Serve Daily Issue IV.XL September 2015

servedaily Springville • Mapleton • Spanish Fork • Salem • Payson • Santaquin

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Spanish Fork and Springville residents to vote on new facilities

By Christi C. Babbitt Residents of both Spanish Fork and Springville will vote this November whether or not to build new recreational facilities in their communities and take on the accompanying debt.

A nearly 125,000-square-foot facility has been proposed in Spanish Fork. Referred to as the Life Center, the facility would include an aquatics center with various pools and a children’s play area as well as a fitness center with basketball, pickle ball, volleyball and racquetball courts, workout areas and an indoor track.

However, Spanish Fork’s facility would be much more than just a recreation center.

The new facility would also include a new library, replacing the city’s current old and inadequate library, and a new senior citizens center. Randy Chipman, a member of the citizens committee that worked with a consulting firm for months to draft the final proposal for the Life Center, said the main message that needs to get out to residents is that the Life Center includes these other facilities which are desperately needed.

“All of that in the same building saves a lot of money because you’re sharing space, you’re sharing cost, you’re sharing employees that can do multiple things,” he said.

Circulation at the current 12,000-squarefoot Spanish Fork Library has increased 300 percent in the last 15 years, according to Chipman.

The Spanish Fork City Council voted Aug. 18 to place a proposed bond issue of just over $39 million to build the Life Center on the November ballot. If approved, the bond issue would increase the proper-

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This drawing shows the floor plan of Springville’s proposed Aquatics and Activity Center. Residents will vote in November’s election whether or not to approve a bond issue to fund the facility.

ty tax on an average Spanish Fork home (worth $202,000) by $16.82 per month.

The monthly tax increase on a $202,000 business would be $30.59. The citizens committee recommended the Life Center be constructed at a location on the east side of the city’s Sports Park.

Springville’s proposed new Aquatics and Activity Center is a much smaller facility requiring an $11 million bond issue. Plans call for a multipurpose pool for swim teams and lap swimming, a leisure pool and play areas for children and a water slide - all indoors. Outdoors, there would be a splash

pad and sunbathing areas, with the leisure pool opened to the outdoors during the summer. The facility would also include a gymnasium, walking track and exercise area.

The center would replace Springville’s current indoor pool, which is deteriorating to the point of potentially becoming unusable. Springville voters rejected a $21 million bond issue in the November 2011 election that would have been used to fund a larger rec center.

In a written message in Springville’s AuSee CENTERS, page B4

New Maple Ridge Elementary opens

Springville one of the nation’s best places to live

By Lana Hiskey

By Rod Oldroyd

The new Maple Ridge Elementary School held its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. Principal Sara Matis welcomed future students, parents, Mapleton City officials, state representatives, Nebo School District personnel and school employees. The school is located at 2340 W. Harvest Parkway in Mapleton and is Nebo district’s third elementary school in Mapleton. About 550 students are enrolled in the new school this year.

“We would like our school to create a tradition of excellence, to be a place where all students can be successful, safe, accepted and welcome,” Matis said. “Our PTA has been wonderful. We appreciate your support in helping Maple Ridge begin a wonderful tradition of excellence.”

The Boy Scouts of America Troop #1494 conducted the American flag ceremony in respectable fashion, demonstrating their patriotism.

Nebo School District Superintendent Rick Nielsen introduced honored guests including Kevin Madson Architecture, Westland Construction, engineers and others that made this school possible. He welcomed past superintendents, past school board members, Mapleton City, honored

Springville City was recently honored as number 36 in the top 50 “Best Places to Live in 2015” according to Money Magazine.

Springville was one of three Utah communities mentioned in Utah and the only Utah County city to rank. Draper and Heber were also mentioned.

Money Magazine reviews criteria such as the school system, job growth, population, unique amenities, affordable homes and more.

It was also noted that Springville had a population of about 31,500, a median income of $58,266, job growth of 15 percent and a median home cost of $205,212.00.

Springville had the lowest property tax of all 50 cities listed at $1,404. The job growth in the community ranked high at number 4 with 15 percent. Ninety-three percent of adults graduated from high school compared with the national average of 86 percent.

The article mentioned that See SPRINGVILLE, page B4

Boy Scouts from Troop #1494 conduct the American flag ceremony during the ribbon-cutting event officially opening the new Maple Ridge Elementary School in Mapleton.

guests and Representative Francis Gibson, who donated the American flag to Maple Ridge Elementary that flew over the State Capitol Building.

“We have outstanding faculty here at Maple Ridge. We’ve brought some of our

best and finest here to this school to bless and benefit young people. Because in the end, we are here because of students,” Nielsen said. “We are here to build future citizens and strong community members.

See ELEMENTARY, page B4

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empoweringliberty THE INDIVIDUALS RIGHT TO ACT

SHALL BE MAINTAINED

Thousands attend first car show at veterans home

By Tony Tervort Central Utah Veterans Home hosted its first car show and cruise on Saturday Aug. 22. Thousands of people from the community were in attendance along with more than 90 classic car owners.

There were many fun family games and activities to participate in. A dunk booth, a Lego race track, a photo booth, cotton candy, popcorn and many more exciting booths were presented by several local businesses, all in support of the veterans.

One of the highlights of the event was the veteran cruise. More than 30 car owners chauffeured veterans on a 90-minute cruise to Lincoln Beach. The veterans were all smiles upon return to CUVH from the cruise, remembering days gone by when they owned many of the cars that were on display.

Donations from the community raised thousands of dollars to be managed and used for activities for residents at the Central Utah Veterans Home.

Thanks to everyone who made this event possible by participating. Special thanks to Kathy Anderson with Local Cheddar, Collin and Shessann Logue with Arrowhead Upholstery and Utah Avenue Insurance for helping make this such a great event. Serving the veterans who served our great nation is truly an honor.

Central Utah Veterans Home is a five-star-quality rated, short-term rehabilitation and long-term, state-of-the art skilled nursing facility. It offers private rooms, bathrooms/showers and many other amenities and is able to accommodate up to 108 individuals. Central Utah Veterans Home excels in the world of skilled nursing care.

If you or someone you know is a veteran, spouse of a veteran or a gold-star parent in need of rehabilitation or skilled nursing care, contact CUVH today to see how your healthcare needs can best be met at Central Utah Veterans Home. Call (801) 465-5400 or visit the facility at 1551 Thousands of people visited the Central Utah Veterans Home’s first car show on N. Main in Payson.

Aug. 22.

Replace flowers with food

By Katie Jo Welch

The Santaquin Fire Department has sent off its second crew to Washington State to assist in fighting the North Star Wildfire. Nick Miller and Carl Draper will relieve two of four Santaquin firefighters that are currently there assisting. The crew of four will be there for as long as needed. Thank you to all the firefighters who risk their lives and serve us daily.

