WWII Survivors Create Success From Chaos

By Janet Wilcox         

Very few people live to 100 and if they survive a World War, it is even more rare.  Such a woman is Annette Aiko Horiuchi, (Ellen Williams’ mother).  She was born Dec. 27, 1925 in Tokyo, Japan and had 1 brother and 6 sisters. 

Growing up, the Mori children had only a few toys and preferred playing outdoors, climbing trees, fishing and helping grandparents. No grocery stores existed, so their meals came from vendors who came with food to sell. Sweet beans, fermented soy beans, natto (soy bean mixed with egg and fermented were some of the choices. Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 but that was far away and did not disturb their lives. 

Annette attended a very disciplined Christian school in Japan with classes held 5 ½ days every week.  She especially liked geography.  She attended Aoyama, a prestigious Christian school. Their peaceful life suddenly ended in 1941 when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and WWII began.  Everyone had to contribute to the cause. At that time her younger sister who was only 14 had to quit school and begin working in a factory all day ‘til midnight making war equipment.  Annette was luckier and worked as a secretary.   

       When the war finally ended, the effects were severe. An uncle had been killed in the war and their home was destroyed and they had to dig a temporary shelter in the ground.  Radio broadcasts continued to alert them as to where B-29’s were attacking.  Annette found it hard to even sleep living in such turmoil. One night she and her sister sought temporary shelter at a shrine that had tall trees. Later she realized that her leg was hurting as she had stepped on a nail.  Three times they were under attack and many people died. Their brother who was in the Army in Burma survived.

Tokyo was totally destroyed and most families lost everything they possessed. Everyone went to work cleaning up the ravages of war. Annette’s sweetheart and future husband Russel Nozomi Horiuchi was on board an American Military troop ship when the cease fire was announced.  Landing in the Philippines he was later transferred along with 14 other Japanese American translators to MacArthur’s headquarters in Tokyo.

Annette began working for the United States Post Exchange because she spoke English.  There she met Russell who began walking her to the train station. He recalls that the first time he mustered up enough courage to give Annette a kiss, she simply took out a handkerchief and wipe her mouth.  It was deflating!

Although Japanese nationals and American soldiers were not allowed to fraternize, the two met every day at lunch.  From the Mezzanine balcony they watched as General Douglas MacArthur preened himself before leaving the building for lunch.  The General would smooth down his uniform, insert his pipe and adjust his cap before exiting to his adoring Japanese crowd!

   

                        Annette Working at the PX

     

    Food was scarce after the war Yet, Annette’s mother managed to feed them.  Most of their courtship took place at the Mori home since Tokyo was razed to the ground.  Russ would supplement his visits with a watermelon or food from the commissary.  The popular item was Almond Roca, a sweet brittle candy rolled in nuts.

            President Harry Truman signed an order allowing American soldiers to Marry Japanese Nationals.  Russ had to get special permission since he worked in military intelligence.  The couple was married August 6, 1947 in Yokohama at the American Consulate.  Then they moved to Hawaii where Russ worked as a Journeyman Electrician. To keep his promise of continued schooling they eventually moved to Provo, Utah where Russell attended BYU.  He graduated in 3 years, working 40 hours a week and still managed to be named valedictorian in 1953!  After completing his graduate degrees, he taught Political Geography at BYU.

Though it took many years and much persistence, Annette first earned her Bachelor’s degree and was also awarded a Master’s degree in Art, focusing on watercolors. As an instructor, she taught Japanese and Asian calligraphy at BYU.  They later were called to Japan where he served as mission president 1970-73 and they served as Temple President and Matron in Tokyo 1988-1991. They were married for 64 years.  

                                              

                                                           The Happy Couple

USU Blanding Campus Offers Varied Classes While Saving Local History

By Janet Wilcox 

     Walter C. Lyman’s vision of Blanding becoming a lighthouse for education evolved and has proven true over the past 100 years. Today satellite classes are taught in Blanding but are also broadcast to Monument Valley, Cortez and Monticello. There are 30 campuses statewide. Thousands of students have benefited from this long-distance instruction. Several have also earned their Master’s degree in Blanding via long-distance from the USU campus in Logan.

          Nearly half of Blanding’s students are the first in their families to attend college. In addition to regular in class instruction, USU offers instruction in construction, welding, engineering, health and heavy equipment skills. Kumen Jones was the first superintendent of San Juan County schools in 1880-82, but there were only classes taught at Bluff fort. The first high school classes in Blanding were taught in the old Relief Society building which was close to where the Burtenshaw home is on Main Street. 

    In 1846 Albert R. Lyman built a one room school and furnished it with handmade desks in his effort to provide an education for Navajo students. (Issue 9 of Blue Mountain Shadows contains multiple articles related to education.) Education has changed dramatically since then in San Juan County. The USU Blanding campus library provides not onlybooks and classrooms but their staff has worked diligently with the San Juan County Historical Society to make interviews and historic photographs accessible to families. 

      There are over 20,000 photos in the USU collection! Several years ago, Ron McDonald and Corrine Royer each copied 5000 historical photos which have been converted to tifs and jpg files. The Mable and Phil Hurst collection includes 860 photos with more needing to be done. Whenever possible the history related to the photo is also provided as well as maiden names of women. All of this requires attention to details. Carol Brown also helped by providinginformation from “Family Search” related to the individuals in the photos.

      Besides photographs, the USU staff has also copied audio interviews and transcripts done by San Juan High students over 40 years ago. After students completed the interviews and typed them, they also got permission from those interviewed to share the information. Nearly 1100 of these interviews have been converted to pdf files. The San Juan County Historical Commission also provided 376 articles written by Walter C. Lyman. One rare tape in the collection is of Fred. W. Keller singing the Blue Mountain song. Heather Raisor and Ellen Kyles are key experts in this project which was begun 3 years ago. For 2 years they have also been copying audio tapes and including background information about those interviewed. The project will take at least 3 more years and then hopefully a website will be created with links to files that will be available online.

Local Artist Paints the History of Blanding

By Janet Wilcox Many have heard of “painting the town red” but local artist Kelly Pugh is painting to preserve the history of Blanding in multiple colors! In the beginning of this journey, Lisa Carr wrote a grant requesting funds from Energy Fuels which would be used to showcase visually the story of “Grayson’s” history. In addition, the Larry H. Miller Foundation added their financial support which was a great help, as the cost of labor and materials to repair the walls and smooth the walls was a major expense.

