Neighbors of Heber Valley - March 2025

THE ZIMMERMANS PLAY BALL Neighbors of Heber Valley

COVER PHOTO BY LEXIE LARSON - TAKE A HIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

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EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS

REROOFING EXPERT

S and S Roofing

Emergency Repairs & Free Estimates

Utah’s #1 Roofing Company 435-658-4344

INTERIOR DESIGN EXPERTS

Franky & Tam

Studio Interiors & Co. franky@studiointeriorsutah.com tam@studiointeriorsutah.com 435-214-6951

HOME FIXTURES EXPERT

Tim White Mountainland Supply 2875 US 40 Daniel, UT 84032 tim.white@mc.supply | 801-224-6050

PLUMBING EXPERT

Jonathan Cheever

Team Cheever Plumbing & Heating www.teamcheever.net (435) 252 7697

PET BOARDING AND DAY CARE EXPERTS

Coombs Kennels 1685 S Mill Rd Heber City UT 84032 coombskennels.com | 435-657-2577 coombskennels@gmail.com

ANIMAL WELLBEING EXPERTS

Stephen Jones, MVB, MS, DECVS 5373 UT-224, Park City, UT 84098 barkcityvet.com | 435.200.2160 info@barkcityvet.com

Molly Uhlig

Pete’s Adventure Pack petesadventurepack.com petesadventurepack@gmail.com 404-550-5633

TRANSPORTATION EXPERTS

Kyle Moody Moody Blu 435-225-1614 moodybluexpress.com moodyblu2019@gmail.com

AUTOMOTIVE & MAINTENANCE REPAIR EXPERT

L & L Repair

1310 S Daniels Rd., Heber City, 84032 435-657-0715

MIXOLOGIST AND BARTENDING EXPERT

Tom Brazill Elevate Event Bartending | 801-477-4452 tom@elevateeventbartending.com elevateeventbartending.com

LIGHT CELL THERAPY EXPERT

Dr. David Tate

Valhalla Cell Therapies

321 W. 1300 S., Suite 120 ,Heber City, 84032 | 435-244-2919 www.valhallaplus.org

REAL ESTATE EXPERT

Andy Emory

Summit Sotheby’s International Realty 362 N Main Street | Heber, UT 84032 www.andyemory.com | 435-800-3030 andy.emory@sothebysrealty.com

INSURANCE EXPERT

The Insurance Center 906 S. Main St., Heber City 84032 InsuranceCenterUtah@gmail.com 435-654-0353 InsuranceCenterUT.com

WELLNESS OPTIMIZATION EXPERTS WOW Clinics 435-800-6969 info@wowclinic.com wowclinic.com

MASSAGE AND WELLNESS EXPERT

Crystal Joy, Mountain Elite Massage 32 South Main Street, Olde Town Square Building, Heber City, 84032 mountainelitemassage.com 435-315-3573

COUNSELING EXPERT

Meadowbrook Counseling

150 North Main Street Suite 201 Heber, UT 84032

Therapy for individuals, couples and families.

office@meadowbrookcounseling.com 801-655-5450

150 North Main Street, Suite 201 • Heber UT 801-655-5450 • office@meadowbrookcounseling.com www.meadowbrookcounseling.com Meadowbrook Counseling

COLOR AND STYLE EXPERT

CONTRIBUTOR

Julie Hickam House of Colour

Julie.Hickam@houseofcolour.com 435.315.2258

CLEAN LIVING EXPERT

Dana Grinnell Free Living Co. dana@freelivingco.com 208-869-6866

WOMEN’S WELLNESS EXPERTS

Erin Seamons Earthy Erin earthyerin.com | 435-200-5778 info@eathyerin.com

Rachel Friedman Stoke Coach stokecoach.com rachel@stokecoach.com

To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Betsy DeMann at bdemann@bestversionmedia.com or 801-671-6315

LEARN MORE ABOUT DEXA SCANS WITH DR. SPENSER REED

Imagine having a tool that offers a complete snapshot of your body’s health—from bone strength to muscle mass and even hidden visceral fat. The revolutionary DEXA Scan, now available at Dr. Spenser Reed’s office, provides this detailed insight in a quick, painless procedure. Whether you’re an athlete aiming to enhance performance, a health enthusiast seeking precision, or someone looking to take charge of your health, a DEXA Scan can guide your wellness journey.

Known as the gold standard for evaluating body composition and bone health, DEXA Scans provide precise measurements of body fat, muscle mass, and bone density. This makes it a powerful tool for detecting early signs of serious health risks like heart disease, diabetes, stroke,

and osteoporosis. For older adults, it’s especially valuable for early osteoporosis detection, while those concerned about visceral fat can benefit from its accurate readings, leading to better health decisions.

Ideal for athletes, health-conscious individuals, and those looking to take proactive steps, the DEXA Scan provides critical health insights tailored to your needs.

Dr. Reed’s office is committed to making this advanced technology accessible to the community. Book your DEXA Scan today and start your journey to better health. Learn more about how this stateof-the-art technology can benefit you by visiting Dr. Spenser Reed’s website or call 866-360-3945.

BETSY DEMANN

Publisher bdemann@bestversionmedia.com

JACQUIE SYMES

Content Coordinator jacquie@bestversionmedia.com

MITCHELL OLSEN

Publisher molsen@bestversionmedia.com

JARED DEMANN

Account Executive jdemann@bestversionmedia.com

EMILY REZIN

Designer

Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party. © 2025 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

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Meet theTeam!

Kirsten Kohlwey

I was born in Michigan and spent the first six years of my life there. As my mother told me, I never was much of a napper. I distinctly remember Kindergarten in a suburb of Detroit, having to pretend to go to sleep on mats on the floor. I created stories in my mind during that time.

At six years old, my parents moved the family to Germany. Both of my parents were German, so I did understand German, but I could only answer with Yes and No in German. I learned German during the first year in school there.

Even though I wanted to go to a science-focused school after fourth grade, the only ones at a reasonable distance were for boys only, so off I went to an all-girls school. Do you know how long it takes to knit socks when you have a perfectionist teacher, who unravels any sections that aren’t uniform along the way? Months!

Luckily, I tied for valedictorian that year and my now best friend rescued me from that school by having me transfer to a language-focused school with her. We learned English, German literature, French, Latin and Russian. I grew up drinking beer at the legal age of 16. I do have Bavarian ancestry. At 18 I returned to Michigan and earned a B.S. and M.S. in Mathematics. I moved to Utah to become a software engineer and here I am back to writing stories.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

MICHELLE DEININGER

PHOEBE ZANIELLO

TIFFANY WICKES

RICHARD ELLIS

SANDY GELDHOF

NATALIE TAYLOR

ISABELLA VENEGAS IZZY CRANDALL

MARITZA ROÑO REFUERZO

ERIC RAMIREZ

AIMEE L. COOK

OWEN CRANDALL

DEB DEKOFF

DANA KLEIN

KRISTEN PIERCE

LEXIE LARSON

SARAH SEVERSON

Nestled just minutes from Park City, Overlook is where the mountain gathers for great food, good company, and stunning views.

MARCH SPECIALS:

Monday: 2 Pizzas for $25-Cheese, Pepperoni, or Chef’s Special

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday-$14-Weekly rotating flavors

Wednesday: Steak and Fries-$18

Thursday: Burger Special-$18

Utah Residents: Enjoy 10% OFF food all month long*

* Discount does not apply to alcoholic beverages and cannot be combined with other promotions or specials.

Created by legendary Seattle bartender Scott Macfarlane (RIP), this version of a Grapefruit Drop is an amazing example of a mixologist tweaking a cocktail into their own masterpiece. Simple, but oh so very complex at the same time. Only three ingredients go into this wonderful cocktail. Gin, St Germaine, and fresh Lemon Juice. That’s right, there is actually no grapefruit juice in this gem. Somehow, the combination of Saint Germaine and Lemon brings forth a taste of grapefruit.

The combination of the botanicals of the Gin, and the sweet herbal taste of the St Germaine leaves you with a crisp, refreshing delight. Try this winner, and raise your glass to Scott.

Prep time 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ½ oz Gin

• 1 oz St Germaine (an elderflower liquor)

• ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice

• Grapefruit Peel (twist) for garnish

• Sugar for rimming glass

DIRECTIONS:

Combine Gin, St Germaine, and Lemon Juice to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a sugar-rimmed coupe glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Did you enjoy Scott’s Grapefruit Drop? Tag me on Instagram @elavateeventbartending

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Ritual Chocolate:

FROM BEAN TO BLISS

When Anna Seear first stepped on to a cacao farm in Costa Rica in 2008, she had no idea that this visit would lay the foundation for what would become a chocolate revolution. Back then, high-quality chocolate wasn’t easy to find in the US, and transparency around ingredient sourcing was virtually nonexistent. But that would change when Anna and cofounder Robbie Stout launched Ritual Chocolate in 2010, in a humble 400-square-foot studio in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

“We felt there was not much high-quality chocolate available, and we really enjoyed chocolate, so we started researching the process of how it’s made, grown, and sourced,” Anna shares. “We felt like there was a real opportunity, and we wanted to make a good quality product for people.”

Ritual Chocolate has grown into a beloved craft-chocolate brand known for its singleorigin, bean-to-bar small-batch creations and a commitment to doing things differently.

CHOCOLATE WITH INTENTION

The name “Ritual” is a nod to ancient cultures like those of the Mayans, Aztecs, and Olmecs, who revered cacao as central to their traditions and ceremonies. Much like those ancient rituals, the process behind each Ritual Chocolate bar is steeped in care and intentionality. Every step in the production process is deliberate from the moment the sustainably sourced cacao beans arrive. Roasting, winnowing, mixing, refining, and tempering are all done in-house. A unique blend of slower European conching methods and a modern American touch allows each cacao origin’s natural richness and flavor to shine. The result? Bars that taste as exceptional as the regions they come from.

But beyond the intricacies of chocolate-making, what sets Ritual apart is its unwavering dedication to sustainability and community. Its cacao is sourced from growers who prioritize biodiversity and environmental preservation while ensuring farmers’ fair wages. Every bite of chocolate helps contribute to a thriving ecosystem and better livelihoods.

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Ritual Chocolate isn’t just about indulgence—it’s about connection. Every bar and packet of sipping chocolate is designed to tell a story, one that begins with the cacao farmer and reaches its peak in the joy of the person enjoying it.

The chocolate itself is extraordinary. Meticulously crafted to preserve the distinct flavors of each origin, the tasting notes read like a sommelier’s dream. Each bar offers a sensory adventure, whether it’s the subtle fruitiness of Madagascar beans or the earthy, nutty tones of Belize cacao.

Ritual’s latest creation, the limited-edition Chocolate Cherry Vanilla bar in Ritual’s Mountain Line, is inspired by the surrounding mountain landscape. Thoughtfully crafted with Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, this decadent bar seamlessly blends whole vanilla beans from Madagascar with Ritual’s Mid Mountain Blend chocolate and Monties Dried Tart Cherries, sourced from Utah’s own Payson Fruit Growers. This harmonious collaboration highlights Ritual’s dedication to supporting local producers while delivering an extraordinary flavor experience.

“We believe ‘creating a chocolate ritual’ should be everyone’s New Year’s resolution this year, starting with our two new products released this month,” says Anna. “Making time for those small moments where we allow ourselves to be fully present with those around us is so worth it, especially when it’s spent savoring something truly special.”

Ritual also runs a charming café in Heber, where chocolate lovers can experience their products alongside carefully curated drinks and pastries and, of course, their rich and dreamy “sipping chocolate.” Sipping chocolate is an ounce of chocolate melted into hot water. It is available in Madagascar, Belize, Ecuador, Peru, and Mid Mountain chocolate. For Anna, chocolate has always been about more than taste. It’s a way to reconnect people with the land, with growers, and with one another. Her childhood in a multigenerational farming family in Essex showed her the value of high-quality food and a connection to its source. Those lessons live on today in each bar of Ritual Chocolate.

SAVOR THE RITUAL

Whether you’re a chocolate-bar lover or a fan of rich, velvety sipping chocolate, Ritual Chocolate invites you to experience cacao as it was meant to be. Public tours are offered on Fridays at 11:00 a.m., and Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. In addition, private tours and tastings can be booked on Ritual’s website.

Café hours: Monday to Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Website: ritualchocolate.com • Instagram: @ritualchocolate

BY LUCINDA HAHN

Comfort Soup Mushroom and White Bean Stew

Nutritious mushrooms. Fiber-rich cannellini beans. A little sausage for spice! This hearty soup is nothing less than self-care in every spoonful.

INGREDIENTS

▶ 3 Tbsp butter

▶ 1 medium onion, diced (approx. 2 cups)

▶ 1 lb mushrooms, sliced

▶ 3/4 tsp dried thyme

▶ 3/4 tsp dried rosemary

▶ 3/4 tsp sea salt and pepper

▶ 4 cloves garlic, minced

▶ 2 Tbsp cornstarch

▶ 2 tsp tamari or soy sauce

▶ 1 Tbsp mustard (I use English mustard)

▶ 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth

▶ 1 lb potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

▶ 2 (15 oz.) cans cannellini beans

▶ 1 lb of your favorite [CA: favourite] sausage (I use pre-cooked chicken Andouille sausage)

DIRECTIONS

▶ Melt the butter in a large pot. Add the onion and sauté. Next, add the mushrooms, thyme, rosemary, sea salt, and pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until the mushrooms have released most of their moisture. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 60 seconds.

▶ Next, stir in the cornstarch, coating the vegetables. Add the tamari and mustard and stir again. Add the vegetable broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer (uncovered) for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.

▶ Stir in the beans, milk and cooked sausage. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened. Serves four.

From Jamaica to the Slopes of Deer Valley: Philbert Wilson’s Journey to Success at Stein Eriksen Lodge

BY AIMEE L. COOK

PHOTOS BY DEB DEKOFF

Philbert Wilson’s story is one of determination, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to building a better future—not just for himself but for his family as well. Today, as a lead server and training manager for the food and beverage program at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Philbert serves as a shining example of what’s possible with focus and perseverance.

Philbert’s journey began far from the pristine, snow-laden slopes of Utah. Originally from Jamaica, he arrived in Utah in 2004 through the H-2B work visa program, ready to take on a seasonal position at Stein Eriksen Lodge. The move was a leap of faith, but for Philbert, taking that chance was the first step toward turning his dreams into reality.

“I was in management on the East Coast in 1998 as an H2B worker, and I think Utah invited me here,” Philbert explained. “I knew work was going to slow down for me there, so I came to Utah to work seasonally as an extension of my visa. The first time I flew into Utah, I will never forget. It felt right; it felt like home. I love nature.”

It didn’t take long for Philbert’s work ethic

and dedication to stand out. He quickly developed a reputation as a skilled server and a natural leader, always eager to go above and beyond for guests and coworkers alike. Over the years, those qualities earned him recognition within the Lodge, eventually leading to full-time employment and his current leadership role.

But Philbert wasn’t just working to climb the professional ladder. Behind the scenes, he was focused on an even greater goal— bringing his family to the United States. “It wasn’t easy,” he recalls. “With Covid and everything being set back, finally, after seven years, my daughter flew into Salt Lake as a permanent resident in August. My youngest son is also working on his permanent residency, and my oldest son is in the U.S. Navy. That was my goal all along.”

Today, Philbert is a proud U.S. citizen and a key figure in training the next generation of staff at Stein Eriksen Lodge. His role as a training manager has allowed him to share his knowledge and passion for exceptional hospitality, ensuring that each guest experience at the Lodge is nothing short of remarkable. “I see the guests as people; if you

understand people, you can get them what they want,” Philbert said. “When you love what you do, it is not work; it becomes natural. Our team makes things easy. We really do have a supportive team all around. The local community is also a big part of why I love Stein.”

Philbert’s time at Stein Eriksen Lodge is more than a career—it’s a testament to the American dream, realized through dedication, sacrifice, and a spirit of service that began in his beloved Jamaica and continues to touch the lives of everyone who crosses his path.

Local Flavor With an Italian Twist:

A Heber Food Truck You Need to Try

If you’re in Heber and craving Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza or a heaping bowl of fresh pasta, you’re in luck. Cucina Rustico, owned by the husband-and-wife duo Frank and Jamie Fortino, is a charming food truck serving up slices of Italy—one hand-tossed dough after another.

What started as a weekend hobby in the 1990s became a full-blown business several decades later. Frank, a former Air Force flightsimulator technician, initially honed his pizza-making skills in his own backyard in 2007 after building his own wood-fired oven. Frank continued perfecting recipes for family and friends. “When I saw all the vendors at the farmers’ markets, I realized we could do that with pizza,” he says.

When he moved to Heber in 2015, the lack of pizza options inspired him to take his passion for pizza to the next level. Teaming up with Jamie, he officially launched Cucina Rustico with a pizza oven on a trailer at the Heber Farmers Market in 2017. Since then, it’s become a local favorite, drawing everyone from ski bums to soccer moms hungry for a taste of authentic Italian cuisine.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL

There’s pizza, and then there’s “wood-fired, homemade-dough, handtossed” pizza—the kind that leaves you planning your next visit before the first bite is done. The secret, they’ll tell you, starts with the dough,

When you LOVE LOCAL, you’re not just making a purchase—you’re building the future of Heber Valley. Our local businesses are the heart of our community, creating jobs, fostering innovation, and giving back to the place we call home.

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made fresh daily. Each pizza is baked in a blazing wood-fired oven, creating the perfect crispy-yet-chewy crust.

The pasta? It’s crafted with just as much intention, cooked to perfection and topped with rich, bold sauces that scream comfort. Whether you go for the classic Pizza Margherita or the fan favorite, Franco, or indulge in a creamy Fettuccine Alfredo, the menu focuses on fresh, local when possible, simple ingredients.

“Our unique combinations are really popular. We take a traditional pepperoni pizza and put rosemary on it, which people don’t expect,” Frank explains.

And it doesn’t stop there. Seasonal offerings like The Great Pumpkin or Dutch Apple Pie allow Frank’s Italian heritage to shine through in the recipes and the passion for sharing them. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that carries hints of old-world charm infused with

Heber’s laid-back vibe, where visitors enjoy grabbing a pizza to go. Frank is often spotted chatting with locals about the best fly-fishing spots, always happy to trade tips with customers who share his love for the outdoors.

“I love being an entrepreneur and coming up with new ideas and putting them into action,” Frank adds. “I enjoy making pizza and serving people; it’s fun.”

Depending on the season, the food truck rotates locations, but you can find it at Heber City Hall during the warmer months, between 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

Cucina Rustico also is a regular at events and offers catering.

