Neighbors of Heber Valley - May 2025

The Joy of Singing

BethLawrence 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

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

WELLNESS OPTIMIZATION EXPERTS

WOW Clinics 435-800-6969 info@wowclinic.com wowclinic.com To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Betsy DeMann at bdemann@bestversionmedia.com or 801-671-6315

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

Meadowbrook Counseling

Therapy for individuals, couples and families.

office@meadowbrookcounseling.com 801-655-5450

COLOR AND STYLE EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR

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

Julie Hickam House of Colour

www.meadowbrookcounseling.com

Julie.Hickam@houseofcolour.com 435.315.2258

CLEAN LIVING EXPERT

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

AESTHETICS AND PLASTIC SURGERY EXPERT

Dr. Renato Saltz Saltz Plastic Surgery and Spa Vitoria 1441 Ute Blvd. Suite 140, Park City, UT 84098 435-216-9876 | saltzplasticsurgery.com

LOCAL NEWS EXPERT

KPCW

Spencer F. Eccles Broadcast Center PO Box 1372 | 460 Swede Alley Park City | UT | 84060 | kpcw.org 435) 649-9004 | (435) 655-8255

INSURANCE EXPERT

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

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! Eric Ramirez

I was lucky to grow up in the mountains and most of my life’s decisions are built around that idea. My first passion was and is still skiing, which I now share with my wife and two children. With a background in mountain bike repair, I stay involved with people who actively ride local trails. This has connected me with many individuals across the Wasatch Back, relationships for which I am grateful.

In the mountains I enjoy backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and mountain biking. Other hobbies include amateur video creation, photography, written storytelling, amateur radio, and flying drones. Mentoring others in what I have learned comes naturally, in hopes of guiding people into passions that have shaped my life. Teaching my wife to ski has helped me be a better and more patient mentor for my kids which is something I gratefully enjoy.

My wife has been a great support in pursuing journalism. Writing for Neighbors has been truly fulfilling, where interviews, research, and hands-on experiences have fostered knowledge and relationships. Being able to search out stories, bringing history and individuals to light are goals I have harbored far too long.

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

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Behind the Scenes with Stein Eriksen Lodge’s Mary Doyle, Associate Director of Event Services

BY AIMEE L. COOK PHOTOS BY DEB DEKOFF

Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah, is known for luxury, stunning mountain views, and flawless event execution. Mary Doyle, the Associate Director of Event Services, is a professional whose commitment, precision, and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the lodge’s reputation for excellence.

Having first joined the Stein organization in 1999, this seasoned event expert began her career at The Chateaux before transitioning to Stein Eriksen Lodge in 2009. Originally from North Carolina, she moved to Utah in August 1999 and has combined her Southern charm with a no-nonsense work ethic, making her a standout leader in event services.

“Utah gets in your blood,” Mary said. “Hospitality piqued my interest when I was younger, traveling with my dad. I majored in Parks and Recreation [in college] with an emphasis in leisure service management. Every day and every customer is different, but the goal is to ensure that everyone has a good time and a successful program.”

THE ART OF EVENT EXECUTION

Organizing events at a world-renowned property is no small feat. Every client that walks into Stein Eriksen Lodge expects perfection— from meticulously planned group activities to seamless dining experiences and transportation coordination. Mary is the person who ensures that it all happens.

Whether she’s planning a corporate retreat or a unique dining experience, every event benefits from her expert touch. But execution at this level isn’t a solo endeavor—it requires the ability to delegate and collaborate across various departments. Her talent for bringing together housekeeping, culinary, transportation, and on-site activities teams ensures that every event is cohesive and memorable.

“As you can imagine, after all these years, I have many repeat clients that have also become friends,” Mary added. “The sales department sells the piece of business and then it is turned over to our department to coordinate the activities, dinners, transportation etc. That can take a few weeks to several months. We put all the details together, then it is turned over to operations to execute.”

Over more than two decades with Stein, she has witnessed the evolution of the hospitality and event planning industry. Her ability to adapt to changing client expectations, new technologies, and emerging trends has kept Stein Eriksen Lodge at the forefront of luxury events. Clients today are interested in local products and are trying to be environmentally friendly.

“A lot of times we will get requests for dinners or groups and increase the number at the last minute. We have an excellent team, and when I turn these things over to the operations department, I never worry something is going to go wrong,” Mary said. “There are a lot of people who have [worked] here a long time. We definitely have the best team in Park City.”

Her dedication goes beyond planning perfect get-togethers. She constantly collaborates with her team to train new staff, innovate processes, and ensure no detail is overlooked. It’s this level of care and professionalism that has made her an indispensable part of the Stein Eriksen Lodge family.

“I love Steins. After all these years, I have made so many friends here; it is my family away from home,” Mary said.

Next time you attend an event at Stein Eriksen Lodge, know that behind every candlelit table, every thoughtfully prepared meal, and every carefully curated activity is a professional whose dedication to excellence makes it all possible.

The Sidecar is timeless classic pre-prohibition era cocktail. It is both sophisticated and wild at the same time. The cocktail combines Cognac, Cointreau, and Fresh Lemon Juice to create a balanced and refreshing drink that will surely impress.

The Sidecar was created in the 1920’s supposedly after a World War 1 US Army Captain who would frequent a popular Paris bar. The Captain would always arrive at the bar riding in a motorcycle sidecar and ask the bartender to make him something refreshing. The bartender came up with this masterpiece and named it after his mode of travel.

The iconic cocktail has stood the test of time. Add it to your repertoire, serve it to your guests, and take a bow.

Prep Time 5 Minutes

INGREDIENTS*:

• 2 oz Cognac

• ¾ oz Cointreau (Or Triple Sec Or Grand Marnier)

• ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice

• Garnish with either a Lemon Twist, or an Orange Peel

*Optional can be served in a sugar-rimmed glass, I prefer it without the sugar, but try it both ways and see which one you like.

DIRECTIONS:

Add Cognac, Cointreau, and Lemon Juice to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a Lemon twist, or an Orange peel. Serve with a smile.

Did you try it? Let me know on Instagram @elevateeventbartending

Discover Black Rock Resort for Year-Round Fun © Best Version Media

Black Rock Mountain Resort is a destination that redefines what it means to live the good life. For both locals and visitors, this resort offers various amenities, activities, and experiences for every season—and every kind of adventurer. Whether you’re chasing the snowy slopes of Park City or the sunny shores of Jordanelle Reservoir, Black Rock is your ultimate headquarters for year-round fun and relaxation. Utah locals, with their Utah ID in hand, can enjoy a 15% discount on room rates and a 10% discount on food.

Black Rock Mountain Resort offers a nice lineup of amenities to elevate your stay. Dining takes center stage at Overlook Restaurant, where elevated comfort food meets panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Depending on your appetite and cravings, there is something delicious and satisfying on the menu. I recently enjoyed the chicken fried steak, which is comfort food at its finest; Chef Ernesto has it dialed in. An extensive wine and cocktail list is available.

Stop by On the Rocks Bar off the main floor lobby for craft cocktails and equally stunning panoramas—the perfect way to unwind after an adventurefilled day. Thursday nights offer live music at On the Rocks, creating a fun vibe to get your weekend rolling.

Fitness enthusiasts can keep up their routine at the resort’s 24-hour fitness center, complete with a sauna and a steam room to soothe tired muscles. Prefer to relax poolside? The heated outdoor pool and hot tub are open year-round, offering a serene escape no matter the season. For those working remotely, the resort’s business center provides a convenient workspace, while the owners’ lounge and game room add a touch of leisure to your downtime.

YOUR BASECAMP FOR ADVENTURE

Black Rock Mountain Resort’s proximity to Park City, Deer Valley, and Park City Mountain makes it a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts. During the winter, you’re minutes away from world-class skiing and snowboarding,

while summer adventures can be enjoyed nearby at Jordanelle Reservoir and surrounding areas. Whether you’re into paddle boarding, kayaking, hiking, or soaking up the sun, the reservoir offers endless possibilities for water sports.

Need equipment? Switchback Sports’ rentals onsite have you covered. It offers bikes (both new and used and e-bikes), bike repairs, paddleboards, and even pickleball equipment. It’s a one-stop shop for all your outdoor gear needs, making it easier than ever to jump straight into your next adventure.

A WARM WELCOME FOR ALL

While the resort’s luxury features might draw in travelers from all over, Black Rock also has deep ties to its Utah community. Locals will love how close it is to Park City and recreational areas, while visitors will appreciate the warm, welcoming vibe that the resort embodies.

“Black Rock Mountain Resort is and wants to be a gathering place for folks that live in the area or folks that bring visitors to town for meetings or special occasions,” says Alfredo Anguiano, area managing director for Pyramid Global Hospitality at Black Rock. “Our rooms are very spacious, with twobed bedrooms that you can buy portions of to suit your needs. We are very family- and pet-friendly here.”

The second-floor game room is a great spot to gather with family and friends, offering wall-to-wall televisions, board games, and table games such as pool and shuffleboard. Families will especially enjoy the opportunity to have more space without having to leave the resort.

“There are hiking trails in Deer Vista right outside our back door,” says Alfred. “We also offer a shuttle service for our guests that takes people to Park City Mountain, Main Street, Fresh Market, Deer Valley Snow Park, and Deer Valley East Village. It is simple to access; there is an app we give our guests.”

What are you waiting for? Visit the Black Rock Resort website for reservations, details, and more!

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ESCAPE MUD SEASON WITH A LUXE GETAWAY TO SANTA BARBARA

Mud season’s got you down? There’s a quick fix. This spring, trade slushy sidewalks and gray skies for clear blue waters, golden sands, and the laid-back vibes of Santa Barbara. With Delta Air Lines’ newly resumed daily nonstop flights from Salt Lake City (SLC) to Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), a sunny escape is just less than two hours away.

The Ultimate Destination for Coastal Elegance

If you’re looking to indulge and make the most out of your escape, Santa Barbara’s Montecito community is home to one of the region’s crown jewels—Rosewood Miramar Beach. This Forbes Travel Guide Triple Five-Star hotel and spa, set on the sands of Miramar Beach, offers 153 ultraluxe guestrooms and suites, including beachside bungalows that give off vibes of the Hamptons, providing a seamless blend of glamour and coastal serenity.

For the art lover, the Miramar art collection adorning the walls throughout the resort showcases 600 pieces of original art from renowned artist Norman Rockwell and architectural drawings of Paul Revere Williams. For active folks, the resort hosts top-tier fitness facilities and two cabana-lined pools. Foodies: Rejoice! Miramar Beach is truly a haven for culinary enthusiasts such as myself. As a food writer, dining at Caruso’s, a Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star restaurant, was a dining experience of a lifetime. Chef Massimo Falsini hails from Rome, Italy, and has been cooking since he was 16 years old, and his attention to detail is evident in every bite. From perfectly prepared pasta dishes to robust proteins, a course meal of your choosing awaits oceanside. His recent shift to a more sustainable land menu incorporates ingredients from local farmers practicing regenerative agriculture. Community and sustainability are at the forefront of Chef Massimo’s passions.

Curious guests can book a beekeeping session with Chef Massimo right on the property. Harvested honey is used in many dishes around the resort.

“It is magical how organized the bees are. When you do beekeeping, you must focus, take the time, and clear the mind,” says Chef Massimo.

For fans of Japanese cuisine, AMA Sushi, a Michelin Guide recommendation, delivers an authentic dining experience with the highest-quality ingredients and artistry. And when it comes to cocktails, The Manor Bar shines as the property’s library-inspired destination, offering handcrafted drinks delivered in whimsical 3D-printed vessels. The Revere Room brings the concept of hyperlocality to life with ingredients sourced fresh from Santa Barbara’s farmers and fishermen. Why Santa Barbara?

Santa Barbara offers more than sandy beaches, spa indulgences, and great food. Stroll along Stearns Wharf, explore the Spanish-style architecture downtown, or sip your way through world-class wineries in the Funk Zone. Known for its Mediterranean charm, the city pairs coastal relaxation with endless activities.

As the annual migration of gray whales passes through the area, spring in Santa Barbara brings the unforgettable experience of whale watching. Visitors can often spot these majestic creatures along with pods of playful dolphins. Numerous tours and charters operate during this season, offering a closer look at marine life.

For wine enthusiasts, Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail has several tasting rooms all in close proximity, like the new sparkling wine tasting room, Loubud, where effervescent flavors meet a stylish, intimate setting and handmade puzzles are as popular as the bubbles. Additionally, the family-owned Kunin Winery showcases Rhône and Loire Valley varieties such as Chenin Blanc. Learn while you sip, and discover new favorites.

Leave time to visit San Ysidro Ranch, a historical gem that dates back more than 131 years and famously served as the honeymoon destination for John and Jackie Kennedy, which offers visitors a retreat into timeless luxury. The property is surrounded by incredibly landscaped gardens perpetually in bloom under a canopy of stately sycamores and ancient, gnarled oaks. While you wander among citrus groves and olive trees, the air is perfumed with the sweet fragrance of orange blossoms, magnolias, and jasmine.

Adventure seekers can hike the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains, while those craving culture can explore the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. And, trust me, there’s no better way to end the day than watching the sunset over the Pacific.

Book your getaway today—and don’t forget to pack your sunglasses!

www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/miramar-beach-montecito • santabarbaraca.com

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Grass Monkey Landscaping Brings Green Dreams to Life in Heber

Grass Monkey Lawn Care, whose owners—Ian Campman and Stefanie Richardson—wanted a name that stood out, is quietly transforming local yards into outdoor havens. Established in May 2021, this locally owned business has quickly become a community favorite, offering a range of landscaping services catering to residential and commercial properties.

“We both worked in the restaurant industry, and Ian has always been a sous chef; he was tired of the hours and ‘living’ at the restaurant,” Stefanie says. “We love to be outside, so we decided to start a company where we could work outside.”

Grass Monkey covers everything from basic lawn care and mulching to more specialized tasks, like minor sprinkler repairs and weeding. Need help taming overgrown bushes or trimming unruly trees? This business’s expertise extends to treeand bush-trimming, weeding, putting down gravel— all designed to give any yard the fresh, polished look it deserves. Plus, when unexpected minor sprinkler issues arise (as they inevitably do), Grass Monkey is just a call away.

“Our first year, we had employees, but now we just run it ourselves, just the two of us,” Stefanie

explains. “It’s a lot, but we have some family members that help us sometimes.”

Owner-operated and community-driven, Grass Monkey prides itself on its versatile approach to landscaping. “We maintain over 40 contracts a week,” Stefanie says. “We started with a Facebook page, and all of our referrals have been word of mouth through our friends.

Pricing depends on square footage and what the needs are. Stefanie and Ian pride themselves on providing quality service at a reasonable price, even working weekends if necessary.

Grass Monkey isn’t just about landscaping—it’s about connection and family. “We are all about family,” Stefanie says. “We love setting our schedule and being home when we need to be. We have four kids ranging in age from 12 to five.”

Stefanie and Ian’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned their company a reputation as a go-to resource for allthings landscaping in the area.

Now that spring is rolling in, it’s the perfect time to prepare your yard for the warm months ahead. Call Grass Monkey Lawn Care at 435315-6523.

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We had a wonderful time hosting the March Heber Valley Chamber Mixer at Granny's—great conversations, new connections, and a true sense of community. We’re already looking forward to the next one!

PHOTOS BY JOCELYN GARDINER

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THRIVING ON COMMUNITY, UPS STORE OWNERS INVEST IN SCHOOLS

Julie Giles has been the face of Heber Valley’s UPS Store for more than 20 years. Holding a communications degree in journalism and television broadcasting, she went into business with her husband, Jason, as a side project, while living in the Salt Lake Valley. Jason’s roots are in Heber; as a family, the Gileses wanted to get back to small-town living. Heber Valley was calling them home.

Partnering with UPS to determine which cities needed the service, the Gileses wanted the business to have growth potential. With a growing family and financial goals, as well as getting back to the rural mountain life, they chose the market of Heber and Midway, with Heber being projected to grow. Although it would be a slow start, the big picture represented their dreams.

Almost exactly 20 years into the franchise partnership with UPS Store, Julie and Jason discussed what to do next. Heber City was developing commercially zoned property toward the south end of town, 600 South and Main. Locals remember that the old high school was there, which is where Jason went to school and parked his Ford Mustang.

The high school was deemed unfit for renovations based on asbestos contamination, so it was razed. For years, the lot sat on Main Street, the scar of an unfinished lot.

Julie was working day in and day out in their former location, and Jason was ready to quit his lifelong career and join Julie full-time at their store. Julie recounts their conversation: “‘I’m in,’ he said. ‘I want to build us a store.’” After paying rent for two decades, they are the proud owners of the new 600 South location , Jason’s alma mater.

