A NEIGHBOR WHO SHOWS UP
COVER PHOTO BY ALLISON HARRIS
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EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS
HOME & COMMERCIAL FLOORING EXPERT
Goodrich Flooring 836 E. 4500 S. Murray, UT 84107 801-262-4444 www.goodrichfloors.com
INSURANCE EXPERT
Randy Buchmiller, State Farm
5063 S. State St. Murray, UT 84107 randy.buchmiller.b7pg@statefarm.com 801-261-4337 www.randybuchmiller.com
PERSONAL INJURY AND ACCIDENT LAW EXPERT
Resh Jefferies | Resh Law resh@reshlaw.com | 385.888.RESH (7374) 45 E. Vine St. Murray, UT 84107 www.reshlaw.com
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
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EXPERT
Kathy White, President
Murray Chamber of Commerce
141 E. 5600 S. Ste 300, Murray, UT 84107
801-263-2632 | themurraychamber.com president@themurraychamber.com
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING EXPERT
Mountain Medical Health 4516 S. 700 E. Ste 370, Murray, UT 84107 385-449-9990 www.mtnmentalhealth.com
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT EXPERT
Alen Kantarevic, UVO Group 7650 S. Union Park Ave. Midvale, UT 84047 alenkantarevic.myrealtyonegroup.com 801-664-9028
alen@uvorealestate.com
REROOFING EXPERT
S and S Roofing
Emergency Repairs & Free Estimates Utah’s #1 Roofing Company 435-658-4344
PLUMBING EXPERT
Jonathan Cheever
Team Cheever Plumbing & Heating 8430 Gambel Dr. Park City, UT 84098 435-252-7697 teamcheever.net
FINANCE AND TAX EXPERTS
Danielle M. Meister, CFF®, CDFA®
Madrona Financial & CPAs
833-673-7373
daniellem@madronafinancial.com
To learn more about becoming an expert contributor, contact Jared DeMann at jdemann@bestversionmedia.com or 801-520-3342
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
EXPERT
Jenn Kikel-Lynn, K Real Estate 5411 S. Vine St. #3, Murray, UT 84107
jenn@kikelrealestate.com 801-641-1571 | jennkikellynn.com
EVENT EXPERT
Tom Brazill, Elevate Event Bartending 4547 Peach St. Holladay, UT 84117 801-477-4452
tom@elevateeventbartending.com elevateeventbartending.com
FUNERAL SERVICES EXPERT
Blake Soffe, Owner/Funeral Director
Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Homes & Cremation Center | 801-266-0222 4760 S State St. Murray, UT 84107 JSM@Jenkins-Soffe.com | www.Jenkins-Soffe.com
MORTGAGE EXPERTS
Jamie Nielsen
VanDyk Mortgage Corporation 5330 S 900 E Ste 200, Murray, UT 84117 801-694-0822
jnielsen@VanDykMortgage.com
Quinn Richins 5330 S 900 E Ste 200, Murray, UT 84117 801-703-8325
Qrichins@VanDykMortgage.com
COMMERCIAL ENGINEERING & CONSULTING EXPERT
Resolut
181 E. 5600 S. Murray, UT 84107 801-530-3148 mdemann@vbfa.com
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.
JARED DEMANN Publisher jdemann@bestversionmedia.com
BETSY DEMANN
Assistant Publisher bdemann@bestversionmedia.com
JACQUIE SYMES
Executive Assistant to the Publisher & Content Coordinator jacquie@bestversionmedia.com
EMILY REZIN Designer
© Best Version Media
Dana Klein Meet YourTeam!
PHOTOGRAPHER
Dana is an award-winning photographer who loves telling stories through her images. She works with both local and national magazines and also creates one-of-a-kind portraits for families through private commissions. She recently launched her first limited edition art collection, Moose & Magpies, featuring whimsical pieces inspired by nature and life in the mountains. When she’s not behind the camera, you’ll find her biking, hiking, playing tennis, or enjoying just about any outdoor adventure with her family and her pup.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jared DeMann | jdemann@bestversionmedia.com | (801) 520-3342
Betsy DeMann | bdemann@bestversionmedia.com
Jacquie Symes | jacquie@bestversionmedia.com ADVERTISING CONTENT
FEEDBACK/IDEAS/SUBMISSIONS
Have feedback, ideas or submissions? We are always happy to hear from you! Go to www.bestversionmedia.com and click “Submit Content.” You may also email your thoughts, ideas and photos to: jdemann@bestversionmedia.com
DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS ARE THE 5TH OF EACH MONTH FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
Mayor's Office
Fire Department
City Attorney
City Council
Community & Economic Development
Planning Division
Finance
801-264-2600
801-264-2780
801-264-2640
801-264-2603
801-270-2400
801-270-2430
801-264-2646
Fire - MCFD 801-264-2780
Library 801-264-2580
Parks & Recreation
Police - Non Emergency
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
801-264-2614
801-264-2673
801-264-2635
TAYLOR LARSEN SHAUN DELLISKAVE
RICHARD ELLIS
DANA KLEIN
LEXIE LARSON
BRANDON ORTON
ALLISON HARRIS
DEB DEKOFF
ERIC RAMIREZ
BY AIMEE L. COOK • PHOTOS BY MEGAN O'BRIEN
JAVA JO'S BREWING SUCCESS IN UTAH
When brothers Ryan and Chad Corbin moved from Idaho to Utah in 1994, with Chad following in 1995, they envisioned a life of powdery slopes and snowy adventures. What they didn’t expect was to stumble upon an untapped opportunity that would drive them to build their legacy in a completely different field. Enter Java Jo's, the now-iconic drive-thru coffee franchise that has become a beloved part of Utah's local flavor, with a simple motto-"Mornings Don't Have to Suck."
It all started with a simple observation. While Utah’s stunning mountains attracted eager skiers, there weren’t many grab-andgo options for coffee lovers. The Corbin brothers decided to fill that void. Armed with entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for quality coffee, they opened their very first Java Jo's drive-thru in Murray, Utah, in January 1996.
"Drive-thru only coffee shops were very popular in the area where my family was from [Washington State], and there wasn't much in Utah like that," Ryan said. "My original plan was to go to law school, which I put off for a year. But then opened our second location... and it was working, we continued to learn as we went."
Fast-forward to today, and Java Jo's has the same outstanding coffee and warm community vibes that made the original shop such a hit. And they’ve done it while maintaining a personal touch, thanks to their loyal, long-time employees who help create every customer's experience.
THE COFFEE
When it comes to coffee, Java Jo's doesn’t
javajos.com
@javajos
cut corners. They have proudly brewed and poured Lavazza, an Italian brand known globally for its exceptional quality, for the last 28 years. “We think it’s the best,” Ryan said, and customers seem to agree. Whether you’re grabbing a quick latte on the way to the office or treating yourself after a day on the slopes, every cup is crafted with the same dedication to flavor and artistry.
Java Jo's focus on quality extends beyond the beans. Their streamlined drive-thru-only model means fewer distractions and fresher coffee, ready for the busiest customers without sacrificing taste or service.
Pro tip: Try the Ivory Mocha, it has been my go-to for years!
remember your name, your go-to order, and that you take your cappuccino with oat milk. "The first thing you do is hire nice people, the second thing you do is let one go if you made a mistake and didn't hire the right person, and the third thing is to run a good company." Ryan shared regarding their success. "Make it a place that customers respond well to."
