Amanda’s mother’s family decided to put together a Holden Family Reunion this year in St George, Washington, Utah. Unfortunately, Amanda’s aunt, Jean Holden Drown, passed away earlier in the year so it lessened some making a second trip for another Holden get together.
One of the highlights of the trip was attending the St George Utah Temple Open House. The temple has been updated and restored to a design as would have existed in the 1870’s and 1880s. The original shell of the temple and some of the original rooms have been restored to the period, but the annex and other parts of the building are very much new additions since the 1877 dedication and functional as a current operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
St George Temple on 3 November 2023
The drive down and while I was there I did not feel very well. Other than the drive, it was a great opportunity to relax and take some much needed naps. The whole family all stayed together in this home available for rental.
The Holden Family had a fun little game night at a golf course club house. Here is a picture I snapped from the back door overlooking part of the course and St George.
View from Sunbrook Golf Clubhouse 4 November 2023
The next day we found our way into Snow Canyon State Park.
Jenny’s Canyon at Snow Canyon State Park
We also hiked the Butterfly Trail and saw the petrified sand dunes too.
Amanda Ross and Jill Hemsley waiting for kids to emerge from the lava tube, you can see the petrified sand dune to the left
Grandma took many pictures on the trip. We also did some family portraits near Jenny’s Canyon.
Aliza Ross (in stripes) and clockwise: Rowan and Olivia Hemsley, Jill Hemsley, and Lillian and James Ross
All in all, it was a fast and fun trip to St George for the Holden Family Reunion. Before coming home, we stopped at the Jacob Hamblin Family Home in Santa Clara.
Amanda Ross in white shirt holding the camera, Jill Hemsley surrounded by grandchildren and clockwise from Amanda, Hiram Ross, Paul Ross, James Ross, Derek Hemsley with Rowan on his shoulders, Jordan Hemsley with Bryan Hemsley to her right, Aliza Ross, Jack Hemsley, Olivia Hemsley, and Lillian Ross
On Sunday 12 November 2023, Amanda decided it was a good day to make some applesauce. We worked through and processed quite a few apples that we had picked. The trees still have plenty more on them (and under).
James and Hiram helping separate apples
We actually did pretty good at working together and not getting on each other’s nerves. We achieved quite a batch of applesauce. Here are some of the bottles.
Don’t the kids look smart and helpful in their aprons?
This is a photo of my mother from her time when she served in the United States Army. I really know very little about her time in the Army. I cannot even remember which base she served on for basic training.
I do recall it being in the south and her commenting about praying mantis so big they sounded like little flying helicopters coming in. She also recalled fireflies and how magical they were to her.
I don’t know how long she was in or even if she was honorably discharged. I recall hearing a story about something inappropriate that happened to her, but not sure if that got her out early or anything like that. She will not tell me anything, so I do not know that I will ever know.
However, in honor of Veterans Day, I share my closest veteran, my Mom. Happy Veterans Day!
“Two other Idaho boomtowns which never really got off the ground were Idahome and Yale, in the Raft River Valley. Idahome was at one time, a planned major shipping point for cattle and grain out of the Raft River Valley, but the town died when plans for the railroad failed to materialize. Today, all that remains at Idahome is a grain elevator and the only thing left in Yale is a beet dump. Several other planned towns in the Raft River Valley met the same fate when the railroad did not come into the area.”
This newspaper clipping caught my attention for a couple of reasons. Idahome is not too far from me in Cassia County, about 30 miles from Burley.
Apparently my Great Great Grandparents, James and Damey Ross, lived in Idahome in 1918. At least that is where their son Robert shows them as living when he registered for the draft in September 1918. They moved quickly to Paul, Idaho as I understand Jim worked the first sugar beet campaign that fall. It was in Paul they lived when their son, John, aka Jack, came to visit while on leave from the army in 1919. I don’t know how long Jim and Damey lived in Idahome. Other than that draft registration, I was not aware they were residing in or near Idahome. Either way, it now holds a place as an alleged residence of my Great Great Grandparents.
I thought I would share some pictures of first General Conference attendance dates for Aliza and Hiram. Aliza turned 8 in October 2018, so her first General Conference was 7 April 2018.
