Dinosaur Round-Up Rodeo Legendary Cowboy - James "Doc" Allen - July 2011

By: Angela Hanberg

    "With his background [in livestock] he should have been a vet..."

    I have heard (and made) this comment myself many times regarding 2011 Dinosaur Round-up Rodeo Legendary Cowboy James F. "Doc" Allen.

    James F. Allen, known to the Basin as "Doc" Allen was born in Phoenix Arizona where he grew until his family moved to Roosevelt, Utah in 1958. This was the beginning of his roots in the Basin. Doc graduated from Union High School and went to Utah State where he received his bachelors degree. He then went on to get his doctorate at the University of Utah and completed a Rotating Internship Residency at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle Washington. He is boarded in family practice and has taken many refresher courses in surgery, obstetrics and other specialty areas. He has served as an associate clinical professor for the University of Utah Medical School for many years.
 
    Born and raised a cowboy, he does not fit the typical stereotype of an accomplished surgeon. Come to find out, he very easily could have been a veterinarian instead. When applying to graduate school, Allen sent applications to both veterinary and medical schools. He was in Pre-Vet when he and wife Dixie met. He had decided to attend whichever school accepted him first and that happened to be in the medical profession. The vet school acceptance came a couple of months later. Family is very important to Allen as well. In fact, Doc and Dixie were married in 1964 and are still going strong and enjoy their way of life that includes living on a nice piece of ground south of Vernal and sharing it with their kids who are Cassie, Brandie, Cricket and Kaydee. Their five children have also shared with Allen and his wife the joys of thier 10 grandchildren
 
    Now don't think for one second that his curiosity in livestock medicine never came up again. In the early '70's (when hospitals weren't quite as strict as they are now) Ashley Valley Medical Center was graced with the presence of Woody Searle's horse. The vet clinics at the time did not have a portable x-ray machine but the hospital did. Woody called up Doc Allen and asked if he could help. Without knowing exactly what was wrong with his horse, Woody was about to make the decision to just put him down and get him out of his misery. He loaded it up, brought it to the hospital, and Allen brought out the x-ray machine to have a look. As it turns out, it wasn't too serious and Allen bandaged him up and sent him home.
 
    Allen is always in a rush. Rushing to rodeos, rushing back to patients, rushing to get chores done. It wasn't uncommon for him to show up to the hospital to see patients in his work clothes with cow manure on his boots. Dixie remembers going to a couple rodeos in Idaho and Wyoming and running fairly late. Coming into town, Allen asked her to pull over and let him ride in the trailer with his horse so he could saddle up and be ready to go once they pulled into the fairgrounds. Legal? Probably not. Practical? Absolutely!
 
    While roping at Wayne Workman's arena in Roosevelt back in the late '70's, Allen had an accident and lost a couple fingers on his right hand. Dixie was entertaining guests at home and received a call that they were looking through the arena for the fingers and to meet them at the airport so they could fly him to Salt Lake to have them reattached. He ended up staying in Salt Lake for a few days, only to find out that the procedure had failed and the fingers had died. Allen said he didn't mind- "They just got in the road anyway." Dixie says it's been quite a life. "He's always doing crazy things." She says. "It definitely hasn't been boring."
 
    In fact boring is one thing that Doc Allen is anything but and that is a big part of the reason why he was nominated as the 2011 Dinosaur Round-up Rodeo Legendary Cowboy. From being spotlighted in the "Sporting Life" Magazine to his interview on the "TODAY" show, Doc Allen has proven that he has what it takes to show to world what being a legendary cowboy is all about.

 
 

Sweet Summertime - July 2011

“Ride em Cowgirl”

Photo Courtesy of Tracina WIlson

“Grandpa FIllingim”

-Photo Courtesy of

Gwen Fillingim



“The not so distant future”

Photo Courtesy of Lindsey Gines



“The Basin has dreamy cotton candy skies”

- Photo Courtesy of Kateari Bird

“Tractor Tracks”

 - Photo Courtesy Taylor Sorenson

Braggin' Rights - June 2011

“Supposedly Spring” - Photo Courtesy of Sheri Jaeger

“Wetting a Hook” - Photo Courtesy of Toni Cook



“Dad’s Big Catch” - Photo Courtesy of Jessica Wallace



"Drilling in Springtime” -  Photo Courtesy of Danny Thompson

The Basin's Dirtiest Jobs - Greaser Washers - June 2011

By: M. Michelle Spencer

Stinky, sweaty, dirty, and tired. You might think this is how the men and women who ensure the local oilfield stays operating but it is actually the words used to describe the job of Judy Herbert of Zipp's Laundry in Roosevelt.