A few years ago along the streets of Lima, Peru, I noticed piles of trash along the streets and alleys. As we braced for our lives in the backseat of a rickety taxi cab, careening through traffic, I noticed a woman dump her trash into the gutter, saving her plastic bag and U-turning towards her apartment stoop.

The travel guide explained to me that at the community center, homeless people can retrieve trash sacks for free and when they return them full, they are paid.

I don’t feel like it’s the BEST solution to trash collection, but I did see the value in handling two community issues with one program.

The United States Geological Survey says the average Utahn uses 248 gallons of water a day. The report comes out every five years, and five years ago Utah was second on the list behind Nevada. Since then, Utah’s water use has gone up while Nevada’s water use has declined 25 percent.

I was also noticing how at our Springville Senior Center, they plant tomatoes in their gardens for anyone who is passing by to take and eat. What if we used water to provide for the community, homeless and hungry, providing opportunities for jobless to contribute?

I am raising the question as to why not replace community gardens that are being used and paid for by taxpayers with vegetable gardens and herbs? Plant fruit trees in parks instead of non-fruit bearing? Basil, lemongrass and oregano herbs around city buildings instead of ferns.

We are already spending money on upkeep. We are already watering them.

Is there a possibility for community canning programs, convict service options to grow and produce food for the homeless and programs that also cost the taxpayers’ money?

I am impressed by Springville’s Senior Center. I would like to encourage us all to consider following their lead into our own gardens at home. Keep flowers - just intersperse them with food-bearing plants too.

American Legion thanks supporters Helen Kester

American Legion Auxiliary #84, Santaquin, would like to thank the following volunteers who helped to sell tickets for our quilt for “Fisher House” at the V.A. Hospital at the Santaquin Orchard Days Celebration and Parade: Rachel Larson, Alan Scovill, Kurt Stringham, Steve Wood, Miss Santaquin Savanna Gillies and her First Attendant Shaelyn Waters.

The drawing will be held at a special dinner for the veterans on Nov. 11 at the Santaquin Senior Citizens/Veterans Hall.

Quilt tickets will be available from auxiliary members until the time of the drawing or you can call Chris Richens at 801754-1131.

We would also like to thank Farrell Bott, commander of the Santaquin American Legion, and all the other members of Post 84 who helped set up our booth in the park.

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See historic relics at Springville’s Pioneer Museum

By Susan Bartholomew Museum Director

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n a quaint little Springville building that is almost 100 years old, a former Carnegie Library turned Pioneer Museum, 95 years worth of memories are nestled within the walls. We have been gathering pioneer relics for 95 years! There are relics, photos, books and hundreds of files in the old filing cabinets and old-fashioned card catalog that tell about the early beginnings of Springville and give glimpses into the lives of the families that resided here during the city’s first 50 years.

You might ask, what is a relic? It is an object that has survived from an earlier time period, especially one of historical or sentimental interest. The relics at the museum come in all sizes. Some are large, some small - from tiny ceramic dolls to large spinning wheels and tools. Nothing is too large, mind you. We have items of clothing, quilts and spreads, band uniforms, school slates, musical instruments, blacksmithing tools, shoe-making tools, a yoke, a saddle, chaps, furniture, hair wreaths, eyeglasses, glass-headed dolls, kitchen tools and dishes, guns and sabres, candle-making molds and so on. These were the basics for survival back in their day.

Relic is an older term not used so much today. The term relic was also used in the name of the old “Relic Hall” where the relics were first housed. Our present-day museum wasn’t the beginning collection place for these relics. Back in 1920, Springville women began to orga-

DUP Stories nize the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers in Springville. The purpose of the organization was to write and preserve histories of the pioneers and to collect relics from them. It was soon realized that a place to collect and display relics was very necessary.

A small adobe building originally built for baptismal rites, the “Font House,” had been abandoned. This building was situated near the southeast corner of the Old White Meeting House on the corner of Main and Center Streets, across from the City Park. Use of the building for the relics was arranged for. A “relic shower” was held in this building. Many items were collected and it was used for a time, but it became necessary to seek larger quarters. Next stop for the relics was the upper story of the Old City Hall. It was formally opened during a Pioneer Day Celebration in 1933. Thirty years later, it was determined by the city that a new building was needed to house the city offices and library. The relics were stored in museum director Mary Smart’s basement and her garage as well as the upper floor of the old Reynolds Store Building. All items had to be out of City Hall as it was to be torn down by April 1, 1964.

Springville City and the DUP worked

Springville’s Pioneer Museum houses relics from the city’s first 50 years.

out an agreement for the relics to be placed in the old Carnegie Library at 175 S. Main as it was no longer needed for a library with the building of the new library. The relics have been housed in their present home for 50 years. The pioneers first came to Springville in 1850. Some of our relics are nearly that old, some are from around 1900 and some a little later. It is truly

amazing to see the old objects and photos and to read the stories and imagine what it was like “back then.” Come step back in time and see our collection. We’re open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is closed during winter months. Call 801-491-2076 or email us at springmapledup@gmail. com.

What it’s like to travel the world for a year

By Britnee Johnston I’ll never forget the day when my husband, Mark, and I climbed the steep rocky hill, stair after stair, to reach the entrance of Machu Picchu in Peru. Although it was a very sweaty climb, we were in awe as we reached the top and were rewarded with an impressive view of the famous Inca ruins.

Making it to Machu Picchu meant so much to us as it was our final destination completing a full year of traveling around the world. After 26 countries, 78 cities and tens of thousands of miles logged into

Photo courtesy of OneWorldOneYear.com

Mark and Britnee Johnston are shown at Machu Picchu in Peru in May 2015 as part of their year-long tour around the world.

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our dream trip, this was finally the end.

The day Mark and I packed our bags for the last time in Peru to fly back home to Utah, I felt elated and exhausted. I was tired of traveling and wanted to go home, and I felt guilty thinking that way as if I didn’t appreciate our trip. Why would a person ever want to come home and stop living the dream of travel? Why not keep going if it was an option?

Truthfully, being on the road for an entire year straight was hard for us. The long flights, constant culture shock and uncertainty of what we ordered from menus got old. Being each other’s only company for days on end was too much sometimes and we’d lose our tempers, lose our patience and lose sight of why were were out there.

I learned that traveling wasn’t idyllic all the time. Bad days happened, but with it came a plethora of amazing days: Exploring temple ruins in Cambodia, eating pistachio rolls in Paris, praying with the Pope in Rome, visiting Lenin in Moscow, walking

the Great Wall of China, hiking Torres del Paine in Chile, running to the Sydney Opera House, watching cholitas fight in Bolivia, riding the legendary Trans-Siberian, hearing the call to prayer in Istanbul, trekking to Annapurna Base Camp, enjoying sunset in the Greek Islands, and swimming in the lakes of Finland. The list goes on and on and I couldn’t have asked for better experiences in our trip. I was reminded of how lucky we were to be healthy and able to do these things and see so much of the world. Regardless of any complaints or discomforts, we had fulfilled our dream of traveling the world.

