THE
Wayne & Garfield County
INSIDER
Panguitch • Panguitch Lake • Hatch • Bryce • Tropic • Antimony • Henrieville • Cannonville • Escalante • Boulder • Fremont • Loa • Lyman
Thursday, January 1, 2015 • Issue # 1079
Bicknell • Teasdale • Torrey • Grover • Fruita • Caineville • Hanksville
Garfield County Tourism Office Invites Municipalities and Non-Profits to Apply for Event and Marketing Funding
Neal Brown/Garkane Energy
A new ad campaign by Garkane Energy, "The People Behind the Power," will feature Garkane Energy employees and their many off-work interests, talents and contributions to our communities.
New Ad Campaign Highlights Garkane Employees
LOA/HATCH - Over the coming months, we’ll see few more of our friends, neighbors, family members—and, for some of us, possibly even ourselves—in the newspaper. A new ad campaign launched this coming week by Garkane Energy, called “The People Behind the Power” will feature Garkane employees as we know them—engaging in what they do outside of their work in our communities and at home. The ads, which will take place not only in the newspaper but also on radio, TV and social media, are the creation of
Neal Brown, Garkane’s member services & marketing manager. Brown also serves as the principal photographer and creative director for the ad campaign (photography being one of his own personal talents). The ad campaign is designed to put a face to our local cooperative energy company and their employees. Brown says that prior to joining the staff at Garkane Energy two years ago, “Electricity to me was just a bunch of power lines and guys running around in trucks. I really took electricity for granted.” “But as I've gotten to know
a lot of these guys,” he added “I’ve realized they do some pretty amazing things outside of work. Beekeeping, hunting guide, sheep farmer, fireman, extreme snowmobiler, dog breeder, these are just some examples. Our people have a wide variety of hobbies and talents.” Brown noted that Garkane employees are often interrupted during their time off of work to attend to a power emergency. “So I wanted to highlight who they are and what they do to get the power back on. And that the company is really about more than trucks and power lines, we really are about the
Bryce Canyon Welcomes BryceCon Board Game Convention BRYCE CANYON CITY Classic and modern board games will join forces with Utah’s acclaimed red rock scenery when family game night travels to Bryce Canyon this January for the BryceCon Game Convention. “In our digital world, this retreat will be a welcome escape for families,” said Jean Seiler, marketing director for Ruby’s Inn. “While playing the games and exploring Bryce Canyon, families can interact and reconnect.” Taking place January 16-19 at historic Ruby’s Inn, the BryceCon Game Convention will mix tabletop favorites with the latest board game cre-
ations. The family fun continues outdoors with discounted winter activities, including free admission into Bryce Canyon National Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. “Winter is one of the most unique times to see Bryce Canyon,” said Lance Syrett, general manager of Ruby’s Inn. “BryceCon is a perfect fit for Ruby’s Inn; we’ve always been about giving families memorable experiences.” As Utah’s newest gaming convention, BryceCon comes on the heels of a worldwide
explains Lacee. "When he was about two months old, I realized I felt so much better physically and had a different outlook. I didn't want him to suffer due to my choices, whether it was entertaining himself while I went outside to smoke or going to school smelling like cigarettes. Smoking is something I definitely don't want him picking up, because it controlled my life. I want so much better for him. Now that I’m tobaccofree, I have my life back!” Lacee has enjoyed a life free of addiction for fifteen months now, and encourages others to make the same deci-
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
THURS. JAN. 1 - WED. JAN 7 CHILLY THEN WARMING. And maybe some more snow...a chance of snow showers Thursday >50% with high in mid-20s; a little warmer and sunny Friday through Sunday with highs in the mid 30s, lows in teens; and warming a bit more yet Monday through Wednesday with highs in the 40s, lows in 20s.