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Heber Valley Railroad

@Heber Valley Railroad 450 S 600 W, Heber City

March

DATES TO REMEMBER:

MAR 14 - PI DAY (3.14)

MAR 17 - SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

APR 1 - APRIL FOOLS’ DAY

Wednesday Morning Storytime

@Folklore Bookshop 49 N 200 W Suite 101, Midway

Bring your little ones and get comfy in our children's section for storytime on Wednesday mornings.

Time: 10:30-11am

Cost: Free Website: www.folklorebookshop.com

YOGA: Free, Gentle Community Yoga Practice (Ages 55+)

@Wasatch County Library, Bowcutt Room 400 E 1200 S, Heber Wasatch County YOGA FOR SERVICE Class Series. Join Yoga Instructor and volunteer, Marty Harger, for a yoga series intended to bring more grounding and less stress to your week. We use gentle movement connected to breathwork, mindful awareness, and meditation as practices you can learn to incorporate at home to stay calm and well. Presented by the Wasatch County Senior Citizens Center and Wasatch County Library. Please bring your own yoga mat and yoga block. Wear clothes that allow you to move and breathe freely. Being comfortable is key and all are welcome. The room is a beautiful space to practice together! Questions? Call or text Marty Harger at 801-712-5406.

Time: 8:30-9:30am • Cost: Free Website: https://martyharger.com/event/yoga-classes/

THE LATEST BUZZ IN TOWN

BY AIMEE L. COOK

Park City Spring Wine Festival: Save the Date!

The Park City Wine Festival will hold its inaugural Spring Wine Festival, April 3–5, 2025, at the Pendry Park City in Canyons Village Resort!

This spring edition brings a fresh perspective to Park City, combining exceptional wines with paired wine dinners, bold wine experiences, and the largely popular Grand Tasting, featuring more than 80 wineries, breweries, distilleries, and local artisans. It’s the perfect mix for foodies and wine lovers alike!

This new season offers:

• Showcases of seasonal menus, cold-weather cocktails, and new local restaurants

• Access to wineries and experts unavailable during the fall festival due to the harvest season

Follow them on Instagram (@parkcitywinefestival) and Facebook (@parkcitywinefestival) for updates and event details.

Enjoy the various rides offered at HVRR this month including: Lakeside Limited Train Ride 90 min Thurs, Fri, and Sat. Deer Creek Express Train 90 min Thurs, Fri, and Sat.

Chocolate Lovers Train Ride 90 min Select Fridays each month Monday Night Train 90 min Monday nights at 7pm

Time: See website for details • Cost: Ticket prices vary Website: https://www.hebervalleyrr.org/calendar/

Guys and Dolls on Stage

@The Ideal Playhouse 113 N Main Street, Heber City

Hailed as the perfect musical comedy, this award-winning classic gambles with luck and love under the bright lights of Broadway at the newly-renovated, historic Ideal Playhouse. Don't miss this wonderful stage performance!

Time: 7-9pm • Cost: $14-$24

Website: https://www.hebervalleyentertainment.com/ideal

Skate Your Groove Thing

@Park City Ice Arena 600 Gillmor Way, Park City

Get ready to boogie! KPCW and Big-D Signature Resorts & Residences Present: Skate Your Groove Thing, a FREE ice-skating boogie night at the Park City Ice Arena.

Everyone's invited to skate and groove with us on Friday, March 7 from 5-8 p.m. as we celebrate our community’s support for our Winter Pledge Drive. All ages are welcome to join the fun at this brand-new, ice-cold disco bash!

Be sure to bring your appetite! Soup R Cheesy food truck will have soup and sandwiches available for purchase to fuel your groovy dance moves on the ice. See you there

Time: 5-8pm • Cost: FREE!

Website: https://parkcity.org/departments/park-city-ice-arena

Community Dance

@Midway Town Hall 160 W Main Street, Midway

This all-ages event is open for everyone to enjoy old-time community dancing—no partner or experience needed, as you can learn on the spot. Tickets are just $7 for adults and $5 for kids.

5:00 - 6:00 PM: Kids ages 3 - 12

6:00 - 6:30 PM: Beginner's Workshop (ages 8+)

6:30 - 9:30 PM: Contra Dance (ages 8+)

Time: 5-9:30pm • Cost: Adults $7, Kids $5

Website: ArtAroundTheSquare.com

Park City Wine Festival

@Arts Council Park City & Summit County, Main Street Park City

Featured here in the Neighbors calendar, you can find some buzzworthy information about this upcoming event. Sip wines from the West Coast to France with 100+ wineries featured at the Grand Tastings. Immerse yourself in the world of wine during expertly paired dinners and lunches throughout the weekend. Elevate your wine knowledge during classroom-style seminars hosted by winemakers and sommeliers.

Time: See website for schedule • Cost: See website to purchase tickets to this event or presale for the Fall festival

Website: https://parkcitywinefest.com/

A Twist on Taylor

@Ideal Playhouse 113 N Main Street, Heber City

You won't believe how much SJ Rhodes looks, sounds and acts like Taylor Swift in concert. A Twist on Taylor is a must-see tribute act for those who love Taylor Swift! SJ performs an extensive repertoire of Taylor hits, encompassing both her country & pop music eras.

Time: 2 shows, 5pm & 7:50pm • Cost: $29-$36

Website: https://www.hebervalleyentertainment.com/ideal

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HEBER VALLEY | MARKET OVERVIEW

During 2024 Heber Valley continued to be the busiest spot in the primary market area for single-home sales, fueled by its wonderful setting and attractive price point. Unit sales were up 32% on 334 total closings, and median prices were up 5% to $992,000. Midway closings were up 45% with 93 units sold, on a modest median price decrease of 4% to $1.15M. Red Ledges sales units increased 24% with 41 total closings, on a 9% median price increase to $3.05M. Heber Proper experienced a 13% decrease in sales with 78 homes sold. Median sale prices were up 4% to $768k. Heber East sales units were up 23% on 27 total closings, and the median price rose 40% to $1.65M. Heber North was very active last year with closings up 92% on 25 sales, and a median price increase of 4% to $808K. Timber Lakes closings were up 133% with 49 total sales, and median prices dropped 14% to $780K.

CONDOMINIUMS

In 2024, condominium sales in Heber Valley surged to 91 total units sold, representing a 107% increase. The median price dropped slightly, down 8% to $534,900. Midway sales units were up 87% with 28 total closings, while the median price dipped 1% to $491,000. The median price also dipped in Red Ledges, down 9% to $1.57M, while prices in Heber proper were up 14% to $477,400. Unit sales in Heber were up 60% on 24 closings.

Best Version Media does not guarantee the accuracy of the statistical data on this page. The data does not represent the listings of any one agent or agency but represents the activity of the

estate community in the area. Any real estate agent’s ad appearing in the magazine is separate from the statistical data provided which is in no way a part of their advertisement

MEET REGGAN JASTRAM: With a distinguished career spanning 20 years in the real estate industry, Reggan brings a level of expertise and sophistication that is unparalleled. As a broker for 9 years, she has successfully led her own boutique brokerage as well as one of the largest Brokerages in the area. She offers a personalized, high-end luxury service to all of her clients regardless of the listing.

ERIC RAMIREZ

S & S ROOFING

S & S Roofing has been a trusted name in the roofing industry for decades. With projects spanning the Wasatch Back, Heber Valley, Park City, and many other areas along the Wasatch Front. Their reputation for quality craftsmanship, honesty, and exceptional service has made them a go-to choice for homeowners and businesses alike.

A LEGACY OF HARD WORK & DEDICATION

The story of S & S Roofing began when Jim Swensen took his years of roofing expertise and built his own company—operating it right out of his home. In those early days, he wore every hat— estimator, marketer, installer, and office manager— pouring his time and energy into creating a business rooted in quality and integrity.

As Jim’s children grew, they naturally became part of the company’s evolution. Josh Swensen, his oldest son, started roofing in 1993 at a young age and now co-owns the company alongside his

father. Over time, Jim’s daughter, Amy Swensen, took on a leadership role in managing projects and ensuring smooth operations.

A REPUTATION BUILT ON TRUST & REFERRALS

While S & S Roofing invests in traditional marketing efforts such as a company website, TV commercials and mailers, the heart of their business comes from referrals and repeat customers. Their commitment to exceptional service and attention to detail keeps customers coming back and recommending them to others.

One customer’s Google review highlights their dedication:

“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the results. From the initial consultation to the final touches, their team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise… The crew was respectful of my

property, keeping the work area clean and safe throughout the process.”

MORE THAN JUST A ROOFING COMPANY— THEY GO THE EXTRA MILE

In August 2024, a sudden hailstorm pounded Utah with golf-ball-sized hail, leaving countless roofs damaged. Homeowners scrambled for repairs, but many found themselves dealing with a mess left behind by out-of-town contractors— loose nails and debris scattered across their yards.

S & S Roofing, however, takes extra steps to protect their customers. Amy explains:

“Running a powerful magnet sweep around the property helps remove loose nails, preventing potential damage to people and property."

It’s small but meaningful efforts like these that set them apart.

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For homeowners who didn’t get their roof checked after the storm, it’s not too late. Amy encourages them to reach out:

“It might still be worth giving us a call to inspect their roof—insurance may still cover it.”

OFFERING MORE THAN JUST REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS

S & S Roofing provides a full range of roofing services, including asphalt shingle, metal, TPO membrane, and shake shingle installations and repairs. They also offer a variety of additional roofing solutions including inspections, skylight installation, gutters, facia, soffit, siding, heat cable and snow retention systems. One of their most valuable services for mountain homeowners is ice-dam removal.

“Rooftop ice-dams often get shoveled, which can wreck the roof. Some installers will use hammers improperly to break up the ice, which can destroy the heat cable in the process. Our team uses shovels to remove snow only and then our specialized steam machinery to safely melt the ice without damaging the roof.” - Amy explains

During the recordbreaking winter two years ago, S & S Roofing stepped up to help homeowners facing roof collapses due to extreme snow loads. In Park City, some roofs had up to 15 feet of snow, creating urgent and dangerous situations. In response, the team used their industrial steam machines to provide safe, effective snow and ice removal for their customers new and existing.

& S Roofing won the job—and more importantly, helped prevent major structural damage that would have affected the integrity of the roof.

MORE THAN A BUSINESS— A FAMILY THAT CARES

Amy describes their team as hardworking, dedicated, and fun-loving bringing a mix of expertise, warmth, and reliability to every project. Their genuine care for their customers is a defining factor of their success.

One standout example was when Blake, an S & S Roofing estimator, was inspecting a customer’s roof. He discovered a soft spot near the chimney—a serious issue that had been overlooked by other companies. Upon further inspection, he found years of unnoticed water damage had rotted part of the roof decking beneath the shingles.

Because Blake took the time to thoroughly assess the roof and educate the homeowner, S

A Roofing Company That Puts Customers First S & S Roofing’s success is built on decades of trust, hard work, and a commitment to excellence. As one customer put it:

“These straightforward, old-fashioned gentlemen made the entire process from start to finish incredibly simple. Their professionalism and genuine care made me feel heard and safe throughout the project.”

For homeowners looking for a reliable, familyowned roofing company, S & S Roofing is the name to trust.

Website: sandsroofinginc.com Instagram: sandsroofinginc

BY

THE ZIMMERMANS PLAY BALL

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TO SAY THE ZIMMERMAN FAMILY LOVES BASEBALL WOULD DIM THEIR ABSOLUTE PASSION AND CONNECTION WITH THE SPORT. The AllAmerican past-time isn’t just about the game or athletes, it’s about family and community. In 2016, parents Craig and Janene took their youngest, Cole, to Cooperstown Dreams Park, known as the world’s foremost baseball event for kids his age and home to the Baseball Hall of Fame. It was here that Cole’s team, along with 103 others, would play day (and sometimes night) competing in alternating red or blue uniforms, and trading pins with other teams for a whole week. This experience ignited a quest that consumed the next several years.“In 2016, with our three daughters having moved out and onto post college jobs, and with Cole our only child at home, we hatched the idea to visit all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums as a way to enjoy the sport, but to also see most of the individual states,” Craig said. “Family vacations and gatherings are always a top priority for Janene and me. It’s fun and strengthens our family bond.”

However, before they could make plans, they finalized a move to Utah. The Zimmerman’s had called Southern California home since Craig and Janene were first married. Cole would be starting the 6th grade at Soldier Hollow August 2016, just days after leaving Cooperstown. It was a

Soldier Hollow offered a great mix of education, from academic curriculum to outdoor mountain sports, which appealed to Janene who was attempting to ease her son’s adjustment from Southern California beaches to life in the

He participated in biathlon and took field trips to the Grand Tetons all while experiencing small class sizes. He started 7th grade at Timpanogos Middle School, in part because it was right next to their home, and then graduated from

Now, Cole is attending Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, where he plays 1st baseman. “I’m a lefty; hit lefty, throw lefty. I’ve been playing mostly 1st base my whole life.” Left-handers have a unique advantage at 1st base because of the direction they’re naturally facing during the game. Cole’s other advantages are height and wingspan. One might also say that he was born with a baseball bat snuggled firmly where teddy bears call home.

raig and Janene, enormously involved, helped Cole pursue his dreams. Craig’s personal interest in baseball has led him to advocate advancing the sport in Heber Valley. With the school district expanding to include a new high school, he oversaw our baseball club’s initiative to double the number of players per age group.

“By the time the new school is finished, we should be able to accommodate, sustain, and support two programs. If there is only one team [per age group], 11 or 12 kids, you’re unable to accommodate that next group of 12 kids and those kids go off to play other sports. You can't get them back,” Craig explained.

Passion and forethought motivated the decision about 5

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made what play during what game. But not leaving it to chance, Craig took the reins ensuring that both high schools in Wasatch County School District will have baseball teams.

Although the Zimmermans have only lived in Heber Valley full time since late summer 2016, they wanted to be part of the community. Janene recalled, “Craig was involved in Little League in California, and he came up here and said, ‘Hey, there's a need for club help.’ So, he started running the club. We've got 12 teams this year and it's growing.” Parents who really want to see their kids play baseball now have an additional opportunity. It's the same kind of opportunity they’re grateful for, being able to bring Cole up in the sport he enjoys.

A SKIER AND A BASEBALL FAN

Janene grew up in California but family took her skiing in places like Snow Mass, Mammoth, and Big Bear, and never moved out of the state. Craig was born and raised in New York, developing a thirst for baseball. He attended Occidental College, in Pasadena, but New York beckoned him home post-graduation. Eventually, finding winter less attractive after temperate coastal living, he ended up returning to a warmer California.

Forever a Yankee’s fan, Craig remains tied to east coast culture. He and Janene grew their family, raising 3 daughters and Cole, their only son. When the oldest children left the house for school, they headed toward Utah. Janene, whose father had grown up in Logan, had family here too. In 2010 they bought their Heber home so that visiting their daughters in Provo would be more enjoyable. By 2016, Cole, flourishing as a baseball athlete, had finished the 5th grade. The family was ready to be closer to his sisters, so they made

Baseball in many states, and games exciting the crowds everywhere, some fans upped the ante attending a game in each location. No small feat, the Zimmerman’s made annual journeys to clusters of stadiums, knocking them off the list. All told they, and few others, have visited every baseball stadium in the United States.

The momentum began after the highlight summer at Cooperstown. They saw several games in that area, visited many interesting historical and cultural sites, and shared family experiences while exploring. Those were the ingredients they hoped to include in each location.

As it turns out, developing a time-friendly strategy for visiting each baseball park during a game would take some effort to figure out. Embarking in 2017, they found themselves “all over the map,” as Craig put it. In April, they traveled to Oakland, California for a San Francisco Giants game. Afterward, it was time to check out games in Washington DC. Heading west again, they landed in Seattle securing another stadium visit.

Craig added, “We got smarter,” referring to their travel goals. Using game dates and maps to geographically optimize their plans, they traveled by plane, then car, subway, or train, from game to game in relatively quick succession during one week to ten-day periods. They could see three to four games in one trip and still have time to discover the surrounding areas.

Plans didn’t rule out spontaneity. While spectating a Pittsburgh

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game, Janene pointed out, “The Yankees are in Cleveland tomorrow. It's only a two-hour drive.” After the game they hopped in the car. Geographically convenient, they drove on to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to check out the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum and see the Little League World Series.

Cole said, “It’s the other big tournament besides Cooperstown. It’s a national and international thing, even on ESPN every summer.” Having participated in Cooperstown’s tournaments, he was excited to see so many youth play ball in such an iconic town.

Williamsport is fascinating by any standard, not just for baseball. Historically idyllic, it goes back to the founding days of our county. It was a strong lumber producing area for generations. Today, still beautifully quaint and surrounded by thick green trees, baseball museums, art galleries, and old architectural works accent a different time. The Zimmerman’s continually found themselves in culturally rich places like Williamsport because baseball transcends much of United States history.

By 2019 it was time to head south into Texas, home of two Major League teams, the Astros (formerly Colt .45’s) and Rangers, who have called Texas home since 1972 and who originally played in Washington DC. California made the schedule that year for a Dodger’s game. While there, they had the opportunity to also visit family, rounding out a special trip.

When they got to St. Louis in 2023, the weather turned but made an especially memorable time. “The first game got rained out. They had a makeup game, so it became a doubleheader. The next day we drove from St Louis to Cincinnati, then we drove from Cincinnati to the Louisville Slugger Museum. We drove to Chicago, we drove to Milwaukee, and then we drove to Minnesota. We did the whole Midwest,” Craig explained. He made it seem like the ballgame traveling mechanism was running smoothly.

All the travel, all the planning fostered stoic resilience to accomplish goals as a family. If the game played, they stayed. Rain or thunder did not easily scare them to refuge. As a result, they have too many memories to count, too many stories to write or share, but a few truly stand out. Cole reminisced on St. Louis, “We got to go to the big arch. You can look out the window and see the stadium below it,

Janene pulled out a hefty scrapbook complete with game scores and locations, printed pictures and memorabilia. “I've scrapbooked for years because we had printed pictures, and I still have a bunch to do. I said to Craig, ‘We should do this, or we can do a digital book,’” she recounted, presenting an open page. “He said, ‘No, I'll help do the pictures.’ We're both from the era of printed pictures.”

As the cultural curator of their trips, she admits the scrapbook needs more work, like written memories of several events. Any scrapbooker or family historian knows just how difficult it is to round up all the pictures and journals. Even though this family could sit around for hours and never run out of stories from a single year of travels. Sliding back in time, Cole told of a particularly unexpected interaction he witnessed at an Angel’s game: “I was with my dad and two of my friends sitting left field. One of the Angels pitchers was signing (autographing). We got our balls signed and two of us went back to our seats. One

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because we were done.”

