FOOTLOOSE

Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes
T.J. Tranchell
Special to The Payson Chronicle

Living in different places around the country offers a variety of views. No matter how far afield I’ve gone, I’ve always known that if I want to see Payson, all I have to do is pick from a handful of movies and let the memories flow. The best of these movies is Footloose.

The movie will have its 40th anniversary in 2024 and I know many people are making plans to celebrate that milestone. I’m one of them. I grew up to be a writer and a journalist. These days, I mostly write horror fiction and much of it is set in a town very much like Payson. As much as I’ve moved around, Payson is always home.

Not long ago, I signed a deal with a publisher called BearManor Media to write a book about Footloose and what Payson and the surrounding area is like now. They produce Hollywood biographies, behind the scenes books, and other entertainment-based books. It’s the perfect place for this book. The plan is to release it in February 2024 along with the movie’s anniversary.

Writing is a solitary business. We sit at our desks and plug away, putting the words on paper as best that we can, hoping to make them as good as they were in our heads. This book, however, is not something I can do alone.

Many of you responded to a Facebook post with amazing stories of the filming that was done in 1983. From the cheer squad to the owner of the VW Beetle Kevin Bacon drove in the movie, the stories are piling up and I am grateful for them.

But I want more. I need more. You see, this isn’t just a story about a movie. It’s not just my story. It’s the story of how much our town has changed and grown in 40 years. I see it every time I come back to visit. 

And I am coming back. I will be in Payson August 22-26, staying with my younger brother who bought a house on Main Street. I want your stories of what it was like to be in school in 1983-84 when Hollywood came to town and what it's like to live there now. I want to know your experiences when you say “I’m from the town in Footloose” to people who aren’t from here. 

In so many ways my story begins with the movies. My grandparents are Harold and Vilda Erekson, long-time residents of West Mountain before their passings. My early youthful nights were spent in the Huish while my aunts and uncles served up popcorn and soda or ran the projector upstairs. The mural of Payson that graced the lobby has a special place in my mind and my heart. I was often on stage myself in the auditorium of Payson High. 

I have visits scheduled with the high school, the Utah Film Commission, and Lehi Roller Mills. I’ll be walking along Goosenest Drive pinpointing the spot of the tractor battle. I’ll have my eyes and ears open to see and hear your stories. I’ll have my camera at the ready. I’m including my email, tj.tranchell@gmail.com, if you want to reach out before or after my return home. 

And when 2024 rolls around, I hope you’ll join me for a celebration. As Bacon’s character Ren says in the movie, “Let’s dance!”

THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPE

Undated photo of the Orem Train passing through Payson near 700 East.

The Orem Line connected local residents with cities as far north as Salt Lake. The track ran sixty-seven miles from downtown Salt Lake City to Payson.  “The first leg of the line was completed to AmErican Fork on March 23, 1913 and reached Provo in July 1914,” Payson Historical Society records report. 

The Provo Station was located on Center Street at 100 West, Provo.  “The line reached Springville in July 1915 and Spanish Fork in November 1915.  The Spanish Fork station was located on Main Street where we find Central Bank today.”

The line was completed in Payson in May of 1916. The Orem Train made its last run thirty-one years later; the operation was shut down in 1947.

#shiftinglandscapes #theshiftinglandscape #paysonchronicle #thepaysonchronicle #readthepaysonchronicle #centralutah #utahcounty #oremtrain #utahtrains #savethisphoto #preserveourhistory #paysonutah #utahcounty

Payson Band July 3 Concert

 

Celebrate Independence Day in Memorial Park on July 3. The Payson Band will be striking a patriotic cord, starting at 8 PM. #paysonchronicle #thepaysonchronicle #readthepaysonchronicle #utahcounty #paysonband #paysonutah #bandconcerts #independenceday2022 #memorialpark

That's A Wrap

I call them pigs in blankets. They call them WRAPS. Whatever it is, it’s lunchtime in Santaquin/Payson. 

