Friday, March 30, 2012

How Many Remember the Story of Rastus and Pep???

Just to refresh your memories............. "Rastus, Pep and Victory" A 65  Year Old Tradition
Rastus was a little black doll who sat on the piano at the old Overland Hotel situated just north of the northwest corner of 1st South and State  Street in Mt. Pleasant.  Rastus was a conversation for all the guests of the hotel for many years, and the children in Mt. Pleasant enjoyed walking past the hotel window and looking at Rastus sitting on the piano.  We don't know for sure just how many years Rastus occupied his place in the hotel.


Several years later, in 1913, Manti High School's basketball team came to Mt. Pleasant in a horse-drawn wagon for a game at North Sanpete High School.  They stayed at the hotel that night.  When they left the next morning, they stole the black doll and took it to Manti.


At the next game, when North Sanpete went to Manti to play, the Manti boyse held Rastus  out over the court dangling from a fishing pole.  The Sanpete boys tried to recover the doll, but to no avail.  But at the end of the game, some of the Sanpete boys grabbed Rastus and ran from the gymn with him.  Miss Ryan, an English teacher at NSH had a large fur muff.  The boys quickly handed the doll to Miss Ryan and ran on.  Miss Ryan hid Rastus in her muff and walked calmly toward her buggy as the Manti boys ran in pursuit of the doll.


As the rivalry went on, each school tried to steal Rastus from the one who had successfully got away with him.  Finally to foster good sportsmanship between the schools, it was decided that at each basketball game from then on, the doll would go to the winner until the next game.


In 1938, Rastus seemed to be in jeopardy of losing his home in Mt. Pleasant.  The student body officers and cheerleaders decided North Sanpete really needed some pep, so they purchased another black doll which they named "Pep".  At a pep assembly they held a wedding ceremony and Rastus married Pep.


Things went on pretty well for a long time, but in 1953, North Sanpete fell into a slump.  The school experienced a losing streak, so again the cheerleaders of North Sanpete and the Pep Club came to the rescue.  They purchased a small, black baby doll.   In the assembly they announced that Pep was dead at North Sanpete, so the student body followed the casket out to the football field where they were going to bury Pep ~~~ but they heard a loud clatter from the casket, and they decided Pep wasn't dead at all.  When they opened the lid, Pep jumped out ~~ and she had a baby in her arms ~~ She and  Rastus named the child "Victory".  North Sanpete really needed Victory!


Together, the three dolls were a trophy for each game between the two schools.


Finally, tragedy hit the family!  There were new superintend-ants in both North and South Sanpete School Districts.  Before anyone knew what was happening, the dolls were gone and a new tradition was to replace the dolls that both schools had loved for so many years.


When they were discontinued, Rastus had been a trophy for 65 years (he was the original doll, and so was several years older than that), Pep for 40  years, and Victory for 25 years.  It was with a great sorrow that the students and townspeople alike were told that the dolls were to be used no more.  The original dolls disappeared.  No one seems to know where they went.  They were in Manti's trophy case at the time the decision was made, and no one saw them again.


A Victory symbol trophy was designed to replace the tradition, and supposedly ordered to be made in Salt Lake.  However, it was never done.  Eventually, two "cabbage patch" dolls were purchased, christened Sandy and Pete, and used in their first trophy game on January 24, 1997.


(Not surprisingly)  there are other versions of this story !!!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

More Photos from Pioneer Day 2012

Kathy, Kathryn and Darlene
I am the "tired" one!
.............or maybe it was the glasses that made me look "Oh So Tired"
........and I am not really that chubby.  Remind me next year to wear something more slimming.


Brandy Brotherson Shelley,  and a daughter of Dale Peel sell tickets
while Peter Hafen talks on his 21st century phone.

Pioneer Day Greeters in Pioneer Dress
L to R:  LaRue Johnson Beck Stewart, Judith Daniels Hill, JoAnn Carlson Lea Winward, 
Sharon Lee Draper ??? (can't remember her married name), Donna Brunger, Roxey Nelson Washburn, and Darlene Frandsen Blackham (taking photos)


Ron Porter and his Aunt Ada Bench


Mark Vance and our Mayor, Sandra Bigler

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Mt. Pleasant Pioneer and Homecoming Day ~ March 24, 2012

Wonderful Decorations with the Red and White for North Sanpete High School Theme.  Everyone mingled and visited with one another before the luncheon was served.

Lynn Poulsen attended and took his part as "offering a moment of silence" for those who have passed away this past year.  Then in Lynn's more true character told his latest joke.

Nina Johnson visits with Lynn Poulsen




Joann Truscott Peterson and Shirley Nay Miller  renew old friendships.




Ray Jensen and his wife are two of our most loyal attendees.


More to come tomorrow !!!

Monday, March 26, 2012

North Sanpete High School Yearbook 1931

While cleaning out my computer room closet, I ran onto Alice Hafen's (my mother-in-law) 1931 North Sanpete Year Book. We often get requests from our readers of pictures from these old yearbooks.  I will be posting a number of these pages in the weeks ahead.  Please let me know if you find anything useful in your own family history research.  You can also find more of Alice's treasures at: http://alicehafenphotos.blogspot.com/








Sunday, March 25, 2012

Shoes In Church ~ submitted by Carol Corcoran


SHOES IN CHURCH



I showered and shaved.............. I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat............ In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes..

