Morgan- Brian

Summer is here with a bang. This spring was one of the coldest on record, which worked well with the snowpack. Our neighbors to the south, St. George, almost set a record; they didn’t hit triple digit temperatures until July 1. The record was set back in 1965 on July 3. Last year, they had eight triple digit days in June. However, it is making up for it this week; Saturday was 101, Sunday was 103, Monday was a scorching 109, and the rest of the week, they will be at over 100 degrees. Much of the south has had weather like ours for over a week now, mixed in with some tornadoes. I don’t care how cold it gets here in the winter, you can only take off so many clothes to keep cool in the summer.

Friday night, we had a great truck light show. I am an admirer of classic cars, and, in my other life, I was a truck driver and drove fire engines for a living. But nothing compares to these trucks. The fire trucks got waxed every week, but they couldn’t compete against these trucks. I know many were classics, and I just wonder if they keep them only for events like ours. When you see livestock trailers that are shiny like those were, it is really something. I don’t think they looked that good when new. Many thanks to those that brought this event to Panguitch and many more.

by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com

I understand the sports summer camp for the kids was a success. So many kids attended and many people helped out. It’s too bad we don’t have more of these camps during the summer to give the kids something to do besides watch TV. Hopefully, they will come back again next year. Last Tuesday, the 4th, was a great day with good weather and bombs going off at 6 in the morning—a “long time tradition”—and another fine breakfast put on by the Panguitch Lions Club. The Lions Club is always looking for members to help out with events like the breakfast. If you are newly retired, this is a fun club to join, or if you are just new to town and would like to meet some good people, consider joining the Lion’s Club. This year, the breakfast had music to go along with the meals. Philip, who does the music, also has karaoke singing. At the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally breakfast, over 30 people came forth to sing, and I hope many others took part in this fun event. Philip is also a great mechanic. I know because he fixed my street rod that no one else would touch or even knew what to do with it. The kids parade was, as always, a summer highlight. Many of the bikes are being replaced with ATVs or small electric cars. But it is always a fun event.

David Dodds is still the Panguitch Fire Chief, and the firefighters put on a great fireworks show at 10:00 p.m. sharp. In our backyard, we have a great view of all of them. Next year, stop by, and we have plenty of chairs. I used to help the firefighters light the rockets off and that is the worst place in the town to see them. Up in the Salt Lake City area, they are going to use drones to take the place of fireworks. They are really something to watch, and they must be computerized, however, where is the noise? I understand they cost a lot more money than the real thing. Oh, it is nice to live here, or have I said that before?

The 24th celebration is still three weeks off, so shine up your old wreck or get your horse ready and floats going. We go to the Parowan Labor Day parade, but they don’t have many floats; that’s what makes a parade a parade. I was a member of the Class of '53—that’s 70 years ago, which really makes me old—but if I didn’t have two cars in the parade, I would beg them to let me ride on their float. You miss so much in life growing up in a big city. I hope we aren’t the only town in Utah that will have the parade on Saturday, so someone can get home before the crowds.

On the 15th, the

Hatches and the Frandsens will be having their annual reunion out at Widtsoe. They let me go because I am married to the beautiful Pat Frandsen. If you have a reunion or any other event, let me know, and I will put it in the paper.

On the same day, there will be the annual Bryce Canyon Half Marathon and 5K. It is a downhill run, so wear some really good shoes with padded heels or your back will pay the price. Many of the EMTs, Search and Rescue, and other good people will be helping out on the race. I was cleaning out some of my clothing to take down to St. George, and it all goes out to the reservations. I came across a T-shirt that was from the only marathon that I had run. It was the Palos Verde marathon in 1979. I had been running 10K races for about three years, and I ran a half marathon and didn’t feel any problems. On my days off, I was running three hours, so I thought I was ready to step up to the big time; I was wrong. I was going pretty well for the three hours and only had five miles to go. When I looked down, my shoe was full of blood, and my toenail had come off. I was all right going uphill, but downhill was a killer. I finally saw a cop;

New Swim Beach: Beginning June 30, 2023, a relocated Wahweap Swim Beach across from the Wahweap Campground is now available for park visitors.

Myndi Morgan and Bridger Brian will be married Saturday, July 8, 2023, in the Payson, Utah temple. The couple will be honored at a reception that evening, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at The Morgan Residence in Circleville, Utah.

The bride-to-be is a daughter of Marty and Hilery Morgan (Circleville); and a granddaughter of (the late) Paul and Lois Morgan (Circleville); and David and Janet Bradshaw (Beaver).

Myndi graduated from Piute High School. She served in the Texas Houston East Mission. She is currently attending Utah Tech University, majoring in Marketing.

Bridger is the son of Shane and Natasha Brian (Lyman); and a grandson of Harry and (the late) Dawna Brian (Loa); and Clark and Susan Graham (Heber City).

Bridger graduated from Wayne High School. He served in the Texas Dallas West and Guatemala Quetzaltenango Missions. He is currently attending Utah Tech University, majoring in Business.

The couple plans to reside in Cedar City.

New Swim Beach Cont'd from A1 was previously dredged to elevation 3580. Depending on the vessel, at least four to six feet of water is required for safe navigation and two-way traffic. Submerged rocks and hazards may be present. Travel is at your own risk. The boat owner is liable for self-rescue, salvage, and restoration of damage to the environment if problems occur.

Spring runoff has raised water levels and almost all Lake Powell boat ramps are operable for some kind of vessel, either motorized or paddlecraft.

On April 13, 2023, the lake was at 3519.92 feet (above sea level). On June 30, 2023, the lake’s elevation was at 3583 feet and is still rising. http://www.lakepowell.water-data.com/

Current status of NPS boat ramps and marina services on Lake Powell, information available 24/7: https:// www.nps.gov/glca/learn/ changing-lake-levels.htm.

Please expect congestion and exercise caution due to a higher concentration of boaters in all visitor use areas. Approach the shore with caution and watch for shallows and submerged debris. Always wear a life jacket. Life threatening dangers to avoid include heat stroke, swimming at marinas, flash floods, cliff jumping, and carbon monoxide emitted by generators or engines that are running. More safety information is available here: https:// www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/safety.htm

Invasive, exotic quagga mussels: All watercraft operators are required by law to clean, drain, and dry their vessels (including paddlecraft) and all equipment prior to launching in any other body of water. https://www.nps.gov/glca/ learn/nature/mussel-update.htm.

Campfires and fireworks: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is in Stage One Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed in established campgrounds within established rings and below the high-water mark on Lake Powell in areas completely void of vegetation. Discharge or use any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on all federal public lands. https:// www.nps.gov/glca/learn/ news/20220624.htm

The park wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable visit.

—Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

WAYNE CO. - Torrey Town and its streets were awash with red, white and blue, along with so many visitors and past residents, over the weekend that it was hard to tell one from the other. It wasn’t uncommon to be standing next to an older version of someone you once knew at the humongous parade or the town park and to suddenly have flashbacks of your own younger days, when you had more notches on your belt and less wrinkles everywhere else.

Torrey Main Street was a mini Manhattan of people lined up on Saturday, July 1, 2023, shoulder-to-shoulder and lawn chair to lawn chair, waiting to see who and what floats would appear from 200 East for the 2023 Torrey Apple Days parade. Parade