64 Women Spend a Year Making Needlepoint

From Grammy's Gleanings: 64 Women Spend a Year Making Needlepoint

Sixty-four women of the Manti and Ephraim Stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a special tour of the Manti LDS Temple the day before its open house for the public began.

The women toured the building in reverential awe--until they arrived in one special sealing room just off the entrance to the Celestial Room. There, the quiet tour participants did a strange thing. One by one, they turned the chairs over. Reverent hands fingered needlepoint diamonds of sea-green. Ninety-five pieces of exquisite needlepoint were examined in minute detail. Names on the back of the chairs were sought and noted. Then, once again, an almost-awed silence settled in for a moment.

The 64 women had spent a creating the 95-pieces of needlepoint covering the chairs and altar in the sealing room. Sixty-four pairs of hands had meticulously stitched the special design prepared by Florence Jacobsen, interior decorator for the Manti Temple.

Mrs. Jacobsen said this particular needlepoint project was unique within the church. She thanked the women who had turned her design into upholstered works of art wrought in fine Persian yarn.

Helen Dyreng, Stake Relief Society President, echoed Mrs. Jacobsen's praise. "A great deal of love, care and pride was sewn into each article by wonderfully dedicated women," she said.

Mrs. Marjorie Tibbs, Stake Homemaking Counselor, was chairman for the project. Mrs. Lily Jane Miller was project co-chairman and a supervisor. Mrs. June Cos, Manti, and Mrs. Colleen Nielson, Mrs. Bonnie Olson, and Mrs. Barbara Bailey, all of Ephraim, were project supervisors.

"As we turned the chairs over, looking for our names," said one of the needlepointers, "I thought, 'I wish my Grandma could be here to see this.' Then I realized, she probably was."

"Concern, sacrifice and a high quality of artistic handwork are the earmarks of this project," Mrs. Dyreng assured the women.

[Editor's note: The article above was printed in a newspaper but was taken from a photocopy. I was unable to determine which newspaper carried the original article nor who was author of the piece.] Posted By Myrna Rae Trauntvein to Grammy's Gleanings at 10/19/2003 11:01:00 AM

Myrna wrote: Merilyn Jorgensen, Do you have a copy of this and do you know where it was published?

Merilyn wrote: No—I don’t think I have this either!!  But I recognize my comment about my grandma J.  I’m sure it was in the Manti Messenger, but have no clue who wrote it.

Merilyn wrote: PS  thinking back, I’m recalling that this was in the Des. News—maybe Church section.  They had quite a few things in when the temple was re-dedicated.

Myrna wrote: I looked there. Thanks for thinking with me.

Merilyn wrote: Myrna,  I found the original J  I’ve been going thru my memorabilia, and found the article in question.  There was a special supplement to the Manti Messenger, July 1985.  There was no by-line, but there was a note elsewhere in the paper, from the editor, thanking staff for all their work during the open-house and dedication.  He noted all the hours by Pat Mellor in researching details, etc., so I’m pretty sure she wrote this one. 

I haven’t even cut out all the articles I’ve saved—let alone put them in an album.  You’ve inspired me—I’m going to get to work on my ‘temple’ albumJ  As a side note,  I should tell you my story of doing the needlepoint, and what my grandma had to do with it.  I need to write it up for my album/posterity.

Please keep sending me these ‘goodies’.    Merilyn

PS  my name IS on a chair:)

PS #2   I’ve always called my little grandma ‘Grammy’.

PS again—the reporter at that time was likely Bruce Jennings, but it also may have been Linnie Findlay (who did this one.) THE OTHER ONE

OOPS!

Thanx again, my friend.



Merilyn wrote: Did you get my latest—with correct info??

Myrna wrote: Three cheers for you (or 20 or 100)! Yes, I did. I answered this one before I read that one. Sorry! I meant to answer it but I was not feeling well and went to bed instead. 


Merilyn wrote: Sorry—hope you’re feeling better today.  Some days are just the pits—many more than we’d like.

Hello from the land of snow!

We have SNOW and then some. It is also really cold. It is supposed to be about 8-degrees tonight.

I always like it when Thanksgiving is not so cold. I remember some years the holiday has been so warm that we called it "Indian Summer," which as you know, is a period of unusually warm weather in the autumn in the Northern Hemisphere after the first frost but before the snow comes. Those are the Thanksgivings that I like.

I suppose, however, that the skiers will be in the mountains in great numbers on Thanksgiving Day and that they will all be happy.

I was not ready for cold weather. My poor body will be frozen solid by spring if this keeps up.