Craig continued, “After the pitcher signed everybody's ball, we started walking away. ‘Wait a second, come on over here.’ He took his hat off and he signed it, and he gave it to Cole’s friend. He started walking back to his seat. The pitcher says, ‘Wait a minute, where are you going?’ Then he took off one of his cleats, signed it and handed it over. Cole’s friend started to walk away again. ‘No, what are you going to do with one cleat?’ He took off the other one, signed that cleat too. The pitcher walked back to the dugout in his stocking feet. Cole’s friend walked away with two signed cleats and his hat.”

Signed memorabilia has a special place in their home. However, they even made their own. Janene crafted something special to commemorate the final game and

completion of their goal. “I had a blanket made for Cole of every major league mascot in fabric, as a graduation present. I brought it in my suitcase to Toronto, our last stadium.”

LOOKING AHEAD

artifacts, overwhelmingly abundant, he stated, “It’s a lot of baseball.”

Some souvenirs cannot be purchased or picked up at a game, like the quilt or family pictures. But baseball aficionados take great pride in each game’s memorabilia no matter how it came to be. Afterall that event, and the people they spent time with, cannot be reclaimed. Thus, touring the Zimmerman home, each miniature team baseball bat, signed ball or hat, evokes a story, a special memory––their family exploring a new city, what they ate, or who they met.

But the prize is Cole’s personal collection. While they went to all the games and planned countless trips, Cole kept up on his personal game. Trophies and balls, jerseys and cleats line the walls and shelves of his room. As he presented the personal

It is a lot of baseball. However, it’s a lot of memories and good times. It’s perseverance and substance, resolve and focus. Many people helped form those rich memories and fill the gaps between each point along his journey. His family has been there with him, fueling a passion which landed him a college infield position.

The Zimmerman’s have a special family bond, having explored the world they love so much. Craig, always the Yankee fan whose love for the sport has permeated our community, and Janene, the skier who found ballgame passion later in life, told all these stories fondly. With Cole pursuing his education and older sisters already building their own family experiences, Craig and Janene look forward to their retirement, filled with valuable time together and more family trips.

EMPOWERING UTAH WOMEN:

A LOOK AT THE WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER OF UTAH

The Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah) is a vital resource dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs across Utah. By offering personalized business advising, training programs, and advocacy, the WBCUtah helps women in a supportive community achieve their professional aspirations, and create lasting economic impact . All responses below are provided by Ann Marie Wallace, State Director of the Women’s Business Center of Utah (WBCUtah).

Neighbors Magazine: What are the most significant challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Utah today, and how is the Women’s Business Center of Utah addressing them?

A: Women entrepreneurs in Utah face a range of unique challenges, including the following:

• Confidence: Many women experience self-doubt and imposter syndrome, which can affect decision-making and hinder their progress.

How WBCUtah helps: We foster confidence through our motto, “Helping Women Own It.” Our womenfocused services provide a supportive environment for any entrepreneur to learn critical principles, develop skills, connect with peers, and overcome self-doubt.

• Access to Capital: Securing funding is often difficult, with limited access to loans, venture capital, and financing. How WBCUtah helps: We educate women on funding options through workshops, personalized advising, and multi-week classes that cover financial management topics such as cash flow projections, break-even analysis, and budgeting. We also recommend microloans and Kiva loans and connect clients with funders.

• Work-Life Balance: Juggling entrepreneurship with family responsibilities—such as childcare or elder care—poses a challenge.

How WBCUtah helps: Flexible services include online courses, virtual

sessions, and training programs catered to working moms’ schedules and diverse needs.

• Networking and Mentorship: Building strong business networks and finding mentors is crucial but not always easy.

How WBCUtah helps: We offer networking opportunities, events, and mentorship programs, connecting women to successful business owners and industry experts.

• Access to Markets: Reaching target customers, especially in niche markets or rural areas, can be difficult for women entrepreneurs.

How WBCUtah helps:

1. The Utah Women-Owned Business Directory provides free promotion, increased visibility, and credibility through over 3,400 listings.

2. Marketing and sales training includes workshops on strategies like digital and social media marketing, led by industry experts.

• Technology: Navigating e-commerce, digital marketing, apps, and online tools can be overwhelming for many women entrepreneurs

How WBCUtah helps: Through expert advising and tailored support, we make technology more accessible and less overwhelming. We help you navigate digital strategies and platforms to grow, streamline, and accelerate your business

• Lack of Visibility and Recognition: Women-owned businesses may struggle to gain industry recognition.

How WBCUtah helps: We promote visibility through media outreach, public relations campaigns, op-eds, and community engagement events.

• Navigating Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Handling business licensing, tax compliance, and employment laws can be challenging and time-consuming.

How WBCUtah helps:

1. Workshops addressing legal and regulatory issues.

By Aimee L. Cook

2. Individualized advising for guidance tailored to each business owner’s specific needs.

Neighbors Magazine: Briefly describe the range of services the Women’s Business Center of Utah offers, from training and counseling to networking opportunities and access to capital.

A: WBCUtah offers a comprehensive suite of services to empower women entrepreneurs, including:

• One-on-One Advising: Personalized sessions with experienced mentors who provide empathetic guidance to improve decision-making and help avoid costly mistakes.

• Educational Training: Workshops, seminars, and multi-week cohort- style classes (available in-person, virtually, or online) help aspiring and existing entrepreneurs develop essential skills. These sessions cover business planning, financial management, marketing, operations, and more.

• Resources and Tools: Downloadable templates paired with tutorials for a business plan, break-even point, SWOT analysis, and more

• Advocacy: WBCUtah promotes “Buy Utah Women-Owned!” with the Utah Women-Owned Business Directory (UtahWomenOwned.com), which receives millions of browser searches annually.

WBCUtah is committed to helping women entrepreneurs thrive by offering the tools and support they need to overcome challenges and achieve success.

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GAME ON! SPORTS 4 GIRLS IS EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATHLETES

By Aimee L. Cook • Photos by Deb DeKoff

Since its inception in 2007 in Illinois, Game On! Sports 4 Girls has championed a mission that’s more than just fun and games. This innovative program is designed to inspire young girls in Pre-K through 8th grade to embrace an active, healthy lifestyle through sports and fitness. From its bustling summer camps to engaging school-year after-school events, Game On! Sports 4 Girls has created a vibrant, inclusive space where girls can thrive on and off the field.

In 2022, Elyssa Brock brought the first Game On! Sports 4 Girls - Northern Utah franchise to Utah, marking an exciting new chapter for the organization. Elyssa has played sports her entire life, and her passion for empowering young girls through sports and fostering a sense of community shines through the program.

“I was originally going to major [in college] in finance, switched my major at the last minute and went to work in sports,” Elyssa explained. “I worked in pro sports for 6 years, I started in sales at a G-League team in Reno, then was hired by the Philadelphia 76ers to manage the sponsorship accounts, after 4 years with the 76ers I found Game On! Sports 4 Girls and saw how I could use sports to make a difference.”

Game On! Sports 4 Girls is about more than

just teaching young athletes how to dribble a basketball or perfect their soccer kicks. It’s about building confidence and resilience and instilling core values that resonate far beyond the playing field. Whether it’s teamwork, perseverance, or leadership, these life skills stick with the girls for years.

“We are an all-girls, multi-sport program ages 4-14 years old and we use sports to empower girls.” Elyssa said. “Our main opportunity to work with the girls is during our summer day camps. We also do birthday parties and work with the Girl Scouts to help the girls earn badges and do community service projects.”

Plus, inclusivity is woven into the very fabric of Game On! Sports 4 Girls from all walks of life—including those who identify as girls, non-binary, and gender-expansive—are welcomed. It’s about building community and creating a shared love for everything from volleyball to lacrosse.

“Our goal is to introduce them to as much as possible and have them start with the basics so they can build on those and build confidence,” Elyssa said. “We want them to find one or two sports that they really love and continue to play it. We also teach them how to win and how to lose.”

Why

Sports Matter Beyond the Field

What makes Game On! Sports 4 Girls so

impactful isn’t just its ability to get kids moving but how it creates a sense of belonging and achievement. Research consistently shows that participation in sports can positively impact mental health, improve academic performance, and build lifelong confidence. Game On! Sports 4 Girls creates an environment where those benefits come to life, helping young participants see that their potential is limitless.

Parents, educators, and community members can visit Game On! Sports 4 Girls Northern Utah’s website to learn more.

Should You Wait for Lower Interest Rates?

What 2025 Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

Interest rates have been a hot topic for the past few years, and as we head into 2025, many buyers and sellers in Heber Valley are wondering whether they should wait for rates to drop before making a move. It’s an understandable question. After all, mortgage rates directly impact affordability for buyers and overall market conditions for sellers.

But here’s the real question: Will rates actually drop in 2025? And if they do, what happens to home prices? What if they don’t drop—does waiting still make sense? And if you buy now, are you stuck with your rate forever?

Let’s break it all down.

WILL RATES DROP IN 2025?

No one has a crystal ball, but most experts agree that rates are likely to remain steady for much of 2025. Current forecasts suggest that mortgage rates will hover around 6.25% to 6.5% for most of the year, with only slight fluctuations depending on inflation and Federal Reserve policy. While some rate cuts are possible, most predictions don’t call for a dramatic drop.

This means that if you’re waiting for a return to 3% or 4% rates, you may be waiting much longer than expected. And if rates do drop later in the year, they may only decrease slightly—likely not enough to drastically change affordability.

WHAT HAPPENS IF RATES DROP?

If rates fall, buyer demand will surge. Many buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines will jump into the market, creating more competition for available homes. This could lead to:

▶ Higher home prices – More buyers means

more competition, driving prices up.

▶ Multiple-offer situations – Sellers may receive several offers, making it harder to negotiate.

▶ Less negotiating power for buyers –Lower rates don’t always mean lower overall costs if prices rise.

If you’re thinking about waiting for rates to drop, consider that while your monthly payment might improve, the home you want could cost more due to increased demand and higher prices.

WHAT IF RATES DON’T DROP?

If rates stay where they are, buyers and sellers will still need to make moves based on life circumstances—job changes, growing families, downsizing, or relocation. But a steady rate environment could also mean:

▶ Low inventory continues – Many homeowners have low fixed rates from previous years and are hesitant to sell, keeping inventory tight.

▶ Less competition now than later – Acting before rates drop could mean better deals and more negotiating power.

▶ Opportunities in the current market – If rates don’t drop, today’s market might actually be a better time to buy or sell than a future, more competitive market.

SHOULD YOU WAIT TO BUY OR SELL?

The best time to buy or sell is when it makes sense for you. Here’s why:

▶ Buyers: If you find the right home that fits your needs and budget, buy now. You can refinance later if rates drop, but waiting could mean facing a pricier market.

▶ Sellers: Listing in early 2025 may mean less competition before the traditional spring rush. A lower rate environment could bring more buyers, but it could also mean more competing listings.

Real estate decisions should be based on your personal goals, not just market speculation.

ARE YOU STUCK WITH YOUR RATE IF YOU BUY NOW?

Not at all. Mortgage rates aren’t a lifetime commitment—you can refinance if and when rates drop. Many lenders offer no-cost or low-cost refinancing options, and some builders even offer rate buydowns to make homeownership more affordable upfront.

Other financing strategies include:

▶ Adjustable-Rate Mortgages (ARMs) –Lower initial rates that adjust after a set period.

▶ Rate Buydowns – Sellers or builders can offer upfront rate reductions.

FINAL THOUGHTS: MAKE YOUR MOVE BASED ON YOUR NEEDS

Trying to time the market perfectly is nearly impossible. While rates might change in 2025, waiting could mean facing higher home prices or more competition. The best strategy? Buy when it’s right for you, knowing you can always refinance later.

If you're thinking about buying or selling in 2025, let’s build a strategy that works for you. Whether you're looking for your first home, an investment property, or preparing to list your home, I can help you navigate the market with confidence. Feel free to reach me at 435-800-3030 or andyemory@gmail.com.

Contact me to discover how I offer alternatives – where marketing and exposure matters, negotiation and sales skills matter and where networks, affiliations and a rich brand heritage matter.

Spring Into Art features many

of the

local artists introduced in the Neighbors magazines

This will be the second year for Spring Into Art at the DoubleTree by Hilton Park City – The Yarrow. Here is your chance to talk to the artists in person, whose work you have seen in the magazine. Showing their work will be many long-time Park City residents like Robert Johnson, a watercolor painter, who is known for his Aspen tree paintings throughout the seasons.

Spring Into Art will also showcase female artists Alix Railton with her jewelry, Karen Millar Kendall with her latest paintings, Kelly Gallagher with her metal sculptures, and Elsa Gary, Ginny Coombs, Mary Perry, Jeanine Baum, Anna Nizhoni, A.D. Allegretti, Jeanne Hansen and more.

Photography is well represented with Richard D. Pick, David Breslauer, Larry Calof, and Johnny Adolphson, a photographer whose family was one of the magazine’s cover stories, Mary Perry and Kirsten Kohlwey.

You may remember Mitch Bedke’s glass artwork from an article. New to the show are Josh Peugeau with large scale drawings, Dick Gary with his books, Steve Johnson with his dinosaur bone jewelry, and more.

“We are so excited to be coordinating our second annual show at The Yarrow,” says Kelly Gallagher, Vice President of the Park City Artists Association. “We are building on last year’s success and are looking forward to providing our local artists with the opportunity to showcase their art to our tremendous community.”

Please join the Park City Artists Association for Spring Into Art on March 21 through 23. The hours will be Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

Misunderstanding March

March. Let’s talk about March.

There is a not-so-secret feeling about March in Utah. Some say it is spring, but most of us know it as a second winter. On a given day, March brings us warm sunlight; the flowers could even start to bloom a bit. But then two weeks later, there is no sun, a bigger snowstorm than December brought, and wind straight from Antarctica. So, yes, a second winter seems more fitting than a March spring.

March is a hard, cold, and sunless month. It is the month we start to crave the sunlight and seriously consider a tanning-bed pass, where warmth sits just a hair shy of our fingertips. In all seriousness, March is a hard month for most of us Utahns. Seasonal depression kicking in when the sun is covered by clouds all day and sets at 5:00 p.m. is the real deal. It is hard to feel inspired or motivated in March. It is hard to want to go outside, to come up with plans, to chase a new idea, to do really anything that isn’t hopping on an airplane to Hawaii.

The other day, I wondered if maybe we are misunderstanding March. Maybe all these years we’ve been hating on March, trying to force it to be a “real” spring, like May is, or to mimic the blissful heat of July. But March just wants to be March. And it is a matter of fact that we can either focus on how much we don’t like March until April comes, or we can learn to truly enjoy the month we are in. Maybe, just maybe, we might become best friends with March.

Let me give you a list of activities to do, plans to make, and good times to be had in March. Instead of letting the hardship of the cold win, here are some ways to beat this discolored and unmotivating month. Let me show you how to make March a more beautiful and joyful month. Welcome to Let’s Love March!

1. Coming in at first on our Let’s Love March list is spring skiing, which in Utah is the best of the best—when the sun comes out, when you can actually feel your toes while skiing. There is truly nothing better. Buy a day-pass and head up to Park City. Take the Town Lift to Main Street and get some pizza from Davanza’s. The slopes are way less crowded, way warmer, and let you brighten up your routine in your own backyard.

2. Did you know Utah has its own hockey team now? Well, it sure does, and the games are wildly fun! The Utah Hockey Club has games all throughout March, right in Salt Lake City. Spend the day in the city, grab some food, and watch the Hockey Club as it takes on its first season as Utah’s new team!

Whether it’s a deep tissue massage, pedicure, or a Sanctuary Signature Stretch with CBD, we hope you’ll feel relaxed and refreshed from the moment you walk in the door. Please feel free to book your appointment online or call the spa directly at 435-315-3573. We look forward to seeing you soon!

3. Now, other than hockey and skiing, what else is Utah loved for? National parks, you guessed it! There are five national parks only three hours away from Park City and Heber. Take a fun road trip over the weekend to explore any one of these beautiful parks— Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion—and experience warmer sunshine. It also happens to be the offseason at the parks, so you’ll beat the crowds and enjoy a magical weekend in your own state.

4. Number four on our list is going to be my personal favorite. March to me is a self-care month. It is a month for face masks, baths, reading, couch rotting, and relaxing. Put on a face mask, sip a yummy drink, and watch any chick flick from the 2000s—my personal favorite is 10 Things I Hate About You. But here’s my last pro tip for number four: $5 Tuesday has revolutionized the theater. Every theater, every Tuesday, only $5 a ticket! Taking yourself to the movies, buying some popcorn, and relaxing in the recliner seats scream self-care to me. Plus, there’s no better month to stay in and watch movies than March.

5. Lastly, March gives you time to enjoy the indoors a little longer before the sun comes out and the summer business hits. My very last tips: Read the book you’ve been wanting to read. Cook the meal you’ve been wanting to cook. Attend a yoga class, get the massage, buy that new jacket, finally go skiing. Do what you don’t have time for, what normally falls to the end of your list. March may be slow, and it may be cold, but it gives you time to do things you typically wouldn’t. Focus on yourself for the month, and you’ll see how the motivation rises on its own.

Let’s enjoy March this year instead of wishing we were in any other month. Get the last uses out of your cute sweaters and winter boots. Enjoy the warmer slopes and seek refuge indoors while you can. I think if we let it, March could be our friend. This could be our final month of relaxing and having time for the things we sometimes forget we want to do. Let’s take back March—let’s make it fun!

I Wish That I Could Be Like The Cool Kids: Interact Club

All the cool kids they seem to fit in—-is how the song goes by Echosmith. Attending three meetings with the Interact Club of Wasatch County, my most recent one at Chick’s Cafe in February 2025, made me feel like I was one of the “Cool Kids.”

The Interact Club of Wasatch County unites people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the empowerment of the Rotary motto: Service Above Self.

I sat in their monthly meeting at 7:07 AM at Chick’s Cafe and watched students enter the restaurant before school started. Yes, they looked gassed on a Tuesday morning, no doubt because they were dealing with different things like midterms, being involved in multiple theater plays, fighting for spots to be valedictorians in their senior year, pushing to make it on sports teams for the season, and more. Who does not want an extra 45 minutes of sleep? These remarkable teens dedicate hours to being a part of a service organization called the Interact Club; they are the cool kids. As I sat in my chair, I wondered if they would accept me—-Was I back in high school again, fighting to be a part of a group? As I sipped on my hot chocolate with whipped cream, I felt no fear with this group of being less than, too old, or not cool enough to sit with the group. They shared all of the service projects that they had queued up for Feb and March. Each club board member presented how they had reached out to organizations like Days for Girls. They also shared how they would execute projects for non-profits that needed items like hygiene packs. I watched this group in action the week before when they built 20 blankets for

the CJC (Utah’s Children’s Justice System).