"It is not easy work. People think I just get to sit around and just wash clothes but these are not your ordinary clothes," explains Herbert.

The majority of the clothes that she cares for at Zipp's Laundry are what are referred to as "greasers". Greasers are the day to day work clothing and gloves that the men and women who service our oilfield wear when they go to work. And grease is a mild word to describe what these pants and shirts are covered in. The Uinta Basin has a special type of crude that has a high wax content in the petroleum. This high wax content translates into stinky, sticky, very dirty clothes.

"The guys that wear these clothes don't want to wash them at home because the junk on them can clog their drains and ruin their washing machines. That is why I have my special and top secret formula that I use to wash their laundry from them."

And average bag of laundry can weigh anywhere from 50-60 lbs depending on how dirty they are. Even with the industrial size washing machines this means she is only able to wash one bag of laundry per machine. Thank goodness Herbert has three machines ready to work hard to get these clothes clean so that they can be dried and pack back into their respective bags to await pick-up.

Herbert said that her goal is to try and get the bags of laundry cleaned and ready for pick up within a few days of drop off. Some workers bring in a week's worth of laundry while others will bring just a few days but she does everything she can to make sure that when the workers come into get their clothes, they are sitting in her pick up pile ready for another day of work in the oilfield.

We want to take the time to acknowledge the hard work and dedication it takes for the greaser washers of the Uinta Basin, like Judy Herbert, otherwise our plumbers might be a lot busier digging up sewer lines that are clogged with the nastienss from the clothes that are worn to work in the oilfield. Thanks!

 
 

The Market is Hot, Hot, Hot - June 2011

By: Crissy Knibbe

    June is the start of summer and, usually, one of the hottest months in real estate, however, the real estate market is already HOT HOT HOT! Market valued homes are selling faster than we can put them up for sale. With reasonable prices and interest rates still low, buyers that have been sitting on the fence the past year or so, have hopped off and are enjoying the benefits of homeownership. Those of you still teetering on the edge of that fence, you may want to climb off and reap the benefits yourselves. There are some things you must do before you list or buy.

    One of the hardest, most important decisions homebuyers face is how much to offer for their home and the glut of information on the web about real estate only makes buyers even crazier than the decision itself does.  Supply, demand, foreclosure rates, mortgage rates – buyers think they need to run spreadsheets and do fancy math to make a smart offer.  And THAT can be super intimidating. But the fact is there is a pretty short list of steps you need to take to make a smart offer – one that gets you a great value, but is also likely to be successful at getting the property. (A low offer does not make for a great deal if you don't get the house!)  And most of the same steps apply to sellers trying to set the list price that will lure the most buyers (and net them the most cash!)

Step 1:
What do the "comps" say?

    First things first. When it comes to pricing a home, or making an offer to buy one, the 'first thing" is the home's fair market value. Both buyers and sellers should work with an experienced, local agent to understand what the home's value is. Most agents will do this by offering you a look back at similar properties that have recently sold in the neighborhood, called the comparable sales, or comps.
    Ideally, look for comparables that are very recent sales (3 months or less before you're listing or buying), very similar properties (i.e., same number of bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage; and similar style, condition and amenities). If you do get into contract, these may be the same comparables which will be considered by the appraiser, so looking at them before making an offer can: (a) provide factual support for a lower-than-asking offer or for the asking price, in a negotiation, and (b) result in a sale price at which the property will actually appraise, later on - avoiding the common glitch of the deal falling through because the appraisal comes in way below the agreed-upon price.
    Also, looking at comps is the first step for locating a home's seller and prospective buyer in the reality-based universe of current home values.  The fact that you bought or refinanced the place at a given value 5 or 6 years ago is entirely irrelevant to what it's worth today, as is the buyer's belief that the place was worth $100K less at the trough of the market, in 2009.

Step 2: 
What can you afford?

    This step is much more critical for buyers than for sellers. (Unfortunately, sellers, the facts that you need to net a particular amount to buy your next home or pay your existing mortgages or credit card bills off has no relationship whatsoever to the price at which you should list or will sell your home.)
    Buyers – it's a must to make sure that your offer price for any given home falls within the range of what is affordable for you.  This includes offering a price within the range for which your mortgage was preapproved, but also includes making sure that the monthly payment and cash you'll need to close the deal (down payment + closing costs) are affordable in light of the particular house. If, for example, the property will require repairs for which you'll need to conserve cash, or has HOA dues you hadn't planned on, you may need to rejigger your offer accordingly.