If you haven’t visited the new UPS Store, you ought to. It’s one of the busier storefronts of any business in the valley—a result of thoughtful community involvement, which planted the seeds for today’s organic growth. From the beginning, Julie—who is a former marketing director for the Utah-based Challenger School—has brilliantly brought her background and expertise to the table.

Knowing how much printing the schools did, and how much of the work teachers did outside the classroom, Julie says, “We positioned ourselves to really help with the schools. When we first got going here in Heber, we had a program where every elementary and middle school teacher got a copy card for 100 free copies.” Today, with the majority of classroom curriculum being digitized, the store offers different programs, mostly benefitting the kids directly.

“For this community, the best way to advertise is to get involved with the school, with the theaters, with the community events,” Julie explains. “We try to sponsor when we can, what we can. We’ve got a banner at the tennis court, and we sponsor rodeo kids and cheerleaders and drill teams. If they come in from the schools, we love to help them.”

The Giles’ reasoning is simple: If they directly sponsor a drill team, for example, the kids can dance and not worry so much about fundraisers. The UPS Store gets some recognition, locals support it, and the cycle starts over. This strategy continues to benefit the community.

Why is this significant? For a business to flourish in our valley, building the community and reinforcing its core values, like supporting families and educating kids, fosters a kind of trust and relationship that you just can’t get with mailers.

Having built and maintained those relationships, Heber’s UPS Store stays busy. It’s in the top 10 nationwide for printing, which became a mainstay early on—despite the fact that UPS is known more for shipping—in part due to the coupon cards Julie took to all the teachers.

Demand for its service is never in question. However, the day-to-day jobs are often wildly dynamic. One person might want to ship a turtle. (Yes, a reptile.) Another person will request to ship a disassembled antique sports car. And yet another wants to ship a tumbleweed, the most fragile of all things, to Alaska. “Imagine something that weighs less than a pound but is big. It's going to be on the bottom of everything. How do you keep that box from smashing?” Julie recalls as she points to a five-foot-long model fish set to ship to Florida. Nonetheless, their store has successfully delivered them all.

When Julie had to ship an entire surgical center’s worth of equipment, she spent one month onsite, packaging, shipping, and coordinating freight logistics. These unique experiences keep the Gileses on their toes, and they also help them meet their goals as business owners.

“People ask what inspires me or gets me going every day. We feel like we’re such an integral part of the community.” Julie smiles, adding, “We feel like people come to us with concerns, problems, projects, issues, and trust us to help them solve them. I like being valued in the community. We love our customers.”

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THE LOCAL

Welcome to The Local, your source for community news from your friendly neighborhood public radio station. KPCW is the only not-for-profit source of daily news across Summit and Wasatch counties. Be sure to tune in to our new podcast, The Community Campfire, airing Fridays at 9 a.m., where we showcase YOUR stories, live music, hilarious Campfire Kids and much more! KPCW has hand-selected a few recent articles that reflect the happenings in our vibrant, eclectic and engaged community. Read–and listen–like a local at KPCW.org.

Wasatch County looks to northern neighbors as it plans for East Village growth

By Grace Doerfler

As East Village and the Jordanelle Reservoir area grow, Wasatch County manager Dustin Grabau said the area could become similar to Summit County’s Kimball Junction, since it’s expected to see significant economic activity.

“Our EMS sales tax that voters approved is going to grow as this area comes online, as is our TAP tax – trails, arts and parks,” he said. “We’re going to be able to do more with those things because of the economic activity in this area.”

To support growth, Grabau said the county is working to ensure affordable housing is constructed and the regional transportation network is strengthened.

UDOT: No traffic lights on bypass will speed travel, improve safety By Grace Doerfler

The Utah Department of Transportation has narrowed its route options for the Heber Valley bypass to two, either of which would use overpasses and ramps, not traffic lights, so vehicles won’t have to stop.

One choice cuts through the North Fields starting at Potter Lane and reconnects to existing roads south of downtown Heber. The other option would keep highway traffic on U.S. 40 until 900 North, then take vehicles west of the city. If UDOT chooses this route, it plans to construct frontage roads along north U.S. 40 for local traffic.

The next major bypass update from UDOT is expected sometime in late autumn. A final study and route decision will be published in spring 2026.

Wasatch High School wrestler earns first national title in 20 years By Sydney Weaver

High school wrestler Wyatt Hanssen made Wasatch High School history when he was crowned a national champion in March. His win marked the first time in 20 years a Wasatch student earned the title.

The National High School Coaches Association competition drew more than 5,800 high school wrestlers from across the nation to Virginia Beach, Virginia, this year. Hanssen dominated the bracket-style tournament, defeating the No. 4 and No. 1 seeded wrestlers before taking on the No. 2 seed, JT Smith of Nebraska.

The Local Community news from KPCW

Welcome to The Local, your source for community news from your friendly neighborhood public radio station. KPCW is the only nonprofit source of daily news across Summit and Wasatch counties.

NEW!! Tune in Fridays at 9 a.m. for KPCW’s new podcast, “The Community Campfire” with storytelling, hilarious Campfire Kids and in-studio performances. YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR VOICES! Get your Heber Valley and Wasatch County local news in your email inbox every morning for free!

KPCW is a nonprofit, NPR affiliate located in Park City, Utah, that relies on reader and listener donations for our programming. Like our content? Please consider making a donation at KPCW.org.

He took the national title March 30 with a commanding 26-11 technical fall, when a wrestler accumulates 15 points over their opponent, in the finals and made history for Wasatch, becoming the first NHSCA National Champion since Cyler Sanderson in 2005.

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For Sale (Active) • $1,099,000 756 N WELLNESS DR 24, Midway, UT 84049

Ameyalli luxury resort community with breathtaking views. These two lots are the only prime ones left in the development where you can bring your own builder. This community offers luxury amenities with a wellness center which is by the natural hotpots in Midway. Lot 24 which is 756 N Wellness Dr, Tax parcel#00-0021-8788 and lot 23, 758 N Wellness Dr, Tax parcel#00-0021-8787. These total .08 acres and are approved for a twin home totaling 7791 sq ft. The model home is complete and can be toured to see the home finishings. There are a total of 16 fractional shares, 8 shares on each side of the twin home. Nightly rentals are allowed and preferred and each unit has a 1 bed lockout allowing 4 doors to be rented at any time. Please reach out for more information regarding the finances and home specifics.

FEATURED ACTIVE LISTINGS

For Sale (Active) 335 JUNGFRAU HILL RD, Midway, UT 84049

3 beds • 2.5 baths • 2,209 sqft • 0.83 acres lot

Located near the summit of Interlaken, this charming retreat offers a perfect blend of seclusion and convenience, just minutes from town. Relish the tranquility of nature from one of five private decks. The basement, ideal for a recreation or TV room, opens directly onto an outdoor deck, perfect for entertaining or relaxing. Recent updates include a new roof and HVAC system within the past two years. Square footage is provided as a courtesy estimate. Buyers are encouraged to verify independently.

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 real 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.

© Best Version Media

MONDAYS

Books & Babies • 10:30 a.m.

Toddler Play Time • 11:00 a.m.

1st Monday of the Month

Crafternoon

Ages 6-12 • 3:30-4:30 p.m.

2nd Monday of the Month

Pokémon Club

Ages 6-12 • 3:30-4:30 p.m.

3rd Monday of the Month

STEM with local 4H Club

Ages 6-12 • 3:30-4:30 p.m.

4th Monday of the Month

Lego Club

All ages • 3:30-4:30 p.m.

TUESDAYS

Preschool Storytime • 10:30a.m.

Snack Shack

Teens, Tweens, Kids and adults can grab some snacks afterschool 2:30- 4:00 p.m.

Hora Del Cuento

Spanish Story with Miss Linda 6:30 p.m.

2nd Tuesday of the Month

Try Something Tuesday

Experience something new or just come and learn something new. RSVP is recommended for most programs. Geared for adults. 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Preschool Storytime • 10:30a.m.

Chess Club

All ages welcome! • 3-5 p.m.

THURSDAYS

Minecraft CLUB

Session 1: 2-3:30 p.m.

Session 2: 3:30-5 p.m.

Snack Shack

Teens, Tweens, Kids and adults can grab some snacks afterschool 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

1st Thursday of the Month

Kids Book Club

Ages 7-9 • 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

3rd Thursday of the Month Morning Book Club

“Dancing at the Rascal Fair” by Ivan Doig

All ages welcome • 10:30 a.m.

Evening Book Club

“All Creatures Great and Small”

By James Herriot

All ages welcome • 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAYS

4th Friday of the Month Movie Night

Time: 6: 00 p.m.

A different family friendly movie. Tentative Schedule and is subject to change.

April • “Moana 2”

May • “The Mitchell’s vs the Machine”

June • “Dog Man”

April 18th and May 23rd

Team Puzzle Races

Race to complete a 300-piece puzzle first with your team of 3. Sign up as an individual and we will try to match you with a team. All ages are encouraged. 10:30 a.m.

BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

THE JOY OF SINGING

BethLawrence

© Best Version Media

BETH LAWRENCE ENTERS A ROOM AND IT FEELS LIKE A BUNDLE OF ENERGY HAS JUST SPARKED THE AIR. SHE IS FULL OF PLANS FOR THE FUTURE, AND HOPES TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE FEEL THE JOY OF LIFE.

Even though her mother was a professional singer (a church soloist) Beth didn’t think about singing until she heard Dionne Warwick sing “Anyone Who Had A Heart” on The Ed Sullivan Show. She started to cry and thought, if somebody has the power to touch someone and make them feel something like that, I want to do that. So she started singing in the high school choir.

She recalls telling her parents one day that she was going to do the Junior Miss pageant for high achieving girls, and that you needed to have a talent section. They looked at her and asked, “Well, what are you going to do?” When she replied she would sing, they looked at each other, and then looked at her, aghast. The performance went very well, she came in as first runner-up.

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Originally, she planned to be a sociologist, but then she started doing theater, and went to CalArts. An audition there landed her in ‘Kids of the Kingdom’ at Disneyworld, where she met the group Tabasco that was performing on the stage at Tomorrowland Terrace. The sevenpiece show group from Mexico City asked her to join them when her ‘Kids of the Kingdom’ contract ended. Off she went to Disneyland for a year and then toured with them in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Latin America. Her music career had a lot of peaks and valleys. The music industry changed periodically, and so did she. She became a master of reinvention.

In 1991 Beth got a small record deal. L.A. Jazz Scene magazine declared her album “When the Sky Is Red” the “Best Vocal Album of the Year!” A few years later she found herself reinventing herself again. She started teaching, ultimately creating courses for her online school ‘The Big Dream Lab’. “It's been really wonderful to be able to share what I know, the vocal method that helped, and saved my voice,” explains Beth.

For her next adventure, Beth plans to create ‘Celestial Songs.’ She plans to enlist singers who may even think that they don't sing to do vocal toning so that the voices just create a sound cloud. She loves that vocal toning is powerful because it's a vibration that comes from within your bones and body, but it is also powerful at healing. All the voices together create harmonies and vibrations and frequencies. Beth has been wanting to create celestial music for a long time. The time has come, it’s in the queue.

Beth goes on sabbaticals to places where she doesn’t know anyone. It gives her the time to work on her projects without being distracted by everyday chores. While she loves her garden and friends in Midway, she blossoms when she can dive into a project.

Next up her sleeve is teaching Joyful Singing to her fellow crones, male and female, age 55+. If you have always wanted to sing but didn’t think you could, join her for a free, eight-week class. Beth is ready to show you how to be in flow, be flexible, try something new, step out of your comfort zone and come adventuring with her.

THE POWER OF THE PIVOT WHEN CHANGING THINGS UP IS THE BEST MOVE

Business isn’t always a straight path. For many women business owners, the road to success often curves, detours, and sometimes even requires a complete U-turn. But those pivots, as challenging as they may seem, often lead to surprising opportunities and newfound success.

KNOWING WHEN TO PIVOT

The first step in any pivot is recognizing when it’s time to make a move. Sometimes, the signs are loud and clear—declining sales, market shifts, or a service offering that isn’t resonating with your audience. Other times, it’s a gut feeling after months of stagnation.

“Change isn’t failure—it’s strategy,” said state director of the Women’s Business Center of Utah Ann Marie Wallace. “The most successful business owners don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ moment to pivot; they recognize when something isn’t working and make a bold move. If your gut is telling you it’s time to shift, listen.”

STRATEGIES FOR A SMART SHIFT

Not every pivot has to be monumental. Sometimes, small tweaks can make a big impact. Here are some strategies to consider when rethinking your approach:

1. Listen to Your Customers

Are you getting feedback that something’s not working or that customers are asking for something you’re not currently offering? That’s your cue. Consider surveying customers or monitoring their comments on social media to understand their needs better.

2. Leverage Your Strengths

When pivoting, focus on what you and your team already do well. This will allow you to step into a new space with confidence. Is there a service you excel at or a skill that could be repackaged for a new audience?

3. Conduct Market Research

Before making a pivot, do your homework. Are there changes in your industry or new trends you can capitalize on? Research your competitors and evaluate whether there’s a gap you’re uniquely positioned to fill.

By Aimee L. Cook

4. Test the Waters

Not every pivot requires an all-in commitment upfront. Start small by piloting your new idea with a limited audience or offering it as an additional service. This way, you can gather feedback and refine your approach before fully integrating it.

One common thread among women entrepreneurs who successfully pivot is the power of community. Whether it’s leaning on mentors, joining local business organizations, or networking, there’s undeniable strength in numbers. The Women’s Business Center of Utah is a great resource for support and inspiration.

© Best Version Media

TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH HEALING AND CONSCIOUS AWAKENING

By Aimee L. Cook • Photos by Deb DeKoff

With a background in medical device sales and a lifelong passion for personal growth, Cris Redford has taken her talents in an extraordinary direction. Today, as the founder of her coaching practice, TLC Transforming Lives, Cris dedicates herself to guiding individuals on their journeys of transformation, healing, and conscious awakening.

A certified transformational life coach, mentor, and energy healer, Cris is wellequipped to help her clients uncover limiting beliefs, recognize blind spots, and heal from past trauma. “I focus on helping people go in and look at their inner landscape,” she shared. “If they are feeling stuck or unfulfilled, a lot of times there is personal work inside that is driving that.”

FROM TRANSFORMATION TO PURPOSE

As many stories do, Cris’ begins with a turning point. Faced with a life-altering experience that left her saying, “I’m Stuck,” Cris made a conscious decision to redefine her path. What followed was an intensely personal journey of healing and awakening—one that ultimately led her to what she feels is her true purpose.

“I work with people who are already in their minds to look at the four aspects of themselves: the heart, mind, body and spirit, so we can operate using all of ourselves,” Cris explained. “I realized I have a gift and can help people go deeper.”

Cris’s coaching isn’t just guided by her personal experience; it’s backed by over 25 years in medical sales, training, and management. Holding a degree in Business Administration from Michigan State University, she has collaborated with executives, hospitals, surgeons, and nurses—gaining insights into human behavior and communication along the way.

Beyond her professional experience, Cris’s credentials as a Certified Sanga Practitioner and a carrier of the MunayKi Healing Rites reflect her deep dedication to energy work and inner mapping. Drawing on techniques such as sound healing, mindset coaching, and transformational practices, Cris creates a truly holistic experience for her clients. Cris offers structured six or 12-week transformation coaching programs designed to guide clients on their growth journeys. These programs provide the tools, strategies, and personalized support needed to achieve meaningful and lasting change. To ensure the right fit, Cris also offers a free 20-minute phone consultation. This is a perfect opportunity to discuss your goals, explore your needs, and determine the best path forward for your personal transformation.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Personalized One-on-One Coaching

Experience customized support and actionable guidance during each session, ensuring you make measurable progress toward your unique goals.

Pattern Mapping

Dive deep into an inner exploration of your physical, mental, emotional, and energetic patterns. This process uncovers blind spots and recurring habits that may be limiting your potential in areas such as business, health, or relationships. With these insights, a clear roadmap is created to help you overcome obstacles and unlock your full potential.

Deep Healing

Engage in transformative healing work

that allows you to address emotional wounds and break free from selfsabotaging patterns. Through this process, you will cultivate a mindset rooted in empowerment, resilience, and a heightened sense of self-worth.

Exclusive VIP Private Weekend Retreats

A deep dive into personal patterns and blocks set in a mountainside cabin.

Private Personal Discovery Retreats

Private personal discovery retreats offer an intimate, 2–3 day experience to connect deeply with yourself.

Group Transformation Retreats

An overnight retreat of personal discovery with a group of supportive individuals.

4-Hour Transformation Sessions

For those seeking focused, powerful results in a shorter time frame, our 4-hour transformation sessions deliver outstanding impact. These concentrated sessions are ideal for tackling specific challenges, identifying key obstacles, and developing actionable strategies to move forward through advanced sound technologies.

“I continue to do my own work; I believe we have to continually clear our own vessel,” Cris explained.

