Neighbors of the Wasatch Back, Heber Valley - September 2026 by Betsy DeMann

Erica Beatty

Creating Meaningful Art Through Self-Discovery COVER PHOTO BY DANA KLEIN

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS AUTOMOTIVE & MAINTENANCE REPAIR EXPERT L & L Repair 1310 S Daniels Rd., Heber City, 84032 435-657-0715

LAW EXPERTS Gordon Law Group 435.657.0984 info@gordonlawgrouputah.com www.utglg.com

COMMUNITY BUILDING AND NETWORKING EXPERT Kirsten Gunnerud, Executive Director Women's Inspired Network (WIN) kirsten@winparkcity.com winparkcity.com

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

COUNSELING EXPERT Meadowbrook Counseling 150 North Main Street Suite 206 Meadowbrook Counseling Heber, UT 84032 Therapy for individuals, couples and families. office@meadowbrookcounseling.com 801-655-5450

• Individual Therapy MASSAGE AND WELLNESS EXPERT • Couples Therapy • Family TherapyCrystal Joy, Mountain Elite Massage • Group Therapy 32 South Main Street, Olde Town • Anxiety & Depression Therapy Square Building, Heber City, 84032 • Trauma & PTSD Therapy • Reunification mountainelitemassage.com • EMDR 435-315-3573 • Parenting • NeurofeedbackMIXOLOGIST AND

FINANCE AND TAX EXPERTS Danielle M. Meister, CFF®, CDFA® BARTENDING EXPERT 150 North Main Street, Madrona Financial & CPAs Suite 201 • Heber UT 84032 Tom Brazill 801-655-5450 833-673-7373• office@meadowbrookcounseling.com Elevate Event Bartending | 801-477-4452 www.meadowbrookcounseling.com tom@elevateeventbartending.com daniellem@madronafinancial.com elevateeventbartending.com

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 REROOFING EXPERT S and S Roofing Emergency Repairs & Free Estimates Utah’s #1 Roofing Company 435-658-4344 WELLNESS OPTIMIZATION EXPERTS WOW Clinics 435-800-6969 info@wowclinic.com wowclinic.com WINE EXPERT Pamela Wood Park City Wine Club info@ParkCityWineClub.com ParkCityWineClub.com

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

NATURE PRESERVATION AND EDUCATION EXPERT Emma Lowe Swaner Preserve and Eco Center 1258 Center Dr.,Park City, UT 84098 swanerecocenter.org | 435-797-8940

WASATCH WELLNESS EXPERT Stacey Millhorn, Owner Pure Sweat Studio 435.602.3945 stacey@puresweatstudios.com 1571 Redstone Center Dr. #105

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

ORGANIZATION EXPERT Ashley Bienvenu NEAT Method Park City ashley.bienvenu@neatmethod.com 415.866.5834 neatmethod.com/locations/ut/park-city

WOMEN’S WELLNESS EXPERT Erin Seamons Earthy Erin earthyerin.com | 435-200-5778 info@eathyerin.com

INTERIOR DESIGN EXPERTS Tam Taggart & Jenniel Wilkey Studio Interiors & Co. info@studiointeriorstah.com 435-214-6951

PET BOARDING AND DAY CARE EXPERTS Coombs Kennels 1685 S Mill Rd Heber City UT 84032 coombskennels.com | 435-657-2577 coombskennels@gmail.com

CHIROPRACTIC EXPERT Dr. Kinal Patel Heber Valley Chiropractic 4108 N Forestdale Dr, Park City, UT 84098 435-300-6633 kinalpatel13@gmail.com

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & CLEANING EXPERT Lisandro Salas • A-Veda Luxury Services & Property Maintenance 435-655-5278 Manager@AvedaLuxuryServices.com

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

2 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

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

KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

ERIC RAMIREZ

MARITZA ROÑO

NATALIE TAYLOR

BETSY DEMANN Publisher bdemann@bestversionmedia.com

IZZY CRANDALL

RICHARD ELLIS

MELISSA FIELDS

JACQUIE SYMES Executive Assistant to the Publisher & Content Coordinator jacquie@bestversionmedia.com PHOEBE ZANIELLO

SANDY GELDHOF

CASEY LANE

TIFFANY WICKES

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

MITCHELL OLSEN Publisher molsen@bestversionmedia.com

EMILY REZIN

DEB DEKOFF

DANA KLEIN

LEXIE LARSON

OWEN CRANDALL

JILL BAKER

SARAH SEVERSON

Designer

Correction: In the August 2026 issue of Neighbors of the Wasatch Back - Park City the Athlete of the Month article was incorrectly attributed to Phoebe Zaniello, the correct author was Izzy Crandall. We apologize to Izzy and to our readers for this error. ADVERTISING

BRIGHAM MERCADANTE SLF MEDIA Social Media Administrator 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. © 2026 Best Version Media. All rights reserved.

Betsy DeMann (801) 671-6315 bdemann@bestversionmedia.com

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: bdemann@bestversionmedia.com IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Emergency.......................................................................911 Administration...............................................435-615-5000 Building & Fire Safety...................................435-615-5100 City Attorney.................................................. 435-615-5025 City Council ...................................................435-615-5000 Emergency Management............................. 435-615-5185 Engineering.................................................... 435-615-5056 Finance .......................................................... 435-615-5220

Fire - PCFD.....................................................435-940-2500 Library............................................................435-615-5600 Planning.........................................................435-615-5060 Police - Non Emergency...............................435-615-5500 Public Utilities................................................ 435-615-5301 Special Events...............................................435-615-5000 Transit Bus..................................................... 435-615-5301 Water.............................................................. 435-615-5305

DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS ARE THE 10TH OF EACH MONTH FOR THE FOLLOWING MONTH. SEPTEMBER 2026 // 3 SEPTEMBER 2026 // 3

WAGYU BEEF TARTARE

Meet Chef Tom Cote

Executive Chef at Stein Eriksen Lodge Being an executive chef at a resort like Stein Eriksen Lodge means overseeing every plate that leaves the kitchen; across restaurants, events, and everything in between, while also leading a whole team, managing the day-to-day chaos, and keeping the creative vision alive through it all. It’s part chef, part coach, part small-business owner. For Chef Tom Cote, stepping into that role this past July was the payoff of years spent inhabiting both sides of that job. The cooking, yes, and what came most naturally to him — the people part. Cote’s path to the kitchen started, fittingly, with a childhood spent mixing sand and water in a backyard sandbox, narrating each “recipe” like a tiny cooking show. The real thing found him in college, working as a dishwasher. He was quickly thrown onto the line on New Year’s Eve in 2008 when the café he worked at expanded into a full restaurant. “I kind of took to it pretty naturally,” he says, and a series of mentoring chefs, especially his first, Jeff Egan, shaped him from there. Egan gave him his first chef’s knife, the one he still uses today.

with pickled onion, grilled avocado, crema, sunflower macha, fry bread For the Fry Bread: • 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ cup hot water or milk

Method: Mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Add hot liquid and mix gently until dough ball forms. The Dough should be slightly sticky. Let rest at least 15 minutes before rolling out to about 1/8 in thick. Cut into desired shape—we use a round cutter, and fry in 350 degree oil until golden. The dough will swell in the oil so it may be necessary to flip throughout the cooking process. For the Sunflower Salsa Macha: • 2 arbol chiles, seeded

• ¼ cup sesame seeds

• 4 guajillo chiles, seeded

• zest and juice of one lime

• 2 ancho chiles, seeded

• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped

• ½ cup garlic, minced • ½ cup shallot, minced

• ½ tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

Tom and his wife (she’s no stranger to the busy hustle of fine dining, serving as the Director of Restaurants at Pendry Park City) moved to Park City from Vermont, and he joined Stein Eriksen Lodge as a sous chef before rising to chef de cuisine and, this past July, executive chef. “It’s been a wild ride,” he says. In the kitchen, his secret weapon is simply, “toasted cumin seeds and bright citrus and acid,” he leans on these “primary tools” to bring dishes into balance.

• 1 cup sunflower seeds

Outside of work, life is quieter. Tom and his wife, now in Salt Lake, share their home with two Shih Tzus, Cooper and a boisterous 12-week-old puppy named Ginger. They hike together when they can, take trips to Napa Valley and national parks, and Tom fills his own time painting, running, snowboarding, mountain biking, and playing drums.

Add shallots and garlic and remove from heat and let simmer. Once cooled add zest, juice, and fresh herbs. Transfer to blender and blend until mostly smooth, add more citrus if desired.

Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley 7700 Stein Way | Park City, Utah 84060 steinlodge.com ADVERTORIAL

4 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

• ½ cup pepitas

• 3 cups canola or vegetable oil

Method: Heat oil to about 275 degrees, the oil should not be smoking. Add chiles, fry for about two minutes before adding the seeds. Toast the seeds until you begin to see them getting color.

To assemble the dish: You will want to use a high quality fresh beef for this tartare preparation. We mix our minced wagyu beef with our sunflower salsa macha, place that on top of our fry bread (it’s okay if the fry bread is still warm), and garnish with some pickled onions, grilled avocado, crema, a little extra lime zest, and cilantro.

e h T GOLDRUSH Created in the early 2000’s at the legendary New York City bar, Milk & Honey, The Goldrush is a modern variation of the classic whiskey sour. Instead of sugar or simple syrup, the Goldrush uses honey as its sweetener. Honey provides a sweet, earthy taste and a beautiful golden hue.

The cocktail itself combines the beautiful tastes of bourbon, fresh lemon juice, and honey simple syrup. The finished product leaves you with a wonderfully balanced, smooth cocktail that just might cause you to ditch the simple syrup in your sours for good. Prep time 5 minutes INGREDIENTS: • 1 ½ oz bourbon • ¾ oz fresh lemon juice • 1 oz honey simple syrup* • Lemon wedge for garnish *Honey simple syrup is made by combining equal parts honey and warm water. You can make a batch and store it in your fridge for 7-10 days.

DIRECTIONS: Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a rock glass over new ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Sip and smile! *Bartender trick - Use local honey if possible. Local honey is very beneficial as it contains immune stimulating properties. Plus the added benefit of supporting local business.

Did you try the Goldrush?

Hit me up on Instagram @elevateeventbartending and let me know what you thought.

We bring skilled mixologists to your events and parties for a memorable drinking experience. From corporate events and weddings to intimate backyard parties, let us Elevate your next event! We even offer whiskey tastings and private cocktail experiences!

elevateeventbartending.com cheers@elevateeventbartending.com

(801) 477-4452 ADVERTORIAL

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 5

BY BETSY DEMANN • PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEXIE LARSON - TAKE A HIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

A Place for the People Who Stay HOW CONOR BROWN BUILT OFFSET BIER

Some people land in a mountain town and stay. Not for a season, not for a few years, but long enough to watch the place change around them and notice what’s gone missing. Conor Brown is one of those people. He’s been in Park City for almost two decades. Long enough to remember when our social spots felt smaller and more lived-in. Long enough to notice that as the town grew up, some places stopped feeling like they were built for the people who actually live here. So, he built one. FROM A DIRT ROAD IN VERMONT Conor grew up about as far from the stereotypical East Coast as you can get. “I lived on a dirt road, like 16 miles from a stoplight,” he tells me. “There was a gas station in town.” Vermont was artisanal before “artisanal” became a marketing word. Neighbors grew their own vegetables and sold honey. Small-scale craftsmanship wasn’t a brand. It was just how things worked. “We were drinking craft beer in the mid-’90s,” he says, “which was not something that a lot of people did back then. There were all these little craft breweries all over the place.” He went west for school—Montana State in Bozeman, marketing degree, ski team. “I was a ski racer. I wasn’t very good, but I could ski,” he laughs. Skiing turned into a career. Since the day Conor graduated in 1999, he’s worked for Tecnica Group. Almost 27 years with the same brand, which moved him from New Hampshire to Tahoe and eventually here. 6 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

THOUGHTFUL MEALS. TAHOE, PARK CITY, AND WHO A TOWN IS FOR When I ask him to compare Tahoe and Park City, Conor doesn’t talk about geography. He discusses what it feels like to live somewhere that’s always hosting a party. He loved Tahoe midweek. He loved it in the off-season. What wore on him was the whiplash. “It would just go from this quieter little area to 100,000 people on a weekend… Imagine Sundance craziness, but all the time.” Park City felt like a better balance. Skiing, biking, trails out the back door, and an international flight within an hour if you wanted one. You could be in Amsterdam by tomorrow and still live in the mountains. But 20 years is long enough to watch this town change too. The local haunts, the social circuits, the general feel of a place that’s become a destination. Somewhere in there, he landed on something. “There weren’t a lot of places that were designed for the people that live here,” says Conor. “That was really a driving force to create a place that I personally wanted. And I felt like if someone who’s lived here for a long time felt that was missing, there would probably be a larger number of people that felt that way.” THE LAUNDRY ROOM YEARS Offset Bier started in a laundry room. Conor began homebrewing in 2016, and the hobby got out of hand fast. “I was brewing 100 batches of beer at my house in my laundry room every year…with the goal of, okay, can I do this? Can I make the beer that I want to make?” For a marketing major who never thought of himself as a science guy, brewing cracked something open. “I’ve never wanted to pursue knowledge as much as I have in brewing,” he shares. “It’s crazy. It’s like an endless rabbit hole of science and experimentation.” Coming from Vermont’s beer culture, Conor saw a gap here—one shaped by Utah’s alcohol laws and by visitors arriving from cities with big beer scenes. His idea was simple and specific: make a world-class IPA that fits inside our rules and still tastes like it doesn’t. “Our shtick is 5 percent IPA,” he notes. “All beer on draft has to be 5 percent or less. The problem is, IPA really needs to be 6 percent. Most people come from San Francisco or LA, order an IPA here, and they’re like, this isn’t what I was expecting. My goal was to create something that punched above its weight.”

Exceptional

Experiences

Seasoned with Salt LLC was established on the East Coast as an intimate catering company for families and businesses that wished to embrace the hospitality and avoid the pretense that comes with dining out.

We offer Personal Chef services and a Concierge service for those visiting the Summit and Wasatch counties.

INTIMATE EFFORTLESS UNFORGETTABLE

CONTACT CHEF JOI TODAY! TASTE@SEASONWITHSALT.INFO @JUSTJOIPARKCITY (845) 391-2167

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 7

Conor opened Offset in September 2021 in a small space in Prospector, with used equipment, his own money, and a full-time job as a ski rep. In the middle of a pandemic. “All we kind of know is hardship,” he admits. Not dramatically—just as a fact. And from that little tucked-away room, Offset won back-to-back medals at the Great American Beer Festival, including Best 5 Percent IPA in the country, going up against breweries that “can make more in one day than we made in a whole year.” “We really don’t have the capital to do all sorts of marketing and build out crazy extensive places,” Conor says, “so the beer has always been the backbone…the foundation.” FROM BEER TO BELONGING What sticks with me is that Conor discusses beer like a scientist. He talks about people like someone who is looking out for them. Offset is built for locals stringing together jobs and still finding time to show up for each other. “Pretty much everyone that works here has two jobs,” he says. “Most of our bartenders have full-time professional jobs, and this is their little extra income, a little extra social. That’s what you’ve got to do to live in a ski town these days.” Run club. Mountain bike nights. Uphill ski club in the winter. The beer gardens. None of it is marketing; it’s all the same idea. What started as an anniversary party in the parking lot got bigger. The following year’s celebration moved to City Park, and about 700 people turned up. What he remembers isn’t the headcount. 8 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

“From novice to enthusiast - there is something for everyone in the world of wine!” “The number of people that said, ‘This feels like when I moved here…like things that used to happen a while ago,’ really had an impact on me.” So Conor doubled down. More beer gardens. Cheap entry. Five-dollar beers, which barely exist in this town anymore. A few dollars from every ticket to local nonprofits. Local food vendors alongside. I’ve been telling stories about this community for more than seven years now, and I hear this one a lot: Somebody notices something missing and quietly goes and builds it. Late nights, their own money on the line, and, in Conor’s case, a small handful of days off in an entire year. WHY “OFFSET” The name isn’t just a design term. “One of the biggest things I wanted to do was try and offset the potential negative side effects of the product that we make,” Conor tells me. Building a business around alcohol meant sitting with the tension in it: connection on one side, excess on the other. The Thursday night uphill missions, the run club, and the bike nights–they aren’t side projects. They’re the answer he came up with. “When you’re tired at the end of the day, when you’ve got that group mentality… you’re more likely to do it,” he says. “And it’s amazing how much better you feel afterward.” Offset has supported local mental health

services before, and Conor is honest about wanting to get back to that once he finds the right partners. Underneath all of it is a pretty clear idea: build a place that’s good for people, not just profitable. GROWING WITHOUT LOSING THE PLOT Offset recently moved out of Prospector and into a bigger, more tucked-away space. The first batch was brewed there on November 29, and doors opened January 23rd, right in the thick of winter, which is also the busiest stretch of the year for a guy who still has a day job in the ski industry. Conor is clear-eyed about what comes next. “I wonder sometimes how many people in the community actually even know we exist,” he shares. “We have a much bigger space. We need to pay for this space, sell a little more beer. I think we’re at the point where we need to create a little more awareness.”

Pamela Wood, CWE, AWE

Certified Sommelier & Wine Judge Director of Education, Culinary Wine Institute

Consider this your awareness. Conor built Offset for the people who came here to ski and ride and run, then decided to stay. For the ones working two or three jobs to make that math work, for the neighbors who miss how this town used to feel and are willing to show up to keep a little of it alive. He won’t put it this way, so I will: Offset isn’t really about beer. The medals are real, and the recipes are sharp, but the thing worth writing about is how the place hands Park City back a piece of itself.

SAVOR THE SENSATIONS. Join the club. Join the fun. parkcitywineclub@gmail.com parkcitywineclub.com SEPTEMBER 2026 // 9

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY CORBIN GORDON, GORDON LAW GROUP • PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH SEVERSON

Divorce Is Difficult.