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or stopping by for the first time, you will be joining a tight-knit community of both coffee and connection.
Murray's location is managed by Bridget Dwyer, who has been with the company for 20 years. "Rather than trying to focus
APPLE CINNAMONSour
Around this time last year, I set out to develop a seasonal cocktail to serve at events during the autumn months. I wanted a cocktail that embraced the flavors of the season. I came up with this beauty: The Apple Cinnamon Sour. This drink combines the wonderful fall flavors of apple cider with the warm, soothing taste of cinnamon to create a burst of autumn goodness on your palate. Essentially, it’s a whiskey sour with apple and cinnamon flavors. When I introduced this drink, it was a hit. The reaction to this seasonal take on the old classic was outstanding. Every year when summer turns to fall, I am excited to bring out this cocktail to enjoy together.
Prep time 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 oz cinnamon whiskey
• ½ oz bourbon
• 1 oz simple syrup
• 1 oz apple cider
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• Garnish with a lemon wedge and a cinnamon stick
DIRECTIONS:
Add the whiskeys, simple syrup, apple cider, and the lemon juice to a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled (around 10 seconds). Strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a cinnamon stick. Sip and smile as you embrace the warm tastes of fall.
Did you try the Apple Cinnamon Sour? Tag me on Instagram and let me know what you think. @elevateeventbartending
GUIDED BY EXPERIENCE AND CARE: Our Murray Home Buying Story
Working with Jenn Kikel-Lynn of The Give Back Brokerage was such a wonderful experience for our family. As a fellow fourth-generation Murray resident, I truly appreciated Jenn’s deep local knowledge and her genuine passion for Murray. That made all the difference for us. She was incredibly thorough, with excellent communication and negotiation skills that kept us confident throughout the entire process.
From the beginning, it was clear that Jenn’s top priority was to do right by us. She made us feel safe and secure every step of the way, showing that she genuinely cares about her clients and making a positive impact. Her marketing expertise and her strong connections within the Murray community really stood out. We looked at many houses, knowing we wanted to stay in Murray, and with a limited budget and a tight timeline, Jenn was so patient and resourceful.
I was looking for a house that would serve as both an investment for me and a home for my sister, Darla, and her three children. We ended up buying the house together, and Jenn was fantastic in helping us navigate that process. Finding a safe, secure home close to family was very important to us, especially since Darla is a single mom. Jenn understood that perfectly, and her guidance made the whole experience smooth and manageable.
Jenn’s background is impressive; she has experience in residential, commercial, multifamily, and recreational real estate, giving her a well-rounded perspective and knowledge across all aspects of the business. She builds strong relationships with her clients, often turning into lifelong connections. It’s obvious she has a genuine passion for her work and truly understands what it’s like for her clients to go
through the biggest transactions of their lives.
We also ran into some last-minute hurdles during the mortgage process. Jenn’s professionalism and leadership were essential. She coached us, the seller, and even the less experienced realtor through those stressful moments. Thanks to her, we managed to work through everything, and in the end, we achieved the goal of closing on a home we will cherish for many years to come.
I am so grateful and happy with the Murray house. It’s clear Jenn isn’t just in this business for transactions; she’s in it because she truly cares and wants to help make a difference. I highly recommend Jenn Kikel-Lynn to anyone looking for a trustworthy, knowledgeable, and caring realtor who truly understands Murray and what it means to find that perfect home.
Contact Jenn today for all your real estate needs!
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Pumpkin Plunge
Murray Rec Center -
202 E. Murray Park Ave
Get ready for a splash of Fall Fun at our Pumpkin Plunge & Duck Race –the ultimate autumn pool party! Each participant will dive into the pool and swim to select their perfect floating pumpkin. Then, grab your rubber duck and head to the lazy river for a quacky race to the finish! Will your duck be the fastest? Pumpkin Plunge Leisure Pool -6:15 (Ages 3-5 and 6-9) Pumpkin Plunge - Lap Pool6:25 (Ages 10-12) Dressed up Ducky Derby following the Pumpkin Plunge
Time: 6:00 PM • Cost: $4-$6
Website: Register @ mcreg.com in Special Events
WKLL Radio Murder Mystery Hour
@ The Murray Theater
The world Premiere of a brand-new screwball whodunnit about a murder during a 1940s radio murder mystery show! A live, interactive theater experience filled with mystery, twists, and vintage radio flair!
Time: 7:30 PM • Cost: $19-$35
Website: showpass.com/wkll-radiomurder-mystery-hour/
Halloween Howl Dog and Human 3K and 5K
Murray Park Outdoor Pool - 5109 Murray Park Ln
Join us for our annual Halloween Howl 3K and 5K! Run will take place in Murray Park on October 11th beginning promptly at 11am. Dogs welcome, however, they must be on a leash and in control at all times. Prizes awarded to overall winners and best costumes!
Time: 11:00 AM • Cost: $5-$7 Website: Register @ mcreg.com in Special Events
Murray Haunted Woods
Murray Park
The Murray Haunted Woods is Halloween fun for the entire family! Admission includes a choice of “Silly Trail” from 5:00 - 7:00 PM or "Scary Trail" from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Each ticket also includes hot cocoa and a donut. All proceeds benefit area Child Abuse Prevention Organizations. Event produced by the Murray Exchange Club.
Time: 5:00-9:00 PM
Cost:$5
Website: murrayhauntedwoods.com
Trunk
Or Treat
Murray Park Center East Parking Lot202 E Murray Park Ave
Come join us for $3/child for kid ages 12 and under to participate in our Halloween Trunk or Treat. Wear a costume but please NO MASKS. We will have some games, face painting, and a costume contest. You can also sign-up under special events to decorate a car and bring candy/toys for the kids.
Time: 5:30 PM • Cost: $3-$4 per child Website: Register @ mcreg.com in Special Events
Dine and Dance - Hip Hop Night
Murray City Hall - 10 E 4800 S Food Trucks, Music, Dancing, and Pumpkins! Join us for some Hip Hop Dancing with 1520 Arts. Instruction starts at 6pm, all levels of dance are welcome. Come enjoy some dancing and bring your carved pumpkin to participate in our Pumpkin Stroll! Pumpkin stroll winners will be announced at 7:30
Time: 6:00 PM • Cost: FREE Website: murray.utah.gov/Calendar
Jack Wright’s Tribute to Neil Diamond, Superstar
@ The Murray Theater
Jack Wright brings together the passionate ballads, soaring anthems, and high-energy rock 'n roll that encompass Neil's five decades of superstar performances. Each show is seamlessly woven together with fascinating stories and song explanations, integrated with stunning multimedia imagery that sets this show apart from all the others.
Time: 7:00 PM
Cost: $40-$45
Website: showpass.com/jack-wrightstribute-to-neil-diamond-superstar/
American Journey with David Malmberg @ The Murray Theater
American Journey is a potpourri of our musical roots as a people. Past and present, it is American culture through music and story that we the people have talked about, laughed about, cried about, and sung about for over 240 years. There are moments of poignancy, intellectual curiosity, and outright laughter all woven together in a virtuosic and entertaining tapestry of guitar, and vocal music.
