Syracuse Connection March 2024

The votes have been counted! See which businesses won the community favorites.

Mayor's Message Budget Season

One of the most eye-opening experiences every new Council Member has is when they jump right into the multi-month project we go through every year of building the budget for the next year. Our city budgets go from July to June, so we must jump right in. Year-round, I hear from citizens who have great ideas for how the city should spend our “extra” tax dollars. We don’t have “extra” tax dollars. Every year, we make very difficult choices as to which of the many demands the city will fund and which won’t make the cut with inflation ever infringing on our funds.

Some may think the city has an evergrowing fund to pay for new things. New expansions, such as buildings and parks, are paid for by new growth, not existing residents. New features, amenities, upgrades, and evolutions require new money to avoid large tax increases. I hear all the time from people who say they would pay more taxes to get a specific feature, but there is no clear consensus from the public as to what that feature is, and no understanding of what ‘more’ really equates to. The majority consensus seems to be people prefer less taxes.

Surprising or not. The bulk of our budget every year goes to paying employee wages. We are a service provider, and almost every service we provide requires people. We put flashing lights on vehicles of first responders so you can’t miss them, but don’t forget

those who keep the water flowing, keep the streets drivable, and make sure when you flush, the smelly stuff goes away. Public works perform many thankless tasks that require skilled operators every day. Our parks, trails, and events require a great deal of manpower to keep up with providing such opportunities for our citizens. Simple administration of the city has so many records, legal, and documentation requirements that must be met. There are many services and requirements often forgotten in our budget that can’t be avoided to provide services. To get more done with fewer people, we must attract talented people and

We live in a growing city. The cost of keeping up the services our citizens have come to expect grows with it.

pay them a competitive wage. All our city jobs are paid at a rate competitive with similar jobs in other cities but never the top wage in the county. To get and keep great employees, we have a plan that ensures the city will be fair with wages, but to be fair to taxpayers, our policy doesn’t overpay compared to the surrounding area.

The type of services cities provide are generally those that are not costeffective for individuals to provide for themselves. What makes many of those services out of reach is the cost of specialty equipment. It can be shocking to see what a fully outfitted fire engine, police cruiser, sewage

maintenance vehicle, or street sweeper costs. A city our size needs multiple snowplows, construction specialty vehicles, and just service trucks to keep all the work timely, efficient, and of high quality. It requires the correct tools to do the job right, so we don’t have to pay to do it a second time, requiring more materials and labor.

We live in a growing city. The cost of keeping up the services our citizens have come to expect grows with it. I have heard lots of great ideas from our citizens that we can’t even begin to fund with our current tax structure. We are always working on grants and alternative funding sources. Still, it can be some tough choices on how we spend what we have and maintain the level of service we have today.

We maintain a lean-managed city. Our budgets are all publicly available documents. The Utah Taxpayers Association ranked Syracuse among the lowest cost of government compared to the 50 largest cities in the state, of which we are one. We are the 8th lowest in revenue from taxes and fees per capita (overall lowest cost). We are 7th lowest in revenue per $1000 of citizen income (which is the affordability measure of services to residents).

Continuous improvement is the goal. We aim to keep this a great place to work, live, and play. The data proves we keep our service levels high, with our tax rate low, and that leaves outside sources declaring Syracuse is, overall, a great place to live comparatively in Utah.

Mayor Dave Maughan

Syracuse Connection is published monthly by Connection Publishing© connectionpublishing.com

Questions or Comments?

Ryan Spelts | ryan@connectionpub.com | 801-624-9652

Advertising

Scott Jones | Scott@connectionpublishing.com | 801-628-0555

Ryan Spelts | ryan@connectionpub.com | 801-624-9652

@syracuseconnectionutah

@SyracuseConnection

The

Recipes

The

Publishers

Ryan Spelts

Melissa Spelts

Senior Magazine Designer

Robert Dodd

Sales & Operations Manager

Ann Park

Editor

Cindy Jones

Proofreaders

Nathaniel Loomis

Katie Jane Park

4 March 2024

Writers

Bill Cobabe

Kendal Rae Jensen

Sabrina Lee

Nathaniel Loomis

Tiffany McLelland

Annette Mifflin

Hailey Minton

Marliss Scott

Melissa Spelts

Abraham Tinklepaugh

Micah Hirokawa

CONTENTS

3 MAYOR’S MESSAGE

5 CITY NEWS

5 Building scoop

6 Emergency preparedness tips

9 Public Works update

8 COMMUNITY

8 Syracuse Arts Council bingo night

The Syracuse Spoon

10 Easter egg hunt

14 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

15 HISTORY

Syracuse’s Buddhist Church

18 READERS’ FAVORITES AWARDS

The 2023 winners!

30 RECIPE

March Madness Munchables

28 THE QUEST FOR A CANINE

Digital Media Manager

Berlie Joy Acosido

Designers

Sarah Bodiker

Cindy Jones

Hyrum Rappleye

Crystal Rappleye

Marliss Scott

Photographers

Dawn Paul

Melissa Spelts

Sales

Danielle Arana

Scott Jones

Diane Liberator

Guest Contributors in order of appearance

Mayor Dave Maughan

Dan Merkling

Sheila Worley

City of Syracuse

Our City Council at Work

The City Council met on January 23, 2024, and February 13, 2024. Here are some of the significant actions taken at the meetings:

♦ Mayor Maughan was appointed to the North Davis Sewer District Board.

