Cottonwood Heights Journal | October 2023

By Cassie Goff |

Numerousresidents voiced their concerns about construction of sports courts in residential areas to the Cottonwood Heights City Council on Aug. 15. Those public comments inspired the city council to discuss the possibility of updating their ordinances, composing additional regulation, and a potential moratorium on planned construction during their meeting on Sept. 5; especially given the city does not currently have an ordinance in place to regulate sports courts directly.

“However, we do have other ordinances that affect sport court construction,” explained Community and Economic Development Director Mike Johnson.

Even though there are various types of sports courts like tennis courts, volleyball courts and basketball courts, the council discussions focused primarily on pickleball courts with the rise in popularity and the pending permit applications for at least two pickleball courts within residential areas of the city.

The two main themes arose from the numerous resident concerns: the lighting and noise produced by sports courts that then overflow and intrude on neighbors.

Johnson overviewed the Outdoor Lightning Ordinance (Chapter 19.77 in the Cottonwood Heights Municipal Code), adopted in 2019, as the current ordinance in control of mandating all outdoor lighting throughout the city. All outdoor lighting includes lighting

Continued page 10

Example photos of backyard pickleball courts, indoor pickleball courts and sport courts. (Mike Johnson/Cottonwood Heights)

Brighton High thespians to bring holiday magic with ‘White Christmas’ performance

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

ThisDecember, when the tree tops glisten and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow, may the days be merry and bright and head to Brighton High where “White Christmas” will be performed by Brighton thespians.

“I love ‘White Christmas,’” Brighton theatre director Makayla Conner said. “I grew up watching it. It was a big part of my childhood. We have not done a classical musical in almost 10 years and some of the cast didn’t know ‘White Christmas,’ but a lot of parents were excited when it was announced. The kids watched it and loved it so they’re looking forward to performing it—and, we’re going to make it snow. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The show will open at 7 p.m., Nov. 30. The production continues at 7 p.m., Dec. 1 as well as at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 2 on the school stage, 2220 Bengal Blvd. Tickets are $6 for seniors and veterans and for all others, $8. Tickets are available at Brightonbengals.org/events and at the door while tickets are available.

Conner wants her students to learn several different forms of theater. The past few years, students have performed more modern shows.

“The music in ‘White Christmas’ is fun; it’s jazzy. I want the student to get a chance to perform a classic at least once while in high school. I want them to get experience with some different genres than the shows we’ve been doing,” she said. “We also want our students to grow in their dancing skills so this will help them get more experience.”

About 90 students are involved in the show from 60 on stage to others who perform in the orchestra pit and are part of stage crew. In addition, middle schoolers from Butler and Albion will join in the chorus. A special guest appearance will be made by art teacher Derek Chandler, who is a U.S. Army veteran.

“With the show, ornaments can be donated throughout the run and we’ll add them to an artificial tree that will be in our lobby during the show. When the show’s over, the kids are planning to visit the veterans’ home and give the tree to them, which ties into the show and gives our students a chance to give to our community,” Conner said.

The show follows 44 Bengals taking part in the 47th annual Shakespeare high school competition Oct. 5-7 in Cedar

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City. The thespians will take the stage to perform a condensed version of “Richard III” and students will perform individually or in small groups with pieces from “Gentlemen of Verona,” “Measure for Measure,” “Henry VIII,” “Henry VI, Part 2” and ““Coriolanus.” Additionally, 25 students will compete in the dance contest with a piece based on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

As well as competing, the student group will see Utah Shakespeare Festival performances of William Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus” and “Twelfth Night.”

Following their competition, there will be a free hour-long Shakespeare showcase of the drama and dance pieces at 7 p.m., Oct. 9 at the school.

In the spring, the students will compete at the region contest with the play, “Rabbit Hole” by David Lindsay-Abaire. It received the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

“The play centers around the grieving process and how people grieve differently. In the play, the husband has a very attached style, wanting to hold on while his wife is wanting to move on as best as she can. So, there’s a conflict between the couple about how grieve and what’s healthy for each of them,” Conner said. “It’s a very dramatic piece.”

Their one-act region competition is March 12, 2024 and a second day, students will take 24 pieces to perform individually or in small groups.

Afterward on March 14-16, they’ll perform their one-act and the region individual events for the community in their Black Box Theatre. Tickets will be $8.

State will be April 13, 2024 with about 300 students competing at Brighton High.

Their spring play is “Puffs” or “Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.” The 2015 play written by New York playwright Matt Cox is a parody of the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling, but from the perspective of the "Puffs,” Conner said.

“It’s Harry’s first year of Hogwarts, but you’re following the Hufflepuffs instead of the three Gryffindors. So we’re seeing everything from the lens of the kids who are a little goofy and quirky and don’t really get a lot of attention. It plays on the whole story of Harry Potter, but there’s an underlying sense of self-worth and learning who you are and accepting who you are. It goes through all seven books and each of our actors will play at least two different roles throughout the whole show,” she said.

While the names may be changed or not used, the story is easy to follow.

“It interchanges between Potter and Harry or Mr. Potter and it’s Weasley or Ron; they kind of just use one or the other, but not both together. The house names are changed to Braves, Smarts and Snakes and Puffs,” Conner said. “The show is very popular, especially with the high schoolers right now.”

“Puffs” will be performed May 2-4, 2024 in the Black Box Theatre. Tickets will be $8.

In addition, Brighton’s 10-member improv team will hold two shows this year.

“Improv is very popular right now. The format of improv is more team oriented. In the show, students are playing a game, so kids feel more comfortable in this form of theater because they don’t have to memorize anything, and they make it up as they go. It’s more of a play environment,” she said.

Their shows will be 7 p.m., Dec. 8 and 7 p.m., May 10, 2024 in the Black Box Theatre. Tickets are $5. l

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Brighton High thespians are seen here at their first rehearsal of “White Christmas,” which will be performed early winter. (Photo courtesy of Sophia Magleby)

Comedy, tragedy, family are some show themes for Cottonwood’s theatre season

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

High thespians will plunge into their season with the dynamic production of “The SpongeBob Musical” this fall.

Cottonwood

Through a tidal wave of original songs by well-known recording artists, the student-actors will sing and dance and come together to save the fate of their undersea world after a volcano eruption.

“I love this play,” Cottonwood High theatre director Adam Wilkins said. “I always think ‘SpongeBob’ is a show that is better than it should be. The characters are quirky and different yet fun and relatable, and they make some great iconic moments. What makes the show unique is the fact the songs are from incredible artists like David Bowie, Aerosmith, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper. It’s an incredible rock score. It’s just so much fun.”

The family-friendly show will be performed at 7 p.m., Nov. 15 through Nov. 18 as well as at noon on Nov. 18 on the school stage, 5715 S. 1300 East. Tickets are $10 and are available at www.cwoodtheatre.com.

Wilkins said that not only does this give students a chance to explore more current musical theatre, but it appeals to everyone.

“It’s an iconic children’s animated television show, yet it appeals to adult fantasy. The actors are literally playing anthropomorphic sponges and amoebas and it’s so creative. My amazing costumer helps bring magic to it as the students are embodying these characters to life,” he said about the 80 actors on the stage who began rehearsals in late August.