Was it all worth it, to give up working for a year to travel? Yes! It was exactly what we needed and we wouldn’t change a single thing. Without a doubt, our life is better now than it was a year ago. No regrets whatsoever.

To read more about Britnee and Mark Johnston’s journey, visit OneWorldOneYear.com.

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Stone Drug Grill: Come for the food, stay to talk to Joyce

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By Amy Baird

eople always say that change is good. But sometimes when you find a good thing, you just want it to stay the same. Joyce, a 30-year veteran of the Stone Drug Grill, informed me that the only things that have changed in the grill are the cash register and the marble countertops. Even the special has been the same for as long as anyone can remember. And there is a reason for that: Stone Drug Grill is classic and delicious.

For this review, I took some of my favorite ladies from the neighborhood and we went for lunch. Everyone was very impressed with the grill. Tiffany Clark said, “It reminds me of an old-school diner and the food feels like you are going to grandma’s house.” Alice Lapray said, “The best way to describe it is nostalgic.

It reminds me of when I was a kid.”

We all agreed that our favorite thing about Stone Drug was the ladies working the counter. When we walked in, we were greeted by Joyce. She had put sticky notes with “Reserved” on the counter to save our seats. The lunch rush can get a bit crazy. Joyce is feisty, fun and kind. I could imagine myself going there every day just to chat and laugh with her. The other ladies of the group are Charlene, who has been working there 18 years, and Lisa, who has been working there 12 years. I could have written a whole article just about these ladies.

We ordered a variety of things to get a feel for the menu. After we ordered, Joyce told us, “If you need something, holler.”

My favorite item at Stone Drug was the sodas. Ok, not the fountain drinks, which are Coca-Cola products (DON’T mention Pepsi around Joyce). I am talking about the old-fashioned soda made with flavoring, ice cream and soda water. Yum. Tiffany got a raspberry soda and said it was “yummy, fun and vintage, kind of like a melted raspberry dreamsicle.”

Also, while we are talking about drinks, they have really good shakes (not sure if their shakes qualify as a drink though because they are so thick). Michaun Torgersen got an Oreo shake that she described as “thick and delicious with just the right amount of Oreos.” It was so good, I ordered one as well. My favorite moment was when Tesa was dipping her fries into her raspberry-marshmellow

The “Lunch Ladies” at Stone Drug Grill are, from left: Charlene, Joyce, and Lisa.

Delectable Dining shake. Joyce laughed and said, “I like to teach the little kids to dip their fries in the shakes even though the moms aren’t always happy about it.”

The fries are DELICIOUS dipped in shakes, but they are also delicious on their own. Crinkle cut fries are something I normally avoid because I have many memories of soggy crinkle cut fries from the cafeteria. These were crisp and soft on the inside and piping hot. The most exciting part about eating the fries though was the dipping options. They have ketchup, pink sauce (like fry sauce) and white sauce. White sauce is difficult to describe.

I thought it would taste like mayonnaise but it doesn’t. It has a nice smooth flavor with a little bit of tang.

Ok, now for the main dishes. I got the “special”: a cheeseburger, fries and a drink. It was yummy. The burger was just simple and delicious: none of those fancy toppings or gourmet seasonings, just a classic hamburger cooked up on the grill with a slice of American cheese, shredded lettuce, pickle slices, a tomato and some yummy sauce. That’s it. Plain, simple and delicious.

If you have never been to Stone Drug Grill, you need to go. Make sure to go between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday so you can get to know my new friends Joyce, Charlene and Lisa. Stone Drug Grill is located at 159 N. Main Street in Spanish Fork. The grill is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Strike One Youth Baseball, an all-abilities baseball league, is open to boys and girls ages 3 to 13 in southern Utah County.

Strike One Youth Baseball league open to local youth

By Patricia Harrell

A new youth baseball league is “hitting it out of the park” in southern Utah County. Strike One Youth Baseball is an all-abilities baseball league for boys and girls ages 3 to 13. Our team reinforces sportsmanship and fundamentals. Hitting, fielding and teamwork are all central to our mission. We rely on volunteers to coach, ump and lead the players in our league. Established in 2015, Strike One Youth Baseball is a nonprofit youth baseball development program located in southern Utah County.

Our players learn sportsmanship and teamwork first, all while we teach the

fundamentals of the game through positive encouragement and recognition. And most important, we have fun while we do it. Parents are more than welcome to help their children learn and grow. You’ll be surprised what your little athlete can accomplish at the plate and on the field.

We have done our very best to recruit talented coaches to help facilitate practices and games and assist our volunteer coaches. Games are played every Thursday and Saturday evening from 4:15 to 7:30 p.m. at Russell Swenson Ball Park in Spanish Fork.

If you would like more information, contact us at 801-787-0786 or coach@ k1baseball.com.

Donate to Scouts’s Eagle project Scout Ryan Berger was born with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, also known as “Bubble Boy” disease. While being treated for his disease in Los Angeles, his parents stayed at the Ronald McDonald House so they could be close during his treatment and eventual bone marrow transplant.

Having seen the benefit of the Ronald McDonald House program, 15-year-old Ryan now wants to help out the Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City through his Eagle Scout project. He asked his parents what they thought would be needed at the house, and their answer was

an easier way to communicate with family while they were far from home. Ryan has set a goal to provide a minimum of 10 Chromebooks (approximately $200 each) to the Ronald McDonald House. A Chromebook is a small laptop that provides basic Internet functions.

He is currently seeking monetary donations as well as donations of sugar, corn oil and mushroom popcorn. Anyone interested in donating, matching donations or helping out in any way can contact Ryan at 801-489-3282 or call his mother’s cell phone at 801-369-6921 and he will get back with you.

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Salem Hills High School principal receives Teacher Feature Award

By Britnee Johnston and Lana Hiskey Zions Bank and KSL today recognized Salem Hills High School Principal Bart Peery with a Teacher Feature award for his outstanding service to the school and community. Amanda Dickson, on-air host at KSL Newsradio, surprised Peery with news of the award during an Aug. 21 assembly in front of the entire student body and faculty at Salem Hills High School.

Peery was nominated by Matt Hiatt, a father of a student with special needs at Salem Hills. His nomination letter praised Peery for his example and leadership in creating a culture of caring for those with special needs and making everyone feel welcomed.

“The culture at Salem Hills High School is a culture of inclusion and celebration of all the student body, even those with student needs,” wrote Hiatt in his nomination letter.

SHHS teacher Shannon Williams said, “Today was amazing day! Mr. Peery was awarded with the Teacher Feature from KSL, along with the school, for having a climate of “making a difference” in the lives of others each day.

“Watching our youth at the pep assembly strengthens our faith in the youth of this generation. They are amazing, strong and great leaders. We are in good hands.

Go Skyhawks!”

