Mendon May Day— 1986
Mendon City Council Meeting— Paula Watkins reported that the Mendon Second Ward wants to sponsor a May Day Ball (dance) in conjunction with May Day. The council felt that this would be an appropriate activity with May Day.
Mendon City Council Meeting— Paula Watkins gave a report on the May Day activities. Flora Mae Cheney has been appointed chairman. Paula suggested having a historical project each year as part of May Day. Paula said that she would like to organize a historical board within the city. Paula would also like to get the councils support to go ahead with the printed historical record of Mendon which has been put together by USU personnel. Paula Watkins moved to have the council approve her to inform her group to go ahead with the project of continuing the gathering of materials for the Mendon Historical record. Earl Doolittle seconded. Motion carried.
Mendon City Council Meeting— Paula outlined the May Day activities that would take place and also those over each committee. Mayor Shelton then drew from a box the name of this years May Day queen. Valerie Hudson’s name was drawn. Mayor Shelton will contact her about being queen.
Mendon May Day Queens, We Salute You!— This year, as we celebrate May Day, we will be honoring the Queens of past years. We hope you can come and celebrate with us on May 3rd, 1986. This is the first we have tried this, so we do hope you can come and help make it a success. As part of the celebration, we will be honoring you at a special reception, for one hour, so people can meet all of you again. This will be right after the morning activities of crowning the queen, dancing the maypole, and talent program, approximately at 12:15 p.m. We would love to have you sit with the rest of the Queens and be honored if you could be there about 9:30 a.m. If you will be able to attend, could you bring any mementos that represent your reign as May Day queen? Please write some of your thought and memories down and send to us, especially the names of who crowned you queen. We would love to receive word from you stating whether or not you will be able to attend. We truly hope you will be able to come and share this day with us, and we will try in every way to make this day enjoyable for you. We hope you will always remember May Day in Mendon, and know that we still love you. Please answer and let us know if you can come. Sincerely, Hazel M. Sorensen; Veda Sorensen; Joyce Hiibner; Nettie Kidman; Blanche Yonk and Delone Larsen.
Mendon City Council Meeting— David Buist offered his property to be used for a fishing pond during the May Day celebration. Gerald Willbur will donate the fish. David’s proposal was OK’d by the council. Mayor Ross Shelton brought up some questions that have surfaced about the May Day court diner. It was stated that the dinner should be a group project by the girls in the court with the queen’s parents furnishing the main course. it was also decided that a small charge will be made for admission into the dance.
Mendon Event This Weekend— The annual Mendon May Day celebration will be held Friday and Saturday with a theme dance kicking off the event. The traditional braiding of the maypole will be Saturday morning on the town square. This year sixty-six girls will decorate three maypoles. Following the maypole activities, the May Day queen will be crowned. This year’s queen is Valerie Kay Hudson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hudson. Her consort is Braydy Nelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Nelson. Attending the queen and her consort are: Malayna Fryer, Gina Markey, Carolee Petersen, Shauna Bodrero, Anissa Buxton, Kyra Janousk, Kristen Larsen, Eugene Bodrero, Aaron Lewis, Tim Barrett, Mike Bird, Kirk Obray, Randy Toevs and Scott Whoolery. The flower girl is Devon Nye and Clayten Nelson is the crown bearer. Listed below are the Mendon May Day activities: Friday— 8:00 p.m., “Dance of the Decade,” Mendon First Ward Cultural Hall, a 1950’s theme dance with Mike Christiansen’s band. A floor show at 9:30 p.m. will feature the Fox Trot, Jitter Bug, Waltz, Cha-Cha, Hop and other dances. Admission is fifty-cents per person or $2.00 per family. Saturday— Activities on the Town Square, 10:00 a.m., Maypole braiding and crowning of the May Day queen. 11:00 a.m., talent program. 12:15 p.m., reception honoring all May Day queens. 1:00 p.m., soccer game fourth grade vs. fifth grade. 1:00 p.m., turkey shoot, on the old Mendon Road, sponsored by Mendon Wildlife Federation. 2:00 p.m., children’s races and games. 2:45 p.m., registration for the horseshoe tournament. 3:00 p.m., horseshoe tournament. 3:00 p.m., fishing pond for children under twelve, sponsored by Mendon Station restaurant. 3:30 p.m., adult competition and games. 4:30 p.m., community softball games for anyone interested. The food stand will be open from noon to 6:00 p.m., with hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, ice cream, Frontier Pies and other items available. In addition, all day Saturday there will be a historical display in photography and crafts, and photography contest results will be on display. Volleyball games also will be played throughout the day Saturday.
