By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
The Moapa Valley Revitalization Project (MVRP) presented its most recent work during a brief ceremony at Sugar’s Restaurant in downtown Overton on Saturday morning. About two dozen people gathered in front of the restaurant to witness the unveiling of a set of murals which had been newly painted on the front of the building by local artist Joan Day.
The mural depicted three famous sports figures of the past. L.A. Dodger great Sandy Koufax is shown pitching one of Sugars’ famous Little Slugger Breakfasts. Dodger Maury Wills is shown sliding into homeplate where a delicious Sugar’s cheeseburger awaits him. And Rams quarterback Kurt Warner is throwing a pass that looks like a Sugars hotdog.
Each of these players has special significance as favorites to restaurant owners Sugar and Judy Metz.
“We wanted vintage players that people would be able to recognize,” said Judy Metz. “Sandy Koufax is our favorite Dodger ever. And Warner is Sugar’s favorite. He still hasn’t given up on the Rams yet.”
The MVRP selected Sugar’s as the recipient of their October beautification project. MVRP member Kathi Cooper said that the committee wanted to do something special for the annual Make A Difference Day event that is hosted each year by U.S.A Today.
“We thought we would do something for Sugars because they have given so much to the community,” Cooper said.
In addition to the murals, volunteers pitched in and help put a new coat of paint on the awning surrounding the top of the Sugar’s building.
“I’d been wanting to get the awning painted for quite some time,” said Judy Metz. “But when I got a quote from a painter the cost was so high, and they couldn’t guarantee that the paint wouldn’t fade and flake to the way it looked.”
The MVRP members told Metz that they would donate all the labor if she would supply them with the paint. Metz readily agreed to this.
Dan Hopkins of Ace Hardware got them started by donating three gallons of paint. He also donated equipment which would lift volunteers up onto the awning where they could prep the surface and do the painting.
“Dan’s son, Matt, even came and operated the equipment for us one day,” said Cooper.
Judy said that she was grateful for the beautification work that was done.
“It’s such a relief to have it looking so much better,” she said. “And we love the murals. They have generated a lot of attention. We have had tourists come by and see these players on the wall and want to take their picture with them.”