Step 3:
What's your competition? (And what's theirs?)

    This is another step at which it's critical to check in with your agent. You need to know what level of competition you'll face – whether you are a buyer, or a seller.  As a seller, you can find this out by looking at things like how many comparable homes are listed in your town or your neighborhood in your general price range (your agent will brief you on this).  Sellers should also consider what type of transactions their home will be up against – the more distressed properties (foreclosed homes and short sales) with which your home must compete, the more aggressive you must be with your pricing to get your home sold. The more competition you have, as a seller, the lower you should tweak your list price to attract buyers to come see your home. (And the more buyers come to see your home, the more likely you are to get an offer!)
    Buyers should also be cognizant of the competition level they will face for homes.  Believe it or not, even on today's market there are properties and neighborhoods in which multiple offers are the name of the game. Work with your agent to understand the list price-to-sale price (LP:SP) ratio , which lets you know how much under or over the asking price properties are selling for in your target home's neighborhood; the higher the LP:SP ratio, generally speaking, the less competition there is among buyers.
    Your agent can also brief you on: (1)  The number of offers – if any - that have been presented on "your" property (which the listing agent will usually, gladly tell).  If there are other offers, you'll want to make a higher offer to compete successfully against them; and
(2) The number of days the home has been on the market, relative to how long an average home stays on the market before it sells – the longer it has, the more pressure is on the seller, price-wise, and the less competition the buyer is likely to have.  (One exception is the sweet spot scenario, when a property that has been on the market for a long time has a price reduction and gets a bunch of offers as a result!)

Step 4: 

How much do they need to sell (or buy) it?

    Buyers: Has the listing in which you're interested been reduced at all?  By how much?  Has the listing agent informed you that her clients are highly motivated, flexible or have an urgent need to sell? Sellers – most buyers are not in a high state of urgency to buy these days, given the long-term, high affordability of homes and interest rates, except when they have an urgent personal reason for moving, e.g., buyers who are relocating for work.  Of course, all of real estate is hyper local, so it's important to understand how motivated buyers are in our local market, generally speaking, before you set your list price.
    There's a number of clues to critical indicators of buyer and seller motivations: * how many homes in your target property's area have had at least one price reduction, * how likely a home in the area is to have multiple price reductions. The higher these numbers are, the stronger of a buyer's market it is, and the more bargaining power buyers likely have. And if you're the seller, the higher these numbers are for your area, the lower you may need to price your home to be successful at getting it sold.

Step 5. 

How much do you want to buy, or sell, the place?

    Step #4 was about taking the motivations of the folks on the other side of the bargaining table into account when formulating your offer and your list price.  This step is all about you – what's your level of motivation?  Now, buyers, you certainly shouldn't offer a price way above what the place is worth (see Step #1) just because you really, really want it, unless you have the cash to throw around.  But within the range of the home's fair market value, it may make sense to move higher within that range if you are highly motivated to get that particular property.

    Sellers: think of your list price as the most powerful marketing tool at your disposal. If you really want or need to sell, get aggressive about setting your price as low as what makes sense for your home's value and local market dynamics to attract qualified buyers and help your home stand out against all the competition.

    If you need a professional to help you sell your home or help you buy a new one, I am available. I take buying and selling real estate seriously and so should you. I am driven to provide the best possible care and service to all my clients, old and new. I am caring, creative and committed in everything I do.

 
 

Playin' Ball For A Great Cause - June 2011

Ulene Smuin Jensen- 2010 Benefactor- Ulene received a new

heart last year that is still beating strong today. “Thanks everyone!"

By: Jennifer Rook

When a vicious cancer struck an active, young mother in her mid twenties twelve years ago, her family and friends were devastated. Marie Dulen was a healthy, vivacious woman who was fighting a tough battle against cancer that had invaded her pancreas and liver. Marie battled it out, but slipped further and further away each day. Watching her painful struggle a group of her friends got organized to help the family out with mounting medical costs and to start a fund for Marie's precious children, Jazmyn and Dusty, who would soon be without their mother the rest of their lives. This group of friends did what they did best. They played ball. Marie's softball friends came through for her family in a big way by organizing a huge charity softball tournament; The Hit, Run, Score Charity Softball Tournament.

Marie had been an avid softball player who made friends everywhere she played ball. Those friends also came through for Marie in a huge way as teams began to fill the tournament, eager to give, umpire and play softball for a great cause. Word spread fast and soon there were more teams signed up than anyone ever imagined. Sherry Jessen recalls teams coming to play from Price, Salt Lake, Grand Junction and all over the Basin. Everyone turned out for the all-night tournament and three solid days and nights of non-stop softball action. That first year more than $10,000 was raised on behalf of Marie Dulen and the donations poured in again the next year and the next and the tournament continues to raise money for folks affected by illness every year.

