Friday, February 24, 2012

THE OSA CLUB ~~~~ BY LELAND STANSFIED



It was called the O. S. A. Club; it's meaning was "Our Social Afternoon".  This was an early day women's club, organized back in the eighteen hundreds.  The purpose was to help alleviate the everyday drudgery and backbreaking jobs that came to every early day pioneer woman.

My Danish grandmother was just such a woman, but she was also determined to overcome most of the obstacles that confronted her, so with the help of three other women, she founded just such a club.  It was organized in such a way to give its members something to do besides the chores of the everyday hard life they had to endure.

A few days later, they held a meeting with the hep of more people, and it was not long until they had the club going with duly elected officers.  My grandmother was sworn in as the first president.  They decided to meet on the first Tuesday of each month thereafter.

My grandmother came from Copenhagen, Denmark.  Her maiden name was Sophia  Nielsen, but later it was Mrs. John Stansfield.  However, she loved to be called by her first name.  This name, Sophia, suited her, and everyone else.  In due time, she relinquished the position of president to another, and was glad to do so.  She was remembered as the club's first president for a long time afterwards and was loved just as much as remembered.

I do not remember much about my grandmother, but my mother told me that she made quite a fuss over me when I was small and game me some little gifts from time to time.  I do remember one time long ago when she gave me a little tin hatchet.  I kept it and treasured it for a long time.  However, as time marches on, in the passing years the hatchet was lost.  I do not remember what became of it.

I was then seven years old, and was becoming quite perceptive of what was going on around me, especially when it was my mother's turn to entertain the club.  That only happened about once a year and so quite a great deal of planning and preparation was done in order for it to be a success.  I knew that tables and chairs would have to b e set up and that I could help to do that.  I was so glad to do it.

At last, all the club members arrived and the meeting began.  The minutes were read and after all the business was taken care of, the chattering away began.  They talked of this and that while stitching, doing embroidery work, or some played cards, all just forgetting the cares of the workaday world.  They even did a little gossiping while they were gathered together.

All of this was very exciting to me and from time to time, I peeked from behind the folding doors which separated the dining room from the parlor.  I really tried to hear what was said and if possible to catch some of the gossip going on.  I was not, however, able to catch very much of what was said because the women knew I was trying to listen to what was being said.  They were just as careful in not saying too much.  I did hear a remark made by someone and it was said quite loudly for my benefit:  "Little pigs often have big ears."  To say the least, I was really embarrassed.  Being just a child though, I soon forgot the incident and turned to other childish things.

This is just another page of my life and one that I shall cherish always.


I could not find a photo of the O.S.A. Club or of Sophia Nielsen Stansfield .  But here is a photo of the Sunshine Club and one of  the "Our Night Out Girls".  


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Chris Swensen Obituary

photo

Chris Swensen

October 12, 1946  ~  February 18, 2012

heart
Chris Kelly Swensen
10-12-46 to 2-18-12

Passed away at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT surrounded by his family on February 18, 2012 due to complications after surgery.
He was born Oct 12, 1946 to Frank P. Swensen and Ada Effie Bloxom in Bucyrus, Ohio.
Chris served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as infantryman. Receiving 2 bronze stars and a purple heart.
He worked for many years in the Oilfield Industry in WY He also farmed in Mt. Pleasant, UT for a number of years.
Chris loved to travel with his wife Sharon. Enjoyed many camping trips with Sharon and his children and grandchildren and also with extended family and friends. He also loved and enjoyed his dogs. Some of his hobbies included gardening, gold mining, rock hounding and hunting deer sheds. His old sayings were, "Every things copasetic,"Don't let a little thing like that bother ya" "l'l feel better when it quits hurting," "You can go to the store but don't spend any money."
He is survived by his wife Sharon A. Seely Swensen of Mt. Pleasant, UT; sons, Tony Swensen (Jody), Jerry Lucas of Skull Creek, CO; his daughter, Kellie Cordova (Chris) of Rangely, CO; Stepchildren Tiffany(Adam) Tassin Ephraim, UT; Deedra Fox of Tooele, UT; Allen Fox of Spring City, UT; 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; sister, Margaret Miller, Sheridan, WY. Preceded in death by son, Christopher Korey Swensen; sisters, Audrey Swensen, Monica Erbaugh; brother, Charlie Swensen.
Services will be held Friday February 24, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Rasmussen Mortuary in Mt. Pleasant, UT. Friends may call Thursday from 6-8 pm and Friday from 12:00-1:00 pm at Rasmussen Mortuary prior to services. Interment in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery. Online condolences at www.rasmussenmortuary.com

Life Story of Richard and Annie Hutchison Brown ~ Pioneers of Mountainville ~ by Arvilla Brown Wells, Granddaughter

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Young, Barentsen and Truscott Family Photos ~ shared by Joanne Truscott Peterson


Here are some fun pictures sent in by Joanne Truscott Peterson.
Photos of the Harold Young, Hugh Barentsen and Fern Truscott Families.

