The Morgan County News | December 9, 2022

MHS holds a bright future for artistry

By Ethan Hoffmann

The Art Club, rechristened as the Art Guild in the 2022-23 school year, gathers some of the most creative students at Morgan High School. The club’s advisors are Art teacher, Kayla Rich, and John Pincock, the ce ramics teachers at MHS. The youth president is Spencer Pincock, this year’s Visual Arts sterling scholar.

The Art Guild meets in Ms. Rich’s classroom every Wednesday to take part in an assortment of projects, and they are very dedicated to their cause. Each year the Art Guild makes custom screen-printed T-shirts with a homemade logo designed by Spencer; this year the logo depicts a proud phoenix rising from the ashes. On top of that, the Art Guild added a unique new addition this year: guildmember cloaks.

“I love how the Art Guild is a place where everyone belongs,” Spencer commented. “All of us come from different backgrounds, but we are united in creativ ity. There is simply a thrill that comes from creating great brush strokes, working with cardboard, or sketch ing out designs right next to others who love making things too. Most of all, I love seeing their light.”

In October, the Art Guild organized a holiday art sale; celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christ mas. At the art sale students assisted in restocking the counter, making money exchanges, and selling various pieces of art crafted by the club members. In the preceding weeks, Art Guild members were busy making

stickers, buttons, pins, prints, cards, sketchbooks, and other materials for the sale. They even created handmade coloring pages for younger customers. All proceeds of the MHS art sale go toward funding for upcoming club activities. The second sale will be in early February, recognizing Valentine's and Mother's Day.

"I've been involved with the art guild all the years I've been teaching at Morgan High,” commented John. “I'd say the organization is as robust as ever - thanks to the efforts of Ms. Rich. She has been an incredible source of vitality. I love that these students have a place to come and be expressive. The guild has provided stu dents a much-needed space to create, connect, and even serve."

In early November, the Art Guild went to the Hogle Zoo to study the animals and

AT MHS painted by the art guild

gain some field experience. After close scrutiny of the animals, the artists in train ing made their best attempt at drawing them.

Recently, the Art Guild painted the library windows at MHS. The theme was “Do you want to paint a snow

man?” and the members did an exceptional job decorat ing in preparation for the season’s festivities.

“I love my job,” com mented Rich. “I work with the most incredible, gifted, and kindhearted students out there.” l

The Morgan Community Choir brings the Christmas Spirit to Morgan

By Verlene Johnson

While it was cold out side, the auditorium at the high school was warm Monday, Dec. 5, filling with the Christmas spirit as the Morgan Community Choir presented its 24th annual Christmas Concert with special guest, bass player, Lars Yorgason joining in on several numbers.

After choir president, Steve Carrigan welcomed the large crowd, the choir, under the direction of Marilyn A. Lofgreen, Lanette Jensen and Garth Palmer sang “Here We Come a Caroling, followed by Wendy Mikesell’s beauti ful soprano voice ringing out the start of “Gusu BambinoThe Infant Jesus” Following the song “On a Sacred Still and Silent Night,” Lanette Jensen brought laugh

ter to the audience as she sang monotone in the song “Monotone Angel.”

After the men exited the stage, the women sang “Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella.”

The women of the choir then left the stage and the children

of the Morgan Valley Chil dren’s Choir took the stage. The Mini Melodies sang “We Wish you a Merry Christmas” followed by the Harmony Heroes singing “Frosty the Snowman” with Rhapsody concluding with “Where are

Georgia

Runoff Election held Tuesday

The Georgia Senate election be tween Raphael Warnock (D) and Hershel Walker (R) was held on Tuesday, after a month of build up. The results of the election will not change Democratic control of the Senate (which results in tie-break ing vote by the current Vice President when it is 50-50), but would give either the party more leverage in negotiations on close votes. Fromer NFL player Walker and pastor Warnock have been making the case that they are the better candidate both for Geor gia and the country even since a runoff was determined necessary in November.

Man arrested for throwing egg at King Charles III

A man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of assault for throwing an uncooked egg at the current British monarch. The King has been touring Great Britain follow ing his coronation, and encoun tered the protestor in Bedford shire. The man has been taken into custody pending arraignment.

Scientists identify reason for winter colds

While it has long been known that people experience more colds during the winter than other seasons, the reason has never been fully explained until a recent study. The study finds that the cold weather actually depresses the immune ability of the respirato ry system, especially in the nose. Reducing the temperature of air entering the nostrils by as little as 9 degrees farenheit can kill 50% of the bacteria and virus fighting cells in the nose, according to the data. In other words, your mother was right, as always.

Grinch arrested in Michigan

A man dressed as the Grinch was arrested at a holiday party for allegedly punching another man dressed as a reindeer. There were no details available about the lead up to the altercation, which occurred after a workplace party in Traverse City, Michigan, though the lack of Christmas spirit on the part of those involved in the scuffle was noted.

Governor Little declares this week

“CS Ed week”

Governor Little issued a decla ration officially recognizing De cember 5-11 as “CS Ed week” in Idaho. Touting the importance of Computer Science in the modern workplace and daily lives of stu dents across the state, the gov ernor praised the strides taken by state and local educators to make STEM, and especially computer-fo cused programs an integral part of the curriculum. An “Hour of Code” in which students from around the world are encouraged to explore the basics of coding and computer language learning.

you Christmas?" The choirs were directed by mother/ daughter duo Chris Sommers and Sheri Carter.

The men of the choir returned to the stage to sing

WINDOW

THE MHS ART GUILD on their Hogle Zoo field trip

THE CHILDREN’S CHOIR JOINING the community choir for the last song

Opening the holidays with a traditional Messiah sing-a-long

By Alisha Copfer

MORGAN—While this is only the second year for the Morgan Valley Arts Council to put on the classic Messiah sing-a-long, the council hopes to make it a tradition. On Saturday, Dec. 17, and Monday, Dec. 19, both at 7 p.m. at Morgan High School located at 55 N. Trojan Blvd., the Morgan community will have the opportunity to be present for this tradition in the making.