KSL Newsradio will broadcast a feature story about Peery’s contributions during its Sept. 29 broadcast and will post the report at ksl.com. In addition, Peery will receive dinner to The Roof restaurant at Temple Square, a season pass to Hale Center Theatre, an overnight stay at Anni-

By Ginny Ackerson

Salem Hills High School Principal Bart Peery was presented with a Teacher Feature award for his outstanding service to the school and community on Aug. 21.

versary Inn and an invitation to an end-ofyear banquet with Gov. Herbert.

Since 1994, the Teacher Feature Award has recognized the outstanding contributions of teachers who make a difference in the lives of young people. Teachers are nominated by students, parents or fellow colleagues and are spotlighted each Tuesday morning on KSL’s Utah’s Morning News with Amanda Dickson and Brian Martin. Award recipients are selected by representatives from Zions Bank, the Utah State Office of Education and KSL Newsradio.

Zions Bank is Utah’s oldest financial

institution and is the only local bank with a statewide distribution of financial centers, operating 100 full-service centers.

Zions Bank also operates 24 full-service financial centers in Idaho. In addition to offering a wide range of traditional banking services, Zions Bank is also a leader in small business lending and has ranked as the No. 1 lender of U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans in Utah for the past 21 consecutive years. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank has been serving the communities of Utah for more than 140 years. Additional information is available at www.zionsbank.com.

Landmark High School students survive ‘Indragonation’ events Brian Davenport The students of Landmark High School in Spanish Fork had the opportunity to join together and make the school feel like a close-knit family by going through some challenges during the first two days of school.

The students were introduced to Mr. Lynn Mecham, the new principal of Landmark High School. Mecham introduced himself to the students and talked about overcoming adversity in their lives.

Mecham also talked about setting goals and going for them. He talked about how when he was a youth, he wanted to learn

Concert Series to feature singer Louise Payne

how to tear a phonebook in half. Mecham then showed the students that he could tear a phonebook in half.

After the opening assembly, the student went out to breakout sessions to help go over the rules of Nebo School District and LHS. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a rope obstacle course and climb a rock wall, all provided by CLAS High Ropes in Provo. The students helped encourage each other to go through the obstacles or climb the wall.

On the final day of Indragonation, the students had an ice cream social to help let the student mingle and get to know each other.

Senior Justin Richmond works his way through the rope obstacle course, during Landmark High Schools Indragonation Program.

Louise Huber Payne will be the featured performer for the Sunday Concert Series at the Springville Museum of Art on Sept. 20 at 4:30 p.m.

Payne has been singing for as long as she can remember. She has enjoyed singing with her husband, Tom, for more than 29 years as well as parenting their five children and keeping up with homework.

She has been singing professionally since 1985, coaching voices since her first pedagogy class as a performance/pedagogy major at BYU in ‘85 with a double-major in elementary education. She currently substitute teaches for Nebo School District and area schools and teaches a piano preschool in her home on Wednesdays.

She is in her element when she can balance marriage, family and home-creating with stage work and presenting. She enjoys the opportunities to share any of her many varied vocal-piano presentations with those who enjoy them and can be influenced toward good from them.

Payne has enjoyed singing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ production of “Savior of the World” with their oldest two children and she has sung with Opera West, Salt Lake’s Utah Opera at the Capitol Theater, Utah County’s Utah Lyric Opera Company, BYU Opera and Theater, Opera de Lafayette and Indiana’s Lafayette Civic Theater and Operetta. She has also given educational presentations on opera and the arts to schools, performed with local community theaters (including Springville’s “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” in 1994) and presented marriage enrichments classes with her husband, Tom. Her program will be full of bright, positive compositions celebrating the return of the school year and the wonderful opportunities it affords. Her accompanist is Ludmila Gudnina.

Ludmila Gudnina was born in the former Soviet Republic of Azerbiajan. At age 7, she began training in music. She has since finished conservatory training, won numerous piano competitions, participated in a performance tour of the former USSR and taught piano, theory and composition at the university level.

In 1995, Gudnina moved to the United States where she continues to perform, compose, record, orchestrate and teach piano.

The Springville Arts Commission, sponsor of the Sunday Concert Series, is pleased that the Utah Old Time Fiddlers will perform on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 4:30 p.m. at the Springville Museum of Art. They will provide a lively and toe-tapping concert.

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Salem Hills High School cross country team members ran in their first home meet on Aug. 25.

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Mike Hardy, Rhett Huff and Brian Hulet are shown at the Central Bank Citizen of the Quarter event on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Salem Hills Cross Country Rhett Huff honored as hosts first home meet

By Mitchel Hunter Citizen of the Quarter for Central Bank in Payson Salem Hills High School’s cross country team ran in a meet on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 4 p.m. against local teams including Payson, Wasatch, Spanish Fork and Juab.

It was the team’s first home meet at their course located on the grounds of the Salem Hills Sports Complex. “We did good as a team,” said the team’s Head Coach Bart Thompson, “We saw some room for improvement and recognized where we

could do better.”

As for how the meet went, the coach said it was fun to race against local teams.

Coach Thompson continued by saying, “Our girls won overall, our boys were beat by Spanish Fork who won by a couple of points.” When I asked him what the fastest time was, he said, “Our fastest girl was Allison Pray who ran a 5K, or 3.1 miles, in 19:55.” He went on to say the fastest boys time from the team was Nathan Acie with a time of 17:13.

Being a parent today is filled with challenges! If you’re looking for common-sense solutions, come to the 2015 Uplift Families Parenting Conference, hosted by First Lady of Utah, Jeanette Herbert, on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Thanksgiving Point Show Barn.

“Our organization believes that to have a strong viable state, we must have strong viable families. We have great concern for the children of Utah and the negative influences they are exposed to. We believe strongly that by getting the message out to parents as to the critical nature of their positive involvement with their children, we can help turn the tide of juvenile problems that we see as a growing threat to our society,” Herbert said.

This year’s presenters include Matt Townsend, Brad Barton, Carmen Rasmusen Herbert, Clay Olsen and Lucy Delgadillo. There will also be a special performance by Joshua Creek.

You’ll be inspired, educated and entertained by well-known speakers and experts on the family. Enjoy dinner, dessert, music, exhibits and prizes. Make it a date night or come with friends.

Uplift Families Foundation is a nonprofit established

by First Lady of Utah Jeanette Herbert to assist parents in gaining access to programs and information that will help them Jeanette Herbert acquire the skills necessary to raise loving, responsible children.

Uplift Families believes that strong parent-child relationships are the key to providing children with the tools necessary to make safe and healthy choices in their lives and to keep them free of drugs, alcohol, violence, crime and pornography.

Tickets are $25 per couple or $15 for an individual. Seating is limited. To buy tickets or get additional information, go to www.UpliftFamilies.org.

