Thinking about Roland

Several years ago, when Roland Simmons was mayor of Cowley, he told me something I’ll never forget.

We were discussing some kind of issue involving municipalities, and I had told him the Lovell Town Council was trying to do the right thing under the guidance of attorney Sandra Kitchen, making sure everything was in order and legal.

Roland looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and said, “In Cowley, we just do what we want, and if it’s wrong, we ask forgiveness.”

That was Roland, the Cowley can-do mayor, who presided over a number of progressive projects for the community like the downtown development project, the effort to bring the school facilities to Cowley and the preservation and restoration of the historic Cowley Log Gym and Big Horn Academy buildings.

Of course, Roland was successful as the inventor and owner/operator of the stunning Interfold sculptured Lumalight lamps in California, but he returned to his hometown nearly 30 years ago.

Upon his return, Roland kind of became Mr. Cowley.

I loved to talk history with Roland. Not only was he the mayor, he was the town historian and led the development of the Cowley museum. We collaborated on many Cowley history stories over the years.

Roland used to kid me about being a “Lovell guy” – until I pointed out that my Peck grandparents lived in Cowley when my father was born in 1922, and thus, I have strong Cowley roots.

It is fitting to be thinking about Roland, who passed away July 8, as Cowley Pioneer Day approaches. I learned, in talking with Roland, to always refer to the event as Pioneer Day, not Pioneer Days, even if the festival covers more than one day. Pioneer Day, as many people know, is when the pioneers -- members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints led by Brigham Young -- entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. And thus, the celebration is Pioneer Day, not Days. So at the newspaper we may refer to Pioneer Day activities or festivities when talking about two days of events.

Roland educated me on that issue, among other things.

Interestingly, Pioneer Day used to rotate among Lovell, Cowley and Byron many decades ago.

I guess my final thought about Roland is the fine family he raised. I don’t know all of the kids, but those I have come to know are really great folks, outstanding in their own right.

I will certainly be thinking of Roland during Pioneer Day festivities this weekend.