Mel and TomThis was a typical scene that replayed over and over at our Zion reunion. Beautiful backdrops provided a place to connect with dear friends and share memories. It was great to find out what our friends had accomplished over the past four decades. We became teenagers again in our minds' eyes. We laughed and sang. Our Zion experience was a turning point in many of our lives. We decided that we shouldn't wait for ten more years to pass before we meet again. If someone decides to go to Zion, email others and see if they want to meet up. We should call each other and have dinner.
I want to thank our event planner, Karen Mayne. She was the Centennial Program Coordinator. Adrienne Fitzgerald was awesome too. It was the dream reunion experience, because we just had to get the word out. Karen did all the hard work. She was amazing!
We were so pleased with everything that was in place for us. We got Zion mugs, bags, pins, a DVD, lunch bags, etc. The food was great, the hall was decorated, the services were all arranged. We just got to go and enjoy each other's company. It was so worth it.
We expected light refreshments on Friday night, but it was an amazing delicious spread.
Cora and Sonny Jckowski arrive at the Community Center.
Scott Boyter connects with Keith Seegmiller and Paul Chamberlain. Paul traveled from Tucson.
Gini Highfield met up with her dear friend DeDe Carrothers Hausman.
DeDe came from Indiana.
Rob Berman and his wife came from California. He chats with Noel Williams.
Claudia and Mary Ann carpooled with 5 friends.
John Rogerson brought several books of memories that he happily shared with Peg Bodell and others.
Sonny Jckowski had a captive audience in Mary Ann Jackson and Connie Allen.
As friends started arriving at the Canyon Community Center, we celebrated each reunion.
Jacque Soulier Garber, Paul Chamberlain, Sonny Jckowski, Bear Garber, Mary Ann Bunker Jackson, Connie Zwick Allen, and Claudia Flandro Howells
Noel Williams and his wife Susan talk with Peg Bodell.
We were happy that Craig Horton came from California. Bear talks with his former Zion girlfriend, Kathy Murray.
Jody Bernstein was thrilled to meet up with her friends. She came from Chicago.
Remember those sweet rolls from Mrs. Cope in the bakery? Mrs. Cope came, as well as her daughter Fay.
Bear talks with Cherri Mendenhall Wittwer.
Bear met Wayne Hamilton who worked in the park in the mid 70's. They had their home town, Tupelo, Mississippi in common. He rode the school bus with Elvis and went to the same school that Bear did. Small world.
Bear Garber, Dick Walker, Carl Palmer, Paul Edmunds, and Paul Chamberlain
Pat Anderson came from California to attend the reunion.
Dick Walker and Bear Garber
On Friday, we put up pictures and displays all around the room. The 60's had tons of pictures.
The displays went on and on. It was fun to look back on the many decades of Zion employees.
Dave and Florence Farnsworth enjoyed biking through Springdale and Zion.
Kent and Jerry Farnsworth and their wives did the same bike ride.
Neil Barclay and his friend Doug Peterson worked in the 50's. Neil entertained us on the piano during lunch. He was amazing.
Jewel Nelson Stratford, Neal Ahlstrom, and Kathy Swenson Graf
My brother Scott and his wife Barbara, who worked at Grand, invited their daughter and her family to experience that Zion magic.
Kathy Swenson Graf, Peg Bodell and Mary Ann Bunker Jackson
Mike Ward (Wod) and Susan Payne Rogers look at John Rogerson's photo books at our luncheon in the auditorium of the lodge.
We were happy to see Allie (Neal Ahlstrom), Big Al Gilberg, Craig and Karen Livingston.
Peg Bodel did a fabulous job emceeing the show. She is one funny woman. Connie twisted my arm to join the vaudeville, so Bear was left in charge of the camera. I'm sad that he didn't come up close. Jewel sent some awesome pictures on her email... Vaudeville Lives On..... I hope you saw them.
Mike Tower does his famous "Swanee" song. Claudia Howells and Jewel Stratford play the piano. Jewel worked hard at home to write the music. They are both amazing pianists. The guys, Sonny, Mel, Craig, Tom, and Pat did their barbershop quartet act and the Old Soft Shoe.