Past Hit-Run-Score Recipients

(2010) Mark Hatch

(2010) Ulene Smuin Jensen

(2010) Joshua Baumgarten

(2009) Wayne Jenkins

(2009) Terry Harvey

(2008)Kayle Gardiner

(2008)Becky Erskine Gardiner

(2008)Al Stone

(2007)Shelly Slaugh

(2007)Debbie Pummell

(2007)MarShel Erickson Gonzales

(2006)Cody Anderson

(2006)Carolyn Anderson

(2005)Lexie Haslem

(2005)Deegan Harwood

(2005)Matthew Harris

The Hit, Run, Score Tournament has become a
standing dare for many Uintah Basin residents.

Prior to this, donations were made to the Ronald Mcdonald house and family of Marie Dulen. Our past successes would not have been possible without your generous donations and support.

The Hit, Run, Score Tournament has quickly become one of the premier tournaments in the state of Utah, bringing in hundreds of players from out of town each year. Tournament proceeds are given to deserving people in the community who suffer from a variety of illnesses. Some past tournament benefactors still struggle with their illness, others have beaten the odds and have recovered, and others' memories will live on in our hearts.

2011 benefactors include:

Robin Olpin Ross - Robin is the wife of Geo Ross and the mother to Miquel (Young) Norton, Vincent, Aaron and Zachary Young and 3 year old George Ross. She is grandmother to Attisyn and Cougan Norton. Robin was raised in Roosevelt and Neola. She is the daughter of Ted and Nancy Olpin. Robin worked in the insurance industry for 15 years. She was working for Wal-mart as a zone merchandise supervisor prior to being diagnosed with Lobular Breast Cancer almost a year ago. She is still in treatment but hopes to be on the mend by the end of summer.



Quin Dickson - Quin is married to Janelle Bascom Dickson, together they have four children. Quin is a lifelong resident of Vernal. Nine years ago, Quin was diagnosed with a rare brain disease called Stiff Persons Syndrome. Quin has seizure-like episodes every night, having at least 30-40 attacks each time. His muscles contract so hard his bones break, muscles are torn and disc are herniated. He has had 15 surgeries so far to repair the damage caused from the seizures. The disease is a rare neurological brain disorder and is terminal. *see accompanying article about Quin in this issue!*

From the opening pitch, courtesy of a Hit-Run-Score Recipient

to the overwhelming love and support of the entire community,

this is a tournament that has found success because of people who care enough

to give of themselves while doing something they love!

Putting on such a huge tournament is no small task so a HUGE thank-you goes out to tournament organizers past, present and future as well as Vernal City, Vernal Youth Baseball and the many volunteers and businesses and individuals who donate prizes and money. This tournament would not be possible without a single one of you and your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed.

    The 12^th Annual Hit, Run, Score Charity Softball Tournament will be held June 24^th, 25^th and 26^th at the Vernal City ballpark. Get a team together and enter today. Or, stop by for a great time and lots of fun softball. There are always plenty of raffle tickets with great prizes as well as 24 hour concessions. 100% of all proceeds are donated to benefactor families.

If you would like more information regarding this effort, please contact one of the following:

- Mikki Rasmussen (435) 828-0314 (435) 781-0314

- Jill Sheffield (435) 781-3012 (435) 823-0324

 
 

The Gift of a Lifetime - June 2011

Quin Dickson has a special gift when it comes to coaching and

has volunteered his time coaching hundreds of kids throughout the state of Utah

By: Jennifer Rook

    In the course of our lifetime, many people will come into our lives then, inexplicably go out. There are just no guarantees that anyone truly special will come along, but when you encounter someone who will impact your life more than any other person, that's the person you will never want to leave. That's the person you'll always want to keep in touch with, the person whose advice you will cling to and whose influence you will always reflect on. People like that just have a certain charisma. They're blessed with that special "something" that others just cling to. Knowing how to put that to good use is a gift and usually, it's the best coaches in our lives who have that gift.

Quin Dickson, son of Bob and Karel Dickson of Vernal, a 40 year old father of four, has that gift. It is a gift he uses well and one that has benefitted hundreds of kids, but perhaps the most amazing aspect of Quin's story is that he doesn't do it for money. He volunteers his time and coaches not only because he loves it but also because he needs it. For him, coaching and passing on his knowledge and love for wrestling is the best medicine he has found for the terminal disease he suffers from.