You Do Not Have to Navigate It Alone. Divorce is one of the most stressful legal and personal experiences a person can face. It affects your home, your finances, your children, your schedule, your future, and often your sense of stability. Even when divorce is the right decision, the process can feel overwhelming because so many important questions come all at once. Where will the children live? How will parent-time work? Who stays in the home? How are debts divided? What happens to retirement accounts? Will child support or alimony be ordered? How long will the process take? What should you say—or not say—to your spouse during the case? At Gordon Law Group, we understand that people going through divorce need more than paperwork. They need clear answers, steady guidance, and someone who can help them make wise decisions during an emotional time. A good divorce attorney should not simply file documents. Your attorney should help you understand your options, anticipate problems, protect your interests, and work toward a resolution that allows you to move forward. One of the most common concerns in divorce is custody. In Utah, courts generally focus on the best interests of the children. That means the court will consider the children’s needs, the parents’ involvement, each parent’s ability to provide stability, and many other practical factors. Parents often want to know whether custody will be shared, how holidays will work,

who makes major decisions, and how to handle communication with the other parent. These questions matter deeply, and they should be addressed carefully. Financial issues are also central to most divorces. Utah courts typically divide marital property and debts equitably, which does not always mean equally in every situation. The court may consider income, assets, debts, the length of the marriage, retirement accounts, business interests, real estate, and each party’s financial circumstances. Alimony may also be an issue, especially when one spouse has significantly greater income or when one spouse has been financially dependent during the marriage. Many clients also ask whether they should try mediation. In most cases, mediation can be an effective way to resolve disputes without the time, cost, and uncertainty of trial. A negotiated agreement often gives both parties more control over the outcome. However, mediation works best when you understand your rights before you negotiate. Preparation matters. When you meet with our office, it is helpful to bring the following information:

Wasatch Back’s Premier Law Firm

FULL SERVICE We Do It All! AREAS OF PRACTICE: Business, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Family Law, Personal Injury, Real Estate...and more!

Let our family help your family! CONTACT US FOR A FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION ADDRESS

322 E Gateway Drive Suite 201 Heber City, UT 84032

info@gordonlawgrouputah.com

PHONE

435.657.0984

WWW.UTGLG.COM 10 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

Your marriage date, separation date, and basic information about your spouse and children. ▶ Any court papers, prior agreements, protective orders, or pending deadlines. ▶ Recent pay stubs, tax returns, W-2s, 1099s, or other income information. ▶ Bank statements, retirement account statements, mortgage statements, credit card statements, and loan documents. ▶ Documents related to real estate, vehicles, businesses, life insurance, health insurance, and major personal property. ▶ A list of monthly expenses, including housing, utilities, insurance, groceries, childcare, transportation, medical costs, and debt payments. ▶ Any written communication that may be important, including emails, texts, or messages involving parenting, finances, threats, agreements, or disputes. ▶ A list of your most important questions and your main goals. Divorce can feel like life is coming apart, but a thoughtful legal plan can help restore order. You do not need to have every answer before you meet with an attorney. You simply need to take the next step. At Gordon Law Group, we help clients understand the process, protect what matters most, and make informed decisions for themselves and their families. Whether your divorce is amicable, contested, complicated, or just beginning, our office is available to answer your questions and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY ANDY EMORY, SUMMIT SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

What Are You Really Hiring? Whether we realize it or not, brands influence many of the decisions we make every day. Think about the vehicle you drive, the tools in your garage, or even the hotel you choose for vacation. We often gravitate toward brands that have earned our trust because they represent consistency, quality, service, and a reputation built over time. A strong brand doesn't just identify a product—it gives us confidence in the experience we expect to receive. Buying or selling a home is no different. When people choose a real estate professional, they often ask, "Who should I hire?" That's certainly important, but I believe an even better question is: "What am I really hiring?" In my mind, great representation is built on three layers: the individual agent, the local brokerage, and the global brand behind them. Each brings something different to the table, and together they create a stronger experience than any one could provide alone. THE FIRST LAYER: YOUR AGENT The first—and most personal—part of the equation is the real estate professional you choose. A great agent does much more than unlock doors or write contracts. They serve as your advisor, strategist, negotiator, problem solver, and advocate throughout one of the largest financial decisions you'll ever make. That means understanding market conditions, accurately pricing homes, anticipating buyer behavior, developing negotiation strategies, and solving problems before they become obstacles. In a market as unique as the Wasatch Back, local knowledge is especially valuable. Every neighborhood has its own character, pricing

trends, buyer pool, and future plans. Two homes with similar square footage can have dramatically different values because of factors that don't always appear on a listing sheet. My goal has always been simple: to provide honest advice, clear communication, and thoughtful guidance so my clients can make confident decisions—not just successful transactions. THE SECOND LAYER: YOUR BROKERAGE Even the best real estate professional shouldn't work alone. Behind every successful transaction is often an experienced team working behind the scenes to help create the best possible outcome. One of the reasons I chose Summit Sotheby's International Realty is because of that collaborative approach. My clients benefit from experienced leadership, transaction management, legal resources, award-winning marketing professionals, and a culture where agents regularly collaborate and share opportunities. That means when you hire me, you're also benefiting from an entire team focused on presenting your property beautifully, navigating challenges efficiently, and helping your transaction move forward as smoothly as possible. THE THIRD LAYER: THE GLOBAL BRAND Finally, there's the global platform standing behind it all. The Sotheby's name has represented trust and excellence for nearly 300 years, and today Sotheby's International Realty connects local expertise with one of the world's most respected real estate networks.

For sellers, that means your home benefits from worldwide marketing, international referrals, advanced technology, and exposure that extends well beyond our local market. For buyers, it means access to an extraordinary network of professionals and resources that can help whether you're moving across town or across the globe. The value of a respected brand isn't simply the name. It's the opportunities, relationships, and confidence that name helps create. BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER When you hire a real estate professional, you're not simply choosing one person. You're choosing the expertise of your agent, the support of their brokerage, and the reach of the brand standing behind them. Each layer adds value on its own, but together they create a level of representation that's greater than the sum of its parts. That's one of the reasons I chose to build my business with Summit Sotheby's International Realty. It allows me to combine personal service and local market knowledge with the support of an exceptional team and one of the most recognized real estate brands in the world. LET'S START THE CONVERSATION If you're planning to buy, sell, invest, or simply wondering what your options are, I'd be happy to chat with you. Even if you're months—or years—away from making a move, I'm always happy to answer questions, share market insights, and help you develop a strategy that supports your long-term goals. Call/Text: 435-800-3030 Email: andy.emory@sothebysrealty.com

Get Your Home the Attention it Deserves. I provide a thoughtful, personalized approach to real estate, because every home is one of a kind. Just like you.

Exceptional Real Estate Service A NDY E M ORY.CO M

A N DY E M O R Y 4 3 5 . 8 0 0. 3 0 3 0

—

A N DY. E M O R Y@ S OT H E B YS R E A LT Y.C O M

©MMXXVI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed trademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Copyright© Summit Sotheby’s International Realty 2026.

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 11

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY DANIELLE MEISTER, CFF®, CDFA®

Trump Accounts for Children The Madrona Difference Advisors + CPAs It takes a team of professionals to manage both wealth and taxes properly. Consider a highly specialized team that works in harmony as they plan and manage your wealth, so that you can enjoy the quality of life you’ve always wanted.

THE ROTH CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY AFTER AGE 18 There has been a lot of conversation around the new “Trump Accounts” for children—and for good reason. Giving children a head start on investing could potentially create meaningful wealth over a lifetime. But from a tax-planning perspective, I think the more interesting conversation may be what happens after age 18.

window. Rather than converting the entire account at once, families might evaluate partial Roth conversions over several years, potentially filling lower federal income-tax brackets. The appropriate amount would depend on the child's income, deductions, IRA basis, other accounts, and tax law at the time.

HOW DOES A TRUMP ACCOUNT WORK?

CONSIDER THIS HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE

Created under Internal Revenue Code Section 530A, a Trump Account is technically a type of traditional IRA. The tax code specifically states that a Trump Account is an individual retirement account that “is not designated as a Roth IRA.”

Assume a family contributes $5,000 annually from birth through age 17 and the account earns an average 8% annual hypothetical return.

For 2026 and 2027, generally up to $5,000 per year may be contributed during the child’s growth period, with certain contributions excluded from that limit. The $5,000 limit is scheduled to be indexed for inflation after 2027. Importantly, a child does not need earned income to receive these contributions.

Danielle M. Meister, CFF®, CDFA® Phone: 833-673-7373 daniellem@madronafinancial.com Listen to Danielle on the “Growing Her Wealth” podcast and radio show wherever you get your podcasts (Spotify or Apple Podcasts). Or at GrowingHerWealth.com

Children born from 2025 through 2028 who meet the federal eligibility requirements may also qualify for a one-time $1,000 government contribution, which does not count toward the regular $5,000 limit. During the growth period, investments are generally restricted to qualifying low-cost funds that track broad U.S. stock indexes, and withdrawals are generally prohibited. WHY I STILL LOVE THE ROTH IRA When a child has legitimate earned income, from babysitting, modeling, landscaping, working in a family business or another qualifying job, I generally think a Roth IRA deserves serious consideration. Why? A Roth IRA potentially allows decades of tax-free growth and qualified tax-free withdrawals. A Trump Account is different. Contributions from individuals generally create after-tax basis, but the account itself operates under traditional IRA tax rules after the growth period. That means families should think beyond simply accumulating money and consider the account's eventual tax treatment. This is where Roth conversions become interesting. THE AGE-18 ROTH CONVERSION OPPORTUNITY After the Trump Account growth period ends, traditional IRA rules generally apply. At that point, the young adult could potentially begin converting portions of the account to a Roth IRA. Under IRC §408A, traditional IRA assets may generally be converted to a Roth IRA. The taxable portion of a conversion is included in income for that year. For a young adult with relatively little taxable income, that could create an interesting planning

12 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

At age 18, the account could be worth approximately $187,000. Now assume the young adult strategically converts the account to Roth over four years, with the taxable portions assumed to remain within the 12% federal tax bracket, and makes no additional contributions. If those dollars ultimately remain invested and continue earning an assumed 8% annually, the account could grow to approximately: $4.6 MILLION by age 59½. If Roth requirements are satisfied, qualified distributions could potentially be federal income-tax-free. The lesson isn't simply “open a Trump Account.” The bigger opportunity may be thinking several steps ahead. Trump Account → evaluate Roth conversions after age 18 → potentially decades of tax-free compounding. Tax laws, tax brackets and individual circumstances can change significantly over time. Families should work with their tax and financial professionals before implementing Roth conversions or other tax strategies. The information, suggestions, and recommendations included in this material is for informational purposes only and cannot be relied upon for any financial, legal or insurance purposes. Madrona Financial Services will not be held responsible for any detrimental reliance you place on this information. It is agreed that use of this information shall be on an “as is” basis and entirely at your own risk. Additionally, Madrona Financial Services cannot and does not guarantee the performance of any investment or insurance product. Insurance products are offered through Madrona Insurance Services, LLC, a licensed insurance agency and affiliate of Madrona Financial Services. Madrona Insurance Services and individual advisors affiliated with Madrona Insurance Services and Madrona Financial Services receives commissions on the sale of insurance products. Clients are not required to purchase insurance products recommended or to otherwise implement financial advice through Madrona affiliates. When we refer to preparation and filing of tax returns, tax returns are prepared and filed by our wholly-owned sister company Bauer Evans, Inc. P.S., a licensed certified public accounting firm. Madrona Financial Services, LLC is a registered investment adviser with the SEC. Our registration with the SEC or with any state securities authority does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Madrona Financial & CPAs is a registered trade name used singly and collectively for the affiliated entities Madrona Financial Services, LLC (“Madrona”) and Bauer Evans, Inc., P.C. (“Bauer Evans”). Investment advisory services are provided through Madrona. CPA services are provided through Bauer Evans. While it's essential to optimize your tax situation, it's equally important to comply with tax laws and regulations. Always ensure that your tax-saving strategies are legal and appropriate for your financial situation.

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY LISANDRO & MELISSA SALAS, OWNERS, A-VEDA LUXURY SERVICES & PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

THE GUIDE TO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

KEEPING YOUR INVESTMENT IN TOP SHAPE Owning property is one of the smartest investments you can make — but only if you protect it. Regular property maintenance isn't just about keeping things looking nice, it's about preserving value, preventing costly repairs, and creating a safe, comfortable environment for tenants or your own family. Here's what every property owner needs to know. WHY PROPERTY MAINTENANCE MATTERS Neglect is the silent killer of property value. A cracked window invites pests. Peeling paint turns into wood rot. The cost of prevention is always a fraction of the cost of repair. Proactive maintenance keeps your property attractive, functional, and marketable — whether you're renting it out or planning to sell. CLEANING SERVICES: THE FOUNDATION OF CARE Professional cleaning is the backbone of property upkeep. It goes far beyond sweeping floors. ▶ Deep cleaning — carpets, grout, appliances, and hard-to-reach areas that accumulate grime over time ▶ Move-in / move-out cleaning — essential between tenants to maintain standards and secure deposits ▶ Seasonal cleaning — gutters in fall, windows in spring, outdoor spaces before summer ▶ Common area maintenance — for multi-unit properties, lobbies, hallways, and shared spaces must stay spotless ▶ Home cleaning — the perfect mix of daily upkeep, weekly chores, and thorough deep cleaning A clean property signals care. It reduces allergens, prevents pest infestations, and makes a strong first impression on tenants, buyers, and visitors.

Exterior maintenance protects the structure itself: roofing, siding, windows, doors, driveways, and landscaping. The outside takes the brunt of weather, sun, and time. Both require equal attention. A beautiful interior means little if the roof leaks. A pristine exterior won't satisfy tenants with a broken furnace. THE BOTTOM LINE Property maintenance is not an expense — it's an investment in longevity. Regular cleaning and scheduled upkeep save money, reduce stress, and keep your property competitive in any market. Whether you manage a single home or a portfolio of rentals, a consistent maintenance plan is the difference between a thriving asset and a money pit. Start with a schedule, stick to it, and your property will thank you for years to come. Ready to protect your investment? Contact A-Veda Luxury Services & Property Maintenance at 435-655-5278 or Manager@AVedaLuxuryServices.com.

INTEGRATED PROPERTY SERVICES YOU CAN TRUST

Yo u r C o m p l e t e P r o p e r t y C a r e S o l u t i o n

REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES: THE LONG-TERM STRATEGY Routine maintenance is your defense against surprise expenses. A solid maintenance plan includes: SERVICE

WHY IT MATTERS

Quarterly ▶ HVAC inspection & filter replacement ▶ Pest control

Ensures air quality, efficiency, and extends system life Stops infestations before they spread

Twice a year ▶ Plumbing check & leak inspection ▶ Roof & gutter inspection

Catches leaks before they cause mold or structural damage Avoids water intrusion and costly roof replacements

Annually ▶ Electrical system review

Prevents fire hazards and ensures code compliance

Every 3–5 years ▶ Exterior painting & sealing

Protects surfaces from weather damage

Weekly / Seasonal ▶ Lawn & landscape care

Boosts curb appeal and prevents overgrowth issues

OUR SERVICES (Residential & Commercial)

EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS Fully licensed and skilled technicians FAST & EFFICIENT Prompt service that respects your time

INSIDE VS. OUTSIDE: COVERING ALL BASES

• Housekeeping • Power Washing • Window Cleaning • Carpet Cleaning • Duct Cleaning • Upholstery Cleaning • Handyman Services • Tile Work • Patio Work • Fencing • Hardscaping (Paver Installation) • Painting (Interior & Exterior) • Siding Repair (Fascia & Soffitt) • Stucco Repair • Flooring (Including Epoxy Flooring) • Hot Tub Maintenance

Interior maintenance focuses on livability: heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, flooring, appliances, and fixtures. These systems are used daily and wear down fastest.

( 4 3 5 ) 6 5 5 - 5 2 7 8 Manager@AVedaLuxur ySer vices .com

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED We stand behind our work TRUSTED SERVICE People and quality you can count on

PROUD MEMBER:

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 13

BUSINESS PROFILE • BY JACQUIE SYMES , ON BEHALF OF DAWN MCKENNA GROUP PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DAWN MCKENNA GROUP

MEET... MEREDITH REED:

STEADINESS AND COMFORT DURING SOME OF LIFE’S BIGGEST DECISIONS

Ask anyone who has ever made a career change, they’ll tell you how eye-opening it can be when your skills in unrelated areas overlap and generalize better than you could have imagined. Meredith Reed has sat with people through the hardest moments of their lives and helped them find their footing again. You notice it the second you meet Meredith, sure, she’s a real estate advisor with the Dawn McKenna Group serving the Heber Valley community, but her approach more closely resembles the trusted counsel of a spiritual advisor than what comes to mind when you think of a real estate agent. Meredith grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, in a family where service was their guiding principle. "Service to our country and community wasn't something we talked about," she says. "It was simply how we lived." Generations of military service ran through her family, and the expectation to show up for others carried her to Vanderbilt University, where she earned a Master's degree in Divinity, and then into the Air Force as a chaplain. There, she learned to listen deeply, guide people through life's biggest transitions, and stay calm under pressure. That level of empathy and guidance could surely come in handy if you’re tasked with helping a family sell the house they raised their kids in. Meredith described her career in pictures. "My role is to be your advisor, advocate, educator, negotiator, and project manager all in one," she explains. There are so many aspects to guide a client through, from pricing, marketing, inspections, and contracts, to the anticipation of getting to closing, "You never have to figure it out alone." And true to her roots, she'll likely want to do some of that guiding over a good meal. "Let's get lunch and talk over the options!" One moment stays close to her heart. She helped a widow move out of the home she'd shared with her late husband since the 1980s, after he passed during the pandemic. As they searched for her new home together, the woman told her simply, "You are my most trusted advisor." Meredith says, "I do not take that level of trust for granted."

Outside of work, she's "100% a horse girl," riding everything from dressage to cross-country and fox hunting. She credits the sport with teaching her patience, resilience, humility, and clear communication. Favorite memories include trail riding the Wasatch Back and riding the countryside of Ireland. "I can't imagine life without these remarkable animals," she says. And despite the depth she brings to her work, she's quick to add, "I really don't take myself too seriously, I enjoy being a goofball!" Her advice to first-time buyers and sellers isn't about staging or timing the market. "The most important part of buying or selling is making sure you have the right partner in the process," she says. "Don't start by looking for the perfect house, start by finding the right professional to accompany you." The right advisor, she believes, is the difference between a stressful ordeal and a confident, well-guided journey. She chose the Dawn McKenna Group not for its name, but for its values. "They have built a reputation for exceptional client service, professionalism, and doing things the right way — putting relationships ahead of transactions," she says, a fit that lets her pair sophisticated marketing and market expertise with genuine, personal care. "I strive to bring optimism, calm, and encouragement to what can often be a stressful process," she says, "helping clients see possibilities instead of obstacles." Meredith’s professional training prepared her to deeply care for human beings. When you think about the qualities someone has to possess to study biblical languages and theology as part of a graduate degree, and then translate some of that into working with people in their most trying, difficult, or even final days, that is some high resolve. A chaplain doesn’t get to choose the moment or person. They just show up for whoever needs them. What a gift to work with someone who brings that level of steadiness and comfort to some of life’s biggest decisions.