Mendon May Day Handout: April 28th, 7:00 p.m. Fantastic Family Night: Congregate at the church. Movies and history from past May Day’s. Rehearsal of May Day songs with Brother T. Kay Sorensen. Refreshments, each family bring one dozen cookies. May 2nd, 8:00 p.m. Dance of the Decade: Mike Christiansen’s band will provide music for all ages’ dance enjoyment. Return-to-the-fifties-floor show at 9:30 p.m., demonstrating [the] Fox Trot, Jitter Bug, Waltz, Cha-Cha, Hop and others. Many people participating, including the queen and her court. Refreshments. 50’s Memorabilia. Dress 50’s for fun. May 3rd, 10:00 a.m. Maypole Maneuvers: Crowning of Queen Valerie Hudson and the dancing of the maypole at 10:00 a.m. Talent program in the chapel at 11:00 a.m. Reception for all May Day Queens at 12:15 p.m. in the cultural hall. Historical display in photography and crafts in the church throughout the morning. Photo Contest results. May 3rd, 2:00 p.m. Assorted Activities: Soccer games, volleyball, horse shoes, softball games, competition relay games and many other activities will be available for your enjoyment. May 3rd, noon–6:00 p.m. Food Stand: Treat your family and company to delicious Mendon hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks and assorted ice creams and other tidbits throughout the day. Thank you, May Day Chairman Flora May Cheney and Committee Members; Pat Krebs, Janet and Craig Petersen, Hazel M. Sorensen and Veda Sorensen, Blaine and Doreen Taylor, Steve and Kris Whoolery, Kristine Groll, Mike and Laura Morgan, Mendon First and Second Ward activity committees.
May Day— May 3rd, 1986. A special souvenir program and presentation for the returning former queens.
Come meet the queen of yesteryear,
Have a treat and shed a tear,
Cherished memories and fondest dreams,
All come from our May Day Queens.
Thanks a million for coming
On this special day,
Our committee wishes to thank you
In our special way.
With Much Love: Hazel M. Sorensen, Veda Sorensen, Joyce Hiibner, Delone Larsen, Nettie Kidman and Blanche Yonk.
“Memories Of May Day”
(Tune: Dearie)
Dearie, do you remember when we waltzed to the Mendon Band, my, wasn’t the music grand?
Fancy couples swinging and swaying, made the night so divine—
(Test Your Memory)
My Dearie, do you recall the May Days in the old rock church house, some even danced with their own spouse!
Dearie, life was cheerie in the good old days gone by—
Do you remember? If you remember, well, Dearie your much older than I.
(Test Your Memory)
My Dearie, do you remember dancing to the good old Mendon Jazz? Lots of fun and fast pizzaz—
The Yellow brick church house held lots of parties— so many good times there!
(Test Your Memory)
My Dearie, do you recall when we all went down the narrow stairs? Sat on cold, squeaky slatted chairs?
Dearie, life was cheerie in the good old days gone by—
Do you remember, if you remember, well, Dearie your much older than I.
(Tune: Yellow Rose of Texas)
We have our Mendon May Day to laugh and have some fun—
We’re just one great big family, it takes in everyone—
We meet our friends and neighbors and folks that moved away—
We look for them to be here, to join with us today—
We’ve had our little dancers to braid the maypole tight—
They sing the songs of springtime, ’tis such a pretty sight—
The queen and her consort, the maids of honor, too—
And don’t forget the escorts all groomed up just like new.
(Tune: Auld Lang Syne)
We pay tribute to our past queens and thank them kindly, too—
For their attendance here today, remember we love you—
And now to make your day complete with happiness sublime—
Let’s gather round to chat with friends we’ve known a long, long time—
To clasp a hand, exchange s smile with folks who are so dear—
Lets cherish every word and thought throughout the coming year.
Performed by Tawna Fonnesbeck, June Bowen and Betty Bartlett. Accompanied by Beth Muir.
