Eighteen Wheeler Philosophy

Lesson at the Truck Stop
By Mel Hansen, The Eighteen Wheeler Philosopher

I keep thinking to myself about the event that I witnessed at the TA Truck Stop in Nebraska two nights ago.

I stopped there for my 10 off so I decided to go into the restaurant and order me up a plate of fries with brown gravy. Waitress told me to seat myself so I picked out the back corner booth and planted myself. Whilst walking to my booth I passed a man who was rather unkempt (This describes 99.3333% of your average truck drivers these days) who probably had at least four used salad plates and five or seven soup bowls stacked up and was still working on another salad plate along with another bowl of soup! Must be all ya can stuff down soup and salad bar tonight I thought to me self.

The waitress came to take my order, shaking her head back n forth as she passed this man enjoying his all ya can eat. I asked her to just bring me a big plate of fries smothered with brown gravy.  She said, “I’d ask ya if you want soup or salad to go with it but I think we’re all out.” I said the fries would be enough and she was on her way again shaking her head back n forth as she passed the man two booths in front of me.

I could hear this man speaking but couldn’t make out what he was saying because I couldn’t get my ears to pop and the country music over the speakers was a tad bit loud, but I could hear him having a conversation with himself.  In between songs I could hear just enough of his conversation with whomever that I could tell this gentleman had a speech problem or was a tad too lit up.

He looked over his shoulder a couple of times and said something to me.  I couldn’t understand but only a few words so I just grinned and said "I know what ya mean!”...which was a lie.

A young married couple who I watched climb down at of their big rig through the big window came in and sat down at a table directly across from the booth where the ol fella was at, the young lady with her back to the ol fella. The waitress came with water and menus and left them to decide.

About this time the old Country Classic Song by the late great Merle Haggard, Lets Chase Each Other Round the Room Tonight, started coming across the speakers. The waitress had just brought me my fries 'n brown gravy. After adding a titch more salt and pepper I picked up my fork and was just about to stab a forkful when I looked up just in time to see the ol fella reach across the isle and gently pinch the young lady on her left side! She jumped, let out a little scream and turned in her chair to look who had pinched her!

As soon as she looked at the ol fella I thought he was soon to be a dead man! But before she could say or do anything, the ol fella leaned in her direction and said,in a voice loud enough for the dozen or so of us seated could hear,”How ‘bout it sweetness!...would ya like me to chase ya round the room tonight!?”

The whole place went silent and no one moved including my soggy gravy fries dangling on my fork! I looked at her husband thinking he was going to get up and pulverize the ol fella but he had a grin on his face and was making no motions in the ol fella’s direction.

Now here’s how the young lady handled the situation, one in which she had every right to get mean and verbally abuse the ol fella! Instead she gave the ol fella a big smile and said "Thank you Sir for making my day!...I’ve been sitting in that Semi out there all day and... I know!...I look like road kill!... but thank you for finding me attractive enough for you to want to chase me around the room tonight!”

What a classy lady! The ol fella told her "Well just remember!...if your husband there won’t?...I will!" Again the classy lady told him "I’ll be for sure to hunt ya up sweetie!"

What could’ve been a messy situation was averted by the lady and her husband's refusal to not be civil and immediately become offended! I do believe that they recognized that the ol fella might’ve had problems based upon his shabby attire and his speech problem.

And to add to their non controversial ways, when the ol fella got up and walked to the counter, he did so with a heavy limp on his left leg, the young lady got up and walked with him and paid for his meal and gave him a pat on his cheek!

I admit!... I felt ashamed of myself for not taking a minute or two of my time and go sit and talk with the ol fella and pay for his meal. I had plenty of time. I’ve done it before, but didn’t then.

There’s still great people out there in the world! Too bad all we see/read/hear, some even taking more time/delight in finding the negative...than finding the good! At least I was blessed to see and be taught such a great lesson in kindness.

