A Great Family Weekend

Well another super weekend came to an end. It sure is wonderful to have family and friends drop by. Last weekend we had our two daughters and their families from up north come visit. These photos are of Shandra and her husband Randy Mangum. They have three young kids, Madolyn, Tanner and a new born Adalee (less than a month old so too small to ride yet). Randy is a real outdoors man and loves hunting and fishing.


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I'll soon get some photos of our youngest daughter Stacey and her husband Nathan Petersen. She's our baby but is also expecting her first little one.
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Our boys are Randy and his wife Kelsey who also live up north and Russell and Lora who still live in San Antonio Texas with his two boys.

Nothing more important than family.

Fountain Green Sesquicentennial Celebration

The great citizens of Fountain Green has again overwhelmed everyone with a Hollywood style live production of the history of our fair city. From the early settlers, through the deadly Blackhawk Indian War, to a vibrant community and of friends and families. As usual the volunteers both adult and youth put a valiant effort to thrill the community. Many thanks to everyone who helped remind us of our heritage as new families settled and help grow this great city.

Edna Johnson Christensen 1920 - 2009

A best friend to everyone in Fountain Green and Sanpete County was laid to rest in the arms of our Lord this day. When we moved to Fountain Green a little over a year ago, Edna was the first to welcome us to church and the community. She was a dear and close friend to my grandparents Leland and Relda Despain and my parents told me of many stories of love she showed to the community. She offered a book of family history for us to copy but unfortunately we had to return it before we had a chance to fully study her work. She and Owen offered many times for us to come to their home and learn the stories and also have them teach us how to grow a vegetable garden. A true friend to everyone she met. There is no doubt the Lord had his arms open to accept her into his kingdom. Thanks Edna for your friendship and love.

Don and Pam Despain

New Grand Daughter

Today was a fun filled and a very proud day for our family. Our oldest daughter Shandra Lee, married to Randy Mangum had her third baby and our fifth grandchild. Shandra and Randy now have three beautiful children, two girls and a boy. Adalee Marie Mangum was born just after noon and weighted 5 pounds 13 ounces and in perfect health. Shandra is a Register Nurse at Primary Children's Hospital and Randy is a financial expert at Morgan Stanley Investments. We are so blessed with great kids and family.


Don & Pam

5 Years Of Service & More to Come ...

Today in Sacrament Service we all sustained and at the same time gave a spirit of thanks to the "old" Bishopric and welcomed the new. After serving for five years the first and second counselors were released and new counselors were called to serve with Bishop Walker. A great thanks for the sacrifice of Wade Johnson and Derrin Owens. Although released they were immediately called to serve in new callings.

The New Bishopric is Bishop Walker, Scott Aagard and Jed Bailey. Everyone sustained their callings and we look forward to sacred advise, counsel and direction from them. The Fountain Green 2nd Ward is indeed blessed with great leaders. Thanks!

Lamb Day parade 2009

Well a great end to the 2009 Lamb Day celebration. A great week of softball, parade, carnival, lamb contests and auctions, fried mutton and lamb sandwiches. We all owe a great big thanks to all the volunteers that made it happen again. Looking forward to next year.
Don

Duck Fork Reservoir

A beautiful week and a real need to relax. My son-in-law Randy and I took the dirt bike and ATV for a ride up Manti Canyon to Duck Fork Reservoir. A nice little lake high in the Manti La Sal Mountains that allows fishing with artificial lures and flies only. A day fishing is still always better than a day at work. I managed to get one nice Cutthroat trout and lots of exercise casting lures and flies. So who wants to go try a different remote mountain lake and wet some flies or lures?

