Life in San Juan

Mini golf adventures

by Spencer Gosney Contributing writer If you are ever driving through Monticello, you may see a large red store right beside Main Street bearing the name, “Merc’s True Value”. To the uninformed, the building may appear as just another hardware store, with a few additional commodities added for...

White Mesa Bear Dance this weekend

by David Boyle News Director The annual Ute Mountain Ute Tribe White Mesa Bear Dance is returning to the White Mesa community this weekend starting on Friday, August 30, and concluding on Monday, September 2, The event is open to the public. Friday starts with the sunrise prayer and blessing at 6...

Maggie Johnson, a 13-year-old girl from Blanding, during her epic journey to Rainbow Bridge in 1924. Johnson is the first woman to see the massive bridge and sign the visitors register. Courtesy photo

First woman to visit Rainbow Bridge

by Sally Jack Contributing writer One hundred years ago, on July 13, 1924, a 13-year-old girl named Maggie Johnson, of Blanding, became the first Utah woman known to visit Rainbow Bridge and sign the register at Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Maggie traveled to the bridge as part of a pack trip...

An oar-shaped digging stick, about 800 years old and probably made of oak. Photo courtesy Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum

Ancestral Farmer’s Digging Stick

The Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum’s “New to the Edge” exhibit features an Ancestral digging stick. The hardwood stick (which is about three feet in length) includes a blade, handle, and knob. They have all been polished through repeated handling and use. The shape of the blade and length of...

After extensive remodeling, the Blanding Motel became the Stone Lizard Lodge, continuing more than seven decades of lodging to visitors to Blanding from near and far. Courtesy photo

The Stone Lizard Flourishes with Simpson TLC

by Janet Wilcox The Craig and Kathy Simpson family bought the Blanding Motel from Gary and Sharon Guymon in September 2011 and embarked on a journey of creativity, problem solving and success. Their son Adam designed a metal Stone Lizard which became the motel’s namesake. He also made signs and...

San Juan County Fair is Country to the Core

by Bill Boyle Editor The San Juan County Fair is Country to the Core in 2024. The festivities started on July 27 and will run through Saturday, August 10, providing a host of fun opportunities at the county fairgrounds in Monticello. County fair events include rodeos, livestock auctions, games, and...

Anna Fredericks was the Grand Marshall of the 2024 Pioneer Day Parade. Anna is consistenly busy volunteering including taking photographs of high school events and doing behind the scense work for the Monticello wrestling program. Anna also has been the county fair director for many years. Pictured with her family from left to right: Zac, Elise, Tyler, Anna and Danny. Courtesy photo

Anna Fredericks is Pioneer Day Grand Marshal

by Sally Jack Contributing writer The City of Monticello selected Anna Fredericks to serve as the Grand Marshall in the 2024 Pioneer Day Parade, which was held on Saturday, July 20. City and county officials were pleased to honor Anna as Grand Marshall for her many years of excellent service as...

Before it was the Stone Lizard Lodge it was the Blanding Motel. Courtesy photo

Blanding Motel & Stone Lizard Lodge site turns 70 this year

Part I, The Blickenstaff Years Gene and Francell Blickenstaff made a significant impact on Blanding for dozens of years. They were the first to build a motel in town which consisted of seven cabins. Gene had just returned home from serving in the Army in Europe during World War II. He bought...

Monticello City ready for Pioneer Day Events

“Back to Our Roots” is the theme of the 2024 edition of the annual Monticello Pioneer Days celebration. The two-day celebration runs Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20. The weekend features a community-wide celebration, along with many reunions. A full schedule of events can be found on page B8 of...

Monticello Temple President and Matrons

Presidents and matrons of the Monticello Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints recently met for a photo. The temple was dedicated 25 years ago. See more photos at the San Juan Record websiate at sjrnews.com. Courtesy photo