Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Rest in Peace, Andy Anderson

Elvin Martin "Andy" Anderson, a longtime member of the B7 Ward, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2016 at the age of 104. Andy was born March 5, 1912 in Oasis, Utah to Peter M. and Tora Jensen Anderson; grew up on a farm and graduated from Hinckley High School.  He left the farm behind to move to California where he began his working life doing odd jobs and where he met June Barg on a blind date which lasted for 69 years.

From 1933 to 1946, Andy worked for Standard Oil Company then joined the Marine Corps, serving three three years in the South Pacific. After his service, he and June ran their own gas station in Malibu, CA for seven years. They contemplated retirement at this time, but soon found out there was more month than money so decided to try their hands at real estate.  This new field kept them happily engaged for the next 21years.

Andy was a member of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, American Legion and President of the Malibu Board of Realtors.

Andy and June retired to Oceanside, CA where they spent 13 happy years golfing and enjoying the San Diego area. In 1989, when California began to feel too crowded, they moved to St. George, Utah. They loved St. George and became active with The ICL at Dixie College and he joined the St. George Rotary Club where he found friendship and service opportunities for nearly a decade. They also enjoyed local cultural activities and golfing at the Bloomington Country Club.

June passed several years ago.  Andy is survived by his nieces and nephews throughout the United States.

Rest in peace, dear Brother Andy.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Primary Beats the Heat at Annual Water Party

On Friday, August 12, the 45 children of the B7 Ward’s Primary organization enthusiastically gathered for their annual summer water party.  There were several fun water games and a great water slide. The most exciting and fun surprise was a firetruck which showed up and sprayed the kids with their hoses.

The kids also enjoyed fresh watermelon and popsicles on this hot summer afternoon.

It was another great Primary activity and a fun way to beat the heat. Thanks to the Primary Presidency and our wonderful teachers for all their hard work to make it a big success.  

Thursday, August 4, 2016

A Day Away at Baker's Acres

The B7 Ward Relief Society’s “Day Away” at Jill Jones’ family cabin in Beaver was sooooooooooo much fun, so well planned, so relaxing and so much cooler than St. George.  Even with only 18 sisters making the 90-minute trip up the I-15 freeway, there was a great sense of sisterhood and fun.  The activities started with a getting to know you game (including a spontaneous rendition of the song aptly named “Getting to Know You”) in which the sisters were asked (based on their Skittle colors) to tell us (1) where were you born? (2) what would be your dream vacation? (3) what would you do with a million dollars? (4) if you could have dinner with anyone (alive or passed), who would it be? And, (5) tell us something about you no one else knows. 

Janet Labrum and her guitar entertained with songs of the south before a delicious and plentiful lunch was served!  

Then Wendy Johnston tested our knowledge of the first 100 Temples with questions and answers.  We tied quilts for Utah refugees, then President Jill broke out the board and card games (Quarkle, Phase Ten, puzzles) while some took a walk around the property.

The party, which started in the parking lot of the Manzanita Chapel at 8 a.m., finally broke up at about 2:30 p.m. when we all headed for our cars for the trip back to St. George and to “real life.”  However, before we got on the I-15 freeway, some of us met up one more time ... for ice cream cones at the Cache Valley Cheese store.

Of course, everyone understood “what happens at Baker’s Acres, stays at Baker’s Acres!”

Thanks to those who drove, to those who helped in any way and to our wonderful Relief Society presidency.  It was a delightfully lovely day!!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Girls Camp 2016

The B7 Ward Young Women and their leaders spent this year’s Girls Camp at Little Thunder scout camp located high on a mountain top high above Cedar City from Wednesday, July 27 to Saturday, July 30.  The stake theme was “Have Courage and Be Kind” with each ward having a different YW value.  B7’s was “virtue” and their color was gold.

The girls enjoyed the opportunity to get better acquainted with several new faces, including the Brown sisters, who as new move-ins in the ward, were ready and willing to attend a second girls camp this summer.  Sidney Kerr brought a friend along and Ashley Seacrest, whose family has a vacation home within ward boundaries, also attended.

Camp activities included humanitarian projects; arts and crafts; devotionals; singing, dancing, laughter and LOTS of bonding!  According to YW leaders, the only thing missing was SLEEP, “but, we can catch up later!  It was wonderful to get away from the world and become one with nature and the choice young women of the Bloomington 7th Ward.”

Thanks to everyone who supported this year’s Girls Camp in any and every way.