Don

Fish Hatchery visit

When is the last time ya'll visited the State Fish Hatchery in Fountain Green? My grandfather, Leland Despain retired from the Fish and Game, working at the old fish hatchery. I remember so much fun going with him to feed the fish and transport them to various ponds and lakes around Sanpete. The most enjoyable deliveries were to Hamburger Pond on top of Maple Canyon. Too bad but this high mountain pond is now gone. While I was there John and Camille Field with some of their grand kids were also there. What a great learning experience to see how wildlife and fish are managed for our enjoyment. Well done to all the hard workers at the Fountain Green Fish Hatchery!

Don

Lamb Day 2009 Events

So much to do and see. So many great friends and family to visit. Beautiful weather. The great citizens of Fountain Green again volunteered hundreds of hours to help give everyone another fantastic week. No place better on this earth than Sanpete and Fountain Green. Let's get ready for next year!

Don

Lamb Day 2009

It's Lamb Day celebration again. Getting ready for the main events this Friday and Saturday. Can miss the Sour dough and mutton fry Friday night and the Lamb Sandwiches Saturday.
Here's first night highlights of the almost week long softball tournament.
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Well here it is, the end of June already, before long it'll be fall and hunting season again. Big news, we finally moved into our new home. A couple weeks over a year in the 5th wheel; going from two small rooms to too many, now Pam and I can get lost from each other.
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A change in life, last month my Dad passed away at 81 years old. I sure miss hearing his stories and adventures. He was so proud of us building on the family homestead. The property has largely been abandoned with no care for over twenty years. We are now the fourth generation to live on it, A tradition that I hope lasts a lot longer.
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Last week the Fountain Green 2nd ward had their annual campout. A remote but well cared for area several miles up Water Hollow Road. A big thanks to Dave and Linda Christensen for their generosity and friendship. I didn't have time to add music but here is a small slide show of a few of the great ward members that enjoyed the evening.
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Please feel free to add photos, stories, family and community events.

Don Despain

My Ancestors

We are so happy to be part of this community. My ancestors on several branches settled Fountain Green, something I'm proud of and will always honor and respect their perseverance, hard work and dedication to the community and their church.

Bishop Robert L Johnson was the Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for over 23 years. WOW ... not much more to say than WOW. His wife Polly Ann Guyman Johnson was the Relief Society President for over 33 years ... again WOW!

They owned the local store and also the Fountain Green Hotel. Many times President Brigham Young as well as various Apostles would stop and spend the night when visiting the Manti Temple. Uinta Springs, now Fountain Green does have deep roots, dedicated people and generations who are thankful for what they have done for us.

Don Despain
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Fountain Green Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby

Yes the snow is melting and the cars are ready to race. Every hot rod in town showed up for the annual speed challenge. What a crowd ... the excitement was overwhelming and the drivers, pit crew and spectators had a show to remember.

The Scouts presented the colors, a rousing Pledge of Allegiance, opening prayer and Cub Scout Oath. Fun and patriotism filled the city elementary school. Fun was had by all and yes ... the boys all built and developed the most fuel conservative vehicle in the county.

Thanks to the race commentator and his electronic race track, the scout leaders, the parents and friends but especially the boys for giving us all a great evening of fun and adventure.

Don
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It's That Time of Year

Yup, it the time of year to get the snow pack off the old home roofs. After a couple of weeks of melting and a new storm on the way I had doubts the roof could support a lot more. Today throughout the town I saw several citizens doing the same thing. Sure need the water for next spring and summer but does make a lot of work. Love it ;)
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Empty Nest Home Evening

A great time was had by a few couples from the 2nd Ward. What a great idea, a way to socialize and share experiences, learn and have fun ..... and don't forget the treats. Heck I don't know what they were called but I had three of them, a tasty cheese cake thingy with a cherry on top. I'm not a gourmet chef just a big eater of anything sweet and they were indeed good.

A big thanks to Wendell & Melba for inviting us into their home.

Pam thought up a great string game where the length of the thread represented our lives. Each wrap of the string around our fingers required a short statement of something important in our lives. It was interesting hearing what was important, fun and exciting in each of our lives. A great way to make new friends.