♦ Council Member Carver was appointed to the Mosquito Abatement District Board.

♦ Assigned Mayor and Council Members to committees along with pro tem positions.

♦ Appointed Felix Espinoza and Patrick Oliverson to the Architectural Review Committee.

♦ Leon Poulsen Construction Company was awarded the contract for the 1000 West Road Improvement Project, which includes the installation of a new culinary water main, land drain main, secondary meter conversions, repaving, asphalt replacement, striping, and the installation of a pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalk.

♦ Craythorne, Inc. was awarded the contract for the 1525 West Culinary Transmission Line Project, which includes installing a new culinary transmission line, new asphalt, and ADA ramps.

What’s the Building Scoop?

Renovations begin this month on a delightful addition to the Syracuse West Town Center—Thurgood Creamery.

♦ City Code Amendments:

º Section 4.14.450 Cross-Connections was repealed and re-enacted with a cleaner, revised section meeting the required standards.

º Section 8.10.090 Irrigation Water requires developers to pay the actual cost of irrigation water purchased by the City.

º Section 10.40.040 Bike Parking to include bicycle parking requirements and electric vehicle parking recommendations.

º Section 10.40.070 Parking Standards establishes a minimum driveway length of 20 feet.

BE A PART OF MEETINGS

The next regularly scheduled City Council meetings will be held at City Hall on March 12th & 26th at 6 p.m. Residents may attend in person, via Zoom, or watch on YouTube. Stay informed of upcoming meetings and view agendas by subscribing to the City Council Notify Me list: syracuseut.gov/list.aspx

Slated to open in June, the enthusiastic team at Thurgood Creamery is working diligently to ensure everything is perfect for a summer debut. The space at 2432 W 1700 S B-1 (previously Futures) will soon be churning with activity to make the creamery a cozy and welcoming gathering spot. With indoor and outdoor seating, the creamery aims to bring back the old-school charm of traditional ice cream parlors while taking an artisan approach for ice cream aficionados.

Thurgood Creamery aspires to be a place “Where Family Meets Flavor” by crafting all ice cream in-house, from scratch, while catering to diverse palates and dietary needs. The creamery will feature a variety of dairy-free and gluten-free options, seasonal specialties, and shakes.

For the inside scoop, follow Thurgood Creamery on Instagram (@thurgoodcreamery) or Facebook, or visit the website at ThurgoodCreamery.com.

Employee Spotlight

Bryson Jensen

Meet Bryson Jensen, one of the dedicated Syracuse City Parks

Crew Leads. Bryson assists with supervising the hardworking parks maintenance team, as well as helping orchestrate the day-to-day operations and upkeep of our public spaces. He helps ensure parks remain clean, attractive, and safe while executing assigned improvement projects.

He finds fulfillment in his work due to his passion for the outdoors and the diverse tasks it entails. Syracuse City has benefited greatly from his industrious work ethic and leadership over the last five years. His background as a certified playground safety inspector and possession of a pesticide application license have upheld the safety standards of our parks, making them havens for our community.

During his leisure time, Bryson enjoys spending time with his five-yearold daughter, being outdoors hunting and fishing, and participating in the demolition derby world, entering jalopies with a friend.

Bryson – we appreciate your commitment and effort on behalf of Syracuse City.

Plan Or Prepare?

BY DAN MERKLING

What do you plan—a party, a DIY project, a family vacation? These are all things we expect. But how do you plan for an unexpected event? You prepare with as much foresight as possible to be ready for the unknown. That’s what the Syracuse Disaster Preparedness Committee is committed to. We help prepare our fellow citizens to be ready, should an unexpected disaster strike our community.

There are many lists of preparedness supplies, but a local list assembled by FEMA can be found at www.ready.gov/kit.

We frequently discuss the preparedness supplies that you should have in your home, at your office, and in your car, but one emergency item that is seldom covered is an emergency radio. When a disaster strikes, communication is almost always disrupted, leaving you in the dark about what’s happening. An emergency radio will help you stay current with the situation, and this information could be the difference between survival and catastrophe.

An Emergency Radio is:

• A reliable source of information

• A communication lifeline

• A power-independent operator

• A community resilience supporter

• A weather band reception provider There are numerous emergency radios available, ranging in price from $25 to $200.

When shopping for an emergency radio, some important features to look for are:

• Multiple power sources

º Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery

º AAA or AA alkaline batteries

º Solar panel

º Hand crank

º USB or AC power at home

• Weather band reception

º A loud weather alert alarm

º Be sure the radio has the official NOAA seal on the front

• Shortwave and AM/FM bands

• Reading lamp or flashlight

Once you have your radio, learn its features, and then plug it in on a shelf or cabinet so that it is always at full charge, should you need it.

Syracuse City Arts Council

BY SHEILA WORLEY

Please also watch our social media pages for more information @scac utah

Upcoming Events:

March 1—Registration opens for auditions for the summer musical “Newsies.” Appointments will be available at www.syracuseutaharts.org for April 10th and 11th (with callbacks by invitation on April 13th).