Quin has what is known as Stiff Person's Syndrome. It is a very rare neurological disorder in which the afflicted person suffers from seizure-like episodes. Much like tetanus, the body becomes very rigid, flexing and tensing uncontrollably. Quin is one of seven people in America who has this disease and has lived with SPS for nine years. He has seizure-like episodes nearly every night, depending on his physical level and activity during the day. He has had many trips to the E.R. over the years and numerous surgeries and injuries, but he continues to volunteer his time and talents and tries not to let the disease take over his life. So far, he's doing quite well, but slowing down doesn't come easy for a guy who has been active and on the go his whole life.

    Quin was one of seven very active kids who grew up in Vernal. A typical day for the Dickson clan was waking up in the morning, heading out the door, grabbing the nearest bike and riding off to find adventure. Whether it was a wrestling match, a baseball game, pick up football or just basic exploring and hunting or hiking around, Quin was always on the go. He and his siblings were all active in sports as well. "I played football in the fall, wrestled in the winter, and played baseball in the spring and did everything else in between. I've even got a couple of buckles I won in a Little Buckaroo rodeo riding calves and broncs." Quin says.

    Although he always enjoyed playing sports, Quin learned in high school that he also liked instructing other kids and helping them learn a game, particularly wrestling. It was in that famed Uintah High School wrestling room where Quin says he realized he liked the challenge of facing every guy in the room, but not just to make himself a better wrestler, he wanted to help make his teammates better as well. A smart and quick wrestler, Quin took state his junior and senior years at 112 lbs.

Soon after high school, Quin found himself pulled back to that Uintah High wrestling room to help coach a younger wrestler named Bobby Jenkins. It was that gesture that sparked something in Quin. "Bobby's dad, Ted Jenkins, would pay for my gas to drive out every week to come work with Bobby in the wrestling room. I helped a lot of guys out after that. I was also helping out down at the Jr. High with their wrestlers. I quickly learned it was just something I loved to do and wanted to do the rest of my life." Quin explains.

Quin helped coach other wrestlers everywhere he went and realized it was his way of connecting with others, not just to teach them wrestling moves, but to motivate them to work hard on the mat and in life as well. "Even on my mission in Michigan I was wrestling." he admits. "I was teaching guys I was wrestling with, but I was allowed to use wrestling as a tool and that was just fine with me." Quin's wife, Janelle, says he definitely has a gift. "He just has a way with people." she explains. "He knows how to push a kid to work hard, but still be his buddy. He is able to work a kid hard to get him where he needs to be and still have that kid love him and do anything for him."

Quin Dickson suffers from Stiff Person's Syndrome. He has been chosen as a

benefactor of this year's Hit, Run, Score charity softball tournament.  

Picture from l-r are Mackenzie, Quin, Janelle, Chance, Janessa and Cameron in front.

Quin has put in some coaching time at Morgan High and Clearfield High, but he has spent the bulk of his volunteer coaching career at Uintah High School. "I have been a part of the Uintah High coaching staff with Gregg Stensgard since '94." he says. "And since I graduated in '89 there have only been, probably, two guys whose names are up on the wall in that wrestling room [state champions] that I haven't worked with. I'm very proud of those guys and their accomplishments, but I'm also pretty proud to say I helped push them every day to get there."

Quin hasn't spent all his coaching hours within the hallowed confines of the UHS wrestling room however. "He just loves it." Janelle says. "And for him it's the biggest stress reliever ever. He has had a tiger league wrestling team since 1994, even before we had kids, and then he helped coach girl's softball when our girls were younger." Their daughters, 15 year old Mackenzie and 13 year old Janessa, soon switched to soccer and even though he doesn't know much about soccer, Quin still jumped in headfirst and was there on the sidelines coaching his girls for 3 years. He also coaches his sons, 11 year old Chance and 9 year old Cameron, in any sport they take on.

For Quin, coaching is a way to not only connect with his children, but also a way to impact their lives and leave them something they can always draw back on; the advice, the motivation, and the life's lessons that can be gleaned from sports. It's also precious time spent with them they'll always treasure. His own children will benefit from this legacy, just as hundreds of other kids have and will in the future as well. "There are times when I ask, "Is it worth it?" but when kids invite me to mission farewells and weddings and when they call us to tell us they just had a new baby then ,yes, it is worth it because obviously I must have made a difference in somebody's life. This is all about the kids. It's always kids first." Quin may have natural coaching abilities, but he certainly gives plenty of credit to his coaching mentors, Ed Johnson and Steve Scott. "Ed and Steve would come in a wrestling room and it didn't matter if a kid was a 4 time All-American or a kid who'd just walked in off the street to wrestle for the first time. Every kid was treated equally and that's how I coach. Each kid is an individual, but they are all equal and I want to coach every one of them at that same level."

