Neighbors of the Wasatch Back, Park City - August 2026

StretchingInto aNewLife:

HOW SHELBY STAMES BROUGHT HER VISION OF WELLNESS TO PARK CITY

COVER PHOTO BY

© Best Version Media

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS

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

AESTHETICS AND PLASTIC SURGERY EXPERT

Dr. Renato Saltz

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

ANIMAL HEALTH EXPERT

Dr. Graham Johnson

Park City Animal Clinic 1725 Sidewinder Dr., Park City 84060 435-649-0710

CLEAN LIVING EXPERT

Dana Grinnell

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

COMMUNITY BUILDING AND NETWORKING EXPERT

Kirsten Gunnerud, Executive Director Women's Inspired Network (WIN) kirsten@winparkcity.com winparkcity.com

DAY SPA EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR

Mya Romero

Marketing Manager | Align Spa 1792 Bonanza Dr., Building C, Ste 130 Park City, UT 84060 435-647-9300 | info@alignspa.com

DENTAL WELLNESS EXPERT

Dr. Ryan Osorio

Rise Wellness 1800 Prospector Ave., Park City, 84060 435-214-0544 risedentalwellness.com

EDUCATION EXPERT

Jennifer Billow

Vice President of Advancement Park City Education Foundation 435-615-0235 pcef4kids.org

EVENT EXPERT

Tom Brazill

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

SPEECH & LANGUAGE EXPERT

Katherine Wallisch, M.S., CCC-SLP, CAS, BCCS, ADHD-CCSP Summit Speech & Autism Center summitspeechautismcenter.com summitspeechautismcenter@gmail.com

ADVERTISING

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

CHIROPRACTIC EXPERT

Dr. Kinal Patel

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

FINANCE AND TAX EXPERT

Danielle M. Meister, CFF®, CDFA® Madrona Financial & CPAs 833-673-7373 daniellem@madronafinancial.com

INSURANCE EXPERT

Bryan R. Daybell

Bryan R. Daybell Insurance Agency, Inc. 1960 Sidewinder Dr, Park City, 84060 bryan@bryandaybell.com 435-649-9161

INTERIOR DESIGN EXPERTS

Tam Taggart & Jenniel Wilkey

Studio Interiors & Co. info@studiointeriorstah.com 435-214-6951

LOCAL NEWS EXPERT

KPCW

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

NATURE PRESERVATION AND EDUCATION EXPERT

Emma Lowe

Swaner Preserve and Eco Center 1258 Center Dr.,Park City, UT 84098 swanerecocenter.org | 435-797-8940

ORGANIZATION EXPERT

Ashley Bienvenu

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

PET NUTRITION EXPERT

Heide Fowler, Owner Healthy Pets Summit County 435-214-7963 healthypetssummit@gmail.com

PLUMBING EXPERT

Jonathan Cheever

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

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & CLEANING EXPERT

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

LONGEVITY EXPERT

Timothy Duerler

Ovation Private Health (385) 509-5184

ccphp.net/ovationprivatehealthduerler

REAL ESTATE EXPERT

Annett Blankenship

Keller Williams Real Estate 693 Main St., Park City, UT 84060 annett@parkcityinvestor.com 435-602-9976

RENOVATION & CONSTRUCTION EXPERT

Jenn Lewis, Owner Ghigau Construction | 801-941-4508 www.ghigauconstruction.com jenn@ghigauconstruction.com

WELLNESS & ESTHETICS EXPERT

Dr. Giselle M. Batcheller

Wellness And Esthetics wellnessandesthetics.com 1816 Prospector Ave., Suite #203 435-631-2113

WELLNESS OPTIMIZATION EXPERTS

WOW Clinics 435-800-6969

info@wowclinic.com wowclinic.com

Heber Valley Blinds 750 Kearns Blvd., Ste. 200, Park City, 84060 hebervalleyblinds.com | 435-503-0163 kenny@hebervalleyblinds.com

WINE EXPERT

Pamela Wood Park City Wine Club

info@ParkCityWineClub.com ParkCityWineClub.com

stacey@puresweatstudios.com 1571 Redstone Center Dr. #105

HIGH ALTITUDE GARDENING EXPERT

Park City Gardens

Park City Gardens (435) 649-1363 • parkcitynursery.com info@parkcitygardens.com

bdemann@bestversionmedia.com

BETSY DEMANN

Publisher bdemann@bestversionmedia.com

JACQUIE SYMES

Executive Assistant to the Publisher & Content Coordinator jacquie@bestversionmedia.com

MITCHELL OLSEN

Account Executive molsen@bestversionmedia.com

EMILY REZIN Designer

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Meet theTeam!

Brigham Mercadante

SOCIAL MEDIA ADMINISTRATOR

Brigham Mercadante is the Chief Operations Officer of SLF Media Group, the agency he runs with his wife, Staylee. Through SLF, Brigham helps local businesses grow online through short form video, social media strategy, content creation, and organic marketing. He especially enjoys working with business owners who are great at what they do but need help showing up consistently online in a way that feels real and personal.

Outside of work, Brigham’s favorite roles are being a husband to Staylee and dad to their daughter, Evelynn. He loves building businesses, meeting other local entrepreneurs, and helping brands tell their stories in a way that connects with people.

Whether he is behind the camera, planning a campaign, or working with a client, Brigham cares most about creating content that feels honest, useful, and human.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

CASEY LANE

PHOEBE ZANIELLO

TIFFANY WICKES

RICHARD ELLIS

SANDY GELDHOF

NATALIE TAYLOR

IZZY CRANDALL

MARITZA ROÑO

ERIC RAMIREZ

MELISSA FIELDS

OWEN CRANDALL

DEB DEKOFF

DANA KLEIN LEXIE LARSON

SARAH SEVERSON

JILL BAKER

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The Chef Who Never Stopped Feeding People

Lester Lepiten didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a chef. Growing up in the Philippines, he knew how to cut vegetables and that was about it. One afternoon, he stumbled onto Kitchen Nightmares on YouTube.

“I just realized, damn, there are a lot of lazy chefs in this world,” he laughs. “And I thought, I know I’m hardworking. I just need to learn how to cook.”

So he did. For two years, Lester watched every episode of Kitchen Nightmares he could find. When he finally applied for a sous chef position at Hyatt Centric by the Canyons, the Executive Chef gave him two hours to make two dishes. He came back with four — including a three-layer chocolate cake and hand-rolled pasta. “The chef was like, ‘This man is like a robot,’” he grins.

Eleven years ago, Lester’s sister convinced him to make the move from Minnesota to Park City. He never left. Now the executive chef at 7880 Club at Stein Eriksen Residences, he brought with him something you won’t find everywhere: a fully interactive chef’s table experience where guests can watch, ask questions, and see exactly how he builds flavor in real time. He also created a 24/7 take-and-bake pizza program, finished with roasted garlic-infused honey, because — as Lester puts it — “after 15 minutes, pizza is dead.”

Off the clock, this is a man who feeds people just because he loves to. He’s cooked Filipino feasts for coworkers, hosted open-door lunches for friends, and recently returned home to the Philippines after a devastating earthquake — spending 10 days helping repair over 120 homes with donations he’d collected from his community here.

“When I went back, it made me realize how grateful I am,” he says quietly. “And if I can help, I will.”

Come hungry. Come curious. You’ll leave knowing exactly who made your meal — and why it tasted like it did.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup AP flour

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp kosher salt

• ½ cup white cheddar cheese

• 1tsp rosemary (chopped)

Method:

• 1 tsp chives (chopped)

• 2 Tbsp white sugar

• 2oz unsalted butter

• 8oz cream cheese

• ½ cup heavy cream

Dice the butter and cream cheese, then set them aside until they reach room temperature.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Add the butter and cream cheese to the flour mixture. Using your fingertips, pinch the butter and cream cheese into the flour until the mixture is fully combined.

Add the heavy cream and mix well until you have a sticky biscuit dough.

Make sure the dough is stiff and not overly wet.

Transfer the dough from the bowl to the prepared work surface.

Keep some extra flour on the side.

Knead the dough on the counter for 1 minute, adding a little flour as needed because the dough is sticky.

Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to about 3/4 inch thick.

Using a small cutter, cut out the biscuits, transfer them to a baking sheet, and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Lastly, let the biscuits rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Ingredients:

• 1 each can roasted red bell pepper

• ½ cup white sugar

• 2 Tbsp champagne vinegar

Method:

• 1/4 cup agave

• 1 Tbsp red pepper chili flakes

• ½ tsp kosher salt

Drain the water from the bell peppers.

Over medium heat, simmer all the ingredients for 4–5 hours, or until the desired consistency is reached.

Once ready, pulse the mixture in the Robot Coupe, being careful not to puree it completely.

Leaving a few small chunks is best.

Transfer the mixture to a container and let it cool down before serving.

RED PEPPER JELLY

RANCH WATER The

The Ranch Water is a simple but oh-so-refreshing cocktail. Originating on the ranches in Texas, this easy to make cocktail is simply a combination of tequila, fresh lime juice, and Topo Chico. You can use any sparkling water, however the effervescence of the Topo Chico really does make a difference. If you do use another sparkling water, don’t let a Texan catch you!

Besides sipping on a great no-additive tequila, this may be my favorite way to enjoy the spirit. You are able to get all the wonderful agave flavors without any of the added sugary taste found in other tequila-based cocktails. The minerality flavors of the tequila shine through, which leaves you with a thirst-quenching masterpiece that anyone who likes the taste of tequila will fall in love with! Low calorie, big taste, like a super skinny margarita.

Try one, you won’t regret it.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Blanco Tequila

• ½ to ¾ oz fresh lime juice

• Topo Chico (can substitute another sparkling water)

• Lime wedge for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Fill a highball glass with ice, add tequila, fresh lime juice, and fill the glass with sparkling water.

Stir and garnish with a lime wedge. Sip and Smile!

Did you try the Ranch Water?

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

© Best Version Media

NON-PROFIT

SPOTLIGHT

BY MELISSA FIELDS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH SEVERSON

Where Community Grows

Providing a place to garden is just the beginning of how Summit Community Gardens & EATS is nurturing both a sense of community and good food for all in the Wasatch Back.

On a warm and breezy morning, Helen Nadel reaches down with her garden shears to snip the curling tops from a bed of knee-high garlic stalks. “These curls are called ‘scapes,’” she explains, “and when you trim them, it allows the plant to send more energy down into the bulb, creating larger, more flavorful bulbs.” But unlike the wilted flowers or yellowed leaves that gardeners trim from other plants, garlic scapes are edible. “They have a texture like asparagus, and a flavor that’s similar to but mellower than garlic,” Helen says. “I use them in stir-fries, make pesto with them, roast them in the oven, and throw them on the grill.”

As executive director of Summit Community Gardens & EATS (SCG+EATS), Helen knows a thing or two about gardening. We stroll among the dozens of garden plots spread over one-and-a-half acres between Matt Knoop Memorial Park and Park City’s S.R. 224 entry corridor while she happily shares that knowledge. She points out that the deep purple, edible cornflower petals are a beautiful and tasty addition to salads, and how rolling lavender leaves between your fingers releases just as much fragrance as found in this useful herb’s blooms. Nearby, Garden Director Jess Collette and Garden Assistant Luz Corrales pull bindweed from around tender plants just starting to emerge from the soil at the beginning of Park City’s short growing season.

But SCG+EATS is, of course, about much more than gardening. “We not only provide people with a place to garden and to learn about gardening, but we also teach people about where their food comes from. Our mission also addresses food insecurity, stewarding the land that hosts the gardens—pesticides and chemical fertilizers are not allowed here—and we foster community through events and our summer camps,” she says.

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DIGGING DEEPER

Helen’s path to SCG+EATS began in 2022 after her husband Joel was offered a job in Utah. “I had not been to Utah before we decided to move here,” says Helen. Prior to then, she had spent a decade as the director of school and community partnerships for Greener Partners, a Philadelphia-based food and farming nonprofit. “After we moved here, I hadn’t planned on looking for a job right away, but then our youngest started college, and as a new empty nester, I took a part-time job with the People’s Health Clinic,” she recalls. There, she helped launch the Food Farmacy—a collaboration between the clinic, SCG+EATS, and the Christian Center of Park City—aimed at treating chronic illness through nutrition.

“Fresh fruit and vegetables are the hardest items to come by at a food pantry, and the Food Farmacy provides clinic patients who are facing food insecurity with prescriptions for fresh produce that we grow on five plots here at the gardens,” Helen explains. “Our staff and volunteers grow and harvest the produce, which the Christian Center of Park City delivers to patients.” All told, SCG+EATS harvests more than 1,500 pounds of produce every summer, all of which is provided free of charge to People’s Health Clinic patients, both via delivery through the Food Farmacy and through a weekly pop-up market held on Thursdays at the clinic and is open to anyone, with or without a prescription. So, naturally, when SCG+EATS’ top position opened in 2023, Helen jumped at the opportunity. “This truly is my dream job,” she shares.

“I believe everyone has a right to healthy, delicious food.”

—Helen Nadel, executive director of Summit Community Gardens & EATS

SCG+EATS’ 130 plot rentals are, of course, where the organization started more than 15 years ago. Every single 4-by-16-foot plot, each furnished with drip irrigation, costs $145 plus eight volunteer hours to rent for the growing season. Plot rentals open shortly after the new year, often with a waitlist. “And then we whittle that down by the beginning of July when renters, for one reason or another, don’t show up to plant and tend to their plot,” Helen says. But many of the 120 or so garden plot renters have been gardening there for years. “Here, gardening is very social. People rent plots next to each other so they can garden together, like the six friends over in the Marigold section [plots are grouped in sections named after flowers] who’ve been gardening together since Covid.”

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

Decompression Traction

Soft Tissue Therapy

Corrective Exercise

Peptide & Recovery Support

Pediatric Chiropractic (Colic, Sleep, Posture)

Prenatal Chiropractic (Safe, Gentle Support)

Family Chiropractic & Posture Screenings

Senior Care & Mobility Support

hebervalleychiropractic.com

@kinaldc

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

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GROWING COMMUNITY

Lifelong gardener Dotti McLean began renting an SCG+EATS plot soon after she moved to Park City from Santa Monica, California, two years ago.

Before then, she’d lived in the Washington, D.C., area for 30 years and grew up in New Jersey. “I found it hard to get some of the organic produce I was used to having access to in California,” Dotti shares. “I live in a townhouse in Kimball Junction, and when my neighbor told me she rented a plot here, I thought I’d give it a try.” Now, her SCG+EATS plot is where Dotti not only grows the organic serrano peppers she can never find at Whole Foods but also is where she spends time outside with her son, Colin. “I don’t drive, and so I take the bus with all my tools here from Kimball,” she says. Colin quickly adds with a grin, “But if she needs something heavy like mulch, I bring that over here in the car.”

Local companies and organizations reserve SCG+EATS plots every season as well, like those rented by Deer Valley Resort for its staff members to cultivate. The organization provides 12 plots on scholarship to individuals and other nonprofits like Holy Cross Ministries and Bridge21, a community housing project for individuals with Autism, Intellectual, and Developmental Disabilities (A/I/DD).

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LEARNING YEAR-ROUND

Plot renters, or anyone else interested in learning about gardening, can take advantage of the advice and support provided by Jess and Luz. “We offer free classes, open to all, on one Thursday of every month during the growing season,” Jess says. Recent classes have explored garden prep, compost tea and fertilizing, and pest and disease management.

Jess and Luz also manage SCG+EATS volunteer weeding and harvesting shifts, tend to the Food Farmacy plots, and welcome questions from anyone whenever they are onsite at the gardens. “High-altitude gardening is not easy,” adds Jess, “and I love to provide any information I can around that.”

The balance of SCG+EATS’ packed summertime calendar is filled with children’s day camps; dinners and yoga in the garden; the La Milpa harvest, a cultural celebration of the Three Sisters, which are corn, beans and squash; and Farm-to-Fork, the organization’s annual fundraising event, scheduled this year for September 1st.

When the snow falls in Park City, SCG+EATS’ garden gates close, and its staff goes into classrooms across Summit County to present the EATS (Eat Awesome Things) curriculum and experiences. “Last year, we presented EATS programming to more than 2,000 kids throughout the county, and we’re looking to expand,” Helen says. “Those experiences are all about cooking, tasting, stirring, and trying new things in a stress-free environment.” In fact, last year, SCG+EATS provided 9,000 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables in all of Wasatch Back’s middle schools. “I believe everyone has a right to healthy, delicious food,” Helen asserts.

SCG+EATS remains the only public community garden in the Wasatch Back, and part of Helen’s personal mission as executive director is to introduce as many people as possible to the garden, as well as what happens there. “The gates are always open, and I love it when I see people wander in from the park just to take a look around,” she says. The gardens are furnished with shaded tables, ideal for sitting down to a picnic lunch or meeting up with friends before hitting the nearby trails. New this season is SCG+EATS’ Snacking Garden. “We’ve dedicated a few plots, marked with ‘Snacking Garden’ signs, to growing different kinds of vegetables and fruits that people can pick from the ground, stems, or the vine and to taste and enjoy while they’re here,” Helen adds.

For more information about Summit Community Gardens & EATS, visit summitcommunitygardens.org.

SPRING HONEY

Lemonade

A light, floral, and refreashing non-alcoholic drink perfect for spring.

INGREDIENTS (1 SERVING)

• 1 cup cold water

• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

• 1-2 tbsp honey (to taste)

• 2-3 fresh mint leaves

• 3-4 edible flower petals (optional)

• Ice cubes

• Lemon slice, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small glass or bowl, mix lemon juice and honesy until the honey is fully dissolved.

2. Add cold water and stir gently.

3. Add mint leaves and let sit for a few minutes to infuse.

4. Fill a glass with ice cubes.

5. Pour the lemonade over the ice.

6. Garnish with a lemon slice. mint leaves, and edible flower petals.

TIP: Use raw, local honey for the best flavor and natural benefits!

COMMUNITY CORNER

RAD IN THE WASATCH

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

Multimedia artist Sara Shepherd Edgar explores themes of connection and narrative through art

SPONSORED BY HUDGENS & HARRISON TEAM - SUMMIT SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY BY NATALIE TAYLOR • PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEB DEKOFF

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Rainbows and bunny rabbits. Poolside wiener dogs in party hats. Circus elephants balancing precariously on colorful stools. At first glance, Sara Shepherd Edgar’s paintings, ceramics, and sculptural papier-mâché forms are whimsical and quirky. “I use bright colors, pastels, and recognizable imagery that might be described as lighthearted or cheerful,” she says. “But once you’re drawn into the work, you can see the deeper themes of a shared human experience and personal relationships. Once these elements draw you in, then you can unpack the layers.”

Sara was born and raised in the Seattle, Washington, area, and her artistic career began in metal. Her mom was an artist who worked in clay and had a kiln in the garage, so art was in her DNA. She earned a fine art degree from the University of Washington in Metal Design and made jewelry-sized sculptures. “I think of them as little narrative jewelry pieces,” she notes. “But not jewelry in the traditional sense.” She showed at a gallery in Seattle, and her work was featured in Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing (1997) and Country Living Magazine (2011). Her life shifted after having her daughter Ivy and her son Reilly, which is when parenting took the forefront. “I had a studio with a torch and an enamel kiln, but it got cumbersome with two small children,” she explains. “So, I put metalsmithing on hold.” The family moved to New Hampshire, where they lived for two-anda-half years. Her sister-in-law was a painter at the time. “I needed to express myself creatively,” Sara shares. “So, I asked her how to get started. I was intimidated to make the move from three-dimensional to two-dimensional work. But it was much easier to work on canvas at home with kids.” And, it stuck: “Once I started painting,” she adds, “I didn’t return to jewelry.”

STRATEGY. SERVICE. SUCCESS.

At Hudgens | Harrison, powered by Summit Sotheby’s International Realty, we help you find your Park City real estate deam through elevated strategy, standout service, and proven success.