Time: 7:00 PM
Cost: $40-$45
Website: showpass.com/americanjourney-with-david-malmberg/
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A NEIGHBOR WHO SHOWS UP
On a Monday morning in Murray, you can find Kathy White attending the Ambassador meeting. A gathering that happens before most people have poured their second cup of coffee, but Kathy and all the Ambassadors have committed to making Murray a great place to do business. In the weeks since stepping into the role in late July, she has been juggling early meetings, emails, business visits, and planning for September’s Hot Air Balloon Palooza. But work is just one facet of Kathy’s life and only one of the many things she shows up for to give it her all.
Kathy was born and raised in Murray, the community she has almost never left. “I grew up here,” she said. “I’ve pretty much been a Murray person all my life.” She met the father of her two children at Murray High, where they were both Murray City Police Cadets. They eventually married, built a life together, and stayed connected to the city that had shaped them. After 17 years of marriage and two decades together, Kathy and her husband divorced. She moved back into her childhood home in Murray with her children. Her mother had passed away at the age of 62 and her father was living alone in a house much too big for one. “It was initially hard, don’t get me wrong, especially being newly on my own,” she admitted. Sometimes her childhood memories are palpable, she’ll catch the scent of her mom in the house. Her father’s health started to decline and she became his caregiver. “The companionship with my dad is really important while I’m here caring for him. I also help take care of the house and the property.”
In 2014, Kathy herself was faced with confronting her health and mortality. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and around the same time, discovered a jaw tumor. “I was being hit with all
these things at the same time,” she remembered. It was a period that forced her to confront loss and grief in new ways. Therapy became essential. It helped her process not only illness and divorce but also deeper wounds from earlier in life. Being “the other” had been part of Kathy’s growing up, she wasn’t part of the dominant faith tradition in Utah in the 1970s and felt the social edges of that. “At the time, I didn’t know exactly what felt wrong,” she recalled. “But it made me stronger. If you don’t want me there, it’s okay.” Her adult life gave her language and tools for that strength: therapy, reflection, a practice of forgiveness. When it came to addressing some of the trauma of her earlier life experiences, one lesson she remembers, “My reiki therapist helped me see my parents were doing the best they could with the knowledge they had at the time.” The gentleness in that sentence
is replicated in the way she talks about everyone from her ex-husband to the experience of navigating the blending of her family, to moving through the everyday challenges of life. Her book, Unleash the Warrior Within, gathers those lessons in anxiety, depression, and her courage to face both. She describes it as a slim, approachable read. She found other practices that grounded her. Hiking quickly became central. “Mother Nature is so healing,” Kathy said. “I started hiking every weekend, prioritized yoga, and I practiced gratitude every morning by writing. I still do. I start with what I’m grateful for, then set a goal, and my intentions for the day.” With multiple modalities to heal and move forward in her toolbox, she pressed forward with her health intact, supporting her children, coparenting, and welcoming the life and future that was waiting for her.
COVER STORY BY JACQUIE SYMES
PHOTOS BY ALLISON HARRIS AND KATHY WHITE
© Best Version Media
Kathy’s greatest pride is her family. Her children have become lifelong learners and share great pride in becoming educated and pursuing their life goals; working in fields that bring them pride and help others. Her oldest, daughter Kienna, served in the Navy Reserve, met her husband Blaine while stationed in Chicago, and now lives in Smithville. She earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a minor in Human Resources. She currently works in sales, which she enjoys. Blaine earned an Associate’s in History and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in History with an emphasis in History Teaching at Utah State. Kathy and Kienna share a love of using breathwork to improve their health, a tool the two have enjoyed so much in fact, Kienna is now an instructor of the technique.
Her youngest, son Lawson, is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Management and once played basketball at Miramar College in San Diego. He is engaged to Molly, who carries a Bachelor’s in Political Science, a Master’s in Legal Studies, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Utah this year. To top it off, she runs a thriving baking business.
In 2016, Kathy met Jeff after the two met through a mutual friend. It wasn't a scene out of a romantic comedy, no shooting sparks or firework montages. Jeff had a quiet steadiness and genuine interest in simply getting to know her. The two got to know each other after finally dating and eventually tied the knot in February of 2021.
Through her marriage to Jeff, Kathy is also stepmom to Kate, Jacob, and Lillian. Kate studied and achieved her Master’s in Education. She and her husband Nate (who carries a Master’s in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering and is currently pursuing his Doctorate) gave birth to a son, Matthias, three years ago. “I love being a grandma,” Kathy beamed. Jacob achieved his Bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology and is currently pursuing his Master’s at the University of Utah while working at an autism center. Lillian, the youngest at 14, is still in school.
In May of 2025, while out of town together, Jeff suffered a stroke. It was a frightening and uncertain time, but Kathy immediately stepped in to support him and take on the role of caretaker. She stayed by his side through the challenges, drawing on her life’s experiences to show up with
steadiness and compassion. He continues to recover well and together they’ve faced this season with courage.
Kathy’s professional life has also been marked by determination. After high school, she earned a degree first in business and later in accounting from the University of Utah. She worked at Terra Diamond, then Overstock, managing accounts payable. “AP loves me,” she said with a laugh. “For some reason, accounts payable always found me.” She later managed AP at Ultradent, balancing leadership with raising her family. After years in corporate settings, she stepped away in 2021. She wanted something different, something of her own. She invested in a virtual reality teambuilding business, an innovative idea that unfortunately had to be shelved when her father’s health declined. Instead, she found herself craving community and face-to-face connection. That’s what led her to the Murray Chamber of Commerce.
She started volunteering with the Murray Area Chamber of Commerce, then chaired Women in Business, then the Chamber board, and most recently stepped in as Interim President/CEO.
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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DAY – OPEN HOUSE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025 FROM 9AM – 5PM MURRAY CHAMBER OFFICE | 141 E 5600 S, STE 300, MURRAY UT 84107
CELEBRATE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER DAY
Coffee & refreshments
• Lunchtime Speed Networking
• Business card & flyer table
• Raffles & giveaways
• Learn how the Chamber helps your business grow Open to members and non-members. Discover how supporting your Chamber strengthens Murray’s business community. FREE TO ATTEND. ALL ARE WELCOME!
The Chamber, founded in 1948, is as old as many of Murray’s sidewalks, but like most legacy institutions, it works to evolve and maintain relevance time and again. “Chambers used to be thee place to network,” Kathy explained. “Now they’re one of many. We have to offer something that truly serves people.”
For her, that “something” is connection with purpose. She’s energized by the Ambassador team and by taking the Chamber’s work into the community which, to her, looks like supporting local businesses, inviting younger entrepreneurs in, and anchoring events that knit neighbors together. It’s not glamorous work; it’s phone calls, emails, putting out chairs, and showing up. But Kathy is good at showing up.
“It’s a lot of outreach,” she says.
“Business visits, newsletters, helping wherever I’m needed.” She lights up sharing ideas for events that make Murray feel like itself, things as simple as a 5K, as dazzling as a hot-air-balloon launch, or as practical as meeting a fellow business owner for lunch and collaborating so they feel less alone. These events are really just places where you see your neighbors and connect in the simplest of ways.
None of us can control the path life takes, but if we take a page out of Kathy’s book, we can make the most of each day and keep building a life that is both meaningful and full of learning. She carries with her the many lessons she’s learned and takes many opportunities to share her knowledge with others. A gift to those who encounter her in the chamber or on the trails.