Murals showcasing the history of Blanding can be seen on the north and west side of the movie theater building. It is a 3-dimensional work in progress. Another historic scene Kelly painted is of the original gas station in Blanding, which is on the on the south side of Canyonlands Tire. Kelly’s interest in art began in elementary school and continued at San Juan High. Teachers Betsy McPherson and Tony Wojcik were two of the teachers who inspired him. Eventually he earned his Bachelors of Fine Arts and has used his energy in painting rather than teaching.

In addition to the current project, Kelly has done paintings for the Parade of Home in the Provo area and even illustrated a book on the Sockeye Salmon as well as doing a painting for Kevin Costner. Dozens of local families have had Kelly paint pictures of their ancestors and family events. His painting of taking the wagons down Hole in the Rock was used on David Miller’s book on the pioneers. He has also painted scenes for covers of several books written by Finn Bayles and Bob McPherson.

Several years ago, Kelly also painted many scenes of historical significance in the Cliff Palace Motel. This included handcart scenes in winter, Navajo scenes. The Albert R. Lyman School also features one of his murals as does the Blue Mountain Hospital.

Teachers and Their Impact Part I

By Janet Wilcox and friends San Juan County has been blessed with hundreds of dedicated well trained and caring teachers since 1880. Issue 8 of Blue Mountain Shadows gives a detailed coverage of both superintendents and teachers who came to this isolated part of the state and made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people. A few you may recognize: Joseph Bond Harris, George A. Hurst Jr., Lucretia Lyman Ranney, Elizabeth Park Guymon and Gladys and Albert R. Lyman. The Lymans not only daily walked out past Westwater to teach children but they also brought food for the native people they were teaching. By 1911 there were 60 families living in (Grayson) Blanding. Albert and Glady’s students in town included: Herman Steiner, Warner Hardy, Dee Bayles, Paul Black, Roy Johnson, Ezra Lyman, Laura Brown, Annie Shumway, Seth Young, Adelaide Oliver, Isabell Carroll and Ellen Palmer. Joseph Bond Harris and his wife Lucy arrived in Grayson in September of 1912 in a two-seated buggy. He had signed a contract to teach in Bluff for 3 years and later became the principal and taught the first 5 grades in Grayson. Classes were held in the Relief Society Hall, a small frame building. That building was also used for church, recreation, politics and dramatics. When winter weather arrived, students had to wear their coats and overshoes to keep from freezing. Joseph helped Ed Thompson make a partition in the big room so there could be more classrooms. Often new school teachers were sent to outlying one room school house such as East Summit, Ucolo, Torb, Lockerby, Fry Canyon. There were nearly 30 such isolated schools in San Juan County. The teachers usually lived with a nearby family and besides teaching they were expected to keep a fire going to heat the building and attend to any medical issues that might occur. Since there were no telephones, this required initiative and common sense. Such experiences occurred in surrounding states as well and there are many common themes. The main one being a teacher’s dedication, creativity and efforts made to provide the best education possible for their students. Walter C. Lyman had a vision of the educational mecca that Grayson would eventually become. He mapped out the town and surveyed it. At that time, he owned 1/3 of all the city lots as well as 1/3 of the water stock in the canal. When a good respectable family moved to Blanding, he would give them 1,000 shares of water and a city lot for free. When he died in 1943, he didn’t own a home or a foot of ground. He had given everything away for the building of the town and the tunnel through the mountain which was completed after his death. Truman and Ada Rigby were two well educated and kind people who taught for many years. They were dedicated and thorough in their instruction and very patient. Ada is also remembered for her beautiful paper cuttings. Many of our school principals here in Blanding started as teachers and later became principals. Their wisdom and patience dealing with contrary students was much appreciated. Some of them are Jim Harris, Don Jack and Bob Bowring. (More stories will be included in part 2 on education.) Though a whole state away, our family lived on an isolated farm 22 miles from Ririe, Idaho and the closest school. To get there on we had to get up early and one of our parents would drive us 2 miles out to the road to meet the bus (both morning and after school). The bus rides were long and often we’d sing crazy songs together, tell knock-knock jokes, or count how many ducks or antelope we saw. School was our main social life and we were blessed to have wonderful teachers. There was no kindergarten in those days, so 1st grade was our introduction to new friends and the wonders of Dick and Jane Books. Our 1st grade teacher was Rhoda Harris. She was a very engaging teacher and I especially remember the rhythm band she organized. Everyone was taught how to play an instrument of some kind: drum, bells, mini xylophone, triangle with piano accompaniment. It was a fun wonderful learning experience. Our 8th grade teacher Mr. Hanson made music important in Ririe and organized a school choir where we learned to sing parts. He was a strict disciplinarian and several times noisy boys would be sent through the “swatting” machine! Another teacher who impacted my life was Thyrza Barrett our English teacher at Ririe High. She expected quality work, rewrites, and involved us in evaluating each other’s papers so we learned to edit and make suggestions. She also was our advisor for The Rattler (the school newspaper.) If she felt our work was good enough, she would find a way for it to be published in other places and encouraged us to enter writing contests. There was no computer technology in those days; everything for the Rattler had to be typed on a typewriter into columns onto a filmlike paper that could be used on the copy machine. Thankfully there were many excellent typists in the class but still errors crept in. Every issue took hours to type, edit, and lay out. We would work late into the night and if the school doors were locked by then, we’d exit through a window! I’m sure most of my classmates remember Mr. Helm because he had a ping pong table in the back of the classroom and we came to school very early so we could rotate into the lineup for games. Everyone in the class became excellent Ping-Pong players. However, if a student was not paying attention or too noisy once class started, he’d throw an eraser at them! Mr. Nield was our patient algebra teacher and both my brother Doug and I met with him at times to clarify the process for solving problems. He must have been a lot like Richard Pincock, who also spent after hours helping students understand algebra. Tamara Boyle: I so loved my first-grade teacher, but we all love our first teacher! She was Josie Bird. she lived in the Palisades area (in Idaho). One day many years later, I was coming home from the 4h camp in Alpine and decided to stop to see if she was home. She remembered me almost before I told her who I was! She was happy to see me again after 50 years! My other favorite teacher was Mrs. Tew from Leslie, Idaho! She was so kind and seemed to just bring out the best behavior of everyone in her class.

Pete Henderson was a teacher and newcomer to San Juan County but he had a great impact when it came to enriching and promoting local talent. He started The Canyonlanders, a large chorus who performed several times a year. There were between 80-100+ people who sang in the group. He was tireless and practiced with the group until it was perfect. He also helped start the annual performance of The Messiah, which continues to this day. However, because he was born in another country, he didn’t always understand what locals were talking about. His first assignment was teaching at Montezuma Creek and on his first day there he was given a glass vial and told to fill it. He thought it was a little strange they wanted a urine sample and was on his way to the bathroom, when the secretary clarified, “Be sure you let it run for 5-6 minutes.” Then he knew it was “water” she was talking about.

