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1954 Plain City Ward Dedicatory Program

This is the Dedicatory Program that was in my Grandpa Milo Ross’ possessions. Dad provided me a copy and I scanned it. The writing on the program and throughout is his writing, Milo James Ross.

Plain City Ward – Farr West Stake – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – Sunday, November 7, 1954 – 2:00 P.M.

Grandpa was always pleased to have been a part of the construction of this building. He was upset when this building had a new one built beside it and then tore down this one. He also had great satisfaction in helping to arrange the construction of the Plain City 2nd, 7th, and 8th Ward Building.

Charles L. Heslop, Elvin H. Maw, George E. Knight, Merrill Jenkins

Our Bishops who have served during planning and construction of this New Chapel.

Bishop Charles L. Heslop, Bishop Elvin H. Maw, Bishop George E. Knight, Bishop Merrill Jenkins.

History of Construction

Bishop Heslop, who served as bishop of our ward from 1936 to 1944 along with his counselors Gordon Thompson and Abram Maw secured the ground for the location of this new chapel from Stephen Knight a resident of Plain City ward with thought in mind that some day this would be the site of our new building. It was during their administration that Bishop LeGrande Richards came to our ward and spoke to people instructing them to start a building program, and forget much remodeling of our old Chapel. In 1944 Bishop Heslop was released and Elvin H. Maw was sustained as Bishop with L. Rulon Jenkins and Fred Singleton as counselors. Later Lewellyn Hipwell served as a counselor. During this time the approval to build was given and enough money was raised to start construction, but due to the outbreak of war, we were unable to begin. In 1949 Bishop Elvin H. Maw was released and George E. Knight was sustained as Bishop with Leslie T. Maw and Howard Hadley counselors. In the fall of 1951 Brother Howard McKean came and visited our old chapel at which time he instructed us to make plans to build a new building. In the spring of 1952 the ground breaking ceremonies took place and the building commenced. Committees composed of ward members were chosen to help secure donated labor and funds and many other things pertaining to this undertaking. The entire ward response was wonderful and the construction proceeded very well. In the fall of 1953 the Stake was reorganized with Bishop George E. Knight being called as first counselor to President Raymond Pace. The ward was reorganized with Merrill Jenkins sustained as Bishop with Elmer Ericson and William J. Searcy as counselors. It has been under their direction that this chapel was completed.

To single out individuals for special thanks would be amiss since there are so many who have contributed their utmost and someone would surely be left out.

The building has been entirely constructed under the capable supervision of Leland Carver a Seventy in our ward. We are very proud of the work done under his direction.

Written by Grandpa, Milo James Ross was paid to help Mr. Carver as a carpenter.

Program

Organ Prelude – Ms. Glen Charlton

Opening Song – Song of the Redeemed – Chorus

Invocation – Bishop Charles L. Heslop

Song – Quartet – Bless This House – Mae Robson, Diane Chugg, Maurine Olsen, Sheran Knight

Remarks – Stake President Raymond J. Pace

Song – I Need Thee Every Hour – Lawrence Cottle and Sons

Remarks – Pres. George E. Knight, former Bishop

Song – Let the Mountains Shout for Joy – Chorus

Remarks – Bishop Merrill Jenkins

Address and Dedicatory Prayer – Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson

Song – The Lord’s Prayer – Ronald Jenkins

Benediction – Elvin H. Maw

To those who have helped so much who are not now members of our ward we would like to express our appreciation and may you share in the joy with us this day.

To those who have passed away before this wonderful occasion, we express your sincere gratitude for all they have done.

Sincerely, Your Bishopric

Acknowlegement

Let us here give thanks to those who have given so generously of their time and means to make this building possible. May we all work to the end that it shall serve the purpose for which it was intended.

Sincerely, Merrill Jenkins, Bishop; Elmer Ericson, 1st Counselor; William J. Searcy, 2nd Counselor; Blair Simpson, Ward Clerk; Glen Charlton, Asst. Ward Clerk; Willard Wayment, Finance Clerk

Everyone worked replacing of old church for free. Lee Carver, Supt, and Milo J. Ross, Carpenter, we were paid.

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St George Holden Reunion

St George Temple at open house 3 November 2023

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
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Applesauce 2023

Aliza and Lillian helping cut and prepare apples

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?

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Veterans Day

Sandra Jonas, Army Portrait, 1977

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!

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Idahome, Idaho

“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.

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First General Conference Attendance

Aliza Ross’ first General Conference, April 2019

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.

Hiram Ross at General Conference in April 2022
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2023 Annular Solar Eclipse

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

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Crater Lake National Park

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.