I love the idea what I can take a 1,250-pound animal and get inside of its head and have it communicate with me,” says Livingston, who has three show horses of her own. “I can work with that animal, train it and teach it to do all kinds of amazing things that it otherwise would never have done.”

While she laughs off comparisons to Robert Redford’s character in the popular movie “The Horse Whisperer,” a key to Livingston’s training program is watching, listening to and learning from the animals, the same kinds of techniques utilized in the movie.

“Horses do talk to you. You can see so much in their body language, and you learn to pick up on that,” she says. “A flick of an ear, a look in the eye, a swish of the tail, all of these little things can tell you a lot about the animal’s frame of mind and whether they are ready to listen and learn from you.”

Learning to know what the horse is telling the person working with him is what resistance free training is all about, Livingston says. “You work with the horse’s mind first, building respect and confidence between horse and trainer, using the lowest amount of resistance possible,” she says. The goal is to help people and horses develop a relationship through patience, kindness and understanding.

The most common problem people have with horses is that they don’t fully understand the workings of the horse world, Livingston says. “A lot of people think that horses are like other pets, and that if they feed them, take care of them and love them, the horse will love them back. But with horses, respect must be taught first, and love comes out of that,” she says. In the horse world, animals push one another around and a hierarchy is established, she says. The most domineering horse becomes the most respected and trusted horse and emerges as the leader. “All of the other horses love that horse because they trust him; they know that he will take care of them.”

Because trust is a vital part of the horse world, it’s also crucial in the horse-training world. “For horses to fully trust you, you have to you become one with the horse in a sense, you have to earn their trust,” Livingston says. “Most of the problems with horses are based on trust issues: a horse gets pushy, dominant or scared, and problems arise from that.”

When she is working with a horse, Livingston has the animal live at her ranch where she feeds, cares for and works with them daily. During the winter, she can accommodate up to six horses at a time, and during the warmer months, up to 11. “While I am working with a horse, I allow the owners to come in and observe and take lessons to figure out what is going on with the horse,” she says.

For more information on the Silver Dance Ranch, phone (435) 851-6758 or email silverdanceranch@hotmail.com.

# # #

For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Travel and Heritage Council Planning to “Advertise” County – Press Release 3/21/2005

DATE 03/21/2005 10:08 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Travel and Heritage Council Planning to “Advertise” County

The Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council plans to “get the word out” about everything the region has to offer in the way of attractions, outdoor recreation, events, preservation projects, artists, heritage products and more.The council this week discussed a strategic media, advertising and public relations campaign aimed at enticing people from all around the state to visit Sanpete County. It was developed by Carlislie Exchange, a company that specializes in media and marketing and has promoted Sanpete County events in the past. The campaign will focus on the Wasatch Front and rural Utah.“Sanpete County is an area that lends itself to promotion,” says Greg Carlislie. “Small town such as Delta, Cedar City, Logan, Roosevelt, Vernal and Brigham City are made up of families with children who like to travel to new destinations and outdoor recreation spots.”

Carlislie presented his outline for the campaign to the travel and heritage council this week. The campaign includes radio, TV and newspaper advertisements, as well as outdoor signs and cross-promotions.

Carlislie explained that because his company handles numerous clients from all around the state, they are able to secure discounted advertising rates, which will allow the county to best utilize its advertising funds. As well, Carlislie plans to use special promotions and trades with many TV and radio stations in exchange for advertising.

The campaign also includes teaming up with local schools who are learning about Utah”s history and heritage to provide information about Sanpete County, and working closely with Snow College to promote attractions and events.

As well, Carlislie is suggesting exploring sharing costs with companies who might have an interest in promoting certain aspects of the county, such as snowmobile manufacturers.

The campaign will also include contests, prizes, on-location live broadcasts, interviews, and promotional give-aways. Carlislie Exchange currently promotes the Scandinavian Festival, Manti Pageant and Fourth of July festivities in the county.

Funding for the campaign will come from the transient room and restaurant taxes, and local business owners, including those running motels and bed and breakfasts, are encouraged to provide feedback and input on the plan.

# # #

For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502

Giddy up! First-ever ‘Horse Motel’ Opens in Sanpete County – Press Release 3/13/2005

DATE 03/13/2005 1:17 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This is part of an occasional series by the Sanpete Country Travel and Utah Heritage Highway 89 Alliance on the people and places along U.S. Highway 89.

Giddy up! First-ever ‘Horse Motel’ Opens in Sanpete County

Horse owners living in or visiting Sanpete County now have a new option if they want to include their animals in their various activities and excursions. The county’s first official “horse motel” is now open for business, providing accommodations for horses by the night or by the week.Kris and Fred Burns opened the motel on their 26-acre ranch located about a mile and a half from the town of Fountain Green and adjacent to Bureau of Land Management property.

“There are a lot of people who like to visit the area and have horses,” Kris Burns says. “But if they want to bring their horses along with them to ride or hunt with, there is no where around where you can keep them just for the night or a few days. Most places that board horses want something more long term.”

So Kris and Fred Burns decided to open a 12-stall horse motel. Food, water and “mucking” are provided, and the horses can check in for just one night or for an extended stay. “People can pick up their horses and ride right up into the mountains from here,” Kris Burns says.

Pretty soon, horse owners will even have the option of staying right near their animals. The Burns are in the process of opening an RV Park near the horse motel on about 10 acres of their land. Scheduled to open in June, the park will include 60 sites with sewer and water hook-ups, as well as 24 camping spots at a nearby location.

The Burns will rent out tee-pees, tents and other camping supplies. They also plan to encourage guests to visit the animals they keep on their property, including llamas, a miniature horse and a burro. “We want staying here to be a family experience, where people who don’t know a lot about farming or ranch life can experience what it’s like,” Kris Burns says.

The Burns came up with the idea for the horse motel while traveling around the state with their own horses. It many parts of Utah, they have no where to leave their horses. But when they visit St. George, they discovered a place where they could check their horses into a “motel” for the night. “We thought it was something that was needed near where we live,” Kris Burns says.

Having a new indoor horse arena and community center built in Sanpete County would help with the new business, she adds. Local horse enthusiasts are looking to construct a new facility that would let them exercise, train and hold horse-related events and activities year round.

“It would bring more people with horses into the area, which, of course, would be a benefit for us,” Kris Burns says. “But it would help the entire county because there would be more tourists and people coming through. There is such a need for this kind of facility. We are getting more and more horses in the area and fewer places to work them.” The region currently has more horses than it did back in the days when the animals were the main source of transportation.

She says building a larger facility in a new location would allow for both indoor and outdoor arenas, as well as provide other options such as community centre and a race track. “Right now, people in the county who have race horses have no where to work them.”

For more information on the horse motel or RV Park, contact Kris or Fred Burns at (435) 445-3303.

For more information Contact:Monte Bona
Sanpete County Travel and Heritage Council
(435) 462-2502
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