Sunday, 31 August 2025 by Sagacity

Milo P Ross Elementary Class Pictures

In honor of Dad’s 82nd birthday, I am sharing these photos.

After Dad’s first wife, Vicki, passed away, most of her photos and other documents were scanned. Found in those documents were these two class pictures for Dad. These are for his 1952 and 1953 class years. Since he graduated in 1961, these are likely his 3rd and 4th grade pictures. He attended Plain City Elementary in Plain City, Utah.

Back (l-r): Gary Butler, Frances Rochell, (unknown teacher behind Frances), Linda Knight, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, Kenneth Clark, unknown, Kenneth Wayment; Middle: unknown, Kent Hodson, Elaine Rogers, Connie Poulsen, Kay East, Carole Carver, May Endow, unknown; Front: Dean Allred, Fred Coy, unknown, Ernest Hansen, Leon Taylor, Milo Ross, unknown, unknown.

Back (l-r): Carol Wheatley, Connie Poulsen, Austin McWilliams, Mr. Leslie Gerald Bundy, Kenneth Wayment, Kenneth Clark, unknown, Cleora Meyerhoffer, unknown, Gary Butler, Donna Mae Jensen; Middle: Elgie Post, Elayne Rogers, May Endow, unknown, Frances Rochell, Linda Knight, Carole Carver, Kay East, Deanna Slater; Front: Kent Hodson, Larry, Dean Allred, Fred Coy, Leon Taylor, Milo Ross, unknown, Jeff East, Ernest Hansen

Mr. Leslie Gerald “Jerry” Bundy (1929 – 1999)

Ms. Emma Walker Munson (1918 – 1992)

Dean Allred (1943 – alive)

Ilene Bingham (1943 – alive)

Gary Butler (1943 – alive)

Carole Carver (1943 – alive)

Kenneth Clark (1943 – alive)

Fred Coy (1943 – alive)

Jeff East (1943 – alive)

Kay East (1943 – alive)

Maye Endow (1943 – alive) married Bothwell

Ernest Walter Hansen (1943 – 2010)

John Kent Hodson (1943 – 2022)

Donna Mae Jensen (1943 – alive)

Linda Knight (1943 – alive) married Charlton

Austin McWilliams (1943 – alive)

Cleora Mae Meyerhoffer (1943 – 2013) married Oliver

Connie Poulsen (1943 – alive) married Esplin

Frances Rochell (1943 – alive)

Elayne Rogers (1943 – alive) married Cliften

Milo Paul Ross (1943 – alive)

Deanna Kay Slater (1943 – 2006) married Hart

Leon Everett Taylor (1943 – 2000)

Linda “Cookie” Thompson (1943 – alive)

Kenneth Wayment (1943 – alive)

Carol Wheatley (1943 – alive)

Sunday, 17 August 2025 by Sagacity

Circle A Construction 1990 Anniversary

Marvin Aslett and Milo Ross at 20 years service recognition party

Dad has these two photos sitting on his desk at home, they sat on his desk at work too. The one above is from the recognition party given for him and Mel Keyes in 1990. Dad still has the picture, one of the trucks on the cake, and the Traeger smoker. Circle A transferred Dad to AgExpress in about 2004 when AgExpress took over the Paul operations. Dad had roughly 34 years with Circle A Construction. I am posting this in honor of Mel and Dad for what is 55 years since they started for Circle A Construction!

This photo below is for a supervisor training get away some time in the 1990s. Dad could not remember the exact year.

Leslie Sanford Abbott (1953 – 2005)

Lenny Aslett

Larry Dean Aslett (1944 – 2022)

Marvin Bridges Aslett (1926 – 2022)

Sage Aslett

Steven Le Roy Aslett (1947 – 2021)

Clifford “Boomer” Bailey

Eli Calamantes

Dave Dana

Mike Ehrmantraut

Tom Ehrmantraut

DeLane Terry Fetzer (1947 – 2020)

Edward Lenn Foreman (1951 – 2015)

George Reece Garro (1947 – 2012)

Gradus Geert Heeling Jr (1951 – 2020)

Jeff Herzinger

Dale May Keyes (1947 – 2017)

Melvin Eddie Keyes (1943 – 2018)

Jeff Mecham

Milo Paul Ross (1943 – alive)

Tom Schmidt

Nick Stephens

Gerald Stowell

Terry Vitek

Sunday, 20 July 2025 by Sagacity

Berendena Pocket Album

I continue to work through the massive box/crate of photos and documents that were given to Dad after Aunt Betty Donaldson passed away. Much of it was garbage, some of it was interesting, but I have been getting to some really good stuff lately. One little such item was hit pocket album that belonged to my Great Grandmother, Berendena Van Leeuwen Donaldson. I pulled all the photos out and scanned them. But first, here is the pocket album.