Uplift Families Parenting Conference set on Sept. 19

By Jennifer Huff Rhett Huff was recently honored as Citizen of the Quarter for Central Bank in Payson. Mike Hardy presented the award and gave a few words. He thanked Rhett for all that he does in the community. Not only is he involved with the Payson Lions Club, but he also supports the Chamber of Commerce and regularly attends Payson City Council meetings where he is known to give his suggestions and input.

Mike also told a story of a recent election where one of the candidates approached him and said, “If I get elected, can I be on the economic development commit-

tee?” He thought to himself, Rhett sought me out and volunteered during the initial formation of the committee, this tells of the kind of man Rhett is: always willing to dive right in and make a difference where he can.

There were many friends and family in attendance including some special guests from his assisted living facility.

Rhett went on to thank everyone who gives to their community and said he is only trying to emulate what other great citizens of Payson have done before him.

He also stated he couldn’t do these things without the support of his family, the Payson Lions Club and the community.

Booster Club and Allen’s support Spr. High Athletics

By Sarah Allen-Baird For more than 20 years, the Springville High School Booster Club and Allen’s Super Save Markets have joined forces to support SHS’s Athletic Department with a breakfast. This year’s breakfast will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the court outside the cafeteria at Springville High School. If inclement weather occurs, the cafeteria will host the event.

The breakfast is open to all mem-

bers of the community and is reasonably priced at only $5 per person.

The funds raised from this event will support the school’s athletic programming throughout the year.

Kathryn Allen, co-owner of Allen’s, shared this sentiment: “Sports give the youth of this community a sense of belonging, whether kids are on the field or in the stands. We hope our continued support of this breakfast assists in Springville High’s team spirit and encourages the community to support the teams as well.”

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SEPTEMBER 2015

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‘Go Set a Watchman’ by Harper Lee reviewed

T The Optimal Health Support Group is a place where people trying to lose weight can gather together weekly to set goals and encourage each other.

Meetings help you reach your New Year’s goals Theresa Olesen Turn on your television in January and almost every commercial is for some weight loss program. That’s because most people think about setting weight loss or other health goals as New Year’s resolutions. Now we are more than half way through 2015 and it’s a good time to assess where you are with those goals.

Three years ago, in January, I set a weight-loss resolution and started a journey that resulted in losing over 80 pounds.

Never in my 35 years of resolutions to reverse my morbidly obese state did I ever think I would wear a size 8 instead of 3X. If I were lucky, I hoped I would be able to at LEAST drop 25 pounds, so each year I tried again. I never gave up. My tenacity finally paid off with the journey I started three years ago. I finally found what worked for me.

BUT, losing that much weight takes support. So through the generosity of Macey’s in Spanish Fork, I now teach a healthy habits and weight-loss support group called Optimal Health Support Group. There is no fee or cost to attend.

Our little group started in January of 2015 and since then we have collectively lost over 100 pounds. It’s just a fun little group of people who get together each Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. to set

goals and encourage each other.

Charlene has lost over 55 pounds since January. She says she has been chubby all of her life and it is SO fun, as her health coach, to see her achieve a weight she never thought possible. She has been one of our most regular class attendees and looks forward to the Wednesday classes.

Here’s her story.

“In January, I decided to renew my commitment to lose weight. I have tried several weight loss programs in the past and did not stick with them. Several people I know had great success reaching their health goals participating in the Take Shape for Life Program. I decided to give it a try. It has been an incredible journey for me and has helped me change the way I view food and eating. We laugh when I say that my goal was to be able to tie my shoes and breath at the same time, but it was! Now I can enjoy doing much more than tying my shoes! Our support group is much more than getting and giving ideas.

It is where we gather with others who have similar struggles and successes to support, rally, encourage and celebrate!”

If you are struggling with keeping your healthy New Year’s resolution, please come join us for support with your goals.

For more information, call or text Theresa at 801-636-9605 or email her at GoodbyeFatForever@gmail.com.

Blind and Seer: A story

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Evelyn Benz

nce upon a time in the ancient Empire of China, twin girls were born to the Emperor’s favorite concubine. One girl was born blind and the other girl was born with purple eyes. The Emperor accused the concubine of betraying him and sentenced her to death by a thousand cuts.

The Emperor was convinced by his advisers that the unusual twins must have been fathered by a god, and that he might bring forth a curse by killing them. And so the twins were spared and grew up in the compounds of the palace.

The Emperor had many children from his concubines - boys, girls, twins - but none could surpass these two twin girls.

The blind one spoke as if she could see everything and more, and her wisdom and intelligence surpassed that of China’s oldest wise men. The one with the never-before-seen purple eyes told surprising prophecies that seemed unlikely but always came true.

The Emperor held these twins in high honor and always placed them beside his eldest son and heir. The twins were always pleased and happy with the Emperor’s treatment of them, but as the Emperor’s trust in them grew, so did their fame, both good and bad.

The other concubines and the Emper-

or’s older children became resentful and envious of the twins. They plotted to have the twins poisoned, and once they were dead, they would convince the Emperor that the twins had taken their own lives.

Knowing from their special gifts that it was their fate to die that night, the twins asked to have one last word with the Emperor. But the concubines had made the Emperor drink so much that he fell asleep. So instead, the twins left a note on the Emperor’s belly.

The next morning the Emperor awoke groggily, to see the note falling off his belly. The Emperor fell off his bed to pick it up and opened the note. It read, “Our Beloved Imperial Father, today you will awake to see that we are no longer with you in body, but in spirit we swear to look over you and our people to the ends of time if you take our last advice: beware the Mongols. Deal with them wisely and our empire will prevail. Deal with them lightly and our empire will crumple at their feet.”

Alas, the concubines and his other children were quick to place doubt in the Emperor’s mind about the twins’ last piece of advice. As spirits, the twins sadly watched their beloved father being deceived and misled by their family.

And the once strong and powerful empire fell to the Mongols just as the twins had written.

By Debbie Balzotti

he most controversial book of the year was released in time for my birthday in July. When I pre-ordered it, I’d already heard how Harper Lee would never have allowed her dusty manuscript to be published. Languishing in a nursing home, blind and deaf after a stroke, without the protection of her now-deceased sister and lawyer, the frail 89-year-old was apparently convinced by her new protector to allow publication of “Go Set a Watchman.”

Written in the 1950s (“To Kill a Mockingbird” was published in 1960), the unpublished manuscript was conveniently “found” last year. Since Harper Lee never published another book after her Pulitzer Prize-winner in 1960 and she was often quoted stating she never would, this was a literary gold mine.

So is it a new novel? Is it the first draft of “To Kill a Mockingbird” as many claim? Were fraud and theft involved?