March 11—Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Concert: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2

Syracuse High, 7:30 p.m. / $2 Suggested Donation. Thank you for your support!

March 13—Pot O’ Gold Bingo Night for the Arts! Wear green for luck!

Where: Warehouse 22 in Syracuse

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Proceeds to benefit the Syracuse City Arts Council. Visit our Facebook page or buy tickets online at www.syracuseutaharts.org or join us at the door!

The Syracuse Spoon

One of the newest additions to Syracuse is Chipotle Mexican Grill. Located between Don’s Meats and the Maverik on the South side of Antelope Drive. The renovated old Wells Fargo building-turned-restaurant works well and is a visually inviting space. Inside, you would not think bank, though I noticed the stacked shiny gold tile near the front of the line. If that wasn’t a nod to the bank history, it is surely a fun coincidence. When it comes to food, the word that overwhelms any description is FRESH! Whether you want your ingredients in a burrito, a bowl, a taco shell, or a salad, it is all made right in front of you with very fresh ingredients. The proteins were hot, and the salsa and guacamole were chilled. If you are used to a fast-food supplier that nukes your food so hot it burns your mouth for the next thirty minutes, you will find the contrast of having hot and chilled ingredients a distinct pleasure. Really delightful contrast being served with the temperature variation in one bite. Vegetarian

Wed March 13th

options are available for all make-it-fresh options. In addition to the traditional soft drink fountain, they have bottled beverages and some fresh and unique lemonade options.

Loved the freshness of the food made right in front of you. Note that some of the additions are considered sides, even on your main dish, and carry an extra charge. I really enjoy the fresh, made-on-site chips. On the day of my visit, someone was extra generous with the salt, but the queso had a nice kick to it, not overwhelming but a touch of heat.

I will be back for more Chipotle.

– The Syracuse Spoon

Address: 1975 W. 1700 S. Phone: 385-785-0073

www.chipotle.com

The Syracuse Spoon is an anonymous, passionate foodie with an appetite to eat locally. Like food reviewers everywhere, it is just one opinion. Syracuse Spoon, your identity is as safe as the mysterious 23 flavors combined to make Dr Pepper.

Public Works Update

During this time of year, before the rain falls, we appreciate your help with sweeping the curb and gutters and disposing of any leaves, dirt, and debris in your garbage can. Keeping storm drain grates clear will improve the flow and quality of water going to the Great Salt Lake. This helps beautify the city and creates great curb appeal. When fertilizing lawns, please apply chemicals sparingly and follow directions. Don’t allow fertilizer to get onto the streets or into the curb and gutter. If it does happen, please sweep up the excess and dispose of it properly.

» Public Works is a local facility that can accept excess road salt for disposal at no charge. Contact us during business hours at 801-825-7235. Monday-Friday 8a.m. – 4 p.m.

» Please visit the Syracuse City website for road construction project updates.

» If you see anyone who is not a Syracuse City employee using or accessing any fire hydrant in the city, please call 801-825-7235 and inform Public Works immediately. If you notice this happening after hours, please call our emergency number: 801-643-5775. Our water system must remain protected from individuals who are not authorized to operate the system. Thank you!

PARKS & RECREATION

Baseball & Softball

Registration: Ends March 17th

Leagues:

T-Ball- Pre-K (must be 5 by Sept. 1, 2024)

Coach Pitch (Kindergarten)

Single A Machine Pitch (1st/2nd Grade)

Double A Machine Pitch (2nd/3rd Grade)

Triple A Baseball (3rd/4th Grade)

Minor Softball (3rd/4th Grade)

Major Baseball (5th/6th Grade)

Major Softball (5th/6th Grade)

Jr. High Baseball (7th-9th Grade)

Jr. High Softball (7th-9th Grade)

Kids Painting Classes

Step-by-step acrylic painting classes for all skill levels with all supplies included.

Syracuse Community Center

9:30-11:30 a.m. | ages 10+ | Only $20 per class

March 9: Ocean Life

Pitch, Hit & Run/Jr. Homerun Derby

Date: April 17th or 18th (Depending on division)

Time: TBD

Location: Founders Park

Cost: Free

Pitch, Hit & Run Info

Ages: 7-14

Divisions: Baseball and Softball

Jr. Homerun Derby

Baseball: 10U, 12U & 14U

Softball: 14U & 16U

For more information, or to register, go to www.syracuseut.gov

Paint Nights

Create a masterpiece! All supplies are provided, and no experience is needed. Space is limited, sign up today!

Syracuse Community Center | 6-8 p.m. | Ages 14+ | $30 per night

Friday, March 8: Irish Gnome

Friday, April 5: Rustic Spring Flowers and Fence

9:30 AM: Meet the Easter Bunny

For ages 11 and under. Come early to find your child's age group

All groups start right at 10 AM

Age groups: 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11,

Syracuse City Information

Syracuse City Homeowners

When in doubt, check it out!

• Have you had a new furnace, air conditioner, water heater, water softener, new roof, swimming pool, or remodel project done lately?