“We hope to give our community a chance to experience this magnifi cent music and message live and close to home,” said Emily Pfeifer, artistic director of the Morgan Valley Chamber Singers.

Composed by George Frideric Han del in 1741, the Messiah is an original Christmas hit, which details the life of Christ in a three-part performance–the prediction of his birth, his life works and his eventual death and resurrection. Drawing inspiration from both the Old and New Testaments, Handel's "Messi ah" brings passionate and moving music to the holiday season.

After moving to Utah, Pfeifer joined the Morgan Valley Chamber Orchestra. In 2019, she was available to conduct the first annual performance of Handel’s Messiah in Morgan Valley. This event led to the formation of the Morgan Valley Chamber Singers, who will continue to perform choral pieces with the MVCO under the direction of Pfeifer.

Amy Ward, president of the orches tra, asked Pfeifer about possibly having the Messiah Sing-A-Long during a Christmas party in 2017.

The choir started practicing for this performance in September. Pfeifer explained that the chorus is made up of 100 Morgan Valley residents with ages ranging from 14 to 87. During the performance, they will be joined by 25 members of the Morgan Valley Cham ber Orchestra as well as local vocal soloists Macey Quigley, Cliff Sharon and Bill Wiser.

One of the things this performance will stand out for is its guest celebrity

soloist, Dr. Melissa Heath. Dr. Heath is one of the most sought-after singers in Utah by the Utah Symphony, Taberna cle Choir and other choirs. The council is also bringing in world-renowned op era star Mardi Byers as a guest soprano. Admission for both evenings is free, and families are encouraged to attend. The doors for the concert will open at 6:30 p.m., with the council requesting that everyone be in their seats by 6:50

p.m. Pfeifer said that if people have a copy of Handel's Messiah and would like to sing with them, to please bring it to the performance. The Arts Council will also have several copies for audi ence members to use. The choir will be performing six of the choruses and will have page numbers in the program for the audience to follow along. l

Morgan County increases sales tax to fund transportation

By Linda Petersen

T he Morgan County Commission has approved two new sales taxes of .25 percent each. Funds from both taxes will go towards transportation in the county.

These funds can be used for the development, construction, mainte nance or operation of roads, traffic and pedestrian safety infrastructure, streets, alleys, roads, highways and thoroughfares of any kind, and air port facilities, along with an active transportation facility, public transit systems. (Morgan County does not appear to have any current plans for a transportation facility or public tran sit5 system).

The sales taxes are separated out to fulfill complex requirements of a 2018 state law which gave all Utah counties the ability to impose these sales taxes to help them fund trans portation.

The legislature “gave a certain amount of quarter-percents; these are the only ones we can enact as a com mission. The other two quarter-per cents we would have to go out to a

vote,” Commissioner Jared Anderson explained in an April 19 commission meeting.

The Morgan Council of Govern ments will determine how the reve nues from the first sales tax will be utilized. Fifty percent of the revenue of the second sales tax will be dis tributed among the cities, towns and unincorporated areas based on the location of the transaction. The other 50 percent will go to the county.

It is estimated that these taxes will generate $318,500 per year for roads in the county, according to figures provided by Wasatch Front Regional Council. This would cost households an average of $95 per year or $26 per person, according to WFRC.

“Almost every county in the state has actually taken advantage of this,” Anderson told his fellow commis sioners at a May 3 meeting when they agreed to proceed with implementing the tax. “We’re never going to have enough dollars to properly take care of our infrastructure in the county… We’re desperately searching for monies for the Croydon bridge, for example, for matching dollars. This is another mechanism that is created that

is going to help us to better maintain our roads, better maintain our infra structure.”

Commissioner Mike Newton ex pressed support for the proposed taxes at that time.

“If we were to do this change, it would take sales tax within Mor gan City to 6.95 percent and within Morgan County to 6.7 percent which is certainly lower than any of the surrounding counties,” he said. “I think we need to understand what that difference really is… I think even with an increase there’s still a pretty substantial gap … Right now, we’re a full percent lower than surrounding counties.”

At that May 3 meeting Commis sioner Blaine Fackrell said he would prefer encouraging businesses to locate in Morgan County by having lower sales taxes than to implement the proposed taxes.

“It’s a big, big decision for me because I’d do anything to bring in more revenue instead of [increas ing] property taxes because it shares it more equally with those who can afford it,” he said.

At that time, Commissioner

Robert McConnell said he would not support the proposed tax increase. “I definitely would like to see increased sales tax generated in the county; I would just prefer to expand the pie as opposed to increase the rate,” he said.

In the vote that evening, McCon nell and Fackrell voted against pro ceeding with enacting an ordinance to implement the taxes.

On Nov. 22, the county commis sion formally voted to approve a new ordinance that will implement the new taxes. The commission held a public hearing about the proposed taxes at that meeting, but no one from the public spoke at the hearing.

“This is just getting the ordinance in place so we can start the process with that local sales tax option,” An derson said.

The commission then approved the ordinance 4-1 (McConnell voted against it) setting the tax rates. The new taxes will now be submitted to the state tax commission for its ap proval. It is expected that they will go into effect April 1, 2023. l

Growth continues steadily in Morgan County, causes some concerns

By Linda Petersen

A lthough the area around Trappers Loop and Highway 89 is see ing more development which brings up concerns about increased traffic, UDOT officials don’t feel a traf fic study is warranted there. That’s what Morgan County Commissioner Jared Anderson told Morgan City and Morgan County School District officials at the Morgan Council of Governments meeting on Nov. 21.