When she’s not transforming lives, Cris finds joy in her own hobbies and travels. An avid lover of nature, she is almost as comfortable on a snowy mountainside as she is in her coaching sessions. Skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, and camping allow her to recharge and remain grounded.

Development Spotlight:

Tucked into the heart of Midway, Utah, The Farm at Wilson Lane offers something increasingly rare in today’s market: the freedom to build your dream home on a spacious lot, without the burden of restrictive CC&Rs or the requirement to use specific builders. With just a handful of lots available, this development combines the charm of country living with proximity and convenience to world class recreation..

The lots—ranging from 1 to 2 acres, with three currently available— are ideal for those who want room to spread out with space for a custom home, a big garden, hobby farm, sport courts, a toy barn, horses, and room to park your RV/Boat/Snowmobile Trailer. All are nestled on a peaceful cul-de-sac with views in every direction.

One of the standout aspects of The Farm at Wilson Lane is the lack of HOA and builder restrictions, allowing for true design flexibility. This is a refreshing departure from virtually all other new lots in the area. Here, you can bring your own builder, craft your own vision, and tailor your property to your lifestyle, and do it with competitive bidding so you have more control over final build costs.

The location couldn’t be better for outdoor lovers. Just minutes from Wasatch Mountain State Park, residents enjoy quick access to skiing, hiking, biking, golfing, and fishing. Midway’s charming downtown, with its restaurants, shops, and festivals, is close by—and so is the convenience of Heber City and Park City. It’s the kind of setting that encourages evenings on the porch, family bike rides, and space to truly breathe.

Buyers here are often looking for more than just a house—they’re seeking a lifestyle. The Farm at Wilson Lane is especially appealing for people relocating from out of state, second-home buyers looking to create a mountain escape, or locals who have outgrown more densely built neighborhoods and want a little more elbow room.

If you’ve been looking for land in Midway, you know inventory is tight. Developments like this don’t come around often, especially with such flexible terms. Whether you're looking to build now or simply want to secure a piece of the valley's future, The Farm at Wilson Lane is worth a serious look.

If you'd like more information or want to schedule a tour, I’d be happy to walk the lots with you and help explore how this unique opportunity might fit your goals.

Available Lots: Lot 4 (2 acres), Lot 5 (1.3 acres), and Lot 6 (1 acre)

© Best Version Media

WASATCH AUDIO VISUAL AND PRODUCTION COMPANY BRINGS EVENTS TO LIFE IN THE WASATCH BACK

Wasatch Audio Visual and Production Company has been elevating events with expertise and care since 1995. Family-owned and deeply rooted in the community, this company has spent nearly three decades making dreams a reality, whether it’s a magical wedding reception, a high-stakes corporate event, or a world-famous festival production.

Wasatch Audio Visual specializes in all aspects of live event production. From state-of-the-art audiovisual systems to professional staging and event lighting, the team provides seamless solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Whether planning an intimate gathering or a large-scale conference, the company’s highly skilled technicians and cutting-edge technology ensure every detail shines.

“I originally got into the industry in 1984 as an office manager and had no clue what I was doing,” says co-owner and CEO Tiffany Rettie. “I have been doing it now for the past 40 years. The industry has changed a lot, from overhead projectors to 10k and 20k projectors. It has evolved completely.”

Keeping it local is central to the company’s identity. Park City isn’t just where it operates—it’s the team’s home and their inspiration. Over its 30-year history, Wasatch Audio Visual has become a trusted partner to the area’s most iconic events, including the world-renowned Sundance Film Festival, and is also the in-house production company for Stein Eriksen Lodge.

Wasatch Audio Visual offers something priceless in today’s fast-paced world— personalized, hands-on service. The aim is to create unforgettable moments for its clients while contributing to the vibrancy of the Park City community. In fact, it’s the only AV company with storage in Park City, allowing its team to handle those last-minute needs.

“We are always open to change, not being stuck in a mindset of what things are going to be,” says Trevor Sorrels-Jones, co-owner and COO. “It has been easy to adapt to changes.”

TAILORED EXPERIENCES, EXCEPTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

What makes Wasatch Audio Visual stand out is its ability to combine top-notch equipment with expert consultation. Need a dramatic lightscape for the first dance at your wedding? The company’s team of 16 doesn’t just deliver—it collaborates with clients to understand the vision and execute it flawlessly.

Each event is approached with a deep commitment to quality and care. The team’s expertise ensures every speaker is heard, every light perfectly captures the mood, and every moment is as impactful as it is polished.

For Wasatch Audio Visual, being part of the Park City story is a point of pride. With the Sundance Film Festival leaving Utah in 2027, the company is ready to welcome new corporate events coming into the state. Having worked in every event space in Park City, the team can easily access each client’s event and steer them to its success.

Wasatch Audio Visual takes pride in collaborating with trusted local vendors like Tovolo in Midway for furniture settings and purchasing equipment from Performance Audio. These partnerships help ensure seamless coordination and access to the highest-quality equipment and services, creating exceptional experiences for every client.

“Our goal is always to supply the client with what they need before they know they need it,” Tiffany adds.

With humble beginnings within a closet at the Marriott, Wasatch Audio Visual has built more than a business—it’s built a legacy of trust, passion, and communitycentered service. Tiffany has plans to retire from the business this year. She plans to make toffee, a family recipe, with her granddaughter Shaylee, and already has orders coming in from corporate accounts. Trevor, Tiffany’s son, will take the helm and continue to provide exceptional service for their clients.

“I am looking forward to expanding the business,” Trevor says. “I want to compete

with other local companies for in-house contracts, especially in the hotels. We want to handle events from start to finish, from transportation to hotel rooms.”

Visit Wasatch Audio Visual’s website to explore its services or to plan your next unforgettable event today!

Website: www.wasatchav.com

Facebook: WasatchAudioVisual

Instagram: @wasatchavproductions

© Best Version Media

DATES TO REMEMBER:

MAY 5 CINCO DE MAYO

MAY 6 NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY

MAY 17 ARMED FORCES DAY

MAY 26 MEMORIAL 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/

Heber Valley Railroad

@Heber Valley Railroad

450 S 600 W, Heber City

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: www.hebervalleyrr.org/calendar

Community Line Dancing Night

@Midway Town Hall 110 W Main St, Midway

Join us for a night of line dancing lessons and a great time!

Time: 6:30-8:30pm • Cost: $10 per person

Midway Art Gallery Open House

@Midway Art Gallery 120 W Main Street, Midway

Visit the Midway Art Gallery to explore stunning works by local artists. Stroll through the gallery, admire unique pieces, and experience the creativity of Heber Valley. Stop by and support the arts in the heart of Midway!

Time: 10am-5pm • Cost: Free Website: https://midwayartassociation.com/

Ritual Chocolate Public Tour & Mini Tasting

@Ritual Chocolate Factory 2175 W 3000 S Ste 100, Heber City

Join us for a tour of our beautiful factory in Heber City. Our public tours run for approximately 45 minutes and are offered every Friday at 11 am. Each tour and tasting will provide insight into our process, from cacao beans to chocolate bars. On the tour, you will get a chance to see the factory and eat our incredible chocolate!

Time: 11am • Cost: $25 Website: www.ritualchocolate.com

Mothers Day Brunch

@The Homestead 700 N Homestead Dr Treat the mom in your life to a special day with brunch at Simon’s! Call 435-654-1102 to secure your reservation.

Time: 10am-2pm • Website: https:// homesteadresort.com/calendar/mothersday-brunch-at-homestead/

Classic Sheepdog Championship and Festival

@Soldier Hollow 2002 Soldier Hollow Lane, Midway

Since 2003, this Event continues to be one of the foremost of its kind in the world, with competitors this year from Wales, S. Africa, Switzerland, Ireland and all over North America! The 13,000+ loyal fans and spectators love the 2002 Olympic hillside, providing an amazing view of the sheep and dogs navigating this difficult course, with four days of competition from 8am – 5pm (sheepdog trials on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the Championship on Monday, including awards with the Salt Lake Scots Bagpipe Band)! Come hungry and ready for fun to the Festival, beginning with breakfast at 7:30, daily from 9/10am – 4pm, offering family friendly educational demonstrations, children’s activities, sponsor booths, information booths, our amazing family of vendors, a Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation hosted Bohemian Beer Garden and more! Time: 8am-5pm • Cost: Adults $22, Children $12, Seniors $17, Family Pass (2 Adults + 4 Kids) $70, 4 and under Free Website: https://soldierhollowclassic.com/

Heber Valley Military Appreciation Train

@Heber Valley Railroad 450 S 600 W, Heber City

Join us for our annual Military Appreciation Train. This 90-minute round trip includes The Utah Military History Group on board. You can see authentic World War II U.S. military uniforms and gear and talk with the members about all things World War II. We will honor veterans on board and play

INDULGE IN CULINARY ELEGANCE

Transform your dining experience with our exclusive Private and Personal Chef Service! At Culinary Elegance, we bring your gastronomic dreams to life, whether it’s an intimate dinner or a grand celebration.

Let our talented chefs weave their culinary magic at your table, delivering a luxurious dining experience that knows no bounds.

Your exquisite journey starts here. Discover a new standard in fine dining with Culinary Elegance! 435 655 1449 thymetodinecatering.com chefakeenoclarke@gmail.com

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vintage patriotic music. Arrive early and enjoy pre-boarding photos with the World War II group and other fun.

The train leaves on time! DON'T BE LATE! Before boarding, please arrive early for mingling and photographs around the trains and with the Utah Military History Group.

Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Cost: Veterans ride FREE, Military families ½ price, active duty family ride FREE. See website for other pricing. Website: www.https://www.hebertrain.com/

Heber Market on Main

@Heber Main Street Park 250 S Main St, Heber City

Over the past two decades, the Heber Market has been a weekly summertime event that has welcomed visitors and locals to gather in downtown Heber City to enjoy local food, drink, shopping, and live music.

Time: 5-9pm Markets w/booths and vendors, 6:30-8:30pm Live music

Cost: FREE to all Website: https://hebermarket.com/

Midway Farmers Market

@Midway Town Square 200 W Main Street, Midway

The market is held every Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Midway Town Square from June through October. Fresh local produce and local artisans are onsite selling goods at the farmer's market in Midway. See you there!

Time: 10am-1pm • Cost: Free

Website: Facebook Page - Midway Farmers Market

IT'S THE BUZZ

BY AIMEE L. COOK

TWICE THE

SAVOR THE SUMMIT

The tables will be set once again on Park City’s Main Street for Savor the Summit on June 28th. This al fresco dining event gathers locals and visitors around the longest table in town for one night of outstanding food, conversation, and community. Restaurants such as Shabu and River Horse on Main will be participating again this year. Find your favorite eatery on the Park City Restaurant Association’s website and get your tickets fast!

ANNUAL PAYSON SALMON SUPPER

Spring Gardens Car Show & Country Market

@Spring Gardens Assisted Living 551 E 1200 S, Heber City

Come join the fun at Spring Gardens Car Show and Country Market. This will be a day filled with classic cars, great food, local vendors and raffle prizes. You do not need to be present to win! We look forward to seeing you there.

Time: 10am-1pm • Cost: Free

Mark your calendar and be ready at your computer to purchase a ticket to the Annual Payson Salmon Supper on June 1st! Every year, this coveted event sells out in less than 10 minutes. Enjoy delicious food, community, and fun! There are 4,300 tickets sold, each of which gets you a pound of freshly cooked salmon, a roll, corn on the cob, a baked potato, and a cookie.

“This annual al fresco dining event has become a cherished tradition, bringing our community together to celebrate our local restaurants in the backdrop of our historic Main Street. For our participating restaurant members, it’s an opportunity to showcase their culinary talents while creating memorable experiences for both locals and visitors. It’s the perfect blend of great food, community spirit, and the beauty of dining outdoors in our unique mountain town.” —Ginger Wicks, executive director of Park City Area Restaurant Association, host of the event.

More than 4,000 pounds of Alaskan farm-bred salmon are brought in for this event and cooked over an open flame by the Payson Fire Department. Volunteers from the Payson High School football team and cheerleaders are hand-collecting tickets and cleaning tables. You don’t want to miss it!

Payson Salmon Supper • August 1, 2025

Tickets: $25

www.paysonutah.gov/events/page/salmon-supper-tickets

Understanding Betrayal Coaching:

HEALING FROM THE WOUNDS OF BETRAYAL WITH ANDREA WEAVER

Betrayal is painful and comes in many forms: the infidelity of a partner, the breaking of trust by a friend, or the backstabbing of a colleague. In each case, the person betrayed is left deeply hurt, angry, confused, and sometimes feeling a loss of self-worth. The wounds can profoundly impact one’s emotional, mental, and even physical health.

Since 2018, Andrea Weaver with Embody Coaching has been working primarily with clients in the betrayal of infidelity. Professional coaching and group therapy have proven to be effective in helping individuals process their emotions and ultimately rebuild their lives.

What Is Betrayal Coaching?

Betrayal coaching is a specialized form of therapy designed to help individuals heal from the trauma caused by infidelity, recognizing that betrayal is not just an act of dishonesty or disloyalty, but also a profound violation of trust that can shake a person’s sense of safety, security, and identity. The betrayal can create a rupture, leaving a person feeling emotionally disoriented. This is exactly what Andrea experienced when her husband left her for another woman, when she was pregnant with their second child.

Andrea combines elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapy, and emotional-processing techniques called somatic movement to help individuals work through their pain, understand the dynamics of betrayal, express their feelings in a constructive way, and gradually regain a sense of trust and emotional resilience.

The Psychological Impact of Betrayal

The aftermath of betrayal often includes: Shock and Denial: When someone experiences betrayal, especially from someone they deeply trust, the initial reaction is often one of

© Best Version Media

disbelief, then trying to make sense of the situation or even ending up creating excuses for the betrayer.

Anger and Resentment: You feel violated and may direct your anger towards the person who betrayed you, to supporters of the betrayer, or even towards yourself. This resentment can be all-consuming, making it difficult to heal.

Sadness and Depression: Betrayal can create a profound sense of loss—of trust, of a relationship, or of one’s sense of self. Struggling to process the emotional fallout from infidelity can lead to depression.

Guilt and Shame: You might feel guilty, wondering what you did wrong or how you missed the signs. You may also have a diminished sense of self-worth for having trusted the person who cheated on you.

Fear and Anxiety: Infidelity can leave lasting emotional scars, creating a fear of future relationships or a lack of trust in others. You may become hypervigilant, which will interfere with your ability to connect with others in a healthy way.

How Betrayal Coaching Helps

Andrea aims to address the aftermath of infidelity in an empathetic environment. The goal of coaching is not just to move on from the betrayal, but to heal from it in a way that leads to greater emotional understanding, resilience, and self-awareness. Key elements of coaching include acknowledging and processing hurt, anger, or sadness associated with the betrayal, rather than suppressing these emotions by drinking or overeating. Andrea helps individuals understand the dynamics of betrayal: Why did it happen? What was my role in it?

“Often, the person who has been betrayed has been made to believe it is their fault. They think if they could have been different, their partner wouldn’t have cheated. This is one of the most harmful and poisonous lies. It’s zero-percent true. When someone betrays their partner, it is always about their own problems,” Andrea says.

One of the most significant challenges following a betrayal is learning to trust again, not only others but also yourself. Coaching can help you take small steps toward reestablishing healthy boundaries and relationships, particularly when betrayal occurs in a marriage.

Andrea encourages self-trust. People may question their own judgment or ability to read others accurately when they’re betrayed.

“The first step in healing from betrayal trauma is recognizing your own self-betrayal and the ways you’ve disconnected from your own intuition. With this awareness, we work on making and keeping small daily promises to restore self-trust,” Andrea says. In private or group therapy sessions, individuals regain confidence in their intuition and decision-making abilities.

In many cases, coaching includes cognitive restructuring, a technique borrowed from CBT. This involves identifying negative thought patterns that have developed as a result of the betrayal. For example, you might begin to think you’re unworthy of love or that everyone will eventually betray you. This is a story that’s been created in your mind, not a fact of your ability to be loved. Coaching helps reframe these thoughts with a more balanced perspective.

Cognitive restructuring can also involve examining the role of the betrayer in the situation. Was the betrayal a result of the betrayer’s own issues? Understanding the circumstances can provide insight into possible red flags that were missed.

A critical aspect of betrayal coaching is empowering the individual to take control of their healing process. Coaching can set boundaries with the person who betrayed them, help them decide whether to continue the relationship, and work through any lingering feelings of resentment or anger. While this is less common, Andrea’s primary goal is for individuals to regain a sense of control over their lives and emotional well-being.