Amanda, Aliza, and Paul Ross at General Conference in April 2019
Hiram was not so lucky. He turned 8 in May of 2020, but there was no public General Conference in 2020. Hiram’s first attendance at General Conference took place in 2022 since that was the first weekend where we could make it work.
Hiram Ross’ first General Conference, April 2022
Hiram wanted a picture up near where Aliza had first attended.
For the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse on October 14, we traveled to Wells, Nevada. We wanted to be in the path of totality for the full experience.
Ruby Valley Branch Church
We booked a hotel in Wells, Nevada and drove down Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we found out the entire hotel had been somehow double booked. There was no room at the inn. That was a total surprise and disappointment. We looked up available hotels, there was nothing available within many miles. The options were either to just sleep in our van or go home. We could have ventured back to Jackpot for a really expensive hotel room, or… We just didn’t know.
Aliza Ross, Zach Smart, Hiram Ross, Amanda Ross, James Ross, Alyssa Smart, Jill and Bryan Hemsley, and Lillie Ross looking heavenward
We did have a dinner appointment with Jordan and Kari Brough. Since we already had that dinner appointment, we decided to keep it and figure things out later. He was a missionary in Oklahoma City and we have kept in contact over the years. I knew he was in Nevada. I reached out and indicated we would be in his neck of the woods and he invited us over (he said to return the favor of dinners in Oklahoma. We had a great dinner with them and their three little children. The food and company was great, very worth the visit.
Amanda Ross, Alyssa Smart, and Jill Hemsley at Ruby Valley
After dinner, the Broughs asked us about our hotel accommodations. We were not planning on saying anything but we told them. They expanded their dinner invitation to include overnight stay! Which, we were afraid we would impose on them and they would do such. Kari is also pregnant. We had very limited options so we were happy for the chance. We emphasized that they must give us an opportunity to return the favor. We expressly invited them for the Burley Idaho Temple Open House or any other time they may be in our area.
Partial Eclipse at Ruby Valley Cemetery, behind Ruby Valley LDS church building
Another perk of staying at the Brough home was that they live in Clover Valley, part of the way between Wells and Ruby Valley. It reduced part of our trip to Ruby Valley. We had a pleasant breakfast with the Broughs, saw their chickens, and headed out.
Shadows on a wall during the full annular eclipse in Ruby Valley
We had already designated Ruby Valley as the location to meet with Amanda’s family from Utah. We chose The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints branch building in Ruby Valley. The Broughs told us to look out for the Neff family while we were there. Sure enough, a contingent of their family were there to watch the eclipse at the building too.
Solar Eclipse Timelapse by Bryan Hemsley
We went to Rexburg in 2017 for the total eclipse so we had expected something similar. It certainly did not get as dark. Bryan had his camera taking proper shots as the eclipse occurred. You can see the result above. We were very luck to be between clouds for the entire eclipse. The forecast had said it would be about 30% cloud cover, and they were about right. We were really worried we would get cloud cover for the full eclipse and we might not be able to see the sun at all.
Leading up to full eclipse, what we called cartoon shadows
Nothing quite adds up in the mind with the changes of light with an eclipse. This was no different. Even as we were driving out to Ruby Valley and the partial eclipse was starting, my eyes were not happy. My mind seemed to be trying to focus as it recognized something was wrong with the light.
Before the eclipse, the shows reflect the eclipse. You can see the full eclipse above with full circles.
It was already a partially chilly day. I do not think the eclipse helped at all. But we were just along for the ride.
After the eclipse, the webbing of our shadows
It was worth the drive. We are already looking into plans to make the April 2024 eclipse happen. It might be the last chance our children, or either of us, get to experience another eclipse in our lifetime. Where to go to maximize the eclipse length, reduce travel issues, lower costs, but yet avoid potential cloud cover. Where will we end up?
Bryan Hemsley, Amanda Ross, and Zach Smart after the total annular eclipse
Lillian, James, Aliza, and Hiram Ross at Crater Lake National Park south entrance
The Ross family took to the road again for Spring Break March 2022. I am writing a separate post related to Crater Lake because it is fun to have multiple photographs in the same instant. The photo above was snapped by Amanda. Here is the photo I snapped at close to the same moment of time of her taking the photo.