I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.


A prayer began : 'Our Father'............. I thought, 'This
man with the shoes, has no pride.

They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!'

'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.

The shoe man said............... A quiet 'Amen.'

I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again.

Aren't we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door?

'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, Glancing toward the floor..

Then the prayer was ended........... And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud.... Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters........ His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering...... And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out............ What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft 'clink' . As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me............ To tears, and that's no lie..

It was the same for the shoe man.... For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service...... As is the custom here.

We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow............ And wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer........ I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess.

But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest.

He said, 'My names' Charlie............ I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'

There were tears in his eyes........ But he had a large, wide grin.

'Let me explain,' he said........... Wiping tears from his eyes.

'I've been coming here for months.. And you're the first to say 'Hi.''

'I know that my appearance............'Is not like all the rest.

'But I really do try.................'To always look my best'

'I always clean and polish my shoes..'Before my very long walk.

'But by the time I get here..........'They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'

My heart filled with pain.......... And I swallowed to hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize............ For daring to sit so near

He said, 'When I get here..............'I know I must look a sight.

'But I thought if I could touch you..'Then maybe our souls might unite.'

I was silent for a moment.......... Knowing whatever was said

Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.

'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part;

'That the best of any man...............'Is what is found in his heart.'

The rest, I thought,..................... This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul

You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.
I respect you, and truly cherish you.

 

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Glenna Mae Larsen Nunley


 



11/14/1934 – 03/20/2012

Glenna Mae Larsen Nunley
Mt. Pleasant
On March 20, 2012 Glenna Larsen Nunley, age 77, joyfully reunited with her sweetheart. Glenna was born November 14, 1934 in Mapleton, Utah to LeRoy and Clara Larsen. She married Paul (Tom) Nunley on September 12, 1953. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Utah LDS Temple. He passed away December 6, 2007. They enjoyed 54 years together and had two daughters, Debra and Diane. Glenna grew up in Mt. Pleasant. She was employed by the phone company, North Sanpete High School and North Sanpete School District. She loved to crochet, knit, quilt, sew, read and do crossword puzzles. She also loved camping, boating and snowmobiling. After she retired, she enjoyed many years of travel with her sweetheart. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an active member of the LDS Church. One of her greatest joys was working in the Manti Temple in the baptistry. She is survived by her children, Debra (Curt) Caldwell, Fruit Heights, Utah; Diane (Eldon) Mitchell, Mt. Pleasant, Utah; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren; sister, Pat (Carl) Matthews, Farmington, New Mexico; and brother, Tom Larsen, Mt. Pleasant, Utah. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jack; grandson, Ryan Caldwell; and her husband, Tom. The family expresses their appreciation to Autumn Park Assisted Living staff and Intermountain Homecare and Hospice. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 24, at the Mount Pleasant 4th/5th Ward Chapel (55 S. State) the viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery.

Mountainville History (part 12) ~Compiled by Melba Hill



Friday, March 23, 2012

Molasses Pudding

2 Tb of sugar
1/2 cup of molasses
1 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 cup of boiling water
2 tablespoons of melted butter
1 egg
1 pinch of salt
1 tsp baking soda disolved in hot water

Beat the egg and sugar, add the butter, water, soda and molasses and then beat in the flour and salt.  Put in a double boiler, and steam for one hour.  Serve with your favorite fruit sauce.

Pot Likker and Corn Meal Dodgers for the Likker

LIKKER


Place a 1/2 lb piece of salt port into 3 quarts of cold water and boil for 45 minutes. Wash and clean thoroughly some young turnip greens , place them in the pot with the salt pork and boil slowly for another hour. Drain the water from the pork and greens; chop the greens finely and season with salt and pepper. Place the greens in a hot dish and decorate with slices of salt pork. Pour over the meat and greens about 1 1/2 cups of the liquid in which the greens were cooked (Pot Likker). If preferred, cornmeal dodgers may be served with the dish and placed around the greens.

CORN MEAL DODGER  FOR POT LIKKER


1/2 Pint of corn meal
2 Tb melted shortening
1/2 tsp salt
cold water

Add salt to the corn meal and stir in melted shortening.  Add enough cold water for dough to hold its shape.  Shape dough into pieces of biscuit size and drop into boiling pot likker.  Boil in well covered pot for twenty minutes.  Serve with the greens from the pot likker.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Female Relief Society February 5th, 1877

Meeting held February 5th 1877
Opened with Singing
"Sweet is Thy Word, My God, My King".
Prayer by Sister Morrison
The minutes from the former meetings were read and accepted.
Sister  Morrison addressed the Sisters . Feeling well to have another opportunity to meet.  Also she felt not able to say much as she was sick for the last few days, but it strengthened and was much pleased to see the meeting so well attended.  She encouraged the Sisters to bear their testimony of the great and glorious work we are  engaged; to be on guard, and to do our duty day by day, ad to do all the good  we can.