Embodiment

A key part of what Andrea does is helping women, her primary client base, connect back to their physical body and release the trauma stored there. This can look like chronic pain, inflammation, “cortisol belly,” anxiety, or hormone imbalance. Through somatic therapy, a lot of this can be healed by connecting the mind and body. The goal is to develop internal resources for self-regulation and move out of the learned trauma response. “People can get stuck in behavior loops they are completely unaware of, [those] that trigger a stress response that wreaks havoc on their body. They just learn to live with these physical symptoms and attribute them to other things, not understanding the core cause,” says Andrea.

The Power of the Circle

Gathering women with shared experiences is a key piece of what Andrea feels most passionate about. She runs a support group at no cost to help connect women from and outside the valley. “Something magical happens when women with a shared path sit in a circle with each other. It’s a sacred space. You realize you’re not alone. The sisterhood feels instant,” Andrea shares. Finding the right support is crucial in helping individuals process their grief.

Coming Out Stronger

While betrayal is traumatic, many women emerge from the healing process stronger and more resilient. This phenomenon, known as post-traumatic growth, can occur when individuals use their experience to improve their relationships and develop greater emotional intelligence. Coaching encourages individuals to reflect on how the betrayal has shaped them, also how to grow and evolve.

It’s important to seek coaching if the betrayal is causing difficulties in future relationships. If a person fears being vulnerable, coaching can help address these issues and allow them to form healthier connections.

Betrayal can shake the foundation of a person’s emotional and mental health. Coaching with Andrea offers a safe space to process feelings and rebuild trust in a supportive group setting. By using a combination of emotional processing, cognitive restructuring, empowerment techniques, and somatic movements, Andrea helps women move beyond the trauma of betrayal and emerge stronger and more self-aware, as well as capable of forming healthier relationships in the future, ultimately finding closure. Connect with Andrea at embodybt@gmail.com.

© Best Version Media

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.

My Roommate and Me

Today, I want to have a conversation with your roommate. No, not the one you split rent with, or the one who constantly parks in your spot. And not your mom or your siblings either.

I’m talking about a very different roommate. The one who is always there, who lives on the top floor—of your head, that is. The roommate who eats, sleeps, lives, and breathes inside your head.

You may recognize the roommate by the way it talks:

Don’t do that. You aren’t good enough. You’ll embarrass yourself, you’ll fail. Don’t wear that outfit. Get on a diet. It’s easy for everyone else, so why are you so difficult? Don’t talk too loud. It’s all your fault.

It’s that voice inside your head telling you to stop before you even get started, filling your brain, your very blood and breath, with reasons why you can’t do something or shouldn’t even try. The voice in your head that bullies you, the one talking you down from things that excite you.

This roommate, my friends, is very subtle. It works its way from anxiety to panic, from sadness to depression, from nervousness to overthinking. It’s the voice that never plays fair, escalating every situation, from bad to catastrophic. Sometimes we blame the fear or anxiety on our actual roommates, friends, moms, or brothers. However, if you take a

closer look, a lot of it comes from the mean and cruel voice that lives inside our own heads.

The way we talk to ourselves might be the most powerful tool in our belts, but it is also one of the hardest cycles to break. When your teacher asks you a question, and you don’t know the answer, your roommate is the voice saying, “You are dumb. Everyone thinks you’re weird. You’re failing.” Imagine your empowerment if instead that voice said, “You’re on the right path. You’re always good enough.”

You’ll notice the difference in your life when your self-talk is positive, uplifting, and joyful, when the overthinking changes to daydreaming, and when panic becomes selfassurance. When was the last time you got in your car and sang to the music, danced with your friends, laughed when you fell down, and asked for help when you needed it? When was the last time you dreamt about the future instead of worried about it? Imagine your life when the voice inside your head is telling you it’s okay to be human— to have needs, feelings, emotions, drama, hunger, and anxiety.

How about looking into the mirror in the morning to remark on your personal beauty? And wearing your favorite outfit with pride because you and your roommate chose to be confident today? The colors in your head are warm, bright, loving, and kind. The colors

in your world will be the same. When your inner world is so beautiful, your outer world will match it.

It isn’t easy to change the cycle of negative self-talk and open the door to your personal washing machine of negativity. In fact, it is really, really hard. So, my challenge to you is to take notice. Notice when you start calling yourself mean names.

Then, stop it.

Be aware of when you feel sad, or when your favorite outfit becomes your biggest insecurity. Turn on your favorite song and go for a walk. Say something kind to yourself and walk with your head up high. Take note of what your roommate is saying. Simply notice your pattern, then look for the sunlight. Look for the stars, the sound of music, and look in the mirror and smile.

Don’t hide.

Without the voice in our heads making things harder, life is hard enough as it is.

Remember that your roommate is your constant company, your friend, your cheerleader, your nightlight. Let your thoughts be cheery. Kindness to yourself first, always. Because your inner world will be filled with delights and happy sounds, such as compliments and encouragement, your outer world will respond to it. It will see peace and kindness in ways it hasn’t before.

Peace House: A Place to Be Believed

Peace House is a place of great importance in our community, one that saves, changes, and alters the lives of so many people, and is committed to breaking the cycle of interpersonal violence and abuse. Its system is set up to provide comprehensive support: safe housing, transformative education, confidentiality, victim advocacy, prevention/ awareness tools, community partnerships, and so much more.

Peace House empowers survivors with the resources, advocacy, and compassionate care they need to heal, rebuild their lives, and move through their trauma. The organization works to create a future where everyone can live free from fear and oppression. Its mission is not just to provide safety—but also to create lasting change, foster resilience, and build a more peaceful society for all.

There are 12 values that help push Peace House’s cause toward a lasting and thriving impact. These values provide the foundation on which the organization can stand and fight:

Safety: Everyone has the right to live free from fear, abuse, and violence in a safe and peaceful environment.

Empowerment: We empower survivors through compassionate, trauma-informed care that honors their voices and experiences.

Diversity and Equity: We treat all people with dignity and respect while actively working to eliminate discrimination and oppression.

Education & Awareness: We believe prevention education and awareness are key to ending interpersonal violence in our communities.

Collaboration: Our impact is greatest when we work together with community partners to achieve our mission.

Free Access to Services: We ensure all survivors have free access to emergency shelter and support services through community generosity.

Confidentiality: We protect the privacy and personal information of our clients, staff, and supporters with strict confidentiality.

Innovation: We continually evolve and innovate to meet changing needs and advance our mission.

Take some of those 12 attributes and apply them to your own life, as well as your own actions in the community. Seek for them, advocate for them, and learn from them.

But most importantly, upon accessing Peace House’s website, read and remember these words:

We believe you.

Peace House offers supportive services to those who have been victimized by domestic violence or sexual assault, and educational programs in the community for citizens of all ages in order to end and prevent the cycle of abuse and violence.

We hear you.

We want to help.

Peace House believes victims, and that is the first step toward helping them heal and feel safe again in their own lives and bodies. They want women, and anyone who is currently in a harmful or dangerous situation, to know they will be believed. And help will be offered in the safest and most caring and compassionate way it can be.

There are many ways that our community can get involved. You can make a secure contributions directly to Peace House’s website; sign up to take volunteer courses and end up working right in one of the

houses; walk with others at the Fourth of July parade; or order groceries and products through Walmart and Amazon. Help goes a long way.

Peace House is open to all: victims, volunteers, those looking for education, those reaching out for a friend, those questioning, those unsure, and those hurting. There is a place for you. There is a place for the friend who’s in a bad situation. There is a place for help, for advocacy, and more safety.

Important Information

24 HOUR HELPLINE: (800) 647-9161

Community Office

700 Round Valley Drive, #115 Park City, UT 84060

435-658-4739

Website: https://peacehouse.org/about/

NEXT EVENTS:

Pillars of Giving Reception

Jim Santy Auditorium 1255 Park Ave, Park City, UT

Save the date for our annual Pillars of Giving reception, to be held before our annual movie in the community room across the hall from the Santy Auditorium. Join us for appetizers and drinks before the movie and a little inspiring conversation!

April 10 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Keeping Kids Safe

Rocky Mountain Middle School 800 School House Way, Heber City, United States Keeping Kids Safe is back on April 12, offering parents and guardians empowerment tools that build self-esteem, assertiveness, and resilience, as well as being a trusted adult. Trusted adults are key to social-emotional learning and build the foundation for safer, kinder communities. April 12 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Interested in our interior design services?

Have questions or inquiries about what we offer?

We’re here to help! Our team will reach out to you promptly to assist with any information or assistance you need.

A Letter to Mom: Mother’s Day 2025

How will you show your mother, or another mom, how much she means to you on Mother’s Day? May 11 might be challenging for some, with so many to consider as mother figures who have impacted their lives. How do we celebrate those moms who live with us today, as well as those inside our hearts?

Dear Mom,

As a child, I never told you enough how much I loved you. You often had to drag me out of Chuck E. Cheese when I caused more than one scene, demanding more tokens because I was fixated on winning a larger prize. I dwelled on the times you forgot to wash my cheerleading outfit or picked me up a few minutes late from school. Well, here I am years later, a MOTHER…late for pickups, fighting with your granddaughter to eat her veggies. How do I thank you for all the challenges you faced raising me?

“Momming” is one of the most rewarding but most challenging jobs. Mom, no Mother’s Day card could ever touch on how much I respect the life you gave me.

Below are some local vendors who can assist you in making Mother’s Day 2025 extra special for the mom in your life:

WCF: My Teacher, Mom

The late wife of my neighbor Bob was a well-known school teacher in our community. The other day, when I spoke to Bob about Mother’s Day, he said his wife would not be forgotten. Bob gives back in support of education in our community, and he enjoys knowing that students and teachers are thriving in honor of his beloved wife. Contributions to community programs, like WCF, support schools that need funding for programs, such as Dual Language Immersion and food. https://ourwcf.org/

Florals: P.S. I Love You:

The mothers in my life have always had their flower favorites. Grandma Chu loved orchids, Grandma Nancy is a fan of tulips, and Mama Rachel loves purple carnations.

Five Penny Floral Co.: Last year on Mother’s Day, my partner came through with an arrangement of pink florals (if anyone knows me, pink is my vibe) from Five Penny, delivered directly to my doorstep. One of the store’s slogans is “Let’s make it unique.” A huge bonus: Josh, the owner, says that local delivery options are available for their one-of-a-kind arrangements. fivepennyfloral.com

Branching Out: You may have seen owner Kris Ward’s amazing floral designs at places like Midway Mercantile and Red Ledges. The custom floral greens maintain fresh looks all season long and are UV-protected, many of which include aspen trees. Kris was able to help me design a special, beautiful floral piece for a dear friend who loves Harry Potter. Branching Out has a barn showroom in Midway…ready for you to create your custom piece. branchingouthomedesign.com

Rocky Mountain Chocolate: Momma Sweet

Chocolates say “I love you,” so if you want to show your love this year with a unique chocolate treat, check in with owner Lori Rutland. Rocky Mountain’s specialty, the Dubai Pistachio Bar, is a local fanfavorite delight. If you’re ever in the dog house with Mom, make sure you come bearing sweets. Chocolate, after all, is said to enhance happiness and relaxation. @rmcfcafemidway

Curio Collective: Scents That Remind

Grandma Nancy keeps a gold bottle of perfume in her bedroom, which is the same one her sister once used. It still holds a strong scent and comforts my grandmother. The fact is, certain smells can evoke memories of people. At Curio Collective, you can find various-scented gift items wrapped with love and elegance. Local owner and mother of three, Cacia, knows the importance of thoughtful gifts for loved ones. She carries two unique brands of scents, Voluspa and Lollia, which can be found in her Heber Valley store. #supportlocal @curio. collective

Wilde Willow Salon and Suites: Mom’s Day Out

Moms love a good “Glam Out Day.” Wilde Willow Salon offers relaxing scalp massages that can be combined with hair-blowout services. I once was so relaxed while getting my hair washed here that I fell asleep! Gift cards are available for a “full mom” experience and can be used for eyelashes, nails, brow tints, hair services, and massages. wildewillowsalon.com

This is a note to my mom, my grandma, and my mothers in heaven: Being a mother now, I see all of you—teachers, lovers, dedicated service-oriented people, and so much more. Make sure this Mother’s Day, you are reminded of a mom* who has positively impacted your life. And Mom, I hope you have forgiven me for my antics at Chuck E. Cheese.

* For anyone who is a bonus mom, a dog mom, or a mom caretaker for a family…you are seen, neighbor!

The Story of Keetley, Part 2

The Fisher brothers’ new property was old. The ranch was a few years from running water and electricity in 1917. But Gail Fisher and his bride, Luvernia, moved in (White, p. 248). When the mines prospered, the Fishers sold meat and poultry to the boarding houses at the mine and the grocers in Park City. “When the Fishers were butchering for the mines, they kept 1,500 head of cattle at the ranch. They delivered a [sic] beef each day to the Park Utah Mine” (White, p. 249). The Fisher Ranch was the closest food supply for miners living at Camp Florence—the drain tunnel portal.

The train had not yet arrived in Camp Florence; therefore, excavated ore was transported from the mine by horse-drawn wagons. Teamsters included mostly Heber Valley ranchers, among them the Murdocks, McDonalds, Hickenses, Provosts, Gileses, and Wintertons (DUP, p. 1,116). Logistically, this was no easy feat, as the Provo River in those days was a wild force, so the pioneers built bridges to support the heavy loads. They would carry the ore to Heber’s Railroad Depot, which today wastes away in the shadow of

disrepair, mostly forgotten, even by the railroad. From there, the ore would travel out of the valley by rail.

In 1919, mining production ramped up as good ore was found under Park City. And by 1922, Park Utah Mining stock was up to $6 per share (Thompson & Buck, p. 99). One-hundred fifty miners were producing 200 tons of ore assayed at or above 200 ounces of silver per ton.

In 1922, just ahead of the Union Pacific Railroad’s Ontario spur completion, which would transport ore from the Keetley Tunnel (Ontario Drain No. 2), Utah Light & Power brought electricity to town, culinary water arrived in Luvernia’s home, and the Elkhorn telephone company was locally organized to include the Fishers’ ranch (White, p. 249).

In 1923, the Union Pacific engine steamed up its Ontario Spur from the Keetley Junction (Richardson Flat), putting the teamsters out of work (Strack).

The train’s arrival at Camp Florence prompted many changes, one being the name. As Wasatch County approved the application for township,

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the camp was incorporated into Keetley (White, p. 250). A new village of houses, shops, offices, and even a boarding house supported miners and their families.

The Fishers’ ranch had been a resource for food, rental homes, apartments, an icehouse, and a store. For years, miners rented from the Fishers while they worked Park City’s tunnel systems. Families continued to arrive by train and fill the area. Since the Fishers owned most of the land making up Keetley, they were poised to prosper while farming, selling livestock, and even slipping in entertainment.

“Park Utah Mining Company took over the assets of Park City Mining & Smelting Company (formerly the Daly-West Mining and the Judge Mining & Smelting companies) on July 1, 1925, and the company name was changed to Park Utah Consolidated Mines Company” (Strack). Prosperity was pouring out of the Keetley Tunnel, into Wasatch County and Park City.

Looking to capitalize on the boom, Big Joe and Little Joe arrived in Keetley from Butte, Montana, with a pitch to build an amusement hall (White, pp. 253–254). The “Blue Goose,” as it was known, had a “marble-topped bar and stained-glass bar-room doors.” Dances were held, miners and passersthrough would mingle, and gamblers decided their fortunes, where a rumored Charlie Thompson purportedly won a service station. During the prohibition, the hall was the center of a bootlegger operation, and once discovered, the sheriff ran the dudes out of town.

Keetley was living its heyday. In 1928, investors had seen their Park Utah Stock more than double (Thompson & Buck, p. 99). The Great Depression rode on the heels of local prosperity. And even though much of the US economy had struggled during the 1920s, hardrock mining in Summit and Wasatch Counties had been bountiful. However, the years following 1929 were filled with tragedy and meager earnings.

As the Fishers’ rental properties emptied—miners were leaving the area—George filled them with family members who needed a roof over their heads. Recalling a particular Thanksgiving dinner of “beans and porcupine,” it was clear that the entire area had succumbed to the Depression (White, p. 255). In 1931, the once full schoolhouse closed, and finally all students attended class in Heber (Embry, pp. 186–187).

Up the hill, “William Henry Cranmer took over as president” of the Mayflower mine in 1934 (DUP, p. 1,114). He expanded the underground workings, consolidated its many debts and liens, and secured thousands more acres around the mine. Cranmer is also responsible for some of the prospecting in Snake Creek Canyon above Midway. As the Mayflower prospered, the Union Pacific extended the rails from the Ontario spur up the hill to the Mayflower site.

“The Mayflower was hot, wet, and full of gold.

Altogether during the mining years, Park City produced 45 tons of gold, most of it from the Mayflower” (Warren). Between market demands, world conflicts, and declining production, most of the wealth had been excavated by the end of the 1950s.