EDUCATION CORNER
BY JACQUIE SYMES WITH THE HELP OF DOUG PERRY AND DANE BRADSHAW
HOW LEGACY DONORS CAN STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY
Murray has always been a place where families plant deep roots. Generations are born here, attend school here, start businesses, find success, and stay through every stage of life. That cycle of connection is what makes Murray so unique, and it’s also what creates opportunities for our community to thrive well into the future.
The Murray Education Foundation (MEF) is working closely with Dane Bradshaw of Family Wealth Management, LLC in Midvale to better connect with what we call “legacy donors.” These are individuals and families with a strong tie to Murray, whether they grew up here, raised children here, or simply want to see Murray continue to flourish. Legacy donors are uniquely positioned to ensure Murray remains a place where every student has access to meaningful opportunities.
“Many Murray families feel a deep pride and loyalty to this community,” Doug explains. “They want to know Murray will always be a special place, and philanthropy is a way to make that vision real for generations to come.”
By creating avenues for alumni, parents, and community members to give back, MEF hopes to nurture that sense of belonging and turn it into tangible support for today’s students and teachers.
A SMART WAY TO GIVE: QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS (QCDS)
One of the most tax-efficient ways to support MEF is through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from an
Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
This option is available to individuals aged 70½ and older and allows up to $105,000 annually (rising to $108,000 in 2025) to be transferred directly from an IRA to a qualified charity like MEF—without incurring income tax.
BENEFITS OF QCDS
▶ Tax Efficiency: A QCD can satisfy your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) without increasing taxable income.
▶ Estate Planning: In addition to excluding QCDs from taxable income they can reduce the value of an estate, potentially lowering estate taxes.
HOW TO MAKE A QCD TO MEF
▶ Consult Your IRA Custodian: Let them know you intend to make a QCD.
▶ Provide MEF’s Details: Ensure your custodian has MEF’s legal name, address, and tax identification number.
▶ Specify the Amount: Decide how much to contribute, keeping annual limits in mind.
▶ Direct the Funds: Have the custodian send funds directly to MEF so the gift qualifies.
BE PART OF MURRAY’S LEGACY
By leveraging tools like QCDs, community members can make a meaningful difference while also receiving personal financial benefits. Every contribution, whether large or small, helps carry forward Murray’s tradition of strong schools, supported families, and a connected community.
Together, we can ensure that Murray remains a place where legacies are not only remembered but built upon for generations to come.
You can reach Dane Bradshaw at (801) 666-7020 or by email at dane@familywm.net
Another Year, Another Holy War in Murray
begins to creep into the minds of football fans far and wide. Whether you call BYU or Utah your alma mater, you were born into a “blue or red” family, or perhaps your
battle for Utah football supremacy took place in Salt Lake City, with the University of Utah besting then-Brigham Young Academy by a score of 12-4. Utah would go on to win again on November 14th, 1896, with a score of 6-0. BYA would earn their first victory over Utah in Provo on December 5th of the same year, with a final score of 8-6.
Congress and President Grover Cleveland, and Utah was officially admitted as the 45th state of America.
Three months later, on April 6th, the first
For Utahns, this matchup is not just another Saturday on the gridiron—it’s a cultural phenomenon. The “Holy War” has become more than a football game; it transcends sports, weaving itself into family traditions, neighborhood dynamics, and even workplace culture. For anyone working in Utah, rivalry week is impossible to ignore. In nearly every office, warehouse, or break room, the staff is divided into groups of blue and red.
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RESHLAW’S TAKE ON RIVALRY WEEK
In October 2024, Murray’s own accident & injury law firm, ReshLaw, found a unique way to embrace the rivalry while celebrating its own milestone. Co-founders Resh Jeffries and Addison Hunter marked their second anniversary by hosting a promotional ticket giveaway on Instagram. The prize? Two front-row tickets to the upcoming BYU-Utah game at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
What made the giveaway especially fitting was the fact that Jeffries, a graduate of BYU’s law school, is an enthusiastic Cougars fan, while Hunter is as devoted to the Utes. Their professional partnership mirrors the rivalry itself: respectful, spirited, and built on competing perspectives.
The Instagram post announcing the drawing quickly gained traction. “Hey, Utah, this is Addison Hunter with ReshLaw accident and injury,” the video began. “Some of you may have heard that there’s a pretty big game going on. To celebrate being in business for two years, we’re giving away two front-row tickets to the BYUUtah game.” Followers were invited to enter by tagging a friend in the comments section, with each tag counting as an additional entry.
A FAMILIAR WINNER
When the live drawing was held on November 1, the winner turned out to be someone with familiar ties to the Murray community. Justin Ford, a funeral director at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Homes & Cremation Center, claimed the prize. Justin, a life-long BYU fan, attended the game with his wife, Laurel, a life-long Utah fan. After a very heated and controversial finish, Justin was fortunate enough to celebrate BYU’s second win over Utah in nearly 15 years and later left a heartfelt comment on ReshLaw’s Instagram page: “What a game!! We had a 50/50 chance of one of us walking away happy, but to Laurel’s credit, she walked away happy as well. Special thanks to ReshLaw for the incredible tickets. The atmosphere and fans were incredible. Go Cougs!!”
MORE THAN A GIVEAWAY
For ReshLaw, the giveaway was more than a marketing promotion. It showcased the firm’s commitment to connecting with the community in fun, memorable ways while honoring the traditions that matter most to Utahns. By leaning into the rivalry—rather than ignoring it—Jeffries and Hunter highlighted how two opposing perspectives can coexist and even thrive when grounded
in respect and shared purpose.
Much like the BYU-Utah rivalry itself, ReshLaw’s story is one of passion, identity, and community. The Holy War may divide households and workplaces for a few weeks each year, but it also brings Utahns together in their shared love of tradition, competition, and spirited debate. In Murray, as across the state, that’s something everyone; red or blue, can celebrate.
The elusive Dogbra, never before seen on camera. Many think this creature is closely related to zebras, white tigers, or even dogs. I don’t see the resemblance. Julie is neither tiger nor zebra. All dog. Julie has been waiting for her forever home for 440 days now. Four hundred forty. That’s more unbelievable than a dog with black stripes. I had the pleasure of watching her run and bounce, she almost ate the entirety of my treat bag. She’s phenomenal using her paws as hands, I learned that the hard way. She has the best smile and loves a good tennis ball. Julie is only a year and half, she does well with other dogs and people. The fact she is still waiting for a home baffles me. When you look into her eyes you’ll be instantly hooked, this dog is clever. Julie is ready, she’s waited long enough. So scoot over, she’s taking up your half of the couch.
Please reach out to Second Chance Homeless Pets for more information on this gem, (801) 590-8999. Info@utahpetadoptions,org.
Utah Velocity Cheer Flies into its Sixth Year
Friday night lights, the sense of eventfulness, the pageantry—that's what Kat Martin wanted from cheerleading, where athletes could take to the sidelines and cheer on game days.
A few months after she started Utah Velocity Cheer in 2019, Kat met Elisa Salazar, the President of the Utah Falconz Women's Football team at the time.
“I decided to ask her if she had any cheerleaders for her football team,” Kat said, who responded to Salazar's “no” with a “not yet”—Utah Velocity Cheer would be the game-day cheerleaders for the team and the cheer squad has been flying high ever since.