Gretchen: Over fifteen years in the global luxury hospitality industry, Gretchen takes a concierge-style approach to work with discerning clients worldwide.Her extensive and diverse experience in hospitality and marketing, coupled with 12 years in Park City real estate gives her a unique perspective and knowledge. Gretchen is the current President of the Park City Board of Realtors, she also sits on the Legislative Committee, the RPAC Committee, and the Affordable Housing Committee. You can find her enjoying the mountains when she’s not working with clients.

Lacy: With personable and attentive service at the forefront, Lacy is known for her expertise, professionalism, industry knowledge and ability to deliver big results for her clients. Lacy has a unique ability to connect with the most discerning clients, having worked for the NFL for 15 years in marketing, specializing in negotiations internationally. Lacy also owns the small business, PEAK|45, a luxury boutique Lagree fitness studio here in Park City. You can find Lacy, her husband and two little girls skiing the slopes in the winter or biking in the summer and are proud to call Park City their forever home.

Gretchen Hudgens 435-901-1015

Insta: @gretchenhudgens gretchen@gretchenhudgens.com

Lacy Harrison 858-525-3434

Insta: @lacykharrison lacy@lacyharrison.com

Lacy

Gretchen

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Relaxed gardens, greenhouses, and a pumpkin patch, plus flowers, trees, and home decor.

Park City Nursery

High‑altitude gardening experts established in 1983. Carefully selected trees, shrubs, and flowers from top local and regional growers.

Welcome to the Flower Barn

Park City’s local flower shop for everyday bouquets and custom designs for weddings, events, and special occasions.

Greenhouse & Boutique

Custom gift baskets of natural, one‑of‑a‑kind items — available for pickup or local delivery.

Park City Garden Cafe

A cozy coffee shop located in Park City Gardens Open Daily 9 AM–5 PM

Sara moved to Park City for her husband’s job in 2005 and started building a body of work. “Eventually, I felt confident enough to approach a gallery here, and that’s when I started showing,” she says. She was represented by Terzian Galleries until 2020 and currently shows at Gallery MAR. While her paintings have primarily been acrylic, she’s recently added oil sticks and collage.

Sara’s unique style is a combination of recognizable imagery (like houses, bowling pins, rotten bananas, or orange traffic cones) arranged into layered visual narratives. “I just did a collage of old to-do lists and grocery lists that I had saved,” she says. “I painted with acrylic and oil over it. Some of the lists peek out, so it’s voyeuristic in some sense. You can see a life underneath.”

Playful imagery belies deeper themes of nostalgia and resilience. For example, her recent postcard series, Postcards from Home, shows lighthearted scenes. “With postcards, you’re on vacation, so you’re having fun,” she says. “You’re sending a postcard because you wish a loved one was with you. Conceptually, an underlying theme of presence runs through the series—the longing for a loved one to be present, physically or emotionally, who may not be.”

Some images, such as tally marks, recur throughout her work. “Tally marks are so much in my zeitgeist right now, even my

ceramics,” she remarks. “It’s a counting—all the things in your life that you count, including keeping score in personal relationships. Mentally, you’re tallying, and you don’t even know it.” It’s that universality that draws viewers in. “Those symbols may be obvious, or not,” she says. “But they let the viewer interpret the narrative through their own experiences.”

Most recently, Sara has returned to three-dimensional work with ceramics and sculptural papier-mâché. “It’s a quirky kind of medium,” she says. “I was inspired by an artist I ran across on Instagram. He was elevating papier-mâché into an artform, and a lot of the imagery I use in my paintings can be translated into 3D.” Her papiermâché forms led to ceramic sculptures, many of which, in Gallery MAR, have house shapes and bowling pins. “My current work includes bowling pins,” says Sara. “So, I’m super attached to them. They are part of a game, an analogy. From the perspective of a bowling pin, the game is violent; they get knocked down, and they get back up again. It resonates with me.”

Of course, not everything has to mean something. Sometimes pools are just pools, and dogs are just funny. “You don’t need to understand the deeper meaning to enjoy a wiener dog in a party hat,” she says, laughing. “I give myself permission to choose work that makes people smile as

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well. It’s personal and layered, yes. But it’s also simply fun.”

Sara is also building her art business on an Etsy account, where she sells smaller ceramic artwork. Her wise, curious, and contemplative work captivates and intrigues. One of her circus pieces has been transformed into an album cover for the Austin-based band Far From Saints, and used in the music video for one of their songs, “Take It Through the Night.” Her circus series features elephants, giraffes, snake charmers, and more. For Sara, circus elephants represent the elephant in the room, as well as a sense of performing various roles within relationships.

She earned an Award of Merit in the 88th Annual Spring Salon 2012 Springville Museum of Art, and her work was shown as recently as 2025. Her artist statement for the 2025

Springville Museum of Art entry, Seeking Buoyancy, reads: “There’s a deep joy I feel as an artist simply in having my work out in the world—knowing someone might pause to engage with the imagery, to find their own meaning in the narrative. That connection is why I create. Art has been my therapy—a way to channel my stories, my struggles, and my experiences into something visual and honest. Through sharing those moments, I hope to resonate with others, to spark understanding, and to remind both myself and the viewer that we’re not alone. It’s been a vital outlet of expression. It’s my message in a bottle.”

Those of us lucky enough to interact with Sara’s work are grateful for the vibrant colors and the invitation to connect, to relate with and immerse ourselves in her unique, sometimes profound perspective. And for wiener dogs, of course.

SARA SHEPHERD EDGAR

www.sarashepherdedgar.com • @shewalksherself • www.etsy.com/shop/SheWalksHerself

“From novice to enthusiast - there is something for everyone

SAVOR THE SENSATIONS. Join the club. Join the fun. parkcitywineclub@gmail.com parkcitywineclub.com Pamela Wood, CWE, AWE Certified Sommelier & Wine Judge Director of Education, Culinary Wine Institute

THE LOCAL

Local News in Summit County

Local News in Summit County

Local News in Summit County

COMMUNITY NEWS FROM KPCW

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Below, you'll find a few recent pieces covering local news across Summit County. Thanks for listening— and reading—like a local. .

Snyderville Basin water district warns homeowners of rising sewer repair costs By Kristine

Weller

The Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District says sewer line maintenance prices are higher than ever and suggests locals consider insurance policies to cover repairs.

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

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Mike Leurs, the district’s executive director, says increases in construction, materials and labor costs all contribute to the climbing price tag.

Homeowners are responsible for line upkeep and repairs to what’s called the sewer lateral. That’s the pipe that carries wastewater from toilets, sinks, showers and washing machines to treatment plants. Luers said a recent customer’s repairs cost around $30,000. He suggests getting a service line coverage endorsement on a homeowners policy or a standalone insurance policy.

Among the factors that contribute to sewer line issues are the age of home and landscaping like old trees with roots growing around pipes.

Summit County greenlights nonprofit space in Dakota Pacific area By Connor

Thomas

A co-working space for nonprofits and artists may be part of the future mixed-used development planned for Kimball Junction.

A change to Summit County’s agreement with developer Dakota Pacific, will add 50,000 additional square feet to the project.

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

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

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

About 30,000 of that could go to the Kimball Art Center, which said last year it would move out of Park City.

Another 10,000 could become the nonprofit hub and the Park City Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau could use the remaining 10,000 for a new visitor center.

Chamber President and CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff said a conversation with the developer started last year to make sure the visitor center and adjacent development would fit together.

Donate now at www.KPCW.org.

Donate now at www.KPCW.org.

Donate now at www.KPCW.org.

Be sure to go to kpcw.org to read – and listen –like a local.

That’s because the existing library and transit center will be replaced with a mixed-use plaza above a multilevel underground parking garage. A new bus depot will also separate the garage from the chamber’s visitor center.

Basin Rec redesigns skatepark near Park City to be more accessible By Connor Thomas

The Trailside skatepark will grow nearly 50% and expand its offerings for spectators and athletes with disabilities.

The Trailside Wheels Park will offer common skateboard and bike park features and has been redesigned to cater to most anything that rolls, including scooters, inline skates and adaptive equipment used by athletes with disabilities.

Skatepark designer Jason Baldessari said he wanted to make it “approachable.”

The $1.85 million project will expand the current skatepark’s footprint from 17,000 to almost 25,000 square feet.

Users will be able to skate and pedal straight into the bottom

with dropping in. No timeline for construction has been announced.

BBASH ACK ALLEY

Friday, August 21, 2026

NEW TIME! 4-8pm

City Park Lawn, Park City, UT

Mark your calendars and gather your crew!

The KPCW & Cole Sport Back Alley Bash is back for its 40th-ish year of live music, games and community spirit.

This free celebration takes over City Park on Friday, August 21, featuring local favorites Lash Larue (4-6 p.m.) and Silver King Rocking Company (6-8 p.m.).

PACK YOUR PICNIC BASKET & WE’LL SEE YOU THERE!

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MinersART INVITES THE PUBLIC SEPT. 4 - 6

On Miner’s Day weekend a new record number of local artists are ready to meet the public at Miners Hospital Community Center. Kelly Gallagher, Jeanne Hansen, Jim Sheeran, Becky Ruley, Steve Johnson, Beverly Brown, Ginny Coombs, Renee Mox Hall, Mitch Bedke and Kirsten Kohlwey will display their art and answer any questions you may have about their art. Families with children are welcome.

Admission to the venue is free and presents a great opportunity to see this historic site in use. Along with painting, woodwork, photography, jewelry and fabric, metal and glass art, The Local Readery will be back. We may even have a book signing during the weekend. Check our website www.minersartpc.com for updates.

The Local Readery will share the upper floor with local artists. Their children’s, young adult and adult books include books by Brandon Sanderson, Shannon Hale, Kaela Rivera, author of the Cece Rios series, and Celesta Rimington.

Visit local artists at Miners Hospital Community Center at 1354 Park Ave. in Park City FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 noon – 7:00 p.m. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Park Silly Sunday Market

@Main Street Park City

Park Silly Sunday Market is back and we couldn’t be more excited to kick off the 2026 season with all of you! Join us each Sunday on Historic Main Street in Park City (rain or shine!)

-Eco-friendly open-air market

-Local + regional artists, makers, and crafters

-Live music & street performances

-Gourmet food vendors

-Vintage, antiques, and totally unique treasures Bring your friends, your family, and your market bags.

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

DJ, Drop the Beat Pool Party

@Park City Municipal Athletic & Recreation Center 1200 Little Kate Rd, Park City

Get ready to turn up the fun at our DJ Pool Party! Designed just for ages 10–14, this summer event features a live DJ spinning your favorite tracks, tasty treats, and tons of poolside energy. Whether you're making a splash, dancing with friends, or just soaking up the sun, this is the place to be.

Time: 7pm-8:30pm

Cost: Visit Marc website for pricing Website: parkcity.gov/recreation

Moose on the Loose Kids Trail Series

8/15 @ Quinn’s Trailhead

9/19 @ Utah Olympic Park

Join us for Moose on the Loose 2026, a fourrace trail running series in Park City for kids ages 3–14. Built to be fun, welcoming, and confidence-building, the series gives young runners a chance to race on local trails, stay active, and enjoy a supportive community atmosphere.

Time: 9am • Cost: $25 each race

Website: Register at www.parkcityss.org/moose-on-the-loose

KPCW & Cole Sport Back Alley Bash

@Rotary Park and City Park 1354 Park Ave, Park City

Right around 40 years of live music, games, and community spirit! Don’t miss this summer tradition! Featuring Lash Larue and Silver King Rocking Company. Pack a picnic and gather your crew!

Time: 4-8pm • Cost: Free

Website: kpcw.org

Last Friday Gallery Stroll

@Historic Main Street, Park City

Hosted by the Park City Gallery Association, the Last Friday Gallery Stroll, is a fun (and free) monthly community event dedicated to highlighting artists and special exhibits at art galleries throughout town. Park City’s art scene continues to thrive, offering a robust variety of unique art collections from local, national, and international artists. On the last Friday of each month, nineteen of our art galleries open their doors for visitors and locals alike to enjoy light refreshments and to admire their latest art installations.

It’s the perfect way to explore the Park City art scene while enjoying scenic Historic Main Street and our beautiful alpine evenings. Time: 6-9pm • Cost: Free Website: parkcitygalleryassociation.com

Miner’s Day Celebration

@City Park

The Miner’s Day Celebration is the longestrunning event in Park City and has been happening for over 130 years! The event celebrates Park City’s mining legacy and begins with a fun run and pancake breakfast, which is followed by a parade and culminates with games and mucking and drilling at City Park. Website: parkcity.gov

We offer a collection of over 350,000 books, movies, magazines, maps, ebooks, and unique items. Free public computers and high speed WiFi.

Support Our Mission Empower Minds, Inspire Imagination, Connect Community.

Scan here to learn more!

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PARKCITY.GOV/LIBRARY

(435) 615-5600

1255 PARK AVENUE

PO BOX 668, PARK CITY, UTAH 84060

UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE PARK CITY LIBRARY

Clases de Inglés para Adultos

Wednesdays until 8/26, 6PM

Learn English with a librarian.

Primeros Auxilios para la Salud Mental de los Jóvenes Sat, 8/1, 9AM

This course is taught in Spanish. Join an 8-hour course that teaches how to help teens experiencing a mental health crisis.

Women Supporting Women with Kara Cordray Mon, 8/3, 6PM

Connect with other aligned women in a supportive space.

Local Speaker Series: Intro to Analog Synth w/ Ed Brock Tue, 8/4, 5PM

Ed Brock will teach us about the history of synth music.

Opera on the Patio: A Seaside Serenade Wed, 8/5, 6:30PM

Join us for music of the sea and ocean-inspired works. Movie on the Patio Thu, 8/6, 8:45PM

Enjoy Going Varsity in Mariachi on the big screen. In partnership with the FOL, Park City Film, and Basin Rec.

Maker Thursdays Thu, 8/13 & 8/27, 5:30PM

Each week offers a unique spotlight on a maker activity. In August we will be making punch needle coasters and cardboard looms. Ages 10+

Fearless Artistry: From Doubt to Creative Liberation – A Reading & Ritual Thu, 8/20, 5PM

Hear stories of migration, volcanic survival, and renewal, followed by a short, hands-on Fearless Painting ritual.

The Lafferty Girl: A Conversation w/ Authors

Rebecca Lafferty & Katie McNey Sat, 8/22, 1PM

An engaging conversation with the authors about Rebecca Lafferty growing up with her father Dan Lafferty. Sound Bath with Norkova Wed, 8/26, 5:30PM

A soothing sound bath experience hosted by Norkova.

Book Club at the Senior Center: Special Author Visit Thu, 8/27, 1:45PM

Meet author Carly Stenmark in person as she shares the story behind Heart Get Ready and signs copies of her book.

Arts Council Lineup

© Best Version Media

A DIFFERENT WAY TO EXPERIENCE A MUSIC FESTIVAL

Experience music differently. Intimate conversations, soulful performances, and wellness programs in the mountains of Park City. Join artists, thought leaders, and allies to celebrate song, destigmatize mental health, and leave inspired.

THE DATES ARE SET: AUGUST 27-29, 2026

Music that Moves You — Mind, Body, Soul.

SCAN HERE FOR TICKETS & DONATION INFORMATION:

Support the Song Summit Foundation.

© Best Version Media

SPONSORED BY LIZA STORY - SUMMIT SOTHEBY’S

FOR BUYERS: PATIENCE AND PRODUCT SUB-TYPE SELECTION

• Target the condo segment for deals: Inventory for condos within the Park City limits has grown, and days on market are ticking up. Sellers are currently receiving roughly 95.6% of their list price, granting buyers real negotiation leverage for the first time in years.

• Look East for new Construction: If you want new infrastructure, look outside the historic core. 48% of condo listings and 75% of single-family listings in the Jordanelle area are brand new inventory, largely buoyed by the ongoing expansion of the Deer Valley East Village and Heber area.

• Factor in carrying costs: Remind buyers that local fire risk reclassifications have driven up homeowner insurance premiums in Summit and Wasatch counties. Buyers must budget for higher carrying costs early in the underwriting process.

• Are you willing to take on a project? Older dated properties (in the right location) are where you will be able to find equity, so roll up your sleeves and make sure you have a good list of vendors to work with (that’s another reason to hire a knowledgeable realtor, contacts mean everything).

FOR SELLERS: PRECISION POSITIONING OVER HYPE

• Pandemic pricing mindset will sting: The market has officially normalized. Sellers cannot choose to simply list at a price that is higher than the last highest sale in their neighborhood.

• Buyers are making highly strategic and thoughtful moves: Homes that are overpriced sit immediately, while correctly priced homes trade at 97.6% of list price in under a month.

• Design is Driving Velocity: Buyers in the luxury bracket are prioritizing move-in-ready, emotionally effortless properties. Timeless, clean mountain aesthetics move quickly, while outdated layouts require aggressive price corrections to compete.

• Capitalize on Micro-Market Spikes: Neighborhoods all around Jordanelle are having a major moment. Sellers in hot pockets can hold leverage if they choose to position their property to capture demand from buyers who want the Park City lifestyle at a more accessible price point.

Real estate in the Wasatch Back is highly segmented and nuanced: values shift from neighborhood to neighborhood and property to property based on condition, amenities, views, location, and so much more.

PC TOTS EARLY LEARNING CENTERS

PC Tots cultivates a brighter tomorrow for our community by providing high-quality early childhood education and care to our children and their families, regardless of financial barriers.

JOIN PC

TOTS IN BUILDING A BRIGHTER

FUTURE!

At PC Tots, we believe every child deserves a strong start. Our high-quality early childhood education and care are accessible to all families, regardless of financial barriers. Together, we are nurturing a community where every child can reach their full potential. Our dedicated educators, inclusive programs, and commitment to health and safety ensure a safe, respectful, and innovative environment for your child to thrive.

Support our mission to create a brighter tomorrow — Enroll today and give your child the foundation they deserve!

PC Tots

1850 Sidewinder Drive Ste. 410, Park City 84060 (435) 731-8860

PC Tots Too 1881 Prospector Ave, Park City 84060 (435) 731-8203

VISIT PCTOTS.ORG TO LEARN MORE

© Best Version Media

COMPADRES DE LECTURA/ READING BUDDIES

We have some new friends and helpers! It’s always such a sight for the sorest of eyes, whether I’m at a session watching them in action or viewing photos from either Naomi or Señora Doris, our two fantabulous facilitators. We’ve also had some mother-daughter teams of volunteers from National Charity League come lend us a reading hand, so I couldn’t be more thrilled about our signature program continuing to stay alive and thrive.

¡DIVERTIMOS!

IS DELIGHTFUL, SO COME PARTAKE IN SOME DELIGHT!

Most of our girl gang from this weekly two-hour Spanishconversation program were MIA at the start of summer, but as you can see in the photo to the right, they were back—and brought some DLI AMIGOS! Speaking of DLI (Dual Language Immersion), I interviewed PCSD Superintendent Lyndsay Huntsman recently (look for her story in this issue of Neighbors of the Wasatch Back - Park City), and one of her focuses this coming school year will be on DLI and how the program can evolve.

Back in San Francisco, when my boys were in DLI (since preschool!), I ensured that they had opportunities to practice their Spanish outside of school and home, given that their parents’ Spanish-speaking skills were limited. We had a part-time sitter from Mexico who spoke to them solo en español, and teachers (all of whom taught both English and Spanish) at their elementary school who needed extra work would babysit them. One even took a group of DLI students to a Giants game, where everyone learned some baseball lingo in Spanish.

Get my drift? Bring your kids to Divertimos on Fridays (4:30 to 6:30), especially if Spanish isn’t spoken at home! ¡La práctica hace el maestro!