14 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

America’s America’sMost MostSuccessful Successful Multi-State Multi-StateReal RealEstate EstateTeam Team

872 872 HIGH HIGH COUNTRY COUNTRY LANE LANE

1942 1942 EE COUNTY COUNTY HIGHWAY HIGHWAY 30A 30A

1645 1645 BONITA BONITA CTCT

FRANCIS, FRANCIS,UT UT

SANTA SANTAROSA ROSABEACH, BEACH,FL FL

NAPLES, NAPLES,FL FL

1944 1944 NN FREMONT FREMONT STREET STREET

417 417 WW 9TH 9TH STREET STREET

13739 13739 JANE JANE WAY WAY

CHICAGO, CHICAGO,ILIL

HINSDALE, HINSDALE,ILIL

SAWYER, SAWYER,MI MI

See See something something you you like? like? We’ll We’ll guide guide your your local local move, move, oror connect connect you you with with a trusted a trusted DMG DMG expert expert inin another another market. market.

MICHEAL MICHEAL ANTHONY ANTHONY

WW WW W.W. DM DG M PA G PA R KC R KC I TIY.C T Y.C OM OM

TREY TREY CHRISTY CHRISTY

| |

MEREDITH MEREDITH REED REED

LARA LARA VALDES VALDES

@@ TH TE HDAW E DAW NM NC MK CE KN E N AG N AG RO RU OP UP

NELLIE NELLIE KOSOLA KOSOLA

| |

Please Please scanscan to visit to visit ourour website website andand findfind out out more more of what of what DMG DMG cancan do for do for you.you.

4 3453.55.2532.34.445435 3

©2026 ©2026 Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker and and the Coldwell the Coldwell Banker Banker logoslogos are trademarks are trademarks of Coldwell of Coldwell Banker Banker Real Real EstateEstate LLC. LLC. The Coldwell The Coldwell Banker Banker System System fully fully supports supports the the principles principles of theof Fair the Housing Fair Housing Act and Act the and Equal the Equal Opportunity Opportunity Act. Act. Owned Owned by a by subsidiary a subsidiary of Anywhere of Anywhere Real Real EstateEstate Inc. Coldwell Inc. Coldwell Banker, Banker, the Coldwell the Coldwell Banker Banker Logo,Logo, Coldwell Coldwell Banker Banker GlobalGlobal Luxury, Luxury, and and the Coldwell the Coldwell Banker Banker GlobalGlobal Luxury Luxury logo logo are registered are registered service service marksmarks owned owned by Coldwell by Coldwell Banker Banker Real Real EstateEstate LLC. LLC.

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 15

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY TAM TAGGART, STUDIO INTERIORS & CO.

‘Why It Feels That Way’ Most people think they're decorating their homes.

Does the room invite me to stay?

I don't believe they are.

Can my eyes settle, or do they keep searching?

I believe they're shaping the place where they'll celebrate birthdays, recover from difficult seasons, drink their morning coffee, host friends, raise children, and quietly become the people they're meant to be.

Before a room ever speaks to your eyes, it has already spoken to your nervous system.

That's not decorating. That's designing a life.

I often say that architecture is communication. Design is the translation of how we want to live. Every ceiling height, every doorway, every window, every shadow, every piece of millwork is communicating something.

Somewhere along the way, we've been taught that a beautiful home comes from buying the right things. Another lamp. A different rug. The perfect piece of artwork. One more accessory that promises to make the room finally feel complete.

Some spaces whisper.

I call those novelties.

Whether we're aware of it or not, our bodies are constantly responding to the environments we create.

They create excitement for a moment, but excitement fades. And then we find ourselves asking the same question all over again: "Why doesn't my home feel finished?" After years of designing homes, I've come to believe that we're asking the wrong question.

Some energize. Some overwhelm. Others quietly invite you to exhale.

Think about the places you've loved most. Maybe it was a boutique hotel tucked into the mountains. A tiny café in Europe.

The rhythm of the space. The scale.

A favorite restaurant.

It feels unfinished because it's missing an identity.

You probably don't remember every piece of furniture.

Or even your grandmother's kitchen.

You remember how you felt.

Decorating asks, "What can I add?"

That wasn't accidental.

Design asks, "How do I want to live?"

It was designed.

That single shift changes everything.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that people believe the identity of a room comes from what they place inside it.

When I walk into a home, I don't immediately notice the sofa, the artwork, or even the paint color.

Identity comes from the architecture of the experience. The proportion.

A quiet library.

A room rarely feels unfinished because it's missing another object. That's the difference between decorating and designing.

But identity doesn't come from accessories.

The relationship between the walls, the ceiling, the light, and the way your body moves through the room. When those elements are working together, something remarkable happens. The artwork suddenly feels intentional. The furniture feels grounded. The lighting feels effortless. Everything begins telling the same story.

A new sofa.

That is when a room feels resolved.

I notice the feeling.

A different rug.

Not because nothing else can ever be added.

Do my shoulders relax?

A statement light fixture.

But because nothing feels unresolved.

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.

FULL-SERVICE INTERIOR DESIGN 16 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

2078 PROSPECTOR AVE SUITE 4, PARK CITY, UT 84060 STUDIOINTERIORSCO.COM • 435.214.6951

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR BY ASHLEY BIENVENU, OWNER NEAT METHOD PARK CITY

THE WARDROBE PIVOT with NEAT Method Park City

A resolved room gives you something we don't talk about nearly enough.

Yet every civilization sought beauty.

Permission. Permission to stop searching.

I think it's because beauty is part of being human.

Permission to sit.

Nature taught us rhythm.

Permission to breathe.

Light.

Permission to invite people in without apologizing for what still isn't done.

Texture.

I've watched clients stand silently in their newly designed homes, smiling without saying a word. Not because the room was expensive. Not because every detail was perfect. But because something inside them had settled. Their home finally reflected who they were. Maybe that's why humanity has spent thousands of years creating beautiful spaces.

I don't think that's because beauty is a luxury.

Pattern. Harmony. Architecture became our way of continuing that conversation. So the next time you feel like your home needs one more thing, pause before buying another accessory. Instead, ask yourself a different question. What is this room trying to communicate? Because a room doesn't become beautiful when you add the right furniture.

We didn't need cathedrals to survive.

It becomes beautiful when it evokes the right feeling.

We didn't need Japanese gardens or Roman courtyards.

And perhaps that's what we've been searching for all along.

Hello Park City — Your Neighborhood Just Got Neater! Transform Chaos into Calm with NEAT Method Park City Tired of searching? Let us help you focus on what matters by organizing your space. Home Organization: Create beautiful, tailored solutions to boost your home’s comfort and order. Moves & Relocations: Stress-free, white-glove logistics for a smooth move and settling in.

September in the Wasatch Back brings that unmistakable crispness to the morning air. As the autumn colors begin to pop on the peaks, it’s time to transition your closets for the beautiful shoulder season ahead. Instead of an overwhelming overhaul, NEAT Method Park City recommends a strategic "Wardrobe Pivot" to make crisp mornings effortless. The Transitional Zone: Don't swap your entire wardrobe just yet. Dedicate the most accessible "prime real estate" section of your closet to transitional layers: light flannels, fleece vests, and breathable knits that can easily be layered as the daytime temperature climbs. The Summer Farewell Audit: As you pull out your favorite sweaters, take a look at your summer pieces. If there’s a sundress or shorts you didn’t wear once this past season, don’t let it take up valuable space until next June. Donate it now while it’s fresh in your mind. Boot & Shoe Reset: Swap out the open-toed sandals at your entryway for your sturdier autumn footwear. Give your trail shoes a quick wipe-down and ensure your autumn boots are accessible and ready for crisp evening strolls down Main Street. Embrace the changing season and enjoy the autumn rhythm! ABOUT ASHLEY BIENVENU Owner, Park City — Louisiana native turned Utah resident. With years in France and nearly two decades at Google, Ashley brings organized expertise and move mastery. When not organizing, she’s traveling, cooking Cajun, or chasing her pup, family, and laughs.

In Between: Streamline routines, meals, and everyday tasks to save time and energy. Ready to reclaim your space and peace of mind? Contact NEAT Method Park City today for a consultation and transform your home! SEPTEMBER 2026 // 17

SPONSORED BY ARBOR MEDIA CO-OP BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY • PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANA KLEIN

EricaBeatty: CREATING MEANINGFUL ART THROUGH SELFDISCOVERY

18 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

COMING SOON

A R B O R M E D I A C O - O P. C O M

@ARBORMEDIACO_OP

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER2026 2026 // 19

© Best Version Media ERICA BEATTY STARTED MAKING JEWELRY WHEN SHE WAS 12 YEARS OLD. HEMP NECKLACES AND SIMILAR ITEMS KEPT HER OCCUPIED UNTIL SHE DISCOVERED METALSMITHING IN 2017. She has torches of various sizes, hammers, and her grandmother’s collection of jewelry-making tools. Erica and her husband, Kory, both grew up in Salt Lake City and lived in different parts of the state before landing in Heber in March 2025. Her only regret about their latest move is not having the space necessary to use her larger torches. They had rented a house but are now living in an apartment, so she uses the torches—the ones for making crème brûlée—to create her masterpieces. Luckily, pliers and files are not hampered by their new living quarters. The couple met in 2009 at her younger sister’s birthday party, then they dated for only a few months before going their separate ways. When they reconnected in 2015, Kory asked Erica if she wanted to move to California with him, and she said yes. They have been together ever since. Erica received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Utah with an emphasis on creative writing. For about six years, she worked as a paralegal, proofreading legal transcripts; it’s still a sideline for her. After she got married in 2022, Zaffera Studios became her main business. The years prior, she “played at it, selling on Instagram off and on,” she says. Erica cares about her art pieces. She ensures that she uses sustainable practices that are not harmful to the environment or families and with as few chemicals as possible. She describes her jewelry as “minimalist with clean lines.” She is always creating, trying different things—and not just with 20 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

© Best Version Media her jewelry. She has written stories and tried painting. Although her compilation of short stories is out of print, she is working on a children’s book. She loves gardening, growing mostly flowers and herbs. Over the past years, Erica’s jewelry-making skills have improved considerably, but she felt something was missing. She didn’t feel empowered until she realized the missing part was her ancestry. Her father’s side of the family is Hawaiian—her brother was born in Hawaii, and she and her sister in Utah. Erica has traveled to Hawaii only a few times. This changed in 2021, when her father moved back to Oahu. Now, she goes there every year, and she discovered that once she included her culture in her artwork, her pieces started portraying her emotions. When in Hawaii, she volunteers at ancient Hawaiian fishponds. The group she works with restores the ponds, which are a unique part of Hawaii’s sustainable fishing culture. Walls are built, which create brackish water that is part ocean water, part fresh water. The fish swim into the ponds when they’re small enough to get through, then eat there. Afterwards, they can’t leave because they’ve grown in size. Mitigation of overfishing was done even then, hundreds of years ago. Erica enjoys including bits of her Hawaiian heritage in her jewelry, especially making kapa cloth pieces, whether they’re rings or necklaces. That’s her primary focus. Kapa cloth is a textile from Hawaii; it’s like paper, but it’s thick. It comes from the Paper Mulberry tree, and all of the Polynesian Islands have their own version of it. You strip it, ferment the bark, and get it to a consistency that’s usable. Then, you pound it out and turn it into paper. A video of a lady whom Erica sources the kapa cloth from is on her website, zafferastudios.com, so that people can see how she makes it. “I got this idea to utilize it in my jewelry, and I haven’t found anybody else that does what I’m doing, but I get the kapa cloth, and sometimes she sends me pieces that already have different designs on it, and I’ll utilize those too,” shares Erica. “But then the plain pieces I take, and then I dye it different colors and put it underneath a clear quartz stone, so it’s just kind of encapsulating that little bit of history.” The art of making kapa cloth was almost lost after colonization, and the culture that was experienced in Hawaii was taken away, like the language its inhabitants weren’t permitted to speak. Hawaiians also weren’t allowed to dance hula, so skills like these faded into oblivion. Over the years, there have been practitioners who have worked together to find the technique and bring it back, and it’s now undergoing a huge resurgence. Erica’s grandmother, who passed away just last year, also made jewelry. She decided to give it up when her hands, due to carpal tunnel, couldn’t handle the beads anymore, so she sent all of her beads and tools to her granddaughter. Erica’s inspiration also comes from nature. “Hawaiian culture and nature really go hand in hand,” she says. SEPTEMBER 2026 // 21

© Best Version Media Hawaiian mythology includes stories of how the islands came to be, as well as what flowers mean. Erica loves the Naupaka flower, which is also called “half-flower” because it looks like it was cut in half. There is a type that thrives in the mountains, and one that grows along the beach. The story that’s told is about a princess in the mountains who went down to the beach and fell in love with a fisherman boy, but it was a forbidden relationship. When they met, they brought the two flowers together to create one whole flower. If this sounds familiar, it’s because many cultures have similar tales. (However, this is one of the few where the two main characters don’t have to die.) In her jewelry, Erica incorporates the flower. You can find her artwork at The Arkivet in Midway, fulFILLed Lifestyle Co. in Junction Commons, and Park Silly Market (this month on the 20th and 27th). On the 26th, she will be at the Maven Block Party, located at 900 S 200 E in Salt Lake City, where women entrepreneurs are celebrated, and where the emphasis is on connecting neighbors with each other to strengthen community. Since incorporating her Hawaiian heritage in her jewelry, Erica has gained self-confidence. Everyone loves Hawaii—it’s the mana, the energy that everybody has and that the islands themselves carry, which is the ‘āina (“land” in Hawaiian). She enjoys being a part of her customers’ celebrations, knowing the culture, and embracing it. Erica has been asked to teach, and while she is not opposed to it in the future, she does

22 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

The Wasatch Back is more than a backdrop—it’s home. Summit Land Conservancy is your local nonprofit dedicated to protecting the mountains, meadows, streams, and rivers that make this community so special. Learn more about our work and join us in saving the places you love, for the future.

not have the space for it right now. “I want my practice to not be harmful to the environment or even to people,” she shares. “I don’t use a lot of chemicals in my studio. I do everything I can to mitigate the impact that my business has. I want to try this and bless my mom’s heart. She always indulged me and took me to get this stuff together to try. She did that. We’ve been in choirs almost my entire life, so I was always doing something creative.” Currently, Erica is pouring all her creativity into her jewelry. Her children’s book is on the back burner, and her focus now is on metalsmithing. The muse of creativity will likely help her discover how to complete her book when she hears her song calling.

READY, SET, GET INVOLVED. SUMMIT LAND CONSERVANCY • SHADOW AND DISPLAY BOXES • CANVASES • MOUNTING AND LAMINATING • GLASS REPAIR • ARTIST PARTNERS • DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION • AND MORE! 62 N. MAIN STREET HEBER UT 84032 Hours: M-F 10:00-5:30 pm Saturdays by appointment only. Laurelscustomframing@gmail.com 435-654-2080 @laurelscustomframing

PO Box 1775, Park City, Utah 84060 435.649.9884 info@wesaveland.org

FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE Follow our events, announcements, and efforts on social media. It’s a regular reminder of what we’re all about:

@wesaveland

www.wesaveland.org SEPTEMBER 2026 // 23

© Best Version Media block (if you need it). Wear clothes that Cornhole at Wallsburg Town Hall allow you to move and breathe freely. @Wallsburg Town Park 70 W Main Canyon Time: 9-10am Road, Wallsburg Cost: Free Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to Website: martyharger.com/events/ the Wallsburg Town Hall and join us for a night of FUN! No cost to play, all ages and Saturday Farmers Market skill levels welcome. @Midway Town Square 200 W Main Time: 7-9pm Street, Midway Cost: Free Fresh local produce and local artisans are onsite selling goods at the farmer’s market Midway Music on the Square in Midway. @Midway Town Square 75 N 100 W, Time: 10am-1pm Midway Cost: Free Bring a blanket or lawn chair. There will be

SEPT 7 - LABOR DAY SEPT 11 - PATRIOT DAY & NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE/REMEMBRANCE

EVERY WED IN SEP

SEPT 22 - AUTUMN EQUINOX

THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER

Heber Valley Railroad @Heber Valley Railroad 450 S 600 W, Heber City Deer Creek Express Princess and Pirate Train The Chocolate Lovers Train The Monday Night Train includes sing-alongs, loud music, and fun! Specials this month, the Halloween Train runs Mon, Th, & Fri nights, starting Oct 1! Witches Night Out Train Oct 7th 7-8:30pm Pumpkin Train Saturdays Oct 3, 10, 17, & 24. Time: See website for details Cost: Ticket prices vary Website: www.hebervalleyrr.org/calendar/

food trucks and great music for the whole family. Come and support local musicians. Time: 6:30-8pm Cost: Free Website: www.midwaycityut.gov/

THURSDAYS IN SEPT

Free Yoga (Ages 55+) @Wasatch County Library 400 E 1200 S, Heber City (Bowcott Room) Instructor and volunteer, Marty Harger, leads a yoga series intended to bring more grounding and less stress to your week. Learn gentle movements connected to breathwork, mindful awareness, and meditation as practices you can incorporate at home to stay calm and well. Please bring your own yoga mat and yoga

CLASS 05

SAGES & SAGES & SEEKERS SEEKERS Registration for the fall program is open Sept. 14th to Oct. 9th

Sages: 55+ Seekers: 13-18 Registered participants will meet on Mondays from 5-6:30 p.m. at Wasatch County Library starting Oct. 19th, 2026 Interested? Visit the library website. Questions? Contact Ms. Brittnie at 435-654-1511 or email Bhecht@wasatch.utah.gov

Heber Market on Main Over the past two decades, the Heber City Farmer’s Market has been a weekly, summertime event welcoming visitors and locals alike to gather together in downtown Heber City. Enjoy local food, drink, shopping, and live music. Complimentary bike check offered each week during the Heber Market. Time: 5-9pm: Market with booths and vendors, 6:30-8:30pm: Live music Cost: FREE to ALL Website: hebermarket.com/ THURSDAYS IN SEPTEMBER

DAT E S T O R E M E M B E R :

EVERY SAT - OCT

TUESDAYS IN SEPT.