Joining the actors will be a pit orchestra of about 55 student-musicians and 20 tech crew students.

“It’s very much a production that where all our students are engaged and are given the opportunity to learn, but they’re having fun at the same time,” Wilkins said.

Some of the students may have taken part in the new Granite School District’s youth theatre program that Wilkins directed this past summer. It attracted about 75 junior high and high school students across the Salt Lake Valley to learn more theatrical skills as well as perform in a showcase.

“It was much larger than we expected for our first year. We were thrilled to provide this opportunity for the community. It was so successful and fun,” he said.

After “SpongeBob,” the student-actors will perform a Broadway

Revue and melodrama in late January.

“Our students will have the opportunity to not only choose the show, but get that opportunity to direct it,” he said, adding that it will be in October when the material for the melodrama and Broadway Revue is chosen.

Following that, Wilkins will direct William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in mid-March, 2024. Tickets will be $10.

“I am absolutely thrilled over the moon to be able to do ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for our community. I reread it this summer, and I realized how funny, how dramatic, how action-packed, how tragic it is. There’s a reason people study in high school. It’s one of, if not the most, well-known Shakespearean shows, and therefore one of the most well-known plays ever written,” he said.

Wilkins’ students will compete in March 2024 at the 4A region competition with individual pieces as well as with their one-act ensemble piece, “Triangle.”

The show takes the audience back to the immigrant experience in Manhattan where many immigrant girls were hired as seamstresses to sew dresses 14 hours per day. When a cigarette was tossed into a bin of fabric scraps, flames engulfed the 500 workers in less than 30 minutes, ending with the death 146 people. Through eyewitness accounts of Ukrainian seamstresses to millionaire Fifth Avenue socialites as well as court transcripts from the manslaughter trial of the factory’s owners, the play explores the flaws in the working conditions and the fire, known as the “fire that changed America” at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory on March 25, 1911.

“The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire is a historic landmark event that helped lead to workplace safety regulations. Even so, it’s tragic and terrible of these women who were locked in,

trapped in a burning building. It’s very tragic, very heavy, but it’s incredible and truly marvel for our students to have this epic story that they’re going to undertake,” he said. “This show deserves an audience, especially now as we have the UAW, the auto workers on strike right now, and we have the SAG-AFTRA Writers Guild union on strike so it’s interesting these workers are fighting injustice. It’s fortuitous that these types of conversations are happening in the community and for our students to learn about.”

Wilkins said that the thespians will perform their region and state pieces in a showcase in mid-April 2024. Tickets will be $5. State will be held in mid-April.

“We’re in a new region so it’s a new challenge for us and it’s exciting. We have some schools that we’ve never interacted with on a competition basis so that’ll be fun. Cottonwood has an amazing tradition of placing top three in the region and top 10 in state every year since the schools been built (in 1970) so it’s our challenge to sustain that high level of excellence and tradition,” he said.

The Colts’ final show will be “The Addams Family.”

“It’s a great show and a good contrast between ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘Triangle.’ It will be a good way to end the year with a quirky family and hilarity ensues. There’s great music, a fun script about family and finding your identity, classic characters and a comedic show that has a beautiful heart to it,” Wilkins said.

The show will be performed at 7 p.m., May 1-4, 2024 as well as a noon matinee on May 4 in the school’s Black Box Theater. Tickets are $10.

The school’s improv 16-member team will perform about eight shows throughout the school year, starting in October. The dates will be posted on www.cwoodtheatre.com. l

Cottonwood High’s improvisation team is seen here rehearsing early in the school year prior. (Photo courtesy of Sammie Vance)

City cuts ribbon on its first off-leash dog area Ferguson Park

“We

“It’s an

“We have bike racks for those who choose to travel by bike with a bike repair station,” said Cottonwood Heights Public Works Director Matt Shipp. (Photo courtesy of Public

Ferguson Park is located at 7725 S. Prospector Drive (along the east side of Wasatch Boulevard). (Photo courtesy of Public Works Director Matt Shipp/Cottonwood Heights)

off-leash area so we have the dog bags,” said Cottonwood Heights Public Works Director Matt Shipp. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

left some of the older vegetation and worked around it,” said Cottonwood Heights Public Works Director Matt Shipp. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

Councilmember Shawn Newell speaks to the crowd of residents that gathered for the ribbon-cutting of Ferguson park. City Manager Tim Tingey, Councilmember Ellen Birrell, Councilmember Matthew Holton and Mayor Mike Weichers (left) nod with his sentiments. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

There are 45 stalls in the parking lot of Ferguson Park to be of use for the trailhead and park. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

Cottonwood Heights City officials gather to cut the ribbon on Ferguson Park including (from right to left) Councilmember Ellen Birrell, Councilmember Scott Bracken, Salt Lake County Mayor ’s Office Chief of Staff Rachel Otto, Mayor Mike Weichers, Commissioner Mike Shelton, Councilmember Shawn Newell, former Mayor Mike Peterson, and Councilmember Matthew Holton. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

Works Director Matt Shipp/Cottonwood Heights)

Bark in the Park returns

Photos by Cassie Goff

Councilmember Matt Holton, Mayor Mike Weichers, and Councilmember Scott Bracken all enjoyed getting to know their four-legged constituents. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

These two goldendoodles tied for “Biggest Dog” of the day at Bark in the Park. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

K-9 Officer dodges through tunnel during demonstration. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

This little dog was a runner-up for the “Smallest Dog” award. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

Cottonwood Heights K-9 Officer doesn’t want to play with his handler, just the dogs at Bark in the Park. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

This chocolate lab was just leaving the off-leash play area, thinking about heading home to take a long nap. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

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Cottonwood Heights’ speed puzzler triumphs, places first in pair competition

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

It’s rare to find someone who can put a puzzle together faster than Cottonwood Heights resident Mindy Whiting.

At the Sept. 9 speed puzzle contest in Riverton, Whiting teamed up with Bountiful’s Kyle Kossin to finish first in the pair 550-piece puzzle contest against a recreation center room full of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico com-

petitors.

Whiting finished second individually putting together a Ravensburger 500-piece puzzle in 49 minutes 33 seconds.

She finished the day taking fifth place in the four-member team 1,000-piece competition. l

Cottonwood Heights resident Mindy Whiting is seen here competing in the 500-piece individual puzzle. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Brighton girls volleyball poised for the next step

By Jerry S. Christensen | j.christensen@mycityjournals.com

Second-year Brighton girls volleyball coach Jenna Markey has her team back in the mix for a Region 6 title. She has brought the program back to the level of competitiveness that she enjoyed while she was a high school player at Brighton High.

“Our senior-rich team is complemented by strong support from the underclassmen,” she said.

Senior Isabela McMaster leads the team with 27 aces and 194 assists, while fellow senior Jordan Metcalf is second on the team in kills and aces, and first with overall digs. Junior Brooklyn Easton leads the teams in kills per set, and junior Jane Spangler has the highest hitting percentage. Freshmen Rosie Scott leads the team with 2.3 digs per set.

“We have a great team—a good mix of experienced seniors and talented underclassmen—and we believe in ourselves. We want to make a strong run in the state tournament,” Jordan Metcalf, senior outside hitter and captain, said.