What I love most about attending these group meetings is listening to the happenings— unlike an episode of Gossip Girl, they share real experiences and help each other with goal planning. Matt, for example, was looking forward to tennis tryouts that were coming up but also had the honesty to share his fears about making the team. Naomi shared how an A- disqualified her from being a valedictorian. Still, she accepted it and was proud to take AP classes while actively participating in upcoming live play. We even talked about the upcoming dance and people's plans for it—-I learned that it was a girl's ask-guys dance…similar to what some may call the Sadie Hawkins Dance. Going around the room, we all shared things we were looking forward to, things we were nervous about, and how we planned to get ahead of the week. I could not believe I was sitting next to 16-17-year-olds. I felt like we were in an adult board room. Wait, I am an adult, haha?! Frankly, we were open about what we had on our plates and how we could help each other accomplish our goals. That is service in itself, helping others in their process. The composure of these young adults blew my mind. Why did I not consider joining a group like this in high school? The youth members in this group may sit at different lunch tables at school, but when they come to club meetings, they always sit together, accepting that they are all unique assets to their service team—-The Interact Club. The Echosmith song starts with a teen saying, "Being someone you want to be.” All of the youth in this group come because they value

being service-oriented people and want to be involved in their local community…. Who would get up early in the morning if they did not genuinely care about making a difference? After leaving the breakfast, I wished I had belonged to a group like this when I was in high school—a group that was accepting of every different type of person and a crew that loves helping others, valuing themselves, and giving thought and regard to those in need. So, I will be honest: I want to be like the Cool Kids, so count me in for more 7:07 AM board meetings; you all inspire me:) My name is Emily; can I sit with you?

MARCH of The Moms: Seasons Changing

From January 1st to March 1st, you can refer to my house as the Animal House. Winter is the month when all of my family from out of town decides to show up. Sometimes, I do not even know when the young bucks (my younger cousins and more) are showing up; they just come. The leading players are my kid cousins, bonus kids, and younger brother, who come and live/stay with me at my home in Midway, Utah. I always practice an open-door policy, where they can stay as long as they want. Frankly, I love a whole house of chaos, making regular family meals, hearing the sound of the washer and dryer always running with coats, people complaining about missing a glove (always rewarding if we find one the following year), my floors being wet and dirty from people falling to take off their shoes in the house, and the dishes that are left unwashed due to someone rushing out of the house early in the AM for a Judy’s Doughnut or to hit a local resort like Sundance. Knowing that my family is with me is what it is all about, and I forget about my house being clean because my “kids” are at home. They usually pick to visit me in winter: I hope they want to see me, but my best guess is that they are looking to ski and board, visit shows at the Sundance Film Festival, attend the parties that I throw, like my annual Chinese New Year Bash, and have the chance to play with my 3-year-old daughter Fallon. Let’s just say that the HOA I live in must think I am running a zoo based on how many family and friends are coming in and out of my residence during these months. I commonly refer to these family members as my “kids.” I still view them as being younger

because I grew up being the oldest child in my family. My younger family members range from ages 19 to 30 years old—some are in school, and others are traveling while working remotely. None of them have kids yet, and all have chosen a single life for now, and they are free to hop from state to state for fun. I might have to consult my therapist to see if this is a disorder; calling them “kids” —Google is showing me a couple of red flags, so I am going to avoid selfdiagnosing myself. They love eating anything they want in my fridge and treating my house like Hotel Chu. They often bring friends; just like animals, they run in packs. I just love it when they come, and I also dread it when they leave me. My nest is not the same in March when all of them are now looking to chase the sun vs. the snow, and they decide to head back to their homes. Weeks of tears follow their exits because I know the season is over, and I will not see them again till the following year. In March, I look into my guest rooms and no longer see their dirty towels or snow gear spread messily on the floors. My kids are gone until the next snow season; what is next for me now?

The comments below are from four real-life local moms who have also asked themselves what to do now that the season (our Mom time) is ending. We, local moms, know how to buck up, though, and are adapting to the changes in the seasons. After talking with other moms in the area, I realize I am alone in the search for what is next. May these real mom cases give you some light and love when you catch a case of seasonal mood swings.

Local Mom 1: “I do not know what to do now that my daughter is about to enter kindergarten this year. I am not ready for this.”

THE KINDERGARDEN SEASON:

Mom 1 has one of the most hyper-intelligent four-year-olds that I know. Her daughter can list off all 50 states to you (something most adults cannot even do), write handwritten notes to friends, and is exceptionally talented in the arts. Her father once told her—-You need to play it down, girl; you will scare the other kids once you enter kindergarten with all those smarts. I would not be shocked if their daughter is in Mensa one day because she is one of those brilliant children who is the size of a four-year-old but has the brain of an 8+-year-old. I have seen that Mom 1’s stay-at-home talents of teaching and educating her daughter have been the recipe for shaping what I call a mini genius.

I told Mom 1 that she may want to rethink the private or public school system for her daughter and consider being a homeschool teacher. She shook her head at me because she had never seen teaching her daughter as a skill. As a parent, it is your choice if you would like to home-school your child. If you feel traditional kindergarten is not the right fit for your young one and want to be more involved in your child's education and everyday life, there are plenty of options for homeschooling in the area. While this may not be the best fit for every family, many families benefit from this educational approach in Wasatch and Summit County. It is said that about 5% of Utah students are homeschoolers. My daughter Fallon is off from public school Pre-K on Mondays and regularly attends a homeschooling group on this day. Seeing all the pictures of her planting in different gardens and learning specialized skills, like shoveling snow on a powdery day, shows me how homeschooling programs offer such unique curriculums. Many of these activities are not included in the general public school systems. While not every Mom has the educational background to home school, some moms can make this a lifestyle choice for their families and a career for themselves.

Resource For Alternative Schooling Options: Check out a local homeschooling networking group for more ideas. For example, Lectura Lounge in Park City has homeschool groups that meet weekly on Wednesdays to gather and learn more about homeschooling tools and resources within Utah. Lectura Lounge also offers classes for homeschooling children to connect and bond with other mini humans in person.

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Local Mom 2: “My two daughters are away on travels for school and work, and all 4 of my kids no longer need me 24/7…..I’m trying to figure out what to do with the rest of my life.”

THE BOOK OF MOM SEASON 4:

Mom 2 has birthed four amazing kiddos—Valadectorians, writers, real estate superstars, and more. Her superpower was knowing what worked to raise all-star humans. As a mother, one of the things she loved to do most with her kids was reading to them and spending time with them as much as she could. She knew how the impact of reading was essential for her children's growth and development. It made sense to me when she thought about starting to write children's books. She had learned from reading to her four kids what captured them, helped them excel in school, and comforted them to sleep. Also, having one of her daughters as a writer was even more helpful because she had a consistent editor for her work! Writing children's books today is her way of journaling and capturing all the wonderful memories she has had and is having with her kids. She now has ten kids' books ready to hit the press. She learned that writing was a tool for her to feel closer to her kids even when they were not living in her home.

Did you know? Did you know that Rotary of Heber City reads monthly to kids at the local elementary schools? They love accepting different children's books from local authors. For those who love to write, this might be an excellent way to channel your talents; you might even find the characters in your books to be your kids.

Local Mom 3: “I have three boys out of the nest now. Being a Mom defined me, so what now?”

SLOPE SEASON:

Mom 3’s boys are all in college and are no longer living at home. Skiing was their favorite family sport to do together as a family. Most locals know that skiing can be one of the most expensive sports. Season tickets for resorts like Deer Valley can easily be close to, if not as expensive as planning a family trip to Disneyland. Deer Valley hires seasonal workers for help during the ski season, which usually begins in November and runs through mid-April. Mom 3 decided to take on a seasonal job in the childcare department at Deer Valley Resort. She loved being a mom her entire life, and it brought her great joy to continue to see kids that reminded her of her boys when they were younger. Additionally, she could get discounted tickets for her family members because that is a perk included with her seasonal work sign-on package. This also encouraged the boys to want to come home more regularly so that they could all continue to ride on their favorite mountain together and have new experiences on the slopes together as a family.

Local Mom 4 (That is me, Emily):

THE SEASON OF EXCHANGE:

The foreign exchange student program may interest those who have once-a-year kid visitors like me and feel like they are missing out on something. Last March, when the kids were gone, I felt alone again, and it hit me hard; I decided not to let the nest go empty. I saw a posting about hosting foreign exchange students in a chat group called Midway Buzz (a local chat and resource group with 600+ members). The call was for parents to host a foreign exchange student. I did not want the fall season to feel quiet in the house without additional kids, and I did not want my only child, Fallon, not to have kids around regularly. I took Rotary of Heber Valley up on their offer to host a student for 3-months. This may not fit every parent, but it filled a void for me, and I enjoyed being a host parent. My mother, Rachel Chu, was a host kid in Chile when she was younger, so she gave me insights into the process. My host son was Jay, and he most certainly kept things interesting for me and my family from August through November 2024. He wanted to play American Football since it was not a regular sport. He was from Argentina, and he did not have experiences like that. Seeing him play for Wasatch High School’s Football Team—GO WASPS was among the most rewarding processes. The laundry machine regularly ran with smelly football apparel, but there was never a dull moment. I saw football games, homecoming events, the band, cheerleaders, and more. I am not going to lie; I felt like I got to return to high school again, yet this time, it was 10X more fun. I guess Hotel Chu can be opened year around:)

Whatever season it is in your Mom process—do not take the season end as a negative. You can continue rewriting, reliving, reaccountting, and loving the vibes in your next season of MOMING. A friend once told me this quote: The changing seasons are a beautiful reminder that change is a natural part of life. Here is one thing that will not change—--You are always a Mom, and no one can take that from you.

Experience Wellness Like Never Before

BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

Hot Springs to Capitol Reef National Park:

A Geologic Wonderland

Fremont Indian State Park is only about a three-hour drive from Park City. Having attended lectures on the petroglyphs in the park and pictographs in the Cave of a Hundred hands, I was not disappointed with what we saw, where a fascinating model of the original site with the village ruins was discovered, and a section removed for I-70. The Fremont village once had roughly 100 buildings with likely 200 to 300 inhabitants; most of the building ruins were removed during construction. The museum displays pottery found in the area, as well as other items that could have arrived only through trade. Apparently, this village traded with people who had obtained shells from the Pacific Ocean, turquoise from two separate directions, and obsidian.

You can see a replica of a pit house, and in the campground, a modernized version of the house can be rented for the night. There are several short trails and plenty of petroglyphs to discover along the rock walls. During the winter season, the museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., so we timed our visit for early during the day.

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The area doesn’t have many restaurants, but we did find the Cowboy Corral in Elsinore, which is open until 2:00 p.m. The prices are reasonable, and the food is made from scratch. After we ordered, a gentleman came over to talk to us. When he returned to his seat, he said, “Welcome to our neck of the woods.” We were surprised to find live music, a duo singing some oldtime songs. According to the servers, the building started out as a Pony Express station and served as a cash store before becoming a restaurant about 50 years ago.

Not too far away is Monroe, which has several hot springs. The lady running the museum at the Fremont Indian State Park told us that she prefers Red Hill Hot Springs because it has four pools at different levels and at different water temperatures, but we had already booked a soaking session at Mystic Hot Springs. Upon arrival, you initially see a lot, with about a dozen wood cabins in various stages of disrepair. The office building, which also houses a gift shop, restrooms, showers, and changing rooms, is across the street. The large colorful Mystic Hot Springs sign oozes a hippie vibe: Behind the building is a row of colorful buses, which can be rented for overnight stays, along with a few cabins. Your booking gives you access to the hot springs for a two-hour time slot— don’t expect luxury, and you will be able to enjoy these hot springs.

To get there, you walk up some stairs past a few cabins and a concert area to the first two pools. The pool without the arch is considerably hotter than the other one. Continuing up the slope, you have your choice of three bathtubs situated next to one another, or several single bathtubs around the corner. Expect very warm water and bring some water to drink. Sitting in the tubs, you can relax and enjoy the views across the valley. Even in the wintertime, these hot springs are pleasant. Peacocks wander across the building roofs and yard, squawking when they feel like it. Otherwise, it is a very quiet place.

Driving through Richfield, then southeast on UT State Road 24 Torrey, is about 90 minutes away.

We arrived just in time for the golden “hour,” which is actually about 15 minutes here. We stayed at the Noor Hotel, where benches on the balcony let us enjoy the views. You won’t find many open restaurants in the offseason, which lasts until mid-March. We ate at two of the three we located and found the prices to be on the high end.

We started our exploration of Capitol Reef National Park by stopping at the Visitor Center for trail information. Fremont River is an easy trail starting at the Gifford House, but it does have its challenges. When we were there, a section of the trail had collapsed into the river, which is more of a creek here. It leads past the campground and some orchards; it even had a warning sign because of recent mountain lion sightings.

We chose to head down the Scenic Drive to Capitol Gorge. As you head south, you pass the trailhead for the Old Wagon Loop Trail. The trail itself leads over mostly flat terrain, but once you get farther west, you can see the geologic features of the Waterpocket Fold and the three peaks to the east: Golden Throne, Ferns Nipple, and Pectols Pyramid.

The road through Capitol Gorge is breathtaking, heading through narrow canyons with tall cliffs. Many of the walls are decorated with natural striped tapestry with solution cavities created by erosion due to wind, water, and ice. At the end of the drive, you can hike to Pioneer Register and Tanks or up a canyon trail to the Golden Throne overlook. Don’t attempt this when rain is forecasted—the gravel road alternates with sandy stretches, so flooding is very possible.

Currently, the scenic drive is being repaved. Work continues weekdays with the drive being open on weekends. Once the weather is warm enough for the final layer of asphalt, it will be closed from the campground south, most likely through the end of June. Check Fremont Indian State Park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/ care/planyourvisit/scenic-driverehabilitation-project.htm for up-todate information.

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The Difference Between Vulnerability and Oversharing IT’S NOT WHAT WE SAY, BUT THE RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH WE SAY IT

In 2020 I was ghostwriting for a venture capital (VC) investor who had just one request: “Please make sure I don’t end up on VCbrags.”

VCs Congratulating Themselves, or @VCBrags, is an X feed that gathers the most self-aggrandizing, tone deaf content posted online by startup investors. For example, it recently featured a VC who thrashed her husband publicly for having “zero” accomplishments in 2024: “No certifications. No college courses completed. No documentary features. No awards.” At their dining table she asked him, “How are you able to go through a whole year without doing any of these sort[s] of things and be OK?”

After I binged VCBrags, X (then Twitter) suggested I check out @LinkedInFlex, a feed that gathers the oddest brags, or “flexes,” made by LinkedIn users. In one, a man posts about his struggle with public restrooms, what it has cost him (“I’ve missed weddings”), and his fears about an upcoming trip to Europe. He then flips it into cliché advice: “…you need to expose yourself to your fears and go outside your comfort zone for success.”

These two posts have something in common: confusion about vulnerability and oversharing.

Almost 15 years ago, vulnerability became trendy thanks to a TED Talk by Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston who is now a celebrated author, podcaster, and public speaker. Brown, a PhD in social work, argued that “We live in a vulnerable world. And one of the ways we deal with it is we numb vulnerability.”

Her evidence: debt, obesity, addiction, overmedication, extremist religion and politics, and other destructive behaviors. The solution, said Brown, is “To let ourselves be seen, deeply seen, vulnerably seen,” to accept the risks of being vulnerable, and to tell oneself, "I'm just so grateful, because to feel this vulnerable means I'm alive.”

At the same time, Americans retreated deeper into social isolation. We weren’t just “Bowling Alone,” as political scientist Robert Putnam warned in 1995. We were beginning to eat, work, shop, and recreate alone, mostly at home. As Derek Thompson writes in The Atlantic, men who watch TV now spend seven hours with the TV for every hour they spend socializing outside their home. The average U.S. teenager spends six hours daily with a screen—one-third of every year—and spends half as much time with friends outside of school as they did in the early 1990s. In the 2000s and 2010s, the norms of communication also changed. Before LinkedIn (2003), Facebook (2004), Twitter (2006),

and Instagram (2010), there wasn’t a convenient way to have a one-sided conversation with hundreds or thousands of people at once (unless you were famous). If we wanted to talk about ourselves, we did so with a spouse, family member, friend, or colleague. In those conversations, we had the chance to be vulnerable and listen in turn. The reward of vulnerability was a stronger, more meaningful relationship and better understanding of one another.

When social isolation, vulnerability, and social media mixed, however, the output was oversharing. We began to perform vulnerability for an audience, which might reward us with validation in the form of traffic, likes, and comments.

I cannot count how many of my ghostwriting clients lauded Brown but misinterpreted her message. Admittedly, that was good for business. As the transition from print to digital media compressed advertising revenues in the 2010s, online publications laid off staff writers and substituted their work with that of unpaid contributors seeking attention. And to get attention, they needed to be somewhat vulnerable but tasteful about it. So, I specialized in that.

Unlike publications with editors, social media has never rewarded restraint. Like a person who puts on a costume and leans a bit too heavily into the character (you’re-ah Borat, huh?), the attention mongers took vulnerability to extremes. Oversharing was the byproduct. Media outlets like the late Gawker cashed in on oversharing, as did VCBrags and LinkedInFlex (and now, this writer).

Brené Brown fans may forget that she dealt with her own fear of vulnerability in therapy with a licensed clinician, not on X with 144-character monologues. She told her story to a TED audience—vulnerably and tastefully—in hopes that it might motivate others to be vulnerable. While I can’t speak for Brown, I doubt she imagined that people would hear her and think, “Huh, I should tell everyone on this business networking site about my challenges with public bathrooms.”

Vulnerability is a two-way exchange between people who care about one another. Oversharing is a one-way exchange in which a person dumps their mind on others, without a desire to listen to them in turn.

When we attempt to replace vulnerable relationships with performative vulnerability online, it becomes solipsistic. It becomes the type of oversharing that would land my client on VCBrags.

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SUMMIT & WASATCH COUNTIES

Founded in 1995 as a 501c (3) nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity of Summit & Wasatch Counties, Utah (“Habitat”) is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization.

Habitat is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions – ultimately creating pathways to economic stability.

Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. Habitat is the only provider of a unique and needed combination of program services in the rural-agricultural and tourism-based communities along the eastern slopes of the Wasatch Mountains.

ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL

Founded in Americus, Georgia, USA, in 1976, Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped more than 9.8 million people obtain a safer place to sleep along with the strength, stability and independence to build better lives.