September

2 UTAH 0 2 HUMANITIES 6 BOOK FESTIVAL

Wasatch County Library

Thursday, October 1st Bryan Young

Better Storytelling through 4 PM Dungeon Mastering Sara Fitzgerald

Writing Workshop

Ages 16+, sign-up required

6 PM

435-654-1511 LIBRARY.WASATCHCOUNTY.GOV

465 EAST 1200 SOUTH HEBER CITY, UT 84032

24 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

SEPT 12

Provo River Days @Rock Cliff Nature Center, Wasatch Mountain State Park, Deer Creek State Park, & Vivian Park in Provo Canyon Provo River Days is a new, multi-site, community-driven festival celebrating and protecting the Provo River watershed areas. The festival connects people to the river from its headwaters in the Uintas to the communities that depend on it to live and thrive. Families, students, outdoor enthusiasts, and lifelong locals can explore the river at four unique sites, each offering its own hands-on activities and lessons about the watershed we all share. All ages are welcome to join. Time: 10am-2pm Cost: Free Website: provoriverwatershedcouncil.org/

Walk to End Alzheimer’s Summit/Wasatch County @Newpark Amphitheater 1456 Newpark Blvd, Park City This is a fun community event where the funds raised help provide care, support, and education to families living with Alzheimer's and other dementias, along with funding research to find a cure. Join us for an uplifting and fun event featuring vendor booths, food trucks, and a walk around the stadium to show support. We are always looking for corporate sponsors, committee members and participants to join us! Time: 9am-12noon • Cost: Free Contact: please contact Lisa Phinney lmphinney@alz.org for more information

Community Concert Series - Some Other Blues - Christian Katris @Wasatch County Library 465 E 1200 S, Heber City We invite you to an evening of live music. The concert is family-friendly, free to attend, and open to everyone— bring a friend and join us at the library amphitheater during the summer months or indoors during winter and inclement weather for a vibrant night of music and community! Time: 6-7pm Cost: FREE Website: library.wasatchcounty.gov SEPT 25

SEPT 14

Family Dinner in the Park @Southfield Park 895 W 100 S, Heber City The Wasatch County Health Department and Caring Community Coalition invite the local community to attend family dinner in the park. Join us for an evening of family connection and free dinner. We will have ingredients for your family to collect in order to make a meal at home together. Additionally, there will be taco salad to eat with your family in the park that night. Time: 5:30-7pm • Cost: FREE Website: wasatch.utah.gov

SEPT 19

SEPT 4-5

Swiss Days Festival Midway, Utah The annual Swiss Days Festival includes a 10K race, parade, live entertainment, and so much more. Market: Fri & Sat 8am-8pm Sat, Breakfast & 10K Run start at 7am, Parade at 10am. PARKING: Two public parking locations offer a free shuttle bus to and from the event location. Parking is $10, shuttle runs approx. every 15 minutes. There is limited street parking and private pay parking lots surrounding the square. Complimentary bike parking is available at Centennial Park. Pets are NOT allowed at the venue. Cost: FREE Website: gohebervalley.com/swiss-days

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 25

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • COMPILED BY JENNIFER DOBNER

THE LOCAL

Local Local News News in in Summit Summit County County

COMMUNITY NEWS FROM KPCW KPCW is the Wasatch Back's only nonprofit source of daily local news and programming. Our Summer Pledge Drive helps keep trusted news, emergency information and music free for everyone while also giving local nonprofits a platform to share their missions and earn free underwriting credits. Sponsor, support and listen Sept. 14–17 to help keep the Wasatch Back informed, connected and engaged. ‘Lifesaving, game-changing’: Heber LGBTQ+ community mourns Encircle’s closure By Grace Doerfler After three years providing a safe space for the Heber-area’s LGBTQ+youth, the Encircle home has closed due to low attendance. The home offered therapy, game nights, community meals, programs for parents and drop-in hours. It was one of four Encircle homes statewide.

The The KPCW KPCW News News Team Team brings brings you you daily daily news on the radio, online, and directly news on the radio, online, and directly to to your your email email inbox inbox with with our our free free newsletter: newsletter:

The The Local Local

Scan Scan here here to to subscribe subscribe – – it’s it’s FREE! FREE!

Kelleen Potter was Heber City’s mayor when Encircle opened. She also raised two LGBTQ+ children and said prior to Encircle, no resources existed in the community. She says she watched many young people struggle and for those who weren’t accepted at home, the center provided hope and positive role models. Research from the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ suicide prevention organization, shows over 40% of young queer Utahns seriously considered suicide in 2024. Queer youth and their families are now fundraising to create a new source for programming for LGBTQ+ kids in the Heber valley.. Wasatch County to hire first full-time historian By Grace Doerfler Wasatch County is hiring a full-time historian to gather and share stories from the community’s past.

Public radio stations like KPCW play a vital role Public radio stations like KPCW play a vital role in connecting communities through fact-based in connecting communities through fact-based reporting, local storytelling, and civil discourse. reporting, local storytelling, and civil discourse. We’re community-powered and committed to We’re community-powered and committed to serving the Wasatch Back, but we can’t do it serving the Wasatch Back, but we can’t do it without your help! without your help! Donate Donate now now at at www.KPCW.org. www.KPCW.org.

Councilmember Erik Rowland said the idea position grew out of the Wasatch Fire District’s move to a new building. He says a trove of artifacts were found; others may be discovered as more county services move to a new building. Rowland says without a system for preserving county records and artifacts, valuable history will be lost along the way. He’d like to see historical displays in all county buildings. Wasatch County has set aside $58,000 to hire someone for the remainder of 2026. After that, leaders will need to seek grants or allocate more funding in the 2027 budget. Midway ponds don’t pose ‘apparent public health hazard,’ researchers say • By Connor Thomas Midway residents have had concerns about a sulphurous smell for years – an odor so strong that some believe it was making them sick. The suspected source is the sewer facility just outside city limits south of state Route 113, where wastewater sits in ponds for treatment. But a state health department study found the hydrogen sulfide levels in the pounds pose no risk to public health, even when they exceed the lowest odor threshold.

Be Be sure sure to to go go to to kpcw.org kpcw.org to read – and listen to read – and listen – – like a local. like a local. 26 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

Hydrogen sulfide is known for its rotten egg aroma, and it can cause symptoms like headaches, fatigue and respiratory problems. But neighborhood monitors never detected unhealthy levels. It’s not clear whether the state will conduct additional studies. KPCW relies on local support to keep news and programming strong in Summit and Wasatch counties. Your contribution helps keep our community informed, connected and supported. For more information, please visit kpcw.org

SPONSORED BY LIZA STORY - SUMMIT SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY • COMPILED BY LIZA STORY

5 BASIC QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO BE ASKING ABOUT REAL ESTATE IN THE WASATCH BACK RIGHT NOW 1. HOW’S THE PARK CITY “MARKET"? Not a great question, but the number one question asked. There is no longer “one” market. Old Town. Promontory. Empire Pass. East Village. Glenwild. Hideout. Heber. Areas are behaving completely different and you need an expert to explore each of them. Also, understand that median price alone doesn't always tell the whole picture. The mix of homes in our “market” has changed, and even just a few ultra-high-end sales can move median prices dramatically. 2. IS THE “MARKET” HEALTHIER THAN HEADLINES SUGGEST? One quarter never defines a market. Look at a larger snapshot for a better picture. Over the past 12 months: ▶ Single-family sales increased 6% ▶ Dollar volume increased 12% ▶ Average sale price increased 6%

▶ Median price increased 6% ▶ Single-family median price increased 6%. 3. IS THE LUXURY SEGMENT SLOWING? Luxury buyers have become more selective and they continue to place a premium on the exceptional properties. ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶

Promontory dollar volume +28% Glenwild median +36% Empire Pass sales doubled Park Meadows had one of its strongest quarters in recent memory

4. WHAT IS CURRENTLY REDEFINING “MARKET” CONFIDENCE? Land Sales are sending the strongest confidence signal in the market. Why? Can’t make more. ▶ Sales +20%

▶ Dollar volume +27% ▶ Median price +25% And, Deer Valley East Village continues to post massive sales numbers: ▶ Sales +263% ▶ Dollar volume +289% Hint: This isn’t a normal appreciation cycle, it's the creation of an entirely new luxury destination. 5. WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW ABOUT OUR “MARKET” RIGHT NOW? Homes priced correctly continue to sell; homes chasing COVID-era prices sit. Buyers are taking more time to compare options, negotiate, and wait for the right opportunity. Successful sellers understand the difference between realistic vs. wishful pricing, why exceptional presentation matters, and if their agent actually has strategic negotiation skills.

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

Experience Creates Clarity In luxury real estate, details matter. Timing matters. Judgment matters.

Born and raised in Park City, I understand what truly drives long-term value, allowing me to help clients move forward with confidence, even in complex situations. Because the best decisions aren’t made from pressure. They’re made from clarity.

Liza Story

20 TOP

SUMMIT SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL RE ALT Y ADVISOR

75%

BUSINESS FROM REFERR ALS

15+ YE ARS OF E XPERIENCE

435.901.1280 • liza@lizastory.com

©MMXXVI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a licensed tarademark to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. An Equal Opportunity Company. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Copyright© Summit Sotheby’s International Realty 2026.

LIZASTORY.COM

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 27

SPONSORED BY HEBER CITY COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOR MAIN STREET • BY ERIC RAMIREZ • PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEB DEKOFF

It’s About Time Together

JIM ROACH 28 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

MAIN STREET DOESN’T FIX ITSELF. SINCE 2004, YOUR NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN SHOWING UP TO MAKE IT BETTER. The Community Alliance for Main Street (CAMS) brings together Heber City residents, business owners and property owners to help create a downtown that people come to — not just drive through.

TOGETHER, WE’RE WORKING TOWARD: Public art that brings Main Street to life Better gathering spaces for our community Market on Main and local events Born and raised along the Wasatch Front, Jim Roach has always thrived on adventure: cycling, hunting, camping, hiking, and even entrepreneurship. Thus, the standard approach to education and career would never be enough. After graduating from Olympus High, he earned a business degree—studying economics, consumerism, and finance—at the University of Utah. He admits he took that course because it was culturally appropriate, and: “It’s just what guys do.” What Jim knew, though, was that building community and leaving things better than before were fundamental to any pursuit. “I’m good at concepts and customer service, and being a part of a community, and then interacting within that community and creating better experiences,” remarks Jim. The idea led to creating well-known Timber Knives and Summit Watches (a.k.a., Summit Watch Club) in Heber. “I think it’s my way of rebelling,” he continues. “I’m not going to just go find a job that pays the bills; I want to do something that is also personally fulfilling.” Having a penchant for entrepreneurship, he sought opportunities that aligned with that vision. Yet, after graduating from the University of Utah, Jim says, “I was holding this piece of paper, [and] I asked myself, ‘What am I going to do with this?’” So, he got a job at a bank, working his way up into commercial and investment banking. He was quite good at it, surely in part because he is so concerned about people. Jim was still curious about opportunities in the market and stumbled upon this job listing: “How would you like to help people with disabilities and make a good living?” To which he said to himself, “Well, this is obviously too good to be true.”

A voice in decisions shaping downtown’s future

There’s a place for everyone to get involved.

ADVOCATE. CREATE. ENRICH. JOIN US. hebercity-cams.org

@HeberCityCAMS

Proud member of Main Street America®

Donations welcome at hebercity-cams.org/donate

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 29

© Best Version Media He called on the ad, and the conversation provided him with a picture that would change his life and professional trajectory and, more importantly, would make a difference in people’s lives. “In 2011, I left banking and took this new path in life. I started helping people with disabilities find employment,” Jim explains. “Turns out, I was good at it, too. I quickly learned about the nuanced Medicaid disability system.” Medicaid compensated the agency for finding employment and providing many types of care and support for individuals with disabilities. “I was kind of the first hire, and I grew with the company. One day, my mentor was hit and killed while riding his motorcycle,” he shares. The grief was still fresh when the business needed Jim’s leadership, so he and his brother began running the company. Jim continues to mourn the loss of the man who taught him many valuable things and is grateful for the opportunity he had to work with him. The Roaches continued to build relationships and community by asking what they could do differently, as well as seeking why their service was unique. The answer: creativity and a person-first business. When they identified that mission and played on it, their growth and their ability to serve others exploded. Over time, when it came time to sell the agency, Jim left a strong company in good hands. With adventure in mind, he opened Timber Knives on Main Street in Heber, a business that invited knife connoisseurs to create community in an experience-forward retail setting. He succeeded, and the business is still owned and operated by Wasatch Back locals, all of whom Jim says have new and

unique skills, taking the knife shop to the next level. But, simmering on the back burner were Jim’s observations about the healthcare industry. “I had since developed ideas to address caregiver turnover in Utah DSP [direct support professional] Home and Community Services for people with disabilities,” Jim explains. “The biggest issue with quality care is that it can be very difficult, with generally uncompetitive pay and tough schedules. By working directly with the families to help them choose their own caregivers, it puts the right people in the driver's seat. Focusing on empowerment to provide care with good pay was key.” An opportunity arose with a few friends to explore this. Jim was relieved that they understood software and apps, something he says he had no business trying to figure out.

“They were already working on apps to do similar management in the transportation field,” he says. “When I saw what they were building, I knew that my industry solutions and ideas would be great in combination with their tech tools. “We built these tools and our own provider agency. We made huge strides as we provided the highest DSP pay in Utah. Even though it was a big hit to the bottom line, I knew that paying caregivers higher wages would decrease turnover and allow families to attract quality caregivers they already trusted to be in their homes.” Authentically altruistic, Jim and his partners defied the norm. “This agency now supports over 800 individuals with disabilities, and double that number of caregivers,” Jim asserts. The company, GIV Healthcare, now offers a

PORTRAITS WITH EDGE

435-513-3814 www.parkcityphotographers.com 30 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

© Best Version Media white-label version of the platform, which is used across the country. It’s the result of countless talented people logging tiresome hours, a community for which Jim is extremely grateful. Even now, he is humbled by their energy and how they have helped bring his vision to life. Jim also wanted to create another business to foster community around an idea. The Adventure Preservation Society was born, the first retail iteration that evolved into Summit Watches. He had successfully created a social kind of retail environment at Timber Knives, so he already had a model. But what kind of product could draw guys in to hang out and talk about interesting stuff? “The store was dragged through the dirt because this space was not even about watches from day one. We discovered that we liked a watch brand more, and cameras

don’t sell as well… So the whole time it was being refined and cleaned off, and it ended up being Summit Watch Club,” Jim tells me. Only recently did the Summit Watch Club emerge from a tumultuous dust storm of adventure products. Now, a welcoming arrangement of stunning watches, each from watchmakers with a rich history, glisten in soft lighting. In a classic Jim Roach move, Summit Watches augments a retail experience by opening a space in which community can blossom and individuals can connect, barriers completely diminished. Bringing in locals is only one side—growing the community behind Summit Watches is the natural fuel propelling it into the future, which includes podcasts, marketers, and local watchmakers. It all comes down to building community. After all, we’re in this time together.

For decades, Jim has been trying to professionally and personally answer the need for human connection. Building businesses around the idea of uplifting a community are far more important than his products. Experiences, memories, stories, and people: Those are the blocks of life that give meaning. Jim might not say it, but that is the reason behind his enterprises.

WICKED 2.0 - EXCELLENCE IN CONNECTIVITY! EXPERIENCE WICKED FAST INTERNET— RELIABLE AND LIGHTNING-FAST: Unlimited Data: Enjoy multi-gig speeds with no caps or throttling. Same Speeds Up & Down: Connect all devices simultaneously without buffering. All Weather Internet: Our self-healing mesh network keeps you online during extreme weather. Ridiculously Reliable: Triple backup fiber feeds ensure 99.999% reliability. No Commitments: No contracts required, or get FREE installation with gig gear ($499 savings) on a 2-year commitment. Near Zero Latency: Perfect for gaming and streaming with minimal lag. Local to Park City: Powering homes, small businesses, and events like the Sundance Film Festival!

Join Wicked Fast today and transform your internet experience! Visit wickedfastinternet.com or call 1-800-WICKED to get started! SEPTEMBER 2026 // 31

BY JACQUIE SYMES • PHOTOS PROVIDED BY RACHEL KAHLER

HISTORY WORTH SAVING Meet Rachel Kahler, Resident Preservation Champion

32 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

© Best Version Media Rachel Kahler didn’t set out to become the person keeping Heber City’s history alive. After the first few minutes of talking to her about her roots, passions, and family, it was clear this is exactly who she was always going to be. Rachel grew up in the Heber Valley, the daughter of a couple whose parents moved to Heber back in the 1970s. “This is my hometown, and I’m very proud of that,” she says. It’s not a passing sentiment; it’s the thread that ties into everything else she has to say about her life here. She has siblings who still live in the area, and she was able to bring up her own three children in the same valley that raised her: Jakob, now finishing his senior year at BYU and married to Emmy; Brodie, who works at Red Ledges Golf Course and has a gift for taking care of people; and daughter Charley, president of the Wasatch High drill team, who’s already apprenticing at a local salon and on her way to a cosmetology career she’s wanted since she was nine.

That homecoming has come with some heartache, too. Rachel spent eight years working at the Homestead through high school and college and knew of decades of deferred maintenance that the public rarely had seen. She understood better than most what the resort had needed for a long time. Now, as the property undergoes a massive renovation, she’s watching some of what she loved most gradually disappear. “It is bittersweet,” she admits. She’s grateful, at least, that the historic Virginia House still stands. "We kind of came to love that old house," she adds, with a real tenderness in the way she says it—not a stark resistance to change, exactly, but a kind of sadness for what change inevitably takes with it, even when it is necessary and good for the progress of her hometown.

That tension—between welcoming what’s new and holding on to what matters—is, in many ways, the entire shape of Rachel’s life in Heber. Her career reads like a tour of the valley itself: a degree in public relations, more than a decade in Salt Lake advertising, and then, in 2012, a return home to run marketing for the Heber Valley Chamber, where she helped rebuild a defunct Chamber of Commerce almost from scratch. From there came the Tour of Utah, Ragnar, the Cowboy Poetry and Western Music Festival, three years managing the Midway Ice Castles, and a stretch overseeing public programs at Soldier Hollow. Today, Rachel is the executive director of the Community Alliance for Main Street. This role now includes the Market on Main, which draws 3,000–5,000 people to Main Street Park every single Thursday. She’s quick to

“It’s just been really fun to see my kids have some of the same experiences that I had,” shares Rachel. Even her love story is stitched into the valley. She met her husband, Chad, at the Homestead Resort. He was the golf pro, and she was a shop girl. Although they’ve now been married 28 years, it goes back even further than that. Her own parents got engaged at the Homestead, too, and their marriage lasted more than 55 years. Last year, Rachel and Chad returned to the resort for their anniversary dinner and took photos in front of the building, standing in nearly the same spot where her parents’ story had once begun. That’s something that in another small town might feel like coincidence, but in Heber Valley, it’s a landmark that signals “home.”

