Entries from May 2009 ↓

Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com

May has been a huge month for recycling! According to Kris and Erin of Red Rock Recycling, they collected 2,880 cubic feet of recyclables, that is more then they collected in the last 2 ½ months combined! Cumulative to date collections 5,440 cubic feet of mixed recyclables if you’re ready to participate you can reach Red Rock Recycling at 616-4265.

Georgie’s Bakery – Open Monday night through Saturday Night 826-4784. Cookies, Cakes, Croissants. Make to order. Real butter, sugar and taste. Don’t miss these special treats.

July 1-15th file for council seats currently held by Jeff Dunn and Emilee Lott-Woolsey and Mayor Porter’s term expires this year and you can file for that position as well, all positions are four year terms. Speaking of elections, the state law has changed and you are now required to show photo id every time you vote. Yes, I know, you’ve lived next door to the election judges your whole life. Doesn’t make any difference. Please don’t growl at them, just smile and show them your id.

Andrea Schulkoski graduated from Nursing School in Jamestown College; Jamestown, North Dakota this past month. She starts work this Monday as an RN in Mobridge, South Dakota.
Congrats to Andrea and her parents Kevin and Vickie Schulkoski.

Thank you Intermountain Health Care, staff, board members and friends. Your dinner was a great success and the food wonderful. Many of those that did not actually labor over the clinic labored over the food. Just another example of our wonderful village and what makes it a great place to live and work.
Congratulations to Sheri Woolsey for her 30 years of service to the folks of Garfield County. Sheri works at various locations during the week and makes a difference in a lot of people’s lives. We were delighted to see IHC recognize her efforts.

Emergencies three days in a row – A horrific plane crash in Calf Creek/Escalante River Canyon. Our condolences to Mrs. John Austin and Susan Jordan’s Family. I’m sure Boulder Town mourns their loss. Then a hiker falls and supposedly breaks a foot three miles up the Escalante River from SR12. And then a fire. They just graduated a class of EMT’s and volunteer firefighters. Good thing. We need them. Our thanks to all who serve our village as emergency responders.

Speaking of emergency response – our airport is critical for emergency services. Whether its life-flight or one of the National agencies, fast access to the outside world is a necessity. And the ongoing improvements to the Escalante Municipal Airport benefit us all. Congratulations to Daniel Munson for his Eagle Scout project at the Airport. Daniel built a new house for the electrical components that control the lights and antenna for air traffic. He built it, insulated it, covered it with metal and hung the door. Lenza Wilson moved the electrical components from the old building to the new. Now just a quick clean-up day and our airport lighting services will be secure. Another reason for the FAA to spend money in Escalante.

Until next week – - – - -

Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com

This week has been exceedingly busy. Let’s start with Kudo’s. First to Jace Taylor for completion of his Eagle Scout project. He finished installation of a new entrance to the Center road of the Cemetery. The black metal arch proclaims “Escalante Cemetery”. Thank you Jace.

Next goes to Peter Christensen. He ended his first year of school at SUU on the Dean’s List. Lakota John was in attendance at the Graduation and presented Nick with his Eagle Feather. Treasure that Nick. Obviously, all the seniors and the students at the schools with their various and sundry awards deserve congrats. Last Kudo; high fives to Jeff Dunn and Evan Reeves for taking charge of the City Clinic building; they were both honored at the Heritage Festival play Saturday Night, photos at the Gallery.

The winners of the Water Conservation Poster Contest, which has been on exhibit at Skyhoopie Thrift Store for the past while, were awarded $5.00 gift certificates donated by Skyhoopie and the Escalante Native Plant Society. Winners: 1st Grade – Shaylee Coleman; 2nd Grade – Lilly Steed; 3rd Grade – Josh Brinkerhoff; 4th Grade – Shantell Gurr; 5th Grade – Dylan Barney; High School – Afton Nez. In addition, Josh Brinkerhoff was awarded the Escalante Chamber of Commerce award. His work will be used for a Water Conservation campaign by the chamber. Escalante Outfitters donated a gift certificate for a Pizza.