Issue 46 of Blue Mountain Shadows shows how Walter C. Lyman’s vision of education was realized. No one but a visionary would have believed this tiny town would eventually have a college! USU Eastern Blanding Campus (as it is known today) offers live instruction as well as long distance video classes in multiple sites in the Four Corners area. Those who helped initiate this educational blessing include Cleal Bradford, Bob McPherson, Don Smith, Merry Palmer, Garth Wilson, Kay Shumway, Stan Byrd, Karolyn Romero, Terri Winder, Tom Austin, Gloria Barfuss, Silvia Stubbs, Van Potter, Dennis Bradford, Lynn Lee, Susan Raisor Young, Brian Stubbs, LaPriel Begay, Jenae Herrera and many others.

Ivins Cattle Ranching: Survival and Success in San Juan

Livestock and ranching have been central to survival in San Juan County since 1880 when pioneers first arrived through the Hole in the Rock. Keith and Deann Ivins are descendants of early pioneers in both Nevada and San Juan County, Utah. Deann’s ancestors include William Adams and May Boland who were San Juan settlers. Her great grandfather John Adams had 4 sons: Ernest, Joe, Lloyd and Melvin who were lifelong ranchers. Upon arriving in San Juan territory, they split up the available range land into 4 areas for each of the brothers. Keith grew up in a Mormon settlement in Lund, Nevada population 200. It was composed of miners, ranchers and Native Americans. Droughts were a problem there as well. They ran a dairy farm, milking between 40-50 cows. He remembers driving to school when he was 6 years old! There were only 20 enrolled in their little school. Kids grew up quickly in those days with chores at home plus work at school. Today the BLM as well as the U.S. Forest Service require permits to graze animals anywhere in the west; however, in 1880 it was open range for anyone ambitious enough to ranch. Usually, the Adams brothers ran sheep and had as many as 15,000 for many years. Ben Sanchez and other local Mexican workers were excellent sheepmen and cared for herds in the mountains in the summer. However, it became increasingly harder to find the help they neededso they transitioned to cattle which don’t need constant herding like sheep do. Another problem with sheep were the wolves and coyotes who roamed the area. However, in the late 1950’s the government started paying trappers for hides which helped control the wolf population in San Juan. (See issue 5 of Blue Mountain Shadows)

As the Ivins/ Adams family transitioned to cattle, they invested mostly in black Angus, as they produced better beef. Shawn and Tyler Ivins bought Lynn Patterson’s land for their summer range; however they move cattle to the mountains in hot months. Rico, Colorado is another area used by the Ivins family in the summer, as the grass is more abundant there. Trucker Dennis Cosby has trucked cattle for the Ivins family for nearly 40 years, transporting them back and forth between Utah and Colorado. Over 64,000 acres of BLM land is also available; however, permits are required. The BLM determines the number of animals approved based on AUM (animal units for 3 months) 1 cow = 1 AUM. Besides complying with BLM requirements and making sure there is adequate water for animals, ranchers also care for hundreds of animals. making sure they are branded, given vaccinations for grubs, pneumonia, and are ear tagged. Recently they have added technology to help them track cattle. A collar with a battery is attached to all cattle and is on all time so that each animal can be quickly located. The Ivins grandchildren are also involved in this process and sometimes their family teams up with the Grovers or other ranchers at branding time which makes it a social event! Water is also a major concern for animals and alfalfa fields. Wells, dams and reservoirs are key ingredients to success. To have enough water, some ranchers have drilled wells. That is the case with rancher Sandy Johnson and others living on Black Mesa, Mustang, Valley of the Gods, or the Butler Wash area. Many are turning to solar collectors to generate electricity to run solar pumps which pull water into troughs for cattle.

Like a good poker player, ranchers also need to know when to "hold ‘em" or when to sell or move animals to a new range. There are many pluses for ranchers and farm families: children learn to work hard, get up early, and make decisions for the good of the family, livestock and the land. Sons David, Justin, Shawn, and Tyler have their own animal related jobs and are also competent ranchers, ropers and businessmen.

Christmas memories and celebrations

Families throughout the world have unique ways of celebrating Christmas. Because of its significance in our lives and the diversity of our traditions, Christmas memories are different for each family and person. Though the central focus is on Christ’s birth, our remembrance of him and our experiences are different, as well as how we celebrate. Here are some of those memories that others have of this holiday. Gayle Shumway: When I was a Senior in High School, our Seminary teacher, Mitch Kalauli planned an experience for us that I will never forget. Our class started raising money in the fall of that year for Christmas gifts to deliver to selected homes on the Navajo reservation. We prayed to be guided in the gifts that we purchased; we bought mostly toys, wrapped them, and some of our class drove deep into the reservation. Larry Lee was dressed as Santa Claus, and he waited outside the hogans and houses until we had been inside for a few minutes. Those little hogans were sparsely furnished with the bare necessities, a cooking stove, bedrolls against the walls, table, chairs, a few shelves built into the walls sometimes a weaving loom. They were bigger than they looked, and we all fit inside. I remember especially one hogan with wide-eyed, excited little children and a toothless grandma more excited than the children who loudly laughed with glee! We sang Christmas carols and then pretended that we heard Santa's Reindeer and Larry would make his entrance and present gifts. As we watched, tears filled our eyes, and joy filled our hearts. We learned the spirit of giving; we also learned to appreciate the abundance that we were blessed with. I will always remember the love that I felt in those homes on the Navajo reservation. Rosalie Payne: Christmas and the winter season were one of the best parts of growing up in Idaho. One of my fondest memories is that my dad would hook up our horses (Lady and Taffy) to the sleigh and we would ride around our little town taking friends and neighbors some kind of special treat my mom had made. Of course, any holiday has favorite foods. At some point in the holidays, we would get Yorkshire pudding and huckleberry pie. Sylvia Shumway: Ever wonder where the term “Christmas givet” came from? I think my brother Craig introduced it to friends and neighbors after he learned it. The origin came from a man, not sure if he was Navajo or Ute. But my father had hired him to work in the uranium mine dad owned. Every Christmas Eve my family would wait for his knock on the door. He would say “Christmas givet” to us. We would give him what he needed for his family if we had anything extra and usually, we would include food and snacks as mom always made extra just for him. That is when I learned the joy of giving and sharing. Janet Wilcox:

