The 2005 Lilac Queen Is Announced in Basin Wyoming

Ellen Cummings who spends most of her time doing things for others is crowned Lilac Queen. Even though she is 84, she is on the move, helping others, almost all the time.

(PRWEB) July 5, 2005 -- Ellen Cummings from Basin, Wyoming. Known as the Lilac capital of the world because lilacs grow naturally there. Was crowned Lilac queen on June 25 2005 and is now visiting her oldest son Doug Cummings in Utah.

Ellen Cummings was chosen as this year's Lilac Queen by a vote of Basin-area residents. She was crowned at the beginning of the celebration in Washington Park, and then went on to reign over the event for the rest of the day.

Ellen Whisler was born in Colorado , the tenth of 16 children. She lost both parents when she was fairly young, and was raised by an older sister, Dorothy Whisler Hepner. Ellen graduated from Gillette high School in Wyoming and began teaching at a small country school in the area. A sheep wagon was her home during one entire year while she taught.

She married J. Lee Cummings of Basin and their first son, Douglas, was born while Lee was serving in World War II. The Cummings family, now grown to include another son, Jeffrey, moved back to Basin in the early 1950s. Lee died at the early age of 41 on April 1, 1962, and Ellen went to work for the Town and Country Store for 20 years.

Her sons both live out-of-state: Douglas Cummings lives in Layton, Utah and Dr. Jeffrey Cummings resides in Santa Monica, Calif. She has three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Ellen is a member of the United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and the South big Horn Hospital Auxiliary. She also sings with the Basin/Graybull Community Chorus, and serves as a "Reading Grandma" at Laura Irwin Elementary School. When her boys were young, she was their Cub Scout den mother. She has been an active member in the local AARP chapter, and has also volunteered at the South Big Horn Senior Citizens' Center in Greybull, and at the county's Public Health Nurse's office. Ellen will be in Salt Lake area for 2 weeks.

Contac Informationt: Kyle Cummings www.kyledc3222@aol.com 801-856-0773 1196 East 3225 North, Layton, UT 84040

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