BANNED BOOK BABES

This determined group continues to chug along, with Monica Schaffer and Judy Silver leading engaging discussions and enlisting speakers for every meeting, which are now being held at either Park City Library or Summit County Library. Lectura Lounge couldn’t be happier and prouder to have helped launch a “movement” (as mentioned in previous newsletters, coined by Judy) that advocates intellectual freedom, anti-censorship, and the right to read.

Check the flyer to the right for info on future meetings, as well as how to get in touch with them. Hop on that ban(ne)dwagon!

¡Ahora mismo!

CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY & TRADITIONAL CHINESE PAINTING CLASS

Learning Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting offers many benefits for both the mind and the body. These practices help regulate breathing, posture, and mental focus. They can effectively reduce distractions, relieve stress, stabilize emotions, and cultivate patience and concentration. Through calligraphy practice, students are also exposed to a wealth of classical Chinese poetry and literature, which naturally enhances their cultural literacy, language skills, and appreciation of Chinese aesthetics.

Cuizhen Domke, who will be teaching this class, has more than five years of experience at AACA (Asian Arts & Culture Association). She is highly skilled in Chinese calligraphy, traditional Chinese painting, and mural art. While respecting and nurturing each child’s unique personality and creativity, she helps students develop artistic skills and improve their Chinese language proficiency.

This class is taught primarily in Chinese. If your child is older than five years old and interested in learning the Chinese language and traditional Chinese arts, we warmly welcome you to join us.

Class information:

Dates: September 12 – December 12

Schedule: Every Friday, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Total sessions: 12

No class: Fall Break and Thanksgiving week

Location: Lectura Lounge Phone: 435-565-5362

Email: cuizhendomke@gmail.com

We look forward to sharing the beauty of Chinese art and culture with your child!

CURRENT SCHEDULE

ALL PROGRAMS FREE TO THE COMMUNITY!

READING BUDDIES/ COMPADRES DE LECTURA Monday and Thursday, 5:00 – 6:15 p.m.

READING INSTRUCTION WITH SERENA Ms. Serena will be back in action this month!

¡DIVERTIMOS! Friday, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

BANNED BOOK BABES Email bannedbookbabes1@gmail.com to get on the waitlist

CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE PAINTING Text Cuizhen @435.565.5362 for more info

DROP-IN HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY CALL 510.333.5983

CONTACT US

Address: 1960 Sidewinder Dr., Suite 106, Park City, UT 84060 Website: caseyandcharleys.org

BY MARITZA ROÑO • PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEB DEKOFF, PARK CITY PHOTOGRAPHERS

Superintendent Lyndsay Huntsman:

TOP PRIORITIES FOR A NEW TERM

© Best Version Media

If you had the opportunity to read about Lyndsay Huntsman in our May 2025 issue, you’ll know she had recently been named superintendent of Park City School District (PCSD); is a former collegiate athlete; is a proud single “dance mom” to two beautiful girls; loves a good street taco; has two bachelor’s degrees; and was known as a rabble-rouser in her heyday. What you might not know is that yours truly, who's interviewed all sorts of personalities since her teens, actually was intimidated by this so-called instigator on the day we met.

My follow-up story about Lyndsay should have happened a couple months into the 2025–2026 school year, to check in on how her new role was coming along, but “life” kept happening. We did run into each other at a literacy event at PCHS last fall; then, finally, I was able to nail down this busy bee of a woman for a second interview.

Lyndsay offers to drive out to Sugar House, where we meet at my apartment building’s clubhouse. I gather whatever’s in my kitchen—olives, cheesy-dill kale crackers, cherry tomatoes, Coke Zeros—then plop them onto a tray.

Lyndsay arrives on time, donning a sporty PCSD jacket and chic, black-framed eyeglasses. Something about her has softened; I no longer feel overawed (though I’m still in overawe of her!), so I decide to give her a hug. She sits on the couch, next to my spread, eyeing the soda. I ask, “Do you like Coke Zero?”

“I do!” she replies, pouring the bottle into a tall glass of ice. “It’s so much better than Diet Coke.”

I nod in agreement. “Well…” I start, “you did it!”— acknowledging what I’d mentioned in one of my last emails to her. At the time, we both had been getting through endof-school-year madness, aptly named “Maycember.”

She laughs, helping herself to an olive. “I’d say overall, it’s been a good year. There’s always learning to be done, and growing pains…and there’ll be that next year too.”

“I’d love to start with ‘a day in the life of Lyndsay Huntsman,’” I say, her smile indicating I’m in for one heck of a story.

“A lot of people, they joke with me,” she begins. “They’re like, ‘Do you even work in the district office?’ I don’t wanna be in my office. This isn’t where the magic is happening, where I’m gonna learn, or where we’re gonna grow. I need to be boots on the ground to hear from our ‘customers,’ so to speak.”

© Best Version Media

Those “customers” happen to be PCSD’s students, of which there are roughly 4,000.

“I start some of my mornings at the schools because I have weekly check-ins with the principals. Sometimes they’ll meet me in the main office and say, ‘Let’s walk and talk.’ I’ll go into classrooms, interact with teachers, kneel down by kids. I’ll ask what they’re doing. ‘What are you learning?’”

“I love that,” I say, remembering back in my day this was unheard of by any school superintendent.

Lyndsay continues, “If a kid can tell an adult what they’re learning about, you know it’s sinking in, that it’s relevant and engaging for them. Whereas if they’re like, ‘I don’t know what’s happening,’ then that’s something we need to address.

“But yeah, my day: I’ll go from having a principal check-in, to a construction meeting to talk about the progress on Treasure Mountain [Junior High] and Dozier [Field], then to an upset parent (or a parent who just wants to meet), to a policy meeting, to a board member phone call. No two days are the same. I’m getting texts and phone calls late at night, so it’s not linear; you have to really switch your brain every meeting, and I’ve had to learn things. They don’t teach you about soils!”

We both shake our heads, referring to the soil and groundwater underneath Treasure Mountain, where, according to Lyndsay, elevated levels of lead and arsenic—due to Park City’s mining legacy— were discovered.

“Did you think you’d ever have to tackle something like this as superintendent?!”

Lyndsay responds with an emphatic “no,” adding, “Soils. Water…”

© Best Version Media

I switch gears, not wanting to be reminded of my older son’s former school being demolished. “How do you balance short-term community demands with long-term goals?”

“Yeah…” Her voice trails off. Deep in thought, she looks at the tray again. “Try this cracker. It’s so good.”

Lyndsay takes a bite. “Oftentimes, it’s taking the time to sit down and help parents understand. ‘I understand this is your perception, but let me tell you what’s happening behind the scenes.’ So, there’ve been some ‘aha’ moments, and there’s also been, ‘Okay, we don’t agree with that, but we understand the ‘why,’ and at least you explained the ‘why.’ It’s either a lack of understanding or misinformation.”

“Do you like it?” I ask about the cracker she continues to munch on. She nods while I think to myself about what superintendents are expected to do: openly share metrics on budgets, student achievement, and facility planning. Apparently, Lyndsay has taken this transparency to another level.

As for long-term goals, Lyndsay has her eyes on DLI (Dual Language Immersion). “That’s kind of my next big task,” she says, “because we know it’s creating disproportionate class dynamics. If you’re in DLI, are you choosing to be in DLI? Every child’s educational journey is unique. Some have challenges with learning, with disabilities, or [there are] those with a 504. They may be an anxious child and their parents don’t want to add learning a new language to their anxiety.” For some, DLI is a great fit, she says, and that ultimately the best path is the one where a child feels confident, supported, and ready to succeed.

Lyndsay notes she’s seeing approximately 60–70 percent of the

district’s at-risk students being in that classroom, so for teachers, it underscores the immense pressure and daily challenges they face while striving to meet everyone’s needs. “It’s just creating this divide amongst our schools, then those kids track all the way to Ecker, a one-room schoolhouse. USBE [Utah State Board of Education] did a high-level evaluation of the program back in 2017–18, but we ourselves haven’t really done a deep dive into it to say, ‘Is it yielding the results we thought it was going to?’”

She adds, “There’s been some angst in the community that DLI is going away. It’s not the case.” She laughs, while I breathe a sigh of relief and take a sip of my own Coke Zero. My sons have been in DLI since preschool and have reaped so many of the program’s benefits, so I’m pleased to hear this.

We adjust our positions on the sofa, nibbling on more of my antipasto offerings. She shares that Yondr pouches have been amazing, contributing to loud, engaging conversations during school lunchtimes. We chit-chat about pickleball in Park City versus Heber; the lack of ski opportunities this past winter (Lyndsay prefers blue runs and has no desire to hit the blacks); and…the “theme” for PCSD.

“One PC,” she asserts. “We’re just trying to be united. There’s no reason why—you know, [even though] we’ve got approximately 700 employees and serve 4,000 kids—we shouldn’t function as one. Also, the dignity index is something we brought to the adults, and that is ‘How do you have dignified conversations even when you show up with different backgrounds and perspectives?’ You can still have a respectful conversation. That’s something every adult needs right now, because if we’re not modeling it for our kids, then who is?”

PARK CITY DAY SCHOOL GET MORE OF WHAT MATTERS.

SPOTLIGHT ON: OUTDOOR EDUCATION

At Park City Day School, learning extends far beyond the classroom. Outdoor Education has been a defining part of the student experience since the school’s founding, giving students the opportunity to build confidence, resilience, leadership, and lifelong connections through meaningful adventures in the natural world.

Students embark on their first overnight adventure in third grade with a onenight camping trip close to home. Each year, students venture farther and take on new challenges, culminating in eighth grade with a five-day San Juan River rafting expedition and a 14-mile backpacking trek to the summit of Mount Timpanogos.

This year’s Outdoor Education adventures included:

• Third Grade: Wasatch Mountain State Park

• Fourth Grade: Fremont Indian State Park and Zion National Park

• Fifth Grade: San Rafael Swell and Dinosaur National Monument

• Sixth Grade: American Fork Canyon and Sawtooth Mountain Range

• Seventh Grade: Escalante National Monument and Moab

• Eighth Grade: Mount Timpanogos and San Juan River

The program introduces students to

lifelong outdoor pursuits including hiking, backpacking, river rafting, rock climbing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, while also teaching practical outdoor skills and environmental stewardship through Leave No Trace principles.

“For me, Outdoor Education is important because it creates opportunities for students to connect with the natural world and with each other on a deeper level,” says Outdoor Education Coordinator Jamie Madore. “You can see the deeper bonds students form through shared challenges outdoors. It’s something that stays with them long after they leave PCDS.”

Get More of What Matters.

Challenging Academics

Personal Connection

Arts, Music, Sciences

Outdoor Education

Hands-On Learning

Park City’s Premier Independent School for Preschool-8 Grade th *Now offering bus service from Promontory.

© Best Version Media

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

BY PHOEBE ZANIELLO, JUNIOR CONTRIBUTING WRITER• PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY POPPY RAE, BY ALLISON ENGLISH WATKINS

PoppyRae

Twenty years from now, Poppy Rae will run her own architecture firm on either coast of the United States— perhaps Boston, maybe Los Angeles. Here, Poppy will lead the design and construction of her clients’ dream homes, offering a custom process tailoring to their needs. She’ll be living in her own dream house, outfitted with all the advanced home technology that will exist during this time, with windows spanning from floor to ceiling and framed by white oak panels, presenting a modern rustic landscape.

Currently, Poppy is a senior at Park City High School (PCHS), only at the beginning of her pursuit in the field of architecture, though her interest developed far earlier. When she was eight, she began sketching her dream home, taking inspiration from the pretty homes of Darien, Connecticut (her hometown), and Park City. In middle school, she drew a Roman villa—part of her sixth-grade Latin class—complete with a sprawling garden and an expansive pool.

High school offered a new type of engagement with architecture: computer design. Poppystarted using Revit and AutoCAD, both computer-assisted design programs— to visualize her dream homes in three dimensions. She took Architectural Design 1 and 2, as well as the Architecture and Engineering PCCAPS (Park City Center for Advanced Professional Studies) class. “These classes gave me the opportunity to explore the field,” she says. “It gave me projects to work on with real clients and taught me the ethics of architecture.”

In June, Poppy attended the Technology Student Association (TSA) National Competition in Washington, D.C., after she and her team (Piper Petrole, Caroline Meyers, Sadie Bretts) won the Utah state competition in March. She entered the Architectural Design category, the theme being an eco-friendly barndominium. The competition has three stages: the portfolio, the model, and the interview. The portfolio consists of Revit models of the barndominium design, along with written pieces about each component of the design. The model presents a 3D representation of the design, and the interview portion gives judges the opportunity to determine the design’s viability and details.

As president of her TSA team, Poppy was the lead envisioner. Although she was meeting the TSA requirements with her design, she was also incorporating aspects of her own dream house. Most barndominiums exhibit a rural, rustic aesthetic, but Poppy visualized a

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more contemporary design. “I never loved barns. I wanted a modern take on the traditional barn style, and I knew the competitors wouldn’t take that approach. I kept in mind traditional features, like the roof, but redesigned everything else to our standards,” she describes. She wanted it to be clean and simple, but still chic and beautiful. Most of all, she wanted the barndominium to be a place anyone could actually live.

To start the design process, Poppy’s team began with the eco-friendly features, first with the heating system. With their barndominium located in Montana, they wanted a heating system without the energy inefficiency and high carbon emissions of most climate-control systems. Their first approach to this goal was the sand battery, a thermal-energy storage system. Solar panels bring in electricity that is converted to heat and stored in a “sand pit” under the barndominium. The heat from the sand pit then heats the surrounding air and water of the house. The second solution was a precisely positioned thermalmass fireplace. Both heat from the sun and the fire were stored in the fireplace, then slowly released, diminishing any need for a heater during the night. In addition to heating systems, the barndominium integrated a greenhouse drip system with a greywater system, repurposing household water. The greenhouse drip systems sourced from the onsite pond into surrounding plants, and the greywater system redirected household water into landscaping or the sewage system, altogether reducing total water consumption. These elements contributed to an environmentally friendly design while also maintaining a modern and homey style.

For the portfolio portion of the TSA competition, Poppy learned to use Revit on her own, teaching herself everything there was to know about the software through online tutorials and experimentation. Over the course of multiple months, Poppy and her team designed and built many different prototypes of their barndomnium, working almost every day. “It was an incredible learning experience, where we got hands-on practice in the architecture field,” Poppy says about her team. “We acted as architects from the first steps to last steps and made something up entirely on our own.” She looks forward to using her acquired Revit and design experience in future projects, now knowledgeable about some of the most crucial skills for architects to possess.

In addition to her TSA project, Poppy picked up architecture experience through several internships. Her first, with Anne-Marie Barton Design, specialized in interior design, an aspect of architecture that she especially loves. However, it was her second internship with Jackson LeRoy that taught her perhaps the most important perspective in architecture: construction.

“I learned that a background in construction design is crucial in the architecture field,” shares Poppy. “It teaches you the work that goes into a house and forces you to understand what you’re making.”

Poppy’s internships also made her aware of the importance of sustainability in design. “I want to design a home that’s completely self-sufficient and timeless,” she asserts. To achieve self-sufficiency, Poppy looks to incorporate eco-friendly features, like she did with her TSA barndominium. She’s found that many homes are designed to fit a trend—one that’s fleeting, pretty only in one moment. Poppy wants to build a house that can be appreciated in every decade, even if it’s not everyone’s

style. To her, timeless means big windows, arches, and wood with cool aspects. “You’re building a home to last, both physically and culturally,” she explains.

The easiest way to build a timeless home? Incorporating nature. “The environment will never be out of style,” says Poppy. “Trees will always be loved. A beautiful view will always be appreciated.” For many, Poppy finds, location is the foremost factor when buying or designing a house. Therefore, design should utilize the location—the environment—in the most dramatic way, as well as nature when creating a house, but also ensure that it doesn’t hurt nature. She adds, “Sustainable design helps houses coexist with the environment.”

Poppy’s only passion isn’t architecture. She’s the chapter founder and president for PCHS’ Girls Who Code, a nonprofit dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology, specifically computer science. In Girls Who Code, she has tutored computer science students, led girls to the annual Utah SheTech conference, and competed in American Computer Science League contests. Despite computer science itself not having a direct tie-in to architecture, Poppy has found her own connections between her passions. The nonprofit has empowered her to be a woman in STEM. There’s barely any female representation in construction design, and architecture doesn’t have much more.

“At my internships, there’s been many times when I’m the only woman in the room,” shares Poppy. “I don’t want to feel discouraged from being in a male-dominated field, and I want to empower young women to enter these fields.” In clubs like Girls Who Code and at conventions like SheTech, women are encouraged to enter the STEM field and taught how to approach male-dominated ones. These programs have taught Poppy and other girls how to be both confident and comfortable when breaking barriers. Now, Poppy wants to help others do the same.

On the days she isn’t designing or coding, Poppy plays tennis, and she’s the service coordinator for PCHS’ National Honor Society. She’s also a crafter, taking on DIY projects every week. She’s made her own homecoming dress, painted her room, designed earrings out of vintage Dior buttons, and crafted a “To Be Read” jar to visualize all her reading goals. She loves gardening and mowing her lawn, and she plans parties, drawing inspiration from Pinterest until her vision comes to life. Poppy likes to make things look pretty, and if she can’t make an already existing thing pretty, she’ll create one for herself.

To any other students interested in architecture, Poppy offers some simple advice: “Follow your passions, even if it seems complicated or unrealistic.” For kids with random hobbies, like drawing dream houses, Poppy encourages them to follow through with them. Her own architecture dream started with amateur sketches, with “needs and wants” lists when she didn’t even know what one was. “Just because you’re good at something— computer science, math, or whatever—doesn’t mean you have to go into it. Do what you love, and you can make a career out of it. I want to design dream homes, so I will.”

The future Poppy will visit cool places and explore unique structures. She’ll be in charge of her own schedule, and she’ll delegate responsibilities. She’ll bring people’s dream homes to life based on her own. “Your actual dream home is possible,” she says with conviction. “Your actual dream life is possible. You just need to start envisioning it—and creating it—now.”

BY JACQUIE SYMES ON BEHALF OF LIVE LIKE SAM FOUNDATION

PHOTOS

Mark your calendars, the Live Like Sam Gala returns on Live Like Sam Day, 10/10/26.

THE NIGHT CONNECTION COMES TO LIFE AN

ENTIRE COMMUNITY HAS DECIDED THAT THE EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF ITS YOUNG PEOPLE MATTERS.

In May, Live Like Sam introduced an idea that stuck with a lot of us: SAME INSIDE. The belief that underneath everything we show the world, we're far more alike than different. It's simple, but it has the potential to change how you see your neighbors, your kids' friends, the parent standing next to you at pickup. I hope it continues to grow because it’s an idea that belongs to all of us. The gala is where that idea comes to life; an undeniably fun event - full of meaning, connection, and purpose.

Since last year when I attended for the first time, there have been a few things that keep Live Like Sam a part of my family’s zeitgeist. I had purchased some swag bags that included t-shirts, hats, and children's books. They’ve since become my husband’s favorite work hat, a t-shirt I wear around the house often, and a bedtime story my son handselects on the regular. While this may be a great lesson in branding, I’m convinced it’s something far more important than that. Sam continues to teach us some of the most important lessons. We’ll fall back on these resources, ideals, and be the involved and preventative parents we know we must be. Yes, because we’ve been inspired and also because there is nothing more important than being there for our kids and giving them the tools to be successful when they go out into the world without us. My kid knows who

Sam is and on a very real level, my husband and I are glad he does. It could not be any easier for us to continue spreading the word about this night and this organization.

Live Like Sam was founded in honor of Sam Jackenthal, Park City’s kid, and it has grown into an organization that provides completely free mental and emotional fitness programming across Summit and Wasatch Counties. Not subsidized. Free. No family turned away, no waitlist for a scholarship, no fine print. That only works because Live Like Sam is entirely community funded, and this single night generates the majority of the budget that makes everything else possible. When you buy a ticket, bid on an auction item, become a sponsor, or simply show up, you’re helping make that promise possible.