• Did the company you hired have a final inspection completed by a Syracuse City Building Inspector? For safety and regulation, make sure you have a permit and a final inspection completed. You paid for it!

Contact the Syracuse City Building Department with questions or to schedule an inspection at 801-825-1477, opt. 4.

Website Survey

What do you think of the Syracuse City website? Please provide your feedback by March 31st to help us improve. Take the survey at SyracuseUT.gov or scan the QR code below.

SCAN CODE

Passport Applications

Passport application processing services are offered by appointment only at City Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please call 801-825-1477 to schedule.

Information on the process, requirements, and fees is available at SyracuseUT.gov/158/Passports

Fix-It Requests

We appreciate our citizens who help the city to be aware of issues needing addressed such as road repairs, street light/ sign repair, park maintenance, water problems (culinary & secondary), garbage can pickup, code ordinance enforcement, and employee feedback. Fix-it requests can be submitted on the city website by clicking on the REPORT A CONCERN icon.

Job Openings

For a list of current openings and to sign up for job alerts with Syracuse City, visit syracuseut.gov and go to the Government tab and then ‘Employment Opportunities’.

Follow Syracuse City Online

Subscribe using Notify Me® on the city website for news and emergency notifications. Website: SyracuseUT.gov

Follow on social media for community updates. Facebook: @SyracuseUT Instagram: @SyracuseCityUT

City Directory

MAYOR

Dave Maughan: 801-927-7752 dmaughan@syracuseut.gov

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Jennifer Carver: 801-430-8844 jcarver@syracuseut.gov

Brett Cragun: 801-450-3267 bcragun@syracuseut.gov

Julie Robertson: 385-377-3109 jrobertson@syracuseut.gov

Jordan Savage: 385-424-0258 jsavage@syracuseut.gov

Paul Watson: 801-750-4059 pwatson@syracuseut.gov

SYRACUSE SERVICES

City Arts Council: 801-896-8101 volunteer@syracuseutaharts.org

City Hall: 801-825-1477 | 1979 W. 1900 S.

Open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Closed Holidays

City Museum: 801-614-9674

Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 2-5 p.m.

Community Center: 801-614-9660 | 1912 W. 1900 S.

Winter hours: Monday - Thursday, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Saturday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Closed Sundays

Fire Station: 801-614-9614

1869 S. 3000 W.

Lions Club: 801-719-1804

A Community Service Organization: (open to all)

Lady Lions Service & Social Club: 970-209-8186

Parks & Recreation: 801-614-9660

1912 W. 1900 S. parksandrecreation@syracuseut.gov

Police Station: 801-825-4400 | 1751 S. 2000 W.

Post Office: 801-614-9677

Inside City Hall

Public Works Facility: 801-825-7235 | 3061 S. 2400 W.

Utilities Department: 801-825-1477 Opt #2

Volunteer/Eagle Scout Projects: 801-614-9655

Lesley Draper ldraper@syracuseut.gov

EVENTS

SCHOOLS

ALL SCHOOLS IN DSD

Mar 8: 3rd Term Ends

Mar 11-12: No School Professional Day

SYRACUSE HIGH

Mar 4-8: Inclusion Week

Mar 18-22: Hope Week

Mar 26: Junior ACT

SYRACUSE JR HIGH

Mar 7: Choir Concert 6 p.m.

Mar 16: Drone Competition 8 a.m.

Mar 26: Reality Town

LEGACY JR HIGH

Mar 25-29: College Week

SYRACUSE ARTS ACADEMY

Mar 1: Dress Your Way Day

Mar 11: No School

FUN THINGS TO DO

Mar 1: First Friday Art Stroll

Downtown Ogden 6–9 p.m.

Mar 1: Gabriel Gordon

Small Stage Series 350 S. 100 W., Layton, davisarts.org 7 p.m.

Mar 1-2: Hunchback of Notre Dame onpitchperformingarts.com Tickets $14-18 587 N. Main Street, Layton 7:30 p.m.

Mar 1-2: Little Women Broadway Musical broadwayontheside.org

Tickets $12-17, Ogden 7 p.m.

Mar 2, 7, 14, 21, 28: Weber

Basin Free Landscape Classes Register at weberbasin.gov

Mar 6-9: Intermountain Icebreaker

Rodeo Golden Spike Event Center

Mar 11: Crosstown Big Band Peery’s Egyptian Theater 7:30 p.m.

Mar 11: Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Syracuse High School 7:30 p.m.

Mar 13: Jazz at the Station Union Station, Ogden 7 p.m.

Mar 15: Chrome Street Quartet

Small Stage Series 350 S. 100 W., Layton, davisarts.org 7 p.m.

Mar 22: Mermaid Scales and Pirate Tales Layton Library 6:30–8 p.m.

Mar 23: Moonlight Glides ogdennordic.com 6–8 p.m.

Mar 23: Easter Egg Dive Layton Surf n’ Swim 10 a.m.

Mar 30: Syracuse City Easter Egg Hunt Founders Park 10 a.m.

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

Tues: Story Time 10:30 a.m.

Wed: Story Time 10:30 a.m.

Virtual Story Time 10:30 a.m. (sign up for a link at https:// bit.ly/3qftb65)

Fri: Play & Learn 11 a.m.