BY NATALIE TAYLOR

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RAD IN THE WASATCH

The Power of Creation

Award-winning

filmmaker

Jill Orschel dishes on her full-length documentary: Snowland

She’s on set with fellow classmates from Aspen, Colorado filming a commercial for Mountain Dew, looking particularly happy as she swallows the yellow fizzy drink. Jill Orschel started as a member of the “Dew Crew,” that features college students in a series of commercials. “The experience was an entry into my love of film and the sense of family you’d feel on set,” she says. She used the money she earned to pay for college, earning a broadcast journalism degree from Colorado State University.

When she wasn’t in front of the camera, she was behind it. “I did quite a bit of skiing for print and video shoots and fell in love with the camaraderie and magic of capturing beautiful outdoor imagery,” she says. “My first professional work was shooting ski videos in Aspen. Filming on snow was a great way to learn about light, shadow, and getting proper exposure.”

In 1990, she and her husband Eddie moved to Park City to ski, work, and build a life in an affordable mountain town. She volunteered at the Sundance Institute and eventually became a staff photographer. She earned her master’s degree in film studies

JILL ORSCHEL, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER AND CINEMATOGRAPHER OF SNOWLAND, ON SET WITH CORA.

PHOTO BY JULIE SHIPMAN

BEHIND THE SCENES OF SISTERWIFE: JILL ORSCHEL AND DORIANN. PHOTO BY ALEX FULLER

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from the University of Utah, and with seemingly boundless energy, worked as a 35mm projectionist with Park City Film. “I ran the projector almost every Saturday night for almost 20 years. For me, it was a dream job,” she says. “I watched and studied the best independent films each week on a consistent basis.”

Well-known for her documentaries featuring women and under-served populations, she opts for stories with heart. Like a Dance, screened at DOC NYC, TEDx and was a finalist at the Ashland Independent Film Festival and Sister Wife, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, won a special jury award at SXSW, and went on to screen and win awards at international festivals. She also made Backup Singer, as well as two award-winning shorts, Lakota Workcamp and The Places You’ll Go. Jill shares that her proudest moment was being chosen to screen her work at the Sundance Film Festival. “It made me feel like I belonged to the global community of independent film,” she says. “It opened a lot of doors.”

Most recently, she directed, produced and shot Snowland, her directorial debut of a feature-length project. “After almost 12 years in the making, all the many pieces and parts are coming together,” she says. “Our team of female key creatives are independent artists who work other jobs, have families, and value a balanced life.”

Snowland features Cora, a woman she met while filming Sister Wife—a 10-minute movie that followed the life of a Doriann, mother of 12, and member of the polygamy community in Colorado City. It took four years to make. “It’s difficult to get access and build trust, to help people feel comfortable,” she says. “In the process of making Sister Wife, I met Doriann’s aunt, Cora, who became the star of Snowland.”

Snowland is the fairy realm that Cora, 76, created as an escape. “Cora created a fantasy through sketches, drawings, costume designs, and characters. She has manuscripts and outlines for four books and self-published a children’s book,” says Jill. The film is grounded in Cora’s creativity. “We drew inspiration from her resilience as an artist and creativity that was born out of being a child bride when she was just 14-years-old, and a polygamist wife with an abusive husband. She learned to take life into her own hands and believe in herself.”

Jill hopes that Cora’s story can help inspire other women to do what they’ve always wanted to: write a book, join a choir, start painting, or even bigger, move on from an unhealthy relationship. “Cora has always reached for her dream, despite the trauma from the past,” says Jill.

Snowland was accepted into the 22nd Annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. “It’s a festival where documentarians are proud to screen their work and we’re so excited to have our world premiere there,” says Jill. “We will travel the festival circuit in 2025 and can't wait to bring Snowland home to screen in Park City. Our community has been super supportive.”

When she isn’t filming, she’s deeply involved in her local community. Orschel founded and directed the annual Filmmakers Showcase for 15 years in partnership with Park City Film. She’s also involved in multiple organizations including the Sundance Institute (Collab), Film Fatales, and the Utah Documentary Association, honing her craft and staying connected.

Now, Jill is looking towards a new adventure, maybe something leading up to the Olympics. “I’m open to what’s next. In this political climate, simply being a woman is being under-served. I’m looking for film participants who feel comfortable with me going on a journey with them,” she says. I look for stories where people may be going through unique circumstances on the outside, but are willing to confront what is more transformational, and more relatable, on the inside.”

And that’s a good reminder as you look at where we are as a country today. “Turn the mirror on yourself to make a change rather than fix something on the outside,” she says.

Website: www.jillorschel.com

We would love to hear from you! If you have any ideas for nominating a member in our community for this column, please reach out to Jacquie Symes at jacquie@bestversionmedia.com Thank you!

IN HER HAPPY PLACE. AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER JILL ORSCHEL BEHIND THE CAMERA. PHOTO BY JULIE SHIPMAN

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BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

BY DANA KLEIN

KirstenKohlwey MAKERS SERIES:

Photographer, Potter, Experimental Artist, and Writer

Kirsten Kohlwey embraces nature as her inspiration but has always experimented in a multitude of art forms in her pursuits. Working with her hands, she sets out to create unique pottery pieces, pouring her love into freeform shapes that may start out on the wheel but then transform into pieces that look more handbuilt. Photography has been an artistic release for Kirsten for decades. When she pursued analog photography, her focus was on landscapes. Sometimes, she manipulated images in her darkroom to highlight a concept, such as depression. She sold her photographs at art fairs, to businesses, and at the Kimball Arts Festival. The year her daughter was born, a collaborative piece of hers landed in the permanent collection of the Eccles Community Art Center in Ogden. When Kirsten switched to digital photography, she started experimenting more with other subjects. For many years, her aunt would tell her, “You excel at making people look really bad.” Eventually, that phase passed, and Kirsten’s images pleased both her and her subjects—at least the ones that can talk. Her most recent solo exhibit presented animal portraits from around the world.

Never satisfied with pursuing a single art form, Kirsten Kohlwey ventures into other mediums, given the opportunity or inspiration. Her greatest problem is choosing what to spend her time on next. Find out at the Spring Into Art exhibit from March 22–23, 2025.

Instagram: @kirstentravelwrites

Website: www.kohlwey.world

PHOTOS

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KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

Debra MUSIC SERIES: Fotheringham

At the age of 14, Debra Fotheringham asked for a guitar for Christmas and was lucky enough to receive it. Soon after, she taught herself how to play and started writing her own songs. She became obsessed with songwriting. The following year, she played her first gig at an internet café.

In high school, Debra played snare drums in the American Fork Marching Band, a band that has reigned as the Utah State Marching Band champions for the past 26 years.

What first intrigued me about Debra, though, was her voice. I heard her perform at the Concerts on the Slopes series at Canyons Village in Park City. She was opening for Aly & AJ, and I promptly purchased two of her CDs. Her first produced album was released in 2007.

In addition to her music career, Debra keeps pursuing college degrees. Her first degree was a Bachelor of Arts in history.

However, it’s music that keeps pulling her back in. In 2009, she joined Lower Lights, a bluegrass/gospel band. The music collective is best known for its annual Christmas concert series at Kingsbury Hall. She laid down vocals on three of Kaskade’s records, including the song “How It Is,” from his Atmosphere album released in 2013. Kaskade has been ranked among the top US DJs. Along the way, Debra released her own second EP and her most recent album, The Darkness and the Sun, in 2017. It was produced by Scott Wiley in Provo, Utah, and features all original songs written by her.

2019 found Debra in Cork, Ireland, where she studied for her Master of Arts degree in creative writing. When Covid hit, she had to return to the US and finish her degree online. She has published poems in anthologies in Ireland and Vermont, where she lived for two years in a house in the woods on 10 acres.

Once again, music pulled Debra back to Utah. She missed it and has now written an extensive library of songs, which she plans to record soon.

“Music will always be here; I just need to make peace with it,” she explains. In the meantime, in addition to her solo work, she has been gigging with musicians around Utah, such as The Lower Lights, Mindy Gledhill, and Cory Mon.

Debra’s first guitar was an acoustic guitar, but now she plays mostly electric guitar. Although she is introverted when talking to people, she feels freedom while singing, explaining that it’s when she is “most present.”

Debra pours her soul into her music—you really hear it in her voice and her words, through which she tells you a story. She loves it in Utah, but she loved Ireland too. “The way their culture respects artists and writers is so beautiful,” she says. “Here, they say, ‘Okay, when are you going to get a real job?’”

While Debra Fotheringham’s path keeps spiraling ahead, she has discovered this about music: “It’s my passion, it’s what I love. Temper expectations; let the work be the thing, not the result.”

Debra has a concert at Deer Valley at 2:30 p.m. on March 8. She’ll also be performing at the Aerie Restaurant at Snowbird on March 22 at 7:00 p.m., and again at Deer Valley on March 28 at 2:30 p.m.

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WASATCH WASPS SPORTS MAR. 2025

SOFTBALL

BOYS SOCCER

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Mar

Mar

Mar

BASEBALL

BEAUTY IN AGE

The beauty of a mass-produced mountain bike has little to do with its construction or the format. Most of our mountain bike frames and hardware are built elsewhere on the planet. Much is produced by machines, but frames still require human involvement. Is it beautiful because it looks nice or because it tells a story?

Beautiful lines are rarely created anymore, in contrast with cycling’s former all-steel days. If you’re lucky enough to get a handbuilt frame, you are privileged to contemplate hard-toattain, perfect welds, and precisely extruded titanium or steel tubing. This discussion doesn’t include carbon frames; however, nostalgia fits in. One modern bike comes to mind. It has been ridden consistently every season since it was purchased, and I have serviced it nearly all 10 of those seasons. I’ve watched the color fade, scratches appear, creaks come and go, and I’ve rebuilt or replaced every component.

In spring 2023, I had the wheels, fork, and

shock off the frame. Hanging by the saddle, I inspected the rarely seen underside of the machine. Specialized ran the brake hose along the bottom of the downtube, and despite having initial concerns about rocks crushing or cutting the line, this never happened. Over time, though, the hose has worn a short, small groove in the aluminum frame from years of microscopic vibrations.

The owner has always kept the bike running at 100%. She makes her visits short. My relationship with this bike is old and more intimate. I’ve taken it apart and read the story from a perspective that only mechanics ever appreciate.

I have known this bike’s intricacies longer than I have owned my own, whether road or mountain. The emotion is fondness, tenderness—strangely like that of an old friend who comes around only occasionally. During that last service, I could almost hear it speaking to me.

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Grease seeped from the lower headset bearing onto the frame, so I pulled the RockShox fork to clean it. The bearings were low-grade factory bearings that came with the bike. Only the top-tier equipment from any brand is served up with aftermarket-quality bearings. However, the bearings have been out every year during the fork service, as well as cleaned, greased, and sent away ready for the next thousand miles. The chain was loose. It flopped up and down and side to side, despite the stiff spring of the SRAM rear derailleur. Sure enough, it measured long—time for a new one in 2023.

When I compressed the fork, it collapsed. The left dust-wiper popped from its seat in the lower. This telltale failure is primarily from blown air-spring seals. It can be remedied only with a full overhaul. Some shops offer an overhaul, but often they’re servicing only the lowers, which does not include air-spring service. If luck prevails, you’ll get a damper bleed.

The gray paint, once a rich, deep gray, had faded from a decade of summer rides in the high mountain sunlight, a reminder that some things really had more color years ago. Like the

wrinkles of our elders, the bike traded glossy, deep color with rich experience, its rider claiming memories that cannot be replicated nor replaced.

Recalling all those rides, the frame wept small rings of light grease from the pivot hardware. With the rear shock removed, the pivots articulated freely. Unlike other bikes in the queue, its bearings are unencumbered by wear and pitting; inserting grease satisfied the bearings for another season.

I remounted the rear shock with blue Loctite and some elbow grease—with the frame hardware reassembled and polished, and new seals installed, the bike started to resemble the original machine again. The wheels spun lightly and smoothly, but the brakes needed to be serviced in a bad way.

As I purged the old, blackening mineral oil from the reservoirs, lines, and calipers, each brake hungrily consumed 40 ccs of new, translucent pink fluid. During the first test, they already felt better: smoother and firmer, plus lighter actuation.

No matter how many times I do this, the brakes

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will eventually fail. Although regular maintenance has kept them operating well, eventually that will not be enough. They will be done with their journey.

The modern mountain bike is relatively new in the grand scheme of cycling. This frame may last several more decades. And as long as the frame maintains integrity and I continue to see it from service milestone to service milestone, it could outlast us all. Replacement parts are relatively easy to find— frame parts, not so much. This bike’s retirement seems imminent… however, I lament.

We create and maintain machines to experience a strange mélange of exercise and pleasure. Like other inanimate objects, they tell stories. Mechanics recognize the unheard language. Like with the friend you made at the coffee house, you talk, discuss the world, and get to know one another, but that is all. This is the only place the two of you ever meet. Then, one day, your friend just stops coming. And you never see them again.

It might seem weird, but for us professional technicians, it’s how it feels.

Griffin ATHLETE OF THE MONTH: Briley

Meet Griffin Briley, a Wasatch Back local internationally known for his talent in skimo. Skimo, or ski mountaineering, is a growing US endurance sport that originated in Europe. It consists of four disciplines: individual, vert, sprint, and mixed relay. Racers use small, light skis—similar to cross-country skis but with metal edges—to go uphill, using grippy skins. Occasionally, racers climb up a boot pack, with skis attached to their backpacks, before continuing their climb on skins. At the top, the skins are removed, and the racers make their way through GS gates or down technical mountain runs. Depending on the discipline, the number of climbs and duration can change. For example, the sprint discipline requires a high level of anaerobic fitness, for it lasts only five minutes, while the individual can take up to two hours, making endurance critical. Races occur in various weather conditions; some days, athletes may be treated to fresh powder and sunshine, but most are spent in grueling temperatures with the wind blowing across the ridges as racers attempt to traverse. These conditions, paired with high levels of exertion, take an athlete with a strong tolerance of suffering.

If you are curious (or confused) about what this sport is, keep your eye out for the sprint and mixed-relay disciplines, which will make their debut in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Skimo, with its variety of lengths, technical skills, and mountainous conditions, requires a well-rounded, talented, and gritty athlete.

I cannot think of a better example of a gritty athlete than Griffin Briley. Born and raised in Park City, Griffin has been racing in skimo for the last five years. It all began when he would backcountry-ski with his father in the Wasatch Back. At this point, he did not use featherlight skis; it simply was a way to travel in the mountains, get fresh turns, and develop memories with his father. It wasn’t until he became interested

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in trail running during Covid that the world of skimo racing opened up. Many people in the trail-running community use skimo as a way to cross-train during the winter before lacing back up in the spring. Griffin heard about this cross-training opportunity and decided to try it out with the Park City Skimo team. Since then, he has continued with an upward trajectory, first competing in more racing domestically, and now internationally. At the time of this writing, Griffin is at a ski academy, Apex 2100, in Tignes, France. There, he can train uphill at the resorts during the day and in the surrounding mountains, all whilst being closer to the World Cup and Championship races. Currently, he is training to help secure a quota spot for the US in Milano Cortina 2026, the XXV Olympic Winter Games in Italy.

Griffin has a lengthy list of accomplishments in both trail-running and skimo, but also as a true mountain athlete. In skimo, he is a two-time U18 European Champion and World Champion. To stay connected to the mountains and continue his training during the summer, Griffin hits the trails running. Though running is mainly for cross-training, he still occasionally competes. He has set

the Middle and South Teton speed record, as well as becoming the Pro Division men’s leader for the Cirque Series Overall. In between his busy race schedule, he is sure to still prioritize spending time in the mountains and not just training in them. Sometimes, this can be a simple weekend snow camping trip. But, last summer, he had the opportunity to go on a larger expedition to Peru with local Wesley Perkins, along with Max Kilcoyne and Alex Mizzi, both living in Colorado. There, they summited Mt. Ishinca and Mt. Tocllaraju. Each sits at a staggering 18,143 (5,550 meters) and 19,797 (6,034 meters) feet, respectively, with Mt. Tocllaraju requiring both strong physical strength and technical ability in serious, high-altitude terrain.

Racing and competing at his best has become an important aspect of Griffin’s life, but his true love still lies within the mountains. He describes the mountains as a space of freedom to explore nature, connection, and one’s self. They are a place for people to come together in a pure, grassrooted community with people of similar drives. He also explains that although the mountains hold great power, if given proper respect, they are a place of

passion, not fear.

Through my conversations with Griffin, it has become evident that his drive is unlike any I have seen. He is filled with compassion and gratitude for the people who surround him and for the places he has experienced. His optimism and kindness are remarked upon by almost all who are part of the skimo community. He takes the support of the community and his love for the mountains and uses it to drive his mountain-oriented sports. Using this ambition, he hopes to continue to help expand the sport of skimo and share his love for the mountains by inspiring others with his own actions and encouraging people to see the beauty in each day.

Griffin also wants to thank his sponsors— Atomic, NNormal, ATK Bindings, and Pierre Gignoux Carbon Ski Boots—for allowing him to train and live life to the fullest.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Griffin Briley in the 2026 Olympic Games, in Ski Magazine, or simply out exploring the beautiful mountains we are surrounded by. Or you can follow his adventures on Instagram at @griffinbriley.

Photo courtesy of Griffin Briley - Cumbre de Nevado Tocllaraju (Summit of Snowy Tocllaraju) in Peru with Max Kilcoyne, left; Griffin Briley, middle; and Welsey Perkins, right

JESSICA DAVIS

Name: Nora Woodruff • Age: 12 • Favorite Things: Gymnastics, skiing, lacrosse, and spending time with friends

BDG is excited to recognize Nora as our Athlete Leader of the Month. She brings enthusiasm, kindness, and leadership to everything she does.

"Nora is an excellent pick for Athlete of the Month. She is humble, appreciative, and always willing to assist with a big smile. It’s a pleasure having her in class!" – Coach Joe Klue

Nora’s dedication to gymnastics is evident in every class, where she consistently pushes herself to improve. She sets a great example for her peers by working hard and supporting those around her. Whether she’s perfecting a routine or encouraging a teammate, her positive attitude never goes unnoticed.

Outside of gymnastics, Nora stays active through other sports. She loves the thrill of the slopes and the teamwork of the lacrosse field, embracing every challenge with enthusiasm. Her adventurous nature her constantly moving and striving for new goals.

Beyond athletics, Nora is passionate about helping others. She hopes to join her school’s peer tutoring program to support students with disabilities, showing her commitment to inclusivity and kindness. Additionally, she volunteers at her aunt’s horse barn, caring for the animals and assisting with daily tasks. Her willingness to work hard and help wherever needed highlights her compassionate and responsible character.