I think a lot about why this feels more urgent than it used to. Our kids are growing up inside something none of us experienced at their age: a world of constant comparison, algorithms, AI, and a phone in every pocket that never really lets a bad day end at 3pm. The data on anxiety, depression, and loneliness among young people keeps climbing, and honestly, none of us need a study to confirm what we're already seeing in our own homes. But we also know what helps. We all understand the importance of physical fitness, but mental and emotional fitness deserve the same attention. Just like

With what is expected to be one of the largest attended community galas of the year, guests can expect exceptional cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, wines from Russian River Vineyards, more than $200,000 in live and silent auction experiences, and one of Utah’s hottest bands, Dance Doctors, keeping the dance floor full. It is, in true Live Like Sam fashion, not stuffy in the least. Mountain chic, young at heart, come as you are. BUSINESS

we've learned to train our bodies, we can train emotional resilience, connection, and belonging, if we invest in it before the crisis hits, not after. Our community decided a long time ago that no family should have to face any of this alone. Hope over fear. Prevention over intervention and crisis response.

And because this organization also knows how to throw a genuinely fun party, here's a preview: this year's gala has aptly and serendipitously returned to its former calendar space - 10/10/26, Live Like Sam Day, exactly 11 years to the day from Sam’s celebration of life. Guests will get the premiere of Live Like Sam's newest short film, made by the same filmmakers behind Netflix's Out of Body featuring Noah Kahan. It explores what it means to grow up in today’s rapidly changing world through conversations with local teens and long time residents alike.

© Best Version Media

This year, Live Like Sam is inviting select youth and mental wellness nonprofits to partner in its gala; hosting tables, inviting supporters, and sharing in proceeds. It's SAME INSIDE in action: less competition, more collaboration, one community investing

in its young people together.

Whether you attend, sponsor, donate, volunteer, or just share this with someone who needs to hear it, you become part of how this community takes care of its kids. That has never belonged to one family, one board,

or one organization. It belongs to all of us.

For questions reach out to Ron Jackenthal at Ron@livelikesam.org

For more information about SAME INSIDE, visit https://livelikesam.org/same-insidesummer-2026/

STRETCHING INTO A NEW LIFE:

HOW SHELBY STAMES BROUGHT HER VISION OF WELLNESS TO PARK CITY

COVER STORY

SPONSORED BY ARBOR MEDIA CO-OP

BY BETSY DEMANN • PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH SEVERSON

© Best Version Media

WHEN I FINALLY SAT DOWN WITH SHELBY STAMES, IT FELT LIKE AN EXCHANGE THAT HAD BEEN BUILDING FOR MONTHS. WE WEREN’T IN HER STUDIO OR A QUIET OFFICE; WE WERE AT AN OUTDOOR TABLE AT HILL’S KITCHEN, A NEIGHBORHOOD STAPLE, WHILE A STEADY HUBBUB OF CONVERSATIONS AND PASSING DOGS ON LEASHES SWIRLED AROUND US.

Shelby’s name kept surfacing in my chats with our community about local wellness, as well as young entrepreneurs juggling business and family. I liked what I’d heard, ready to experience Stretch Lab and eager to meet the woman who brought it to Park City.

We actually tried to connect once before. I wasn’t able to make an early-morning walk with Shelby and her young baby, so Jacquie Symes, our assistant publisher, went in my place. She came back glowing with praise, impressed by Shelby’s clear sense of purpose.

Not long after, Shelby invited us to experience a session at Stretch Lab. I arrived intrigued; I walked out converted. The session was a thoughtful blend of a focused massage and guided yoga stretching. My flexologist moved my body into positions I simply couldn’t reach on my own, coaching me through gentle contractions and releases. I left feeling looser, lighter, and genuinely surprised at how much it supported my regular health routine.

After that, my curiosity about Shelby—a young mom, a seasoned healthcare professional, and a new business owner—only grew.

FROM VALUE-BASED CARE TO A HANDS-ON STUDIO

Shelby’s path to owning Stretch Lab Park City didn’t begin with a love of fitness trends or a spur-of-the-moment leap. It

© Best Version Media

began in the complex, often frustrating world of healthcare and health tech.

For the past decade, she’s worked in value-based care and population health, trying to answer a deceptively simple question: How do we help people stay healthier sooner, and at a lower cost?

Threaded through all of it was a deep commitment to prevention. “Preventative care has been kind of a theme throughout my entire career in healthcare,” says Shelby, describing her long-standing frustration with a system that often waits until something is broken before responding.

Then came a massive, AI-driven round of layoffs at her health-tech employer—one more chapter in a story many professionals are living through right now. For Shelby, it was jarring but not entirely unexpected. “I’ve always wanted to have my own business, since I was a small child,” she shares. “Entrepreneurship was going to be the path for me.”

That dream had been guiding her decisions for years. The layoff didn’t plant the idea; it simply moved the timeline up.

She wanted to get closer to those she was helping. To see them as real people, not just datasets. To use her corporate skills, but in a space where she could, as she put it, “own the end result.”

“I really wanted to be able to play with all the different levers to see what works,” she explains. “It’s kind of like a puzzle you’re putting together to figure out what is successful and what is actually making a difference.”

Rather than build something from scratch, Shelby decided to acquire a business— specifically, a franchise. With a degree in finance and business administration and years of experience reading risk and outcomes, she gravitated toward a model that offered structure while still leaving room for her own leadership.

At the end of 2024, she bought Stretch Lab Park City, initially while still working her day job. It was a bold yet calculated move, anchored in the same values that had shaped her corporate career: prevention, access, and impact.

WHAT STRETCH LAB FEELS LIKE

When Shelby explains Stretch Lab, she starts with this technical term: assisted proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation

(PNF) stretching. It’s a mouthful, but the experience is surprisingly approachable. In a session, you’re supported on a bench while a trained flexologist carefully moves you into targeted positions. You gently contract your muscles against their guidance, then release, allowing your body to ease into a deeper stretch than you’d safely reach on your own.

From my own visit, it felt like occupying that sweet spot between massage and yoga: the focused, hands-on attention of massage combined with the mindful lengthening of yoga, without the pressure to nail every pose. My only job was to listen, breathe, and respond. Shelby is clear: Stretch Lab is not just for elite athletes or people who already see themselves as “fit.”

© Best Version Media

“Stretch Lab is for everyone,” she says, repeating one of the company’s slogans with conviction. Reflecting this is her clientele: desk workers hunched over laptops all day, golfers and pickleball players fine-tuning their swing or serve, people post-op from orthopedic procedures, trying to maintain their range of motion. Locals living with chronic pain, working under a doctor’s guidance. Individuals undergoing chemotherapy seeking safe, gentle support.

What Shelby calls “clinical adjacent” cases—in which people sit at the intersection of medical care and everyday life—are what get her really excited “because it’s literally helping people reduce cost in the healthcare system,” she says. “They’re not having more injuries; they’re not getting readmitted.”

For someone who spent years working on outcomes in spreadsheets and strategy decks, Stretch Lab is a way to make those same goals visible, one person at a time.

MEET THE FLEXOLOGISTS

“Flexologist” might sound like a catchy brand term, and yes, it’s officially Stretch Lab’s, but there’s real training behind it.

Shelby’s team comprises about five flexologists, ebbing and flowing with the

© Best Version Media

Shelby is intentional about curating a mix of backgrounds so that she can thoughtfully match clients and providers. A student-athlete working on performance may be paired with someone whose mindset leans toward training, while a client seeking release and relaxation might work best with a massage-based flexologist.

The session doesn’t feel like a script—it feels like a conversation between your body and someone who’s actually listening.

THE INSTAGRAM VERSION VERSUS REALITY

Park City is full of entrepreneurs, and it can be easy to romanticize the life: flexible hours, meaningful work, the freedom of being your own boss. Shelby is open about the other side of the story, admitting she thought it would be easier to develop partnerships after years of working for enterprises.

“In corporate America, I worked for very large companies, and you have power behind you to move the needle very quickly,” she explains. “When you are a small, independently owned business, it’s much harder to manage those partnerships, especially when there’s so much turnover.”

Then there’s the seasonality of Park City. Even as full-time-resident numbers grow, a down year at the resorts or a shift in the broader economy trickles through town in subtle but unmistakable ways: slower weeks, more cautious spending, ripple effects hitting the bottom line of small businesses like hers. And layered throughout it all is the emotional reality of entrepreneurship.

“I thought I had a good front to deal with any sort of stress or pressure,” she admits, “but the highs and lows are more than I anticipated.”

There are days of anxiety and days of elation, and not always much warning between them. For someone who once operated inside massive systems, Shelby now feels national politics and global economics in a local, personal way: on her revenue reports, her staff schedule, and her own sense of security.

Still, she sees it all as part of the education she wanted. “This is going to be such a great learning experience. So I can snowball into something else later on.”

A LIFE ROOTED IN WORK, FAMILY, AND THE MOUNTAINS

Shelby’s resilience didn’t begin with Stretch Lab. It started in South Florida, where she grew up as a self-described go-getter who joined Girl Scouts and began working at 13 after realizing her parents wouldn’t be able to buy her a car.

© Best Version Media

She went door to door until she landed a job at a kids’ gym. She led birthday parties and later nannied for a family she met there. She bartended while at Nova Southeastern University and graduated debt-free with a degree in finance and business administration.

Her first post-college stop, investment banking, looked glamorous from the outside, but she quickly learned it wasn’t her path. “I pictured myself as this high-powered business shark,” Shelby laughs. “I hated it.”

From there, she moved into healthcare and, eventually, into the life she and her husband have built in Summit Park, where they’re raising two young children: a spirited 3-year-old boy with “the biggest emotions” she’s ever seen, and a year-old daughter who just started

© Best Version Media

giving kisses. Their son attends a nature-based school, spending hours hiking, playing with sticks, and learning emotional and physical awareness in the woods.

It’s a life stitched together from early hustle, thoughtful pivots, and a clear sense of what matters: health, family, nature, and community.

With the noise of the day around us at Hill’s Kitchen, it’s easy to see how all the pieces of Shelby’s story connect, from a teenager determined to buy her own car, to a healthcare strategist obsessed with prevention, to a mom and business owner helping her neighbors move through life with a bit more ease.

For me, Stretch Lab now looks less like a trendy studio and more like an expression of who Shelby is—practical, curious, ambitious, and deeply committed to helping people live better in their own bodies.

BY BRYAN R. DAYBELL, DAYBELL INSURANCE AGENCY • PHOTO PROVIDED BY STATE FARM INSURANCE

Do I need a financial advisor?

What does a financial advisor do and when do I need one? Learn more about financial professionals and when to use them with these insights.

Figuring out your finances can be stressful. And unless you spend your free time studying money matters or working in a financial field, it can feel downright impossible. There are questions, big and small, to think about, from how much you can afford to invest, to how to tackle both small and large goals.

Many people decide to get help by using the services of a financial professional. What that looks like can be a number of things, and can vary depending on your age and stage of life. Before you do anything, research is key.

Some people worry that they need a certain amount of money to invest before they can get help from a professional. Fortunately, that's not true. You don't need huge assets to ask for assistance, and a financial professional can guide you with setting all sorts of goals and dreams at every stage of your life.

WHAT DOES A FINANCIAL ADVISOR DO?

Financial advisors are professionals that offer a range of services that can fit your budget, so don’t think that you’re too young or your checking account isn’t large enough. Financial advisors have a fiduciary responsibility to act only in your best interests as their

Bryan R Daybell Ins Agcy Inc

client. If you haven’t had any experience with a financial advisor, here’s what to expect:

• They’ll begin by providing a thorough assessment of where you stand with your assets, liabilities and whether you’re meeting benchmarks compared to your peers for savings and retirement.

• They’ll review short- and long-term goals. What’s helpful about this step is that it is personalized for you.

• They can schedule periodic check-ins, such as every two years, to tweak objectives and plans based on a change in work status, debt obligations and more.

WHEN SHOULD I GET A FINANCIAL ADVISOR?

In your 20s

You're young and working full time, have a car or two and there are student loans to pay off. Here are some possible ideas to help:

• Establish good savings habits, pay off debt, set baseline goals.

• Pay off student loans. Depending on your profession, you may qualify to have part of your school loan waived.

• Consider working with a financial advisor to create an initial plan — a great option if you don’t have a lot of assets yet and simply want to know the next steps to take. Then you can discuss the next best time for follow-up.

• Before you start, ask about pricing. Financial advisors generally have different tiers of pricing. Some have minimum asset levels and will charge a fee — typically several thousand dollars — for creating and adjusting a plan, or they may charge a flat fee.

In your 30s

You're married, own a home or condo and want to provide a secure future for your family while accelerating savings to keep in line with your long-term goals. A financial advisor can help during this stage of your life.

• If you’re newly married, you could benefit from advice for managing your dual income.

• An inheritance from a family member might complicate your finances.

• Finding ways to increase your retirement savings can take a lot of research.

© Best Version Media

• Before you start, ask about fee structures. Generally, the more services you want or require, the more you’ll pay. Always read the fine print, and make sure your financial advisor follows fiduciary standards.

In your 40s

You're looking ahead to your retirement and helping your kids with higher education costs. A financial advisor can offer advice for those situations and more.

• Most retirement plans offer a set-it, forget-it option that allocates assets based on your life stage. Those generally work just fine, but most of us do not just set it and then not touch it. That might not be the best way to keep building wealth, especially as you advance in your career. Schedule regular check-ins with your planner to tweak your plan as needed.

• Balancing savings for retirement and college costs for your children can be tricky. A financial advisor can help you prioritize.

• Before you start, ask for both qualifications and references — particularly from friends and family who have had a successful experience.

DO I NEED A FINANCIAL ADVISOR IN RETIREMENT?

Thinking about when you can retire and what post-retirement years might look like can generate concerns about whether your retirement savings are in line with your post-work plans, or if you have saved enough to leave a legacy.

• Help your financial professional understand your approach to money. If you are more conservative with saving (and potential loss), their suggestions should respond to your worries and concerns. You should also review any questions particular to your age. For example, planning for health care is one of the big unknowns in retirement, and a financial professional can outline options and suggest whether additional insurance as protection may be helpful.

• Before you start, try to get comfortable with the idea of sharing your entire financial picture with a professional. This could include things such as a credit card balance that’s too high or a debt that hasn’t been paid. Giving your professional a full picture can help them create a plan that’s prioritized to all parts of your financial status, especially as you’re fast approaching your post-work years.

IS IT REALLY WORTH HAVING A FINANCIAL ADVISOR?

If your finances are simple and you have a love for doing it yourself, you may be fine on your own. Consider, however, some of the many advantages a financial advisor can provide:

• If you have multiple accounts and investments, a financial advisor can save you the time necessary to research everything that is needed to stay informed and make good decisions.

• Financial advisors have easy access to the types of information the average person doesn’t. This may include research, analytical data and modeling software.

• Even if you’re just starting out, a financial advisor can create a plan to help you get you where you want to be down the road.

CHECK IN WITH US…

If you would like more information or to schedule an in-depth review of your current financial processes, please feel free to contact our office…We would be delighted to assist you!

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates). While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.

State Farm® and its affiliates do not provide tax, investment, or legal advice. Federal and state tax laws are subject to change. If tax, investment, or legal advice is required, please seek the services of a licensed professional.

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EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY ASHLEY BIENVENU, OWNER NEAT METHOD PARK CITY

THE MID-SUMMER MASTERPIECE:

RECLAIMING THE RHYTHM OF THE MOUNTAIN HOME BEFORE THE AUTUMN RUSH

August in Park City occupies a unique, almost magical space in our seasonal calendar. The intense hustle of the Fourth of July and the peak summer tourism rush begin to taper, giving way to the golden, warm days of late summer. The trails are dusty, the concerts at Deer Valley are in full swing, and the mornings hint at the crisp autumn air just around the corner.

Yet, for many local families, August also brings an undercurrent of transition. The countdown to the new school year begins, summer travel winds down, and the physical reality of a summer spent outdoors starts to show inside our homes. Over the past few months, we’ve pivoted from our mudrooms to our kitchens, and from our garages to our patios. But by mid-August, another area of the home often bears the brunt of our active mountain lifestyles: our shared living zones and the "invisible" transitional spaces that keep our households running.

At NEAT Method Park City, we look at August not as a time to stress over the end of summer, but as the perfect window for a "Mid-Summer Masterpiece"—a deep breath and a system reset that honors the remaining weeks of sunshine while seamlessly preparing your home for the natural shift in rhythm that September brings.

Here is how to reclaim your space, your sanity, and your systems this August.

1. THE "COMMON GROUND" RESET: LIVING ROOMS AND FAMILY SPACES

Throughout June and July, our living rooms and dens function as basecamps. Wet

bathing suits get dropped on chairs, layers of sunscreen stain the sofa throws, and a steady stream of board games, fly-fishing catalogs, and half-read novels accumulate on the coffee table.

• The Soft Goods Rotation: August is the ideal time to give your high-traffic upholstery and textiles some love. Gather all your throw pillow covers and blankets. Give them a deep wash or send them out for professional cleaning to rid them of the summer dust and trail pollen. If you use heavier textures in the winter, keep your lighter linens out for just a few more weeks, but ensure they are clean and intentional.

• Media and Game Categorization: Mountain homes are notorious for accumulating "rainy day" activities that never get put away properly. Empty your entertainment consoles. Categorize board games, puzzles, and gaming accessories. Use uniform, labeled bins to hide the visual clutter of cords and controllers. If a puzzle is missing pieces from a frantic summer cabin weekend, let it go.

2.

THE "LAUNCHPAD" WARDROBE: DESIGNING A LOW-FRICTION MORNING

While we typically think of closet editing as a spring or New Year task, late summer is actually the most strategic time to look at wardrobes—especially if you have children or young adults heading back to school or university. The goal here isn't a deep purge of your winter knits; it’s about optimizing the clothing you actually wear during this transitional block of the year.

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.

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!

• The Back-to-School Buffer: If you have kids, don’t wait until the night before the first day of school to find out their sneakers are tight or their favorite jeans have holes from summer camp. Dedicate one afternoon in mid-August to a quick "fit check." Group clothes by category and have them try on their transitional layers.

• The "Weekly Outfit" Strategy: To eliminate morning friction once the school bells ring or your fall project deadlines hit, introduce a hanging organizer or designated drawer space for the week ahead. Pre-sorting five days of outfits on Sunday afternoon saves valuable minutes during those early mountain mornings when you’d rather be enjoying your coffee in peace.

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.

© Best Version Media

3.

THE "INVISIBLE CLUTTER": CONQUERING THE DROP ZONES

Every home has them: the kitchen island counter, the hallway console table, or the corner of the home office desk. In August, these areas become overwhelmed with summer camp artwork, expiring coupons, local event flyers, and back-to-school registration packets. We call this "paper drift," and it can cause more mental fatigue than a messy closet.

• Establish a Daily Inflow System: Create a strict "One-Touch" rule for paper entering your home. Instead of setting mail or school flyers down on the kitchen counter, immediately sort them into three categories: Action (bills, signatures), Archive (tax documents, kept memories), or Recycle.

• The Digital Bridge: Park City is an incredibly active community, which means our calendars are packed with trail races, community concerts, and school events. Use August to sync your family's digital calendars. Take a photo of physical event flyers, log the dates into your phone, and toss the paper. A clear counter creates a clear mind.

4.

MAXIMIZING THE FINAL WEEKS OF SUMMER HOSPITALITY

August is prime time for weekend visitors who want to experience the best of our mountain weather before the chill sets in. If your guest room has become a temporary sorting ground for summer gear or online shopping returns, it’s time for a quick luxury reset.

• The 50% Rule for Guest Closets: If your guest closet is currently housing your own off-season coats or extra bedding, clear out at least half of the hanging rod. Your visitors shouldn't have to live out of a suitcase because your storage has overflowed into their temporary sanctuary.

