Unsung heroes

NORTHERN NEWS
by Maxine Deeter
Every now and then we need to be reminded about our local unsung heroes.  La Sal has a wonderful cadre of Emergency Responders who are called into action as the need arises. 
They also find themselves coming upon a situation where their skills are put to use.  Such an incident happened last Tuesday as one of them responded to an auto accident at Muleshoe Canyon north of La Sal Junction. 
Jennifer Lake was on her way home from Moab Tuesday with her friend, Ruthie Thayne, when they came upon the accident.  An off-duty San Juan County Sheriffs Deputy was already on scene. 
A Blanding lady had gone off the road and down into a ravine.  It is estimated that she flew nearly 100 feet off the road and then another 40 feet down a ravine. 
The car was upside down and she was in serious condition when Jennifer climbed down to assess the situation.  Jen had to crawl up into the upside down car and hold the lady’s head to stabilize it until further medical help could arrive. 
The injured person was life-flighted from the scene.  The helicopter landed and took off from the highway.  At last report, the injured party is still in serious condition with neck, back and leg injuries. 
Raising the Roof:  No, not rabble-rousing; this is a real, old fashioned roof raising.  You know, when folks get together to help put up a barn, or in this case, a secondary roof. 
One person who is always “Johnny on the Spot” when anyone else needs help is Mike Harris.  Well, this time, folks are invited to come out and give him a hand putting up a roof over his mobile home. 
The date: this Saturday morning, April 27.  The place: behind the Zimmerman’s.  All able-bodied folks are invited to come out and lend a hand.  Lots of hands make easy work, so it shouldn’t take too long.
The La Sal LDS Relief Society invites all ladies in the area to an activity this coming Saturday evening.  It is an Evening of International Fun. 
Ladies are encouraged to bring along their favorite foreign dish to share.  Those who have lived or visited foreign places are asked to come and share their experiences. 
It’s been awhile since we had a ladies night out, so come on out and join the fun.  It gets underway at 5 p.m. MST (not La Sal Standard Time), Saturday, April 27 at the LDS Church.  Bring a friend.
The La Sal Literary Guild is currently reading “Gifted Hands, The Ben Carson Story”.  This is a true story about a black kid from the projects who grew up to be a world renowned neurosurgeon.  It’s a great read.  (I know, I say that every time.  No point in reading dull books, is there?!) 
He spoke last January at the National Prayer Breakfast.  His remarks were quite candid and did not necessarily follow along the lines of the current president, but he stated it like he believes. 
He was also the recipient, in 2008, of the Presidential Medal of Freedom award. 
Tentative plans are to meet next Tuesday evening at the library to discuss the book.  Double-check the time and date at the library.  There will be food!
Wow, I’m amazed and pleased at the response to the Charles Redd Foundation for Western Studies San Juan County Public Lands contest. You got to read all about that in last week’s paper. 
Eventually, many of these entries will find their way into an issue of the Blue Mountain Shadows magazine.  Good work all you public land lovers out there.  Sometime it is going to get to really be spring and give us a better chance to go out and recreate on these lands.
It’s been interesting since the last column how the “Quackers” are coming out of the woodwork.  Seems there are a lot of Duck Dynasty groupies around our community.  Gotta love these guys!  Yep, it’s good to be a redneck.