At home, Nora is a supportive daughter and a reliable family member, always ready to lend a hand. Whether it's helping with chores or offering words of encouragement, she brings warmth and positivity to those around her.

Nora exemplifies what it means to be a true leader, balancing her athletic commitments with a genuine desire to make a difference. We’re so proud to celebrate her achievements. Congratulations, Nora!

Nora

ATHLETE LEADER OF THE MONTH

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Exercise and Mental Health:

There is an old maxim that goes, “Mens sana in corpore sano.” These words, translated to “a healthy mind through a healthy body,” are recited by a man named Armando, as we once again dive into the topic of exercising and its correlation with mental health. Armando shares the impact that exercising has made on his own life, with additional insight from his children, Angelo, Paolo, and Lorenzo.

Armando has been married for 26 years and is a supervisor of approximately 40 employees. He is also the breadwinner—a position in the family, and in society, that comes with a great amount of stress. “Although my job is mostly sedentary, I try to get up and walk around the office,” says Armando. He recalls that he was athletic in his youth, but after starting a family, he put on some weight. Now, at 56 years of age, he’s been given the ultimatum by his doctor to exercise.

On top of his weight gain, Armando’s mental history has been very unstable. “My physical and mental health started to spiral downhill,” he admits. He began feeling tired, and he was extremely stressed and in a constant state of depression. He underwent episodes that were later revealed to be childhood PTSD. He decided to join a gym and signed up for a professional trainer, which was the only way he could get motivated. “I feel that I am better spiritually, physically, and mentally,” he says, “when I take care of my body and work out.”

Angelo is the oldest of Armando’s children. When asked if mental health and exercise are connected, Angelo says, “Absolutely, it would be crazy to think otherwise.” He is in his mid-twenties and is activemilitary, and he’s pursuing a bachelor's degree. Recently, he got married and is expecting a child in the upcoming months. Even with all his responsibilities, Angelo finds exercise essential in his life. “I find time to work out every day. Physical fitness—especially weightlifting—is a very important key aspect in my life,” he asserts. Looking back, Angelo reveals that he struggled with his mental health before he entered bootcamp, where he lost about 40 pounds. Realizing he was in the military’s most difficult academic programs, he directed his uncontrollable energy to his newfound passion of running; he ran every day, which helped significantly combat his declining mental health. After about a year, he went back to weightlifting and has since enjoyed it. “Seeing my progress in the gym has helped me set up goals, be responsible in my eating habits, and become a much more positive and amicable person,” Angelo says.

Twenty-three-year-old Paolo, Armando’s second child, finds himself balancing academics, college life, work, and relationships. He says he began working out in the fall of 2020, the beginning of his college career. At first, going to the gym was just checking off a box, but soon, negative thoughts fueled the fire to exercise. Paolo currently exercises to destress from his everyday activities and to increase his strength and improve his appearance. Even through the large number of responsibilities in his life, he has a strong desire to continue working out. “I find it really important to purposely pull time aside for the gym,” he says enthusiastically. “I have also shortened my workouts and the frequency of them.” Paolo recommends going to the gym with a friend and acknowledges that it can be frightening at first, but he confidently says that the gym is home to the nicest people ever. “Even the most fit and great-looking people have insecurities,” he shares. “Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks!”

Armando’s youngest child is Lorenzo, who is in his late teens. Ever since he was young, he played sports but ultimately fell in love with soccer. “I love the idea of the combination of both physical fitness and competition that was present in the game of soccer,” he says with passion. He found

that as he pursued the sport, he felt his physical health increase, along with his mental mood. He firmly states that mental health and exercise are closely related in various ways, ultimately keeping the person physically fit, which affects overall physical health in a positive way. Additionally, Lorenzo says the strength gained through exercise has been proven to release dopamine in your body and boost your self-confidence.

Unfortunately, a few months prior to our interview, Lorenzo tore his ACL while playing soccer, so he hasn’t been able to play since. This has greatly impacted his mental health and well-being, but as he has mentioned, “It is important to bounce back or find other ways to continue physical health and exercise.” Today, Lorenzo attends physical therapy and the gym regularly.

Different circumstances and walks of life for Armando and his sons point to the same thing: Exercise impacts mental health immensely. Because mental health is so crucially important, so also is our physical health. Paolo’s final statement is motivating: “Just do it. The first step is going to the gym. No one is gonna do it for you!”

Check out Angelo’s workout Instagram page: @that.steppoc.guy

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Women’s Cycle Awareness:

Women’s bodies are beautifully dynamic, shifting through hormonal rhythms every month that influence metabolism, energy, and stress resilience. By understanding and aligning with these natural cycles, women can optimize metabolic health, improve energy levels, and support overall well-being. Furthermore, improving metabolic health can directly impact hormone production and function, improving overall health.

TRACKING YOUR CYCLE

The first step in working with your cycle is tracking it. Knowing which phase you’re in— menstrual, follicular, ovulation, or luteal— allows you to make informed choices about nutrition and lifestyle. While apps and wearable devices can be helpful, manually journaling your cycle fosters deeper awareness and a connection to your body. Tracking symptoms such as energy levels, appetite, sleep, and mood can offer valuable insights into how metabolism fluctuates throughout the month.

MENSTRUAL PHASE: REST AND RESTORE

During menstruation, hormone levels are at their lowest, and metabolic demand is reduced. With lower caloric needs and increased insulin sensitivity, intermittent fasting or lighter meals can feel more natural. However, stress tolerance is also at its lowest, making it essential to prioritize nourishment and rest. Supportive foods include flax and pumpkin seeds, kale, fatty fish, leafy greens,

berries, seaweed, eggs, liver, bell peppers, nuts, beets, citrus fruits, turmeric, green tea, and dark chocolate. Gentle movement, such as yoga or walking, can also support circulation and recovery.

FOLLICULAR PHASE: BUILDING AND ENERGIZING

As estrogen rises, metabolism increases, and insulin sensitivity is at its peak. The body prioritizes estrogen production, so caloric intake should gradually increase to meet these demands. Higher lipid oxidation makes this phase ideal for incorporating high-quality fats. This is also a great time for strength training and high-intensity workouts, as recovery is more efficient. Supportive foods include avocado, beef, tallow, MCT or coconut oil, ghee, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, eggs, dairy, tofu, legumes, and whole grains.

OVULATION: PEAK HORMONAL POWER

Ovulation marks the highest hormonal levels; however, as it lasts only 1-3 days, the body's caloric demand temporarily decreases. Stress capacity and insulin sensitivity are at their highest, making this a great time for higherintensity exercise and social engagement. Metabolism shifts toward hormone detoxification, requiring fiber-rich foods and complete proteins. Liver-supporting foods, such as cruciferous vegetables and antioxidant-rich fruits, can aid in hormone clearance. Supportive foods include sunflower and sesame seeds, beans, legumes, chia,

avocado, fibrous fruits, squash, green peas, collard greens, cinnamon, mint, berries, green tea, asparagus, almonds, and spinach.

Luteal Phase: Fueling for the Transition

Progesterone rises in the luteal phase and caloric demand peaks. As insulin sensitivity drops, blood sugar regulation improves only as long as stress levels remain managed. During the first week of the luteal phase, the focus should be on complete proteins to regulate muscle and blood sugar. In the second week, carbohydrate refeeding supports energy and stress regulation while meeting higher caloric needs. It’s vital to prioritize nutrient-dense carbohydrates to prevent blood sugar dysregulation, which can cause mood and energy instability. Supportive foods include sunflower and sesame seeds, fish, poultry, eggs, beef, dairy, minimally processed soy, potatoes, oats, whole grains, rice, quinoa, lentils, chickpeas, and beans.

EMBRACING YOUR BODY’S RHYTHMS

Learning to work with hormonal fluctuations rather than fighting them creates a sustainable and intuitive approach to metabolic health. You can tap into the unique strengths of your body's natural rhythm by tracking your cycle and aligning nutrition, movement, and lifestyle with each phase. This holistic approach improves energy and hormonal resiliency and enhances overall well-being, empowering women to feel their best throughout every phase of their cycle.

StokeCoach: MOVEMENT, MINDSET & THE OUTDOORS ©

BY RACHEL FRIEDMAN

Hi, I’m Rachel, a holistic wellness and movement coach. I refer to myself as a Stoke Coach because my mission is to help people find more stoke, joy, and excitement in life through movement, mindfulness, and outdoor adventure.

I am a certified personal trainer and yoga teacher; however, my approach to movement and wellness has been shaped by something much deeper—my growth journey. Through introspection, creative expression, time in nature, and continually pushing myself out of my comfort zone—mentally and physically—I have discovered and created tools to navigate life's inevitable ups and downs. While we are all on our journeys, one thing we all share is the instinctive need to move. It is widely recognized that physical activity is essential. Gyms, studios, and fitness programs are ubiquitous. However, a relatively new piece of the mainstream puzzle is the deeper connection between movement and mindfulness—how a happy body creates a happy mind and vice versa. When play and nature are added to the mix, that’s where the magic happens. For me, nothing beats engaging in activities outside.

As humans, we are in constant motion—both consciously and subconsciously. When we bring intention to that movement, we can cultivate a more joyful, sustainable experience that supports our long-term well-being. It is not merely about how long we exist in our physical form but how fully we can enjoy our time here. Longevity alone is not the goal; vitality is. What is the point of a long life if you cannot do the things that bring you joy, pick up your kids, or sit on the floor with your grandchildren? It is about quality of life—feeling strong, confident, and injury-free as we age.

The more we focus on building a strong, capable body now, the better we prepare ourselves for future success. This is preventative care— akin to starting a skincare routine early or consuming nourishing foods to sustain our energy. How we care for our bodies directly impacts how we show up in the world. Physical health, mental well-being, longevity, and vitality are not separate; they are part of the same holistic system, one that we have too often compartmentalized. By addressing movement, mindfulness, nourishment, and self-care together, we unlock something powerful: a way of living that supports our physical strength and our ability to thrive fully.

My happiest, most vibrant moments come when I am moving my body, acting with intention, staying mindful, and embracing a growth mindset. Instead of following the traditional path or society’s

expectations, I have carved out a unique niche for myself—because why not design a life that truly excites you?

HOW I FOUND MY STOKE

I grew up in NYC, where movement was constant—rushing through crowded streets, running for the subway, and playing sports in city parks. I loved being outside, biking along the Hudson, playing field hockey, or escaping to the beach in the summer. However, I had not fully grasped the notion of being outdoorsy yet. In my experience, nature was Central Park or weekend trips to the Hamptons; it was not a daily connection but something I always craved.

My love for being outside and engaging in sports led me to the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. I initially believed I wanted to be involved in the business of sports—the industry, the energy, the way sports bring people together. However, while working in the traditional sports industry, I realized something was missing. The corporate side of sports felt disconnected from the joy and movement that had always fueled me, dulling the spark. I did not feel the deep connection between movement and actual fulfillment; it all seemed transactional.

It was not until I moved to Vail, Colorado, that I finally understood what I yearned for. What began as a fun, seasonal escape as a ski bum quickly transformed into something significant. Vail was my awakening to what it truly meant to be outdoorsy. I was not just playing outside; I was living outside. Snowboarding, hiking, and immersing myself in mountain culture completely rewired my perspective on movement.

I felt the wind on my face as I rode down the mountain and hiked to alpine lakes for the thrill of it. I realized that movement could be a lifestyle, not just an obligation. It was not simply about checking a workout off a list; it was about experiencing my body in a natural, liberating, and profoundly fulfilling way. Vail taught me that movement and adventure were not separate from life; they were life. That realization changed everything.

It was in San Francisco that everything came together. Working in the outdoor industry, I was constantly surrounded by people who had built their lives around adventure, movement, and nature. I was continuing my reinvention—not merely someone who liked being outside but someone not merely someone who liked being outside, but someone who needed it.

I grew tired of traditional gyms after discovering outdoor fitness classes that combined strength training with fresh air. They felt dark, crowded, sweaty, and smelly—not exactly inspiring environments. I realized that you do not need four walls to build strength, endurance, and resilience. You can get strong, toned, and feel incredible while being outdoors. The best part? You receive a double dose of the good stuff—Vitamin N (nature) and endorphins—fueling that stoke factor. Then, one day, while running with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, it hit me: I want to help people feel more stoked. Why can’t we strength train outside? Why not pair movement with the mental clarity and joy that nature provides? This is what I want to help people experience—the rush of excitement, the sense of freedom, and the deep connection between movement, mindfulness, and the outdoors. Movement is more than just exercise!

CREATION OF STOKE COACH

So, I created something that did not quite exist—because I could not find exactly what I was looking for. I was not merely a personal trainer, and I wasn’t just a life coach. Traditional personal training felt too rigid, focused on aesthetics and numbers, and often disconnected from joy. Life coaching, while powerful, sometimes lacked the tangible, physical element of movement that I knew was essential for transformation. I wanted something more—something that blended movement, mindset, and the outdoors into an experience that felt energizing, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling.

The Stoke Coach mentality does not revolve around crushing workouts in a gym or following a cookie-cutter fitness plan. It is about helping people build strength—not just in their bodies, but in their whole being. It is about learning to move in ways that feel good, discovering what ignites your passion, and tapping into that innate energy that makes life

exciting. It is about stepping outside, breathing in fresh air, pushing your limits in expansive ways, and realizing that movement is not something you have to do—it is something you get to do.

Movement and mindset are inseparable, and I coach in a manner that reflects that belief. Whether it is a strength session at a trailhead, a mindful movement practice in nature, or helping someone shift their perspective on what fitness should look like, my goal is to spark excitement. Stroke encompasses so much more than exercise; it is about feeling alive.

And it all starts with you—taking that first step, building that one small habit, asking yourself: What do I love? What lights me up? What will I commit to? And who is on this journey with me—who is cheering you on and sharing the experience? This is not just about a single workout or a quick-fix routine. This is life. It is about laying a foundation for how we want to present ourselves—for ourselves, our friends and families, and the world. Taking care of ourselves is not selfish—it is an act of care for everyone. This is an opportunity to design your life and create your reality.

When I moved to Park City, I knew this location was the perfect backdrop for this type of movement. Here, it is almost impossible not to engage in daily activities—whether skiing, hiking, biking, or simply chasing my toddler through the snow. That is what I want to share with others—fitness is not merely about the gym. It is about finding ways to move that bring joy, adventure, and a deeper connection to yourself and your surroundings.

So, let’s find your stoke. Let’s build strength, confidence, and resilience—inside and out. Let’s move in ways that invigorate you. Because movement is not just exercise—it is life.

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ASK ANYTHING ABOUT FERTILITY:

IS TIMING AND OVULATION SOMETHING TO SEE A DOCTOR ABOUT?

SIMPLIFYING THE SCIENCE OF OVULATION AND TIMING

One of the most common questions I hear is: “Am I timing everything correctly? And if I’m not getting pregnant, does that mean something is wrong?”

Understanding ovulation is one of the most important steps in trying to conceive, but it can also be one of the most confusing. Let’s break it down.

HOW OVULATION WORKS

Ovulation is the process where a mature egg is released from the ovary, making it available for fertilization. This typically happens about 14 days before the start of the next period, but cycles can vary. The “fertile window” is the few days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation itself—this is when intercourse or insemination gives the highest chance of conception.

SIGNS YOU’RE OVULATING

Some people experience clear signs of ovulation, while others may have no noticeable symptoms. Common indicators include:

▶ Changes in cervical mucus (becomes clear and stretchy, like egg whites)

▶ Mild cramping or twinges in the lower abdomen

▶ Increased basal body temperature (BBT) after ovulation

▶ A surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), which can be detected with ovulation predictor kits

WHEN TIMING ALONE ISN’T ENOUGH

If you've been tracking ovulation and still aren't getting pregnant, it may be time to consult a doctor. The general recommendation is:

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▶ If you’re under 35 and have been trying for a year without success, seek medical advice.

▶ If you’re over 35, talk to a doctor after six months of trying.

▶ If you have irregular cycles, a history of reproductive health conditions (such as PCOS or endometriosis), or signs that ovulation isn’t occurring, don’t wait— an evaluation can provide clarity.

WHAT IF I’M NOT SURE I’M OVULATING?

Some individuals experience anovulation (lack of ovulation) without realizing it. A fertility specialist can run simple tests, including hormone blood work and ultrasound monitoring, to determine if ovulation is happening.

SMALL ADJUSTMENTS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

For some people, small tweaks in timing or lifestyle can improve the chances of conception. A fertility expert can help pinpoint what’s working—and what might need adjusting—to optimize your fertility journey.

YOUR FERTILITY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Still unsure about your timing? Have other fertility questions? We invite you to submit your questions to be answered in upcoming columns. Email us at hello@wellnestfertility.com.

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WHY IS EVERYONE TALKING ABOUT GUT HEALTH?

You eat your greens, try to exercise, and get as much sleep as life allows—but somehow, you still feel off. Maybe your energy crashes by mid-afternoon, your digestion feels unpredictable, or your skin is acting up for no reason. If this sounds familiar, your gut might be trying to tell you something.

Gut health isn’t just another wellness trend; it’s the foundation of your overall well-being. When your gut is thriving, you feel energized, clear-headed, and resilient. But when it’s out of balance, it can affect everything from digestion and mood to immunity and skin health. If you’ve been ignoring bloating, brain fog, or that general “off” feeling, this might be your sign to start tuning in.

WHAT MAKES GUT HEALTH SO IMPORTANT?

At the heart of gut health is the gut microbiome—a vast community of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes living in your digestive tract. Some are beneficial and help with digestion, immunity, and mental well-being, while others can contribute to inflammation and discomfort when they overgrow.

Your gut is often called your “second brain” because of how closely it interacts with other systems in your body:

▶ It Powers Your Immune System – About 70% of your immune cells live in your gut, making it a critical player in fighting infections and reducing inflammation.

▶ It Affects Your Mood – Your gut produces around 90% of your serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone. If your microbiome is imbalanced, it can impact your stress levels, mood, and even contribute to anxiety or depression.

▶ It Supports Long-Term Health – Research has linked gut health to chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders, making it essential for overall wellness.

SIGNS YOUR GUT NEEDS ATTENTION

Your gut may need some extra care if you experience:

▶ Frequent bloating or stomach discomfort

▶ Fatigue that won’t go away

▶ Skin issues like acne or eczema

▶ Brain fog or difficulty focusing

▶ Irregular bowel movements

▶ Frequent illness or slow recovery

HOW TO START HEALING YOUR GUT

If you’re ready to take charge of your gut health, here are some simple steps to get started:

▶ Eat More Fiber-Rich Foods – Aim for 30+ plant-based foods per week to feed the good bacteria in your gut.