• The Welcome Refresh: Check the expiration dates on the sunscreen, lotion, and travel-sized toiletries you keep in the guest bath. Replace them with fresh, locally made mountain botanicals and ensure a fresh stack of high-quality towels is visible and ready.

5. THE LUXURY OF A COMPOSED HOME

The true secret to a beautifully organized home isn't about rigid rules or achieving a minimalist aesthetic that doesn't fit your lifestyle. It’s about creating sustainable systems that serve the way you actually live. By taking a few intentional hours this August to reset your common spaces, organize your transitional wardrobes, and clear the paper clutter, you aren't just cleaning up summer—you are buying yourself time.

You’re creating a home that allows you to effortlessly pivot from a morning hike on the Mid-Mountain trail to a cozy evening hosting neighbors on the deck, without the stress of an untamed environment waiting for you inside. Let’s make the final weeks of the season count.

HOME & FINANCE CORNER

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY ANNETT BLANKENSHIP, PARK CITY INVESTOR TEAM

Should You Keep Your Home as a Rental?

For many Park City homeowners, deciding whether to sell a home or keep it as a rental is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make.

Maybe you're upsizing, downsizing, relocating, or purchasing a second home. Selling may seem like the obvious choice, but holding onto your property could create long-term wealth and financial flexibility.

So how do you decide?

START WITH APPRECIATION

Park City real estate has experienced remarkable appreciation over the past two decades. While no market is guaranteed to continue rising at the same pace, many homeowners have built significant equity simply by holding onto their homes.

Selling allows you to realize those gains today, but keeping the property means you may continue to benefit from future appreciation while tenants help pay down your mortgage.

For many owners, that's a powerful combination.

RENTAL INCOME CAN OFFSET OWNERSHIP COSTS

One of the biggest advantages of keeping a home is the potential for rental income.

Depending on the property and regulations, rental income may help cover expenses such as:

▶ Mortgage payments

▶ Property taxes

▶ Homeowners insurance

▶ HOA dues

▶ Maintenance and repairs

▶ Property management fees

In some cases, a well-located home can eventually generate positive monthly cash flow while continuing to appreciate over time.

THERE MAY BE TAX ADVANTAGES

Owning rental property can also offer tax benefits, although they vary depending on your individual situation.

Many rental property owners may be able to

BUYING OR SELLING A HOME?

deduct expenses such as:

▶ Mortgage interest

▶ Property taxes

▶ HOA dues

▶ Repairs and maintenance

▶ Property management fees

▶ Insurance premiums

▶ Utilities paid by the owner

▶ Professional services

▶ Advertising and leasing expenses

• Top Performing Partners for KW Park City 2018-2025

• We sell an average of 50+ properties a year!

• 20+ years of combined experience

• Benefit of superior service, exceptional results, and strong industry connections

• Buy or Sell with us in 2026!

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One of the most significant potential benefits is depreciation, which allows owners to deduct a portion of the home's value each year, even if the property is appreciating in the marketplace. Depreciation can reduce taxable rental income and improve after-tax cash flow.

Because tax laws are complex and change over time, it's important to consult a qualified CPA or tax advisor to understand how these rules apply to your specific situation.

CONSIDER CAPITAL GAINS

Before converting your primary residence into a long-term rental, it's also worth discussing capital gains taxes with your tax professional.

Many homeowners who sell a primary residence may qualify for the federal capital gains exclusion if they meet certain ownership and residency requirements. Waiting too long after moving out could affect eligibility, so understanding the timing before making a decision is important.

A conversation with your CPA before renting the property can help you avoid costly surprises later.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MAINTENANCE

Owning rental property isn't completely passive.

You'll need to budget for:

▶ Unexpected repairs

▶ Vacancy periods

▶ Appliance replacement

▶ Landscaping

▶ Snow removal

▶ Regular maintenance

Some owners enjoy managing their own properties, while others prefer hiring a professional property manager to handle tenant communication, maintenance coordination, and day-to-day operations.

THINK ABOUT YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS

The right decision isn't always the one that produces the highest immediate return.

Ask yourself:

▶ Will I want to move back someday?

▶ Do I need the equity now?

▶ Am I comfortable being a landlord?

▶ Would I rather invest elsewhere?

▶ Am I building long-term wealth or simplifying my finances?

Your answers are just as important as the numbers.

EVERY

PROPERTY IS DIFFERENT

There's no universal answer to whether you should sell or hold onto your home as a rental.

The best decision depends on your mortgage,

equity position, rental income potential, tax considerations, lifestyle, and long-term financial goals.

For some homeowners, selling is the right move. For others, holding onto a property for another five or ten years may prove to be one of the best financial decisions they make.

Whether you decide to sell or keep your home as a rental, understanding its current market value, rental income potential, and the potential tax implications can make all the difference. Every homeowner's goals are unique, and the best decision is the one that supports your long-term financial and lifestyle objectives.

If you're considering your options in Park City, we'd be happy to help you evaluate your home's current market value, rental potential, and how today's market may impact your decision. Combined with guidance from your CPA or financial advisor, you'll be well equipped to choose the path that's right for you.

HOME & FINANCE CORNER

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR •

JONATHAN CHEEVER,

Wildfire Smoke, Allergies, and Your Home’s Air

Wildfire smoke has recently impacted the Wasatch Back. Even when windows and doors are closed, smoke can still find its way inside through small gaps, fresh-air intakes, ERVs/HRVs, and normal daily use of the home. The good news is that your HVAC system can help reduce smoke, dust, pollen, and allergens if it is set up correctly.

The first step during smoky days is to limit outside air. Keep windows and doors closed, and if your home has a fresh-air intake, ERV, or HRV, make sure it is not actively pulling smoky air into the home. During smoke events, it is often better to recirculate and filter the air already inside the house rather than bring in more outdoor air.

Next, run your HVAC fan more often. Setting the fan to “On” instead of “Auto” helps move indoor air through the filter more consistently. This is especially helpful during wildfire smoke events and allergy season. If your system can handle it, a MERV 13 or higher filter can make a big difference. Some premium systems can use MERV 16, but airflow matters. A filter that is too restrictive can create problems, so the right filter depends on the system.

After a heavy smoke event, change the filter. Smoke particles can load up a filter quickly, and a dirty filter can restrict airflow. For many homes in our area, filters should be changed more often during smoke season, especially if the fan is running continuously.

Portable HEPA air cleaners can also help, especially in bedrooms or a main living area. Creating one cleaner room during heavy smoke events can be a simple way to protect the space where your family sleeps or spends the most time.

For allergies, the same basics apply: better filtration, cleaner coils, regular maintenance, and controlled ventilation. Dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke are all easier to manage when the system has good filtration and enough airflow. Whole-home humidifiers can also improve comfort in our dry climate, especially for dry skin, bloody noses, static electricity, hardwood floors, and instruments. Just be careful not to over-humidify; if windows are sweating, humidity is too high.

The main takeaway: do not wait until the house smells like smoke. Check your filter, know whether your home is bringing in outside air, run the fan during smoke events, and make sure your home has the right filtration for your system.

Team Cheever is happy to consult with homeowners on indoor air quality options, including filtration upgrades, wildfire smoke strategies, whole-home humidifiers, air scrubbers, and ventilation solutions. Every home is a little different, and the best IAQ setup is the one that fits your system, your home, and your family’s needs.

BY

OWNER TEAM CHEEVER PLUMBING

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Some dreams take a lifetime to build. For Sueanne Clark, founder of Wind in Your Hair Riding, that dream began in Australia, where she grew up with a deep love for horses.

“I’ve loved horses ever since I was a little girl,” she shares.

“I used to cry myself to sleep at night because my parents wouldn’t buy me a horse. I like to joke that it took me 47 years to manifest not just one horse, but seven.”

Today, those seven horses are part of the story behind Wind in Your Hair Riding, the horseback riding company she has operated in Wanship, Utah, for nearly four decades.

FINDING THE RIGHT HORSE

Before starting her own business, Sueanne worked as a para-groom and spent years around horses. During that time, fellow para-grooms repeatedly encouraged her to try riding a Paso Fino.

One ride was all it took.

Sueanne had the opportunity to participate in a beach photoshoot, riding bareback in a bikini on a Paso Fino. It was an experience she never forgot.

Sueanne remembers the moment when she first experienced the Paso’s gait.

“She went into her little gait and then the canter - I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. I remember thinking, someday I’m going to have a Paso Fino.”...

CONTACT US:

800.453.1360

1850 Sidewinder Dr. #320, Park City, UT 84060

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PARK CITY MINERS AUG

GIRLS SOCCER

DATE VS./@ TIME(S)

Aug 04 @ Lone Peak Var 3:30pm JV 5:15pm

Aug 05 @ American Fork F/S 5-7pm

Aug 06 Vs Wasatch JV 5:00pm

Aug 11 @

Aug

Aug

Aug

Aug

Aug

Sep 04 @ Murray

DATE VS./@

Aug 14 @ Skyview 7:00pm

Aug 20 JV vs Ridgeline @ PC 4:00pm

Aug 21 @ Ridgeline (Millville) 7:00pm

Aug 26 FR @ Mountain View 6:00pm

Aug 27 JV @ Morgan 4:00pm

Aug 28 Vs Morgan 7:00pm

Sep 03 JV vs Mountain View 4:00pm

Sep 04 @ Mountain View 7:00pm

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

DATE VS./@ TIME(S)

Aug 18 @ Provo

Aug 22 SO @ Provo

Aug 25 Vs Deer Creek

CROSS COUNTRY

DATE VS./@

Aug 20 Cross Country @ PC Twilight

Aug 29 UIAAA Cross Country Meet

Sep 04 Cross Country @ PC Invitational

MOUNTAIN BIKING

DATE VS./@

Aug 22 @ Soldier Hollow

Sep 05 @ Eagle Mountain

GIRLS TENNIS

DATE VS./@ TIME(S)

Aug 27 @ Highland 3:30pm Sep 01 Vs Juan Diego 3:30pm Sep 03 Vs Murray 3:30pm

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

DATE VS./@

Aug 28,29 @ Layton Tournament

Aug 29 JV @ Provo Tournament

ARTICLE & PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KENALEE HANSON, RYLEE'S MOM

ATHLETE LEADER OF THE MONTH Rylee Hanson

"Rylee moved to the Wasatch Back (specifically Kamas) when she was six years old and is now 16. She started gymnastics at three years old in South Jordan, Utah and quickly developed a love for the sport. She stepped away from gymnastics her freshman year of high school to pursue cheerleading. At 14, during her freshman season she suffered a meniscus tear which sidelined her for several months. Rylee enjoyed both her freshman and sophomore cheerleading seasons but, she never stopped loving gymnastics and ultimately realized it was where her passion truly belonged. At 16, she returned to the sport and has loved every minute of being back at Black Diamond.

One of the things that stands out most about Rylee is her determination. She has a true never-quit attitude, an incredibly high pain tolerance, and a work ethic that pushes her to constantly improve. She takes her training seriously, but she also brings a positive attitude and energy everywhere she goes. She is known for her amazing smile, big hugs, being a great teammate, and someone who is genuinely pleasant to be around.

Outside of gymnastics, Rylee is a straight-A student who loves learning and challenging herself academically. She enjoys skiing, wake surfing behind the family boat, camping, traveling, scuba diving, and spending time with friends and family. One of her favorite traditions is doing handstands everywhere she travels, and she has done them all over the world. Whether she’s in the gym, on the lake, underwater exploring reefs, on a mountain, or visiting a new country, she is always looking for her next adventure.

What we admire most about Rylee is that she approaches everything she does with enthusiasm, resilience, and a positive attitude. She works hard, cares deeply about the people around her, and is always willing to encourage others along the way.”

© Best Version Media

GretchenLane ATHLETE OF THE MONTH, REVISITED

In our January 2025 issue, my brother, Owen, photographed Gretchen Lane, and I wrote her story. She was one of our first athletes of the month to be featured, and her openness had instantly intrigued me. Even a year and a half after our initial conversation, I still remember it clearly. Not for what she said, but how she said it. It was genuine, like she was comfortable with where she was in life.

Back then, Gretchen was a senior at Park City High School (PCHS), and she had just committed to swimming at the University of Vermont (UVM). She recently completed her freshman year, during which—for the first time ever in her life—she lived across the country, away from the familiarity of Utah and the comfort of home. She faced new challenges, new injuries, new friendships, and new intense training levels. But, even with all-things new, Gretchen still sounded “comfortable,” as if she were moving through this life without getting caught up in the fear of it.

she left for UVM last fall, she felt pretty prepared for the training load of collegiate swimming. Wasatch Front Fish Market, a club team in Salt Lake, pushed her through long training weeks, and with great results that put her on 10 high school State podiums. Even then, the transition to college training was real. Life became built around swimming more than ever, with 21 hours of training time a week, equivalent to a part-time job. On a typical week, Gretchen would swim 8–9 times, lift 2–3 times, and have 2–3 dryland sessions. Training, as Gretchen explains, became “more down to business”—practices were more intense with less recovery, and lifts heavier. She also found a group with a “collective great attitude,” a D1 all-women’s team with around 40 swimmers, which felt like a perfect fit that balanced academics, athletics, and the social life and outdoors that UVM has to offer. She has been enjoying studying environmental science in a well-organized and funded program,

as well as exploring the Green Mountains whenever time allows.

College meets, even when Gretchen didn’t have the results she wanted for her freshman season, were still some of the highest-energy competitions she has ever been part of. At the collegiate level, swimming evolves more into a team sport, and since UVM has a girls-only team, meets are shorter, with less time between events. Gretchen, a distance swimmer focused on the mile, 200, and 500—all freestyle— would race, then quickly cheer for another teammate before being back in the water for another event.

Although these meets were exciting, all of the “new” was catching up. From dining hall food, to more intense training methods, to a different environment, her body was still adjusting to these changes. And it wasn’t just her. She mentions that a “rocky” freshman season is not unheard of and that some of her teammates had similar

PHOTOGRAPHY BY OWEN CRANDALL

When

frustrations with so many adjustments.

© Best Version Media

The end of the collegiate season typically coincides with the end of February. But, as Gretchen began to taper (i.e., strategic training through which swimmers gradually reduce their training volume while maintaining or increasing workout intensity) for one of her final meets of the season in February, she noticed pain in her lower leg. She has had ongoing issues with shin splints, but this was a new level of pain. Her circulation was poor, her calf muscles were tight, and she was experiencing numbness and achy sensations when walking. From February to May, Gretchen went through a series of tests before being diagnosed with Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome and Popliteal Entrapment, which she simplifies as “pressure behind the knees and in the lower extremities.” She thinks that throughout the year, and particularly during the taper period, her muscles grew faster, particularly in her calves, which put pressure on the arteries and nerves in the area. Once the symptoms started, it became difficult to control, to the point where even walking and daily activities gave her discomfort.

When her outdoors lifestyle was threatened, Gretchen decided it was time to do something. This past June, Gretchen had one of her legs operated on, where doctors removed 8 grams of muscle mass from her calf. At the time of this writing, surgery on her other calf is planned for the end of July. The procedure has only a 60 percent success rate, and she won’t know until the fall if it “worked.” In the meantime, she is unable to swim until every incision has healed. By mid-October, which is four months from her first surgery, and nine months from when her symptoms started, Gretchen would like to resume full-length practices again.

Despite the injury already impacting this coming swim season, Gretchen is looking forward to her sophomore year at UVM. Her semester is filled with interesting classes, as well as a few fun ones, like yoga and drawing, as she continues to dorm with her freshman roommate in the honors college. As the fall progresses, and she slowly starts swimming competitively again, Gretchen is excited to rebuild her love for the sport. During this time, she explains, when she is training without the pressure of meets, this will not only help her body restrengthen, but her mind to sharpen. Noting that even when she is out of the pool even for a couple weeks, she can lose the feel for the water. It can take time to get that feeling back, so, this is her main goal for her sophomore year: to feel in love with the sport, to be part of the community, and to be healthy and ready for her final two years at UVM.

From PCHS to finishing her first year in college, Gretchen is taking on another season. And although the past year can be described by her as the most frustrating season of her young career, it was also the most fun. She has found new friends, community, and a love for a sport that was fostered right here in Utah.

MARATHON MAN MatthewBrotherton, © Best Version Media

TRAILBLAZER CORNER

BY ERIC RAMIREZ • PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEB DEKOFF

© Best Version Media

Matthew Brotherton works at Ecker Hill Middle School in the IT department, which keeps students and teachers connected to myriad education facilities. He attended Arizona State University and the University of Utah, where he studied exercise and sports science. He loves both listening to and playing live music, but he is also a dedicated marathon runner. He was never the competitive kid growing up; although, in the past decade, he has found something personally worthwhile in running and is traveling around the world to pursue it.

When Matt was wrapping up fifth grade, his father had retired from the military. As a family, they had the option to leave Woodbridge, Virginia, and relocate to their dream home. Having lived at Hill Air Force base earlier in their lives, Dad and Mom chose to come back to Utah—specifically to Park City because of the mountain lifestyle. They arrived just before Matt started sixth grade at Ecker Hill Middle School.

Matt grew up engaging in all the fun mountain activities, namely skiing, but he also continued to follow his interest in gaming, tech, and music. After graduating from Park City High School in 2007, he took a gap year before attending school in Arizona. “I was down in Arizona for about two years, but I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do for my degree,” he says. So he moved back and enrolled at the University of Utah.

Eventually, an interest in athletics drove Matt to study exercise and sports sciences. Rather than beginning a new career with his degree, he maintained a management role with Whole Foods in Park City. But, because the tourist-driven economy has wild swings, the schedule intensity of seasonal business was not as predictable as he wanted, to be able to structure his time playing music, running, and raising his son.

“After 13 years,” he shares, “I felt like a change of pace would be good.”

About two years ago, Matt took on his current role with Park City School District. Now, scheduling time for the other parts of his life is far more predictable. Which, as someone who trains for marathons would know, takes a lot of deliberate planning.

In 2009, Matt’s sister invited him to go for a run while celebrating their parents’ anniversary in Sedona, Arizona. Before Matt knew it, he was running too. Later, he began training seriously for marathons. It started with this thought: “I wanted to set a goal of not just finishing it, but to try to qualify for the Boston Marathon.”

This set off a strategic-planning stage to qualify for Boston, given that it requires a fast-enough previous marathon time. However, this ensures only “fast enough.” Entry to the event is a lottery or a ballot, which means after you put in that effort, your name still has to be selected to race.

“In 2018, I signed up for two local marathons, just in case one of them didn’t work out, like if I ran too slow or something like that. I signed up for the Desert News Marathon in July, and the Revel Big Cottonwood in September. I got my qualifier at Revel Big Cottonwood for Boston. I signed up for it and ran Boston as my third marathon,” Matt recalls.

“Once I ran Boston, I just kind of got the bug,” he continues. Then, he found a worldwide series where the “elite of elite” runners compete: World Marathon Majors. According to records on Wikipedia, some of the fastest finishing times are just over two hours. Also, during the initial 10 years, the first-place male and female runners each won half a million US dollars. Originally, Matt says that “there were six races all around the world.” He wanted to try all of them.

World Marathon Majors first started in 2006 and included only six marathons: Boston, New York, Berlin, Chicago, London, and Tokyo. Recently added were Sydney in 2024 and Cape Town in June 2026. Currently, Shanghai is being evaluated and is slated to be the ninth event.

“The New York Marathon is notoriously hard to get into. You can time-qualify if you run a fast-enough time at the previous year’s New York Marathon. So I’ve basically been running New York year after year and using that as my qualifier to get back in the next year.”

To get his first entry into New York, Matt raised roughly $6,000 for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He does admit he got some help, but that is the nature of fundraising. It was a powerful demonstration of how one person’s connections can make all the difference. And everyone wins: funds for cancer research and his first entry to New York, which he nurtures by training enough to run it with a qualifying time for the next year.

