Current Issue

News and Notes Issue #35 Fall 2006

Limited Edition Color Photos for "Bridge" Donors

Blue Mountain Shadows is offering a thank you gift of 12 X 18; high quality, color prints of San Juan to those who donate $150 or more. Donors may pick from the 3 color photos that were used in issue #34 on the Canyons covers: (1)Front cover of Hovenweep, (2) inside front cover of Owl and Fish Canyons by John Moore III, or (3) inside back Fry Canyon Slot by Kay Shumway.
The color prints will be awarded for donations within the Bridges ($150 - $499) category, or above. An annual subscription is also included with all donations. All donations to Blue Mt. Shadows are tax deductible. Once again, we thank you for your continuing support of BMS. For additional information, contact LaVerne Tate 435-678-2851.

Articles needed for upcoming issues

Spring 2007 -Beyond Monticello
Editors Corinne Roring and Lee Bennett: contact at leebennett@frontiernet.net or 435-587-2556
Articles and photos needed by Jan. 1, 2007
Submit articles to Corinne Roring or Lee Bennett
This issue will include stories about cowboys, trapping, farming, homesteading, dude ranches in the outlying area around Monticello. Other related topics are also welcome

Fall 2007: La Sal area
Editor: C. Hardy Redd
Submit articles and photos to Hardy, Box 247 La Sal, Utah 84530 by April 1, 2007
For questions and queries contact: reddlasal@yahoo.com Or call 435-686-2222
We are looking for histories and stories about families, ranching and farming, mining, and trapping in the La Sal area from 1880 till 1960. Other related topics are welcome.

Spring 2008: The Military and San Juan County
Editor: Dr. Bob McPherson
Submit articles and photos to Bob by Jan. 1, 2008
Contact: 435-678-2201 Ext#140, or bobmcpherson"@sjc.ceu.edu
Articles needed: SJC soldiers from WWII not already published in BMS; soldier experiences from the Korean war; history of the War Memorial in Monticello; and military presence in the county. Other related topics are also welcome

Fall 2008: Movies of San Juan County:
Editor: Dr. John Anderson
Contact: jmanderson@Exchange.FULLERTON.EDU
(714) 751-0565
Articles and photos needed by May 1, 2008
Articles needed: movies made, experiences of county residents in movies, John Ford, John Wayne experiences. Other related topics are also welcome
In conjunction with this we are considering sponsoring a
film festival. Anyone interested is urged to contact us. We need help to pull this off.

Spring 2009: Writers and writings of San Juan County
Editor Marty Warner
Contact at: redrockmoon@frontiernet.net
Articles and photos needed by January 1, 2009
Historically many writers have found the southwest fascinating. We would like articles about these authors, as well as writings that reflect the flavor and fascination of the San Juan Country. The history of libraries and early librarians would also be welcome.

Other topics being considered:
–Natural History II, Religion and Supernatural Experiences, Recreation in San Juan County,
When enough articles are submitted, an issue will be made on these themes. Let us know what you'd like to write about.

After serving as managing editor of Blue Mountain Shadows for 20 years, Janet Wilcox, is stepping down, in hopes of finding time to do her own family history projects. Besides coordinating the publication of 35 issues of BMS, she also wrote over 30 proposals helping to fund historic programs, folk festivals, and oral history projects for BMS. She also created the magazine's web site: www.bluemountainshadows.org. In 2005-06 she also created 3 DVD media shows: Blanding's Centennial History, 100 years of Blanding Quilters, and Blue Mountain Shadows 20th anniversary. A search is on for a new managing editor. Any one interested in history, with a good knowledge of computers, and writing, is encouraged to apply by contacting LaVerne Tate 678-2325. Shurrell Meyer, layout designer, will be moving to Monticello from Blanding, but will still continue to help on the magazine.

Family History Workshops

BMS sponsored two Road Scholar workshops Aug. 23 with Randy Silverman and Eileen H. Stone. A grant from Utah Humanities Council paid for the two programs held at the Senior Citizen Center. Silverman discussed the importance of preserving valuable photos, records, & other items in acid free (alkaline) containers and recommended using http://metaledgeinc.com as a source for such supplies. Catalogs can be ordered on line or by calling 800-862-2228. He also evaluated specific items that were brought, and gave ideas for taking better care of valuables. He said that southern Utah is a great climate for preservation, since it very dry with low humidity.
Stone shared many memories of her family, and growing up in a Jewish household. She also shared stories from oral interviews collected from other Jews living in Utah. She demonstrated techniques for interviewing.

DVD and Display spotlight first 20 years of Blue Mountain Shadows

Thanks to the financial support of Utah Humanities Council, Blue Mountain Shadows created a 17 minute documentary highlighting the first 20 years of the magazine. It was shown for 5 weeks as part of an exhibit at the Edge of the Cedars. The display was created by MaryAnn Scott, the documentary was done by Janet Wilcox, and USU extension provided equipment for the show. Copies of the program are available for $5 from Blue Mountain Shadows.
A color brochure showing all available magazines, was created by Deniane G. Kartchner and printed as part of this grant, and copies are available at businesses countywide. It gives a complete listing of all publications available from Blue Mountain Shadows.

Letters: Comments on Cowboying in Fry Canyon/ Canyon Issue
July 11, 2006

"....It was my uncle Harrison Oliver, who was out at Fry Canyon then, working for the TY Cattle Co. I had to help with the books as this was a new project in 1943. Sandy [Johnson] was born in 1949, and was only going on six. Cloyd [Johnson] would draw the blood, and I did the book work and helped round up the cattle. The cows were generally done in the spring, when they were brought in to brand or fall. It took just a few at random, then if brucellosis was found, the whole herd was tested. The only one I recall is Charlie Redd's. His cows had tested positive.
I am a granddaughter of Wm. Oliver who was shot while camped in John's Canyon. My father Lewis C. Fuller, helped with the Cattle at 18 yrs. He started working for Heber Frost on the State Roads. He helped build or built 3/4 of the roads in San Juan Co. He knew all of this country. My grandmother Mary Jane Mills Oliver went thru a dramatic time–losing a grandson and her husband. I was only six years old, but remember very well all that happened. . . . At 77 I remember very much of the goings on in Monticello and Blanding.
Jean Otteson