The golden era was simultaneously ending, despite the Mayflower’s fortune, as the Depression and wars tore apart society and reduced available labor force. However, an unexpected boon to Keetley during World War II altered Keetley’s and George Fisher’s destiny at least once more. Under pressure from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s executive order 9066, 140 Japanese-American citizens left California ahead of General DeWitt’s forced relocation to camps around the US (History Blazer). As part of the voluntary relocation policy— which ended on March 30, 1942—agriculturalist Fred Isamu Wada had negotiated with Keetley’s Mayor, George Fisher, and Utah’s Governor to make the move.

Wada rented 3,800 acres from Fisher at $7,500 per year, which is $152,700 today (White, p. 256). (The full story of the Japanese Keetley Farms will be part three of this series.) When the war ended, they returned to California to start anew.

With the Japanese land lease expired, mixed fortunes still managed to find Mayor Fisher. The state paid Fisher to expand Highway 40 in 1947, which he reinvested by building housing and renovating the apartments into a hotel; however, miners were on their way out (White, p. 258). The post office closed in 1952, having had only one postmaster, George Roy Lenzi, who lived near the drain tunnel with his family for 30 years. George Fisher passed away in July 1954 (DUP, p. 1,115). Finally, in 1975, improvements to the Ontario vertical shaft in Park City relegated the drain tunnel to its original function, and the Ontario station saw its last train (Strack).

Keetley, the once prosperous venture traded on a mortgaged cattle herd, was quietly wilting and fading. Utah had laid plans for a reservoir in the valley decades prior. By the late 1980s, the store, hotel, and homes, preserved in word and in rare photos, would wash away.

References:

DUP - Daughters of Utah Pioneers. (1963). How Beautiful Upon the Mountains: A Centennial History of Wasatch County. Wasatch County Chapter of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

Strack, D. (2014, March 22). Park City Drain Tunnels. https://utahrails.net/mining/park-citydrain-tunnels.php

Thompson, George A. & Buck, Fraser. (1993). Treasure Mountain Home: Park City Revisited. Salt Lake City, Utah. Dream Garden Press. Warren, Larry. (2019, October 2). Way We Were: Park City’s Hot Wet Gold Mine. https:// parkcityhistory.org/park-citys-hot-wet-gold-mine/ White, Marilyn Curtis. (1994). Keetley, Utah: The Birth and Death of a Small Town. Utah Historical Quarterly, Winter 1994. Volume 62 (No. 1), 246260. [https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/ s64m93vt/422236]

The History Blazer: The Japanese agricultural Colony at Keetley, Wasatch County. June 1995. Utah State Historical Society. Salt Lake City, UT. pp10-11. [https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=419279&q =keetley&facet_setname_s=dha_%2A]

Photo courtesy of Union Pacific Railroad Museum

PC’s Tree Doctor:

A BATTLE BETWEEN NATURE AND AESTHETICS WITH CLINTON UYTENBOGAARDT, CERTIFIED ARBORIST AT ESCHENFELDER LANDSCAPING

The life of a Park City tree can be nasty, brutish, and short, as a young evergreen in Pinebrook demonstrates. His needles, sadly, have turned orange in mid-March. Clinton Uytenbogaardt, a certified arborist with Eschenfelder Landscaping, prods the bark with a pocketknife before giving a diagnosis.

“The bark is separating from the vascular tissue, which indicates that the vascular tissue collapsed at one point,” Clinton says. “He's begun sapping, which means he's trying to seal it off. He's a replacement.”

The fate of this evergreen is the story of many trees planted in Park City. He is the right tree in the wrong place, with too much southwest exposure. As sunlight warmed the little evergreen, he thought it was spring, so he pumped water up to new growth. He misjudged. That water froze and expanded, destroying his vascular system.

In a way, he died of mountain town aesthetics. Just because a tree is native or rated to survive here, that doesn’t it mean it will thrive where we want it to.

That’s where a certified arborist comes in.

Essentially a “tree doctor,” according to Clinton, certified arborists undergo three years of hands-on training followed by a certification test that covers tree biology, maintenance, and care. Clinton, born and raised in South Africa, has been working with trees in Utah for over 20 years.

Park City trees awakening in spring of 2025 are in for a rough season. The inconsistent snow and multiple thaw-freeze cycles have created what Clinton calls “interesting conditions.” Needles on natural and planted evergreens are turning yellow. Heat and sun trick them into pumping water and making food through photosynthesis. Although most won’t freeze and die, the ground is frozen, so they can’t replenish the water or nutrients. It’s as if the trees started an ultramarathon on the wrong date and 20 miles in can’t find the aid station.

Along Jeff’s driveway, we find fir, spruce, and bristlecone pine. Some arborists use smell to tell trees apart, but Clinton prefers touch and visuals. “I don’t have much of a sense of smell. Martial arts. Got punched in the nose one too many times,” he says. On the side, Clinton owns Utah Valley Lotus Blossom Martial Arts, where he teaches Taekwondo and Haidong Gumdo, a form of Korean swordsmanship.

At Jeff’s, a southwest-exposed maple—non-native to the Wasatch Back—is having a rough time. At least twice, it has pumped water too early. The engorged cells froze and “popped like balloons,” says Clinton. “This is why I tell people not to plant maples.”

After visiting Jeff’s, we drive to Promontory, the opposite of Pinebrook in many respects. It’s sunny and open, accommodating for sagebrush but not evergreens and aspens. They’re planted here anyway and see frequent visits from elk and deer. In fall, young bucks rub the velvet off their antlers, leaving scars up and down the aspens. In spring, fauna clean off dirt and mud by rubbing on spruce trees.

Deterring wildlife is not easy. Some homeowners apply coyote urine around their trees to scare off fauna (yes, you can buy coyote urine online). It doesn’t work in Clinton’s experience, especially not with large animals. “If it's a big buck, he's not going to care.”

“The thing to remember is we're in their territory, not the other way around,” Clinton says. Wildlife, for better or worse, don’t know or care which trees allegedly belong to us.

Clinton runs into the most problems with an unsuspecting animal: the porcupine. They feed on evergreen trees, which isn’t ideal for the homeowners who paid good money to plant them. At a home in Promontory, they’ve chewed through bark on multiple evergreens to reach the tasty fibers inside. The evergreen meant to give privacy to the homeowner’s bedroom has been gnawed badly. To prevent further damage, Eschenfelder has fenced the trees. The bent, mangled sections of fencing suggest that porcupines haven’t given up yet.

“Mother Nature has no rules,” Clinton says, reflecting on why some trees make it and others don’t. But then he hesitates. “Well, she does have one: survival of the fittest.”

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Mackenzie Donovan MAKERS SERIES:

Painter, Designer, Illustrator

Salt Lake City–based artist Mackenzie Donovan grew up in Park City, affectionately known as “Bark City.” She has a deep love and admiration for animals, dogs in particular. “I feel they represent loyalty and love at the purest level,” she says as she explains the focus of her work.

From an early age, Mackenzie was drawn to art. After high school, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Westminster College and refined her skills through mural painting, sign painting, design, and illustration.

Mackenzie’s mural work can be found in Park City inside Bangkok Thai and Don Gallo, as well as in Buena Vida in Salt Lake City. With every new assignment, she pushes herself to grow as a technical artist. Over the years, she has been commissioned for a variety of unique projects—for example, to create illustrations for sustainability-focused comic books for Park City Municipal Corporation and even to illustrate a children’s book.

However, Mackenzie’s personal passion lies with animals. She has owned two birding dogs and volunteers at a Salt Lake City farm, caring for horses and other livestock. Her love for dogs often finds its way into her artwork. She even created a satirical comic about her dog, Chester, which was featured on Gun Dog Magazine’s Instagram profile. After years of painting pet portraits for fun, she started offering pet portraiture as a freelancer in 2024. She finds the work very rewarding. She offers portrait commissions across various mediums, from digital painting to traditional oil, to gouache and charcoal.

Influenced by contemporary artists Sainer and Karl Kopinski, and Western painter Mark Maggiori, Mackenzie is drawn to the balance between realism and expressive abstraction, pushing her artistic boundaries and blending graphic design principles with traditional painting techniques. All three of these artists have roots in graphic design and illustration as well.

Mackenzie Donovan’s current painting of a bird dog portrays the dog pursuing his natural purpose, with concentration clearly showing in the facial expression. Wind ruffles the hair in the dog’s tail while the background is abstract. The colors and brush strokes are placed to highlight the love and admiration she feels for animals.

You can see her work at www.mackenziedonovan.com and on her Instagram at @mack_doh, or you can contact her at mackdoh11@gmail.com.

Four Seasons Academy: The Wobblers

Heber Valley daycare offers an early childhood program for toddlers 12-18 months old

For parents with itty-bitty-littles embarking on the challenges and adventure of early childhood, there is support in the loving guidance of the Four Seasons Academy freshly minted “Wobbler Program.”

The early childhood center, a newcomer to Heber that opened in 2023, offers classrooms and curriculum for children from 4 weeks to 5 years and now includes the addition of the Wobblers, for toddlers 12-18 months of age, with structured activities designed to assist and guide toddlers among children their own age.

“When we conceptualized this age-appropriate classroom we noticed kids in this range were beyond the infant stage but not quite able to keep up with the kids in our two-year old programming,” said Nadiene Broadhead, owner of Four Seasons Academy.

The Wobbler curriculum includes activities built around walking and coordination, sign language and basic vocabulary, exploring surroundings, routine familiarity, music, art, and table-top play. “By learning through signs to communicate their moods and needs, they can let us know how they’re feeling,” continues Nadiene. “We find they even continue to use it after they’ve learned how to talk to each other.”

During the day, parents receive texts, photos, and videos through an app to stay updated on their child, even developing the skills themselves to continue the progress at home.

“Often times parents will ask, ‘How do you get them to nap every day?’ or ‘How come they don’t do that at home?’” says Nadiene. “We teach parents how to take these tools outside the classroom.”

Nadiene is hoping to receive additional grant funding to expand into an outdoor classroom so the academy can focus on its indoor/ outdoor-based curriculum. For her, running the academy has filled a void. “My own daughter is 25 now so when I go to hug her, I get the side shoulder,” Nadiene laughs. “But I know these kids inside and out; I care for them and watch them grow and become little people. I love the connections with them and their families. They become part of your life.”

The Academy is open from 7 am until 6 pm five days a week, only closed for state and federal holidays. Nadiene noted that it was important for the academy to be accessible year-round, for families who can’t afford daycare or have the ability to work from home. She also ensures her teachers have paid time off, scheduled vacations, sick time, and they are only required to work 8 hours of the 11 hours each day when the academy is open. “It’s a tough job,” admits Nadiene, “but we give our teachers enough paid

time off to make up for working year-round.

Taiya Lefler, a parent of the program, praised the school for her child. “As parents, we always want the best for our children, especially in their early years when every experience helps shape their understanding of the world. For my daughter, her time in the Wobbler class was more than just a daily routine—it was the foundation of her learning, social connections, and pure joy.”

RAD IN THE WASATCH

JUST GIDDY

Mike Giddings, football evaluator, owner and president of Proscout Inc, makes NFL teams very, very happy

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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!

Imagine you own a football team and you want to recruit the best players. This one is fast, this one is young, and this one never misses a ball. You’re looking at many variables including age, injury, production and more. So, you call Mike W. Giddings, owner and president of Proscout, Inc, a leading professional player evaluation service. The 3-generation, family-owned company is credited with inventing (and copyrighting) the scouting color code system that all National Football League (NFL) teams use today (blue, red, purple). “It’s easier to talk colors than numbers,” says Mike. While each team may have a different color scale, generally, blue is the best.

“I’m looking at the best of the best,” he says. “I see men do things and think ‘Oh my!’ It’s very exciting.” Proscout has worked with 39 Super Bowl teams and more than 23 Hall of Fame coaches, owners, and general managers (GMs). It’s also worked with 40% of the NFL's Executive of the Year recipients. His father, Mike R. Giddings, started it in 1977. “Think of the baseball movie, Moneyball—we started Moneyball analytics in the NFL,” he says. “We used analytics to upgrade the bottom of the roster, then came free agency, then salary cap.” Football has been the heart of his family.

Mike first moved to Utah when he was 4 years old. His father was the head coach at the University of Utah in 1966 and '67. “One of my first memories as a child was changing lightbulbs on the U,” he says. “I slipped and running back Charlie Smith caught me.” His Dad got a job with the San Francisco 49ers and the family moved. Although they moved a lot, football was the constant thread. “I was lucky enough to play college football,” says Mike, who played for the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign in Illinois. “We won the Big 10 in 1983 and went to the Rose Bowl, but we got smoked. After the last game, the head coach offered me a job as the assistant recruiting coordinator.” He worked for a year before he had an interview with the Los Angeles Raiders. “I talked to my dad about the Raiders offer.” His Dad countered with a job at Proscout (which was 10 years old at the time). “I would make $1,000 a month—a pay cut,” he says. “And my mom told me, “You can’t live at home and I’m not doing your laundry.”

He took the job and worked with his father for years. “We never had an office,” he says. “We bought the house next door and converted the bedrooms into office spaces. We always had a kitchen, so we’d get together for lunch and sit around the table and talk football. Mom, Dad, me and our assistant, Charlotte. For 25 years, Dave Wilson, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in the 80s, also joined us. We’d watch tapes and talk. I slowly learned all aspects of the company, including the evaluation process.” In 1996, his parents gave him the company.

Mike became so good at it, he was included in the Marquis Who’s Who in 2023 for revolutionizing football, serves as one of the voters for the Dick Butkus Award, a position he has held for the last 25 years, and is an original voter for the Ronnie Lott IMPACT® Award.

In 2017, he and his family moved back to Park City for the second time. Now, his youngest son Michael is working at Proscout and learning the family business. And today, they are still sitting around a table talking football over lunch. “Michael, my son, and Michael Schaffer, my employee, are both bright, hard-working, and want to learn,” he says. “It’s easier to teach someone who hasn’t evaluated the system to use our sheets and our ratios, it allows us to be one of the most accurate companies out there. That’s why we’ve been in business for 48 years. We just keep chugging along.”

People love Proscout because it saves teams money. “Head coaches and GMs get fired for mis-spending money and making fiscal mistakes,” says Mike. “Our strength is getting coaches and GMs second and third contracts.” After he wraps up a season, he makes 8 books, and clients get a 5-inch book with excruciating detail. “I present a review, what their needs are, and free agents that can fill their needs. I use an axiom to guarantee the playoffs they achieve. I’ve been told it’s the most expensive coloring book,” he laughs.

After a grueling season evaluating 32 teams, Mike gets a little down time. “I golf, ski, travel, and spend time with my 3 kids and friends,” he says. “I love summers in Park City, just barbequing and sitting on the deck. It’s quality over quantity. I have great kids and great friends, I’m so fortunate.”

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SOFTBALL

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WASATCH WASPS SPORTS MAY 2025

BASEBALL

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

BOYS LACROSSE

May

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ATHLETE OF THE MONTH:

KimVieraEscobar

Meet Kim Viera Escobar, a freshman at Treasure Mountain Junior High, who is managing and succeeding in two sports on top of her academics. While maintaining a majority of A’s in school, Kim dedicates much of her after-school time to basketball in the fall and cheerleading throughout the year. Besides gaining physical ability, both of these girls' teams have offered Kim a sense of accomplishment and community that flows to other aspects of her life.

Kim, born and raised in Park City, grew up with the opportunity to try out various sports. When she was a young girl playing basketball with the gentle guidance of her dad, Edgar, they would enjoy each other's company, working on her technique whilst building lifelong memories. Kim’s mom, Nancy, plays a similar role in her development as an athlete, doing everything she can to physically get her to practices and games.

Beyond her family, Kim also credits a lot of her success to the supportive community that surrounds her in both basketball and cheer. Both of these teams also provide Kim a community of friends at school who are thoughtful listeners and offer amazing encouragement on and off the court. Kim describes that this kind of culture isn’t created by a singular individual; it is a collective being.

When I asked Kim what she defined as a “success,” she responded by describing a basketball game from last year. For the majority of the game, it was a tie, constantly going back and forth for who had the lead. At one point, the Park City team was dropping back, and the girls began to get frustrated. But when a timeout was called, the team gathered around. Kim and one of her teammates decided to hype the girls up, telling them that they could still make the comeback. This was their last game of the season, and they collectively decided this was the time to

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give it their all. Now, back out on the court, the girl's shots started going in, and they gained a lead, but the other team remained competitive. With 10 seconds left, they put their best shooter forward, but she missed. This game, though not won, is described by Kim as a success. She says that all of her teammates, and herself, continued to work hard for the entirety of the game even through the rollercoaster of points. More importantly, Kim explained that this was one of the first games where all of the girls worked together as a team, truly leaving behind egos and individual wins.

