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Wednesday, August 11, 2021 • Vol. 130, No. 31 • Free
Ned LeDoux to perform at Sanpete County Fair The Sanpete County Fair will present singer-songwriter Ned LeDoux live in concert on Wednesday, Aug. 25, at the Sanpete County Fairgrounds, 500 N. Main, Manti. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $20 to $30, and tickets may be purchased at sanpetecountyfair.net. Opening for LeDoux will be Country music singer Charley Jenkins. LeDoux began pursuing his dream of a music career at an early age, and even though he grew up in the shadow of his legendary father Chris LeDoux, he’s successfully carved his own path. “If I can be half the man he was I think I’ll be okay,” he says with an easygoing grin, “but when it comes to song-
writing I’ve got to write my own story. I’ve played drums for years and got my first band when I was in junior high. I went on to play drums with my dad from 1998 until he passed away in 2005, and then I started doing solo gigs.” Like his father’s music, LeDoux’s works are as expansive as the western sky he was raised under and celebrates the ranch lifestyle that is such an integral part of his heritage. There’s an authenticity to his songs that brings our nation’s beloved Western culture to life, even for listeners who’ve never ventured onto the Great Plains. “I’m proud to carry on the tradition and a lot of songs that I write are going to relate with songs that my dad wrote and recorded because
I lived the same life,” LeDoux said. “I was born and raised on a ranch, which my family still owns outside of Kaycee, Wyoming. That was my life and it’s reflected in the songs I write. I just think back to those days working on a ranch and hanging out with my granddad who taught me how to drive a tractor, work cows and dream.” LeDoux is well respected for his high-energy live shows that mix his Western roots with the rockand-roll influences he acquired in his youth. He routinely headlines his own shows and has earned coveted opening slots with Toby Keith, Aaron Watson and Garth Brooks. Please see LEDOUX, Page A8
Ned LeDoux
Equestrian Center poised for upgrade
Mental health resources ID’d in Sanpete BY GLORIA ALBRECHT
The Pyramid
ROBERT STEVENS / SANPETE MESSENGER
The Cleone Peterson Eccles Equestrian Center, as shown here in an aerial photograph, is upgrading its facilities to hold more horses and add restrooms and showers. MT. PLEASANT — The Cleone Peterson Eccles Equestrian Center, which includes the ConToy Arena, will be at the center of a project designed to facilitate convenient and comfortable access to the area’s back-country horse trails, as well as improving portions of the trail system from Maple Canyon to the Skyline Drive, project participants announced. Eventually, the Mt. Pleasant Trail System and Amenities Project could boost local tourism by drawing trail riders from throughout Utah and surrounding states. The main focus of the project will be for the equestrian center to upgrade its facilities by adding 40 horse stalls, 25 RV hookups, and men’s and women’s restrooms and showers, to accommodate riders embarking on or returning from the local network of trails. The upgrade is being made possible by grants, direct funding and in-kind word donations from Utah State Parks, the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area (MPNHA), Mt. Pleasant City, a Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant and the Central
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Utah Back Country Horsemen. Another major phase of the project is repairing 20 miles of the approximately 200-mile pre-existing trail system in the area, and rebuilding a bridge in Canal Canyon, as well as clearing overgrowth in Maple Canyon, and repairing trails in the White Hills, Black Hills and along Skyline Drive. About the MPNHA: The series is sponsored by the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area, a federally designated area running along U.S. 89 from Spanish Fork to Kanab. The heritage area also takes in State Route 12, an All-American Road Utah, and State Route 24, the Capitol Reef Scenic Byway. Another amenity that the equestrian center plans to offer is a shuttle service, which will transport riders and their horses to or from a trail head so riders don’t have to haul their own trailers and equipment up the canyons. Funding for the project is coming from multiple sources. The MPNHA is providing $50,000. Mt. Pleasant City is providing $12,500; Utah State Parks is offer-
ing $67,000; and a Utah Outdoor Recreational Grant will provide $150,000. In addition to the monetary contributions, the Central Utah Back Country Horsemen will donate $8,000 in inkind labor while Mt. Pleasant City will donate $12,500 in-kind. In-kind contributions will go primarily towards trail repair. Various groups and institutions have expressed support for the project. “For most of our students, living in Mt. Pleasant will be the only time in their lives they will live in a rural environment,” wrote Paul Applegarth, assistant head of school for finance and facilities at Wasatch Academy. “Equestrian activities have been important to our students, some of whom are just beginning to be exposed to horses, some of whom are expert riders.” President Lynn Barton from the Central Utah Back Country Horsemen said his group is a major supporter of the project — enough that it is willing to put some sweat equity into trail repair. “In addition to being a diverse
group of individuals who love riding on our beautiful public lands,” Barton wrote, “we are also a service organization, which volunteers labor to assist managing agencies in maintaining and improving the trails we ride.” Kevin Christensen, director of economic development and travel for Sanpete County, sees the equestrian center upgrades as an opportunity to boost tourism. “The tourism industry is growing in Sanpete County,” he said. “Restaurant and transient room taxes have increased 84% over the past 10 years. It is anticipated that the above improvements will attract visitors from around Utah and neighboring states. Lodging and restaurant businesses in the North Sanpete area will benefit as the equestrian center will be the hub of horse-related activities.” “Horses are big business,” added Monte Bona, director of the MPNHA. “This is definitely an economic development tool. It opens up a whole avenue for people who have horses with not many places to ride them.”
Emotional and mental health care were a key topic of the North Sanpete Coalition’s August 2nd meeting. Guest speaker Julie Varner, a Senior Community Health Specialist from Intermountain Healthcare, came from Provo to address the Coalition. Varner outlined existing IHC programs, and more importantly, exchanged ideas with the group on how to address a community in crisis due to mental health issues. Currently Sanpete Valley Hospital’s Mental Health Hotline (833 442-2211) directs callers to resources for mental health issues, virtual telehealth options and Sanpete County mental health care providers. Callers Please see HEALTH, Page A8
Sanpete County Food Pantry lists drop sites August 2021 Tuesday, Aug. 17, 11 a.m. to noon Gunnison, Old Fire Station Thursday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Chester Trailer Park September 2021 Thursday, Sept. 2, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gunnison, Old Fire Station Thursday, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Moroni , location to be determined Tuesday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to noon Gunnison , Old Fire Station Thursday, Sept. 30, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Indianola , Fire Station
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