ACTIVITIES

Mar 4: Beyond Books Puzzles 6:30 p.m.

Mar 7: Book Club The Bear by Andrew Krivak, Adults 7 p.m. Mar 12: Chess Night 6 p.m. Mar 14: Book Bunch TWEEN

SENIOR CENTER

Syracuse Community Center

1912 W 1900 S (801) 614-9660 #1

Tuesdays: Think Tuesday

Play Mexican Train, Three to Kings, Tri-Ominos, Nada, and Yahtzee. Bring your favorite game. FREE 10 a.m.

Mar 19: Monthly Bus Trip $2

Lunch at Greenery Restaurant (Must RSVP by calling 801-614-9660, opt. #1) Bus leaves 11 a.m.

Mar 19: Book Club Contact Mardell Harris 801-540-4791 Syracuse Library 2 p.m.

Mar 27: Seniors Lunch & Bingo $3 (Must RSVP by noon, Mar 19, by calling 801-614-9660, opt. #1) 12 p.m.

Senior Yoga: FREE with Syracuse Community Center membership. Ages 50+/$2.00 or 60+/$0.50 Tuesdays & Thursdays 8 a.m.

Pickleball: FREE with Syracuse Community Center membership. Adults/$2.00 or Seniors 60+/$0.50

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

To recieve a Senior Cititzens Newsletter, visit the Syracuse Community Center.

Mar 18: Beyond Books Young Adults OrganizMO’ 6:30 p.m.

Mar 20: Internet Safety Davis County Sheriff’s Office 6 p.m.

Mar 21: LEGO @ the Library 6:30 p.m.

Mar 26: Chess Night 6 p.m.

A Center for Community

BY SABRINA LEE

Japanese families entered Davis County in the early 1900’s and the Japanese population in early Utah saw a massive influx. The 1900 the census reported 417 Japanese in Utah, increasing to 2,110 in 1910 and 2,936 in 1920. They did not stay centralized to Salt Lake City—they spread north and south. Many found work as sharecroppers on local farms.

This was the case in Syracuse. A large portion of the Japanese that moved to the area worked on the Barnes Estate between 1915 and 1919. Thirteen Japanese families were living on the Barnes Estate between 1925 and the early 1930s, setting down roots. As more of them moved into the area, a place of worship and community gathering center was needed. Prior to World War II, there were 45 Japanese families living in Syracuse. For the most part they were living and working on farming estates and local factories. Appointed representatives of the community approached Claude T. Barnes, who oversaw the John Barnes Estate. They requested to build a church, and he responded by donating some of his land for the building. The main carpenters for the project were Mr. Akasaka and Mr. Yamada. Building began in the winter of 1923. The building was 20’x40’ and took 2 years to build. Intended for worship, the building grew into something more—a center for the Japanese families to celebrate and hold onto their culture. Social groups and farm organizations met in the building, they held Judo classes, movie nights, and school classes.

During the 1930’s the Japanese children would meet after school to learn the Japanese language and culture, but with the beginning of the World War, sentiment towards the Japanese community changed. Although the Japanese in Syracuse were not uprooted from their homes, they still faced distrust from some community members because of the war. But they still had the church, a place they could gather. Although the Japanese community faced scrutiny, they shared their culture with the surrounding community. A 1947 ad in the Weekly Reflex newspaper invited the community to a Bazaar-Carnival, complete with games, prizes, and food. The older Japanese population began to pass away, and the younger generation travelled and found careers elsewhere. The remaining population practicing Buddhism preferred to attend services at the Ogden Buddhist Church with a larger congregation. The need for the Syracuse Buddhist Church faded, and the last service was held in 1979. The Syracuse Buddhist Church merged with the Ogden Buddhist Church and the original building remained vacant through the 1980s. A remnant of a community of people that lived, contributed, and worshipped in Syracuse. The building was finally demolished in 1990.

A large gathering outside the Syracuse Buddhist Church, circa 1930

Students of the Month

All Students will Succeed in Academics, Service, Leadership, Behavior, and Inclusion

January Hunsinger

January Hunsinger is a sophomore at Clearfield High School. While she has only been a Falcon for a few months, she already loves the Clearfield community as “being a Falcon is something we all have in common.” January takes a variety of honors classes at Clearfield, and she really loves her honors history class. There is so much to learn about Clearfield when you are a sophomore, but January has learned that Falcons are Fabulous is the best part of the year.

Jaden Isaacs

Jaden Isaacs is a senior at Clearfield High School. He is an outstanding student who challenges himself academically with a variety of concurrent enrollment classes. He enjoys his yoga class as “it is nice to have a break during the day.” He loves being a Falcon as everyone at Clearfield works together and is nice to one another. Falcons are Fabulous is the best part of the year at Clearfield because it is “cool to see everyone get together for an unselfish cause.” Jaden plays on the soccer team at CHS and is hoping to become a pilot after graduation.

Thank you to our Students of the Month sponsor!

Students receive $25 in cash

Syracuse 2023 Favorites RESULTS ISSUE

The 2023 Reader’s Favorites Poll Results are in!

