Sons of Utah Pioneers April 2015 Volume 3 Number 4 Hurricane Valley Chapter Newsletter March’s Event: Once again, our meeting was well attended, as we had 79 in attendance. Everyone came to hear the report from Tom and Kitty Hirschi of their Mission to 6th Crossing in Wyoming. There may have been some who thought it would be a repeat of February’s meeting, but it was not. As the crowd began to gather, it became obvious that we needed to set up more tables. After a delectable meal, Kitty spoke to us about their experiences. She spoke about the history of the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies from the time they left England until the time they were rescued. Her telling of those experiences was made more real to us as she showed pictures of what the area looked like, and of the youth groups that came to experience the trek. The areas of Rocky Ridge and Devil’s Gate were heart-rending as we contemplated the trials of the starving and weary saints of the Martin and Willie handcart companies. 1 Tom completed the presentation by giving us the history of Levi Savage and his crucial help along the way. Tom indicated that Levi had become one of his heroes. He was impressed by his devotion to the group despite the chastisement he received from the leaders of the company. He also told the story of a young girl who walked the entire way to the valley under dire circumstances. The doctors wanted to amputate her frostbitten legs, but her father would not allow it. A miracle occurred, saving her legs, and she lived on to bear and raise many children. We all benefited from contemplating the lives of our pioneers ancestors and the challenges they endured with faith and courage, so that we could have the comforts that we enjoy today. Thank you, Tom and Kitty, for an evening well spent. April’s Event: Every year our chapter holds an essay contest with the 4th grade students from the Elementary schools of Springdale, LaVerkin, Three Falls, Hurricane, and Valley Academy. This age group studies Utah History, and so they were chosen for the contest. The purpose of the contest is to connect these children with their heritage, and perhaps get them interested in researching and showing appreciation for their ancestors. The students are assigned to research one of their ancestors, at least 2 generations back from them. In the past we have honored all of the winners, but this year, we will honor most of them in their respective schools. We will bring only the top 3 winners to our meeting, and honor them there. We really want all of our members to see what our Elementary Essay Contest is doing for the children of the Hurricane Valley. Our meeting will be in the American Legion Hall on Thursday, April 16th, at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner is pot-luck. We look forward to seeing you all there. Thanks!! Calendar of Events: May 21st -----History of Education in Hurricane/LaVerkin -Wayne Edwards 2 May 30th -----Trek to the Hurricane Mesa June 18th -----Cowboy Poetry with Sam Jackson Sam is a renouned western cowboy poet from Kanab Utah, who has sponsored a number of cowboy poetry events. His poetry captures the pioneer spirit from a different perspective. He is both reflective and funny. It will be a very entertaining evening. July 16th ----- TBA (Devin Ruesch) August 20th -----TBA (Steve Stout) September 17th ---- TBA (Richard Black) October 15th ----- CCC Camps in Southern Utah (Dan Zaleski) November 19th ----- TBA (Darwin Leavitt) December tba ----- Christmas Dinner (Chapter Board) Welcome: We would like to welcome several new members to our chapter. These are: 1. Stephen Bird: Stephen and his wife Dora, live in LaVerkin and have been in this area for about 10 years. He is the Commander of the American Legion Post 100. 2. Tom Hirschi: Tom has lived in Hurricane for the majority of his life, raising his family here. Besides serving the community as a barber, he was a bus driver for the school district, and served several terms as the Mayor of Hurricane. He and Kitty just recently returned from a mission to 6th crossing in Wyoming, and they are just heading back for the summer on another mission there. 3. Kenneth Heaton: Ken was among the founding members of the chapter, and has just returned to join us. He served the community as a dentist for many years, and also as a member of the Hurricane Utah Stake Presidency. He and his wife, LaRue, live in Hurricane. National SUP Events: Saturday, April 11th, there will be a Regional Symposium in Cedar City. It will start at 1:00 p.m. and go to 5:00 p.m. It will be held at the YSA 2nd Stake Center Chapel 85 North 600 West. The speakers will be: Douglas Alder “History of the St. George Temple”. Leo Lyman “Freight and Stage Routes to Southern Utah.” Thomas Alexander “Wilford Woodruff and the St. George Temple.” 3 William Hartley “The Mormon Trail and Its Emigrants 1846 – 1869: A Myth-ridden Story Rarely Told Right.” Dinner will start at 5:30 with the Keynote speaker , Elder Bruce C. Hafen, and will be held in the Cedar City Institute of Religion, 650 W. Center St. The cost of the Symposium is $5.00, if you are only going for the afternoon sessions. If you are going for the entire program with the dinner it will by $15.00 in advance. Tickets may be purchased from S.U.P. Headquarters (801) 484-4441 or from Harold Shirley (435) 586-8442. May 9th, 2015 SUP Annual Historical Symposium Saturday. $25.00 per person. At the door $30.00 per person. (for the complete program) Afternoon session only will be $10.00 per person. It will be held at 2 venues: Attendees whose last names start with “N – Z” SUP Headquarters Building 3301 E. Louise Ave. Attendees whose last names start with “A – M” Canyon Rim Chapel, 3051 S. 2900 E. The Dinner and Keynote speaker will start at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at the East Millcreek Stake Center, 3103 E. Craig Drive “The Life and Death of Apostle Parley P. Pratt” Speakers will be: Matthew J. Grow ---- “The Apostle Paul of Mormonism: The Missionary Journeys of Parley P. Pratt” Alexander L. Baugh ---- “Tis Not for Crimes I Have Done” P.P. Pratt’s Missouri Imprisonment 1838 – 1839 Mitchell O. Pratt ---- “I Die a Firm Believer’” The Murder, the Reaction, and the Grave of P.P. Pratt” Robert Steven Pratt ---- “The Hymns and Poetry of Parley P. Pratt” Elder Craig A. Cardon ---- Keynote Speaker at the Banquet. September 17 – 19th ---- National Convention----Brigham City, Utah It will be held at the Box Elder Stake Center, 420 South 800 West. The Main Speakers will be: Friday Evening: Michael Ballam; Saturday Morning, Janice Kapp Perry and Saturday Convention Speaker will be Lloyd Newell of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Additional information can be obtained by going to https://www.sup2015.com Early Registration (before Sept. 1st) $100 (Treks $25 per person, or 2 for $40. Morning Late Registration (after Sept. 1st) $115 or Afternoon ) Thursday only registration $35.00 Friday only registration $45.00 Saturday only registration $40.00 4 Farewell: Just as this newsletter was headed to the press, we got word that one of our own has graduated. Victor Crosby Hall, age 87, passed away on March 26, 2015. He was born at home in Hurricane to J. Harvey and Hannah Crosby Hall on April 23, 1927. He graduated from high school in 1945. He went on to Dixie Jr. College, and the U of U, obtaining a teaching certificate. He began teaching in Henderson, Nevada as a 5th grade teacher. He served for many years as an elementary principal. He married Louise Elder in 1950, and they had 6 children. When Louise retired in 1991, they moved back to Hurricane. His interests included photography, travel, hiking, history, writing, and other activities. He wrote many histories for people in town. He was a member of the Hurricane Valley Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, serving for some time on her board. He wrote, edited and produced the film we have on the making of the Hurricane Canal. We are grateful to have had association with him! Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Hurricane LDS 5th Ward (Red Brick Church) 274 South 100 West, Hurricane, Utah. Visitations will be held Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Hurricane Valley Mortuary, 140 North Main Street, Hurricane, Utah, 84737 and prior to services on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will be Hurricane City Cemetery, with Military Hon ors. 5
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