“We’re concerned but it’s not to the point where we have to have a ma jor change there but that will bring in a lot more traffic,” he said.

UDOT officials told Anderson that once the commercial property west of the sewer ponds builds out a traffic light will be needed there, he said. Anderson suggested that instead

UDOT consider the Trappers Loop/ Highway 89 intersection for a light, but UDOT officials told him it did not warrant a traffic study at this time, he said.

The county commission recently gave preliminary plat approval for the Warner subdivision just south of Trappers Point. This development is not likely to begin until later 2023 depending on how smooth the approv al process goes, Commissioner Blaine Fackrell said.

Morgan High School has seen a significant increase in enrollment, but the elementary school has been “pretty quiet,” Morgan County School Board President Ron Blunck said at the meeting.

In the meantime, information shared with the COG by Morgan City shows that through October, 16 single -family and four three-plex build

ing permits have been approved this year. An additional 260 lots in seven subdivisions (Pheasant Run, Mahog any Ridge 4/5, Mtn. Vista Estates, Valley Vista Estates, Rupp Subdivi sion, Quail Hollow phase 2 and the Riverstone Townhomes) have been approved. Of those, 153 have been constructed. Mayor Steve Gale said he expected lots in the Rupp subdivi sion would be for sale by the first of the year, in answer to a question from COG Chair Tony London.

According to the information provided by the county, 172 building permits had been issued through Sept. 1. Of those 29 are single family units. Forty-six percent of all permits were issued in Mountain Green; 15 percent of the single-family permits were issued in Mountain Green.

In related news, on Nov. 22 the county commission gave final plat ap

proval for a 25-lot single-family home phase of Wasatch Peaks Ranch, at approximately 4213 N. Morgan Valley west of Peterson.

In this phase, the developer will construct a private road system that will connect with North Morgan Valley Drive east of the subdivision. Sewer and water utilities will be privately owned and maintained by the Wasatch Peaks Ranch Water and Sewer District. Road and fire protec tion services will be provided by the Wasatch Peaks Ranch Road & Fire District.

This is part of the larger 750unit development, composed of single-family homes, duplexes and multifamily units, planned for 2,834 acres in the area around the private ski and golf resort. The total property owned by Wasatch Peaks Ranch is 12,740 acres. l

MELISSA HEATH, SOPRANO SOLOIST

EMILY PFEIFER, CONDUCTOR

ABBY BEATTIE, CONCERTMASTER

BILL WISER, BASS SOLOIST

CLIFF SHARP, TENOR SOLOIST

MACEY QUIGLEY, MEZZO-SOPRA NO SOLOIST

Ho,

Ho! Christmas Merry

JOIN US FOR STORY HOUR SPECIAL GUEST SANTA

Fun Christmas activities to participate in at the library

By Ethan Hoffmann

The festive month of December has many things in store for patrons of the Morgan County Library. Stop by the library, located at 50 North 100 West, on Wednesday, Dec. 14 for a special guest at story hour: Saint Nicholas, the jolly old elf himself! “Santa has been visiting the library for story hour for years,” commented Erin Bott, the library director. “What began with only about a dozen participants has grown to include over one-hundred patrons. We want to thank Friends of the Library for helping us keep this beloved tradition going!” Friends of the Library will be sponsoring this fun, seasonal treat and everyone in the community is invited to participate.

The library would also like to call all kids to come and talk to Santa on the North Pole Radio Net. This activity will be sponsored by Morgan Amateur Ra dio Club and is free to the public, with no charge required. This event will take place next week on Saturday, Dec. 17. “We are excited to partner with other community organizations,” said Bott. “Organizations such as Friends of the

Library and the Morgan Amateur Radio Club, to serve as many Morgan County residents as possible.”

As a final note, recently a foreign visitor arrived at the Morgan County Library. The “shelf elf” can be found in a new location every day, so if you find yourself roaming the bookshelves, make sure you keep your eye out for him. As they say at the library, find the elf, tell a librarian, and get a piece of candy.

“We love to celebrate the holidays with our patrons!” emphasized Bott. “The library is not just a great resource for books and materials; it really is the heart of the community.

It is a place for people to gather together, and there is no better time to do that than Christmas.”

As Dec 25 draws near, don’t forget to spend time with your loved ones, at home or abroad. The Community and businesses of Morgan County, Utah truly bring the spirit Christmas to our little town, and the camaraderie and value of gift giving present will surely be in abundance as it always is around this time of year. Ho, ho, ho, and Merry Christmas from the library!l

Sponsored by Friends of the Library

THE WOMEN OF MORGAN

Mildred Johnson Williams – 1914 to 2004

Williams was born in Driggs, Teton County, Idaho

on April 4, 1914, the daughter of John James and Edith Carruth Johnson. On May 1, 1939, she married Joseph West Williams in Morgan. Together, they had three sons, four daughters, seven grandchil dren and eight great-grandchildren. He died on July 30, 1985.

She was an active member of the Fine Arts Study Group and served as president from 1949 to 1950. The group was organized, and membership was ac cepted in 1947 into the State Federation of Women’s Clubs.

The organization’s goal was to maintain a group of women for the purpose of education, social and civic advancement and achievement, and to cooperate in community activities. The group sponsored many projects to benefit the community.

In 1959, Williams devoted 300 hours and $35 to writing Morgan County’s first history, “Mountains Conquered.” This book was one of the major ac complishments of the Fine Arts Study Group. It has become the catalyst from which all other histories have derived.

She was a charter member of the Fine Arts Study Group, which observed its 50th anniversary in 1992. She also served in every official capacity and was very active in the publication of “Mountains Con quered.”