We’re going to be honest, March is our favorite issue! Every year we’re a little more excited for the chance to honor you, our readers as well as all the amazing local businesses you love. We are ever grateful for the support of the communities we’re involved in, and the advertisers we work with that make those communities so special. Without any of you, the magazine wouldn’t be possible.

We want to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted and participated in this year’s voting, and a heartfelt congratulations to the winners and finalists. Be sure to tell all your favorites you voted for them. Read on, and start thinking about who will get your vote next year!

The Favorites Winners!

Thank you for voting in our Readers’ Favorites Polls.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Movie Theater

#1 UEC Syracuse 6

Entertainment Venue/Live Theater

#1 Hale Center Theater

Hopebox

Kids Entertainment

#1 The Rush

Family Fun Center

#1 The Rush

Classic Fun Center

Rodeo

#1 Heritage Days Rodeo

Ogden Pioneer Days

Arcade

#1 Flynn’s Retrocade

The Rush

AUTOS & VEHICLES

Tire Store

#1 Discount Tire

Les Schwab

New Car Dealership

#1 Young Automotive

Ed Kenley

Auto Repair Shop

#1 Paul’s Auto

Pearson Auto

Anderson Auto Body & Paint

Body Shop

#1 Anderson Auto Body & Paint

UTC/ATV Dealer

#1 Young Powersports Layton

Trailer Dealer

#1 Wasatch Trailers

Car Wash

#1 Wash Factory

Quick Quack

Syracuse Car Wash

BEAUTY & FITNESS

Nail Salon

#1 Luxor Nails

#1 Nancy’s Nails

Lashes

#1 Jaime Breckenridge

Day Spa

#1 Advanced Electrolysis

ReJuvU Day Spa

Medical Spa

#1 ReJuvU Day Spa

Advanced Electrolysis

Massage

#1 RX Massage - Donna Estes

#1 Sheli Latimer

Gym/Personal Trainer

#1 VASA

BUSINESS & FINANCIAL

Real Estate Agent

#1 Branton Bauman

Drew Heslop

Liz Sears

Orson Whitmer

Real Estate Brokerage

#1 Anette Judd

#1 My Utah Agent

Mortgage Broker/ Loan Officer

The Favorites Winners!

Lawyer/Attorney

#1 William Andrews

Jonathan Felt

Tyler Jensen

Bank

#1 Bank of Utah

Community Bank

Wells Fargo

ZIon’s Bank

Credit Union

#1 America First Credit Union

GoldenWest Credit Union

Financial Planner

#1 Herdt Brinkerhoff

Deanne Argyle

Jon Hooiman

Tax Advisor

#1 Pack Tax

Home/Auto Insurance

#1 A Insurance

Angel Chaparro - State Farm

Jacque Price - State Farm

Health Insurance

#1 Tracy Mcnalley Switch Insurance

CREATIVE OUTLETS

Fabric Store

#1 JOANN Fabrics and Crafts

Craft Store

#1 Hobby Lobby

Michaels

Joann’s

Print Shop

#1 AccuColor

#1 Ellis Printing

Photographer

#1 Robert Wood Affinity Photo Studio

FOOD & DRINK

Bakery

#1 Twisted Sugar

Donut

#1 Banbury Cross

Krispy Kreme

Coffee Shop

#1 Beans & Brews

Steak House

#1 Longhorn

Texas Roadhouse

Mexican Food

#1 Orlando’s

Manuel’s El Burrito

Ol’ Skool

El Palmar

Italian Food

#1 Olive Garden

Zeppe’s Riverdale

Pizza

#1 Pizza Factory

Marco’s

Papa Murphy’s

Jet Pizza

Hamburger/Cheeseburger

#1 Scratch Burger

#1 Carls Jr

Fries

#1 Iceberg

#1 Red Robin

“I hired William to be my injury lawyer for my car accident and would do it a million times over!”

-Toni Burnett, Google Review

“I would recommend William to anyone that would need an injury lawyer in the state of Utah, he is seriously the best and wants the best for his clients.

- Nicole Atmojo, Google Review

Scan QR code for my youtube channel!

Scan QR code to find my book!

“William Enoch Andrews has represented us on several cases with successful outcomes. We will continue to recommend him to anyone. He is truly a rock star!”

– Erin Millet, Google Review

“William kept us updated throughout the whole process. We are please with the payout and will use him again if we ever need to!”

– Ingrid Femnias, Google Review

“I highly recommend him! Rock Star!”

- Kenneth Wong, Google Review

The Favorites Winners!

Thank you for voting in our Readers’ Favorites Polls.