▶ Incorporate Fermented Foods – Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and miso naturally support a healthy microbiome.

▶ Reduce Processed Foods and Sugar – These can disrupt your gut balance and fuel the growth of harmful bacteria.

▶ Manage Stress – Chronic stress can negatively impact digestion, so try meditation, gentle movement, or simply spending time outside.

WHEN TO DIG DEEPER

If you’ve made healthy changes but still don’t feel your best, functional testing can help. A comprehensive stool test, like the GI MAP, provides in-depth insights into your gut health, revealing bacterial imbalances, inflammation, digestive efficiency, and more. Instead of guessing what’s wrong, testing gives you clear data to create a targeted plan for healing.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

Your gut plays a huge role in how you feel every day, and small changes can lead to big results. If you’re tired of guessing and ready to get to the root of your symptoms, I can help! Visit my website to learn more and schedule a free discovery call!

Historical Tour for Heber Valley

History revels in artifact stories. Heber’s are rich and profound. Peace in the Wasatch area between Indigenous Peoples and white settlers simply began here. So how do we present the past meaningfully to Wasatch County’s 21st-century citizens? Motivated by this idea, Rachel Kahler, executive director at the Community Alliance for Main Street (CAMS), presented a Historic Home Tour project in June 2024, which is on track for tours starting in the summer of 2025.

Preservation Utah facilitates tours, whether self-guided or guided by a docent, also known as a historical educator. For example, Salt Lake Valley’s idyllic community of City Creek is historically rich. There, guides lead visitors down memory lane, sharing stories of former residents’ lives and building concepts of the day.

Preservation Utah also facilitates self-guided tours through its website and smartphone app. As planning begins for Heber’s self-guided tour, Rachel says, “They have self-guided tours for Midway, downtown Salt Lake, Sugar House, and Morgan. We are kind of piggybacking on an already established organization to launch this, and then we’ll have paper maps available at Heber’s Chamber building.”

This project was taken on by the Heber Leadership Academy, Rachel explains. “It’s our class project for 2025, so even though I’m the CAMS director, I really brought this to the Heber Leadership Academy as a participant in the class.”

Liz Joerger at Preservation Utah describes the immediate benefit of these tours. “Our Historic Homes Tours allow us to provide historic preservation education to a large number of people. They are offered to the public and provide history about each home, as well as about the architect [if available], neighborhood, and architectural styles.”

PIONEER PAST

In Heber, the tour would be focused on some of the oldest homes in the Wasatch Back—the bungalow and red-stone houses, the kind the pioneers built, some without architectural definition, but those that followed elemental needs of frontier life. While Heber was geographically close to Utah Valley settlements and Salt Lake City, back in those days, travel time was limited to how fast a horse could carry someone. That isolation cut off immediate aid or commerce, requiring that homes fit a function as durable shelter rather than an aesthetic, much like John Crook’s original cabin with rifle slots to defend residents against raids. Utah-based historical architect David Amott says of Utah’s early iconic homes that “a house used to be designed as the jewel of a community. By preserving and restoring them,

they represent the best of who we still are.” While many of our oldest homes don’t appear to be iconic in the way Salt Lake Valley’s Kearns Mansion is, they really are historical gems, even memorials.

As historians and citizens engage with the homes, through research or tours, we immerse ourselves in Heber Valley’s rich pioneer history, beginning in 1859. David describes the tours as shining a light on ancestors’ dreams and ambitions and recounting the “ebbs and flows of society.”

Rachel infers that excavating Heber’s past family accounts and informal documentation detailing household members has been challenging. Some homes are well-known by the patriarch’s name, and sometimes identifying everyone else under that roof makes for an additional research crux.

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BUILT ON MEMORY

Many records of Heber’s past don’t have the air of official documentation. However, according to Rachel, there’s a book called How Beautiful Upon the Mountains. “This book was created by gathering personal narratives of families, including the first families that arrived in the Heber Valley. And it really is the history book of Wasatch County,” she adds. Without it, compiling stories to highlight the tour would mean weeks or months of more research for the Leadership Academy members, who have fulltime careers but volunteer to make this kind of project happen.

Today’s resources include the Heber Historic Preservation Commission and local scholars who offer expertise so that the information compiled for the historical plaques will be as accurate as possible. Each plaque will tell the home’s history and have a QR code for more information. To preserve homeowners’ privacy, each plaque will be mounted on a public rightof-way versus on the house, as seen in other cities.

While several of the original pioneer homes have disappeared, there’s more than enough to make a compelling tour. Abram Hatch’s home, for example, is a community jewel. Today, known as the Encircle House, it begs the question, “Who built this?”

“He was the first banker and built the 1904 bank block on Center and Main. Hatch was the first merchant…[he] had trade connections with the East Coast. His son, Abram Chase Hatch, became the territorial judge for this area,” Rachel recounts.

Referring to another pioneer home, she found tales of hardship before settling here. “In Latterday Saint history, the Willie Handcart Company gets caught in an early storm in Wyoming. Many of those in that group starved or froze to death. The Moulton family survived with all eight children and ended up in Heber. They built a little two-bedroom home, because that’s all they could afford. That home still stands.”

As the Leadership Academy wraps up its research and the plaques are made and installed, storytelling will naturally foster advocacy for responsible growth, development, and preservation. When we have a better understanding of who walked before us, where and how they lived, the homes and other buildings they built take on more meaning. With more families arriving to settle in Heber Valley, we have increasing urgency to shed light on the memorials of where we come from and why they make this place so special.

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Could the LA Wildfires Happen Here?

SOMETIMES, THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS

On January 7, 2025, wildfires ignited in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, two Los Angeles neighborhoods that border forest and brushland. Intensified by a dry winter and the Santa Ana winds, the fires burned through 37,000 acres, killed at least 29 people, and damaged or destroyed over 16,000 structures. Nearly 200,000 people had to evacuate their homes. The fires have cost an estimated $250 billion in economic losses.

Could a fire like that happen here in the Wasatch Back?

“The amount of houses, developments, and communities in this wildland-urban interface is broadly spread across the entire western US, and it is a risk here in Utah as well,” said Dr. Bill Anderegg, Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and Director of the Wildfire Research Working Group at the University of Utah.

In 2023, Anderegg and colleagues published a study on the value of US property exposed to a 5% or greater risk of wildfire over a 30-year period—a typical length for a mortgage. They estimated the value would grow from $4 billion between 2000 and 2018 to over $11 billion between 2020 and 2049. That’s a leap from 1.1 million households to over 3.3 million.

If $11 billion sounds low, that is because Anderegg’s study looked only at direct exposure of property values, not damage to houses, job losses, health impacts from smoke inhalation, and other costs. Plus, models can only approximate reality so closely. “To some extent, many of our models and studies have been underestimating how large the fire risk is, and how damaging these fires can be,” Anderegg noted.

That’s because climate change and its impacts are hard to predict. Hotter, drier weather makes vegetation more combustible; how much more is easier to see looking backward. One study estimates that climate change nearly doubled the amount of land burned in the US by wildfires between 1984 and 2015.

When Anderegg and peers model wildfire risk, they look at three core factors: availability of fuels, probability of ignitions, and weather conditions like wind that can accelerate a fire. They overlay structures, powerlines, and roads over maps coded with risk data, and then they model what a hypothetical fire would do. As Anderegg explained it, “If you drop an ignition source in every single place in the western US, what kind of fire would you get? How bad would the fire be if you lit a tree in this given area, or had a lightning strike?”

Wildfire Risk to Communities, a website provided by the USDA Forest Service, shows that Summit County has a higher risk of wildfire than 89% of counties in the U.S., while Wasatch County has a higher risk than 94% of counties. For comparison, Los Angeles County is in the

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99th percentile. Drill deeper, though, and the picture changes. Park City is in the 94th percentile, and Heber City is in the 95th.

That doesn’t mean every home in Park City or Heber faces that level of risk. To get more specific, enter an address into the Utah Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal (UWRAP), provided by Utah Forestry, Fire, and State Lands. It will return data on wildfire hazard potential, burn probability, damage potential, historical fires nearby, and more. Suppose that in your area (like mine), the burn probability is 1-in1,000 to 1-in-464. That means in a one-year period, the location has up to a 0.2% chance of experiencing wildland fire.

Burn probability alone isn’t the best indicator of danger. “From a safety point of view, I worry about mountain towns with only one way out during certain seasons,” said Anderegg. He cited Aspen, Colorado as an example. Limited access makes it harder for firefighting resources to get in, and harder for residents to get to safety.

Vegetation is also part of the equation. “Things like shrubs and small trees are really effective at spreading fire,” said Anderegg. Gambel oak—the trees with leaves that turn bright red early in fall, before the aspens go off—are especially good at spreading fire.

The design of a home and neighborhood also matter. Wood homes and decks catch fire more easily than structures made of brick, stone, and concrete. Gutters clogged with leaves and twigs can catch fire, as can wood shake shingles. The amount of defensible space—combustiblefree areas surrounding a home—matter as well. That doesn’t mean we should chop down all the trees near neighborhoods. The vegetation that grows in its place might be equally or more dangerous.

For an LA-scale disaster, the most critical risk factors seem to be where people live. In Utah, living in forested, mountainous, and sometimes windy terrain is wonderful, but it comes with an inherent level of risk. What insurance companies are willing to cover—plus, state-by-state regulations circumscribing their business—may ultimately determine how bad futures fires can be.

“Unfortunately,” said Anderegg, “there's no simple or clean answer on whether to give up on certain places, or to try to defend them.”

CHRISTIAN CENTER OF PARK CITY STORES: SHOPPING WITH A PURPOSE

The Christian Center of Park City (CCPC) is well-known for its impactful services, and part of that impact comes from four incredible thrift stores—Summit Exchange, CCPC Boutique, CCPC Thrift, and the Heber Valley Thrift Store. These stores not only offer affordable treasures for shoppers but also help fund the critical programs and services CCPC provides to the community.

Summit Exchange is a hub for high-quality, gently used outdoor gear, clothing, furniture, and household items. From skis to vintage furniture, it’s a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike, offering affordable finds that support a meaningful cause.

CCPC Thrift is perfect for those seeking everyday essentials. With a range of clothing, home goods, toys, and electronics, it provides

affordable, gently used items for families and individuals while contributing to CCPC’s charitable efforts.

For a more curated experience, CCPC Boutique offers designer clothing, accessories, and unique fashion pieces. It feels like an upscale shopping destination, but with the added benefit that every purchase directly supports CCPC’s community programs.

Expanding CCPC’s mission beyond Park City, the Heber Thrift Store brings the same value-driven, community-focused shopping experience to Heber Valley. With a wide variety of affordable clothing, furniture, and household goods, it serves as a beloved local resource while supporting CCPC’s outreach efforts in the region.

Proceeds from all four stores directly fund CCPC’s essential services, including food

programs, counseling, and emergency assistance. Shopping or donating at these stores not only provides great deals but also contributes to a larger mission of helping those in need.

Shop, donate, and make an impact with Christian Center of Park City stores. Your support goes further than you think! Learn more at ccofpc.org. https://ccofpc.org/stores/.

There is a lot more going on at CCPC. To keep up on the latest happenings, you can follow our social media here: facebook.com/ChristianCenterofParkCity or our website here: ccofpc.org

SANDY GELDHOF

LIVE LIKE SAM OFFERS MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS PROGRAMMING FOR STUDENTS

A legacy foundation celebrating the life of a Park City teen focuses on resiliency, joy and the road to positive change

Several years ago, I lived in a quiet neighborhood in the Ranch Place community of Park City with my young son. A lovely family moved in next door, also with two young kids, and for years I had the pleasure of watching a seemingly boundless and exuberant blondehaired boy spending nearly every waking minute outside, climbing trees, rollerblading in the cul de sac and on ramps in his driveway, taking hikes with his energetic dog Flip in the open space behind our homes, and in general, doing all the things a boy should be doing in our wonderful mountain community. Watching him out my front window became my daily ritual, a wonder to observe, and his energy and joie de vivre made every day feel like the possibilities were endless, even for a single mom trying to navigate raising my own son and paying the bills. As our families grew to know one another, on more than one occasion this golden child also came selflessly and unprompted to my aid, cleaning up my yard when I was down with a broken leg, showing my elementary aged son the ropes on rollerblades or a skateboard and how to safely navigate the rope swing on the large willow tree between our yards. He became my kid’s mentor and filled some of the empty space for an only child who needed someone to look up to. That boy was Sam Jackenthal and if you’re a resident of Park City, you undoubtedly have heard of this young man, who has become a local legend for many reasons, not the least of which is the unadulterated joy he brought to his life and to those who knew him.

In 2015, Sam, then a fifteen-year-old student athlete, was a rising star in the world of freestyle skiing and competitive inline rollerblading and on his way to reaching the highest echelons of international acclaim, having won the overall combined title at the U.S. Junior Freestyle Championship and being ranked as one of the top 60 men in the world. That fall tragedy struck when he had a devastating accident while training with his team in Australia, resulting in a traumatic head injury which led to his untimely passing, and propelling his family into a club to which no one wants to become a member. Within hours word had spread, and the entire community rallied around Sam’s family, including his father Ron, his mom Jennifer, and his younger sister Skylar, showing the kind of support that embodies the compassion signature to the Park City community of athletes and families.

A Celebration of Life was quickly organized and held at Utah Olympic Park, attended by over 1,400 members of the Park City community, complete with fireworks, moving tributes and a spectacular aerial demonstration by local athletes who shared Sam’s passion for flying. That event sparked a flame in the community and among his family to commemorate Sam in a special and lasting way, to continue to speak to his accolades as an athlete, but more importantly, to showcase his innate kindness and passion for life.

From the ashes of that tragedy and as a result of a years-long personal journey through his grief Ron Jackenthal, together with his daughter Skylar, founded what has become a legacy nonprofit aptly named Live Like Sam that has evolved from a scholarshipbased program to benefit local studentathletes to an official 501c3 providing critical resources and programming focused on all students grades K-12, and for what Ron saw as an absence in the community around the more broad issues of mental and emotional fitness for students in the school system. Ron’s ‘aha’ moment came through working with other parents who had also lost children, the majority of which to suicide and overdose, and statistically the number one cause of death for kids under the age of 18. According to Ron, “I started to see a pattern emerging that the majority of parents I was in touch with had lost kids to mental and emotional crisis, and I started to get really curious about what this looked like at home. I quickly realized that there was a massive gap in our own community and just an absence of youth well-being programs like mental and emotional wellness, and prevention programming,” he said. “I had so much empathy for these families who were haunted that their kid could still be here had they gone a different route.”

Ron and an established team of advisors and board of directors who represent a notable and multifaceted cross section of professionals from the mental and behavioral health community, sports, humanities, and education wasted no time in addressing the new direction of the Live Like Sam mission to address that gap. They started to partner with local schools, medical professionals and other nonprofits to determine what kind of programming was needed in the community and have since established a

multi-tiered approach to provide resources and a platform for kids in kindergarten through high school in Summit and Wasatch counties, to a measurable level of success.

One of the signature programs is Thrive, a six-week evidence-based psychoeducational wellbeing skills program designed in partnership with WeBeWell, a national program based on groundbreaking research and methodologies developed by world-renowned psychologists, and whose programming is drawn from positive and clinical psychology designed to help individuals create a thriving life. The virtual and online-based program focuses on promoting wellbeing, happiness and resiliency in students, and those who

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have participated have reported a decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety while learning the necessary skills and coping mechanisms to live with purpose and intention. According to Ron, in 2024 alone Live Like Sam programming has positively impacted 4,000 students in the greater Park City area including both Summit and Wasatch counties, and the goal is to “stay focused geographically in the Wasatch Back and to go deeper with the kids we’re impacting with more programming that builds upon itself.” According to Ron, after two years the Thrive program data has shown between a 20-25% reduction in depression and anxiety and the organization is aggressively expanding into Wasatch and Summit counties’ public, charter and private schools.

As an evidenced-based program where the metrics and efficacy are being monitored consistently the Thrive program has garnered the attention and support of mental health professionals. Thrive programming has received a Level 2 evidence-based certification from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services and is part of Summit County’s strategic health planning as a Tier 2 intervention program for youth. While the original focus was geared toward high schoolaged kids, Ron said the organization quickly recognized the need to expand to a younger bracket and has since started promoting the platform to kids in grades 6-8. “Our feedback after the first year showed the program could be more powerful for middle school students as there are more changes going on in those developmental years than they ever faced in their lifetime,” he said. With that recognition they accelerated the development of the curriculum and have invested incremental funding to middle schools, which now make up two thirds of students in the program.

Caleb Fine, interim superintendent of Park City School District and former principal of Treasure Mountain Junior High School in Park City, has seen what programs like Live Like Sam can do within the student community. “They’re all struggling with mental health, and we need people to lean into that and support them through that,” he said. “I’m all about organizations like Live Like Sam that are willing to lean into kids in their time of development. That’s a win for all kids.”

The program continues to stretch its reach across Summit and Wasatch counties. Trudy Brereton, a prevention coordinator with Wasatch Behavioral Health, reiterated the need for programming to address depression and anxiety shown to be relevant among the county’s students. “Our data from both the Utah-based SHARP survey, which is conducted every two years, and in addition to the surveys conducted by Wasatch County in the schools has consistently shown that 60% of students self-reported having issues with anxiety and depression, and that’s more than half,” she said.

“Schools are looking for resources and I think Live Like Sam is a great program. It focuses on the positive and gives actual steps of things a student can do in making positive life choices and dealing with anxiety and depression. It’s definitely needed,” she added.

"[Thrive] has been a really great experience for my overall health and well-being,” said a recent Thrive program graduate. “I never thought about doing stuff like this because I never thought there was any point, but this program has really helped to open my eyes to a better, more “in the moment” kind of living.”

In addition to Thrive the Live Like Sam foundation offers additional programming for kids of all ages through its Life Skills platform which introduces mindfulness

concepts and coping mechanisms to provide students with opportunities to challenge themselves and discover self-love, set goals and cultivate a balanced and healthy lifestyle. They also offer community programming through summer camp programs, mental wellness workshops and speakers. And the foundation recently launched a new digital wellness program that focuses on the relationship between youth and technology, specifically social media and navigating through cyberbullying, a phenomenon Ron called “rampant in our country.”

Of its overall mission Ron said, “our goal is to elevate the conversation and the impact in the community around youth mental and emotional fitness to similar levels of importance as youth physical fitness.”

Through all its offerings Live Like Sam has never veered from embracing the tenets and attitude Sam was best known for- positivity, resiliency, kindness and joy. “Sam was that kid who saw another kid in need and took the time to help him,” said Skylar Jackenthal. “He was a kind and empathetic leader who inspired others to live each day to the fullest and do what they love. We founded Live Like Sam to create a platform for youth to learn to take charge of their own wellness and happiness and our goal is for them to find purpose and intention and to learn to love and appreciate themselves.”