One Christmas I’ll never forget is when six of my friends rode the school bus home with me to our farm which was 22 miles from Ririe where we attended school. The weather was perfect for sleigh riding and we anticipated a couple of fun days, before my father would take us home in his army truck. Unfortunately, there was a terrible blizzard that blew in that night, and we were officially snowed in for several days longer. There were no phones on the farm so we couldn’t call their families. Fortunately, my mother was a great cook and she had chili and donuts and several things already prepared. We had a large basement with multiple beds, a pool table and ping pong table so there were lots of things to do. We played fox and geese, had snow ball fights, and sledded down the hill, jumped on the beds, sang silly songs and talked late into the night. After a few days the blizzard subsided and we bundled up and rode in the back of truck back to Ririe! One tradition we did for years when we were raising our own children was to a secretly deliver something which corresponded with the each of the 12 days of Christmas. I believe it was the Eberhard family who first delivered 12 consecutive gifts to us when our children were younger. As they got older, they helped prepare and deliver the items such as “golden rings” = donuts; partridge in pear tree became a “dove” soap or a pear; 8 maids a milking= milk duds; drummers drumming = small decorative drum. The trick was to quietly come to the door, place the gift, ring the bell then run quickly or hide where they couldn’t be seen. They also did a lot of snow shoveling (and sometimes snowball throwing!) in the neighborhood. Another thing we did when our children were young was to go to the nursing home with the Stubbs family. The children would dress up as wise men or angels and they would sing 4-5 Christmas songs. Afterward they would deliver a simple gift to each of the residents there. The home we lived in at that time, didn’t have any insulation so gigantic icicles would form. This was the memorable icicle!

Life is SEW fun for local Seamstress

It may seem that life at the Four Corners Regional Care Center might be so-so, but for Becca Ivy, it's SEW, SEW! Becca has been happily residing there for seeral months and uses her sewing talents to make pillow cases for othr residents. She began sewing in 2007 when she lived at the Grayson apartments in Blanding A friend taught her how to make pillow cases and gave her tips on sewing. She has made at least 100 of them since. "I enjoy making things for others and giving them away," she explained.

She lived in Arizona for some time and sewed there as well, making dozens of strip quilts for family and friends. She has owned several sewing machines, but Brother is her preferred brand. To keep this seamstress happy and busy helping others, she would appreciate donations of fabric. If any local quilters have stashes of fabric they would be willing to donate, please take them to the care center earmarked for Becca. She as well as future recipients will appreciate any donations.

2,500 mile journey to the temple in Brazil

With LDS temples dotting the earth in these latter days, it’s hard to imagine the sacrifice that early members in foreign countries had as they traveled to a temple in the 1990’s. Blanding dentist, Andrea Twitchell, recalls the distance, time and expense that her family and early members in Manaus, Brazil had as they set out into middle of the Amazon rain forest to go to a temple for the first time. Her parents were converts to the church. Her mother was from South America and immigrated to escape the dictatorship that existed in Chile. She found a job in Manaus about the same time her future husband arrived from southern Brazil in the 1980’s. Members of the church in Manaus yearned to be sealed as families in the temple but there were no good roads for much of the 2,500-mile journey to the nearest temple in São Paulo. The trip was expensive and often dangerous. For most members going to the temple was outside of their reality. Despite these challenges, mission president Claudio R. M. Costa worked with local members, including Pedro Acosta, to organize a caravan to the temple. Many families made financial sacrifices as they saved for the trip. Air fare was too expensive to consider and even bus and boat were still very expensive. Many saved for months to afford the trip. Some sold their worldly belongings or took extra work to afford passage. Finally, on November 25, 1992, 102 Latter-day Saints embarked on the treacherous, weeklong journey, traveling first in 3 boats and then in 3 busses. They ran out of water during the first leg of their voyage and the river water was too polluted to drink. Their solution was to gather on the deck of the boat and pray. Leonardo Arevalo remembered that “heavy clouds gathered, the sky grew dark, and it began to pour.” They collected the water in pans and buckets, the passing storm miraculously providing enough fresh water to last until they reached the next city. At various cities along the route, members of local branches provided meals for the travelers. The branch in Ji-Paraná welcomed them with a sign that read “Sacrifice Brings Blessings.” Those in the caravan gratefully recognized that these members had sacrificed to help them reach the temple. Through these experiences, members of the caravan sensed they were an integral part of a larger community of Saints in Brazil. On the sixth day, the travelers erupted with cheers when they reached São Paulo. After spending an entire week at the temple performing ordinances for themselves and for their ancestors, they could testify that “sacrifice brings blessings.” Twenty years and many caravans later, the Church dedicated a temple in Manaus (a city of 2 ½ million people) in 2012. That first caravan will forever symbolize the sacrifices that Saints in Brazil are willing to make to claim their temple blessings. There are now 10 temples in Brazil and 14 more under construction or in the planning stage. Currently there are 1,525,436 members in Brazil. This makes Brazil the country with the third-largest Church membership worldwide, behind the United States and Mexico. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/imgs/7fdc77a9f807b48221b504097ab15c9089446db3/full/!1600%2C/0/default

Ernest J. Sondregger’s legacy: Building homes, businesses, and churches

Ernest J. Sondregger’s legacy of building homes, businesses, and churches began in 1949 when he received his Utah Contractor’s license # 105 and constructed their family’s first home. His wife Vernetta was a diligent photographer and recorder of their experiences; thus a well-documented history of his building and business projects exists. In 1950 his company built Devere Halls’ home, Southwest Gas, and Dr. Matheson’s Home and office in Monticello; in 1951 homes were built for Sarah Barton, Dale Kinnamon, and the Kay Johnson home in Blanding. In 1952 the Edway Redd home was built as well as a business facility for Eddie Saul. Fletch Bronson’s home was built in 1953, as was The Navajo Trail Motel built in Mexican Hat. They also built Tom Jones’ home and the Monticello Seminary that same year. In 1954 Sondreggers built homes for Lisle Adams and Grant Bronson as well as The Dairy Queen in Monticello. The Mexican Hat Motel was built in 1955 as well as the Walton Apartments, the Harris Shumway home in Blanding, and the Marvin Lyman Motel in Blanding.

Most of those well-built homes are still lived in today, including the Ruth Redd and Kenny Shumway homes which were built in 1956. That same year Sondreggers built the State Road Shed as well as a home for R.J. Fellmeth. The following year, homes were built for Dr. Goon and George Walton and The Hess Motel office was completed in 1957 as well as 3 teacher houses in Blanding (which are still in use today). The Bowen Motel addition was finished in 1960. Joe Cooper and Wm Walton’s homes were built in 1961. The Moab Seminary building was completed in 1962. A home for Helen Knight was built in Moab in 1968 as well as the Moab Elementary School. That same year a brick triplex was also built in Blanding on 3rd west, which continues to be used and the Bowen Motel addition was finished.