The senior spikers are in the final games of their high school careers and are hoping for a strong region placement and a deep run into the state tournament

held Oct. 31.

A big game that was highly anticipated by the players was the Sept. 26 home match against Skyline. This region foe has won region for several years in a row. Brighton is 4-1 in region, with the only

loss coming at Skyline. Senior captain Lauren Hawes noted, “The Skyline game is the game we look forward to most every year. We have worked really hard this year to compete at a higher level and the Skyline game is a perfect opportunity to

showcase great volleyball.”

Unfortunately, the game with Skyline that would likely determine the region championship started out slow with Brighton showing no hope of making the first two sets competitive 25-16 and 25-10. BHS Vice Principal Justin Pitcher said, “It is not that our team is playing poorly, it just that Skyline is so good.” Suddenly, the equivalent of a football goal line stand occurred on the Brighton court. Brighton peeked out a 26-24 third set and did it again in the fourth set. Then, amidst a frenetic atmosphere, the equivalent of a baseball ninth inning rally occurred. Brighton forced a fifth and decisive set which went to two overtime serves. Brighton emerged victorious with a 17-15 final set comeback.

In addition to freshman, sophomore, JV and varsity girls volleyball teams, Brighton also competes in the newly UHSAA sanctioned sport boys volleyball. This spring sport, combined with the girls volleyball strength, makes Brighton a volleyball powerhouse on all fronts. l

Brighton girls tennis led by sophomore Avery Olsen

Fifty-three girls comprise the Brighton girls tennis team, including 12 seniors and two foreign exchange students. “All the girls have been playing all summer to get on the team and get a spot,” said coach Natalie Meyer. Leading the way is 15-year-old sophomore Avery Olsen who narrowly missed being a No. 1 singles state champion last fall in the state finals.

Avery Olsen trains four hours a day, she doesn’t take weekends off, she always hits on vacations and there aren’t many holidays when she doesn’t fit in training. She is self-motivated and never complains. One of her many favorite quotes is by her idol Kobe Bryant: “Dedication makes dreams come true.” She has big dreams and she isn’t afraid to put in the work.

“She took first in Region in September playing first varsity singles position and will continue on to compete for the Utah 5A State title in October. She lost in a tough three-set battle last year, and is more determined than ever to take the title this year,” according to her mother and No. 1 fan Kristy Olsen.

There are many highs and lows in the sport of tennis and it is not very often that Avery Olsen is satisfied or content. When she wins, it is a moment of brief fulfillment, but then it is back to training and trying to

By Jerry S. Christensen | j.christensen@mycityjournals.com

get better. “Losses fire me up and make me more determined to work harder,” Avery Olsen said.

Most of her tournaments take her all over the country. She plays all the high-level junior tennis tournaments which include Easter Bowl, Orange Bowl, National Hardcourts, Indoor Nationals and Winter Nationals. Traveling to these tournaments enables her to play all the best players in the country in high pressure situations. There are many wins and even more losses playing the best, but what is always guaranteed is that she learns invaluable lessons and comes home better for it.

There is a lot of sacrifice training in what is often called “the most lonely sport.” She is usually traveling on her own out of state with one of her parents, not with a team. She misses out on many social weekends with friends. Because of this, it makes playing with the Brighton tennis team so special for her. She loves being part of a team, and playing for and representing Brighton High.

“Avery is an exceptional player that is a key contender for the state title,” Meyer said.

At the pace that Avery Olsen is on, she will likely become the latest in Brighton's string of tennis state champions.l

Brighton’s 2023 girls varsity volleyball team. (Photo courtesy Brighton High School)

Brighton sophomore Avery Olsen eyes a No. 1 singles state championship. (Photo by David Kenas Photography)

from homes, sports courts and other lighting sources on a property.

Current regulations within the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance require lighting fixtures to be at least 12 feet high, no more than 3,000 kelvin lightbulbs and overall site illumination standards. Per the code and common regulation standards, outdoor lighting illumination standards do get measured by lumens per acre.

“We have limits on how bright a bulb can be before it has to be a full cut off,” explained Johnson. “Full cut off means light cannot be sensed on the property line; it doesn’t mean you can’t see the light from backyard to backyard.”

Based on Johnson’s research, however, a typical pickleball court would require lighting fixture poles to be above 20 feet, 5,000 kelvin lightbulbs, and at least 40,000 overall lumens to properly light the court. All of which would not be allowed per the current ordinance.

“We are striving to not have so much light pollution in our communities,” said Councilmember Ellen Birrell.

Johnson responded with the possibility of prohibiting sport court lighting altogether, even though it wouldn’t be recommended.

“I think if a project followed our ordinance there wouldn’t be a huge issue,” Johnson said.

The recommendation for bright lighting

on a pickleball court would also mean the intended usage of the court could continue well into the evening as there would not be a natural perceived cut-off time of being too dark to play. Having brighter and extended light leads to noise continuing well past sunlight hours, which was the next theme within concerns voiced by Cottonwood Heights residents.

“Pickleball is not a continuous noise,” Johnson said. “The pitch of a plastic ball being hit by a plastic paddle is more of an annoyance than the volume of the actual noise itself.”

Cottonwood Heights abides by Salt Lake County’s noise regulations. The Health Code only allows for noise to be 10 decibels above ambient sound (not to exceed 60 decibels) between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. At night, sound should only be perceived at 5 decibels above ambient sound, not exceeding 50 decibels.

Pickleball play can generate noise up to 70 decibels measured up to 100 feet away from the court. That exceeds Salt Lake County’s noise regulations, but also trumps the noise from playing tennis which averages around 40 decibels.

Johnson recommended the city’s ordinance could establish that sport court construction require a distance of 100 feet away from existing property lines (measured at receiving property line).

“The setback could help to dissipate

the noise. Fencing materials and vegetation could be looked at to help with noise too,” Johnson recommended.

For most sports courts within the city, the city requires a 10-foot backstop to keep balls from going onto surrounding properties.

The last city ordinance that directly impacts the construction of sports courts is Sensitive Lands Evaluations and Development Standards (SLEDS) (Chapter 19.72 in the Cottonwood Heights Municipal Code).

An included provision within SLEDS limits impervious surface to 30% of a total site including roofs, driveways, walkways and other hardscape surfaces.

“This can indirectly impact the size and location of sports courts,” Johnson explained.

Ultimately, Johnson recommended that the council could consider a reasonable proximity requirement with options to require noise mitigation studies if closer to existing properties.

“I think commercial activity in people’s private property should be a different discussion compared to pickleball mitigation. My recommendation would be to break those two apart,” said Councilmember Matthew Holton.

Councilmember Scott Bracken echoed, “The only way this is going to get done in a timely manner if we keep it pretty straightforward.”

On Sept. 5, Councilmember Bracken motioned to pass Ordinance 402: Establish-

ing Temporary Land Use Regulations for Non-Vegetative Outdoor Playing Areas and Commencing Proceedings to Amend Ordinances. Councilmember Birrell seconded the motion. Both councilmembers voted in favor, along with Councilmember Shawn Newell. However, Councilmember Holton and Mayor Mike Weichers voted in opposition.