Janelle admits she has had her moments when she has questioned his continued involvement. "There were days when I would wake him up at 3 pm so he could go to wrestling practice and he'd come home and sleep until 3 pm the next day, but he didn't want to stop. He said "I have to go." At times I felt like a single parent, I had four little kids, but I knew he needed it mentally. The one thing he has always had was that he could physically do anything that he wanted to and all of a sudden some of that was taken away. So, I knew he needed it. And I'm proud of him. He has helped kids at Altamont, Union, Uintah and he still has kids from all over who come up to him and ask him to help them practice and he knows he's going to pay for it the next day, but he still does it. That's what I love about him. Regardless of how his body feels, he'll do it anyway."

Quin doesn't get to spend as much time in the wrestling room as he wishes anymore, and he definitely pays for every minute spent doing the things he loves, but it's nearly impossible for him to stay down for long. "I try not to let it affect what I do." he admits. "The only thing I can control in my life is my attitude and at first I was kind of mad at God for taking the one thing I could do anytime I wanted to. I just had to accept that I couldn't do as much, but that I could still do it."

Living with SPS isn't always easy, but Quin takes it all on with the force he has taken everything else on in his life. He isn't sure he can ever beat this disease, but he's bound and determined it isn't going to control his life although much of his time over the past few years has been spent in hospital rooms. So far he has had two ankle surgeries, four neck surgeries to fix herniated discs and fuse his spine, torn ligaments in his knees, herniated abdominal muscles, broken teeth while biting down hard during an episode, burst blood vessels throughout his body, tore various muscles, and has torn pins completely out of his ankle.

    "I try not to let it get me down too much." Quin says "but it's so hard. I wake up every morning wondering what I've injured in the night during an episode. I don't know the last night I've had a good night's rest and I'd like to go just one day without being in pain, but I'm not going to stop living my life. I've always made time for wrestling practice and I will continue to do so as long as I'm able."

    Quin is no longer helping with the Uintah High School wrestling program, but has plenty of plans in the works and will stay active in Basin wrestling. He is starting up a wrestling club in Vernal

and plans to work with kids more intensely focused on wrestling. He'll be there in the wrestling room this September and doesn't plan to go easy on anyone.

    Quin has been chosen as a benefactor of this year's Hit, Run, Score for Charity softball tournament and while he is grateful, he struggles with the realization that his family might need help. "I always figure there is someone worse off than me. I have always thought that was one of the funnest tournaments to play in and I was more than happy to play because I've known a lot of the other guys that tournament has benefitted. It's awesome what these guys do, but it's hard for me to receive because I've always been able to do it. I've always been the one playing and now they're all playing for me. I feel like there is always someone more deserving, but I really appreciate it. I also have to tell my wonderful wife, Janelle, and my kids thanks for all their support. This isn't easy for them to deal with either, but I couldn't make it without any of them. I also thank my parents and the rest of my family, my friends and especially all the kids I've coached. Thanks for letting me be your coach and for all your support over the years. Thanks to the parents for letting me coach their kids too. I hope I've made a difference in someone's life and that these kids will take what we learn on the mat and apply it to life."

    Quin isn't planning on playing in the tournament this year, but chances are, he'll find some team in need of guidance while he's there and he'll gladly help them out, lending his coaching wisdom and sharing his gift with even more people, intentionally or not.


 

The Edge of Rock - Blue Saige - June 2011

By: M. Michelle Spencer

    A sprinkle of country, a dash of rock, and a whole lot of soul, this is what the little girls of Blue Saige are made of! From humble home town beginnings to ever increasing local fame, the girls of Blue Saige are making their own unique mark on the music world.

    Deanne Quick, Mondi Taylor, and Mindee Zager have declared that it is their goal to enhance the world with their music and thus far they have succeeded in their goal. What started out as an impromptu funeral performance between friends has ended up with these three women gracing the stage with the likes of Donny Osmond and Patty Loveless. Not to mention that they have already received numerous awards and recognition like being the winner of the 2010 Uinta Basin in Celebration Talent Show and being finalists in the True Value Country Showdown.

    I had the opportunity to sit down with these girls and get to know them a little better.



TE: So how exactly did you guys get started?

