From Music to Cheese: Honoring Local Heritage

The Sparking Humanities Conversations cultural heritage project is finishing up the music theme and moving into a focus on dairy animals, milk, and cheese. Dairy goats and cattle arrived with pioneers and kicked off a long tradition of cheese making in Wayne County.

During the next several weeks, 4H youth will be exploring the role dairy animals have in local history. They’ll learn to make milk products like butter, cheese, and ice cream along with discovering fascinating arts and crafts made with milk. Young people grades three and up are invited to participate in the 4-H after-school program from 3:00-5:00PM at the Loa Civic Center February 5, 7, 12, and 14.

The free community dinner will take place on Wednesday February 20 at 6PM at the WCCC in Bicknell. Everyone is invited to come learn about the history of our local dairy industry.

If you’re planning to attend, please call the USU Extension/4-H Office at 435-836-1312.

Thanks to everyone who has been sending in historical photos and stories for the cultural heritage project. Several weeks ago a photo was published of the Fremont Brass Band. Francine Hallows shared the story of her grandfather Charles Ellett who was the driver holding the reins. He owned both the wagon and horses and was known for his horsemanship.

Lyman Forsythe shared the Shivwits Dance Team photo for this week. In the early 1930s, this group of Southern Paiute people performed traditional dances throughout Southern Utah. In 1932, a Sun Dance was held at Fish Lake near Bowery Haven. Dee Hatch of Loa was a teenager at the time and attended this dance with his friend Lincoln Nielson. Although the Shivwits Dance Team photo was taken in Ivins, Utah, it’s likely that many of these people participated in the Sun Dance at Fish Lake including Walter George who is shown in the photo.

To share your historical photos or stories related to the dairy theme, go to Facebook or contact Project Director Annette Lamb at info@entradainstitute.org or call 435-425-3415. This project is made possible through a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Entrada Institute. LIKE us at facebook.com/sparkinghumanities. – Annette Lamb, The Entrada Institute

PHOTO CREDIT: Shivwits Dance Team in the 1930s (left to right: Stewart Snow, Edward Rice, Clyde Tillohash, George McFee, Tony Tillohash, Walter George, George Yant, Fred Levi, unknown, unknown). Courtesy of the Lyman Forsythe family.

Go to the Insider to read the published article.