Taco

#1 Waffle Stop Del Taco

Barbecue

#1 Famous Dave’s

Breakfast

#1 Chris’ Cafe Waffle Stop

Lunch

#1 Hug-Hes Cafe Corner Noodle

Dinner

#1 Hug-Hes Cafe Waffle Stop Corner Noodle

Dessert

#1 Zeppe’s

Appetizer

#1 Cheesecake Factory Corner Noodle

Brewery/Distillery

#1 Rooster’s

Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt

#1 Zeppe’s

Baskin Robbins

Cold Stone Creamery

Handel’s Ice Cream

Chicken

#1 The Bird

Chick-fil-A

Popeye’s

Sushi

#1 Corner Noodle

Golden Ginger

Salad

#1 Hug-Hes Cafe

Caf'e Zupas

Soda Shop

#1 Fiiz

Quench It Swig

Smoothie

#1 Jamba Juice

Food Truck

Buffet

#1

Chuck-a-Rama

Asian Buffet

HEALTH

Pharmacy

#1

Smith’s Syracuse CVS

Wal Mart

Dentist

#1 Andrew Nield, DDS Legacy Pediatric Dentistry

Jaren C. Argyle, DMD Cooney Dental

Orthodontist

#1 Coleman Orthodontics

Sheldon Peck

Hospital

#1 Ogden Regional Medical Ctr

Health Store

#1 Island View Pharmacy

GNC Clinton

Chiropractic

#1

Camera

#1 Farr’s

Golf Course

#1 Glen Eagle

Dance Studio

#1 Just 4 Clicks

Sports/Hunting/Fishing

#1 Dick’s

Martial Arts Studio

#1 Evolutionary Martial Arts Championship Martial Arts

Bike Shop

#1 Biker’s Edge

Ski Resort

#1 Powder Mountain

#1 Snow Basin

HOME & GARDEN

Appliance

#1 RC Willey

Furniture

#1 RC Willey

Garden Center/Nursery

#1 J&J Nursery

HVAC

#1 Rentmeister

Total Home Services

Mitch Schumm

Electrician

#1 Rentmeister

Cleaning Service

#1 Just Credible Cleaners

Hardware Store

#1 Home Depot

Carpet and Flooring

#1 Frontline Flooring

Remodeling Service

#1 Almost Anything Remodeling

Painter

#1 Five Star Painting

#1 Rosewood Painting Countertops

#1 Janz Designs

Garage Door Repair

#1 Garage Door Repair Christmas Lights

#1 Northern Lights

Charter School

#1 Syracuse Arts Academy University

#1 Weber State University

Continued Education Trade

#1 Davis Technical College

Veterinarian

#1

#1

Thank

Pet Store

#1 Petco

SHOPPING

Grocery Store

#1 Smith’s Wal Mart Winco

Mattress Store

#1 RC Willey

Boutique

#1

#1

#1

#1 Simple Treasures

Florist

#1 Jimmy’s Flowers

Jewelry Store

#1 Franco Jewelers

Rocks, Crystals & Gems

#1 Bryson’s Rock Shop

Gift Shop

#1 Island View Pharmacy

Western Clothing

#1 Boot Barn Ream’s

My husband, David, claims that I was the one who instigated us getting a puppy. He’d made a passing comment about how he wouldn’t mind getting a “bridge” dog. Ten-year-old Thunder, our English Pointer/Black Lab mix, is entering his twilight years—his black fur now tinged with white, and the bounce gone from his step. We’d had to put down Sparky, our 15-year-old Corgi mix, in early 2020. A tough decision, one I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

My mind is like a steel trap—I don’t easily forget passing comments, especially when the subject is a puppy. Now I’ll admit, after Sparky, I was adamant that we would only have ONE dog from now on. But a seed was planted and now three years later, enter Maggie the Magnificent Magpie dog. You can just call her Maggie. Did you know that magpies are one of the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom? Our new puppy had a look of intelligence in her eyes. And just like magpies, nothing gets past her. Just ask baby Jesus and Joseph.

Quest for a Canine

The

bittersweet journey of bringing home a new puppy

BY MARLISS SCOTT PHOTOS BY ROCKY MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY

This past holiday she devoured the figurines, leaving behind a battered Mary, whom I thankfully was able to rescue from Maggie’s clutches.

“Despite the challenges, pets can bring us joy. They embrace life to the fullest and drag us along.”

Back to the “bridge” dog comment: getting a new puppy while we still had Thunder would ensure our household would never be dog-less. When I told my son Forrest about Dad’s passing comment, he was on it like white on rice. He began texting me link after link to all kinds of puppies online. Forrest and I came close to driving to Cedar City on his day off to pick up Biscuit, a Border Collie mix. The owner asked about our household, which is fairly chill. We don’t have small children, and we’re almost empty-nesters. We believe in staying fit, but they warned us that this breed tends to be

high-energy. And, according to dog behaviorist Cesar Millan, pet energy and family, or “pack” energy, should be equal to or less than the lowest energy entity (human or canine). So, I reluctantly passed on Biscuit.

While shopping at Station Park in Farmington one autumn afternoon, hubby and I saw some kids walking their silver Labrador* puppy. I’d done research on Labs when my son was sending me all those puppy links. Now, we aren’t all about purebred dogs. Mutts and mixes are fine with us. We both just really liked the dog. When I asked friends about their experiences with Labs, they all agreed that they make a good family pet.

David’s birthday is in October, and it dawned on me—wouldn’t it be a great surprise to gift him a puppy? After all, HE’s the one that wanted a “bridge” dog. I’m just giving him what he wants. It didn’t take long for me to find a silver Lab pup on KSL. I was looking for a female as I felt there was a better chance of the puppy and Thunder, a neutered male, getting

Maggie at 14 weeks

along. Maggie was the last of the litter and, hallelujah, she was female. The downside was the owners lived near Price, about two hours from our home.