As Kim looks to a future filled with opportunity, a few goals emerge. In the short term, for cheer, Kim is hoping to be on Varsity, continuing to practice stunts and perform at home and away games. For basketball, Kim is working hard towards being a starter for the Junior Varsity girls' basketball team for this coming fall season. Though she is only a freshman now, Kim is already dreaming about larger goals in her sports. Most notably, playing college ball. Supported by strong communities built on sport, a loving family, and her own internal drive, Kim is working towards a successful future.

© Best Version Media

THE SPRING TRAILS GUIDE OF THE WASATCH BACK

AREA NAME: BOB'S BASIN

Parking: There are three main access points— East Canyon, Bad Apple, and Spring Creek—all generally with plenty of parking.

Trails Available: A variety of loops and lengths make this perfect for a quick after-work ride.

Near Bad Apple or East Canyon, Fink Again is a calm, switchback-y climb that leads to an easy down, Crazy 8, or the 24-7 traverse. From Spring Creek Trailhead, go right up Glenwild to Flying Dog. Note: the upper shaded section of Flying Dog stays muddy well into spring.

Terrain: The front side is sun-exposed—great for cooler temps—while the back side has shaded aspens that can be chilly early in the season.

Technical Difficulty: 1/3– 3/5. Shorter loops are easy and beginner-friendly. Flying Dog is a 16+ mile singletrack loop and more difficult.

Popularity: As trails dry, Flying Dog gets busy with hikers and bikers. Watch for blind corners.

Family Friendly: The lower sections are beginner-friendly. From the top of Fink Again, younger riders can descend Crazy 8 while others continue on 24-7.

Mud and Spring Conditions: The front side dries quickly and retains water well—ideal early-season riding. Still, turn around if your tires leave ruts.

AREA NAME: ROUND VALLEY

Parking: On wetter days, try Quinn’s Trailhead. Other options include Highland, Trailside, and Old Ranch.

Trails Available: One of the largest and most diverse areas. Trailside Bike Park has short routes to work on cornering, rock gardens, and features. The rest of Round Valley offers 60 miles of easy and intermediate loops. Favorites include PorcUclimb to Downdog, Big Easy, Rambler, and Ramble On.

Terrain: Known for sunny slopes, which dry quickly and stay warm on cloudy spring days.

Technical Difficulty: 2/5. Great for working on technique, but accessible for most riders.

Popularity: A well-known zone that dries fast. Even with traffic, the many connecting trails help space people out.

Family Friendly: Many options for family rides. Big Easy is a wide green trail with mellow climbs and simple descents.

Mud and Spring Conditions: Some sections take time to dry due to winter Nordic use. Avoid shaded slopes; most of the area is rideable by May, but check conditions.

AREA NAME: DUTCH HOLLOW

Parking: On Heber Valley’s outskirts, Dutch Canyon Trailhead gives access to early-season riding. Parking is limited; without a Utah State Parks Pass, it’s $7.

Trails Available: Thirteen trails with expanding options. Possible loops include Cottontail to Sage to Aqueduct, with a good down on Barrel. Lower Barrel offers a smaller 2-mile loop.

Terrain: Like Bob’s and Round Valley, Dutch Hollow is sun-exposed with some shaded areas among Gambel Oaks.

Technical Difficulty: 2.5. Climbs have tricky but walkable switchbacks, and descents are well-built.

Popularity: With limited parking and fewer trails, this area stays quiet even in summer.

Family Friendly: Lower Barrel is a favorite 2-mile loop for kids and adults alike—great for a family ride with a tailgate picnic after.

Mud and Spring Conditions: Dries quickly due to sun exposure. Avoid shaded upper areas if it’s muddy.

© Best Version Media

You’re invited to discover a new era of health at our Grand Opening

Thursday, March 20 | 5-8 p.m.

Sports Medicine and Performance at Park City Hospital

Stronger Park City. Stronger you.

Join us for the grand opening of our new integrated health and wellness center at Park City Hospital. This state-of-the-art facility offers a wide range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of our community and take your health to the next level.

Short program and ribbon cutting at 5:30

900 Round Valley Drive, Park City | first floor (Grundhofer Clinic Entrance)

Explore our comprehensive services, including:

● Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness

● Integrative Medicine

● Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

● Occupational Therapy

● Sports Performance

● Sports Medicine

● Concierge Health

● Acupuncture

● Massage Therapy

● Neuro Rehab

● Nutrition Services

We’re excited to welcome you to our new facility and look forward to celebrating this milestone with you. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the unique services available to our community and how we are committed to supporting your journey to better health and wellness.

THE TRUTH ABOUT CHAINS

With a chain, leg strength, and some seasoned beans, a bike moves over mountain trails. Without a chain, mountain bikes are relegated to “chainless downhill racing,” which is exciting and novel, partly because we have the choice. But what is a chain? Why does it wear out? Are some better than others?

Thanks to many advances in metallurgy, chain technology has dramatically improved in the past century, although bikes didn’t always have them. Bikes started out as a giant balance bike, much like the little pedal-less bike your toddler rides around the kitchen. A French man, anxious about walking around his gargantuan garden, pinned a pair of wheels at either end of a board or, for the humor of it, a stick. By draping his legs over the sides, he could literally “kick and glide” with more efficiency than a Nordic skier.

WHAT IT DOES

Imagine this big, heavy balance bike as he tried to climb a hill. The chain came later, but once it was on the bike, it never left. Over time, it was reshaped to deal with more and more gears,

allowing for efficient travel without dragging your feet. Gluteus, quadriceps, and hamstrings propelled the chain, by way of gears and by way of pedals. No longer were feet simply along for the ride. They had a job: to burn off the last beer at the pub on the way home.

It was not until then that bikes became a freedom ideology. The chain and its interfaces transformed the bicycle to a worldwide racing icon. Can you imagine the Velocipede (Balance Bike) à Tour de France? Without chains, that’s where the French would be today.

It was the driving force behind change, innovation, and the rise and fall of bike manufacturers. And, until recently, the most resilient chain was developed by Italian engineer Tulio Campagnolo.

A behemoth—however, less artful—company called SRAM made the AXS chain, which is, at very least, as good. But SRAM also made its AXS chain available for mountain bikes rather than exclusively for road bikes. Today, there are several quality qualifiers categorically defined by weight, shifting, and

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smoothness. There are also single-speed chains that don’t have chamfers and shift ramps, since they are not needed.

WHAT IT IS

It’s made from steel rollers, pins, and plates. All of it assembled makes a link, and many links make a chain. This type of chain is built to reduce friction as it slides into place between the chainring and cassette teeth. Generally, the construction is strong.

High-quality chains are also assembled with a load of mid-viscosity grease inside each roller. Inside a tiny space, this lubricant sits between the pin and the roller. Once it is gone, it cannot be replaced.

In a conversation with my Shimano sales representative more than a decade ago, we discussed the delicate balance of drivetrain cleanliness and performance. Some riders like their chains dunked in solvents, cleaned and shiny, then dipped in whatever lubricant they enjoy. Once reinstalled on the drivetrain, the chain is no longer the same.

The interior roller grease is gone. The master link is worn, so a new link should be used. Shimano, for decades, used replaceable chain pins, which were far more precise and performance-driven. However, they were far less convenient. Replacing the pin ensured the chain would not break from a worn, reused pin or a quick link.

With less lube than ever, the chain must now work harder, with more friction, across all gears. “Chainline,” the descriptor used for chain departure angle between the cassette (rear gear cluster) and chainring (gears at the pedals), is never straight. The chain’s departure angles are often more extreme while using climbing gears,

creating lateral stress (torsion) on the chain, wearing the pins, plates, and rollers.

Less lubricant equals more friction—“metal on metal,” as they say—which decreases chain life exponentially.

This wear is generally referred to as “chain stretch.” Chains exhibit this stretch as a byproduct of worn tolerances, because the metal doesn’t stretch.

LET’S REWRITE CHAIN CARE

Making a chain last involves throwing out your chain cleaners, having your mechanic optimize your chainline, cleaning it with a dry brush, and

finally adding lubricants—and doing all this after your ride, not before. Most lubes worth using on your fancy 1x drivetrain require time to cure and set up. Applying them right before you ride attracts all the goo, asking for a mess. SCC Slick, Squirt, and other similar lubricants typically keep your drivetrain clean in a variety of nasty environments. It is worth the price–but follow the directions!

Maintaining a nice bike requires an assortment of nice tools and lubes, but it also means treating it nicely with proper technique. After 30 years of tuning bikes all over the Wasatch, this is part of the “great ride” equation.

ARTICLE & GRAPHICS BY RICHARD ELLIS

WHICH IS SAFER FOR CYCLISTS: PARK CITY OR HEBER CITY? IT

MOSTLY DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU BIKE

Riding a bike on Wasatch Back roads can be petrifying. Every year, stories of cyclists injured, maimed, or killed by motor vehicles circulate in Utah news and among bikers.

Because human beings overestimate the likelihood of rare but catastrophic events—a concept known as “dread risk”—we probably believe that car-bike accidents happen more often than they do. As we’ll see, the risk to cyclists depends heavily on where we bike. Moreover, there are notable differences between patterns of crashes in Summit versus Wasatch County.

Which area is safer? What can cyclists and drivers do to mitigate the risks? To answer these questions, we’ll explore nearly 15 years of data collected by the Utah Highway Safety Office (HSO) from police departments statewide.

The Norm in Utah

Let’s begin with a statewide view of bicycle-car accidents so we know if and how Summit and Wasatch vary from the norm. Between 2010 and March 17, 2025, Utah had 9,113 accidents involving a bicycle and motor vehicle. Of these, 99 were fatal, and 8,338 resulted in an injury. Fatal accidents involve higher speeds, but otherwise resemble non-fatal accidents.

About 50% of the drivers were male, 42% were female, and the rest unknown (due to hit-and-run accidents). Younger drivers were more likely to hit bicyclists, but somewhere between ages 35 and 45, a driver’s likelihood of hitting a cyclist falls steeply.

All told, 66% of crashes happen at intersections. Typically, the driver is turning right (36% of cases) or driving straight (35%). In about 40% of cases, the driver failed to yield right-of-way.

Men with Big Cars

In Summit County, there have been 96 “bicycle involved” crashes reported to police over the last 15 years, and almost 70% of those involved a male driver. Men between the ages of 45 and 59 account for more than a third of accidents involving a bike. Almost half the time, the driver is in a pickup truck (29%) or SUV (28%).

Yes, Summit County’s stereotypically aggressive, middle-age man in a truck does hit cyclists more than average, but that’s not surprising considering that 60% of the vehicles registered in Summit County in 2024 were “light trucks.”

What about the cyclist? In Summit County, it’s usually a male rider (65%) between the ages of 45 and 65 (38%).

Wasatch: Less Safe for Kids

With a total of 61 crashes, Wasatch County seems safer at first glance, but that’s not true if you’re a kid. In Wasatch, 50% of the cyclists involved in car crashes are under the age of 20. In Summit, only 16% are.

CAR-BICYCLE CRASHES

SUMMIT V. WASATCH

What 15 years of police reports tell us about “bicycle involved” motor vehicle accidents in greater Park City and Heber City.

SUMMIT

Total Crashes: 96

72% of the drivers involved in a crash are male, and they skew middle age.

About 17% of crashes involve a bicyclist under the age of 20. 65% of all the cyclists are male.

Total Crashes: 61

63% of the drivers involved in a crash are male, and they skew young.

About 50% of crashes involve a bicyclist under the age of 20. 69% of all the cyclists are male.

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WHERE DO CRASHES HAPPEN?

Kearns and Bonanza/Monitor is a hot spot with 11 crashes, as are intersections all along Park Ave / SR-224 to Kimball Junction.

Crashes are clustered at intersections along and around Main St. / US-40

WHERE DON’T CRASHES HAPPEN?

Stretches of road with wide shoulders and no major intersections, like SR-224 between Payday Dr. and Canyons Resort Dr.

River Road in Midway, where there are mainly roundabouts instead of 4-way or T intersections.

*Data and maps sourced from the Utah Highway Safety Office

While Wasatch’s population of cyclists probably skews young, that doesn’t explain why almost double the number of kids—16 in Summit versus 31 in Wasatch—have been hit. The difference, perhaps, is Park City’s system of paved pathways that welcome pedestrians and bikes. Heber has nothing comparable near downtown.

Young drivers are more likely to hit cyclists in Wasatch. Whereas teens in Summit are responsible for just 6% of crashes, Wasatch teens account 16% and tie with 40-44-year-olds. As in Summit, male drivers (and bicyclists) are overrepresented in accidents in Wasatch, accounting for 62%, and again, light trucks account for half.

To be clear, Utah men aren’t special. Nationwide, men are statistically more dangerous in the car than women, both to themselves and others. Blame testosterone.

Altogether, the data from Summit and Wasatch is unambiguous. Summit County is safer for youth cyclists. Wasatch probably has less accidents total because there are fewer cyclists on Heber roads.

Some of the most popular segments in the area, like Old Ranch Road in Park City and Brown’s Canyon Road have long stretches without any busy intersections. Maybe cyclists intuitively know these are safer areas to ride.

Arguably, the safest route around is River Road in Midway with its numerous roundabouts. Between the intersection of US-40/SR-32 and Main Street in Midway, there has not been a single cycling accident reported to police in 15 years. If I ever get back into the Lycra game, that’s where you’ll find me.

BY RACHEL FRIEDMAN

Park City has a rhythm. You can feel it in the crisp air of the mountains, in the sound of boots hitting the trail, in the spontaneous laughter echoing down ski runs and singletrack. There’s an unspoken truth here: moving your body outside just feels good. But beyond the adrenaline rush or the pursuit of fitness goals, there’s something deeper waiting to be tapped into—joy. And it’s available to all of us, if we learn how to move with intention.

when I’m practicing yoga in a grassy meadow, dancing on mountaintops, snowboarding through powder, or chasing my daughter on her bike. Movement doesn't have to be rigid or structured. It can be playful. It can be freeing. Let it be.

4. Ditch the Rules and Follow Your Curiosity

One of the biggest things holding people back is the belief that movement has to look a certain way. That it needs to be intense. That it needs to “count.”

HOW TO CREATE MORE JOY IN YOUR LIFE THROUGH MOVEMENT © Best Version Media

I’ve spent the last few years helping people reconnect with their bodies, their energy, and their sense of purpose through movement. As a Stoke Coach based here in Park City, I blend functional fitness, mindfulness, and nature to help clients feel strong, grounded, and alive. What I’ve learned—and what I now teach—is that movement isn’t just about performance. It’s about joy. It’s about getting out of your head and into your body. It’s about shaking off the stuck energy of everyday stress and reconnecting with something ancient, something real.

But here’s the secret: all movement counts. Strolls count. Stretching on your living room floor counts. Pulling your kid on a sled counts. Dancing in your pajamas counts.

What sparks your curiosity? What makes you smile? Let that be your guide.

Here’s how to create more joy in your life through movement—no gym required.

1. Start with Your Why

Before you jump into a training plan or sign up for a new class, pause. Ask yourself: Why do I want to move my body? Is it to feel more confident? To have more energy for your kids? To explore the outdoors? To reconnect with a younger version of yourself who used to dance in the mirror or hike for hours just because it felt good?

Knowing your why changes everything. It makes the process meaningful. When your goal is rooted in joy, you’re more likely to stick with it—not out of guilt or pressure, but because it feels like a gift you’re giving yourself.

2. Reframe Movement as Self-Love

We live in a culture that often treats exercise as punishment or penance. That old “no pain, no gain” mentality? Let’s toss it. Movement can be challenging, yes—but it should also be a celebration. Moving your body isn’t about fixing it. It’s about honoring it.

Each walk, stretch, lunge, or squat is a way to say, I’m here. I’m choosing to show up for myself. When you shift your mindset and treat movement as an act of love, it becomes something you look forward to, not something to dread.

3. Find Your Flow

Joy lives in the present moment. And nothing brings you into the now like movement.

Whether it’s a solo trail run, a dance party in your kitchen, or hiking with a friend who makes you laugh until you can’t breathe—these moments of embodied presence are where joy thrives. That’s what I call flow—when you lose track of time, get out of your head, and into your senses.

Some of my favorite flow-state moments happen

5. Go Outside (Even When It’s Cold)

There’s something magical about training outside—especially in a place like Park City, where nature is right at your doorstep. Whether it’s sunshine or snowfall, moving outdoors connects us to something bigger.

Fresh air has a way of clearing the mind. Trees, trails, and mountain views reset your nervous system. Even a short walk in nature can shift your mood.

I train all my clients outdoors—at parks, trailheads, or even in my driveway. And time and time again, I see it: people light up. They reconnect. They breathe deeper. And they remember what it’s like to be in their bodies, not just living from the neck up.

6. Celebrate Progress (Not Perfection)

Joy doesn’t come from hitting a perfect workout schedule. It comes from noticing how your body changes and grows stronger, how your mind gets clearer, how you start to move through life with more ease and confidence.