During that time, the Fine Arts Study Group helped the city by helping with a school skit and a project called “Pick it up: and put it in a basket.” This project involved the city and other community organi zations helping with the installation of new trash cans.

Although this club no longer functions, its contri butions will always be appreciated. Mildred was listed as the Historian and stayed an active member until the club was disbanded.

Williams worked for the Morgan County News, where she learned typesetting. She was employed in 1932 for the newspaper and also learned about layout and linotype. In 1934 she became employed at J. Wil liams & Sons Co.

She was an active member and officer of the Utah Retail Grocers and Auxiliary. She also won numerous awards at the Morgan County Fair for her sewing

CHOIR from page 1

a beautiful rendition of “Away in a Manger.” The women rejoined the men singing a Christmas medley, “Together at Christmas” and Robert McConnell lent his tenor voice to a second medley, “Christmas with Johnny Marks.”

Children from the audience were then invited to go onto the stage and the audience joined in singing several songs with the choir to see if a special guest would show up. To the children’s delight, Old Saint Nick appeared at the back of the auditorium, greeting the crowd as they continued singing, he made his way down to give the children a candy cane. After giving each one of the children a candy cane, Santa belly laughed as he tossed extra candy canes into the audience.

With Dan Thomson playing the African hand drum and Dixie Miller on the shaker the choir then sang “African Advent Carol,” with Sheri Carter’s voice soaring as a soloist. The choir sang “Thankful” to remind everyone to be thankful for all they have.

The concert concluded with the children’s choir joining the commu nity choir on stage for the finale “The Marvelous Toy” with Merrill Johnson, Kimberly Lang and Iris Gray playing with noisemakers.

Anyone filing out of the auditorium left with their Christmas spirit elevated. Cookies and punch provided by choir members and the Tykonis service club were served while people greeted one another and complimented the choir on

the festive feeling of the concert.

The Morgan Community Choir is a nonprofit organization that will start preparing for their spring session in February on Wednesday night from 7-9 at Morgan High School. They invite all who like to sing and can read music to come join them.

Carrigan said he would like to thank the community for their support and for coming to the concert so the choir could sing their prepared numbers. l

skills. Her other interests were her family, sewing, knitting and hand embroidery. Remaining family members have said that all of her family has many mementos of her work.

Williams loved the outdoors, nature, birds and animals, especially the quail and deer in her yard.

Her favorite sports were snowmobiling in the Morgan Valley and Yellowstone areas and enjoying the scenic beauty of Moab and Southern Utah.

Williams passed away on Dec. 11, 2004, at the age of 90, in West Haven, Utah. l

THE WOMEN OF THE FINE ARTS STUDY GROUP labeling the work on the book “Mountains Conquered.” Back L-R: Faye Williams, Margaret Thackeray, Eva Jensen, Ivy Francis, and Edith Peterson. Front L-R: Mildred Williams, Eliza Ulrich, Daisy Crouch, Margaret Little and Louise McConaughy.

Courtesy Photo

THE MORGAN COMMUNITY CHOIR

MINI MELODIES

HARMONY HEROES you could use either

RHAPSODY

SANTA HANDING OUT candy canes to the children

First annual breakfast with the Grinch at MES draws a crowd of hundreds

Going to school on a Saturday is not what an elementary child wants to do, unless they are have breakfast with the Grinch. What could be better than breakfast with the Grinch? Two Grinches!

Morgan Elementary School held a fundraiser for the PTO Saturday, Dec. 3 “Breakfast with the Grinch!” Over 300 children and adults showed up for a cereal bar, muffins, do nuts, fruit, hot chocolate bar, face painting and a photo with a Grinch or two.

TWO GRINCHES AT THE MES BREAKFAST with the Grinch

THE GRINCH SNEAKING up on Adalee Eddy and Claire Wiley while enjoying breakfast

ISRAEL AND EVELYN CASEY having fun with the Grinch KRIS AND KENNEDY WEITZEL’S family with the Grinch

Hometown Christmas

The

The Ginger Bread house contest People Choice Award went to Melissa Platt. From Ovation!, to Morgan Elementary, to the Morgan Valley Children’s Choir, music could be hear up and down the street. Even Morgan Academy of Dance had little dancers performing.

As the sky darkened the street lite up with lights to officially kick off the 2022 Christmas season in Morgan.

ALEX BULLOCK’S FAMILY getting warm by the fire

MORGAN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS helping the crowd get into the Christmas spirit

KYRA PREECE third place peo ple’s choice

THURSTON’S CLYDESDALES giving wagon rides

CHILDREN ENJOYING train rides

JAYDEN PIERCE

SANTA ARRIVING on the firetruck in a favorite of Morgan

JERRY AND NANCY PEIRCE listening to their son Jayden singing

OLIVIA POWERS enjoying Home town Christmas to its fullest

FACE PAINTING, always a favor ite at Hometown Christmas

KRISTA JOHANSEN second place people’s choice

MELISSA PLATT first place winner people’s choice

Hometown Christmas on Commer cial Street is a 12-year tradition that kicks off the Christmas season for many families in Morgan the first Saturday in December. With plenty of entertainment, food and an appearance from the Grinch and Santa Claus.

Festival of Trees passport winners were Carissa Haddock, Reeni Crowther and Madeline Rich. People Choice was Candyland by Morgan-Health and Human Resources with the highest bid going to If you Believe by Tykonis Ser vice Club.

