Reunion 2005

Marvin & Margie Lyman Reunion

2005

A few pictures from our last reunion five years ago to encourage you to attend our upcoming reunion on Friday, July 2, 2010. See you there!!!

P.S. Mike and I are moving to Blanding next weekend so there will be no post. We'll have another post around June 6th. Until then...

Faith of our Mothers...

Mary Maria Terry Hurst

The Egg Story as I Remember It
By Margie H. Lyman

A story that is told and retold by four or five impressionable and talkative boys and girls ranging in age from 21 years to a bit over ten can have many different angles. But the kernel of the story is true and has been one of the faith promoting stories told in our family for lo these many years. Now I want to write it as I remember it.

I was four years old – not old enough to remember very much – Phil had turned two in October, a week after Beth was born with papa away working to support his growing family. Luell was six, George was eight and Inez was 10. Well, I might add Mama was just a dark haired beautiful girl of 28 years. Carrying great responsibilities and in poor health. We were in poor circumstances.

It was Christmas time, there was no way really that Mama could get anything for us for the great event which children always look forward to from one year to the next.

A few days before Christmas a letter came from Papa with a little money. From older brother and sisters the amount was small, perhaps $10.00. But that would help a lot and Papa would be able soon to send some more. Mama called a council to say that we had the money, but our tithing was not paid in full and it was the last of th year. What should we do? Mother was a woman of great faith and integrity. She knew the answer. I know as in other things what Mama said was always right. I do not remember the family council. What I remember are the events following the decision that the right thing to do was to pay our tithing and trust in our Father in Heaven who was very real to us.

It was the day of Christmas Eve. Can you visualize a Mama watching her children looking eagerly for Santa Claus to come and there was no way? I’m sure only she could say where and how many times she was on her knees in prayer that day. We lived in a small house. In the bedroom where there was a fireplace, there were two wide beds, not queen or king size, just double beds. Mama’s and papa’s was yellow, big high head, little lower foot, stood in one corner. In the other corner was a brown bed much the same the yellow one where Inez, Luell and I slept. Between the beds under the window stood an old tin truck which had belonged to Grandpa Philip Hurst. Folded on top of the trunk were some quilts, used for beds on the floor at night. It was around this trunk I remember kneeling with Inez, a big sister in charge, having us take our turns in praying to Heavenly Father to send Santa Clause. Naturally at four years, the words of each prayer is not remembered, but the picture and the impression is very vivid on my mind.

During the course of the afternoon, Mama suggested to George that perhaps he could sell a fat hen to some one for Christmas dinner. I don’t know if Brother Clark just happened to come by or if George went to his home, but he did ask Brother Clark if he would buy a couple of good fat hens. When Brother Clark said he would George asked if he could pay for them as it was getting late. This part I quote more or less from George. “Inez and I caught the hens. I cut off the heads and we delivered them bearing proudly one dollar and fifty cents for each one.”

But the second vivid picture I have is standing in front of our kitchen door and seeing Mama coming from the barn, holding her apron to form a basket, full of eggs. Could you even think of anything more natural than that she could have been inspired to search for eggs in the hay? And that she had been led to them? She had been praying constantly for this. I feel certain, as we think how George himself just a little boy, but to me born a man and took a man’s part, went almost at closing time with Mama to the little store owned by Willard Call with the money from the hens, and eggs which could always be used for barter, and got the things which would make the Christmas I remember best. I know we had a bit of candy and nuts in our stocking which hung above the fireplace but the gift of all gifts were the little dishes that Luellie and Margie got together. A little box, maybe 5 x 7 inches and in it two plates probably the size of a silver dollar, two saucers with little cups in corresponding size, a wee tea pot and a little covered sugar bowl. White china they were with little blue and pink flowers. But glorious they were, and the Christmas was joyful, but the best of all again our prayers had been answered and we had been given one more assurance that the Lord lives. A lesson which each of us has builded on through the years and upon which we still place our faith and hopes for the future.

Random Photos

It's a little late, but a few photos from the past...

The Tunnel

Last week I was browsing through the headings of this years posts and I realized that I hadn't written anything about the Tunnel.

The Tunnel is one of the greatest legacies of Marvin F. Lyman. I just spent the last hour reading his oral history recounting the Tunnel Project. There is too much to choose from to enter into the blog, but one thing that was clear to me, even though the project stopped and started several times, Marvin never lost the desire to complete the Tunnel Project so that water would flow into Blanding. He cared about the community of Blanding and knew that water was necessary to grow the town.

Early photo of individuals involved in the Tunnel Project.

Marvin drinking 'pure water' from the spring.

In Marvin's oral history, he states, "We didn't have any pure water until we got this treatment plant in. It killed the germs all right, but as far as I'm concerned there isn't any water that is fit to drink. I never drink it. In the summer time, I take my can and go up to get the spring water in the mountains for drinking here. I can't stand that chlorine taste very well. I never did get used to it."

Margie Hurst Lyman at the dedication of the Tunnel.

Marvin's father, Walter C. Lyman had been instrumental in beginning the Tunnel project. He died prior to its completion. The tunnel breakthrough occurrent in January 1952.

Favorite Colors

Well, Mike and I have been in Blanding this past week painting Doug and Caroline's kitchen. (Why were we painting the kitchen? See this link.)This afternoon, family was over and we were talking about the reunion. Marjorie was showing us the tags she's created for the display table. Caroline then said, "Oh, red is mother's favorite color."

Did you know that RED was Margie's favorite color? I didn't.

The next obvious question was, "Did your dad have a favorite color?" Quickly Caroline responded, "Yes, Blue."

So, we quickly decided that for the reunion, except at the temple of course, we should all wear RED and/or BLUE. This shouldn't be too difficult since we are all in town for the 4th of July celebration anyway. So, come dressed in RED and/or BLUE! P.S. The dress code is casual!

Reunion...

Mike & I have both been ill this week, so no blog posting. Instead, a repeat and reminder about the upcoming reunion!

Marvin & Margie Lyman Family Reunion
will be held on
Friday, July 2, 2010

Schedule

10:00am - Family Temple Session at the Monticello Temple. If you plan on attending, please email Mike and Sidney Christensen at slang@xmission.com so that we can obtain a count.

1:30pm - Tunnel Tour or Walking Tour of Blanding, visiting homes and buildings significant to the lives of Marvin and Margie Lyman. Meet in the large parking lot of the South Chapel at 1:30pm.

6:00pm - Dinner, program, and visiting. This will be held in the gym of the South Chapel, aka the one across the street from Caroline's home.

Family Assignments for Dinner

Joe's Family - Main Dish (Your choice)
Caroline's Family - Salads and Bread/Rolls
Dutch's Family - Dessert and Drinks

Caroline's family will take care of paper products, etc. As no mailer is going out, we hope that all family members will spread the word with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.

We look forward to seeing you on July 2nd!

The White House

Blanding has it's own version of 'White House', the home built by Marvin and Margie Lyman.

Front View

Side View

What memories do YOU have of the white house? Go into the comments section and leave a short post for others to view. PLEASE!!!