PHOTO BY KELLY ANNE PHOTOGRAPHY

Sarah Severson

PHOTOGRAPHER

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY HEADSHOTS & BRANDING IMAGES EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY PROPOSALS & ENGAGEMENTS

HEBER VALLEY | PARK CITY | BOOK NOW: WWW.SARAHSEVERSONPHOTOGRAPHY.COM 847-707-7132 *MENTION THIS AD FOR $25 OFF SEPTEMBER 2026 // 33

hand off credit for its roots to Paul Askins, the concert series’ original organizer, who still shows up most Thursdays to check IDs at the beer garden. “I do feel like we’ve created something special here,” she shares. And she means the whole community when she says “we,” not just herself. Rachel’s work in historic preservation seems to hold her heart most fully, as if it had found her almost by accident. Rachel served on the Heber City Council from 2020 to 2023, and not long after her term ended, she sat in a meeting about a proposal to upzone Old Town Heber, which is when something in her shifted. “That really kind of shook me to the core,” she recalls, “because I felt like this is the last kind of affordable housing. These are the old bungalows and the pioneer homes.” She hadn’t planned on becoming a preservationist,

but she simply couldn’t sit in that room and watch it happen without doing something.

can access tax credits to help preserve what remains standing.

Since then, Rachel has helped create a 37-stop walking tour highlighting 34 of the city’s original homes and buildings, researching the settler families behind each one so that their stories wouldn’t be lost to time. She now leads monthly historic bus tours for local seniors, taking up to 15 people at a time through the streets she’s known her whole life, sharing stories of the Murdock, Moulton, and McDonald families—the pioneers who endured brutal early winters and thin summer harvests before their now-iconic redstone homes were finally built. She’s currently working to earn Heber City a historic district with the National Register of Historic Places, something the city has never done, so that homeowners

“History is worth saving,” Rachel says, simply. “So many of those stories have not been brought to the surface.” She looks to Park City as an example: It’s a town that has built its whole identity around its mining history, turning the past into something visitors and residents alike can walk through and feel. Heber, she believes, has some catching up to do, but she’s determined to close that gap. Her hope isn’t just to preserve old buildings—it’s also to give newcomers a way into the town’s story so that people who have only just arrived can feel like they belong to something older than themselves. “So many people are moving because it’s a beautiful place,” she notes. “It’s well known

ROOFING! ROOFING! ROOFING! • Residential Roofing • Architectural Shingles

• Flat Membranes • Metal Roofing

SHINGLE

• Roof Repairs • Snow Retention METAL

• Heat Cable • And More

FLAT

$1,500 OFF

Any ReRoof Project (2,000 sq.ft. Or more) Code: PARKCITY26

Call for a FREE Estimate!

435-658-4344 • www.SandSRoofingUtah.com RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR SERVICE WHEN YOU MENTION THIS AD AT YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT!

321 W 1300 S SUITE 100 HEBER CITY, UT 84032 sarahskincarestudio@gmail.com

435-300-0072

CUSTOM SKINCARE & BROW ARTISTRY 34 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

[that] the mountains, the golf courses, the small businesses on Main Street are all a draw, and rightfully so.” However, it all started because of these original 17 or 18 pioneer families who crossed the Provo River, waited for a bridge to be built, and held on through hard winters to lay the town’s first foundations.

Your Trusted Plumbing & HVAC Experts!

“That’s what Heber came from,” she says. “We’re pioneer grit. We came from good stock.” It’s a phrase that could apply just as easily to Rachel herself. Looking back over a career that wound through advertising firms, ice castles, and Olympic committees before landing here, she laughs at how naturally it all seems to line up now. “It seemed like it all prepared me to do what I’m doing now,” she says. Every job, every return home, and every small full-circle moment keep her grounded in the valley she grew up in and that she is proud to raise another generation in.

(385) 456-7989 75 West 1000 South, Suite 300 & 400 Heber City, Utah 84032

Business Hours

Mon - Sat: 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday: 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Appointments and Walk-ins Welcome Gift Certificates Available Follow Us On Social Media For News And Promotions! @hebernailspa

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR CURRENT SPECIALS: hebernailspa.com

When it comes to residential and commercial plumbing and heating, we’ve got you covered. Our licensed and insured Master Plumber & General Contractor team is dedicated to providing top-notch service. Your comfort is our priority!

Visit our website for our most recent reviews!

Let’s talk about your plumbing and heating needs. www.teamcheever.net 435-252-7697 SEPTEMBER 2026 // 35

BY PHOEBE ZANIELLO, JUNIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER• PHOTOGRAPHY BY OWEN CRANDALL

KadencePreston

Kadence Preston is a 2026 graduate from Wasatch High School, and also an avid mountain biker. For Kadence, however, mountain biking isn’t simply a sport—it’s the literal foundation of her family. Her parents met as cyclists competing on the same road cycling team, and they eventually introduced their passion for biking to their daughter. However, this was not immediate; Kadence didn’t start mountain biking until she was in seventh grade, and not by choice. After moving back to Utah from Parker, Colorado (a town south of Denver), her parents forced her to sign up. It was seemingly dreadful at first, but Kadence gradually grew to enjoy the sport, which encompasses many aspects of her life. “I love everything about it. I really do, and it’s not always easy. It’s so hard. It’s so draining. It’s so much work. But I love to look back to when I first joined the team, and where I am now, what I’ve accomplished,” says Kadence. “There are so many lessons, so many good things, so many challenges, that I’ve experienced through mountain biking.”

everything for her career. Scott started creating personalized training plans for Kadence and her teammates. These individual roadmaps to success eventually produced amazing results. He then began coaching Team Soldier Hollow, a new mountain bike team that allowed Kadence to engage even more seriously with the sport and surround herself with people who were serious about it too.

Since then, Kadence has competed nationally and internationally, with race venues ranging from Washington state to Canada. Her favorite race trip? Rincón, Puerto Rico, a coastal town that sported a cool and challenging mountain bike course. “However,” Kadence interjects, “I love Soldier Hollow more. I know I may be biased, but Soldier Hollow will always be my favorite race series.”

fun together, biking on trails, sitting around the campfire, or playing games together.”

Although Kadence just graduated, leaving Wasatch High’s team behind, she is not leaving mountain biking. Next year, she’ll attend Utah State University Eastern and bike on the cycling team. College had not always been in Kadence’s plans, until an email from the USU Eastern coach, inviting her on to their team, made her reconsider. Despite the fact that she doesn’t know much about collegiate racing, she’s excited to learn about it and meet new people who share her love of mountain biking. She’ll continue to practice, and she’ll continue to race until one day she can professionally. Kadence’s ultimate goal is to compete at the Olympics, and she knows that this type of success in her mountain biking career will not come quickly or easily. From the beginning of her mountain biking career to this point, she has always adhered to her dad’s philosophy. She finds that competitions often come with lots of comparison—which can cause burnout and the end of a passion. Yet, she has always chosen to focus on her future potential, building it from a

It was during her sophomore year of high school that her dad, Scott Preston, became Wasatch High’s mountain bike team coach and changed

It’s not just the place that makes Soldier Hollow Kadence’s favorite; it’s also the team. “They are my people, like my family. All of my best memories are from mountain biking on the team,” she shares. “I had no idea that they would have this kind of impact on me. I don’t laugh with another group more than I do with them. We have so much

36 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

routine that supersedes any present setbacks. “I know it’s going to be hard, but I have my dad as my coach, and he believes in progress over time,” she says. “We all want immediate results. We all want to be the fastest. But my dad always reminds me that I will be the fastest one, I can be the fastest one, because, if that’s what I want, I can work hard until I am the fastest one day. Though that takes time. It takes following the training plan. It takes an ‘eventually.’”

We can do all of these things.” Over the duration of her time on both Wasatch High’s mountain bike team and Team Soldier Hollow, Kadence saw more and more girls joining the team. She hopes that this momentum will only continue in the future, eventually forming a community of strong and powerful female riders.

Kadence, however, does not want a legacy outlined by any podiums in her biking career; she wants her legacy to be of community impact, specifically a community of girls. In a sport that is traditionally male-dominated, she wants to help girls and young women feel more included, and she hopes that her own successes in mountain biking can inspire that.

To any girls worried about joining a maledominated sport like mountain biking, Kadence wants them to know that she understands their concerns, but there’s also a community of female riders ready to support them. “Join a team, and you will always find people. You’ll find people who love doing what you love to do, and it’s really special,” she encourages. “I’ve found my best friends through mountain biking. We can do these really hard things together, and become closer to each other when we do them.”

“I want to raise the bar. Let me show you what us girls can do,” she asserts. “We can do all the flips and tricks that the boys do. We can ride 100 miles.

Outside of mountain biking, Kadence has a wide range of interests. Of course, she adores the outdoors and any activity that is spent within

them, especially if it includes water. She loves surfing and boating, partaking in these activities during summer travels. She also enjoys making jewelry, pairing unique charms with colorful beans to make fun, beaded necklaces. Though she doesn’t do anything with pieces she creates (besides wear them, of course), she finds that beading has become a relaxing hobby to do when she isn’t mountain biking. Kadence also offers advice that goes beyond mountain biking. “Nothing has to be permanent. Try everything, because you don’t know how much time you will have,” she remarks. “So why not try everything and do everything?” As she enters college, the next stage in her life, she promises to live by the same philosophy. Of course, she’ll be mountain biking, but she’ll also be experiencing different parts of the world and interacting with new people. And as she does, progress will come with time, in both mountain biking and in life. SEPTEMBER 2026 // 37

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR: SWANER ECO CENTER • BY MARGAUX KLINGENSMITH • PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SWANER STAFF

Spread the Word (and the Seeds!) You heard it here first: Swaner Preserve is starting a little free native seed library! This resource, intended to provide native seeds to the public, is set to open in conjunction with the “Ephemeral” Art Exhibit this September at the EcoCenter. The library will feature seeds for plants native to Utah, primarily plants native to the Wasatch Back. The library’s purpose is to provide a native seed exchange and resources for community members, homeowners, and land managers to help create fire-wise, waterwise, native landscapes that increase wildlife habitat and biodiversity. Home lawns and gardens can play a huge role in habitat fragmentation, either acting as ecological dead zones or as a mosaic of wildlife refuge that can connect habitat. One of the easiest ways to create pollinator and wildlife habitat is to choose native plants for landscaping around your home. The library will create a resource for native seed exchange to facilitate these landscapes. Sourcing seeds locally increases seed success; plants can be better adapted to regional climate, soils, and pests. We need your help to grow the library! Interested in donating seeds? Here’s a how-to on adding your seeds to the native seed library. COLLECTING AND DONATING SEEDS 1. Where can you collect seeds? Collecting from your own garden is the easiest! You can ask a friend if they have a nice collection of native plants in their yard. You always need landowner permission to collect seeds and will need a permit and permission if you are collecting on public lands. 2. Learn about your plants! Make sure you know what plant you are donating and its status in Utah. You can use local guidebooks, iNaturalist, and resources on our website to help! It is easiest to determine what plants you have while they are in bloom before they go to seed in the late summer/fall. 3. Collect the seeds. Learn when to harvest seeds and what they look like. Most native plants seeds are easiest to collect after they dry on the plant. If you have permission to harvest wild populations, only collect 10% of the population and only collect from robust, healthy populations. 4. Clean and process your seeds. You may need to allow your seeds to dry more before processing them. Separate the seed as best as you can from the rest of the plant material. 5. Package in a breathable container and label. 6. Bring your seeds to the library! Drop off seeds at the EcoCenter front desk during open hours (Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm). You will need to fill out a donation slip with some plant and harvest information. Swaner staff will check your seeds and add them to the library. 7. Come back in the fall to check out the library and gather new species for your landscape, or learn more about local species!

38 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

BY COACH AMELIA SMITH AND JEREMY CHARCHENKO

ATHLETE LEADER OF THE MONTH

o k n e h c ar h TrippC

"Tripp is always ready for practice, his eyes shining with a determination that is truly inspiring. He tackles every new skill with incredible focus, never giving up even when a move seems impossible. You could always count on Tripp to put in the extra effort, whether it was perfecting a backhand spring or adding an extra rotation on tramp, he pushes his self a little harder each time until he gets it right. What really makes Tripp stand out, is his respectful nature and how well he listened. When I speak he is all ears, taking in every instruction and piece of advice. He is always polite, waits patiently for his turn, and treats everyone around him like they have been friends for years, making him a truly valued member of the gymnastics class. Beyond his dedication, Tripp has a knack for picking things up incredibly fast. He’ll observe a new technique once or twice and then execute it with surprising precision. This quick understanding, combined with his fearless attitude, means he is always eager to move on to the next challenge, never shying away from attempting the more advanced and complex skills I introduce. Coaching Tripp is genuinely a blast because he brings such great energy to every session. He has this natural humor that will often lighten the mood, even during the toughest drills, making everyone crack a smile.” - Coach Amelia Smith

"Tripp has always loved tumbling! While he's not the most competitive person, he genuinely enjoys learning new skills and challenging himself. Over the years, he's grown so much- not just as an athlete, but as a person. Anyone who knows Tripp knows he's a great listener, eager to learn, asks thoughtful questions, and, most importantly, is genuinely kind. A fun fact about Tripp is that he didn't start talking until he was around 3 or 4 years old- mostly because his little sister, Tay, did all the talking for him! To this day, the two are the best of friends." - Dad, Jeremy Charchenko

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 39

SPONSORED BY BUDGET BLINDS OF WASATCH BACK

GIRLS SOCCER

DEER CREEK RIVERHAWKS FOOTBALL DATE

VS./@

TIME(S)

Sep 02 Sep 03 Sep 04 Sep 09 Sep 10 Sep 11 Sep 16 Sep 17 Sep 18 Sep 23 Sep 24 Sep 25 Sep 30 Oct 01 Oct 02 Oct 06 Oct 07

Frosh @ Wasatch JV @ Wasatch Var vs Wasatch Frosh vs West Jordan JV vs Uintah Var @ Uintah Frosh @ Skyline JV @ Mountain View Var vs Mountain View (Homecoming) Frosh vs Timpanogos JV vs Timpanogos Var @ Timpanogos Frosh @ Westlake JV @ Salem Hills Var vs Salem Hills (Senior Night) Frosh @ Provo JV vs Provo

6:00 pm 4:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 4:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 4:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 4:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 4:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 4:00 pm

We’re Budget Blinds, and we’re North America’s #1 provider of custom window coverings. We’re Budget Blinds, and we’re NorthWe America’s #1 do it all for you; design, measure provider of custom window coverings. We do it and install - because we think all for you; design, measure and install — because everyone, at every budget, we think everyone, at every budget, deserves style, deserves style, service, and service, and the peace-of-mind of the best warranty the peace-of-mind of the best in the business. warranty in the business.

DATE

VS./@

Sep 01 Sep 03 Sep 08 Sep 10 Sep 15 Sep 17 Sep 22 Sep 24 Sep 29 Oct 01 Oct 08

vs Summit JV 5:00pm Var 7:00pm @ Uintah JV 3:00pm Var 5:00pm vs Wasatch JV 5:00pm Var 7:00pm vs Mountain View JV 5:00pm Var 7:00pm vs Timpanogos JV 5:00pm Var 7:00pm @ Orem Var 3:30pm JV 5:00pm vs Provo JV 5:00pm Var 7:00pm @ Summit Var 3:30pm JV 5:00pm vs Uintah (Senior Night) JV 3:30pm Var 5:00pm @ Wasatch JV 5:00pm Var 7:00 pm State Playoffs Round 1 Home Sites

TIME(S)

CROSS COUNTRY DATE

VS./@

Sep 04 Sep 08 Sep 12 Sep 16 Sep 19

Timpanogos Invite Lakeside Park (Orem) 9:00am Uintah Invite Vernal TBD Border Wars Valley Regional Park (Taylorsville) 8:30am Carbon County Club Golf Course (Helper) 3:30pm Wasatch Rendevous Big Cottonwood Regional Park (Millcreek) 9:00am TwiKnight Invite Art Dye Park (American Fork) 3:00pm Union Invite Roosevelt TBD Scera Park (Orem) 3:00pm

Sep 25 Sep 30 Oct 02

TIME(S)

Call now for your free in-home consultation!

<000-000-0000>

We’re Budget Blinds, and we’re North America’s #1

provider of custom window coverings. We do it all for you; design, measure and install — because we think everyone, at every budget, deserves style,

<BudgetBlinds.com>

Fall Sale!

35% OFF Select Products Excludes Hunter Douglas and Lutron Products

Call now for your free in-home consultation!

<000-000-0000>

service, and the peace-of-mind of the best warranty Blinds • Shutters • Shades • Drapes • Home Automation in the business.

Call now for your free in home consultation!

<BudgetBlinds.com>

435-503-7127 BudgetBlinds.com

520 N. Main Street, Suite C, Heber City, UT

Blinds • Shutters • Shades • Drapes • Home Automation Blinds • Shutters • Shades • Drapes • Home Automation Call now for your free in-home consultation!