Sister Peel felt well to be here together with the Sisters, she hoped that the good attendance of the Sisters will
continue and a good feeling and united spirit will be with them.  She felt well and had always a good desire   to do the Will of the Lord and accept his Commandment, and will always do the same.  She thought it would not hurt any of the Sisters to come to the meeting once in a month.  she would feel so much better and all would be benefited by.

Sister Simpson felt much gratified to bear her testimony to the great and glorious work we are engaged in and bore a faithful testimony to the true gospel.

Sister Peterson bore her testimony; felt thankful to the Lord that He gathers us from different countries and considered how pleased we "Mothers of Israel" can by to .....our Sons and Daughters in security while the nation prepares for war, and father and son have to go to their call.

Sister Lofgreen related a dream she had not long ago which was interesting.  Many of the Sisters bore faithful testimony both in English and Danish.

The meeting was closed with singing: Come all the Saints throughout the Earth.
Prayer by Sister Peel
MFC Morrison,
Louise Hasler, Sect

Female Relief Society February 1877


Dance held 2th February 1877
for the benefit of the book called the "Women of Mormon ....
Reserved from the store for tickets                                        $1.50.
Donation from Sister Seely                                                        .25
Sister Strom                                                                              .25
Sister Peel                                                                                 .25
Sister Simpson                                                                           .25
Sister Peterson                                                                           .25
Sister Fechser                                                                             .25
Sister Josephsen                                                                         .25
Sister Lofgreen                                                                           . 25
                                                                                                 3.50

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Edwin G. Lundberg History submitted by Judy Malkiewicz

Edwin G. Lundberg
Born 15 January 1886 in Murray, Utah and Died 14 December 1943 Mt. Pleasant, Utah

Edwin G. Lundberg  also known as Edward G. Lundberg was the oldest son of Dr. August Lundberg (dentist) and August’s second wife Christina Matilda Christensen Lundberg. Edwin was born 15 January 1886 in Murray, Utah.  A photo of his parents:
Edwin had three half-siblings from his father’s first marriage (August Lundberg born 1846 and died 1919 and Sophia Persdotter Peterson Lundberg (born 14 August 1884 in Almude, Stockholm, Sweden and died unknown date, but possibly prior to 1880). These half-siblings were Amanda Lundberg (born 1869 and died unknown date); Richard Henry Lundberg (born 1 May 1873 and died 5 October 1955); and Oscar Lundberg (born 1874 and died 1952).

Edwin also had three siblings from his father’s second marriage (August Lundberg born 1846 and died 1919 and Christina Matilda Christensen Lundberg unknown birth date and died 1896) including Jennie C. Lundberg (Zabriskie) Waldemar (born 1880 and died 3 March 1924), Maple Lundberg (born 12 May 1888 and died 16 July 1934), and Nancy Lundberg (born 2 January 1891 and died 3 March 1943).

Edwin had one half-sibling from his father’s third marriage (August Lundberg born 1846 and died 1919) and (Sarah Matilda Johansen Lundberg born 29 July 1870 and died 14 October 1943), Roy August Lundberg (born 16 June 1912 and died 8 May 1933).
Edwin was 10 years old when his mother, Christina Matilda Christensen Lundberg, died 5 August 1896 in Mt. Pleasant, Utah and is buried at the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery . Edwin went to live with his older sister, Jennie C. Lundberg, while his two younger siblings, Maple H. Lundberg and Nancy Lundberg stayed with their father, August Lundberg.

Edwin attended school and grew to manhood in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
 Edwin was a sheepherder. He was single and never married.



Edwin tried to enlist in the Army during WWI in 1918, but was rejected for health reasons. Edwin wrote a postcard to his younger brother, Maple H. Lundberg who was living in Mackay, Idaho on 7 November 1918 explaining his Army rejection.

 “Loa UT – Nov-6
? Mape. Just a card as I am still with the sheep. I will write you in a few days as I have been turned down in the Army of ? of poor teeth and heart. Ed”
 After that, Edwin may have tried mining for a while.
 In mid-July 1934, Edwin’s younger brother, Maple Henning Lundberg died in Mackay, Idaho of heart failure on 16 July 1934. Edwin traveled to the funeral in Mackay, Idaho from Mt. Pleasant, Utah. He stayed with Maple’s widow, Hazel Anderson Lundberg and her sons Rex Henning Lundberg and Edward Auer Lundberg and her daughter, Marjorie Christine Lundberg.

Edwin died nine years later in Mt, Pleasant, Utah, at the age of 57 years, months, and 19 days on 14 December 1943 of cardiac failure with chronic endocarditis and pneumonia.

His father, Dr. August Lundberg had died in 1919 and Edwin was buried near him at the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Edwin was survived by two of his half-siblings, Richard Lundberg of Idaho Falls, Idaho and Oscar Lundberg of Price, Utah. His stepmother, Sarah Matilda (went by Matilda) Johansen Lundberg had just passed away on 14 October 1943 and his younger sister died 8 March 1943.
North Ward Chapel Mt Pleasant Utah Alice Hafen's Photo 

Edwin G. Lundberg is buried in Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah at the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery in Plot A_55_4_4.