Panguitch Posts May 2023

This is an old news article. The events in this article happened in Panguitch in May 2023.

Well just like that we are almost halfway through 2023! Time does not stand still that’s for sure!

Most of this article’s news will be old news but I suppose that’s ok if your memory is as short as mine.

Our water situation is mind boggling when you look out across our Panguitch Valley and see the Sevier River completely ignoring it’s banks and is running all over the place! Who can even determine the real course of it in most places! Panguitch Lake is still exploding over the dam even though Tammy Barton’s first photo of the awesome sight was taken almost two weeks ago. Mammoth Creek has also expanded well past its banks and John says he hasn’t seen this much water in the creek in his lifetime. We prayed for moisture and we got over-the-top answers. We should be in for a beautiful summer!

Panguitch High School girls softball kind of limped to a close as injuries to some of the players came at a most inopportune time but it was a fun season and a lot of the girls will be back for next year’s softball season.

State track was definitely one of the highlights of the month and year for Panguitch High as the girls team easily captured first place in 1A and the boys, with some key event finishes, also brought home the first place trophy! It was an exciting, fun day at BYU and there was a lot of support from families and fans and some special PHS alumni, i.e., Joe Riggs and Ned and Kay Richards. We are really blessed to have fantastic, caring coaches to help our young people work hard to achieve success. Many of the athletes had their personal best times at the competition ending their track season!

Graduation and Schools Out!

Graduation exercises at PHS were amazing as I’m sure was the case in our neighboring high schools. This year’s seniors are a great group of kids having done really well with their academics, sports and in the different club competitions and activities. They have been a fun group and are soon to be off to serve missions, attend college and trade techs and some will work to earn some spending money.

Several of this graduating class of seniors have already received and accepted their mission calls: Treyson Prince will be going to Argentina; Spencer Talbot will go to Australia; Klyn Fullmer is going to Brazil; Carter Yardley will head to Washington State; Tucker Chappell is going to Chicago, Illinois; Konner Henrie is called to South Africa and Justus Savage will be going to Mexico. Congratulation to these boys on their calls to serve! A few others are awaiting their 18th birthdays so they can submit their papers.

School is out for the summer. Hurray! Now on to jobs, sport camps, family reunions, vacations and, hopefully, some time for just being a kid!

Tornado in Texas

This is kind of old news but you might be interested to know that Norm and Debra McKee’s daughter, Lareesa and her family, live in Tornado Alley in McKinney, Texas, and have been in several close calls with tornados but finally actually went through the experience as one came over their home.

The neighbors had seen the funnel cloud coming so Lareesa hurried to the school and picked up her children. Her husband called her and said his truck had stalled on the freeway so she — dared I say “sped” — to get him then rushed back to their home. They heard the warning sirens go off and when they arrived home the power was off and stayed off for 7 1/2 hours. The wind raged to in excess of 80 mph but, thankfully, their home and yard received only minor damage and was spared from total destruction. Quite the experience for the family!

Local Businesses and Organizations

Have you noticed that Joe’s Main Street Market is getting a facelift? It should be nice when it is completed.

The Two Sunsets Hotel is now up and running and the rooms have been completely refurbished! Roger Kasper is the owner and has really improved the look of Main Street. The hotel is located right on Main Street and was called the 89 Lodge back in my day. It’s wonderful to see it ready for business again.

The district’s DUP Convention was held on May 6 in Orderville this year. Elaine Baldwin and Colleen Goff took our Panguitch group in their cars to the meeting and reported it was an interesting and fun day meeting with other “daughters” from our area. I would again like to invite ladies of pioneer descent to join this worthwhile organization. It is so fun to listen to the histories and hear experiences of early settlers of our locale. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month from September to May. If you don’t have pioneer ancestry you can join as an associate.

Locals Who Have Passed Away

Our community has lost a couple of our long-time residents this month. Earl Henrie finally lived out his “seven lives” and passed away while residing in the care center. He has been a long-time cattleman and had a love for good quarter horses. He and Lola are some of the people who have been icons here for many, many years. Also, Marilyn Veater has just recently passed away. If you knew Marilyn, you loved her! She was a widow for many years but pressed on raising her three children and helping with community events. She could often be seen “walking her walker” out for her daily exercise. We are grateful for the influence these great people had in our area.

A Few Last-Minute Thoughts

Before closing this article I am going to take a chance to brag a little on our daughter, Stacee. She has been teaching at Snow College for 16 years and this last year was asked to serve as interim president there temporarily replacing President Cook who took another appointment out of the country. Just recently, Stacee was appointed to become the 18th president of Snow College after going through a very rigorous process of interviews and presentations. She loves Snow College and is excited to take on this new challenge. Needless to say, we are proud of her!

I hope you enjoyed Memorial Day as much as I did! I love going to the cemetery to put fresh artificial flowers on our loved ones’ burial sites and it was extra special this year to be able to add fresh lilacs! It’s always fun to run into old friends and acquaintances who come home to decorate the sites of their family members and it was actually a beautiful day with not much wind. Thanks to those who keep the grass mowed and watered and to the Lions Club for the beautiful display of flags leading to the cemetery! And thanks, too, for the extra effort that goes into placing our country’s flag next to all of the veterans. It is a beautiful sight and brings to remembrance all the sacrifice that has gone into keeping our country free and protected.

Have a great summer and enjoy your time with family and friends!

– by Pam Yardley

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