SOARING WITH THE FALCONZ
The journey from a new to a disciplined program representing a professional women's football team—the only one in the Women’s National Football conference with cheerleaders—has been adventurous, said Kat, who has coached cheerleading for six years across multiple levels.
Utah Velocity Cheer matched the Falconz' colors and energy to create a great game-day experience for which the program takes great pride. Last year was their first year traveling with the Falconz team, and 14 cheerleaders along with their families journeyed south to Las Vegas to cheer during a game.
"The Utah Falconz show us amazing support," she said. "They are our number one.”
PREPARING ATHLETES FOR LIFE
While cheering for the Falconz is memorable,
Kat said cheerleaders—ranging from ages 5 to 18—learn to stunt, perform jumps, kicks, cheers, and all the fundamentals of cheerleading and more to accompany the Utah Velocity Cheer experience. Program participants even get professional choreography, annual professional photos, and monthly team parties.
Starting at five years old is a fun challenge for Kat and her team, and they recognize that kids will be kids.
"We just allow the younger ones to learn the sport and learn to love it," she said.
As they grow, Utah Velocity Cheer teaches cheers and routines to prepare athletes for game days and showcase events—and hopefully for the athletes, a future in competitive or high school cheer. All of it is a vehicle to drive home her larger priority: "My goal is to build leaders and people who can be successful in adult life," she said.
"They're all on one team, we don't divide them up by age," Kat said of her approach with the program. "A six-year-old will get the same love and attention as an 18-year-old; we just might have to kneel down to their level to talk to the younger ones."
She has created a fun and challenging environment that athletes want to return to.
One girl has been cheering from the ages of 5 to 11, and now has a five-year-old sister as a teammate. Two athletes who started with the program six years ago recently graduated from high school.
"You get to see how skilled they become." Kat said one of the greatest joys of coaching is, "After working so hard all season, all of a sudden it comes together."
MAGIC HAPPENS IN MURRAY
For Utah Velocity Cheer, Murray is the place to be. The city is home in many senses, as Kat and her husband, Kevin, grew up looking toward
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the famous “Murray Stacks.” The Murray School District and Assistant Superintendent Kristen Davis have been stalwart allies to the program.
However, even with community support, the program has been on an arduous path to find a permanent home since its first practice at the Sports Mall racquetball court.
“It was terrible,” Kat laughed as she recalled the first, very loud practice. But she and the 20 cheerleaders who started in the program made it work.
The odyssey continued to the Boys and Girls Club, the 49th Street Galleria building, Horizon Elementary, and finally to their current home base at Viewmont Elementary.
While Kat and the cheerleaders make lemonade out of lemons, Utah Velocity Cheer hopes to lease their own location, gain a sense of permanence, and hopefully recruit more future Murray High Spartans to cheer.
Another longtime goal looms large: Kat wants to take the team to the cheer portion of the American Youth Football's regional and national competitions.
“Utah is such a big cheer state,” Kat said. “And we want to represent them because our state has never attended one of those competitions before.”
In the meantime, athletes of all skill and cheerleading experience levels— boys and girls—are welcome to join Utah Velocity Cheer and participate in recreational or sideline cheerleading.
“Our athletes are hard working,” Kat concluded. “We are also praised for our inclusivity and people tell us all the time, 'I love your program, you really care about the kids you coach.’”
UtahVelocityCheer
LOCATION: VIEWMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PRACTICE DAYS/TIMES: MON/TUE/THU • 5:30 - 7:30 PM FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL:
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OCT. 2025
FOOTBALL
GIRLS SOCCER
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GIRLS TENNIS
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YOUTH ATHLETE LEADER OF THE MONTH
Jaylen Barker
Name: Jaylen Barker • Age: 15
Discipline: Trampoline & Tumbling (T&T) –former athlete, now coach
Favorite Part of Coaching: “Helping kids fall in love with the sport the way I have.”
Beyond Gymnastics: Passionate advocate for anti-bullying awareness and prevention
Personal Motto: “Stay strong, stay kind, and lift others up.”
FROM ATHLETE TO ADVOCATE: THE INSPIRING JOURNEY OF JAYLEN BARKER
For as long as she can remember, Jaylen Barker has flipped, twisted, and tumbled through life. She began competing in trampoline and tumbling (T&T) at six and joined Black Diamond Gymnastics in 2018.
Her accomplishments include:
▶ UT State Champion in tumbling and double mini
▶ UT State Second Place finish in trampoline
▶ US Region 1 Champion in tumbling
▶ Multiple-time national USA Gym Championships qualifier
But Jaylen’s story isn’t only about medals. It’s about resilience, perseverance, and giving back.
A SETBACK BECOMES A TURNING
POINT
In 2024, after making her high school cheer team, Jaylen stepped away from competition. Persistent back pain led to the diagnosis of a bilateral fracture in her L5 vertebra and “kissing spine disease.” Surgery included
bilateral repair with screws, bone grafting, and partial removal of the L4 spinous process. Recovery required six weeks out of school and six months of healing, teaching lessons in patience and perseverance. Jaylen returned to school with strong grades. Although cleared by her surgeon to resume activity, she chose not to compete again and instead redirected her energy to coaching.
PASSING THE TORCH
This summer, Jaylen joined the Black Diamond coaching staff, eager to offer the encouragement she received as an athlete. “I want my athletes to love the sport as much as I do,” she said. “And I want them to feel the same kind of support from their coaches that I’ve always felt here.” Her experiences, both triumphs and trials, give her a distinctive perspective on overcoming obstacles, adapting, and staying connected to the sport.
AN ADVOCATE BEYOND THE GYM
Jaylen’s influence extends beyond gymnastics. During a recent scholarship pageant, she used her platform to promote anti-bullying awareness and to advocate for safe, supportive
environments for children and adolescents in classrooms, gyms, and communities. Her mission is to help others feel safe, valued, and confident while educating them on how to prevent and respond to bullying.
LOOKING AHEAD
As her strength and flexibility return, Jaylen is gradually resuming training on trampoline and double mini; events that have long fueled her passion. She is excited by the possibility of returning to competition while continuing to focus on coaching, mentoring, and advocacy. Jaylen’s story demonstrates that the most enduring successes are not only measured by medals but by how we use our experiences to lift others. Her journey continues to inspire, reminding the community that lasting victories occur in the lives we positively affect.
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MORE THAN A FEELING:
Bobbi Henry’s historic Murray home is more than a landmark of family history. Within its brick walls, stories linger—some told in the creak of old floorboards, others in the quiet way Henry describes the gift she calls “the knowing.” For her, intuition isn’t just a feeling; it’s a practice that bridges past and present, science and mystery.
Henry calls herself a medical intuitive—a person who can sense physical or emotional ailments in others through what she describes as vibration and frequency. To her, every body carries a distinct electrical signature, just as every memory, object, and even trauma leaves behind a hum. “Everything has a vibration,” she told me. “It’s like when an opera singer hits a note and the glass shatters. Our bodies are no different. Each one has its own frequency, its own signature.”
A CHILDHOOD OF VISIONS
Her awareness began young. “I was about four or five when I realized I could see and feel things other people couldn’t,” she said. At the time, her mother was battling cancer. One night, Henry recalls, a terrifying figure entered her bedroom. “She floated, like her toes and hair were underwater. I thought she was cancer,” Henry said. “I got so angry I just pushed out energy. I don’t know how else to describe it—screamed or pushed it away. She never came back.”
