Life in San Juan

Joe Wesley and Delma Atkinson Vancil will celebrate their 70th Wedding Anniversary on April 8, 2023. Joe turned 95 on February 14 and Delma will be 89 on May 10. Joe and Delma were married on April 8, 1953. They are the parents of four children: JoeLynn (Kent) Dalton, Jerry (Sherry) Vancil, Cindy (...
by Jill Pearson Staff writer Spring is packed with many opportunities to get together with neighbors and enjoy the festivities. First, the San Juan High School National Honor Society is doing an Easter Egg Hunt on Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial Park in Blanding for all children under...
Robert and Joan Hosler, with son Bret and grandson Kyle, delivering oranges at Christmas.  Courtesy photo
by Janet Keeler Wilcox Contributing writer Robert and Joan Hosler have a legacy of close friendships with Ute and Navajo artists throughout San Juan County.  When the Hoslers moved to Blanding in 1966, Bob was initially hired by Bruce Shumway as a social worker.  Shortly afterwards, he began to...
by Bill Boyle San Juan Record Editor As a long series of storms continue to pummel the area, the critical snowpack in San Juan County is more than 246 percent of normal. As of March 21, there is nearly two and one-half feet of water in the snow at the Camp Jackson Sno-tel station in the Abajo...
Norma Madden has created quilting masterpieces for many years, honing her craft while creating and maintaining memories, and building lasting friendships. Here she shows Hayden’s Eagle Scout Quilt from ten years ago. See more photos at the San Juan Record website at sjrnews.com. Courtesy photo
By Janet Keeler Wilcox Contributing writer Some of Norma Madden’s earliest childhood memories were of playing under quilts while her mother Beatrice Helquist and her grandmother May Bailey were quilting.  Over the past 60+ years Norma has replicated similar experiences and memories for her...
New book on life of Melvin Lee Gaines
by Leon Jones A new book tells the story of a man who spent 90 colorful years in Bluff. It is titled Melvin Lee Gaines, The Heart of a Bluff Farmer, Inventor, Storyteller and Pioneer. William “Lum” and Buena Gaines arrived in Bluff, UT in 1932. with their one year-old son, Melvin Lee Gaines. Lum...
Local artist Cody Cosby and one of his whimsical resin gnomes. Courtesy photo
by Janet Keeler Wilcox When you combine curiosity with motivation and invention, you get a Cody Cosby masterpiece.  Though his profession is in the medical field, Cody has mastered resin work, silk painting, cooking, and raising unique plants.   Perhaps his most complicated undertaking was his silk...
Mary Holliday Black.  Courtesy photo
by Janet Keeler Wilcox Contributing writer Mary Holliday Black, one of San Juan County’s master basket weavers, passed away December 13, 2022. She was born in Oljato in 1934.  Mary played a key role in the revival of traditional Navajo basket weaving. She was also the mother of 11 children.  For...
A spectacular geometric weather creation by San Juan County artist Gil Scott.	Courtesy photo
by Janet Keeler Wilcox Contributing writer True artists not only need to see the world with fresh eyes but must also have the skill to interpret and “show” that world in unique and beautiful ways.  Such talents are what San Juan County’s geometric artist, Gill Scott has successfully honed and...
In accordance with Utah Code Chapter 25 Estrays. San Juan county is giving notice they have impounded nine horses that were trespassing on private property. The horses are mixed color, breeds and sex. They were picked up in the Ucolo area of San Juan County. These horses will be auctioned at the...

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San Juan Record

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