BS: (Mondi) Well I had to sing for a funeral and so I went and got Deanne. I had met Mindee just the week before and I told Deanne we should go get Mindee and try out for the Country Showdown in Vernal. (Deanne) We only had a week to get ready but we did it. (Mindee laughing) We are just crazy like that. But is was so much fun considering we had just barely started singing together, I mean only one week! Actually it was more like one practice...on the day of the performance.



TE: What kind of music are you guys singing?

BS: (Mindee) We do very few cover songs (other artists), we try to keep that to a minimum. For the most part we write a lot of our own, with Mondi being the one who writes the majority. It is the rock yet country feel we like sing and that's what we write about.



TE: So tell me, how did you guys come up with the name Blue Saige?

BS: (Mondi) We were just throwing names out there like crazy. (Mindee) Ya we were saying things that reminded us of Neola like blue jeans and sage brush and Deanne goes "AAHH, Blue Saige!" But the more we got to thinking about it we realized that in the wintertime when you see the sage brush with dew on it, it has a blue look and that is really a defining feature of this area.



TE: So how long have you guys being doing this?

BS: (Deanne) Well from the time we decided after singing at the funeral to getting in our demo tape to the Showdown with like only 5 minutes to spare, it has been almost a year to date. (Mondi laughing) Yeah a year. Wow it seems like we barely started.



TE: So what are your current goals?

BS: (Mindee) Right now it is song writing and getting our CD out. (Mondi) Yeah our big goal is to just finish up our CD. We are real close to having it finished. We have a couple more songs to finish and then we can get back over to the studio to record them and then we are done and we are really excited. (Mindee) We want our album to be all of our own original songs with no cover songs and that is what we almost have done.



TE: So how can people hear your songs now if it is not at a live concert?

BS: (Mondi) Right now we have stuff on ReverbNation and on FaceBook and we are about ready to get our stuff on iTunes so people can download it as well. We have to finish up the copyrights and we will be ready to go.



TE: What is it that you would like to tell your fans out there?

BS: We are just thank-ful for everything that everyone has done for us. We are getting demos submitted to a record company right now and we are really excited. We can not wait to see where this journey takes us!



    Blue Saige has many upcoming events and they would love to have you come out to see what they are all about. You need to also go and check them out on FaceBook. Just search for Blue Saige and become a fan today.


 

Learning Young - June 2011

By: Robert Strole

    Competitors from across Utah met at the Vernal Rod & Gun club on April 15 & 16 to participate in the 2011 Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC). YHEC is a program sponsored through the National Rifle Association, along with local organizations and the help of the Division of Wildlife Resources, which allow youths to compete against each other in shooting events and other knowledge based events. The national YHEC program draws an estimated 50,000 youths each year, with more than a million participants since its inception in 1985. Vernal hosted the state competition this year with 93 youths from Vernal and across the state competing against each other. The facilities at the Vernal Rod & Gun club were generously donated to set up the different ranges for the events. Mark Partdridge, the event coordinator, organized the best attended event in the history of the state YHEC program. With the competitors, parents, volunteers, Division of Wildlife Resources employees, and spectators, around 300 people attended the 2011 competition.

    Eight different events were organized and staffed by volunteers. The Division of Wildlife Resources created a safety trail that tested the participant's ability to handle guns safely in the field and to identify unsafe shooting conditions. Wildlife Identification tests the contestants' ability to identify animals from skulls, hides, wings, eggs, etc. A 3-D archery range was set up and supervised by Red Neck Archery. 3-D animal targets from skunks to dinosaurs were placed up to 40 yards away with obstacles placed to simulate real hunting situations. The shotgun range was a sporting clay arrangement with challenging clay targets thrown at different angles and combinations. The orienteering event consisted of a written test, along with a practical exercise, where the participant used a compass to find markers at specified bearing and distances. The 22 event consisted of spinner type targets placed between 25 to 75 yards away. The muzzle loading event consisted of a written test along with several shots at metal silhouette targets. All participants took a written test that tested their knowledge on hunting and outdoor skills.

    YHEC has two different age categories. The junior division is for youth under 15 years of age and the senior division 15 years of age and up. An awards ceremony was held Saturday afternoon with the top ten competitors in each category recognized for their achievements. Ribbons were awarded for placing in spots 10th through 4^th and medals were awarded for 3rd, 2^nd and 1st. The overall winners received plaques in addition to their ribbons and medals. Each participant in the state competition qualifies for the international YHEC competition. The international competition will be held in Raton, New Mexico the week of July 24, 2011.
    Mark Partdridge and the YHEC staff wish to express their appreciation to all who donated their time and money. Dozens of volunteers traveled from all over the state to set up and run the eight different events. Many local individuals and businesses made financial contributions to support the local program. Please contact Mark Partdridge at 781-0007 for more information about the YHEC program.


