Letter of Recommendation for Barbara Anderson

October 27, 2009

To Whom It May Concern:

I have had the pleasure of knowing Barbara Anderson for the past eleven years.

During that time I have found her to be a woman of many talents. She has worked helping manage a nursing home for the elderly, has helped employers in keeping financial records and has been a cashier in a home center.

In addition to those talents, she is a gifted artist. I so admire the work she does in portraiture.

She has moved several times during the ten years we have been acquainted. She has done so to be near her three grandchildren, daughter and son-in-law. My son, the son-in-law to Barbara, has been moving as he has developed greater skills in his field and has found, as a result, better jobs.

Barbara and I have become friends during our years of acquaintance. She is intelligent, capable and personable. I have found her to be level-headed, quick-thinking and willing to learn from others. She is a person who likes learning for learning’s sake and is always seeking knowledge.

She is good at working with others and at taking direction from those in positions of leadership over her. She demonstrates the ability to react sensibly. I highly recommend Barbara for employment with you. I know you will find her a loyal and trustworthy employee.

If you would like, I am willing to provide more information. You may contact me at one of my e-mail addresses: myrna@nephitimesnews or mandlht@msn.com. My telephone number is (435) 623-0195.

Sincerely,


Myrna Trauntvein

228 South 300 East

Nephi, Utah 84648

More Little Myrna

The first photo is Myrna at the apartment we rented with Uncle Max and Aunt Renee at the beginning of World War II when we moved from Wattis to Price. This is the place where I nearly drowned in the irrigation ditch.

The second photo is of me at the Pitts farm. The dog is their dog, my Grandpa and Grandma Pitts'.

Melanie wrote: The most frequent reaction to these photos: "Awww...she's so cute!"

Little Myrna

1. At the Pitts farm.

2. On the steps going up to the Roberts' apartment at the apartment building where we lived in a four-plex. We lived downstairs on the left, facing the building. It was located below the canal about one block. The Roberts family lived above us.

3. At the house I can't find. It was in north Price below the canal but a safe distance. Both Dad Howard and I knew where it was, and is, but it has been changed enough that we can't decide which one it is.

Toni, Look at This

Myrna wrote: Toni, what do you think? Do you think you look like your Grandma?

Photo taken January 1953.

Toni wrote: Gee.... what was the happy occasion?  LOL... they all look pretty grim!  It says 1953 so that means Grandma Jessie was 53 years old, or more likely, 52 since her B-day is in Dec. I remember her dress... and that round mirror is hanging in my dining room right now!  I ought to go put on a black dress, my red lipstick & pose by the same mirror.  If I do, I'll send it to you. 

    And HER Mom, Great grandma Pritchett was probably about 70-72 at that time.  I'm glad we look better now days.  Who is the other couple?  And thanks for sharing!

Myrna wrote: The other couple is Woodrow Selby and his wife. Woody was the son of Mina's sister. She died at an early age and the Pritchetts raised Woody from the time he was small. He always called them his parents. He lived in Idaho and was a officer of some kind with Wonderbread. When he lived with Mina and John, he went by the surname of Pritchett. When he went to college, he went back to Selby. He did have a brother who went to live with another relative. Woody was quite the basketball hero. This photo was taken after Great-grandma had a stroke. That is why she is in a robe and that is why, I am certain, he was visiting. 

The photo is of Grace and Woodrow Selby, Mina Ericksen Pritchett, and Jessie Pritchett Brighton, your grandmother. This was after Mina had a stroke. At this point, she seemed some recovered though still weak. Grandmother Vivian Smith and had spent quite of bit of time during the summer in California and stayed with Aunt Jessie and Uncle Gilbert where Great-Grandma Mina was making her home. We then went back to Utah so my grandmother could teach and I could go to school.

Toni wrote: Oh OK... the only pics I've seen of Woody is when he was quite a bit older. I thought he was a well known artist and lived in Manhattan...or something.  I think Mom called him when Grandma died and that's the last I ever heard of him.  Don't think I ever met him.

Myrna wrote: He did come to the funeral of Uncle Frank. He came, along with his brothers. My grandmother, was very sad, because she opted to stay with me because I had just given birth to my second child when Uncle Frank died. She was torn between the two. I understand now. If I knew then what I know today, I would have urged her to go to her brother's funeral. I know that she wanted to. Your grandma sent her photos and that is why I know the Selby boys were there. There are times when I still feel bad about her staying to be with me. Especially since I was so independent that I didn't let her be as much help as she wanted to be.  It is sometimes too bad that youth is wasted on the young.

Toni wrote: Well you and I must have a kid about the same age then because I remember when Uncle Frank died it was Thanksgiving Day and we were at my Mom's.  I was lying on her couch with severe cramps and bleeding from my first period after the birth of my first child, my son Rick, who was born 10-6-64.  So he must have been 5 or 6 weeks old. I must have gone to the funeral but I have no memory of that or of meeting Woody. I think most of the family (that part anyway) is buried at Valhalla Cemetery which is right next to the Hollywood-Burbank airport, which wasn't so busy in those days.  I know I went to several burials there but can't remember which was which.

I remember Uncle Frank was 55 when he died as were a couple of other men in the family and my Mom worried for years as Dad approached that age.  She was SURE he would die at 55.  I thought 'so what, that's old anyway'.......my perspective seems to have changed on that, LOL.

My daughter, Melanie, was born on November 11. So we do have two children who are close in age. In the old days, when people stayed put for a generation or so, they may have known each other. Now, we could be standing next to each other at the airport and we wouldn't know. 