As I waited in the airport I was bombarded by “Go Set a Watchman” reviews on every screen before I even opened the cover. Commentators all agreed it wasn’t a great novel and readers would be disappointed in the characters. I heard all the spoilers and I was still curious about the so-called sequel to Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Apparently there were 1.1 million of us that first week who still wanted to read a book that critics didn’t love. The book is again set in Maycomb, Alabama, where Scout has come from her home in New York for a visit. Jean Louise is now a mature woman of 26 and finds the racism in her hometown appalling. Even her father Atticus seems to be infected with it. The

Book Look

hero of “Mockingbird” is still wise and honorable but topples from his “Mockingbird” pedestal early in the book.

One of the saddest scenes was when Scout runs to Calpurnia who now lives with her children and grandchildren. This beloved woman who raised the motherless Scout turns her away with indifference and scorn.

“Watchman” won’t be an American classic. It won’t be added as required reading for all ninth-graders. It may ruin the legacy of “Mockingbird.” However, it is worth reading and definitely worth talking about.

Harvest Moon Hurrah set Sept. 19 The Spanish Fork Arts Council is once again pleased to present the Harvest Moon Hurrah - now in its 11th year!

This free community event for the entire family will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, at the City Park (Library Park) on Center and Main streets from 3 to 9 p.m. Invite your friends; invite your extended family; come and enjoy the best party of the year.

The event will include performances by the wildly popular Green Man Group from Utah Valley University, indie folkpop band The National Parks and the One Voice Children’s Choir. Other performers

will include the ALA Show Choirs, the Spanish Fork Chorale and the Nebo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Beginning at 3 p.m. will be the children’s crafts and games in the large tent and the giant paint-it-yourself murals. At 4 p.m., pumpkin decorating, clowns and balloon animals, storytelling and caricature illustrations will all begin. At 5 p.m., the hay rides with live bluegrass music will begin. Activities will wrap up between 6 and 7 p.m. so that everyone can enjoy the featured entertainers. For more information, visit www.spanishfork.org.

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CENTERS Continued from page A1

gust 2015 City Source newsletter, Springville Mayor Wilford W. Clyde said in 2011, concerns expressed to the city about that proposed center included “too fancy, too big of a bond, too soon after building the Library and City Center” and a bad economy.

“The city council listened, so this reduces the cost of the facility from $25 million to $18 million and the amount of the bond from $21 million to $11 million,” Clyde wrote in his message. “We raised $7 million additional funds instead of $4 million on the previous proposal and the economy is much better.”

If the bond issue is approved, the tax increase on an average home in Springville (worth $207,700) would be $5.04, compared with $8.25 for the bond issue proposed in 2011. The monthly tax increase on a $207,700 business would be $9.17.

A citizens committee organized to

www.ServeDaily.com make recommendations to the Springville City Council regarding options for a future aquatics center considered 12 different sites for the center and recommended it be located at 700 S. 1250 West.

Chipman said the committee studying the proposed Spanish Fork center wanted to be sure that the facility built would be affordable and practical for today but be able to serve the community for 40 to 50 years. He pointed out that the cost to citizens will go down as the city grows and that the facility would serve people of all ages. Ultimately, however, whether residents are for or against the Life Center, the important thing is for everyone to cast their ballot, Chipman said. “There’s valid and great reasoning for wanting it and not wanting it. People just need to go vote,” he said.

For more information about the Spanish Fork Life Center, visit www.spanishfork.org or spanishforklifecenter.com. For more information about the Springville Aquatics and Activity Center, visit www. springville.org/aquatic.

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We know how to build beautiful buildings, and this is one of them. But it is the students who are the spirit and the soul of school. When the students walk through the doors, that’s when the building comes to life.”

The student choir captured the audience’s attention by singing enthusiastically “What’s More American?” and “Utah, This is the Place” directed by DeAnn Sanders.

Nebo School District Board of Education President Kristen Betts spoke to the crowd about this memorable event.

“Today is a day of anticipation. As I ran errands this morning, I was so excited to see the seventh-graders as they attended their first day of classes at Mapleton Junior High. Later, as I worked in my kitchen with the windows open, I could hear the Springville High marching band as they practiced for their sea-

New YouTube channel for children: Mima Zone Susan Escalante in Utah County has created a YouTube channel for children called “Mima Zone.” On her channel, she reads picture books for young children, features interviews with interesting people and shares family-friendly entertainment.

Escalante has small grandchildren that moved away and this is her way to keep their interest in reading going without being close by. She has opened it up for everyone’s children. She says, “The parents might need a little break during a busy day and can use up to two hours of recorded stories. Or, maybe they can be used for bedtime stories.”

Some of the videos have shout-outs and Mima will mention your child’s name if you are a subscriber and email her at mimaszone@gmail.com.

To become a subscriber, simply log in to your YouTube account, search for Mima Zone, and click on the button that says “subscribe.” If you do not have a YouTube account, it is very simple to create one using a gmail email account.

Escalante would love to hear your feedback so she can continue to improve the program. In the future, she may be willing to do some product placement if it makes sense with the story or will entertain the children watching.

Mima Zone can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Periscope.

Sometimes it is listed or tagged as “Mima’s Zone.” *** True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what’s right. - Brigham Young

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son. Right now I can’t look at any social media site without seeing pictures of high school football players. Schools, such as Maple Ridge, provide a way for communities to come together. We have the opportunity for the communities of Spanish Fork and Mapleton to be together in this beautiful school. I am confident that under the direction of Ms. Matis and her faculty and staff, Maple Ridge will foster friendships and community-building. Thank you for a being a part of the Maple Ridge Community! Let’s have a great school year!”

School Board President, Kristin Betts, and Principal Matis directed the official ribbon cutting that included the Maple Ridge students and Nebo School Board of Education.

Parents and students were then welcomed into the Maple Ridge Elementary. The school sits on a 12-acre site with 86,000 square feet of floor space with 31 classrooms, two computer labs, a hardwood gymnasium, a seven-acre play field, a preschool unit, a Utah Education Integration unit for handicapped students and a media center.

SPRINGVILLE Continued from page A1

Susan Escalante

Springville was recognized for its creative heritage as the home of the historic Springville Museum of Art. Beyond that, the city also has a new family park and a thriving historic town center. The magazine reports people are moving to the area for new developments and nearby job opportunities.

Springville’s historic and successful Main Street businesses combined with its beautiful and easily accessible Hobble Creek canyon parks, pond and golf course, were contributing factors in the designation. For more information, visit http:// time.com/money/3984472/springvilleutah-best-places-to-live-2015/.

SEPTEMBER 2015

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AN ENVIRONMENT OF COOPERATION

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Bank of American Fork promotes local officers Bank of American Fork has promoted two officers to lead loan production in its Spanish Fork branch and another of its officers to manage the region.

Todd Harrison, VP/Branch Manager, Spanish Fork. Todd Harrison was recently promoted to be Bank of American Fork’s Spanish Fork branch manager. Harrison’s 33 years of experience in banking and 18 years as a loan officer in the Spanish Fork branch make him an ideal candidate for overseeing the branch in offering products and services that fit the Spanish Fork community. Harrison has helped both individuals and business owners to obtain financing. Prior to his career, Harrison received an associate’s degree from Dixie State and a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University.