 

Friday Nights In A Small Town - All For One - May 2011

By: Karter Rook

In sports, a competitive spirit sometimes creates bad feelings. Players who just want to win see their opponent as the enemy and begin to be rude to each other. Insults may fly around the field, players get physical, and sometimes it just isn't fun when that happens, especially in baseball. I have played sports for many years and before last summer I had never experienced a moment when all the players on a field came together as one, but during the State All-Star tournament of 2010 in Vernal, Utah, I did. There was one magical moment when all the boys on the field became friends and cheered for the same thing. That one thing was me and it is an experience I will never forget.

    I made the All-Star team and worked just as hard as anyone in practice. We were a team with a lot of individual talent, but we just couldn't seem to pull it all together in a game. We tried hard and played hard, but our team just didn't have what it took to beat the other teams. After a few disappointing innings, we were out of the tournament in two games on opening day.

    That same evening the tournament directors hosted a BBQ for players and their families followed by some fun individual and team skill competitions. After such bad losses all the rest of my teammates went home, but I wasn't quite ready for my All-Star experience to be over and I was hungry so, I stuck around for the BBQ. When it was time to sign up and pick team members for the skills competitions, I was the only kid there to represent my team so I signed up for the one event that I could do by myself.

    It was supposed to be a team event, but they made special arrangements for me and I was given a chance to compete in the target throwing competition. The object of the competition was to have four guys on the field, one at third base, one at shortstop, one at second and one at first base. Each player got four chances to hit a target at home plate. For each hit, a point was scored. I was allowed to throw from each spot by myself. I had sixteen chances to hit the target and score points.

    As I stepped up to third base I was nervous. Under the full lights of the stadium I felt like I was on stage in full spotlight. My nervousness soon turned to pure determination as I picked up the ball to begin my throws and I heard the team behind me begin cheering for me, "Come on Karter! You can do it!" they encouraged. A second team chimed in. Then a third, a fourth, and a fifth and pretty soon every boy on that field was cheering for ME and supporting me. It was such a great feeling. The best part was that every one of those boys who had been mortal enemies on the field as we played, in that moment, all became friends and not only cheered me on, but cheered each other on and began to appreciate each individual boy's talent. I had never seen anything like it before, but I hope to experience it many more times.

    I scored a few points in the competition and took home the Spirit Award that night too. I also got an MVP t-shirt, but I'll never forget that feeling or those boys who came together on the baseball field that night.


 

Kickin' Off Summer - May 2011

By: M. Michelle Spencer

    The evening starts off with a great dinner consisting of great friends, some wonderful food and giddy anticipation of the night's upcoming events. The early summer evening still has a slight cool touch and the mountains reverberate with the sounds of nature, that is until the band strikes their first cord and the music begins to fill the air. This is the evening that Tabby Valley Parks and Rec has planned for you on Friday June 17, 2011. The evening will start off with dinner at 4:30 PM and the concert is set to open at 6:00 PM and will take place in the scenic Tabby Valley Centennial Park and the best part of it all, it helps to raise funds for the park!
    "We are so excited about this concert. We have put a lot of hard work into it and we have some great talent that will be performing so we want to let everyone know that they are invited up to help us kick off the summer with a big party," explained Lindsay Gines, concert coordinator, "We just feel that this is a great way to celebrate the area and get the summer kicked off right."
    TVPR with the efforts of Gines was able to secure up and coming country Chance McKinney and his band Crosswire. Gines was also very pleased to announce that their opening performance for that evening is local trio from Neola called Blue Saige. This is the first year that this type of event has been planned but Gines is hoping that they can make this a yearly event, not only for community projects but also because of the way it helps to draw the area closer together.
    "It's a beautiful mountain valley community, where some of the greatest people in the world reside. Once you enter this valley you become part of an extended family. We are never too busy to and say hello, and the only traffic jam you will ever see is 2 old timers parked on the highway discussing water rights, or the price of cattle. We are the gateway to one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the world. Wolf Creek pass is a road frequent to motorcycles and Sunday drives in the summer and fall months. We are people that choose to live in this beautiful place, and know our neighbors are more than just friends!"
    Gines went on to explain that she has hopes that the rest of the Uinta is willing to come out for a night of friends, family, food, and some awesome music. And while you are there makes some great memories with your new extended family in the upper country.


Tickets go on sale May 1st and are available at IFA in Vernal and Roosevelt, Gateway 66 in Duchesne, Country Flare in Altamont, and The Sage and Sandstone in Tabiona.