Blinds, and we’re America’s #1Concepts Brand. Each franchise independently owned and operated. ©2018 Budget Blinds, LLC. All Rights Reserved. BudgetWe’re Blinds isBudget a trademark of Budget Blinds, LLCNorth and a Home Franchise provider of custom window coverings. We do it ADVERTORIAL

40 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

all for you; design, measure and install — because

we think everyone, at every budget, deserves style,

VS./@

Sep 01 Sep 03 Sep 08 Sep 09 Sep 10-12 Sep 17 Sep 21 Sep 24-25 Oct 08 Oct 09,10

@ Mountain View vs Timpanogos @ Orem vs Provo St George Tournament vs Uintah JV JV Region Tournament @ M VHS Var Region Tournament @ Deer Creek Var State Play-in Location TBD Var State Tournament Liberty Park

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL DATE

VS./@

TIME(S) Var/JV 3:30pm Var/JV 3:30pm Var/JV 3:30pm Var/JV 3:30pm Var/JV All Day Var/JV 3:30pm All Day All Day All Day All Day

TIME(S)

Sep 01 @ Summit Academy Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 03 @ Timpanogos Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 08 vs Mt. View Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 10-12 Var @ UVU Tournament TBD Sep 15 vs Orem Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 17 @ Provo Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 22 @ Uintah Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 24 vs Wasatch Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 25-26 Soph/JV @ Canyon Classic Tournament TBD Sep 29 vs Summit Academy Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Oct 01 vs Timpanogos Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Oct 06 @ Mt View Soph 3:30pm Fresh & JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Oct 08 @ Orem Soph 3:30 Fresh (NONE) JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm

THE

MAILBOX

STORE

FOOTBALL DATE

VS./@

Sep 02 Sep 03 Sep 04 Sep 09 Sep 10 Sep 11 Sep 16 Sep 17 Sep 18 Sep 23 Sep 24 Sep 25 Sep 30 Oct 01 Oct 02 Oct 06 Oct 07 Oct 08

Fresh vs Deer Creek JV Var @ Deer Creek Fresh @ Timpanogos JV vs Timpanogos Var @ Timpanogos Fresh vs Murray JV @ Uintah Var vs Uintah Fresh vs Provo JV vs Provo Var @ Provo Fresh @ West Jordan JV @ Park City Var vs Park City Fresh @ Skyline JV @ Salem Hills Var vs Salem Hills

GIRLS SOCCER DATE

VS./@

Sep 01 Sep 03 Sep 08 Sep 10 Sep 15 Sep 17 Sep 22 Sep 24 Sep 29 Oct 01 Oct 08

@ Uintah vs Orem @ Deer Creek @ Provo vs Mountain View @ Summit Academy @ Timpanogos vs Uintah @ Orem vs Deer Creek ** Senior Night Var State First Round

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL DATE

VS./@

TIME(S) 6:00pm TBD 7:00pm 6:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm 6:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm

TIME(S) JV 3:00pm Var 5:00pm JV 5:00pm Var 7:00pm JV 5:00 pm Var 7:00pm JV 5:00pm Var 7:00pm JV 5:00pm Var 7:00pm JV 5:00pm Var 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 7:00 pm JV 5:00pm Var 7:00pm JV 5:00pm Var 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 7:00 pm TBD

TIME(S)

Sep 01 vs Uintah Fresh 5:00pm Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 03 @ Mountain View HS Fresh 5:00pm Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 08 @ Provo Fresh 5:00pm Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 10-12 Var @ UVU. PG Host Tournament Sep 15 Host Summit Fresh ? Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 17 @ Timpanogos F resh 5:00pm Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 18,19 Fresh @ Cottonwood Tournament TBD Sep 22 Host Orem No Fresh Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 24 @ Deer Creek Fresh 5:00pm Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Sep 25,26 JV & Soph @ Corner Canyon Classic Tournament TBD Sep 29 @ Uintah Fresh 5:00pm Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Oct 01 Host Mt View Homecoming Fresh 5:00pm Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Oct 06 Host Provo PINK NIGHT Fresh 5:00pm Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm Oct 08 @ Summit Soph 3:30pm JV 5:00pm Var 6:30pm SEPTEMBER 2026 // 41

BY JACQUIE SYMES, ON BEHALF OF BLUE PINE HEALTH PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEXIE LARSON, TAKE A HIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

Meet... Tyson Smith A Salt Lake Native Who Built a Career on Relationships Tyson has lived enough lives, in enough places, doing enough different things, that I find myself wanting to ask him more and more follow up questions during our interview. Ski chalets in Austria. A jewelry counter in Beverly Hills. Concert lighting rigs in the Nevada desert. Carbon fiber missile replicas built for military testing. And now, Blue Pine Health, the telehealth and longevity company he co-founded with his close friend and business partner, Dr. Anwar. To understand why Blue Pine works, though, you first have to understand how Tyson got there because almost none of it was a straight line and almost all of it was about the people he met along the way. A FORMATIVE YOUTH Tyson was born in Salt Lake City and grew up first in Sugar House, then in what's now Cottonwood Heights, with Little Cottonwood Creek trickling through his backyard. He's the middle of three boys. His older brother is a paramedic in Salt Lake City; his younger brother is an aerospace engineer with the Air Force, "too smart," Tyson says, with the pride only an older brother can put into an insult. His father, a psychiatrist who trained and worked at the University of Utah before running a practice in Central Utah, has played trumpet in a band his entire life — you may have been lucky enough to catch some of that smooth brass at this summer's Murray Block Party, where his band was one of the acts featured in the musical lineup. His mother stayed home for most of Tyson's childhood, later working part-time for the Ronald McDonald House and a travel agency. Health, he says, was simply something his parents modeled without making a production of it. His dad, now in his 70s, "can still beat me in tennis." It's a bit of a cliché, Tyson admits, but his father has been one of his biggest mentors. Long before Blue Pine ever existed. Health was never just a topic in their house; it was a lived priority, mental, physical, and spiritual all at once, something his dad has spent years thinking and writing about. That perspective is now out in the world in his book, Shrink Fit, available on Amazon, and it's no small part of why Tyson found his way into this industry in the first place, invested in it not just as a business, but as something personal. BUILDING A FAMILY AND A LIFE Tyson met his wife, Tayler, through mutual friends. He actually tried setting her up with someone else first, before deciding to “give it a try” himself. Fifteen-plus years of marriage later, it's safe to say that was a good call. Tayler comes from a family of serious golfers. "Their vacations are planned around golf," Tyson says, and the message was clear: if you wanted in with this family, you'd better pick up some clubs. So he did, teaching himself the game on his off-hours during a summer job in Wendover, just to keep up. 42 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

© Best Version Media In their life together, Tyson worked touring festivals for high school bands and choirs, ran lighting and sound at a Wendover concert hall each summer, did a stint at Backcountry.com, and then, together, he and Tayler decided to pack up and move to Lech, Austria, to run a ski chalet at one of the largest resorts in the world, by his account triple the size of Utah's own interconnected canyons. Three weeks before they left, Tyson broke his leg sliding into second base in a softball game. He tried snowboarding on it anyway, "it just hurt so bad," he laughs now. Taylor, who'd never taken much to skiing herself, didn't mind one bit. Rather than splitting off to chase runs on their own, the two of them spent their days together at the top of the mountain, riding the tram up and just taking it all in. "We just had a lot of really good quality time," Tyson says — an unplanned silver lining that turned into one of his favorite memories from that time. Then, a few months in, their work visas fell through entirely, and they were told to leave the country that same day. Their return flight landed them at LAX. Their intrepid, easy-going, and ready for anything spirit landed Tayler at a Marriott front desk and Tyson selling jewelry at Tiffany & Co. living as LA residents in this next nomadic stint. An impending job transfer back to Salt Lake fell through at the last minute. Not an ideal situation to hear, “we’re so sorry” days after Tayler had already quit her own job to make that move. What came next was a company that engineered carbon fiber replica missile fuselages for military defense testing, “...a genuinely strange chapter,” Tyson describes with a laugh. When the founder's health declined and Tyson needed a new job, a friend

suggested he talk to a woman named Betsy, who ran a medical staffing team. Tyson joined her emergency medicine recruiting team and, within two years, was named Rookie of the Year and made President's Club. ALL PATHS LEAD HERE He doesn't credit sales instinct. "I don't think I'm a salesman," he says. "I think it's just relationships more than anything." The first doctor he ever recruited and placed was a young emergency physician named Anwar — and that single placement certainly reshaped the next decade of Tyson's career. Anwar liked working with him enough to start referring cousins, friends, and colleagues, and Tyson's book of business grew fast enough that a few years later, he left to help launch his own staffing company, Locum Physicians United, alongside Dr. Anwar and [Dr. Anwar’s] cousin. During COVID, Tyson and Anwar also built a telehealth venture called Doc Ready, helping people get medication refills and basic care without leaving home. A good service for years, it would eventually phase out as staffing work took off and the broader telehealth market caught up. Ask Tyson what Anwar brings to the table that he doesn't, and he'll answer, deadpan, "a medical license.” But in the next breath, with sincerity, Tyson shares how Anwar trained in metropolitan New York, attended Johns Hopkins, and is completing his obesity medicine boards this year. He's also, by Tyson's account, "almost too generous,” quietly covering medication costs for patients who can't afford them, to the point that Tyson has had to remind him, gently, that they're running a business and not a charity.

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 43

© Best Version Media "He's just a guy," Tyson says. "He's a down-to-earth kind of guy. Not gonna force his opinion on you." What holds the partnership together, Tyson says, isn't just complementary skill sets, it's shared values. Family comes first for both of them, without exception. "If there's ever a time where there's a priority for work and there's a priority for family, family always takes priority," he says. It's a thread that will only matter more as Blue Pine grows, and one worth returning to. Tyson's own turning point came at 40, after years of slowly and naturally gaining weight behind a desk. He tried to fix it the hard way first. Intermittent fasting and brutal workouts resulted in the desired weight drop before a milestone birthday trip to Mexico, only to watch it creep back within weeks. It was Anwar who first brought up GLP-1 medications. Tyson pushed back. "Isn't that kind of like cheating?" he remembers asking. Anwar's response stuck with him: "Is taking vitamins cheating?" That conversation, more than any business plan, is where Blue Pine Health really started — not as a company, but as two friends trying to help people get healthy without the shame attached to it. The name itself nods to the Blue Zones, the regions of the world where people live remarkably long lives, and the bristlecone pine, among the oldest living organisms on Earth. Outside of work, Tyson's life centers on Tayler and their two kids, six-year-old daughter, Sloane, and a three-year-old son, Shea, along with regular family trips to Mexico. Asked what he'd want people to say about Blue Pine five years from now, he doesn't hesitate: that it helped people live a more fulfilling, healthier life, and prioritize what actually matters to them long-term. It's a fitting goal for someone whose own path through concert halls, ski chalets, jewelry counters, and finally into healthcare, was never really about any single job. It was about the people he met along the way, and what they built together.

Local Doctors. Modern Healthcare. Physician-led weight loss, peptide therapy, and lab testing — with fast, convenient access and local support. STARTING AT $150

PHYSICIAN-LED CARE

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS (GLP-1S)

PEPTIDE THERAPIES

NATIONWIDE LAB TESTING

TRANSPARENT PRICING

Real Doctors. RealSupport.

Safe, effective, solutions.

Science-backed performace.

In partnership with Quest Diagnostics.

No insurance. No Surprises.

DIRECT ACCESS TO YOUR CARE TEAM.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH TODAY.

CALL OR TEXT THE DOCTOR DIRECTLY:

(657) 208-7463(PINE)

Please mention ‘BLUE PINE’ in your messge

VISIT US ONLINE:

bluepinehealth.com hello@bluepinehealth.com 669-690-BLUE (2583)

SMITH • Co-Founder & President OUR TEAM. YOUR PARTNERS. TYSON DR. MOHAMMAD ANWAR • Co-Founder & CEO 44 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

HIKE FOR HUNGER: FEED HOPE On September 12, Christian Center of Park City’s Hike for Hunger returns to Utah Olympic Park, bringing the community together for a day of hiking, food, music and fun while raising support for CCPC’s food pantries and food assistance programs. Across Summit and Wasatch counties, families, seniors and individuals turn to CCPC when putting food on the table becomes a challenge. Hike for Hunger helps make sure those resources are there when they’re needed. Hike for Hunger supports Christian Center of Park City’s food pantries and food assistance programs serving families across Summit and Wasatch counties. Last year, more than 1,300 people came together for the event, showing just how much can happen when a community comes together for a good cause.

Join on September 12, 2026 at the Utah Olympic Park. Come hike with us. Every step helps fight hunger in our community.

Find out more about this program and how to get involved by scanning the QR code (435) 649-2260 @ChristianCenterofParkCity

PARK CITY CAMPUS 1283 Deer Valley Drive Park City, Utah 84060

HEBER VALLEY CAMPUS 55 East Center Street Heber City, Utah 84032

EMBARK ON A JOURNEY OF PEACE, TRANQUILITY, AND RENEWAL AT MOUNTAIN ELITE MASSAGE. 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!

Erin Seamons Birth & Postpartum Doula Childbirth Educator Holistic Yoga Therapist

Compassionate support for every step of your parenting journey pregnancy, birth and beyond.

mountainelitemassage.com • 435.315.3573 32 South Main Street, Olde Town Square Building, Heber City, Utah 84032

BOOK A FREE CONSULT TODAY! www.earthyerin.com Call or text: (435) 200-5778

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 45

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY EMILIE DAVIS, MSCN, WHOLE ESSENTIALS NUTRITION

Doing Everything Right but Still Bloated? YOUR HORMONES—AND YOUR GUT—MAY BE CONNECTED

You exercise, eat well, and pay attention to your health. Yet somewhere in your late 30s, 40s, or 50s, your digestion starts behaving differently. You feel bloated by evening, constipation becomes more common, foods you once tolerated no longer sit well, and your energy or mental clarity feels less predictable. It is easy to blame stress, aging, or a lack of discipline. But during perimenopause, changing hormones can affect much more than your menstrual cycle. They may also influence how your digestive system moves, how your gut microbes function, and how your body responds to stress. THE GUT–HORMONE CONNECTION Your gut and hormones communicate in both directions. A collection of gut microbes known as the estrobolome helps process and regulate estrogen. At the same time, shifts in estrogen and progesterone during perimenopause may influence gut motility, microbial balance, and digestive symptoms. This means symptoms that seem unrelated may actually belong in the same conversation: ▶ Bloating, gas, or abdominal pressure ▶ Constipation or increasingly unpredictable bowel habits ▶ New or changing food sensitivities ▶ Fatigue or brain fog ▶ Sleep disruption and increased stress reactivity ▶ Feeling as though your body has stopped responding to the healthy habits that used to work Many health-conscious women respond by becoming even stricter: eating less, cutting more

foods, adding supplements, or exercising harder. Sometimes those changes help briefly. But when symptoms keep returning, the answer is not always more restriction. WHY STRESS MATTERS, TOO Perimenopause often arrives during an already demanding stage of life. Careers, family responsibilities, aging parents, disrupted sleep, and a full calendar can all increase stress. Stress is not only an emotional experience. It can change digestive motility, gut sensitivity, and communication along the gut-brain axis. When the nervous system remains in “go” mode, even a nutritious meal may be harder to digest comfortably. For active Park City women accustomed to pushing through discomfort, slowing down can feel counterintuitive. Yet regular meals, adequate recovery, consistent sleep, and a few calm breaths before eating may support digestion more effectively than another restrictive food plan. WHAT CAN HELP? Start with the foundations: eat enough protein and fiber, include a variety of colorful plant foods, hydrate consistently, and avoid skipping meals only to become overly hungry later. Strength training, walking, and other enjoyable movement can support overall health, while rest and nervoussystem regulation are equally important. Persistent symptoms, however, deserve a closer look. Functional gut testing can provide information about microbial balance, digestive function, inflammation, and immune activity. It does not diagnose perimenopause or replace care from your physician or women’s health provider. Instead, it can help identify whether the gut is another piece of your individual picture and guide

Meadowbrook Counseling Therapy for individuals, couples and families.

a more targeted nutrition plan. Hormone support and gut support do not have to be either-or. These systems overlap, and the most effective approach often considers the whole person. As a holistic nutritionist specializing in gut health, I help clients connect symptoms that have too often been evaluated in isolation. If bloating, constipation, food reactions, fatigue, or brain fog have become your “new normal,” your body may be asking for more specific support—not more willpower. Visit Whole Essentials Nutrition to learn more and schedule a Gut Clarity Call. Together, we can discuss what you are experiencing, what may be worth investigating, and the most appropriate next step. New or severe digestive symptoms, rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, or persistent pain should always be discussed promptly with a medical provider. OUR SERVICES • Individual Therapy • Couples Therapy • Family Therapy • Group Therapy • Anxiety & Depression Therapy • Trauma & PTSD Therapy • Reunification • EMDR • Parenting • Neurofeedback

150 North Main Street, Suite 206 • Heber UT 84032 • 801-655-5450 office@meadowbrookcounseling.com • www.meadowbrookcounseling.com 46 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

Meet the..

WASATCH WOMEN’S

Wellness MAFIA

Autumn Bear LAc. AUTUMN BEAR WELLNESS COLLECTIVE (970) 618-4788 autumnbear.com

Emilie Davis, MScN

Nichole Dreyer LAc..

WHOLE ESSENTIALS NUTRITION

AUTUMN BEAR WELLNESS COLLECTIVE

wholeessentialsnutrition.com @whole_essentials_nutrition

(970) 618-4788 autumnbear.com

Hannah Stoughton,

Dr. Kallie Harrison

RENDEZVOUS RUN Park City’s New Running Store

ACUPUNCTURE & HOLISTIC MEDICINE

(385) 377-2685 hannah.stoughton@gmail.com

(801) 703-5280 www.kallieharrison.com

Stacey Millhorn,

Megan James

PURE SWEAT + FLOAT STUDIO

PRIME IV HYDRATION & WELLNESS

Owner

DACM, LAc, LMT, RN

(435) 602-3945 @puresweatparkcity puresweatstudios.com/park-city-utah

(435) 441-4889 parkcityprime@primeivhydration.com

Lacy Harrison,

Christa Jutras

PEAK|45

EVERLY GRACE WHOLE BEAUTY

Owner

(385) 645-7325 info@peak-45.com

everlygracebeauty.com (435) 300-0553 info@everlygracebeauty.com

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 47

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY CHRISTA JUTRAS

Back to School, Back to You

SIMPLE WELLNESS RITUALS TO HELP TEENS KEEP THEIR BODIES MOVING, THEIR SKIN GLOWING, AND THEIR MINDS GROUNDED

Back-to-school season brings a fresh start. New teachers, new classes, new schedules—and sometimes a whole new level of stress. Between early mornings, homework, sports, and the pressure to keep up, it's easy for teens to forget the most important person in the equation: themselves. At Everly Grace Whole Beauty, we believe wellness doesn't have to be complicated. Some of the most powerful habits are the simplest ones.

KEEP YOUR BODY MOVING Movement doesn't have to mean an hour at the gym. It can be walking, hiking, dancing, playing a sport, stretching, or simply getting outside between homework and screen time. Our bodies are designed to move. Regular movement supports circulation, lymphatic flow, energy, and mood. Our favorite back-to-school advice? Find movement you actually enjoy. When it feels like something you get to do instead of something you have to do, it sticks.

KEEP SKINCARE SIMPLE Teen skincare doesn't need to be a 12-step routine. More products don't mean healthier skin—too many active ingredients can overwhelm young or sensitive skin. We love starting with the Live Free Co. 3-Step System. Look for ingredients that are clean yet effective: niacinamide to support the skin barrier, green tea for antioxidant support, and salicylic acid for clogged pores and acne-prone skin. The most important skincare lesson? Consistency beats complexity. Cleanse. Treat when needed. Moisturize. Protect during the day. Then leave it alone.

ADD A LITTLE LYMPHATIC LOVE One of our favorite rituals is adding a Cecily Braden Lymphatic Face Brush to the daily routine. Gentle facial brushing supports circulation and turns skincare into more than putting products on your face. It becomes a moment to slow down before the day begins. Your skincare routine can be a ritual—not a chore.

LET'S TALK ABOUT DEODORANT We were meant to sweat. Sweating is how our bodies regulate temperature— it's normal physiology. That doesn't mean walking around smelling like we just finished soccer practice. It means being intentional about what we put on our skin every day. Look for clean formulas that focus on odor control while letting the body keep doing its job. Sweat is not something your body is doing wrong. It's a normal part of being human.

CREATE HEALTHY DETOX PATHWAYS Your liver, kidneys, digestive system, lungs, skin, and lymphatic system already work every day to process and eliminate waste. Rather than looking for a "detox" product, focus on the basics: move, hydrate, eat nourishing foods, sleep, get outside, manage stress. Sometimes the most powerful detox is giving your body the conditions it needs to do what it already knows how to do.

DON'T FORGET THE MIND Teenagers today are navigating academic pressure, social expectations, friendships, and the constant comparison that comes with social media. So here's your reminder: you don't have to carry it all at once.