Several big projects were next on the Sondregger horizon: the auditorium at San Juan High was built in 1964. Young’s Machine Office was built in 1966 and the library and cafeteria at San Juan High completed in 1966-67. An addition to the San Juan Hospital in Monticello was built in 1968. An article published in the San Juan Record May 9, 1968 states: “The new wing at San Juan Hospital is beautiful and practical in every sense and is a real addition to an already excellent facility for the citizens of San Juan County. It has a total of 36 beds and employs 40 people which includes part time help along with four registered nurses, 14 aids, in addition to kitchen and laundry workers and technicians. There are two isolation rooms and two semi-private rooms.”

The Sondreggers finally built their own family home and moved in August 11, 1969. As with all the homes and business built, it too was constructed to last. In 1970 Sondreggers built the Monticello Elementary School, as well as homes for Calvin Perkins, Bryce Redd, John Baker, Don Palmer, Jerry Holliday, and the Blanding Clinic In 1971. The Mexican Hat Chapel was also completed as well as a home in Blanding for his daughter Relva and husband Bob Bowring. In 1972 the company built a home for Harold Allen and an apartment building for Bough Bayles, near the Blanding post office. Kigalia I was also completed by Sondregger’s in 1973 which provided needed apartments in Blanding. In 1974 they completed a split-level home for Richard Colman as well as a home for Kevin Ramsay. 1975 ushered in more homes: Gary Adair, Karl Barton and Joe Davis had homes built and an office was completed for Dr. Goon. The Gateway Motel was built in 1978 as well as the Donald Bayles home in Blanding. In Monticello they built the Phillips 66 station, as well as the AEC dropdown dam in 1974. Mule Canyon Ruins exhibit was completed in 1975.

Earnie Sondregger’s community spirit and skills did not go unappreciated. In a letter to the editor Mike Young wrote. “Dear Mr. Sondregger: In behalf of the Monticello Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank you sincerely for your assistance in our effort to install a sidewalk between the two schools in Monticello. Without the use of your equipment, which you so generously donated, and without the assistance of your experienced employees, our job would have been much more difficult. We especially appreciate the efforts of your son, Paul, Mr. Verl Bell, Mr. Gaylen Schaugaard and Mr. Elmo Redd. We want you to know that your generosity and assistance was most valuable and enabled us to construct a very professionally done sidewalk. Sincerely, Mike Young, President, Monticello Chamber of Commerce.“

The Blanding Clinic was completed and officially opened in January 1984. Present for the ribbon cutting were Rayburn Jack, Ernest Sonderegger, Cleal Bradford, Bob Low and Dr. James Redd. For the first time in Blanding, a doctor, nurse, and x-ray technician were available 24 hours a day. Mayor Cleal Bradford stated at that time: “A nation can be measured by how it treats its aged, sick and those unable to care for themselves. Guen Smith, who served on the Health Care Services Board recalled: “As recently as 25 years ago, the Navajo people were not given health services. I’m happy today to know that this new facility is for all people.” Sondregger was also associated with Interstate Homes for 11 years. He stated in 1990: “These modular units were of high quality, thus were able to capture 90% of the business in San Juan.” They provided his company with units for homes, apartments and motels for over 40 families.

Along with running his company, he also served as Mayor of Monticello receiving 429 of 500 votes in 1987. For Monticello’s Centennial the following year, Sondregger instigated construction of a Welcome sign and events throughout the year. Some events included Winterfest, snow sculpture competition, 24th of July parade and activities and articles in the San Juan Record “100 years under the Horsehead.” Danny Walker and Merri Allyson Redd were winners of the Centennial logo and theme contest. In August of 1988 Mayor Sondregger pitched the first horseshow at the Utah State Championship tournament in Monticello. In more serious activities as Mayor, he worked with the U.S. Department of Energy to have them compensate the city on damage caused by trucks using Clay Hill Road in their cleanup of contaminated soil south of the old uranium processing mill.

In 1991 The Days Inn was built on the north end of Monticello. It featured a decorative stucco work, a drive-through covered entrance, 43 rooms and an indoor pool and hot tub. It is still one of the nicest motels in the county.

Blanding's Stained Glass Guru

Most people think of Mark Lyman as a skilled counselor and friend, but he also has many creative talents. He majored in Art at BYU and graduated in 1967. This led him to a skill that few people are patient enough to learn: Creating stained glass windows. He first encountered the majesty of stained glass in the Cologne Cathedral while living in Germany in the 60’s. "It was the first time I appreciated the practice of medieval people building stone cathedrals, soaring higher than seemingly possible, with stained glass windows placed along the walls high enough to cause you to look up, heavenward. The combination of stone, colored glass and incense in the air must have been a magical and humbling experience for Medieval people. as it is for us today." The combination of stone, colored glass and incense in the air must have been a magical and humbling experience for Medieval people. As it is for us today. Years later the Lymans took their family back to Cologne to see if they could recapture that magic. "It was still there and has been each time we’ve visited" That same experience and sense of awe can be found in cathedrals all around the world. The famous Rose window in the Notre Dame Cathedral survived the fire of 2019 and is again open to the public, as well as the lesser-known Saint-Chapelle, also in Paris. "We have experienced St. Paul’s and Westminster Cathedrals in London, Canterbury Cathedral, St. Albans in Copenhagen, Sulzberger Dom and Nurnberg Abbey in Salzburg, as well as many smaller, lesser-known cathedrals. St. Savior’s Church in Bar Harbor, Maine has the largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass windows. These are at eye level, and although marvelous, don’t seem to inspire the same sense of wonder. They feel more like an art museum. Being forced to look heavenward seems to be good for the soul." In many ways stained glass as an art form is similar to piecing a quilt, though not as easy to fix if you make a mistake. First the size is determined, then the pattern and color scheme is planned using the various colors of glass. Glass is usually purchased at art stores and then the artist determines a pattern and what colors to use. This is where the real artistry begins, as glass is cut into specific shapes, then tediously put back together into a visual masterpiece.

There is a unique range of materials involved in making stained-glass. The palette consists of colored glass, copper foil, and solder (which holds the creation together). As with other art forms, first the creator plans the design on how the various colors and shapes will fit together in a predetermined space. Next the shapes are traced onto the colored glass using. The glass has to be clean and dry on both sides and then is scored with a sharp tool specifically used for glass, so it breaks precisely as planned. Straight lines are cut first, then the curved ones. All the edges require sanding (with fine sand paper) so they snuggly fit, like puzzle pieces. This is followed by melting copper foil which is moldable and will bend on both sides around the glass. The final step is soldering every piece together with an 80 watt soldering iron, using flux so that both sides stay in place. The foil is like wire and comes in various colors depending on the artist's preferences. Even a small stained glass piece 14X 20 inches may take as long as a week or more to create. Mark has made a dozen or more 4X8X6 pieces and several larger 20X20 stained glass panels. As with all art forms there may be disasters along the way, but the final outcome is still worth it! It is not an simple skill to learn. If you're looking for a quick and easy imitation, you can just paint on glass, which is evidently what was done on the large glass window in the old south chapel.