Even as a child, Henry’s instinct was to protect. “I told my mom I was fighting cancer,” she said, laughing gently at the memory. “She asked if I even knew what cancer was. Of course, I didn’t. But to me, that’s what the entity was—cancer coming after my family.”
The experiences were not isolated. Her mother dreamed of tragedies before they happened, including once forbidding her daughter from riding home with friends after a day at Lagoon amusement park. “My sister had to get on the bus. My mom was hysterical. That car crashed up Big Cottonwood Canyon. One girl died, another was paralyzed,” Henry recalled. “My mom had seen it in a dream.”
The family came to call these abilities simply the knowing.
ENCOUNTERS WITH THE DEPARTED
Geneva Caldwell, who had been born and lived nearly her whole life in Henry’s house, came to her on the day she died. “I heard footsteps across the wood floor, the door opened, and I thought, Geneva passed. An hour later her niece called to say she was gone. I told her, ‘She came back for a visit—and she got her legs back.’”
Henry insists these aren’t just her private visions. Visitors, she says, often hear the phantom footsteps or the sound of someone running upstairs. Her children would sigh: “Mom, they’re running on the stairs again. Make them leave.”
WHAT IT MEANS TO HEAL
Henry doesn’t keep a shingle outside her door. She works mostly by referral, sometimes backing away when people demand answers she can’t—or won’t—give. “I can’t force the energy to my will,” she explained. “I can only take it in and decipher it. Sometimes the reading is about a disease. Sometimes it’s about procrastination or an old trauma. It’s whatever presents itself.”
She describes her method as a kind of resonance therapy, often tied to what she calls theta healing. “That’s the theta brainwave—the same state as hypnosis,” she said. “When I connect, I can sense where the pain is, whether it’s emotional or physical, and then send a vibration that shifts it.”
She demonstrated with a simple exercise: standing pigeon-toed, eyes closed, repeating the word yes. My body tipped forward. With no, it tilted back. “Those are the energy fields in the body,” Henry said. “You can’t lie to them. Your body knows who you are.”
In practice, she said, she uses that current to identify inflammation, trauma, or anxiety, then works to reset the vibration. “Sometimes I’ll say, you’re holding onto this because it doesn’t feel safe to let it go. We can shift that. We can make it safe.”
BETWEEN SCIENCE AND MYSTERY
Henry readily admits she straddles two worlds. “I’m a science person,” she said. “Sometimes I have a hard time putting the two together. I’m always looking for an explanation. But there aren’t always answers.”
For her, the metaphors help. “When you boil water, it becomes vapor. When you die, you change form. The vibration is still there. That’s what I sense.”
After decades of experience, she’s learned to accept her limits. “People think psychic means you know everything, right now. But sometimes you’re not supposed to know. Sometimes they don’t want you to know. I can’t make that happen.”
Still, she keeps listening. Keeps feeling. Keeps “knowing.”
As our conversation wound down, I asked her one last question, almost in passing: “Are there others with us now?”
Henry paused, glanced past me, and nodded. “Yes,” she said quietly. “Two.”
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LANTERNS, LOVE, AND THE LITTLEST GHOST:
A RETROSPECTIVE ON MURRAY’S MOST FAMOUS HAUNTING
If you’ve ever strolled Murray City Cemetery on a crisp October evening, you might find yourself keeping a wary eye on the ground— not for cats, or rustling leaves, but for the faint outline of a three-yearold ghost who, at least once upon a time, made quite a stir.
Our story begins in the spring of 1904, back when a horse and buggy clip-clopped down Vine Street and Murray was more smelter town than suburb. In the May 2 issue of the Salt Lake Tribune, readers were treated to a tale that made their “blood run cold.” According to the Tribune’s correspondent, a “young man, who lives in Central stake,” took a shortcut through the cemetery one Wednesday night to visit his sweetheart. This Romeo, instead of finding roses and violins, found a phantom.
“A few yards away a snow-white figure slowly emerged from the ground and hung suspended over a grave,” the Tribune reported. “The watcher could distinguish the outlines of a little child, apparently 3 or 4 years old.”
The apparition wasn’t content with one curtain call. No, this was a ghost with a flair for the theatrical. The young man, rooted in place, watched as the child-spirit sank back into the earth, only to rise again. The whole act repeated three times, like an eerie vaudeville number. The paper continued:
“Whereat the youth turned his back on the haunted grave and fled without another backward look.”
His mad dash into the night did little to quiet the story. By the time he caught his breath at his sweetheart’s house, his pale face and shaky voice told all. The tale spilled out and soon enough the neighborhood was alive with whispers. As the Tribune wryly put it:
“In the course of a day the original infant ghost had become the size of a telegraph pole and multiplied into a corps of corpses.”
That is how one frightened fellow’s encounter snowballed into a community sensation. The graveyard became the hottest ticket in town. Forget the nickelodeon—if you wanted entertainment, you packed a lantern and headed for Murray Cemetery to catch a glimpse of the baby ghost.
Now, every good ghost yarn requires a skeptic. Enter Sexton Robert Wright, the man in charge of Murray’s resting grounds. The Tribune described him as “an old man with a generous white beard, which reaches almost to his waist.” Wright, however, spoiled the party. He claimed he had been working that very night, “digging a grave that had to be ready the next morning.”
According to Wright, the only spirits he encountered were the ones bottled in the pockets of overly imaginative locals. “I was in the cemetery Wednesday night and I didn’t see any ghost,” he said. Instead, he admitted to hearing odd noises three times as he worked,
and then spotting a man sprinting away. To him, the ghost was less supernatural and more “rabbit in the brush.”
But the ghost had another, sterner enemy to contend with: the rival press. Just two days later, the Deseret Evening News fired back with a blistering rebuttal under the headline:
“TRIBUNE SEES SPOOKS. Another ‘Hot-Air’ Story Written of a Country Graveyard.”
The News gleefully dismantled its competitor’s account. It claimed no one in Murray had ever heard of such a story until the Tribune printed it.
Wright himself swore he “was not in the cemetery on that day at all,” and hadn’t dug a grave after dark “for some months.” And when he did, the sexton added, he always used a lantern because “it is an impossibility to dig a grave after dark without one.”
In the space of a week, the phantom child had gone from ghastly menace to journalistic punchline. What began as a spooky yarn in the Tribune was swiftly dismissed as “hot air” in the News. And Murray residents—well, they were left to scratch their heads in the cemetery, wondering whether they should be afraid of ghosts, rabbits, or rival newspapers.
Yet the story has stuck around for over a century, bobbing up each Halloween like apples in a barrel. Local historians even tied the sighting to the tragic burial of two-year-old Calvin Wilson, who had died of diphtheria the very day before, April 26, 1904, and was laid to rest in Murray Cemetery on April 27. Whether coincidence or cosmic mischief, it’s easy to see how townsfolk could connect a child’s fresh grave with the Tribune’s little specter.
So what do we make of it today? Was it an imaginative lad seeing things in the shadows, a sexton’s lantern mistaken for a wraith, or the grief of a community weaving itself into folklore?
Of course, history never recorded the poor fellow’s name—perhaps to spare him the indignity of being remembered as Utah’s first man to be stood up by a ghost.
