From quilting to beekeeping, year two of Wayne County’s cultural heritage program kicks off in January with six new themes. Co-sponsored by the Entrada Institute and USU Extension/4H with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, this three-year program explores the legacy of peoples who have lived in south-central Utah from the Southern Paiute culture and pioneer families to those who continue to enjoy the rich natural and cultural resources of the place we call home.
The program’s youth activities and free community dinners focus on preserving the past, maintaining traditions, and nurturing future generations. Members of the community are encouraged to participate by setting up exhibits and sharing their knowledge of traditional arts and crafts.
The program includes a season-wide focus on quilts and quilting. Individuals and families of all ages are encouraged to create their own quilt during seven Wednesday afternoon events spread over the winter and spring (Jan 5, Feb 6, Mar 6 & 20, Apr 10 & 24, and May 8). Fabric and supplies for creating the quilts will be available for FREE as part of the program. Participants will show their quilts during the May 15 free, community dinner. Contact the USU Extension/4-H office at 435-836-1312 to learn more about this exciting opportunity for individuals and families.
Both the community and the 4-H teen leaders helped to select the 2019 themes. In addition to the quilting theme, five other topics will be explored including music and dancing; dairy cattle, milk, and cheese; orchards, jams, and fruit pie; storytelling, campfires and the night sky; honey, and bees and beekeeping.
Mark your calendars now! 4-H youth events will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, while the six free community dinners will held Wednesday evenings. Be sure to print out the schedule found in this issue of the paper for dates.
If you’d like to get your children (3rd grade or older) involved in exploring cultural heritage, enroll in our 2018 4-H programs starting in January. All individual community members and families are invited to our free Wednesday evening community events. Contact the USU Extension/4-H office at 435-836-1312 to register for the programs or free dinner.
We’re currently seeking historical photographs, stories, and expertise related to our 2019 themes. The Fremont Brass Band photo provided by local historian Steve Taylor can be traced back to the late 19th century when local bands would travel from town to town in the back of a wagon. Do you have an ancestor who played in one of these local bands? If so, we’d love to hear the story.
You can help preserve our amazing past by contributing historical photos to the project. Simply scan or take photos of your historical images and email them to Annette Lamb at info@entradainstitute.org. Or, give us a call at 435-425-3415 and we’ll come to your home to help. If you’d like to participate in our activities, go to https://www.facebook.com/sparkinghumanities/. – Annette Lamb, The Entrada Institute
Photo: The Fremont (UT) Brass Band traveled around Wayne County in a wagon playing music. Courtesy Steve Taylor.
Go to the Insider to read the published article.