Discovery Days

Heritage Days was held with the East and West Stakes Saturday, March 1 at the Heritage Park. The local VFW presented the flag followed by Alana Davis singing the National Anthem.  

President Ryan Toone of the East welcomed everyone and told the story of Mary Jane Leavitt whose statue stands in front of city hall. Mary Jane Leavitt is a great example of faith and service in her care for the sick and broken hearts.  She delivered babies and took care of their mothers.  Her door was always open to those who stopped by and she always fed them saying, ‘there is enough such as ‘tis!’ “I hope that same feeling will exist here, and we can use her example to show love and to help one another.”

President Jared Hollingshead of the West Stake also spoke of the pioneering spirit.  When they had hardships they soldiered-on. He said,” I see the same grit and determination that was exemplified in the settling of the valley. I have witnessed adversity today in the lives of people in this valley and their strength to overcome adversity and help one another.  Elder Emerson Carnavale at our recent stake conference said, “there is a special spirit here in this valley. “He could feel that spirit of kindness and caring.” Pres. Hollingshead continued, “Let us continue that legacy and help our friends and neighbors. “

Thank you to all those that provided booths, food to taste, crafts, and activities. The kids enjoyed eating cotton candy and kettle corn.  There were numerous pioneer games, stick pulling, horseback rides, or roping “steers”.  The Abbott family had a petting zoo with goats to love, baby rabbits to cuddle, baby chicks, hens and roosters and pigs to feed.  Kids and youth could try milking a cow or making adobe bricks.  The Cox family had their branding irons heating and burned initials in wood for the kids to take home and wear around their neck.  

Rag doll making was a favorite activity as well as making small handcarts.  They could also try the ring rolling area.  The Harlachers had small wagon train that took kids around the parking lot to get the feeling of a long journey across the plains.  Leon Gubler brought his team of horses and wooden wagon to give rides.  We appreciate his traveling to Mesquite to help with the Heritage Days celebration and give us the feel of pioneering.  

Pioneer stories were related by Elayne Storrs about her great, great, great grandmother, Mary Elizabethe Cox Whiting, and how they lived in dugouts in San Pete County during the winter.  The area was infested with rattle snakes and rattlers would drop down through the ceiling of the dugouts and it terrified the pioneers.  There were rattle snakes in their beds.  The men got torches and weapons and killed over 300 rattlers in a cave or den of the snakes!  This happened night after night.  There was a 2-year-old boy who looked sickly after being in the dugout all winter.  His mother set him out on the stoop to get some sunshine while he ate his morning bread and milk.  But he didn’t seem to get any better, in fact he grew sicklier and had a little blue tint to his skin.  He would dip his spoon in the milk, move his arm to the side for a little and put it to his mouth.   The answer – a rattlesnake was licking the spoon each time he extended his arm and then the boy was getting a little venom with each bite!  When this was discovered, the rattler was killed, and the boy grew and regained his health and color returned to his skin!  Amazingly no one was ever bitten by a ratter!

Rosa Zarate and her daughter Isela make authentic fresh tortillas, rolled and cooked them and served them with freshly made salsa.  Rosa is an expert at mixing, rolling the dough and cooking it perfectly on the grill. Terry and Josie of the Summercrest Ward served 3 kinds of lemonade – Raspberry, Strawberry, and just lemonade along with scrumptious homemade cookies.   

Homemade ice cream was a favorite as the day grew warmer and it was hard to decide between chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry! Jan & Craig Mitchel and family had their electric ice cream freezer going and it fascinated the kids who wanted to look inside as it turned.   When asked their favorite flavor, Craig said banana and Jan voted for strawberry.  They are carrying on the family tradition of ice cream making.  They remember Sunday afternoons making ice cream and having the neighbors come over to enjoy the sweet treat.

History presentations with pictures and slide shows could be viewed inside the building. Aaron Bunker of the Virgin Valley Water District told the history of the water supply from the piping of the springs on the mountains to the water reservoir and new wells and tanks presented through pictures and posters.  The story of the longest running non-union picket line was told with posters, photos and a video slide show, and documents.  It told the story of the Pron Store that was opened in Mesquite in 1993 and the battle to get it finally shut down in 1996. A timeline with pictures showed the chapels built, Camp Helaman and Camp Ruth, three trek enactments for the youth and three recent floods in the valley.  The family history center was open for people to search records of their ancestors.  The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers had a booth to share information about their pioneer ancestors.  

 Everyone received a punch card and after visiting all 18 stations a drawing was held.  Prizes included Daniell’s popcorn and two quilts which were tied by ladies that morning.  

Norman Ray sang and played country music while lunch was served. Dutch Oven chicken and potatoes, salad and rolls, and dessert were enjoyed in the picnic area. Thanks to Wes Carter and his crew who had 40 Dutch Ovens on the fire pit.  Thank you to the chefs -- Jon Meierhoff and sons, Vall Woods and Jos.

Thank you!

Tietjen for the traditional pioneer food.  Thanks to Krissy and Richard Cook for their committee or organizing the event.  

By Cheryl Jensen