The Tribune gave us the fright. The Deseret News gave us the debunk. And Murray? Murray got a legend: a good-natured ghost story, more mischievous than malevolent, that still makes the rounds.
Is Your Roof Ready for Fall and Winter?
As summer ends and fall approaches, homeowners often focus on cozy gatherings, seasonal décor, and holiday preparations. However, a crucial question remains: is your roof prepared for the upcoming fall and winter weather?
Your roof is your home's first line of defense against the elements. In Utah and the Mountain West, fall brings heavy leaf drop, wind, and rain, quickly followed by snow and ice. Addressing maintenance now can prevent costly repairs later, and many tasks are simple and affordable. Here are some essential tips to ensure your roof is ready for the season ahead.
1.
CONDUCT A VISUAL INSPECTION
Start with a quick self-inspection. Walk around your home and look for missing, loose, or curling shingles; dark patches indicating moisture damage; sagging roof lines; and damaged flashing around chimneys or vents. Even from the ground, these signs can reveal problems. Noting issues allows you to seek professional help before minor defects worsen.
2. CLEAN GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS
Gutter cleaning is often overlooked but vital. Debris buildup can cause water to back up, leading to seepage under shingles or pooling near your foundation. Ensure gutters are clear and downspouts direct water at least three feet away from your home. Installing gutter guards can reduce debris accumulation during the season.
3. TRIM OVERHANGING TREES
Branches hanging over your roof should be trimmed back. Falling leaves clog gutters, and snow or ice-laden branches can snap and damage shingles or puncture your roof. Pruning now can prevent significant winter weather damage.
4. ADDRESS SMALL REPAIRS
Many homeowners delay fixing minor issues, but small problems like leaks or lifted shingles can quickly worsen under winter conditions. Repairing these in fair weather is faster, safer, and more cost-effective than waiting for emergencies in the cold months.
5. INSPECT ATTIC AND VENTILATION
The interior of your home impacts roof health. Proper ventilation prevents heat and moisture buildup, reducing mold, ice dams, and premature aging. Check that attic insulation is dry and evenly distributed and that vents are unobstructed. Good ventilation minimizes winter damage risks.
6. SCHEDULE A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION
While DIY assessments are helpful, a professional roof inspection offers peace of mind. Experts can identify hidden issues, evaluate shingle and flashing integrity, check drainage, and assess attic ventilation. Think of this as a seasonal health checkup for your roof.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Preparing your roof for fall and winter is straightforward with simple homeowner tasks complemented by professional inspections. Preventative care protects your investment and keeps your family safe and dry.
At S & S Roofing, we believe prevention is better than repair. Taking time now saves surprises later and ensures peace of mind throughout the seasons. Before enjoying pumpkin lattes or holiday lights, consider inspecting your roof or giving us a call at 801-272-7000.
roof will thank you.
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HAUNTED WOODS!
October 20th, 2025, marks the ‘365-day and one-half-century’ point since Murray’s Haunted Woods began hosting our city’s most terrifyingly glee-filled event.
According to Google, between 11% and 47% of adults still secretly harbor old childhood fears of the dark. Long-time event organizer, Sheri Van Bibber, agrees that it is perfectly rational to feel fear when facing a forest of ghouls, ghosts, and goblins. The very thought of walking through a poorly lit maze, while mysterious dark figures lurk deep in the shadows around you, may be enough to send chills down your spine. But while fear of the haunted woods is justifiable, the alternative points to a much more sinister form of internal fear… the FEAR OF MISSING OUT. Don’t let FOMO haunt you; mark your calendars for Oct. 20-22 today!
BY RICHARD ELLIS
Stringing Them Along
THE TRAGIC AND CONFOUNDING CASE OF UTAH CONGRESSMAN DOUGLAS STRINGFELLOW
On June 30, 1954, Deseret News announced that U.S. Representative Douglas Stringfellow, a Utah Republican, would appear on two TV programs that evening. NBC’s “This is Your Life,” shown on KDYLTV, would honor the congressman. CBS’s “Suspense” on KSL-TV would profile a secret World War II mission “deep behind enemy lines.” Stringfellow was the sole survivor.
By then, Stringfellow had regaled hundreds of audiences with his exploits in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency. He had parachuted behind enemy lines and captured German physicist Otto Hahn, the Nazi’s best chance at developing an atomic bomb. However, the Gestapo captured Stringfellow in the aftermath and tortured him at Belsen concentration camp. Interrogators jammed strips of bamboo under his fingernails and lit them on fire. Stringfellow broke out of the camp but stepped on a Nazi landmine during his escape.
Yet four years later, on September 13, 1956, the Murray Eagle announced that the “Noted Former Congressman” Douglas Stringfellow had become Radio KMUR’s manager. Conspicuously absent was any mention of why Stringfellow was no longer a congressman.
What happened?
Born in 1922 in Draper, Utah, Stringfellow enlisted for service in November 1942 and was deployed to southern France in December 1944. After landmine shrapnel ripped into Stringfellow’s spine, leaving him paraplegic, he spent months in an army hospital recovering and was awarded a Purple Heart. At the hospital, he met his future wife—a USO performer from Utah. Back home, Stringfellow worked in radio and spoke movingly about his wartime experiences. The reception was tremendous. By 1952, Stringfellow was doing hundreds of speaking gigs per year. Local Republican leaders in Utah saw promise in Stringfellow and urged him to run for congress in 1952. He won, and his star continued to rise.
That is, until he went on NBC and CBS. There were, in fact, a group of OSS operatives who infiltrated Nazi Germany and captured top scientists including Otto Hahn. Some of the veterans from that mission saw the segment—and knew Stringfellow was lying.
Soon, journalists and Utah Democrats began to accuse Stringfellow of stolen valor. The congressman dismissed the allegations as political persecution. He even asked President Dwight D. Eisenhower to release his records from OSS.
Finally, on Oct. 14, 1954, newspaper Army Times reported that Stringfellow’s
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On October 16, 1954, Stringfellow went on KSL-TV to confess.
story, as told on “This is Your Life,” was false. In truth, the Representative served in a demining unit and was maimed by a landmine in France just weeks after deploying. He never saw combat. Stringfellow’s press office insisted that, coming in advance of his run for reelection that November, “it seems perfectly clear this unfounded attack is politically inspired.”
The scandal soon reached David Oman McKay, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a diary entry dated to October 15, McKay said he met with U.S. Senators Arthur V. Watkins and Wallace F. Bennett, who reported that Stringfellow had confessed to the hoax in private. The three decided that Stringfellow ought to “make his confession to the public” and arranged for him to do so.
That night on KSL-TV, Stringfellow read from prepared remarks, claiming the lies started when someone introduced him as a “war hero.” Rather than deny it, he leaned into “the adulation and new-found popularity.”
Two days later, Stringfellow resigned his campaign for reelection, and two years later, the former congressman was running
KMUR, "Your Murray Music Station."
Before passing away in 1966, Stringfellow wrote an unpublished autobiography that his family shared with the Salt Lake Tribune in 2013. In it, he claimed to have believed his lies, which formed while he was in the hospital recovering from the landmine explosion. “Without a past to recall, a future to plan and build for, I fled each night to that world of fantasy,” he wrote. “... A news report or a commentator's review of a battle, blaring forth from the radio, could transport me halfway around the world to lead the troops, to rout the enemy."