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However, New York is just one of the global series, and Matt is well on his way to finishing the new target of nine World Marathon Majors races. “I’ve run everything,” he says, “except for Cape Town and Shanghai.”

Matt has competed in 13 marathons so far, six of them the New York Marathon. The commitment is huge, with his week looking like this: “I work Monday through Friday for eight hours, and then usually run for anywhere from one to two hours, and I average about 50 to 80 miles per week, depending on where I’m at in a training block,” he shares.

The results of all that training? “So far, all my finishes, with the exception of Tokyo, have been under three

fastest athletes; some are wellknown, while others do incredible things without much recognition at all. Matt sits squarely in the top 5 percent of quickest marathon athletes globally.

“New York is my favorite marathon so far. I love the city, the history, and fun experiences it has to offer. It’s got a special place for me, [where I ran] my fastest marathon yet,” Matt says, although he does love being in Park City. “I’d say my favorite part of the community is the general kindness. Park City has always felt welcoming and accepting, and I think that’s a big part of what makes it feel like home so much to me.”

While he may have moved away to study, Matt has equally made every aspect of his stomping ground home: from working where he went to middle school to running the same paths he knew as a kid. It’s the kind of amazing full-circle life experience we could all hope to have in our mountain town.

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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.

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MCPOLIN FARMLANDS

116 ACRES FOREVER

PROTECTED

BUT NOT BY ACCIDENT, AND NOT FOR

FREE…

Follow

The historic McPolin Farmlands welcomes residents and visitors alike with sweeping green pastures and the iconic white barn that has become a symbol of Park City's rural heritage. But beyond the postcard-perfect views lies something even more important: a permanently protected working landscape that reminds us where this community came from and what it has chosen to preserve.

Once home to dairy cows, sheep, hogs, and chickens, McPolin Farmlands continues to tell the story of Park City's agricultural past. Today, the land remains in agricultural use through a partnership between Summit Land Conservancy, Park City Municipal, and Bill White Farms, using regenerative farming practices that improve soil health, support biodiversity, and keep the landscape healthy and productive.

In 2007, Park City Municipal partnered with Summit Land Conservancy to place a conservation easement on approximately 120 acres of the property. Held and stewarded by the Conservancy, the easement ensures the land will remain open and undeveloped. Unlike zoning or City policies that can change over time, a conservation easement is a legal agreement that protects land in perpetuity no matter how the surrounding community changes.

Today, McPolin Farmlands is also part of something much larger. Together with Iron Mountain, Quarry Mountain, Risner Ridge, Old Ranch Hills, and Round Valley, it forms a permanently protected green corridor stretching across Park City. This connected landscape safeguards wildlife habitat, protects watershed health, preserves scenic views, and ensures the open spaces that define the Wasatch Back endure for generations to come. ENVIRONMENT

BY CAITLIN WILLARD • PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SUMMIT LAND CONSERVANCY

"The Osguthorpe family has been farming in the Park City area since 1947, but Doc Osguthorpe's connection to McPolin Farmlands began even earlier. As a young boy riding into Park City with his father through what is now White Pine Canyon, he looked across the valley at the big white McPolin barn and thought to himself, 'I'd sure like to own a barn like that someday.'

Years later, as Doc was purchasing the 160 acres on Old Ranch Road that we now know as the Green Heart of the Basin, the owner of the McPolin property offered to sell him that very barn and the surrounding farmland.

For the next 44 years, the Osguthorpe family operated a dairy there, using the barn and the milking parlor that once stood where Highway 224 now runs.

When the Utah Department of Transportation widened Highway 224 in the late 1980s, Doc fought hard to keep the farm together. But facing condemnation, he sold the property to Park City Municipal in 1991.

At the time, developers were already proposing a supermarket and subdivision for the site. Fortunately, the City Council recognized that McPolin Farmlands had become much more than a farm. It was the gateway to Park City, and the community wanted it to remain that way.

The City first passed a resolution declaring that the property would never be developed. But resolutions can be changed. Conservation easements cannot.

As a member of the Summit Land Conservancy's Board, Tim Henney urged the City Council to use the strongest tool available—a permanent conservation easement held by a nonprofit land trust. In November 2007, Mayor Dana Williams signed the easement on behalf of Park City Municipal, perpetually saving the 116-acre McPolin Farmlands.

Today, the iconic barn remains under the City's care, while the surrounding pastures are forever safeguarded by the Summit Land

© Best Version Media

Conservancy. Every time I drive past those open fields, I'm reminded that some of Park City's greatest treasures still exist because people chose everlasting protection over temporary promises."

—Remembering the conservation of McPolin Farmlands, as told by Summit Land Conservancy’s CEO, Cheryl Fox

Learn more about the Conservancy’s work and how you can save the lands and waters you cherish at www. wesaveland.org.

ENVIRONMENT CORNER

EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR: SWANER ECO CENTER • BY KATE CLAPIER

Ladybug, Ladybird, Ladybeetle—Fly Away Home!

A shining red shell with black spots is a classic summer sight. However, these seemingly omnipresent insects are actually composed of many different species. In North America, there are an estimated 400 species of lady beetles, including both introduced and native species. In Utah, there are still dozens of lady beetle species, although some species are much more common to see than others.

Common non-native and invasive species to Utah:

▶ Asian Lady Beetle

▶ Seven-Spotted Lady Beetle

Common native species to Utah:

▶ Convergent Lady Beetle

▶ Transverse Lady Beetle

▶ Nine-Spotted Lady Beetle

▶ Two-Spotted Lady Beetle

While the main visual trait of lady beetles is almost always a red exterior with black spots, appearance can vary widely. The color, for example, can range from cream to shades of orange to a deep red. However, there are some specific traits you can use to differentiate the species:

▶ The spot pattern of the lady beetle’s shell is most useful for identification. Spot patterns are composed by the shape and location of each spot on the shell, and when put together into a single pattern, this provides the easiest means of identification for a ladybug.

▶ The white markings on the black head. This is another easy visual for identifica-

tion, which is important to be considered since there are some species that don’t have a standard spot pattern on the shell. Mainly, this includes the Asian Lady Beetle, who can have many, many spots or not a single one! Thus, the black and white pattern on the Asian Lady Beetle’s head is the best means for identification of this species, which happens to be a black “M” shape that can be used as a mnemonic to remember that these bugs are an invasive species and a menace.

Many additional tools exist to help anyone identify species in nature. One common tool is iNaturalist, an app which can upload photos or sound recordings to ID species using both AI as well as other users input. Another resource that specifically for identifying ladybugs is a free website, Discover Life, which uses preset multiple choice questions to filter down to what the most likely species of ladybug is.

Aside from encounters in the wild, many people may have experiences with ladybeetles in their own gardens. That is partially because ladybeetles are commonly sold as a biocontrol for garden pests like aphids. While native insects can do an excellent job, there are several reasons to NOT buy them:

1. Many are collected from the wild, specifically as the ladybeetles collect in groups and begin diapause (a dormant state) to overwinter.

2. When released, the ladybeetles assume they’re located where they migrated to last fall and will fly off once released - before they do anything beneficial (eating pests or laying eggs).

INVASIVE: MULTICOLORED ASIAN LADY BEETLE (HARMONIA AXYRIDIS)

INVASIVE: SEVEN-SPOTTED LADY

3. Insects are almost always sold as adults, who will eat some pests, but it’s really the ladybeetle larvae that have a voracious appetite and impact pest populations.

4. Adding new individuals to the existing population always has a chance of introducing disease or unwanted genetics.

5. There is always the chance you’re being sold invasive species, not the natives!

So next time you see a ladybug, if you get a good look or a picture, check to see if you have seen one of our own native lady beetles!

NATIVE: TRANSVERSE LADY BEETLE

BEETLE (COCCINELLA SEPTEMPUNCTATA)

YOUNG

Colum Jungling Colum Jungling

If dreams really do come true, 12-year-old Colum Jungling may someday see his artwork flying down a mountainside on a pair of skis—or rolling through a skate park beneath the feet of a professional athlete.

Colum’s creative journey began before he ever put pencil to paper. His parents nurtured his artistic curiosity from an early age, taking him to galleries, where he studied the work of accomplished artists. Every image he consumed contributed to a visual diet that shaped his imagination and became an important part of developing his artistic eye.

“I enjoy walking through art galleries to see what other artists have created, and recognizing that ‘one thing’ about their work that makes it unique. It inspires me to find that one thing about my style that will make it stand out.”

Another important influence was his elementary art teacher in Colorado, who encouraged him to explore a variety of artistic styles and techniques. “I realized I had a gift for drawing during elementary school art classes. My artwork was even selected for my school’s yearbook cover

when I was in fifth grade. My art teachers have inspired me to create different forms of art by exposing me to styles I wouldn’t have otherwise explored.”

Judging by the striking, high-contrast graphics in his growing portfolio, Colum has already developed a distinctive style and a clear vision for his art future. “I love to draw and prefer to use graphite or ink. The Zentangle method is my favorite style. I think the black-and-white contrast, along with the intricate patterns, makes it really interesting. The ultimate dream for my artwork would be to work with a skiing brand to develop a line of skis using my drawings.”

Colum is a remarkably talented and determined young man. Whether he is creating art, excelling in academics, competing in mogul skiing, playing sports, or riding a unicycle around the neighborhood, he approaches every challenge with persistence. He doesn’t give up until he has mastered a skill. With his talent, curiosity, and determination, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his ultimate dream artwork make its way from sketchbook to the slopes.

BY KIRSTEN KOHLWEY

Joseph Cordery’s Path To Love and Healing

Joseph Cordery and I initially met at an art show at Miners Hospital Community Center in Park City. It was the first he participated in as an artist, and he was hanging out with fellow ceramicist Tom Caswell, who had the space next to him. Joseph has developed his own unique style for displaying nature: He focuses on hand-building, and he glazes most of his pieces in earth tones. His journey into art started three decades ago when he moved from Salt Lake City to Park City.

Having grown up in a family with five children, Joseph was the caboose. His four older brothers and sisters were born within a year or two of each other, but Joseph was five years younger than any of them and grew up being shy—but loving people—almost like an only child. When he moved to Park City in September 1996, he was exploring Main Street and discovered a garage at its base, which turned out to be Kimball Art Center (KAC). In 1998, when he started taking art classes, he met the love of his life, Abbey Peterson, who worked at KAC. Occasionally, Joseph would inspire Abbey with ideas for her own creations.

Fast-forwarding to 2026: KAC just hired Joseph to be its studio tech, starting in August. It’s a part-time position that involves helping Studio Manager Brett Clark, who has been a good friend and a mentor, 20 hours per week. Joseph is excited to tackle all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into pottery: loading and unloading kilns, as well as firing them; pugging clay; mixing glazes; and cleaning. He has already done most of those tasks as a dedicated volunteer but looks forward to learning all the finer details.

Joseph expects to spend about eight hours a week creating his own art. Considering he still works full-time at Jans Mountain Outfitters in inventory control, he will be very busy. “I like using both sides of my brain,” he says. He started working at Jans in 2007, four years after marrying Abbey, who is the daughter of Amanda and Jan Peterson. During those early years, Joseph had to work two jobs to earn enough to pay for the house he and Abbey bought, so he took a break from art.

The pandemic was particularly devastating for Joseph: Abbey developed breast cancer and succumbed to it in 2020. Since then, he has been trying to heal, and art plays a big part in it.

Joseph taught himself hand-building and started taking classes at KAC again. Juanita Marshall and Kati Gyulassy were his instructors for advanced hand-building, and Hazel Coppola, recently, for sculpture. His first wheelthrowing tutelage came from Bruce Larrabee. And Eric Christensen showed him more advanced techniques, as did others over the years. Now, Joseph alternates leading hand-building classes with Juanita every six weeks. He teaches advanced and intermediate hand-building, along with an introductory beginner hand-building class. All his classes include slab and coil projects.

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“I push students in a direction that they likely would not go,” says Joseph. His philosophy to motivate students to try new approaches is to come in with an idea or demonstrate something. Then, he lets the students go and find their own creative voice. It brings him great joy to see that 10 completely different ideas can come from a project, depending on how the students interpret it, comprehend it, and where they take it. One of the artists ended up starting a class—a combination of wheel-throwing and handbuilding—which has inspired Joseph to combine the two in the future.

Joseph’s personal path as an artist has evolved since Peg Bodell, an artist who has been involved in the Park City art scene since its early days, encouraged him to show his work. He has been moving up the ladder of art exhibits: A ceramic artwork piece of his, Teton, was chosen for the Spring Salon at the Springville Museum of Art, which ended on July 3rd.This was the second time Joseph had artwork accepted at the annual Spring Salon, one of Utah’s oldest art shows, which commenced in 1922 and is still considered the state’s premier art exhibit.

Joseph has shown his work at the Ogden Eccles

Art Center every year for the last three years, during the annual month-long abstract art competition. Eventually, he plans to apply to national exhibitions.

On the commercial side of art, Joseph is participating in the clay artist showcase that KAC is setting up at Miners Park on Main Street during the Park City Kimball Arts Festival, which will be held August 7–9. He plans to be there all three days. Joseph sees his path leading towards being accepted into the arts festival on his own. For him, this is an opportunity to learn the ropes, as in what it’s like to sell at a festival.

Joseph’s life consists of work, art, and walking his dog, Missy. She goes to work with him at Jans almost every day, although she is not allowed to go to the art center.

Abbey Peterson Cordery had been a volunteer at the Park City Museum, Park City Library, and White Pine Nordic Center, with quite a network of friends. Because she died during the pandemic, a celebration of her life couldn’t be planned. Her family organized a memorial at Park City Library for her the following year, with a wind sculpture by Lyman Whitaker and a Kwanzan cherry tree planted in her honor by the Park City Garden

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Club. Joseph is grateful for the opportunity he has been given to find solace. It’s an ongoing process, but he believes art and creativity are the greatest healers.

So does Park City’s Leadership Class 32: They chose the Summit County Mural Project as their culminating assignment for the year, with their first creation at Peace House. Murals are appearing all over Summit County, and healing is a big part of it.

Joseph has expanded his connections to the art community. “I never thought I would ever be a teacher, but I’ve grown to really enjoy it! It really feels like a natural part of me. This tech position is going to take me in a different direction, I think, just being more in tune with that process of creating pottery,” he shares. “And enhance my artistic direction.”

Joseph Cordery has been seen smiling more, also attending social art gatherings. His face lights up when he talks about his art and teaching. He is a member of the Park City Artist Association and says the majority of his connections can be traced back to Kimball Art Center. He is a living testament to the power of art.

AROUND THE TOWN

BY CASEY LANE • PHOTOGRAPHY BY JILL BAKER

JenaKingsley JenaKingsley

BLUEPRINTS VINTAGE

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If the year were 1929, the headline printed above Jena Kingsley’s story would be bold, oversized, and delivered with that “This just in!” enthusiasm announcing her courage as “The Greatest in Human History.” An 8-year-old in a tweed newsie cap with bags under his eyes would be hawking copies at 10 cents a piece, and issues would fly from the streets while shocked (but silently salivating) readers gobbled up “The Guts and Gallant of One Gal’s Gambol”––the era-appropriate roaring response to Jena’s Big Apple pranks.

Instead—and because the year was in fact 2013—Jena went viral, becoming known for her New York City social experiments (in which she vehemently “commits” to the awkward silences) with YouTube videos titled “No Selfie Zone” (“Excuse me, but you’re going to need to delete that”); her “Social Networking in Real Life” (“Just wanted to let you know I’m following you”); and her “Are You on the List?” Starbucks prank, which filmed her with a clipboard “bouncing” outside several of the coffeehouse’s locations (“I’m sorry, ma’am, but do you have a reservation?”).

So, when Jena quietly settled down 12 years later in Park City with Silicon Valley CEO Steven Boal, she—author, comedian, social commentator, and empty nester—was ready to make her mark on Main Street. Which is when her story becomes suitably cosmopolitan, with just a hint of comedic couture.

As a wild-west-coaster, I never believe it when I hear it, but it turns out you can, in fact, be born and raised in New York City. I am also under the firm impression that if you are one of these rare urban unicorns (donning an AllSaints leather-wrapped horn), your parents checked out of Mount

Sinai with both a pair of baby stilettos and the Ten Commandments of the Garment District––”Thou shalt not wear crocs,” “Thou shalt shop vintage,” and so on.

But Jena’s latest social experiment is, truly, no joke. Blueprints Vintage, her globally inspired and hand-curated boutique––which opened in the spring earlier this year–– has already outgrown its first location and is headed for the ground floor this fall. “I think people are so surprised when they walk upstairs to find our current storefront,” says Jena, “because they don’t know what to expect. And then they get to the top, and there’s this very interesting, warm, inviting shop with some amazing pieces. But I’m also very aware that this is Main Street in Park City––we have international customers––and I want to bring the best that I can. Elevating the shopping experience has been a goal of mine.”

I often think of “vintage” as a broad term on an idea that culturally, we are constantly “chasing cool.” However, this particular secondhand species has very specific strains. For example, no one is in search of the perfect loin cloth worn by Cro-Magnons for the Flintstones 12AD (12 Apostles Drive) tour. Also, few women today, outside of gold-rush reenactments, are proclaiming to have “found” their latest petticoat or hoop skirt. But yes, we will hot-wash that ’92 Hall of Fame jacket we found at an estate sale for an insulting $25, only to pair it (ironically) with $200 designer jeans and vegan Doc Martens like a walking commentary on capitalism––or, you know, because we look “cool.”

“Vintage is so popular now because people are finding that sustainability is important, and vintage clothes are made so much better,” says Jena, “but there’s different

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types of vintage in different pockets of the world. Out west, you can find amazing western wear; when you go to Paris, you find a more refined style and designer pieces like Celine, Givenchy, or Chanel; and then you go to Morocco, and you find handmade craftsmanship. Wherever I am, I like to go source vintage because it’s all affected by the culture and country it’s coming from.”

Shopping vintage is an artform. It sounds simple enough, but the good ones have a style that transcends “trendy.” A knit skirt here, an ’80s jacket there, a well-won graphic tee, a turquoise bolo tie, a pair of New Balance kicks…and voilà, I’m fashion-forward! (As compared to the backfoot I’m usually balancing on.)

“I think people get intimidated about buying vintage,” shares Jena. “They think it has to be, you know, an archival designer piece to get their money’s worth...but I always tell people, just get what speaks to you. Some of my favorite pieces are definitely not designer; they’re just weird things I found that make people look twice.”

To be clear, Blueprints Vintage is not your mama’s thrift store. It’s a high-end collectors closet with an international touch. A living passport culled from consistent sourcing and a well-tuned eye for quality and rarity. In less than five months, Jena has already backfilled most of her collection, traveling internationally and sourcing privately to bring one-ofa-kind pieces to Park City’s patrons. “I would say most of the things I’ve sourced for my store now, I’ve been sourcing since I opened, because much of what I had was gone very quickly,” she says with a proud laugh. “Whenever I travel, I lay out where I want to visit and plan for that. I also go to estate sales, and I have personal appointments with people who want to unwind their collections. It could be someone directly with pieces they’d like to consign, or maybe a parent passed away, and the family has pieces they’re not sure what to do with.”

In her own way, Jena is throwing open the doors to a world of hidden

PARTNERING TO NOURISH OUR COMMUNITY: BACK 2 SCHOOL BASICS

As summer winds down in the Wasatch Back, one of the most impactful programs of the season quietly springs into action: Back 2 School Basics, a beloved initiative by the Christian Center of Park City (CCPC). Designed to support local students from lowincome families, the program ensures that every child starts the school year with the essentials - and the confidence - they need to succeed.

Held annually in early August, Back 2 School Basics transforms a local retail store into a shopping haven for over 1000 students from Summit and Wasatch counties. Each child receives a gift card to pick out brand-new clothing and shoes - items they choose for themselves, reflecting their style and personality. The experience empowers students while easing the financial burden on their families during the back- to-school season. But the support doesn’t stop there. Students also receive backpacks and age-appropriate school supplies, donated by generous individuals, local businesses, and community groups. Each student receives the necessary tools for academic success, from pencils to binders.