Bear Lake Slush

Photo by Carol Ann Dyer

Rich County Commission

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times 

RANDOLPH, Utah.  February 6.2019.  At the Rich County Commission, Sweetwater Hill owner, Warren Jones was on the telephone asking permission from the County Commission to build a home on Sweetwater Hill on Lots 78 and 79.  These two parcels are by the golf course on Country Club Way.  The home that is to be built will be using both lots.  Both lots have recently been purchased by Jones from two other individuals.  According to the County Ordinances, a Building Covenant to use both lots was needed from the Commissioners.  Mitch Poulson, the Chairman of the County Planning Commission, noted that the current deeds to these two lots are in the Jones’ name.  

The Commissioners made a motion to approve the Building Covenant for the proposed home. Jones was told to sign and give the Building Covenant Document to Debra Ames to get this document recorded. However, any structure on these two lots must be taken down if selling any or both parcels is required.  Motion carried.

Justin Dolling from the Utah Division of Wildlife gave a check to the Commissioners for $1,156.21 for being allowed to work and study on 2,300 acres south of Woodruff and Swan Creek north of Garden City. 

Bill Cox, Commissioner, noted that there are some solar panels being placed on some property near Woodruff and there are more solar panels being placed northeast of Randolph.  He reported that in driving near both those areas, there are sage hens on the road and in areas away from where the panels are being placed.  He asked Dolling to check out both areas to see if they are forcing the sage hens from their regular habitat.  Dolling said he would get on this issue immediately.

Dave and Claudia Cottle, Bear Lake Watch, appeared before the Rich County Commissioners with a resolution concerning Bear Lake.  This document is needed to preserve Bear Lake.  The Cottles were on their way to Boise, Idaho, to make the presentation there Thursday morning.  They stopped in Randolph to deliver this document to the Commissioners.  They will also get it to the Utah Legislature, to Bear Lake County Commissioners as well as the Idaho Legislature.  This resolution will also be presented to the Board of Canals, the Water Users Association, the Bear Lake Regional Commission, Rocky Mountain Power, Pacific Corporation, etc.  Hopefully, all these people, organizations, and politicians will support the Cottles’ efforts. They noted, however, that sometimes Idaho and Utah have different points of view.

The resolution is being written to stop another resolution currently be written to maintain a ertain water height in the Great Salt Lake.  If that resolution is approved; then, when the Great Salt Lake gets to a certain lower level, the water masters will be allowed to take as much water from Bear Lake as needed to get the Great Salt Lake up to the decided standard level.  They could take all the water from Bear Lake if needed.  The Cottles and anyone else who loves Bear Lake certainly wouldn’t want that to happen.  They hope they will be able to get the resolution accepted by the various organizations and companies involved. 

The County Commissioners made a motion to accept the Resolution to save Bear Lake.  The motion was passed in concept because of future changes that might have to be added or changed in the current Resolution.  Rich County is supporting these efforts to get a Resolution to save Bear Lake. 

Dale Wilson, Supervisor over the Roads in the County, presented a list of four different trucks that are available to replace the current snow removal vehicle.  The current truck is worn out and can’t be used much longer.

The bids for a new truck were from Peterbilt, Freight Liner, International, and Mack. Wilson noted that he would prefer the Peterbilt.  It is the most expensive but seems to have a longer life than the other three and has a better trade-in value if traded off in the future.  If the Peterbilt would not be possible, his next choice was the Mack.  There is a snow package that will have to be purchased separately, which includes the snow blade, the sander, and so forth.  This package will fit on any of the trucks.

The motion was made to purchase the Peterbilt truck and the snow package.  It will be a 2019 truck that will cost $243,946.00 plus the snow package.  The motion passed.

Wilson also noted that he has received three bids for the purchase of slurry and fog seal.  Morgan Pavement Company had the lowest bid of 145,000 square feet of fog seal and 136,000 square feet of slurry seal.  Manhead Road will get slurry seal and Woodruff will get fog seal.  The cost of the materials will be $149,879.70.  A motion was made and passed to accept the Morgan Pavement Company bid.