Printed May Day Program: Mendon May Day, May 3rd, 1986 10:00 a.m. Queen’s Court: May Queen, Valerie Kay Hudson; Consort Braydy Nelson; Flower Girl, Devon Nye; Crown Bearer, Clayten Nelson. Maids of Honor with Escorts: Malayna Fryer with Scott Whoolery, Gina Markey with Eugene Bodrero, Carolee Petersen with Aaron Lewis, Shauna Bodrero with Randy Toevs, Anissa Buxton with Mike Bird, Kyra Janousck with Tim Barrett, Kristen Larsen with Kirk Obray. Maypole Dance Instructors: Pat Krebs, Joanne Hardman, Janet Larsen, Dixie Miskin, Barbara Obray and Carolyn Baker. Maypole Dance Accompanist: Norma Myers. The 64 Maypole Dancers for 1986—
| Jackie Larsen | Robyn Larsen | Katie Krebs | Christina Kirk |
| Jennifer Balls | Holly Buist | Trudy Quinlan | Heather Reynolds |
| Camille Campbell | Katie Willie | Sharese Hatch | Shannon Lyle |
| Amber Locke | Jentry Hudson | Mandy Fryer | Michelle Olsen |
| Andrea Hansen | Sarah Clemensen | Rachel Owens | Kandie Woodbrey |
| Kristalou Hart | Angela Hofler | Codi Ann Reynolds | Amy Hardman |
| Sarah Walbridge | Hannah Walbridge | Maradean Moon | Amber Taylor |
| Lindsay Larson | Shayna Buxton | Carrieanne Nye | Deanna Thompson |
| Jill Lindbloom | Mandy Whoolery | Lori Olsen | Anna Groll |
| Kristi Olsen | Mandi Bartholomew | Jolene Myers | Kelly Larson |
| Jenny Krebs | Krista Hopkins | Amy Croshaw | Megan Croshaw |
| Sabrina Hatch | Heidi Hardman | Shanlie Miskin | Jill Tolman |
| Stephanie Bowen | Sharilyn Miskin | Amanda DeGasser | Threse Hardman |
| Deneil Murray | Julie Lindbloom | Anna Watkins | Emilee Petersen |
| Jami Larson | Jemmifer Jensen | Holly Hyer | Christina Smith |
| Melissa Bradshaw | Carrieanne Nye | Laurie Obray | Shari Bird |
May Day Program: Introduction of Queen’s Court, T. Kay Sorensen; May Day songs, T. Kay Sorensen, accompanist; Norma Myers; conducting, Mayor Ross Shelton; prayer, Max Baker; welcome and presentation of trophy, recognition of past May Day queens, poem “May Queen” by Tennyson, Merlene Yonk Johnson; surprise musical selection, trio, June Bowen, Betty Bartlett and Tawna Fonnesbeck, accompanist, Beth Muir; narration of program, Valerie Larsen, musical number “The Thing,” queen’s court; piano solo “Rootbeer Boogie,” Paula Watkins; vocal solo “The False Prophet,” Rebekah Cheney; song, “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah” and “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” Croshaw children; song, “The Burglara Boy,” Lavon Aslett; medley, “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” “Did I Remember” and “Muskrat Ramble,” Burnett sisters; prayer, Rulen Ladle. Afternoon Activities: Queen’s reception and historical displays, photo contest displays and recognition, 12:15 p.m.; soccer game, fourth vs. fifth grade, 1:00 p.m.; children’s games and races, 2:00 p.m.; registration for horseshoe tournament and fishing for children under twelve, sponsored by the Mendon Station Restaurant, 2:45 p.m.; adult competition and games, 3:30 p.m.; community softball for anyone interested, 4:30 p.m. The food stand will be open from noon to 6:00 p.m. May Day Committee: Paula Watkins, city councilwoman; Flora May Cheney, chairman; Craig and Janet Petersen, queen’s court; Doreen and Blaine Taylor, food stand; Kristine Groll, family night; Steve and Kris Whoolery, photography and handicraft displays; Hazel M. Sorensen and Veda Sorensen, queens’ reception; Michael and Laura Morgan, afternoon activities; Richard and Paula Watkins, 50’s dance and ward activity committees; Pat Krebs, maypole dance.
Mendon City Council Meeting— Paula Watkins mentioned the success of the May Day celebration. Paula updated the council on plans for the 24th celebration. Paula also mentioned some of the clean up activities which will be taking place on the square this year. Abandoned vehicles was also discussed with their proper removal. An ordinance on this was read by Paula.
Mendon City Council Meeting— Flora Mae Cheney approached the council concerning the changing of the traditional May Day celebration to a new date because of various conflicts with other activities that some of the youth have. Ken Buist felt that some feedback needs to be received from some of the older participants of May Day. Action was deferred till December.
Mendon City Council Meeting— The council presented the feedback that they had received from the citizens from town. Most of the responses favored keeping May Day on the same weekend in May. The council agreed to keep May Day on the first Saturday of May.