Bubba Spud invites you to the 2nd Annual July 4th Celebration in Town Center Park, Saturday, July 4th. Chicken Dinner will be served from 6-8 PM. ½ Chicken $10.00 ¼ Chicken $8.00 Includes Coleslaw, Baked Beans, Bubba Spud Dutch Oven Potatoes, Roll, Dessert and Beverage. The proceeds will be used to pay for the construction of the new entrance signs designed by Tracy Hassett and the Potato Valley Lions Club. The City Council has approved the artwork and UDOT has issued permits for placement on public right-of-way at each end of town. We’re working on some fun activities and maybe fireworks for that evening. Save the date.

The Heritage Festival was delightful. Traffic at the Arts and Crafts show was not as heavy as last year, but several vendors did well. The musical event in the afternoon was well attended and the first 12+ rows were full for the play. Pictures of the play can be seen at Gallery Escalante.
I’ve been asked by several members of the community if I know what is going on with the Wide Hollow Dam project. Since I had so many ask, I decided to contact the Engineering firm, Fransen Engineering of American Fork, and see if I could get some information. Layne Jensen was prompt about contacting me in response to my e-mail. We had a good conversation and he gave me the following information on the status of the project.

The Army Corp of Engineers office in Sacramento is responsible for the EA and has it ready to release the draft version the first week of June. A copy of the 100 page document will be mailed to each property owner impacted and everyone that commented. A copy will be available for review at the Interagncy office and the Escalante Public Library. If you are interested you should review it promptly and submit any comments during the 21 day comment period. Mr. Jensen did mention that the Corps may extend that period to 30, but as of our conversation on Friday, it was 21 days. He’s to let me know if there is a website version for download/review. I’ll post it on Explore Escalante blog if there is.

As for the funding, the monies are contracted and thus committed for construction whether that happens this summer or next. Timing of actual construction depends on the outcome of the EA and necessary mitigation (if any). Comment period of 21-30 days will take it into July. Depending on the number of comments received and the content will determine how long before the Record of Decision and possible FONSI would be released – that’s August. A 30 day appeal period might be necessary – that takes us into September. Mr. Jensen is going to keep us updated through my article. As I explained to him, the impacts of construction affect the entire community and not just the shareholders of the Irrigation Company. And it is public monies funded through the State of Utah’s “Water For Utah” program and funded through the Federal Government. He was unaware there was a newspaper here and will be glad to provide us notices, etc. Progress.

Until next week -

Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com

A short column this week: folks are busy getting ready for lots of things.
Tuesday Council meeting – I’ll report next week.
Wednesday: Escalante High School Mother’s Tea.
Thursday: Don Montoya will do a talk at the Interagency Center. 6-7 PM
Friday: Graduation
Saturday: Heritage Festival Art and Craft Fair, Special talks and the evening play.
Harriet Priska went over to the High School and cleaned up the front planters and pruned all the natives. They should look very nice next year.
Senior Meals: Tues. May 26th – Chicken Strips; Wed. May 27th – French Dip; Thurs. May 28th – Ham & Bean Soup.
Oh, if you haven’t heard – David Delthony is the featured artist for the Escalante Canyons Art Festival 2009. Congratulations David.
Enjoy Memorial Weekend. See you at the flag raising.
Until next week -

Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com

I know you’ve been anxiously waiting to find out how the revelers got “From Silver Reef to Escalante”. Just one week and you’ll find out, but not if you haven’t reserved your tickets. Call Clem and Joyce Griffin (826-4303) and get um’ reserved. It will be a fine weekend of fun, food, and fair maidens. Fun at the Flag Raising Ceremony; Fun at the Arts and Craft Fair; Fun at the Play 8:00 PM Saturday the 23rd.
Food at the Lions Club Pavilion for Breakfast by the Hole-in-the-Rock Chapter of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers. Fair Maidens at the Play. And don’t forget, Janet Warner of Wildland Nursery will be outside the commons in Front selling Native plants. Cut your water bills and still get greenways.
Round 1 of the Photography Contest at Gallery Escalante has closed. The winners are: 1st Place ($25) Heather McKnight; 2nd Place ($15) Dale Henrie; 3rd Place ($10) Tom Mansell. Their images will remain on display until the grand prize competition in November. In the meantime, pick up your entry blank for Round 2. The Theme is “Cool”.
Brigette Delthony gave me a copy of the Speakers list for the Escalante Canyons Art Festival 2009. It’s another great line-up of talks and entertainment. Keynote Speakers are Donna L. Poulton and Vern Swanson. Dr. Swanson is the curator of the Springville Art Museum. They’ve co-written a book “Painters of Utah’s Canyons and Deserts” and will be here to talk about it and sign copies for sale that evening. Mark your calendars for the weekend of September 25th and 26th.
Senior Center Meals: Tuesday May 19th – Sausage w/Biscuit & Gravy; Wed May 20th – Spring BBQ at City Park; Thurs Evening Meal Roast Beef and all the trimmings. Remember call by 10:30 AM 826-4317.
More food – May 30th at 4:00 PM at the Lions Club Pavilion, Intermountain Health Care will host a complimentary Thank You Dutch Oven Dinner for the entire community. In honor of all the people that volunteered time, energy and money, clinic and hospital staff will provide a wonderful meal. Everyone is welcome – no fees and no donations required!
Congratulations to David Heaton of Heaton Photography. As a professional portrait photographer, he gets the opportunity to pose people for family portraits as well as specialty and theme portraits. He recently entered H and H Color Lab’s “Great Easter Egg Hunt Contest” with his image “Tink”. This is a must see and it earned him the first place award. Please take a moment and visit this East Coast Company’s website www.hhcolorlab.com/blog. Scroll down to the Great Easter Egg Hunt or put it in their search bar. It’s a wonderful image. Congratulations David. Keep up the good work.

Until next week -

Explore Escalante
jana@exploreescalante.com

The spring rains didn’t happen here at the house. We got spat upon when we were out a-ways, but I’ll have to water the new plantings if they are to make it. We’ve been working on getting things planted that require no water after the first few months in the ground. We’ve put in Mormon Tea, Shadscale, Desert Sage, Siberian Pea Shrub, Currant (both kinds), and Yucca. Harriet gave us Hollyhock seeds, and we picked seed pods from the natives on the Strip (Hwy 12 between the sidewalk and the street) for planting. Bear grass seeds are my target this year because I use the new growth for baskets. I’ll have some available during the Art Festival. As I can get some Penstemon seeds, we’ll see about adding those to the front bank of the house, along with a variety of sedum. Hopefully, when we’re done, we won’t have to water and the place should look loved. We have a ton of Globe Mallow blooming that was here when we got here. We’ve preserved as much as possible and they coral blooms bring a smile. If you have any of the native plants in your yard and they’re in bloom, please let us know. We’d like to photograph them for the large poster that will go up in the window at Griffin’s. We won’t say where they are unless you want us to. We just need a pretty close shot to get as much resolution as possible to print large (44” x 60”). I’ve learned a lot from the Escalante Native Plant Society .
It’s baseball season for our young athletes. Come out and support them as well as enjoy this great weather. T-ball and coach pitch plays Thursday nights at 6pm and 7pm. This year 5th-8th grade is involved in a Babe Ruth League with home games on 5/19 and 5/27 at 5:30. Congratulations to our local Boy Scout troops #676& #677 for earning a lot of merit badges and several rank advancements. Keep up the great work! And don’t wear out those leaders – an 8mile hike down the Box Hollow might be their limit.
Senior Center meals: May 12th – Creamy Potato Soup; May 13th – Chicken Sandwich; May 14th Evening – Meatloaf. Remember to call 826-4317 by 10:30 AM if you want a meal.
Until next week -