Veterans Memorial To Be Built in Blanding

For decades, soldiers from San Juan County dedicated their time and often their lives to the cause of freedom. From WWI to more current conflicts, hundreds of local soldiers have served in order that the freedoms we cherish are preserved. American Legion Post #97 Commander Tony Wojcik and Andy Mikesell Adjunct are currently working to build a permanent veterans outdoor memorial near the visitors center on Center Street. This will honor veterans who have served in all branches of the military. Families of soldiers past and present and county residents are asked to join in this effort.

Even though an archival tribute to veterans is located on the north side of the Visitors Center, it is locked because of vandalism in the past and can only be accessed by visitor center staff. It contains details such as: family connection, birth and deaths of older generations of soldiers. However, the American Legion determined to build a memorial so that people can participate more directly, as well as reminding visitors of all who have served. The local American Legion Post #97 was started after WWII vets returned in 1948. Blanding always celebrated with farewell socials when soldiers left and returned. The history of many of these soldiers and their letters home are included in issue 20 of Blue Mountain Shadows.

A series of fortunate events prepared the way for this current project. Many will remember the old rodeo grounds northeast of Blanding. It included 40 acres of land, a rodeo arena as well as a racetrack. When Monticello built a better rodeo and fairgrounds, the Blanding rodeo property was abandoned and any materials left were either stolen or damaged. After 50 years the acreage was officially turned over by the BLM to the American Legion Post #97. After much deliberation it was decided to sell the land to Sondregger Construction who wanted to purchase it for gravel production. That sale provided the needed funding for the Veterans Memorial Project. The vision for the project came about after Wojcik started brainstorming to find a way to honor all branches of the military. He presented his ideas to the Blanding City Council who were supportive of the project and impressed by the amount of money available that could be used for it. The city agreed to provide the land, pay for the relocation of electricity and water and landscaping, as well as some financial assistance as needed. After meeting with the City Council, it was decided to put it near the Visitors Center.

Allison Ipson put together the artist’s concept for the memorial which will include six 8 ft. pillars with 10-inch bronze plaques with each military branch’s service motto on both sides. These will represent the Army, Navy, Marines, Airforce, Coast Guard and Space Force. In the center of the pillars will be a large kiva with a ladder and openings east and west with a large flagpole coming out of the center of the kiva. It will include the 4 traditional colors of the Navajo tribe: black= north, blue= south, yellow= west and white= east. The wall around the memorial will be 18 inches high with stone veneer.

When visitors arrive, they will first see a metal plaque: “What is a Veteran? Veterans are people who at one point in their lives wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for an amount of up to and including their life. That is honor.” The Gold Star Wall in the memorial will honor 29 individuals who lost their lives in battle (KIA). Their names will be etched into black polished granite. The memorial also includes the clock put in by Harold Lyman, a Korean War veteran.

Local families can purchase a paver to honor those in their family who have served in the military, but anyone can purchase pavers to be engraved at a cost of $360 (which is tax deductible as this is a nonprofit project.) Dedication of the memorial will be (hopefully) on Veterans Day Nov. 11, 2025. Contact Tony Wojcik at 435-459-2249 for more information. To order a paver, go to the city of Blanding web site, scroll down main page to Veterans Memorial, click on link to order and follow the instructions.

The construction team includes: Jones and DeMille Engineers, Javen Ivins, Allison Ipson, (concept rendering) and Taylor Made Wooden Heritage. The project will use local artisans and companies. Lights will be provided by Northern Electric and will be on from dusk to dawn to illuminate the memorial.

Pups, People and Preparation: Wendy Ward-- Successful Dog Competitor and Breeder

Wendy Ward’s endeavors with her dogs, (AKC Kennel name: Blue House Cavaliers)is a lot like raising children; it requires teaching, training, cleaning, care and feeding, and coaching them as they work with and compete with others. Her focus and commitment to do this has led to great success in the winner’s circle at competitions as far away as Alaska and Alabama and as close as Arizona and Utah. Her next dog competition is May 16,17, and 18 in Farmington, New Mexico and visitors are invited to come. Other competitions are held in Colorado, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Nebraska and all over the U.S. Wendy is quick to point out that her first attempts were awkward and unschooled. She has now progressed to awkward & totally trained (in her own words)!

There are all kinds of competitive dogs but Wendy’s preference is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She initially started with Yorkies, but they had to be taken to the vet often which was not cost effective. The Spaniels are cute, small in size, even tempered and outgoing. Unlike the Yorkies, they are large enough to not be confused with prairie dogs if they get out and run down the road. They are also very affectionate, gentle, and adaptable to children and families. The Wards’ four grandsons have informally temperament tested the cavaliers by sitting on them, pulling their ears, dragging them around and taking bones out of their mouth. These are patient, gentle dogs!

Best Christmas Story Started in Blanding

With the recent movie release of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (which comes to Blanding Dec 13-19) some may not know it has a strong Blanding connection which started in 1981, when Melissa Tatro was a teacher at Blanding Elementary. She loved working with students was very pro-active in enhancing student experiences. She contacted our PTA officers and let them know that Barbara Robinson was her aunt, and that she might be willing to come to Blanding to talkabout writing and her recent publishing success, Best Christmas Pageant Ever! Thus began San Juan’s love for the Herdman family and their Christmas antics!

~~ The Blanding PTA wrote a proposal to the Utah Council for the Humanities asking for financial help to pay for Mrs. Robinson to travel from Ohio and to conduct 3 days of workshops in the San Juan School District in April of 1982. She was a great presenter and walked us through the creation and writing process of the Christmas Pageant creation. Robinson wrote more than 40 short stories for newspapers and magazines, including McCall’s and Ladies’ Home Journal; however, her most popular work, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, however was her big runaway success. In the novel, the Herdmans (none of whom had ever heard the Bible’s Christmas story) offer their own wild and irreverent interpretation of the celebration, when they take over the annual holiday pageant one Sunday at church. Robinson went on to adapt the book for both the stage and for television in the 1980s, and it has sold more than 3.3 million copies in all editions.