SCHOOL MENU

Morgan & Mtn Green

Elementary Breakfast

Monday, Dec. 12

Scrambled eggs, Muffin Variety, Cereal Variety, Orange Juice, Mandarin Or anges

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Donut Hole, Cereal Variety, Yogurt, Applesauce, Pears

Wednesday, Dec. 14

Breakfast burrito, Cereal Variety, Pine apple Tidbits, Fruit Cocktail

Thursday Dec. 15

Pancake Sausage Stick, Cereal Vari ety, Sliced Peaches, Apple Wedges

Friday Dec. 16

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Mini Bagels

Strawberry Mini Bagel, Cereal Variety Omelet Cheese, Orange Juice, Man darin Oranges

Morgan & Mtn. Green

Middle & HS Breakfast

Monday, Dec. 12

Scrambled eggs, Muffin Variety, Ce real Variety, Orange Juice, Mandarin Oranges

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Donut Hole, Cereal Variety, Yogurt, high protein, Applesauce, Sliced Pears

Wednesday, Dec. 14

Breakfast burrito, Cereal Variety, Pine apple Tidbits, Fruit Cocktail

Thursday Dec. 15

Pancake Sausage Stick, Cereal Vari ety, Sliced Peaches, Apple Wedges

Friday Dec. 16

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Mini Bagels

Strawberry Mini Bagel, Cereal Variety Omelet Cheese, Orange Juice, Man darin Oranges

Morgan & Mtn. Green

Elementary Lunch

Monday, Dec. 12

Hawaiin Haystacks, Chow Mien Noo dles, Olives, CELERY STICKS 1/4, Peas, Glazed Carrots, Wheat Roll Apple Juice, Pineapple Tidbits, Gra ham Crackers w/ frost

Tuesday, Dec. 13

WG Grilled Cheese, French Fries, Mandarin Oranges, Strawberry Cup Brownie, Fry sauce

Wednesday, Dec. 14

Turkey Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Wheat Roll, Green Beans 1/2, Peach es, Applesauce, Gelatin

Thursday Dec. 15

Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Cucumber Slic es,Grape Tomatoes, Pineapple Tidbits Apple Wedges, Cookie Dough

Friday Dec. 16

Chicken Strips, Crinkle Cut Fries, Broccoli, Orange Juice, Blueberries Cinnamon Bread Stick, Fry sauce

Morgan & Mtn. Green

Middle Lunch

Monday, Dec. 12

Teriyaki Chicken, Corn Dogs, Chef Salad, Curly Fries, Peas, Celery Sticks, Pineapple Tidbits, Grapes, Apples, Oranges, Slushie Cup, Fry sauce

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Nacho Chips, Cheese Sauce, Taco Meat, Taco Salad, Burrito Los cobos

Refried Beans, Corn, Baby Carrots

Fruit Cocktail, Mandarin Oranges, Ap ples, Oranges, Mrs Field Choc Chip Cookie

Wednesday, Dec. 14

Turkey Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Wheat Roll, Chicken Nuggets, Chef Salad, French Fries, Green Beans 1/2 Strawberries, Grape juice, Apples, Oranges, Gelatin, Fry sauce

Thursday Dec. 15

Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Mini Corn Dogs Cucumber Slices, Grape Tomatoes Pineapple Tidbits, Mandarin Oranges Apples, Oranges, Cookie Dough

Friday Dec. 16

Chicken Strips / Choice, Grilled Cheese, Potato Wedges, Broccoli Flo rets, Glazed Carrots, Sliced Peaches Apples, Oranges, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fry sauce

Morgan High Lunch

Monday, Dec. 12

Teriyaki Chicken, Popcorn Chicken Wheat Roll, Chef Salad, Curly Fries Peas, Celery Sticks, Pineapple Tidbits Grapes, Apples, Oranges, Slushie Cup, Fry sauce

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Nacho Chips, Cheese Sauce, Taco Salad, Burrito Los cobos, Corn, Refried Beans, Baby Carrots, Fruit Cocktail, Mandarin Oranges, Apples Oranges, Mrs Field Choc Chip Cookie

Wednesday, Dec. 14

Turkey Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Wheat Roll, Chicken Nuggets, Chef Salad, French Fries, Green Beans 1/2 Strawberries, Grape juice, Apples Oranges, Gelatin, Fry sauce

Thursday Dec. 15

Papa Murphy’s Pizza, Popcorn Chicken, Wheat Roll, Cucumber Slic es,Grape Tomatoes, Pineapple Tidbits Mandarin Oranges, Apples, Oranges

Cookie Dough

Friday Dec. 16

Chicken Strips / Choice,Peanut Butter and Jelly, String Cheese, Wheat Roll Potato Wedges, Broccoli Florets, Glazed Carrots, Sliced Peaches, Apples, Oranges, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fry sauce

MGMS TEACHER SPOTLIGHT Christa Gettis

By Verlene Johnson

Christa Gettis grew up in the sub urbs of Philadelphia, Levittown, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, she attend ed Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pennsylvania where she earned an Associate of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education. She then attended the University of Great Falls in Great Falls, Montana where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education and Secondary Education. Since gradua tion from UGF the name has changed, and the college is now called the University of Providence.

Gettis said she has had the priv ilege of teaching across the US. She began her teaching career with the Great Falls Public Schools teaching Health and Physical Education to kindergarten through sixth grades with GFPS for eight years. After leav ing Montana she taught Health and Physical Education to middle school students at New Providence Middle School with the Clarksville Montgom ery County School System for five years. After five years, Gettis moved to Carthage, North Carolina where she taught with the Lee County School System in Sanford, North Carolina, at San Lee Middle School for another five years where she taught Advanced Physical Education, Fitness, Health, and Physical Education. She is cur rently in her first year teaching PE and Health at Mountain Green Middle School.

“I became a teacher because of my High School PE Teacher, Mrs. Hoffman. She was an incredible role model and teacher,” remembers Get tis. “She loved and respected all her students. I wanted to be able to reach and teach kids the way that she did. Also, I was very athletic, competitive

and had a passion for health and well ness. I wanted to be for students what Mrs. Hoffman was to me and all her other students!”