With a 3-to-2 vote in favor, Ordinance 402 passed and enacted a temporary land use regulation for “sports courts” (and similar non-vegetative outdoor playing areas) and commenced proceedings to amend the city’s code of ordinances pursuant to Utah Code. These current regulations may be in effect for up to six months, during which time the city will be in the process of creating and adopting updated regulations to the existing ordinances. l

Dr. Anderson joins Granger Medical Clinic from Steward Medical Group. He is a native of Salt Lake City and has been involved in the training of residents and fellows for over 25 years. He has devoted time and resources to ‘Amanaki Fo’ou by teaching limb salvage, foot/ankle surgery, and wound care. Dr.

Anderson found this to be incredibly rewarding and was able to mentor young Tongan surgical residents in complicated foot surgeries due to diabetic-related foot infections.

Dr. Anderson’s philosophy is to use conservative treatment plans to help avoid surgery when possible. He performs complicated foot and ankle and revision surgeries. He enjoys teaching, training, and mentoring residents/fellows through the IMC Podiatric Residency Program. He is a fellowship director for the ACFAS and is board certified.

Former Mayor of Cottonwood Heights Mike Peterson has been an avid pickleball player since his retirement from local government three years ago. (Cassie Goff/City Journals)

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A publication covering local Halloween legends and activities for men, women, and children in the Salt Lake Valley

The scariest way to know what’s most popular this Halloween—with numbers!

By Cassie Goff | c.goff@mycityjournals.com

Hit the trifecta this Halloween by giving out M&M’S (or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups) to the trickor-treaters while wearing a scary (but unique) costume in between catching glimpses of one of the Halloween franchise movies on your television screen. (“Halloween Ends” is the most recently released movie in the franchise, but “Halloween: Resurrection” (2002) and “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Meyers” (1995) (filmed in Utah!) seem to be most adored by fans.)

If you’re wondering what type of candy variety pack to pick up from the store for the Trick-or-Treaters this year, go with the chocolate. Specifically, M&M’S, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Kit Kats tend to be the most sought-after candy choice.

Some 1,188 participants (based in the United States) were surveyed during an online study conducted in October 2021. Participants were asked which candy they liked better during head-tohead match-ups of 76 different sugary items.

M&M’S topped out by being the favorite of the online voting base with 76.1%. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups came in at 74.4%. Kit Kats received 72.8% of the vote, with Peanut M&M’S not trailing too far behind with a 72.4%. Butterfinger was the last of the 70 with 70.9% of the vote.

The remaining candies to make up the top 10 favorite Halloween treats (scoring between 67.1% and 68.8%) included Snickers, Twix, Milky Way, Hershey’s and Reese’s Pieces.

In case you were curious about the top 20: coming in at being the favorite between 57.5% and 65.5% of the online surveyed population were Hershey’s

Kisses, Dove Dark Chocolate Bar, 3 Musketeers, Dove Milk Chocolate Bar, Krackel, Crunch, Almond Joy, Baby Ruth, Starbursts, and Andes Chocolate Mints.

Another study conducted in 2020 broadly backs up the claim to fame for chocolate. Some 13,852 participants were surveyed about their various Halloween preferences in September 2020.

Out of those 13,852 (United States) adults, 88% reported that they would be buying chocolate candy. Forty-two percent reported that they would be buying candy that was either chewy or fruity, with 40% reporting they’d be buying caramel candy, and 37% reporting lollipop purchases. Further, 36% of respondents reported they’d be buying sour gummies, 28% would be looking specifically for candy corn, 25% would by buying taffy, 20% would be buying nut-filled candy and 12% would be buying either gum or mints.

Overall, most (United States) adults purchased candy for their trick-or-treaters (71%). But! Twenty-nine percent of adults still purchased healthy alternatives like carrot snack bags, trail mix, or toothbrushes to throw in amongst the candy. But! You can’t just give out the most desirable candy and be the favorite Halloween house around. You have to dress the part!

A study conducted in 2017 by aytm, a market research company, encourages people to dress as scary imposters. A thousand (American) adults were surveyed during September 2017. Survey results were compared with secondary research of search trends from Pinterest and Lyst as well as predictions from USA Today.

Some 24.4% of Halloween costumes were described as being scary, with 20.3% described as sexy. Other

descriptions of costumers that didn’t score as high were cute, funny, weird/ creative, classy/sophisticated, and other. The most frequent costumers of 2017 including Pennywise the Clown, a witch, Wonder Woman, a “Game of Thrones” character and a zombie.

Echoing the sentiment, a 2021 study surveying 2,312 (United States) adults encourages people to pick classic Halloween costumes like ghosts and witches, as that’s what 20.81% of respondents chose to do.

Even if you’re still unsure what to dress up as this year, absolutely don’t go as an athlete, clown, pumpkin, ghost or cat. Survey results show that we’re all too tired of those costumes.

And be yourself! The 2021 study reported that only 10.57% of people coordinated their costume with another person.

While you’re waiting for trick-ortreaters with your M&M’S and scary costume, you may as well spend you time watching the most preferable scary/Halloween movie.

According to an online survey conducted in October 2022, 56% of 2,210 (United States) adults reported “Halloween” as their favorite horror movie franchise. “Friday the 13th” just about tied with a rounded 56% as well. “Nightmare

on Elm Street” came in closely after those two with 54%.

“Halloween Ends” ranked as the fifth top grossing horror movie in the U.S. and Canada in 2022 at $81 million, according to data collected and published in January 2023.

Plus! Halloween 2023 is anticipated to see the most participation and attendance in the last decade. According to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics, 73% of (United States) adults will participate in Halloween activities this year. The last time over 70% of the population participated in Halloween actives was in 2017 when 71.7% of adults participated in spooky fun.

What will we be doing? About 67% of us will be handing out candy (hopefully those chocolate bites!). Fifty-one percent of us will be decorating our homes and yards (this reporter’s decorations have been up for two weeks now). Forty-seven percent of us will dress in costume. Forty-four percent of us will carve a pumpkin (you got this one). Twenty-eight percent of us will throw or attend a Halloween party. And 20% of us will dress up a pet (this reporter’s fur baby rocks her pumpkin costume). l

Responses to the question “What Halloween costume(s) are you sick of seeing every year?” (Photo courtesy of Wyatt Edwards and Katelyn Shaaf/HalloweenCostumes)

Draper families transform their yards into Halloween destinations

By Katherine Weinstein | k.weinstein@mycityjournals.com

No other state gets into the spirit of Halloween like Utah. A recent three-year study of Google search terms and homeowner survey by Lombardo Homes revealed that Utahns lead the nation in decorating for Halloween. Across the state, people transform their yards and gardens into supernatural realms filled with animated creepy characters, spooky lighting, fog machines and all manner of things that go bump in the night.

The most elaborate of these homemade “spook alleys” attract visitors from all over and become neighborhood gathering places on Halloween. For years, three families in Draper in particular have shared their passion for the spine-chilling and spooktacular with the community through their immersive yard displays.

Larsen Manor

“We build stuff all year long,” LaDawn Larsen said. “It’s a construction project when it starts. It takes over everything.” LaDawn and her husband, Steve, transform the grounds of their home at 1871 Flat Bear Circle into “Larsen Manor” for the month of October. Visitors to Larsen Manor can walk around the yard where a giant pumpkin-head creature with burning eyes watches over a graveyard and skeletons appear to march out of a mausoleum.

