News from Wayne County Uncle Ray Conrad

WAYNE CO. - Approaching the century mark, Ray Conrad (formerly of Fremont in Wayne County) passed a couple of weeks ago. The word of his passing spread fairly quickly in the circle of friends that he revolved in, and like a ripple on the water, the news was slower to inform the wider out it went.

Given the unique opportunity, the more one learned about Uncle Ray, the less you thought you knew. Ray Conrad surely came from a different dimension in our universe, a place where stardust and molecules, yet to be defined, mixed together to create a multi-talented individual that is as rare and mysterious as life itself.

For years, Uncle Ray and his wife, Lou, owned and operated the River Inn, located on a gentle bend in the road in Fremont. Together, they doubled goodness, exuded gentleness and freely shared kindness at times when, as Lou used to put it, “it is just what you are supposed to do,” and what better place to do it than

by Adus Dorsey

Wayne County.

With open arms, Ray and Lou would gather in yet to be friends and searching souls, huddle them all together, and like combining the ingredients of a cake, slowly mix them all together and bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes. When the door of the oven opened, what came out was always something that was just as special as anything Julia Child would make.

When Lou suddenly passed, it was partly cloudy for a while in Fremont, but like when anyone passes, the loving community of Wayne County citizens and friends came together as one to offer love and support.

Ray Conrad’s talents were spread over a wide spectrum. Surely it was the stardust that coursed through his veins that guided in his mind and hands to create art of all sorts, some of which consisted of fine pencil sketches of weathered Wayne County scenes, poems so poignant that you could hear the birds sing, or a cowboy on the range whisper his prayer to the stars. Most of all, his love was of music. test open to all students kindergarten through 12th grade in Garfield, Wayne, and Kane counties. Art contest submissions will be judged in three different grade categories, and the winner in each category will receive a $50 gift certificate to the Bryce Canyon Association Visitor Center bookstore. The grand prize winner will also be featured on the 2023 Utah Prairie Dog Day poster. Entries must show the Utah Prairie Dog in its natural environment, measure 11 inches by 17 inches or smaller, and can be created using any artistic medium. Artists should include their name and grade level on the back of the artwork. Entries can be mailed to Bryce Canyon National Park at P.O. Box 640201, Bryce, Utah and should be postmarked by March 31st. Entries can also be scanned and emailed to the park at brca_information@nps.gov. All submissions will be displayed at the Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center on Utah Prairie Dog Day, and any physical artwork will later be returned to the artists.

If there was ever a musical instrument that Uncle Ray couldn’t play, the luthier just hasn’t found the right wood to fashion it yet. If it had strings on it, Ray Conrad mastered it like the master he was. Uncle Ray could hear a song once and then play it in a style all his own.

In recent years, Uncle Ray could be found in the center of a circle of good friends, picking and ginning with the best of them. Rough around the Edges, The Mooney Wash Boys, and a thousand different configurations so vast that Hee Haw would be proud to have them on the show.

To Uncle Ray’s credit, he was a friend and a good friend to all. He was mild mannered, easy to talk to and always willing to share his wisdom of the great beyond.

Ray Conrad left the world a better place for us all to live in, and through his example, he challenged us to do the same. We miss you, Uncle Ray.

Prairie Dog Day: Utah Prairie Dog Day will return on Thursday, May 11, 2023, and feature ranger-led prairie dog viewing, family-friendly activity booths, and a special keynote presentation.

Teachers interested in attending Utah Prairie Dog Day with their classes can apply for free entrance to the park by following the instructions at the park’s Academic Fee Waiver page at go.nps.gov/BryceFeeWaivers. Live distance learning programs about the Utah Prairie Dog are also being offered for groups of 10 or more. To learn more and sign up, visit go.nps.gov/BryceDistanceLearning.

A year-round inhabitant of Bryce Canyon’s high plateau meadows, the Utah Prairie Dog is a critical part of the park’s ecosystem. Utah Prairie Dogs are considered a "keystone species" as they serve a variety of important functions in maintaining southern Utah's meadows including aerating soil and promoting plant growth. Over 200 other species have been associated with prairie dog colonies, including wildlife that depend upon prairie dog activity for both food and habitat. More information on the Utah Prairie Dog can be found online at go.nps.gov/UtahPrairieDog. For more information on the park, 2023 centennial events, or the Utah Prairie Dog festival please visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/brca, or contact the park by e-mail at brca_information@nps. gov, or phone at 435-8345322.

—National Park Service