Connie Allen worked hard to organized a brave group to perform our Zion Vaudeville. She brought some costumes, and we did our best with no rehearsal. The audience and the performers had the words to the songs. We had a blast.
Elder and Sister Prince were able to use their P day from their mission to the
St. George visitor's center to come to our reunion on Saturday.
Jill Leonard Ostergaard came from Durango, Colorado. She entertained us with her classic,
Bird with a Guilded Cage.
Mike Ward (Wod) and Claudia Flandro Howells
Tom and Rose Gledhill
Dave Farnsworth, Susan Payne Rogers, Alan Broadbent, & his wife.
Mike and Marianne Poulton Tower came just in time to do the Vaudeville act. Peg Bodell was relieved to see them.
After the Vaudeville program, we chatted for an hour in the area where Adele's nursing cabin once stood.
Saturday was a great time to catch up with friends we hadn't seen in years.
Remember when deer roamed freely on the lawn. They still do, but wild turkeys are all over. Janet Seegmiller is resting on the bench.
In 1986 they took out the frontier cabins and replaced them with the two story hotel buildings. The deluxe cabins are still there.
I have lots of memories of the girls' dorm and riding the rail down to work. It's coed now.
Scott and Bear toured the Boys' Dorm.
Bear and Jacque Soulier Garber, Scott Soulier, Janet Bateman Soulier & Jan Steve Soulier all worked at Zion. Jan is our cousin. His dad Wes helped Scott and I get our jobs here.
My brother Scott and I checked out the Rock House in the Grotto campground where we stayed when our dad was a Ranger Naturalist in the 50's.
Ronn Munford, Kevin tour guide, Keith & Janet Seegmiller, Carl Palmer, Mary Ann Bunker Jackson, Connie Zwick Allen, Kent Farnsworth, Susan Payne Rogers, Jacque and Bear Garber, Peg Bodell, Paul Edmunds. Janet and Keith filmed people giving their oral histories and arranged for a photographer to film our Vaudeville and Sing Away. If you would like to order the DVD, or send your history, contact Janet Seegmiller at seegmiller@suu.edu
We chatted over a yummy Dutch Oven Dinner held on the lawn of the Canyon Community Center. Hundreds of people came. They went all out to give us a good time Sat. night.
Mary Ann Palmer Morgan picked up her fiddle again with her pal Hal Cannon. They wowed us at the Dutch Oven dinner with their musical skill. Hal is now with the Red Rock Rondo, as well as other groups. He produced the fantastic video of 10 of their songs.
Mel and Karen Bashore
Jock Whitworth, the Zion Park Superintendant, talk with members of Red Rock Rondo. He was at many of our events. He enjoyed our Vaudeville show.
The Red Rock Rondo mesmerized us with their amazing songs about Zion and the people that made their lives in this area in Utah. Their concert was a highlight of the evening after a lively auction. If you are interested in reading the song lyrics or order their CD, visit redrockrondo.com.
Leon Lewis, a beloved Springdale principal, brought down the house with a song called "When the Rooster Crows"
On the bus to the lodge, we met Sheryl Nicolas Hardy and her husband. She worked at Zion in the 80's. We want to add people from other decades to our email list. Let me know.
A delicious breakfast was provided for us in the auditorium at the lodge. We practiced the songs. We sang happy birthday to Paul and Mel. It was like the good ol' days.
A few people went together to get me an amazing picture that Gini presented to me at the breakfast. That meant so much to me. It's on my kitchen wall with my Zion pictures.
Everyone was looking forward to the sing away on Sunday, but we actually needed to practice a few times, because it was being filmed. Mary Ann Palmer thankfully stepped in to lead us.
After we practiced the sing away on the lawn, we saw a real tour bus, so we surprised them with an impromtu sing away. They were delighted, and we had a ball.
Mary Jane Williams McBean & Nelson Williams listen to Keith Seegmiller sing his gear jammer songs. Wow he was a good singer. We'll have to get those words too.
Bear and I went on the open air tram tour with Rob Berman and his wife and Paul.
We see something new every time we visit.
ZION---OUR FAVORITE PLACE ON EARTH! We go there often. We'll let you know, and maybe you can arrange to come too.