“Steve and I got married 11 years ago. He got drawn into the Halloween craziness and it got bigger,” LaDawn said with a smile.

Halloween is a special holiday for the couple. As a firefighter in Magna, Steve used to dress up as a cyclops and ride the fire truck handing out candy on Halloween. LaDawn has cherished memories of trick or treating in Sandy as a child and enjoyed decorating and throwing Halloween parties as an adult. The pair got engaged at TransWorld Halloween & Attractions Show in St. Louis.

“We really like to mix things up,” Steve said. “This year we’ll have armies of the dead. A mad scientist scene will be the feature.” The Larsens also plan to transform their 12-foot skeleton into the mummy of King Tut.

“A little girl who likes to come every year said that we needed more jump scares,” LaDawn said. “So we did. We have a pumpkin that opens up and comes alive. We’re trying to do more of those things.” She added that their display is not gory. “We don’t have our own children that are here so we do this for other peoples’ kids.”

The appreciation they receive from visitors to Larsen Manor is a major inspiration for LaDawn and Steve. They plan to open their yard display on Oct. 6 but will have to close it before Halloween this year on Oct. 28, for work-related reasons.

The Haunted Haven

Tifini Folkersen’s love for Halloween is a longstanding family tradition. Her mother, Jodi Tebbs, decorated her childhood home at a time when Halloween decorations weren’t quite as popular as they are today. Tebbs’ parents loved the holiday as well. “My mom’s dad would dress up like a werewolf, in full theatrical makeup. He’d run around the neighborhood and scare people,” she said.

A trellis over the front walk leading to the Folkersen’s house at 1338 Hana Court is entwined with skulls and grimacing skeletons. “Our decorations are never the same,” Folkersen said. “It changes from year to year as the kids grow.”

Tebbs and Folkersen explained that their décor came out of a desire to make Halloween an interactive experience for the children in the family. The yard display features little vignettes that relate to members of the family. When Folkersen’s son, Kolsyn, went to his senior prom, they put up dancing skeletons in the display. “Last year, Kolsyn went to the U so we had a University of Utah-themed skeleton area,” Tebbs said.

“We make it family friendly,” Folkersen said. “It’s fun and spooky, not too scary.” On Halloween night, she and her husband, Lynn, give out candy and run the technical aspects of things. Tebbs enjoys mingling with the visitors.

This year the family is planning a ghosts in the graveyard theme. “Once I come up with a theme, we figure out what we want to add and build,” Folkersen said. “We’ve been collecting for 30 years and building. There are memories attached to each decoration.”

Building the displays is a labor of love for the family and they enjoy watching visitors react to their handiwork. “It’s cute seeing all the people having fun,” Folkersen said. “People stay and have a good time.” She said that her neighbors having been getting into the Halloween spirit with their own decorations as well.

Folkersen plans to have her display ready for the first weekend in October. It is open to visitors every night from when darkness falls to 10:30 p.m. She said, “We tell people, when they hear the witches cackle, it’s time to go home.”

The Farr family’s “Southfork Sanitarium” is located at 927 E. Southfork Drive in Draper. The decorations are up throughout October. (Photo by Farris Gerard)

A pumpkin-headed monster towers over “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by Steve Larsen)

Southfork Sanitarium

Dan and Stephanie Farr explained that "love for the neighborhood" was the inspiration behind their yard display. "I loved it in our old neighborhood when our neighbor would have a Halloween potluck," Stephanie said. The Farrs started out serving chili and hot dogs to their neighbors on Halloween night and set up a "spook alley" in their yard. The spook alley got more elaborate every year and evolved into "Southfork Sanitarium."

"Dan got started with the life-sized monsters," Stephanie said. He became

hooked on Halloween after a trip to a friend's Halloween store. About 15 years ago he joined the Rocky Mountain Haunters group.

“I geek out on Halloween,” Dan said. "I love entertainment and doing stuff that makes people happy.” That same passion inspired Farr to become the founder and producer of FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention. Soon after the convention ends in late September, the Farrs start putting out the monsters.

The family has built up a collection of props that would fit in at any commercial haunted house. Some have been

created by professional monster makers. Dan has acquired a few creatures, including a giant animated demon, from his friend, Dick Van Dyke. The actor enjoys putting up an elaborate Halloween display for trick or treaters at his home in Malibu, California.

Other supernatural scares are homemade. Dan constructed Stephanie's favorite, a glowing ghost on a pulley that appears to hover in the window over the front door. "I don't like gore, I like spooky fun and jump scares," she said.

The Farrs' display has attracted attention beyond their neighborhood.

"There have been years that we've been in the news," Dan said. "A lot of people will come in from other areas."

Stephanie explained that this year's haunt might not be quite as over-thetop. "We used to have our sons and their friends help set everything up, but they're grown up now," she said. "We've had to simplify."

Still, monsters will appear once again at 927 E. Southfork Drive this month. "The neighborhood kids love it!" Stephanie said. Dan added, "We just can't stop!" l

Steve and LaDawn Larsen put personal touches on their Halloween display. “Larsen Manor” will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

When their youngest son went to college, the Folkersen family put up a “U” themed vignette with skeletons as part of their Halloween display. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

The cackling of the witch tells visitors that it’s time to go home at the Folkersen family’s Halloween display in Draper. (Photo by Lynn Folkersen)

In this photo from 2021, a skeletal procession was on display at “Larsen Manor,” 1871 Flat Bear Circle in Draper. The Manor will be open Oct. 6-28. (Photo by David J. Weinstein)

Double, double, toil and trouble: Haunted Woods spells fun and funds for families

By Shaun Delliskave | s.delliskave@mycityjournals.com

For over 50 years, Murray Haunted Woods has been a tradition in the local community, but it's more than just a seasonal attraction. It serves a dual purpose, both as a family-oriented entertainment venue and as a fundraiser for noble causes, primarily focused on the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence.

Originally managed by Murray City until 2010, the Haunted Woods faced potential discontinuation due to budget cuts. However, the Murray Exchange Club and Youth Council stepped in to take over the event. "During the economic turn, the city needed to cut back. When they cut this event, the citizens responded with an adamant ‘No, we need to keep this. It’s tradition and family-oriented,'" Sheri Van Bibber of the Murray Exchange Club said.

The event has always had a charitable edge. "Our Exchange Clubs across the valley all participate. We contribute funds to different groups, past examples include YWCA, Taylorsville Family Center, Midvale Family Center, Boys & Girls Clubs, Victims’ Advocates of SLC and several more," Van Bibber said.

The Murray Haunted Woods has adapted to the changing times, especially in the era of COVID-19. "We almost shut down, but public input encouraged us to continue," Van Bibber said. "We met all health requirements and have since added double the availability. People can buy tickets online or at the gate." The event also complies with all city and county standards to ensure safety and enjoyment for all attendees.

Interactive elements have become an integral part of the event. "We want the wait in line to be just as much fun as the actual tour through the Woods," Van Bibber said. Performances from the West High Drill Team, appearances by the Ghost Busters Team and their iconic car, and multiple interactive activities are designed to keep visitors entertained throughout.