Some changes have been made on the Bear Lake Regional Commission.  Norm Weston will be released.  Sim Weston will become the Vice Chairman representing the Rich County Commission.  The new mayor of Laketown is Burdette Weston.  He will be part of the Bear Lake Regional Commission as well.  These names were given to Mitch Poulsen to update his records.  A motion was made and passed.

Part time job at pool

Pool Manager needed.  

Lochwood HOA is interested in hiring a Pool Manager. Applicants would need to be certified and would be expected to keep the pool and spa in good working condition, according to the Bear River Health Department.  Pool Manager would also spend time cleaning the pool on an as-needed basis. The HOA may be interested in trading access to amenities for services rendered. 

If interested, please call or text Zack McKee at 435-757-2131.   

Bear Lake Marina As Modern Art

Photo by Carol Ann Dyer

New Paris restaurant opens

Cody’s in Paris – the old Paris Grill and before that the Paris Café!

Cody's opened the Paris, Idaho location this past summer and are finding a lot of locals and tourists alike who are driving through Paris or stopping to check out the Tabernacle directly across the street to stop in for a bite to eat.  

Like Garden City, Cody’s – Paris is open seven days a week, all year long and has the fun eye- catching  eclectic hot rod car ambiance to pull people in for a peek.

Cody's commitment to locals of the Paris community  is to try and  bring back some of those  things that made the Paris Café so special in the day.  In fact over the past several months the owners have met with many locals including the museum next door and other local historians to learn more about the history of the Paris Café – such as the old hats that used to hang in the Café along with some of the memories of others about the Rich Family.  Cody's has also become a regular member and supporter of “Friends United for Bear Lake” a local organization trying to revitalize Paris, Idaho.

Connie M Rees Rex 1945 - 2019

Connie Mae Rees Rex, 73 years, passed away on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at her home in Woodruff, Utah. 

She was born August 19, 1945 in Coalville, Utah to Wayne Ray and June Eastman Rees. She worked on her ranch where she had horses, cattle, dogs and cats. She loved horse racing, barrel racing and the speed of her corvette. She is preceded in death by her mother, June Eastman Rees and her father, Wayne “Oley” Rees. 

Connie is survived by her husband of 54 years, Charles M. Rex; her children, Carolee (Wade) Ryan and Denee (Heidi) Rex; two sisters, Jeanne Danks and Judy Archuleta and 6 grandchildren, Jacie Buck Denica Rex, Specialist Ryker Rees Rex, Ander Charles Deeds Rex, Justin Buckwheat Rex, Apryl Lily Rex and Rope G. Ryan. 

Services were at 11:00 AM Friday, February 8, 2019 in the Woodruff LDS Church. Interment will be in Woodruff Cemetery. 

Herald Journal article about Rich County deputy

Amy  Macavinta, Reporter
Herald Journal

Troopers say a Rich County Sheriff's Office deputy who was hit by a semi   near Laketown is lucky to be alive.

According to the Utah Highway Patrol, Sgt. Cade Brenchley, the deputy was one of the officers working on an investigation involving a semi and another vehicle in Laketown Canyon at the runaway ramp.

Another semi driver reportedly came upon the accident and lost control of his vehicle, causing it to roll toward the rocks near the ramp; the deputy was struck by the semi in the process.

Brenchley said the deputy suffered broken bones and is en route to Logan Regional Hospital. The driver of the semi has minor injuries as well and is also being transported to the hospital.

Both crashes remain under investigation. In the meantime both directions of State Road 30 were closed for about an hour.

amacavinta@hjnews.com

ED note: Jon Nichol is home after three days and doing well.  He was hit and run over by the semi and survived which friends and relatives call a real miracle. Jason Wade Matthews said, "No question, hands down has to be the toughest man alive! His survival has no logical explanation, Jon is here with us because he has a higher purpose. He wasn’t done yet. What a story for the grandkids!"