“This program is about more than new clothes or school supplies,” says Lisa Griffeth, Programs Manager at CCPC. “It’s about dignity, confidence, and giving every student the opportunity to start school on equal footing.”

Thanks to dozens of volunteers and sponsors, Back 2 School Basics embodies the spirit of community. It’s a reminder that when people come together to care for their neighbors, students don’t just show up on the first day of school - they shine.

Find out more about this program and how to get involved at: ccofpc.org/back-2-school-basics/ or by scanning the QR code

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treasures, while offering her bounty a second chance at life. But to do that, it takes a very unique, creative, and socially driven perspective––did I mention she also wrote a book about dating after divorce? Darcy Dates hit shelves the summer before her 2025 marriage to Steven and is based on her 2011 blog of the same name. “Hollywood came calling; we were developing it as a show, which never got made. Years passed, and I was doing stand-up and other projects. Then finally, last

year, I thought, ‘Wait, I don’t want to die one day and have my project die with me.’ I was getting married, and I thought, ‘Now is the time,’ so I published it before we got married. It was the end of an era.”

If I said Jena has lived nine lives, you’d never believe me––she’s definitely lived 10 or 12, and the latest is just beginning. For some reason (perhaps history, guts, grit), I feel it will be a success, and, if nothing else, it’s yet another demonstration of Jena’s innate courage to go for

it, to spot a gap in the zeitgeist and fill it with the raw observation of someone who says, “I know what we need, what needs to be said, and just how to say it.”

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Jena Kingsley is back on the street—this time, with her own store and absolutely no reservations needed. Yes, you can take a selfie in that fur coat, and of course, feel free to follow, comment, and connect. Because we get it: Humans are innately curious creatures. Why not dress the part?

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EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR • BY MYA ROMERO, SPA MARKETING MANAGER

Now Introducing at Align:

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION MASSAGE WITH GABBY RICCI!

For 23 years, Align Spa has been known for our thoughtful, trustworthy, and therapeutic bodywork, creating a home within the community of Park City, Utah. Align Spa is now opening the doors to a new type of massage service. We are introducing Structural Integration to our offerings! Gabby Ricci, a certified massage therapist since 2022, joined our team in November 2025. She brings so much kindness to our space and has immediately become a friendly face for all in Align simultaneously being a master with her craft. The ski town of Park City has created space for Align to become known for a type of athletic recovery massage therapy due to a wide variety of clientele from Ski/Snowboard team members, Park City High youth athletes, and avid mountain bikers and hikers. Gabby's addition to our team has been a seamless addition because her focus on Structural Integration and similar style focuses on recovery of the whole body for various similar concerns.

Structural Integration might be an unfamiliar name or type of massage therapy to a lot of us. To help explain, we sat down and asked Gabby if she could give us a deep dive into the world of Structural Integration. She explained to us that to learn what Structural Integration is, we have to learn what Fascia is. Gabby explains it beautifully, “Fasica is the connective tissue that surrounds and links every structure in your body, creating a system that supports you through a process called tensegrity-where tension and compression are distributed throughout the whole body.” Gabby proceeded to explain that one section of this system can cause pain elsewhere, which is where Structural Integration comes in Gabby states, “Structural Integration works directly with the system through a series of sessions designed to release tension, restore balance, and improve the way that your body moves and supports itself as a whole.” It’s a really interesting but effective style of massage session that improves posture, alignment, mobility, and provides longer pain relief. Gabby also shared a fun fact that Structural Integration takes a look into how gravity affects our bodies, “Each session begins with a holistic postural assessment, allowing both the practitioner and client to observe how gravity is affecting the body’s fascial system.” If you find yourself facing similar issues or craving longer lasting pain relief, Structural Integration could be a great new type of massage to try out with Gabby. We wanted to take a deeper dive into what makes Gabby so passionate about this type of massage to learn where her love for the craft comes in. She explained that, “What I love about Structural Integration and massage therapy in general is that you get to take an active role in helping someone feel better. It’s a very hands-on form of healing that can create immediate results or support gradual, long term growth.” Hearing how much care, focus, and passion goes into Gabby’s work alongside the science behind Structural Integration makes it the perfect addition to Align Spa’s menu.

Structural Integration is a type of massage that works particularly well in continuous sessions, usually sessions of three. That is why, alongside adding Structural Integration to our spa menu, we have added a new type of bundle available for purchase. We have introduced our Structural Integration Bundles! They are available for purchase of three ninety minute sessions or three one hundred-twenty minute sessions. With the purchase of the bundle, clients are saving twenty-five dollars on each session. It's the perfect way to get a discount on consistent structural integration sessions and spend lots of time with Gabby’s therapeutic touch. The combination of Structural Integration’s deep focused healing work, with Gabby’s bright personality have made this introduction to Align the perfect new addition to our Park City spa.

PEPTIDES: Promise, Hype, and Why Supervision Matters

BY DR. TIMOTHY DUERLER, OVATION PRIVATE HEALTH

Peptides have become one of the most talked-about topics in wellness, longevity, weight loss, and performance medicine. They are also one of the most misunderstood. At the simplest level, a peptide is a short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of protein.

That may sound simple, but the term “peptide” covers a wide range of molecules. Some are well-established prescription medications. Others are experimental compounds. Many are now available online with questionable quality, purity, or medical oversight.

This creates a confusing environment. A lot of people now claim to be “peptide experts.” I don’t claim that title, but I do have a long history, both personal and professional, in this field.

In my earlier work as an HIV specialist, I prescribed peptide-based and growth-hormone-related medications for patients dealing with HIV-associated wasting and body composition changes. In the right setting, these medications can be very helpful. But they are not benign. I have seen side effects including elevated blood sugar, worsening or new diabetes, significant swelling, and muscle cramps severe enough that patients could barely make a fist.

Even before that, more than 20 years ago, I was doing basic science research in the lab of Dr. David D’Alessio, now at Duke University, and Dr. Torsten Vahl, now at Columbia/NewYork-Presbyterian. We used advanced fluorescence-based imaging to examine the gut lining of mice and study receptors for glucagon-like peptides, a topic that, at the time, was still relatively unknown outside research circles.

Fast forward two decades, and GLP-1 medications such

as Ozempic and related drugs have become some of the most widely discussed medications in the world for diabetes and weight loss. Even then, I remember noticing an important caveat: Animals receiving experimental compounds could become dramatically thinner, but not necessarily healthier-looking. Today, we pay much more attention to sarcopenia, or the loss of muscle mass, especially when weight loss occurs without resistance training, adequate protein intake, and proper monitoring.

All of that said, certain peptides can be beneficial when used thoughtfully, legally, and under professional supervision from a high-quality source. A colleague of mine, Dr. Edwin Lee, wrote a helpful book, The Fountain of Youth with Peptides, which organizes many of the more established peptides by category and intended use.

Peptides are not magic, and they are not all the same. Like many tools in medicine, they can be powerful when used appropriately and risky when used casually. The goal should be to understand the science, respect the risks, and choose the right tool for the right person at the right time.

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Emilie Davis, MScN WHOLE ESSENTIALS NUTRITION

wholeessentialsnutrition.com @whole_essentials_nutrition

Hannah Stoughton, Owner

RENDEZVOUS RUN Park City’s New Running Store

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

Stacey Millhorn, Owner PURE SWEAT + FLOAT STUDIO

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

Lacy Harrison, Owner PEAK|45

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

Autumn Bear LAc. AUTUMN BEAR WELLNESS COLLECTIVE

(970) 618-4788 autumnbear.com

Nichole Dreyer LAc.. AUTUMN BEAR WELLNESS COLLECTIVE (970) 618-4788 autumnbear.com

Dr. Kallie Harrison DACM, LAc, LMT, RN ACUPUNCTURE & HOLISTIC MEDICINE

(801) 703-5280 www.kallieharrison.com

Megan James PRIME IV HYDRATION & WELLNESS

(435) 441-4889 parkcityprime@primeivhydration.com

ELEVATING WELLNESS FOR THE PARK CITY COMMUNITY

Prime IV Park City has been helping residents and visitors prioritize their health and wellness since 2022. Owner Megan James has grown the business into more than a neighborhood wellness clinic—it's also a trusted partner for local employers, hotels, athletic events, and corporate groups looking to bring wellness directly to their teams and guests.

Prime IV Park City offers IV hydration therapy, vitamin injections, peptide therapies, and other wellness services designed to support hydration, energy, recovery, metabolic health, and overall wellness. While many people associate IV therapy with luxury travel or professional athletes, Megan says the majority of their clients are local residents.

setting while helping employers invest in the health and well-being of their teams.

Prime IV also provides on-site IV hydration services for corporate meetings, retreats, conferences, incentive groups, weddings, athletic events, golf tournaments, and private gatherings. Whether supporting conference attendees, helping wedding parties recover before or after the big day, or bringing wellness to a company retreat, the mobile team delivers licensed medical care directly to hotels, offices, residences, and event venues.

"We're fortunate to care for people from every walk of life," Megan says. "Our clients include teachers, construction workers, healthcare professionals, retirees, busy parents, and athletes. Helping our neighbors feel their best is what we're here for."

Beyond caring for individual clients in the spa, Prime IV has become a wellness partner for local businesses throughout Summit and Wasatch Counties. The team offers

"We believe wellness should be convenient and accessible," Megan says. "Building relationships within our community has always been more important to us than traditional advertising. We love partnering with local businesses and organizations to help people feel their best."

For Megan, success isn't measured simply by the number of clients served—it's measured by the relationships her team builds and the positive impact they have throughout the Park City community.

The Window in Prospector

I DIDN'T NEED A NEW DENTIST.

That's the whole point of this story. I had a good dentist. I liked him! No complaints, no bad afternoon in a chair I was running from. Nothing was wrong—and that's usually where a story like this ends. We don't go looking when nothing's broken. We stay put, twice a year, and never find out what else is out there.

What got me wasn't a problem. It was a sign. CURIOSITY, AND TWO

LEASHES

About a year and a half ago, I was walking the dogs through Prospector between appointments when a new sign caught my attention. Not a new building. I'd walked past that one dozens of times. Over the years, it's been home to one business after another, the way some addresses are: you just stop noticing them. But this sign was different. Even the signage looked like somebody had really thought about it. So I did what any curious person would do. I peered in the window.

where he remembers what you told him six months ago and asks how it turned out.

It did not look like a dental office. It looked like somewhere you'd actually want to be. And when I figured out what it was, a brand-new dental practice built around whole-body wellness, I stood there on the sidewalk holding two leashes, completely intrigued.

I met Dr. Ryan Osorio not long after, and my first impression was of someone genuinely curious about people. Not the polite kind of curious, where someone waits for their turn to talk—the real kind,

So I did something a little ridiculous. I made an appointment with a dentist I didn't need, just to find out whether the place was as different as it looked.

I was converted before I left the building. WHAT "ELEVATED" REALLY MEANS

We use that word so much around here that it barely means anything anymore. So let me be specific.

The moment I walk in, someone knows my name

Dental Wellness + Studio

Discover the Rise Difference. We intentionally schedule fewer patients to allow adequate time to give you our full attention and address all your dental concerns. We offer wellness-based dental care to all ages as well as complete smile renovations.

In our studio, we provide workshops for the development of your “Inner Smile” which encompasses overall physical, mental, emotional and energetic wellbeing.

Dr. Ryan Osorio

Becoming

Just

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and seems happy I'm there. The front desk has the kind of warmth you can't train into a person; you either have it, or you're faking it, and they have it. The office is beautiful and immaculate, designed around the Danish idea of hygge, which is hard to translate but easy to feel. Warm, calm, full of light. During treatment, I was offered a weighted blanket and an eye mask. Nobody has ever offered me a weighted blanket at a dental office! It's a small thing, but it tells you everything: somebody sat down and really thought about what it's like to be the person in that chair.

The technology is state-of-the-art, and someone turns the screen toward you and explains what you're looking at before anything happens. And there's no pressure. No upselling. Ever.

CLAIRE, AND THE HEADACHES I STOPPED MENTIONING

Which brings me to this morning, and the part I did not see coming.

I've had headaches and jaw pain for a long time; long enough that I'd stopped bringing it up. You know how that goes. Something becomes such a permanent part of your day that you quit reporting it.

Today I was treated by Claire, a massage therapist at Rise who does myofascial release and lymphatic drainage. I was expecting something pleasant and mild, the way a massage is. That is not what happened. She found things. She worked on parts of my face and jaw and neck that I've apparently been clenching for years.

I walked out feeling like someone had lifted a hand off my head.

If you grind your teeth, if you carry your anxiety in your jaw, if you have TMJ and have quietly accepted it as part of who you are, go see Claire. I mean it. It was the most surprising hour I've spent in any healthcare setting in years, and it happened at a dental office.

THE INNER SMILE

Ryan has the résumé, if that's what moves you: fifteen-plus years in dentistry, advanced training

in both biological and traditional dentistry, a clinical excellence award from the University of Florida, a spot on a national list of top young dentists.

None of that is the interesting part for me. The interesting part is that somewhere along the way, Ryan stopped thinking about a smile as a set of teeth. He kept following the question outward, into the whole body, and then further, into depth and purpose and whatever it is that makes a smile really land. He calls it the inner smile. It's why Rise has a studio in it. And it's why my headaches turned out to be a dental conversation after all.

WHY THIS BELONGS IN THESE PAGES

I share stories about our neighbors for a living, so I think a lot about what makes a local business worth the ink. It's almost never the product. There are wonderful dentists all over this valley; I had one, and I have nothing but good things to say about him. This isn't a comparison. Rise is just on a whole other level, in a category I didn't know was available to me.

Here's my evidence. Brooklyn, the smiling face we have all come to look forward to seeing sitting at the front desk, is out on maternity leave right now, and a little while back, Rise posted a photo of the whole staff crowded around her and her new baby

boy. I sat there grinning at my phone. You can stage a photo; anybody can stage a photo. You cannot stage the way those people were looking at her.

That's the whole thing, right there. What's rare isn't the technology or the beautiful room. It's someone who builds a business around how they want people to feel, and then keeps it that way, because that part can't be delegated or automated. It has to be chosen over and over, on busy days, when nobody's watching. Ryan chose that on purpose, and then everybody kept choosing it. A team that takes care of each other like that is going to take care of you.

I don't hand out recommendations casually; my name is on this magazine. But I'll say it plainly: Rise is a gem, Dr. Osorio is an angel, and his team is beyond special. Five out of five stars.

So here's my ask, Park City. You don't have to leave anyone. You don't have to be unhappy. Just go see for yourself, book a cleaning, let Claire find whatever you've been holding in your jaw all these years.

Or do what I did: walk by, peer in the window, and let your curiosity take it from there. You don't need a reason. I certainly didn't.

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Smooth, Lifted, Confident: Needle-Free Skin Tightening and Cellulite Solutions

By Dr. Giselle M. Batcheller, DDS, IBDM

As we dress for warmer weather, many of us look for ways to feel confident and comfortable in our skin—especially around areas like the stomach, thighs, and knees. Non-invasive, needle-free radiofrequency treatments offer a safe, effective way to tighten skin, reduce cellulite, and restore natural contours, all without downtime or discomfort.

Radiofrequency technology works by delivering gentle, targeted energy to the deeper layers of the skin. This stimulates collagen and elastin production, helping the skin become firmer, smoother, and more toned over time. Unlike invasive procedures, the technology my clients and I prefer requires no needles, no incisions, and clients find the sessions comfortable and even relaxing.

One of the things I love about these treatments is how customizable they are. The treatment can focus on specific areas— whether it’s lifting the knees, firming the thighs, or smoothing the stomach—so that your results are natural and customized to your goals for your body. Over a series of sessions, the skin becomes progressively tighter and cellulite diminishes, leaving a smoother, more youthful appearance that aligns with the healthiest version of you.

The benefits extend beyond aesthetics. By stimulating collagen, these treatments

resilience, helping your body maintain firmness and tone naturally. Because the technology is non-invasive, you can return to your normal activities immediately— perfect for busy summer schedules or anyone who prefers treatments that fit seamlessly into life.

Maintenance is key to lasting results. With the proper treatment sequence to begin and regular touch-ups for your maintenance, you can preserve the tone and lift you achieve, keeping your skin smooth, resilient, and confident year-round.

What’s most loved about these treatments is how they combine effectiveness with simplicity. There’s no surgery, no needles, and minimal disruption—just a series of comfortable, targeted sessions that let your body do what it does best: regenerate and rejuvenate from within.

Whether you’re looking to tighten loose skin, refine contours, improve skin elasticity, or reduce the appearance of cellulite, needle-free radiofrequency treatments offer a safe, comfortable, and long-lasting solution. They’re a perfect way to support your body’s natural beauty while feeling confident in your skin—today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Ready to refresh your wellness and glow? Virtual consultations are available online

Special Gift for Readers:

This month, Neighbors of the Wasatch Back Park City readers may receive a 10% courtesy on booking skin tightening and cellulite treatments.

I’m Dr. Giselle Batcheller, a regenerative esthetics expert, proud Parkite, author, and international educator in PRF and lightbased medicine. Since 2018, I’ve helped doctors and patients discover elegant, evidence-based ways to support long-term health and beauty. To explore health, beauty, light therapy, hydrogen water, or to request a complimentary virtual consultation, visit DrBatcheller.com or follow along on social media.

Real Relief from Pain and Inflammation

The Busy Trap:

Is Constantly Being Busy Costing You Your Health?

If you live in Park City, you’ve probably answered the question, “How are you?” with one simple word: Busy.

Somewhere along the way, being busy became something to admire. Full calendars, demanding careers, early morning workouts, children’s activities, social commitments, and endless to-do lists have become the norm. In a community that values health, adventure, and achievement, slowing down can almost feel...unproductive.

But what if constantly being busy isn’t a sign of a full life?

What if it’s a nervous system that no longer remembers how to rest?

As an acupuncturist, I often meet people who are doing everything “right.” They eat well, exercise regularly, take supplements, and prioritize their health. Yet they still struggle with fatigue, bloating, poor sleep, anxiety, brain fog, unexplained aches and pains, chronic muscle tension, or a lingering feeling that something just isn’t quite right. These symptoms may seem unrelated, but they often share a common thread: a body that has been living in a constant state of doing. Our bodies were never designed to operate under continuous stress. When we’re rushing from one thing to the next, eating on the go, or mentally planning tomorrow before today is even finished, our nervous system stays on high alert. Over time, digestion, sleep, hormones, and recovery begin to suffer.

In Chinese Medicine, late summer is associated with the Earth Element and the Spleen and Stomach. While these systems help us digest food, they also symbolize our ability to receive nourishment from life itself. When we’re constantly busy, we don’t just rush our meals—we rush conversations, relationships, vacations, and even moments of joy. We move so quickly from one experience to the next that we rarely give ourselves time to absorb them.

One of the most common patterns I see in my practice isn’t that people don’t know how to take care of themselves. It’s that many have forgotten how to simply be.

For some of us, busyness becomes more than a habit—it becomes an identity. The constant motion distracts us from uncomfortable emotions, quiets our fears, and makes us feel productive enough to avoid slowing down. But when we finally have an open afternoon or a quiet evening, we realize how unfamiliar stillness has become.

Late summer invites us to do something different.

As nature begins to soften before the transition into fall, Chinese Medicine reminds us to do the same. The Earth Element encourages us to slow down, nourish ourselves, and return to center. It’s in these quieter moments that our bodies often begin to heal.

This month, I invite you to try something simple. Leave one hour unscheduled. Eat one meal without your phone. Go for a walk without headphones. Sit outside with your morning coffee or tea and simply notice what arises.

You may discover that slowing down isn’t falling behind.

It may be exactly what your body has been asking for all along.