The first photo in the album was that of her grandchildren. This photo was taken in 1951. The names and dates are on the back.

Back (l-r): Ed Telford, Jan Birch, John Telford, Richard Michaelson, Milo Ross; Front: Caroline Ross, Mary Telford, Judy Ross

Berendena went by Dena her whole life. But since her daughter was also named Dena, I usually go with her full name. The next picture is of her and the two Ross girl grandchildren.

Caroline Ross, Berendena Donaldson, Judy Ross

Then a picture of her and her husband, David Delos Donaldson.

Then a picture of her daughter Dora.

Then her son David “Dave” Donaldson.

Last picture was of her and all give of her children.

Dena Dorothy Birch, David William Donaldson, Dora Mary Michaelson, Maxine Telford, Dena Donaldson, Gladys Maxine Ross

Several of these photos were taken at 639 Wall Avenue in Ogden, Weber, Utah. This photo was not in her pocket album.

David Donaldson on porch of their home on Wall Ave

Wednesday, 16 July 2025 by Sagacity

Leaving London

Today is officially the last day of our trip to Europe. Can you believe we have passed a full six weeks in Europe??

We visited St. Paul’s, The Tower of London, Tower Bridge, and the Globe Theatre today. I shared the photos in the previous post. They were all cool. However, at this point another cathedral and I will injure myself. Sir Christopher Wren did a great job on the inside, but the outside seems to be lacking some. Perhaps it is years of paint and wear. Perhaps it is war. The interior was amazing.

A couple of thoughts to wrap it up.

Amanda figured out that in the ‘To Let’ signs around Europe, meaning ‘For Rent’, if you put in an ‘i’ it becomes ‘ToiLet’. We wanted to get up and alter one or two of them, but we did not.

Secondly, on my second to last day, I was the target of a pigeon. On the front stairs of St. Martin in the Fields, I sat pondering life when a large drop fell on my right knee. I thought it was some water until I realized it was warm. Looking over, I saw the signs of whiteness indicating a deposit by some bird. It was a laugh, some disappointment, and disgust. Reminded me of the seagulls leaving a deposit in the Roman Baths in Bath.

Alas, I am humming along with John Denver about leaving on a jet plane.

Somewhere above the British shore flying home

Tuesday, 15 July 2025 by Sagacity

Westminster, Wicked, and Wandering

A brief update of our past two days.

Yesterday was Westminister Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and more. We went to see Wicked at the Victoria Apollo and we both really enjoyed it.

Paul Ross with Palace of Westminster and Clock Tower with Big Ben

Amanda Ross and Clock Tower, now Elizabeth Tower

Oliver Cromwell and flag showing parliament was in session

Westminster Abbey north door entrance with rose window

Amanda Ross with one of the lions at Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square

Sunday we went to Hampton Court Palace. It was a very fast tour, but we made it through the entire house.

Jeppesen gave us a good laugh pulling out bangers and beans s/balls

The rest of the time was enjoyed with the Jeppesen Family.

Paul Ross ascending the Hampton Court King’s staircase

Friday, 4 July 2025 by Sagacity

Northern Welsh Castles

First, Happy Birthday Dad. As always, I am sure you will have all the neighbors celebrating with fireworks. Happy Birthday Jan, I know it was a week ago, but I am still thinking of you. Happy Birthday America. May all of you live long!

Yesterday and today we were off visiting several castles of Northern Wales. They are all built under the direction of Edward I in the late 1200’s. If Amanda wasn’t sick of castles yet, hopefully we have advanced her towards such a state.

Yesterday we visited Conwy and Beaumaris castles. There isn’t really any way for us to describe it rather than show you the photos. Which we will have to upload.

Fireplaces looking down into a Conwy tower

Amanda Ross in the rain on a tower of Conwy Castle

Paul Ross with layers at Conwy Castle, look at the fireplace and holes for floor joists

From Conwy we drove to Beaumaris Castle. We had to cross the Menai Suspension Bridge to get to Anglesey.

Beaumaris yard from wall with Amanda Ross

Amanda and Paul Ross at Beaumaris Castle

Paul Ross reading up about Beaumaris Castle

Today we drove straight out to Caernarfon Castle and it took about 4 hours to work our way through it. We ran into a lady named Gaby, and found out she was going to take a bus to Harlech after Caernarfon. We invited her to go with us to Harlech.

Location of Charles Investiture in 1969 at Caernarfon as Prince of Wales

Amanda at Caernarfon with Welsh flags flying

Looking inside one of the Caernarfon towers

Amanda Ross and interior of Caernarfon Castle

We all drove to Harlech when we finished Caernarfon. It was another beautiful castle situated high above an estuary. We spent a couple of hours there and then cut through Northern Wales. She was going to take the train back to Chester so we volunteered to drop her off. She effectively became our gate opener and closer as we drove through pasture after pasture in Wales. It was beautiful!