~~ Since then, the “Pageant” has been performed in Blanding at least five times. When Emma Ward was 11, she was in the play. Emma recalled, “At that time I wore glasses, but Mrs. Adams didn’t want me to wear them, and I could hardly see where the edge of the stage was, I was so blind. I was always afraid I was going to fall off.” She went on to be SJHS senior & Sterling Scholar candidate in Drama. Robinson created two sequels starring the Herdmans, The Best School Year Ever (HarperCollins, 1994) and The Best Halloween Ever (HarperCollins, 2004). Though she enjoyed various styles of writing over the course of her career, she noted on her web site that she was “most happily an author of children’s books, because there’s no greater audience than boys and girls who read books and demand that those books be the most exciting, the most mysterious, the most touching, the funniest... the best.”

~~ Other books of Barbara Robinson are The Fattest Bear in the First Grade, Across from Indian Shore, My Brother Louis Measures Worms and other Louis stories, Temporary Times, Temporary Places and Trace through the Forest, My Brother Louis Measures Worms, Robinson was born and grew up in southern Ohio, in the river town of Portsmouth. She often credited her life in that small town as inspiring her writing, saying that it provided “great stuff to feed the imagination.” An avid reader and writer from an early age, Robinson followed her passion for both drama and writing when she attended Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. She graduated in 1948 and passed awayJuly 9, 2013.

She's Tops When it Comes to Decorating Cakes: Julie Orr Lucero

When people talk about dough and salt you expect them to be good cooks. Well, Julie Lucero is that, but has also taken those basics a creative step further and has been making “salt dough” ornaments since 1990. Those who have attended the “Tree for All” at the Blanding Wellness Center or booths at the 4th of July or 24th in Monticello over the years, have probably seen and bought some of her products. Many of her creations feature carefully made and painted Nativity scenes, often with southwestern design. Sometimes the holy family is in a hogan, or by it.

Julie has always had a creative talent which was encouraged by her high school art teachers in the ‘70’s. When Julie first began painting, she primarily did ornaments for Christmas trees, but 15 years ago she started using clay to make cake toppers for wedding cakes and other celebrations. She has made nearly 50 such intricate creations. One of the hardest ones was for a military wedding, with the groom dressed in his uniform. She replicated every one of his medals in minutia!

Another very difficult topper was one that featured a bride with long curly hair, which she was also able to recreate. Sometimes the bridal toppers were a secret for the couple, whose parents or friends send a photo of what they wanted for the special occasion. These were always a wonderful surprise! Her weddings creations were featured in Bridal Fair Magazine after they saw her creations at the Salt Palace. The cake design for Austin and Valerie Howe’s wedding was a zebra print, other bride dresses were made to look like intricate embroidery.

The subject of her creations has expanded from weddings to prom dates, birthdays, holidays and even Dean Lyman’s hunting success! One cover picture for Fire Mountain Gems in 2014 featured a cake with detailed replicas of all kinds of expensive gems all made by Creative Clays (her web site.) She learned that skill at a workshop in Logan where they taught her to use oil paints sprayed with polyurethane to replicate the “real deal.”

She continues to make magnets and other salt clay miniatures such as the Eagle Dance and hogans which are primarily sold at the Bluff Fort. She also has painted many large pictures of San Juan County and the Navajo culture as well as decorative walls in her own home and for others. She is a genius at replicating and capturing the uniqueness of any occasion. If you can describe it or show it, Julie can recreate it in miniature.

New Minerals (Shumwayite and Greenlizardite) Discovered in San Juan County

By Janet Wilcox

The discovery and naming of two new minerals found in San Juan County, has recently created great scientific interest. In April 2024, Dan Shumway a local miner, artist and writer was contacted by “Rocks and Minerals” magazine editor Mark Jacobson with the news about the discoveries. (The publication comes out in Nov/Dec 2024.) New minerals have to go through an extensive scientific process before they are named and must relate to specific areas or people. For this documentation, the editor interviewed Dan about his background and role in the discovery. For several years Dan guided various scientists to remote mineral sites in the county. “If something catches their eye, they will collect samples,” Shumway explained. “The specimens and sites are numbered and recorded. Next the material is taken to a lab for closer examination using modern equipment and technology. I’ve enjoyed my association with these renown and competent professions.” Occasionally they camped somewhere in the outback and often shared experiences around the campfire. Dan’s guiding skills, knowledge and familiarity of San Juan’s remote areas and mineral sites were of great value, as were their experiences in foreign countries. Dan began mining the summer of 1963 and later he teamed up with Jack Tate in 1966 when they mined in Utah, Colorado and Arizona. Tate along with Reed Hurst hauled ore for him. Since retiring he has used his creative talent landscaping their home, painting and writing poems. This one illustrates the uranium boom years in San Juan:

Shumwayite by Dan Shumway My grandfathers were both mine operators As were myself and my dad. We mined in the years before regulators Finally got too bad. All told we worked more than 200 mines Acquiring knowledge of that domain. As a 3rd generation miner in my family line, Hand-on mine lore is in my brain. Today, details of mines on the Colorado Plateau Are being lost to “reclamation” So scholars seek me out for what I know, Including unrecorded history and location. Upon guiding them to one lost site They discovered a mineral “new” A uranium element they named Shumwayite And told me “Dan, we named it for you.” Now that’s high pay and an honor rare To have a mineral name for me. On hearing this I asked the scholars there “Could it also honor others in my family?” I explained, “Shumways were noted participators In building the uranium industry years ago. So let it honor successful Shumway mine operators. And prominent prospectors of the plateau?” Now fleeting are trophies, awards, Hollywood fame Even an academic degree Compared to a mineral with the Shumway name That will be recognized into eternity? In September, 2014, Dan led Joe Marty to a seldom seen mineral location north of Red Canyon in SJC. (Marty is a renowned mineral micromounter Hall of Fame Awardee, for whom the mineral martyite was named.) “It was a difficult hike in broken terrain, but soon after we arrived Marty’s keen experienced eyes detected what he suspected might be a new mineral,” Shumway explained. He helped Joe collect samples and later lab tests confirmed that indeed it was a new, never before recognized uranium mineral. Shortly afterwards Dan was surprised and greatly honored when Marty told him, “We have found a new mineral and it will be named for you!”