If this resonates with you, consider it an invitation to listen to what your body has been trying to tell you. You don’t have to wait until you’re burned out or in pain to begin healing.

Acupuncture offers an opportunity to regulate the nervous system, support digestion, relieve pain, and help your body return to balance. Whether you’re navigating stress, chronic tension, fatigue, digestive concerns, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself, I’d be honored to support your healing journey.

Your body has incredible wisdom—it may just be waiting for the space to be heard.

Dr. Kallie Harrison

• Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine (DACM)

• Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc)

• Registered Nurse (RN)

• Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)

• Certified Psychedelic Therapist

With over two decades of experience in the healing world, I hold a doctorate in Chinese Medicine specializing in acupuncture and I am also a registered nurse, licensed massage therapist and certified psychedelic therapist. My commitment to healing extends beyond conventional methods, aiding individuals in preparing for and integrating transformative psychedelic experiences.

What sets my approach apart is the culmination of my diverse training and experiences. I blend acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, bodywork, energy work, tuning forks, sound healing, breathwork, and guided meditation into personalized sessions. I also offer guidance in supplement selection, herbal remedies, and nutrition planning to support holistic well-being. My philosophy centers on meeting each individual where they are on their healing journey and providing tailored support for their unique path to wellness.

www.kallieharrison.com

2078 Prospect Ave., Suite 2 Park City, UT 84060

(Inside The Prospect Executive Suites)

Cell: (801) 703-5280

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THE HUMAN ELEMENT

BY RICHARD ELLIS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANA KLEIN

Are You Not Entertained?

LESLY LEVY STRIVES TO TEACH CLASSICAL PILATES THE WAY FOUNDER JOSEPH PILATES INTENDED. SHE’S FED UP WITH CONTEMPORARY STUDIOS THAT TRY TO MAKE THE JOURNEY AMUSING AND EASY.

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There is a correct way to do and teach Pilates, according to Lesly Levy, founder of Pilates on Tap. An instructor for nearly three decades, she adheres to the original method developed by Joseph Pilates, a German-circus-performerturned-fitness-luminary (whom she calls “Joe” throughout our conversation). Lesly is charmingly hardcore about preserving Classical Pilates the way Joe insisted it be practiced, and she is annoyed with Contemporary Pilates, to put it mildly.

“The unfortunate reality these days is that a teacher will try to entertain their student, and they’ll give them a different exercise every single time they come in, and that’s not the point of Pilates. The point of the method of Pilates is to learn to control your body with the basic exercises first,” she argues. “A new exercise is given to a student as a gift. It’s not to entertain them; it’s a gift because their body is now moving better, and they can handle this next exercise.”

Classical Pilates is rigorous and systematic, with an ethic familiar to anyone trained in traditional martial arts, ballet, or gymnastics. Since 2004, Lesly has been a teacher of teachers in this world, leading instructor certifications nationwide as far away as South Korea. She’s written curriculums, certification programs, and more than 20 workshops for Power Pilates, a global organization that certifies teachers in the classical method.

Lesly’s beef with using Pilates for entertainment stems, in part, from life here in Park City. Everyone wants to keep skiing, biking, pickleballing, and golfing, but usually without doing the hard (and at times boring) work to maintain a body that can handle it. “I think in general with people, they want a quick fix,” she says. “That’s not what this is. This is a lifelong journey.”

For Lesly, that journey started when she stopped smoking cigarettes in 1984, on the day she wed her husband, Alan. “I quit smoking, gained a lot of weight really fast, and I said, ‘Either I go back to smoking or I get fit.’ Once I

joined the gym, I fell in love with fitness.”

One day at a gym in Westchester County, New York, a woman approached Lesly for training advice. Lesly said she couldn’t help; she wasn’t a trainer. The woman persisted. She wanted to learn from a mother of two, not from the young meatheads who staffed the gym. “So, I started thinking about it, and I became a personal trainer in 1992,” Lesly says.

She taught it all: group fitness, step, weight training, and yoga. Then she discovered Pilates in 1997 and was hooked. “It was everything I’d been doing, but all in one compact unit.”

In 2003, Lesly met Bob Leikens, who served as her mentor for the next 10 years. Bob was a student of Romana Kryzanowska, who trained under Joseph Pilates and was known as his protégé.

“Contrology,” as Joe named his practice, is a method to strengthen and stretch the body through balanced, coordinated movements that start from the core. “It’s not about getting anywhere in Pilates or going anywhere,” Lesly says. “It’s just about doing your best and trying

to balance your flexibility and your strength simultaneously while you move.”

Classical equipment, most famously the spring-loaded reformer, force the body to work as an integrated whole. “If you don’t have classical equipment, you can’t teach Classical Pilates,” Lesly explains.

The instructor has a defined role. “First and foremost, you never get on the floor with your students,” Lesly insists. “You can’t see them if you’re exercising, and their alignment is going to be off by watching you instead of moving properly. You’re there to teach them, to watch them, to give them little subtleties that will help them get deeper into the work.”

Classical Pilates starts with the beginner system, and every class opens with warmup movements from that foundation. Lesly gives the example of the Pilates Hundred, which resembles a hollow hold but with arm pumps and coordinated breathing. The Hundred is always the warmup in Classical mat classes because it prepares the body for subsequent

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movements. Lesly is genuinely bothered that Contemporary Pilates studios often skip it.

Lesly became Park City’s Contrology missionary due, in part, to Covid. She and Alan were living in Manhattan when the pandemic hit. Shortly after, Alan was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After a 10-hour surgery and months of rehabilitation (including Pilates with Lesly), New York was still locked down. Alan began driving out to Westchester daily to play golf and realized he was done with the city.

“Okay, where would you like to move?” she remembers asking.

Florida, suggested Alan. “I’m not going to Florida,” said Lesly, who was raised in Chicago. “Too humid, too hot. And you’re a skier. When are you going to be in Florida?”

Lesly pitched Colorado. It was too hard to get there, countered Alan.

“What about Park City?” ventured Lesly. In 2021, they stayed at a friend’s home in Park City for 10 days, just to try it out. They bought a house during the trip.

Today, Pilates on Tap operates from that home, in Lesly’s studio. In person, she offers private lessons only. Online, she teaches classes and privates.

Lesly’s family does Pilates, of course. Her

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daughter, Samantha, joins her mom’s virtual classes from Manhattan. Her son, Matthew, and daughter-in-law, Sofia, go to a Contemporary Pilates studio near their home in the Catskills (“I’m not real happy about it,” Lesly notes). Their daughter, Maya, will go Classical if her grandmother has anything to say about it. Gizmo, the Levys’ 11-pound, 11-year-old Maltese, is luckily safe from this debate.

While Alan practices Pilates, “He says every time I give him a lesson, it hurts more,” Lesly shares with a mischievous grin. “I’m just a little bit more forceful, so he doesn't like to study with me too much, because I push on him a little bit and get him to stretch a little bit more.”

A side note for the uninitiated reader: This is the quintessence of a Jewish marriage, a topic on which this writer is well-versed. Alan claims he’s being tortured while Lesly believes that Alan should be thanking her for it, not kvetching about it.

The Classical method, Lesly believes, “is a way to balance your body, so that everything else you do outside of the studio gets better. And that was really the intention of Joe—not that you should only do Pilates.” It’s about developing “functional strength” for daily life and for the mountain sports many of us enjoy on the Wasatch Back.

That motivates Lesly to keep on the journey. “As a teacher, as a student of Pilates, I am always looking to keep my body in that balance zone, balancing that stretch, that strength, that mindfulness, trying to keep my body in good functional shape at 65 so that I can then go out

and ride a bike, so I can go hit a golf ball, so I can go skiing. So I can go hiking and live life fully.”

Isn’t that what every active person wants? To get there, perhaps we must resist the temptation to be entertained—and maybe complain less when our spouse tries to help.

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

NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT

BY MICHAEL PLOWMAN, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SUMMIT & WASATCH COUNTIES

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SUMMIT & WASATCH COUNTIES' OVERALL BALL RAISES MORE THAN $400,000 TO SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP

This year's Overall Ball was a record-breaking success, bringing together 216 attendees in support of Habitat for Humanity of Summit & Wasatch Counties' mission to provide affordable homeownership opportunities for local workforce families. The evening raised more than $400,000—40% more than any previous Overall Ball—and enough funding to support the equivalent value of one Habitat home build.

One of the most moving moments of the evening was the recognition of Habitat homeowners whose story exemplifies the long-term impact of affordable homeownership. Guests watched a short video highlighting a local family who has lived in their Habitat home for the past 13 years, followed by an on-stage question-andanswer session with Executive Director, Shellie Barrus. The homeowners, both employees of Deer Valley Resort, shared how homeownership has transformed their lives and provided long-term stability for their family.

The impact of Habitat's work was further underscored when several current Habitat homeowners, who were volunteering at the event to complete sweat equity hours, joined the evening's recognition. Their presence

offered a powerful testament to Habitat's model of partnership and community investment.

The connection resonated strongly throughout the room. Habitat Board President, Walt Bennett, noted that he and his wife both worked part-time at Deer Valley and reflected on how meaningful it was to see fellow Deer Valley employees among the families benefiting from Habitat's work.

Funds raised through the Overall Ball will help Habitat qualify and support future homeowners moving into soon-to-becompleted homes. Eligible families must earn 60% or less of the Area Median Income and demonstrate the ability to sustain homeownership. Habitat follows HUD guidelines to ensure homeowners spend no more than 30% of their monthly income on housing costs, including mortgage, taxes, and insurance. Proceeds will also support financial education, homeownership preparation courses, and other resources that help families achieve long-term housing stability.

The evening also featured an exciting live auction with several standout experiences. Highlights included:

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▶ A Chef's Table Experience at The Alpinist in Park City, purchased by two different winning bidders.

▶ A Deer Creek home getaway accommodating up to 20 guests, won by two bidders.

▶ A Gin Making experience at Alpine Distilling, and

▶ A seven-night stay in Mexico, offered as a special opportunity for guests to support Habitat while receiving a travel package. Twenty attendees participated in this fundraising opportunity.

In addition to celebrating the organization's mission, Habitat honored Bill Coleman with the Golden Hammer Award in recognition of his years of service and dedication. As a longtime Realtor and supporter of Habitat, Coleman has played a vital role in identifying and securing prospective properties that have enabled the organization to build homes throughout the community.

The organization expresses its deep gratitude to the sponsors, donors, board members, volunteers, and supporters whose generosity made the evening's success possible.

EVENT SPONSORS

Host Sponsor:

Montage Deer Valley

Presenting Sponsor:

Park City Board of Realtors

Foundation Sponsor:

Mountainside Resort Foundation

Roof Raiser Sponsor:

Canyons Village Management Association

Groundbreaker Sponsors:

America First Credit Union

Jaffa Group

George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation

Neighborhood/Table Sponsors:

Deer Valley Resort

Vail Resorts – Epic Promise

Law Elevated

Park City Area Homebuilders Association

The record-breaking results from this year's Overall Ball will help ensure more local workforce families have access to safe, affordable housing and the opportunity to build a stronger future through homeownership.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

BY SANDY GELDHOF • PHOTOS BY SARAH SEVERSON AND TINA QUAYLE

Bound by Snow and Spirit: THE STORY OF PARK CITY AND COURCHEVEL

ACROSS OCEANS AND ALPINE PEAKS, THE PARK CITY–COURCHEVEL SISTERHOOD LINKS MOUNTAINS, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY

High in the snow-globe splendor of vast mountain ranges, Park City and the alpine elegance of Courchevel, France, may sit 5,000 miles and an ocean apart, yet the two mountain towns share a kindred spirit stitched together by powder days, cultural exchange, and a deep love for life lived outdoors. And yet, their sister-city relationship is more than a ceremonial title—it is a celebration of community, hospitality, artistry, and the enduring magic found in places where mountain peaks shape both landscape and identity. From torchlit ski runs and bustling main streets to shared traditions of adventure and refinement, the connection between Park City and Courchevel feels less like a partnership and more like a friendship written at altitude.

Since 1984, long before the days either town presented on the world stage as Winter Olympic venues, Park City and Courchevel became acquainted, then deeply bonded, through a mutual collaboration among community leaders, government officials, and the diverse people whom they serve. The relationship resulted in joint “Sister Associations,” under the global umbrella of Sister Cities International, rooted and launched through President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1954 goal to advance global peace through citizen diplomacy.

Tina Quayle, with her cheeky energy and bright blue eyes, might as well be wearing a beret and armed with a creamy Brie. Spending years as a

child in a small village south of Paris, where her father served in the United States Air Force, Tina fell in love with French culture and became proficient in the language early on. Moving to Park City in 1980, initially due to its proximity to the Salt Lake airport, she left briefly to work for Air France as a ski guide in Chamonix, but returned to call Park City home ever since.

Following an illustrious marketing career—which included Jan’s Mountain Outfitters and years with the Badami family of Park City Ski Area fame—in the 1990s, she turned her sights to the nonprofit sector, where she had stints with Doug and Lynn Seus’ Vital Ground Foundation, served as executive director at Swaner Nature Preserve, and, quite by accident, was a driving force behind the development of KPCW’s home on Swede Alley as its general manager. “When Blaire Feulner was getting ready to retire, he called me up and said, ‘I want you to take the job; you’re the best fundraiser in town.’ I hadn’t accepted the job or told anybody, and he asked me to show up at Rotary, where he announced, ‘Tina is taking over for me.’ But that was Blaire; he was just off the charts,” she laughs.

Tina shares the story of how the relationship between Park City and Courchevel came to be. “In 1984, then-mayor of Courchevel, Michèl Ziegler, was shopping America’s West, because the French love the West—they are enamored with cowboys, with ranching, with all-things Native American,”

she muses. “He fell in love with Park City because both towns aspired to become Olympic venues; they were fighting for the ’92 Games, and Park City was just starting to talk about 2002. So, he met with Park City Mayor John Green, and it was all on from there.” The “sister” cities formalized their bond with an official resolution dated January 5, 1984, furthering their commitment to one another through programming, which has continued to evolve over 42 years.

The mission behind the commitment is multifaceted, founded in a desire to foster cultural, educational, and economic exchanges between the towns, both of whom share an alpine heritage; offer hundreds of acres of renowned ski terrain across multiple resorts; have earned their Olympic status; and cater to an ultra-rich tourism audience while navigating a comparatively small, but fiercely committed, full-time resident base.

For 26 years, students of Courchevel and Park City have participated every two years in a winter/summer exchange program, with up to 25 Park City French learners traveling to France in the winter for 10 days and collaboratively hosting their French student counterparts during Park City’s summer season. Park City students, the majority of whom have been through Park City’s DLI (Dual Language Immersion) program and are fluent in the language, live with a French host family, re-create together, and immerse themselves in the lives of their French host families. Collaboratively, the Park City Sister Association plans 10 days of activities for French students during their summer visit, which lean heavily toward, of course, Western culture— rodeos, hayrides, small-town concerts, river floats,

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and a day on Main Street. But immersion can sometimes come with a downside, Tina says. “Sometimes they love each other, sometimes they hate each other and everything in between, and it doesn’t matter. We don’t expect you to be besties; it’s about cultural immersion.”

As the program has grown, several students have discovered opportunities that could be described as a little “extra.” For the past 14 years, up to four students each year have participated in an extended exchange program, spending three months shadowing students in their classes while gaining deeper, more immersive experiences in both communities. Tina is a huge fan of this programming. “It’s been life-changing for some kids. We’ve had some who have changed their majors, some wanting to go into government and diplomacy.” She shares one particularly heartwarming story: “The first gal we sent over was a bit of a guinea pig, because we didn’t know how it would work,” she laughs. “She was shy, a bit of a recluse, and not confident. A few months later, her dad and I went there, and in sweeps this girl, with a scarf thrown over her shoulder, walking tall, and she owned the meeting! She was gorgeous, confident, and her dad was crying over the difference. She was large and in charge,” she recalls.

In 2015, Josephine Hansen was a senior at Park City High School (PCHS), carrying with her more than a decade of French-language studies that had

begun years earlier at Jeremy Ranch Elementary School. What started as vocabulary lessons and classroom conversations soon became the first step toward a much larger dream. Through the exchange program with Courchevel, Josephine found herself working at a two-star Michelin Restaurant immersed in the rhythms of French culinary life. For 10 weeks, she worked side by side with seasoned chefs, learning every station in the kitchen—from delicate pastries and Garde Manger to the precise preparation of meat and fish. The experience sharpened not only her technical skills, but also her confidence and vision for what her future could become.

After graduating from PCHS and earning her degree from the Culinary Institute of America, Josephine returned to Park City to continue building the career that first took shape in the French Alps. She would go on to serve as Chef de Cuisine at Tupelo and later at La Stellina inside the St. Regis Deer Valley. Looking back, she remembers the experience in Courchevel as the moment certain doors opened—opportunities that may have otherwise remained out of reach. “I could add my experience of working in a Michelin restaurant on my early résumé, which made all the difference. It was life-changing.”

In 2018, the sister towns launched a second program, involving a municipal-employee exchange program, initiated by then–Courchevel

Mayor Phillip Mugnier, and embraced by Park City officials, as a pilot platform to help community leaders learn from one another. According to Tina, while both towns have a lot of common denominators, there are key differences that serve to unite in a mutual desire to bridge economic gaps and resort processes.

“Courchevel is very interested in our summer trails program and is very interested in learning from us. They keep saying, ‘We can’t be four-season,’ and I keep saying, ‘Yes, you can. Look at how we did it,’” she says. “We tell them, you need to host concerts, you need to start with one hotel and one restaurant, you need to develop your trails, host mountain bike races. There’s a lot they can learn from our process to keep their town alive in the summer.” Alternatively, Tina insists Park City can learn from Courchevel’s mountain processes. “They were amazed that we still use avalanche bombs,” she laughs. “And their mountain snow-making machines? All robots, all automated. Just a large building with massive terminals and a lot of buttons.” She fondly adds, “There’s so much we continue to learn from one another.”

What began as a curiosity into a shared vision between ski towns has evolved for more than four decades into something far more meaningful: a living, breathing relationship rooted in exchange, friendship, and the belief that even from opposite sides of the world, the true landscape is one of community.

“Outstanding service. Ed’s team comes to meet you at a location of your choice (at your home, office, etc.) The team arrived on time, and in only 2hrs, my BMW looked fresh off the lot. Thanks so much, DetailParkCity! You’ve got my business!” - Jamie R.

“Ed was great. He quickly returned my initial contact (rare in Park City) and quickly had us on his schedule. He spent all day detailing our two cars, which are in like new condition. Couldn’t be happier.” - Andrew N.

COOPER & MAC

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Don’t let their sullen expressions fool you: Cooper and Mac are absolutely thrilled. Shortly after our photoshoot, they had dinner, so no dog was left in peril for too long. These two are double trouble, built close to the ground to forage for crumbs or any morsel left behind.

Cooper has the softest ears known to all of dogkind. I had an almost out-of-body experience transporting his loaf-like body to the shoot; I had understood his need for a little help, given that his legs are the length of a Twinkie. The joy I felt holding him was immense, after having recently lost my own dog. Call me insane, but a warm, cuddly pup is easily one of the best smells—my fellow dog people know this for a fact.

Wise beyond his whiskers, Mac looks like he can deliver a prophecy, one that foretells a great future—a better future. Dinner is served twice, and a mandatory third dinner on days that end in the letter “y.” He looks pretty stoic, his beard and eyebrow tufts really driving home the “I know everything, obey me” vibe. I fear if he lived in my household, his prophecy would come to fruition.

Mackie Ballard is the beautiful human who runs their household. She is mom/ owner to Mac and Cooper, and the three complete each other. Cooper found his way to Mackie in his golden years; he took the saying, “Slow and steady wins the race,” very seriously. Both dogs are living and barking proof that you needn’t be fast—just deliberate. They’ve both won the race, and now they get a lifetime of love from the person who matters most.