He also has a graduate degree from Pacific Coast Banking School at University of Washington.

Harrison, his wife Carolyn and their children Morgan, Zak and Jordyn live in Spanish Fork, where they are involved in the community. Harrison has enjoyed coaching youth baseball for more than 30 years and is the treasurer and director for the Spanish Fork High School Football Booster club. He also enjoys watching his daughters compete in dance.

Derek Tuckett, Loan Officer/Credit Analyst, Spanish Fork. Derek Tuckett was recently promoted by Bank of Amer-

Todd Harrison

Derek Tuckett

Bill L. Beck

ican Fork to be a loan officer and credit analyst in Spanish Fork. Prior to coming to Bank of American Fork, Tuckett spent nine years in the Air Force Reserves including deployment in Afghanistan in 2007 and deployment in Iraq in 2009 and three years in accounting with the Utah State Tax Commission. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Utah Valley University and a master’s degree in accounting from Southern Utah University. Tuckett is excited to be working in his stomping grounds as he grew

up in Spanish Fork and Payson. He and his wife Brittany and their three daughters Braylee, Preslee and Hadlee live in American Fork where they enjoy spending time together. Tuckett has also volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America for three years.

Bill L. Beck, SVP/Southern Region Manager, Bank of American Fork. Bill Beck was recently promoted to be Bank of American Fork’s southern region manager, including offices from American Fork to St. George. As part of his duties, he

will continue to take care of the lending needs of customers throughout the southern region. Prior to working for Bank of American Fork, Beck was with First Security Bank and Far West Bank. He graduated from Brigham Young University and Pacific Coast Banking School. Beck and his wife Linda live in Spanish Fork.

They have four married children and four grandchildren. They enjoy spending time together and working on a family farm.

Beck is also very involved in many community and volunteer organizations.

degree in organizational behavior in 2009.

Afterwards, he quickly worked his way into management roles with Plum Healthcare Group of Utah and later with Choice Transportation out of Los Angeles, Calif.

Just prior to his appointment at Namify, Gaskins oversaw Sales Development for PRECOA, a pre-need insurance solutions

leader based in Portland, OR. Brenden and Lyndsey have two children and are looking forward to setting down roots in south Utah County. *** You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don’t ever count on having both at once. - Robert A. Heinlein

Namify hires Gaskins to quarterback sales initiatives Namify, a corporate branding firm based in Utah, has announced the hire of former Brigham Young University quarterback Brenden Gaskins as its new Vice President of Sales. The Namify Executive Board approved the hire in July, concurrent with a strategic repositioning of existing VP of Sales Kevin Wright.

CEO Chris Jensen explained how the move would support multiple aims. “We’re thrilled with the team and processes that we have right now and for the special trust of our customers. We will continue to grow as we help them grow, and that effort will largely rest on three pillars: innovation, fine-tuned sales programs and sustaining great business relationships. With this management shift, not only will we be gaining a proven and energetic leader in Brenden, but it will also free up our longtime sales champion, Kevin Wright, to help us perfect our enterprise sales care.”

Gaskins is no stranger to leadership or pilot programs. In fact, he first became aware of Namify while co-founding a startup business with his wife, Lyndsey.

They happened to connect with and receive mentoring from Namify’s chairman and owner, Bryan Welton, who is also an accomplished entrepreneur and venture capitalist.

“The more I learned about Namify, the more impressed I was by their forward-thinking culture and gritty business model,” Gaskins said. “For such a competitive industry, they seem to have blown past the major obstacles and earned the trust of a wonderful, nationwide audience.”

Brenden Gaskins

Though living in Oregon at the time and being originally from New Mexico, the move to Namify’s headquarters in Utah County represented somewhat of a homecoming for Brenden and his family.

“It’s exciting for me to be back in the Provo market,” explained Gaskins. “Not only is this area near and dear to me from my time at BYU, but other regions of the country really are taking notice of Utah County as an emerging center for business growth.”

As a student-athlete at Brigham Young University, Gaskins earned his bachelor’s

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Wiggy Wash celebrates five-year anniversary Wiggy Wash is continuously voted Utah’s number one car wash. What makes us so special? We are MORE than just your typical car wash.

Wiggy Wash is a full-service car wash. We offer services to make your car look new again inside and out.

Services such as carpet shampoo, leather and vinyl treatments, upholstery shampoo, headlight restoration, our express wax and many more are available.

At Wiggy Wash, we are committed to providing you the best service possible with our attention to detail and quality staff. We love our cus-

tomers. That is why we offer a customer satisfaction guarantee, because we know you’ll love us too.

Wiggy Wash is a green-certified company. We recycle 89 percent of our water! Let us do the hard work for you and do what we do best. Enjoy relaxing in our lobby while you wait.

Our lobby is equipped with a playground, snacks, drinks and FREE popcorn. Come see what all the fuss is about!

Find us in Springville at 1662 W. 500 South or in Spanish Fork at 794 S. Main.

Follow these tips to get through airport security more quickly, with less stress

By Jo Hoban at Dream Vacation Traveling is stressful, and the last thing you need is to rush through security and wait in a ton of lines. We’ve put together a simple last-minute checklist to make sure you make it through the airport quickly.

Many of these tips may seem obvious, but it can be hard to remember everything at once, especially when you’re in a hurry to catch your flight. Take some of the guesswork out of travel by checking this simple list as you head out to the airport — it’ll get you through security and on the plane in no time.

Don’t check luggage. This isn’t always in your control, but if you can, pack everything you can into a carry-on bag.

Sometimes the way you pack can make the difference between checking a bag and fitting everything into the overhead bin.

Print your boarding pass the night before. And, if you have a smartphone, use an app like TripIt to get your confirmation number, flight number and other info in one easy-to-access place.

Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off at the security line (though don’t wear flip flops — you probably want something that allows you to wear socks).

Put any jewelry, watches and even belts in your bag. Don’t wear them on travel day if at all possible; they’ll only slow

you down.

Put your phone, iPod and other gadgets in your bag rather than your pockets. After you go through security, you can throw them in your pockets when you have a moment to sit down. I even put my wallet in my bag and keep my ID in my pocket for quick access.

Put your coat or other zip-up accessories in your bag. If you’re cold, opt for a non-zip sweater or sweatshirt, which they won’t make you take off at security.

If you don’t have a TSA-approved carry-on, pick up a laptop sleeve with a detachable strap. That way, you can carry it with you through the airport, throw it on the conveyor belt, and put it in your backpack when you have a moment to yourself.

Lastly, when you arrive at the airport, check to see if there are any other security lines. Often (especially on busier days) they’ll open up a few security lines at the ends of the lobby, where you might be less likely to see them — and the lines are often much shorter.