Celebrate the tiny wins. The walk you took even when you were tired. The deep breath you paused for. The way your balance has improved. These are victories worth honoring.

7. Invite Joy In—Every Day

This isn’t about waiting for a race or reaching a milestone. It’s about feeling better now. Movement can be your daily reset, your moving meditation, your time to play.

So put on a song you love and dance. Stretch with the sunrise. Go chase some endorphins in the snow or on the dirt. Invite joy into your day by moving your body in a way that feels good—for you.

We all deserve to feel lit up by life. Movement is one of the most accessible, powerful ways to get there. You don’t need fancy gear or an all-or-nothing mindset. You just need to begin—one joyful step at a time.

So here’s your reminder: have more fun. Get outside. Trust your body. And let movement be your gateway to more joy.

The Mental Journey of Pregnancy

My sister-in-law, Hayley Venegas, is now 8 months pregnant with her first child, a baby boy. “There is something crazy about realizing there is a human being inside you who relies completely on you for their life and growth,” says Hayley, now 25 years old, the oldest of six homeschooledchildren from the northern Midwest.

Hayley currently works as an ICU nurse and thoroughly enjoys her job, even during challenging times. She loves exercising, traveling, and cooking. In 2024, she married her husband, Angelo, and very soon after became pregnant with her first child.

When asked about her expectations around pregnancy, Haley said she expected her journey to be similar to her own mother’s experience. “Pregnancies weren’t easy for her, but she always talked about how she wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t worth it.” Haley would, indeed, find that the pregnancy journey is worth it, though it would also prove to be impactful on her mental health.

When she purchased a pregnancy test that turned out to be positive, Hayley fell into a state of shock. “I had so many emotions running through my mind,” she remembers. “I was excited, because we wanted a baby of course, but we did not expect it would happen so quickly.”

While full of gratitude, it was not until the baby’s first movements that Haley finally left her state of denial. “Mental health is something that can take a hit with pregnancy,” Hayley admits, “and I think that people so often downplay that in society.”

In addition to high and rapidly changing emotions, the woman’s

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!

bodily energy is at an extreme low, especially in the beginning stage of pregnancy. Unfortunately, Haley did end up taking after her mother and suffered from severe morning sickness, vomiting nearly 7 times a day, and losing 30 pounds early on. Because she was unable to take her migraine medication, she also suffered from major migraines on top of normal pregnancy symptoms. “I would definitely say that both my mental and physical health took a hit for me in those first months,” Haley admitted. Things improved in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, but never got completely better.

But with the negatives have come many positives. Haley told us that the pregnancy has greatly impacted her life as well. She was exceedingly excited to find out the sex of the baby and started thinking of baby names. “The moment at the ultrasound that the technician told us ‘it’s a boy’ really made my heart skip a beat and I teared up a little,” Haley recalled fondly. She went on to say that her baby is very active and constantly kicking her. Because of the mental load that her pregnancy puts on her, Haley also has to remember to be kind to herself when she cannot be as productive as she wishes to be. She is very grateful for being able to still work while being gentle with herself and her child the best she can.

Haley is very ready to have her child. She plans on taking some time off work and being a stay-at-home mother to bond with her boy. She is nervous about giving birth but she knows her body was made to do this. To become a parent is also an overwhelming thought but she is determined to do the best she can. With a smile when asked to measure her excitement for the birth of her son, she replied, “My love for him is immeasurable already.”

HOW MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT IMPACTS FERTILITY

Weight and nutrition are making headlines everywhere—from social media trends to wellness blogs. But how much do they really impact fertility? The truth is, maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important factors in reproductive health—for both men and women.

WHY DOES WEIGHT MATTER FOR FERTILITY?

Weight influences hormone balance, ovulation, and even embryo development. Both underweight and overweight individuals may face challenges when trying to conceive.

If you’re underweight: Your body may produce lower levels of estrogen, which can disrupt ovulation and make it harder to conceive.

If you’re overweight: Excess fat tissue can lead to insulin resistance and increased estrogen

levels, which may interfere with regular ovulation and implantation.

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT DIET AND FERTILITY

X Myth: Eating pineapple or yams will make you more fertile.

✓ Fact: While some foods contain beneficial nutrients, there’s no magic ingredient that guarantees conception.

X Myth: Cutting out all carbs will improve fertility.

✓ Fact: Highly processed carbs can negatively affect hormones, but whole grains and fiber-rich carbs support reproductive health.

X Myth: You need to take every fertility supplement on the market.

✓ Fact: While some vitamins like folic acid and vitamin D are important, excessive supplementation isn’t always helpful. It’s best to focus on a balanced diet first.

FINDING A HEALTHY BALANCE

If you're trying to conceive, focusing on a well-rounded diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress can all contribute to reproductive health. If you have specific concerns, a fertility specialist or registered dietitian can help personalize recommendations.

YOUR FERTILITY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Have more questions? Send them to me, and I’ll cover them in upcoming columns! Email us at hello@wellnestfertility.com.

•

Complete Fertility Care For Aspiring Families in Utah

BY TIFFANY WICKES, ON BEHALF OF WOW CLINIC

WOW

HotandCold the Dynamic Power of Contrast Therapy for Recovery and Resilience at WOW

In the heart of Heber Valley, where nature’s beauty and tranquility abound, neighbors are turning to Wasatch Optimal Wellness (WOW) for therapies to enhance physical well-being and mental clarity. Among the most popular treatments available—IV therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and their comprehensive weight-loss program—is a combination of cold-plunge therapy and heat therapy, a.k.a. “contrast therapy,” which are two powerful techniques that complement each other and have roots in ancient traditions. These therapies are gaining momentum in the wellness and longevity space for their therapeutic benefits related to circulation, muscle recovery, stress reduction, and overall vitality. Let’s explore the science behind these therapies, their benefits, and why they’re becoming a highly sought-after treatment option at WOW.

THE BASICS OF COLD PLUNGE THERAPY

The cold-plunge tubs at WOW, where temperatures typically hover between 42 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, can improve circulation and immunity, boost metabolism, and reduce inflammation. Cold-plunging offers much more than just physical benefits; it also has significant effects on your mental health. It’s a great way to wake up your nervous system and leave you ready to face the day. When you submerge in the therapeutic cold tubs, you may notice your stress gracefully melt away, replaced by an alert, invigorated state of mind caused by a sustained rise of dopamine (the “feel good” hormone) that typically lasts for 3–5 hours. It has the power to shake off fatigue, recharge your mind, and leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

CONTRASTING HEAT THERAPY: A WARM COUNTERPART

WOW offers both an infrared and a traditional dry sauna, allowing clients to choose their preferred heat-therapy experience. The custommade infrared sauna uses advanced heating methods to gently warm the body from within. The full-spectrum infrared heaters use different

wavelengths to penetrate different depths deep beneath the skin, heating tissues from the inside out. This differs from the dry sauna, which heats the air around you, which in turn warms your skin, then your core via convection and conduction. WOW’s infrared sauna uses infrared heat to operate around 160 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the

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dry sauna hovers around 190. The warm temperatures cause blood vessels to dilate, which leads to improved circulation, nutrient delivery to tissues, and the removal of metabolic waste products. It also induces sweating, which can help expel toxins from the body. Heat therapy is often employed for its calming effects, reducing tension and stress, and promoting relaxation of both the body and the mind, but it is also extremely valuable for its proven health benefits—namely, improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and a significant reduction in all-cause mortality rate for regular users.

THE BENEFITS OF COMBINING COLD AND HEAT THERAPIES

Contrast therapy involves alternating between hot and cold temperatures to enhance recovery, reduce inflammation, and promote overall wellness. The popular method of contrast therapy involves using the infrared or dry sauna followed by a rinse, a short rest, then a plunge in the cold tubs. The sauna heats up the body and increases blood flow, while the cold plunge constricts blood vessels, reduces inflammation, and activates brown fat cells, which in turn increases metabolism, causing calorie burn and glucose uptake. Alternating between hot and cold temperatures improves circulation, boosts the immune system, and reduces muscle soreness. Additionally, contrast therapy has been shown to relieve stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being.

Incorporating contrast therapy into your wellness routine at WOW can help you feel rejuvenated and energized; it is a transformative treatment with deep roots in science. By incorporating both cold and heat therapies into your health routine, you can experience a heightened sense of well-being and a rejuvenated body and mind. Your journey to optimal wellness begins here! Don’t just read about the benefits— immerse yourself in the healing warmth of an infrared or a dry sauna, then submerge yourself in the soothing, cool waters of the cold tubs to ignite your overall sense of vitality. Your journey to optimal wellness begins here at Wasatch Optimal Wellness.

BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY AND CARL HENDERSON

Heber Teen Starts Her Own Small Business

Little Gouda is the name Camilla Smith chose for her catering business. Gouda is her favorite cheese, and Little Gouda specializes in charcuterie boards. The business was born when Camilla was 15 years old. She and her older sister, who was getting married, couldn’t find an affordable caterer for the wedding, so they did it themselves. Camilla loved it. She likes being creative about the display, she loves making people smile, and she enjoys trying out new concepts for her business. Initially, Camilla needed her parents’ help to deal with all the paperwork, but now the business is hers. She has a business license; and all the people she hires, when more are required, have their food handler’s licenses. Now 17, she has already tried various other additions to her charcuterie boards but has rejected them as standard offerings. She will add them upon special request.

Little Gouda provided drinks at the Wasatch Community Foundation Show

CHRISTIAN CENTER OF PARK CITY STORES: SHOPPING WITH A PURPOSE ©

’n’ Tell, but Camilla later decided that it would be better for the customers to provide their own beverages. She also offered desserts for a while, but that wasn’t the ideal addition for her charcuterie boards either. She has settled on little chocolate treats.

Camilla is currently a senior in high school and has been accepted to BYU for the fall. She plans to enroll in classes with a business emphasis and continue operating Little Gouda during the slower times. She realized after starting Little Gouda that she loves talking to people and pitching ideas.

Most of her catering orders align with weddings in the summer and the fall. With the venues being in the Provo area, she will already be close by during her semesters.

One of the expansion ideas that she has maintained is delivering charcuterie to private jets at the airport. Most of the time, she can handle this one on her own.

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

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Camilla’s motto from the beginning has been “Leave it better than you found it.” She just thought it was the right thing to do, and the venues appreciated it. This led to a venue referring Little Gouda to additional customers. Now she makes sure her information ends up on the venues’ referral boards when she adds a new one.

Personally, Camilla enjoys the self-expression creating the displays allows her. Some are sophisticated, some playful. She has developed her own style and sticks to it, but she incorporates her client’s decorating ideas when possible. Prices on her website, www. littlegouda.com, are rough estimates.

Here is Camilla Smith’s advice to everyone: “Take the risk to start up a business. You learn so many new things, even if you don’t succeed.”

(loo-air):

What is House of Colour?

For over 35 years, House of Colour has been helping people look their best and feel their most confident by finding color and style options that are completely unique to YOU!

Utah, the wait is over.! Do yourself a favor and book a color analysis with Julie! It is a ONE-TIME investment into yourself that lasts for many, many years.

SPRING’S MELODY

BY ISABELLA VENEGAS

The woods have a melody for those who listen, To hear the gentle sound is a gift to be given. Breathe in the crisp, warming air and see The universe has become a flowering reality.

She giggles upon the winds as she sings aloud, The blue sky has melted the dark grey clouds. The forest and mountains of blossoming green Echo the music of her lips which kiss the scene.

She is a being of joy, of life, and of Spring, Her royal emerald dress is of a loving queen. Her wandering footsteps have found their way And her soft smile now holds Winter at bay.

The melting mountains and gushing streams Are shining upon her golden and silver dreams. Her dark hair is lit by the Maytime’s sun; Time has flown and a new chapter has begun.

The woods have a melody for those who listen; To hear the gentle sound is a gift to be given.

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HEBER CITY'S COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOR MAIN STREET

At the heart of Heber City’s vibrant community spirit lies the Community Alliance for Main Street (CAMS), a dedicated and dynamic organization focused on enhancing and revitalizing our beloved Main Street.

In 2003, a group of dedicated business owners came together to form the Community Alliance for Main Street (CAMS), driven by a shared vision to enhance Heber City's most prominent corridor. Recognizing the need for organized efforts, they established CAMS as a nonprofit organization, committed to advocating for the revitalization of Main Street and fostering a vibrant downtown environment.

In its early years, CAMS played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetic and functional improvements of Main Street. The organization spearheaded investments in essential streetscape enhancements, including decorative street posts, garbage cans, and benches, helping to create a more inviting atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. Additionally, CAMS collaborated with local leaders to develop design standards that encouraged cohesive and attractive storefronts, reinforcing the character of Heber’s historic downtown.

As a grassroots group, CAMS is committed to fostering a thriving downtown area that reflects the unique charm, history, and potential of Heber City. The Community Alliance for Main Street successfully

broadened its outreach to ensure every sector of the community— businesses, property owners, workforce, other organizations, and residents.

Building on past successes, CAMS is poised to lead Heber City’s downtown transformation into a thriving hub of commerce and community life. With a renewed focus on economic growth and placemaking, CAMS envisions Main Street as the “living room” a vibrant, welcoming space where residents and visitors can connect, shop, dine, and experience local culture. By fostering partnerships, guiding thoughtful development, and enhancing public spaces, CAMS will ensure that downtown Heber becomes a destination that

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reflects the city’s heritage while embracing a dynamic and prosperous future.

Murals play a vital role in Heber City by enhancing cultural identity, beautifying public spaces, and fostering economic growth. By transforming blank walls into vibrant landmarks, murals revitalize downtown areas, making them more inviting and visually appealing. This spring you will see the collaboration with property owners to bring bold colors and creativity to Heber City’s Main Street with a new mural at 525 S. Main Street. Artist Cheyenne Reese Marcus known for her bold colors and natural landscapes, will bring her artistic vision to life from May 23 – 28, 2025. The painting process will involve surface preparation, sketching, and applying layers of paint to ensure durability and vibrancy.

Preserving our History. Historic homes and commercial buildings serve as living testaments to Heber City’s rich heritage, connecting us to the stories of early settlers and the foundation of our community. These homes reflect a level of craftsmanship and artistry that is increasingly rare in modern construction, showcasing the skill and dedication of those who built them. Preserving these architectural treasures is not just about maintaining structures—it’s about honoring our history and ensuring

future generations can experience the character and charm of Heber’s past. By raising awareness and fostering community support, we can safeguard these homes as enduring symbols of our shared legacy. CAMS has partnered with the Heber Leadership Academy to create historic plaques that will be displayed on thirty-five properties in Central Heber, celebrating the original settlers and providing a brief historical account of their lives. Preserving historic properties is a one-way street—once a historic site is lost, it cannot be recovered. While we cannot predict what will be valued in the future, we believe that by working together, we can transform these historic properties into community treasures. Watch for more information on the installation of these historic plaques and launch of the historic tour in Heber City.

Downtown Heber is becoming an even more dynamic destination with the addition of new community events. With the completion

of the Main Stage at Main Street Park, CAMS is excited to introduce Monday Night Local Talent Shows this summer. This event will bring the park to life, providing a space for residents and visitors to gather, enjoy live performances, and celebrate local talent—all while strengthening community pride.

By adding six new event nights, CAMS is creating a family-friendly, no-cost entertainment option that also boosts foot traffic for downtown businesses.

In collaboration with Lee’s Music, Craig Jameson of the Wasatch Rockers, and guitarist Stacy Despain, Monday nights will be filled with incredible local artists performing from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on June 9, June 23, July 14, July 28, August 11, and August 18.

This exciting new series is just one of many steps CAMS is taking to make downtown Heber a vibrant gathering place for locals and visitors alike.

COAL IT A COMEBACK:

RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH KNOW THAT OUR STATE’S COAL DEPOSITS CONTAIN “CRITICAL MINERALS” THAT POWER THE U.S. ECONOMY,

NATIONAL SECURITY, AND CLEAN ENERGY. ARE THEY WORTH MINING?

In sustainability circles, coal is a villain. When burned, it generates more CO2 per unit of energy than oil or gas and releases nasty pollutants. Yet in a twist of fate, coal deposits in Utah could become a source of critical minerals known as rare earth elements (REEs), which are used to produce clean technologies and trillions of dollars’ worth of other goods. Now that China, the world’s biggest refiner of rare earth elements, has suspended exporting them anywhere in response to U.S. tariffs, Utah’s reserves could be immensely important.

The unknown is whether Utah has critical minerals in amounts worth mining. A research team led by Michael Free, PhD, Professor of Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Utah, aims to find out. It has received a $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (plus $2M from other sources) to do so.

For Park City and the Heber Valley, where climate change is a long-term threat to the ski-based economy, ranching, and more, this is an interesting development. In the 19th and 20th centuries, mining had serious consequences for the local environment and public health. Now, mining is being rehabilitated as a “green” or “national security” industry depending on the audience.

