Life in San Juan

Phil Hurst’s old army truck hauling logs from the west side of the Abajo Mountains in 1951. Photo from the San Juan County Historical Commission Leonard Hurst Collection.
by Janet Wilcox Contributing writer Interest in constructon and lumber runs deep in the Hurst families of Blanding. In the late 1930’s, Joe and Stan Hurst’s Grandfather Phil Hurst and their Uncle George Hurst purchased Dave Black’s Sawmill. They operated this mill on Johnson Creek for years then...
Members of a self-defense classs in Monument Valley pose with instructor Thomas Denny. Self defense classes are being offered during sexual assault awareness month and are sponsored by Utah Navajo Health System and the Gentle Ironhawk Shelter. Courtesy photo
by Jessica Holiday, Victim Services Program Manager, Utah Navajo Health System, Inc. Springtime in Monument Valley has finally emerged after a long winter. The sunlight is beaming and there are tourists and locals milling about the Monument Valley Welcome Center. People are basking in the sunny...
Toniee Lewis (Ysleta del Sur Pueblo-Tigua), Ute Mountain Councilman Selwyn Whiteskunk (Ute Mountain Ute) and Jr. Miss Southern Ute Princess Leandra Litz at the signing of the Sexual Assault Awareness proclamation on April 4.  Courtesy photo
On April 4, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Towaoc CO, signed an Honorary Proclamation and Recognition of Native American Sexual Assault awareness month. This proclamation was brought to the Ute Mountain Ute Council by Toniee Lewis of the Hands Down, Standing Strong Advocacy Program based out of...
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...

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