However, creating such an event does not come without challenges. "We spend months preparing, so logistics are always a challenge," Van Bibber said. In addition to dealing with increasing amounts of props that now require rented storage space, the event must adapt to changes in the city's infrastructure. "Last year, the challenge was the pavilion being rebuilt; this year, it was a new addition to the city's warehouse," she said. Despite these hurdles, Van Bibber assured that "everyone has been working together to make it possible."

Being an outdoor event, weather is a significant concern, but the organizers are undeterred. "We have run the woods in wind, rain, snow, hail, 11 degrees; it just adds to the ambiance," Van Bibber said.

She also mentioned the valuable assistance from local police and fire departments in ensuring that the event setup remains secure overnight.

As for the experience itself, the Haunted Woods offers something for every age group. "We start in the daylight with the 'Silly Trails'—the music and characters are fun and entertaining. As the sun goes down, the energy in the woods shifts, and so do the characters," Van Bibber said. A safety feature, a "Safe Code" called “Ghouls Be Gone,” is in place if anyone finds the experience too intense.

Although there have been discussions about extending the traditional three-day schedule, limitations arise. "People have asked us to run all month, at least a week, or even move to the weekend," Van Bibber said. However, due to logistical issues related to volunteer availability, "we have found it best to leave things as they are."

This year's event includes several noted attractions. "The football team playing ball in the woods as scarecrows is always entertaining," Van Bibber said, "and the polo team playing on land along with Madame Leota is new this year."

Regarding the trail designs, Van Bibber said, "We always look at it with fresh eyes every year. There's a 'Light Show' crafted by Jeff Evans and music and design by Andy and Jeleigh Evans from Murray High."

Over the years, there have been many memorable moments in running the event. "One of our first years we had three fog machines, and it was so humid that the whole park filled up with fog. The Fire Department kept getting calls that the park was on fire," Van Bibber said. In another instance, "One year, it was thundering and snowing, and we were all covered with snow. The kids had a riot, and no one wanted to leave."

Volunteers from the Murray Youth Council and the Exchange Clubs are vital. "There’s a lot of leadership involved, and we have amazing kiddos," Van Bibber said. Local businesses like K Real Estate and AAA Restoration play significant roles behind the scenes. "Our Murray businesses are the reason we are still here. We are always open to our business family and look forward to more partnerships in the future.”

The event runs Oct. 23-25 at Murray City Park (296 E. Murray Park Ave.) on the south side of the outdoor swimming pool in pavilion 5. Visitors can choose the Silly Trail for younger guests from 5:30-7 p.m. or the Scary Trail from 7-9 p.m. for the more adventurous. Tickets are $5. Visit MurrayHauntedWoods.com for tickets and more information. l

Two ghosts dance in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A zombie startles visitors in the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

A witch greets small visitors on the Silly Trail of the Murray Haunted Woods. (Photo courtesy of Sheri Van Bibber)

ENDORSEMENTS

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Let’s live within a budget. We all live within a budget, so should the city.

HILLSIDE PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT

Let’s build a balanced mixeduse community space based on citizen input.

ELECT

“As Mayor of Cottonwood Heights, I have had the opportunity to get to know Suzanne Hyland and I have been so impressed with her candidacy. We need her leadership and fiscal responsibility to continue moving forward in Cottonwood Heights and I am thrilled to offer my endorsement for District 2 City Council.”

— Mike Weichers

PUBLIC SAFETY

Let’s invest in and support law enforcement for a safer city.

PROPERTY RIGHTS

Let’s safeguard property rights for a stronger community.

Former Mayor City of Cottonwood Heights Kelvyn Cullimore Jr.

Former State Legislator Derek Brown

Rep. Candice Pierucci State House District 49

City of Cottonwood Heights

Mayor Mike Weichers

Paid for by Suzanne for City Council

VISIT: SUZANNEHYLAND.COM

Suzanne Hyland

Cottonwood Heights City Council

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Lights, camera, success: A Canyons School District filmmaker’s advice

Lucky 13. In Canyons School District’s 13th film festival, a record was set with 242 entries from 610 students and teachers. It’s a sequel that’s only missed one year—2021— since the District began 15 years ago. Even during COVID-19, the show went on with a virtual awards ceremony.

This 2023-24 film festival categories will remain the same: short film, documentary, animation, PSA, newscast and teacher film in addition to the festival poster contest. From the entries, the winners of the foreign language and digital citizenship will be announced.

This year’s film festival deadline is April 9, 2024. The red-carpet ceremony is April 25, 2024.

While last year’s top video entries are posted on the District’s website, honorees also will be recognized on Utah Education Network-TV at a yet to-be-announced date, said film festival director Justin Andersen, who said he appreciates the learning that leads up to the film festival.

“I like how the film festival helps students be creative and at the same time, it provides them an end goal,” he said. “Anyone can enter, they can borrow a device to film from school, come up with a storyline, a schedule and be their critique of their own work. They feel successful when they meet their goal to submit a video. I like seeing how they’re feeling proud of their work. That’s a powerful thing.”

While Andersen is fairly new to coordinating the film festival, he has been involved for eight years.

“I’ve seen kids submit videos every year; it’s been fun to see them grow and try harder things they’ve learned. They get better and better every year,” he said. “Some of the kids have submitted for years and maybe they’ve never won, but they come back, excited to try different categories.”

Hillcrest High 2023 graduate Abigail Slama-Catron first heard about the film festival as a second grader.

In a backstage interview after winning the PSA contest about supporting Girl Scouts by buying cookies that year, the youngster said she wanted to continue entering films in the festival. She kept her word, submitting entries as a student every year the film festival was held.

“I enjoy the process of filmmaking,” Slama-Catron said. “It’s fun picking ideas. I liked my pet adoption PSA in fourth grade. I was obsessed with animals, and it was so cute when I started out with all these Snoopys around me, but my words were serious. I started with a PSA because it was only a minute and did films about topics I knew something about, so it was easier.”

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

She also appreciated being able to be creative, especially with her short film, “Doggy Dreams.”

“I love that film. It’s a fun story. I was 11 and it was about my dog, thinking he can do all these fun things like race and fly. I portrayed him as a child who believes he could do everything. I had never done a feature film before, so it was fun to branch out. It was a simple story, but it turned out to be a favorite,” Slama-Catron said.

She entered several documentaries.

“I learned how to research, and I especially liked doing some first-person documentaries, which makes me feel immersed in the story. In elementary school, I interviewed people about Hilltop House, and I got to learn what they do and how they help families. I also interviewed people to learn the history of Mt. Jordan (Middle School) and see it being torn down firsthand for another film,” Slama-Catron said. “In middle school, I included an interview with Jesse Owens’ daughter for a documentary about the Berlin Olympics.”

Some of her entries were group entries that she did as class assignments or with friends.

“I learned how to create as a team and how much work is involved,” she said. “I learned what worked and what didn’t. Throughout my filmmaking, I learned other skills, starting with (former film festival director) Katie Blunt teaching me how to use a

tripod and the rule of thirds. I learned how to place your action or the person you’re interviewing in the best camera angles. I learned the importance of storyboarding and how it’s helpful to have an outline of your script before you fully write it. I learned a lot about lighting, sound and editing. From watching other people’s films, I’ve gotten ideas and I’ve learned how to tell an engaging story, especially from one teacher who enters every year. I always look forward to watching his entry.”