Dan is part of a long and wide lineage of Shumway uranium prospectors and mine operators. His grandfather A.E. Shumway, his father DeVar, and many other uncles and Shumway cousins were deserving of this honor. He told Marty that “Shumwayite” would also honor all those who helped establish the uranium industry on the Colorado Plateau including both San Juan and Grand counties which boomed because of the wealth from uranium production Other formerly unknown minerals were also discovered by the Green Lizard mine in the White Canyon district. The Green Lizard is now closed with a bat accessible grate. It is one of hundreds of mines scattered throughout San Juan County which produced uranium, radium and vanadium and brought new wealth and businesses into the SE Utah. San Juan County has long been a destination of explorers and adventure seekers. In 1898 John Wetherill (one of the discoverers of the Mesa Verde ruins) led an archeological expedition into Red Canyon. During a lunch stop, he noted yellow, blue, black, and green mineral stains surrounding two different petrified trees. A century later local miners began mining uranium as well as other metallic elements but low prices, and high costs of transporting ore made it unsuccessful. Finally in 1926 vanadium ore began to be mined in White Canyon. By 1939 scientists discovered that uranium could be used to generate nuclear fission which could run turbines and generate electricity. And the uranium boom began!

The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was founded in 1946 after WWII. Their focus was to find ways to utilize uranium to run turbines and generate electricity in less expensive ways. (In 1955, Arco, Idaho became the first city in the US to provide electrical power in this way.) This efficient use quickly expanded uranium demand and set off a prospecting and mining boom in southern Utah. White Canyon production doubled in 1955 with the startup of additional mines. Nine companies operated 15 different mines at that time and more opened later. The Blue Lizard accounted for 85% of the total production in White Canyon. (It was located south of the Green Lizard site). After 1970 all uranium ore was used by commercial nuclear power plants for generating electricity. Peak ore production was reached in 1978. Mining engineer, Leonard Howe, forecasts that soon small generators the size of a refrigerator will be available for households and with the click of a switch they will be used for either heating or cooling a home! Dan is a 3rd generation mine owner/operator: “Mining is in my DNA and in my heart” he explained. Many treasured uranium memories occurred in the 1950’s as he spent the summer months at this father’s remote mining camps. In that by-gone era he was free to roam the rims and canyons for miles. As an 11-year-old he started selling mineral specimens and rocks he found. He enjoyed exploring alone and often experienced the “thrill of discovery” when he found a particularly nice, unusual or rare mineral treasure. He started working underground in the mines in 1963. Since then, he was mostly self-employed and either operated or worked in over 30 mines during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s. The last mining he did was in 2008-2009 and his partners then were Vern and Chance Shumway. For many years Dan was away, out in the hills mining while he wife Betty was home in Blanding raising their four daughters. In 1976 they built a home north of Blanding. Like the pre-historic pueblo people, Dan gathered lots of rocks to build the house and it became a monument to his travels and was great place to raise kids. After their daughters left home Dan and Betty started going to sunny Arizona for the winter. For 10 years they sold rocks and minerals to Snowbirds and tourists. After 60 years of marriage, they now have 7 grandchildren and 5 great grands. They raise three separate gardens each summer, saw firewood, and continue to landscape their yard with rocks and minerals from every corner of San Juan. Dan has also written hundreds of poems and stories in rhyme and when grandkids come, he loves telling them about the elves and leprechauns that used to hide in his mines. He especially enjoys visits from his friend, Joe Mary and they often drive out to where the BLM coved up the mineral sites and where Joe discovered the new minerals: Shumwayite and Greenlizardite.

Shumwayite by Dan Shumway My grandfathers were both mine operators As were myself and my dad. We mined in the years before regulators Finally got too bad. All told we worked more than 200 mines Acquiring knowledge of that domain. As a 3rd generation miner in my family line, Hand-on mine lore is in my brain. Today, details of mines on the Colorado Plateau Are being lost to “reclamation” So scholars seek me out for what I know, Including unrecorded history and location. Upon guiding them to one lost site They discovered a mineral “new” A uranium element they named Shumwayite And told me “Dan, we named it for you.” Now that’s high pay and an honor rare To have a mineral name for me. On hearing this I asked the scholars there “Could it also honor others in my family?” I explained, “Shumways were noted participators In building the uranium industry years ago. So let it honor successful Shumway mine operators. And prominent prospectors of the plateau?” Now fleeting are trophies, awards, Hollywood fame Even an academic degree Compared to a mineral with the Shumway name That will be recognized into eternity? All told we worked more than 200 mines Acquiring knowledge of that domain. As a 3rd generation miner in my family line, Hand-on mine lore is in my brain. Today, details of mines on the Colorado Plateau Are being lost to “reclamation” So scholars seek me out for what I know, Including unrecorded history and location. Upon guiding them to one lost site They discovered a mineral “new” A uranium element they named Shumwayite And told me “Dan, we named it for you.” Now that’s high pay and an honor rare To have a mineral name for me. On hearing this I asked the scholars there “Could it also honor others in my family?” I explained, “Shumways were noted participators In building the uranium industry years ago. So let it honor successful Shumway mine operators. And prominent prospectors of the plateau?” Now fleeting are trophies, awards, Hollywood fame Even an academic degree Compared to a mineral with the Shumway name That will be recognized into eternity?

Shumwayite by Dan Shumway My grandfathers were both mine operators As were myself and my dad. We mined in the years before regulators Finally got too bad. All told we worked more than 200 mines Acquiring knowledge of that domain. As a 3rd generation miner in my family line, Hand-on mine lore is in my brain. Today, details of mines on the Colorado Plateau Are being lost to “reclamation” So scholars seek me out for what I know, Including unrecorded history and location. Upon guiding them to one lost site They discovered a mineral “new” A uranium element they named Shumwayite And told me “Dan, we named it for you.” Now that’s high pay and an honor rare To have a mineral name for me. On hearing this I asked the scholars there “Could it also honor others in my family?” I explained, “Shumways were noted participators In building the uranium industry years ago. So let it honor successful Shumway mine operators. And prominent prospectors of the plateau?” Now fleeting are trophies, awards, Hollywood fame Even an academic degree Compared to a mineral with the Shumway name That will be recognized into eternity?

For many years Dan was away, out in the hills mining while his wife Betty was home in Blanding raising their four daughters. In 1980 they built a home north of Blanding. Like the pre-historic pueblo people, Dan gathered lots of rocks to build the house and it became a monument to his travels and great place to raise kids. After their daughters left home Dan and Betty started going to sunny Arizona for the winter. For 10 years they sold rocks and minerals to Snowbirds and tourists. After 60 years of marriage, they now have 7 grandchildren and 5 great grands. They raise three separate gardens each summer, saw firewood, and continue to landscape their yard with rocks and minerals from every corner of San Juan. Dan has also written hundreds of poems and stories in rhyme and when grandkids come, he loves telling them about the elves and leprechauns that used to hide in his mines. He especially enjoys visits from his friend, Joe Mary and they often drive out to where the BLM coved up the mineral sites and where Joe discovered the new minerals: Shumwayite and Greenlizardite.