I had to act quickly. They were making a trek to Cabela’s in Lehi THAT evening and suggested I meet them there, cutting the commute in half. I couldn’t drive down there and not tell David what was going on. and I felt he should have the final say on whether he wanted her.

At 12 weeks, Maggie was sweet, she was cuddly, and those eyes! Of course, we got her and promptly spent bundles of money buying dog accouterments galore! Kennels, leashes, toys, food, and treats. We took her for her wellness check and enrolled her in a puppy training class which, Cesar Millan says is more about training the humans than it is about the dog. So true.

Now at almost seven months, Maggie is considered a teenager in dog years. She’s fun, she’s rebellious, she’s sassy, and she’s a challenge. I’ll admit we have questioned more than once what we were thinking getting a puppy. And yes, maybe you knew this already, besides being smart, Labradors are

considered “high-spirited.” Guess we didn’t dodge THAT bullet.

My canine quest takeaways? Despite the challenges, like housebreaking, daily walks in 30-degree weather, and potty breaks at 4 a.m., pets can bring us joy. They embrace life to the fullest and drag us along. Even with the destroyed manger debacle, you can’t help but laugh at their antics. Pets, including cats, dogs, rabbits, horses, and even fish, bring our blood pressure down, alleviate stress and anxiety, and help with loneliness and depression. Most importantly, they give us unconditional love.

I recently discovered animal shelters across the state and country are experiencing pet over-capacity. If we find ourselves in another canine quest, we will be sure to check out shelters and rescue agencies. After all, they are filled with active and healthy pets of all ages ready to share their love with us.

*According to thelabradorsite. com, the silver Lab has a dilute gene which turns their chocolate fur into a pale silvery grey.

Pet Adoption Resources

County Shelters

Animal Care of Davis County daviscountyutah.gov/animalcare 801-444-2200

Weber County Animal Shelter animalservices@co.weber.ut.us 801-399-8244

Salt Lake County Animal Services adoptutahpets.org

385-468-7387

Pet Rescue Agencies

Best Friends Animal Society bestfriends.org/salt-lake-city 801-574-2454

Hearts4Paws hearts4paws.org 801-867-9564

A New Beginning Animal Rescue anbrescueanimals.com 801-916-3924

Maggie at the park, 6 months

David and Maggie at the park

Maggie, Winni and Thunder

March Madness MUNCHABLES

Looking for a slam-dunk in the kitchen this March? After you’ve filled out your brackets, it’s time to focus on the most important part of the games–the food!

RECIPES BY RYAN & MELISSA SPELTS PHOTO BY MELISSA SPELTS

Three Point Chicken Wings

Each of these wing flavors come out amazing! You can eat them as they are, with blue cheese or ranch dressing, or try Ryan’s special Dirty Bird Layup sauce below.

Free Throw Spice

5 tsp. Baking Powder

1 tsp. Blackening Spice

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

Bank Shot Buffalo Sauce

2/3 cup Hot Sauce (We use Franks Red Hot)

1/2 cup Melted Butter

1 1/2 Tbsp. White Vinegar

1/4 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (optional for less heat)

A pinch of salt

Slam Dunk Garlic Parmesan

1/2 cup Butter (melted)

1/2 cup Grated Parmesan I sometimes use grated cheese. Both are good! Grated makes for a smoother sauce, while the shredded kind is kind of chunky. You can also make the smooth sauce and then sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top.

A pinch of salt

1/4 tsp. Black Pepper

A full head of Garlic or one heaping Tbsp. of the pre-minced garlic 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder

The Dirty Bird Layup

Mixture of any two sauces. We recommend medium buffalo and garlic parmesan for an out of this world taste!

To make these wings extra crispy, remove all the moisture from the chicken’s skin by placing a wire rack on a cookie sheet, place the thawed wings on it and leave in your fridge overnight.

1. Preheat your oven to 300ºF. Put the wings into a plastic bag, pour in the Free Throw Spice mixture and shake until the chicken is generously covered.

2. Place the wings back onto the wire rack, skin side up and bake for 20 minutes.

3. Remove wings from the oven and turn the oven up to 425ºF. Once the oven is up to temperature, put the wings back in for another 40 minutes.

4. Enjoy the Free Throw wings as-is, or top with another sauce option (previous column.)

5. Melt the butter for either of the topping/sauces and mix with the other ingredients. You can blend them with a blender if you want the sauce to be smoother. Pour the sauce over your cooked wings and enjoy!

Airball Air Fryer Fries

A super easy way to make homemade French fries in your air fryer!

Russet Potatoes

Salt

Seasoned Salt

Olive Oil

1. Peel and slice Russet potatoes to your desired size and soak for about 15 minutes in salt water.

2. Preheat Air Fryer to 375º.

3. Remove from the water and place on a towel and dry potato slices as best you can.

4. Place potatoes in a bowl and douse them with olive oil (1 to 2 Tbsp.) and seasoned salt. Mix well.

5. Place in Air Fryer. Make sure the potatoes don’t touch for the BEST results.

6. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the fries are crispy and golden brown.

7. Place cooked French fries on a cookie sheet and start another batch until all the potatoes have been cooked. Dip in a dollop of ketchup and eat!