Amanda Ross snapping the photo above
It shows a broader view of the photo Amanda snapped. Then to add to it, I turned around and took a picture the opposite direction. Hiram is holding the camera that Amanda just took the top photo. You can also see the Ross Family mode of transportation, the 2012 Nissan Quest. We are sad Nissan no longer makes vans. It has been a great vehicle, as well as the 2004 Nissan Quest we had before it.
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
We arrived at Crater Lake 19 March 2022. You can see the snow on the ground. We were able to get to the Visitor Center but not to get down near the lake or even see the lake from the Visitor Center. We were in the clouds in a snow storm.
I have two copies of the History of Plain City, Utah. The front indicates it is from March 17th 1859 to present. As far as I can tell, the book was written in 1977. At least that is the latest date I can find in the book.
One copy belonged to my Grandparents Milo and Gladys Ross. My Grandpa has written various notes inside the history which I intend to include in parenthesis whenever they appear. They add to the history and come from his own experience and hearing.
I will only do a number of pages at a time. I will also try to include scanned copies of the photos in the books. These are just scanned copies of these books, I have not tried to seek out originals or better copies.
History of Plain City March 17th 1859 to present, pages 33 through 38.
Past Bishops of Plain City
Henry J Gardner 1906 – 1910
Back (l-r): Wilmer J Maw, George E Knight, Elvin H Maw, Charles L Heslop; Front: George A Palmer, Gilbert Thatcher, Henry T Maw
Wilmer J. Maw 1920–1926
George E. Knight 1949–1953
Elvin H. Maw 1944–1949
Charles L. Heslop 1936–1944 (Married Milo Ross & Gladys Donaldson April 1942)
George A. Palmer 1926–1936
Gilbert Thatcher 1913–1920
Henry T. Maw 1910–1913
(l-r): Charles L Heslop, Elvin H Maw, George E Knight, Merrill Jenkins, Lyman H Cook, Rulon Chugg, Wayne W Cottle, Orlo S Maw
Charles L Heslop, 1936-1944
Elvin H Maw, 1944-1949
George E Knight, 1949-1953
Merrill Jenkins, 1953-1959
Lyman H Cook, 1959-1964
Rulon Chugg, 1960-1965, 2nd Ward
Plain City Ward – Wayne W Cottle, 1964 –
Plain City Ward – Orlo S Maw, 1965
(l-r) Kent Calvert, Robert Sharp, Kent Jenkins
Kent Calvert, 2nd Ward 1971-1974, 3rd Ward 1974-
Robert Sharp, 2nd Ward 1974-
Kent Jenkins, 1st Ward 1971-
PLAIN CITY BRANCH OFFICER
1859 – 1977
Submitted by Roxy Heslop Gilbert Thatcher 1913 – 1920
PRESIDING ELDERS Wilmer J Maw 1920 – 1926
William W Raymond 1859 – 1863 George A Palmer 1926 – 1936
John Carver 1863 – 1866 Charles L Heslop 1936 – 1944
William W Raymond 1866 – 1870 Elvin H. Maw 1944 – 1949
Lewis W Shurtliff 1870 – 1877 George F Knight 1949 – 1953
FIRST COUNSELORS Merrill Jenkins 1953 – 1959
Daniel Collet 1859 – 1866 Lyman Cook 1959 – 1964
John Carver 1872 – 1877 Wayne W Cottle 1964 – 1971
SECOND COUNSELORS Kent Jenkins 1971 –
Jeppe G Folkman 1859 – 1872
~
PLAIN CITY FIRST WARD
John Spiers 1872 – 1877 FIRST COUNSELORS
CLERKS John Spiers 1877 – 1895
John Spiers 1859 – 1872 Abraham Maw 1895 – 1901
William W McGuire 1872 – 1877 Peter C Green 1901 – 1903
PLAIN City Ward Officers 1877 – 1977 Henry J Garner 1903 – 1906
BISHOP Peter M Folkman 1906 – 1910
Lewis W Shurtleff 1877 – 1883 James L Robson 1910 – 1920
George W Bramwell 1883 – 1906 George A Palmer 1920 – 1926
Henry T Maw 1910 – 1913 Elvin H Maw 1926 – 1936
Gordon F Thompson 1936 – 1944 Abraham E Maw 1936 – 1944
L Rulon Jenkins 1944 – 1949 Fred L Singleton 1944 – 1946
Sagacity 