#maverik #santaquin #thepaysonchronicle #paysonutah #thatsawrap

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

~ Helen Keller 

 

Phyllis Holley Black

Our dear wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, Phyllis Holley Black, returned to her heavenly home on June 27, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born to Mildred Spafford and John Perry Holley on December 5, 1941, in Payson, Utah. Phyllis was raised in Springville, Utah by her mother, Mildred, and father, Ashley Graham. She graduated from Springville High School with the Class of 1960 then furthered her education at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah. One of her favorite memories was participating as a cheerleader there. 

Phyllis met Harold Wayne Black during his service in the Navy; they were married during his military leave on March 5, 1961 and sealed together in the Manti LDS Temple. She loved being a wife and mother of four children. Phyllis adored her 21 grandchildren and was lovingly involved in each of their lives. She treasured her 36 great-grandchildren, who brought her tremendous joy. She was most happy planning and holding family gatherings and parties. 

Phyllis was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many capacities wherever and whenever called. She and Wayne served two missions for their church, in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission and in the Salt Lake City Utah Intercity Mission. She enjoyed serving for many years as a temple worker with her husband in both the Provo and Payson Temples.

Phyllis is survived by her beloved husband, Wayne of Payson, Utah; and her children: Brenda (Rick) Rowley of West Mountain, Utah; Bryan (Melissa) Black of Genola, Utah; Branden (Jodi) Black of Santaquin, Utah; and Brad (Brenda) Black of Salem, Utah; along with 20 of her 21 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren, with two great-grandbabies on the way. She is also survived by her dear sister, Maralyn Scott of Salt Lake City, Utah. Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and Ashley Graham; two sisters, Kay Scott and Janet Jensen; a brother, Ronnie Holley; a son-in-law, Todd Waters; and a granddaughter, Shalese Black. 

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to her loving care givers: Dr. David Bennion, Leslie Tanner, Adrie Carter, Jodi Black, Aubree Walbeck and her nurses Tom, Holley, Bonnie, and Natalie.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2022, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 952 West 1580 South, Payson, Utah. Visitation will be held prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. There will also be visitation on Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah.

 Arrangements are entrusted to Walker Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.WalkerMemorials.com. 

Santaquin Mural Update - June 28, 2022

 

Payson City Celebration Highlighted On National Onion Day

The Utah State History organization highlighted Payson City’s annual celebration on the date in which the nation celebrates the onion.

“You probably didn't know that today is National Onion Day,” they noted June 27. “With that in mind we took a lot back at Payson Onion Days. The celebration, which continues to this day started back in 1929. An effort to highlight the great onions grown in the agricultural district of Payson.”

Utah State historians continued: “In 1936, Payson Onion Days sent its Queen, Cecil Gale with a parade float up to Salt Lake City for the Legion Parade in July. That year Payson Onion Days event had more than ten thousand attend the opening on August 31, 1936. Spectators braved the rainy weather and an estimated 3,000 watched the horse racing events. Payson Golden Onion Days went on for three years and featured more races, parades, and numerous bands. The parades were a serious affair. Featuring more than 100 floats from around the state and Payson's Queen, Cecil Gale stood in the middle of a large golden onion on the main float. The Payson high school marching band took part along with the Payson American Legion auxiliary chorus and the Payson unit of the National Guard turned out. Cecil was one of 11 candidates that year for Payson Onion Queen. Names were put in a hat and 2 names drawn out. The voting took place between those lucky 2 candidates.

“Cecil was born in Payson on February 19, 1913 to farmer Charles Gale and Phoebe Lorraine Hancock. She was the eighth child in a family of nine siblings. Her mother died in 1934 and her father remarried a year later to Elizabeth Crook, who brought to the marriage five children of her own. The 1940 Census lists her as still living with her father and step-mother in Payson and working as a beauty operator.  In December 1942 she enlisted in the Women’s Naval Reserve more commonly known as WAVES (Woman Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). In 1950, she is living in the house of Iona Perkins with Iona’s two adult daughters and still working as a cosmetic clerk in a retail department store. She married Joseph Raymond Coulter in Nevada in 1951. They were living in New York City where Ray worked with the American Cynamid Company when he died in 1962.