As a result of learning skills through her Canyons Film Festival entries, Slama-Catron, as Hillcrest’s audiovisual student body officer, created more than 35 films for her school. She also entered several contests, including being the youth runner-up at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival.

“Canyons Film Fest has made me into a comfortable filmmaker, editor and director. I wouldn’t have any idea of what to do in filmmaking if I didn’t do that nor would I have found this passion,” she said, adding now in her first semester of college, she is taking her first filmmaking class. “Going to the awards night is like being at the Oscars. Watching the films there is incredible. You get to watch an elementary newscast, then you see a hard-hitting documentary from a high school student. It’s engaging and you’re proud even if you don’t win. It’s important to try something new because you get that chance to learn. I don’t think when I was 7 doing these films

that I would be taking a college film class. I just did it to have fun.”

The 2022-23 award-winners in the PSA category include Lucca Welch, Oliver Lundell, Liam Eliason and Kasey Horrocks, Sunrise Elementary; Jake Despain, Eastmont Middle; and Narayani Shankar, Hillcrest High.

The animation winners include Santiago Gonzelez, East Sandy Elementary; Joshua Lindsay, Albion Middle; and Jaeden Aguirre, Alta High.

Newscast winners are from Sprucewood Elementary and Jordan High School.

Documentary winners are Ethan Moore, Brookwood Elementary; Tawny McEntire, Eastmont Middle; and Kasch Hart, Corner Canyon High.

Short film winner are Ian Gibbs, Oak Hollow Elementary; Owen Turcsanski, Liam Turcsanski and Logan Hart, Albion Middle; and Jackson Hughes and Carter Kenworthy, Corner Canyon High.

The world language category winner is Anay Mertz, Hillcrest High and the digital citizenship award went to Slama-Catron. The poster contest winner is Nash Anderson, Hillcrest High.

Teacher film winner went to Dallin Maxfield, Dan Crowshaw, Joe Wale, Cory Christianson, Julianna Brassfield and Clark Ashland, Albion Middle. l

At Canyons School District’s film festival, awards are given to the top elementary and secondary students as well as teacher film entries. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

Q & A Business Spotlight

Megan Sewell owns Wild Sage Acupuncture in Cottonwood Heights. She is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of Utah and maintains diplomat status at the national level:

NCCAOM. Megan also has a Master’s degree in Science with a focus on Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Functional Medicine. She has 15 years of experience in the field of medicine and opened her clinic in Cottonwood Heights in 2021.

Q: What services do you offer?

A: As a holistic endocrinologist and pain specialist, I do acupuncture, cupping, diet guidance, and internal medicine in the form of herbs and key supplements.

Q: What sets your company apart from your competitors?

A: Our 100% natural therapies address the root cause of acute / chronic pain and hormonal imbalances. Your body never forgets how to heal, it just needs the right guidance and support. Through simple treatment strategies, along with our targeted acupuncture sessions, we provide a clear and concise way of improving your health and wellbeing. We offer a free initial consultation to see if our services are a good fit.

Q: Does your business solve a problem for your customers?

A: We offer solutions that Western medicine fails to provide. By reducing or eliminating pain, improving sleep and energy levels, and lowering physical and emotional stress for our

patients, on a daily basis, we naturally increase quality of life. Many of our patients love acupuncture’s naturally relaxing effects every time they receive treatment.

Q: Who is your ideal client/customer?

A: Anyone suffering from acute or chronic pain and/or nerve related conditions is urged to check us out. We also specialize in women’s hormonal health and infertility.

Q: What factors should potential customers know to make a decision about your business?

A: Our mission at Wild Sage is to provide efficient, cost-effective, natural healthcare.

We accept HSA/FSA cards, provide Superbills for insur-

2258 E Fort Union Blvd #B6 Cottonwood Heights 801-849-8312

ance reimbursement, and have a financing solution through CareCredit.

Q: What can customers expect from your business?

A: We will do a detailed assessment of your symptom or pain pattern, medical history, and other factors to determine the best way to treat you. If you follow the plan laid out, our experience has shown that we get quick and effective results, and once you are strong and well you do not need ongoing visits or treatments.

Q: Are you offering any specials?

A: We always offer free consultations and your first treatment is 25% off through May. Call 801-849-8312 to schedule a consultation and visit wildsageacupuncture.com for more information.

We love having our business in Cottonwood Heights to engage this wonderful community and be a source of renewed hope in healthcare. Find us on Facebook at @WildSageAcupuncture and on Instagram @wildsageacu.

“Megan is a world class acupuncturist who has helped me with pain from a spinal injury and chronic nerve pain… gratefully, Megan and her team helped me to recover holistically. I recommend her to my friends and family all the time.” – Sean

Special Olympics TopGolf: Championing inclusion for all athletes

Theobject: to hit the target the most. The purpose: So much more.

Eighty Special Olympians with intellectual disabilities paired with partner athletes, were warming up for the Special Olympics TopGolf Championship.

“The athletes are practicing their accuracy, but they’re also developing skills and forging friendships,” said Haley Nall, Special Olympics director of special events. “It’s just a lot of fun.”

It’s also part of a national partnership with TopGolf that provides Special Olympic teams access for weekly two-hour practices as well as hosting the tournament. More than 30 locations are holding state championships.

The Special Olympics TopGolf Championship embraces inclusion and access for athletes, Nall said.

The introduction of TopGolf for Special Olympics comes on the heels of the launch of unified golf for middle school students that was held in South Jordan in the spring 2022.

At the Midvale championship, teams, age eight and up, were hitting the ball off the deck aiming for the targets. They were coached by volunteers.

Hillcrest High 2019 graduate Tanner Cluff jumped at the opportunity to try a new sport, despite needing left-handed clubs for his 6’8” frame.

“I like that this gives me a challenge,” he said. “I can do different sports for every season.”

Cluff, who won numerous medals in unified sports in high school and at the University of Utah, played for Real Salt Lake’s unified team. He plays football, soccer and bocci

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

ball with Special Olympics.

“I’m trying to see how many points I can get by hitting the markers. It’s been harder on the top level than the bottom level because the launch in every bay is different and I never know what’s going to happen,” he said. “I’m making new friends here at the same time.”

Cluff made friends with his partner, Keaton Phillips, who just moved to Utah nine months ago. Previously, Phillips volunteered with Special Olympics in Florida.

“I love the unique energies that everybody has,” he said.

Prior to the TopGolf practices, Phillips played golf once on a traditional course.

“This is challenging. I didn’t think it would be as challenging at TopGolf. We struggled through it for a couple of weeks, but we’ve gotten a lot better,” he said. “We’re trying to get more distance and accuracy. We have a bit to go, but it’s fun.”

A few bays down the Cox sisters from Murray were ready to compete.

Viewmont Elementary sixth-grader Livvy partnered with her sister, Bree, a junior at Murray High.

“I like to volunteer because it’s fun interacting with kids with special needs,” said the younger Cox sister, who was a partner track athlete as well.

Bree Cox, who has Down syndrome and performs with Murray’s drill team, was game to try golf.