Gettis says she loves being able to share the knowledge she has about Health and Wellness, Physical Educa tion and sports with all her students.

“I also love building relationships with all my students. I especially love that I continue to learn and grow through my teaching experience,” she said.

Moving from North Carolina in July, Gettis currently resides in Lay ton, Utah. She said she moved back out west because all her children live in Montana and Utah.

Gettis began dating her husband at the beginning of her eighth-grade year and has been together since. This April they will be married for 30 years.

“I love spending time with my children! I also love jogging, hiking, paddle boarding and kayaking. Hon estly, I love being active and being outdoors,” Gettis said. l

MES STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Morgan Elementary School

LAYNEE SHAW, 1ST

KAI SMITH, 4TH

MGMS STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Mountain Green Middle School

ABBY NOORDA, 8TH

AUBREY PORTER, 6TH JAMES TELFORD, 7TH

JAX WEST, 5TH

KALLIE WANGSGARD, 5TH KRYSTEL KINSEY, 7TH PORTER ROSKELLEY, 6TH

SPENCER MCMILLAN, 8TH BRAIN TEASERS

Morgan hosts annual Winter Classic

By Jackson Woolsey

F

riday and Saturday, December 23 the Morgan Trojan girls basket ball team played host for the Morgan Winter Classic basketball tournament. Three teams made the trip to Morgan valley to face off in the tournament. Competing teams came from four of the six classifications in Utah, Morgan being 3A, Bear River 4A, Orem 5A, and Syracuse 6A.

Up first on Friday for the lady trojans was the Orem Tigers. Morgan jumped out to an early 14 to 3 lead in the first quarter, in the second, the Trojans extended their lead to 14 points making the score 29 to 15. To finish the fourth the Trojans out scored the tigers 16 to 4 closing the game with a win. The final score was 56 to 43 giving the team their third win on the season.

Also on Friday, 4A’s Bear Riv er took on the Syracuse Titans. The Titans took the game with the final score being 67 to 24, setting the matchup for the championship game on Saturday morning.

Saturday, December 3 the Tro jans and the Titans went head to head for the championship game. Morgan took charge in the first three quarters, out scoring Syracuse 43 to 24. In the last quarter the Titans turned up the heat, scoring 24 points but it wasn’t enough to outlast the Trojans. The final score was 56 to 48 which gave

Morgan the tournament win.

Tournament standouts include Elena Birkelend, Alyvia Jaffa, and Amay Rogers. Birkeland led the team scoring 14 and 27 points and knocked down 5 total three pointers in the two games. Jaffa added 14 and 12, while Rogers chipped in 6 and 5.

Up next for the Trojans is the North Summit Braves on Thursday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. The game will be played at home and the ladies look to extend their season record to 5-1. l

Morgan opens with big dual win over Viewmont, 65-12

Takes 5th at Millard Ironman Tournament

By Liisa London Mecham

The Trojans opened their season with a big victory at home over Viewmont, 65-12. Morgan won every match but two as the grapplers took to the mat for the first time this season. Friday and Saturday, they traveled to Millard for the tough Millard Ironman Tournament and went up against perennial wrestling powers Millard (2A State Champions), Juab (3A State Champions) and Pleasant Grove (6A State Champions) coming home with a hard fought fifth place finish and excellent experience against top pro grams across the state and Nevada.

In pool wrestling at the tourna ment, Morgan took second behind Pleasant Grove and advanced to the Gold Bracket with wins over Canyon View (34-27), Delta (50-21), North Sevier (59-18), and Emery (61-12). Their only loss in pool wrestling was to Pleasant Grove 49-13. Pleasant Grove has won 11 of the last 12 6A wrestling titles.

In the gold bracket, the Trojans triumphed over Richfield (44-21) but fell to Juab (49-24), Millard (48-21), and Slam Nevada (45-27). Facing off against such tough opponents early in the season is part of Coach Dustin Rock’s plan to prepare his team for state competition in February where they will see wrestlers from many of the same teams, especially Juab.

Standout performances at the tournament include Cole Keele (285), Aydon Thomson (215), Zak Sargent (157) and Luke Woolsey (113), who all went 8-1. Thomson and Sargent both dropped tough 2-1 decisions to Millard and Slam Nevada respective ly. Keele’s and Woolsey’s only losses

came by pin by Pleasant Grove and Millard. Finishing the tournament at 7-2 was Drew Korth. His only losses came against Pleasant Grove (4-2) and Slam Nevada (fall). Rylee Creasey (190) and Ryland Crowther (150) both finished with 6-3 records. Creasey lost two matches by a point, falling 3-2 to Millard and 1-0 to Juab. His other loss was a 6-2 decision to Pleasant Grove. Crowther also suf fered a single point loss to Millard. He was pinned by Juab and tech falled by Pleasant Grove. Krew Galbraith (165) went 5-4 as did Ryler Jorgensen (120) who had to medically forfeit his final match. Donavin Gibson (144) and Taite Toone/Maverick Guymon (138) went 3-6 and 2-7 for the tourna ment. The Trojans forfeited 126 and 175 in their matches.