“Cecil made her way back to Utah where she died in Salt Lake City on February 12, 1984. They had no children. Cecil is buried in Payson near her parents.”

Miss Payson Royalty 2022

Payson City's new Royalty! From left to right is Attendant Madison Heaton, Attendant Jamyleth Uribe, Queen Madi Hill, 1st Attendant Savana Torres and Attendant Caitlyn Maloy. The second photo is of the new Queen Madi Hill and the past Queen Abby Woodland.

PHOTO courtesy of MEMORY LANE PHOTOGRAPHY

#misspayson #paysonutah #utahcounty

Payson's Crossroads, Circa 1914

 

The crossroads of downtown Payson in the winter of 1914, looking eastward on the modern-day Utah Avenue, which crosses through Main Street. 

#savethisphoto #preserveourhistory #paysonutah #utahcounty #utahstatehistory #paysonchronicle #thepaysonchronicle #readthepaysonchronicle #shiftinglandscapes #theshiftinglandscape

2022 Miss Payson Pageant

 

Meet the outgoing Miss Payson and contestants vying for the crown tonight (l-r): Savana Torres, Madi Hill, Jamyleth Uribe, Miss Payson Abby Soodland, Madison Heaton, and Caitlyn Malloy.

Come support your favorite contestant at this years Miss Payson Scholarship Pageant.  The Pageant starts at 7 PM at the Payson High School Auditorium, 1050 South Main Street.  Tickets can be purchased at the door starting at 6:00 PM. Seating begins at 6:15p.m. Tickets are $10.00.

#misspayson2022 #paysonutah #communityevent #utahcounty #utahevents #paysonpeople #paysonchronicle #thepaysonchronicle #readthepaysonchronicle 

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

~ Helen Keller 

 

John Lee Branagan

John Lee Branagan was born January 4th, 1953 to Forrest (Pat) Branagan and LaVern Hansen Branagan, in Nephi, Utah. He died June 13th, 2022 among family at the home of his stepson Micheal and daughter in-law, Elisa in Tooele, Utah, He bravely fought cancer for more than 4 years.

John married Jackie Palmer in 1979 and divorced 5 years later. In August of 1993 he married Jackie Lea Canon and is survived by her.

John loved spending long days working, he made a career of mining and in the sand and gravel industry, he prided himself on his work ethic and skills he had learned in his career. It has been said that John had a knack for getting injured but he always bounced back stronger. He loved fishing and hunting from and early age and loved his family.

In retirement, John loved working out in his yard, watching John Wayne westerns and he had a great love for the wild rabbits, birds, chipmunks that  naturally lived in his yard. He always had fresh carrots and lettuce for them and Myrtle the tortoise as well as always having the treats that his cats liked best.

John is survived by his wife, Jackie Lea Canon, step son Micheal Canon (Elisa) of Tooele Utah, sister Patricia Bergener of Eureka, Utah,  aunt Gloria Perkins of Springville, Utah, aunt Janice (Sterling) Spencer, Draper, Utah. He also leaves behind nephews, Michael Curtis, Daniel Curtis, and Allen Joe (Becky) Curtis and multiple great nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents and brother in law Tearle Bergener

Special thanks to Huntsman at home, CNS nursing services and nurse Brianna Lee, and the numerous friends and family that came to visit the last few weeks. Also, thank you to Jeff Parkhurst, whom the family will always be grateful to for his assistance in moving John and Jackie to Tooele in May.