Of course, there are a lot of other things you can do far ahead of time (fly on less-traveled days like Sunday, for example), but no matter what your plans are, these should help you get through the airport as efficiently as possible. *** None who have always been free can understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom to those who are not free. - Pearl S. Buck

SEPTEMBER 2015

Spanish Fork Salem Area Chamber hits record highs for summer

By Clark H. Caras To say that things have and are busy for the Spanish Fork Salem Area Chamber of Commerce in the summer of 2015 is most definitely an understatement and in no way even begins to reflect what has got wheels turning and churning in the basement of the Spanish Fork City building where our offices are located.

From 101 businesses handing out Play Unplugged Brag Tags to an average of three new business ribbon cuttings a week to Fiesta Days, Salem Days, businesses wanting to upgrade memberships to benefit the community, the arrival and deposit of a check for $25,000 from State Farm because 99,000 people here at home and across the United States voted for Spanish Fork and the PUP program during a 30-day period, the raising of the Revere Health superstructure in Salem, the possible up or down vote of a Life Center in Spanish Fork, the awarding to 24 Nebo School District high school graduates of $1,500 scholarships each because of the success of May’s golf tournament held in partnership with the Spanish Fork Rotary Club, sharing cotton candy from the chamber at the Treasure of the Trails opening, involvement in the Champion’s Challenge rodeo as a successful recruiting tool, support of the local 4-H and FFA with the Utah State Junior Livestock Show, and a Utah’s Own Farmers Market that has 45 registered vendors for the summer - with that number growing each week as word spreads about near sellouts of produce and product - and sees shopping patrons needing to park up to two blocks away at times, and participation in a “gratis” $250,000 study of our historic Main Street by a national organization .... Yes, things are hot in the old town tonight, and almost every day!

Yet, even with all of that, I am able to find myself still proudly calling both Spanish Fork and Salem “community,” as well as shop from one end of town to the other - north, south, east or west - and take with me from one storefront to another the feeling of “Main Street” and “small business” even when I’m in a place that sells, of all things, broccoli by what almost looks like the ton.

And the reason I find for that is the amazing ties of family and friendship that

Clark H. Caras

has such deep roots in these communities and the south of Utah County in general - with it never failing that no matter how busy you become or how big the event or celebration is or if you end up running out of ribbon to cut with giant scissors. You can find among the crowd a familiar face from high school, church, work or past employment. Or even just the neighborhood.

Yes, there is an amazing energy resonating from Spanish Fork, Salem and the surrounding area and much of it can be channeled through the chamber of commerce that has been a lightening rod of activity for this very unique summer of 2015. And on behalf of all of the chamber and the citizens who helped and served in all of the activities as well as the patronage of storefronts throughout the community, we want to say thank you for keeping up with the heat.

As the season begins to change, with the promise of pumpkins and scarecrows and Trick-or-Treat on the horizon, the outlook for the Spanish Fork Salem Area Chamber of Commerce appears on the verge of great things.

Do yourself and your business a favor and join. For more information, call 801798-8352.

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SEPTEMBER 2015

Springville Heritage Days Payson, Santaquin Great to celebrate city’s history Pumpkin Hunt planned

By Ginny Ackerson The fourth Annual Springville Heritage Days celebration will be held on Sept. 17 and 19. The theme this year is “YOU Put the ART in Art City.” Many free activities are being planned that are focused on the visual and performing arts. They are all family-friendly, fabulous and fun.

Starting off Heritage Days on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Springville Museum of Art, there will be a talk by the museum’s director, Rita Wright. She will do a retrospective on the many accomplished artists that have called Springville home.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Civic Center Park at Center and Main from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, gymnasts and martial arts performing on the stage and all genres of visual arts displayed in booths, with many pieces for sale. An interactive creative area will feature handson art projects that people will be able to make and take home. A “canoe” race in the splash pad will start at noon and a paper airplane “fly-off” will be held later. You can make your own kazoo, paint, sculpt, weave fabric, make buttons and view old-time handwriting and learn how to do it. Face painting and caricature artists will capture the enjoyment of the day.

The Springville Historical Society will have a presentation at the Springville library from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the main floor in the multipurpose room. The contractors of Springville will do a demonstration of the big equipment and what it can do at the Contractor’s Park just east of Hobble Creek behind the library starting at around 10 a.m.

There will be several food trucks there and other food booths, including Brazilian candies. There will be free popcorn and homemade root beer. Those who obtain a wooden nickel from our beautiful Springville Royalty can take that wooden nickel and buy five pieces of candy at the old-fashioned Penny Candy Store next to the information booth.

If you are a great artist and have entered the coloring contest that was introduced through the schools by the recreation department, please drop off your masterpieces at the information desk. Prizes will be awarded in several age groups the following week.

Sp. Fork fire

Nebo School District would like to personally thank all the Spanish Fork City employees and volunteers for their tireless work in putting out the transformer fire on Canyon Road in Spanish Fork. These employees and volunteers worked through the night and into the early morning hours to restore the power and Internet to our schools, homes and community. Reese Brunson, technology coordinator, said, “Our district was notified within the hour of the power problem. We appreciate all their efforts. They restored our power by 10 a.m. Thank you.” Nebo School District appreciates our great partnership with Spanish Fork City.

By Carolyn Bowman The Payson & Santaquin Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the 2015 Great Pumpkin Hunt.

The Payson & Santaquin Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a unique business fair to invite everyone to get to know the businesses in the Payson & Santaquin Area. Each participating business will provide a clue for its business to the chamber office by Sept. 15. All clues will be typed up and given to all residents who want to join the fun of the Great Pumpkin Hunt.

During the entire month of October, everyone is invited to search the participating Payson & Santaquin Area businesses using the clues that the businesses provided. This our community Trick-or-Treat, so be sure to give them a treat when they come to your business as well as stamp, sign or sticker their card and give any information or promotional items you want about your business.

Payson and Santaquin businesses are invited to become a participating sponsor of the hunt. As a participating sponsor, your business name will be on the hunt list and you will receive a window plac-

ard to help advertise the event. Sponsorship cost is $20. For more information or to sign up, call 801-465-2634 or send an email to paysonsantaquinarea@gmail. com. All participating businesses must register before Sept. 15.

For the Great Pumpkin Searchers: 1. Start at the Chamber of Commerce office located at 805 S. 500 West Suite 7 in Payson.

2. Each participant will get a copy of all the clues to find each of the participating businesses.

3. After visiting each search location and obtaining all of the search signatures, return your official search list to Chamber Executive Director Carolyn Bowman at the chamber office. All Search Lists must be turned into Carolyn by Oct. 30 to be entered into the Great Pumpkin Grand Prize Drawing on Saturday, Oct. 31. A Grand Prize Drawing will be held in the following age categories: Tots - Under 6, Kids - 7 to 12, Teens - 13 to 17, and Adults - 18 and older.

Winners will be notified and can pick up their prizes at the Great Pumpkin Press Conference. Check out Serve Daily and the chamber website and Facebook page for more information.