actual hosting expenses. “We provide financial backing to more than a dozen important events every year,” Owens said. “We recognize that these community events boost local businesses and draw attention to our scenic attractions.” Both programs utilize income generated by the county’s Transient Room Tax—which is paid by visitors staying in area hotels, RV parks and campgrounds. Cities and organizations interested in applying for either program can obtain instructions and applications by visiting www.garfield.utah. gov and selecting the “tourism” section or by calling the Garfield County Tourism Office at 435-676-1160. The deadline for submitting the application for the Event Funding Program is January 7, 2015. The deadline for requesting funds through the Cooperative Marketing Program is January 28. Applications will not be considered after these deadlines. Requests for funding will be reviewed and decided upon by the Garfield County Tourism Advisory Board. Applicants who pass the initial review process will be invited to give a five-minute presentation to the board about their event, project or marketing campaign. —Garfield County Tourism Office
Learn How to Ice Fish
Ice Fishing Basics clinic offered on January 8 board game renaissance. The popularity resurgence has led to the development of new, more strategic games and the rise of multi-day gaming conventions. The game gathering will feature card games, narrative role-play games and various tournaments including sensaBryceCon
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Want to Quit Tobacco in 2015? ST. GEORGE - The start of a new year is a great time to make the commitment to be tobacco-free. The Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) is encouraging current tobacco users to consider making 2015 the year to kick the habit. 85% of smokers actually want to quit, although it can take several tries to quit for good. Local resident Lacee Perkins had smoked for eight years and tried to quit numerous times. It took the arrival of her newborn son to finally change her perspective. "I intended to start smoking again once I was done nursing him,"
people,” said Brown. Brown said that Garkane CEO Dan McClendon, who joined the company this past May, emphasizes the importance of Garkane’s employees in the workplace. “He recognizes the great talents that our employees have and is excited to highlight the company in this way,” said Brown. Brown says that so far he’s completed about a dozen profiles. “It’s been neat—when I approach the employees about their hobbies they’re kind of hesitant to talk at first, but once I get them going they open up and are excited to participate,” he said. Garkane currently employees 65 people in Wayne, Garfield and Kane counties, and services over 2,200 miles of distribution and transmission line. —Insider
PANGUITCH - Application deadlines are approaching for cities and non-profit organizations in Garfield County to request funding to help pay for community events and tourism marketing initiatives. Last year, the Garfield County Office of Tourism introduced its Cooperative Marketing Program and awarded nearly $60,000 to help communities and tourism entities expand their out-of-area advertising campaigns or tourism-enhancement projects within the county. “Our goal is to support tourism in every community,” said Falyn Owens, director of the tourism office. “The cooperative marketing dollars go a long way toward improving our local economies and increasing visitation during the off-season and shoulderseasons.” Nearly $70,000 has been allocated in 2015 for the Cooperative Marketing Program. In order to be awarded funds, municipalities and non-profit organizations must provide 35 percent of their project’s cost—with the remaining 65 percent coming from the tourism office. In addition to cooperative marketing, Garfield County has a separate funding mechanism with another $40,000 to benefit community events. The Event Funding Program awards non-profits and cities up to $3,000 per event to help with the promotional costs or
sion. Getting help and support can increase the chances of success. “Some of the best resources available are the waytoquit. org website and the Utah Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUITNOW)," says Kye Nordfelt, SWUPHD Health Promotion Director. “When someone calls the, Quit Line, they can receive up to five phone sessions with a trained coach who can help them develop a personalized plan, obtain text message support, and discuss options for medications; including free nicotine replacement therapy to eligible callers.” Get support and make this the year you quit, once and for all! —Southwest Utah Public Health Department
SALT LAKE CITY - You can learn the basics of ice fishing at a free clinic on Jan. 8. Staying warm and comfortable on the ice, the type of fishing gear you’ll need, and how to get on the ice and drill a hole, are among the basics you’ll learn. After learning the basics, experienced ice anglers and biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources will share tips and tricks that will help you catch fish at four of the state’s best ice fishing waters: Bear Lake, Pineview Reservoir, Scofield Reservoir and Fish Lake. The free Jan. 8 clinic is sponsored by Utah’s Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council. It runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Department of Natural Resources, 1594 W. North Temple in Salt Lake City. Paul Birdsey, cold water sport fisheries coordinator for the DWR, says the clinic is open to anyone who has an interest in ice fishing. “If you’re a beginning angler,” Birdsey says, “the clinic will give you the confidence you need to gather your gear and hit the ice.” Birdsey says tips to catch fish at the four waters should benefit all anglers, no matter your skill level. “It doesn’t
Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. —George Bernard Shaw
Ron Stewart, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Ice fishing is a great way to spend time with family and friends. matter if you’re a beginning or an advanced ice angler,” he says. “The tips you receive should help you catch more fish.” If you have questions
about the clinic, call the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700. —Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
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PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122