Graveside services will be held Saturday June 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Goshen Town Cemetery, Goshen, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday June 24, 2022 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and also on Saturday from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m at Brown Family Mortuary, 66 South 300 East Santaquin. Share condolences at www.brownfamilymortuary.com

COMMUNITY at COMMERCIAL PLACE, PAYSON

 

Orem Station, Payson

Workers lay down the final section of track at the turn into what was once the Orem Station in Payson. The train station was located where the former Crest and present-day Last Chance Store parking lot exists today. The business address is 90 North Main Street.

Photo circa 1916.

#paysonutah #preservourhistory #oremtrain #crest #lastchancestore #paysonchronicle #thepaysonchronicle #readthepaysonchronicle #savethisphoto #sharethisphoto 

From the Headlines: Bona Bounces Back; Kids Kite Caught

 

From the headlines, 1981:
Bona Bounces Back
Kids Kite Caught

#throwbackthursday #tbt #paysonchronicle #thepaysonchronicle #readthepaysonchronicle #community #paysonhistory #paysonutah #utahcounty #utahstatehistory

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

~ Helen Keller 

Linda Kay Jensen

After a life of working hard and serving others, Linda Kay Jensen passed away in Arizona, where she had lived for most of her adult life.  She was born February 22, 1953, in Payson, Utah, to John F Hiatt and Shirley Cloward Hiatt.  She grew up in the community of Payson, Utah, attending schools there, and graduated with the Class of 1971 from Payson High School.

She spent her career in the retail grocery store industry, working over 30 years for Fry’s Food Stores in Arizona, becoming a store manager.  Linda also was a businesswoman, owning a house-cleaning business for many years.

Linda was daring before her time, and thrilled in riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle, but she also enjoyed cross stitching in her quiet time. She loved her dogs: Molly, Junior, and Gator.  But most of all, she loved her family, and spending time with them and her friends.

Linda is survived by her son, Wes (Susie) Jensen, and her daughter, Jody (Howard) Kendrick. She is also survived by two grandsons, Owen Kendrick and Tyson Kendrick; as well as two brothers, Mike Holman and Scott Holman.  She is preceded in death by her father, John Hiatt; her mother, Shirley Cloward Hiatt  Holman; bonus-father, Keith Holman; and a brother, Bruce Hiatt.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Society.

Friends and family may visit Tuesday morning, June 21, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah 84651.  She will be laid to rest in Payson City Cemetery.

Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Service

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. 

All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

~ Helen Keller 

DORIS CARTER

Doris Joan Andersen Carter, 90, passed away on June 13, 2022. She was born December 17, 1931, to Clarence Leroy Andersen and Olive “Dolly” Simpson in Provo, Utah where she was raised. She was the fifth of 13 children.

Doris married Glade W. Carter on November 6, 1948, after being introduced to each other on a blind date earlier that same year. Their marriage was later solemnized April 12, 1980, in the Provo Temple.

She served in many callings on both ward and stake levels in Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. She especially loved serving with the Young Women for many years.  She truly enjoyed visiting-teaching and serving wherever she was needed.

Doris enjoyed sewing. She was proud of making Vickie’s dresses including her wedding dress. Doris made many wonderful quilts for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed crafts, making dolls, and ceramics.

She was employed by Nebo School District at Peteetneet School and then as a librarian at Barnett Elementary School in Payson. She loved to read her entire life and passed that love on to many children at school.

Doris is survived by three sons: Steven (Rosalyn), David (Jeri), and Paul (Teresa); son in law, Terry (Gail) Walker; 14 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild and another on the way; one brother; and three sisters.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Vickie, granddaughter, Kuu’lei, great grandsons, Braken, Michael, and Gage, her parents, six brothers, and two sisters.

Special thanks to Richard Porter, Seasons of Santaquin staff, and Bonnie with ICare hospice for the care you provided Doris.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2022, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 711 South 600 East, Payson, Utah. Visitation will be held prior from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Also, there will be visitation on Sunday, June 19, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment will be Payson City Cemetery, 400 North 800 East, Payson, Utah.