Eva about the round carved table in the Manti Temple

I can not  imagine how big that sewing machine must have been.  I remember the antique one Aunt Marie had from Uncle Ed's family and it  couldn't have worked, not nearly enough wood. It was a treadle  and was amazing to watch her sew. She made  whole wardrobes for Helen and my Betsy Wetsy dolls when I was 8 or 9.

Have you recuperated from your big week end?  It was so good to see all of your family; it has been a long time since I have seen them.  

Thanks for inviting all of us.  Love you, Eva

Merilyn Jorgensen wrote: Myrna—thanx so much for sending this story about the carved table we have at Manti Temple!!  I don’t have it!! Can’t believe I don’t.

A Short History of the Round Carved Table in the Manti Temple‏

It was made by Jens J. Hansen, who was born in Manti, June 19, 1863. He was a son of Jens Hansen and Sophia Charlotte Dorthea Pederson. His parents were converts to the (LDS) Church from Denmark. They were among the first settlers in Manti.

He (Jens J. Hansen) lived three block west of Simmons furniture store on the north side of the street, southwest corner. In the east part of the lot, was a small adobe house with a large fireplace. This one room adobe cottage, or home, at one time was the workshop where this table was built.

In those days, tools were not plentiful. He had a foot power saw which had many blades. This he used at all times. He operated the saw with a pedal with a big wheel on the side and, I believe, my father made that. He bought the saws; they were about this long (indicating from 12-14 inches). He had different kinds of saws and they were so they would fit in the same and then he would work that pedal and it had a wheel on the side that worked with the pedal. I've watched him so many times.

He drew his own patterns for birds and other objects on the top of the table. The dark wood he used was taken from an old Howe sewing machine, brought from Denmark to Manti by his parents.

In those days, it was impossible to buy glue so he made his own glue by boiling the feet of animals in a large brass kettle in the fireplace, letting it cook and straining it through a cloth. It could be that he learned this method of making glue when he worked on the Temple, as he worked there from the time the Temple was started until it was completed. He was the one who assisted in building the spiral staircase.

This history is authentic as it was written by his eldest daughter who lives in Ephraim, Utah, and who watched as her father made may parts of the table.

This history was given to me by Mrs. Maggie Hansen Sorensen, who signed the original copy on 2 March 1977. It was retyped to make corrections but the corrected copy was not signed.

Linnie T.M. Findlay 

The Family Tours Williamsburg in 1980

Left to Right on the Back Row: Shawn, Kirsten, Julie, AnnMarie, Todd
Front Row: David, Melanie, Myrna and Leonard Trauntvein

Flower Water Level

Melanie wrote: 
Mom, 

Todd posted a picture of the flowers that I put together for your big vase. The water level is too low. Some of the side stems are out of water. Would you put some more water in the vase? 

Also, if you completely empty the water every two days and refill it, the flowers should last for over a week. 

Thanks.
Melanie

Myrna wrote: I already noticed that!!!! I took care of it but I did not know to empty the water every few days.

Melanie wrote: Okay. Thanks. The addition gets a little warmer than the rest of the house, so the water will start to grow bacteria, the bacteria will lead to mold growth, which will make the flowers die more quickly. Little things you learn when dealing with flowers. 

Thank you for allowing us to treat you like you should have been treated all you life. It was interesting to me on Sunday morning when Dad walked me out to my car, he told me how much he loved you and when he was talking about the day he married you, he choked up and got tears in his eyes. He really does love you Mom. Mel

Myrna wrote: I moved them into the living room--the flowers--and I know Dad loves me and I love him. I am not surprised that we lasted 50 years together. I am just surprised that we both have lived this long. We are just like two old rocks rolling downhill. We strike sparks now and again--some good ones and some not so good ones--but neither of us would like rolling along with anyone else. Well, maybe Dad would if I died. I don't know that he would be good solo. He likes to talk too much. In fact, I was trying to work this morning and I finally had to tell him to leave the room, PLEASE!!!!!

I planned on getting up to say goodbye but I was too tired and slept too long. Sorry about that. There were too many little kids with problems in our trailer. I think I wandered around half the night. I cleaned up vomit until I was ready to join in myself. Oh, well. I suppose I may degenerate to that level again before I leave this world. I hope people are as patient with me as I try to be with little people.

Myrna wrote: Thanks for the beautiful flowers. The ones at the church have certainly made the rounds. They went from there to a stake Primary meeting and then on to widows and old folk's homes. They brightened more than our celebration. Thank you!!!!! I love you and am so thankful for your many talents.