Harold, Hugh and Fern

Harold, Hugh and Fern

Phyllis, Ruth, Harold and Fern

Fern Truscott Family, Verda Young and Janice Young, Hugh Barentsen Family

Janice Young with the dog.  Welby Barentsen,, Truscott Girls

Monday, February 20, 2012

OLD FOLKS ~A Song from Hilda's Scrapbook ~ a song for Pioneer Day





1.

When you knelt this morning on your knees to pray,
Did you ask God's blessings on Pioneer Day?
Did you come to greet them with a smiling face,
To dispell the shadows on their resting place?

Chorus
Welcome Grandma with your locks of gray,
Welcome Grandpa to our feast today;
Cheer the Old Folks, Greet them with your call.
Welcome to our banquet, welcome one and all.

2.
In life's battle always you've be brave and true.
You have fought and conquered wrought for me and you.
You have fought the hostile Indian where the cactus grow.
You made the desert blossom like a rose.

Chorus

3. 
We will cheer the old folk; make them glad today.
Fill their hearts with sunshine help them on their way.
Little deeds of kindness proves of power to save,
Tis better far than garland strewn upon their graves.

Chorus

4.

Some have crossed the river in the year just passed.
They have been faithful in their children, faithful to the last.
We will cheer the old folks in the path they've trod,
They've be en faithful to each other, faithful to their God.

Mountainville History (part 11) ~Compiled by Melba Hill



Sunday, February 12, 2012

Valentine to Alice Peel from Charitan Jacobs ~ 1922


A beautiful fold-out club

The pictures do not do it justice.

GOOD OLD DAYS ~ Submitted by JoAnn Hafen Granger






Boy does this make me feel old!  I remember all these things.  Including the Sears catalog in the Out Houses.



And we call these the Good OLD Days!!!




 
So many of you won’t know what some of this is about! Lucky you- you young pup!




Be sure to refill the ice trays, we're going to have company.

Watch for the mailman, I want to get this letter in the mail today.

Quit letting the screen door slam when you go out!

Be sure and pull the windows down when you leave, it looks like a shower is coming up.


Don't forget to wind the clock before you go to bed. Wash your feet before you go to bed, you've been playing outside all day barefooted.


Why can't you remember to roll up your britches? Getting them caught in the bicycle chain so many times is tearing them up.

You have torn the knees out of that pair of pants so many times there is nothing left to put a patch on.


Don't you go outside with your school clothes on!

Go comb your hair, it looks like the rats have nested in it all night.

Be sure and pour the cream off the top of the milk when you open the new bottle.

Take that empty Coke bottle to the store with you so you won't have to pay a deposit on another one.


Put a dish towel over the cake so the flies won't get on it.

Quit jumping on the floor! I have a cake in the oven and you are going to make it fall!

Let me know when the Fuller Brush man comes by, ’cuz I need to get a few things from him.

You boys stay close by, the car might not start and I may need you to help push it off.


There's a dollar in my purse, get five gallons of gas when you go to town.

Open the back door and see if we can get a breeze through here, it’s gettin’ hot.


You can walk to the store; it won't hurt you to get some exercise.

Don't sit too close to the TV. It’s hard on your eyes.


If you pull that stunt again, I am going to wear you out!

Don't lose that button. I'll sew it back on after a while.


Wash your neck before you come to the table, you have beads of dirt and sweat all under there.

Get out from under the sewing machine! Pumping it messes up the thread!

Be sure and fill the lamps this morning so we don't have to do that in the dark tonight.


Here, take this Sears catalog to the outhouse with you, we’re almost out of paper out there.

Go out to the well and draw a bucket of water so I can wash dishes.

Don't turn the radio on now, I want the battery to be up when the Grand Ole Opry comes on.


No! I don't have 10 cents for you to go to the show. Do you think money grows on trees?

Eat those turnips, they'll make you big and strong like your daddy.

That dog is NOT coming in this house! I don't care how cold it is out there, dogs don't stay in the house.


Sit still! I'm trying to get your hair cut straight and you keep moving and it is all messed up.

Hush your mouth! I don't want to hear words like that! I'll wash your mouth out with soap!

It is time for your system to be cleaned out. I am going to give you a dose of castor oil tonight.

If you get a spanking in school and I find out about it, you'll get another one when you get home.


Quit crossing your eyes! They’ll get stuck that way!

Soak your foot in this pan of kerosene so that bad cut won't get infected.

When you take your driving test, don't forget to signal each turn. Left arm straight out the window for a left turn; left arm bent up at the elbow for a right turn; and straight down to the side of the door when you are going to stop.


It's 'Yes Ma'am!' and 'No Ma'am!' to me, young man, and don't you forget it!


Y'all come back now, ya hear.