Take a walk without your phone. Take five deep breaths before you respond. Write down what you're worried about. Talk to someone you trust. Pray. Get outside. School is important. Your goals matter. But your worth is not determined by your GPA. Sometimes we have to let go and let God. That doesn't mean we stop trying. It means we do our part—and recognize that we cannot force every outcome. We can't force the perfect friendship. We can't force the next chapter to arrive before its time. We can prepare. We can work. We can pray. We can show up. And then we can trust. Maybe this school year isn't about becoming someone completely new. Maybe it's about becoming more connected to who you already are. Move your body. Take care of your skin. Create moments of stillness. And when you don't know what's coming next, take the next right step. You don't have to see the whole path. You just have to be willing to walk it. With Glowing Gratitude, Christa Jutras Everly Grace Whole Beauty

In-Home Care Services for Seniors by Seniors

Companionship & Socialization | Personal Care | Memory Care | And More!

UtahNorthSHS.com

48 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

THE HEALTHIEST PART OF ICE CREAM MAY BE WHO YOU SHARE IT WITH BY DR. TIMOTHY DUERLER, OVATION PRIVATE HEALTH Utah reportedly ranks near the top of the country in ice cream consumption, so many of us would welcome recent headlines suggesting that ice cream might actually be good for us. Some observational studies have found that people who eat ice cream regularly appear to have lower rates of certain metabolic diseases. One proposed explanation is that dairy contains whey protein, which may have favorable effects on blood sugar regulation. I would be cautious about taking that conclusion too far. Ice cream still generally contains significant amounts of added sugar, saturated fat, and calories. These studies show an association, not proof, that eating ice cream prevents diabetes or heart disease. It is also possible that healthier, more active people have room in their lives for an occasional dessert without needing to avoid it completely. But I do think there is a broader health lesson here. For a time, one of our offices was located next to Blacksmith Ice Cream, my admittedly biased local favorite. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the line would often stretch down the sidewalk. Families and groups of friends would sit together on the grass or along the curb, eating ice cream, talking, and laughing. Watching that scene, it occurred to me that the healthiest part of the experience might not have been what was in the cup. It was the connection happening around it. We often discuss exercise, sleep, and nutrition as the foundations of longevity. Those are essential, but meaningful relationships and regular social interaction are also important

(385) 509-5184 ovationparkcity.com Now Accepting New Members.

predictors of long-term health. This is a recurring theme in discussions of longevity and the so-called Blue Zones: People tend to do better when they remain connected to family, friends, and community. Enjoyable foods can also create pleasure, anticipation, and shared memories. That does not mean every craving should be indulged or that dessert should become a daily nutritional strategy. It means food serves more than a biochemical purpose. It is also part of family, culture, celebration, and community. My advice is simple: Build most of your diet around minimally processed foods, vegetables, fruit, healthy proteins, fiber, and appropriate portions. Then leave some room for the foods you genuinely enjoy. An occasional scoop of good ice cream, eaten slowly with people you care about, is unlikely to undermine an otherwise healthy lifestyle. In the right setting, it may even support one of longevity’s most overlooked pillars: connection.

Be known. Be well. “The goal isn’t simply to live longer. It’s to live better.” — Timothy Duerler, M.D. ADVERTORIAL

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 49

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY MEREDITH SALMON, RN-BSN (CMO), CO-OWNER WOW CLINIC

SUPPORTING YOUR GLP-1 JOURNEY, WHEREVER IT STARTED If you're on a GLP-1 medication right now, you're not alone — and you're in good company across nearly every corner of our community. These medications have become one of the most talked-about tools in modern medicine, and for good reason: they work. But talk to enough people who've started one, and a pattern emerges. The prescription is only the beginning of the story. That's the gap our team set out to close. It doesn't matter where your GLP-1 came from — your primary care doctor, an online provider, a specialty pharmacy, or a program you found on your own. Wherever it came from, you deserve real medical guidance around it. That's the whole premise of this program: support for everyone who's on a GLP-1, full stop, no matter who wrote the prescription. OUR EXPERT GUIDANCE One of the most important things to understand about this program is what it isn't. It isn't a requirement to switch pharmacies, providers, or prescriptions — you can continue obtaining your medication wherever you already prefer. What the program adds is the layer that so often gets left out: expert oversight focused on helping you get better results, more safely, for as long as you're on treatment.

Experience Wellness Like Never Before

In the picturesque surroundings of the Wasatch Back, Wasatch Optimal Wellness (WOW Clinic) is redefining healthcare by blending the wisdom of conventional medicine with the insight of holistic healing approaches. • Cold Plunge

• RMR

• Dry and Infrared Saunas

• VO2 Max Testing

• Full-body DEXA Scan • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy • IV Therapy

• Weight Loss Management • Joint Injections • Nutritional Counseling

Book Your Appointment Today Give Us a Call (435) 800-6WOW

1716 N Highway 40, Ste 200 Heber City, UT 84032

or Scan Here:

info@wowclinic.com

50 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

WEIGHT LOSS ISN'T THE WHOLE PICTURE, BODY COMPOSITION IS A scale only tells part of the story. Weight loss on a GLP-1 can include fat loss, but it can also include muscle loss — and that's a distinction with real consequences. Muscle is metabolically active tissue; lose too much of it, and you can undercut your own long-term success even as the number on the scale keeps dropping. That's why our program builds in regular DEXA body composition scans — precise measurements of fat, lean muscle, and visceral fat, rather than a single number that can't tell fat loss from muscle loss. When the data shows muscle is at risk, adjustments can be made before it becomes a real setback. BLOODWORK TELLS ITS OWN STORY Body composition scans are only part of the objective picture. Our team also tracks metabolic blood markers — fasting insulin, A1C, cholesterol — to round out the full view of what's happening inside the body, not just what's visible on the outside. Already had bloodwork through your primary care provider, specialist, or another clinic? Bring it with you — we're happy to review it as part of your GLP Assist evaluation. If additional testing is recommended, we offer discounted cash-pay laboratory options to help monitor your metabolic health and progress. Appetite Suppression Isn't the Same as Nutrition Knowledge GLP-1 medications are remarkably effective at reducing appetite, but they don't teach healthy nutrition habits. Without the right guidance, a reduced appetite can lead to under-fueling — leaving people short on the protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals their bodies still need, even while eating less. That's where personalized nutrition coaching makes the difference. At WOW Clinic, you'll work with Deena, our Certified Nutrition Specialist, who has extensive experience helping patients optimize nutrition while on GLP-1 medications. She provides individualized guidance to help maximize results, preserve lean muscle, minimize common GI side effects, and build sustainable habits that last beyond the medication. Our nutrition coaching focuses on: ▶ Optimizing protein intake to preserve lean muscle ▶ Increasing fiber intake for satiety and digestive health

© Best Version Media ▶ Staying adequately hydrated and maintaining electrolyte balance ▶ Managing common GI side effects such as nausea and constipation ▶ Meal timing and planning ▶ Healthy recipes and practical meal ideas ▶ Evidence-based supplement recommendations when appropriate ▶ Building long-term nutrition habits that support lasting success beyond the medication FITNESS THAT'S PERSONALIZED Rather than generic exercise advice, GLP-1 Assist takes a personalized, data-driven approach to fitness. The program includes VO₂ max testing to assess your cardiovascular fitness and determine individualized heart rate training zones — so instead of guessing at intensity, you get recommendations based on your own physiology to maximize fat loss, improve cardiovascular health, and optimize metabolic function. We also emphasize resistance training, one of the most important strategies for preserving lean muscle and resting metabolic rate while losing weight on GLP-1 medications. If you'd like additional guidance, we can connect you with one of our trusted personal training partners, matched to your coaching style, goals, and schedule — whether you're just getting started or looking to build strength, improve performance, or maintain an active lifestyle. A TEAM IN YOUR CORNER Weight loss on any medication rarely moves in a straight line. Plateaus happen. Side effects happen. Questions come up between appointments, not just during them — that's why the program is built around ongoing accountability and messaging support, so you get timely answers instead of waiting weeks for

the next visit. That accountability also means early identification of common GLP-1 side effects — nausea, constipation, fatigue, dehydration, inadequate nutrition — so they can be managed before becoming a reason to quit treatment. And when progress does slow, having an experienced provider in your corner means the difference between a normal plateau and a sign that something in the nutrition, activity, or medication strategy needs to shift. REAL GUIDANCE Every recommendation in this program is grounded in current obesity medicine and exercise physiology, not social media trends. Our recommendations are built around each patient's body composition, fitness level, goals, medical history, and progress — the individualized approach that helps patients avoid the pitfalls that quietly derail so many people on these medications. WHAT IT COSTS TO FEEL THIS SUPPORTED Comprehensive support doesn't have to come with a steep price tag. Our goal is to make GLP-1 monitoring and optimization both accessible and affordable. GLP Assist Membership – $85/month (6-month minimum commitment) Your membership includes: ▶ DEXA body composition scan every 6 months to track body fat, lean muscle, visceral fat, and bone health ▶ Annual VO₂ Max and Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) testing to personalize your fitness and nutrition recommendations ▶ Provider follow-up every 6 months to review progress, answer questions, and optimize your long-term plan ▶ Quarterly nutrition consultations with Deena for guidance on protein, fiber,

hydration, meal planning, supplements, and managing side effects ▶ Ongoing messaging support for questions, guidance, and accountability throughout your journey BONUS MEMBERSHIP PERKS ▶ Complimentary 10-visit punch pass for the WOW Clinic Sauna & Cold Plunge, supporting recovery, hydration, and healthy lifestyle habits ▶ Access to discounted laboratory testing, including metabolic and cardiovascular health markers ▶ Discounts on additional nutrition visits, fitness testing, and select wellness services The value isn't in any single service — it's in bringing body composition analysis, metabolic testing, medical oversight, nutrition coaching, fitness guidance, and ongoing accountability together under one roof, to help you lose weight safely, preserve lean muscle, improve metabolic health, minimize side effects, and build lasting habits. WHEREVER YOU'RE STARTING FROM Whether you're just beginning a GLP-1 medication or you've been managing one on your own for months and want to optimize your results, GLP-1 Assist is designed to meet you where you are. Our goal is not only better outcomes, but a journey that's as safe, effective, and sustainable as possible. You're not just filling a prescription — you're investing in your long-term health. That investment works best with expert medical guidance, objective data, personalized nutrition and fitness support, and a team focused on more than just the number on the scale — working alongside your prescribing provider every step of the way.

Dr. Kinal Patel combines advanced chiropractic care, sports medicine rehabilitation, and modern recovery therapies to help patients heal faster, move better, and stay active.

Sports Injury Evaluation & Treatment Chiropractic Adjustments Dry Needling Shockwave Therapy K-Laser Therapy HEBER CITY LOCATION 2 S. Main St. Heber, UT 84032

PARK CITY LOCATION Inside PCFIT 4108 N. Forestdale Dr. Park City, UT 84098

Decompression Traction Soft Tissue Therapy Corrective Exercise Peptide & Recovery Support

PROUDLY SERVING HEBER CITY, PARK CITY, & THE WASATCH BACK

Pediatric Chiropractic (Colic, Sleep, Posture) Prenatal Chiropractic (Safe, Gentle Support) Family Chiropractic & Posture Screenings Senior Care & Mobility Support hebervalleychiropractic.com @kinaldc SEPTEMBER 2026 // 51

BY TIFFANY WICKES • PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILL BAKER

BALLOON ABOVE! WITH “LUCKY” WIL LAPOINTE

52 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

© Best Version Media “My name is Lucky.” I had called him “Wil”—this is the name that was given to me—but the tall man with the long white beard earned his birth name through a series of unfortunate events. Lucky Wilfred John Christopher LaPointe, Jr. is the fourth in a family of 11 children raised in New England. “When I was just a few months old, my mother had me on an ironing board near a window while she was changing my diaper,” Lucky shares. “She looked away, and I rolled out of a second-story window and landed softly on a small pile of sand. I wasn’t bruised or injured at all. Just lucky, I guess.” Lucky. Perhaps that moment shifted Baby Wil’s perception of heights, or maybe it was the adrenaline surge caused by the fall. Either way, he would go on to soar the skies in one of the most unusual ways imaginable: hot-air balloons. Growing up in a house full of older brothers made him more inquisitive and adventurous than most children his age. “We lived in a rough neighborhood. We country boys would go into the city and get into fights with the city boys!” Wil recalls. When high school rolled around, Wil transferred to a technical school as a sophomore. As a first-year student there, he and the 30 other young men in his class were required to follow the curriculum to a T. Once they demonstrated basic knowledge and discipline, they would be set free to learn and create drafting projects at their own pace. After only 30 minutes of work, and having been handed a graduate-level drafting project, Wil produced a nearly complete rendition in record time—and it was accurate.

Having just discovered that his brain was wired for mechanical engineering, he was set loose to learn as quickly as he could. And he did. By the time his senior year rolled around, he was an assistant instructor in the mechanical drafting course and was already fielding job offers from Pratt & Whitney, the American aerospace manufacturer with global operations. But Lucky Wil was only 17 years old! He never joined Pratt & Whitney. Instead, he sought admission to the Air Force Academy, where he hoped to become an officer and serve in the United States Air Force. “Serve” he did…but not through the Academy. In what could be considered one of the few unlucky moments of his life, a local recruiter signed him up for six years of enlisted service as a jet mechanic. The Air Force took Wil across multiple continents and through countless assignments that had him working on airplanes, helicopters, and even the base commander’s sports car. During his service, Wil survived a horrific car crash. He suffered two broken wrists, a broken jaw in four places, and a leg injury that required a metal pin. The injuries left him physically unable to continue serving, and he was honorably discharged in 1973. Wil began his civilian career building cabinetry before later becoming a technician in the emerging cellular phone industry. He married in 1978, and before long, he and his wife Marilyn welcomed three boys, all of whom he adored. One of their sons, Christopher, was born with Down syndrome. While resources for children with special

needs were far more limited in the 1980s than they are today, Wil and his wife reveled in raising their family and worked hard to provide a stable, loving home. Until his wife began to feel unwell. Just six astonishingly short weeks later, she passed away from leukemia. This was in 2001. Wil suddenly found himself a single father to three boys, ages 14, 11, and 8. That’s when Wil got into “ballooning,” the industry term for operating hot-air balloons. Was he a pilot? No. Did he work on balloons as a mechanic? Also no. By then, Wil owned the cabinetry shop where he had once worked. He purchased advertising space on the side of a hot-air balloon to promote cellular telephones, which were just beginning to evolve from car-

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 53

mounted devices into palm-sized necessities. Demand for cell phones was growing, and so was Wil’s side business.

He sold the cabinet shop and began flying balloons full-time, with only four lessons and a natural gift for aviation.

After chasing down a balloon pilot to discuss advertising, Wil’s mechanical mind landed on an even bigger idea: Why advertise on someone else’s balloon when he could own one himself?

During that time, Wil discovered competitive ballooning. Flying faster. Descending quicker. Landing with such precision that he could place the balloon directly over a small beanbag—a party trick he still performs for guests 25 years later.

So he bought a balloon and learned to fly it. Wil flew balloons emblazoned with advertisements for cell phones and cellular service. After each landing, he handed out business cards for sales and service. He earned a million dollars in his first year.

So how did competitive ballooning become Balloons Above, one of the few truly locally owned balloon companies in the valley? One person asked for a ride. Then another. And yet another.

“The people here love the locals, and I love that,” Wil says. “But there’s a major problem growing in the valley. Non-local balloon companies come here with massive marketing budgets, corporate connections, page-one Google rankings, and they leave with full paychecks and zero community involvement.”

BUSINESS, H OME AN D CLO U D We provide W managed and outsourced E ITPSOLUTI ROM IOSNS E T O IT solutions for small to medium businesses. Focused on • BE FAST, ACCURATE AND THOROUGH protecting businesses and enduring reliability and resilience. Home users can get the same level of • BE FAIR AND HONEST sophistication and family. W E inPprotecting ROM I Shome E TO

HONEST ANSWERS. No upselling.

30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE — we may not have seen it all, but almost.

While Wil feels lucky to be here, as his name suggests, luck isn’t why he stays.

BUSINESS, H OME AN D CLO U D IT SOLUTI O NS

Trust Isn’t a Sales Pitch. It’s Our Name. The same well-trained technician who already knows your system.

Wil went from flying balloons all over the world to discovering the hidden magic of the Heber Valley eight years ago. He instantly knew he was home.

TRUSTED

HEATING & COOLING

801-518-2706 · trustedheatcool.net Ryan Brakey, Owner

54 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

• NEVER SELL YOU SOMETHING YOU BUSINESS, H AN CLO BUSINESS, H OME OME AN D DSPECIALS! CLO U UD D • BE FAST, ACCURATE AND THOROUGH CALL TODAY FOR THESE DON’T NEED IT SOLUTI O NS SOLUTI OHONEST NS Customers: BE IT FAIR ANDHome Business•Customers: technology free diagnostics •free NEVER SELL risk YOU SOMETHING YOU for Aaudit C Ecompliance. Rinsurance E S CDON’T UandE .NEED NET W WE E P P ROM ROM II S SE E T TO O 435-709-8854 • AND • BE BE FAST, FAST, ACCURATE ACCURATE AND THOROUGH THOROUGH WASATCH CO U N T Y SI N CE 2012 A C SERVI E RN••EGBE S C U E . N E T FAIR AND HONEST BE FAIR AND HONEST • NEVER 435-709-8854 • NEVER SELL SELL YOU YOU SOMETHING SOMETHING YOU YOU SERVI N G WASATCH CO U N T Y SI N CE 2012 DON’T NEED DON’T NEED

A AC CE ER RE ES SC CU UE E .. N NE ET T

So how does a balloonist practice inclusion? As the father of a son with Down syndrome, Wil has always been deeply aware of the challenges of accessibility for the specialneeds community. His balloon baskets are equipped with seats, making him the only provider able to offer rides to guests who use wheelchairs. “As long as the person can be transferred into the seat,” he notes, “they can ride!” Wil also fondly recalls taking blind members of the community on flights, descending close enough to the trees that they could reach out and brush the leaves with their fingertips,

transforming the experience from purely visual into something beautifully tactile. “When we have kids get on board, sometimes they’re scared,” Wil says, excitedly. “We have baskets with little windows. We let them sit on the floor and pretend it’s their television. It calms them down and helps them feel safe enough to look over the edge.” What about the elderly or people with limited mobility? Wil and his wife, Gwendolyn, have thought through nearly every accessibility concern imaginable. They even have a basket with a hinged door, making entry significantly easier.