Melanie wrote: I like the fact that many people enjoyed the flowers. What a great idea to take them to the Rest Home. 

I heard little Ryan every time he threw up. I am not a heavy sleeper, so I heard the whole thing. I felt so sorry for him, you, Dad and Kirsten. She didn't get any sleep, and got vomited on as well. Some things about having little children I do not miss. :)

I love you. Mel


Myrna wrote: Ryan was sleeping next to Jacob. Luckily for Jacob, he had pulled all the covers over his head because Ryan threw up on top of him. I woke to the retching sound. I took him out on the step, crying, and gathered the bedclothes. I had Dad pick up Jacob (who stayed asleep) and take him in with him. Then I brought Ryan in the house. He threw up twice more before we got to the front door. I went back out and got the bedding and brought it into the washer, including the pillow. I went back out to the trailer and found out that the floor was also covered and it had soaked through at the bottom when I was moving Ryan off the bed so I had to wipe up the mat and the carpet and the floor. I then found another pillow that had got the over-splash so I ran that back inside. I stayed for a bit because I was worried that the pillows would cause the washer to go out of balance in the spin. However, I was covered from bringing in Ryan so I had to clean up myself. I had to wash off the walk and the front steps. I finally laid down and Jacob woke up and went into the bathroom and used the toilet in the trailer (where there was no water) before I realized what was happening. So I had to clean that up and him. Then Donovin started to moan in his sleep. He didn't ever throw up and the next morning he said he was fine. Emma had eaten way too much cake and had bad gas! Only Erin and Whitney seemed unaffected by all of the goings on. However, Caydin had gotten worse during the night so David and family just hurried and left. Todd said he had not heard a thing. Wow! 

Myrna wrote: I just re-read. What do you mean, some things you do not miss about having little kids? It doesn't take a child. I remember you cleaning up after a sick husband, dog, and a deer mess. I don't think any of that is fun either. (Especially the deer!!!!!!) :(

Brandon Flowers - A Fire Still Burning

Brandon Flowers, Mormon lead singer of The Killers, wants to be a positive force in the world. His wife, kids, and parents set a good example for him. Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, knows that it's not common for a rock star to have a wife and kids. But his parents' example led Brandon to choose early on that pursuing music wouldn't be about sex and money.More at http://www.mormon.org/brandon


How many of you remember Brandon? He grew up here in Nephi. He has a sister who still lives here. I think he is David's age.

Health Challenge‏ From Kirsten

Kirsten wrote: Here's a new "health challenge"... a little revised, only 8 weeks, no free days (other than holidays), and extra credit points for things like scripture study, flossing teeth, etc.

Let me know if you're interested.  It starts this sunday.

Kirsten


Hi friends,

I am attaching the latest health challenge rules and tracking sheet.  Let me know if you are interested.  We will be starting this Sunday, October 23rd, and it will run for 8 weeks.  (Note:  there is a new holiday rule, so you can enjoy Thanksgiving without losing points.)  There is also a weight loss option for those of you who are interested in that.   The winner of the last round won $500!  The more that join, the more money is in the pot to win.


FYI--I just looked over the tracking sheet.  One of the pages is to show how you could earn maximum points per day.  However, it gives points for a shake AND healthy meal.  You get a point for one or the other, not both.  I am clarifying this with my brother, Brian, who is running the health challenge from MO.  If he gets enough to sign up there, we can have a friendly competition between the west and midwest.

Hope you are all doing well!!

Sheri Ford

Myrna wrote: Was there supposed to be something to download? I didn't see anything that contained any rules.

Kirsten wrote: Sorry.  Thought the attachments would forward...

David's Family in Colorado

David and Caydin

Gunnison, Colorado: Barbara Anderson, Donovin Trauntvein, Caydin Trauntvein, David Trauntvein, Erin Trauntvein, Erin Trauntvein

Good News!

Rachel's doctor sent Rachel to a hand specialist who said that AnnMarie should just keep up with the nightly cleansing and bandaging of her little hand and fingers for now. He thinks, because Rachel is so young, that her body will do most of the necessary reconstruction on its own. Had she been an adult and had that much damage, she would have had to have reconstructive surgery and skin grafts but he thinks that she will heal on her own.

Mary does not have a brain tumor. They did a CAT scan today and found that her little skull was tumor-free. That is the good news. The bad news is that the doctor still does not know why she is throwing up EVERY morning. He has decided to keep treating her for a virus for a few more days and, if that doesn't work, he will have some further testing done. He thought it might be GERD, preemies are susceptible. She did have it as an infant but she has seemed to be much better for years now. So, who knows.