Morgan-Viewmont Box Score

138: Taite Toone (MHS) over Ten nyson Daly (VHS) (Fall 5:45) 144: Donavin Gibson (MHS) over (VHS) (For.) 150: Rylan Crowther (MHS) over Beckham Daly (VHS) (TF 16- 0 4:00) 157: Zak Sargent (MHS) over Jacob Redd (VHS) (Fall 2:07) 165: Krew Galbraith (MHS) over Kellen Wood (VHS) (Fall 2:54) 175: Marcus Espinoza-Owens (VHS) over Carter Meibos (MHS) (Fall 4:32) 190: Rylee Creasey (MHS) over (VHS) (For.) 215: Aydon Thomson (MHS) over Luke LaMarr (VHS) (Fall 5:42) 285: Cole Keele (MHS) over (VHS) (For.) 106: Carter Wardell (MHS) over Collin Parrish Roberts (VHS) (Dec 7- 3) 113: Reese Carter (MHS) over Leonard Joshua Wright (VHS) (Fall 1:40) 120: Ryler Jorgensen (MHS) over Samuel Robert Rushforth (VHS) (MD 18-6) 126: Alex Eldon Lindquist (VHS) over Brisen Anderson (MHS) (Fall 0:45) 132: Drew Korth (MHS) over Brandon Tate Ripplinger (VHS) (TF 15-0 3:12) l

ELENA BIRKELAND goes up for a jump shot

MORGAN’S SARAH HEYWOOD pre pares to shoot a free throw

Photos by Trudy Toone

MHS’s Swim Team having a great season

By Cameron Bess

Morgan High School’s Swim Team is in the middle of their season.

The team has over thirty swimmers this year and many strong competitors.

The team has competed at six meets so far this season, taking second at their meet in Bear River on Nov. 22, with girls taking first and boys taking second overall. Boys also took first overall at their meet in Moab on Dec. 3.

Swimmers on the team have also been showing great improvement this season. At the Thanksgiving Invite the team totaled over 40 personal records and at their Moab meet over 35.

One student athlete said, “It has been an amazing season so far and I’m

super excited to see all of our hard work paying off. I can’t wait to keep compet ing this season and hopefully continue to see that work pay off.”

Multiple school records have also already been broken this season with Gerrit Noorda beating the record for the boys 500 yd freestyle, Grace Gordon beating the girls 200 yd freestyle re cord, and Brielle Sill taking the record in the girls 100 yd breaststroke, show ing just how much improvement the team has made both from past seasons and during this one.

Swimmers on the team say they can’t wait to keep working hard and improving until the end of their season in February. l

SPORTS PREDICTIONS

I think the Morgan boys will beat Green Canyon Wolves on Dec. 9.

Monday

The Great Christmas Light Fight (4) KTVX 7 p.m.

Four more families compete to win $50,000, as another exciting installment comes to a close. Now in its 10th sea son, the hit decorating competition showcases the wildest, most elaborate and awe-inspiring holiday displays.

His Dark Materials

HBO 7 p.m.

This series based on the novels by Philip Pullman continues with back-toback new episodes this evening. This season, Lyra (Dafne Keen) and Will (Amir Wilson) must travel to a place from whence no one has ever returned.

Tuesday

The Voice (5) KSL 7 p.m.

Another season of hard work and incredible performances comes to an exciting conclusion in the second night of this two-part finale. John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Camila Cabello and Blake Shelton decide which singer has earned Season 22’s ultimate prize.

O Holy Night: Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir (7) KUED 7 p.m.

This year, Megan Hilty and Neal McDonough join The Tabernacle Choir for a musical celebration inspired by the Emerald Isle. Songs include a mix of clas sic carols, popular holiday tunes, beloved hymns and a few traditional Irish musical numbers.

Wednesday A Very Backstreet Holiday

(4) KTVX 7 p.m.

The Backstreet Boys are getting into the spirit of the season with this new special. The Grammy-winning group per forms songs from their new holiday album, as well as a few of their non-holi day classics with some other special sur prises and performances.

The Earthshot Prize 2022 (7) KUED 7 p.m.

Founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in 2020, The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental prize that honors five innovators and their solutions to help save our planet. This year’s cere mony is held in Boston’s MGM Music Hall.

Thursday Ghosts

(2) KUTV 7 p.m.

Jay’s (Utkarsh Ambudkar) sister Bela (Punam Patel) returns to Woodstone

Daniel Mudrow

I think the score will be Morgan 60 Green Canyon 39.

Mansion for a holiday visit and brings a (platonic) male friend with in this hourlong holiday special. Sam (Rose McIver) sets out to spark a romance between Bela and her companion.

Branson HBO 8 p.m. The third installment delves into the battle between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, ending in a libel suit win for Richard Branson. It also covers his Pacific Ocean balloon voyage and the beginnings of his spaceflight company.

Mysteries of the Abandoned DISC 9 p.m.

Some of the world’s most unsettling, bizarre and amazing abandoned engi neering projects are explored in an eve ning marathon. Narrated by Kasper Michaels, the series looks at who creat ed these edifices, why they were built and why they were abandoned.

Friday

Dead for a Dollar SHOW 7 p.m.

While searching for a missing woman, a famed bounty hunter runs into his sworn enemy, a professional gambler and outlaw that he had sent to prison years before, in this western’s network premiere. Christoph Waltz, Willem Dafoe and Rachel Brosnahan star.

We’re Here HBO 8 p.m.

Former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” stars Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara and Shangela bring communities together with love and self-expression in this reality series. Traveling through smalltown America, the queens bring the beauty of drag to the locals.

Saturday Ghost Rider

TNT 11 a.m.

Nicolas Cage brings a comic book anti-hero to fiery life in this action flick and its sequel. When a stuntman (Cage) makes a deal with Mephistopheles to save a loved one, he is doomed to become Ghost Rider. Eva Mendes and Sam Elliott also star.

Friday

Morgan School District Board of Education Public Notice

Pursuant to Utah Code 52-4-102 the Board hereby gives notice of an open meeting to be convened as outlined below. The Board may move into a closed meeting for discussion of specifics as outlined in Utah Code 52-4-205.

A video/audio recording of the meeting will be available at www.morgansd.org the day after.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accom modations during the meeting should notify the Superintendent at least two working days prior to the meeting.