Do not try to ascend these Harlech stairs!

We finally made it back to a main path near Pentre Gwynfryn and cut back down to a main road. We took a turn at Penrhyndeudraeth and headed inland. We went right through the Welsh Mountains and it was beautiful.

We had lunch at Blaenau Ffestiniog. We haven’t a clue how to say it but I did get a fairly descent donner kebab. We also drove through Mold. We definitely have to mention that one! We dropped off our new friend, Gaby, in Chester and came home.

Liverpool skyline in the distance from Frodsham Hill, you can make out both cathedrals and other landmarks of the Liverpool skyline

Last night we went to visit some more friends who I knew as a missionary. As a credit, they all remembered my name even though we almost 10 years on. One of which was a man we baptized, Adam Dawson. Dawn’s parents, Ray and Joan Holmes, I have written of previously.

Dawn and Adam Dawson, Paul and Amanda Ross at their home in Runcorn

Anyhow, we are traveling maniacs!

Wednesday, 2 July 2025 by Sagacity

Chester, England

Some of you have already noticed, but I uploaded a whole lot of photos yesterday.

About 250 actually were in the batch. It includes the rest of the photos from Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, and France. I did not upload any photos from Scotland or England. They will have to wait for the next chance I get.

We are now staying with the Byrom family in Runcorn, England. Today we went to Chester and walked the walls.

We went through the cathedral and went down the main shopping streets. It was a beautiful day for what we were doing. We quite enjoyed ourselves. We each had a pasty and a vanilla finger. She liked it but it was too much.

We stopped by Ellesmere Port on the way home at a outlet mall. We picked out a couple of suits and bought them. However, we were not convinced we had the best deal, we took them back. Interestingly, on the way out, we stumbled upon another store. I found better quality suits that were on sale for almost half of the cost for the other two suits. Hands down, Amanda and I both liked the second store over the first. Now I have some new suits, one of the reasons I wanted to come back to Europe.

Homes in Chester, outhouses, plumbing, from Chester Wall

We had dinner this evening, some amazing lasagna. Rose has always made great lasagna. Afterward, Rose, Amanda, and I went to visit an older lady I taught on the mission. She was such a sweet soul and she proved to be the same. We have all aged, but the sociality has not diminished or changed with time. I think Amanda quite enjoyed Jane Young and her quaint little home in the English countryside.

Rose Byrom, Jane Young, Paul and Amanda Ross

Yesterday, we had dinner with Jack and Brenda Millington from Howe Bridge. Jack used to cook us as missionaries some wonderful homemade pot pies. Visiting with him on Sunday, he offered to make me and Amanda one. We agreed and met with them yesterday. The pot pie was as wonderful as ever, boiled cabbage, and homemade trifle. We really had some good laughs. Jack even sent us off with a couple of parting gifts.

Amanda and Paul Ross with Byrom Brothers, John on the right, their family in front

There are so many people that nearly 10 years have changed nothing. We don’t always remember each other’s names, but the feelings are still the same. Memories seem to come back quickly, surprisingly. What will heaven be like?

Monday, 30 June 2025 by Sagacity

Liverpool, England

Today was our visit to Liverpool. It is a short report as Amanda was feeling ill most of the day.

We visited Old Rufford Hall in the morning, drove to Liverpool, and visited the Anglican Cathedral and Albert Docks.

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral – highest and heaviest peal in the world

We also took a series of photos from the top of the bell tower:

Liverpool Anglican to the west – Birkenhead

Liverpool Anglican to the northwest – Liverpool, Vauxhall, Bootle – across the Mersey my first area, Seacombe, Liscard, and New Brighton

Liverpool Anglican up the Mersey to the Irish Sea

Liverpool Anglican looking at Liverpool Catholic Metropolitian Cathedral

We had to stop at Albert Dock. Amanda and I both had many family lines that came through Liverpool docks, very likely through Albert Dock.

Liver Building, Cunard Building, and Port of Liverpool Building from Albert Dock

Albert Dock looking at my first missionary area across the Mersey, Seacombe and Liscard

Albert Dock Promenade along Mersey River

Afterward, we drove back to Wigan through Upholland so Amanda could see the church where one of her family lines lived.

Upholland Church – St. Thomas the Martyr

Paul Ross at St. Thomas Church in Upholland

Tonight we had curry for dinner. That was definitely a treat.

Brenda Millington, Paul Ross, Jack Millington

Brenda Millington, Paul and Amanda Ross in Howe Bridge

And lastly, we stopped at my sacred grove location. It is somewhere between Roby Mill and Skelmersdale. I tried to locate it on a map, but it has changed enough I cannot locate it. But here are some photos. I located it on that trip in 2008. Amanda did not want to hike to it, so I went by myself.

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