New SUP board and presidency sworn in
Monday, the 18 was the annual Christmas luncheon for the members of the Morgan Chapter of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers. A delicious lunch was provided by Larry’s Spring Chicken Inn. Next year’s Chapter board members and Presidency were sworn in by visiting National SUP President, Nate Pierce. These included Past President, Van Nelson; President, George Hopkin; President-Elect, Vaughn Larson; Vice President, Howard Hansen; Executive Secretary, Van Nelson; Heritage and Scholarship, Rick London; Membership & Recognition, Mark Francis; Monuments, George Newton; Publicity, Eric Anderton; Treasurer, Kelly Wright and Treks & Tours, Gerald Betournay
Each year the Modern Pioneer Award is presented to a person who exemplifies the qualities and attributes of our Pioneer ancestors. They contribute time and effort to help remember and honor our heritage both for us and future generations. This year’s award was presented to our outgoing President Van Nelson by board member Mark Francis. Van has served in the Chapter Presidency in multiple positions at the same time for several years during the challenging Covid years. Congratulations to Van and thank you.
A Christmas message was presented by the newly sustained Chapter president, George Hopkins. He related the touching story of early Morgan residents Peter Anderson and Sophia Heiner, a prosperous local couple who had brought a great deal of happiness to the valley with their generosity and service. They were, however, unable to have children of their own. In 1918 the influenza epidemic swept through the community. That year the Andersons provided Christmas gifts for all of the children in the valley who had lost parents to the epidemic. On Christmas Eve a “Glorious Gift” was returned to them in the form of a recently orphaned infant being left on their doorstep by the Red Cross. A note was left with the request of a dying mother to give the child to a loving family to care for him. A tender Christmas miracle.
Inspiring entertainment for the evening was performed by some of our very gifted local talent. The spectacular piano music of Rudy Cordeiro entertained the group during the meal. He is a native of Washington DC, the orchestra director at the high school, owner of the “Piano Place” on Commercial Street, and the Youth Pastor at the Morgan Valley Church. After the meal, the room was filled with the wonderful Christmas music of Rudy, Anne Elkins, and Emily Pfeifer. Anne is a native of SLC. She served a mission to Hamburg Germany and earned a degree in Violin Performance from the U of U. She worked at the Peter Prier Violin Shop and the Violin Making School of America. She and her family have lived in Morgan for 6 years. Emily Pfeifer was born and raised on the North shore of Oahu Hawaii. She has a degree in Music and Vocal Performance from BYU and a Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from Butler University. She served a mission to Austria. Emily has performed throughout the world and is a founding member of the Morgan Valley Arts Council and Director of the “Messiah” by the Morgan Valley Chamber Orchestra and Choir. All who attended were inspired and left filled with the Spirit of Christmas. λ