The initial push to secure critical minerals started under the first Trump Administration in 2017 with a list of 35 elements. To qualify as “critical minerals,” they needed to be vital to the economy or national security of the U.S., vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, and non-substitutable.

The U.S., it turned out, had no “primary

Great Salt Lake < Great Salt Lake Desert < Sevier Lake

< BEAVER MINE Uranium-Vanadium < COTTONWOOD MINING DISTRICT Bismuth Antimony < GOLD HILL MINING DISTRICT Arsenic Tungsten

< ANTIMONY MINING DISTRICT Antimony

< DRUM MOUNTAIN MINING DISTRICT Manganese White Mesa Mill

< SOUTH HENRY MOUNTAIN MINING DISTRICT Uranium-Vanadium < SAN RAFAEL RIVER MINING DISTRICT Uranium-Vanadium

Active producer

Established resource/ Significant past producer

Potential resource/Other past producer

Mill

Geologic province boundary

< LA SAL MINING DISTRICT Uranium-Vanadium < YELLOW CAT MINING DISTRICT Uranium-Vanadium < EAST HENRY MOUNTAIN MINING DISTRICT Uranium-Vanadium

< Paradox Basin < LISBON VALLEY MINING DISTRICT Uranium-Vanadium

< LISBON GAS PLANT HELIUM

Brine and evaporite area

Critical mineral mining district Other metal mining district

LABEL KEY

< MINE, DISTRICT, OR PROJECT NAME ACTIVE PRODUCER Established resource/Significant past producer Potential resource/Other past producer

Figure 2. Summary of the distribution of Utah’s critical mineral resources. Active mines, established resources, and historically mined germanium, gallium, scandium, and tellurium are shown by points. Mining districts are highlighted for historically mined arsenic, bismuth, manganese, antimony, and tungsten, and for REE byproduct potential.

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production” of 22 of those minerals. China, moreover, had a near monopoly on rare earth elements, which are critical in everything from smartphones, EVs, batteries, and wind turbines to nuclear reactors, aerospace technologies, and advanced weaponry.

Prior studies by Free and colleagues have identified REEs in Utah coal. Their latest project aims to characterize the extent and quality of those deposits. Coal isn’t a concentrated source of REEs, notes Free, but “When you multiply out a low concentration times a very, very large resource, you have a reasonable amount of material available.”

In 2023, Utah’s five active coal mines produced 7.3 MMst of coal, the lowest production total since 1975, valued at just $314 million. Demand for coal has declined as electric utilities have transitioned to natural gas and rolled out renewables. A new revenue source like REEs might be welcomed in the industry, especially if it can be extracted in operational coal mines.

Utah’s coal production is concentrated in Emery County, Sevier County, and aptly named Carbon County. While Summit and Wasatch Counties are not part of this initial study, we do have abandoned coal mines (it was named Coalville for a reason) that might have these minerals.

Active mines are ideal for REE extraction. Mining permits, infrastructure, and equipment are already in place. Rather than explore and permit new mines—a multi-decade process that comes with additional environmental impacts—we’re better off using the coal deposits we have tapped already.

However, because Utah’s REEs are found in relatively low concentrations, they’re not that economically appealing. “We've done some just back-of-the-envelope calculations, and it's marginal, I would say, at best, to make it economic,” Free said. “But the other side of this equation is the criticality of the U.S. supply being interrupted.

What kind of a price tag do you put on having to import stuff from an adversarial country?”

Free presciently raised that question before the current trade war and China’s restriction on REE exports (which is in place as of this writing). Now, developing an American supply might be essential, even if the government has to subsidize the process.

Free, it so happens, works on another aspect of this challenge: how to separate critical minerals from low-grade ores and waste. With funding from DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), he and collaborators are trying to produce “refined, purified, rare earth and critical mineral products” using a feedstock of coal waste and coal-related materials. The coal waste has only about 300 parts per million REEs. In other words, in 100 pounds of coal waste, there would be just 0.03 pounds of materials to recover, and what Free refines from that must be over 99% purified for commercial use.

To get there, his team is dissolving coal waste in a solution and then using a high-powered magnet to extract the desired metals. This eliminates the need for the toxic chemicals commonly used to separate metals from ore.

According to the Utah Mining Association, our state hosts 28 of the 35 minerals currently deemed “critical” by our federal government. REEs from coal might just be the beginning. Free and his colleagues will assess other potential sources of critical minerals, like brines and phosphate deposits.

Prior to April 2025, few people would have counted on Utah becoming a hub for REEs. China’s willingness to use rare earth elements for geopolitical leverage has changed that assessment. The business case for mining Utah’s rare earth elements may be debatable, but recent events perhaps demonstrate we can’t afford not to mine them.

BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

Small Town With Global Impact Delta

Most adventures around Delta involve dirt roads, so do whatever you can to prepare your vehicle for long stretches without services. Our first destination was U-Dig Fossils on Death Canyon Road. With food, water, gloves, safety glasses, and a pick, we arrived just in time to join the introduction to fossil identification. Once everyone was equipped with a hammer and a five-gallon bucket, we headed to the quarry, where we were assigned two areas to explore. Plenty of areas are ready for digging within this 40-acre property. After two hours, half the group left, but we were still having fun discovering more trilobites. A five-gallon bucket full of rocks is very heavy, so when we decided to leave, I went through my fossil collection and kept only the best ones. My highlight was a 2 5/8-inch Asaphiscus wheeleri, and Carl’s 1 3/4inch Elrathia kingii was among his findings. Trilobites went extinct about 270 million years ago, so finding these ancient fossils let my imagination soar.

Along the way, we saw collectors that look like giant lounge chairs, with a solar panel as the backrest. These are surface detectors for the Telescope Array project, which was completed in 2007 and is still collecting data. The detectors are placed at about 3/4- mile intervals and cover about 800 square kilometers west of Delta. This

installation is currently the largest cosmic ray observatory in the Northern Hemisphere. University of Utah’s Cosmic Ray physics group is a member of the international university groups studying this data. These collectors can be seen while heading south on Highway 257 from the west side of Delta.

We passed old Fort Deseret on this road. Not much of the fort remains, but there are berms on its east side. Our goal was the Obsidian Beds to the south. After 43 miles on Highway 257, we arrived at a left-hand turn marked “Kanosh 26.” Here is where you should start keeping track of your mileage; dirt roads lead across the railroad tracks and towards the mountain chain to the west. Also, mobile service cannot be relied on. About two miles from the turnoff, the road and areas all around begin sparkling. Obsidian, a type of volcanic glass formed when lava cools very quickly, is scattered everywhere. In this area, it is mostly black obsidian, but at approximately seven miles from the turnoff, we reached a sign indicating that Kanosh was to the right, with Highway 257 to the left. We turned right to venture on to the Obsidian Beds with mahogany obsidian, where we soon saw a road to our right, headed uphill. Parking is allowed at the bottom or top of this road; it’s a short hike

PHOTOS BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY AND CARL HENDERSON

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up, and wildflowers grow along the path. At the top, the mahogany obsidian beds display obsidian with brown streaks embedded with magnetite and hematite.

The views from here show mountain ranges all around. When we were there, a storm was a day away, but the wind picked up dust everywhere, turning the landscape into a muted painting. Native Americans used obsidian for arrowheads. With only a few dirt roads in view, imagining life in the wilderness had become easy.

Delta is a town with less than 4,000 residents. To our surprise, Days Inn was nearly full. There are a few restaurants in town; for very affordable prices, try the Rancher Cafe. Conveniently next to Days Inn is Mi Rancherito, a Mexican restaurant.

The next day, we dove into more recent history. Delta was the site of the Topaz Relocation Camp. Historical markers identify the site of the internment camp, where US citizens of Japanese descent were relocated during World War II. You can drive along roads that bordered and went through this camp, miles away from civilization. During its just over three years of operation, 11,212 men, women, and children were processed into the camp when the government deprived them of their constitutional rights. Many of the men volunteered for military service or were drafted into the 442nd RCT and the Military Intelligence Service. The families suffered through heat in the summer and below-freezing temperatures in the winter but tried to provide their children with as much education as possible.

The Topaz Museum on Main Street in Delta has exhibits displaying furniture that the internees made from materials they could find,

delicate art created from shells collected in the area, and detailed information on life at the internment camp. Many of the items were donated by family members of those who had spent time at the internment camp. This is a museum not to be missed.

Next door is the Great Basin Museum, open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free of charge, it provides a glimpse into ancient Earth history, Native American history, and mining and pioneer history. New items, like an early electric coincounting machine, are still being added. The very friendly docents are happy to show you around—you can call Owen and Linda Neilsen at 435-857-9101 to request a tour.

www.U-DigFossils.com • www.telescopearray.org • www.greatbasinmuseum.com Instagram @kirstentravelwrites

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River

When they found me in the woods, I couldn’t remember how many days passed since my humans pushed me out of the car and drove away. I tried to chase them, but they were too fast. For a moment, it was quiet. Then, I could hear squirrels. I could hear the creek a mile away.

But I was alone. It rained one night. It was cold.

I was so used to cuddles and kids, playing, having food and water and a warm bed. Even if I slept outside, it was comfortable. I was surrounded by trees and rocks and dirt, and a chill was in the air. I found a bed under a pokey bush next to a big tree. I ate a little grass.

Why did they leave me?

They said I was too wild. When they looked at me, they said things like “Get rid of him.” I didn’t know what that meant.

Other people came to the forest; they had food. I went with them and got in their truck. But they took me to a cage in a big building. There were many cages with dogs inside them. I wanted to run so bad. I couldn’t do anything there.

After a short time, they said I was too wild, and they didn’t know what to do with me. Were they going to take me back to the place with the trees and the creek? I heard them use an unfamiliar word: euthanize.

I was a year old, and I heard a lot of words from the humans who left me in the forest, but not that one.

I didn’t know that word. But they said it sometimes, when they looked at me.

I sat down. I felt sad. I couldn’t run anymore. I couldn’t follow my nose. The food was gross. I saw some dogs taken out of their cages. But I lost their scent, and they never came back. What happened?

One day, a man showed up. He was looking for me. I didn’t want to get in his car. Cars haven’t taken me to places I really wanted to be. When we got to where he lives, I could smell other dogs. But he fed me, and I felt safe for the first time.

He gave me a ball. I chewed on it, where he liked to sit. I chewed on it forever. I liked this human. His name is Ryan.

My name is River. Ryan showed me that I could use my energy at certain times; other times, I would rest. He showed me that I can run around and use my nose and find other humans. He calls them “lost people,” or sometimes “missing people.” When we have to go, he puts my finding bell on my collar. I get so excited. I feel like a puppy again.

When we get to where I am going to find Ryan’s missing people, there are other people like Ryan. But I have Ryan. I feel safe, and he lets me find someone for him.

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So I go into the forest; I walk past the creek and the trees, then I smell someone. I stop moving. Then I check the air to be sure. When I’m sure, I run as fast as I can. My tongue flops out of my mouth as I go. I can fly.

A person, there in the forest, smells bad and smells sick. He looks as if something is wrong, like he is scared. I know what it’s like to be alone in the forest. He smiles when he sees me, though. It’s time to go get Ryan so that the other people can help him.

My name is River. It was a lifetime ago that people said I was too wild and lost hope in me. I still don’t know what “euthanize” means, but I don’t think that was what happened to me. When Ryan brought me to his home, I heard words like “rescue” and “foster.” I think I know what those words mean.

I am happy. I find people. I’m so excited to do it. It’s what I think about when I wake up.

My name is River. If you’re lost in the forest, I might be your last hope. I am a “rescue.” I am a rescue dog. Ryan believes in me. Can you?

*River is a Weimaraner who was abandoned on public land. He was found and sheltered. Because he had intense behavioral concerns, he was on track to be euthanized. Laura Francese of Sugar Face Foundation had him picked up by Ryan Breitkreutz, a foster caregiver. With Beehive Dog Training, River quickly found his discipline. He has become certified in Live Person Finding for Search & Rescue teams and is training for other certificates.

AND URGENT CARE

Urgent Care: Saturday & Sunday: 10am-8pm

Specialty Care: Monday-Thursday: 8am-6pm

Veterinary Urgent Care Available On

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.

KITTEN SEASON IS A CALL TO ACTION

Unspayed felines typically go into heat in the spring and fall––with a gestation period of less than 75 days––which means, yes, summer is kitten season for local shelters.

Executive director of Paws for Life, Kari McFee, says it’s simple to become approved as a foster parent through Paws for Life. Basic requirements are a completed application and a safe indoor environment. They do ask that community members who are renting get permission from their landlord prior to applying, but that the organization will provide everything a foster will need for the care of the kittens––including litter, food, a crate, medicine (where necessary), and even toys.

Paws for Life does ask that foster parents commit to the full 8-10 weeks before the kittens are of age to be adopted, a process that includes vaccinations and sterilization, and asks for experienced fosters, familiar with bottle-feeding neonatals, be ready to support as the organization sees an increase in abandoned felines as the weather warms. “We get a lot of calls from the community who have located a litter in their yard or somewhere in the community that’s not safe,” says Kari. “If the mother cannot be located, there is always an urgent need for fosters who can go the extra mile.”

need foster families the most

Paws for Life relies purely on donations, fundraising, and occasional grants to pay for their operations, which include the medical and veterinary services they provide all of their animals. Pets in foster care tend to be less stressed, better socialized, and have a lower chance of illness than those in shelters. Additionally, the home environment provides a calm, safe space for an animal to enjoy prior to adoption.

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) reports on its website (aspca.org) that euthanization rates across the US in shelters are at an all-time high, in part because many states require a percentage of cages to be vacant to take in other surrendered animals. They also report a lower rate of adoptions, which could be attributed to the higher cost of living and lack of available housing that allow owners to retain pets. Many organizations working in different sectors of animal welfare also feel that COVID has been a contributing factor to the unwanted pet population, where people adopted an animal while the country was quarantined and have since surrendered that animal as things opened back up.

While Heber City Animal Services does not have a foster program for young kittens that come into their shelter, Animal Services Technician Holly Brown, said they utilize the resources of local nonprofits like Paws for Life, Nuzzles and Company, and Best Friends Animal Society for assistance.

“Especially for kittens that aren’t old enough to be adopted,” says Holly, “we’re lucky that we have the local nonprofits who always help when they can. Because of the mild winter we had, I think we’re going to see a hefty kitten season.”

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Meet Malachi! Meet Nora!

This little fella is the 8th wonder of the world. Technically, every single dog is a wonder. Wondrous!

Malachi is an 8-yearold poodle mix. I had the absolute pleasure of photographing this fella, he kept up no problem, even with the big dogs! If he could speak, I’d say he sounds exactly like Winnie the Pooh, ‘oh bother.’

Malachi is a friendly older dog looking for his forever home; he does well with other dogs and loves people. Please reach out to Tori with fetch cares to arrange a meeting with this wonderful little guy. Call (540)383-7521

Curls on curls! This lovely lady has a bounce in her step and a wag in her tail. Meet Nora, a 5-year-old Golden Doodle. If she had a dating profile, it’d say “I love long car rides and even longer naps.” Me too Nora, me too. Nora does well with dogs but can be overwhelmed with lots of commotion, so a household with mellow dogs would be wonderful. She’s waiting for her forever home, could you be a match made in heaven? Please reach out to Fetch Cares at 540-383-7521 for more information.

• 5K Dirty Dog Run

• Face Painting & Kids Corner

• Vendor Booths

• K-9 Demonstration

• Food & Music

• Doggie Playtime

10am-3pm | Willow Creek Park Celebrate your best furry friends at the 3rd annual Bark City Festival! Are you a potential Vendor or Sponsor?

August 14-16, 2025

The Park City Song Summit is a vibrant and evolving event that highlights music and the well-being of artists and attendees.

Since its inception, the Song Summit has grown into a platform for cultural and wellness exchange, featuring diverse activities. Attendees are treated to intimate sessions that address mental health, enhancing the overall experience with thoughtful wellness activities like sound baths, yoga, and massages.

The Song Summit celebrates a wide array of musical talents, providing a unique opportunity to see artists such as Larkin Poe and Mavis Staples perform in intimate settings. It offers diverse musical experiences, ranging from gospel harmonies to high-energy performances. Programs like Summit Rising demonstrate a commitment to nurturing emerging artists, with structured mentorship and performance opportunities that emphasize healthy creative practices.

Returning to downtown Park City, the summit will infuse City Park and the local library with events, allowing for rich interactions in these iconic venues. With the Main Stage and the Foundation Stage offering a mix of established and emerging talents, the event promises an immersive, educational, and entertaining experience.

Whether reconnecting with favorite artists or discovering new ones, the Park City Song Summit provides a dynamic environment to enjoy music and support young talent while promoting health and wellness.

Join us and be part of this special, one-of-a-kind event in our beautiful mountain town. Experience the magic of music, creativity, and community right here at home!