“It’s fun,” she said. “I love it because I can do it with my sister.” l

Untangling the Madness: Why Trimlight is the Ultimate Holiday Hack

The holiday season is fast approaching, bringing with it the timeless tradition of adorning our homes with festive lights. You’re likely familiar with the routine – unearthing boxes of tangled lights, grappling with a ladder that seems determined to defy you, and attempting to transform your residence into a shimmering winter wonderland. It’s all fun and games until you’re knee-deep in a web of extension cords, pondering the choices that brought you here. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a better way – outdoor permanent holiday lights from Trimlight.

they’ve staged a revolt, protesting against your decorating skills. You become a detective, tracking down the rogue bulb that’s sabotaging your holiday dreams. Just when you think you’ve triumphed, a gust of wind turns your carefully placed lights into a chaotic display of brilliance.

And let’s not forget the extension cords. You weave and wind them through your yard like a mad scientist setting up an experiment. And guess what? They have a mind of their own. They tangle, twist, and trip you up in a game of holiday-themed Twister.

The Drama of Hanging Holiday Lights

Picture this: You’re in your front yard, armed with a string of lights that may have been plotting against you in the attic for the past year. You attempt to untangle them, or at least you try. Suddenly, you nd yourself locked in a wrestling match with a stubborn knot that refuses to let go. This is where the adventure begins.

But that’s not all! You embark on a ladder-climbing odyssey, channeling your inner acrobat as you teeter on the edge of catastrophe. The ground seems to disappear into the distance, and you ponder the cosmic signi cance of your holiday decorating decisions. In that moment, the ladder is not just a ladder; it’s a perilous gateway to a realm of festive uncertainty.

Now, the real challenge begins. You plug in your lights, and behold – a quarter of them refuse to illuminate. It’s as if

By now, your ngers are either frozen or numb, and you’re seriously reconsidering the merits of holiday cheer. You might even have a breakdown amidst the holiday lights, swearing to never repeat this ordeal—until next year, of course.

The Brilliant Solution: Trimlight’s Permanent Holiday Lights

Now, imagine this instead: You’re sipping hot cocoa, snug inside your warm home. With the touch of a button or automated schedule, your house transforms into a holiday wonderland that would put Clark Griswold to shame. No battles with knots, no precarious ladder ascents, no detective work, and no expeditions in sub-zero temperatures.

Outdoor permanent holiday lights are your comedic relief in this festive chaos. It’s akin to having a team of holiday magic-makers who turn your home into a dazzling masterpiece with a simple press. You can change colors, craft patterns, set schedules, and adjust brightness—all from your cozy couch.

Meanwhile, your neighbors are outside, grappling with their lights and cursing their extension cords. You, on the other hand, get to relax and savor the spectacle. You’ve outwitted the holiday lighting madness, and you’re relishing every moment.

In summary, the holidays should be a time of joy, not a test of your patience and ladder-climbing skills. Trimlight’s outdoor permanent holiday lights are the ultimate holiday hack, sparing you from the chaos and transforming your home into a yearround holiday haven. Embrace the brilliance of permanent holiday lights and leave the comedy to the experts – and maybe even enjoy a chuckle or two as you witness the chaos unfold elsewhere! Happy Almost Holidays!

Trimlight is the industry leader in outdoor permanent holiday & accent lighting and nobody helps more Utah homeowners than Trimlight. To learn more about Trimlight, or to schedule a free estimate visit trimlight.com/saltlake, or call 801-382-8746.

Brighton High’s Mitchell Burt hits the ball during warm-ups of the Special Olympics TopGolf Championship. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

With the touch of a button, your house transforms into a holiday wonderland that would put Clark Griswold to shame.

The Truth is Out There

Depending on who you ask, aliens have either 1) frequently visited our planet, 2) never visited our planet, or 3) are currently running our planet.

It’s been quite a year for Unidentified Flying Objects, which are now called Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. (Tomayto, tomahto.) These “extraterrestrial” vessels made the news, created a TikTok channel and had their own congressional hearing.

In early 2023, the Air Force started blasting weather balloons out of the sky. Although weather balloons have been used since 1896, it’s only in the last year the balloons became malicious enough to be shot down. It’s definitely American to shoot first and never ask questions.

It reminds me of the 1978 video game Space Invaders, where the goal was to blast UFOs out of the atmosphere before they reached Earth. Whether the current UAPs were peace emissaries from Alpha Centauri or galactic multi-level-marketing sales-aliens, we’ll never know.

Look at it this way. If you launched a celebratory lightspeed rocket on the day Jesus was born, it would still be in the Milky Way Galaxy, even traveling for 2,000 years at the speed of light. So if a flying saucer made its way across its galaxy and our galaxy, it would take hundreds of thousands of light years to reach us, only to be casually shot down by an F-22.

Maybe they were on their way to teach

Peri Kinder

Life and Laughter

us how to travel at lightspeed, how to create a functional Congress or how to evolve so our skin glows in the dark. We’ll never know.

UFO sightings occur all over the world, but the U.S. has the most interaction with aliens. The Roswell crash in 1947 was the first “flying saucer” wreckage that authorities said was a UFO, then it was a weather balloon, then it was Carl’s tractor from down the road and then it was the remnants of an atomic test, which didn’t make anyone feel better.

Air Force pilots share stories of strange objects in the sky, security cameras capture “meteors” and eerie lights, and there was a congressional hearing to talk about what the government isn’t telling us. Spoiler alert: the government keeps a lot of secrets.

Many people are convinced the pyramids were built with alien technology. Some people think UFOs travel the world making intricate designs in crops, kind of like alien graffiti. Others point out the first microchip was created just 10 years after the Roswell crash. Coincidence?

Hmmmm.

Records from Rome (AD 65) and Ireland (AD 740) document chariots flying through the clouds or ships floating in the air, filled with people. Too bad there wasn’t an F-22 to shoot them down.

“War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells was written in the late 1890s. It was one of the first novels that detailed an alien invasion on Earth. People lost their minds when Orson Welles dramatized it on a 1938 radio show.

I’m not saying UFOs are real. I’m not saying they’re not. But sightings have increased, usually in the form of an orb, a disc, a triangle,

a cylinder, an egg, a toaster, a VW Bug or other random shapes.

I’ve been saying for years that Earth is a hit reality show in the universe and little green men (or blue or white or gray) watch the hilarious antics on our dumpster fire of a planet while eating alien popcorn.

It’s pretty egocentric of us to think we’re the only planet with intelligent life. And I use the word “intelligent” lightly. I hope somewhere in the universe there’s a planet where the inhabitants live in peace and work together to create new ideas. I just hope they don’t come here. We’ll shoot them out of the sky.l

PERMANENT

LEAFGUARD RAIN GUTTERS

“Dozens of doctors told me that there was nothing more that they could do to expect to be in a wheel chair. I went from the top 1% in the army Special Forces to being in so much pain that I could not tie my shoe or hold my new daughter. I did physical therapy and pain killers for years, but nothing worked. Finally, I went to Dr. Smith and I improved exactly as he told me I would. I couldn’t believe it! My wife cried, “I have my husband back.”

—Steve M., Army Special Forces

CSCS Chiropractic Physician