Date: December 13, 2022

Location: Morgan Board of Education Building, 67 North 200 East, Morgan, UT

Regular Meeting: 5:00 p.m.

I. Welcome – Board President Ron Blunck

II. Consent Agenda: Agenda, Minutes, Personnel, Financial Expenditures

III. Public Comment* IV. Superintendent’s Report a. Employee Spotlight MES b. MHS Extra Curricular Successes Human Resource Director’s Report Business Administrator’s Report V. Discussion Items a. District 3 Year Calendar VI. Action Items a. Homeschool Requests b. Policies ABB Teacher Licensure, CBA Procurement Update VII. Board Member Reports VIII. Advanced Planning for Upcoming Events a. Legislative Breakfast December 19, 2022, 7 am, DTC b. Next Board Meeting January 10, 2022, 5 pm c. USBA Convention January 5-7, 2022, SLC d. NSBA Convention April 1-3, 2022, Orlando IX. Adjournment

Reception for Outgoing Board Member Lars Birkland – Light Refreshments Ron Blunck, Board President

*Individuals wishing to address the Board during the Public Comment portion of the meeting should contact the Superintendent at 801-829-3411 by 2:00 p.m. the day of the meeting to be recognized on the agenda. Those speaking must provide name, city of residence, and topic. Three-minute time limit. Patrons may also share comments with board members via email at www.morgansd.org

Publishing: 12/9/22 MJ-01-004

Belfast HBO 2:40 p.m.

Jamie Dornan and Catriona Balfe star in this semi-autobiographical film about a working class family and their son’s childhood during the Troubles in 1960s Belfast. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, this black and white film shows the dan gers of sectarianism.

Killer Cases

A&E 8 p.m.

When Ohio State senior Reagan Tokes is murdered, detectives arrest Brian Golsby for the crime. While Golsby admits to kidnapping and forcing her to withdraw from ATM accounts, he denies killing her and pins the blame on an accomplice.

Sunday

The Masked Singer (13) KSTU 6 p.m.

Fan favorite contestants from Season 8 of “The Masked Singer” get into the holiday spirit with a Christmas sing-along featuring exclusive holiday perfor mances, bloopers and exciting behind the scenes footage in an encore perfor mance of this special. When Christmas Was Young (2) KUTV 7 p.m.

Desperate to find the next big hit for his last remaining client, a headstrong music manager ends up falling for a failed singer-songwriter in this premier ing holiday romance. Executive pro duced by Sheryl Crow, the film stars Karen David and Tyler Hilton. George & Tammy SHOW 7 p.m.

The President and First Lady of Country Music are on top of the world in a new episode of this bio graphical drama. Soon however, Tammy (Jessica Chastain) is forced to question if George Shannon) can handle the pressures of super stardom.

Celebrity Profile

By Dana Simpson TV Media

Known for her distin guished roles as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen” (2006), Mrs. Wilson in “Gosford Park” (2001) and Tolstoy’s wife, diarist Sofya, in “The Last Station” (2009), highly awarded actress Helen Mirren returns to the small screen Sunday, Dec. 18, as Cara Dutton in “1923” on Paramount+.

A prequel to another popular Paramount+ series, “Yellowstone,” and, as a result, a sequel to its spi noff, “1883”, “1923” stars Harrison Ford (“Blade Runner,” 1982) as Dutton family patriarch Jacob, who, along with his wife, Cara, deals with the pressures of 1920s western expansion, the Prohibition and the Great Depression. The cast also includes, among others, Brandon Sklenar (“The Offer”), Darren Mann (“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”), James Badge Dale (“The Departed,” 2006), Marley Shelton (“Planet Terror,” 2007) and Michelle Randolph (“The Resort,” 2021).

Born July 26, 1945, in the Hammersmith district of West London, U.K., to an English mother and a Russian emigre father, Mirren’s name at birth was Helen Lydia Mironoff. She had always expressed an interest in acting and, while attending the all-girls St. Bernard’s High School as a teenager, she often performed in the institution’s pro ductions.

That natural-born interest in the craft seems to have paid off, as Mirren currently is the only performer to have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting in both the United States and the U.K. — in the U.S., the honor con sists of having won an Emmy, a Tony and an Academy Award, while in the U.K., the Triple Crown is comprised of a BAFTA for film, a BAFTA for televi sion and a Lawrence Olivier Award for excellence on stage.

WHAT happened?

The headline of a news article could also be called the title. It is written in bold type above the story. Most headlines have a subject and a verb that tell the topic of the article and summarize the main idea, or most important part of the topic.

Read the three headlines that Woodword has written. Circle the headline you think is the best for this silly article.

DOWNTOWN – Clive the crocodile escaped from Downtown Zoo last night. Some people say he put on a costume and stole a pizza from Pete’s Pizza Parlor.

Clive has lived at the zoo for ten years. Pete Pesto, owner of the pizza parlor, says Clive entered the kitchen wearing a chef’s hat and apron and tried to make himself 20 large all-meat pizzas.

Police arrived at 9:30 p.m. “We got a call from a person eating at Pete’s. They said there was a lot of noise coming from the kitchen, but no pizzas,” said Chief Mike Jenkins.

Clive surrendered peacefully. “That’s the way the pizza crumbles,” Clive mumbled as the police put him in a squad car.

CHEF AT PETE’S ESCAPES FROM ZOO

Newspaper reporters must gather information and viewpoints from people on both sides of an issue to tell the whole story.

Based on the quotes from Clive, the police, and Pete Pesto, do they all have the same point of view? If not, what is each one’s point of view?

CLIVE: PETE PESTO:

Read the silly news article aloud to a family member. Ask them to identify the WHO, WHAT, WHERE and WHY. Then, ask them to explain which viewpoint they agree with the most.

Share your viewpoint and see if you agree.