“I’ve been flying safely for 45 years. I love this. And I want everyone to experience the ‘Peter Pan’ effect. We’ll sprinkle a little fairy dust on you as we take off!” “Second star to the right and straight on ’til morning,” Peter Pan famously said. Perhaps, to make it a little more Heber Valley–specific: “Second mountain to the right, straight through the valley, and on until sunrise.” Lucky Wilfred John Christopher LaPointe, Jr. will teach you how to jump on the wind’s back. And then away you will go…

Fall al Specoiff

$10 ent Allignm

L& L Repair

Automotive Maintenance & Repair Keeping Your Family Safe & On The Road Since 1999!

Protecting the people and things you love the most.

NEW LOCATION! 906 S Main St Heber City, UT 84032

435-654-0353 InsuranceCenterUtah@gmail.com

InsuranceCenterUT.com

Auto Home Life Health Business Work Comp Bonding Medicare

Complete Car Care At A Competitive Price • Scheduled Maintenance • Brakes • Oil & Lube • Diagnostics • Tune Ups • Heating & AC • Clutches • Transmissions • Shocks • Struts • Engine Light Diagnostics • Tire Sales & Service • Wheel Alignment 1310 S. Daniels Rd. Heber City, UT 84032 Open Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-5:30pm

435-657-0715 SEPTEMBER 2026 // 55

BY TIFFANY WICKES • PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILL BAKER

Living a Life Fully Aligned, With Kirsten Gunnerud “My soul’s calling is, and always has been, helping people find the magic within them. That special thing that makes them come alive!” Kirsten Gunnerud shares.

Instead, a job offer arrived straight out of college: research and brand strategist, immediately putting both her economics education and her artistic instincts to work.

She has known her soul’s beckoning since she was a little girl, and she learned it from two people who saw the magic in her first. The last five years have changed her willingness to wait for magic.

“This is when I met Len Larson. He was the first of many mentors, but the one who taught me that building brands is about genuine connection,” Kirsten recalls. “We stopped selling things based on ‘quality’ and product features and started understanding humans—what they really need and care about.”

Life as a kid was tough; she was not the popular one, and finding her people did not come easily. Then, in middle school, a girl named Bridget moved in two doors down and recognized her from school. Bridget became the big sister Kirsten had always hoped for, and her laughter and kindness were magic to be surrounded by. A few weeks after Kirsten’s birthday, and on Bridget’s own, her heart gave out. “I lost the one human I felt saw and loved me without question,” Kirsten says. She learned fast, young, and unexpectedly how short life can be, and that even the best of the best might not get to live long. Another angel arrived soon after: Jo Anne, the mom of her friend Jane, who took Kirsten in like one of her own. Jo Anne loved big and was grateful for what she had despite real hardship, and she, too, saw things in Kirsten that gave her strength. Breast cancer took her during Kirsten’s freshman year of college, and she made sure Jane and Kirsten understood the gift of their friendship. Kirsten was born in Puerto Rico and lived there until she was two. She was raised in Minnesota until she was 27, but her heart was, and still is, in the jungles, on the beaches, and with the people of the island. At St. Olaf College, she graduated with a major in economics and a minor in art, an early indicator of her analytical—and equally creative—brain. “My plan was to be an artist,” shares Kirsten.

That philosophy stayed with her. The famous line, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye,” comes from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince. Len often repeated it to teach her its deeper meaning: that understanding what a client needs comes from empathy and genuine connection rather than cold logic or appearances. To live inside that quotation, Kirsten had to develop a professional toolbox of ways to get people out of their heads and into their hearts. She was connecting the hearts of people, cultures, and brands. The unexpected gift was that the same toolbox worked well when rivaling her career uncertainties. Six years into her vocation, it gave her the confidence to leave corporate life for one with as much living in it as working in the incredible mountains and fresh air of Utah.

bed than at school, and the long search for answers has been its own education in working with whatever shows up. Together, they keep stepping forward, from hope into health. There have been four cancer journeys in this same stretch of time: her father’s, a close friend’s, the man she calls her “soul dad,” and the father of her son’s friend. Two of those became deeply personal losses for Kirsten: her dad and her dear friend. And then, it was Kirsten’s turn. Her first diagnosis came three years ago. She had a strong support system, yet she chose to navigate it privately. After years of helping others through unimaginable grief and loss, she wanted this chapter of her own life to unfold quietly and without witness. Although she has observed and experienced cancer, death, and dying much of her life, Kirsten discovered there is a significant difference between standing beside someone you love and being the one who gets the call. She expected the immediate grief of possibly not watching her two children grow up. What surprised her was grieving the things she assumed she still had time to create—the work she hadn’t yet brought into the world, the ideas her soul was meant to produce. That became her wakeup call.

For the next five years, the proverbial toolbox she created to help companies brand products and relate to their customers would be the same utility she used to combat loss, illness, and disease in a way most people cannot imagine on their worst days.

Then, the father of her son’s friend died unexpectedly. They had met only a few times. “I didn’t realize how fully he lived until his celebration of life. It is, and always will be, a tragedy to lose him. And it was also such a strange gift because, in that moment, the message became so clear: He had the playbook. He lived life fully aligned,” says Kirsten.

Kirsten has watched her daughter’s health decline from being an Olympic Development Water Polo player to spending more days in

Listening to the people who loved him describe how he had changed their lives, she realized she was handed the roadmap. No

WHAT GRIEF KEPT TEACHING HER

56 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

more holding back. Relationships had to change. Life needed more joy, more truth, more courage, and greater devotion to what her soul kept asking of her: help people find the magic within them. ENTER WIN As she emerged from the cave of fatigue and pain during that first cancer journey, an email arrived: the former director of WIN, Women’s Inspired Network, was looking for someone to take it over. Her hands answered before her brain did: emphatically, yes! That was almost three years ago, and it has become one of the things Kirsten is proudest of. She has been the secret weapon behind some of the world’s best-known brand transformations, but it is this work—transforming cultures and building community—that she counts as her best professional effort. Women tell her WIN is unlike anything they’ve experienced elsewhere. She thinks that’s because it puts genuine connection first, through shared experience rather than anything forced. In three years, she has heard of exactly one woman who walked into a MeetUP and didn’t feel welcome. With WIN, Kirsten found what she had missed as a young girl: the power of women together. THE COLAB Then came WIN’s first big leap: The CoLAB, located at Junction Commons in Park City. It was almost named “Go Big CoLAB” until enough women, Kirsten among them, pointed out that some days, going big simply means getting out of bed and checking a few things off the list. So, the name stepped back a touch, although the mission did not. It is a launchpad that’s built to remove the barriers that keep anyone, especially women, from taking the leap into their “more.” Built by a collective, it holds a creative workshop, a retail space, a 500-squarefoot dry-erase wall with workspace, and couches and chairs for friends and clubs to meet up in. Kirsten calls it a “space for brave ideas, imperfect starts, and meaningful connections,” and it is waiting on the minds of Summit and Wasatch counties to fill it. “What I’ve learned from so many women is that the talent is there. The dreams are alive. What’s often missing is the space and support to take action. We need more room for joy, more room for action, and stronger systems of community.”

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER2026 2026 // 57

© Best Version Media Shortly after Kirsten signed the lease, she received her second breast cancer diagnosis. This time, instead of walking alone, she allowed her WIN community to surround her with the trust, love, and support she had spent years offering others, through which she learned how magical it is to receive, not only to give. She is still learning to ask for help, something she hadn’t realized she was so bad at, she says, and the space is taking longer to open than she had planned. She is making peace with that, too. “I believe we stay stuck in the paradigms our schools, our families, and our childhoods have hardwired into our nervous systems. We put away our ‘childlike’ sides and skills, which are actually essential to navigating the uncertainties of life…we end up with relationships that don’t fulfill us, jobs we don’t love, and we stop living into what’s possible,” Kirsten explains. “The real tragedy is we aren’t taught how to know and live into our soul’s reason for being here to begin with.” We are not here merely to exist. We are here to try new things, to play with vigor, to explore with more curiosity and less judgment, to create and co-create the way we were designed to—to live into our unique magic, like no one else can. But so many of us never do, and when we do, we go about it cautiously, waiting for permission. Not Kirsten. Not anymore. She understands all of this on a whole new level now, one imprinted in her nervous system and scarred into her chest by radiation. She gets it. “I need to live my life fully, to create first and foremost, and that will ignite whoever it is meant to be around me and in my world…and that’s a pretty frickin’ cool thing to step more fully into,” Kirsten asserts. Her body still needs rest and recovery, and she is honoring that. “This life is wild, but I’m here for all of it!” Kirsten concludes with a genuine, yet exhausted, smile. I am too, Kirsten. I am too.

Love Life Outside

(385) 221-5563

WESTERNTIMBERFRAME.COM

WE ARE YOUR HOME TOWN APPLIANCE, FURNITURE & MATTRESS STORE

Helping people & dogs build strong relationships and adventure safely outdoors

We service & sell most major brands of appliances: • Washers • Dryers • Refrigerators

• Freezers • Dishwashers • Ranges

• Microwaves • Barbecues • Water Softeners

435-654-4623 Heber City | 435-649-8012 Park City www.heberappliance.com

Come See Our Showroom: 600 North Main St • Heber City, UT 84032 SERVICES:

• Commercial & Residential • Project Management • Interior & Exterior Remodeling • Home Improvement

Your #1 Local Source for Home Remodeling Services

• Inspections Corrections • Custom Patios & Pergolas

DOG TRAINING PARK CITY & SLC 1:1 SESSION FULL DAY TRAIN ADVENTURE DOG SESSION BOARD & TRAIN

435-671-3169 • 435-671-5807 LUXURY CLEANING SERVICES: • Commercial & Residential • Construction Cleaning • Deep Cleaning • Move In Move Out Cleaning • Real Estate Cleaning

435-671-6928

CONTACT TODAY FOR QUOTE Goldeneyeservicesutah.com

Visit petesadventurepack.com/contact to schedule a free consultation. SEPTEMBER 2026 // 59

BY BETSY DEMANN • PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILL BAKER

The Messy Middle KIRSTEN GUNNERUD ISN’T WAITING FOR A TIDY ENDING “The minute she said it, it hit so hard. I have been through the wringer, and some parts of me are not okay.” We sat down with Kirsten Gunnerud, and one thing she said still hasn’t let go of me. She told us about the messages that poured in after she shared her latest breast cancer diagnosis. One friend sent a long, heartfelt note: “My heart breaks for you; I’d do anything to take this away.” Completely sincere—but also, Kirsten says, one more thing to carry. “It was shared with so much love and good intention, and it still added weight to something that doesn’t need more weight." I myself have sent notes like that, and you probably have too. It never occurred to me that the person on the other end might be spending energy managing my feelings about her diagnosis. I met Kirsten a year ago at a Park City Arts Council event, in one of those rooms where everybody’s making pleasant conversation and nobody’s really saying anything. She wasn’t doing that. So, in late July, the three of us sat at Kiln with coffee: Kirsten, me, and Jacquie, our assistant publisher. It didn’t hit me until afterward that we’d spent the morning in a room built for people to work near each other, while Kirsten explained why she’s building a different kind of space. That gap between what we mean and what actually lands runs through much of her story. It’s also why the two things she’s building here work: WIN (Women’s Inspired Network) and The CoLAB, her new space at Junction Commons. Tiffany Wickes tells you how Kirsten got here, the whole arc of it, in the piece running alongside this one. I would like to talk about the hour we spent with her. This isn’t an “overcoming” story. Kirsten is still in what she and I have started calling “the messy middle.” The part nobody puts on a postcard, where most of us actually live. It’s hard. Sometimes scary. It’s also where the growth happens. “I’M FINE” IS A FULL-TIME JOB The first time she got sick, she told almost no one. “We’d just been through two cancer losses, and the sudden loss of my son’s friend’s dad. I didn’t want to add the worry that saying the C-word would create at that time.” 60 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

It felt like the generous choice, she says. Later, when the truth came out, it came with anger and confusion from people who loved her and hadn’t been let in. Silence has a price tag, too. So the second time she tried openness, the support was immediate. What most people didn’t know was everything else she’d been carrying for five years—not because she was hiding it, but because she’d gotten used to living in it. When the full picture surfaced, including the financial strain underneath it, things got complicated. Then a trusted friend looked at her and said, Kirsten, you’ve been through the wringer. “The minute she said it, it hit so hard. I have been through the wringer, and some parts of me are not okay.” My stomach dropped. I know that posture. I’m fine, I’m functioning, don’t worry about me. It holds up, right until somebody says the true thing out loud. Kirsten is good at hard things, and at igniting other people’s confidence that they can handle theirs. Which is exactly why she needed somebody else to say it for her. Her friend’s words turned out to be a gift. It has taken her months to find words for any of this—the woman who does this for a living, learning to do it for herself.

WHAT WIN ACTUALLY IS If you’ve been to a WIN gathering, you know it’s not a normal networking night. Women talk business, but the conversation almost never stays on the surface, and that’s on purpose. Kirsten builds the events around a hunch that we’re all carrying more than we let on, and that real connection is what we’re short on. The pressure to look put-together is wearing us down, so nothing is off the table: the good stuff and the hard stuff, the grief and divorce and parenting and money and doubt. Not as finished stories, but as things still in progress. She also keeps nudging people past “comfortable.” Improv nights, for one, where you might pee your pants laughing. “We’re hiding all this stuff because we think we’re supposed to show up in this Instagram-perfect way,” she admits. “I think that’s causing more trouble than good.” What convinced her was what she kept hearing one-on-one: “You find out that almost everyone is navigating a lot behind the perfect pictures, and holding it alone because survival feels like it depends on it. Then you see the relief when they finally share it. So many people’s greatest gifts come out of that.” It isn’t always smooth. Kirsten told us about a night when a woman who loves being home with

© Best Version Media her kids found herself explaining that choice to another attendee who couldn’t accept it. Holding space isn’t a neutral act. Sometimes it means stepping in. She doesn’t claim to have it figured out. She’s intrigued by the question: How do you make room for everybody’s differences without letting the room turn on somebody? That’s leadership, whether or not she’d use this word.

CONNECT WITH US AND ELEVATE YOUR NETWORK!

Upcoming Events

THE COLAB: A BUILDING FOR IT What WIN is in spirit, The CoLAB is becoming in square footage. Tiffany’s piece has the actual tour. What stuck with me is why.

Wednesday September 2nd The Most Fun Networking, Networking Night @ Este Pizza

Kirsten doesn’t describe it like a coworking space. It’s an experiment in being around each other differently: less performing, more building, and less fear, more joy. A place where you can pitch a startup, grieve somebody, and rethink your whole life without anyone telling you you’re doing it wrong.

Tuesday, October 6th Style Your Personal Brand @ Distrikt F

She keeps coming back to improv, which she’s studied for years. “My improv mentors, Rob and Gary, taught me to let go, notice more, and use everything. When you get good at those three things, you can find the offer in anything that shows up and work with it, even if it sucks. Which is literally how I’ve navigated the last five years.”

Wednesday, November 4th Author, Mountaineer, World Record Holder Jenn Drummond @ GRIT Moto Ranch

That’s what The CoLAB is really teaching. Sit in the not-knowing together, notice what’s true, and build from there. THE DOMINO EFFECT

Visit www.winparkcity.com to get your spot, learn about membership and the CoLAB.

What Kirsten does in a room, we’re trying to do in a mailbox. She’s spent years building spaces where women can set down the polished version and say the true thing out loud. That works beautifully with 20 people around a table. Our magazines land in mailboxes across the Wasatch Back every month. So, we asked her: What if we did it together? Here’s the theory, and she’s watched it play out at WIN. One person tells the truth, and it gives the next person permission. That honesty reaches somebody else. It’s slow, it isn’t tidy, and it works. A room holds 20 of those; a magazine can hand it to a whole valley.

you got over. The year you’d rather not repeat. How you found your way through, and what you learned about yourself doing it. Most of us skip that middle part—it was bad, then I got past it—which leaves whoever is standing in it right now without a map. The polished version doesn’t connect us to anybody: It’s the true one that does. Somebody reading this is in the middle of the exact thing you already came through and has no idea anyone else has been there.

This piece starts a series we’re calling “The Messy Middle,” and Kirsten is going first. That’s not a small thing to do.

With Kirsten, two things are true at once. She’s been through the wringer, and some parts of her are still not okay. She’s also the one building the rooms where the rest of us can be honest about ours. She’d say that isn’t a contradiction.

We’re not asking anyone to hand over the hardest thing while they’re still standing in it. For a lot of people, that’s too much, and it isn’t ours to request. Kirsten chose to—that was hers to choose.

The mess is the mulch. Things grow out of it. Her story isn’t neat, and she’d say so first. But what she’s doing feels quietly radical: Show up as you are, stay curious, keep going, and don’t forget to laugh along the way.

What we’re after is the real version, the hurdle

Together: through the messy middle.

WHY WE’RE DOING THIS

Join us monthly to

Connect. Grow.Thrive.

WINPARKCITY.COM

#weWINtogether SEPTEMBER 2026 // 61

ARTICLE & PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEXIE LARSON - TAKE A HIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

el h t E Not So Tough Behind All That Fluff

62 // NEIGHBORS OF THE WASATCH BACK - HeberValley

Ethel may have mostly fluff for brains, but, I promise you, she does have one thought per sometimes. She is a schemer, and a good one at that. This young lady found the short-lived solution to one of dogkind’s most troubling problems: how to make it so that my dad/mom will never leave the house again. She took the age-old question, and a single thought was formed. Bury the car keys, of course. Three days later, armed with a borrowed metal detector, Brian was able to find his only set of keys. Two hours of scouring the yard, and Ethel’s brilliant plan was foiled. Ethel lives by the notion that nothing bad will ever graze her fluffy head. You might call this bravery; we would call this her “not knowing much of anything at all.” It’s easy to live life without fear when everything works out for you, no thoughts needed. No hesitation to join in on the snowboarding or paddleboarding—if her favorite person, Brian, is there, you can count her in too.

This dog has so much love in her life that every day of the week is filled to the brim. The two live near a church; on Sundays, a congregation meets especially for her, leaning over her fence, offering her pets and well wishes. (Obviously, she doesn’t know what “church” is; she’s a dog.) Every song is her favorite, so I’m sure she sings along out of tune with the choir. I imagine it won’t be long until the metal detector is used again, the keys buried somewhere in the yard by a dog who is more loved than she’ll ever be able to comprehend.

www.coombskennels.com

435-657-2577

WHERE YOUR PET GOES TO VACATION While You’re on Vacation Boarding & Daycare Great facilities and loving staff make our pet resort the best place for your pet. DROP-OFF & PICK-UP (Boarding & Daycare Guests)

TOUR OUR FACILITY 1685 South Mill Rd., Heber City UT 84032

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

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

We are closed Sundays and holidays for drop-offs and pick-ups.

SEPTEMBER 2026 // 63

your farm is special. your coverage should be too. simple human sense

190 N Main St HEBER CITY • 435.654.0572 leavitt.com/wasatch teran-henning@leavitt.com