Jared wrote: Didn't anyone smile back then? Jared

Lindon Nursery

Myrna wrote:

Linden Nursery
535 North State Street
Lindon, Utah 84042
Phone:(801)796-8576
Fax:(801)785-8131

Do you know this place? They have the Chinese or Mormon apricot for sale. I don't think, however, that they ship.

This was a general question for each of you. I accidentally sent it just to Kim. Have any of you, ever, heard of this place? You would think I would have noticed it because, apparently, it is quite large.


Kimberly wrote: No.

AnnMarie wrote:
Mom,
It is one of the most beloved nurseries in Utah County.  I understand they have products that are especially adept at growing in Utah's climate.
I don't know about the pricing.
AnnMarie T. Howard
Chief Deputy Juab County Attorney


Todd wrote: We used to buy things there from time to time.  They serve all price ranges, top to bottom.  If you have never been there, you have missed out on a little bit of heaven.  And, if you are in the mood, you can stop in next door for a really nice mexican dinner or across the street for pizza.


Myrna wrote: Thanks to AnnMarie and Todd, I think I will put that on my priority list to visit. They advertise a Mormon apricot, that is the one with the sweet pits that Dad and I had as kids. You can crack the shells and eat the inside of the pit just like an almond. I think I need one!!!!!!!! Love, M


Melanie wrote: Definitely get the one with the sweet Pitts!

Mel


Kirsten wrote: HAHAHA!  I agree with Melanie.  We already have enough sour Pitts and some just plain rotten!  Let's add to the sweet collection!

Kirsten

Myrna wrote: I know, I know. But any of the Pitts are better than the bitter. I remember hearing (I think it may have been Grandma Pitts [Ruth] that you had never met stubborn until you had met a Pitts. HE!


Melanie wrote: Ahah! That's where we get it?
Mel

Myrna wrote: Well, I can't be certain about that. I understood, from Grandma T, that the Trauntveins were also stubborn. I think, that at times, the Rostrons could be fairly stubborn. And when Grandma Smith told me that I was as stubborn as my Dad, Aunt Renee said: "And as stubborn as the Smiths and Pritchetts?"

Melanie Wants Photos of the Myrna and LHT

Melanie wrote: I love all the pictures. I have some of you and your family on our CDs, but I was wondering if you had more of your younger years? I have a few of the pictures of you with your Dad at the Pitts Farm, and a few of you from your childhood. Do you have some of your dance pictures, your school photos (like the one with you sitting in your gingham dress, with your hair braided on the top of your head)? I think the rest of the children would like to have these as well. You can send like you have been doing, via emai, then we can save them or print them off.

Thanks.
Mel


Myrna wrote: Over the years, I have sent most of my young photos, including the dancing ones, with other photos on those CDs that I send out. I hope you know, all of you, where they are. If not, let me know and I will find them and resend.


Myrna wrote: I will relook at my CDs. I thought I had uploaded all the CDs to my hard drive and I don't see some of them on there. I will go through the photos. I am loving all the new ones that you sent. You were so cute. I see a lot of your characteristics in some of the neices and nephews.

Mel

Myrna wrote: You are the one who was cute. Look at the next batch and you will see what I mean. Love, M

Gladys and Henry at Henry's brother's funeral. Killed in a mine.‏

Gladys and Henry Trauntvein

How to Build an Apple Press

Myrna wrote: I ordered the plans to make our apple press. The plans come with a DVD and photos. We can build our own cider or juice press. Three cheers! Well, technically, Jim and Dad can build it. I am certain that you, Julie, will be able to do some of the work. I do not dare use power tools.

I will turn the plans over to you as soon as they arrive. I am quite excited.

Toren's Arrow of Light Cub Scout Award

When:	Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 5:30PM to 6:30PM
Where:	Our Stakehouse

When: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 6:30 PM-7:30 PM (GMT-07:00) Mountain Time (US & Canada).
Where: Our Stakehouse

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Tentative date and time for Toren's bridge from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. Will keep you up to date. This is the current date and time. Under an hour with treats!

He had a very nice ceremony tonight.  He has one more week of Cubscouts—the Space Derby next week.

Chinese or Mormon Apricots

SWEET PIT, Chinese or Mormon - An early-bearing, heavy producing variety. Fruit is of good quality and medium size with yellow to medium orange color. Good flavor and smooth texture. Trees do well in colder climates. Good pollinizer. Ripens mid-June through mid-July. Does well in late frost areas. Skin color is orange with red blush. (Mid-late season/self-fertile.)

Myrna wrote: This is the kind I had as a child. We just ate the inside of the pits, the seeds, which tasted like almonds. We also baked with them--two crops for the price of one.


Eric wrote: Steve's parents have been tree fruit farmers since Darwin came crawling out of the primordial soup. The apricots do have to be sweet pit only, the others have high traces of cyanide good if you are a spy. The sweet pits pit taste very similar to almonds. I like them good enough to eat plain.

E.


Myrna wrote: Are these the kind his folks have--Chinese or Mormon?

Your dad, LH, also remembers eating sweet pit nuts. Do you think that, maybe, they used to be more common when folks started trees from seeds?  I don't know if they breed true or not. Actually, I have never had luck with starting apricot seeds and getting anything to grow.

Our poor apple tree (maybe a Jonathan?) may not have apples next year. It had to be severely pruned. It was so loaded with apples this year that, when that big wind came through, it broke a lot of the big branches. They had to be cut back. Poor thing looks like an amputee. It looks like the shade trees the Greeks at home liked and I didn't. I used to call them "screaming trees" with their dying fingers clumped together and pleading with the sky for help.

I guess we need to have Eric and Steve come and look and offer wisdom. How about it?


Eric wrote: I'll ask I'm sure he will he is quite fond of my parents.

E.