And, through its nine-year evolution and with all the programming that has grown from its inception, the foundation has never lost sight of the joyful young man who inspired an entire community, added Ron. “It’s amazing for me to witness Sam’s legacy impacting and inspiring thousands of young kids to live a life of wellbeing, compassion, empathy, and generosity. We’re truly focused on helping our local youth to embrace and learn how to live like Sam.”

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Mastering Your Space:

SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE HOME ORGANIZATION

“I’ve been here before…” I mumble as I pull into the snowy driveway. Shoes, that’s right—I bought a pair of workout shoes from this woman off the yard-sale app. I slide out of my truck, hoist my gray computer bag high upon my shoulder, and proceed to the front door, knocking snow off along the way. Thump, thump, thump—Angie opens the door in a punctual four seconds. She’s a professional organizer, I reason, so of course she would be prepared and timely.

I’m warmly welcomed into her temporary living quarters as she awaits the build of her final home, and I’m in awe of it. Not the structure, of course, given it’s a track home—it’s lovely as it is but nothing magical to behold. The true wizardry is in the immaculate level of cleanliness and organization this dwelling holds. I ask Angie to start telling me her story as I fumble inside my bag for cords, microphones for the podcast, my computer—none in their proper place—while she divulges the best-kept secrets at the heart of how she helps Heber Valley and surrounding counties keep their homes tidy, everything you own in its proper place, via her aptly named company, A Proper Place.

Angie is a stay-at-home mom to four children, so she has always kept her home tidy. As a child, having an organized space brought her joy, much like having a tree to climb did for me. “I was that kid in grade school who had to have my desk perfectly tidy, before I would leave for the day,” she says.

As for me, I was not that kid. I can’t relate, but still, Angie’s meticulous but friendly nature draws me in. She continues, “I think it’s always been

something that is important to me. I've learned that I very much appreciate and respond to my physical environment. I need order, cleanliness, beauty; all of those things really matter to me. My soul is affected as a result of my surroundings.”

Now that I can relate to! Being a stay-at-home mom myself to seven children, this idea of proper order bewilders me. I proceed to ask the obvious questions: “So, when these kiddos were all little, it was chaos. How could it not be? As a stay-at-home mom, your kids are in the home constantly, and you still manage to keep your house organized?”

“Yes,” Angie says.

I need to know how. And that’s when Angie divulges her top-three tips to getting a healthy, happy, peaceful-for-your-soul organized home:

Decide: The first thing is to make the decision that living in a well-put-together space is important to you, and that you want it to happen. The reason?

The next steps are not a five-minute solution. “It takes effort, and it takes time,” says Angie. “So make that decision and really tell yourself, ‘This is what I want to do.’”

Time: The next thing you want to do is set aside a chunk of time, whatever that is, whatever you need for that specific project. If we’re talking about a pantry, maybe you need six hours, and you literally set aside six hours. You put it in your calendar and carve out that chunk of time, which will be solely devoted to throwing away any items that are expired, donating appliances that you may have duplicates of, sorting and categorizing particulars, then cleaning and organizing the space.

“You’ll put things in categories: like all of the breakfast foods would go together. All the snacks would be together,” advises Angie. “You’d have baking supplies together, etcetera. That’s kind of how you want to sort everything as you’re pulling it out.” Where you put these items back is also of great importance and well-thought-out and planned for by the team at A Proper Place. “This is where the bins and things like that can come into play,” says Angie. “Once you start moving things back in, you want to think through, ‘What items am I using every single day? Are we making lunches for our kids before they’re heading out the door for school every day, and are we using the same types of items?’ Those things need to be what we call ‘prime real estate’ spots. It needs to be right in the front, easy to access, so that the kids can get to it. And that’s how you organize as you put things back in. You’re thinking about the

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priority of using that specific product.”

Label items, bins, and shelves in the pantry: “Labeling is huge. I always recommend labeling for people. It really does make a difference,” Angie asserts. “It becomes most especially helpful if you have family, friends, or babysitters that come over for others to know where things belong. And your kids never have an excuse like, ‘But Mom, I didn’t know where the bread goes.’ You know, if you can read, you know where it goes.” And for the nonreaders, you can label with pictures, which is how Angie recommends you label toy bins in a playroom or a bedroom space.

When Utahns hire Angie, they usually want help with their entire house. The team at A Proper Place comes in, and they work meticulously but efficiently through the entire home. “Usually if someone is hiring us just for one area, 90% of the time, it’s the kitchen and pantry. Garage is number two,” says Angie.

The team has a virtual option as well. Angie adds, “Just last week, I had a client hire me for just an hour because she was giving a gift of organizing

their garage to her husband. The client felt like she needed some steps written down. She wanted some suggestions about what to order, where to place things, and how to maneuver common garage items. And so I went over for an hour and we lined it all out. I told her exactly where to put everything and what products to order. She sent me a picture on Saturday, and she’s like, ‘It's done! Look how amazing it turned out!’ And they did it, and it was awesome!”

I smirk as I observe the satisfied smile spreading like wildfire across Angie’s face. The business she started 12 years ago is more than something she just decided to do. She was being particular; she was bored with all her spare time after her children were of school age. Throughout our entire conversation, I get the impression that her business is soul work—peaceful, transcendent, and spirit-driven—helping other people live in a space that’s not just a house, but a productive and purposeful home.

When her team leaves each project, they never think, “That was the worst!” They depart with a

deep satisfaction, and their clients have a new and energized perspective about their home and their life. “I’m just so grateful that we can do that. It feels good,” says Angie.

In a world where time is precious and clutter is inevitable, Angie Calderwood, Heber Valley’s premier professional home organizer, offers more than just a tidy space—she and the team bring clarity, peace of mind, and a renewed sense of control in an otherwise chaotic life. Whether you’re looking to simplify your life, boost productivity, or to restore tranquility, investing in Angie’s service is an investment in your wellbeing. After all, when your home works for you, it’s easier to focus on what truly matters: living well, loving your family, and monopolizing on the memories you’ll make when everything’s in its proper place.

To hear the entire conversation I had with Angie, check out my podcast, Strong Like a Mother, “Episode 78.” You can follow Angie on Instagram at @aproperplace and visit her website at aproperplaceorganizing.com.

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HEBER VALLEY CHAMBER ANNOUNCES

INITIATIVES FOR 2025

HEBER CITY, UTAH (February 12, 2025) – The Heber Valley Chamber continues its commitment to foster a thriving business community, strengthen local connections, and promote economic growth. With a mission to unite the community, connect businesses, and drive tourism, the Chamber has achieved significant milestones through networking, promotional opportunities, and community engagement.

“Throughout the year, the Chamber collaborates with partners, businesses, and government officials, emphasizing our mission to ‘Unite, Connect, and Promote,’” said Executive Director Dallin Koecher. “In 2025, we will see new initiatives led by our dedicated team, with the objective of uniting the community in responsible and meaningful ways.”

Key Initiatives in 2025:

These initiatives align with the Chamber’s long-term vision of strengthening an already dynamic, inclusive, and prosperous Heber Valley. For more detailed information about these initiatives and goals, contact Dallin Koecher, Executive Director, at dallin@gohebervalley.com.

▶ Expanding Inclusivity: Increasing outreach and resources to better serve and engage Heber Valley’s diverse and growing business community.

▶ Enhancing Accessibility: Launching a new Chamber Member Portal to improve access to resources, collaboration, and realtime content updates, this new tool will allow businesses to engage in more meaningful ways with the Chamber team and other local business owners and representatives.

Noteworthy Events:

Ask Heber Valley Community Expo – The Community Expo will be held Saturday, April 12, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Wasatch County Recreation Center. This event connects local businesses with local residents, showcasing the importance of fostering these relationships. This year’s expo will feature new elements, including a kids’ zone, local resource center, and enhanced concessions.

Donuts with the Director – Join Executive Director Dallin Koecher for informal discussions on community collaborations and insights.

Happening bi-monthly on the second Wednesday at 8:30 AM inside the Heber Valley Chamber Visitor Center, attendance is free and light refreshments are served. Community members are encouraged to share their thoughts on how the Heber Valley Chamber can better serve local businesses and residents.

Wasatch Back Business University – In partnership with Heber Valley Chamber, Park City Chamber, and America First Credit Union, this program unites the Wasatch Back business communities for shared growth and collaboration with free monthly educational courses.

Wellness Wednesday – This quarterly initiative is designed to empower businesses and individuals to thrive by working toward a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. The free lunch and learn sessions focus on impactful content and local wellness resources for individuals and families.

Additional recurring Chamber events include Chamber Monthly Luncheons focusing on timely and relevant topics, Chamber Monthly Business Mixers hosted at different area businesses and intended for unique networking opportunities, annual Ice Cream Social at the summer Heber Market on Main, and annual Golf Tournament in August. For information specific to Heber Valley Chamber events, please visit gohebervalley.com/chamber-events. For more information on all upcoming area events, please visit gohebervalley.com/events.

Other Programs & Initiatives – The Chamber also offers a range of programs such as the Chamber Sponsored Healthcare Benefits Program, recurring Business of the Month awards, ribbon cutting celebrations for new businesses, an online business resource center, and a new resident information site. Additional information about these programs and more is available at gohebervalley.com/chamber.

About Heber Valley Chamber

The Heber Valley Chamber exists to build and be part of a community where residents, visitors, and businesses thrive. Our mission is to promote tourism, connect businesses, and unite our community. Through our combined years of experience and proven performance, our staff creates unique opportunities for professional networking, local business promotions, economic education, and community engagement. To learn more, visit gohebervalley.com/chamber.

BY SANDY GELDHOF

CREATING A CARING COMMUNITY FOR FERAL CATS

Suffice it to say that most people spend their free time engaged in their passions – hanging with friends, working out, enjoying hobbies and participating in book clubs, movie nights or dining out, all pursuits that bring happiness and a sense of community. As a self-described “crazy cat lady” to those who know me, and even to those who don’t, my social media hints at a different sense of community engagement, namely, community cats and a tireless pursuit of rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of this vulnerable population, abundant in even the most privileged of communities, of which Summit and Wasatch counties are not exceptions. While Utah does not collect data on the homeless cat population in the state, the Humane Society of the United States estimates there to be about 50 million unowned cats throughout the country, a daunting number, and one to which most states have addressed with state and county programs, and laws protecting the treatment of homeless cats for the communities in which they live.

FERAL VS DOMESTIC

A feral cat is the descendant of a domesticated cat that has returned to the outdoors, and is wary of

humans, although they can grow to become familiar with a person feeding them or caring for them. Second and third generation feral kittens, if captured early enough (typically before five weeks of age), can be socialized successfully and learn to become pet cats, although they may always have a tendency to be shy or prefer fewer caretakers in a family with whom they have grown to trust.

HELPING STRAYS

From a single stray cat to a colony of ferals the Utah Humane Society (www.utahhumane.org) provides resources and guidelines for providing assistance. “If you find a healthy cat, leave them where they are,” they say. “Data indicates that 75% of the time a domestic cat will find its way home as opposed to less than 2% of cats without a microchip that will be reclaimed from a shelter.” Further, they advise, “crowding them into a shelter promotes stress, disease, and lowers the likelihood of a positive outcome.”

That being said, if a social stray cat has been spotted in the same area for a length of time, seems to be in duress, starving, injured or lingering around your home, any veterinarian office, rescue center, and

Great

Boarding

(Boarding & Daycare

Monday- Friday 7:30am - 12:00 pm • 1:00 pm- 6:00 pm (closed from 12pm-1pm for lunch) Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm • 3:00 pm-5:30pm.

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even retailers like Petco can scan the cat for a microchip and contact a registered owner. If an owner can’t be located, Summit County Animal Control (SCAC) recommends surrendering the cat to their shelter in Coalville where it will be assessed and placed for adoption by the shelter or a local rescue, following a five-day stray hold.

TRAP, NEUTER, RETURN

A commonly used approach for communities to help curb the overpopulation of cats deemed feral, or not able to be socialized, is a widely accepted “TNR” approach, an acronym referring to ‘Trap, Neuter, Return’ and referred to as the “gold standard” in dealing with cats in a community. Widely accepted and promoted through the Humane Society of the United States, and local governing bodies, animal shelters and rescues, this approach can significantly impact the numbers of free roaming and homeless cats, most of which are subject to a life of hardship, including exposure to weather, predators, traffic, disease, trauma, starvation, human cruelty and countless litters of kittens. Statistics show that in her lifetime one unspayed female can produce more than 100 kittens and over seven years she and her offspring can produce nearly 5,000 kittens. Quite a daunting number when you consider how many females exist in just one colony.

According to Bailey Quinn, Summit County’s Multicultural Communication and Outreach Specialist, the county does not allow cat colonies. She advised that residents call the shelter to get assistance with trapping cats or bring them to the shelter to surrender. In addition, residents from Summit County can secure live traps through purchase, and Nuzzles and Company, a Summit County 501 c3 organization, has some traps available for loan. A can of wet food or tuna placed inside and camouflaged with a blanket, a live trap is a humane way to trap feral cats and transport them to a veterinarian for spaying or neutering. Inexperienced handlers should never attempt to remove the animal from the live trap, doing so can result in dangerous injuries including being scratched or bitten and exposed to any diseases the feral cat may be carrying. It’s also nearly impossible to re-catch an animal that has been released from a live trap, making the process traumatic for both the animal and the person.

Alyssa Hughes, DVM and Medical Director at Nuzzles and Company, said the organization has low-cost resources for the public. “We are happy to help with spaying, neutering and vaccines and will also provide care for community cats who need it,” she said. These resources include a subsidy from Best Friends Animal Society for surgical services and the public can pay a $20.00 co-pay per cat. Services for a community cat include ear-tipping which Hughes said is nonnegotiable. “The ear tip is the universal sign that a cat is already sterilized and vaccinated,” she advised, and “prevents future situations where a cat that has been re-trapped has to undergo a

costly and stressful process by a veterinarian to determine if it has been previously treated.”

Hughes advises returning an adult feral cat to its original location, as the cat is familiar with where it lived and the resources available to it.

“Removing a cat from their existing home is incredibly stressful and many cats will attempt to return to the place they were originally trapped, often becoming injured and killed in the process,” she said. Furthermore, she added “when a cat is removed this allows space for new cats to move into the social structure, often bringing infectious diseases.” According to Hughes, TNR practice is endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and the American Animal Hospital Association and is considered “the most effective and humane ways for managing free-roaming cats over the long term.”

WORKING CATS PROGRAMS

Exceptions to the practice of TNR would be given if the original location is deemed dangerous to the animal and poses a threat with heavy traffic and lack of hunting or water resources, and in such cases Nuzzles offers a “Working Cat program” for outdoor cats who prefer their life outdoors but who have developed a minimum level of socialization with humans, by offering them for placement in barns and other locations where pests like rodents might be an issue and owners prefer a more organic method of dealing with them. “Nuzzles does have 10-15 cats each year who are best suited for a ‘working cat’ lifestyle who have not adapted to human handling or require an outdoor-only housing option for their behavioral and emotional health,” Hughes said. Working cats are available for a reduced fee and residents can email info@nuzzlesandco.org for more information.

BUILDING FERAL CAT SHELTERS

With Utah’s cold climate during winter months reaching temperatures, especially overnight, that create hardship and extreme hypothermic danger to outdoor cats, residents can help by providing easy-to-make and affordable shelter options for cats without the resource and safety of a barn, garage or shed to keep them protected from extreme cold and the elements.

Google and Amazon searches show many options

for purchase for an easy fix, but the following are additional options and tips for creating a safe haven out of the cold. As with all homemade shelter options, a rule of thumb is never to line an outdoor shelter with blankets, which can retain moisture, freeze and cause hypothermic conditions for animals inside. Always opt for dry straw which you can purchase at local farm and tractor supply stores throughout Summit and Wasatch counties (or check in with a neighbor who owns livestock for a donation).

A retail-chain styrofoam cooler with a lid can easily be transformed into a safe and warm haven. Simply cut a hole in the side of the cooler, line with straw, and tape the lid shut.

Alternatively, plastic tote bins can also be used. Place a smaller tote inside a larger tote, fill the area between the totes with straw for insulation, and line the innermost tote with straw for bedding and warmth. Align and cut holes in both totes for egress and secure the lid.

Some experts recommend cutting both entry and exit holes in shelters in order that a cat can safely escape should a predator like a raccoon or possum try to gain entry.

CARING FOR COMMUNITY CATS

Opinions on caring for feral colonies throughout the animal world are divisive. Some authorities within organizations advise against feeding a colony and let “survival of the fittest” be the mantra. Others disagree, encouraging the practice in order to monitor a colony, earn enough trust that colony cats can be safely TNRd and allowing kittens in the colony to be safely trapped, socialized, and adopted to homes. The Utah Legislature passed a bill in 2011 that authorized counties and cities to permit community cats and has certain mandates within its legislation for addressing populations of feral or community cats in Section 11-46-303, “Community Cats.” In compliance, in 2021 Summit County initiated a pilot program to allow the formation of community cat programming but it did not garner public support or interest, and the program was removed from their local county animal control code. It is best for residents who wish to help to contact Summit County Animal Control so that coordinated measures can be taken in connection with local laws and regulations.

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Veterinary Urgent Care Available On Weekends!

Bark City Veterinary Specialists and Urgent Care offers Urgent Care services on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 8pm and a Veterinary Specialty practice Monday through Thursday. We are an easily accessible, walk in Urgent Care, for when your regular Veterinarian is unavailable. Our Urgent Care treats urinary tract infections, wounds, lacerations, vomiting, diarrhea, ear issues, broken bones, broken toenails, and many more common non-life threatening, but urgent medical concerns. We have x-ray, CT, in house lab, and Quick Scan ultrasound capabilities offering state of the art care for your pet when they need it most.

In no particular order, here are some of the things I swear by.

Get low! If you’re not army crawling and feeling a little crazy you’re missing out on some great shots. Getting low, being eye level with your dog makes the biggest difference.

If you’re feeling stressed and frustrated, take a step back and reset. Take a break, get a snack, let the dog relax too. It’s a hard job being a perfect model all of the time.

Squeakers and treats of course! I wouldn’t want to work for free, nor should your dog! Turning photoshoots into bite size training sessions can really pay off. Lots of rewards, bring the smelliest dog treats you can find, maybe their favorite toy.

Lastly, you MUST embrace the chaos. Looking a little coo-coo, that’s how you know you’re doing it right. 1. 3. 2. 4.