Only months before the Army Times exposé did he realize that “... I as much as anyone else had been duped by my own story." Rather than admit any of this, Stringfellow decided he’d rather be known as a liar than a crazy person.
Maybe Stringfellow’s lie was a result of PTSD. Maybe he lied in his autobiography to present himself as the victim. If he faked his war experience so compellingly, couldn’t he also fabricate why he fabricated that story?
Taken during his tenure in the House of Representatives, from the Congressional
It is both tragic and confounding that a veteran maimed by a landmine would want or need to stretch the truth. He served the U.S. honorably and only dishonored himself by changing the story.
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BY DANIELLE M. MEISTER, EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
THE TRUTH ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY
A Guide to Planning Ahead
What if Social Security isn’t as “secure” as its name implies? Headlines often warn that it’s “running out of money,” leaving many wondering if the system will be there when they retire. These doubts can shape some of the biggest financial decisions people face— when to retire, how much to save, and where to invest for income. Let’s clear the air on what’s really happening with Social Security and what you can do about it.
Is Social Security Going Bankrupt? The short answer: no. While Social Security faces financial challenges, it’s not going away. According to the 2025 Trustees Report, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund can pay full benefits until 2033. After that, if no changes are made, ongoing payroll taxes would still cover about 77% of promised benefits. That’s not 0%—but it could mean a roughly 20–25% across-the-board cut beginning in the mid-2030s. It’s a serious issue, but not a total collapse. Think of it as a gap to plan for, rather than a vanishing act.
The root problem is demographic. Social Security is largely a pay-as-you-go system: today’s workers fund today’s retirees. Decades ago, four to five workers supported every retiree. Today it’s closer to 2.7, and by 2035 it may fall to just over two. People are living longer, while birth rates have slowed, and the Baby Boom generation has retired. That shift means fewer workers shouldering more benefits, which strains the system.
KEY RULES EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
Understanding the rules of Social Security can help maximize benefits. Here are a few you should be familiar with:
Spousal benefits: If married, you may be eligible for up to 50% of your spouse’s benefit if that’s larger than your own. Couples should coordinate claiming strategies carefully, as delaying the higherearning spouse’s benefit can increase monthly income and maintain the higher payment as a survivor benefit.
Survivor benefits: When a spouse dies, the surviving spouse may step into the deceased partner’s full benefit. Timing matters: claiming at 60 leads to a reduced benefit, while waiting longer increases the payout.
Divorced benefits: If you were married for at least 10 years and haven’t remarried before 60, you may qualify for spousal or survivor benefits on your ex-spouse’s record. This doesn’t reduce what your ex or their family receives.
Business owners: Self-employed people pay the full 12.4% Social Security tax. While it may be tempting to minimize taxable salary for tax savings today, doing so may lower future Social Security benefits. Review your Social Security statement regularly and consult and advisor or CPA to ensure you are getting credits toward Social Security.
Benefit Timing: A person with substantial retirement assets might start Social Security income earlier to preserve their portfolio, create guaranteed income while markets are volatile, or simply because they want to front-load retirement spending or don’t expect to live long enough to maximize delayed benefits. On the other hand, delaying Social Security can be highly beneficial for those with good health and longevity expectations, since it locks in a higher guaranteed income –8% more per year until age 70 – and provides stronger survivor benefits for a spouse. An internet search will almost always tell you to delay; however, it’s not typically so straightforward. It comes down to trade-offs between immediate cash flow, portfolio preservation, longevity, lifestyle, and legacy goals.
SO HOW SHOULD YOU PREPARE, KNOWING A POSSIBLE BENEFIT CUT COULD BE ON THE HORIZON?
Check your numbers: Create an account at SSA.gov and review your statement. If you want to plan conservatively, use an 80% assumption of your estimated benefit in your retirement plan.
Save more elsewhere: If you are concerned about a potential shortfall, increase savings in retirement accounts. If a 20% cut means replacing $400 monthly, or $4,800 annually in Social Security income – over a 30-year retirement, it would require roughly $144,000 in additional savings (not factoring in future COLAs and account growth). This is a more achievable goal when spread over time.
Diversify income streams: Relying solely on Social Security is risky. Consider other passive income sources, like rental income, incomepaying investments, annuities, or alternative strategies such as private real estate or private credit funds. A well-diversified plan, with multiple income levers, will reduce the impact of any one income source underperforming.
Work with a professional: Navigating Social Security’s rules and retirement income planning can be complex. A financial advisor can help create financial plans and projections to find gaps in your plan. Then you can plug those gaps with income producing investments, many of which are sold only through licensed professionals.
Social Security is too important to ignore—but it shouldn’t be your only lifeline. While the program faces real challenges, it’s not disappearing. Headlines may stir fear, but with clear information and thoughtful planning, you can replace uncertainty with confidence and ensure your financial future is built on more than one pillar.
Growing Your Wealth with Danielle Meister. For over 30 years, Madrona Financial & CPAs has been helping individuals and families improve their financial well-being. Madrona is headquartered in Washington State, while Danielle and her staff have offices in Park City and Cottonwood Heights, Utah – with clients across the United States. Call us for a consultation 833-673-7373.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN UTAH
In the vast landscape of American entrepreneurship, women-owned businesses stand as pillars of innovation, resilience, and community encouragement. According to Fundera.com, across the United States, approximately 12.3 million businesses are owned and operated by women, representing 40% of all US businesses. This significant portion underscores women entrepreneurs’ critical role in shaping our society’s economic and social fabric.
Utah, known for its entrepreneurial spirit and robust business climate, is home to an impressive number of these enterprises. The Women’s Business Center of Utah showcases 2,900 women-owned businesses in their online directory. This network not only adds to the variation of Utah’s economy, but also fosters a culture of inclusivity within the local business-ecosystem.
Supporting women-owned businesses in Utah is paramount for several reasons. It encourages economic diversity and resilience – women tend to bring alternative perspectives to their industries, driving innovation and advancing competitive markets – and, by supporting female entrepreneurs, we
By Aimee L. Cook
contribute to an economy capable of weathering challenges and seizing new opportunities.
“Supporting women-owned businesses in Utah isn’t just about leveling the playing field; it’s about embracing the unique perspectives and strengths that women bring to the table,” said Ann Marie Wallace, Director of the Women’s Business Center of Utah. “Women entrepreneurs aren’t just great owners; they’re visionary leaders and decisionmakers who create lasting impact in our communities.”
Women-owned businesses significantly contribute to local economies by creating jobs, increasing tax revenues, and providing essential goods and services. These enterprises often prioritize community well-being and sustainability, aligning their operations with the needs and values of local residents. Consequently, supporting women-owned businesses in Utah amplifies their positive impact on the community, enhancing overall quality of life and fostering a sense of unity and purpose. It’s not just an investment in individual enterprises, but a commitment to cultivating a resilient and community-oriented economy. Through
Across the United States, approximately 12.3 million businesses are owned and operated by women, representing 40% of all US businesses.
collective support, we can propel these businesses to greater heights, driving meaningful change and prosperity for all Utah residents
Finally, championing women entrepreneurs empowers future generations. It signals to young girls and aspiring women entrepreneurs that their ambitions are valid and achievable. Celebrating and supporting womenowned businesses fosters an environment where dreams are nurtured and barriers to success are dismantled.
- Ellen A.
